42 USC 5174 Stafford Act

Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief

and Emergency Assistance Act,

as amended, and Related

Authorities

FEMA 592, June 2007

Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act,

Public Law 93-288, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5207,

and Related Authorities

UNITED STATES CODE

TITLE 42. THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

CHAPTER 68. DISASTER RELIEF

Table of Contents

Title I -- Findings, Declarations and Definitions............................................................... 1

Sec. 101. Congressional Findings and Declarations (42 U.S.C. 5121) ................................. 1

Sec. 102. Definitions (42 U.S.C. 5122)* ............................................................................... 2

Title II -- Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Assistance ........................................... 3

Sec. 201. Federal and State Disaster Preparedness Programs (42 U.S.C. 5131) ................... 3

Sec. 202. Disaster Warnings (42 U.S.C. 5132)...................................................................... 4

Sec. 203. Predisaster Hazard Mitigation (42 U.S.C. 5133) ................................................... 5

Sec. 204. Interagency Task Force (42 U.S.C. 5134)..............................................................10

Title III -- Major Disaster and Emergency Assistance Administration..........................10

Sec. 301. Waiver of Administrative Conditions (42 U.S.C. 5141)........................................10

Sec. 302. Coordinating Officers (42 U.S.C. 5143)* ..............................................................10

Sec. 303. Emergency Support and Response Teams (42 U.S.C. 5144)*...............................11

Sec. 304. Reimbursement of Federal Agencies (42 U.S.C. 5147).........................................12

Sec. 305. Nonliability of Federal Government (42 U.S.C. 5148)..........................................12

Sec. 306. Performance of Services (42 U.S.C. 5149) ............................................................13

Sec. 307. Use of Local Firms and Individuals (42 U.S.C. 5150)*.........................................13

Sec. 308. Nondiscrimination in Disaster Assistance (42 U.S.C. 5151)* ...............................14

Sec. 309. Use and Coordination of Relief Organizations (42 U.S.C. 5152)..........................15

i

Sec. 310. Priority to Certain Applications for Public Facility and Public Housing

Assistance (42 U.S.C. 5153) ......................................................................................15

Sec. 311. Insurance (42 U.S.C. 5154)....................................................................................16

Prohibited Flood Disaster Assistance (42 U.S.C. 5154a) ......................................................17

Sec. 312. Duplication of Benefits (42 U.S.C. 5155)..............................................................18

Sec. 313. Standard of Review (42 U.S.C. 5156)....................................................................19

Sec. 314. Penalties (42 U.S.C. 5157).....................................................................................19

Sec. 315. Availability of Materials (42 U.S.C. 5158)............................................................20

Sec. 316. Protection of Environment (42 U.S.C. 5159).........................................................20

Sec. 317. Recovery of Assistance (42 U.S.C. 5160)..............................................................20

Sec. 318. Audits and Investigations (42 U.S.C. 5161) ..........................................................21

Sec. 319. Advance of Non-Federal Share (42 U.S.C. 5162) .................................................21

Sec. 320. Limitation on Use of Sliding Scale (42 U.S.C. 5163)............................................22

Sec. 321. Rules and Regulations (42 U.S.C. 5164) ...............................................................22

Sec. 322. Mitigation Planning (42 U.S.C. 5165) ...................................................................22

Sec. 323. Standards for Public and Private Structures (42 U.S.C. 5165a).............................23

Sec. 324. Management Costs (42 U.S.C. 5165b)...................................................................24

Sec. 325. Public Notice, Comment, and Consultation Requirements (42 U.S.C. 5165c) .....24

Sec. 326. Designation of Small State and Rural Advocate (42 U.S.C. 5165d)* ...................25

Title IV -- Major Disaster Assistance Programs...............................................................26

Sec. 401. Procedure for Declaration (42 U.S.C. 5170)..........................................................26

Sec. 402. General Federal Assistance (42 U.S.C. 5170a)*....................................................26

Sec. 403. Essential Assistance (42 U.S.C. 5170b)*...............................................................27

