42 U.s.c. 5121-5207

Page 5933

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

out as a note under section 670 of this title prior to its
transfer to this subchapter and subsequent repeal by
Pub. L. 115–271.

§§ 5117aa to 5117aa–22. Repealed. Pub. L. 115–271,
title VII, § 7065(b), Oct. 24, 2018, 132 Stat.
4028
Section 5117aa, Pub. L. 100–505, § 2, Oct. 18, 1988, 102
Stat. 2533; Pub. L. 102–236, § 2, Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat.
1812; Pub. L. 108–36, title III, § 301, June 25, 2003, 117
Stat. 822; Pub. L. 111–320, title IV, § 401(a), Dec. 20, 2010,
124 Stat. 3513, related to congressional findings.
Sections 5117aa–11 and 5117aa–12 comprised part A of
this subchapter ‘‘Projects Regarding Abandonment of
Infants and Young Children in Hospitals’’.
Section 5117aa–11, Pub. L. 100–505, title I, § 101, Oct. 18,
1988, 102 Stat. 2534; Pub. L. 102–236, § 3, Dec. 12, 1991, 105
Stat. 1812; Pub. L. 104–235, title II, § 221, Oct. 3, 1996, 110
Stat. 3091; Pub. L. 108–36, title III, § 302, June 25, 2003,
117 Stat. 823, related to establishment of local projects.
Section 5117aa–12, Pub. L. 100–505, title I, § 102, Oct. 18,
1988, 102 Stat. 2535; Pub. L. 102–236, § 4, Dec. 12, 1991, 105
Stat. 1814; Pub. L. 108–36, title III, § 303, June 25, 2003,
117 Stat. 823, related to evaluations, study, and reports
by Secretary.
Sections 5117aa–21 and 5117aa–22 comprised part B of
this subchapter ‘‘General Provisions’’.
Section 5117aa–21, Pub. L. 100–505, title III, § 301, Oct.
18, 1988, 102 Stat. 2537; Pub. L. 108–36, title III, § 305(a),
June 25, 2003, 117 Stat. 824; Pub. L. 111–320, title IV,
§ 401(c), Dec. 20, 2010, 124 Stat. 3513, provided definitions
for this subchapter.
Section 5117aa–22, Pub. L. 100–505, title III, § 302, formerly title I, § 104, Oct. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 2536; Pub. L.
102–236, § 6, Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1815; Pub. L. 104–235,
title II, § 222, Oct. 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 3092; renumbered
title III, § 302, and amended Pub. L. 108–36, title III,
§ 304, June 25, 2003, 117 Stat. 824; Pub. L. 111–320, title
IV, § 401(d), Dec. 20, 2010, 124 Stat. 3513, related to authorization of appropriations.

SUBCHAPTER
V—CERTAIN
PREVENTIVE
SERVICES REGARDING CHILDREN OF
HOMELESS FAMILIES OR FAMILIES AT
RISK OF HOMELESSNESS

§ 5119c

SUBCHAPTER VI—CHILD ABUSE CRIME
INFORMATION AND BACKGROUND CHECKS
§ 5119. Transferred
CODIFICATION
Section 5119 was editorially reclassified as section
40101 of Title 34, Crime Control and Law Enforcement.

§ 5119a. Transferred
CODIFICATION
Section 5119a was editorially reclassified as section
40102 of Title 34, Crime Control and Law Enforcement.

§ 5119b. Transferred
CODIFICATION
Section 5119b was editorially reclassified as section
40103 of Title 34, Crime Control and Law Enforcement.

§ 5119c. Transferred
CODIFICATION
Section 5119c was editorially reclassified as section
40104 of Title 34, Crime Control and Law Enforcement.

CHAPTER 68—DISASTER RELIEF
SUBCHAPTER I—FINDINGS, DECLARATIONS, AND
DEFINITIONS
Sec.

5121.
5122.
5123.

Congressional findings and declarations.
Definitions.
References.

SUBCHAPTER II—DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND
MITIGATION ASSISTANCE
5131.
5132.
5133.
5134.
5135.

Federal and State disaster preparedness programs.
Disaster warnings.
Predisaster hazard mitigation.
Interagency task force.
Grants to entities for establishment of hazard
mitigation revolving loan funds.

§§ 5118 to 5118e. Repealed. Pub. L. 104–235, title
I, § 131, Oct. 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 3088

SUBCHAPTER III—MAJOR DISASTER AND
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION

Section 5118, Pub. L. 93–247, title III, § 301, as added
Pub. L. 101–645, title VI, § 661(b), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat.
4755, related to demonstration grants for prevention of
inappropriate separation from family and for prevention of child abuse and neglect.
Section 5118a, Pub. L. 93–247, title III, § 302, as added
Pub. L. 101–645, title VI, § 661(b), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat.
4757, related to joint training of appropriate service
personnel with respect to certain subjects and additional authorized activities for which a grantee may
expend grant funds.
Section 5118b, Pub. L. 93–247, title III, § 303, as added
Pub. L. 101–645, title VI, § 661(b), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat.
4757, related to additional agreements required of agencies, evaluations of effectiveness of demonstration programs, report to Congress, and restriction on use of
grant to purchase or improve real property.
Section 5118c, Pub. L. 93–247, title III, § 304, as added
Pub. L. 101–645, title VI, § 661(b), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat.
4759, related to required submission of description of intended uses of grant.
Section 5118d, Pub. L. 93–247, title III, § 305, as added
Pub. L. 101–645, title VI, § 661(b), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat.
4759, related to requirement of submission of application for grant.
Section 5118e, Pub. L. 93–247, title III, § 306, as added
Pub. L. 101–645, title VI, § 661(b), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat.
4760; amended Pub. L. 102–295, title I, § 131, May 28, 1992,
106 Stat. 199, related to authorization of appropriations
for carrying out this subchapter.

5141.
Waiver of administrative conditions.
5142.
Repealed.
5143.
Coordinating officers.
5144.
Emergency support and response teams.
5145, 5146. Repealed.
5147.
Reimbursement of Federal agencies.
5148.
Nonliability of Federal Government.
5149.
Performance of services.
5150.
Use of local firms and individuals.
5151.
Nondiscrimination in disaster assistance.
5152.
Use and coordination of relief organizations.
5153.
Priority to certain applications for public facility and public housing assistance.
5154.
Insurance.
5154a.
Prohibited flood disaster assistance.
5155.
Duplication of benefits.
5156.
Standards and reviews.
5157.
Penalties.
5158.
Availability of materials.
5159.
Protection of environment.
5160.
Recovery of assistance.
5161.
Audits and investigations.
5161a.
Audit of contracts.
5162.
Advance of non-Federal share.
5163.
Limitation on use of sliding scales.
5164.
Rules and regulations.
5165.
Mitigation planning.
5165a.
Minimum standards for public and private
structures.
5165b.
Management costs.

§ 5121

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

Sec.

Sec.

5165c.

5197a.
5197b.
5197c.
5197d.
5197e.

Public notice, comment, and consultation requirements.
5165d.
Designation of Small State and Rural Advocate.
5165e.
Integrated plan for administrative cost reduction.
5165f.
National Urban Search and Rescue Response
System.
5165g.
National veterinary emergency teams.
SUBCHAPTER IV—MAJOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS
5170.
5170a.
5170b.
5170c.
5171.
5172.

Procedure for declaration.
General Federal assistance.
Essential assistance.
Hazard mitigation.
Federal facilities.
Repair, restoration, and replacement of damaged facilities.
5173.
Debris removal.
5174.
Federal assistance to individuals and households.
5174a.
Flexibility.
5174b.
Critical document fee waiver.
5175, 5176. Repealed.
5177.
Unemployment assistance.
5177a.
Emergency grants to assist low-income migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
5178.
Repealed.
5179.
Benefits and distribution.
5180.
Food commodities.
5181.
Relocation assistance.
5182.
Legal services.
5183.
Crisis counseling assistance and training.
5184.
Community disaster loans.
5185.
Emergency communications.
5186.
Emergency public transportation.
5187.
Fire management assistance.
5188.
Timber sale contracts.
5189.
Simplified procedure.
5189a.
Appeals of assistance decisions.
5189b.
Date of eligibility; expenses incurred before
date of disaster.
5189c.
Transportation assistance to individuals and
households.
5189d.
Case management services.
5189e.
Essential service providers.
5189f.
Public assistance program alternative procedures.
5189g.
Unified Federal review.
5189h.
Agency accountability.
SUBCHAPTER IV–A—EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS
5191.
Procedure for declaration.
5192.
Federal emergency assistance.
5193.
Amount of assistance.
SUBCHAPTER IV–B—EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
5195.
5195a.
5195b.
5195c.

Declaration of policy.
Definitions.
Administration of subchapter.
Critical infrastructures protection.

5196.
5196a.

Detailed functions of administration.
Mutual aid pacts between States and neighboring countries.
Contributions for personnel and administrative expenses.
Grants for construction of emergency operations centers.
Use of funds to prepare for and respond to
hazards.
Radiological Emergency Preparedness Fund.
Disaster related information services.
Guidance and training by FEMA on coordination of emergency response plans.

PART A—POWERS AND DUTIES

5196b.
5196c.
5196d.
5196e.
5196f.
5196g.

5197f.
5197g.
5197h.

5201.
5202.
5203.
5204.
5204a.
5204b.
5204c.
5205.
5205a.
5206.
5207.
5208.

Page 5934

Security regulations.
Use of existing facilities.
Annual report to Congress.
Applicability of subchapter.
Authorization of appropriations and transfers
of funds.
Relation to Atomic Energy Act of 1954.
Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Minority emergency preparedness demonstration program.
SUBCHAPTER V—MISCELLANEOUS
Rules and regulations.
Repealed.
Excess disaster assistance payments as budgetary emergency requirements.
Insular areas disaster survival and recovery;
definitions.
Authorization of appropriations for insular
areas.
Technical assistance for insular areas.
Hazard mitigation for insular areas.
Disaster grant closeout procedures.
Certain recoupment prohibited.
Buy American.
Firearms policies.
Repealed.

SUBCHAPTER I—FINDINGS,
DECLARATIONS, AND DEFINITIONS
§ 5121. Congressional findings and declarations
(a) The Congress hereby finds and declares
that—
(1) because disasters often cause loss of life,
human suffering, loss of income, and property
loss and damage; and
(2) because disasters often disrupt the normal functioning of governments and communities, and adversely affect individuals and
families with great severity;
special measures, designed to assist the efforts
of the affected States in expediting the rendering of aid, assistance, and emergency services, and the reconstruction and rehabilitation
of devastated areas, are necessary.
(b) It is the intent of the Congress, by this
chapter, to provide an orderly and continuing
means of assistance by the Federal Government
to State and local governments in carrying out
their responsibilities to alleviate the suffering
and damage which result from such disasters
by—
(1) revising and broadening the scope of existing disaster relief programs;
(2) encouraging the development of comprehensive disaster preparedness and assistance plans, programs, capabilities, and organizations by the States and by local governments;
(3) achieving greater coordination and responsiveness of disaster preparedness and relief programs;
(4) encouraging individuals, States, and local
governments to protect themselves by obtaining insurance coverage to supplement or replace governmental assistance;
(5) encouraging hazard mitigation measures
to reduce losses from disasters, including development of land use and construction regulations; and
(6) providing Federal assistance programs
for both public and private losses sustained in
disasters 1

PART B—GENERAL PROVISIONS
5197.

Administrative authority.

1 So

in original. Probably should be followed by a period.

Page 5935

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(Pub. L. 93–288, title I, § 101, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat.
143; Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 103(a), Nov. 23, 1988,
102 Stat. 4689.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b), was in the
original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22,
1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out below and
Tables.
AMENDMENTS
1988—Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 100–707 struck out par. (7)
expressing Congressional intent to provide disaster assistance through a long-range economic recovery program for major disaster areas.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1202, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat.
3438, provided that:
‘‘(a) APPLICABILITY FOR STAFFORD ACT.—Except as
otherwise expressly provided, the amendments in this
division [see section 1201 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as
a Short Title of 2018 Amendment note below] to the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) apply to each major
disaster and emergency declared by the President on or
after August 1, 2017, under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
‘‘(b) DIVISION APPLICABILITY.—Except as otherwise expressly provided, the authorities provided under this division [div. D (§§ 1201–1246) of Pub. L. 115–254] apply to
each major disaster and emergency declared by the
President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief
and Emergency Assistance Act on or after January 1,
2016.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE
Pub. L. 93–288, title VI, § 605, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 164,
provided that Pub. L. 93–288 was effective Apr. 1, 1974,
with the exception of section 5178 of this title, prior to
repeal by Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 108(b), Nov. 23, 1988,
102 Stat. 4708.

§ 5121

Veterans’ Benefits, and enacting and amending provisions set out as notes under section 3791 of this title]
may be cited as the ‘National Urban Search and Rescue
Response System Act of 2016’.’’
Pub. L. 114–132, § 1, Feb. 29, 2016, 130 Stat. 293, provided
that: ‘‘This Act [enacting section 5165e of this title and
provisions set out as notes under section 5165e of this
title] may be cited as the ‘Directing Dollars to Disaster
Relief Act of 2015’.’’
SHORT TITLE OF 2015 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 114–111, § 1, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2240, provided that: ‘‘This Act [amending sections 5122 and 5172
of this title] may be cited as the ‘Emergency Information Improvement Act of 2015’.’’
SHORT TITLE OF 2013 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 113–2, div. B, § 1101(a), Jan. 29, 2013, 127 Stat.
39, provided that: ‘‘This division [enacting sections
5123, 5189f, and 5189g of this title, amending sections
5122, 5170, 5170b, 5170c, 5174, 5189, 5189e, and 5191 of this
title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under
sections 5122, 5170, 5170c, and 5189a of this title] may be
cited as the ‘Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of
2013’.’’
SHORT TITLE OF 2011 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 111–351, § 1, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3863, provided
that: ‘‘This Act [amending sections 5133, 5134, 5144,
5165d, 5170c, 5172, 5195a, 5195b, 5196 to 5196b, 5196f, 5197 to
5197c, and 5197h of this title and enacting provisions set
out as a note under section 5133 of this title] may be
cited as the ‘Predisaster Hazard Mitigation Act of
2010’.’’
SHORT TITLE OF 2006 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 109–308, § 1, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1725, provided
that: ‘‘This Act [amending sections 5170b, 5196, and
5196b of this title] may be cited as the ‘Pets Evacuation
and Transportation Standards Act of 2006’.’’
Pub. L. 109–218, § 1, Apr. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 333, provided
that: ‘‘This Act [amending section 5150 of this title]
may be cited as the ‘Local Community Recovery Act of
2006’.’’

SHORT TITLE OF 2021 AMENDMENT

SHORT TITLE OF 2005 AMENDMENT

Pub. L. 116–284, § 1, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4869, provided
that: ‘‘This Act [enacting section 5135 of this title] may
be cited as the ‘Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Act’ or the ‘STORM Act’.’’

Pub. L. 109–139, § 1, Dec. 22, 2005, 119 Stat. 2649, provided that: ‘‘This Act [amending section 5133 of this
title and provisions set out as a note under this section] may be cited as the ‘Predisaster Mitigation Program Reauthorization Act of 2005’.’’

SHORT TITLE OF 2018 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1201, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat.
3438, provided that: ‘‘This division [div. D (§§ 1201–1246)
of Pub. L. 115–254, enacting sections 5161a, 5165g, 5174a,
5174b, 5189h, 5196g, and 5205a of this title, and section
748a of Title 6, Domestic Security, amending sections
3149, 5122, 5133, 5149, 5152, 5155, 5165, 5165b, 5170a to 5170c,
5172, 5174, 5187, 5189a, 5189f, 5205 of this title, and sections 761 and 762 of Title 6, enacting provisions set out
as notes under this section and sections 5122, 5133, 5155,
5170, 5170c, 5172, 5174, 5187, 5189g, 5205 of this title, and
section 721 of Title 6, and amending provisions set out
as a note under section 5172 of this title] may be cited
as the ‘Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018’.’’
SHORT TITLE OF 2017 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 115–87, § 1, Nov. 21, 2017, 131 Stat. 1277, provided that: ‘‘This Act [enacting provisions set out as a
note under this section] may be cited as the ‘FEMA Accountability, Modernization and Transparency Act of
2017’.’’
SHORT TITLE OF 2016 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 114–326, § 1, Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1968, provided that: ‘‘This Act [enacting section 5165f of this
title, amending section 8101 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, and section 4303 of Title 38,

SHORT TITLE OF 2000 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 106–390, § 1(a), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1552, provided that: ‘‘This Act [enacting sections 5133, 5134, 5165
to 5165c, 5205, and 5206 of this title, amending sections
3796b, 5122, 5154, 5170c, 5172, 5174, 5184, 5187, and 5192 of
this title, repealing sections 5176 and 5178 of this title,
and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 3796b, 5133, 5165b, 5172, 5174, and 5187
of this title] may be cited as the ‘Disaster Mitigation
Act of 2000’.’’
SHORT TITLE OF 1993 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 103–181, § 1, Dec. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 2054, provided
that: ‘‘This Act [amending section 5170c of this title
and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections
4601 and 5170c of this title] may be cited as the ‘Hazard
Mitigation and Relocation Assistance Act of 1993’.’’
SHORT TITLE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 101(a), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4689, provided that: ‘‘This title [enacting sections 5141,
5153 to 5157, 5159 to 5164, 5170 to 5170c, 5172, 5174, 5178,
5189 to 5189b, and 5191 to 5193 of this title, amending
this section, sections 1382a, 3030, 3231, 3232, 3539, 4003,
4013, 5122, 5131, 5143, 5144, 5147 to 5152, 5158, 5171, 5173,
5176, 5177, 5179 to 5188, 5201, 7704, and 9601 of this title,

§ 5121

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

sections 1421, 1427, 1427a, 1961, 1964, and 2014 of Title 7,
Agriculture, sections 1706c, 1709, and 1715l of Title 12,
Banks and Banking, section 636 of Title 15, Commerce
and Trade, sections 1536 and 3505 of Title 16, Conservation, sections 241–1 and 646 of Title 20, Education, section 125 of Title 23, Highways, sections 165, 5064, and
5708 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code, section 701n of
Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters, and section
1820 [now 3720] of Title 38, Veterans’ Benefits, repealing
sections 5142, 5145, 5146, 5175, and 5202 of this title and
former sections 5141, 5153 to 5157, 5172, 5174, 5178, and
5189 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes
under this section and sections 3231, 5122, and 5201 of
this title, amending provisions set out as a note under
this section and section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and
Insular Possessions, and repealing provisions set out as
notes under this section and former section 5178 of this
title] may be cited as ‘The Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Amendments of 1988’.’’
SHORT TITLE OF 1980 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 96–568, § 1, Dec. 23, 1980, 94 Stat. 3334, provided:
‘‘That this Act [amending section 5202 of this title]
may be cited as the ‘Disaster Relief Act Amendments
of 1980’.’’
SHORT TITLE
Pub. L. 93–288, § 1, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143, as amended by Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 102(a), Nov. 23, 1988, 102
Stat. 4689; Pub. L. 106–390, title III, § 301, Oct. 30, 2000,
114 Stat. 1572, provided: ‘‘That this Act [enacting this
section, sections 3231 to 3236, 5122, 5131, 5132, 5141 to
5158, 5171 to 5189, 5201, and 5202 of this title, and section
1264 of former Title 31, Money and Finance, amending
sections 1706c, 1709, 1715l of Title 12, Banks and Banking, sections 241–1, 646, 758 of Title 20, Education, sections 165, 5064, 5708 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code,
section 1820 [now 3720] of Title 38, Veterans’ Benefits,
section 461 of former Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, repealing sections 4401, 4402, 4411 to
4413, 4414 to 4420, 4431 to 4436, 4457 to 4462, 4481 to 4485
of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under
this section, sections 4401 and 5178 of this title, and section 1264 of former Title 31, and amending provisions
set out as a note under section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions] may be cited as the
‘Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act’.’’
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including
the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1)
of Title 6, Domestic Security.
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto,
to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and
sections 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set
out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.
REFERENCES TO DISASTER RELIEF ACT OF 1974
Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 102(b), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4689, provided that: ‘‘Whenever any reference is made in
any law (other than this Act [see Tables for classification]), regulation, document, rule, record, or other
paper of the United States to a section or provision of
the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 [former short title of
Pub. L. 93–288], such reference shall be deemed to be a
reference to such section or provision of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
[Pub. L. 93–288, see Short Title note above].’’

Page 5936

REFERENCES TO DISASTER RELIEF ACT OF 1970
Pub. L. 93–288, title VII, § 702(m), formerly title VI,
§ 602(m), May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 164, as renumbered by
Pub. L. 103–337, div. C, title XXXIV, § 3411(a)(1), (2), Oct.
5, 1994, 108 Stat. 3100, provided that: ‘‘Whenever reference is made in any provision of law (other than this
Act [see Short Title note set out above]), regulation,
rule, record, or documents of the United States to provisions of the Disaster Relief Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1744),
repealed by this Act such reference shall be deemed to
be a reference to the appropriate provision of this Act.’’
REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANT SYSTEMS MODERNIZATION
Pub. L. 115–87, § 2, Nov. 21, 2017, 131 Stat. 1277, provided that:
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency shall ensure the ongoing modernization of the grant systems for the administration of assistance under the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) includes the following:
‘‘(1) An online interface, including online assistance, for applicants to complete application forms,
submit materials, and access the status of applications.
‘‘(2) Mechanisms to eliminate duplication of benefits.
‘‘(3) If appropriate, enable the sharing of information among agencies and with State, local, and tribal
governments, to eliminate the need to file multiple
applications and speed disaster recovery.
‘‘(4) Any additional tools the Administrator determines will improve the implementation of this section.
‘‘(b) IMPLEMENTATION.—To the extent practicable, the
Administrator shall deliver the system capabilities described in subsection (a) in increments or iterations as
working components for applicant use.’’
REPORT ON STATE MANAGEMENT OF SMALL DISASTERS
INITIATIVE
Pub. L. 106–390, title II, § 208, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat.
1571, provided that not later than 3 years after Oct. 30,
2000, the President would submit to Congress a report
describing the results of the State Management of
Small Disasters Initiative, including recommendations
concerning State administration of parts of the program.
STUDY REGARDING COST REDUCTION
Pub. L. 106–390, title II, § 209, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat.
1571, as amended by Pub. L. 109–139, § 3, Dec. 22, 2005, 119
Stat. 2649, provided that: ‘‘Not later than September 30,
2007, the Director of the Congressional Budget Office
shall complete a study estimating the reduction in
Federal disaster assistance that has resulted and is
likely to result from the enactment of this Act [see
Short Title of 2000 Amendment note above].’’
STUDY OF PARTICIPATION BY INDIAN TRIBES IN
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Pub. L. 106–390, title III, § 308, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat.
1575, required the Director of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency to conduct a study of participation by Indian tribes in emergency management and
submit a report no later than 1 year after Oct. 30, 2000.
NATIONAL DROUGHT POLICY
Pub. L. 105–199, July 16, 1998, 112 Stat. 641, as amended
by Pub. L. 106–78, title VII, § 753, Oct. 22, 1999, 113 Stat.
1170, known as the ‘‘National Drought Policy Act of
1998’’, established the National Drought Policy Commission to study and submit a report on national
drought policy and terminated the Commission 90 days
after the submission of the report.
RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING IMPROVEMENT OF RELATIONSHIPS AMONG DISASTER MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS
Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 110, Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4710, provided that not later than 1 year after Nov. 23,

Page 5937

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

1988, the President was to recommend to the Congress
proposals to improve the operational and fiscal relationships that exist among Federal, State, and local
major disaster and emergency management officials,
including provisions which would decrease the amount
of time for processing requests for major disaster and
emergency declarations and providing Federal assistance for major disasters and emergencies, provide for
more effective utilization of State and local resources
in relief efforts, and improve the timeliness of reimbursement.
DECLARED DISASTERS AND EMERGENCIES NOT AFFECTED
Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 112, Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4711, provided that: ‘‘This title [see Short Title of 1988
Amendment note above] shall not affect the administration of any assistance for a major disaster or emergency declared by the President before the date of the
enactment of this Act [Nov. 23, 1988].’’
DELEGATION OF FUNCTIONS
Functions of the President under the Disaster Relief
Acts of 1970 and 1974, with certain exceptions, were delegated to the Secretary of Homeland Security, see sections 4–201 and 4–203 of Ex. Ord. No. 12148, July 20, 1979,
44 F.R. 43239, as amended, set out as a note under section 5195 of this title.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11749
Ex. Ord. No. 11749, Dec. 10, 1973, 38 F.R. 34177, which
related to consolidation of functions assigned to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, was revoked
by Ex. Ord. No. 12148, July 20, 1979, 44 F.R. 43239, set out
as a note under section 5195 of this title.
EX. ORD. NO. 11795. DELEGATION OF PRESIDENTIAL
FUNCTIONS
Ex. Ord. No. 11795, July 11, 1974, 39 F.R. 25939, as
amended by Ex. Ord. No. 11910, Apr. 13, 1976, 41 F.R.
15681; Ex. Ord. No. 12148, July 20, 1979, 44 F.R. 43239; Ex.
Ord. No. 12673, Mar. 23, 1989, 54 F.R. 12571, provided:
By virtue of the authority vested in me by the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 (Public Law 93–288; 88 Stat. 143)
[see References to Disaster Relief Act of 1974 note
above], section 301 of title 3 of the United States Code,
and as President of the United States of America, it is
hereby ordered as follows:
[SECTIONS 1 and 2. Revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 12148,
§ 5–111, July 20, 1979, 44 F.R. 43239.]
SEC. 3. The Secretary of Agriculture is designated
and empowered to exercise, without the approval, ratification, or other action of the President, all of the authority vested in the President by section 412 of the act
[section 5179 of this title] concerning food coupons and
distribution.
[SEC. 4. Revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 12148, § 5–111, July 20,
1979, 44 F.R. 43239.]
[References to a ‘‘coupon’’ provided under the Food
and Nutrition Act of 2008 considered to refer to a ‘‘benefit’’ under that Act, see section 4115(d) of Pub. L.
110–246, set out as a note under section 2012 of Title 7,
Agriculture.]
SEISMIC SAFETY OF FEDERAL AND FEDERALLY ASSISTED
OR REGULATED NEW BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
For provisions relating to seismic safety requirements for new construction or total replacement of a
building under this chapter after a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency, see Ex. Ord. No.
13717, Feb. 2, 2016, 81 F.R. 6407, set out as a note under
section 7704 of this title.

§ 5122. Definitions
As used in this chapter—
(1) EMERGENCY.—‘‘Emergency’’ means any occasion or instance for which, in the determination of the President, Federal assistance is need-

§ 5122

ed to supplement State and local efforts and capabilities to save lives and to protect property
and public health and safety, or to lessen or
avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of
the United States.
(2) MAJOR DISASTER.—‘‘Major disaster’’ means
any natural catastrophe (including any hurricane, tornado, storm, high water, winddriven
water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm,
or drought), or, regardless of cause, any fire,
flood, or explosion, in any part of the United
States, which in the determination of the President causes damage of sufficient severity and
magnitude to warrant major disaster assistance
under this chapter to supplement the efforts and
available resources of States, local governments, and disaster relief organizations in alleviating the damage, loss, hardship, or suffering
caused thereby.
(3) ‘‘United States’’ means the fifty States, the
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
(4) ‘‘State’’ means any State of the United
States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,
the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
(5) ‘‘Governor’’ means the chief executive of
any State.
(6) INDIAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT.—The term ‘‘Indian tribal government’’ means the governing
body of any Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band,
nation, pueblo, village, or community that the
Secretary of the Interior acknowledges to exist
as an Indian tribe under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 479a
et seq.).1
(7) INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY.—The term
‘‘individual with a disability’’ means an individual with a disability as defined in section
12102(2) of this title.
(8) LOCAL GOVERNMENT.—The term ‘‘local government’’ means—
(A) a county, municipality, city, town, township, local public authority, school district,
special district, intrastate district, council of
governments (regardless of whether the council of governments is incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under State law), regional
or interstate government entity, or agency or
instrumentality of a local government;
(B) an Indian tribe or authorized tribal organization, or Alaska Native village or organization, that is not an Indian tribal government
as defined in paragraph (6); and
(C) a rural community, unincorporated town
or village, or other public entity, for which an
application for assistance is made by a State
or political subdivision of a State.
(9) ‘‘Federal agency’’ means any department,
independent establishment, Government corporation, or other agency of the executive
branch of the Federal Government, including
the United States Postal Service, but shall not
include the American National Red Cross.
(10) PUBLIC FACILITY.—‘‘Public facility’’ means
the following facilities owned by a State or local
government:
1 See

References in Text note below.

§ 5122

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(A) Any flood control, navigation, irrigation,
reclamation, public power, sewage treatment
and collection, water supply and distribution,
watershed development, or airport facility.
(B) Any non-Federal-aid street, road, or
highway.
(C) Any other public building, structure, or
system, including those used for educational,
recreational, or cultural purposes.
(D) Any park.
(11) PRIVATE NONPROFIT FACILITY.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘private nonprofit facility’’ means private nonprofit educational (without regard to the religious character of the facility), center-based childcare,
utility,
irrigation,
emergency,
medical,
rehabilitational, and temporary or permanent
custodial care facilities (including those for
the aged and disabled) and facilities on Indian
reservations, as defined by the President.
(B) ADDITIONAL FACILITIES.—In addition to
the facilities described in subparagraph (A),
the term ‘‘private nonprofit facility’’ includes
any private nonprofit facility that provides essential social services to the general public
(including museums, zoos, performing arts facilities, community arts centers, community
centers, libraries, homeless shelters, senior
citizen centers, rehabilitation facilities, shelter workshops, food banks, broadcasting facilities, houses of worship, and facilities that provide health and safety services of a governmental nature), as defined by the President.
No house of worship may be excluded from
this definition because leadership or membership in the organization operating the house of
worship is limited to persons who share a religious faith or practice.
(12) CHIEF EXECUTIVE.—The term ‘‘Chief Executive’’ means the person who is the Chief, Chairman, Governor, President, or similar executive
official of an Indian tribal government.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title I, § 102, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat.
144; Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 103(b)–(d), (f), Nov.
23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4689, 4690; Pub. L. 102–247, title
II, § 205, Feb. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 38; Pub. L. 106–390,
title III, § 302, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1572; Pub. L.
109–295, title VI, § 688, Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1448;
Pub. L. 113–2, div. B, § 1110(c), Jan. 29, 2013, 127
Stat. 49; Pub. L. 114–111, § 2(a), Dec. 18, 2015, 129
Stat. 2240; Pub. L. 115–123, div. B, title VI,
§ 20604(a), Feb. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 85; Pub. L.
115–254, div. D, §§ 1214, 1238(b), Oct. 5, 2018, 132
Stat. 3449, 3466.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in introductory provisions
and par. (2), was in the original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning
Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title
note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
The Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of
1994, referred to in par. (6), is title I of Pub. L. 103–454,
Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4791, which was classified principally to section 479a et seq. of Title 25, Indians, prior
to editorial reclassification as section 5130 et seq. of
Title 25. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5101 of
Title 25 and Tables.
AMENDMENTS
2018—Par. (11). Pub. L. 115–123 amended subpar. (B)
generally by substituting a second subpar. (A) and a

Page 5938

subpar. (B) for former subpar. (B). Prior to amendment,
subpar. (B) read as follows: ‘‘In addition to the facilities described in subparagraph (A), the term ‘private
nonprofit facility’ includes any private nonprofit facility that provides essential services of a governmental
nature to the general public (including museums, zoos,
performing arts facilities, community arts centers, libraries, homeless shelters, senior citizen centers, rehabilitation facilities, shelter workshops, broadcasting
facilities, and facilities that provide health and safety
services of a governmental nature), as defined by the
President.’’
Par. (11)(A). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1238(b)(2), struck out
first subpar. (A) which read as follows: ‘‘The term ‘private nonprofit facility’ means private nonprofit educational, utility, irrigation, emergency, medical,
rehabilitational, and temporary or permanent custodial care facilities (including those for the aged and
disabled) and facilities on Indian reservations, as defined by the President.’’
Pub. L. 115–254, § 1238(b)(1), inserted ‘‘center-based
childcare,’’ after ‘‘facility),’’ in second subpar. (A) as
added by Pub. L. 115–123.
Par. (11)(B). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1214, inserted ‘‘food
banks,’’ after ‘‘shelter workshops,’’.
2015—Par. (11)(B). Pub. L. 114–111 inserted ‘‘broadcasting facilities,’’ after ‘‘workshops,’’.
2013—Par. (6). Pub. L. 113–2, § 1110(c)(3), added par. (6).
Former par. (6) redesignated (7).
Par. (7). Pub. L. 113–2, § 1110(c)(2), redesignated par. (6)
as (7). Former par. (7) redesignated (8).
Par. (7)(B). Pub. L. 113–2, § 1110(c)(1), substituted
‘‘, that is not an Indian tribal government as defined in
paragraph (6); and’’ for ‘‘; and’’.
Pars. (8) to (11). Pub. L. 113–2, § 1110(c)(2), redesignated
pars. (7) to (10) as (8) to (11), respectively.
Par. (12). Pub. L. 113–2, § 1110(c)(4), added par. (12).
2006—Pars. (6) to (8). Pub. L. 109–295, § 688(2), added
par. (6) and redesignated former pars. (6) and (7) as (7)
and (8), respectively. Former par. (8) redesignated (9).
Par. (9). Pub. L. 109–295, § 688(2), redesignated par. (8)
as (9). Former par. (9) redesignated (10).
Pub. L. 109–295, § 688(1), amended par. (9) generally.
Prior to amendment, text read as follows: ‘‘ ‘Private
nonprofit facility’ means private nonprofit educational,
utility,
irrigation,
emergency,
medical,
rehabilitational, and temporary or permanent custodial care facilities (including those for the aged and
disabled), other private nonprofit facilities which provide essential services of a governmental nature to the
general public, and facilities on Indian reservations as
defined by the President.’’
Par. (10). Pub. L. 109–295, § 688(2), redesignated par. (9)
as (10).
2000—Par. (3). Pub. L. 106–390, § 302(1), substituted
‘‘and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands’’ for ‘‘the Northern Mariana Islands, and the
Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands’’.
Par. (4). Pub. L. 106–390, § 302(1), substituted ‘‘and the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands’’ for
‘‘the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Trust Territory
of the Pacific Islands’’.
Par. (6). Pub. L. 106–390, § 302(2), added par. (6) and
struck out former par. (6) which read as follows:
‘‘ ‘Local government’ means (A) any county, city, village, town, district, or other political subdivision of
any State, any Indian tribe or authorized tribal organization, or Alaska Native village or organization, and
(B) includes any rural community or unincorporated
town or village or any other public entity for which an
application for assistance is made by a State or political subdivision thereof.’’
Par. (9). Pub. L. 106–390, § 302(3), inserted ‘‘irrigation,’’
after ‘‘utility,’’.
1992—Pars. (3), (4). Pub. L. 102–247 inserted ‘‘the
Northern Mariana Islands,’’ after ‘‘American Samoa,’’.
1988—Par. (1). Pub. L. 100–707, § 103(b), inserted heading and amended text generally. Prior to amendment,
text read as follows: ‘‘ ‘Emergency’ means any hurricane, tornado, storm, flood, high water, wind-driven

Page 5939

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, drought, fire, explosion, or other catastrophe in any part of the United
States which requires Federal emergency assistance to
supplement State and local efforts to save lives and
protect property, public health and safety or to avert
or lessen the threat of a disaster.’’
Par. (2). Pub. L. 100–707, § 103(c), inserted heading and
amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read
as follows: ‘‘ ‘Major disaster’ means any hurricane, tornado, storm, flood, high water, wind-driven water, tidal
wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, drought, fire, explosion, or
other catastrophe in any part of the United States
which, in the determination of the President, causes
damage of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant
major disaster assistance under this chapter, above and
beyond emergency services by the Federal Government,
to supplement the efforts and available resources of
States, local governments, and disaster relief organizations in alleviating the damage, loss, hardship, or suffering caused thereby.’’
Pars. (3), (4). Pub. L. 100–707, § 103(d), struck out ‘‘the
Canal Zone,’’ after ‘‘American Samoa,’’.
Pars. (8), (9). Pub. L. 100–707, § 103(f), added pars. (8)
and (9).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1238(c), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat.
3466, provided that: ‘‘The amendment made by subsection (b)(1) [amending this section] shall apply to any
major disaster or emergency declared by the President
under section 401 or 501, respectively, of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
(42 U.S.C. 5170, 5191) on or after the date of enactment
of this Act [Oct. 5, 2018].’’
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each
major disaster and emergency declared by the President on or after Aug. 1, 2017, and authorities provided
under div. D of Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each major
disaster and emergency declared by the President on or
after Jan. 1, 2016, except as otherwise provided, see section 1202 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5121 of this title.
Pub. L. 115–123, div. B, title VI, § 20604(c), Feb. 9, 2018,
132 Stat. 86, provided that: ‘‘This section [amending
this section and section 5172 of this title] and the
amendments made by this section shall apply—
‘‘(1) to the provision of assistance in response to a
major disaster or emergency declared on or after August 23, 2017; or
‘‘(2) with respect to—
‘‘(A) any application for assistance that, as of the
date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 9, 2018], is pending before Federal Emergency Management Agency; and
‘‘(B) any application for assistance that has been
denied, where a challenge to that denial is not yet
finally resolved as of the date of enactment of this
Act.’’
REGULATIONS
Pub. L. 113–2, div. B, § 1110(e), Jan. 29, 2013, 127 Stat.
49, provided that:
‘‘(1) ISSUANCE.—The President shall issue regulations
to carry out the amendments made by this section [enacting section 5123 of this title and amending this section and sections 5170 and 5191 of this title].
‘‘(2) FACTORS.—In issuing the regulations, the President shall consider the unique conditions that affect
the general welfare of Indian tribal governments.’’
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 103(e), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4690, provided that:
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘local government’ is
deemed to have the same meaning in the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act [Pub. L. 93–288, see
Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this

§ 5131

title], as amended by this Act [see Short Title of 1988
Amendment note set out under section 5121 of this
title], as that term had on October 1, 1988, under section 102(6) of the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 [par. (6) of
this section] and regulations implementing the Disaster Relief Act of 1974.
‘‘(2) TERMINATION OF EFFECTIVENESS.—Paragraph (1)
shall not be effective on and after the 90th day after the
President transmits to the Committee on Public Works
and Transportation of the House of Representatives
and to the Committee on Environment and Public
Works of the Senate a report which includes an interpretation of the term ‘local government’ for purposes of
the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as
amended by this Act.’’
[Functions of President under section 103(e)(2) of Pub.
L. 100–707 delegated to Administrator of Federal Emergency Management Agency by section 3 of Ex. Ord. No.
12673, Mar. 23, 1989, 54 F.R. 12571, set out as a note under
section 5195 of this title.]
DEFINITIONS
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1203, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat.
3438, provided that: ‘‘In this division [see Short Title of
2018 Amendment note set out under section 5121 of this
title]:
‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘Administrator’
means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency.
‘‘(2) AGENCY.—The term ‘Agency’ means the Federal
Emergency Management Agency.
‘‘(3) STATE.—The term ‘State’ has the meaning
given that term in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
(42 U.S.C. 5122).’’

§ 5123. References
Except as otherwise specifically provided, any
reference in this chapter to ‘‘State and local’’,
‘‘State or local’’, ‘‘State, and local’’, ‘‘State, or
local’’, or ‘‘State, local’’ (including plurals) with
respect to governments or officials and any reference to a ‘‘local government’’ in sections
5172(d)(3) and 5184 of this title is deemed to refer
also to Indian tribal governments and officials,
as appropriate.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title I, § 103, as added Pub. L.
113–2, div. B, § 1110(d), Jan. 29, 2013, 127 Stat. 49.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original
‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88
Stat. 143. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of
this title and Tables.

SUBCHAPTER
II—DISASTER
PREPAREDNESS AND MITIGATION ASSISTANCE
§ 5131. Federal and State disaster preparedness
programs
(a) Utilization of services of other agencies
The President is authorized to establish a program of disaster preparedness that utilizes services of all appropriate agencies and includes—
(1) preparation of disaster preparedness
plans for mitigation, warning, emergency operations, rehabilitation, and recovery;
(2) training and exercises;
(3) postdisaster critiques and evaluations;
(4) annual review of programs;
(5) coordination of Federal, State, and local
preparedness programs;
(6) application of science and technology;

§ 5132

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(7) research.
(b) Technical assistance for the development of
plans and programs
The President shall provide technical assistance to the States in developing comprehensive
plans and practicable programs for preparation
against disasters, including hazard reduction,
avoidance, and mitigation; for assistance to individuals, businesses, and State and local governments following such disasters; and for recovery of damaged or destroyed public and private facilities.
(c) Grants to States for development of plans and
programs
Upon application by a State, the President is
authorized to make grants, not to exceed in the
aggregate to such State $250,000, for the development of plans, programs, and capabilities for
disaster preparedness and prevention. Such
grants shall be applied for within one year from
May 22, 1974. Any State desiring financial assistance under this section shall designate or create
an agency to plan and administer such a disaster
preparedness program, and shall, through such
agency, submit a State plan to the President,
which shall—
(1) set forth a comprehensive and detailed
State program for preparation against and assistance following, emergencies and major disasters, including provisions for assistance to
individuals, businesses, and local governments; and
(2) include provisions for appointment and
training of appropriate staffs, formulation of
necessary regulations and procedures and conduct of required exercises.
(d) Grants for improvement, maintenance, and
updating of State plans
The President is authorized to make grants
not to exceed 50 per centum of the cost of improving, maintaining and updating State disaster assistance plans, including evaluations of
natural hazards and development of the programs and actions required to mitigate such
hazards; except that no such grant shall exceed
$50,000 per annum to any State.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title II, § 201, May 22, 1974, 88
Stat. 145; Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 104, Nov. 23,
1988, 102 Stat. 4690.)
AMENDMENTS
1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–707, § 104(b)(1), struck
out ‘‘(including the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency)’’ after ‘‘agencies’’.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100–707, § 104(a), (b)(2), inserted
‘‘including evaluations of natural hazards and development of the programs and actions required to mitigate
such hazards;’’ after ‘‘plans,’’ and substituted ‘‘$50,000’’
for ‘‘$25,000’’.

§ 5132. Disaster warnings
(a) Readiness of Federal agencies to issue warnings to State and local officials
The President shall insure that all appropriate
Federal agencies are prepared to issue warnings
of disasters to State and local officials.
(b) Technical assistance to State and local governments for effective warnings
The President shall direct appropriate Federal
agencies to provide technical assistance to State

Page 5940

and local governments to insure that timely and
effective disaster warning is provided.
(c) Warnings to governmental authorities and
public endangered by disaster
The President is authorized to utilize or to
make available to Federal, State, and local
agencies the facilities of the civil defense communications system established and maintained
pursuant to section 5196(c) of this title or any
other Federal communications system for the
purpose of providing warning to governmental
authorities and the civilian population in areas
endangered by disasters.
(d) Agreements with commercial communications systems for use of facilities
The President is authorized to enter into
agreements with the officers or agents of any
private or commercial communications systems
who volunteer the use of their systems on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis for the
purpose of providing warning to governmental
authorities and the civilian population endangered by disasters.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title II, § 202, May 22, 1974, 88
Stat. 145; Pub. L. 103–337, div. C, title XXXIV,
§ 3412(b)(1), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 3111.)
AMENDMENTS
1994—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103–337 substituted ‘‘section
5196(c) of this title’’ for ‘‘section 2281(c) of title 50, Appendix,’’.

§ 5133. Predisaster hazard mitigation
(a) Definition of small impoverished community
In this section, the term ‘‘small impoverished
community’’ means a community of 3,000 or
fewer individuals that is economically disadvantaged, as determined by the State in which the
community is located and based on criteria established by the President.
(b) Establishment of program
The President may establish a program to provide technical and financial assistance to States
and local governments to assist in the implementation of predisaster hazard mitigation
measures that are cost-effective and are designed to reduce injuries, loss of life, and damage and destruction of property, including damage to critical services and facilities under the
jurisdiction of the States or local governments.
(c) Approval by President
If the President determines that a State or
local government has identified natural disaster
hazards in areas under its jurisdiction and has
demonstrated the ability to form effective public-private natural disaster hazard mitigation
partnerships, the President, using amounts in
the National Public Infrastructure Predisaster
Mitigation Fund established under subsection (i)
(referred to in this section as the ‘‘Fund’’), may
provide technical and financial assistance to the
State or local government to be used in accordance with subsection (e).
(d) State recommendations
(1) In general
(A) Recommendations
The Governor of each State may recommend to the President not fewer than five

Page 5941

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

local governments to receive assistance
under this section.
(B) Deadline for submission
The recommendations under subparagraph
(A) shall be submitted to the President not
later than October 1, 2001, and each October
1st thereafter or such later date in the year
as the President may establish.
(C) Criteria
In making recommendations under subparagraph (A), a Governor shall consider the
criteria specified in subsection (g).
(2) Use
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), in
providing assistance to local governments
under this section, the President shall select
from local governments recommended by the
Governors under this subsection.
(B) Extraordinary circumstances
In providing assistance to local governments under this section, the President may
select a local government that has not been
recommended by a Governor under this subsection if the President determines that extraordinary circumstances justify the selection and that making the selection will further the purpose of this section.
(3) Effect of failure to nominate
If a Governor of a State fails to submit recommendations under this subsection in a
timely manner, the President may select, subject to the criteria specified in subsection (g),
any local governments of the State to receive
assistance under this section.
(e) Uses of technical and financial assistance
(1) In general
Technical and financial assistance provided
under this section—
(A) shall be used by States and local governments
principally
to
implement
predisaster hazard mitigation measures that
are cost-effective and are described in proposals approved by the President under this
section; and
(B) may be used—
(i) to support effective public-private
natural disaster hazard mitigation partnerships;
(ii) to improve the assessment of a community’s vulnerability to natural hazards;
(iii) to establish hazard mitigation priorities, and an appropriate hazard mitigation plan, for a community; or
(iv) to establish and carry out enforcement activities and implement the latest
published editions of relevant consensusbased codes, specifications, and standards
that incorporate the latest hazard-resistant designs and establish minimum acceptable criteria for the design, construction, and maintenance of residential structures and facilities that may be eligible for
assistance under this chapter for the purpose of protecting the health, safety, and
general welfare of the buildings’ users
against disasters.

§ 5133

(2) Dissemination
A State or local government may use not
more than 10 percent of the financial assistance received by the State or local government under this section for a fiscal year to
fund activities to disseminate information regarding cost-effective mitigation technologies.
(f) Allocation of funds
(1) In general
The President shall award financial assistance under this section on a competitive basis
for mitigation activities that are cost effective and in accordance with the criteria in
subsection (g).
(2) Minimum and maximum amounts
In providing financial assistance under this
section, the President shall ensure that the
amount of financial assistance made available
to a State (including amounts made available
to local governments of the State) for a fiscal
year—
(A) is not less than the lesser of—
(i) $575,000; or
(ii) the amount that is equal to 1 percent
of the total funds appropriated to carry
out this section for the fiscal year; and
(B) does not exceed the amount that is
equal to 15 percent of the total funds appropriated to carry out this section for the fiscal year.
(3) Redistribution of unobligated amounts
The President may—
(A) withdraw amounts of financial assistance made available to a State (including
amounts made available to local governments of a State) under this subsection that
remain unobligated by the end of the third
fiscal year after the fiscal year for which the
amounts were allocated; and
(B) in the fiscal year following a fiscal
year in which amounts were withdrawn
under subparagraph (A), add the amounts to
any other amounts available to be awarded
on a competitive basis pursuant to paragraph (1).
(g) Criteria for assistance awards
In determining whether to provide technical
and financial assistance to a State or local government under this section, the President shall
provide financial assistance only in States that
have received a major disaster declaration in
the previous 7 years, or to any Indian tribal government located partially or entirely within the
boundaries of such States, and take into account—
(1) the extent and nature of the hazards to be
mitigated;
(2) the degree of commitment of the State or
local government to reduce damages from future natural disasters;
(3) the degree of commitment by the State
or local government to support ongoing nonFederal support for the hazard mitigation
measures to be carried out using the technical
and financial assistance;
(4) the extent to which the hazard mitigation measures to be carried out using the tech-

§ 5133

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

nical and financial assistance contribute to
the mitigation goals and priorities established
by the State;
(5) the extent to which the technical and financial assistance is consistent with other assistance provided under this chapter;
(6) the extent to which prioritized, cost-effective mitigation activities that produce
meaningful and definable outcomes are clearly
identified;
(7) if the State or local government has submitted a mitigation plan under section 5165 of
this title, the extent to which the activities
identified under paragraph (6) are consistent
with the mitigation plan;
(8) the opportunity to fund activities that
maximize net benefits to society;
(9) the extent to which assistance will fund
mitigation activities in small impoverished
communities;
(10) the extent to which the State, local, Indian tribal, or territorial government has facilitated the adoption and enforcement of the
latest published editions of relevant consensus-based codes, specifications, and standards, including amendments made by State,
local, Indian tribal, or territorial governments
during the adoption process that incorporate
the latest hazard-resistant designs and establish criteria for the design, construction, and
maintenance of residential structures and facilities that may be eligible for assistance
under this chapter for the purpose of protecting the health, safety, and general welfare
of the buildings’ users against disasters;
(11) the extent to which the assistance will
fund activities that increase the level of resiliency; and
(12) such other criteria as the President establishes in consultation with State and local
governments.
(h) Federal share
(1) In general
Financial assistance provided under this section may contribute up to 75 percent of the
total cost of mitigation activities approved by
the President.
(2) Small impoverished communities
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the President may contribute up to 90 percent of the
total cost of a mitigation activity carried out
in a small impoverished community.
(i) National public infrastructure predisaster
mitigation assistance
(1) In general
The President may set aside from the Disaster Relief Fund, with respect to each major
disaster, an amount equal to 6 percent of the
estimated aggregate amount of the grants to
be made pursuant to sections 5170b, 5172, 5173,
5174, 5177, 5183, and 5189f of this title for the
major disaster in order to provide technical
and financial assistance under this section and
such set aside shall be deemed to be related to
activities carried out pursuant to major disasters under this chapter.
(2) Estimated aggregate amount
Not later than 180 days after each major disaster declaration pursuant to this chapter, the

Page 5942

estimated aggregate amount of grants for purposes of paragraph (1) shall be determined by
the President and such estimated amount need
not be reduced, increased, or changed due to
variations in estimates.
(3) No reduction in amounts
The amount set aside pursuant to paragraph
(1) shall not reduce the amounts otherwise
made available for sections 5170b, 5170c, 5172,
5173, 5174, 5177, 5183, and 5189f of this title
under this chapter.
(j) Multihazard advisory maps
(1) Definition of multihazard advisory map
In this subsection, the term ‘‘multihazard
advisory map’’ means a map on which hazard
data concerning each type of natural disaster
is identified simultaneously for the purpose of
showing areas of hazard overlap.
(2) Development of maps
In consultation with States, local governments, and appropriate Federal agencies, the
President shall develop multihazard advisory
maps for areas, in not fewer than five States,
that are subject to commonly recurring natural hazards (including flooding, hurricanes
and severe winds, and seismic events).
(3) Use of technology
In developing multihazard advisory maps
under this subsection, the President shall use,
to the maximum extent practicable, the most
cost-effective and efficient technology available.
(4) Use of maps
(A) Advisory nature
The multihazard advisory maps shall be
considered to be advisory and shall not require the development of any new policy by,
or impose any new policy on, any government or private entity.
(B) Availability of maps
The multihazard advisory maps shall be
made available to the appropriate State and
local governments for the purposes of—
(i) informing the general public about
the risks of natural hazards in the areas
described in paragraph (2);
(ii) supporting the activities described in
subsection (e); and
(iii) other public uses.
(k) Report on Federal and State administration
Not later than 18 months after October 30,
2000, the President, in consultation with State
and local governments, shall submit to Congress
a report evaluating efforts to implement this
section and recommending a process for transferring greater authority and responsibility for
administering the assistance program established under this section to capable States.
(l) Prohibition on earmarks
(1) Definition
In this subsection, the term ‘‘congressionally directed spending’’ means a statutory provision or report language included primarily
at the request of a Senator or a Member, Delegate or Resident Commissioner of the House of

Page 5943

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

Representatives providing, authorizing, or recommending a specific amount of discretionary
budget authority, credit authority, or other
spending authority for a contract, loan, loan
guarantee, grant, loan authority, or other expenditure with or to an entity, or targeted to
a specific State, locality, or Congressional district, other than through a statutory or administrative formula-driven or competitive
award process.
(2) Prohibition
None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available to carry out this section may
be used for congressionally directed spending.
(3) Certification to Congress
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall submit to
Congress a certification regarding whether all
financial assistance under this section was
awarded in accordance with this section.
(m) Latest published editions
For purposes of subsections (e)(1)(B)(iv) and
(g)(10), the term ‘‘latest published editions’’
means, with respect to relevant consensus-based
codes, specifications, and standards, the 2 most
recently published editions.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title II, § 203, as added Pub. L.
106–390, title I, § 102(a), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat.
1553; amended Pub. L. 108–199, div. H, § 135, Jan.
23, 2004, 118 Stat. 441; Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title
I, § 105, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3343; Pub. L. 109–139,
§ 2, Dec. 22, 2005, 119 Stat. 2649; Pub. L. 110–329,
div. D, title V, § 553, Sept. 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 3690;
Pub. L. 111–83, title V, § 543, Oct. 28, 2009, 123
Stat. 2176; Pub. L. 111–351, §§ 3(a), (b), 4, Jan. 4,
2011, 124 Stat. 3864; Pub. L. 115–254, div. D,
§ 1234(a), (d), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3461, 3463.)
AMENDMENT OF SECTION
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1234(d), Oct. 5, 2018,
132 Stat. 3463, provided that, effective 5 years
after Oct. 5, 2018, this section is amended by
striking subsection (m). See 2018 Amendment
note below.
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (e)(1)(B)(iv),
(g)(5), (10), and (i), was in the original ‘‘this Act’’,
meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143. For
complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this title
and Tables.
AMENDMENTS
2018—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1234(a)(1), inserted
‘‘Public Infrastructure’’ after ‘‘National’’.
Subsec. (e)(1)(B)(iv). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1234(a)(2), added
cl. (iv).
Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1234(a)(3)(A), inserted
‘‘for mitigation activities that are cost effective’’ after
‘‘competitive basis’’.
Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1234(a)(3)(B), added
par. (3).
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1234(a)(4)(A), in introductory provisions, inserted ‘‘provide financial assistance only in States that have received a major disaster
declaration in the previous 7 years, or to any Indian
tribal government located partially or entirely within
the boundaries of such States, and’’ after ‘‘the President shall’’.
Subsec.
(g)(10)
to
(12).
Pub.
L.
115–254,
§ 1234(a)(4)(B)–(D), added pars. (10) and (11) and redesignated former par. (10) as (12).

