EMERGENCY FUNDS.

SEC. 304. EMERGENCY FUNDS. (a) Authorization of Appropriations.—Section 2602 (42 U.S.C. 8621) as amended by section 303, is further amended by adding at the end thereof the following new subsection: “(e) There are authorized to be appropriated in each fiscal year for payments under this title, in addition to amounts appropriated for distribution to all the States in accordance with section 2604 (other than subsection (g)), $600,000,000 to meet the additional home energy assistance needs of one or more States arising from a natural disaster or other emergency. Funds appropriated pursuant to this subsection are hereby designated to be emergency requirements pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(D) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, except that such funds shall be made available only after the submission to Congress of a formal budget request by the President (for all or a part of the appropriation pursuant to this subsection) that includes a designation of the amount requested as an emergency requirement as defined in such Act.”. (b) Home Energy.—Section 2603 (42 U.S.C. 8622(3)) is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), and (7) as paragraphs (2), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), and (9), respectively; (2) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated), the following new paragraph: “(1) The term ‘energy burden’ means the expenditures of the household for home energy divided by the income of the household.” ; and (3) by inserting before paragraph (4) (as so redesignated), the following new paragraph: “(3) The term ‘highest home energy needs’ means the home energy requirements of a household determined by taking into account both the energy burden of such household and the unique situation of such household that results from having members of vulnerable populations, including very young children, individuals with disabilities, and frail older individuals”. 108 STAT. 659 (c) Allotment of Emergency Funds.—Section 2604 (42 U.S.C. 8623) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new subsection: “(g) Notwithstanding subsections (a) through (f), the Secretary may allot amounts appropriated pursuant to section 2602(e) to one or more than one State. In determining to which State or States additional funds may be allotted, the Secretary shall take into account the extent to which a State was affected by the emergency or disaster, the availability to an affected State of other resources under this or any other program, and such other factors as the Secretary determines relevant. The Secretary shall notify Congress of the allotment pursuant to this subsection prior to releasing the allotted funds.”.