Sec. 404. Hazard Mitigation (42 U.S.C. 5170c)* ..................................................................29

ii

Sec. 405. Federal Facilities (42 U.S.C. 5171)........................................................................31

Sec. 406. Repair, Restoration, and Replacement of Damaged Facilities

(42 U.S.C. 5172)* ......................................................................................................31

Sec. 407. Debris Removal (42 U.S.C. 5173)* .......................................................................39

Sec. 408. Federal Assistance to Individuals and Households (42 U.S.C. 5174)* .................40

Sec. 410. Unemployment Assistance (42 U.S.C. 5177) ........................................................45

Sec. 412. Food Coupons and Distribution (42 U.S.C. 5179).................................................46

Sec. 413. Food Commodities (42 U.S.C. 5180).....................................................................46

Sec. 414. Relocation Assistance (42 U.S.C. 5181)................................................................46

Sec. 415. Legal Services (42 U.S.C. 5182)............................................................................47

Sec. 416. Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training (42 U.S.C. 5183) ...............................47

Sec. 417. Community Disaster Loans (42 U.S.C. 5184)* .....................................................47

Sec. 418. Emergency Communications (42 U.S.C. 5185).....................................................48

Sec. 419. Emergency Public Transportation (42 U.S.C. 5186) .............................................48

Sec. 420. Fire Management Assistance (42 U.S.C. 5187).....................................................48

Sec. 421. Timber Sale Contracts (42 U.S.C. 5188) ...............................................................48

Sec. 422. Simplified Procedures (42 U.S.C. 5189)................................................................49

Sec. 423. Appeals of Assistance Decisions (42 U.S.C. 5189a) .............................................50

Sec. 424. Date of Eligibility; Expenses Incurred Before Date of Disaster (42 U.S.C.

5189b) ........................................................................................................................50

Sec. 425. Transportation Assistance to Individuals and Households (42 U.S.C. 5189c)* ....50

Sec. 426. Case Management Services (42 U.S.C. 5189d)* ...................................................50

Sec. 427. Essential Service Providers (42 U.S.C. 5189e)*....................................................50

iii

Title V -- Emergency Assistance Programs.......................................................................51

Sec. 501. Procedure for Declaration (42 U.S.C. 5191)..........................................................51

Sec. 502. Federal Emergency Assistance (42 U.S.C. 5192)* ................................................52

Sec. 503. Amount of Assistance (42 U.S.C. 5193)................................................................53

Title VI -- Emergency Preparedness ..................................................................................54

Sec. 601. Declaration of Policy (42 U.S.C. 5195) .................................................................54

Sec. 602. Definitions (42 U.S.C. 5195a)................................................................................54

Sec. 603. Administration of Title (42 U.S.C. 5195b) ............................................................56

SUBTITLE A – POWERS AND DUTIES...............................................................................56

Sec. 611. Detailed Functions or Administration (42 U.S.C. 5196)* .....................................56

Sec. 612. Mutual Aid Pacts Between States and Neighboring Countries (42 U.S.C.

5196a) ........................................................................................................................61

Sec. 613. Contributions for Personnel and Administrative Expenses (42 U.S.C. 5196b)* ...61

Sec. 614. Requirement for State Matching Funds for Construction of Emergency

Operating Centers (42 U.S.C. 5196c) ........................................................................63

Sec. 615. Use of Funds to Prepare for and Respond to Hazards (42 U.S.C. 5196d) .............63

Sec. 616. Disaster Related Information Services (42 U.S.C. 5196f)* ...................................63

SUBTITLE B – GENERAL PROVISIONS .............................................................................64

Sec. 621. Administrative Authority (42 U.S.C. 5197)...........................................................64

Sec. 622. Security Regulations (42 U.S.C. 5197a) ................................................................65

Sec. 623. Use of Existing Facilities (42 U.S.C. 5197b).........................................................67

Sec. 624. Annual Report to Congress (42 U.S.C. 5197c)......................................................67

Sec. 625. Applicability of Subchapter (42 U.S.C. 5197d).....................................................67

Sec. 626. Authorization of Appropriation and Transfers of Funds (42 U.S.C. 5197e) .........67

iv

Sec. 627. Relation to Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 5197f)...................................68