§ 5133

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1234(a)(5), added subsec.
(i) and struck out former subsec. (i) which related to
National Predisaster Mitigation Fund.
Subsecs. (j) to (l). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1234(a)(6), (7), redesignated subsecs. (k), (l), and (n) as (j), (k), and (l), respectively, and struck out former subsec. (j) which related to limitation on total amount of financial assistance.
Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1234(d), struck out subsec. (m) which defined the term ‘‘latest published editions’’ for subsecs. (e)(1)(B)(iv) and (g)(10).
Pub. L. 115–254, § 1234(a)(6), (8), added subsec. (m) and
struck out former subsec. (m) which related to authorization of appropriations.
Subsec. (n). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1234(a)(7), redesignated
subsec. (n) as (l).
2011—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 111–351, § 3(a), amended subsec. (f) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (f) related to a different allocation of funds.
Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 111–351, § 3(b), amended subsec.
(m) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (m) related
to the termination of this section on Sept. 30, 2010.
Subsec. (n). Pub. L. 111–351, § 4, added subsec. (n).
2009—Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 111–83 substituted ‘‘September 30, 2010’’ for ‘‘September 30, 2009’’.
2008—Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 110–329 substituted ‘‘September 30, 2009’’ for ‘‘September 30, 2008’’.
2005—Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 109–139 substituted ‘‘September 30, 2008’’ for ‘‘December 31, 2005’’.
2004—Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 108–447 substituted ‘‘2005’’
for ‘‘2004’’.
Pub. L. 108–199 substituted ‘‘2004’’ for ‘‘2003’’.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each
major disaster and emergency declared by the President on or after Aug. 1, 2017, and authorities provided
under div. D of Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each major
disaster and emergency declared by the President on or
after Jan. 1, 2016, except as otherwise provided, see section 1202 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5121 of this title.
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1234(b), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat.
3462, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made to section
203 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5133) by paragraphs (3)
and (5) of subsection (a) shall apply to funds appropriated on or after the date of enactment of this Act
[Oct. 5, 2018].’’
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1234(d), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat.
3463, provided that the amendment made by section
1234(d) is effective on the date that is 5 years after Oct.
5, 2018.
FINDINGS
Pub. L. 111–351, § 2, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3863, provided
that: ‘‘Congress finds the following:
‘‘(1) The predisaster hazard mitigation program has
been successful and cost-effective. Funding from the
predisaster hazard mitigation program has successfully reduced loss of life, personal injuries, damage to
and destruction of property, and disruption of communities from disasters.
‘‘(2) The predisaster hazard mitigation program has
saved Federal taxpayers from spending significant
sums on disaster recovery and relief that would have
been otherwise incurred had communities not successfully applied mitigation techniques.
‘‘(3) A 2007 Congressional Budget Office report found
that the predisaster hazard mitigation program reduced losses by roughly $3 (measured in 2007 dollars)
for each dollar invested in mitigation efforts funded
under the predisaster hazard mitigation program.
Moreover, the Congressional Budget Office found that
projects funded under the predisaster hazard mitigation program could lower the need for post-disaster
assistance from the Federal Government so that the
predisaster hazard mitigation investment by the Federal Government would actually save taxpayer funds.

§ 5134

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

‘‘(4) A 2005 report by the Multihazard Mitigation
Council showed substantial benefits and cost savings
from the hazard mitigation programs of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency generally. Looking
at a range of hazard mitigation programs of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the study
found that, on average, $1 invested by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency in hazard mitigation provided the Nation with roughly $4 in benefits.
Moreover, the report projected that the mitigation
grants awarded between 1993 and 2003 would save
more than 220 lives and prevent nearly 4,700 injuries
over approximately 50 years.
‘‘(5) Given the substantial savings generated from
the predisaster hazard mitigation program in the
years following the provision of assistance under the
program, increasing funds appropriated for the program would be a wise investment.’’
FINDINGS AND PURPOSE
Pub. L. 106–390, title I, § 101, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat.
1552, provided that:
‘‘(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that—
‘‘(1) natural disasters, including earthquakes,
tsunamis, tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, and
wildfires, pose great danger to human life and to
property throughout the United States;
‘‘(2) greater emphasis needs to be placed on—
‘‘(A) identifying and assessing the risks to States
and local governments (including Indian tribes)
from natural disasters;
‘‘(B) implementing adequate measures to reduce
losses from natural disasters; and
‘‘(C) ensuring that the critical services and facilities of communities will continue to function after
a natural disaster;
‘‘(3) expenditures for postdisaster assistance are increasing without commensurate reductions in the
likelihood of future losses from natural disasters;
‘‘(4) in the expenditure of Federal funds under the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), high priority
should be given to mitigation of hazards at the local
level; and
‘‘(5) with a unified effort of economic incentives,
awareness and education, technical assistance, and
demonstrated Federal support, States and local governments (including Indian tribes) will be able to—
‘‘(A) form effective community-based partnerships for hazard mitigation purposes;
‘‘(B) implement effective hazard mitigation measures that reduce the potential damage from natural
disasters;
‘‘(C) ensure continued functionality of critical
services;
‘‘(D) leverage additional non-Federal resources in
meeting natural disaster resistance goals; and
‘‘(E) make commitments to long-term hazard
mitigation efforts to be applied to new and existing
structures.
‘‘(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this title [enacting
this section and sections 5134, 5165 and 5165a of this
title, amending section 5170c of this title, and repealing
section 5176 of this title] is to establish a national disaster hazard mitigation program—
‘‘(1) to reduce the loss of life and property, human
suffering, economic disruption, and disaster assistance costs resulting from natural disasters; and
‘‘(2) to provide a source of predisaster hazard mitigation funding that will assist States and local governments (including Indian tribes) in implementing
effective hazard mitigation measures that are designed to ensure the continued functionality of critical services and facilities after a natural disaster.’’

§ 5134. Interagency task force
(a) In general
The President shall establish a Federal interagency task force for the purpose of coordi-

Page 5944

nating the implementation of predisaster hazard
mitigation programs administered by the Federal Government.
(b) Chairperson
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency shall serve as the chairperson of the task force.
(c) Membership
The membership of the task force shall include representatives of—
(1) relevant Federal agencies;
(2) State and local government organizations
(including Indian tribes); and
(3) the American Red Cross.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title II, § 204, as added Pub. L.
106–390, title I, § 103, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1557;
amended Pub. L. 111–351, § 3(c)(2), Jan. 4, 2011, 124
Stat. 3864.)
AMENDMENTS
2011—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–351 substituted ‘‘Administrator’’ for ‘‘Director’’.
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including
the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1)
of Title 6, Domestic Security.
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto,
to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and
sections 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set
out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

§ 5135. Grants to entities for establishment of
hazard mitigation revolving loan funds
(a) General authority
(1) In general
The Administrator may enter into agreements with eligible entities to make capitalization grants to such entities for the establishment of hazard mitigation revolving loan
funds (referred to in this section as ‘‘entity
loan funds’’) for providing funding assistance
to local governments to carry out eligible
projects under this section to reduce disaster
risks for homeowners, businesses, nonprofit
organizations, and communities in order to decrease—
(A) the loss of life and property;
(B) the cost of insurance; and
(C) Federal disaster payments.
(2) Agreements
Any agreement entered into under this section shall require the participating entity to—
(A) comply with the requirements of this
section; and
(B) use accounting, audit, and fiscal procedures conforming to generally accepted accounting standards.
(b) Application
(1) In general
To be eligible to receive a capitalization
grant under this section, an eligible entity

Page 5945

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

shall submit to the Administrator an application that includes the following:
(A) Project proposals comprised of local
government hazard mitigation projects, on
the condition that the entity provides public
notice not less than 6 weeks prior to the submission of an application.
(B) An assessment of recurring major disaster vulnerabilities impacting the entity
that demonstrates a risk to life and property.
(C) A description of how the hazard mitigation plan of the entity has or has not
taken the vulnerabilities described in subparagraph (B) into account.
(D) A description about how the projects
described in subparagraph (A) could conform
with the hazard mitigation plan of the entity and of the unit of local government.
(E) A proposal of the systematic and regional approach to achieve resilience in a
vulnerable area, including impacts to river
basins, river corridors, watersheds, estuaries, bays, coastal regions, micro-basins,
micro-watersheds, ecosystems, and areas at
risk of earthquakes, tsunamis, droughts, severe storms, and wildfires, including the
wildland-urban interface.
(2) Technical assistance
The Administrator shall provide technical
assistance to eligible entities for applications
under this section.
(c) Entity loan fund
(1) Establishment of fund
An entity that receives a capitalization
grant under this section shall establish an entity loan fund that complies with the requirements of this subsection.
(2) Fund management
Except as provided in paragraph (3), entity
loan funds shall—
(A) be administered by the agency responsible for emergency management; and
(B) include only—
(i) funds provided by a capitalization
grant under this section;
(ii) repayments of loans under this section to the entity loan fund; and
(iii) interest earned on amounts in the
entity loan fund.
(3) Administration
A participating entity may combine the financial administration of the entity loan fund
of such entity with the financial administration of any other revolving fund established by
such entity if the Administrator determines
that—
(A) the capitalization grant, entity share,
repayments of loans, and interest earned on
amounts in the entity loan fund are accounted for separately from other amounts
in the revolving fund; and
(B) the authority to establish assistance
priorities and carry out oversight activities
remains in the control of the entity agency
responsible for emergency management.
(4) Entity share of funds
(A) In general
On or before the date on which a participating entity receives a capitalization grant

§ 5135

under this section, the entity shall deposit
into the entity loan fund of such entity, an
amount equal to not less than 10 percent of
the amount of the capitalization grant.
(B) Reduced grant
If, with respect to a capitalization grant
under this section, a participating entity deposits in the entity loan fund of the entity
an amount that is less than 10 percent of the
total amount of the capitalization grant
that the participating entity would otherwise receive, the Administrator shall reduce
the amount of the capitalization grant received by the entity to the amount that is 10
times the amount so deposited.
(d) Apportionment
(1) In general
Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, the Administrator shall apportion
funds made available to carry out this section
to entities that have entered into an agreement under subsection (a)(2) in amounts as determined by the Administrator.
(2) Reservation of funds
The Administrator shall reserve not more
than 2.5 percent of the amount made available
to carry out this section for the Federal Emergency Management Agency for—
(A) administrative costs incurred in carrying out this section;
(B) providing technical assistance to participating entities under subsection (b)(2);
and
(C) capitalization grants to insular areas
under paragraph (4).
(3) Priority
In the apportionment of capitalization
grants under this subsection, the Administrator shall give priority to entity applications under subsection (b) that—
(A) propose projects increasing resilience
and reducing risk of harm to natural and
built infrastructure;
(B) involve a partnership between two or
more eligible entities to carry out a project
or similar projects;
(C) take into account regional impacts of
hazards on river basins, river corridors,
micro-watersheds, macro-watersheds, estuaries, lakes, bays, and coastal regions and
areas at risk of earthquakes, tsunamis,
droughts, severe storms, and wildfires, including the wildland-urban interface; or
(D) propose projects for the resilience of
major economic sectors or critical national
infrastructure, including ports, global commodity supply chain assets (located within
an entity or within the jurisdiction of local
governments, insular areas, and Indian tribal governments), power and water production and distribution centers, and bridges
and waterways essential to interstate commerce.
(4) Insular areas
(A) Apportionment
From any amount remaining of funds reserved under paragraph (2), the Adminis-

§ 5135

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

trator may enter into agreements to provide
capitalization grants to insular areas.
(B) Requirements
An insular area receiving a capitalization
grant under this section shall comply with
the requirements of this section as applied
to participating entities.
(e) Environmental review of revolving loan fund
projects
The Administrator may delegate to a participating entity all of the responsibilities for environmental review, decision making, and action
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and other applicable Federal environmental laws including
the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.) and the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (54 U.S.C. 300101 et seq.) that
would apply to the Administrator were the Administrator to undertake projects under this
section as Federal projects so long as the participating entity carries out such responsibilities in the same manner and subject to the
same requirements as if the Administrator carried out such responsibilities.
(f) Use of funds
(1) Types of assistance
Amounts deposited in an entity loan fund,
including loan repayments and interest earned
on such amounts, may be used—
(A) to make loans, on the condition that—
(i) such loans are made at an interest
rate of not more than 1 percent;
(ii) annual principal and interest payments will commence not later than 1 year
after completion of any project and all
loans made under this subparagraph will
be fully amortized—
(I) not later than 20 years after the
date on which the project is completed;
or
(II) for projects in a low-income geographic area, not later than 30 years
after the date on which the project is
completed and not longer than the expected design life of the project;
(iii) the loan recipient of a loan under
this subparagraph establishes a dedicated
source of revenue for repayment of the
loan;
(iv) the loan recipient of a loan under
this subparagraph has a hazard mitigation
plan that has been approved by the Administrator; and
(v) the entity loan fund will be credited
with all payments of principal and interest
on all loans made under this subparagraph;
(B) for mitigation efforts, in addition to
mitigation planning under section 5165 of
this title not to exceed 10 percent of the capitalization grants made to the participating
entity in a fiscal year;
(C) for the reasonable costs of administering the fund and conducting activities
under this section, except that such amounts
shall not exceed $100,000 per year, 2 percent
of the capitalization grants made to the participating entity in a fiscal year, or 1 per-

Page 5946

cent of the value of the entity loan fund,
whichever amount is greatest, plus the
amount of any fees collected by the entity
for such purpose regardless of the source;
and
(D) to earn interest on the entity loan
fund.
(2) Prohibition on determination that loan is a
duplication
In carrying out this section, the Administrator may not determine that a loan is a duplication of assistance or programs under this
chapter.
(3) Projects and activities eligible for assistance
Except as provided in this subsection, a participating entity may use funds in the entity
loan fund to provide financial assistance for
projects or activities that mitigate the impacts of natural hazards including—
(A) drought and prolonged episodes of intense heat;
(B) severe storms, including hurricanes,
tornados, wind storms, cyclones, and severe
winter storms;
(C) wildfires;
(D) earthquakes;
(E) flooding, including the construction,
repair, or replacement of a non-Federal levee
or other flood control structure, provided
that the Administrator, in consultation with
the Army Corps of Engineers (if appropriate), requires an eligible entity to determine that such levee or structure is designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with sound engineering practices
and standards equivalent to the purpose for
which such levee or structure is intended;
(F) shoreline erosion;
(G) high water levels; and
(H) storm surges.
(4) Zoning and land use planning changes
A participating entity may use not more
than 10 percent of a capitalization grant under
this section to enable units of local government to implement zoning and land use planning changes focused on—
(A) the development and improvement of
zoning and land use codes that incentivize
and encourage low-impact development, resilient wildland-urban interface land management and development, natural infrastructure, green stormwater management,
conservation areas adjacent to floodplains,
implementation of watershed or greenway
master
plans,
and
reconnection
of
floodplains;
(B) the study and creation of agricultural
risk compensation districts where there is a
desire to remove or set-back levees protecting highly developed agricultural land to
mitigate for flooding, allowing agricultural
producers to receive compensation for assuming greater flood risk that would alleviate flood exposure to population centers and
areas with critical national infrastructure;
(C) the study and creation of land use incentives that reward developers for greater
reliance
on
low
impact
development

Page 5947

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

stormwater best management practices, exchange density increases for increased open
space and improvement of neighborhood
catch basins to mitigate urban flooding, reward developers for including and augmenting natural infrastructure adjacent to
and around building projects without reliance on increased sprawl, and reward developers for addressing wildfire ignition; and
(D) the study and creation of an erosion response plan that accommodates river, lake,
forest, plains, and ocean shoreline retreating
or bluff stabilization due to increased flooding and disaster impacts.
(5) Establishing and carrying out building code
enforcement
A participating entity may use capitalization grants under this section to enable units
of local government to establish and carry out
the latest published editions of relevant building codes, specifications, and standards for the
purpose of protecting the health, safety, and
general welfare of the building’s users against
disasters and natural hazards.
(6) Administrative and technical costs
For each fiscal year, a participating entity
may use the amount described in paragraph
(1)(C) to—
(A) pay the reasonable costs of administering the programs under this section, including the cost of establishing an entity
loan fund; and
(B) provide technical assistance to recipients of financial assistance from the entity
loan fund, on the condition that such technical assistance does not exceed 5 percent of
the capitalization grant made to such entity.
(7) Limitation for single projects
A participating entity may not provide an
amount equal to or more than $5,000,000 to a
single hazard mitigation project.
(8) Requirements
For fiscal year 2022 and each fiscal year
thereafter, the requirements of subchapter IV
of chapter 31 of title 40 shall apply to the construction of projects carried out in whole or in
part with assistance made available by an entity loan fund authorized by this section.
(g) Intended use plans
(1) In general
After providing for public comment and review, and consultation with appropriate government agencies of the State or Indian tribal
government, Federal agencies, and interest
groups, each participating entity shall annually prepare and submit to the Administrator
a plan identifying the intended uses of the entity loan fund.
(2) Contents of plan
An entity intended use plan prepared under
paragraph (1) shall include—
(A) the integration of entity planning efforts, including entity hazard mitigation
plans and other programs and initiatives relating to mitigation of major disasters carried out by such entity;

§ 5135

(B) an explanation of the mitigation and
resiliency benefits the entity intends to
achieve by—
(i) reducing future damage and loss associated with hazards;
(ii) reducing the number of severe repetitive loss structures and repetitive loss
structures in the entity;
(iii) decreasing the number of insurance
claims in the entity from injuries resulting from major disasters or other natural
hazards; and
(iv) increasing the rating under the community rating system under section 4022(b)
of this title for communities in the entity;
(C) information on the availability of, and
application process for, financial assistance
from the entity loan fund of such entity;
(D) the criteria and methods established
for the distribution of funds;
(E) the amount of financial assistance that
the entity anticipates apportioning;
(F) the expected terms of the assistance
provided from the entity loan fund; and
(G) a description of the financial status of
the entity loan fund, including short-term
and long-term goals for the fund.
(h) Audits, reports, publications, and oversight
(1) Biennial entity audit and report
Beginning not later than the last day of the
second fiscal year after the receipt of payments under this section, and biennially
thereafter, any participating entity shall—
(A) conduct an audit of the entity loan
fund established under subsection (c); and
(B) provide to the Administrator a report
including—
(i) the result of any such audit; and
(ii) a review of the effectiveness of the
entity loan fund of the entity with respect
to meeting the goals and intended benefits
described in the intended use plan submitted by the entity under subsection (g).
(2) Publication
A participating entity shall publish and periodically update information about all
projects receiving funding from the entity
loan fund of such entity, including—
(A) the location of the project;
(B) the type and amount of assistance provided from the entity loan fund;
(C) the expected funding schedule; and
(D) the anticipated date of completion of
the project.
(3) Oversight
(A) In general
The Administrator shall, at least every 4
years, conduct reviews and audits as may be
determined necessary or appropriate by the
Administrator to carry out the objectives of
this section and determine the effectiveness
of the fund in reducing natural hazard risk.
(B) GAO requirements
A participating entity shall conduct audits
under paragraph (1) in accordance with the
auditing procedures of the Government Accountability Office, including generally accepted government auditing standards.

§ 5135

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(C) Recommendations by Administrator
The Administrator may at any time make
recommendations for or require specific
changes to an entity loan fund in order to
improve the effectiveness of the fund.
(i) Regulations or guidance
The Administrator shall issue such regulations or guidance as are necessary to—
(1) ensure that each participating entity
uses funds as efficiently as possible;
(2) reduce waste, fraud, and abuse to the
maximum extent possible; and
(3) require any party that receives funds directly or indirectly under this section, including a participating entity and a recipient of
amounts from an entity loan fund, to use procedures with respect to the management of
the funds that conform to generally accepted
accounting standards.
(j) Waiver authority
Until such time as the Administrator issues
final regulations to implement this section, the
Administrator may—
(1) waive notice and comment rulemaking, if
the Administrator determines the waiver is
necessary to expeditiously implement this section; and
(2) provide capitalization grants under this
section as a pilot program.
(k) Liability protections
The Agency shall not be liable for any claim
based on the exercise or performance of, or the
failure to exercise or perform, a discretionary
function or duty by the Agency, or an employee
of the Agency in carrying out this section.
(l) GAO report
Not later than 1 year after the date on which
the first entity loan fund is established under
subsection (c), the Comptroller General of the
United States shall submit to the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of
the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that examines—
(1) the appropriateness of regulations and
guidance issued by the Administrator for the
program, including any oversight of the program;
(2) a description of the number of the entity
loan funds established, the projects funded
from such entity loan funds, and the extent to
which projects funded by the loan funds adhere to any applicable hazard mitigation
plans;
(3) the effectiveness of the entity loan funds
to lower disaster related costs; and
(4) recommendations for improving the administration of entity loan funds.
(m) Definitions
In this section, the following definitions
apply:
(1) Administrator
The term ‘‘Administrator’’ means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(2) Agency
The term ‘‘Agency’’ means the Federal
Emergency Management Agency.

Page 5948

(3) Eligible entity
The term ‘‘eligible entity’’ means—
(A) a State; or
(B) an Indian tribal government that has
received a major disaster declaration during
the 5-year period ending on January 1, 2021.
(4) Hazard mitigation plan
The term ‘‘hazard mitigation plan’’ means a
mitigation plan submitted under section 5165
of this title.
(5) Insular area
The term ‘‘insular area’’ means Guam,
American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands, and the United
States Virgin Islands.
(6) Low-income geographic area
The term ‘‘low-income geographic area’’
means an area described in paragraph (1) or (2)
of section 3161(a) of this title.
(7) Participating entity
The term ‘‘participating entity’’ means an
eligible entity that has entered into an agreement under this section.
(8) Repetitive loss structure
The term ‘‘repetitive loss structure’’ has the
meaning given the term in section 4121 of this
title.
(9) Severe repetitive loss structure
The term ‘‘severe repetitive loss structure’’
has the meaning given the term in section
4104c(h) of this title.
(10) State
The term ‘‘State’’ means any State of the
United States, the District of Columbia, and
Puerto Rico.
(11) Wildland-urban interface
The term ‘‘wildland-urban interface’’ has the
meaning given the term in section 6511 of title
16.
(n) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated
$100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through
2023 to carry out this section.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title II, § 205, as added Pub. L.
116–284, § 2, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4869.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (e), is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83
Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55
(§ 4321 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification
of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out
under section 4321 of this title and Tables.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973, referred to in
subsec. (e), is Pub. L. 93–205, Dec. 28, 1973, 87 Stat. 884,
which is classified principally to chapter 35 (§ 1531 et
seq.) of Title 16, Conservation. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set
out under section 1531 of Title 16 and Tables.
The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, referred to in subsec. (e), probably means the National
Historic Preservation Act, Pub. L. 89–665, Oct. 15, 1966,
80 Stat. 915, which was classified generally to subchapter II (§ 470 et seq.) of chapter 1A of Title 16, Conservation, was substantially repealed and replaced in
division A (§ 300101 et seq.) of subtitle III of Title 54, Na-

Page 5949

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

tional Park Service and Related Programs, by Pub. L.
113–287, §§ 3, 7, 128 Stat. 3187, 3272. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1966
Act note set out under section 100101 of Title 54, and
Tables. For disposition of former sections of Title 16,
see Disposition Table preceding section 100101 of Title
54.
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (f)(2), was in the
original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22,
1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.

SUBCHAPTER III—MAJOR DISASTER AND
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION
§ 5141. Waiver of administrative conditions
Any Federal agency charged with the administration of a Federal assistance program may, if
so requested by the applicant State or local authorities, modify or waive, for a major disaster,
such administrative conditions for assistance as
would otherwise prevent the giving of assistance
under such programs if the inability to meet
such conditions is a result of the major disaster.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 301, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 105(a)(2), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4691.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 5141, Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 301, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 146, set out procedure for determination of existence of emergency or major disaster, prior
to repeal by Pub. L. 100–707, § 105(a)(2).

§ 5142. Repealed. Pub. L. 100–707, title
§ 105(a)(2), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4691

I,

Section, Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 302, May 22, 1974, 88
Stat. 146, related to Federal assistance and its coordination with State and local disaster assistance.

§ 5143. Coordinating officers
(a) Appointment of Federal coordinating officer
Immediately upon his declaration of a major
disaster or emergency, the President shall appoint a Federal coordinating officer to operate
in the affected area.
(b) Functions of Federal coordinating officer
In order to effectuate the purposes of this
chapter, the Federal coordinating officer, within
the affected area, shall—
(1) make an initial appraisal of the types of
relief most urgently needed;
(2) establish such field offices as he deems
necessary and as are authorized by the President;
(3) coordinate the administration of relief,
including activities of the State and local governments, the American National Red Cross,
the Salvation Army, the Mennonite Disaster
Service, and other relief or disaster assistance
organizations, which agree to operate under
his advice or direction, except that nothing
contained in this chapter shall limit or in any
way affect the responsibilities of the American
National Red Cross under chapter 3001 of title
36; and
(4) take such other action, consistent with
authority delegated to him by the President,
and consistent with the provisions of this

§ 5144

chapter, as he may deem necessary to assist
local citizens and public officials in promptly
obtaining assistance to which they are entitled.
(c) State coordinating officer
When the President determines assistance
under this chapter is necessary, he shall request
that the Governor of the affected State designate a State coordinating officer for the purpose of coordinating State and local disaster assistance efforts with those of the Federal Government.
(d) Single Federal coordinating officer for
multistate area
Where the area affected by a major disaster or
emergency includes parts of more than 1 State,
the President, at the discretion of the President,
may appoint a single Federal coordinating officer for the entire affected area, and may appoint
such deputy Federal coordinating officers to assist the Federal coordinating officer as the
President determines appropriate.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 302, formerly § 303, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 147; renumbered § 302 and
amended Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 105(b), Nov. 23,
1988, 102 Stat. 4691; Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 687,
Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1448.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (b) and (c), was
in the original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143, as amended. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note
set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
CODIFICATION
In subsec. (b)(3), ‘‘chapter 3001 of title 36’’ substituted
for ‘‘the Act of January 5, 1905, as amended (33 Stat.
599)’’ on authority of Pub. L. 105–225, § 5(b), Aug. 12, 1998,
112 Stat. 1499, the first section of which enacted Title
36, Patriotic and National Observances, Ceremonies,
and Organizations.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 302 of Pub. L. 93–288 was classified to
section 5142 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L.
100–707.
AMENDMENTS
2006—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–295 added subsec. (d).
1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–707 inserted ‘‘or emergency’’ after ‘‘major disaster’’.

§ 5144. Emergency support and response teams
(a) Emergency support teams
The President shall form emergency support
teams of Federal personnel to be deployed in an
area affected by a major disaster or emergency.
Such emergency support teams shall assist the
Federal coordinating officer in carrying out his
responsibilities pursuant to this chapter. Upon
request of the President, the head of any Federal agency is directed to detail to temporary
duty with the emergency support teams on either a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis, as
is determined necessary by the President, such
personnel within the administrative jurisdiction
of the head of the Federal agency as the President may need or believe to be useful for carrying out the functions of the emergency sup-

§§ 5145, 5146

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

port teams, each such detail to be without loss
of seniority, pay, or other employee status.
(b) Emergency response teams
(1) Establishment
In carrying out subsection (a), the President,
acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall establish—
(A) at a minimum 3 national response
teams; and
(B) sufficient regional response teams, including Regional Office strike teams under
section 317 of title 6; and
(C) other response teams as may be necessary to meet the incident management responsibilities of the Federal Government.
(2) Target capability level
The Administrator shall ensure that specific
target capability levels, as defined pursuant to
the guidelines established under section 746(a)
of title 6, are established for Federal emergency response teams.
(3) Personnel
The President, acting through the Administrator, shall ensure that the Federal emergency response teams consist of adequate
numbers of properly planned, organized,
equipped, trained, and exercised personnel to
achieve the established target capability levels. Each emergency response team shall work
in coordination with State and local officials
and onsite personnel associated with a particular incident.
(4) Readiness reporting
The Administrator shall evaluate team readiness on a regular basis and report team readiness levels in the report required under section 752(a) of title 6.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 303, formerly § 304, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 148; renumbered § 303, Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 105(c), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4691; amended Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 633, Oct.
4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1421; Pub. L. 111–351, § 3(c)(2),
Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3864.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the
original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22,
1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 303 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered
section 302 by Pub. L. 100–707 and is classified to section
5143 of this title.
AMENDMENTS
2011—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–351 substituted ‘‘Administrator’’ for ‘‘Director’’ wherever appearing.
2006—Pub. L. 109–295 substituted ‘‘Emergency support
and response teams’’ for ‘‘Emergency support teams’’
in section catchline, designated existing provisions as
subsec. (a), inserted subsec. heading, and added subsec.
(b).

§§ 5145, 5146. Repealed. Pub. L. 100–707, title I,
§ 105(d), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4691
Section 5145, Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 305, May 22,
1974, 88 Stat. 148, related to authority of President to
provide assistance in an emergency.

Page 5950

Section 5146, Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 306, May 22,
1974, 88 Stat. 148, related to cooperation of Federal
agencies in rendering disaster assistance.

§ 5147. Reimbursement of Federal agencies
Federal agencies may be reimbursed for expenditures under this chapter from funds appropriated for the purposes of this chapter. Any
funds received by Federal agencies as reimbursement for services or supplies furnished under the
authority of this chapter shall be deposited to
the credit of the appropriation or appropriations
currently available for such services or supplies.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 304, formerly § 307, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 149; renumbered § 304, Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 105(d), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4691.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original
‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88
Stat. 143. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of
this title and Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 304 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered
section 303 by Pub. L. 100–707 and is classified to section
5144 of this title.

§ 5148. Nonliability of Federal Government
The Federal Government shall not be liable
for any claim based upon the exercise or performance of or the failure to exercise or perform
a discretionary function or duty on the part of
a Federal agency or an employee of the Federal
Government in carrying out the provisions of
this chapter.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 305, formerly § 308, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 149; renumbered § 305, Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 105(d), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4691.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original
‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88
Stat. 143. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of
this title and Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 305 of Pub. L. 93–288 was classified to
section 5145 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L.
100–707.

§ 5149. Performance of services
(a) Utilization of services or facilities of State
and local governments
In carrying out the purposes of this chapter,
any Federal agency is authorized to accept and
utilize the services or facilities of any State or
local government, or of any agency, office, or
employee thereof, with the consent of such government.
(b) Appointment of temporary personnel, experts, and consultants; acquisition, rental, or
hire of equipment, services, materials and
supplies
In performing any services under this chapter,
any Federal agency is authorized—

Page 5951

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(1) to appoint and fix the compensation of
such temporary personnel as may be necessary, without regard to the provisions of
title 5 governing appointments in competitive
service;
(2) to employ experts and consultants in accordance with the provisions of section 3109 of
such title, without regard to the provisions of
chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of
such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates; and
(3) to incur obligations on behalf of the
United States by contract or otherwise for the
acquisition, rental, or hire of equipment, services, materials, and supplies for shipping,
drayage, travel, and communications, and for
the supervision and administration of such activities. Such obligations, including obligations arising out of the temporary employment of additional personnel, may be incurred
by an agency in such amount as may be made
available to it by the President.
(c) Appointment of temporary personnel in the
Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency is authorized to appoint
temporary personnel, after serving continuously
for 3 years, to positions in the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the same manner
that competitive service employees with competitive status are considered for transfer, reassignment, or promotion to such positions. An individual appointed under this subsection shall
become a career-conditional employee, unless
the employee has already completed the service
requirements for career tenure.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 306, formerly § 309, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 149; renumbered § 306, Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 105(d), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4691; amended Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1222, Oct.
5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3454.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original
‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88
Stat. 143. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of
this title and Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 306 of Pub. L. 93–288 was classified to
section 5146 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L.
100–707.
AMENDMENTS
2018—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 115–254 added subsec. (c).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each
major disaster and emergency declared by the President on or after Aug. 1, 2017, and authorities provided
under div. D of Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each major
disaster and emergency declared by the President on or
after Jan. 1, 2016, except as otherwise provided, see section 1202 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5121 of this title.

§ 5150. Use of local firms and individuals
(a) Contracts or agreements with private entities
(1) In general
In the expenditure of Federal funds for debris clearance, distribution of supplies, recon-

§ 5150

struction, and other major disaster or emergency assistance activities which may be carried out by contract or agreement with private
organizations, firms, or individuals, preference
shall be given, to the extent feasible and practicable, to those organizations, firms, and individuals residing or doing business primarily
in the area affected by such major disaster or
emergency.
(2) Construction
This subsection shall not be considered to
restrict the use of Department of Defense resources under this chapter in the provision of
assistance in a major disaster.
(3) Specific geographic area
In carrying out this section, a contract or
agreement may be set aside for award based on
a specific geographic area.
(b) Implementation
(1) Contracts not to entities in area
Any expenditure of Federal funds for debris
clearance, distribution of supplies, reconstruction, and other major disaster or emergency
assistance activities which may be carried out
by contract or agreement with private organizations, firms, or individuals, not awarded to
an organization, firm, or individual residing or
doing business primarily in the area affected
by such major disaster shall be justified in
writing in the contract file.
(2) Transition
Following the declaration of an emergency
or major disaster, an agency performing response, relief, and reconstruction activities
shall transition work performed under contracts in effect on the date on which the President declares the emergency or major disaster
to organizations, firms, and individuals residing or doing business primarily in any area affected by the major disaster or emergency, unless the head of such agency determines that
it is not feasible or practicable to do so.
(3) Formulation of requirements
The head of a Federal agency, as feasible and
practicable, shall formulate appropriate requirements to facilitate compliance with this
section.
(c) Prior contracts
Nothing in this section shall be construed to
require any Federal agency to breach or renegotiate any contract in effect before the occurrence of a major disaster or emergency.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 307, as added Pub. L.
109–295, title VI, § 694, Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1459;
amended Pub. L. 109–347, title VI, § 611, Oct. 13,
2006, 120 Stat. 1943.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), was in the
original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22,
1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 5150, Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 307, formerly § 310, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 150; renumbered § 307

§ 5151

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

and amended Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 105(e), Nov. 23,
1988, 102 Stat. 4691; Pub. L. 109–218, § 2, Apr. 20, 2006, 120
Stat. 333, provided for the use of local firms and individuals for major disaster or emergency assistance activities, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 694,
Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1459.
A prior section 307 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered
section 304 by Pub. L. 100–707 and is classified to section
5147 of this title.
AMENDMENTS
2006—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 109–347 added par. (3).

§ 5151. Nondiscrimination in disaster assistance
(a) Regulations for equitable and impartial relief
operations
The President shall issue, and may alter and
amend, such regulations as may be necessary for
the guidance of personnel carrying out Federal
assistance functions at the site of a major disaster or emergency. Such regulations shall include provisions for insuring that the distribution of supplies, the processing of applications,
and other relief and assistance activities shall
be accomplished in an equitable and impartial
manner, without discrimination on the grounds
of race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status.
(b) Compliance with regulations as prerequisite
to participation by other bodies in relief operations
As a condition of participation in the distribution of assistance or supplies under this chapter
or of receiving assistance under this chapter,
governmental bodies and other organizations
shall be required to comply with regulations relating to nondiscrimination promulgated by the
President, and such other regulations applicable
to activities within an area affected by a major
disaster or emergency as he deems necessary for
the effective coordination of relief efforts.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 308, formerly § 311, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 150; renumbered § 308 and
amended Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 105(f), Nov. 23,
1988, 102 Stat. 4691; Pub. L. 109–295, title VI,
§ 689a, Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1449.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b), was in the
original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22,
1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 308 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered
section 305 by Pub. L. 100–707 and is classified to section
5148 of this title.
AMENDMENTS
2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–295 inserted ‘‘disability,
English proficiency,’’ after ‘‘age,’’.
1988—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–707 substituted ‘‘this
chapter’’ for ‘‘section 5172 or 5174 of this title’’ after
‘‘assistance under’’.

§ 5152. Use and coordination of relief organizations
(a) In providing relief and assistance under
this chapter, the President may utilize, with
their consent, the personnel and facilities of the

Page 5952

American National Red Cross, the Salvation
Army, the Mennonite Disaster Service, longterm recovery groups, domestic hunger relief,
and other relief, or disaster assistance organizations, in the distribution of medicine, food, supplies, or other items, and in the restoration, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of community
services housing and essential facilities, whenever the President finds that such utilization is
necessary.
(b) The President is authorized to enter into
agreements with the American National Red
Cross, the Salvation Army, the Mennonite Disaster Service, long-term recovery groups, domestic hunger relief, and other relief, or disaster
assistance organizations under which the disaster relief activities of such organizations may
be coordinated by the Federal coordinating officer whenever such organizations are engaged in
providing relief during and after a major disaster or emergency. Any such agreement shall
include provisions assuring that use of Federal
facilities, supplies, and services will be in compliance with regulations prohibiting duplication
of benefits and guaranteeing nondiscrimination
promulgated by the President under this chapter, and such other regulation as the President
may require.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 309, formerly § 312, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 150; renumbered § 309, Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 105(f), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4691; amended Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1227, Oct.
5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3458.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original
‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88
Stat. 143. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of
this title and Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 309 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered
section 306 by Pub. L. 100–707 and is classified to section
5149 of this title.
AMENDMENTS
2018—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 115–254 substituted
‘‘long-term recovery groups, domestic hunger relief,
and other relief, or’’ for ‘‘and other relief or’’.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each
major disaster and emergency declared by the President on or after Aug. 1, 2017, and authorities provided
under div. D of Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each major
disaster and emergency declared by the President on or
after Jan. 1, 2016, except as otherwise provided, see section 1202 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5121 of this title.

§ 5153. Priority to certain applications for public
facility and public housing assistance
(a) Priority
In the processing of applications for assistance, priority and immediate consideration
shall be given by the head of the appropriate
Federal agency, during such period as the President shall prescribe, to applications from public
bodies situated in areas affected by major disasters under the following Acts:
(1) The United States Housing Act of 1937 [42
U.S.C. 1437 et seq.] for the provision of low-income housing.

Page 5953

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(2) Sections 3502 to 3505 of title 40 for assistance in public works planning.
(3) The Community Development Block
Grant Program under title I of the Housing
and Community Development Act of 1974 [42
U.S.C. 5301 et seq.].
(4) Section 1926 of title 7.
(5) The Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 [42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.].
(6) Subtitle IV of title 40.
(7) The Federal Water Pollution Control Act
[33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.].
(b) Obligation of certain discretionary funds
In the obligation of discretionary funds or
funds which are not allocated among the States
or political subdivisions of a State, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and
the Secretary of Commerce shall give priority to
applications for projects for major disaster
areas.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 310, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 105(g), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4691.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The United States Housing Act of 1937, referred to in
subsec. (a)(1), is act Sept. 1, 1937, ch. 896, as revised generally by Pub. L. 93–383, title II, § 201(a), Aug. 22, 1974,
88 Stat. 653, which is classified generally to chapter 8
(§ 1437 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification
of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out
under section 1437 of this title and Tables.
The Housing and Community Development Act of
1974, referred to in subsec. (a)(3), is Pub. L. 93–383, Aug.
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 633, as amended. Title I of the Housing
and Community Development Act of 1974 is classified
principally to chapter 69 (§ 5301 et seq.) of this title. For
complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title note set out under section 5301 of this title
and Tables.
The Public Works and Economic Development Act of
1965, as amended, referred to in subsec. (a)(5), is Pub. L.
89–136, Aug. 26, 1965, 79 Stat. 552, as amended, which is
classified principally to chapter 38 (§ 3121 et seq.) of this
title. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 3121 of
this title and Tables.
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, referred to
in subsec. (a)(7), is act June 30, 1948, ch. 758, as amended
generally by Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 816,
which is classified generally to chapter 26 (§ 1251 et seq.)
of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short
Title note set out under section 1251 of Title 33 and Tables.
CODIFICATION
‘‘Sections 3502 to 3505 of title 40’’ substituted for
‘‘Section 702 of the Housing Act of 1954’’ in subsec.
(a)(2) and ‘‘Subtitle IV of title 40’’ substituted for ‘‘The
Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965’’ in subsec. (a)(6) on authority of Pub. L. 107–217, § 5(c), Aug. 21,
2002, 116 Stat. 1303, the first section of which enacted
Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 5153, Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 313, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 150, related to same subject matter as
present section but with references to different acts
and provisions, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 100–707,
§ 105(g).
A prior section 310 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered
section 307 by Pub. L. 100–707 and was classified to section 5150 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 109–295.

§ 5154

§ 5154. Insurance
(a) Applicants for replacement of damaged facilities
(1) Compliance with certain regulations
An applicant for assistance under section
5172 of this title (relating to repair, restoration, and replacement of damaged facilities),
section 5189 of this title (relating to simplified
procedure) or section 3149(c)(2) of this title
shall comply with regulations prescribed by
the President to assure that, with respect to
any property to be replaced, restored, repaired, or constructed with such assistance,
such types and extent of insurance will be obtained and maintained as may be reasonably
available, adequate, and necessary, to protect
against future loss to such property.
(2) Determination
In making a determination with respect to
availability, adequacy, and necessity under
paragraph (1), the President shall not require
greater types and extent of insurance than are
certified to him as reasonable by the appropriate State insurance commissioner responsible for regulation of such insurance.
(b) Maintenance of insurance
No applicant for assistance under section 5172
of this title (relating to repair, restoration, and
replacement of damaged facilities), section 5189
of this title (relating to simplified procedure), or
section 3149(c)(2) of this title may receive such
assistance for any property or part thereof for
which the applicant has previously received assistance under this chapter unless all insurance
required pursuant to this section has been obtained and maintained with respect to such
property. The requirements of this subsection
may not be waived under section 5141 of this
title.
(c) State acting as self-insurer
A State may elect to act as a self-insurer with
respect to any or all of the facilities owned by
the State. Such an election, if declared in writing at the time of acceptance of assistance
under section 5172 or 5189 of this title or section
3149(c)(2) of this title or subsequently and accompanied by a plan for self-insurance which is
satisfactory to the President, shall be deemed
compliance with subsection (a). No such self-insurer may receive assistance under section 5172
or 5189 of this title for any property or part
thereof for which it has previously received assistance under this chapter, to the extent that
insurance for such property or part thereof
would have been reasonably available.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 311, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 105(h), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4692; amended Pub. L. 103–325, title V, § 521, Sept.
23, 1994, 108 Stat. 2257; Pub. L. 106–390, title II,
§ 201, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1559.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (b) and (c), was
in the original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.

§ 5154a

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
PRIOR PROVISIONS

A prior section 5154, Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 314, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 151, consisted of similar provisions,
prior to repeal by Pub. L. 100–707, § 105(h).
A prior section 311 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered
section 308 by Pub. L. 100–707 and is classified to section
5151 of this title.
AMENDMENTS
2000—Subsecs. (a)(1), (b), (c). Pub. L. 106–390 substituted ‘‘section 3149(c)(2) of this title’’ for ‘‘section
3233 of this title’’.
1994—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–325 inserted at end ‘‘The
requirements of this subsection may not be waived
under section 5141 of this title.’’

§ 5154a. Prohibited flood disaster assistance
(a) General prohibition
Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
no Federal disaster relief assistance made available in a flood disaster area may be used to
make a payment (including any loan assistance
payment) to a person for repair, replacement, or
restoration for damage to any personal, residential, or commercial property if that person at
any time has received flood disaster assistance
that was conditional on the person first having
obtained flood insurance under applicable Federal law and subsequently having failed to obtain and maintain flood insurance as required
under applicable Federal law on such property.
(b) Transfer of property
(1) Duty to notify
In the event of the transfer of any property
described in paragraph (3), the transferor
shall, not later than the date on which such
transfer occurs, notify the transferee in writing of the requirements to—
(A) obtain flood insurance in accordance
with applicable Federal law with respect to
such property, if the property is not so insured as of the date on which the property is
transferred; and
(B) maintain flood insurance in accordance
with applicable Federal law with respect to
such property.
Such written notification shall be contained
in documents evidencing the transfer of ownership of the property.
(2) Failure to notify
If a transferor described in paragraph (1)
fails to make a notification in accordance
with such paragraph and, subsequent to the
transfer of the property—
(A) the transferee fails to obtain or maintain flood insurance in accordance with applicable Federal law with respect to the
property,
(B) the property is damaged by a flood disaster, and
(C) Federal disaster relief assistance is
provided for the repair, replacement, or restoration of the property as a result of such
damage,
the transferor shall be required to reimburse
the Federal Government in an amount equal
to the amount of the Federal disaster relief assistance provided with respect to the property.
(3) Property described
For purposes of paragraph (1), a property is
described in this paragraph if it is personal,

Page 5954

commercial, or residential property for which
Federal disaster relief assistance made available in a flood disaster area has been provided,
prior to the date on which the property is
transferred, for repair, replacement, or restoration of the property, if such assistance
was conditioned upon obtaining flood insurance in accordance with applicable Federal
law with respect to such property.
(c) Omitted
(d) ‘‘Flood disaster area’’ defined
For purposes of this section, the term ‘‘flood
disaster area’’ means an area with respect to
which—
(1) the Secretary of Agriculture finds, or has
found, to have been substantially affected by a
natural disaster in the United States pursuant
to section 1961(a) of title 7; or
(2) the President declares, or has declared,
the existence of a major disaster or emergency
pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), as a result of flood conditions existing in or affecting that area.
(e) Effective date
This section and the amendments made by
this section shall apply to disasters declared
after September 23, 1994.
(Pub. L. 103–325, title V, § 582, Sept. 23, 1994, 108
Stat. 2286.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(2), is
Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143, as amended,
which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short
Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and
Tables.
The amendments made by this section, referred to in
subsec. (e), means the amendments made by section
582(c) of Pub. L. 103–325, which amended section 4012a of
this title. See Codification note below.
CODIFICATION
Section is comprised of section 582 of Pub. L. 103–325.
Subsec. (c) of section 582 of Pub. L. 103–325 amended
section 4012a of this title.
Section was enacted as part of the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 and as part of the Riegle
Community Development and Regulatory Improvement
Act of 1994, and not as part of the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act which
comprises this chapter.

§ 5155. Duplication of benefits
(a) General prohibition
The President, in consultation with the head
of each Federal agency administering any program providing financial assistance to persons,
business concerns, or other entities suffering
losses as a result of a major disaster or emergency, shall assure that no such person, business
concern, or other entity will receive such assistance with respect to any part of such loss as to
which he has received financial assistance under
any other program or from insurance or any
other source.
(b) Special rules
(1) Limitation
This section shall not prohibit the provision
of Federal assistance to a person who is or

Page 5955

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

may be entitled to receive benefits for the
same purposes from another source if such
person has not received such other benefits by
the time of application for Federal assistance
and if such person agrees to repay all duplicative assistance to the agency providing the
Federal assistance.
(2) Procedures
The President shall establish such procedures as the President considers necessary to
ensure uniformity in preventing duplication of
benefits.
(3) Effect of partial benefits
Receipt of partial benefits for a major disaster or emergency shall not preclude provision of additional Federal assistance for any
part of a loss or need for which benefits have
not been provided.
(4) Waiver of general prohibition
(A) In general
The President may waive the general prohibition provided in subsection (a) upon request of a Governor on behalf of the State or
on behalf of a person, business concern, or
any other entity suffering losses as a result
of a major disaster or emergency, if the
President finds such waiver is in the public
interest and will not result in waste, fraud,
or abuse. In making this decision, the President may consider the following:
(i) The recommendations of the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency made in consultation with
the Federal agency or agencies administering the duplicative program.
(ii) If a waiver is granted, the assistance
to be funded is cost effective.
(iii) Equity and good conscience.
(iv) Other matters of public policy considered appropriate by the President.
(B) Grant or denial of waiver
A request under subparagraph (A) shall be
granted or denied not later than 45 days
after submission of such request.
(C) Prohibition on determination that loan is
a duplication
Notwithstanding subsection (c), in carrying out subparagraph (A), the President
may not determine that a loan is a duplication of assistance, provided that all Federal
assistance is used toward a loss suffered as a
result of the major disaster or emergency.
(c) Recovery of duplicative benefits
A person receiving Federal assistance for a
major disaster or emergency shall be liable to
the United States to the extent that such assistance duplicates benefits available to the person
for the same purpose from another source. The
agency which provided the duplicative assistance shall collect such duplicative assistance
from the recipient in accordance with chapter 37
of title 31, relating to debt collection, when the
head of such agency considers it to be in the
best interest of the Federal Government.
(d) Assistance not income
Federal major disaster and emergency assistance provided to individuals and families under

§ 5156

this chapter, and comparable disaster assistance
provided by States, local governments, and disaster assistance organizations, shall not be considered as income or a resource when determining eligibility for or benefit levels under federally funded income assistance or resourcetested benefit programs.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 312, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 105(i), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4693; amended Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1210(a)(1),
(4), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3442, 3443.)
AMENDMENT OF SECTION
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1210(a)(4), Oct. 5,
2018, 132 Stat. 3443, provided that, effective 5
years after Oct. 5, 2018, this section is amended
by striking subsection (b)(4). See 2018 Amendment note below.
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (d), was in the
original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22,
1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 5155, Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 315, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 152, consisted of similar provisions,
prior to repeal by Pub. L. 100–707, § 105(i).
A prior section 312 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered
section 309 by Pub. L. 100–707 and is classified to section
5152 of this title.
AMENDMENTS
2018—Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1210(a)(4), struck
out par. (4) which provided for a presidential waiver of
the general prohibition in subsec. (a).
Pub. L. 115–254, § 1210(a)(1), added par. (4).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each
major disaster and emergency declared by the President on or after Aug. 1, 2017, and authorities provided
under div. D of Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each major
disaster and emergency declared by the President on or
after Jan. 1, 2016, except as otherwise provided, see section 1202 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5121 of this title.
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1210(a)(3), Oct. 5, 2018, 132
Stat. 3443, provided that: ‘‘The amendment made by
paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to
any major disaster or emergency declared by the President under section 401 or 501, respectively, of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170, 5191) between January 1, 2016,
and December 31, 2021.’’
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1210(a)(4), Oct. 5, 2018, 132
Stat. 3443, provided that the amendment made by section 1210(a)(4) is effective on the date that is 5 years
after Oct. 5, 2018.
LIMITATION
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1210(a)(2), Oct. 5, 2018, 132
Stat. 3443, provided that: ‘‘This subsection [amending
this section], including the amendment made by paragraph (1), shall not be construed to apply to section 406
or 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5172, 5174).’’

§ 5156. Standards and reviews
The President shall establish comprehensive
standards which shall be used to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of Federal major disaster and emergency assistance programs ad-

§ 5157

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

ministered under this chapter. The President
shall conduct annual reviews of the activities of
Federal agencies and State and local governments in major disaster and emergency preparedness and in providing major disaster and
emergency assistance in order to assure maximum coordination and effectiveness of such
programs and consistency in policies for reimbursement of States under this chapter.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 313, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 105(j), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4694.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original
‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88
Stat. 143. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of
this title and Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 5156, Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 316, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 152, related to reviews and reports by
President, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 100–707, § 105(j).
A prior section 313 of Pub. L. 93–288 was classified to
section 5153 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L.
100–707.

§ 5157. Penalties
(a) Misuse of funds
Any person who knowingly misapplies the proceeds of a loan or other cash benefit obtained
under this chapter shall be fined an amount
equal to one and one-half times the misapplied
amount of the proceeds or cash benefit.
(b) Civil enforcement
Whenever it appears that any person has violated or is about to violate any provision of this
chapter, including any civil penalty imposed
under this chapter, the Attorney General may
bring a civil action for such relief as may be appropriate. Such action may be brought in an appropriate United States district court.
(c) Referral to Attorney General
The President shall expeditiously refer to the
Attorney General for appropriate action any
evidence developed in the performance of functions under this chapter that may warrant consideration for criminal prosecution.
(d) Civil penalty
Any individual who knowingly violates any
order or regulation issued under this chapter
shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more
than $5,000 for each violation.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 314, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 105(k), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4694.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original
‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88
Stat. 143. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of
this title and Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 5157, Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 317, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 152, related to criminal and civil penalties, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 100–707, § 105(k).
A prior section 314 of Pub. L. 93–288 was classified to
section 5154 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L.
100–707.

Page 5956

§ 5158. Availability of materials
The President is authorized, at the request of
the Governor of an affected State, to provide for
a survey of construction materials needed in the
area affected by a major disaster on an emergency basis for housing repairs, replacement
housing, public facilities repairs and replacement, farming operations, and business enterprises and to take appropriate action to assure
the availability and fair distribution of needed
materials, including, where possible, the allocation of such materials for a period of not more
than one hundred and eighty days after such
major disaster. Any allocation program shall be
implemented by the President to the extent possible, by working with and through those companies which traditionally supply construction
materials in the affected area. For the purposes
of this section ‘‘construction materials’’ shall
include building materials and materials required for repairing housing, replacement housing, public facilities repairs and replacement,
and for normal farm and business operations.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 315, formerly § 318, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 152; renumbered § 315, Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 105(l), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4694.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 315 of Pub. L. 93–288 was classified to
section 5155 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L.
100–707.

§ 5159. Protection of environment
An action which is taken or assistance which
is provided pursuant to section 5170a, 5170b, 5172,
5173, or 5192 of this title, including such assistance provided pursuant to the procedures provided for in section 5189 of this title, which has
the effect of restoring a facility substantially to
its condition prior to the disaster or emergency,
shall not be deemed a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment within the meaning of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (83 Stat. 852)
[42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.]. Nothing in this section
shall alter or affect the applicability of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to other
Federal actions taken under this chapter or
under any other provisions of law.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 316, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 105(m)(1), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4694.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in text, is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat.
852, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§ 4321 et
seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4321 of this title and Tables.
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original
‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88
Stat. 143. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of
this title and Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 316 of Pub. L. 93–288 was classified to
section 5156 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L.
100–707.

