Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief & Emergency Assistance

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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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. 653. Federal Preparedness (6 U.S.C. 753)

(c) Mission Assignments – To expedite the provision of assistance under the National

Response Plan, the President shall ensure that the Administrator, in coordination with

Federal agencies with responsibilities under the National Response Plan, develops

prescripted mission assignments, including logistics, communications, mass care,

health services, and public safety.