15 U.S.C. § 657j — Information tracking and follow-up system for disaster assistance

(a) System required. The Administrator must develop, use, or maintain one central system tracking communications between Administration personnel and disaster-assistance applicants. Whenever an applicant communicates with personnel about the application, the system must record (1) how the communication occurred; (2) its date; (3) the personnel member’s identity; and (4) a subject summary. (b) Follow-up required. The Administrator must ensure that the Administration follows up with an applicant by telephone, mail, or email at all critical stages, including (1) when more information or documents are needed; (2) when the loan is approved or denied; and (3) when the primary person managing the application changes. (c) Report on web portal for disaster loan application status. (1) Within 90 days after November 25, 2015, the Administrator must report to the Senate and House small-business committees about creating a web portal to track applications under section 636(b). (2) The report must include (A) progress on the subsection (a) system; (B) recommendations about a portal, including private-sector best practices and models; (C) related costs or staffing; (D) whether the portal can maintain high data-privacy and security standards; (E) whether it can reduce duplication among disaster programs, improve management of applicant inquiries to affected-area employees and call centers, and reduce paperwork for disaster victims; and (F) any other information the Administrator finds necessary.