Page 5957

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

§ 5160. Recovery of assistance
(a) Party liable
Any person who intentionally causes a condition for which Federal assistance is provided
under this chapter or under any other Federal
law as a result of a declaration of a major disaster or emergency under this chapter shall be
liable to the United States for the reasonable
costs incurred by the United States in responding to such disaster or emergency to the extent
that such costs are attributable to the intentional act or omission of such person which
caused such condition. Such action for reasonable costs shall be brought in an appropriate
United States district court.
(b) Rendering of care
A person shall not be liable under this section
for costs incurred by the United States as a result of actions taken or omitted by such person
in the course of rendering care or assistance in
response to a major disaster or emergency.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 317, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 105(m)(1), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4695.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the
original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22,
1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 317 of Pub. L. 93–288 was classified to
section 5157 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L.
100–707.

§ 5161. Audits and investigations
(a) In general
Subject to the provisions of chapter 75 of title
31, relating to requirements for single audits,
the President shall conduct audits and investigations as necessary to assure compliance
with this chapter, and in connection therewith
may question such persons as may be necessary
to carry out such audits and investigations.
(b) Access to records
For purposes of audits and investigations
under this section, the President and Comptroller General may inspect any books, documents, papers, and records of any person relating to any activity undertaken or funded under
this chapter.
(c) State and local audits
The President may require audits by State and
local governments in connection with assistance
under this chapter when necessary to assure
compliance with this chapter or related regulations.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 318, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 105(m)(1), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4695.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original
‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88
Stat. 143. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of
this title and Tables.

§ 5162

PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 318 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered
section 315 by Pub. L. 100–707 and is classified to section
5158 of this title.

§ 5161a. Audit of contracts
Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency shall not reimburse a
State or local government, an Indian tribal government (as defined in section 5122 of this title),
or the owner or operator of a private nonprofit
facility (as defined in section 5122 of this title)
for any activities made pursuant to a contract
entered into after August 1, 2017, that prohibits
the Administrator or the Comptroller General of
the United States from auditing or otherwise reviewing all aspects relating to the contract.
(Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1225, Oct. 5, 2018, 132
Stat. 3458.)
CODIFICATION
Section was enacted as part of the Disaster Recovery
Reform Act of 2018 and as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, and not as part of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
which comprises this chapter.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Authorities provided under div. D of Pub. L. 115–254,
which enacted this section, applicable to each major
disaster and emergency declared by the President
under Pub. L. 93–288 on or after Jan. 1, 2016, except as
otherwise provided, see section 1202(b) of Pub. L.
115–254, set out in an Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
note under section 5121 of this title.
DEFINITIONS
For definitions of ‘‘Administrator’’ and ‘‘State’’ as
used in this section, see section 1203 of Pub. L. 115–254,
set out as a note under section 5122 of this title.

§ 5162. Advance of non-Federal share
(a) In general
The President may lend or advance to an eligible applicant or a State the portion of assistance for which the State is responsible under
the cost-sharing provisions of this chapter in
any case in which—
(1) the State is unable to assume its financial responsibility under such cost-sharing
provisions—
(A) with respect to concurrent, multiple
major disasters in a jurisdiction, or
(B) after incurring extraordinary costs as a
result of a particular disaster; and
(2) the damages caused by such disasters or
disaster are so overwhelming and severe that
it is not possible for the applicant or the State
to assume immediately their financial responsibility under this chapter.
(b) Terms of loans and advances
(1) In general
Any loan or advance under this section shall
be repaid to the United States.
(2) Interest
Loans and advances under this section shall
bear interest at a rate determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, taking into consider-

§ 5163

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

ation the current market yields on outstanding marketable obligations of the United
States with remaining periods to maturity
comparable to the reimbursement period of
the loan or advance.
(c) Regulations
The President shall issue regulations describing the terms and conditions under which any
loan or advance authorized by this section may
be made.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 319, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 105(m)(1), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4695.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the
original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22,
1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.

§ 5163. Limitation on use of sliding scales
No geographic area shall be precluded from receiving assistance under this chapter solely by
virtue of an arithmetic formula or sliding scale
based on income or population.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 320, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 105(m)(1), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4696.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original
‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88
Stat. 143. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of
this title and Tables.

§ 5164. Rules and regulations
The President may prescribe such rules and
regulations as may be necessary and proper to
carry out the provisions of this chapter, and
may exercise, either directly or through such
Federal agency as the President may designate,
any power or authority conferred to the President by this chapter.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 321, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 105(m)(1), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4696.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original
‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88
Stat. 143. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of
this title and Tables.

§ 5165. Mitigation planning
(a) Requirement of mitigation plan
As a condition of receipt of an increased Federal share for hazard mitigation measures under
subsection (e), a State, local, or tribal government shall develop and submit for approval to
the President a mitigation plan that outlines
processes for identifying the natural hazards,
risks, and vulnerabilities of the area under the
jurisdiction of the government.
(b) Local and tribal plans
Each mitigation plan developed by a local or
tribal government shall—

Page 5958

(1) describe actions to mitigate hazards,
risks, and vulnerabilities identified under the
plan; and
(2) establish a strategy to implement those
actions.
(c) State plans
The State process of development of a mitigation plan under this section shall—
(1) identify the natural hazards, risks, and
vulnerabilities of areas in the State;
(2) support development of local mitigation
plans;
(3) provide for technical assistance to local
and tribal governments for mitigation planning; and
(4) identify and prioritize mitigation actions
that the State will support, as resources become available.
(d) Funding
(1) In general
Federal contributions under section 5170c of
this title may be used to fund the development
and updating of mitigation plans under this
section.
(2) Maximum Federal contribution
With respect to any mitigation plan, a
State, local, or tribal government may use an
amount of Federal contributions under section
5170c of this title not to exceed 7 percent of the
amount of such contributions available to the
government as of a date determined by the
government.
(e) Increased Federal share for hazard mitigation measures
(1) In general
If, at the time of the declaration of a major
disaster or event under section 5187 of this
title, a State has in effect an approved mitigation plan under this section, the President
may increase to 20 percent, with respect to the
major disaster or event under section 5187 of
this title, the maximum percentage specified
in the last sentence of section 5170c(a) of this
title.
(2) Factors for consideration
In determining whether to increase the maximum percentage under paragraph (1), the
President shall consider whether the State has
established—
(A) eligibility criteria for property acquisition and other types of mitigation measures;
(B) requirements for cost effectiveness
that are related to the eligibility criteria;
(C) a system of priorities that is related to
the eligibility criteria; and
(D) a process by which an assessment of
the effectiveness of a mitigation action may
be carried out after the mitigation action is
complete.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 322, as added Pub. L.
106–390, title I, § 104(a), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat.
1558; amended Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1204(b)(2),
Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3439.)
AMENDMENTS
2018—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 115–254 inserted ‘‘or event
under section 5187 of this title’’ after ‘‘major disaster’’
in two places.

Page 5959

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each
major disaster and emergency declared by the President on or after Aug. 1, 2017, and authorities provided
under div. D of Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each major
disaster and emergency declared by the President on or
after Jan. 1, 2016, except as otherwise provided, see section 1202 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5121 of this title.

§ 5165a. Minimum standards for public and private structures
(a) In general
As a condition of receipt of a disaster loan or
grant under this chapter—
(1) the recipient shall carry out any repair or
construction to be financed with the loan or
grant in accordance with applicable standards
of safety, decency, and sanitation and in conformity with applicable codes, specifications,
and standards; and
(2) the President may require safe land use
and construction practices, after adequate
consultation with appropriate State and local
government officials.
(b) Evidence of compliance
A recipient of a disaster loan or grant under
this chapter shall provide such evidence of compliance with this section as the President may
require by regulation.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 323, as added Pub. L.
106–390, title I, § 104(a), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat.
1559.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original
‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88
Stat. 143. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of
this title and Tables.

§ 5165b. Management costs
(a) Definition of management cost
In this section, the term ‘‘management cost’’
includes any indirect cost, any direct administrative cost, and any other administrative expense associated with a specific project under a
major disaster, emergency, or disaster preparedness or mitigation activity or measure.
(b) Establishment of management cost rates
(1) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law
(including any administrative rule or guidance), the President shall by regulation implement management cost rates, for grantees and
subgrantees, that shall be used to determine
contributions under this chapter for management costs.
(2) Specific management costs
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall provide the
following percentage rates, in addition to the
eligible project costs, to cover direct and indirect costs of administering the following programs:
(A) Hazard mitigation
A grantee under section 5170c of this title
may be reimbursed not more than 15 percent

§ 5165b

of the total amount of the grant award
under such section of which not more than
10 percent may be used by the grantee and 5
percent by the subgrantee for such costs.
(B) Public assistance
A grantee under sections 5170b, 5172, 5173,
and 5192 of this title may be reimbursed not
more than 12 percent of the total award
amount under such sections, of which not
more than 7 percent may be used by the
grantee and 5 percent by the subgrantee for
such costs.
(c) Review
The President shall review the management
cost rates established under subsection (b) not
later than 3 years after the date of establishment of the rates and periodically thereafter.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 324, as added Pub. L.
106–390, title II, § 202(a), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat.
1560; amended Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1215, Oct.
5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3449.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), was in the
original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22,
1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
AMENDMENTS
2018—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1215(1), substituted
‘‘any direct administrative cost, and any other administrative expense associated with’’ for ‘‘any administrative expense, and any other expense not directly
chargeable to’’.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1215(2), designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted heading, substituted
‘‘implement’’ for ‘‘establish’’, and added par. (2).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each
major disaster and emergency declared by the President on or after Aug. 1, 2017, and authorities provided
under div. D of Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each major
disaster and emergency declared by the President on or
after Jan. 1, 2016, except as otherwise provided, see section 1202 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5121 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Pub. L. 106–390, title II, § 202(b), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat.
1560, provided that:
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), subsections (a) and (b) of section 324 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act [42
U.S.C. 5165b(a), (b)] (as added by subsection (a)) shall
apply to major disasters declared under that Act [42
U.S.C. 5121 et seq.] on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 30, 2000].
‘‘(2) INTERIM AUTHORITY.—Until the date on which the
President establishes the management cost rates under
section 324 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (as added by subsection (a)),
section 406(f) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5172(f)) (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of
this Act) shall be used to establish management cost
rates.’’

§ 5165c

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

§ 5165c. Public notice, comment, and consultation
requirements
(a) Public notice and comment concerning new
or modified policies
(1) In general
The President shall provide for public notice
and opportunity for comment before adopting
any new or modified policy that—
(A) governs implementation of the public
assistance program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency under
this chapter; and
(B) could result in a significant reduction
of assistance under the program.
(2) Application
Any policy adopted under paragraph (1) shall
apply only to a major disaster or emergency
declared on or after the date on which the policy is adopted.
(b) Consultation concerning interim policies
(1) In general
Before adopting any interim policy under
the public assistance program to address specific conditions that relate to a major disaster
or emergency that has been declared under
this chapter, the President, to the maximum
extent practicable, shall solicit the views and
recommendations of grantees and subgrantees
with respect to the major disaster or emergency concerning the potential interim policy,
if the interim policy is likely—
(A) to result in a significant reduction of
assistance to applicants for the assistance
with respect to the major disaster or emergency; or
(B) to change the terms of a written agreement to which the Federal Government is a
party concerning the declaration of the
major disaster or emergency.
(2) No legal right of action
Nothing in this subsection confers a legal
right of action on any party.
(c) Public access
The President shall promote public access to
policies governing the implementation of the
public assistance program.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 325, as added Pub. L.
106–390, title II, § 203, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1560.)

Page 5960

to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and
sections 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set
out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

§ 5165d. Designation of Small State and Rural Advocate
(a) In general
The President shall designate in the Federal
Emergency Management Agency a Small State
and Rural Advocate.
(b) Responsibilities
The Small State and Rural Advocate shall be
an advocate for the fair treatment of small
States and rural communities in the provision
of assistance under this chapter.
(c) Duties
The Small State and Rural Advocate shall—
(1) participate in the disaster declaration
process under section 5170 of this title and the
emergency declaration process under section
5191 of this title, to ensure that the needs of
rural communities are being addressed;
(2) assist small population States in the
preparation of requests for major disaster or
emergency declarations; and
(3) conduct such other activities as the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency considers appropriate.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 326, as added Pub. L.
109–295, title VI, § 689g(a), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat.
1453; amended Pub. L. 111–351, § 3(c)(2), Jan. 4,
2011, 124 Stat. 3864.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b), was in the
original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22,
1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
AMENDMENTS
2011—Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 111–351 substituted ‘‘Administrator’’ for ‘‘Director’’.
CONSTRUCTION
Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 689g(c), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat.
1453, provided that: ‘‘Nothing in this section [enacting
this section] or the amendments made by this section
shall be construed to authorize major disaster or emergency assistance that is not authorized as of the date
of enactment of this Act [Oct. 4, 2006].’’

REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1)(A) and
(b)(1), was in the original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L.
93–288, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note
set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including
the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1)
of Title 6, Domestic Security.
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto,

§ 5165e. Integrated plan for administrative cost
reduction
(a) In general
Not later than 365 days after February 29, 2016,
the Administrator shall—
(1) develop and implement an integrated
plan to control and reduce administrative
costs for major disasters, which shall include—
(A) steps the Agency will take to reduce
administrative costs;
(B) milestones needed for accomplishing
the reduction of administrative costs;
(C) strategic goals for the average annual
percentage of administrative costs of major
disasters for each fiscal year;

Page 5961

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(D) the assignment of clear roles and responsibilities, including the designation of
officials responsible for monitoring and
measuring performance; and
(E) a timetable for implementation;
(2) compare the costs and benefits of tracking the administrative cost data for major disasters by the public assistance, individual assistance, hazard mitigation, and mission assignment programs, and if feasible, track this
information; and
(3) clarify Agency guidance and minimum
documentation requirements for a direct administrative cost claimed by a grantee or subgrantee of a public assistance grant program.
(b) Congressional update
Not later than 90 days after February 29, 2016,
the Administrator shall brief the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of
the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on the plan required to be developed under subsection (a)(1).
(c) Updates
If the Administrator modifies the plan or the
timetable under subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report notifying Congress of the modification, which shall include the details of the
modification.
(Pub. L. 114–132, § 3, Feb. 29, 2016, 130 Stat. 294.)
CODIFICATION
Section was enacted as part of the Directing Dollars
to Disaster Relief Act of 2015, and not as part of the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act which comprises this chapter.
REPORTING REQUIREMENT
Pub. L. 114–132, § 4, Feb. 29, 2016, 130 Stat. 294, provided
that:
‘‘(a) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than November 30 of
each year for 7 years beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 29, 2016], the Administrator shall
submit to Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the development and implementation of the integrated plan required under section 3 [42 U.S.C. 5165e] for the previous fiscal year.
‘‘(b) REPORT UPDATES.—
‘‘(1) THREE YEAR UPDATE.—Not later than 3 years
after the date on which the Administrator submits a
report under subsection (a), the Administrator shall
submit an updated report for the previous 3-fiscalyear period.
‘‘(2) FIVE YEAR UPDATE.—Not later than 5 years
after the date on which the Administrator submits a
report under subsection (a), the Administrator shall
submit an updated report for the previous 5-fiscalyear period.
‘‘(c) CONTENTS OF REPORTS.—Each report required
under subsections (a) and (b) shall contain, at a minimum—
‘‘(1) the total amount spent on administrative costs
for the fiscal year period for which the report is being
submitted;
‘‘(2) the average annual percentage of administrative costs for the fiscal year period for which the report is being submitted;

§ 5165f

‘‘(3) an assessment of the effectiveness of the plan
developed under section 3(a)(1) [42 U.S.C. 5165e(a)(1)];
‘‘(4) an analysis of—
‘‘(A) whether the Agency is achieving the strategic goals established under section 3(a)(1)(C) [42
U.S.C. 5165e(a)(1)(C)]; and
‘‘(B) in the case of the Agency not achieving such
strategic goals, what is preventing the Agency from
doing so;
‘‘(5) any actions the Agency has identified as useful
in improving upon and reaching the goals for administrative costs established under section 3(a)(1)(C);
and
‘‘(6) any data described in section 3(a)(2) [42 U.S.C.
5165e(a)(2)], if the Agency determines it is feasible to
track such data.
‘‘(d) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—Not later than 30 days
after the date on which the Administrator submits a
report to Congress under this section, the Administrator shall make the report publicly available on the
website of the Agency.’’
DEFINITIONS
Pub. L. 114–132, § 2, Feb. 29, 2016, 130 Stat. 293, provided
that: ‘‘In this Act [see Short Title of 2016 Amendment
note set out under section 5121 of this title]—
‘‘(1) the term ‘administrative cost’—
‘‘(A) means a cost incurred by the Agency in support of the delivery of disaster assistance for a
major disaster; and
‘‘(B) does not include a cost incurred by a grantee
or subgrantee;
‘‘(2) the term ‘Administrator’ means the Administrator of the Agency;
‘‘(3) the term ‘Agency’ means the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
‘‘(4) the term ‘direct administrative cost’ means a
cost incurred by a grantee or subgrantee of a program
authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.)
that can be identified separately and assigned to a
specific project;
‘‘(5) the term ‘hazard mitigation program’ means
the hazard mitigation grant program authorized
under section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
5170c);
‘‘(6) the term ‘individual assistance program’ means
the individual assistance grant program authorized
under sections 408, 410, 415, 416, 426, and 502(a) of the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174, 5177, 5182, 5183, 5189d, and
5192(a));
‘‘(7) the term ‘major disaster’ means a major disaster declared by the President under section 401 of
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170);
‘‘(8) the term ‘mission assignment’ has the meaning
given the term in section 641 of the Post-Katrina
Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C.
741); and
‘‘(9) the term ‘public assistance program’ means the
public assistance grant program authorized under
sections 403(a)(3), 406, 418, 419, 428, and 502(a) of the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b(a)(3), 5172, 5185, 5186,
5189f, and 5192(a)).’’

§ 5165f. National Urban Search and Rescue Response System
(a) Definitions
In this section, the following definitions shall
apply:
(1) Administrator
The term ‘‘Administrator’’ means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

§ 5165f

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(2) Agency
The term ‘‘Agency’’ means the Federal
Emergency Management Agency.
(3) Hazard
The term ‘‘hazard’’ has the meaning given
the term in section 5195a of this title.
(4) Nonemployee System member
The term ‘‘nonemployee System member’’
means a System member not employed by a
sponsoring agency or participating agency.
(5) Participating agency
The term ‘‘participating agency’’ means a
State or local government, nonprofit organization, or private organization that has executed
an agreement with a sponsoring agency to participate in the System.
(6) Sponsoring agency
The term ‘‘sponsoring agency’’ means a
State or local government that is the sponsor
of a task force designated by the Administrator to participate in the System.
(7) System
The term ‘‘System’’ means the National
Urban Search and Rescue Response System to
be administered under this section.
(8) System member
The term ‘‘System member’’ means an individual who is not a full-time employee of the
Federal Government and who serves on a task
force or on a System management or other
technical team.
(9) Task force
The term ‘‘task force’’ means an urban
search and rescue team designated by the Administrator to participate in the System.
(b) General authority
Subject to the requirements of this section,
the Administrator shall continue to administer
the emergency response system known as the
National Urban Search and Rescue Response
System.
(c) Functions
In administering the System, the Administrator shall provide for a national network of
standardized search and rescue resources to assist States and local governments in responding
to hazards.
(d) Task forces
(1) Designation
The Administrator shall designate task
forces to participate in the System. The Administration shall determine the criteria for
such participation.
(2) Sponsoring agencies
Each task force shall have a sponsoring
agency. The Administrator shall enter into an
agreement with the sponsoring agency with
respect to the participation of each task force
in the System.
(3) Composition
(A) Participating agencies
A task force may include, at the discretion
of the sponsoring agency, one or more par-

Page 5962

ticipating agencies. The sponsoring agency
shall enter into an agreement with each participating agency with respect to the participation of the participating agency on the
task force.
(B) Other individuals
A task force may also include, at the discretion of the sponsoring agency, other individuals not otherwise associated with the
sponsoring agency or a participating agency.
The sponsoring agency of a task force may
enter into a separate agreement with each
such individual with respect to the participation of the individual on the task force.
(e) Management and technical teams
The Administrator shall maintain such management teams and other technical teams as the
Administrator determines are necessary to administer the System.
(f) Appointment of System members into Federal
service
(1) In general
The Administrator may appoint a System
member into Federal service for a period of
service to provide for the participation of the
System member in exercises, preincident staging, major disaster and emergency response
activities, and training events sponsored or
sanctioned by the Administrator.
(2) Nonapplicability of certain civil service
laws
The Administrator may make appointments
under paragraph (1) without regard to the provisions of title 5 governing appointments in
the competitive service.
(3) Relationship to other authorities
The authority of the Administrator to make
appointments under this subsection shall not
affect any other authority of the Administrator under this chapter.
(4) Limitation
A System member who is appointed into
Federal service under paragraph (1) shall not
be considered an employee of the United
States for purposes other than those specifically set forth in this section.
(g) Compensation
(1) Pay of System members
Subject to such terms and conditions as the
Administrator may impose by regulation, the
Administrator shall make payments to the
sponsoring agency of a task force—
(A) to reimburse each employer of a System member on the task force for compensation paid by the employer to the System
member for any period during which the
System member is appointed into Federal
service under subsection (f)(1); and
(B) to make payments directly to a nonemployee System member on the task force
for any period during which the nonemployee System member is appointed into
Federal service under subsection (f)(1).
(2) Reimbursement for employees filling positions of System members
(A) In general
Subject to such terms and conditions as
the Administrator may impose by regula-

Page 5963

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

tion, the Administrator shall make payments to the sponsoring agency of a task
force to be used to reimburse each employer
of a System member on the task force for
compensation paid by the employer to an
employee filling a position normally filled
by the System member for any period during
which the System member is appointed into
Federal service under subsection (f)(1).
(B) Limitation
Costs incurred by an employer shall be eligible for reimbursement under subparagraph
(A) only to the extent that the costs are in
excess of the costs that would have been incurred by the employer had the System
member not been appointed into Federal
service under subsection (f)(1).
(3) Method of payment
A System member shall not be entitled to
pay directly from the Agency for a period during which the System member is appointed
into Federal Service under subsection (f)(1).
(h) Personal injury, illness, disability, or death
(1) In general
A System member who is appointed into
Federal service under subsection (f)(1) and who
suffers personal injury, illness, disability, or
death as a result of a personal injury sustained
while acting in the scope of such appointment,
shall, for the purposes of subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, be treated as though the member were an employee (as defined by section
8101 of that title) who had sustained the injury
in the performance of duty.
(2) Election of benefits
(A) In general
A System member (or, in the case of the
death of the System member, the System
member’s dependent) who is entitled under
paragraph (1) to receive benefits under subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5 by reason of
personal injury, illness, disability, or death,
and to receive benefits from a State or local
government by reason of the same personal
injury, illness, disability or death shall elect
to—
(i) receive benefits under such subchapter; or
(ii) receive benefits from the State or
local government.
(B) Deadline
A System member or dependent shall
make an election of benefits under subparagraph (A) not later than 1 year after the date
of the personal injury, illness, disability, or
death that is the reason for the benefits, or
until such later date as the Secretary of
Labor may allow for reasonable cause
shown.
(C) Effect of election
An election of benefits made under this
paragraph is irrevocable unless otherwise
provided by law.
(3) Reimbursement for State or local benefits
Subject to such terms and conditions as the
Administrator may impose by regulation, if a

§ 5165f

System member or dependent elects to receive
benefits from a State or local government
under paragraph (2)(A), the Administrator
shall reimburse the State or local government
for the value of the benefits.
(4) Public safety officer claims
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to bar any claim by, or with respect to,
any System member who is a public safety officer, as defined in section 1204 of title I of the
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act
of 1968 [34 U.S.C. 10284], for any benefits authorized under part L of title I of that Act (42
U.S.C. 3796 et seq.).1
(i) Liability
A System member appointed into Federal
service under subsection (f)(1), while acting
within the scope of the appointment, shall be
considered to be an employee of the Federal
Government under section 1346(b) of title 28 and
chapter 171 of that title, relating to tort claims
procedure.
(j) Employment and reemployment rights
With respect to a System member who is not
a regular full-time employee of a sponsoring
agency or participating agency, the following
terms and conditions apply:
(1) Service
Service as a System member shall be considered to be ‘‘service in the uniformed services’’
for purposes of chapter 43 of title 38 relating to
employment and reemployment rights of individuals who have performed service in the uniformed services (regardless of whether the individual receives compensation for such participation). All rights and obligations of such
persons and procedures for assistance, enforcement, and investigation shall be as provided
for in such chapter.
(2) Preclusion
Preclusion of giving notice of service by necessity of appointment under this section
shall be considered to be preclusion by ‘‘military necessity’’ for purposes of section 4312(b)
of title 38 pertaining to giving notice of absence from a position of employment. A determination of such necessity shall be made by
the Administrator and shall not be subject to
judicial review.
(k) Licenses and permits
If a System member holds a valid license, certificate, or other permit issued by any State or
other governmental jurisdiction evidencing the
member’s qualifications in any professional, mechanical, or other skill or type of assistance required by the System, the System member is
deemed to be performing a Federal activity
when rendering aid involving such skill or assistance during a period of appointment into
Federal service under subsection (f)(1).
(l) Preparedness cooperative agreements
Subject to the availability of appropriations
for such purpose, the Administrator shall enter
into an annual preparedness cooperative agree1 See

References in Text note below.

§ 5165g

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

ment with each sponsoring agency. Amounts
made available to a sponsoring agency under
such a preparedness cooperative agreement shall
be for the following purposes:
(1) Training and exercises, including training and exercises with other Federal, State,
and local government response entities.
(2) Acquisition and maintenance of equipment, including interoperable communications and personal protective equipment.
(3) Medical monitoring required for responder safety and health in anticipation of
and following a major disaster, emergency, or
other hazard, as determined by the Administrator.
(m) Response cooperative agreements
The Administrator shall enter into a response
cooperative agreement with each sponsoring
agency, as appropriate, under which the Administrator agrees to reimburse the sponsoring
agency for costs incurred by the sponsoring
agency in responding to a major disaster or
emergency.
(n) Obligations
The Administrator may incur all necessary
obligations consistent with this section in order
to ensure the effectiveness of the System.
(o) Equipment maintenance and replacement
Not later than 180 days after December 16,
2016, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees (as defined
in section 101 of title 6) a report on the development of a plan, including implementation steps
and timeframes, to finance, maintain, and replace System equipment.
(p) Federal employees
Nothing in this section shall be construed to
mean that a task force may not include Federal
employees. In the case of a Federal employee detailed to a task force, the sponsoring agency
shall enter into an agreement with the relevant
employing Federal agency.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 327, as added Pub. L.
114–326, § 2(a), Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1968; amended Pub. L. 116–48, § 1, Aug. 22, 2019, 133 Stat. 1071.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (f)(3), was in the
original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22,
1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of
1968, referred to in subsec. (h)(4), is Pub. L. 90–351, June
19, 1968, 82 Stat. 197. Part L of title I of the Act was
classified generally to part A (§ 3796 et seq.) of subchapter XII of chapter 46 of this title, prior to editorial
reclassification and renumbering as subchapter XI
(§ 10281 et seq.) of chapter 101 of Title 34, Crime Control
and Law Enforcement. For complete classification of
this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1968 Act note
set out under section 10101 of Title 34 and Tables.
AMENDMENTS
2019—Subsec. (p). Pub. L. 116–48 added subsec. (p).

§ 5165g. National veterinary emergency teams
(a) In general
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency may establish one or more

Page 5964

national veterinary emergency teams at accredited colleges of veterinary medicine.
(b) Responsibilities
A national veterinary emergency team shall—
(1) deploy with a team of the National Urban
Search and Rescue Response System to assist
with—
(A) veterinary care of canine search teams;
(B) locating and treating companion animals, service animals, livestock, and other
animals; and
(C) surveillance and treatment of zoonotic
diseases;
(2) recruit, train, and certify veterinary professionals, including veterinary students, in
accordance with an established set of plans
and standard operating guidelines to carry out
the duties associated with planning for and responding to major disasters and emergencies
as described in paragraph (1);
(3) assist State governments, Indian tribal
governments, local governments, and nonprofit organizations in developing emergency
management and evacuation plans that account for the care and rescue of animals and in
improving local readiness for providing veterinary medical response during an emergency or
major disaster; and
(4) coordinate with the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Health and
Human Services, the Department of Agriculture, State, local, and Indian tribal governments (including departments of animal and
human health), veterinary and health care
professionals, and volunteers.
(Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1218, Oct. 5, 2018, 132
Stat. 3452.)
CODIFICATION
Section was enacted as part of the Disaster Recovery
Reform Act of 2018 and as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, and not as part of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
which comprises this chapter.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Authorities provided under div. D of Pub. L. 115–254,
which enacted this section, applicable to each major
disaster and emergency declared by the President
under Pub. L. 93–288 on or after Jan. 1, 2016, except as
otherwise provided, see section 1202(b) of Pub. L.
115–254, set out in an Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
note under section 5121 of this title.
DEFINITIONS
For definition of ‘‘State’’ as used in this section, see
section 1203 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note under
section 5122 of this title.

SUBCHAPTER IV—MAJOR DISASTER
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
§ 5170. Procedure for declaration
(a) In general
All requests for a declaration by the President
that a major disaster exists shall be made by the
Governor of the affected State. Such a request
shall be based on a finding that the disaster is of
such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State
and the affected local governments and that

Page 5965

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

Federal assistance is necessary. As part of such
request, and as a prerequisite to major disaster
assistance under this chapter, the Governor
shall take appropriate response action under
State law and direct execution of the State’s
emergency plan. The Governor shall furnish information on the nature and amount of State
and local resources which have been or will be
committed to alleviating the results of the disaster, and shall certify that, for the current disaster, State and local government obligations
and expenditures (of which State commitments
must be a significant proportion) will comply
with all applicable cost-sharing requirements of
this chapter. Based on the request of a Governor
under this section, the President may declare
under this chapter that a major disaster or
emergency exists.
(b) Indian tribal government requests
(1) In general
The Chief Executive of an affected Indian
tribal government may submit a request for a
declaration by the President that a major disaster exists consistent with the requirements
of subsection (a).
(2) References
In implementing assistance authorized by
the President under this chapter in response
to a request of the Chief Executive of an affected Indian tribal government for a major
disaster declaration, any reference in this subchapter or subchapter III (except sections 5153
and 5165d of this title) to a State or the Governor of a State is deemed to refer to an affected Indian tribal government or the Chief
Executive of an affected Indian tribal government, as appropriate.
(3) Savings provision
Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit an
Indian tribal government from receiving assistance under this subchapter through a declaration made by the President at the request
of a State under subsection (a) if the President
does not make a declaration under this subsection for the same incident.
(c) Cost share adjustments for Indian tribal governments
(1) In general
In providing assistance to an Indian tribal
government under this subchapter, the President may waive or adjust any payment of a
non-Federal contribution with respect to the
assistance if—
(A) the President has the authority to
waive or adjust the payment under another
provision of this subchapter; and
(B) the President determines that the
waiver or adjustment is necessary and appropriate.
(2) Criteria for making determinations
The President shall establish criteria for
making determinations under paragraph
(1)(B).
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 401, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 106(a)(3), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4696; amended Pub. L. 113–2, div. B, § 1110(a), Jan.
29, 2013, 127 Stat. 47.)

§ 5170

REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b)(2), was
in the original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 401 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered
section 405 by Pub. L. 100–707 and is classified to section
5171 of this title.
AMENDMENTS
2013—Pub. L. 113–2 designated existing provisions as
subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsecs. (b) and
(c).
LOCAL IMPACT
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1232, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat.
3460, provided that:
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In making recommendations to
the President regarding a major disaster declaration,
the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall give greater consideration to severe
local impact or recent multiple disasters. Further, the
Administrator shall make corresponding adjustments
to the [Federal Emergency Management] Agency’s policies and regulations regarding such consideration. Not
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
section [Oct. 5, 2018], the Administrator shall report to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the
Senate on the changes made to regulations and policies
and the number of declarations that have been declared
based on the new criteria.
‘‘(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall be effective
on the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 5, 2018].’’
COST OF ASSISTANCE ESTIMATES
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1239, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat.
3466, provided that:
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 270 days after the
date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 5, 2018], the Administrator [of the Federal Emergency Management Agency] shall review the factors considered when evaluating
a request for a major disaster declaration under the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), specifically the estimated cost of the assistance, and provide a report and
briefing to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives.
‘‘(b) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 2 years after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall
review and initiate a rulemaking to update the factors
considered when evaluating a Governor’s request for a
major disaster declaration, including reviewing how
the [Federal Emergency Management] Agency estimates the cost of major disaster assistance, and consider other impacts on the capacity of a jurisdiction to
respond to disasters. In determining the capacity of a
jurisdiction to respond to disasters, and prior to the
issuance of such a rule, the Administrator shall engage
in meaningful consultation with relevant representatives of State, regional, local, and Indian tribal government stakeholders.’’
[For definition of ‘‘State’’ as used in section 1239 of
Pub. L. 115–254, set out above, see section 1203 of Pub.
L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5122 of this
title.]
INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE FACTORS
Pub. L. 113–2, div. B, § 1109, Jan. 29, 2013, 127 Stat. 47,
provided that: ‘‘In order to provide more objective criteria for evaluating the need for assistance to individuals, to clarify the threshold for eligibility and to speed

§ 5170a

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

a declaration of a major disaster or emergency under
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), not later than 1
year after the date of enactment of this division [Jan.
29, 2013], the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, in cooperation with representatives of State, tribal, and local emergency management
agencies, shall review, update, and revise through rulemaking the factors considered under section 206.48 of
title 44, Code of Federal Regulations (including section
206.48(b)(2) of such title relating to trauma and the specific conditions or losses that contribute to trauma), to
measure the severity, magnitude, and impact of a disaster.’’

§ 5170a. General Federal assistance
In any major disaster, the President may—
(1) direct any Federal agency, with or without reimbursement, to utilize its authorities
and the resources granted to it under Federal
law (including personnel, equipment, supplies,
facilities, and managerial, technical, and advisory services) in support of State and local assistance response or recovery efforts, including precautionary evacuations;
(2) coordinate all disaster relief assistance
(including voluntary assistance) provided by
Federal agencies, private organizations, and
State and local governments, including precautionary evacuations and recovery;
(3) provide technical and advisory assistance
to affected State and local governments for—
(A) the performance of essential community services;
(B) issuance of warnings of risks and hazards;
(C) public health and safety information,
including dissemination of such information;
(D) provision of health and safety measures;
(E) management, control, and reduction of
immediate threats to public health and safety; and
(F) recovery activities, including disaster
impact assessments and planning;
(4) assist State and local governments in the
distribution of medicine, food, and other
consumable supplies, and emergency assistance;
(5) provide assistance to State and local governments for building code and floodplain
management ordinance administration and enforcement, including inspections for substantial damage compliance; and
(6) provide accelerated Federal assistance
and Federal support where necessary to save
lives, prevent human suffering, or mitigate severe damage, which may be provided in the absence of a specific request and in which case
the President—
(A) shall, to the fullest extent practicable,
promptly notify and coordinate with officials in a State in which such assistance or
support is provided; and
(B) shall not, in notifying and coordinating with a State under subparagraph (A),
delay or impede the rapid deployment, use,
and distribution of critical resources to victims of a major disaster.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 402, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 106(a)(3), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.

Page 5966

4696; amended Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 681(a),
Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1444; Pub. L. 115–254, div. D,
§ 1206(a), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3440.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 402 of Pub. L. 93–288 was classified to
section 5172 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L.
100–707.
AMENDMENTS
2018—Pars. (5), (6). Pub. L. 115–254 added par. (5) and
redesignated former par. (5) as (6).
2006—Par. (1). Pub. L. 109–295, § 681(a)(1), substituted
‘‘response or recovery efforts, including precautionary
evacuations’’ for ‘‘efforts’’.
Par. (2). Pub. L. 109–295, § 681(a)(2), substituted
‘‘, including precautionary evacuations and recovery;’’
for semicolon at end.
Par. (3)(F). Pub. L. 109–295, § 681(a)(3), added subpar.
(F).
Par. (5). Pub. L. 109–295, § 681(a)(4), (5), added par. (5).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each
major disaster and emergency declared by the President on or after Aug. 1, 2017, and authorities provided
under div. D of Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each major
disaster and emergency declared by the President on or
after Jan. 1, 2016, except as otherwise provided, see section 1202 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5121 of this title.

§ 5170b. Essential assistance
(a) In general
Federal agencies may on the direction of the
President, provide assistance essential to meeting immediate threats to life and property resulting from a major disaster, as follows:
(1) Federal resources, generally
Utilizing, lending, or donating to State and
local governments Federal equipment, supplies, facilities, personnel, and other resources, other than the extension of credit, for
use or distribution by such governments in accordance with the purposes of this chapter.
(2) Medicine, food, and other consumables
Distributing or rendering through State and
local governments, the American National
Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Mennonite
Disaster Service, and other relief and disaster
assistance organizations medicine durable
food,
and
other
medical
equipment,,1
consumable supplies, and other services and
assistance to disaster victims.
(3) Work and services to save lives and protect
property
Performing on public or private lands or waters any work or services essential to saving
lives and protecting and preserving property
or public health and safety, including—
(A) debris removal;
(B) search and rescue, emergency medical
care, emergency mass care, emergency shelter, and provision of food, water, medicine
durable medical equipment,,1 and other essential needs, including movement of supplies or persons;
(C) clearance of roads and construction of
temporary bridges necessary to the perform1 So in original. The extra comma probably should follow
‘‘medicine’’.

Page 5967

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

ance of emergency tasks and essential community services;
(D) provision of temporary facilities for
schools and other essential community services;
(E) demolition of unsafe structures which
endanger the public;
(F) warning of further risks and hazards;
(G) dissemination of public information
and assistance regarding health and safety
measures;
(H) provision of technical advice to State
and local governments on disaster management and control;
(I) reduction of immediate threats to life,
property, and public health and safety; and
(J) provision of rescue, care, shelter, and
essential needs—
(i) to individuals with household pets
and service animals; and
(ii) to such pets and animals.
(4) Contributions
Making contributions to State or local governments or owners or operators of private
nonprofit facilities for the purpose of carrying
out the provisions of this subsection.
(b) Federal share
The Federal share of assistance under this section shall be not less than 75 percent of the eligible cost of such assistance.
(c) Utilization of DOD resources
(1) General rule
During the immediate aftermath of an incident which may ultimately qualify for assistance under this subchapter or subchapter IV-A
of this chapter, the Governor of the State in
which such incident occurred may request the
President to direct the Secretary of Defense to
utilize the resources of the Department of Defense for the purpose of performing on public
and private lands any emergency work which
is made necessary by such incident and which
is essential for the preservation of life and
property. If the President determines that
such work is essential for the preservation of
life and property, the President shall grant
such request to the extent the President determines practicable. Such emergency work may
only be carried out for a period not to exceed
10 days.
(2) Rules applicable to debris removal
Any removal of debris and wreckage carried
out under this subsection shall be subject to
section 5173(b) of this title, relating to unconditional authorization and indemnification for
debris removal.
(3) Expenditures out of disaster relief funds
The cost of any assistance provided pursuant
to this subsection shall be reimbursed out of
funds made available to carry out this chapter.
(4) Federal share
The Federal share of assistance under this
subsection shall be not less than 75 percent.
(5) Guidelines
Not later than 180 days after November 23,
1988, the President shall issue guidelines for

carrying out this subsection. Such
shall consider any likely effect
under this subsection will have on
ability of other forms of assistance
chapter.
(6) Definitions

§ 5170b
guidelines
assistance
the availunder this

For purposes of this section—
(A) Department of Defense
The term ‘‘Department of Defense’’ has the
meaning the term ‘‘department’’ has under
section 101 of title 10.
(B) Emergency work
The term ‘‘emergency work’’ includes
clearance and removal of debris and wreckage and temporary restoration of essential
public facilities and services.
(d) Salaries and benefits
(1) In general
If the President declares a major disaster or
emergency for an area within the jurisdiction
of a State, tribal, or local government, the
President may reimburse the State, tribal, or
local government for costs relating to—
(A) basic pay and benefits for permanent
employees of the State, tribal, or local government conducting emergency protective
measures under this section, if—
(i) the work is not typically performed
by the employees; and
(ii) the type of work may otherwise be
carried out by contract or agreement with
private organizations, firms, or individuals.; 2 or
(B) overtime and hazardous duty compensation for permanent employees of the
State, tribal, or local government conducting emergency protective measures
under this section.
(2) Overtime
The guidelines for reimbursement for costs
under paragraph (1) shall ensure that no State,
tribal, or local government is denied reimbursement for overtime payments that are required pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards
Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.).
(3) No effect on mutual aid pacts
Nothing in this subsection shall affect the
ability of the President to reimburse labor
force expenses provided pursuant to an authorized mutual aid pact.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 403, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 106(a)(3), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4697; amended Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 689(b),
Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1449; Pub. L. 109–308, § 4,
Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1726; Pub. L. 113–2, div. B,
§ 1108(b), Jan. 29, 2013, 127 Stat. 47; Pub. L.
115–254, div. D, § 1217(d), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat.
3452.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1) and (c)(1),
(3), (5), was in the original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L.
93–288, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note
set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
2 So

in original.

§ 5170c

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, referred to in
subsec. (d)(2), is act June 25, 1938, ch. 676, 52 Stat. 1060,
which is classified generally to chapter 8 (§ 201 et seq.)
of Title 29, Labor. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see section 201 of Title 29 and Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 403 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered
section 407 by Pub. L. 100–707 and is classified to section
5173 of this title.
AMENDMENTS
2018—Subsec. (a)(3)(J). Pub. L. 115–254 struck out subpar. (J) added by Pub. L. 109–308, which was identical to
subpar. (J) added by Pub. L. 109–295. See 2006 Amendment note below.
2013—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 113–2 added subsec. (d).
2006—Subsec. (a)(2), (3)(B). Pub. L. 109–295, § 689(b)(1),
(2)(A), inserted ‘‘durable medical equipment,’’ after
‘‘medicine’’.
Subsec. (a)(3)(J). Pub. L. 109–295, § 689(b)(2)(B)–(D), and
Pub. L. 109–308 amended par. (3) by adding identical
subpars. (J).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each
major disaster and emergency declared by the President on or after Aug. 1, 2017, and authorities provided
under div. D of Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each major
disaster and emergency declared by the President on or
after Jan. 1, 2016, except as otherwise provided, see section 1202 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5121 of this title.

§ 5170c. Hazard mitigation
(a) In general
The President may contribute up to 75 percent
of the cost of hazard mitigation measures which
the President has determined are cost effective
and which substantially reduce the risk of, or
increase resilience to, future damage, hardship,
loss, or suffering in any area affected by a major
disaster, or any area affected by a fire for which
assistance was provided under section 5187 of
this title. Such measures shall be identified following the evaluation of natural hazards under
section 5165 of this title and shall be subject to
approval by the President. Subject to section
5165 of this title, the total of contributions
under this section for a major disaster or event
under section 5187 of this title shall not exceed
15 percent for amounts not more than
$2,000,000,000, 10 percent for amounts of more
than
$2,000,000,000
and
not
more
than
$10,000,000,000, and 7.5 percent on amounts of
more than $10,000,000,000 and not more than
$35,333,000,000 of the estimated aggregate
amount of grants to be made (less any associated administrative costs) under this chapter
with respect to the major disaster or event
under section 5187 of this title.
(b) Property acquisition and relocation assistance
(1) General authority
In providing hazard mitigation assistance
under this section in connection with flooding,
the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency may provide property acquisition and relocation assistance for
projects that meet the requirements of paragraph (2).

Page 5968

(2) Terms and conditions
An acquisition or relocation project shall be
eligible to receive assistance pursuant to paragraph (1) only if—
(A) the applicant for the assistance is otherwise eligible to receive assistance under
the hazard mitigation grant program established under subsection (a); and
(B) on or after December 3, 1993, the applicant for the assistance enters into an agreement with the Administrator that provides
assurances that—
(i) any property acquired, accepted, or
from which a structure will be removed
pursuant to the project will be dedicated
and maintained in perpetuity for a use
that is compatible with open space, recreational, or wetlands management practices;
(ii) no new structure will be erected on
property acquired, accepted or from which
a structure was removed under the acquisition or relocation program other than—
(I) a public facility that is open on all
sides and functionally related to a designated open space;
(II) a rest room; or
(III) a structure that the Administrator approves in writing before the
commencement of the construction of
the structure; and
(iii) after receipt of the assistance, with
respect to any property acquired, accepted
or from which a structure was removed
under the acquisition or relocation program—
(I) no subsequent application for additional disaster assistance for any purpose will be made by the recipient to any
Federal entity; and
(II) no assistance referred to in subclause (I) will be provided to the applicant by any Federal source.
(3) Statutory construction
Nothing in this subsection is intended to
alter or otherwise affect an agreement for an
acquisition or relocation project carried out
pursuant to this section that was in effect on
the day before December 3, 1993.
(c) Program administration by States
(1) In general
A State desiring to administer the hazard
mitigation grant program established by this
section with respect to hazard mitigation assistance in the State may submit to the President an application for the delegation of the
authority to administer the program.
(2) Criteria
The President, in consultation and coordination with States and local governments, shall
establish criteria for the approval of applications submitted under paragraph (1). Until
such time as the Administrator promulgates
regulations to implement this paragraph, the
Administrator may waive notice and comment
rulemaking, if the Administrator determines
doing so is necessary to expeditiously implement this section, and may carry out this sec-

Page 5969

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

tion as a pilot program. The criteria shall include, at a minimum—
(A) the demonstrated ability of the State
to manage the grant program under this section;
(B) there being in effect an approved mitigation plan under section 5165 of this title;
and
(C) a demonstrated commitment to mitigation activities.
(3) Approval
The President shall approve an application
submitted under paragraph (1) that meets the
criteria established under paragraph (2).
(4) Withdrawal of approval
If, after approving an application of a State
submitted under paragraph (1), the President
determines that the State is not administering the hazard mitigation grant program
established by this section in a manner satisfactory to the President, the President shall
withdraw the approval.
(5) Audits
The President shall provide for periodic audits of the hazard mitigation grant programs
administered by States under this subsection.
(d) Streamlined procedures
(1) In general
For the purpose of providing assistance
under this section, the President shall ensure
that—
(A) adequate resources are devoted to ensure that applicable environmental reviews
under the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 [42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.] and historic preservation reviews under the National Historic Preservation Act 1 are completed on an expeditious basis; and
(B) the shortest existing applicable process
under the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 [42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.] and the National Historic Preservation Act 1 is utilized.
(2) Authority for other expedited procedures
The President may utilize expedited procedures in addition to those required under paragraph (1) for the purpose of providing assistance under this section, such as procedures
under the Prototype Programmatic Agreement of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, for the consideration of multiple
structures as a group and for an analysis of
the cost-effectiveness and fulfillment of costshare requirements for proposed hazard mitigation measures.
(e) Advance assistance
The President may provide not more than 25
percent of the amount of the estimated cost of
hazard mitigation measures to a State grantee
eligible for a grant under this section before eligible costs are incurred.
(f) Use of assistance
Recipients of hazard mitigation assistance
provided under this section and section 5133 of
this title may use the assistance to conduct ac1 See

References in Text note below.

§ 5170c

tivities to help reduce the risk of future damage,
hardship, loss, or suffering in any area affected
by a wildfire or windstorm, such as—
(1) reseeding ground cover with quick-growing or native species;
(2) mulching with straw or chipped wood;
(3) constructing straw, rock, or log dams in
small tributaries to prevent flooding;
(4) placing logs and other erosion barriers to
catch sediment on hill slopes;
(5) installing debris traps to modify road and
trail drainage mechanisms;
(6) modifying or removing culverts to allow
drainage to flow freely;
(7) adding drainage dips and constructing
emergency spillways to keep roads and bridges
from washing out during floods;
(8) planting grass to prevent the spread of
noxious weeds;
(9) installing warning signs;
(10) establishing defensible space measures;
(11) reducing hazardous fuels;
(12) mitigating windstorm damage, including
replacing or installing electrical transmission
or distribution utility pole structures with
poles that are resilient to extreme wind and
combined ice and wind loadings for the basic
wind speeds and ice conditions associated with
the relevant location;
(13) removing standing burned trees; and
(14) replacing water systems that have been
burned and have caused contamination.
(g) Use of assistance for earthquake hazards
Recipients of hazard mitigation assistance
provided under this section and section 5133 of
this title may use the assistance to conduct activities to help reduce the risk of future damage,
hardship, loss, or suffering in any area affected
by earthquake hazards, including—
(1) improvements to regional seismic networks in support of building a capability for
earthquake early warning;
(2) improvements to geodetic networks in
support of building a capability for earthquake early warning; and
(3) improvements to seismometers, Global
Positioning System receivers, and associated
infrastructure in support of building a capability for earthquake early warning.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 404, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 106(a)(3), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4698; amended Pub. L. 103–181, §§ 2(a), 3, Dec. 3,
1993, 107 Stat. 2054; Pub. L. 106–390, title I,
§ 104(c)(1), title II, § 204, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat.
1559, 1561; Pub. L. 108–7, div. K, title IV, § 417,
Feb. 20, 2003, 117 Stat. 525; Pub. L. 109–295, title
VI, § 684, Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1447; Pub. L.
111–351, § 3(c)(2), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3864; Pub.
L. 113–2, div. B, § 1104(a), (b), Jan. 29, 2013, 127
Stat. 43; Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, §§ 1204(b)(1), 1205,
1233, 1235(a), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3439, 3460,
3463.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the
original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22,
1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (d)(1), is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970,

§ 5170c

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

83 Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55
(§ 4321 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification
of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out
under section 4321 of this title and Tables.
The National Historic Preservation Act, referred to
in subsec. (d)(1), is Pub. L. 89–665, Oct. 15, 1966, 80 Stat.
915, which was classified generally to subchapter II
(§ 470 et seq.) of chapter 1A of Title 16, Conservation.
The Act, except for section 1, was repealed and restated
in division A (§ 300101 et seq.) of subtitle III of Title 54,
National Park Service and Related Programs, by Pub.
L. 113–287, §§ 3, 7, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3094, 3272. For
complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables. For disposition of former sections of Title 16, see
Disposition Table preceding section 100101 of Title 54.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 404 of Pub. L. 93–288 was classified to
section 5174 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L.
100–707.
AMENDMENTS
2018—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1204(b)(1), inserted
‘‘, or any area affected by a fire for which assistance
was provided under section 5187 of this title’’ after ‘‘affected by a major disaster’’ in first sentence as inserted
by section 1235(a) of Pub. L. 115–254, and inserted ‘‘or
event under section 5187 of this title’’ after ‘‘major disaster’’ in two places in third sentence.
Pub. L. 115–254, § 1235(a), substituted ‘‘The President
may contribute up to 75 percent of the cost of hazard
mitigation measures which the President has determined are cost effective and which substantially reduce
the risk of, or increase resilience to, future damage,
hardship, loss, or suffering in any area affected by a
major disaster.’’ for ‘‘The President may contribute up
to 75 percent of the cost of hazard mitigation measures
which the President has determined are cost-effective
and which substantially reduce the risk of future damage, hardship, loss, or suffering in any area affected by
a major disaster.’’
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1205, added subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1233, added subsec. (g).
2013—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 113–2, § 1104(b), inserted
‘‘Until such time as the Administrator promulgates
regulations to implement this paragraph, the Administrator may waive notice and comment rulemaking, if
the Administrator determines doing so is necessary to
expeditiously implement this section, and may carry
out this section as a pilot program.’’ after ‘‘applications submitted under paragraph (1).’’ in introductory
provisions.
Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 113–2, § 1104(a), added subsecs.
(d) and (e).
2011—Subsec. (b)(1), (2). Pub. L. 111–351 substituted
‘‘Administrator’’ for ‘‘Director’’ wherever appearing.
2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–295, in last sentence,
substituted ‘‘15 percent for amounts not more than
$2,000,000,000, 10 percent for amounts of more than
$2,000,000,000 and not more than $10,000,000,000, and 7.5
percent on amounts of more than $10,000,000,000 and not
more than $35,333,000,000’’ for ‘‘7.5 percent’’.
2003—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–7 substituted ‘‘7.5 percent’’ for ‘‘15 percent’’.
2000—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106–390, § 104(c)(1), substituted ‘‘section 5165’’ for ‘‘section 5176’’ in second sentence and ‘‘Subject to section 5165 of this title, the
total’’ for ‘‘The total’’ in third sentence.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 106–390, § 204, added subsec. (c).
1993—Pub. L. 103–181 designated existing provisions as
subsec. (a), inserted heading, substituted ‘‘75 percent’’
for ‘‘50 percent’’ in first sentence, substituted ‘‘15 percent of the estimated aggregate amount of grants to be
made (less any associated administrative costs) under
this chapter with respect to the major disaster’’ for ‘‘10
percent of the estimated aggregate amounts of grants
to be made under section 5172 of this title with respect
to such major disaster’’ in last sentence, and added subsec. (b).