Sec. 628. Federal Bureau of Investigation (42 U.S.C. 5197g)...............................................68

Title VII – Miscellaneous.....................................................................................................68

Sec. 701. Rules and Regulations (42 U.S.C. 5201) ...............................................................68

Sec. 705. Disaster Grant Closeout Procedures (42 U.S.C. 5205) ..........................................68

Sec. 706. Firearms Policies (42 U.S.C. 5207)* .....................................................................69

* This section of the Stafford Act has been amended by either the Department of

Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2007, Pub. L. No. 109-295, 120 Stat.1355

(2006), signed on October 4, 2006, the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards

Act of 2006, Pub. L. No 109-308, 120 Stat. 1725 (2006), signed on October 6, 2006, or

the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006, Pub. L. No. 109-347, 120

Stat. 1884 (2006), signed on October 13, 2006. The changes are effective for

emergencies or major disasters declared on or after October 4, 6, or 13, 2006. For

events before those dates, please consult an earlier version of the Stafford Act.

v

MISCELLANEOUS STATUTORY PROVISIONS THAT RELATE TO THE

STAFFORD ACT..........................................................................................................................71

Excess Disaster Assistance Payments as Budgetary Emergency Requirements

(42 U.S.C. 5203) ........................................................................................................71

Insular Areas Disaster Survival and Recovery; Definitions

(42 U.S.C. 5204) .......................................................................................................71

Authorization of Appropriations for Insular Areas (Disaster Recovery)

(42 U.S.C. 5204a) ......................................................................................................71

Technical Assistance for Insular Areas (Disaster Recovery)

(42 U.S.C. 5204b) ......................................................................................................72

Hazard Mitigation for Insular Areas (Limitation on Amount of Contributions,

Local Match) (42 U.S.C. 5204c)................................................................................72

Buy American (Requirements) (42 U.S.C. 5206)......................................................73

U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability

Appropriations Act, 2007, Pub. L. No. 110-28, 121 Stat. 112 (2007), Signed on May

25, 2007.................................................................................................................................74

Sec. 4501. (100% Federal Share for Katrina, Wilma, Dennis, and Rita) ..................74

Sec. 4502. (Allowing Community Disaster Loans To Be Canceled) ........................74

Sec. 4503. (Paying Utility Costs for 2005 Hurricanes Extended to 24 Months) .......75

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007, Pub. L. No. 109-295,

120 Stat. 1355 (2006), Signed on October 4, 2006 [Includes Post-Katrina Emergency

Reform Act (PKEMRA)] ........................................................................................................75

Sec. 508. (Notifying Congressional Committees before Announcement of

Grants FY 2007) ........................................................................................................75

Sec. 536. (Accounting for Needs of Individuals with Household Pets and

Service Animals)........................................................................................................75

Title VI – National Emergency Management........................................................76

Sec. 601. Short Title (6 U.S.C. 701 note) ..................................................................76

Sec. 612. (References to Director of FEMA Considered to Refer to

Administrator of FEMA) (6 U.S.C. 313 note and 6 U.S.C. 311 note).......................76

vi

Sec. 640a. Disclosure of Certain Information to Law Enforcement

Agencies (6 U.S.C. 727) ............................................................................................76

Sec. 653. Federal Preparedness (Prescripted Mission Assignments) (6 U.S.C.

753) ............................................................................................................................76

SUBTITLE E – STAFFORD ACT AMENDMENTS...................................................77

Sec. 682. National Disaster Recovery Strategy (6 U.S.C. 771).................................77

Sec. 683. National Disaster Housing Strategy (6 U.S.C. 772)...................................78

Sec. 689. Individuals with Disabilities (6 U.S.C. 773) ..............................................79

Sec. 689b. Reunification (Child Locator Center) (6 U.S.C. 774)..............................80

Sec. 689c. National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System (6 U.S.C.

