In July 2021, Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar introduced the bipartisan Rebuilding Communities After Disasters Act to double the Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan limits for homeowners affected by major storms (Miami Herald, Tampa Bay Times).
The bill proposed raising the maximum SBA loan for home repairs from $200,000 to $400,000, and for replacing household and personal belongings from $40,000 to $75,000, reflecting the increased cost of recovery after disasters (Miami Herald).
Salazar's legislation received broad bipartisan support, with 35 co-sponsors across both parties, including Reps. Carlos Gimenez, Brian Mast, and Charlie Crist (Miami Herald).
Her office argued that the existing SBA disaster loan limits, unchanged since 1994, are outdated and not reflective of current home prices or post-disaster needs (Tampa Bay Times).
Salazar emphasized the need to modernize disaster assistance programs to ensure coastal communities can rebuild effectively in the face of rising home costs and more frequent storms (Tampa Bay Times).
July 2021: Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar Introduced Bill To Double SBA Disaster Loan Limits According to Miami Herald, "Miami Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar introduced a bipartisan bill to double the limits on Small Business Administration loans that are doled out to homeowners after major storms." [Miami Herald, 7/2/21]
July 2021: Salazar Authored Rebuilding Communities After Disasters Act To Raise Loan Caps According to Miami Herald, "Salazar authored the Rebuilding Communities After Disasters Act and introduced it on Tuesday, as Florida prepares for the possibility of Hurricane Elsa making landfall in the state." [Miami Herald, 7/2/21]
July 2021: Salazar's Bill Had 35 Bipartisan Co-Sponsors Including Rep. Gimenez, Rep. Mast, Rep. Crist According to Miami Herald, "The bill has 35 co-sponsors from both parties, including Miami Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez, Treasure Coast Republican Rep. Brian Mast, and St. Petersburg Democratic Rep. Charlie Crist." [Miami Herald, 7/2/21]
July 2021: Salazar's Bill Proposed Raising SBA Loan Limits For Home Repairs To $400,000 According to Miami Herald, "The bill increases the maximum loan amount a homeowner can apply for through the Small Business Administration from $200,000 to $400,000 for home repairs, and from $40,000 to $75,000 to replace household and personal belongings." [Miami Herald, 7/2/21]
July 2021: Salazar's Office Cited 1994 Loan Limits As Outdated According to Miami Herald, "Salazar's office said the current limits have been in place since 1994, and the increase better reflects current home prices and damage needs after major storms." [Miami Herald, 7/2/21]
July 2021: Rep. María Elvira Salazar Introduced Bipartisan Bill To Double SBA Disaster Loan Limits According to Tampa Bay Times, "Miami Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar introduced a bipartisan bill to double the limits on Small Business Administration loans that are doled out to homeowners after major storms." [Tampa Bay Times, 7/2/21]
July 2021: Rep. Salazar Authored The Rebuilding Communities After Disasters Act According to Tampa Bay Times, "Salazar authored the Rebuilding Communities After Disasters Act and introduced it on Tuesday, as Florida prepares for the possibility of Hurricane Elsa making landfall in the state." [Tampa Bay Times, 7/2/21]
July 2021: Salazar Urged Disaster Loan Program Modernization For Rising Costs According to Tampa Bay Times, "We must do everything possible so that our coastal communities have access to all the resources provided by the SBA to safely rebuild their homes in the event of a disaster. The Disaster Assistance Loans must be modernized to reflect the rising costs of homes across our communities." [Tampa Bay Times, 7/2/21]
July 2021: Salazar Stated Borrowing Limits Reflected Outdated Home Prices And Needs According to Tampa Bay Times, "Salazar's office said the current limits have been in place since 1994, and the increase better reflects current home prices and damage needs after major storms." [Tampa Bay Times, 7/2/21]