Page 5970

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each
major disaster and emergency declared by the President on or after Aug. 1, 2017, and authorities provided
under div. D of Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each major
disaster and emergency declared by the President on or
after Jan. 1, 2016, except as otherwise provided, see section 1202 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5121 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2013 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 113–2, div. B, § 1104(c), Jan. 29, 2013, 127 Stat.
43, provided that: ‘‘The authority under the amendments made by this section [amending this section]
shall apply to—
‘‘(1) any major disaster or emergency declared
under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) on
or after the date of enactment of this division [Jan.
29, 2013]; and
‘‘(2) a major disaster or emergency declared under
that Act before the date of enactment of this division
for which the period for processing requests for assistance has not ended as of the date of enactment of
this division.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1993 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 103–181, § 2(b), Dec. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 2054, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this section
[amending this section] shall apply to any major disaster declared by the President pursuant to The [the]
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) on or after June 10,
1993.’’
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including
the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1)
of Title 6, Domestic Security.
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto,
to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and
sections 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set
out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.
FUNDING OF A FEDERALLY AUTHORIZED WATER
RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1210(b), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat.
3444, provided that:
‘‘(1) ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES.—Notwithstanding section
312 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5155) and its implementing regulations, assistance provided pursuant to
section 404 of such Act [42 U.S.C. 5170c] may be used to
fund activities authorized for construction within the
scope of a federally authorized water resources development project of the Army Corps of Engineers if such activities are also eligible activities under such section.
‘‘(2) FEDERAL FUNDING.—All Federal funding provided
under section 404 pursuant to this section shall be applied toward the Federal share of such project.
‘‘(3) NON-FEDERAL MATCH.—All non-Federal matching
funds required under section 404 pursuant to this section shall be applied toward the non-Federal share of
such project.
‘‘(4) TOTAL FEDERAL SHARE.—Funding provided under
section 404 pursuant to this section may not exceed the
total Federal share for such project.
‘‘(5) NO EFFECT.—Nothing in this section shall—

Page 5971

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

‘‘(A) affect the cost-share requirement of a hazard
mitigation measure under section 404;
‘‘(B) affect the eligibility criteria for a hazard mitigation measure under section 404;
‘‘(C) affect the cost share requirements of a federally authorized water resources development project;
and
‘‘(D) affect the responsibilities of a non-Federal interest with respect to the project, including those related to the provision of lands, easements, rights-ofway, dredge material disposal areas, and necessary
relocations.
‘‘(6) LIMITATION.—If a federally authorized water resources development project of the Army Corps of Engineers is constructed with funding provided under section 404 pursuant to this subsection, no further Federal
funding shall be provided for construction of such
project.’’
GUIDANCE ON HAZARD MITIGATION ASSISTANCE
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1231, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat.
3459, provided that:
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 5, 2018], the Administrator [of the Federal Emergency Management Agency] shall issue guidance regarding the acquisition of
property for open space as a mitigation measure under
section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170c) that includes—
‘‘(1) a process by which the State hazard mitigation
officer appointed for such an acquisition shall, not
later than 60 days after the applicant for assistance
enters into an agreement with the Administrator regarding the acquisition, provide written notification
to each affected unit of local government for such acquisition that includes—
‘‘(A) the location of the acquisition;
‘‘(B) the State-local assistance agreement for the
hazard mitigation grant program;
‘‘(C) a description of the acquisition; and
‘‘(D) a copy of the deed restriction; and
‘‘(2) recommendations for entering into and implementing a memorandum of understanding between
units of local government and covered entities that
includes provisions to allow an affected unit of local
government notified under paragraph (1) to—
‘‘(A) use and maintain the open space created by
such a project, consistent with section 404 [42 U.S.C.
5170c] (including related regulations, standards, and
guidance) and consistent with all adjoining property, subject to the notification of the adjoining
property, so long as the cost of the maintenance is
borne by the local government; and
‘‘(B) maintain the open space pursuant to standards exceeding any local government standards defined in the agreement with the Administrator described under paragraph (1).
‘‘(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
‘‘(1) AFFECTED UNIT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.—The
term ‘affected unit of local government’ means any
entity covered by the definition of local government
in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122),
that has jurisdiction over the property subject to the
acquisition described in subsection (a).
‘‘(2) COVERED ENTITY.—The term ‘covered entity’
means—
‘‘(A) the grantee or subgrantee receiving assistance for an open space project described in subsection (a);
‘‘(B) the State in which such project is located;
and
‘‘(C) the applicable Regional Administrator of the
Agency.’’
[For definition of ‘‘State’’ as used in section 1231 of
Pub. L. 115–254, set out above, see section 1203 of Pub.
L. 115–254, set out as a Definitions note under section
5122 of this title.]

§ 5172

§ 5171. Federal facilities
(a) Repair, reconstruction, restoration, or replacement of United States facilities
The President may authorize any Federal
agency to repair, reconstruct, restore, or replace
any facility owned by the United States and
under the jurisdiction of such agency which is
damaged or destroyed by any major disaster if
he determines that such repair, reconstruction,
restoration, or replacement is of such importance and urgency that it cannot reasonably be
deferred pending the enactment of specific authorizing legislation or the making of an appropriation for such purposes, or the obtaining of
congressional committee approval.
(b) Availability of funds appropriated to agency
for repair, reconstruction, restoration, or replacement of agency facilities
In order to carry out the provisions of this section, such repair, reconstruction, restoration, or
replacement may be begun notwithstanding a
lack or an insufficiency of funds appropriated
for such purpose, where such lack or insufficiency can be remedied by the transfer, in accordance with law, of funds appropriated to that
agency for another purpose.
(c) Steps for mitigation of hazards
In implementing this section, Federal agencies
shall evaluate the natural hazards to which
these facilities are exposed and shall take appropriate action to mitigate such hazards, including safe land-use and construction practices, in
accordance with standards prescribed by the
President.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 405, formerly § 401, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 153; renumbered § 405, Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 106(a)(2), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4696.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 405 of Pub. L. 93–288 was classified to
section 5175 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L.
100–707.

§ 5172. Repair, restoration, and replacement of
damaged facilities
(a) Contributions
(1) In general
The President may make contributions—
(A) to a State or local government for the
repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of a public facility damaged or
destroyed by a major disaster and for associated expenses incurred by the government;
and
(B) subject to paragraph (3), to a person
that owns or operates a private nonprofit facility damaged or destroyed by a major disaster for the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of the facility and for
associated expenses incurred by the person.
(2) Associated expenses
For the purposes of this section, associated
expenses shall include—
(A) the costs of mobilizing and employing
the National Guard for performance of eligible work;

§ 5172

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(B) the costs of using prison labor to perform eligible work, including wages actually
paid, transportation to a worksite, and extraordinary costs of guards, food, and lodging;
(C) base and overtime wages for the employees and extra hires of a State, local government, or person described in paragraph
(1) that perform eligible work, plus fringe
benefits on such wages to the extent that
such benefits were being paid before the
major disaster; and
(D) base and overtime wages for extra
hires to facilitate the implementation and
enforcement of adopted building codes for a
period of not more than 180 days after the
major disaster is declared.
(3) Conditions for assistance to private nonprofit facilities
(A) In general
The President may make contributions to
a private nonprofit facility under paragraph
(1)(B) only if—
(i) the facility provides critical services
(as defined by the President) in the event
of a major disaster; or
(ii) the owner or operator of the facility—
(I) has applied for a disaster loan under
section 636(b) of title 15; and
(II)(aa) has been determined to be ineligible for such a loan; or
(bb) has obtained such a loan in the
maximum amount for which the Small
Business Administration determines the
facility is eligible.
(B) Definition of critical services
In this paragraph, the term ‘‘critical services’’ includes power, water (including water
provided by an irrigation organization or facility), sewer, wastewater treatment, communications (including broadcast and telecommunications), education, and emergency
medical care.
(C) Religious facilities
A church, synagogue, mosque, temple, or
other house of worship, educational facility,
or any other private nonprofit facility, shall
be eligible for contributions under paragraph
(1)(B), without regard to the religious character of the facility or the primary religious
use of the facility. No house of worship, educational facility, or any other private nonprofit facility may be excluded from receiving contributions under paragraph (1)(B) because leadership or membership in the organization operating the house of worship is
limited to persons who share a religious
faith or practice.
(4) Notification to Congress
Before making any contribution under this
section in an amount greater than $20,000,000,
the President shall notify—
(A) the Committee on Environment and
Public Works of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives;

Page 5972

(C) the Committee on Appropriations of
the Senate; and
(D) the Committee on Appropriations of
the House of Representatives.
(b) Federal share
(1) Minimum Federal share
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Federal share of assistance under this section
shall be not less than 75 percent of the eligible
cost of repair, restoration, reconstruction, or
replacement carried out under this section.
(2) Reduced Federal share
The President shall promulgate regulations
to reduce the Federal share of assistance
under this section to not less than 25 percent
in the case of the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of any eligible public facility or private nonprofit facility following an event associated with a major disaster—
(A) that has been damaged, on more than
one occasion within the preceding 10-year
period, by the same type of event; and
(B) the owner of which has failed to implement appropriate mitigation measures to
address the hazard that caused the damage
to the facility.
(3) Increased Federal share
(A) Incentive measures
The President may provide incentives to a
State or Tribal government to invest in
measures that increase readiness for, and resilience from, a major disaster by recognizing such investments through a sliding
scale that increases the minimum Federal
share to 85 percent. Such measures may include—
(i) the adoption of a mitigation plan approved under section 5165 of this title;
(ii) investments in disaster relief, insurance, and emergency management programs;
(iii) encouraging the adoption and enforcement of the latest published editions
of relevant consensus-based codes, specifications, and standards that incorporate
the latest hazard-resistant designs and establish minimum acceptable criteria for
the design, construction, and maintenance
of residential structures and facilities that
may be eligible for assistance under this
chapter for the purpose of protecting the
health, safety, and general welfare of the
buildings’ users against disasters;
(iv) facilitating participation in the
community rating system; and
(v) funding mitigation projects or granting tax incentives for projects that reduce
risk.
(B) Comprehensive guidance
Not later than 1 year after February 9,
2018, the President, acting through the Administrator, shall issue comprehensive guidance to State and Tribal governments regarding the measures and investments,
weighted appropriately based on actuarial
assessments of eligible actions, that will be
recognized for the purpose of increasing the

Page 5973

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

Federal share under this section. Guidance
shall ensure that the agency’s review of eligible measures and investments does not unduly delay determining the appropriate Federal cost share.
(C) Report
One year after the issuance of the guidance required by subparagraph (B), the Administrator shall submit to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the
House of Representatives and the Committee
on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs of the Senate a report regarding the
analysis of the Federal cost shares paid
under this section.
(D) Savings clause

§ 5172

structing, or replacing the facility, the person may elect to receive, in lieu of a contribution under subsection (a)(1)(B), a contribution in an amount equal to the Federal
share of the Federal estimate of the cost of
repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing the facility and of management expenses.
(B) Use of funds

Nothing in this paragraph prevents the
President from increasing the Federal cost
share above 85 percent.
(c) Large in-lieu contributions
(1) For public facilities
(A) In general

Funds contributed to a person under this
paragraph may be used—
(i) to repair, restore, or expand other selected private nonprofit facilities owned or
operated by the person;
(ii) to construct new private nonprofit
facilities to be owned or operated by the
person; or
(iii) to fund hazard mitigation measures
that the person determines to be necessary
to meet a need for the person’s services
and functions in the area affected by the
major disaster.
(C) Limitations

In any case in which a State or local government determines that the public welfare
would not best be served by repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing any
public facility owned or controlled by the
State or local government, the State or
local government may elect to receive, in
lieu of a contribution under subsection
(a)(1)(A), a contribution in an amount equal
to the Federal share of the Federal estimate
of the cost of repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing the facility and of
management expenses.
(B) Use of funds
Funds contributed to a State or local government under this paragraph may be used—
(i) to repair, restore, or expand other selected public facilities;
(ii) to construct new facilities; or
(iii) to fund hazard mitigation measures
that the State or local government determines to be necessary to meet a need for
governmental services and functions in the
area affected by the major disaster.
(C) Limitations
Funds made available to a State or local
government under this paragraph may not
be used for—
(i) any public facility located in a regulatory floodway (as defined in section 59.1
of title 44, Code of Federal Regulations (or
a successor regulation)); or
(ii) any uninsured public facility located
in a special flood hazard area identified by
the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42
U.S.C. 4001 et seq.).
(2) For private nonprofit facilities
(A) In general
In any case in which a person that owns or
operates a private nonprofit facility determines that the public welfare would not best
be served by repairing, restoring, recon-

Funds made available to a person under
this paragraph may not be used for—
(i) any private nonprofit facility located
in a regulatory floodway (as defined in section 59.1 of title 44, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)); or
(ii) any uninsured private nonprofit facility located in a special flood hazard area
identified by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
under the National Flood Insurance Act of
1968 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.).
(d) Flood insurance
(1) Reduction of Federal assistance
If a public facility or private nonprofit facility located in a special flood hazard area identified for more than 1 year by the Administrator pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.) is damaged or destroyed, after the 180th day following November 23, 1988, by flooding in a
major disaster and such facility is not covered
on the date of such flooding by flood insurance, the Federal assistance which would otherwise be available under this section with respect to repair, restoration, reconstruction,
and replacement of such facility and associated expenses shall be reduced in accordance
with paragraph (2). This section shall not
apply to more than one building of a multistructure educational, law enforcement, correctional, fire, or medical campus, for any
major disaster or emergency declared by the
President under section 5170 or 5191, respectively, of this title on or after January 1, 2016,
through December 31, 2018.
(2) Amount of reduction
The amount of a reduction in Federal assistance under this section with respect to a facility shall be the lesser of—
(A) the value of such facility on the date of
the flood damage or destruction, or
(B) the maximum amount of insurance
proceeds which would have been payable
with respect to such facility if such facility

§ 5172

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

had been covered by flood insurance under
the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 on
such date.
(3) Exception
Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply to a
private nonprofit facility which is not covered
by flood insurance solely because of the local
government’s failure to participate in the
flood insurance program established by the
National Flood Insurance Act.
(4) Dissemination of information
The President shall disseminate information
regarding the reduction in Federal assistance
provided for by this subsection to State and
local governments and the owners and operators of private nonprofit facilities who may be
affected by such a reduction.
(e) Eligible cost
(1) Determination
(A) In general
For the purposes of this section, for disasters declared on or after August 1, 2017, or a
disaster in which a cost estimate has not yet
been finalized for a project, or for any
project for which the finalized cost estimate
is on appeal, the President shall estimate
the eligible cost of repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing a public facility
or private nonprofit facility—
(i) on the basis of the design of the facility as the facility existed immediately before the major disaster;
(ii) in conformity with the latest published editions of relevant consensus-based
codes, specifications, and standards that
incorporate the latest hazard-resistant designs and establish minimum acceptable
criteria for the design, construction, and
maintenance of residential structures and
facilities that may be eligible for assistance under this chapter for the purposes of
protecting the health, safety, and general
welfare of a facility’s users against disasters (including floodplain management and
hazard mitigation criteria required by the
President or under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (16 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.)); and
(iii) in a manner that allows the facility
to meet the definition of resilient developed pursuant to this subsection.
(B) Cost estimation procedures
(i) In general
Subject to paragraph (2), the President
shall use the cost estimation procedures
established under paragraph (3) to determine the eligible cost under this subsection.
(ii) Applicability
The procedures specified in this paragraph and paragraph (2) shall apply only to
projects the eligible cost of which is equal
to or greater than the amount specified in
section 5189 of this title.
(C) Contributions
Contributions for the eligible cost made
under this section may be provided on an ac-

Page 5974

tual cost basis or on cost-estimation procedures.
(2) Modification of eligible cost
(A) Actual cost greater than ceiling percentage of estimated cost
In any case in which the actual cost of repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing a facility under this section is greater
than the ceiling percentage established
under paragraph (3) of the cost estimated
under paragraph (1), the President may determine that the eligible cost includes a portion of the actual cost of the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement that exceeds the cost estimated under paragraph
(1).
(B) Actual cost less than estimated cost
(i) Greater than or equal to floor percentage of estimated cost
In any case in which the actual cost of
repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing a facility under this section is less
than 100 percent of the cost estimated
under paragraph (1), but is greater than or
equal to the floor percentage established
under paragraph (3) of the cost estimated
under paragraph (1), the State or local government or person receiving funds under
this section shall use the excess funds to
carry out cost-effective activities that reduce the risk of future damage, hardship,
or suffering from a major disaster.
(ii) Less than floor percentage of estimated
cost
In any case in which the actual cost of
repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing a facility under this section is less
than the floor percentage established
under paragraph (3) of the cost estimated
under paragraph (1), the State or local government or person receiving assistance
under this section shall reimburse the
President in the amount of the difference.
(C) No effect on appeals process
Nothing in this paragraph affects any
right of appeal under section 5189a of this
title.
(3) Expert panel
(A) Establishment
Not later than 18 months after October 30,
2000, the President, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall establish an expert
panel, which shall include representatives
from the construction industry and State
and local government.
(B) Duties
The expert panel shall develop recommendations concerning—
(i) procedures for estimating the cost of
repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing a facility consistent with industry
practices; and
(ii) the ceiling and floor percentages referred to in paragraph (2).
(C) Regulations
Taking into account the recommendations
of the expert panel under subparagraph (B),

Page 5975

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

the President shall promulgate regulations
that establish—
(i) cost estimation procedures described
in subparagraph (B)(i); and
(ii) the ceiling and floor percentages referred to in paragraph (2).
(D) Review by President
Not later than 2 years after the date of
promulgation of regulations under subparagraph (C) and periodically thereafter, the
President shall review the cost estimation
procedures and the ceiling and floor percentages established under this paragraph.
(E) Report to Congress
Not later than 1 year after the date of promulgation of regulations under subparagraph (C), 3 years after that date, and at the
end of each 2-year period thereafter, the expert panel shall submit to Congress a report
on the appropriateness of the cost estimation procedures.
(4) Special rule
In any case in which the facility being repaired, restored, reconstructed, or replaced
under this section was under construction on
the date of the major disaster, the cost of repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing
the facility shall include, for the purposes of
this section, only those costs that, under the
contract for the construction, are the owner’s
responsibility and not the contractor’s responsibility.
(5) New rules
(A) In general
Not later than 18 months after October 5,
2018, the President, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and in consultation with
the heads of relevant Federal departments
and agencies, shall issue a final rulemaking
that defines the terms ‘‘resilient’’ and ‘‘resiliency’’ for purposes of this subsection.
(B) Interim guidance
Not later than 60 days after October 5, 2018,
the Administrator shall issue interim guidance to implement this subsection. Such interim guidance shall expire 18 months after
October 5, 2018, or upon issuance of final regulations pursuant to subparagraph (A),
whichever occurs first.
(C) Guidance
Not later than 90 days after the date on
which the Administrator issues the final
rulemaking under this paragraph, the Administrator shall issue any necessary guidance related to the rulemaking.
(D) Report
Not later than 2 years after October 5, 2018,
the Administrator shall submit to Congress
a report summarizing the regulations and
guidance issued pursuant to this paragraph.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 406, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 106(b), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4699; amended Pub. L. 106–390, title II,
§ 205(a)–(d)(1), (e), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat.
1562–1564, 1566; Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 689h,

§ 5172

Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1453; Pub. L. 109–347, title
VI, § 609, Oct. 13, 2006, 120 Stat. 1942; Pub. L.
111–351, § 3(c)(2), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3864; Pub.
L. 114–111, § 2(b), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2240; Pub.
L. 115–123, div. B, title VI, §§ 20604(b), 20606, Feb.
9, 2018, 132 Stat. 86; Pub. L. 115–254, div. D,
§§ 1206(b), 1207(a), (b), 1235(b)–(d), Oct. 5, 2018, 132
Stat. 3440, 3463, 3464.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (b)(3)(A)(iii) and
(e)(1)(A)(ii), was in the original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning
Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title
note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
The National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, referred to
in subsecs. (c)(1)(C)(ii), (2)(C)(ii) and (d)(1), (2)(B), is
title XIII of Pub. L. 90–448, Aug. 1, 1968, 82 Stat. 572, as
amended, which is classified principally to chapter 50
(§ 4001 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification
of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out
under section 4001 of this title and Tables.
The National Flood Insurance Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(3), probably means the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968. See above.
The Coastal Barrier Resources Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(1)(A)(ii), is Pub. L. 97–348, Oct. 18, 1982, 96 Stat.
1653, as amended, which is classified principally to
chapter 55 (§ 3501 et seq.) of Title 16, Conservation. For
complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title note set out under section 3501 of Title 16
and Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 5172, Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 402, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 153, related to repair and restoration of
damaged facilities, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 100–707,
§ 106(b).
A prior section 406 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered
section 409 by Pub. L. 100–707 and is classified to section
5176 of this title.
AMENDMENTS
2018—Subsec. (a)(2)(D). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1206(b), added
subpar. (D).
Subsec. (a)(3)(C). Pub. L. 115–123, § 20604(b), added subpar. (C).
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 115–123, § 20606, added par. (3).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1207(a)(1), struck
out ‘‘90 percent of’’ before ‘‘the Federal share’’.
Subsec. (c)(2)(A). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1207(a)(2), struck
out ‘‘75 percent of’’ before ‘‘the Federal share’’.
Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1207(b), inserted at
end ‘‘This section shall not apply to more than one
building of a multi-structure educational, law enforcement, correctional, fire, or medical campus, for any
major disaster or emergency declared by the President
under section 5170 or 5191, respectively, of this title on
or after January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2018.’’
Subsec. (e)(1)(A). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1235(b)(1), inserted
‘‘for disasters declared on or after August 1, 2017, or a
disaster in which a cost estimate has not yet been finalized for a project, or for any project for which the
finalized cost estimate is on appeal,’’ after ‘‘section,’’
in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (e)(1)(A)(i). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1235(b)(2), struck
out ‘‘and’’ at end.
Subsec. (e)(1)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1235(b)(3), substituted ‘‘the latest published editions of relevant consensus-based codes, specifications, and standards that
incorporate the latest hazard-resistant designs and establish minimum acceptable criteria for the design,
construction, and maintenance of residential structures and facilities that may be eligible for assistance
under this chapter for the purposes of protecting the
health, safety, and general welfare of a facility’s users
against disasters’’ for ‘‘codes, specifications, and standards’’ and ‘‘(16 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.)); and’’ for ‘‘(16 U.S.C.

§ 5172

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

3501 et seq.)) applicable at the time at which the disaster occurred.’’
Subsec. (e)(1)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1235(b)(4), added
cl. (iii).
Subsec. (e)(1)(C). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1235(c), added subpar. (C).
Subsec. (e)(5). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1235(d), added par. (5).
2015—Subsec. (a)(3)(B). Pub. L. 114–111 substituted
‘‘communications (including broadcast and telecommunications),’’ for ‘‘communications,’’.
2011—Subsecs. (c)(1)(C)(ii), (2)(C)(ii), (d)(1), (e)(3)(A).
Pub. L. 111–351 substituted ‘‘Administrator’’ for ‘‘Director’’.
2006—Subsec. (a)(3)(B). Pub. L. 109–295 inserted ‘‘education,’’ after ‘‘communications,’’.
Subsec. (c)(1)(A). Pub. L. 109–347, § 609(1), substituted
‘‘90’’ for ‘‘75’’.
Subsec. (c)(1)(B) to (D). Pub. L. 109–347, § 609(2), (3), redesignated subpars. (C) and (D) as (B) and (C), respectively, and struck out former subpar. (B). Prior to
amendment, text of subpar. (B) read as follows: ‘‘In any
case in which a State or local government determines
that the public welfare would not best be served by repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing any
public facility owned or controlled by the State or
local government because soil instability in the disaster area makes repair, restoration, reconstruction, or
replacement infeasible, the State or local government
may elect to receive, in lieu of a contribution under
subsection (a)(1)(A) of this section, a contribution in an
amount equal to 90 percent of the Federal share of the
Federal estimate of the cost of repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing the facility and of management expenses.’’
2000—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106–390, § 205(a), added subsec. (a) and struck out heading and text of former subsec. (a). Text read as follows: ‘‘The President may make
contributions—
‘‘(1) to a State or local government for the repair,
restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of a public facility which is damaged or destroyed by a major
disaster and for associated expenses incurred by such
government; and
‘‘(2) to a person who owns or operates a private nonprofit facility damaged or destroyed by a major disaster for the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or
replacement of such facility and for associated expenses incurred by such person.’’
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 106–390, § 205(b), added subsec. (b)
and struck out heading and text of former subsec. (b).
Text read as follows: ‘‘The Federal share of assistance
under this section shall be not less than—
‘‘(1) 75 percent of the net eligible cost of repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement carried out
under this section;
‘‘(2) 100 percent of associated expenses described in
subsections (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this section; and
‘‘(3) 75 percent of associated expenses described in
subsections (f)(3), (f)(4), and (f)(5) of this section.’’
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 106–390, § 205(c), added subsec. (c)
and struck out heading and text of former subsec. (c)
which provided that, upon a determination that the
public welfare would not be best served by repairing,
restoring, reconstructing, or replacing either a public
facility or a private nonprofit facility, an election
could be made to receive, in lieu of a contribution
under subsec. (a), a contribution of not to exceed 90 percent of the Federal share of the Federal estimate of the
cost of repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing the facility and of associated expenses, with the restriction that such funds not be used for any State or
local government cost-sharing contribution required
under this chapter.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 106–390, § 205(d)(1), added subsec.
(e) and struck out heading and text of former subsec.
(e). Text read as follows:
‘‘(1) GENERAL RULE.—For purposes of this section, the
cost of repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing a public facility or private nonprofit facility on the
basis of the design of such facility as it existed imme-

Page 5976

diately prior to the major disaster and in conformity
with current applicable codes, specifications, and
standards (including floodplain management and hazard mitigation criteria required by the President or by
the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (16 U.S.C. 3501 et
seq.)) shall, at a minimum, be treated as the net eligible cost of such repair, restoration, reconstruction, or
replacement.
‘‘(2) SPECIAL RULE.—In any case in which the facility
being repaired, restored, reconstructed, or replaced
under this section was under construction on the date
of the major disaster, the cost of repairing, restoring,
reconstructing, or replacing such facility shall include,
for purposes of this section, only those costs which,
under the contract for such construction, are the owner’s responsibility and not the contractor’s responsibility.’’
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 106–390, § 205(e), struck out subsec.
(f) which set out various associated expenses, including
necessary and extraordinary costs, and costs of using
the National Guard and prison labor.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each
major disaster and emergency declared by the President on or after Aug. 1, 2017, and authorities provided
under div. D of Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each major
disaster and emergency declared by the President on or
after Jan. 1, 2016, except as otherwise provided, see section 1202 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5121 of this title.
Amendment by section 20604(b) of Pub. L. 115–123 applicable to provision of assistance in response to major
disaster or emergency declared on or after Aug. 23, 2017,
or, with respect to any application for assistance that,
as of Feb. 9, 2018, is pending before Federal Emergency
Management Agency, and any application for assistance that has been denied, where a challenge to that
denial is not yet finally resolved as of Feb. 9, 2018, see
section 20604(c) of Pub. L. 115–123, set out as a note
under section 5122 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2000 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 106–390, title II, § 205(d)(2), Oct. 30, 2000, 114
Stat. 1566, as amended by Pub. L. 115–254, div. D,
§ 1235(e), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3464, provided that: ‘‘The
amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] takes effect on the date of the enactment of this
Act [Oct. 30, 2000] and applies to funds appropriated
after the date of the enactment of this Act, except that
paragraph (1)(B) of section 406(e) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
[subsec. (e)(1) of this section] (as amended by paragraph
(1)) takes effect on the date on which the cost estimation procedures established under paragraph (3) of
that section take effect.’’
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including
the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1)
of Title 6, Domestic Security.
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto,
to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and
sections 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set
out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.
GUIDANCE ON INUNDATED AND SUBMERGED ROADS
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1228, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat.
3459, provided that: ‘‘The Administrator of the Federal

Page 5977

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with
the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, shall develop and issue guidance for State, local,
and Indian tribal governments regarding repair, restoration, and replacement of inundated and submerged
roads damaged or destroyed by a major disaster, and
for associated expenses incurred by the Government,
with respect to roads eligible for assistance under section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5172).’’
[For definition of ‘‘State’’ as used in section 1228 of
Pub. L. 115–254, set out above, see section 1203 of Pub.
L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5122 of this
title.]
GUIDANCE AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1230, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat.
3459, provided that:
‘‘(a) GUIDANCE.—The Administrator [of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency] shall provide guidance to a common interest community that provides
essential services of a governmental nature on actions
that a common interest community may take in order
to be eligible to receive reimbursement from a grantee
that receives funds from the [Federal Emergency Management] Agency for certain activities performed after
an event that results in a major disaster declared by
the President under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5170).
‘‘(b) RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later than 90 days after
the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 5, 2018], the Administrator shall provide to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate a legislative proposal on how to provide eligibility for disaster assistance with respect to common areas of condominiums
and housing cooperatives.
‘‘(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall be effective
on the date of enactment of this Act.’’
POST-DISASTER BUILDING SAFETY ASSESSMENT
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1241, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat.
3466, provided that:
‘‘(a) BUILDING SAFETY ASSESSMENT TEAM.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator [of the Federal Emergency Management Agency] shall coordinate with State and local governments and organizations representing design professionals, such as architects and engineers, to develop guidance, including
best practices, for post-disaster assessment of buildings by licensed architects and engineers to ensure
the design professionals properly analyze the structural integrity and livability of buildings and structures.
‘‘(2) PUBLICATION.—The Administrator shall publish
the guidance required to be developed under paragraph (1) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 5, 2018].
‘‘(b) NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.—The
Administrator shall revise or issue guidance as required to the National Incident Management System
Resource Management component to ensure the functions of post-disaster building safety assessment, such
as those functions performed by design professionals
are accurately resource typed within the National Incident Management System.
‘‘(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall be effective
on the date of enactment of this Act.’’
[For definition of ‘‘State’’ as used in section 1241 of
Pub. L. 115–254, set out above, see section 1203 of Pub.
L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5122 of this
title.]
REVIEW OF ASSISTANCE FOR DAMAGED UNDERGROUND
WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1245, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat.
3468, provided that:

§ 5173

‘‘(a) DEFINITION OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM.—The term ‘public assistance grant program’
means the public assistance grant program authorized
under sections 403, 406, 407, 428, and 502(a) of the Robert
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance
Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b, 5172, 5173, [5189f,] 5192(a)).
‘‘(b) REVIEW AND BRIEFING.—Not later than 60 days
after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 5, 2018],
the Administrator [of the Federal Emergency Management Agency] shall—
‘‘(1) conduct a review of the assessment and eligibility process under the public assistance grant program with respect to assistance provided for damaged
underground water infrastructure as a result of a
major disaster declared under section 401 of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 5170), including wildfires, and shall include
the extent to which local technical memoranda, prepared by a local unit of government in consultation
with the relevant State or Federal agencies, identified damaged underground water infrastructure that
should be eligible for the public assistance grant program; and
‘‘(2) provide to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives a briefing on the review
conducted under paragraph (1).
‘‘(c) REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS.—The Administrator shall—
‘‘(1) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, issue a report on the review conducted under subsection (b)(1); and
‘‘(2) not later than 180 days after the date on which
the Administrator issues the report required under
paragraph (1), initiate a rulemaking, if appropriate,
to address any recommendations contained in the report.’’
[For definition of ‘‘State’’ as used in section 1245 of
Pub. L. 115–254, set out above, see section 1203 of Pub.
L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5122 of this
title.]

§ 5173. Debris removal
(a) Presidential authority
The President, whenever he determines it to
be in the public interest, is authorized—
(1) through the use of Federal departments,
agencies, and instrumentalities, to clear debris and wreckage resulting from a major disaster from publicly and privately owned lands
and waters; and
(2) to make grants to any State or local government or owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility for the purpose of removing debris or wreckage resulting from a major disaster from publicly or privately owned lands
and waters.
(b) Authorization by State or local government;
indemnification agreement
No authority under this section shall be exercised unless the affected State or local government shall first arrange an unconditional authorization for removal of such debris or wreckage from public and private property, and, in the
case of removal of debris or wreckage from private property, shall first agree to indemnify the
Federal Government against any claim arising
from such removal.
(c) Rules relating to large lots
The President shall issue rules which provide
for recognition of differences existing among
urban, suburban, and rural lands in implementation of this section so as to facilitate adequate
removal of debris and wreckage from large lots.

§ 5174

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(d) Federal share
The Federal share of assistance under this section shall be not less than 75 percent of the eligible cost of debris and wreckage removal carried out under this section.
(e) Expedited payments
(1) Grant assistance
In making a grant under subsection (a)(2),
the President shall provide not less than 50
percent of the President’s initial estimate of
the Federal share of assistance as an initial
payment in accordance with paragraph (2).
(2) Date of payment
Not later than 60 days after the date of the
estimate described in paragraph (1) and not
later than 90 days after the date on which the
State or local government or owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility applies for
assistance under this section, an initial payment described in paragraph (1) shall be paid.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 407, formerly § 403, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 154; renumbered § 407 and
amended Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 106(c), Nov. 23,
1988, 102 Stat. 4701; Pub. L. 109–347, title VI, § 610,
Oct. 13, 2006, 120 Stat. 1942.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 407 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered
section 410 by Pub. L. 100–707 and is classified to section
5177 of this title.
AMENDMENTS
2006—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–347 added subsec. (e).
1988—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 100–707, § 106(c)(2), inserted ‘‘or owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility’’ after ‘‘local government’’.
Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 100–707, § 106(c)(3), added subsecs. (c) and (d).

§ 5174. Federal assistance to individuals and
households
(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 disasterrelated housing needs of individuals and
households who are displaced from their

Page 5978

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.
(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) Lease and repair of rental units for
temporary housing
(I) In general
The President, to the extent the President determines it would be a cost-effective alternative to other temporary
housing options, may—
(aa) enter into lease agreements with
owners of multifamily rental property
impacted by a major disaster or located in areas covered by a major disaster declaration to house individuals
and households eligible for assistance
under this section; and

Page 5979

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(bb) make repairs or improvements
to properties under such lease agreements, to the extent necessary to serve
as safe and adequate temporary housing.
(II) Improvements or repairs
Under the terms of any lease agreement for property entered into under
this subsection, the value of the improvements or repairs shall be deducted
from the value of the lease agreement.
(iii) Period of assistance
The President may not provide direct assistance under clause (i) with respect to a
major disaster after the end of the 18month 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.
(iv) Collection of rental charges
After the end of the 18-month period referred to in clause (iii), 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.
(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 housing construction
The President may provide financial assistance or direct assistance to individuals or
households to construct permanent or semipermanent housing in insular areas outside
the continental United States and in other locations in cases in which—

§ 5174

(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.
(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

§ 5174

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

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—
(I) to comply with the nondiscrimination provisions of section 5151 of this
title; and
(II) to obtain and maintain hazard and
flood insurance on the housing unit.
(e) Financial assistance to address other needs
(1) Medical, dental, child care, 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, child care, 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.
(f) State role
(1) State- or Indian tribal government-administered assistance and other needs assistance
(A) Grant to State
Subject to subsection (g), a Governor may
request a grant from the President to provide assistance to individuals and households in the State under subsections
(c)(1)(B), (c)(4), and (e) if the President and
the State or Indian tribal government comply, as determined by the Administrator,
with paragraph (3).
(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 assistance
to individuals and households in the State
under subsections (c)(1)(B), (c)(4), and (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.
(3) Requirements
(A) Application
A State or Indian tribal government desiring to provide assistance under subsection

Page 5980

(c)(1)(B), (c)(4), or (e) shall submit to the
President an application for a grant to provide financial assistance under the program.
(B) Criteria
The President, in consultation and coordination with State and Indian tribal governments, shall establish criteria for the approval of applications submitted under subparagraph (A). The criteria shall include, at
a minimum—
(i) a requirement that the State or Indian tribal government submit a housing
strategy under subparagraph (C);
(ii) the demonstrated ability of the State
or Indian tribal government to manage the
program under this section;
(iii) there being in effect a plan approved
by the President as to how the State or Indian tribal government will comply with
applicable Federal laws and regulations
and how the State or Indian tribal government will provide assistance under its
plan;
(iv) a requirement that the State or Indian tribal government comply with rules
and regulations established pursuant to
subsection (j); and
(v) a requirement that the President, or
the designee of the President, comply with
subsection (i).
(C) Requirement of housing strategy
(i) In general
A State or Indian tribal government submitting an application under this paragraph shall have an approved housing
strategy, which shall be developed and
submitted to the President for approval.
(ii) Requirements
The housing strategy required under
clause (i) shall—
(I) outline the approach of the State in
working with Federal partners, Indian
tribal governments, local communities,
nongovernmental organizations, and individual disaster survivors to meet disaster-related sheltering and housing
needs; and
(II) include the establishment of an activation plan for a State Disaster Housing Task Force, as outlined in the National Disaster Housing Strategy, to
bring together State, tribal, local, Federal, nongovernmental, and private sector expertise to evaluate housing requirements, consider potential solutions,
recognize special needs populations, and
propose recommendations.
(D) Quality assurance
Before approving an application submitted
under this section, the President, or the designee of the President, shall institute adequate policies, procedures, and internal controls to prevent waste, fraud, abuse, and program mismanagement for this program and
for programs under subsections (c)(1)(B),
(c)(4), and (e). The President shall monitor
and conduct quality assurance activities on
a State or Indian tribal government’s imple-

Page 5981

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

mentation of programs under subsections
(c)(1)(B), (c)(4), and (e). If, after approving an
application of a State or Indian tribal government submitted under this paragraph,
the President determines that the State or
Indian tribal government is not administering the program established by this section in a manner satisfactory to the President, the President shall withdraw the approval.
(E) Audits
The Inspector General of the Department
of Homeland Security shall provide for periodic audits of the programs administered by
States and Indian tribal governments under
this subsection.
(F) Applicable laws
All Federal laws applicable to the management, administration, or contracting of the
programs by the Federal Emergency Management Agency under this section shall be
applicable to the management, administration, or contracting by a non-Federal entity
under this section.
(G) Report on effectiveness
Not later than 18 months after October 5,
2018, the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security shall submit a
report to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate
and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on the State or Indian tribal government’s role to provide assistance under this
section. The report shall contain an assessment of the effectiveness of the State or Indian tribal government’s role in providing
assistance under this section, including—
(i) whether the State or Indian tribal
government’s role helped to improve the
general speed of disaster recovery;
(ii) whether the State or Indian tribal
government providing assistance under
this section had the capacity to administer this section; and
(iii) recommendations for changes to improve the program if the State or Indian
tribal government’s role to administer the
programs should be continued.
(H) Report on incentives
Not later than 12 months after October 5,
2018, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall submit a
report to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate
and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on a potential incentive structure for
awards made under this section to encourage
participation by eligible States and Indian
tribal governments. In developing this report, the Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency shall consult with State, local, and Indian tribal entities to gain their input on any such incentive structure to encourage participation
and shall include this information in the report. This report should address, among

§ 5174

other options, potential adjustments to the
cost-share requirement and management
costs to State and Indian tribal governments.
(I) Prohibition
The President may not condition the provision of Federal assistance under this chapter on a State or Indian tribal government
requesting a grant under this section.
(J) Miscellaneous
(i) Notice and comment
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency may waive notice and comment rulemaking with respect
to rules to carry out this section, if the
Administrator determines doing so is necessary to expeditiously implement this
section, and may carry out this section as
a pilot program until such regulations are
promulgated.
(ii) Final rule
Not later than 2 years after October 5,
2018, the Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency shall
issue final regulations to implement this
subsection as amended by the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018.
(iii) Waiver and expiration
The authority under clause (i) and any
pilot program implemented pursuant to
such clause shall expire 2 years after October 5, 2018, or upon issuance of final regulations pursuant to clause (ii), whichever occurs sooner.
(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, excluding financial assistance to rent
alternate housing accommodations under subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) and financial assistance to
address other needs under subsection (e).
(2) Other needs assistance
The maximum financial assistance any individual or household may receive under subsection (e) shall be equivalent to the amount
set forth in paragraph (1) with respect to a single major disaster.
(3) Adjustment of limit
The limit established under paragraphs (1)
and (2) shall be adjusted annually to reflect

§ 5174

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

changes in the Consumer Price Index for All
Urban Consumers published by the Department of Labor.
(4) Exclusion of necessary expenses for individuals with disabilities
(A) In general
The maximum amount of assistance established under paragraph (1) shall exclude expenses to repair or replace damaged accessibility-related improvements under paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of subsection (c) for individuals with disabilities.
(B) Other needs assistance
The maximum amount of assistance established under paragraph (2) shall exclude expenses to repair or replace accessibility-related personal property under subsection
(e)(2) for individuals with disabilities.
(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—
(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 duplicate 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.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 408, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 106(d), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4702; amended Pub. L. 106–390, title II, § 206(a),
Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1566; Pub. L. 109–295, title
VI, §§ 685, 686, 689(c), 689d, 696(c), Oct. 4, 2006, 120
Stat. 1447–1449, 1452, 1461; Pub. L. 113–2, div. B,
§§ 1103, 1108(a), Jan. 29, 2013, 127 Stat. 42, 47; Pub.
L. 115–254, div. D, §§ 1211(a), 1212, 1213(a), (b), Oct.
5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3445, 3448.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (f)(3)(I), was in the
original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22,
1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018, referred to
in subsec. (f)(3)(J)(ii), is div. D of Pub. L. 115–254, Oct.
5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3438. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2018 Amendment
note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.

Page 5982

PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 5174, Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 404, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 154, related to temporary housing assistance, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 100–707, § 106(d).
A prior section 408 of Pub. L. 93–288 was classified to
section 5178 of this title and to a note set out under section 5178 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 100–707.
AMENDMENTS
2018—Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(ii)(I)(aa). Pub. L. 115–254,
§ 1213(b), amended item (aa) generally. Prior to amendment, item (aa) read as follows: ‘‘enter into lease agreements with owners of multifamily rental property located in areas covered by a major disaster declaration
to house individuals and households eligible for assistance under this section; and’’.
Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(ii)(II). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1213(a),
amended subcl. (II) generally. Prior to amendment,
subcl. (II) related to improvements or repairs.
Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1211(a)(1)(A), substituted ‘‘State- or Indian tribal government-administered assistance and other needs assistance’’ for ‘‘Financial assistance to address other needs’’ in heading.
Subsec. (f)(1)(A). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1211(a)(1)(B), struck
out ‘‘financial’’ before ‘‘assistance’’ and substituted
‘‘subsections (c)(1)(B), (c)(4), and (e) if the President
and the State or Indian tribal government comply, as
determined by the Administrator, with paragraph (3)’’
for ‘‘subsection (e)’’.
Subsec. (f)(1)(B). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1211(a)(1)(C), struck
out ‘‘financial’’ before ‘‘assistance’’ and substituted
‘‘subsections (c)(1)(B), (c)(4), and (e)’’ for ‘‘subsection
(e)’’.
Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1211(a)(2), added par.
(3).
Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1212(1), inserted
‘‘, excluding financial assistance to rent alternate
housing accommodations under subsection (c)(1)(A)(i)
and financial assistance to address other needs under
subsection (e)’’ after ‘‘disaster’’.
Subsec. (h)(2), (3). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1212(2)–(4), added
par. (2), redesignated former par. (2) as (3), and, in par.
(3), substituted ‘‘paragraphs (1) and (2)’’ for ‘‘paragraph
(1)’’.
Subsec. (h)(4). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1212(5), added par. (4).
2013—Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(ii) to (iv). Pub. L. 113–2, § 1103,
added cl. (ii), redesignated former cls. (ii) and (iii) as
(iii) and (iv), respectively, and, in cl. (iv), substituted
‘‘clause (iii)’’ for ‘‘clause (ii)’’.
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 113–2, § 1108(a), inserted ‘‘child
care,’’ after ‘‘dental,’’ in heading and text.
2006—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 109–295, § 689(c)(1), inserted ‘‘, or with respect to individuals with disabilities, rendered inaccessible or uninhabitable,’’ after
‘‘uninhabitable’’.
Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(i). Pub. L. 109–295, § 689d(1), inserted
at end ‘‘Such assistance may include the payment of
the cost of utilities, excluding telephone service.’’
Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 109–295, § 689d(2), inserted
‘‘security deposits,’’ after ‘‘hookups,’’.
Subsec. (c)(2)(C). Pub. L. 109–295, § 686(1), struck out
subpar. (C) which read as follows: ‘‘The amount of assistance provided to a household under this paragraph
shall not exceed $5,000, as adjusted annually to reflect
changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban
Consumers published by the Department of Labor.’’
Subsec. (c)(3)(B), (C). Pub. L. 109–295, § 686(2), redesignated subpar. (C) as (B) and struck out former subpar.
(B) which read as follows: ‘‘The amount of assistance
provided to a household under this paragraph shall not
exceed $10,000, as adjusted annually to reflect changes
in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers
published by the Department of Labor.’’
Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 109–295, § 685, in introductory
provisions, inserted ‘‘or semi-permanent’’ after ‘‘permanent’’ and struck out ‘‘remote’’ before ‘‘locations’’.
Subsec. (d)(1)(A)(ii), (iii). Pub. L. 109–295, § 689(c)(2),
added cl. (ii) and redesignated former cl. (ii) as (iii).
Subsecs. (i), (j). Pub. L. 109–295, § 696(c), added subsec.
(i) and redesignated former subsec. (i) as (j).

Page 5983

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

2000–Pub. L. 106–390 amended section catchline and
text generally. Prior to amendment, text provided for
temporary housing assistance through provision of
temporary housing, temporary mortgage and rental
payment assistance, expenditures to repair or restore
owner-occupied private residential structures made uninhabitable by a major disaster which are capable of
being restored quickly, and transfer of temporary housing to occupants or to States, local governments, and
voluntary organizations, required notification to applicants for assistance, and set out location factors to be
given consideration in the provision of assistance.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each
major disaster and emergency declared by the President on or after Aug. 1, 2017, and authorities provided
under div. D of Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each major
disaster and emergency declared by the President on or
after Jan. 1, 2016, except as otherwise provided, see section 1202 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5121 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2000 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 106–390, title II, § 206(d), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat.
1571, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this
section [amending this section and section 5192 of this
title and repealing section 5178 of this title] take effect
18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act
[Oct. 30, 2000].’’
LOST WAGES ASSISTANCE RECOUPMENT FAIRNESS
Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, § 262, Dec. 27, 2020, 134
Stat. 1962, provided that:
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section—
‘‘(1) the term ‘covered assistance’ means assistance
provided for supplemental lost wages payments under
subsections (e)(2) and (f) of section 408 of the Robert
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance
Act (42 U.S.C. 5174), as authorized under the emergency declaration issued by the President on March
13, 2020, pursuant to section 501(b) of such Act (42
U.S.C. 5191(b)) and under any subsequent major disaster declaration under section 401 of such Act (42
U.S.C. 5170) that supersedes such emergency declaration; and
‘‘(2) the term ‘State’ has the meaning given the
term in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122).
‘‘(b) WAIVER AUTHORITY FOR STATE LIABILITY.—In the
case of any individual who has received amounts of covered assistance to which the individual is not entitled,
the State shall require the individual to repay the
amounts of such assistance to the State agency, except
that the State agency may waive such repayment if the
State agency determines that—
‘‘(1) the payment of such covered assistance was
without fault on the part of the individual; and
‘‘(2) such repayment would be contrary to equity
and good conscience.
‘‘(c) WAIVER AUTHORITY FOR FEDERAL LIABILITY.—Any
waiver of debt issued by a State under subsection (b)
shall also waive the debt owed to the United States.
‘‘(d) REPORTING.—
‘‘(1) STATE REPORTING.—If a State issues a waiver of
debt under subsection (b), the State shall report such
waiver to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
‘‘(2) OIG REPORTING.—Not later than 6 months after
the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2020], the
Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security shall submit a report that assesses the efforts
of the States to waive recoupment related to lost
wages assistance under section 408 of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance
Act (42 U.S.C. 5174) to—
‘‘(A) the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs, the Committee on Finance,
and the Subcommittee on Homeland Security of the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and

§ 5174a

‘‘(B) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Committee on Ways and Means, and the
Subcommittee on Homeland Security of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.’’
REIMBURSEMENT
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1211(b), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat.
3447, provided that: ‘‘The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) shall reimburse State and local
units of government (for requests received within a period of 3 years after the declaration of a major disaster
under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170))
upon determination that a locally implemented housing solution, implemented by State or local units of
government—
‘‘(1) costs 50 percent of comparable FEMA solution
or whatever the locally implemented solution costs,
whichever is lower;
‘‘(2) complies with local housing regulations and ordinances; and
‘‘(3) the housing solution was implemented within
90 days of the disaster.’’
[For definition of ‘‘State’’ as used in section 1211(b) of
Pub. L. 115–254, set out above, see section 1203 of Pub.
L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5122 of this
title.]

§ 5174a. Flexibility
(a) Waiver authority
(1) Definition
In this subsection, the term ‘‘covered assistance’’ means assistance provided—
(A) under section 5174 of this title; and
(B) in relation to a major disaster or emergency declared by the President under section 5170 or 5191, respectively, of this title on
or after October 28, 2012.
(2) Authority
Notwithstanding section 3716(e) of title 31,
the Administrator—
(A) subject to subparagraph (B), may waive
a debt owed to the United States related to
covered assistance provided to an individual
or household if—
(i) the covered assistance was distributed
based on an error by the Agency;
(ii) there was no fault on behalf of the
debtor; and
(iii) the collection of the debt would be
against equity and good conscience; and
(B) may not waive a debt under subparagraph (A) if the debt involves fraud, the
presentation of a false claim, or misrepresentation by the debtor or any party having
an interest in the claim.
(3) Monitoring of covered assistance distributed based on error
(A) In general
The Inspector General of the Department
of Homeland Security shall monitor the distribution of covered assistance to individuals and households to determine the percentage of such assistance distributed based
on an error.
(B) Removal of waiver authority based on excessive error rate
If the Inspector General of the Department
of Homeland Security determines, with re-

§ 5174b

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

spect to any 12-month period, that the
amount of covered assistance distributed
based on an error by the Agency exceeds 4
percent of the total amount of covered assistance distributed—
(i) the Inspector General shall notify the
Administrator and publish the determination in the Federal Register; and
(ii) with respect to any major disaster or
emergency declared by the President
under section 5170 or section 5191, respectively, of this title after the date on which
the determination is published under subparagraph (A), the authority of the Administrator to waive debt under paragraph (2)
shall no longer be effective.
(b) Recoupment of certain assistance prohibited
(1) In general
Notwithstanding section 3716(e) of title 31,
and unless there is evidence of civil or criminal fraud, the Agency may not take any action
to recoup covered assistance from the recipient of such assistance if the receipt of such assistance occurred on a date that is more than
3 years before the date on which the Agency
first provides to the recipient written notification of an intent to recoup.
(2) Covered assistance defined
In this subsection, the term ‘‘covered assistance’’ means assistance provided—
(A) under section 5174 of this title; and
(B) in relation to a major disaster or emergency declared by the President under section 5170 or 5191 of this title, respectively, on
or after January 1, 2012.
(c) Statute of limitations
(1) Omitted
(2) Applicability
(A) In general
With respect to disaster or emergency assistance provided to a State or local government on or after January 1, 2004—
(i) no administrative action may be
taken to recover a payment of such assistance after October 5, 2018, if the action is
prohibited under section 5205(a)(1) of this
title, as amended by paragraph (1); and
(ii) any administrative action to recover
a payment of such assistance that is pending on such date of enactment shall be terminated if the action is prohibited under
section 5205(a)(1) of this title, as amended
by paragraph (1).
(B) Limitation
This section, including the amendments
made by this section, may not be construed
to invalidate or otherwise affect any administration action completed before October 5,
2018.
(Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1216, Oct. 5, 2018, 132
Stat. 3449.)
CODIFICATION
Section was enacted as part of the Disaster Recovery
Reform Act of 2018 and as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, and not as part of the Robert T. Staf-

Page 5984

ford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
which comprises this chapter.
Section is comprised of section 1216 of Pub. L. 115–254.
Subsec. (c)(1) of section 1216 of Pub. L. 115–254 amended
section 5205 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Authorities provided under div. D of Pub. L. 115–254,
which enacted this section, applicable to each major
disaster and emergency declared by the President
under Pub. L. 93–288 on or after Jan. 1, 2016, except as
otherwise provided, see section 1202(b) of Pub. L.
115–254, set out in an Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
note under section 5121 of this title.
DEFINITIONS
For definitions of terms used in this section, see section 1203 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5122 of this title.

§ 5174b. Critical document fee waiver
(1) In general
Notwithstanding section 214 of title 22 or any
other provision of law, the President, in consultation with the Governor of a State, may provide a waiver under this subsection to an individual or household described in section
5174(e)(1) of this title for the following document
replacement fees:
(A) The passport application fee for individuals who lost their United States passport in
a major disaster within the preceding three
calendar years.
(B) The file search fee for a United States
passport.
(C) The Application for Waiver of Passport
and/or Visa form (Form I–193) fee.
(D) The Permanent Resident Card replacement form (Form I–90) filing fee.
(E) The Declaration of Intention form (Form
N–300) filing fee.
(F) The Naturalization/Citizenship Document replacement form (Form N–565) filing
fee.
(G) The Employment Authorization form
(Form I–765) filing fee.
(H) The biometric service fee.
(2) Exemption from form requirement
The authority of the President to waive fees
under subparagraphs (C) through (H) of paragraph (1) applies regardless of whether the individual or household qualifies for a Form I–912
Request for Fee Waiver, or any successor thereto.
(3) Exemption from assistance maximum
The assistance limit in section 5174(h) of this
title shall not apply to any fee waived under this
subsection.
(4) Report
Not later than 365 days after October 5, 2018,
the Administrator and the head of any other
agency given critical document fee waiver authority under this subsection shall submit a report to the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on the
costs associated with providing critical document fee waivers as described in paragraph (1).
(Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1238(a), Oct. 5, 2018, 132
Stat. 3465.)

Page 5985

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CODIFICATION

Section was enacted as part of the Disaster Recovery
Reform Act of 2018 and as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, and not as part of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
which comprises this chapter.
Section is comprised of subsec. (a) of section 1238 of
Pub. L. 115–254. Subsecs. (b) and (c) of section 1238 of
Pub. L. 115–254 amended section 5122 of this title and
enacted provisions set out as a note under that section.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Authorities provided under div. D of Pub. L. 115–254,
which enacted this section, applicable to each major
disaster and emergency declared by the President
under Pub. L. 93–288 on or after Jan. 1, 2016, except as
otherwise provided, see section 1202(b) of Pub. L.
115–254, set out in an Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
note under section 5121 of this title.
DEFINITIONS
For definitions of terms used in this section, see section 1203 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5122 of this title.
DELEGATION OF FUNCTIONS AND AUTHORITIES UNDER
SECTION 1238 OF THE FAA REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2018
Memorandum of President of the United States, Dec.
21, 2018, 84 F.R. 3957, provided:
Memorandum for the Secretary of State [and] the
Secretary of Homeland Security
By the authority vested in me as President by the
Constitution and the laws of the United States of
America, including section 301 of title 3, United States
Code, I hereby:
(1) delegate to the Secretary of State the functions
and authorities vested in the President by sections
1238(a)(1)(A)–(B) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018
(Public Law 115–254) [42 U.S.C. 5174b(a)(1)(A)–(B)]; and
(2) delegate to the Secretary of Homeland Security
the functions and authorities vested in the President
by sections 1238(a)(1)(C)–(H) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.
The delegations in this memorandum shall apply to
any provisions of any future public law that are the
same or substantially the same as the provisions referenced in this memorandum. The Secretary of State
and the Secretary of Homeland Security may redelegate within their departments the functions and authorities delegated by this memorandum to the extent
authorized by law.
The Secretary of State is authorized and directed to
publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.
DONALD J. TRUMP.

§ 5175. Repealed. Pub. L. 100–707, title
§ 105(m)(2), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4696

I,

Section, Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 405, May 22, 1974, 88
Stat. 155, related to protection of environment.