775) ............................................................................................................................81

Sec. 689i. Individuals and Households Pilot Program (6 U.S.C. 776) .....................82

Sec. 689j. Public Assistance Pilot Program (6 U.S.C. 777)......................................84

Sec. 689k. Disposal of Unused Temporary Housing Units .......................................85

SUBTITLE F – PREVENTION OF FRAUD, WASTE, AND ABUSE ........................86

Sec. 691. Advance Contracting (6 U.S.C. 791) .........................................................86

Sec. 692. Limitations on Tiering of Subcontractors (6 U.S.C. 792)..........................87

Sec. 693. Oversight and Accountability of Federal Disaster Expenditures (6

U.S.C. 793) ................................................................................................................87

Sec. 695. Limitation on Length of Certain Noncompetitive Contracts (6 U.S.C.

794) ............................................................................................................................89

Sec. 696. Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Controls (6 U.S.C. 795) ....................................89

Sec. 697. Registry of Disaster Response Contractors (6 U.S.C. 796) .......................90

Sec. 698. Fraud Prevention Training Program (6 U.S.C. 797) ..................................91

vii

Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on

Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006, Pub. L. No. 109-234, 120 Stat. 418 (2006),

Signed on June 15, 2006.......................................................................................................91

Sec. 2401. (Paying Utility Costs for 2005 Hurricanes) .............................................91

Sec. 2403 (Alternative Housing Pilot Programs)......................................................91

viii

HOMELAND SECURITY ACT OF 2002, as amended, 6 U.S.C. 311-321j ............................ 93

Title V--National Emergency Management........................................................... 93

Sec. 501. Definitions (6 U.S.C. 311) ......................................................................... 93

Sec. 502. Definition (6 U.S.C. 312)........................................................................... 94

Sec. 503. Federal Emergency Management Agency (6 U.S.C. 313)......................... 94

Sec. 504. Authorities and Responsibilities (6 U.S.C. 314) ........................................ 96

Sec. 505. Functions Transferred (U.S.C. 315)........................................................... 99

Sec. 506. Preserving the Federal Emergency Management Agency

(6 U.S.C. 316) ............................................................................................................ 99

Sec. 507. Regional Offices (6 U.S.C. 317) ................................................................100

Sec. 508. National Advisory Council (6 U.S.C. 318) ................................................103

Sec. 509. National Integration Center (6 U.S.C. 319) ...............................................104

Sec. 510. Credentialing and Typing (6 U.S.C. 320) ..................................................106

Sec. 511. The National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center

(6 U.S.C. 321) ............................................................................................................106

Sec. 512. Evacuation Plans and Exercises (6 U.S.C. 321a).......................................107

Sec. 513. Disability Coordinator (6 U.S.C. 321b) .....................................................108

Sec. 514. Department and Agency Officials (6 U.S.C. 321c) ...................................109

Sec. 515. National Operations Center (6 U.S.C. 321d) .............................................110

Sec. 516. Chief Medical Officer (6 U.S.C. 321e) ......................................................110

Sec. 517. Nuclear Incident Response (6 U.S.C. 321f)...............................................111

Sec. 518. Conduct of Certain Public Health-related Activities (6 U.S.C. 321g) .......111

Sec. 519. Use of National Private Sector Networks in Emergency Response

(6 U.S.C. 321h) ..........................................................................................................111

ix

x

Sec. 520. Use of Commercially Available Technology, Goods and Services

(6 U.S.C. 321i)...........................................................................................................112

Sec. 521. Procurement of Security Countermeasures for Strategic National

Stockpile (6 U.S.C. 321j)...........................................................................................112

Sec. 408. Federal Assistance to Individuals and Households (42 U.S.C.

5174)*

(a) In General -

(1) Provision of assistance - In accordance with this section, the President, in

consultation with the Governor of a State, may provide financial assistance,

and, if necessary, direct services, to individuals and households in the State

who, as a direct result of a major disaster, have necessary expenses and

serious needs in cases in which the individuals and households are unable to

meet such expenses or needs through other means.

(2) Relationship to other assistance - Under paragraph (1), an individual or

household shall not be denied assistance under paragraph (1), (3), or (4) of

subsection (c) solely on the basis that the individual or household has not

applied for or received any loan or other financial assistance from the Small

Business Administration or any other Federal agency.

