PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.By Senator Collins from Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs filed written report under authority of the order of the Senate of 08/04/2006. Report No. 109-320.
Congressional Research Service
Version 35 · Passed Senate amended · Oct 27, 2005
Debris Removal Act of 2005 - (Sec. 2) Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to pay an eligible disaster relief applicant 50% of the federal share of assistance for which the applicant is eligible under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, within 60 days after the applicant files a claim for such assistance.
(Sec. 3) Authorizes reimbursement for clearing and removing debris to include reimbursement for clearing, removing, and disposing of debris from any emergency access road.
(Sec. 4) Authorizes federal assistance for removing debris and wreckage resulting from a major disaster from owner-occupied private residential residential property, utilities, and residential infrastructure (such as a private access route) as necessary for a safe and sanitary living or functioning condition.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
(Sec. 5) Provides that, for at least 180 days after the declaration of an emergency or major disaster between August 25, 2005, and December 31, 2005, the federal share of assistance provided to eligible applicants for debris removal shall be 100%.
(Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide clear, concise, and uniform guidelines for the reimbursement to any county or government entity affected by a hurricane of the cost of hurricane debris removal.
People & committees
Sen. Martinez, Mel [R-FL] · R–FL
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
By Senator Collins from Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs filed written report under authority of the order of the Senate of 08/04/2006. Report No. 109-320.
By Senator Collins from Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs filed written report under authority of the order of the Senate of 08/04/2006. Report No. 109-320.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent. (text as passed Senate: CR S12025-12026)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.(text as passed Senate: CR S12025-12026)
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S12024-12026; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S12024)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 225.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Collins with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Collins with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Mar 9, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze S.939 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine S.939 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine S.939 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine S.939 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.