§ 5176. Repealed. Pub. L. 106–390, title
§ 104(c)(2), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1559

I,

Section, Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 409, formerly § 406,
May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 155; renumbered § 409, Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 106(e), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4703, related to minimum standards for public and private
structures.
A prior section 409 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered
section 412 by Pub. L. 100–707 and is classified to section
5179 of this title.

§ 5177. Unemployment assistance
(a) Benefit assistance
The President is authorized to provide to any
individual unemployed as a result of a major

§ 5177

disaster such benefit assistance as he deems appropriate while such individual is unemployed
for the weeks of such unemployment with respect to which the individual is not entitled to
any other unemployment compensation (as that
term is defined in section 85(b) of title 26) or
waiting period credit. Such assistance as the
President shall provide shall be available to an
individual as long as the individual’s unemployment caused by the major disaster continues or
until the individual is reemployed in a suitable
position, but no longer than 26 weeks after the
major disaster is declared. Such assistance for a
week of unemployment shall not exceed the
maximum weekly amount authorized under the
unemployment compensation law of the State in
which the disaster occurred. The President is directed to provide such assistance through agreements with States which, in his judgment, have
an adequate system for administering such assistance through existing State agencies.
(b) Reemployment assistance
(1) State assistance
A State shall provide, without reimbursement from any funds provided under this chapter, reemployment assistance services under
any other law administered by the State to individuals receiving benefits under this section.
(2) Federal assistance
The President may provide reemployment
assistance services under other laws to individuals who are unemployed as a result of a
major disaster and who reside in a State which
does not provide such services.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 410, formerly § 407, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 156; renumbered § 410 and
amended Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 106(e), (f), Nov.
23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4703, 4704.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), was in the
original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22,
1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 410 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered
section 413 by Pub. L. 100–707 and is classified to section
5180 of this title.
AMENDMENTS
1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–707, § 106(f)(1)–(3), inserted ‘‘for the weeks of such unemployment with respect to which the individual is not entitled to any
other unemployment compensation (as that term is defined in section 85(b) of title 26) or waiting period credit’’ for ‘‘is unemployed’’ before period at end of first
sentence, substituted ‘‘26 weeks’’ for ‘‘one year’’ in second sentence, and substituted ‘‘occurred’’ for ‘‘occurred, and the amount of assistance under this section
to any such individual for a week of unemployment
shall be reduced by any amount of unemployment compensation or of private income protection insurance
compensation available to such individual for such
week of unemployment’’ in third sentence.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–707, § 106(f)(4), inserted heading and amended text generally. Prior to amendment,
text read as follows: ‘‘The President is further authorized for the purposes of this chapter to provide reemployment assistance services under other laws to individuals who are unemployed as a result of a major disaster.’’

§ 5177a

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

§ 5177a. Emergency grants to assist low-income
migrant and seasonal farmworkers
(a) In general
The Secretary of Agriculture may make
grants to public agencies or private organizations with tax exempt status under section
501(c)(3) of title 26, that have experience in providing emergency services to low-income migrant and seasonal farmworkers where the Secretary determines that a local, State or national
emergency or disaster has caused low-income
migrant or seasonal farmworkers to lose income, to be unable to work, or to stay home or
return home in anticipation of work shortages.
Emergency services to be provided with assistance received under this section may include
such types of assistance as the Secretary of Agriculture determines to be necessary and appropriate.
(b) ‘‘Low-income migrant or seasonal farmworker’’ defined
For the purposes of this section, the term
‘‘low-income migrant or seasonal farmworker’’
means an individual—
(1) who has, during any consecutive 12
month period within the preceding 24 month
period, performed farm work for wages;
(2) who has received not less than one-half of
such individual’s total income, or been employed at least one-half of total work time in
farm work; and
(3) whose annual family income within the
12 month period referred to in paragraph (1)
does not exceed the higher of the poverty level
or 70 percent of the lower living standard income level.
(c) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such
sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXII, § 2281, Nov. 28, 1990,
104 Stat. 3978; Pub. L. 107–171, title X, § 10102,
May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 488.)
CODIFICATION
Section was enacted as part of the Food, Agriculture,
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, and not as part of
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act which comprises this chapter.

Page 5986

grant programs, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 100–707,
§ 106(g).
A prior section 411 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered
section 414 by Pub. L. 100–707 and is classified to section
5181 of this title.

§ 5179. Benefits and distribution
(a) Persons eligible; terms and conditions
Whenever the President determines that, as a
result of a major disaster, low-income households are unable to purchase adequate amounts
of nutritious food, he is authorized, under such
terms and conditions as he may prescribe, to
distribute through the Secretary of Agriculture
or other appropriate agencies benefit allotments
to such households pursuant to the provisions of
the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 of 1964 1 (P.L.
91–671; 84 Stat. 2048) [7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.] and to
make surplus commodities available pursuant to
the provisions of this chapter.
(b) Duration of assistance; factors considered
The President, through the Secretary of Agriculture or other appropriate agencies, is authorized to continue to make such benefit allotments and surplus commodities available to
such households for so long as he determines
necessary, taking into consideration such factors as he deems appropriate, including the consequences of the major disaster on the earning
power of the households, to which assistance is
made available under this section.
(c) Food and Nutrition Act provisions unaffected
Nothing in this section shall be construed as
amending or otherwise changing the provisions
of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 of 1964 1 [7
U.S.C. 2011 et seq.] except as they relate to the
availability of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits in an area affected by a
major disaster.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 412, formerly § 409, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 157; renumbered § 412, Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 106(h), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4705; Pub. L. 110–234, title IV, §§ 4002(b)(1)(C), (E),
(2)(DD), 4115(c)(1)(A)(ii), (iv), (B)(v), May 22, 2008,
122 Stat. 1096, 1097, 1109; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a),
title
IV,
§§ 4002(b)(1)(C),
(E),
(2)(DD),
4115(c)(1)(A)(ii), (iv), (B)(v), June 18, 2008, 122
Stat. 1664, 1857, 1859, 1870, 1871.)

AMENDMENTS

REFERENCES IN TEXT

2002—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 107–171 struck out ‘‘, not to
exceed $20,000,000 annually,’’ after ‘‘Secretary of Agriculture may make grants’’.

The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, referred to in
subsecs. (a) and (c), is Pub. L. 88–525, Aug. 31, 1964, 78
Stat. 703, which is classified generally to chapter 51
(§ 2011 et seq.) of Title 7, Agriculture. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title
note set out under section 2011 of Title 7 and Tables.
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the
original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22,
1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.

§ 5178. Repealed. Pub. L. 106–390, title II, § 206(c),
Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1571
Section, Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 411, as added Pub.
L. 100–707, title I, § 106(g), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4704, related to individual and family grant programs.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF REPEAL
Repeal effective 18 months after Oct. 30, 2000, see section 206(d) of Pub. L. 106–390, set out as an Effective
Date of 2000 Amendment note under section 5174 of this
title.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 5178, Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 408, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 156, related to individual and family

CODIFICATION
Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical
amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub.
L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L.
110–246.
1 So

in original. See 2008 Amendment note below.

Page 5987

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
PRIOR PROVISIONS

A prior section 412 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered
section 415 by Pub. L. 100–707 and is classified to section
5182 of this title.

§ 5184

(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 414, formerly § 411, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 157; renumbered § 414, Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 106(h), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4705.)

AMENDMENTS

REFERENCES IN TEXT

2008—Pub. L. 110–246, § 4115(c)(1)(A)(iv), (B)(v), substituted ‘‘Benefits’’ for ‘‘Food coupons’’ in section
catchline.
Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(b)(1)(C), (2)(DD), substituted
‘‘Food and Nutrition Act of 2008’’ for ‘‘Food Stamp
Act’’ in subsecs. (a) and (c).
Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4115(c)(1)(A)(ii),
(B)(v), substituted ‘‘benefit’’ for ‘‘coupon’’.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(b)(1)(E), (2)(DD),
substituted ‘‘supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits’’ for ‘‘food stamps’’.

The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, referred to in
text, is Pub. L. 91–646, Jan. 2, 1971, 84 Stat. 1894, as
amended, which is classified principally to chapter 61
(§ 4601 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification
of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out
under section 4601 of this title and Tables.

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2008 AMENDMENT
Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L.
110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the
date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, except as otherwise provided, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out
as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of Title 7,
Agriculture.
Amendment by sections 4002(b)(1)(C), (E), (2)(DD), and
4115(c)(1)(A)(ii), (iv), (B)(v) of Pub. L. 110–246 effective
Oct. 1, 2008, see section 4407 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out
as a note under section 1161 of Title 2, The Congress.
DELEGATION OF FUNCTIONS

PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 414(a), (b) of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered section 417(a), (b) by Pub. L. 100–707 and is classified to section 5184 of this title.

§ 5182. Legal services
Whenever the President determines that lowincome individuals are unable to secure legal
services adequate to meet their needs as a consequence of a major disaster, consistent with
the goals of the programs authorized by this
chapter, the President shall assure that such
programs are conducted with the advice and assistance of appropriate Federal agencies and
State and local bar associations.

Secretary of Agriculture designated and empowered
to exercise, without approval, ratification, or other action of President, all authority vested in President by
this section concerning food coupons (benefits) and distribution, see section 3 of Ex. Ord. No. 11795, as amended, set out as a note under section 5121 of this title.

(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 415, formerly § 412, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 157; renumbered § 415, Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 106(h), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4705.)

§ 5180. Food commodities

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original
‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88
Stat. 143. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of
this title and Tables.

(a) Emergency mass feeding
The President is authorized and directed to assure that adequate stocks of food will be ready
and conveniently available for emergency mass
feeding or distribution in any area of the United
States which suffers a major disaster or emergency.
(b) Funds for purchase of food commodities
The Secretary of Agriculture shall utilize
funds appropriated under section 612c of title 7,
to purchase food commodities necessary to provide adequate supplies for use in any area of the
United States in the event of a major disaster or
emergency in such area.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 413, formerly § 410, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 157; renumbered § 413, Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 106(h), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4705.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 413 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered
section 416 by Pub. L. 100–707 and is classified to section
5183 of this title.

§ 5181. Relocation assistance
Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
no person otherwise eligible for any kind of replacement housing payment under the Uniform
Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (P.L. 91–646) [42 U.S.C.
4601 et seq.] shall be denied such eligibility as a
result of his being unable, because of a major
disaster as determined by the President, to meet
the occupancy requirements set by such Act.

REFERENCES IN TEXT

PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 415 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered
section 418 by Pub. L. 100–707 and is classified to section
5185 of this title.

§ 5183. Crisis counseling assistance and training
The President is authorized to provide professional counseling services, including financial
assistance to State or local agencies or private
mental health organizations to provide such
services or training of disaster workers, to victims of major disasters in order to relieve mental health problems caused or aggravated by
such major disaster or its aftermath.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 416, formerly § 413, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 157; renumbered § 416 and
amended Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 106(i), Nov. 23,
1988, 102 Stat. 4705.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 416 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered
section 419 by Pub. L. 100–707 and is classified to section
5186 of this title.
AMENDMENTS
1988—Pub. L. 100–707 struck out ‘‘(through the National Institute of Mental Health)’’ after ‘‘authorized’’.

§ 5184. Community disaster loans
(a) In general
The President is authorized to make loans to
any local government which may suffer a sub-

§ 5184

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

stantial loss of tax and other revenues as a result of a major disaster, and has demonstrated a
need for financial assistance in order to perform
its governmental functions.
(b) Amount
The amount of any such loan shall be based on
need, shall not exceed—
(1) 25 percent of the annual operating budget
of that local government for the fiscal year in
which the major disaster occurs, and shall not
exceed $5,000,000; or
(2) if the loss of tax and other revenues of
the local government as a result of the major
disaster is at least 75 percent of the annual operating budget of that local government for
the fiscal year in which the major disaster occurs, 50 percent of the annual operating budget
of that local government for the fiscal year in
which the major disaster occurs, and shall not
exceed $5,000,000.
(c) Repayment
(1) Cancellation
Repayment of all or any part of such loan to
the extent that revenues of the local government during the three full fiscal year period
following the major disaster are insufficient to
meet the operating budget of the local government, including additional disaster-related expenses of a municipal operation character
shall be cancelled.
(2) Condition on continuing eligibility
A local government shall not be eligible for
further assistance under this section during
any period in which the local government is in
arrears with respect to a required repayment
of a loan under this section.
(d) Effect on other assistance
Any loans made under this section shall not
reduce or otherwise affect any grants or other
assistance under this chapter.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 417, formerly § 414(a),
(b), May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 158; renumbered § 417,
Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 106(j), Nov. 23, 1988, 102
Stat. 4705; Pub. L. 106–390, title II, § 207, Oct. 30,
2000, 114 Stat. 1571; Pub. L. 109–347, title VI, § 608,
Oct. 13, 2006, 120 Stat. 1942.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (d), was in the
original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22,
1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
CODIFICATION
Prior to renumbering as section 417, section 414 of
Pub. L. 93–288 contained a subsec. (c) which was repealed by Pub. L. 97–258, § 5(b), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat.
1082.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 417 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered
section 420 by Pub. L. 100–707 and is classified to section
5187 of this title.
AMENDMENTS
2006—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–347 substituted ‘‘exceed—
‘‘(1) 25 percent’’

Page 5988

for ‘‘exceed 25 per centum’’ and ‘‘; or’’ for period at end
and added par. (2).
2000—Pub. L. 106–390, § 207(1)–(3), designated first sentence of subsec. (a) as subsec. (a) and inserted subsec.
heading, designated second sentence of subsec. (a) as
subsec. (b) and inserted subsec. heading, and designated
third sentence of subsec. (a) as subsec. (c)(1) and inserted subsec. and par. headings. Former subsec. (b) redesignated (d).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 106–390, § 207(5), substituted ‘‘shall
not exceed’’ for ‘‘and shall not exceed’’ and inserted before period at end ‘‘, and shall not exceed $5,000,000’’.
Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 106–390, § 207(6), added par. (2).
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 106–390, § 207(4), redesignated subsec. (b) as (d) and inserted subsec. heading.
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY DROUGHT RELIEF
Pub. L. 95–31, title I, May 23, 1977, 91 Stat. 169, provided: ‘‘That this Act be cited as the ‘Community
Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1977’.
‘‘SEC. 101. (a) Upon the application of any State, political subdivision of a State, Indian tribe, or public or
private nonprofit organization, the Secretary of Commerce is authorized to make grants and loans to applicants in drought impacted areas for projects that implement short-term actions to augment community
water supplies where there are severe problems due to
water shortages. Such assistance may be for the improvement, expansion, or construction of water supplies, and purchase and transportation of water, which
in the opinion of the Secretary of Commerce will make
a substantial contribution to the relief of an existing or
threatened drought condition in a designated area.
‘‘(b) The Secretary of Commerce may designate any
area in the United States as an emergency drought impact area if he or she finds that a major and continuing
adverse drought condition exists and is expected to
continue, and such condition is causing significant
hardships on the affected areas.
‘‘(c) Eligible applicants shall be those States or political subdivisions of States with a population of ten
thousand or more, Indian tribes, or public or private
nonprofit organizations within areas designated pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.
‘‘(d) Projects assisted under this Act shall be only
those with respect to which assurances can be given to
the satisfaction of the Secretary of Commerce that the
work can be completed by April 30, 1978, or within such
extended time as the Secretary may approve in exceptional circumstances.
‘‘SEC. 102. Grants hereunder shall be in an amount
not to exceed 50 per centum of allowable project costs.
Loans shall be for a term not to exceed 40 years at a per
annum interest rate of 5 per centum and shall be on
such terms and conditions as the Secretary of Commerce shall determine. In determining the amount of a
grant assistance for any project, the Secretary of Commerce may take into consideration such factors as are
established by regulation and are consistent with the
purposes of this Act.
‘‘SEC. 103. In extending assistance under this Act the
Secretary shall take into consideration the relative
needs of applicant areas for the projects for which assistance is requested, and the appropriateness of the
project for relieving the conditions intended to be alleviated by this Act.
‘‘SEC. 104. The Secretary of Commerce shall have
such powers and authorities under this Act as are vested in the Secretary by sections 701 and 708 of the Public
Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as
amended [sections 3211 and 3218 of this title], with respect to that Act [section 3121 et seq. of this title].
‘‘SEC. 105. The National Environmental Protection
Act of 1969, as amended [section 4321 et seq. of this
title], shall be implemented to the fullest extent consistent with but subject to the time constraints imposed by this Act, and the Secretary of Commerce when
making the final determination regarding an application for assistance hereunder shall give consideration
to the environmental consequences determined within
that period.

Page 5989

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

‘‘SEC. 106. (a) There is hereby authorized to be appropriated for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1977,
$225,000,000 of which sum $150,000,000 is to be for the
loan program herein, including administration thereof,
and $75,000,000 of which is to be used for the grant program herein, including administration thereof, and
such additional amounts for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1978, as may be reasonably needed for administrative expenses in monitoring and closing out the
program authorized by the Act. Funds authorized by
this Act shall be obligated by December 31, 1977.
‘‘(b) Funds available to the Secretary for this Act
shall be available for expenditure for drought impact
projects conducted heretofore by eligible applicants
during fiscal year 1977 if such projects are found to be
compatible with the broad purposes of this Act.’’

§ 5185. Emergency communications
The President is authorized during, or in anticipation of, an emergency or major disaster to
establish temporary communications systems
and to make such communications available to
State and local government officials and other
persons as he deems appropriate.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 418, formerly § 415, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 158; renumbered § 418, Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 106(j), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4705.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 418 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered
section 421 by Pub. L. 100–707 and is classified to section
5188 of this title.

§ 5186. Emergency public transportation
The President is authorized to provide temporary public transportation service in an area
affected by a major disaster to meet emergency
needs and to provide transportation to governmental offices, supply centers, stores, post offices, schools, major employment centers, and
such other places as may be necessary in order
to enable the community to resume its normal
pattern of life as soon as possible.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 419, formerly § 416, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 158; renumbered § 419, Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 106(j), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4705.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 419 of Pub. L. 93–288 was classified to
section 5189 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L.
100–707.

§ 5187. Fire management assistance
(a) In general
The President is authorized to provide assistance, including grants, equipment, supplies, and
personnel, to any State or local government for
the mitigation, management, and control of any
fire on public or private forest land or grassland
that threatens such destruction as would constitute a major disaster.
(b) Coordination with State and tribal departments of forestry
In providing assistance under this section, the
President shall coordinate with State and tribal
departments of forestry.
(c) Essential assistance
In providing assistance under this section, the
President may use the authority provided under
section 5170b of this title.

§ 5188

(d) Hazard mitigation assistance
Whether or not a major disaster is declared,
the President may provide hazard mitigation assistance in accordance with section 5170c of this
title in any area affected by a fire for which assistance was provided under this section.
(e) Rules and regulations
The President shall prescribe such rules and
regulations as are necessary to carry out this
section.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 420, formerly § 417, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 158; renumbered § 420, Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 106(j), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4705; Pub. L. 106–390, title III, § 303(a), Oct. 30,
2000, 114 Stat. 1572; Pub. L. 115–254, div. D,
§ 1204(a), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3438.)
AMENDMENTS
2018—Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 115–254 added subsec.
(d) and redesignated former subsec. (d) as (e).
2000—Pub. L. 106–390 amended section catchline and
text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: ‘‘The President is authorized to provide assistance, including grants, equipment, supplies, and personnel, to any State for the suppression of any fire on
publicly or privately owned forest or grassland which
threatens such destruction as would constitute a major
disaster.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each
major disaster and emergency declared by the President on or after Aug. 1, 2017, and authorities provided
under div. D of Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each major
disaster and emergency declared by the President on or
after Jan. 1, 2016, except as otherwise provided, see section 1202 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5121 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2000 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 106–390, title III, § 303(b), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat.
1573, provided that: ‘‘The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] takes effect 1 year
after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 30,
2000].’’
REPORTING REQUIREMENT
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1204(c), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat.
3439, provided that: ‘‘Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 5, 2018] and annually thereafter, the Administrator [of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency] shall submit to the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Committees on Appropriations of the
Senate and the House of Representatives a report containing a summary of any projects carried out, and any
funding provided to those projects, under subsection (d)
of section 420 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5187) (as
amended by this section).’’

§ 5188. Timber sale contracts
(a) Cost-sharing arrangement
Where an existing timber sale contract between the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior and a timber purchaser
does not provide relief from major physical
change not due to negligence of the purchaser
prior to approval of construction of any section
of specified road or of any other specified development facility and, as a result of a major dis-

§ 5189

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

aster, a major physical change results in additional construction work in connection with
such road or facility by such purchaser with an
estimated cost, as determined by the appropriate Secretary, (1) of more than $1,000 for sales
under one million board feet, (2) of more than $1
per thousand board feet for sales of one to three
million board feet, or (3) of more than $3,000 for
sales over three million board feet, such increased construction cost shall be borne by the
United States.
(b) Cancellation of authority
If the appropriate Secretary determines that
damages are so great that restoration, reconstruction, or construction is not practical under
the cost-sharing arrangement authorized by subsection (a) of this section, he may allow cancellation of a contract entered into by his Department notwithstanding contrary provisions
therein.
(c) Public notice of sale
The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to
reduce to seven days the minimum period of advance public notice required by section 476 1 of
title 16, in connection with the sale of timber
from national forests, whenever the Secretary
determines that (1) the sale of such timber will
assist in the construction of any area of a State
damaged by a major disaster, (2) the sale of such
timber will assist in sustaining the economy of
such area, or (3) the sale of such timber is necessary to salvage the value of timber damaged
in such major disaster or to protect undamaged
timber.
(d) State grants for removal of damaged timber;
reimbursement of expenses limited to salvage value of removed timber
The President, when he determines it to be in
the public interest, is authorized to make grants
to any State or local government for the purpose of removing from privately owned lands
timber damaged as a result of a major disaster,
and such State or local government is authorized upon application, to make payments out of
such grants to any person for reimbursement of
expenses actually incurred by such person in the
removal of damaged timber, not to exceed the
amount that such expenses exceed the salvage
value of such timber.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 421, formerly § 418, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 158; renumbered § 421, Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 106(j), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4705.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Section 476 of title 16, referred to in subsec. (c), was
repealed by Pub. L. 94–588, § 13, Oct. 22, 1976, 90 Stat.
2958.

§ 5189. Simplified procedure
(a) In general
If the Federal estimate of the cost of—
(1) repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or
replacing under section 5172 of this title any
damaged or destroyed public facility or private nonprofit facility,
1 See

References in Text note below.

Page 5990

(2) emergency assistance under section 5170b
or 5192 of this title, or
(3) debris removed under section 5173 of this
title,
is less than $35,000 (or, if the Administrator has
established a threshold under subsection (b), the
amount established under subsection (b)), the
President (on application of the State or local
government or the owner or operator of the private nonprofit facility) may make the contribution to such State or local government or owner
or operator under section 5170b, 5172, 5173, or 5192
of this title, as the case may be, on the basis of
such Federal estimate. Such $35,000 amount or,
if applicable, the amount established under subsection (b), shall be adjusted annually to reflect
changes in the Consumer Price Index for All
Urban Consumers published by the Department
of Labor.
(b) Threshold
(1) Report
Not later than 1 year after January 29, 2013,
the President, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Administrator’’), shall—
(A) complete an analysis to determine
whether an increase in the threshold for eligibility under subsection (a) is appropriate,
which shall include consideration of cost-effectiveness, speed of recovery, capacity of
grantees, past performance, and accountability measures; and
(B) submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report regarding the
analysis conducted under subparagraph (A).
(2) Amount
After the Administrator submits the report
required under paragraph (1), the President
shall direct the Administrator to—
(A) immediately establish a threshold for
eligibility under this section in an appropriate amount, without regard to chapter 5
of title 5; and
(B) adjust the threshold annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index
for all Urban Consumers published by the
Department of Labor.
(3) Review
Not later than 3 years after the date on
which the Administrator establishes a threshold under paragraph (2), and every 3 years
thereafter, the President, acting through the
Administrator, shall review the threshold for
eligibility under this section.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 422, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 106(k), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4705; amended Pub. L. 113–2, div. B, § 1107, Jan.
29, 2013, 127 Stat. 46.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 5189, Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 419, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 159, related to alternate contributions,
prior to repeal by Pub. L. 100–707, § 106(k).
AMENDMENTS
2013—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 113–2, § 1107(3), which directed insertion of ‘‘or, if applicable, the amount estab-

Page 5991

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

lished under subsection (b),’’ after ‘‘$35,000 amount’’ the
second place appearing, was executed by making the insertion after ‘‘$35,000 amount’’ the only place that
phrase appeared, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Pub. L. 113–2, § 1107(1), (2), designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and inserted ‘‘(or,
if the Administrator has established a threshold under
subsection (b), the amount established under subsection (b))’’ after ‘‘less than $35,000’’ in concluding provisions.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 113–2, § 1107(4), added subsec. (b).

§ 5189a. Appeals of assistance decisions
(a) Right of appeal
Any decision regarding eligibility for, from, or
amount of assistance under this subchapter may
be appealed within 60 days after the date on
which the applicant for such assistance is notified of the award or denial of award of such assistance.
(b) Period for decision
A decision regarding an appeal under subsection (a) shall be rendered within 90 days after
the date on which the Federal official designated to administer such appeals receives notice of such appeal.
(c) Rules
The President shall issue rules which provide
for the fair and impartial consideration of appeals under this section.
(d) Right of arbitration
(1) In general
Notwithstanding this section, an applicant
for assistance under this subchapter may request arbitration to dispute the eligibility for
assistance or repayment of assistance provided
for a dispute of more than $500,000 for any disaster that occurred after January 1, 2016. Such
arbitration shall be conducted by the Civilian
Board of Contract Appeals and the decision of
such Board shall be binding.
(2) Review
The Civilian Board of Contract Appeals shall
consider from the applicant all original and
additional documentation, testimony, or other
such evidence supporting the applicant’s position at any time during arbitration.
(3) Rural areas
For an applicant for assistance in a rural
area under this subchapter, the assistance
amount eligible for arbitration pursuant to
this subsection shall be $100,000.
(4) Rural area defined
For the purposes of this subsection, the term
‘‘rural area’’ means an area with a population
of less than 200,000 outside an urbanized area.
(5) Eligibility
To participate in arbitration under this subsection, an applicant—
(A) shall submit the dispute to the arbitration process established under the authority
granted under section 601 of Public Law
111–5; and
(B) may submit a request for arbitration
after the completion of the first appeal
under subsection (a) at any time before the

§ 5189a

Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency has issued a final agency determination or 180 days after the Administrator’s receipt of the appeal if the Administrator has not provided the applicant
with a final determination on the appeal.
The applicant’s request shall contain documentation from the administrative record
for the first appeal and may contain additional documentation supporting the applicant’s position.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 423, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 106(l), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4705; amended Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1219, Oct.
5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3452.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Section 601 of Public Law 111–5, referred to in subsec.
(d)(5)(A), is Pub. L. 111–5, div. A, title VI, § 601, Feb. 17,
2009, 123 Stat. 164, which is not classified to the Code.
AMENDMENTS
2018—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–254 added subsec. (d).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each
major disaster and emergency declared by the President on or after Aug. 1, 2017, and authorities provided
under div. D of Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each major
disaster and emergency declared by the President on or
after Jan. 1, 2016, except as otherwise provided, see section 1202 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5121 of this title.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION PILOT PROGRAM
Pub. L. 113–2, div. B, § 1105, Jan. 29, 2013, 127 Stat. 43,
as amended by Pub. L. 114–301, § 2(c), Dec. 16, 2016, 130
Stat. 1514, provided that:
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following definitions apply:
‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘Administrator’
means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency.
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE ASSISTANCE.—The term ‘eligible assistance’ means assistance—
‘‘(A) under section 403, 406, or 407 of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance
Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b, 5172, 5173);
‘‘(B) for which the legitimate amount in dispute
is not less than $1,000,000, which sum the Administrator shall adjust annually to reflect changes in
the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers
published by the Department of Labor;
‘‘(C) for which the applicant has a non-Federal
share; and
‘‘(D) for which the applicant has received a decision on a first appeal.
‘‘(b) PROCEDURES.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this section [Jan. 29, 2013], and
in order to facilitate an efficient recovery from major
disasters, the Administrator shall establish procedures under which an applicant may request the use
of alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration by an independent review panel, to resolve disputes relating to eligible assistance.
‘‘(2) BINDING EFFECT.—A decision by an independent
review panel under this section shall be binding upon
the parties to the dispute.
‘‘(3) CONSIDERATIONS.—The procedures established
under this section shall—
‘‘(A) allow a party of a dispute relating to eligible
assistance to request an independent review panel
for the review;
‘‘(B) require a party requesting an independent
review panel as described in subparagraph (A) to

§ 5189b

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

agree to forgo rights to any further appeal of the
dispute relating to any eligible assistance;
‘‘(C) require that the sponsor of an independent
review panel for any alternative dispute resolution
under this section be—
‘‘(i) an individual or entity unaffiliated with the
dispute (which may include a Federal agency, an
administrative law judge, or a reemployed annuitant who was an employee of the Federal Government) selected by the Administrator; and
‘‘(ii) responsible for identifying and maintaining an adequate number of independent experts
qualified to review and resolve disputes under
this section;
‘‘(D) require an independent review panel to—
‘‘(i) resolve any remaining disputed issue in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations,
and Agency interpretations of those laws through
its published policies and guidance;
‘‘(ii) consider only evidence contained in the administrative record, as it existed at the time at
which the Agency made its initial decision;
‘‘(iii) only set aside a decision of the Agency
found to be arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law;
and
‘‘(iv) in the case of a finding of material fact adverse to the claimant made on first appeal, only
set aside or reverse such finding if the finding is
clearly erroneous;
‘‘(E) require an independent review panel to expeditiously issue a written decision for any alternative dispute resolution under this section; and
‘‘(F) direct that if an independent review panel
for any alternative dispute resolution under this
section determines that the basis upon which a
party submits a request for alternative dispute resolution is frivolous, the independent review panel
shall direct the party to pay the reasonable costs to
the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating to the review by the independent review panel.
Any funds received by the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the authority of this section
shall be deposited to the credit of the appropriation
or appropriations available for the eligible assistance in dispute on the date on which the funds are
received.
‘‘(c) SUNSET.—A request for review by an independent
review panel under this section may not be made after
December 31, 2015.’’

§ 5189b. Date of eligibility; expenses incurred before date of disaster
Eligibility for Federal assistance under this
subchapter shall begin on the date of the occurrence of the event which results in a declaration
by the President that a major disaster exists;
except that reasonable expenses which are incurred in anticipation of and immediately preceding such event may be eligible for Federal assistance under this chapter.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 424, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 106(l), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4706.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original
‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88
Stat. 143. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of
this title and Tables.

§ 5189c. Transportation assistance to individuals
and households
The President may provide transportation assistance to relocate individuals displaced from

Page 5992

their predisaster primary residences as a result
of an incident declared under this chapter or
otherwise transported from their predisaster
primary residences under section 5170b(a)(3) or
5192 of this title, to and from alternative locations for short or long-term accommodation or
to return an individual or household to their
predisaster primary residence or alternative location, as determined necessary by the President.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 425, as added Pub. L.
109–295, title VI, § 689f, Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1452.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original
‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88
Stat. 143. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of
this title and Tables.
CODIFICATION
Another section 425 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered
section 427 and is classified to section 5189e of this title.

§ 5189d. Case management services
The President may provide case management
services, including financial assistance, to State
or local government agencies or qualified private organizations to provide such services, to
victims of major disasters to identify and address unmet needs.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 426, as added Pub. L.
109–295, title VI, § 689f, Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1453.)
§ 5189e. Essential service providers
(a) Definition
In this section, the term ‘‘essential service
provider’’ means an entity that—
(1)(A) provides
(i) wireline or mobile telephone service,
Internet access service, radio or television
broadcasting, cable service, or direct broadcast satellite service;
(ii) electrical power;
(iii) natural gas;
(iv) water and sewer services; or
(v) any other essential service, as determined by the President; or
(B) is a tower owner or operator;
(2) is—
(A) a municipal entity;
(B) a nonprofit entity; or
(C) a private, for profit entity; and
(3) is contributing to efforts to respond to an
emergency or major disaster.
(b) Authorization for accessibility
Unless exceptional circumstances apply, in an
emergency or major disaster, the head of a Federal agency, to the greatest extent practicable,
shall not—
(1) deny or impede access to the disaster site
to an essential service provider whose access
is necessary to restore and repair an essential
service; or
(2) impede the restoration or repair of the
services described in subsection (a)(1).
(c) Implementation
In implementing this section, the head of a
Federal agency shall follow all applicable Federal laws, regulations, and policies.

Page 5993

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 427, formerly § 425, as
added Pub. L. 109–347, title VI, § 607, Oct. 13, 2006,
120 Stat. 1941; renumbered § 427, Pub. L. 113–2,
div. B, § 1102(1), Jan. 29, 2013, 127 Stat. 39; amended Pub. L. 115–141, div. P, title III, § 302, Mar. 23,
2018, 132 Stat. 1087.)
AMENDMENTS
2018—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 115–141 designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), redesignated former subpars. (A) to (E) as cls. (i) to (v), respectively, of subpar.
(A), substituted ‘‘wireline or mobile telephone service,
Internet access service, radio or television broadcasting, cable service, or direct broadcast satellite
service’’ for ‘‘telecommunications service’’ in cl. (i),
and added subpar. (B).

§ 5189f. Public assistance program alternative
procedures
(a) Approval of projects
The President, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, may approve projects under the alternative procedures adopted under this section for
any major disaster or emergency declared on or
after January 29, 2013. The Administrator may
also apply the alternate procedures adopted
under this section to a major disaster or emergency declared before enactment of this Act for
which construction has not begun as of the date
of enactment of this Act.1
(b) Adoption
The Administrator, in coordination with
States, tribal and local governments, and owners or operators of private nonprofit facilities,
may adopt alternative procedures to administer
assistance provided under sections 5170b(a)(3)(A),
5172, 5173, and 5192(a)(5) of this title.
(c) Goals of procedures
The alternative procedures adopted under subsection (a) shall further the goals of—
(1) reducing the costs to the Federal Government of providing such assistance;
(2) increasing flexibility in the administration of such assistance;
(3) expediting the provision of such assistance to a State, tribal or local government, or
owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility; and
(4) providing financial incentives and disincentives for a State, tribal or local government, or owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility for the timely and cost-effective
completion of projects with such assistance.
(d) Participation
(1) In general
Participation in the alternative procedures
adopted under this section shall be at the election of a State, tribal or local government, or
owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility consistent with procedures determined by
the Administrator.
(2) No conditions
The President may not condition the provision of Federal assistance under this chapter
on the election by a State, local, or Indian
1 See

References in Text note below.

§ 5189f

tribal government, or owner or operator of a
private nonprofit facility to participate in the
alternative procedures adopted under this section.
(e) Minimum procedures
The alternative procedures adopted under this
section shall include the following:
(1) For repair, restoration, and replacement
of damaged facilities under section 5172 of this
title—
(A) making grants on the basis of fixed estimates, if the State, tribal or local government, or owner or operator of the private
nonprofit facility agrees to be responsible
for any actual costs that exceed the estimate;
(B) providing an option for a State, tribal
or local government, or owner or operator of
a private nonprofit facility to elect to receive an in-lieu contribution, without reduction, on the basis of estimates of—
(i) the cost of repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of a public facility owned or controlled by the State, tribal or local government or owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility; and
(ii) management expenses;
(C) consolidating, to the extent determined appropriate by the Administrator, the
facilities of a State, tribal or local government, or owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility as a single project based upon
the estimates adopted under the procedures;
(D) if the actual costs of a project completed under the procedures are less than the
estimated costs thereof, the Administrator
may permit a grantee or subgrantee to use
all or part of the excess funds for—
(i) cost-effective activities that reduce
the risk of future damage, hardship, or suffering from a major disaster; and
(ii) other activities to improve future
Public Assistance operations or planning;
(E) in determining eligible costs under section 5172 of this title, the Administrator
shall make available, at an applicant’s request and where the Administrator or the
certified cost estimate prepared by the applicant’s professionally licensed engineers
has estimated an eligible Federal share for a
project of at least $5,000,000, an independent
expert panel to validate the estimated eligible cost consistent with applicable regulations and policies implementing this section;
(F) in determining eligible costs under section 5172 of this title, the Administrator
shall, at the applicant’s request, consider
properly conducted and certified cost estimates prepared by professionally licensed
engineers (mutually agreed upon by the Administrator and the applicant), to the extent
that such estimates comply with applicable
regulations, policy, and guidance; and
(G) once certified by a professionally licensed engineer and accepted by the Administrator, the estimates on which grants
made pursuant to this section are based
shall be presumed to be reasonable and eligible costs, as long as there is no evidence of
fraud.

§ 5189g

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(2) For debris removal under sections
5170b(a)(3)(A), 5173, and 5192(a)(5) of this title—
(A) making grants on the basis of fixed estimates to provide financial incentives and
disincentives for the timely or cost-effective
completion if the State, tribal or local government, or owner or operator of the private
nonprofit facility agrees to be responsible to
pay for any actual costs that exceed the estimate;
(B) using a sliding scale for determining
the Federal share for removal of debris and
wreckage based on the time it takes to complete debris and wreckage removal;
(C) allowing use of program income from
recycled debris without offset to the grant
amount;
(D) reimbursing base and overtime wages
for employees and extra hires of a State,
tribal or local government, or owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility performing or administering debris and wreckage removal;
(E) providing incentives to a State or tribal or local government to have a debris management plan approved by the Administrator and have pre-qualified 1 or more debris and wreckage removal contractors before the date of declaration of the major disaster; and
(F) if the actual costs of projects under
subparagraph (A) are less than the estimated
costs of the project, the Administrator may
permit a grantee or subgrantee to use all or
part of the excess funds for—
(i) debris management planning;
(ii) acquisition of debris management
equipment for current or future use; and
(iii) other activities to improve future
debris removal operations, as determined
by the Administrator.
(f) Waiver authority
Until such time as the Administrator promulgates regulations to implement this section, the
Administrator may—
(1) waive notice and comment rulemaking, if
the Administrator determines the waiver is
necessary to expeditiously implement this section; and
(2) carry out the alternative procedures
under this section as a pilot program.
(g) Overtime payments
The guidelines for reimbursement for costs
under subsection (e)(2)(D) shall ensure that no
State or local government is denied reimbursement for overtime payments that are required
pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act of
1938 (29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.).
(h) Report
(1) In general
Not earlier than 3 years, and not later than
5 years, after January 29, 2013, the Inspector
General of the Department of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the alternative procedures
for the repair, restoration, and replacement of

Page 5994

damaged facilities under section 5172 of this
title authorized under this section.
(2) Contents
The report shall contain an assessment of
the effectiveness of the alternative procedures,
including—
(A) whether the alternative procedures
helped to improve the general speed of disaster recovery;
(B) the accuracy of the estimates relied
upon;
(C) whether the financial incentives and
disincentives were effective;
(D) whether the alternative procedures
were cost effective;
(E) whether the independent expert panel
described in subsection (e)(1)(E) was effective; and
(F) recommendations for whether the alternative procedures should be continued
and any recommendations for changes to the
alternative procedures.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 428, as added Pub. L.
113–2, div. B, § 1102(2), Jan. 29, 2013, 127 Stat. 39;
amended Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1207(c), (d),
Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3440, 3441.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The date of enactment of this Act, referred to in subsec. (a), probably means the date of enactment of Pub.
L. 113–2, which enacted this section and was approved
Jan. 29, 2013.
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (d)(2), was in the
original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22,
1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, referred to in
subsec. (g), is act June 25, 1938, ch. 676, 52 Stat. 1060,
which is classified generally to chapter 8 (§ 201 et seq.)
of Title 29, Labor. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see section 201 of Title 29 and Tables.
AMENDMENTS
2018—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1207(c), designated
existing provisions as par. (1), inserted heading, and
added par. (2).
Subsec. (e)(1)(G). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1207(d), added subpar. (G).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each
major disaster and emergency declared by the President on or after Aug. 1, 2017, and authorities provided
under div. D of Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each major
disaster and emergency declared by the President on or
after Jan. 1, 2016, except as otherwise provided, see section 1202 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5121 of this title.

§ 5189g. Unified Federal review
(a) In general
Not later than 18 months after January 29,
2013, and in consultation with the Council on
Environmental Quality and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the President shall
establish an expedited and unified interagency
review process to ensure compliance with environmental and historic requirements under Federal law relating to disaster recovery projects,
in order to expedite the recovery process, consistent with applicable law.

Page 5995

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(b) Contents
The review process established under this section shall include mechanisms to expeditiously
address delays that may occur during the recovery from a major disaster and be updated, as appropriate, consistent with applicable law.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 429, as added Pub. L.
113–2, div. B, § 1106, Jan. 29, 2013, 127 Stat. 45.)
UNIFIED FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND HISTORIC
PRESERVATION REVIEW
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1220, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat.
3453, provided that:
‘‘(a) REVIEW AND ANALYSIS.—Not later than 180 days
after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 5, 2018],
the Administrator [of the Federal Emergency Management Agency] shall review the Unified Federal Environmental and Historic Preservation review process established pursuant to section 429 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5189g), and submit a report to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs of the Senate that includes
the following:
‘‘(1) An analysis of whether and how the unified
process has expedited the interagency review process
to ensure compliance with the environmental and
historic requirements under Federal law relating to
disaster recovery projects.
‘‘(2) A survey and analysis of categorical exclusions
used by other Federal agencies that may be applicable to any activity related to a major disaster or
emergency declared by the President under section
401 or 501, respectively, of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
5170, 5191).
‘‘(3) Recommendations on any further actions, including any legislative proposals, needed to expedite
and streamline the review process.
‘‘(b) REGULATIONS.—After completing the review, survey, and analyses under subsection (a), but not later
than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act,
and after providing notice and opportunity for public
comment, the Administrator shall issue regulations to
implement any regulatory recommendations, including
any categorical exclusions identified under subsection
(a), to the extent that the categorical exclusions meet
the criteria for a categorical exclusion under section
1508.4 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, and section II of DHS Instruction Manual 023–01–001–01.’’

§ 5189h. Agency accountability
(a) Public assistance
Not later than 5 days after an award of a public assistance grant is made under section 5172 of
this title that is in excess of $1,000,000, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall publish on the website of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency the
specifics of each such grant award, including—
(1) identifying the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region;
(2) the disaster or emergency declaration
number;
(3) the State, county, and applicant name;
(4) if the applicant is a private nonprofit organization;
(5) the damage category code;
(6) the amount of the Federal share obligated; and
(7) the date of the award.
(b) Mission assignments
(1) In general
Not later than 5 days after the issuance of a
mission assignment or mission assignment

§ 5189h

task order, the Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency shall publish
on the website of the Federal Emergency Management Agency any mission assignment or
mission assignment task order to another Federal department or agency regarding a major
disaster in excess of $1,000,000, including—
(A) the name of the impacted State or Indian Tribe;
(B) the disaster declaration for such State
or Indian Tribe;
(C) the assigned agency;
(D) the assistance requested;
(E) a description of the disaster;
(F) the total cost estimate;
(G) the amount obligated;
(H) the State or Indian tribal government
cost share, if applicable;
(I) the authority under which the mission
assignment or mission assignment task
order was directed; and
(J) if applicable, the date a State or Indian
Tribe requested the mission assignment.
(2) Recording changes
Not later than 10 days after the last day of
each month until a mission assignment or
mission assignment task order described in
paragraph (1) is completed and closed out, the
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall update any changes to
the total cost estimate and the amount obligated.
(c) Disaster relief monthly report
Not later than 10 days after the first day of
each month, the Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency shall publish
on the website of the Federal Emergency Management Agency reports, including a specific description of the methodology and the source
data used in developing such reports, including—
(1) an estimate of the amounts for the fiscal
year covered by the President’s most recent
budget pursuant to section 1105(a) of title 31
including—
(A) the unobligated balance of funds to be
carried over from the prior fiscal year to the
budget year;
(B) the unobligated balance of funds to be
carried over from the budget year to the
budget year plus 1;
(C) the amount of obligations for noncatastrophic events for the budget year;
(D) the amount of obligations for the budget year for catastrophic events delineated by
event and by State;
(E) the total amount that has been previously obligated or will be required for catastrophic events delineated by event and by
State for all prior years, the current fiscal
year, the budget year, and each fiscal year
thereafter;
(F) the amount of previously obligated
funds that will be recovered for the budget
year;
(G) the amount that will be required for
obligations for emergencies, as described in
section 5122(1) of this title, major disasters,
as described in section 5122(2) of this title,
fire management assistance grants, as de-

§ 5189h

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

scribed in section 5187 of this title, surge activities, and disaster readiness and support
activities; and
(H) the amount required for activities not
covered under section 901(b)(2)(D)(iii) of title
2; and
(2) an estimate or actual amounts, if available, of the following for the current fiscal
year, which shall be submitted not later than
the fifth day of each month, published by the
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency on the website of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency not later
than the fifth day of each month:
(A) A summary of the amount of appropriations made available by source, the
transfers executed, the previously allocated
funds recovered, and the commitments, allocations, and obligations made.
(B) A table of disaster relief activity delineated by month, including—
(i) the beginning and ending balances;
(ii) the total obligations to include
amounts obligated for fire assistance,
emergencies, surge, and disaster support
activities;
(iii) the obligations for catastrophic
events delineated by event and by State;
and
(iv) the amount of previously obligated
funds that are recovered.
(C) A summary of allocations, obligations,
and expenditures for catastrophic events delineated by event.
(D) The cost of the following categories of
spending:
(i) Public assistance.
(ii) Individual assistance.
(iii) Mitigation.
(iv) Administrative.
(v) Operations.
(vi) Any other relevant category (including emergency measures and disaster resources) delineated by disaster.
(E) The date on which funds appropriated
will be exhausted.
(d) Contracts
(1) Information
Not later than 10 days after the first day of
each month, the Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency shall publish
on the website of the Federal Emergency Management Agency the specifics of each contract
in excess of $1,000,000 that the Federal Emergency Management Agency enters into, including—
(A) the name of the party;
(B) the date the contract was awarded;
(C) the amount and scope of the contract;
(D) if the contract was awarded through a
competitive bidding process;
(E) if no competitive bidding process was
used, the reason why competitive bidding
was not used; and
(F) the authority used to bypass the competitive bidding process.
The information shall be delineated by disaster, if applicable, and specify the damage
category code, if applicable.

Page 5996

(2) Report
Not later than 10 days after the last day of
the fiscal year, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall
provide a report to the appropriate committees of Congress summarizing the following information for the preceding fiscal year:
(A) The number of contracts awarded without competitive bidding.
(B) The reasons why a competitive bidding
process was not used.
(C) The total amount of contracts awarded
with no competitive bidding.
(D) The damage category codes, if applicable, for contracts awarded without competitive bidding.
(e) Collection of public assistance recipient and
subrecipient contracts
(1) In general
Not later than 180 days after October 5, 2018,
the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency shall initiate and maintain an effort to collect and store information,
prior to the project closeout phase on any contract entered into by a public assistance recipient or subrecipient that through the base
award, available options, or any subsequent
modifications has an estimated value of more
than $1,000,000 and is funded through section
5165b, 5170b, 5170c, 5172, 5173, 5189f, or 5192 of
this title, including—
(A) the disaster number, project worksheet
number, and the category of work associated
with each contract;
(B) the name of each party;
(C) the date the contract was awarded;
(D) the amount of the contract;
(E) the scope of the contract;
(F) the period of performance for the contract; and
(G) whether the contract was awarded
through a competitive bidding process.
(2) Availability of information collected
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall make the information collected and stored under paragraph (1) available to the Inspector General of
the Department of Homeland Security, the
Government Accountability Office, and appropriate committees of Congress, upon request.
(3) Report
Not later than 365 days after October 5, 2018,
the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency shall submit a report to
the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on the efforts of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency to collect the information described in
paragraph (1).
(Pub. L. 93–288, title IV, § 430, as added Pub. L.
115–254, div. D, § 1224, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3455.)
EFFECTIVE DATE
Enactment of section by Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to
each major disaster and emergency declared by the
President on or after Aug. 1, 2017, and authorities pro-

Page 5997

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

vided under div. D of Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each
major disaster and emergency declared by the President on or after Jan. 1, 2016, except as otherwise provided, see section 1202 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as an
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment note under section
5121 of this title.

SUBCHAPTER IV–A—EMERGENCY
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
§ 5191. Procedure for declaration
(a) Request and declaration
All requests for a declaration by the President
that an emergency exists shall be made by the
Governor of the affected State. Such a request
shall be based on a finding that the situation is
of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State
and the affected local governments and that
Federal assistance is necessary. As a part of
such request, and as a prerequisite to emergency
assistance under this chapter, the Governor
shall take appropriate action under State law
and direct execution of the State’s emergency
plan. The Governor shall furnish information describing the State and local efforts and resources which have been or will be used to alleviate the emergency, and will define the type
and extent of Federal aid required. Based upon
such Governor’s request, the President may declare that an emergency exists.
(b) Certain emergencies involving Federal primary responsibility
The President may exercise any authority
vested in him by section 5192 of this title or section 5193 of this title with respect to an emergency when he determines that an emergency
exists for which the primary responsibility for
response rests with the United States because
the emergency involves a subject area for which,
under the Constitution or laws of the United
States, the United States exercises exclusive or
preeminent responsibility and authority. In determining whether or not such an emergency exists, the President shall consult the Governor of
any affected State, if practicable. The President’s determination may be made without regard to subsection (a).
(c) Indian tribal government requests
(1) In general
The Chief Executive of an affected Indian
tribal government may submit a request for a
declaration by the President that an emergency exists consistent with the requirements
of subsection (a).
(2) References
In implementing assistance authorized by
the President under this subchapter in response to a request of the Chief Executive of
an affected Indian tribal government for an
emergency declaration, any reference in this
subchapter or subchapter III (except sections
5153 and 5165d of this title) to a State or the
Governor of a State is deemed to refer to an
affected Indian tribal government or the Chief
Executive of an affected Indian tribal government, as appropriate.
(3) Savings provision
Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit an
Indian tribal government from receiving as-

§ 5192

sistance under this subchapter through a declaration made by the President at the request
of a State under subsection (a) if the President
does not make a declaration under this subsection for the same incident.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title V, § 501, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 107(a), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4706; amended Pub. L. 113–2, div. B, § 1110(b), Jan.
29, 2013, 127 Stat. 48.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the
original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22,
1974, 88 Stat. 143, as amended. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set
out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 501 of Pub. L. 93–288 enacted subchapter VIII (§ 3231 et seq.) of chapter 38 of this title.
AMENDMENTS
2013—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 113–2 added subsec. (c).

§ 5192. Federal emergency assistance
(a) Specified
In any emergency, the President may—
(1) direct any Federal agency, with or without reimbursement, to utilize its authorities
and the resources granted to it under Federal
law (including personnel, equipment, supplies,
facilities, and managerial, technical and advisory services) in support of State and local
emergency assistance efforts to save lives,
protect property and public health and safety,
and lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe, including precautionary evacuations;
(2) coordinate all disaster relief assistance
(including voluntary assistance) provided by
Federal agencies, private organizations, and
State and local governments;
(3) provide technical and advisory assistance
to affected State and local governments for—
(A) the performance of essential community services;
(B) issuance of warnings of risks or hazards;
(C) public health and safety information,
including dissemination of such information;
(D) provision of health and safety measures; and
(E) management, control, and reduction of
immediate threats to public health and safety;
(4) provide emergency assistance through
Federal agencies;
(5) remove debris in accordance with the
terms and conditions of section 5173 of this
title;
(6) provide assistance in accordance with
section 5174 of this title;
(7) assist State and local governments in the
distribution of medicine, food, and other
consumable supplies, and emergency assistance; and
(8) provide accelerated Federal assistance
and Federal support where necessary to save
lives, prevent human suffering, or mitigate severe damage, which may be provided in the absence of a specific request and in which case
the President—

§ 5193

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(A) shall, to the fullest extent practicable,
promptly notify and coordinate with a State
in which such assistance or support is provided; and
(B) shall not, in notifying and coordinating with a State under subparagraph (A),
delay or impede the rapid deployment, use,
and distribution of critical resources to victims of an emergency.
(b) General
Whenever the Federal assistance provided
under subsection (a) with respect to an emergency is inadequate, the President may also provide assistance with respect to efforts to save
lives, protect property and public health and
safety, and lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe, including precautionary evacuations.
(c) Guidelines
The President shall promulgate and maintain
guidelines to assist Governors in requesting the
declaration of an emergency in advance of a natural or man-made disaster (including for the
purpose of seeking assistance with special needs
and other evacuation efforts) under this section
by defining the types of assistance available to
affected States and the circumstances under
which such requests are likely to be approved.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title V, § 502, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 107(a), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4706; amended Pub. L. 106–390, title II, § 206(b),
Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1570; Pub. L. 109–295, title
VI, § 681(b), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1444.)
AMENDMENTS
2006—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 109–295, § 681(b)(1)(A), inserted ‘‘, including precautionary evacuations’’ before
semicolon at end.
Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 109–295, § 681(b)(1)(B)–(D), added
par. (8).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–295, § 681(b)(2), inserted
‘‘, including precautionary evacuations’’ before period
at end.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–295, § 681(b)(3), added subsec.
(c).
2000—Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 106–390 struck out ‘‘temporary housing’’ after ‘‘provide’’.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2000 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 106–390 effective 18 months
after Oct. 30, 2000, see section 206(d) of Pub. L. 106–390,
set out as a note under section 5174 of this title.