(b) Housing Assistance -

(1) Eligibility - The President may provide financial or other assistance under

this section to individuals and households to respond to the disaster-related

housing needs of individuals and households who are displaced from their

predisaster primary residences or whose predisaster primary residences are

rendered uninhabitable, or with respect to individuals with disabilities,

rendered inaccessible or uninhabitable, as a result of damage caused by a

major disaster.

(2) Determination of appropriate types of assistance -

(A) In general - The President shall determine appropriate types of

housing assistance to be provided under this section to individuals

and households described in subsection (a)(1) based on

considerations of cost effectiveness, convenience to the individuals

and households, and such other factors as the President may

consider appropriate.

(B) Multiple types of assistance - One or more types of housing

assistance may be made available under this section, based on the

suitability and availability of the types of assistance, to meet the

needs of individuals and households in the particular disaster

situation.

40

(c) Types of Housing Assistance -

(1) Temporary housing -

(A) Financial assistance -

(i) In general - The President may provide financial assistance

to individuals or households to rent alternate housing

accommodations, existing rental units, manufactured

housing, recreational vehicles, or other readily fabricated

dwellings. Such assistance may include the payment of the

cost of utilities, excluding telephone service.

(ii) Amount - The amount of assistance under clause (i) shall be

based on the fair market rent for the accommodation

provided plus the cost of any transportation, utility hookups,

security deposits, or unit installation not provided directly by

the President.

(B) Direct assistance -

(i) In general - The President may provide temporary housing

units, acquired by purchase or lease, directly to individuals

or households who, because of a lack of available housing

resources, would be unable to make use of the assistance

provided under subparagraph (A).

(ii) Period of assistance - The President may not provide direct

assistance under clause (i) with respect to a major disaster

after the end of the 18-month period beginning on the date of

the declaration of the major disaster by the President, except

that the President may extend that period if the President

determines that due to extraordinary circumstances an

extension would be in the public interest.

(iii)Collection of rental charges - After the end of the 18-month

period referred to in clause (ii), the President may charge fair

market rent for each temporary housing unit provided.

(2) Repairs -

(A) In general - The President may provide financial assistance for -

(i) the repair of owner-occupied private residences, utilities, and

residential infrastructure (such as a private access route)

damaged by a major disaster to a safe and sanitary living or

functioning condition; and

(ii) eligible hazard mitigation measures that reduce the

likelihood of future damage to such residences, utilities, or

infrastructure.

(B) Relationship to other assistance - A recipient of assistance provided

under this paragraph shall not be required to show that the

assistance can be met through other means, except insurance

proceeds.

41

(3) Replacement -

(A) In general - The President may provide financial assistance for the

replacement of owner-occupied private residences damaged by a

major disaster.

(B) Applicability of flood insurance requirement - With respect to

assistance provided under this paragraph, the President may not

waive any provision of Federal law requiring the purchase of flood

insurance as a condition of the receipt of Federal disaster assistance.

(4) Permanent or semi-permanent housing construction - The President may

provide financial assistance or direct assistance to individuals or households

to construct permanent or semi-permanent housing in insular areas outside

the continental United States and in other locations in cases in which

(A) no alternative housing resources are available; and

(B) the types of temporary housing assistance described in paragraph (1)

are unavailable, infeasible, or not cost-effective.

(d) Terms and Conditions Relating to Housing Assistance -

(1) Sites -

(A) In general -Any readily fabricated dwelling provided under this

section shall, whenever practicable, be located on a site that -

(i) is complete with utilities;

(ii) meets the physical accessibility requirements for individuals

with disabilities; and

(iii) is provided by the State or local government, by the owner

of the site, or by the occupant who was displaced by the

major disaster.

(B) Sites provided by the President - A readily fabricated dwelling may

be located on a site provided by the President if the President

determines that such a site would be more economical or accessible.

(2) Disposal of units -

(A) Sale to occupants -

(i) In general - Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a

temporary housing unit purchased under this section by the

President for the purpose of housing disaster victims may be

sold directly to the individual or household who is

occupying the unit if the individual or household lacks

permanent housing.