§ 5193. Amount of assistance
(a) Federal share
The Federal share for assistance provided
under this subchapter shall be equal to not less
than 75 percent of the eligible costs.
(b) Limit on amount of assistance
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), total assistance provided under this subchapter for a
single emergency shall not exceed $5,000,000.
(2) Additional assistance
The limitation described in paragraph (1)
may be exceeded when the President determines that—
(A) continued emergency assistance is immediately required;
(B) there is a continuing and immediate
risk to lives, property, public health or safety; and

Page 5998

(C) necessary assistance will not otherwise
be provided on a timely basis.
(3) Report
Whenever the limitation described in paragraph (1) is exceeded, the President shall report to the Congress on the nature and extent
of emergency assistance requirements and
shall propose additional legislation if necessary.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title V, § 503, as added Pub. L.
100–707, title I, § 107(a), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4707.)
SUBCHAPTER IV–B—EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS
§ 5195. Declaration of policy
The purpose of this subchapter is to provide a
system of emergency preparedness for the protection of life and property in the United States
from hazards and to vest responsibility for
emergency preparedness jointly in the Federal
Government and the States and their political
subdivisions. The Congress recognizes that the
organizational structure established jointly by
the Federal Government and the States and
their political subdivisions for emergency preparedness purposes can be effectively utilized to
provide relief and assistance to people in areas
of the United States struck by a hazard. The
Federal Government shall provide necessary direction, coordination, and guidance, and shall
provide necessary assistance, as authorized in
this subchapter so that a comprehensive emergency preparedness system exists for all hazards.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title VI, § 601, as added Pub. L.
103–337, div. C, title XXXIV, § 3411(a)(3), Oct. 5,
1994, 108 Stat. 3100.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2251 of the former Appendix to Title
50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L.
103–337, § 3412(a).
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including
the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1)
of Title 6, Domestic Security.
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto,
to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and
sections 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set
out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.
MULTIHAZARD PREPAREDNESS AND MITIGATION
Pub. L. 106–74, title III, Oct. 20, 1999, 113 Stat. 1086, as
amended by Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 612(c), Oct. 4,
2006, 120 Stat. 1410, provided in part: ‘‘That beginning in
fiscal year 2000 and each fiscal year thereafter, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator of FEMA is authorized to provide assistance

Page 5999

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

from funds appropriated under this heading [EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLANNING AND ASSISTANCE], subject to terms and conditions as the Administrator of FEMA shall establish, to any State for
multi-hazard preparedness and mitigation through consolidated
emergency
management
performance
grants’’.
MULTIHAZARD RESEARCH, PLANNING, AND MITIGATION;
FUNCTIONS, ETC., OF FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Pub. L. 96–472, title III, §§ 301, 302, Oct. 19, 1980, 94
Stat. 2260, as amended by Pub. L. 97–80, title III, § 301,
Nov. 20, 1981, 95 Stat. 1083; Pub. L. 97–464, title II, § 201,
Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2533; Pub. L. 109–295, title VI,
§ 612(c), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1410, provided that:
‘‘SEC. 301. It is recognized that natural and manmade
hazards may not be independent of one another in any
given disaster, and it is also recognized that emergency
personnel are often called upon to meet emergencies
outside of their primary field of service. Furthermore,
planning for and responding to different hazards have
certain common elements. To make maximum use of
these commonalities, the Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (hereinafter referred
to as the ‘Director’) is authorized and directed to:
‘‘(1) initiate, within one year after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 19, 1980], studies with the
objective of defining and developing a multihazard research, planning, and implementation process within
the Agency;
‘‘(2) develop, within one year after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 19, 1980], in cooperation
with State and local governments, prototypical
multihazard mitigation projects which can be used to
evaluate several approaches to the varying hazard
mitigation needs of State and local governments and
to assess the applicability of these prototypes to
other jurisdictions with similar needs;
‘‘(3) investigate and evaluate, within one year after
the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 19, 1980], the
effectiveness of a range of incentives for hazard reductions that can be applied at the State and local
government levels;
‘‘(4) prepare recommendations as to the need for
legislation that will limit the legal liability of those
third party persons or groups which are called upon
to provide technical assistance and advice to public
employees, including policemen, firemen, and transportation employees, who are generally the first to
respond to a hazardous incident; which recommendations shall be provided to the appropriate committees
of Congress within one hundred and eighty days after
the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 19, 1980];
‘‘(5) prepare, within one hundred and eighty days
after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 19, 1980],
a report on the status of the Agency’s emergency information and communications systems which will
provide recommendations on—
‘‘(A) the advisability of developing a single, unified emergency information and communication
system for use by the Agency in carrying out its
emergency management activities;
‘‘(B) the potential for using communication and
remote sensing satellites as part of the Agency’s
emergency information and communication system; and
‘‘(C) the type of system to be developed, if needed,
including the relationship of the proposed system
and its needs to the existing and emerging information and communication systems in other Federal
agencies;
‘‘(6) conduct a program of multihazard research,
planning, and mitigation in coordination with those
studies and evaluations authorized in paragraphs (1)
through (5), as well as other hazard research, planning, and mitigation deemed necessary by the Director;
‘‘(7) conduct emergency first response programs so
as to better train and prepare emergency personnel to

§ 5195

meet emergencies outside of their primary field of
service; and
‘‘(8) conduct a program of planning, preparedness,
and mitigation related to the multiple direct and indirect hazards resulting from the occurrence of large
earthquakes.
‘‘SEC. 302. (a) For the fiscal year ending September 30,
1981, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Director $1,000,000 to carry out paragraphs (1) through (5)
of section 301 and such sums as may be necessary to
carry out paragraph (6) of such section.
‘‘(b) For the fiscal year ending September 30, 1982,
there are authorized to be appropriated to the Director—
‘‘(1) $4,939,000 to carry out section 301, which
amount shall include—
‘‘(A) not less than $700,000 to carry out the purposes of paragraphs (1) through (6) of such section;
‘‘(B) such sums as may be necessary, but in any
case not less than $939,000, for use by the United
States Fire Administration in carrying out paragraph (7) of such section; and
‘‘(C) not less than $3,300,000 to carry out paragraph (8) of such section with respect to those large
California earthquakes which were identified by the
National Security Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on
Assessment of Consequences and Preparations for a
Major California Earthquake; and
‘‘(2) such further sums as may be necessary for adjustments required by law in salaries, pay, retirement, and employee benefits incurred in the conduct
of activities for which funds are authorized by paragraph (1) of this subsection.
‘‘(c) For the fiscal year ending September 30, 1983,
there are authorized to be appropriated to the Director—
‘‘(1) $2,774,000 to carry out section 301, which
amount shall include—
‘‘(A) not less than $300,000 to carry out the purposes of paragraphs (1) through (6) of such section;
‘‘(B) such sums as may be necessary, but in any
case not less than $939,000, for use by the United
States Fire Administration in carrying out paragraph (7) of such section; and
‘‘(C) not less than $1,535,000 to carry out paragraph (8) of such section with respect to those large
California earthquakes which were identified by the
National Security Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on
Assessment of Consequences and Preparations for a
Major California Earthquake and with respect to
other high seismic risk areas in the United States;
and
‘‘(2) such further sums as may be necessary for adjustments required by law in salaries, pay, retirement, and employee benefits incurred in the conduct
of activities for which funds are authorized by paragraph (1) of this subsection.’’
REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 1 OF 1958
Eff. July 1, 1958, 23 F.R. 4991, 72 Stat. 1799, as amended
Pub. L. 85–763, Aug. 26, 1958, 72 Stat. 861; Pub. L.
87–296, § 1, Sept. 22, 1961, 75 Stat. 630; Pub. L. 87–367,
title I, § 103(10), Oct. 4, 1961, 75 Stat. 788; Pub. L.
88–426, title III, § 305(11), Aug. 14, 1964, 78 Stat. 423;
Pub. L. 90–608, ch. IV, § 402, Oct. 21, 1968, 82 Stat. 1194;
Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1973, § 3(a), eff. July 1, 1973, 38
F.R. 9579, 87 Stat. 1089
Prepared by the President and transmitted to the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress assembled, April 24, 1958, pursuant to the provisions of
the Reorganization Act of 1949, approved June 20,
1949, as amended [see 5 U.S.C. 901 et seq.].
CIVILIAN MOBILIZATION
SECTION 1. TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS TO THE PRESIDENT
(a) There are hereby transferred to the President of
the United States all functions vested by law (including
reorganization plan) in the following: The Office of De-

§ 5195

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

fense Mobilization, the Director of the Office of Defense
Mobilization, the Federal Civil Defense Administration, and the Federal Civil Defense Administrator.
(b) The President may from time to time delegate
any of the functions transferred to him by subsection
(a) of this section to any officer, agency, or employee
of the executive branch of the Government, and may
authorized such officer, agency, or employee to redelegate any of such functions delegated to him.
SEC. 2. OFFICE OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
[The Office of Emergency Preparedness including the
offices of Director and Deputy Director, and all offices
of Assistant Director, were abolished by Reorg. Plan
No. 1 of 1973, § 3(a)(1), eff. July 1, 1973, 38 F.R. 9579, 87
Stat. 1089, set out below.]
SEC. 3. REGIONAL DIRECTORS
[All offices of Regional Director of the Office of
Emergency Preparedness were abolished by Reorg. Plan
No. 1 of 1973, § 3(a)(1), eff. July 1, 1973, 38 F.R. 9579, 87
Stat. 1089, set out below.]
SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP ON NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
[The functions of the Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness as a member of the National Security Council were abolished by Reorg. Plan No. 1 of
1973, § 3(a)(2), eff. July 1, 1973, 38 F.R. 9579, 87 Stat. 1089,
set out below.]
SEC. 5. CIVIL DEFENSE ADVISORY COUNCIL
[The Civil Defense Advisory Council, together with
its functions, was abolished by Reorg. Plan No. 1 of
1973, § 3(a)(3), eff. July 1, 1973, 38 F.R. 9579, 87 Stat. 1089,
set out below.]
SEC. 6. ABOLITIONS
The offices of Federal Civil Defense Administrator
and Deputy Administrator provided for in section 101 of
the Federal Civil Defense Act ([former] 50 U.S.C. App.
2271) and the offices of the Director of the Office of Defense Mobilization and Deputy Director of the Office of
Defense Mobilization provided for in section 1 of Reorganization Plan Numbered 3 of 1953 (67 Stat. 634) are
hereby abolished. The Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness shall make such provisions as may
be necessary in order to wind up any outstanding affairs of the offices abolished by this section which are
not otherwise provided for in this reorganization plan.
[As amended Pub. L. 90–608, ch. IV, § 402, Oct. 21, 1968,
82 Stat. 1194.]
SEC. 7. RECORDS, PROPERTY, PERSONNEL, AND FUNDS
(a) The records, property, personnel, and unexpended
balances, available or to be made available, of appropriations, allocations, and other funds of the Office of
Defense Mobilization and of the Federal Civil Defense
Administration shall, upon the taking effect of the provisions of this reorganization plan, become records,
property, personnel, and unexpended balances of the Office of Emergency Preparedness.
(b) Records, property, personnel, and unexpended balances, available or to be made available, of appropriations, allocations, and other funds of any agency (including the Office of Emergency Preparedness), relating to functions vested in or delegated or assigned to
the Office of Defense Mobilization or the Federal Civil
Defense Administration immediately prior to the taking effect of the provisions of this reorganization plan,
may be transferred from time to time to any other
agency of the Government by the Director of the Bureau of the Budget under authority of this subsection
for use, subject to the provisions of the Reorganization
Act of 1949, as amended, in connection with any of the
said functions authorized at time of transfer under this
subsection to be performed by the transferee agency.
(c) Such further measures and dispositions as the Director of the Bureau of the Budget shall determine to

Page 6000

be necessary in connection with the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall be carried out
in such manner as he shall direct and by such agencies
as he shall designate. [As amended Pub. L. 90–608, ch.
IV, § 402, Oct. 21, 1968, 82 Stat. 1194.]
SEC. 8. INTERIM PROVISIONS
The President may authorize any person who immediately prior to the effective date of this reorganization
plan holds an office abolished by section 6 hereof to
hold any office established by section 2 of this reorganization plan until the latter office is filled pursuant to
the said section 2 or by recess appointment, as the case
may be, but in no event for any period extending more
than 120 days after the said effective date.
SEC. 9. EFFECTIVE DATE
The provisions of this reorganization plan shall take
effect at the time determined under the provisions of
section 6(a) of the Reorganization Act of 1949, as
amended, or on July 1, 1958, whichever is later.
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT
To the Congress of the United States:
I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 1 of
1958, prepared in accordance with the Reorganization
Act of 1949, as amended. The reorganization plan provides new arrangements for the conduct of Federal defense mobilization and civil defense functions.
In formulating Reorganization Plan No. 1, I have had
the benefit of several studies made by the executive
branch as well as those conducted by the Congress. The
reorganization plan will overcome the major difficulties revealed by those studies and mentioned in my 1959
budget message where I made the following statement:
The structure of Federal organization for the planning, coordination, and conduct of our nonmilitary defense programs has been reviewed, and I have concluded
that the existing statues assigning responsibilities for
the central coordination and direction of these programs are out of date. The rapid technical advances of
military science have led to a serious overlap among
agencies carrying on these leadership and planning
functions. Because the situation will continue to
change and because these functions transcend the responsibility of any single department or agency, I have
concluded that they should be vested in no one short of
the President. I will make recommendations to the
Congress on this subject.
The principal effects of the organization plan are—
First, it transfers to the President the functions vested by law in the Federal Civil Defense Administration
and those so vested in the Office of Defense Mobilization. The result is to establish a single pattern with respect to the vesting of defense mobilization and civil
defense functions. At the present time disparity exists
in that civil defense functions are vested in the President only to a limited degree while a major part of the
functions administered by the Office of Defense Mobilization are vested by law in the President and delegated
by him to that Office. Under the plan, the broad program responsibilities for coordinating and conducting
the interrelated defense mobilization and civil defense
functions will be vested in the President for appropriate delegation as the rapidly changing character of
the nonmilitary preparedness program warrants.
Second, the reorganization plan consolidates the Office of Defense Mobilization and the Federal Civil Defense Administration to form a new Office of Defense
and Civilian Mobilization in the Executive Office of the
President. I have concluded that, in many instances,
the interests and activities of the Office of Defense Mobilization and the Federal Civil Defense Administration
overlap to such a degree that it is not possible to work
out a satisfactory division of those activities and interests between the two agencies. I have also concluded
that a single civilian mobilization agency of appropriate stature and authority is needed and that such an
agency will ensue from the consolidation and from the

Page 6001

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

§ 5195

granting of suitable authority to that agency for directing and coordinating the preparedness activities of
the Federal departments and agencies and for providing
unified guidance and assistance to the State and local
governments.
Third, the reorganization plan transfers the membership of the Director of the Office of Defense Mobilization on the National Security Council to the Director
of the Office of Defense and Civilian Mobilization and
also transfers the Civil Defense Advisory Council to the
Office of Defense and Civilian Mobilization.
Initially, the Office of Defense and Civilian Mobilization will perform the civil defense and defense mobilization functions now performed by the Office of Defense
Mobilization and the Federal Civil Defense Administration. One of its first tasks will be to advise me with respect to the actions to be taken to clarify and expand
the roles of the Federal departments and agencies in
carrying out nonmilitary defense preparedness functions. After such actions are taken, the direction and
coordination of the civil defense and defense mobilization activities assigned to the departments and agencies will comprise a principal remaining responsibility
of the Office of Defense and Civilian Mobilization.
After investigation, I have found and hereby declare
that each reorganization included in Reorganization
Plan No. 1 of 1958 is necessary to accomplish one or
more of the purposes set forth in section 2(a) of the Reorganization Act of 1949, as amended.
I have also found and hereby declare that it is necessary to include in the accompanying reorganization
plan, by reason of reorganizations made thereby, provisions for the appointment and compensation of new officers specified in sections 2 and 3 of the plan. The rates
of compensation fixed for these officers are, respectively those which I have found to prevail in respect of
comparable officers in the executive branch of the Government.
The taking effect of the reorganizations included in
Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1958 will immediately reduce the number of Federal agencies by one and, by
providing sounder organizational arrangements for the
administration of the affected functions, should promote the increased economy and effectiveness of the
Federal expenditures concerned. It is, however, impracticable to itemize at this time the reduction of expenditures which it is probable will be brought about by such
taking effect.
I urge that the Congress allow the reorganization
plan to become effective.
DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER.
THE WHITE HOUSE, April 24, 1958.

(1) The Office of Emergency Preparedness including
the offices of Director, Deputy Director, and all offices
of Assistant Director, and Regional Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness provided for by sections 2 and 3 of Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1958 (5
U.S.C., App.).
(2) The functions of the Director of the Office of
Emergency Preparedness with respect to being a member of the National Security Council.
(3) The Civil Defense Advisory Council, created by
section 102(a) of the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950
([former] 50 U.S.C. App. 2272(a)), together with its functions.
(4) The National Aeronautics and Space Council, created by section 201 of the National Aeronautics and
Space Act of 1958 (42 U.S.C. 2471), including the office of
Executive Secretary of the Council, together with its
functions.
(5) The Office of Science and Technology, including
the offices of Director and Deputy Director, provided
for by sections 1 and 2 of Reorganization Plan No. 2 of
1962 (5 U.S.C., App.).
(b) The Director of the Office of Management and
Budget shall make such provisions as he shall deem
necessary respecting the winding up of any outstanding
affairs of the agencies abolished by the provisions of
this section.

REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 1 OF 1973

To the Congress of the United States:
On January 5 I announced a three-part program to
streamline the executive branch of the Federal Government. By concentrating less responsibility in the President’s immediate staff and more in the hands of the departments and agencies, this program should significantly improve the services of the Government. I believe these reforms have become so urgently necessary
that I intend, with the cooperation of the Congress, to
pursue them with all of the resources of my office during the coming year.
The first part of this program is a renewed drive to
achieve passage of my legislative proposals to overhaul
the Cabinet departments. Secondly, I have appointed
three Cabinet Secretaries as Counsellors to the President with coordinating responsibilities in the broad
areas of human resources, natural resources, and community development, and five Assistants to the President with special responsibilities in the areas of domestic affairs, economic affairs, foreign affairs, executive
management, and operations of the White House.
The third part of this program is a sharp reduction in
the overall size of the Executive Office of the President
and a reorientation of that office back to its original
mission as a staff for top-level policy formation and
monitoring of policy execution in broad functional
areas. The Executive Office of the President should no

Eff. July 1, 1973, 38 F.R. 9579, 87 Stat. 1089, as amended
May 11, 1976, Pub. L. 94–282, title V, § 502, 90 Stat. 472
Prepared by the President and transmitted to the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress assembled, January 26, 1973, pursuant to the provisions
of Chapter 9 of Title 5 of the United States Code.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
SECTION 1. TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS TO THE PRESIDENT
Except as provided in section 3(a)(2) of this reorganization plan, there are hereby transferred to the President of the United States all functions vested by law in
the Office of Emergency Preparedness or the Director
of the Office of Emergency Preparedness after the effective date of Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1958.
SEC. 2. [Repealed. Pub. L. 94–282, title V, § 502, May 11,
1976, 90 Stat. 472. Section transferred to the Director of
the National Science Foundation all functions vested
by law in the Office of Science and Technology or the
Director or Deputy Director of the Office of Science
and Technology.]
SEC. 3. ABOLITIONS
(a) The following are hereby abolished:

SEC. 4. INCIDENTAL TRANSFERS
(a) So much of the personnel, property, records, and
unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations, and
other funds employed, used, held, available, or to be
made available in connection with the functions transferred by sections 1 and 2 of this reorganization plan as
the Director of the Office of Management and Budget
shall determine shall be transferred at such time or
times as he shall direct for use in connection with the
functions transferred.
(b) Such further measures and dispositions as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall
deem to be necessary in order to effectuate the transfers referred to in subsection (a) of this section shall be
carried out in such manner as he shall direct and by
such agencies as he shall designate.
SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE
The provisions of this reorganization plan shall take
effect as provided by section 906(a) of title 5 of the
United States Code, or on July 1, 1973, whichever is
later.
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT

§ 5195

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

longer be encumbered with the task of managing or administering programs which can be run more effectively by the departments and agencies. I have therefore concluded that a number of specialized operational
and program functions should be shifted out of the Executive Office into the line departments and agencies of
the Government. Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1973,
transmitted herewith, would effect such changes with
respect to emergency preparedness functions and scientific and technological affairs.
STREAMLINING THE FEDERAL SCIENCE
ESTABLISHMENT
When the National Science Foundation was established by an act of the Congress in 1950, its statutory
responsibilities included evaluation of the Government’s scientific research programs and development of
basic science policy. In the late 1950’s, however, with
the effectiveness of the U.S. science effort under serious scrutiny as a result of sputnik, the post of Science
Advisor to the President was established. The White
House became increasingly involved in the evaluation
and coordination of research and development programs and in science policy matters, and that involvement was institutionalized in 1962 when a reorganization plan established the Office of Science and Technology within the Executive Office of the President,
through transfer of authorities formerly vested in the
National Science Foundation.
With advice and assistance from OST during the past
decade; the scientific and technological capability of
the Government has been markedly strengthened. This
administration is firmly committed to a sustained,
broadbased national effort in science and technology,
as I made plain last year in the first special message on
the subject ever sent by a President to the Congress.
The research and development capability of the various
executive departments and agencies, civilian as well as
defense, has been upgraded. The National Science
Foundation has broadened from its earlier concentration on basic research support to take on a significant
role in applied research as well. It has matured in its
ability to play a coordinating and evaluative role within the Government and between the public and private
sectors.
I have therefore concluded that it is timely and appropriate to transfer to the Director of the National
Science Foundation all functions presently vested in
the Office of Science and Technology, and to abolish
that office. Reorganization Plan No. 1 would effect
these changes.
The multi-disciplinary staff resources of the Foundation will provide analytic capabilities for performance
of the transferred functions. In addition, the Director
of the Foundation will be able to draw on expertise
from all of the Federal agencies, as well as from outside the Government, for assistance in carrying out his
new responsibilities.
It is also my intention, after the transfer of responsibilities is effected, to ask Dr. H. Guyford Stever, the
current Director of the Foundation, to take on the additional post of Science Adviser. In this capacity, he
would advise and assist the White House, Office of Management and Budget, Domestic Council, and other entities within the Executive Office of the President on
matters where scientific and technological expertise is
called for, and would act as the President’s representative in selected cooperative programs in international
scientific affairs, including chairing such joint bodies
as the U.S.—U.S.S.R. Joint Commission on Scientific
and Technical Cooperation.
In the case of national security, the Department of
Defense has strong capabilities for assessing weapons
needs and for undertaking new weapons development,
and the President will continue to draw primarily on
this source for advice regarding military technology.
The President in special situations also may seek independent studies or assessments concerning military
technology from within or outside the Federal establishment, using the machinery of the National Security

Page 6002

Council for this purpose, as well as the Science Adviser
when appropriate.
In one special area of technology—space and aeronautics—a coordinating council has existed within the
Executive Office of the President since 1958. This body,
the National Aeronautics and Space Council, met a
major need during the evolution of our nation’s space
program. Vice President Agnew has served with distinction as its chairman for the past four years. At my
request, beginning in 1969, the Vice President also
chaired a special Space Task Group charged with developing strategy alternatives for a balanced U.S. space
program in the coming years.
As a result of this work, basic policy issues in the
United States space effort have been resolved, and the
necessary interagency relationships have been established. I have therefore concluded, with the Vice President’s concurrence, that the Council can be discontinued. Needed policy coordination can now be achieved
through the resources of the executive departments and
agencies, such as the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, augmented by some of the former
Council staff. Accordingly, my reorganization plan proposes the abolition of the National Aeronautics and
Space Council.
A NEW APPROACH TO EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS
The organization within the Executive Office of the
President which has been known in recent years as the
Office of Emergency Preparedness dates back, through
its numerous predecessor agencies, more than 20 years.
It has performed valuable functions in developing plans
for emergency preparedness, in administering Federal
disaster relief, and in overseeing and assisting the
agencies in this area.
OEP’s work as a coordinating and supervisory authority in this field has in fact been so effective—particularly under the leadership of General George A.
Lincoln, its director for the past four years, who retired earlier this month after an exceptional military
and public service career—that the line departments
and agencies which in the past have shared in the performance of the various preparedness functions now
possess the capability to assume full responsibility for
those functions. In the interest of efficiency and economy, we can now further streamline the Executive Office of the President by formally relocating those responsibilities and closing the Office of Emergency Preparedness.
I propose to accomplish this reform in two steps.
First, Reorganization Plan No. 1 would transfer to the
President all functions previously vested by law in the
Office or its Director, except the Director’s role as a
member of the National Security Council, which would
be abolished; and it would abolish the Office of Emergency Preparedness.
The functions to be transferred to the President from
OEP are largely incidental to emergency authorities
already vested in him. They include functions under
the Disaster Relief Act of 1970 [42 U.S.C. 4401 et seq.];
the function of determining whether a major disaster
has occurred within the meaning of (1) Section 7 of the
Act of September 30, 1950, as amended, 20 U.S.C. 241–1,
or (2) Section 762(a) of the Higher Education Act of
1965, as added by Section 161(a) of the Education
Amendments of 1972, Public Law 92–318, 86 Stat. 288 at
299 (relating to the furnishing by the Commissioner of
Education of disaster relief assistance for educational
purposes) [20 U.S.C. 1132d–1]; and functions under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended
(19 U.S.C. 1862), with respect to the conduct of investigations to determine the effects on national security
of the importation of certain articles.
The Civil Defense Advisory Council within OEP
would also be abolished by this plan, as changes in domestic and international conditions since its establishment in 1950 have now obviated the need for a standing
council of this type. Should advice of the kind the
Council has provided be required again in the future,

Page 6003

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

State and local officials and experts in the field can be
consulted on an ad hoc basis.
Second, as soon as the plan became effective, I would
delegate OEP’s former functions as follows:
All OEP responsibilities having to do with preparedness for and relief of civil emergencies and disasters would be transferred to the Department of
Housing and Urban Development. This would provide
greater field capabilities for coordination of Federal
disaster assistance with that provided by States and
local communities, and would be in keeping with the
objective of creating a broad, new Department of
Community Development.
OEP’s responsibilities for measures to ensure the
continuity of civil government operations in the
event of major military attack would be reassigned
to the General Services Administration, as would responsibility for resource mobilization including the
management of national security stockpiles, with
policy guidance in both cases to be provided by the
National Security Council, and with economic considerations relating to changes in stockpile levels to
be coordinated by the Council on Economic Policy.
Investigations of imports which might threaten the
national security—assigned to OEP by Section 232 of
the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 [19 U.S.C. 1862]—
would be reassigned to the Treasury Department,
whose other trade studies give it a readymade capability in this field; the National Security Council
would maintain its supervisory role over strategic
imports.
Those disaster relief authorities which have been reserved to the President in the past, such as the authority to declare major disasters, will continue to be exercised by him under these new arrangements. In emergency situations calling for rapid interagency coordination, the Federal response will be coordinated by the
Executive Office of the President under the general supervision of the Assistant to the President in charge of
executive management.
The Oil Policy Committee will continue to function
as in the past, unaffected by this reorganization, except
that I will designate the Deputy Secretary of the
Treasury as chairman in place of the Director of OEP.
The committee will operate under the general supervision of the Assistant to the President in charge of
economic affairs.
DECLARATIONS
After investigation, I have found that each action included in the accompanying plan is necessary to accomplish one or more of the purposes set forth in Section 901(a) of title 5 of the United States Code. In particular, the plan is responsive to the intention of the
Congress as expressed in Section 901(a)(1), ‘‘to promote
better execution of the laws, more effective management of the executive branch and of its agencies and
functions, and expeditious administration of the public
business;’’ and in Section 901(a)(3), ‘‘to increase the efficiency of the operations of the Government to the
fullest extent practicable;’’ and in Section 901(a)(5), ‘‘to
reduce the number of agencies by consolidating those
having similar functions under a single head, and to
abolish such agencies or functions as may not be necessary for the efficient conduct of the Government.’’
While it is not practicable to specify all of the expenditure reductions and other economies which will
result from the actions proposed, personnel and budget
savings from abolition of the National Aeronautics and
Space Council and the Office of Science and Technology
alone will exceed $2 million annually, and additional
savings should result from a reduction of Executive
Pay Schedule positions now associated with other
transferred and delegated functions.
The plan has as its one logically consistent subject
matter the streamlining of the Executive Office of the
President and the disposition of major responsibilities
currently conducted in the Executive Office of the
President, which can better be performed elsewhere or
abolished.

§ 5195

The functions which would be abolished by this plan,
and the statutory authorities for each, are:
(1) the functions of the Director of the Office of
Emergency Preparedness with respect to being a
member of the National Security Council (Sec. 101,
National Security Act of 1947, as amended, 50 U.S.C.
402 [now 50 U.S.C. 3021]; and Sec. 4, Reorganization
Plan No. 1 of 1958);
(2) the functions of the Civil Defense Advisory
Council (Sec. 102(a) Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950;
[former] 50 U.S.C. App. 2272(a)); and
(3) the functions of the National Aeronautics and
Space Council (Sec. 201, National Aeronautics and
Space Act of 1958; 42 U.S.C. 2471).
The proposed reorganization is a necessary part of
the restructuring of the Executive Office of the President. It would provide through the Director of the National Science Foundation a strong focus for Federal
efforts to encourage the development and application
of science and technology to meet national needs. It
would mean better preparedness for and swifter response to civil emergencies, and more reliable precautions against threats to the national security. The
leaner and less diffuse Presidential staff structure
which would result would enhance the President’s ability to do his job and would advance the interests of the
Congress as well.
I am confident that this reorganization plan would
significantly increase the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal Government. I urge the Congress to allow it to become effective.
RICHARD NIXON.
THE WHITE HOUSE, January 26, 1973.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 10186
Ex. Ord. No. 10186, Dec. 1, 1950, 15 F.R. 8557, established the Federal Civil Defense Administration in the
Office for Emergency Management of the Executive Office of the President, provided for the appointment of
an Administrator and a Deputy Administrator, and delineated the purposes, functions, and authority of the
Administration and the Administrator.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 10222
Ex. Ord. No. 10222, Mar. 8, 1951, 16 F.R. 2247, which
transferred to Federal Civil Defense Administration
functions of Health Resources Office of National Security Resources Board, was revoked by section 904(a)(2)
of Ex. Ord. No. 12919, June 3, 1994, 59 F.R. 29533, formerly set out as a note under section 2153 of the Appendix to Title 50, War and National Defense.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 10346
Ex. Ord. No. 10346, Apr. 17, 1952, 17 F.R. 3477, as
amended by Ex. Ord. No. 10438, Mar. 13, 1953, 18 F.R.
1491; Ex. Ord. No. 10773, July 1, 1958, 23 F.R. 5061; Ex.
Ord. No. 10782, Sept. 6, 1958, 23 F.R. 6971; Ex. Ord. No.
11051, Sept. 27, 1962, 27 F.R. 9683, which related to the
preparation by Federal agencies of civil defense emergency plans, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 11490, Oct. 28,
1969, 34 F.R. 17567, see below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 10529
Ex. Ord. No. 10529, Apr. 22, 1954, 19 F.R. 2397, as
amended by Ex. Ord. No. 10773, July 1, 1958, 23 F.R. 5061;
Ex. Ord. No. 10782, Sept. 6, 1958, 23 F.R. 6971; Ex. Ord.
No. 11051, Sept. 27, 1962, 27 F.R. 9683, which related to
Federal employee participation in State and local civil
defense programs, was revoked by section 5–104 of Ex.
Ord. No. 12148, July 20, 1979, 44 F.R. 43243, set out below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 10611
Ex. Ord. No. 10611, May 11, 1955, 20 F.R. 3245, which related to establishment of the Civil Defense Coordinating Board, was revoked by section 7(7) of Ex. Ord.
No. 10773.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 10773
Ex. Ord. No. 10773, July 1, 1958, 23 F.R. 5061, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 10782, Sept. 6, 1958, 23 F.R. 6971,

§ 5195

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

which related to the delegation and transfer of functions to the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization,
was superseded by Ex. Ord. No. 11051, Sept. 27, 1962, 27
F.R. 9683, see below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 10902
Ex. Ord. No. 10902, Jan. 9, 1961, 26 F.R. 217, which related to the issuance of emergency preparedness orders,
was superseded by Ex. Ord. No. 11051, Sept. 27, 1962, 27
F.R. 9683, see below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 10952
Ex. Ord. No. 10952, July 20, 1961, 26 F.R. 6577, as
amended by Ex. Ord. No. 11051, Sept. 27, 1962, 27 F.R.
9683, which related to the assignment of civil defense
responsibilities, was revoked by section 5–108 of Ex.
Ord. No. 12148, July 20, 1979, 44 F.R. 43243, set out below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 10958
Ex. Ord. No. 10958, Aug. 14, 1961, 26 F.R. 7571, as
amended by Ex. Ord. No. 11051, Sept. 27, 1962, 27 F.R.
9683, which provided for the delegation of functions respecting stockpiles of medical supplies and equipment
and food, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 11794, July 11,
1974, 39 F.R. 25937.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 10997
Ex. Ord. No. 10997, Feb. 16, 1962, 27 F.R. 1522, which related to assignment of emergency preparedness functions to Secretary of the Interior, was revoked by Ex.
Ord. No. 11490, Oct. 28, 1969, 34 F.R. 17567, see below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 10998
Ex. Ord. No. 10998, Feb. 16, 1962, 27 F.R. 1524, which related to assignment of emergency preparedness functions to Secretary of Agriculture, was revoked by Ex.
Ord. No. 11490, Oct. 28, 1969, 34 F.R. 17567, see below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 10999
Ex. Ord. No. 10999, Feb. 16, 1962, 27 F.R. 1527, which related to assignment of emergency preparedness functions to Secretary of Commerce, was revoked by Ex.
Ord. No. 11490, Oct. 28, 1969, 34 F.R. 17567, see below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11000
Ex. Ord. No. 11000, Feb. 16, 1962, 27 F.R. 1532, which related to assignment of emergency preparedness functions to Secretary of Labor, was revoked by Ex. Ord.
No. 11490, Oct. 28, 1969, 34 F.R. 17567, see below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11001
Ex. Ord. No. 11001, Feb. 16, 1962, 27 F.R. 1534, which related to assignment of emergency preparedness functions to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare,
was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 11490, Oct. 28, 1969, 34 F.R.
17567, see below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11002
Ex. Ord. No. 11002, Feb. 16, 1962, 27 F.R. 1539, which related to assignment of emergency preparedness functions to Postmaster General, was revoked by Ex. Ord.
No. 11490, Oct. 28, 1969, 34 F.R. 17567, see below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11003
Ex. Ord. No. 11003, Feb. 16, 1962, 27 F.R. 1540, which related to assignment of emergency preparedness functions to Administrator of Federal Aviation Agency,
was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 11490, Oct. 28, 1969, 34 F.R.
17567, see below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11004
Ex. Ord. No. 11004, Feb. 16, 1962, 27 F.R. 1542, which related to assignment of emergency preparedness functions to Housing and Home Finance Administrator, was
revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 11490, Oct. 28, 1969, 34 F.R.
17567, see below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11005
Ex. Ord. No. 11005, Feb. 16, 1962, 27 F.R. 1544, which related to assignment of emergency preparedness func-

Page 6004

tions to Interstate Commerce Commission, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 11490, Oct. 28, 1969, 34 F.R. 17567,
see below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11051
Ex. Ord. No. 11051, Sept. 27, 1962, 27 F.R. 9683, as
amended by Ex. Ord. No. 11075, Jan. 15, 1963, 28 F.R. 473;
Ex. Ord. No. 11556, Sept. 4, 1970, 35 F.R. 14193; Ex. Ord.
No. 11725, June 27, 1973, 38 F.R. 17175; Ex. Ord. No. 12046,
Mar. 27, 1978, 43 F.R. 13349, which related to responsibility of the Office of Emergency Preparedness, was revoked by section 5–109 of Ex. Ord. No. 12148, July 20,
1979, 44 F.R. 43243, set out below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11087
Ex. Ord. No. 11087, Feb. 26, 1963, 28 F.R. 1835, which related to assignment of emergency preparedness functions to Secretary of State, was revoked by Ex. Ord.
No. 11490, Oct. 28, 1969, 34 F.R. 17567, see below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11088
Ex. Ord. No. 11088, Feb. 26, 1963, 28 F.R. 1837, which related to assignment of emergency preparedness functions to Secretary of the Treasury, was revoked by Ex.
Ord. No. 11490, Oct. 28, 1969, 34 F.R. 17567, see below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11089
Ex. Ord. No. 11089, Feb. 26, 1963, 28 F.R. 1839, which related to assignment of emergency preparedness functions to Atomic Energy Commission, was revoked by
Ex. Ord. No. 11490, Oct. 28, 1969, 34 F.R. 17567, see below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11090
Ex. Ord. No. 11090, Feb. 26, 1963, 28 F.R. 1841, which related to assignment of emergency preparedness functions to Civil Aeronautics Board, was revoked by Ex.
Ord. No. 11490, Oct. 28, 1969, 34 F.R. 17567, see below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11091
Ex. Ord. No. 11091, Feb. 26, 1963, 28 F.R. 1843, which related to assignment of emergency preparedness functions to Civil Service Commission, was revoked by Ex.
Ord. No. 11490, Oct. 28, 1969, 34 F.R. 17567, see below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11092
Ex. Ord. No. 11092, Feb. 26, 1963, 28 F.R. 1847, which related to assignment of emergency preparedness functions to Federal Communications Commission, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 11490, Oct. 28, 1969, 34 F.R. 17567,
see below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11093
Ex. Ord. No. 11093, Feb. 26, 1963, 28 F.R. 1851, which related to assignment of emergency preparedness functions to Administrator of General Services, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 11490, Oct. 28, 1969, 34 F.R. 17567,
see below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11094
Ex. Ord. No. 11094, Feb. 26, 1963, 28 F.R. 1855, which related to assignment of emergency preparedness functions to Board of Governors of Federal Reserve System,
Federal Home Loan Bank Board, Farm Credit Administration, Export-Import Bank of Washington, Board of
Directors of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
Securities and Exchange Commission, Administrator of
Small Business Administration, and Administrator of
Veterans Affairs, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 11490,
Oct. 28, 1969, 34 F.R. 17567, see below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11095
Ex. Ord. No. 11095, Feb. 26, 1963, 28 F.R. 1859, which related to assignment of emergency preparedness functions to Board of Directors of Tennessee Valley Authority, Railroad Retirement Board, Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Federal
Power Commission, and Director of National Science

Page 6005

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

Foundation, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 11490, Oct. 28,
1969, 34 F.R. 17567, see below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11426
Ex. Ord. No. 11426, Aug. 31, 1968, 33 F.R. 12615, which
provided for Federal-State liaison and cooperation, was
superseded by Ex. Ord. No. 11455, Feb. 14, 1969, 34 F.R.
2299.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11490
Ex. Ord. No. 11490, Oct. 28, 1969, 34 F.R. 17567, as
amended by Ex. Ord. No. 11522, Apr. 6, 1970, 35 F.R. 5659;
Ex. Ord. No. 11556, Sept. 4, 1970, 35 F.R. 14193; Ex. Ord.
No. 11746, Nov. 7, 1973, 38 F.R. 30991; Ex. Ord. No. 11921,
June 11, 1976, 41 F.R. 24294; Ex. Ord. No. 11953, Jan. 7,
1977, 42 F.R. 2492; Ex. Ord. No. 12038, Feb. 3, 1978, 43 F.R.
4957; Ex. Ord. No. 12046, Mar. 27, 1978, 43 F.R. 13349; Ex.
Ord. No. 12107, Dec. 28, 1978, 44 F.R. 1055; Ex. Ord. No.
12148, July 20, 1979, 44 F.R. 43239; Ex. Ord. No. 12608,
Sept. 9, 1987, 52 F.R. 34617, which related to assignment
of emergency preparedness functions to Federal agencies and departments, was revoked by section 2901 of
Ex. Ord. No. 12656, Nov. 18, 1988, 53 F.R. 47491, set out
below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11522
Ex. Ord. No. 11522, Apr. 6, 1970, 35 F.R. 5659, which related to the assignment of emergency preparedness
functions to the United States Information Agency,
was superseded by Ex. Ord. No. 11921, June 11, 1976, 41
F.R. 24294.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11725
Ex. Ord. No. 11725, June 27, 1973, 38 F.R. 17175, as
amended by Ex. Ord. No. 11749, Dec. 10, 1973, 38 F.R.
34177; Ex. Ord. No. 12046, Mar. 27, 1978, 43 F.R. 13349,
which related to transfer of certain functions of the Office of Emergency Preparedness, was revoked by section 5–112 of Ex. Ord. No. 12148, July 20, 1979, 44 F.R.
43243, set out below.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 11746
Ex. Ord. No. 11746, Nov. 7, 1973, 38 F.R. 30991, which related to the assignment of emergency preparedness
functions to the Department of the Treasury, was superseded by Ex. Ord. No. 11921, June 11, 1976, 41 F.R.
24294.
EX. ORD. NO. 12148. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Ex. Ord. No. 12148, July 20, 1979, 44 F.R. 43239, as
amended by Ex. Ord. No. 12155, Sept. 10, 1979, 44 F.R.
53071; Ex. Ord. No. 12156, Sept. 10, 1979, 44 F.R. 53073; Ex.
Ord. No. 12381, Sept. 8, 1982, 47 F.R. 39795; Ex. Ord. No.
12673, Mar. 23, 1989, 54 F.R. 12571; Ex. Ord. No. 12919,
§ 904(a)(8), June 3, 1994, 59 F.R. 29533; Ex. Ord. No. 13286,
§ 52, Feb. 28, 2003, 68 F.R. 10628, provided:
By the authority vested in me as President by the
Constitution and laws of the United States of America,
including the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950, as
amended ([former] 50 U.S.C. App. 2251 et seq.), the Disaster Relief Act of 1970, as amended (42 U.S.C. Chapter
58 note), the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 (88 Stat. 143; 42
U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), the Earthquake Hazards Reduction
Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.), Section 4 of Public
Law 92–385 (86 Stat. 556), Section 43 of the Act of August 10, 1956, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2285) [now 6
U.S.C. 765], the National Security Act of 1947, as
amended [see Tables for classification], the Defense
Production Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2061
et seq.) [now 50 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.], Reorganization
Plan No. 1 of 1958 [set out above], Reorganization Plan
No. 1 of 1973 [set out above], the Strategic and Critical
Materials Stock Piling Act, as amended (50 U.S.C. 98 et
seq.), Section 202 of the Budget and Accounting Procedures Act of 1950 (31 U.S.C. 581c) [31 U.S.C. 1531], and
Section 301 of Title 3 of the United States Code, and in
order to transfer emergency functions to the Department of Homeland Security, it is hereby ordered as follows:

§ 5195

SECTION 1. TRANSFERS OR REASSIGNMENTS
1–1. Transfer or Reassignment of Existing Functions.
1–101. All functions vested in the President that have
been delegated or assigned to the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency, Department of Defense, are transferred or reassigned to the Secretary of Homeland Security.
1–102. All functions vested in the President that have
been delegated or assigned to the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration, Department of Housing and
Urban Development, are transferred or reassigned to
the Secretary of Homeland Security, including any of
those functions redelegated or reassigned to the Department of Commerce with respect to assistance to
communities in the development of readiness plans for
severe weather-related emergencies.
1–103. All functions vested in the President that have
been delegated or assigned to the Federal Preparedness
Agency, General Services Administration, are transferred or reassigned to the Secretary of Homeland Security.
1–104. All functions vested in the President by the
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C.
7701 et seq.), including those functions performed by
the Office of Science and Technology Policy, are delegated, transferred, or reassigned to the Secretary of
Homeland Security.
1–2. Transfer or Reassignment of Resources.
1–201. The records, property, personnel and positions,
and unexpended balances of appropriations, available
or to be made available, which relate to the functions
transferred, reassigned, or redelegated by this Order
are hereby transferred to the Secretary of Homeland
Security.
1–202. The Director of the Office of Management and
Budget shall make such determinations, issue such orders, and take all actions necessary or appropriate to
effectuate the transfers or reassignments provided by
this Order, including the transfer of funds, records,
property, and personnel.
SEC. 2. MANAGEMENT OF EMERGENCY PLANNING AND
ASSISTANCE
2–1. General.
2–101. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish Federal policies for, and coordinate, all civil defense and civil emergency planning, management, mitigation, and assistance functions of Executive agencies.
2–102. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall periodically review and evaluate the civil defense and civil
emergency functions of the Executive agencies. In
order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of
those functions, the Secretary of Homeland Security
shall recommend to the President alternative methods
of providing Federal planning, management, mitigation, and assistance.
2–103. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall be
responsible for the coordination of efforts to promote
dam safety, for the coordination of natural and nuclear
disaster warning systems, and for the coordination of
preparedness and planning to reduce the consequences
of major terrorist incidents.
2–104. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall represent the President in working with State and local
governments and private sector to stimulate vigorous
participation in civil emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery programs.
2–105. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide an annual report to the President for subsequent
transmittal to the Congress on the functions of the Department of Homeland Security. The report shall assess
the current overall state of effectiveness of Federal
civil defense and civil emergency functions, organizations, resources, and systems and recommend measures
to be taken to improve planning, management, assistance, and relief by all levels of government, the private
sector, and volunteer organizations.
2–2. Implementation.
2–201. In executing the functions under this Order, the
Secretary of Homeland Security shall develop policies

§ 5195

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

which provide that all civil defense and civil emergency
functions, resources, and systems of Executive agencies
are:
(a) founded on the use of existing organizations, resources, and systems to the maximum extent practicable;
(b) integrated effectively with organizations, resources, and programs of State and local governments,
the private sector and volunteer organizations; and
(c) developed, tested and utilized to prepare for, mitigate, respond to and recover from the effects on the
population of all forms of emergencies.
2–202. Assignments of civil emergency functions shall,
whenever possible, be based on extensions (under emergency conditions) of the regular missions of the Executive agencies.
2–203. For purposes of this Order, ‘‘civil emergency’’
means any accidental, natural, man-caused, or wartime
emergency or threat thereof, which causes or may
cause substantial injury or harm to the population or
substantial damage to or loss of property.
2–204. In order that civil defense planning continues
to be fully compatible with the Nation’s overall strategic policy, and in order to maintain an effective link
between strategic nuclear planning and nuclear attack
preparedness planning, the development of civil defense
policies and programs by the Secretary of Homeland
Security shall be subject to oversight by the Secretary
of Defense and the National Security Council.
2–205. To the extent authorized by law and within
available resources, the Secretary of Defense shall provide the Secretary of Homeland Security with support
for civil defense programs in the areas of program development and administration, technical support, research, communications, transportation, intelligence,
and emergency operations.
2–206. All Executive agencies shall cooperate with and
assist the Secretary of Homeland Security in the performance of his functions.
2–3. Transition Provisions.
2–301. The functions which have been transferred, reassigned, or redelegated by Section 1 of this Order are
recodified and revised as set forth in this Order at Section 4, and as provided by the amendments made at
Section 5 to the provisions of other Orders.
2–302. Notwithstanding the revocations, revisions,
codifications, and amendments made by this Order, the
Secretary of Homeland Security may continue to perform the functions transferred to him by Section 1 of
this Order, except where they may otherwise be inconsistent with the provisions of this Order.
SEC. 3. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL
[Revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 12919, § 904(a)(8), June 3,
1994, 59 F.R. 29533.]
SEC. 4. DELEGATIONS
4–1. Delegation of Functions Transferred to the President.
4–101. [Revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 12155, Sept. 10, 1979, 44
F.R. 53071.]
4–102. The functions vested in the Director of the Office of Defense Mobilization by Sections 103 and 303 of
the National Security Act of 1947, as amended by Sections 8 and 50 of the Act of September 3, 1954 (Public
Law 779; 68 Stat. 1228 and 1244) (50 U.S.C. 404 and 405)
[now 50 U.S.C. 3042 and 3073], were transferred to the
President by Section 1(a) of Reorganization Plan No. 1
of 1958, as amended ([former] 50 U.S.C. App. 2271 note)
[now set out above], and they are hereby delegated to
the Secretary of Homeland Security.
4–103. (a) The functions vested in the Federal Civil
Defense Administration or its Administrator by the
Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950, as amended ([former]
50 U.S.C. App. 2251 et seq.), were transferred to the
President by Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1958, and
they are hereby delegated to the Secretary of Homeland Security.
(b) Excluded from the delegation in subsection (a) is
the function under Section 205(a)(4) of the Federal Civil

Page 6006

Defense Act of 1950, as amended ([former] 50 U.S.C. App.
2286(a)(4)), relating to the establishment and maintenance of personnel standards on the merit basis that
was delegated to the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management by Section 1(b) of Executive Order No.
11589, as amended (Section 2–101(b) of Executive Order
No. 12107) [5 U.S.C. 3376 note].
4–104. The Secretary of Homeland Security is authorized to redelegate, in accord with the provisions of Section 1(b) of Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1958 (50 U.S.C.
App. 2271 note) [now set out above], any of the functions delegated by Sections 4–101, 4–102, and 4–103 of
this Order.
4–105. The functions vested in the Administrator of
the Federal Civil Defense Administration by Section 43
of the Act of August 10, 1956 (70A Stat. 636) [former 50
U.S.C. App. 2285], were transferred to the President by
Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1958, as amended ([former]
50 U.S.C. App. 2271 note) [now set out above], were subsequently revested in the Director of the Office of Civil
and Defense Mobilization by Section 512 of Public Law
86–500 (50 U.S.C. App. 2285) [the office was changed to
Office of Emergency Planning by Public Law 87–296 (75
Stat. 630) and then to the Office of Emergency Preparedness by Section 402 of Public Law 90–608 (82 Stat.
1194)], were again transferred to the President by Section 1 of Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1973 ([former] 50
U.S.C. App. 2271 note) [now set out above], and they are
hereby delegated to the Secretary of Homeland Security.
4–106. The functions vested in the Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness by Section 16 of the
Act of September 23, 1950, as amended (20 U.S.C. 646),
and by Section 7 of the Act of September 30, 1950, as
amended (20 U.S.C. 241–1), were transferred to the President by Section 1 of Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1973
(50 U.S.C. App. 2271 note) [now set out above], and they
are hereby delegated to the Secretary of Homeland Security.
4–107. That function vested in the Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness by Section 762(a) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965, as added by Section 161(a)
of the Education Amendments of 1972, and as further
amended (20 U.S.C. 1132d–1(a)), to the extent transferred
to the President by Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1973
(50 U.S.C. App. 2271 note) [now set out above], is hereby
delegated to the Secretary of Homeland Security.
4–2. Delegation of Functions Vested in the President.
4–201. The functions vested in the President by the
Disaster Relief Act of 1970, as amended (42 U.S.C. Chapter 58 note), are hereby delegated to the Secretary of
Homeland Security.
4–202. The functions (related to grants for damages
resulting from hurricane and tropical storm Agnes)
vested in the President by Section 4 of Public Law
92–335 (86 Stat. 556) are hereby delegated to the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Section [sic] 4–203. The functions vested in the President by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5121
et seq.), except those functions vested in the President
by Section 401 (relating to the declaration of major disasters and emergencies) [42 U.S.C. 5170], Section 501 (relating to the declaration of emergencies) [42 U.S.C.
5191], Section 405 (relating to the repair, reconstruction, restoration, or replacement of Federal facilities)
[42 U.S.C. 5171], and Section 412 (relating to food coupons [benefits] and distribution) [42 U.S.C. 5179], are
hereby delegated to the Secretary of Homeland Security.
4–204. The functions vested in the President by the
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977, as amended
(42 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) are delegated to the Secretary of
Homeland Security.
4–205. Effective July 30, 1979, the functions vested in
the President by Section 4(h) of the Commodity Credit
Corporation Charter Act, as amended (15 U.S.C.
714b(h)), are hereby delegated to the Secretary of
Homeland Security.
4–206. Effective July 30, 1979, the functions vested in
the President by Section 204(f) of the Federal Property

Page 6007

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended (40
U.S.C. 485(f)) [now 40 U.S.C. 574(d)], are hereby delegated to the Secretary of Homeland Security.
4–207. The functions vested in the President by Section 502 of the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950, as
amended ([former] 50 U.S.C. App. 2302), are delegated to
the Secretary of Homeland Security.
SEC. 5. OTHER EXECUTIVE ORDERS
5–1. Revocations.
5–101. Executive Order No. 10242, as amended, entitled
‘‘Prescribing Regulations Governing the Exercise by
the Federal Civil Defense Administrator of Certain Administrative Authority Granted by the Federal Civil
Defense Act of 1950’’, is revoked.
5–102. Sections 1 and 2 of Executive Order No. 10296, as
amended, entitled ‘‘Providing for the Performance of
Certain Defense Housing and Community Facilities and
Service Functions’’, are revoked.
5–103. Executive Order No. 10494, as amended, relating
to the disposition of remaining functions, is revoked.
5–104. Executive Order No. 10529, as amended, relating
to federal employee participation in State and local
civil defense programs, is revoked.
5–105. Section 3 of Executive Order No. 10601, as
amended, which concerns the Commodity Set Aside, is
revoked.
5–106. Executive Order No. 10634, as amended, relating
to loans for facilities destroyed or damaged by a major
disaster, is revoked.
5–107. Section 4(d)(2) of Executive Order No. 10900, as
amended, which concerns foreign currencies made
available to make purchases for the supplemental
stockpile, is revoked.
5–108. Executive Order No. 10952, as amended, entitled
‘‘Assigning Civil Defense Responsibilities to the Secretary of Defense and Others’’, is revoked.
5–109. Executive Order No. 11051, as amended, relating
to responsibilities of the Office of Emergency Preparedness, is revoked.
5–110. Executive Order No. 11415, as amended, relating
to the Health Resources Advisory Committee, is revoked.
5–111. Executive Order No. 11795, as amended, entitled
‘‘Delegating Disaster Relief Functions Pursuant to the
Disaster Relief Act of 1974’’, is revoked, except for Section 3 thereof.
5–112. Executive Order No. 11725, as amended, entitled
‘‘Transfer of Certain Functions of the Office of Emergency Preparedness’’, is revoked.
5–113. Executive Order No. 11749, as amended, entitled
‘‘Consolidating Disaster Relief Functions Assigned to
the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development’’ is
revoked.
5–2. Amendments.
5–201. Executive Order No. 10421, as amended, relating
to physical security of defense facilities [formerly set
out under 50 U.S.C. 404, which was reclassified and renumbered as 50 U.S.C. 3042] is further amended by (a)
substituting the ‘‘Director of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency’’ for ‘‘Director of the Office of
Emergency Planning’’ in Sections 1(a), 1(c), and 6(b);
and, (b) substituting ‘‘Federal Emergency Management
Agency’’ for ‘‘Office of Emergency Planning’’ in Sections 6(b) and 7(b).
5–202. Executive Order No. 10480, as amended [former
50 U.S.C. App. 2153 note], is further amended by (a) substituting ‘‘Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’’ for ‘‘Director of the Office of Emergency
Planning’’ in Sections 101(a), 101(b), 201(a), 201(b), 301,
304, 307, 308, 310(b), 311(b), 312, 313, 401(b), 401(e), and 605;
and, (b) substituting ‘‘Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’’ for ‘‘Administrator of
General Services’’ in Sections 305, 501, and 610.
5–203. Section 3(d) of Executive Order No. 10582, as
amended [41 U.S.C. 8303 note], which relates to determinations under the Buy American Act is amended by
deleting ‘‘Director of the Office of Emergency Planning’’ and substituting therefor ‘‘Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’’.

§ 5195

5–204. Paragraph 21 of Executive Order No. 10789, as
amended [50 U.S.C. 1431 note], is further amended by
adding ‘‘The Federal Emergency Management Agency’’
after ‘‘Government Printing Office’’.
5–205. Executive Order No. 11179, as amended, concerning the National Defense Executive Reserve
[former 50 U.S.C. App. 2153 note], is further amended by
deleting ‘‘Director of the Office of Emergency Planning’’ in Section 2 and substituting therefor ‘‘Director
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’’.
5–206. Section 7 of Executive Order No. 11912, as
amended, concerning energy policy and conservation
[42 U.S.C. 6201 note], is further amended by deleting
‘‘Administrator of General Services’’ and substituting
therefor ‘‘Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’’.
5–207. Section 2(d) of Executive Order No. 11988 entitled ‘‘Floodplain Management’’ [42 U.S.C. 4321 note] is
amended by deleting ‘‘Federal Insurance Administration’’ and substituting therefor ‘‘Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’’.
5–208. Section 5–3 of Executive Order No. 12046 of
March 29, 1978 [47 U.S.C. 305 note], is amended by deleting ‘‘General Services Administration’’ and substituting therefor ‘‘Federal Emergency Management
Agency’’ and by deleting ‘‘Administrator of General
Services’’ and substituting therefor ‘‘Director of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency’’.
5–209. Section 1–201 of [former] Executive Order No.
12065 is amended by adding ‘‘The Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’’ after ‘‘The Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration’’ and by deleting ‘‘Director, Federal Preparedness Agency and to the’’ from the parentheses after
‘‘The Administrator of General Services’’.
5–210. Section 1–102 of Executive Order No. 12075 of
August 16, 1978 [42 U.S.C. 1450 note], is amended by adding in alphabetical order ‘‘(p) Federal Emergency Management Agency’’.
5–211. Section 1–102 of Executive Order No. 12083 of
September 27, 1978 [42 U.S.C. 7101 note] is amended by
adding in alphabetical order ‘‘(z) the Director of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency’’.
5–212. Section 9.11(b) of Civil Service Rule IX (5 CFR
Part 9) [former 5 U.S.C. 3301 note] is amended by deleting ‘‘the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency and’’.
5–213. [Revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 12381, Sept. 8, 1982, 47
F.R. 39795.]
5–214. Executive Order No. 11490, as amended [see note
above] is further amended as follows:
(a) Delete the last sentence of Section 102(a) and substitute therefor the following: ‘‘The activities undertaken by the departments and agencies pursuant to
this Order, except as provided in Section 3003, shall be
in accordance with guidance provided by, and subject
to, evaluation by the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.’’.
(b) Delete Section 103 entitled ‘‘Presidential Assistance’’ and substitute the following new Section 103:
‘‘Sec. 103 General Coordination. The Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) shall determine national preparedness goals and policies for
the performance of functions under this Order and coordinate the performance of such functions with the
total national preparedness programs.’’.
(c) Delete the portion of the first sentence of Section
401 prior to the colon and insert the following: ‘‘The
Secretary of Defense shall perform the following emergency preparedness functions’’.
(d) Delete ‘‘Director of the Federal Preparedness
Agency (GSA)’’ or ‘‘the Federal Preparedness Agency
(GSA)’’ and substitute therefor ‘‘Director, FEMA’’, in
Sections 401(3), 401(4), 401(5), 401(9), 401(10), 401(14),
401(15), 401(16), 401(19), 401(21), 401(22), 501(8), 601(2),
904(2), 1102(2), 1204(2), 1401(a), 1701, 1702, 2003, 2004,
2801(5), 3001, 3002(2), 3004, 3005, 3006, 3008, 3010, and 3013.
(e) The number assigned to this Order shall be substituted for ‘‘11051 of September 27, 1962’’ in Section
3001, and for ‘‘11051’’ in Sections 1802, 2002(3), 3002 and
3008(1).

§ 5195

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(f) The number assigned to this Order shall be substituted for ‘‘10952’’ in Sections 1103, 1104, 1205, and 3002.
(g) Delete ‘‘Department of Defense’’ in Sections 502,
601(1), 804, 905, 1103, 1104, 1106(4), 1205, 2002(8), the first
sentence of Section 3002, and Sections 3008(1) and 3010
and substitute therefor ‘‘Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.’’.
SEC. 6.
This Order is effective July 15, 1979.
[Section 1–106 of Ex. Ord. No. 12155, which enacted
sections 4–205 and 4–206 of Ex. Ord. No. 12148, was revoked by Pub. L. 100–180, div. C, title II, § 3203(b), Dec.
4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1247.]
[Ex. Ord. No. 13286, § 52, which directed amendment of
Ex. Ord. No. 12148, set out above, by substituting ‘‘the
Secretary of Homeland Security’’ for ‘‘the Director of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency’’ wherever
appearing, was executed by substituting ‘‘Secretary of
Homeland Security’’ for ‘‘Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’’ wherever appearing, including after ‘‘The’’ in section 2–101, and for ‘‘Director’’
in sections 2–102 to 2–105, 2–201, 2–206, and 2–302.]
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 12472
Ex. Ord. No. 12472, Apr. 3, 1984, 49 F.R. 13471, as
amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13286, § 46, Feb. 28, 2003, 68 F.R.
10627; Ex. Ord. No. 13407, § 5(a), June 26, 2006, 71 F.R.
36976, which related to assignment of national security
and emergency preparedness telecommunications functions, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13618, § 7(b), July 6,
2012, 77 F.R. 40783, set out below.
EX. ORD. NO. 12656. ASSIGNMENT OF EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS RESPONSIBILITIES
Ex. Ord. No. 12656, Nov. 18, 1988, 53 F.R. 47491, as
amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13074, Feb. 9, 1998, 63 F.R. 7277;
Ex. Ord. No. 13228, § 9, Oct. 8, 2001, 66 F.R. 51816; Ex. Ord.
No. 13286, § 42, Feb. 28, 2003, 68 F.R. 10626; Ex. Ord. No.
13603, § 803(a), Mar. 16, 2012, 77 F.R. 16660, provided:
WHEREAS our national security is dependent upon
our ability to assure continuity of government, at
every level, in any national security emergency situation that might confront the Nation; and
WHEREAS effective national preparedness planning
to meet such an emergency, including a massive nuclear attack, is essential to our national survival; and
WHEREAS effective national preparedness planning
requires the identification of functions that would have
to be performed during such an emergency, the assignment of responsibility for developing plans for performing these functions, and the assignment of responsibility for developing the capability to implement
those plans; and
WHEREAS the Congress has directed the development of such national security emergency preparedness
plans and has provided funds for the accomplishment
thereof;
NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested
in me as President by the Constitution and laws of the
United States of America, and pursuant to Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1958 (72 Stat. 1799) [set out above], the
National Security Act of 1947, as amended [50 U.S.C.
3001 et seq.], the Defense Production Act of 1950, as
amended [see 50 U.S.C. 4501], and the Federal Civil Defense Act, as amended, it is hereby ordered that the responsibilities of the Federal departments and agencies
in national security emergencies shall be as follows:
PART 1—PREAMBLE
SECTION 101. National Security Emergency Preparedness
Policy.
(a) The policy of the United States is to have sufficient capabilities at all levels of government to meet
essential defense and civilian needs during any national security emergency. A national security emergency is any occurrence, including natural disaster,
military attack, technological emergency, or other
emergency, that seriously degrades or seriously threat-

Page 6008

ens the national security of the United States. Policy
for national security emergency preparedness shall be
established by the President. Pursuant to the President’s direction, the National Security Council shall be
responsible for developing and administering such policy, except that the Homeland Security Council shall
be responsible for administering such policy with respect to terrorist threats and attacks within the United
States. All national security emergency preparedness
activities shall be consistent with the Constitution and
laws of the United States and with preservation of the
constitutional government of the United States.
(b) Effective national security emergency preparedness planning requires: identification of functions that
would have to be performed during such an emergency;
development of plans for performing these functions;
and development of the capability to execute those
plans.
SEC. 102. Purpose.
(a) The purpose of this Order is to assign national security emergency preparedness responsibilities to Federal departments and agencies. These assignments are
based, whenever possible, on extensions of the regular
missions of the departments and agencies.
(b) This Order does not constitute authority to implement the plans prepared pursuant to this Order. Plans
so developed may be executed only in the event that
authority for such execution is authorized by law.
SEC. 103. Scope.
(a) This Order addresses national security emergency
preparedness functions and activities. As used in this
Order, preparedness functions and activities include, as
appropriate, policies, plans, procedures, and readiness
measures that enhance the ability of the United States
Government to mobilize for, respond to, and recover
from a national security emergency.
(b) This Order does not apply to those natural disasters, technological emergencies, or other emergencies,
the alleviation of which is normally the responsibility
of individuals, the private sector, volunteer organizations, State and local governments, and Federal departments and agencies unless such situations also constitute a national security emergency.
(c) This Order does not require the provision of information concerning, or evaluation of, military policies,
plans, programs, or states of military readiness.
(d) This Order does not apply to national security
emergency preparedness telecommunications functions
and responsibilities that are otherwise assigned by Executive Order 12472 [formerly set out above].
SEC. 104. Management of National Security Emergency
Preparedness.
(a) The National Security Council is the principal
forum for consideration of national security emergency
preparedness policy, except that the Homeland Security Council is the principal forum for consideration of
policy relating to terrorist threats and attacks within
the United States.
(b) The National Security Council and the Homeland
Security Council shall arrange for Executive branch liaison with, and assistance to, the Congress and the
Federal judiciary on national security-emergency preparedness matters.
(c) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall serve as
an advisor to the National Security Council and the
Homeland Security Council on issues of national security emergency preparedness, including mobilization
preparedness, civil defense, continuity of government,
technological disasters, and other issues, as appropriate. Pursuant to such procedures for the organization and management of the National Security Council
and Homeland Security Council processes as the President may establish, the Secretary of Homeland Security also shall assist in the implementation of and
management of those processes as the President may
establish. The Secretary of Homeland Security also
shall assist in the implementation of national security
emergency preparedness policy by coordinating with
the other Federal departments and agencies and with
State and local governments, and by providing periodic

Page 6009

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

reports to the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council on implementation of national
security emergency preparedness policy.
(d) National security emergency preparedness functions that are shared by more than one agency shall be
coordinated by the head of the Federal department or
agency having primary responsibility and shall be supported by the heads of other departments and agencies
having related responsibilities.
(e) There shall be a national security emergency exercise program that shall be supported by the heads of
all appropriate Federal departments and agencies.
(f) Plans and procedures will be designed and developed to provide maximum flexibility to the President
for his implementation of emergency actions.
SEC. 105. Interagency Coordination.
(a) All appropriate Cabinet members and agency
heads shall be consulted regarding national security
emergency preparedness programs and policy issues.
Each department and agency shall support interagency
coordination to improve preparedness and response to a
national security emergency and shall develop and
maintain decentralized capabilities wherever feasible
and appropriate.
(b) Each Federal department and agency shall work
within the framework established by, and cooperate
with those organizations assigned responsibility in, Executive Order No. 12472 [formerly set out above], to ensure adequate national security emergency preparedness telecommunications in support of the functions
and activities addressed by this Order.
PART 2—GENERAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 201. General. The head of each Federal department and agency, as appropriate, shall:
(1) Be prepared to respond adequately to all national
security emergencies, including those that are international in scope, and those that may occur within any
region of the Nation;
(2) Consider national security emergency preparedness factors in the conduct of his or her regular functions, particularly those functions essential in time of
emergency. Emergency plans and programs, and an appropriate state of readiness, including organizational
infrastructure, shall be developed as an integral part of
the continuing activities of each Federal department
and agency;
(3) Appoint a senior policy official as Emergency Coordinator, responsible for developing and maintaining a
multi-year, national security emergency preparedness
plan for the department or agency to include objectives, programs, and budgetary requirements;
(4) Design preparedness measures to permit a rapid
and effective transition from routine to emergency operations, and to make effective use of the period following initial indication of a probable national security emergency. This will include:
(a) Development of a system of emergency actions
that defines alternatives, processes, and issues to be
considered during various stages of national security
emergencies;
(b) Identification of actions that could be taken in
the early stages of a national security emergency or
pending national security emergency to mitigate the
impact of or reduce significantly the lead times associated with full emergency action implementation;
(5) Base national security emergency preparedness
measures on the use of existing authorities, organizations, resources, and systems to the maximum extent
practicable;
(6) Identify areas where additional legal authorities
may be needed to assist management and, consistent
with applicable Executive orders, take appropriate
measures toward acquiring those authorities;
(7) Make policy recommendations to the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council regarding national security emergency preparedness activities and functions of the Federal Government;
(8) Coordinate with State and local government agencies and other organizations, including private sector

§ 5195

organizations, when appropriate. Federal plans should
include appropriate involvement of and reliance upon
private sector organizations in the response to national
security emergencies;
(9) Assist State, local, and private sector entities in
developing plans for mitigating the effects of national
security emergencies and for providing services that
are essential to a national response;
(10) Cooperate, to the extent appropriate, in compiling, evaluating, and exchanging relevant data related to all aspects of national security emergency preparedness;
(11) Develop programs regarding congressional relations and public information that could be used during
national security emergencies;
(12) Ensure a capability to provide, during a national
security emergency, information concerning Acts of
Congress, presidential proclamations, Executive orders,
regulations, and notices of other actions to the Archivist of the United States, for publication in the Federal
Register, or to each agency designated to maintain the
Federal Register in an emergency;
(13) Develop and conduct training and education programs that incorporate emergency preparedness and
civil defense information necessary to ensure an effective national response;
(14) Ensure that plans consider the consequences for
essential services provided by State and local governments, and by the private sector, if the flow of Federal
funds is disrupted;
(15) Consult and coordinate with the Secretary of
Homeland Security to ensure that those activities and
plans are consistent with current Presidential guidelines and policies.
SEC. 202. Continuity of Government. The head of each
Federal department and agency shall ensure the continuity of essential functions in any national security
emergency by providing for: succession to office and
emergency delegation of authority in accordance with
applicable law; safekeeping of essential resources, facilities, and records; and establishment of emergency
operating capabilities.
SEC. 203. Resource Management. The head of each Federal department and agency, as appropriate within assigned areas of responsibility, shall:
(1) Develop plans and programs to mobilize personnel
(including reservist programs), equipment, facilities,
and other resources;
(2) Assess essential emergency requirements and plan
for the possible use of alternative resources to meet essential demands during and following national security
emergencies;
(3) Prepare plans and procedures to share between
and among the responsible agencies resources such as
energy, equipment, food, land, materials, minerals,
services, supplies, transportation, water, and workforce
needed to carry out assigned responsibilities and other
essential functions, and cooperate with other agencies
in developing programs to ensure availability of such
resources in a national security emergency;
(4) Develop plans to set priorities and allocate resources among civilian and military claimants;
(5) identify occupations and skills for which there
may be a critical need in the event of a national security emergency.
SEC. 204. Protection of Essential Resources and Facilities.
The head of each Federal department and agency, within assigned areas of responsibility, shall:
(1) Identify facilities and resources, both government
and private, essential to the national defense and national welfare, and assess their vulnerabilities and develop strategies, plans, and programs to provide for the
security of such facilities and resources, and to avoid
or minimize disruptions of essential services during
any national security emergency;
(2) Participate in interagency activities to assess the
relative importance of various facilities and resources
to essential military and civilian needs and to integrate preparedness and response strategies and procedures;

§ 5195

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(3) Maintain a capability to assess promptly the effect of attack and other disruptions during national security emergencies.
SEC. 205. Federal Benefit, Insurance, and Loan Programs. The head of each Federal department and agency
that administers a loan, insurance, or benefit program
that relies upon the Federal Government payment system shall coordinate with the Secretary of the Treasury in developing plans for the continuation or restoration, to the extent feasible, of such programs in national security emergencies.
SEC. 206. Research. The Director of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy and the heads of Federal departments and agencies having significant research and development programs shall advise the National Security Council and the Homeland Security
Council of scientific and technological developments
that should be considered in national security emergency preparedness planning.
SEC. 207. Redelegation. The head of each Federal department and agency is hereby authorized, to the extent otherwise permitted by law, to redelegate the
functions assigned by this Order, and to authorize successive redelegations to organizations, officers, or employees within that department or agency.
SEC. 208. Transfer of Functions. Recommendations for
interagency transfer of any emergency preparedness
function assigned under this Order or for assignment of
any new emergency preparedness function shall be coordinated with all affected Federal departments and
agencies before submission to the National Security
Council or the Homeland Security Council.
SEC. 209. Retention of Existing Authority. Nothing in
this Order shall be deemed to derogate from assignments of functions to any Federal department or agency or officer thereof made by law.
PART 3—DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
SEC. 301. Lead Responsibilities. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the Secretary of Agriculture shall:
(1) Develop plans to provide for the continuation of
agriculture production, food processing, storage, and
distribution through the wholesale level in national security emergencies, and to provide for the domestic
distribution of seed, feed, fertilizer, and farm equipment to agricultural producers;
(2) Develop plans to provide food and agricultural
products to meet international responsibilities in national security emergencies;
(3) Develop plans and procedures for administration
and use of Commodity Credit Corporation inventories
of food and fiber resources in national security emergencies;
(4) Develop plans for the use of resources under the
jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture and, in cooperation with the Secretaries of Commerce, Defense,
and the Interior, the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the heads of other government entities, plan for the national security emergency
management, production, and processing of forest products;
(5) Develop, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, plans and programs for water to be used in agricultural production and food processing in national security emergencies;
(6) In cooperation with Federal, State, and local
agencies, develop plans for a national program relating
to the prevention and control of fires in rural areas of
the United States caused by the effects of enemy attack or other national security emergencies;
(7) Develop plans to help provide the Nation’s farmers
with production resources, including national security
emergency financing capabilities;
(8) Develop plans, in consonance with those of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of the Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency, for national security emergency agricultural health services and forestry, including:
(a) Diagnosis and control or eradication of diseases,
pests, or hazardous agents (biological, chemical, or ra-

Page 6010

diological) against animals, crops, timber, or products
thereof;
(b) Protection, treatment, and handling of livestock
and poultry, or products thereof, that have been exposed to or affected by hazardous agents;
(c) Use and handling of crops, agricultural commodities, timber, and agricultural lands that have been exposed to or affected by hazardous agents; and
(d) Assuring the safety and wholesomeness, and minimizing losses from hazards, of animals and animal
products and agricultural commodities and products
subject to continuous inspection by the Department of
Agriculture or owned by the Commodity Credit Corporation or by the Department of Agriculture;
(9) In consultation with the Secretary of State and
the Secretary of Homeland Security, represent the
United States in agriculture-related international civil
emergency preparedness planning and related activities.
SEC. 302. Support Responsibility. The Secretary of Agriculture shall assist the Secretary of Defense in formulating and carrying out plans for stockpiling strategic
and critical agricultural materials.
PART 4—DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
SEC. 401. Lead Responsibilities. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the Secretary of Commerce shall:
(1) Develop control systems for priorities, allocation,
production, and distribution of materials and other resources that will be available to support both national
defense and essential civilian programs in a national
security emergency;
(2) In cooperation with the Secretary of Defense and
other departments and agencies, identify those industrial products and facilities that are essential to mobilization readiness, national defense, or post-attack survival and recovery;
[(3), (4) Revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13603, § 803(a), Mar.
16, 2012, 77 F.R. 16660.]
(5) In cooperation with the Secretary of the Treasury,
develop plans for providing emergency assistance to
the private sector through direct or participation loans
for the financing of production facilities and equipment;
(6) In cooperation with the Secretaries of State, Defense, Transportation, and the Treasury, prepare plans
to regulate and control exports and imports in national
security emergencies;
(7) Provide for the collection and reporting of census
information on human and economic resources, and
maintain a capability to conduct emergency surveys to
provide information on the status of these resources as
required for national security purposes;
(8) Develop overall plans and programs to ensure that
the fishing industry continues to produce and process
essential protein in national security emergencies;
(9) Develop plans to provide meteorological, hydrologic, marine weather, geodetic, hydrographic, climatic, seismic, and oceanographic data and services to
Federal, State, and local agencies, as appropriate;
(10) In coordination with the Secretary of State and
the Secretary of Homeland Security, represent the
United States in industry-related international (NATO
and allied) civil emergency preparedness planning and
related activities.
SEC. 402. Support Responsibilities. The Secretary of
Commerce shall:
(1) Assist the Secretary of Defense in formulating and
carrying out plans for stockpiling strategic and critical
materials;
(2) Support the Secretary of Agriculture in planning
for the national security management, production, and
processing of forest and fishery products;
(3) Assist, in consultation with the Secretaries of
State and Defense, the Secretary of the Treasury in the
formulation and execution of economic measures affecting other nations.

Page 6011

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

PART 5—DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
SEC. 501. Lead Responsibilities. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the Secretary of Defense shall:
(1) Ensure military preparedness and readiness to respond to national security emergencies;
(2) In coordination with the Secretary of Commerce,
develop, with industry, government, and the private
sector, reliable capabilities for the rapid increase of defense production to include industrial resources required for that production;
(3) Develop and maintain, in cooperation with the
heads of other departments and agencies, national security emergency plans, programs, and mechanisms to
ensure effective mutual support between and among
the military, civil government, and the private sector;
(4) Develop and maintain damage assessment capabilities and assist the Secretary of Homeland Security
and the heads of other departments and agencies in developing and maintaining capabilities to assess attack
damage and to estimate the effects of potential attack
on the Nation;
(5) Arrange, through agreements with the heads of
other Federal departments and agencies, for the transfer of certain Federal resources to the jurisdiction and/
or operational control of the Department of Defense in
national security emergencies;
(6) Acting through the Secretary of the Army, develop, with the concurrence of the heads of all affected
departments and agencies, overall plans for the management, control, and allocation of all usable waters
from all sources within the jurisdiction of the United
States. This includes:
(a) Coordination of national security emergency
water resource planning at the national, regional,
State, and local levels;
(b) Development of plans to assure emergency provision of water from public works projects under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Army to public water
supply utilities and critical defense production facilities during national security emergencies;
(c) Development of plans to assure emergency operation of waterways and harbors; and
(d) Development of plans to assure the provision of
potable water;
(7) In consultation with the Secretaries of State and
Energy, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and others, as required, develop plans and capabilities for identifying, analyzing, mitigating, and responding to hazards related to nuclear weapons, materials, and devices;
and maintain liaison, as appropriate, with the Secretary of Energy and the Members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to ensure the continuity of nuclear
weapons production and the appropriate allocation of
scarce resources, including the recapture of special nuclear materials from Nuclear Regulatory Commission
licensees when appropriate;
(8) Coordinate with the Administrator of the National
Aeronautics and Space Adminstration [sic] and the
Secretary of Energy, as appropriate, to prepare for the
use, maintenance, and development of technologically
advanced aerospace and aeronautical-related systems,
equipment, and methodologies applicable to national
security emergencies;
(9) Develop, in coordination with the Secretaries of
Labor and Homeland Security, the Directors of the Selective Service System, the Office of Personnel Management, and the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, plans and systems to ensure that the Nation’s
human resources are available to meet essential military and civilian needs in national security emergencies;
(10) Develop national security emergency operational
procedures, and coordinate with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development with respect to residential
property, for the control, acquisition, leasing, assignment and priority of occupancy of real property within
the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense;
(11) Review the priorities and allocations systems developed by other departments and agencies to ensure

§ 5195

that they meet Department of Defense needs in a national security emergency; and develop and maintain
the Department of Defense programs necessary for effective utilization of all priorities and allocations systems;
(12) Develop, in coordination with the Attorney General of the United States, specific procedures by which
military assistance to civilian law enforcement authorities may be requested, considered, and provided;
(13) In cooperation with the Secretary of Commerce
and other departments and agencies, identify those industrial products and facilities that are essential to
mobilization readiness, national defense, or post-attack
survival and recovery;
(14) In cooperation with the Secretary of Commerce
and other Federal departments and agencies, analyze
potential effects of national security emergencies on
actual production capability, taking into account the
entire production complex, including shortages of resources, and develop preparedness measures to
strengthen capabilities for production increases in national security emergencies;
(15) With the assistance of the heads of other Federal
departments and agencies, provide management direction for the stockpiling of strategic and critical materials, conduct storage, maintenance, and quality assurance operations for the stockpile of strategic and critical materials, and formulate plans, programs, and reports relating to the stockpiling of strategic and critical materials.[;]
(16) Subject to the direction of the President, and
pursuant to procedures to be developed jointly by the
Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State, be responsible for the deployment and use of military forces
for the protection of United States citizens and nationals and, in connection therewith, designated other persons or categories of persons, in support of their evacuation from threatened areas overseas.
SEC. 502. Support Responsibilities. The Secretary of Defense shall:
(1) Advise and assist the heads of other Federal departments and agencies in the development of plans
and programs to support national mobilization. This
includes providing, as appropriate:
(a) Military requirements, prioritized and timephased to the extent possible, for selected end-items
and supporting services, materials, and components;
(b) Recommendations for use of financial incentives
and other methods to improve defense production as
provided by law; and
(c) Recommendations for export and import policies;
(2) Advise and assist the Secretary of State and the
heads of other Federal departments and agencies, as appropriate, in planning for the protection, evacuation,
and repatriation of United States citizens in threatened
areas overseas;
(3) Support the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the heads of other agencies, as appropriate, in the development of plans to restore community facilities;
(4) Support the Secretary of Energy in international
liaison activities pertaining to nuclear materials facilities;
(5) In consultation with the Secretaries of State and
Commerce, assist the Secretary of the Treasury in the
formulation and execution of economic measures that
affect other nations;
(6) Support the Secretary of State and the heads of
other Federal departments and agencies as appropriate
in the formulation and implementation of foreign policy, and the negotiation of contingency and post-emergency plans, intergovernmental agreements, and arrangements with allies and friendly nations, which affect national security;
(7) Coordinate with the Secretary of Homeland Security the development of plans for mutual civil-military
support during national security emergencies;
(8) Develop plans to support the Secretary of Labor in
providing education and training to overcome shortages of critical skills.

§ 5195

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
PART 6—DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

SEC. 601. Lead Responsibilities. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the Secretary of Education shall:
(1) Assist school systems in developing their plans to
provide for the earliest possible resumption of activities following national security emergencies;
(2) Develop plans to provide assistance, including efforts to meet shortages of critical educational personnel, to local educational agencies;
(3) Develop plans, in coordination with the Secretary
of Homeland Security, for dissemination of emergency
preparedness instructional material through educational institutions and the media during national security emergencies.
SEC. 602. Support Responsibilities. The Secretary of
Education shall:
(1) Develop plans to support the Secretary of Labor in
providing education and training to overcome shortages of critical skills;
(2) Support the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the development of human services educational
and training materials, including self-help program
materials for use by human service organizations and
professional schools.
PART 7—DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
SEC. 701. Lead Responsibilities. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the Secretary of Energy shall:
(1) Conduct national security emergency preparedness planning, including capabilities development, and
administer operational programs for all energy resources, including:
(a) Providing information, in cooperation with Federal, State, and energy industry officials, on energy
supply and demand conditions and on the requirements
for and the availability of materials and services critical to energy supply systems;
(b) In coordination with appropriate departments and
agencies and in consultations with the energy industry,
develop implementation plans and operational systems
for priorities and allocation of all energy resource requirements for national defense and essential civilian
needs to assure national security emergency preparedness;
(c) Developing, in consultation with the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority, plans necessary for the integration of its power system into the
national supply system;
(2) Identify energy facilities essential to the mobilization, deployment, and sustainment of resources to
support the national security and national welfare, and
develop energy supply and demand strategies to ensure
continued provision of minimum essential services in
national security emergencies;
(3) In coordination with the Secretary of Defense, ensure continuity of nuclear weapons production consistent with national security requirements;
(4) Assure the security of nuclear materials, nuclear
weapons, or devices in the custody of the Department
of Energy, as well as the security of all other Department of Energy programs and facilities;
(5) In consultation with the Secretaries of State and
Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security, conduct appropriate international liaison activities pertaining to matters within the jurisdiction of the Department of Energy;
(6) In consultation with the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Homeland Security, the Members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and others, as required,
develop plans and capabilities for identification, analysis, damage assessment, and mitigation of hazards
from nuclear weapons, materials, and devices;
(7) Coordinate with the Secretary of Transportation
in the planning and management of transportation resources involved in the bulk movement of energy;
(8) At the request of or with the concurrence of the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission and in consultation

Page 6012

with the Secretary of Defense, recapture special nuclear materials from Nuclear Regulatory Commission
licensees where necessary to assure the use, preservation, or safeguarding of such material for the common
defense and security;
(9) Develop national security emergency operational
procedures for the control, utilization, acquisition,
leasing, assignment, and priority of occupancy of real
property within the jurisdiction of the Department of
Energy;
(10) Manage all emergency planning and response activities pertaining to Department of Energy nuclear facilities.
SEC. 702. Support Responsibilities. The Secretary of Energy shall:
(1) Provide advice and assistance, in coordination
with appropriate agencies, to Federal, State, and local
officials and private sector organizations to assess the
radiological impact associated with national security
emergencies;
(2) Coordinate with the Secretaries of Defense and the
Interior regarding the operation of hydroelectric
projects to assure maximum energy output;
(3) Support the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the heads of other agencies, as appropriate, in the development of plans to restore community facilities;
(4) Coordinate with the Secretary of Agriculture regarding the emergency preparedness of the rural electric supply systems throughout the Nation and the assignment of emergency preparedness responsibilities to
the Rural Electrification Administration.
PART 8—DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
SEC. 801. Lead Responsibilities. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall:
(1) Develop national plans and programs to mobilize
the health industry and health resources for the provision of health, mental health, and medical services in
national security emergencies;
(2) Promote the development of State and local plans
and programs for provision of health, mental health,
and medical services in national security emergencies;
(3) Develop national plans to set priorities and allocate health, mental health, and medical services’ resources among civilian and military claimants;
(4) Develop health and medical survival information
programs and a nationwide program to train health and
mental health professionals and paraprofessionals in
special knowledge and skills that would be useful in national security emergencies;
(5) Develop programs to reduce or eliminate adverse
health and mental health effects produced by hazardous
agents (biological, chemical, or radiological), and, in
coordination with appropriate Federal agencies, develop programs to minimize property and environmental damage associated with national security emergencies;
(6) Develop guidelines that will assure reasonable and
prudent standards of purity and/or safety in the manufacture and distribution of food, drugs, biological products, medical devices, food additives, and radiological
products in national security emergencies;
(7) Develop national plans for assisting State and
local governments in rehabilitation of persons injured
or disabled during national security emergencies;
(8) Develop plans and procedures to assist State and
local governments in the provision of emergency
human services, including lodging, feeding, clothing,
registration and inquiry, social services, family reunification and mortuary services and interment;
(9) Develop, in coordination with the Secretary of
Education, human services educational and training
materials for use by human service organizations and
professional schools; and develop and distribute, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security,
civil defense information relative to emergency human
services;
(10) Develop plans and procedures, in coordination
with the heads of Federal departments and agencies,

Page 6013

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

for assistance to United States citizens or others evacuated from overseas areas.
SEC. 802. Support Responsibility. The Secretary of
Health and Human Services shall support the Secretary
of Agriculture in the development of plans related to
national security emergency agricultural health services.
PART 9—DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT
SEC. 901. Lead Responsibilities. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall:
(1) Develop plans for provision and management of
housing in national security emergencies, including:
(a) Providing temporary housing using Federal financing and other arrangements;
(b) Providing for radiation protection by encouraging
voluntary construction of shelters and voluntary use of
cost-efficient design and construction techniques to
maximize population protection;
(2) Develop plans, in cooperation with the heads of
other Federal departments and agencies and State and
local governments, to restore community facilities, including electrical power, potable water, and sewage disposal facilities, damaged in national security emergencies.
PART 10—DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
SEC. 1001. Lead Responsibilities. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the
Secretary of the Interior shall:
(1) Develop programs and encourage the exploration,
development, and mining of strategic and critical and
other nonfuel minerals for national security emergency
purposes;
(2) Provide guidance to mining industries in the development of plans and programs to ensure continuity
of production during national security emergencies;
(3) Develop and implement plans for the management, control, allocation, and use of public land under
the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior in
national security emergencies and coordinate land
emergency planning at the Federal, State, and local
levels.
SEC. 1002. Support Responsibilities. The Secretary of
the Interior shall:
(1) Assist the Secretary of Defense in formulating and
carrying out plans for stockpiling strategic and critical
minerals;
(2) Cooperate with the Secretary of Commerce in the
identification and evaluation of facilities essential for
national security emergencies;
(3) Support the Secretary of Agriculture in planning
for the national security management, production, and
processing of forest products.
PART 11—DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
SEC. 1101. Lead Responsibilities. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the
Attorney General of the United States shall:
(1) Provide legal advice to the President and the
heads of Federal departments and agencies and their
successors regarding national security emergency powers, plans, and authorities;
(2) Coordinate Federal Government domestic law enforcement activities related to national security emergency preparedness, including Federal law enforcement
liaison with, and assistance to, State and local governments;
(3) Coordinate contingency planning for national security emergency law enforcement activities that are
beyond the capabilities of State and local agencies;
(4) Develop national security emergency plans for
regulation of immigration, regulation of nationals of
enemy countries, and plans to implement laws for the
control of persons entering or leaving the United
States;
(5) Develop plans and procedures for the custody and
protection of prisoners and the use of Federal penal and

§ 5195

correctional institutions and resources during national
security emergencies;
(6) Provide information and assistance to the Federal
Judicial branch and the Federal Legislative branch
concerning law enforcement, continuity of government,
and the exercise of legal authority during national security emergencies;
(7) Develop intergovernmental and interagency law
enforcement plans and counterterrorism programs to
interdict and respond to terrorism incidents in the
United States that may result in a national security
emergency or that occur during such an emergency;
(8) Develop intergovernmental and interagency law
enforcement plans to respond to civil disturbances that
may result in a national security emergency or that
occur during such an emergency.
SEC. 1102. Support Responsibilities. The Attorney General of the United States shall:
(1) Assist the heads of Federal departments and agencies, State and local governments, and the private sector in the development of plans to physically protect
essential resources and facilities;
(2) Support the Secretaries of State and the Treasury
in plans for the protection of international organizations and foreign diplomatic, consular, and other official personnel, property, and other assets within the jurisdiction of the United States;
(3) Support the Secretary of the Treasury in developing plans to control the movement of property entering and leaving the United States;
(4) Support the heads of other Federal departments
and agencies and State and local governments in developing programs and plans for identifying fatalities and
reuniting families in national security emergencies;
(5) Support the intelligence community in the planning of its counterintelligence and counterterrorism
programs.
PART 12—DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
SEC. 1201. Lead Responsibilities. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the
Secretary of Labor shall:
(1) Develop plans and issue guidance to ensure effective use of civilian workforce resources during national
security emergencies. Such plans shall include, but not
necessarily be limited to:
(a) Priorities and allocations, recruitment, referral,
training, employment stabilization including appeals
procedures, use assessment, and determination of critical skill categories; and
(b) Programs for increasing the availability of critical workforce skills and occupations;
(2) In consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, develop plans and procedures for wage, salary, and
benefit costs stabilization during national security
emergencies;
(3) Develop plans and procedures for protecting and
providing incentives for the civilian labor force during
national security emergencies;
(4) In consultation with other appropriate government agencies and private entities, develop plans and
procedures for effective labor-management relations
during national security emergencies.
SEC. 1202. Support Responsibilities. The Secretary of
Labor shall:
(1) Support planning by the Secretary of Defense and
the private sector for the provision of human resources
to critical defense industries during national security
emergencies;
(2) Support planning by the Secretary of Defense and
the Director of Selective Service for the institution of
conscription in national security emergencies.
PART 13—DEPARTMENT OF STATE
SEC. 1301. Lead Responsibilities. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the
Secretary of State shall:
(1) Provide overall foreign policy coordination in the
formulation and execution of continuity of government

§ 5195

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

and other national security emergency preparedness
activities that affect foreign relations;
(2) Prepare to carry out Department of State responsibilities in the conduct of the foreign relations of the
United States during national security emergencies,
under the direction of the President and in consultation with the heads of other appropriate Federal departments and agencies, including, but not limited to:
(a) Formulation and implementation of foreign policy
and negotiation regarding contingency and post-emergency plans, intergovernmental agreements, and arrangements with United States’ allies;
(b) Formulation, negotiation, and execution of policy
affecting the relationships of the United States with
neutral states;
(c) Formulation and execution of political strategy
toward hostile or enemy states;
(d) Conduct of mutual assistance activities;
(e) Provision of foreign assistance, including continuous supervision and general direction of authorized
economic and military assistance programs;
(f) Protection or evacuation of United States citizens
and nationals abroad and safeguarding their property
abroad, in consultation with the Secretaries of Defense
and Health and Human Services;
(g) Protection of international organizations and foreign diplomatic, consular, and other official personnel
and property, or other assets, in the United States, in
coordination with the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury;
(h) Formulation of policies and provisions for assistance to displaced persons and refugees abroad;
(i) Maintenance of diplomatic and consular representation abroad; and
(j) Reporting of and advising on conditions overseas
that bear upon national security emergencies.
SEC. 1302. Support Responsibilities. The Secretary of
State shall:
(1) Assist appropriate agencies in developing planning
assumptions concerning accessibility of foreign sources
of supply;
(2) Support the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation, as appropriate, with the Secretaries of Commerce and Defense, in the formulation and execution of
economic measures with respect to other nations;
(3) Support the Secretary of Energy in international
liaison activities pertaining to nuclear materials facilities;
(4) Support the Secretary of Homeland Security in
the coordination and integration of United States policy regarding the formulation and implementation of
civil emergency resources and preparedness planning;
(5) Assist the Attorney General of the United States
in the formulation of national security emergency
plans for the control of persons entering or leaving the
United States.
PART 14—DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
SEC. 1401. Lead Responsibilities. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the
Secretary of Transportation shall:
(1) Develop plans to promulgate and manage overall
national policies, programs, procedures, and systems to
meet essential civil and military transportation needs
in national security emergencies;
(2) Be prepared to provide direction to all modes of
civil transportation in national security emergencies,
including air, surface, water, pipelines, and public storage and warehousing, to the extent such responsibility
is vested in the Secretary of Transportation. This direction may include:
(a) Implementation of priorities for all transportation resource requirements for service, equipment,
facilities, and systems;
(b) Allocation of transportation resource capacity;
and
(c) Emergency management and control of civil
transportation resources and systems, including privately owned automobiles, urban mass transit, intermodal transportation systems, the National Railroad

Page 6014

Passenger Corporation and the St. Lawrence Seaway
Development Corporation;
(3) Develop plans to provide for the smooth transition
of the Coast Guard as a service to the Department of
the Navy during national security emergencies. These
plans shall be compatible with the Department of Defense planning systems, especially in the areas of port
security and military readiness;
(4) In coordination with the Secretary of State and
the Secretary of Homeland Security, represent the
United States in transportation-related international
(including NATO and allied) civil emergency preparedness planning and related activities;
(5) Coordinate with State and local highway agencies
in the management of all Federal, State, city, local,
and other highways, roads, streets, bridges, tunnels,
and publicly owned highway maintenance equipment to
assure efficient and safe use of road space during national security emergencies;
(6) Develop plans and procedures in consultation with
appropriate agency officials for maritime and port safety, law enforcement, and security over, upon, and
under the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to assure operational readiness for national security emergency functions;
(7) Develop plans for the emergency operation of U.S.
ports and facilities, use of shipping resources (U.S. and
others), provision of government war risks insurance,
and emergency construction of merchant ships for military and civil use;
(8) Develop plans for emergency management and
control of the National Airspace System, including provision of war risk insurance and for transfer of the Federal Aviation Administration, in the event of war, to
the Department of Defense;
(9) Coordinate the Interstate Commerce Commission’s development of plans and preparedness programs
for the reduction of vulnerability, maintenance, restoration, and operation of privately owned railroads,
motor carriers, inland waterway transportation systems, and public storage facilities and services in national security emergencies.
SEC. 1402. Support Responsibility. The Secretary of
Transportation shall coordinate with the Secretary of
Energy in the planning and management of transportation resources involved in the bulk movement of energy materials.
PART 15—DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
SEC. 1501. Lead Responsibilities. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the
Secretary of the Treasury shall:
(1) Develop plans to maintain stable economic conditions and a market economy during national security
emergencies; emphasize measures to minimize inflation
and disruptions; and, minimize reliance on direct controls of the monetary, credit, and financial systems.
These plans will include provisions for:
(a) Increasing capabilities to minimize economic dislocations by carrying out appropriate fiscal, monetary,
and regulatory policies and reducing susceptibility to
manipulated economic pressures;
(b) Providing the Federal Government with efficient
and equitable financing sources and payment mechanisms;
(c) Providing fiscal authorities with adequate legal
authority to meet resource requirements;
(d) Developing, in consultation with the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and in cooperation with the Board of Directors of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Home Loan
Bank Board, the National Credit Union Administration
Board, the Farm Credit Administration Board and
other financial institutions, plans for the continued or
resumed operation and liquidity of banks, savings and
loans, credit unions, and farm credit institutions,
measures for the reestablishment of evidence of assets
or liabilities, and provisions for currency withdrawals
and deposit insurance;
(2) Provide for the protection of United States financial resources including currency and coin production

Page 6015

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

and redemption facilities, Federal check disbursement
facilities, and precious monetary metals;
(3) Provide for the preservation of, and facilitate
emergency operations of, public and private financial
institution systems, and provide for their restoration
during or after national security emergencies;
(4) Provide, in coordination with the Secretary of
State, for participation in bilateral and multilateral financial arrangements with foreign governments;
(5) Maintain the Federal Government accounting and
financial reporting system in national security emergencies;
(6) Develop plans to protect the President, the Vice
President, other officers in the order of presidential
succession, and other persons designated by the President;
(7) Develop plans for restoration of the economy following an attack; for the development of emergency
monetary, credit, and Federal benefit payment programs of those Federal departments and agencies that
have responsibilities dependent on the policies or capabilities of the Department of the Treasury; and for the
implementation of national policy on sharing war
losses;
(8) Develop plans for initiating tax changes, waiving
regulations, and, in conjunction with the Secretary of
Commerce or other guaranteeing agency, granting or
guaranteeing loans for the expansion of industrial capacity, the development of technological processes, or
the production or acquisition of essential materials;
(9) Develop plans, in coordination with the heads of
other appropriate Federal departments and agencies, to
acquire emergency imports, make foreign barter arrangements, or otherwise provide for essential material
from foreign sources using, as appropriate, the resources of the Export-Import Bank or resources available to the Bank;
(10) Develop plans for encouraging capital inflow and
discouraging the flight of capital from the United
States and, in coordination with the Secretary of
State, for the seizure and administration of assets of
enemy aliens during national security emergencies;
(11) Develop plans, in consultation with the heads of
approporiate Federal departments and agencies, to regulate financial and commercial transactions with other
countries;
(12) Develop plans, in coordination with the Secretary
of Commerce and the Attorney General of the United
States, to control the movement of property entering
or leaving the United States;
(13) Cooperate and consult with the Chairman of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the Chairman of
the Federal Reserve Board, the Chairman of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission in the development of emergency financial control plans and regulations for trading of stocks and commodities, and in the
development of plans for the maintenance and restoration of stable and orderly markets;
(14) Develop plans, in coordination with the Secretary
of State, for the formulation and execution of economic
measures with respect to other nations in national security emergencies.
SEC. 1502. Support Responsibilities. The Secretary of
the Treasury shall:
(1) Cooperate with the Attorney General of the
United States on law enforcement activities, including
the control of people entering and leaving the United
States;
(2) Support the Secretary of Labor in developing
plans and procedures for wage, salary, and benefit costs
stabilization;
(3) Support the Secretary of State in plans for the
protection of international organizations and foreign
diplomatic, consular, and other official personnel and
property or other assets in the United States.
PART 16—ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
SEC. 1601. Lead Responsibilities. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall:

§ 5195

(1) Develop Federal plans and foster development of
State and local plans designed to prevent or minimize
the ecological impact of hazardous agents (biological,
chemical, or radiological) introduced into the environment in national security emergencies;
(2) Develop, for national security emergencies, guidance on acceptable emergency levels of nuclear radiation, assist in determining acceptable emergency levels of biological agents, and help to provide detection
and identification of chemical agents;
(3) Develop, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, plans to assure the provision of potable water
supplies to meet community needs under national security emergency conditions, including claimancy for
materials and equipment for public water systems.
SEC. 1602. Support Responsibilities. The Administrator
of the Environmental Protection Agency shall:
(1) Assist the heads of other Federal agencies that are
responsible for developing plans for the detection, reporting, assessment, protection against, and reduction
of effects of hazardous agents introduced into the environment;
(2) Advise the heads of Federal departments and agencies regarding procedures for assuring compliance with
environmental restrictions and for expeditious review
of requests for essential waivers.
PART 17—DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
SEC. 1701. Lead Responsibilities. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the
Secretary of Homeland Security shall:
(1) Coordinate and support the initiation, development, and implementation of national security emergency preparedness programs and plans among Federal
departments and agencies;
(2) Coordinate the development and implementation
of plans for the operation and continuity of essential
domestic emergency functions of the Federal Government during national security emergencies;
(3) Coordinate the development of plans, in cooperation with the Secretary of Defense, for mutual civilmilitary support during national security emergencies;
(4) Guide and assist State and local governments and
private sector organizations in achieving preparedness
for national security emergencies, including development of plans and procedures for assuring continuity of
government, and support planning for prompt and coordinated Federal assistance to States and localities in
responding to national security emergencies;
(5) Provide the President a periodic assessment of
Federal, State, and local capabilities to respond to national security emergencies;
(6) Coordinate the implementation of policies and
programs for efficient mobilization of Federal, State,
local, and private sector resources in response to national security emergencies;
(7) Develop and coordinate with all appropriate agencies civil defense programs to enhance Federal, State,
local, and private sector capabilities for national security emergency crisis management, population protection, and recovery in the event of an attack on the
United States;
(8) Develop and support public information, education
and training programs to assist Federal, State, and
local government and private sector entities in planning for and implementing national security emergency preparedness programs;
(9) Coordinate among the heads of Federal, State, and
local agencies the planning, conduct, and evaluation of
national security emergency exercises;
(10) With the assistance of the heads of other appropriate Federal departments and agencies, develop and
maintain capabilities to assess actual attack damage
and residual recovery capabilities as well as capabilities to estimate the effects of potential attacks on the
Nation;
(11) Provide guidance to the heads of Federal departments and agencies on the appropriate use of defense
production authorities, including resource claimancy,
in order to improve the capability of industry and in-

§ 5195

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

frastructure systems to meet national security emergency needs;
(12) Assist the Secretary of State in coordinating the
formulation and implementation of United States policy for NATO and other allied civil emergency planning, including the provision of:
(a) advice and assistance to the departments and
agencies in alliance civil emergency planning matters;
(b) support to the United States Mission to NATO in
the conduct of day-to-day civil emergency planning activities; and
(c) support facilities for NATO Civil Wartime Agencies in cooperation with the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Energy, State, and Transportation.
SEC. 1702. Support Responsibilities. The Secretary of
Homeland Security shall:
(1) Support the heads of other Federal departments
and agencies in preparing plans and programs to discharge their national security emergency preparedness
responsibilities, including, but not limited to, such programs as mobilization preparedness, continuity of government planning, and continuance of industry and infrastructure functions essential to national security;
(2) Support the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of
Defense, and the Members of the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission in developing plans and capabilities for
identifying, analyzing, mitigating, and responding to
emergencies related to nuclear weapons, materials, and
devices, including mobile and fixed nuclear facilities,
by providing, inter alia, off-site coordination;
(3) Support the Administrator of General Services in
efforts to promote a government-wide program with respect to Federal buildings and installations to minimize the effects of attack and establish shelter management organizations.
PART 18—GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
SEC. 1801. Lead Responsibilities. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the
Administrator of General Services shall:
(1) Develop national security emergency plans and
procedures for the operation, maintenance, and protection of federally owned and occupied buildings managed
by the General Services Administration, and for the
construction, alteration, and repair of such buildings;
(2) Develop national security emergency operating
procedures for the control, acquisition, leasing, assignment, and priority of occupancy of real property by the
Federal Government, and by State and local governments acting as agents of the Federal Government, except for the military facilities and facilities with special nuclear materials within the jurisdiction of the
Departments of Defense and Energy;
(3) Develop national security emergency operational
plans and procedures for the use of public utility services (other than telecommunications services) by Federal departments and agencies, except for Department
of Energy-operated facilities;
(4) Develop plans and operating procedures of government-wide supply programs to meet the requirements
of Federal departments and agencies during national
security emergencies;
(5) Develop plans and operating procedures for the
use, in national security emergencies, of excess and
surplus real and personal property by Federal, State,
and local governmental entities;
(6) Develop plans, in coordination with the Secretary
of Homeland Security, with respect to Federal buildings and installations, to minimize the effects of attack and establish shelter management organizations;
SEC. 1802. Support Responsibility. The Administrator of
General Services shall develop plans to assist Federal
departments and agencies in operation and maintenance of essential automated information processing
facilities during national security emergencies:[.]
PART 19—NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE
ADMINISTRATION
SEC. 1901. Lead Responsibility. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the Ad-

Page 6016

ministrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall coordinate with the Secretary of Defense to prepare for the use, maintenance, and development of technologically advanced aerospace and aeronautical-related systems, equipment, and methodologies applicable to national security emergencies.
PART 20—NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS
ADMINISTRATION
SEC. 2001. Lead Responsibilities. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the
Archivist of the United States shall:
(1) Develop procedures for publication during national security emergencies of the Federal Register for
as broad public dissemination as is practicable of presidential proclamations and Executive orders, Federal
administrative regulations, Federal emergency notices
and actions, and Acts of Congress;
(2) Develop emergency procedures for providing instructions and advice on the handling and preservation
of records critical to the operation of the Federal Government in national security emergencies.
PART 21—NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
SEC. 2101. Lead Responsibilities. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the
Members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall:
(1) Promote the development and maintenance of national security emergency preparedness programs
through security and safeguards programs by licensed
facilities and activities;
(2) Develop plans to suspend any licenses granted by
the Commission; to order the operations of any facility
licensed under Section 103 or 104; Atomic Energy Act of
1954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2133 or 2134); to order the
entry into any plant or facility in order to recapture
special nuclear material as determined under Subsection (3) below; and operate such facilities;
(3) Recapture or authorize recapture of special nuclear materials from licensees where necessary to assure the use, preservation, or safeguarding of such materials for the common defense and security, as determined by the Commission or as requested by the Secretary of Energy.
SEC. 2102. Support Responsibilities. The Members of the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall:
(1) Assist the Secretary of Energy in assessing damage to Commission-licensed facilities, identifying useable facilities, and estimating the time and actions
necessary to restart inoperative facilities;
(2) Provide advice and technical assistance to Federal, State, and local officials and private sector organizations regarding radiation hazards and protective
actions in national security emergencies.
PART 22—OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
SEC. 2201. Lead Responsibilities. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the
Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall:
(1) Prepare plans to administer the Federal civilian
personnel system in national security emergencies, including plans and procedures for the rapid mobilization
and reduction of an emergency Federal workforce;
(2) Develop national security emergency work force
policies for Federal civilian personnel;
(3) Develop plans to accommodate the surge of Federal personnel security background and pre-employment investigations during national security emergencies.
SEC. 2202. Support Responsibilities. The Director of the
Office of Personnel Management shall:
(1) Assist the heads of other Federal departments and
agencies with personnel management and staffing in
national security emergencies, including facilitating
transfers between agencies of employees with critical
skills;
(2) In consultation with the Secretary of Defense and
the Director of Selective Service, develop plans and
procedures for a system to control any conscription of

Page 6017

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

Federal civilian employees during national security
emergencies.
PART 23—SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM
SEC. 2301. Lead Responsibilities. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the
Director of Selective Service shall:
(1) Develop plans to provide by induction, as authorized by law, personnel that would be required by the
armed forces during national security emergencies;
(2) Develop plans for implementing an alternative
service program.
PART 24—TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
SEC. 2401. Lead Responsibility. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the
Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority
shall develop plans and maintain river control operations for the prevention or control of floods affecting
the Tennessee River System during national security
emergencies.
SEC. 2402. Support Responsibilities. The Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority shall:
(1) Assist the Secretary of Energy in the development
of plans for the integration of the Tennessee Valley Authority power system into nationwide national security
emergency programs;
(2) Assist the Secretaries of Defense, Interior, and
Transportation and the Chairman of the Interstate
Commerce Commission in the development of plans for
operation and maintenance of inland waterway transportation in the Tennessee River System during national security emergencies.
PART 25—UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
SEC. 2501. Lead Responsibilities. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the
Director of the United States Information Agency
shall:
(1) Plan for the implementation of information programs to promote an understanding abroad of the status of national security emergencies within the United
States;
(2) In coordination with the Secretary of State’s exercise of telecommunications functions affecting United
States diplomatic missions and consular offices overseas, maintain the capability to provide television and
simultaneous direct radio broadcasting in major languages to all areas of the world, and the capability to
provide wireless file to all United States embassies during national security emergencies.
SEC. 2502. Support Responsibility. The Director of the
United States Information Agency shall assist the
heads of other Federal departments and agencies in
planning for the use of media resources and foreign
public information programs during national security
emergencies.
PART 26—UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
SEC. 2601. Lead Responsibility. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the Postmaster General shall prepare plans and programs to
provide essential postal services during national security emergencies.
SEC. 2602. Support Responsibilities. The Postmaster
General shall:
(1) Develop plans to assist the Attorney General of
the United States in the registration of nationals of
enemy countries residing in the United States;
(2) Develop plans to assist the Secretary of Health
and Human Services in registering displaced persons
and families;
(3) Develop plans to assist the heads of other Federal
departments and agencies in locating and leasing privately owned property for Federal use during national
security emergencies.
PART 27—VETERANS’ ADMINISTRATION
SEC. 2701. Lead Responsibilities. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the

§ 5195

Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs [now Secretary of
Veterans Affairs] shall:
(1) Develop plans for provision of emergency health
care services to veteran beneficiaries in Veterans’ Administration [now Department of Veterans Affairs]
medical facilities, to active duty military personnel
and, as resources permit, to civilians in communities
affected by national security emergencies;
(2) Develop plans for mortuary services for eligible
veterans, and advise on methods for interment of the
dead during national security emergencies.
SEC. 2702. Support Responsibilities. The Administrator
of Veterans’ Affairs [now Secretary of Veterans Affairs]
shall:
(1) Assist the Secretary of Health and Human Services in promoting the development of State and local
plans for the provision of medical services in national
security emergencies, and develop appropriate plans to
support such State and local plans;
(2) Assist the Secretary of Health and Human Services in developing national plans to mobilize the health
care industry and medical resources during national security emergencies;
(3) Assist the Secretary of Health and Human Services in developing national plans to set priorities and
allocate medical resources among civilian and military
claimants.
PART 28—OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
SEC. 2801. In addition to the applicable responsibilities covered in Parts 1 and 2, the Director of the Office
of Management and Budget shall prepare plans and programs to maintain its functions during national security emergencies. In connection with these functions,
the Director of the Office of Management and Budget
shall:
(1) Develop plans to ensure the preparation, clearance, and coordination of proposed Executive orders
and proclamations;
(2) Prepare plans to ensure the preparation, supervision, and control of the budget and the formulation of
the fiscal program of the Government;
(3) Develop plans to coordinate and communicate Executive branch views to the Congress regarding legislation and testimony by Executive branch officials;
(4) Develop plans for keeping the President informed
of the activities of government agencies, continuing
the Office of Management and Budget’s management
functions, and maintaining presidential supervision
and direction with respect to legislation and regulations in national security emergencies.
PART 29—GENERAL
SEC. 2901. Executive Order Nos. 10421 and 11490, as
amended, are hereby revoked. This Order shall be effective immediately.
[Responsibilities assigned to specific Federal officials
pursuant to Ex. Ord. No. 12656, set out above, that are
substantially the same as any responsibility assigned
to, or function transferred to, the Secretary of Homeland Security pursuant to the Homeland Security Act
of 2002, 6 U.S.C. 101 et seq., or intended or required to
be carried out by an agency or an agency component
transferred to the Department of Homeland Security
pursuant to such Act, reassigned to the Secretary of
Homeland Security by section 42 of Ex. Ord. No. 13286,
Feb. 28, 2003, 68 F.R. 10626, set out as a note under section 111 of Title 6, Domestic Security.]
[For abolition of United States Information Agency
(other than Broadcasting Board of Governors and International Broadcasting Bureau), transfer of functions,
and treatment of references thereto, see sections 6531,
6532, and 6551 of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.]
[Ex. Ord. No. 13286, § 42, which directed amendment of
Ex. Ord. No. 12656, set out above, by substituting ‘‘the
Secretary of Homeland Security’’ for ‘‘the Director of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency’’ in section ‘‘1801(b)’’, was executed by making the substitution in section 1801(6).]