(ii) Sale price - A sale of a temporary housing unit under clause

(i) shall be at a price that is fair and equitable.

42

(iii)Deposit of proceeds - Notwithstanding any other provision

of law, the proceeds of a sale under clause (i) shall be

deposited in the appropriate Disaster Relief Fund account.

(iv)Hazard and flood insurance - A sale of a temporary housing

unit under clause (i) shall be made on the condition that the

individual or household purchasing the housing unit agrees

to obtain and maintain hazard and flood insurance on the

housing unit.

(v) Use of GSA services - The President may use the services of

the General Services Administration to accomplish a sale

under clause (i).

(B) Other methods of disposal -If not disposed of under subparagraph

(A), a temporary housing unit purchased under this section by the

President for the purpose of housing disaster victims -

(i) may be sold to any person; or

(ii) may be sold, transferred, donated, or otherwise made

available directly to a State or other governmental entity or

to a voluntary organization for the sole purpose of providing

temporary housing to disaster victims in major disasters and

emergencies if, as a condition of the sale, transfer, or

donation, the State, other governmental agency, or voluntary

organization agrees -

(a) to comply with the nondiscrimination provisions

of section 5151 of this title; and

(b) to obtain and maintain hazard and flood insurance

on the housing unit.

(e) Financial Assistance To Address Other Needs -

(1) Medical, dental, and funeral expenses - The President, in consultation with

the Governor of a State, may provide financial assistance under this section

to an individual or household in the State who is adversely affected by a

major disaster to meet disaster-related medical, dental, and funeral

expenses.

(2) Personal property, transportation, and other expenses - The President, in

consultation with the Governor of a State, may provide financial assistance

under this section to an individual or household described in paragraph (1)

to address personal property, transportation, and other necessary expenses

or serious needs resulting from the major disaster.

43

(f) State Role -

(1) Financial assistance to address other needs -

(A) Grant to state - Subject to subsection (g), a Governor may request a

grant from the President to provide financial assistance to

individuals and households in the State under subsection (e).

(B) Administrative costs - A State that receives a grant under

subparagraph (A) may expend not more than 5 percent of the

amount of the grant for the administrative costs of providing

financial assistance to individuals and households in the State under

subsection (e).

(2) Access to records - In providing assistance to individuals and households

under this section, the President shall provide for the substantial and

ongoing involvement of the States in which the individuals and households

are located, including by providing to the States access to the electronic

records of individuals and households receiving assistance under this

section in order for the States to make available any additional State and

local assistance to the individuals and households.

(g) Cost Sharing -

(1) Federal share - Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Federal share of the

costs eligible to be paid using assistance provided under this section shall

be 100 percent.

(2) Financial assistance to address other needs - In the case of financial

assistance provided under subsection (e) -

(A) the Federal share shall be 75 percent; and

(B) the non-Federal share shall be paid from funds made available by

the State.

(h) Maximum Amount of Assistance -

(1) In general - No individual or household shall receive financial assistance

greater than $25,000 under this section with respect to a single major

disaster.

(2) Adjustment of limit - The limit established under paragraph (1) shall be

adjusted annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for All

Urban Consumers published by the Department of Labor.

(i) Verification Measures - In carrying out this section, the President shall develop a

system, including an electronic database, that shall allow the President, or the

designee of the President, to

44

(1) verify the identity and address of recipients of assistance under this section

to provide reasonable assurance that payments are made only to an

individual or household that is eligible for such assistance;

(2) minimize the risk of making duplicative payments or payments for

fraudulent claims under this section;

(3) collect any duplicative payment on a claim under this section, or reduce the

amount of subsequent payments to offset the amount of any such duplicate

payment;

(4) provide instructions to recipients of assistance under this section regarding

the proper use of any such assistance, regardless of how such assistance is

distributed; and

(5) conduct an expedited and simplified review and appeal process for an

individual or household whose application for assistance under this section

is denied.

(j) Rules and Regulations - The President shall prescribe rules and regulations to carry

out this section, including criteria, standards, and procedures for determining

eligibility for assistance.