§ 5195

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

EX. ORD. NO. 12657. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ASSISTANCE IN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLANNING AT COMMERCIAL NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
Ex. Ord. No. 12657, Nov. 18, 1988, 53 F.R. 47513, as
amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13286, § 41, Feb. 28, 2003, 68 F.R.
10626, provided:
By the authority vested in me as President by the
Constitution and laws of the United States of America,
including the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950, as
amended ([former] 50 U.S.C. App. 2251 et seq.), the Disaster Relief Act of 1974, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5121 et
seq.), the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42
U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1958
[set out above], Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1973 [set
out above], and Section 301 of Title 3 of the United
States Code, and in order to ensure that plans and procedures are in place to respond to radiological emergencies at commercial nuclear power plants in operation or under construction, it is hereby ordered as follows:
SECTION 1. Scope. (a) This Order applies whenever
State or local governments, either individually or together, decline or fail to prepare commercial nuclear
power plant radiological emergency preparedness plans
that are sufficient to satisfy Nuclear Regulatory Commission (‘‘NRC’’) licensing requirements or to participate adequately in the preparation, demonstration,
testing, exercise, or use of such plans.
(b) In order to request the assistance of the Department of Homeland Security (‘‘DHS’’) provided for in
this Order, an affected nuclear power plant applicant or
licensee (‘‘licensee’’) shall certify in writing to DHS
that the situation described in Subsection (a) exists.
SEC. 2. Generally Applicable Principles and Directives.
(a) Subject to the principles articulated in this Section,
the Secretary of Homeland Security is hereby authorized and directed to take the actions specified in Sections 3 through 6 of this Order.
(b) In carrying out any of its responsibilities under
this Order, DHS:
(1) shall work actively with the licensee, and, before
relying upon its resources or those of any other Department or agency within the Executive branch, shall
make maximum feasible use of the licensee’s resources;
(2) shall take care not to supplant State and local resources. DHS shall substitute its own resources for
those of the State and local governments only to the
extent necessary to compensate for the nonparticipation or inadequate participation of those governments,
and only as a last resort after appropriate consultation
with the Governors and responsible local officials in
the affected area regarding State and local participation;
(3) is authorized, to the extent permitted by law, to
enter into interagency Memoranda of Understanding
providing for utilization of the resources of other Executive branch Departments and agencies and for delegation to other Executive branch Departments and agencies of any of the functions and duties assigned to DHS
under this Order; however, any such Memorandum of
Understanding shall be subject to approval by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget
(‘‘OMB’’) and published in final form in the Federal
Register; and
(4) shall assume for purposes of Sections 3 and 4 of
this Order that, in the event of an actual radiological
emergency or disaster, State and local authorities
would contribute their full resources and exercise their
authorities in accordance with their duties to protect
the public from harm and would act generally in conformity with the licensee’s radiological emergency preparedness plan.
(c) The Director of OMB shall resolve any issue concerning the obligation of Federal funds arising from
the implementation of this Order. In resolving issues
under this Subsection, the Director of OMB shall ensure:
(1) that DHS has utilized to the maximum extent possible the resources of the licensee and State and local

Page 6018

governments before it relies upon its appropriated and
lawfully available resources or those of any Department or agency in the Executive branch;
(2) that DHS shall use its existing resources to coordinate and manage, rather than duplicate, other
available resources;
(3) that implementation of this Order is accomplished
with an economy of resources; and
(4) that full reimbursement to the Federal Government is provided, to the extent permitted by law.
SEC. 3. DHS Participation in Emergency Preparedness
Planning. (a) DHS assistance in emergency preparedness planning shall include advice, technical assistance, and arrangements for facilities and resources as
needed to satisfy the emergency planning requirements
under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended [42
U.S.C. 2011 et seq.], and any other Federal legislation or
regulations pertaining to issuance or retention of a
construction permit or an operating license for a nuclear power plant.
(b) DHS shall make all necessary plans and arrangements to ensure that the Federal Government is prepared to assume any and all functions and undertakings necessary to provide adequate protection to
the public in cases within the scope of this Order. In
making such plans and arrangements,
(1) DHS shall focus planning of Federal response activities to ensure that:
(A) adequate resources and arrangements will exist,
as of the time when an initial response is needed, given
the absence or inadequacy of advance State and local
commitments; and
(B) attention has been given to coordinating (including turning over) response functions when State and
local governments do exercise their authority, with
specific attention to the areas where prior State and
local participation has been insufficient or absent;
(2) FEMA’s [DHS’s] planning for Federal participation in responding to a radiological emergency within
the scope of this Order shall include, but not be limited
to, arrangements for using existing Federal resources
to provide prompt notification of the emergency to the
general public; to assist in any necessary evacuation;
to provide reception centers or shelters and related facilities and services for evacuees; to provide emergency
medical services at Federal hospitals, including those
operated by the military services and by the Veterans’
Administration [now Department of Veterans Affairs];
and to ensure the creation and maintenance of channels of communication from commercial nuclear power
plant licensees or applicants to State and local governments and to surrounding members of the public.
SEC. 4. Evaluation of Plans. (a) DHS shall consider and
evaluate all plans developed under the authority of this
Order as though drafted and submitted by a State or
local government.
(b) DHS shall take all actions necessary to carry out
the evaluation referred to in the preceding Subsection
and to permit the NRC to conduct its evaluation of radiological emergency preparedness plans including, but
not limited to, planning, participating in, and evaluating exercises, drills, and tests, on a timely basis, as
necessary to satisfy NRC requirements for demonstrations of off-site radiological emergency preparedness.
SEC. 5. Response to a Radiological Emergency. (a) In the
event of an actual radiological emergency or disaster,
DHS shall take all steps necessary to ensure the implementation of the plans developed under this Order and
shall coordinate the actions of other Federal agencies
to achieve the maximum effectiveness of Federal efforts in responding to the emergency.
(b) DHS shall coordinate Federal response activities
to ensure that adequate resources are directed, when an
initial response is needed, to activities hindered by the
absence or inadequacy of advance State and local commitments. DHS shall also coordinate with State and
local governmental authorities and turn over response
functions as appropriate when State and local governments do exercise their authority.
(c) DHS shall assume any necessary command-andcontrol function, or delegate such function to another

Page 6019

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

Federal agency, in the event that no competent State
and local authority is available to perform such function.
(d) In any instance in which Federal personnel may
be called upon to fill a command-and-control function
during a radiological emergency, in addition to any
other powers it may have, DHS or its designee is authorized to accept volunteer assistance from utility
employees and other nongovernmental personnel for
any purpose necessary to implement the emergency response plan and facilitate off-site emergency response.
SEC. 6. Implementation of Order. (a) DHS shall issue interim and final directives and procedures implementing
this Order as expeditiously as is feasible and in any
event shall issue interim directives and procedures not
more than 90 days following the effective date of this
Order and shall issue final directives and procedures
not more than 180 days following the effective date of
this Order.
(b) Immediately upon the effective date of this Order,
DHS shall review, and initiate necessary revisions of,
all DHS regulations, directives, and guidance to conform them to the terms and policies of this Order.
(c) Immediately upon the effective date of this Order,
DHS shall review, and initiate necessary renegotiations
of, all interagency agreements to which DHS is a party,
so as to conform them to the terms and policies of this
Order. This directive shall include, but not be limited
to, the Federal Radiological Emergency Response Plan
(50 Fed. Reg. 46542 (November 8, 1985)).
(d) To the extent permitted by law, DHS is directed
to obtain full reimbursement, either jointly or severally, for services performed by DHS or other Federal
agencies pursuant to this Order from any affected licensee and from any affected nonparticipating or inadequately participating State or local government.
SEC. 7. Amendments. This Executive Order amends Executive Order Nos. 11490 (34 Fed. Reg. 17567 (October 28,
1969)) [see note above], 12148 (44 Fed. Reg. 43239 (July 20,
1979)) [set out above], and 12241 (45 Fed. Reg. 64879 (September 29, 1980)), and the same are hereby superseded to
the extent that they are inconsistent with this Order.
SEC. 8. Judicial Review. This Order is intended only to
improve the internal management of the Executive
branch, and is not intended to create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by a
party against the United States, its agencies, its officers, or any person.
SEC. 9. Effective Date. This Order shall be effective November 18, 1988.
EX. ORD. NO. 12673. DELEGATION OF DISASTER RELIEF
AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUNCTIONS
Ex. Ord. No. 12673, Mar. 23, 1989, 54 F.R. 12571, provided:
By virtue of the authority vested in me as President
by the Constitution and laws of the United States of
America, including the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended (42
U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), and in order to conform delegations
of authority to recent legislation, it is hereby ordered
as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 4–203 of Executive Order No. 12148
[set out above] is amended to read:
Section 4–203. The functions vested in the President
by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5121 et
seq.), except those functions vested in the President by
Section 401 (relating to the declaration of major disasters and emergencies), Section 501 (relating to the declaration of emergencies), Section 405 (relating to the
repair, reconstruction, restoration, or replacement of
Federal facilities), and Section 412 (relating to food
coupons [benefits] and distribution), are hereby delegated to the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
SEC. 2. Section 3 of Executive Order No. 11795 [42
U.S.C. 5121 note] is amended by removing the words
‘‘Section 409’’ and inserting ‘‘Section 412’’ in place
thereof.

§ 5195

SEC. 3. The functions vested in the President by Section 103(e)(2) of the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Amendments of 1988, Public Law 100–707 [42
U.S.C. 5122 note] (relating to the transmission of a report to the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate), are hereby delegated to the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
SEC. 4. The functions vested in the President by Section 110 of the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Amendments of 1988, Public Law 100–707 [42 U.S.C.
5121 note], are hereby delegated to the Director of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency.
SEC. 5. The functions vested in the President by Section 113 of the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Amendments of 1988, Public Law 100–707 [42 U.S.C.
5201 note], are hereby delegated to the Director of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency.
SEC. 6. The amendments to Executive Order No. 12148
that are made by Section 1 of this Executive Order
shall not affect the administration of any assistance
for major disasters or emergencies declared by the
President before the effective date of ‘‘The Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Amendments of 1988
[probably means date of enactment of Pub. L. 100–707,
which was approved Nov. 23, 1988].’’
GEORGE BUSH.
EX. ORD. NO. 13010. CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
PROTECTION
Ex. Ord. No. 13010, July 15, 1996, 61 F.R. 37347, as
amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13025, Nov. 13, 1996, 61 F.R.
58623; Ex. Ord. No. 13041, Apr. 3, 1997, 62 F.R. 17039; Ex.
Ord. No. 13064, Oct. 11, 1997, 62 F.R. 53711; Ex. Ord. No.
13077, Mar. 10, 1998, 63 F.R. 12381; Ex. Ord. No. 13138,
§ 3(c), Sept. 30, 1999, 64 F.R. 53880, provided:
Certain national infrastructures are so vital that
their incapacity or destruction would have a debilitating impact on the defense or economic security of
the United States. These critical infrastructures include telecommunications, electrical power systems,
gas and oil storage and transportation, banking and finance, transportation, water supply systems, emergency services (including medical, police, fire, and rescue), and continuity of government. Threats to these
critical infrastructures fall into two categories: physical threats to tangible property (‘‘physical threats’’),
and threats of electronic, radio-frequency, or computer-based attacks on the information or communications components that control critical infrastructures
(‘‘cyber threats’’). Because many of these critical infrastructures are owned and operated by the private sector, it is essential that the government and private sector work together to develop a strategy for protecting
them and assuring their continued operation.
NOW, THEREFORE, by the authority vested in me as
President by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:
SECTION 1. Establishment. There is hereby established
the President’s Commission on Critical Infrastructure
Protection (‘‘Commission’’).
(a) Chair. A qualified individual from outside the Federal Government shall be designated by the President
from among the members to serve as Chair of the Commission. The Commission Chair shall be employed on a
full-time basis.
(b) Members. The head of each of the following executive branch departments and agencies shall nominate
not more than two full-time members of the Commission:
(i) Department of the Treasury;
(ii) Department of Justice;
(iii) Department of Defense;
(iv) Department of Commerce;
(v) Department of Transportation;
(vi) Department of Energy;
(vii) Central Intelligence Agency;

§ 5195

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(viii) Federal Emergency Management Agency;
(ix) Federal Bureau of Investigation;
(x) National Security Agency.
One of the nominees of each agency may be an individual from outside the Federal Government who shall
be employed by the agency on a full-time basis. Each
nominee must be approved by the Steering Committee.
SEC. 2. The Principals Committee. The Commission
shall report to the President through a Principals Committee (‘‘Principals Committee’’), which shall review
any reports or recommendations before submission to
the President. The Principals Committee shall comprise the:
(i) Secretary of the Treasury;
(ii) Secretary of Defense;
(iii) Attorney General;
(iv) Secretary of Commerce;
(v) Secretary of Transportation;
(vi) Secretary of Energy;
(vii) Director of Central Intelligence;
(viii) Director of the Office of Management and Budget;
(ix) Director of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency;
(x) Assistant to the President for National Security
Affairs;
(xi) Assistant to the Vice President for National Security Affairs.[;]
(xii) Assistant to the President for Economic Policy
and Director of the National Economic Council; and
(xiii) Assistant to the President and Director of the
Office of Science and Technology Policy.
SEC. 3. The Steering Committee of the President’s Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection. A Steering
Committee (‘‘Steering Committee’’) shall oversee the
work of the Commission on behalf of the Principals
Committee. The Steering Committee shall comprise
[sic] five members. Four of the members shall be appointed by the President, and the fifth member shall be
the Chair of the Commission. Two of the members of
the Committee shall be employees of the Executive Office of the President. The Steering Committee will receive regular reports on the progress of the Commission’s work and approve the submission of reports to
the Principals Committee.
SEC. 4. Mission. The Commission shall: (a) within 30
days of this order, produce a statement of its mission
objectives, which will elaborate the general objectives
set forth in this order, and a detailed schedule for addressing each mission objective, for approval by the
Steering Committee;
(b) identify and consult with: (i) elements of the public and private sectors that conduct, support, or contribute to infrastructure assurance; (ii) owners and operators of the critical infrastructures; and (iii) other
elements of the public and private sectors, including
the Congress, that have an interest in critical infrastructure assurance issues and that may have differing
perspectives on these issues;
(c) assess the scope and nature of the vulnerabilities
of, and threats to, critical infrastructures;
(d) determine what legal and policy issues are raised
by efforts to protect critical infrastructures and assess
how these issues should be addressed;
(e) recommend a comprehensive national policy and
implementation strategy for protecting critical infrastructures from physical and cyber threats and assuring their continued operation;
(f) propose any statutory or regulatory changes necessary to effect its recommendations; and
(g) produce reports and recommendations to the
Steering Committee as they become available; it shall
not limit itself to producing one final report.
SEC. 5. [Revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13138, § 3(c), Sept. 30,
1999, 64 F.R. 53880.]
SEC. 6. Administration. (a) All executive departments
and agencies shall cooperate with the Commission and
provide such assistance, information, and advice to the
Commission as it may request, to the extent permitted
by law.

Page 6020

(b) The Commission and the Advisory Committee
may hold open and closed hearings, conduct inquiries,
and establish subcommittees, as necessary.
(c) Members of the Advisory Committee shall serve
without compensation for their work on the Advisory
Committee. While engaged in the work of the Advisory
Committee, members may be allowed travel expenses,
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized
by law for persons serving intermittently in the government service.
(d) To the extent permitted by law, and subject to the
availability of appropriations, the Department of Defense shall provide the Commission and the Advisory
Committee with administrative services, staff, other
support services, and such funds as may be necessary
for the performance of its functions and shall reimburse the executive branch components that provide
representatives to the Commission for the compensation of those representatives.
(e) In order to augment the expertise of the Commission, the Department of Defense may, at the Commission’s request, contract for the services of nongovernmental consultants who may prepare analyses, reports,
background papers, and other materials for consideration by the Commission. In addition, at the Commission’s request, executive departments and agencies
shall request that existing Federal advisory committees consider and provide advice on issues of critical infrastructure protection, to the extent permitted by
law.
(f) The Commission shall terminate 1 year and 90
days from the date of this order, unless extended by the
President prior to that date. The Principals Committee, the Steering Committee, and the Advisory
Committee shall terminate no later than September 30,
1998, and, upon submission of the Commission’s report,
shall review the report and prepare appropriate recommendations to the President.
(g) The person who served as Chair of the Commission
may continue to be a member of the Steering Committee after termination of the Commission.
SEC. 7. Review of Commission’s Report. (a) Upon the termination of the Commission as set out in section 6(f) of
this order, certain of the Commission’s staff may be retained no later than September 30, 1998, solely to assist
the Principals, Steering, and Advisory Committees in
reviewing the Commission’s report and preparing recommendations to the President. They shall act under
the direction of the Steering Committee or its designated agent. The Department of Defense shall continue to provide funding and administrative support for
the retained Commission staff.
(b) Pursuant to [former] Executive Order 12958, I
hereby designate the Executive Secretary of the National Security Council to exercise the authority to
classify information originally as ‘‘Top Secret’’ with
respect to the work of the Commission staff, the Principals Committee, the Steering Committee, the Advisory Committee, and the Infrastructure Protection
Task Force.
SEC. 8. Interim Coordinating Mission. (a) While the
Commission is conducting its analysis and until the
President has an opportunity to consider and act on its
recommendations, there is a need to increase coordination of existing infrastructure protection efforts in
order to better address, and prevent, crises that would
have a debilitating regional or national impact. There
is hereby established an Infrastructure Protection Task
Force (‘‘IPTF’’) within the Department of Justice,
chaired by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to undertake this interim coordinating mission.
(b) The IPTF will not supplant any existing programs
or organizations.
(c) The Steering Committee shall oversee the work of
the IPTF.
(d) The IPTF shall include at least one full-time
member each from the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
the Department of Defense, and the National Security
Agency. It shall also receive part-time assistance from
other executive branch departments and agencies.

Page 6021

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

Members shall be designated by their departments or
agencies on the basis of their expertise in the protection of critical infrastructures. IPTF members’ compensation shall be paid by their parent agency or department.
(e) The IPTF’s function is to identify and coordinate
existing expertise, inside and outside of the Federal
Government, to:
(i) provide, or facilitate and coordinate the provision
of, expert guidance to critical infrastructures to detect,
prevent, halt, or confine an attack and to recover and
restore service;
(ii) issue threat and warning notices in the event advance information is obtained about a threat;
(iii) provide training and education on methods of reducing vulnerabilities and responding to attacks on
critical infrastructures;
(iv) conduct after-action analysis to determine possible future threats, targets, or methods of attack; and
(v) coordinate with the pertinent law enforcement authorities during or after an attack to facilitate any resulting criminal investigation.
(f) All executive departments and agencies shall cooperate with the IPTF and provide such assistance, information, and advice as the IPTF may request, to the
extent permitted by law.
(g) All executive departments and agencies shall
share with the IPTF information about threats and
warning of attacks, and about actual attacks on critical infrastructures, to the extent permitted by law.
(h) The IPTF shall terminate no later than 180 days
after the termination of the Commission, unless extended by the President prior to that date.
SEC. 9. General. (a) This order is not intended to
change any existing statutes or Executive orders.
(b) This order is not intended to create any right,
benefit, trust, or responsibility, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or equity by a party against
the United States, its agencies, its officers, or any person.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON.
[Ex. Ord. No. 13138, § 3(c), Sept. 30, 1999, 64 F.R. 53880,
formerly set out as a note under section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act in the Appendix to Title
5, Government Organization and Employees, revoked
‘‘Section 5 and that part of section 6(f) of Executive
Order 13010, as amended by section 3 of Executive Order
13025, Executive Order 13041, sections 1, 2, and that part
of section 3 of Executive Order 13064, and Executive
Order 13077, establishing the Advisory Committee to
the President’s Commission on Critical Infrastructure
Protection’’.]
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 13130
Ex. Ord. No. 13130, July 14, 1999, 64 F.R. 38535, which
established the National Infrastructure Assurance
Council, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13231, § 10(e)(iii),
Oct. 16, 2001, 66 F.R. 53070, set out as a note under section 121 of Title 6, Domestic Security.
EX. ORD. NO. 13151. GLOBAL DISASTER INFORMATION
NETWORK
Ex. Ord. No. 13151, Apr. 27, 2000, 65 F.R. 25619, as
amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13284, § 5, Jan. 23, 2003, 68 F.R.
4075, provided:
By the authority vested in me as President by the
Constitution and the laws of the United States of
America, and in order to establish a Global Disaster Information Network to use information technology
more effectively to reduce loss of life and property
from natural and man-made disasters, it is hereby ordered as follows:
SECTION 1. Policy. (a) It is the policy of this Administration to use information technology more effectively
to coordinate the Federal Government’s collection and
dissemination of information to appropriate response
agencies and State governments to prepare for and respond to natural and man-made disasters (disasters).
As a result of changing population demographics in our

§ 5195

coastal, rural, and urban areas over the past decades,
the loss of life and property (losses) from disasters has
nearly doubled. One of the ways the Federal Government can reduce these losses is to use technology more
effectively to coordinate its collection and dissemination (hereafter referred to collectively as ‘‘provision’’)
of information which can be used in both planning for
and recovering from disasters. While many agencies
provide disaster-related information, they may not always provide it in a coordinated manner. To improve
the provision of disaster-related information, the agencies shall, as set out in this order, use information
technology to coordinate the Federal Government’s
provision of information to prepare for, respond to, and
recover from domestic disasters.
(b) It is also the policy of this Administration to use
information technology and existing channels of disaster assistance to improve the Federal Government’s
provision of information that could be helpful to foreign governments preparing for or responding to foreign disasters. Currently, the United States Government provides disaster-related information to foreign
governments and relief organizations on humanitarian
grounds at the request of foreign governments and
where appropriate. This information is supplied by Federal agencies on an ad hoc basis. To increase the effectiveness of our response to foreign disasters, agencies
shall, where appropriate, use information technology to
coordinate the Federal Government’s provision of disaster-related information to foreign governments.
(c) To carry out the policies in this order, there is established the Global Disaster Information Network
(Network). The Network is defined as the coordinated
effort by Federal agencies to develop a strategy and to
use existing technical infrastructure, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the availability of appropriations and under the guidance of the Interagency
Coordinating Committee and the Committee Support
Office, to make more effective use of information technology to assist our Government, and foreign governments where appropriate, by providing disaster-related
information to prepare for and respond to disasters.
SEC. 2. Establishment. (a) There is established an
Interagency Coordinating Committee (Committee) to
provide leadership and oversight for the development of
the Network. The Office of the Vice President, the Department of Commerce through the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, and the Department
of State, respectively, shall designate a representative
to serve as Co-chairpersons of the Committee. The
Committee membership shall comprise representatives
from the following departments and agencies:
(1) Department of State;
(2) Department of Defense;
(3) Department of the Interior;
(4) Department of Agriculture;
(5) Department of Commerce;
(6) Department of Transportation;
(7) Department of Energy;
(8) Department of Homeland Security;
(9) Office of Management and Budget;
(10) Environmental Protection Agency;
(11) National Aeronautics and Space Administration;
(12) United States Agency for International Development;
(13) Federal Emergency Management Agency; and
(14) Central Intelligence Agency.
At the discretion of the Co-chairpersons of the Committee, other agencies may be added to the Committee
membership. The Committee shall include an Executive Secretary to effect coordination between the Cochairpersons of the Committee and the Committee Support Office.
(b) There is established a Committee Support Office
(Support Office) to assist the Committee by developing
plans and projects that would further the creation of
the Network. The Support Office shall, at the request
of the Co-chairpersons of the Committee, carry out
tasks taken on by the Committee.

§ 5195

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(c) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall provide funding and administrative support for the Committee and the Support Office. To the
extent permitted by law, agencies may provide support
to the Committee and the Support Office to assist them
in their work.
SEC. 3. Responsibilities. (a) The Committee shall:
(1) serve as the United States Government’s single
entity for all matters, both national and international, pertaining to the development and establishment of the Network;
(2) provide leadership and high-level coordination of
Network activities;
(3) provide guidance for the development of Network strategies, goals, objectives, policies, and legislation;
(4) represent and advocate Network goals, objectives, and processes to their respective agencies and
departments;
(5) provide manpower and material support for Network development activities;
(6) develop, delegate, and monitor interagency opportunities and ideas supporting the development of
the Network; and
(7) provide reports, through the Co-chairpersons of
the Committee, to the President as requested or at
least annually.
(b) The Support Office shall:
(1) provide management and administrative support
for the Committee;
(2) develop Network strategies, goals, objectives,
policies, plans, and legislation in accordance with
guidance provided by the Committee;
(3) consult with agencies, States, nongovernment
organizations, and international counterparts in developing Network development tasks;
(4) develop and make recommendations concerning
Network activities to the agencies as approved by the
Committee; and
(5) participate in projects that promote the goals
and objectives of the Network.
SEC. 4. Implementation. (a) The Committee, with the
assistance of the Support Office, shall address national
and international issues associated with the development of the Network within the context of:
(1) promoting the United States as an example and
leader in the development and dissemination of disaster information, both domestically and abroad, and,
to this end, seeking cooperation with foreign governments and international organizations;
(2) striving to include all appropriate stakeholders in
the development of the Network; and
(3) facilitating the creation of a framework that involves public and private stakeholders in a partnership
for sustained operations of the Network.
(b) Intelligence activities, as determined by the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, as well as national security-related activities of the Department of
Defense and of the Department of Energy, are exempt
from compliance with this order.
SEC. 5. Tribal Governments. This order does not impose
any requirements on tribal governments.
SEC. 6. Judicial Review. This order does not create any
right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable
by law, by a party against the United States, its officers, its employees, or any other person.
EX. ORD. NO. 13407. PUBLIC ALERT AND WARNING SYSTEM
Ex. Ord. No. 13407, June 26, 2006, 71 F.R. 36975, provided:
By the authority vested in me as President by the
Constitution and the laws of the United States of
America, including the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended (42
U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), and the Homeland Security Act of
2002, as amended (6 U.S.C. 101 et seq.), it is hereby ordered as follows:
SECTION 1. Policy. It is the policy of the United States
to have an effective, reliable, integrated, flexible, and
comprehensive system to alert and warn the American

Page 6022

people in situations of war, terrorist attack, natural
disaster, or other hazards to public safety and wellbeing (public alert and warning system), taking appropriate account of the functions, capabilities, and needs
of the private sector and of all levels of government in
our Federal system, and to ensure that under all conditions the President can communicate with the American people.
SEC. 2. Functions of the Secretary of Homeland Security.
(a) To implement the policy set forth in section 1 of
this order, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall:
(i) inventory, evaluate, and assess the capabilities
and integration with the public alert and warning system of Federal, State, territorial, tribal, and local public alert and warning resources;
(ii) establish or adopt, as appropriate, common alerting and warning protocols, standards, terminology, and
operating procedures for the public alert and warning
system to enable interoperability and the secure delivery of coordinated messages to the American people
through as many communication pathways as practicable, taking account of Federal Communications
Commission rules as provided by law;
(iii) ensure the capability to adapt the distribution
and content of communications on the basis of geographic location, risks, or personal user preferences, as
appropriate;
(iv) include in the public alert and warning system
the capability to alert and warn all Americans, including those with disabilities and those without an understanding of the English language;
(v) through cooperation with the owners and operators of communication facilities, maintain, protect,
and, if necessary, restore communications facilities
and capabilities necessary for the public alert and
warning system;
(vi) ensure the conduct of training, tests, and exercises for the public alert and warning system;
(vii) ensure the conduct of public education efforts so
that State, territorial, tribal, and local governments,
the private sector, and the American people understand
the functions of the public alert and warning system
and how to access, use, and respond to information
from the public alert and warning system;
(viii) consult, coordinate, and cooperate with the private sector, including communications media organizations, and Federal, State, territorial, tribal, and local
governmental authorities, including emergency response providers, as appropriate;
(ix) administer the Emergency Alert System (EAS) as
a critical component of the public alert and warning
system; and
(x) ensure that under all conditions the President of
the United States can alert and warn the American
people.
(b) In performing the functions set forth in subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary of Homeland
Security shall coordinate with the Secretary of Commerce, the heads of other departments and agencies of
the executive branch (agencies), and other officers of
the United States, as appropriate, and the Federal
Communications Commission.
(c) The Secretary of Homeland Security may issue
guidance to implement this order.
SEC. 3. Duties of Heads of Departments and Agencies.
(a) The heads of agencies shall provide such assistance and information as the Secretary of Homeland Security may request to implement this order.
(b) In addition to performing the duties specified
under subsection (a) of this section:
(i) the Secretary of Commerce shall make available
to the Secretary of Homeland Security, to assist in implementing this order, the capabilities and expertise of
the Department of Commerce relating to standards,
technology, telecommunications, dissemination systems, and weather;
(ii) the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the Secretary of Homeland Security requirements for the public alert and warning system necessary to ensure proper coordination of the functions of the Department of
Defense with the use of such system;

Page 6023

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(iii) the Federal Communications Commission shall,
as provided by law, adopt rules to ensure that communications systems have the capacity to transmit alerts
and warnings to the public as part of the public alert
and warning system; and
(iv) the heads of agencies with capabilities for public
alert and warning shall comply with guidance issued by
the Secretary of Homeland Security under subsection
2(c) of this order, and shall develop and maintain such
capabilities in a manner consistent and interoperable
with the public alert and warning system.
SEC. 4. Reports on Implementation. Not later than 90
days after the date of this order, the Secretary of
Homeland Security shall submit to the President,
through the Assistant to the President for Homeland
Security and Counterterrorism, a plan for the implementation of this order, and shall thereafter submit reports from time to time, and not less often than once
each year, on such implementation, together with any
recommendations the Secretary finds appropriate.
SEC. 5. Amendment, Revocation, and Transition.
(a) [Amended Ex. Ord. No. 12472, formerly set out
above.]
(b) Not later than 120 days after the date of this
order, the Secretary of Homeland Security, after consultation with the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, shall issue guidance under section 2(c) of this order that shall address
the subject matter of the presidential memorandum of
September 15, 1995, for the Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency, on Presidential Communications with the General Public During Periods of
National Emergency, and upon issuance of such guidance such memorandum is revoked.
(c) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure
an orderly and effective transition, without loss of capability, from alert and warning systems available as
of the date of this order to the public alert and warning
system for which this order provides.
SEC. 6. General Provisions. (a) This order shall be implemented in a manner consistent with:
(i) applicable law and presidential guidance, including Executive Order 12472 of April 3, 1984, as amended,
and subject to the availability of appropriations; and
(ii) the authorities of agencies, or heads of agencies,
vested by law.
(b) This order shall not be construed to impair or otherwise affect the functions of the Director of the Office
of Management and Budget relating to budget, administrative, and legislative proposals.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create
any rights or benefits, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by a party against the
United States, its agencies, instrumentalities, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other
person.
GEORGE W. BUSH.
EX. ORD. NO. 13618. ASSIGNMENT OF NATIONAL SECURITY
AND
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMUNICATIONS
FUNCTIONS
Ex. Ord. No. 13618, July 6, 2012, 77 F.R. 40779, as
amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13961, § 6, Dec. 7, 2020, 85 F.R.
79380, provided:
By the authority vested in me as President by the
Constitution and the laws of the United States of
America, it is hereby ordered as follows:
SECTION 1. Policy. The Federal Government must have
the ability to communicate at all times and under all
circumstances to carry out its most critical and time
sensitive missions. Survivable, resilient, enduring, and
effective communications, both domestic and international, are essential to enable the executive branch
to communicate within itself and with: the legislative
and judicial branches; State, local, territorial, and tribal governments; private sector entities; and the public,
allies, and other nations. Such communications must
be possible under all circumstances to ensure national
security, effectively manage emergencies, and improve

§ 5195

national resilience. The views of all levels of government, the private and nonprofit sectors, and the public
must inform the development of national security and
emergency preparedness (NS/EP) communications policies, programs, and capabilities.
SEC. 2. Executive Office Responsibilities.
SEC. 2.1. Policy coordination, guidance, dispute resolution, and periodic in-progress reviews for the functions described and assigned herein shall be provided
through the interagency process established in Presidential Policy Directive-1 of February 13, 2009 (Organization of the National Security Council System)
(PPD–1).
SEC. 2.2. The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy (OSTP) shall: (a) issue an annual
memorandum to the NS/EP Communications Executive
Committee (established in section 3 of this order) highlighting national priorities for Executive Committee
analyses, studies, research, and development regarding
NS/EP communications;
(b) advise the President on the prioritization of radio
spectrum and wired communications that support NS/
EP functions; and
(c) have access to all appropriate information related
to the test, exercise, evaluation, and readiness of the
capabilities of all existing and planned NS/EP communications systems, networks, and facilities to meet all
executive branch NS/EP requirements.
SEC. 2.3. The Director of OSTP is delegated the authority to exercise the authorities vested in the President by section 706(a), and (c) through (e) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (47 U.S.C. 606(a),
and (c) through (e)), if the President takes the actions,
including issuing any necessary proclamations and
findings, required by that section to invoke those authorities. This delegation shall apply to any provisions
of any future public law that are the same or substantially the same as the provisions referenced in this section.
SEC. 3. [Revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13961, § 6(b), Dec. 7,
2020, 85 F.R. 79380, set out below.]
SEC. 4. Executive Committee Joint Program Office.
SEC. 4.1. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall
establish an Executive Committee Joint Program Office (JPO) to provide full-time, expert, and administrative support for the Executive Committee’s performance of its responsibilities under section 3.3 of this
order. Staff of the JPO shall include detailees, as needed and appropriate, from agencies represented on the
Executive Committee. The Department of Homeland
Security shall provide resources to support the JPO.
The JPO shall be responsive to the guidance of the Executive Committee.
SEC. 4.2. The responsibilities of the JPO shall include:
coordination of programs that support NS/EP missions,
priorities, goals, and policy; and, when directed by the
Executive Committee, the convening of governmental
and nongovernmental groups (consistent with the Federal Advisory Committees [sic] Act, as amended (5
U.S.C. App.)), coordination of activities, and development of policies for senior official review and approval.
SEC. 5. Specific Department and Agency Responsibilities.
SEC. 5.1. The Secretary of Defense shall: (a) oversee
the development, testing, implementation, and
sustainment of NS/EP communications that are directly responsive to the national security needs of the
President, Vice President, and senior national leadership, including: communications with or among the
President, Vice President, White House staff, heads of
state and government, and Nuclear Command and Control leadership; Continuity of Government communications; and communications among the executive, judicial, and legislative branches to support Enduring Constitutional Government;
(b) incorporate, integrate, and ensure interoperability and the optimal combination of hardness, redundancy, mobility, connectivity, interoperability,
restorability, and security to obtain, to the maximum
extent practicable, the survivability of NS/EP communications defined in section 5.1(a) of this order under

§ 5195

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

all circumstances, including conditions of crisis or
emergency;
(c) provide to the Executive Committee the technical
support necessary to develop and maintain plans adequate to provide for the security and protection of NS/
EP communications; and
(d) provide, operate, and maintain communication
services and facilities adequate to execute responsibilities consistent with Executive Order 12333 of December
4, 1981, as amended.
SEC. 5.2. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall:
(a) oversee the development, testing, implementation,
and sustainment of NS/EP communications, including:
communications that support Continuity of Government; Federal, State, local, territorial, and tribal
emergency preparedness and response communications;
non-military executive branch communications systems; critical infrastructure protection networks; and
non-military communications networks, particularly
with respect to prioritization and restoration;
(b) incorporate, integrate, and ensure interoperability and the necessary combination of hardness, redundancy, mobility, connectivity, interoperability,
restorability, and security to obtain, to the maximum
extent practicable, the survivability of NS/EP communications defined in section 5.2(a) of this order under
all circumstances, including conditions of crisis or
emergency;
(c) provide to the Executive Committee the technical
support necessary to develop and maintain plans adequate to provide for the security and protection of NS/
EP communications;
(d) receive, integrate, and disseminate NS/EP communications information to the Federal Government
and State, local, territorial, and tribal governments, as
appropriate, to establish situational awareness, priority setting recommendations, and a common operating picture for NS/EP communications information;
(e) satisfy priority communications requirements
through the use of commercial, Government, and privately owned communications resources, when appropriate;
(f) maintain a joint industry-Government center that
is capable of assisting in the initiation, coordination,
restoration, and reconstitution of NS/EP communications services or facilities under all conditions of
emerging threats, crisis, or emergency;
(g) serve as the Federal lead for the prioritized restoration of communications infrastructure and coordinate the prioritization and restoration of communications, including resolution of any conflicts in or among
priorities, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense when activities referenced in section 5.1(a) of this
order are impacted, consistent with the National Response Framework. If conflicts in or among priorities
cannot be resolved between the Departments of Defense
and Homeland Security, they shall be referred for resolution in accordance with section 2.1 of this order; and
(h) within 60 days of the date of this order, in consultation with the Executive Committee where appropriate, develop and submit to the President, through
the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security
and Counterterrorism, a detailed plan that describes
the Department of Homeland Security’s organization
and management structure for its NS/EP communications functions, including the Government Emergency
Telecommunications Service, Wireless Priority Service, Telecommunications Service Priority program,
Next Generation Network Priority program, the Executive Committee JPO, and relevant supporting entities.
SEC. 5.3. The Secretary of Commerce shall: (a) provide
advice and guidance to the Executive Committee on
the use of technical standards and metrics to support
execution of NS/EP communications;
(b) identify for the Executive Committee requirements for additional technical standards and metrics to
enhance NS/EP communications;
(c) engage with relevant standards development organizations to develop appropriate technical standards
and metrics to enhance NS/EP communications;

Page 6024

(d) develop plans and procedures concerning radio
spectrum allocations, assignments, and priorities for
use by agencies and executive offices;
(e) develop, maintain, and publish policies, plans, and
procedures for the management and use of radio frequency assignments, including the authority to amend,
modify, or revoke such assignments, in those parts of
the electromagnetic spectrum assigned to the Federal
Government; and
(f) administer a system of radio spectrum priorities
for those spectrum-dependent telecommunications resources belonging to and operated by the Federal Government and certify or approve such radio spectrum
priorities, including the resolution of conflicts in or
among such radio spectrum priorities during a crisis or
emergency.
SEC. 5.4. The Administrator of General Services shall
provide and maintain a common Federal acquisition
approach that allows for the efficient centralized purchasing of equipment and services that meet NS/EP
communications requirements. Nothing in this section
shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect the
procurement authorities granted by law to an agency
or the head thereof.
SEC. 5.5. With respect to the Intelligence Community,
the DNI, after consultation with the heads of affected
agencies, may issue such policy directives and guidance
as the DNI deems necessary to implement this order.
Procedures or other guidance issued by the heads of
elements of the Intelligence Community shall be in accordance with such policy directives or guidelines
issued by the DNI.
SEC. 5.6. The Federal Communications Commission
performs such functions as are required by law, including: (a) with respect to all entities licensed or regulated by the Federal Communications Commission: the
extension, discontinuance, or reduction of common carrier facilities or services; the control of common carrier rates, charges, practices, and classifications; the
construction, authorization, activation, deactivation,
or closing of radio stations, services, and facilities; the
assignment of radio frequencies to Federal Communications Commission licensees; the investigation of violations of pertinent law; and the assessment of communications service provider emergency needs and resources; and
(b) supporting the continuous operation and restoration of critical communications systems and services
by assisting the Secretary of Homeland Security with
infrastructure damage assessment and restoration, and
by providing the Secretary of Homeland Security with
information collected by the Federal Communications
Commission on communications infrastructure, service
outages, and restoration, as appropriate.
SEC. 6. General Agency Responsibilities. All agencies, to
the extent consistent with law, shall: (a) determine the
scope of their NS/EP communications requirements,
and provide information regarding such requirements
to the Executive Committee;
(b) prepare policies, plans, and procedures concerning
communications facilities, services, or equipment
under their management or operational control to
maximize their capability to respond to the NS/EP
needs of the Federal Government;
(c) propose initiatives, where possible, that may benefit multiple agencies or other Federal entities;
(d) administer programs that support broad NS/EP
communications goals and policies;
(e) submit reports annually, or as otherwise requested, to the Executive Committee, regarding agency
NS/EP communications activities;
(f) devise internal acquisition strategies in support of
the centralized acquisition approach provided by the
General Services Administration pursuant to section
5.4 of this order; and
(g) provide the Secretary of Homeland Security with
timely reporting on NS/EP communications status to
inform the common operating picture required under 6
U.S.C. 321(d).
SEC. 7. General Provisions. (a) For the purposes of this
order, the word ‘‘agency’’ shall have the meaning set

Page 6025

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

forth in section 6.1(b) of Executive Order 13526 of December 29, 2009.
(b) Executive Order 12472 of April 3, 1984, as amended,
is hereby revoked.
(c) [Amended Ex. Ord. No. 12382, set out as a note
under section 901 of Title 47, Telecommunications.]
(d) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair
or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an agency, or the
head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the OMB relating
to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(e) This order shall be implemented consistent with
applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(f) This order is not intended to, and does not, create
any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the
United States, its departments, agencies, or entities,
its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
EX. ORD. NO. 13961. GOVERNANCE AND INTEGRATION OF
FEDERAL MISSION RESILIENCE
Ex. Ord. No. 13961, Dec. 7, 2020, 85 F.R. 79379, provided:
By the authority vested in me as President by the
Constitution and the laws of the United States of
America, including the National Security Act of 1947,
as amended, I hereby order the following:
SECTION 1. Policy. It is the policy of the United States
to maintain comprehensive and effective continuity
programs that ensure national security and the preservation of government structure under the United
States Constitution and in alignment with Presidential
Policy Directive–40 (PPD–40) of July 15, 2016 (National
Continuity Policy). Executive departments and agencies (agencies), including the Executive Office of the
President, must maintain the capability and capacity
to continuously perform National Essential Functions
(NEFs), as defined by PPD–40, regardless of threat or
condition, and with the understanding that adequate
warning may not be available. Agency heads must fully
integrate preparedness programs, including continuity
and risk management, into day-to-day operations to
ensure the preservation of the NEFs under all conditions.
SEC. 2. Federal Mission Resilience Strategy. To achieve
this policy, in conjunction with this order, I am signing
the Federal Mission Resilience Strategy (Strategy),
which should be implemented to increase the resilience
of the executive branch. Implementing the Strategy
will reduce the current reliance on reactive relocation
of personnel and enhance a proactive posture that
minimizes disruption, distributes risk to the performance of NEFs, and maximizes the cost-effectiveness of
actions that ensure continuity of operations, continuity of government, and enduring constitutional
government.
SEC. 3. Executive Committee. (a) The Federal Mission
Resilience Executive Committee (Executive Committee) is hereby established.
(b) The Executive Committee shall be composed of
the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland
Security, the Director of National Intelligence, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
(APNSA), the Assistant to the President and Deputy
Chief of Staff for Operations, and the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget. When issues concerning science and technology, including communications technology, are on the agenda, the Executive
Committee also shall include the Director of the Office
of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). The heads of
other agencies, and other senior officials, shall be invited to attend meetings as appropriate.
(c) The APNSA, in coordination with the other members of the Executive Committee, shall be responsible
for convening the committee, as appropriate, to coordinate the review, integration, and execution of the
Strategy and other continuity policy across the executive branch.
(d) The Executive Committee shall:

§ 5195a

(i) coordinate the development of an implementation
plan (Plan) for the Strategy and other continuity policy, as described in section 4(b) of this order, and shall
facilitate execution of the Plan and other continuity
policy, as appropriate;
(ii) advise the President, through the Assistant to the
President and Chief of Staff (Chief of Staff), on the review, integration, and execution of the Strategy and
other continuity policy, including the recommendations outlined in section 4(c) of this order;
(iii) establish, with consensus of its members and as
appropriate, subordinate coordinating bodies; and
(iv) coordinate the development of an interagency
framework under which agencies will assess and address risk to Federal Mission Resilience and NEFs
across the executive branch.
SEC. 4. Implementation. (a) Within 90 days of the date
of this order [Dec. 7, 2020], the Executive Committee
shall submit a Federal Mission Resilience Executive
Committee Charter to the President, through the Chief
of Staff, that identifies any subordinate bodies, working groups, and reporting mechanisms that support the
role of the Executive Committee.
(b) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Executive Committee shall submit a Federal Mission Resilience Implementation Plan to the President, through
the Chief of Staff, that sets forth how the executive
branch will implement the Strategy. The Plan shall describe in detail the near-, mid-, and long-term actions
necessary to ensure the uninterrupted performance of
NEFs.
(c) Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Executive Committee shall coordinate the review of existing continuity policy and other related national policies, and shall provide recommendations to the President, through the Chief of Staff, on any actions necessary to align these policies with the implementation
of the Strategy.
SEC. 5. Amendment to PPD–40. To designate a new National Continuity Coordinator (NCC), in section 6 of
PPD–40, the second sentence is hereby revised to read
as follows: ‘‘To advise and assist the President in that
function, the Assistant to the President for National
Security Affairs, or his or her designee, is designated as
the NCC.’’
SEC. 6. Amendments to Executive Order 13618. (a)
[Amended Ex. Ord. 13618, set out above.]
(b) Section 3 of Executive Order 13618 is hereby revoked. The responsibilities of the national security and
emergency preparedness Executive Committee set forth
in section 3.3 of Executive Order 13618 shall be transferred to and exercised by the Executive Committee established in section 3 of this order.
SEC. 7. Program Support. The national security and
emergency preparedness Executive Committee Joint
Program Office established by section 4 of Executive
Order 13618 shall support the Executive Committee established in section 3 of this order, the execution of activities described in section 4 of this order, and those
activities taken by the Director of OSTP pursuant to
section 6 of this order.
SEC. 8. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order
shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with
applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create
any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the
United States, its departments, agencies, or entities,
its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
DONALD J. TRUMP.

§ 5195a. Definitions
(a) Definitions
For purposes of this subchapter only:

§ 5195a

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(1) Hazard
The term ‘‘hazard’’ means an emergency or
disaster resulting from—
(A) a natural disaster; or
(B) an accidental or man-caused event.
(2) Natural disaster
The term ‘‘natural disaster’’ means any hurricane, tornado, storm, flood, high water,
wind-driven water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide,
snowstorm, drought, fire, or other catastrophe
in any part of the United States which causes,
or which may cause, substantial damage or injury to civilian property or persons.
(3) Emergency preparedness
The term ‘‘emergency preparedness’’ means
all those activities and measures designed or
undertaken to prepare for or minimize the effects of a hazard upon the civilian population,
to deal with the immediate emergency conditions which would be created by the hazard,
and to effectuate emergency repairs to, or the
emergency restoration of, vital utilities and
facilities destroyed or damaged by the hazard.
Such term includes the following:
(A) Measures to be undertaken in preparation for anticipated hazards (including the
establishment of appropriate organizations,
operational plans, and supporting agreements, the recruitment and training of personnel, the conduct of research, the procurement and stockpiling of necessary materials
and supplies, the provision of suitable warning systems, the construction or preparation
of shelters, shelter areas, and control centers, and, when appropriate, the non-military evacuation of the civilian population).
(B) Measures to be undertaken during a
hazard (including the enforcement of passive
defense regulations prescribed by duly established military or civil authorities, the evacuation of personnel to shelter areas, the control of traffic and panic, and the control and
use of lighting and civil communications).
(C) Measures to be undertaken following a
hazard (including activities for fire fighting,
rescue, emergency medical, health and sanitation services, monitoring for specific dangers of special weapons, unexploded bomb reconnaissance, essential debris clearance,
emergency welfare measures, and immediately essential emergency repair or restoration of damaged vital facilities).
(4) Organizational equipment
The
term
‘‘organizational
equipment’’
means equipment determined by the Administrator to be necessary to an emergency preparedness organization, as distinguished from
personal equipment, and of such a type or nature as to require it to be financed in whole or
in part by the Federal Government. Such term
does not include those items which the local
community normally uses in combating local
disasters, except when required in unusual
quantities dictated by the requirements of the
emergency preparedness plans.
(5) Materials
The term ‘‘materials’’ includes raw materials, supplies, medicines, equipment, compo-

Page 6026

nent parts and technical information and
processes necessary for emergency preparedness.
(6) Facilities
The term ‘‘facilities’’, except as otherwise
provided in this subchapter, includes buildings, shelters, utilities, and land.
(7) Administrator
The term ‘‘Administrator’’ means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(8) Neighboring countries
The term ‘‘neighboring countries’’ includes
Canada and Mexico.
(9) United States and States
The terms ‘‘United States’’ and ‘‘States’’ includes 1 the several States, the District of Columbia, and territories and possessions of the
United States.
(10) State
The term ‘‘State’’ includes interstate emergency preparedness authorities established
under section 5196(h) of this title.
(b) Cross reference
The terms ‘‘national defense’’ and ‘‘defense,’’ 2
as used in the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50
U.S.C. App. 2061 et seq.),3 includes 1 emergency
preparedness activities conducted pursuant to
this subchapter.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title VI, § 602, as added Pub. L.
103–337, div. C, title XXXIV, § 3411(a)(3), Oct. 5,
1994, 108 Stat. 3101; amended Pub. L. 111–351,
§ 3(c), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3864.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Defense Production Act of 1950, referred to in
subsec. (b), is act Sept. 8, 1950, ch. 932, 64 Stat. 798,
which was classified to section 2061 et seq. of the
former Appendix to Title 50, War and National Defense,
prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as
chapter 55 (§ 4501 et seq.) of Title 50. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in sections 2252 and 2282 of the former Appendix
to Title 50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal
by Pub. L. 103–337, § 3412(a).
AMENDMENTS
2011—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 111–351, § 3(c)(2), substituted ‘‘Administrator’’ for ‘‘Director’’.
Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 111–351, § 3(c)(1), added par. (7)
and struck out former par. (7). Prior to amendment,
text read as follows: ‘‘The term ‘Director’ means the
Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.’’
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including
the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal
1 So

in original. Probably should be ‘‘include’’.
in original. The comma probably should follow the closing
quotation marks.
3 See References in Text note below.
2 So

Page 6027

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1)
of Title 6, Domestic Security.
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto,
to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and
sections 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set
out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

§ 5195b. Administration of subchapter
This subchapter shall be carried out by the
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title VI, § 603, as added Pub. L.
103–337, div. C, title XXXIV, § 3411(a)(3), Oct. 5,
1994, 108 Stat. 3102; amended Pub. L. 111–351,
§ 3(c)(2), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3864.)
AMENDMENTS
2011—Pub. L. 111–351 substituted ‘‘Administrator’’ for
‘‘Director’’.
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including
the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1)
of Title 6, Domestic Security.
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto,
to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and
sections 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set
out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

§ 5195c. Critical infrastructures protection
(a) Short title
This section may be cited as the ‘‘Critical Infrastructures Protection Act of 2001’’.
(b) Findings
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The information revolution has transformed the conduct of business and the operations of government as well as the infrastructure relied upon for the defense and national
security of the United States.
(2) Private business, government, and the
national security apparatus increasingly depend on an interdependent network of critical
physical and information infrastructures, including telecommunications, energy, financial
services, water, and transportation sectors.
(3) A continuous national effort is required
to ensure the reliable provision of cyber and
physical infrastructure services critical to
maintaining the national defense, continuity
of government, economic prosperity, and quality of life in the United States.
(4) This national effort requires extensive
modeling and analytic capabilities for purposes of evaluating appropriate mechanisms to
ensure the stability of these complex and

§ 5195c

interdependent systems, and to underpin policy recommendations, so as to achieve the
continuous viability and adequate protection
of the critical infrastructure of the Nation.
(c) Policy of the United States
It is the policy of the United States—
(1) that any physical or virtual disruption of
the operation of the critical infrastructures of
the United States be rare, brief, geographically limited in effect, manageable, and minimally detrimental to the economy, human and
government services, and national security of
the United States;
(2) that actions necessary to achieve the policy stated in paragraph (1) be carried out in a
public-private partnership involving corporate
and non-governmental organizations; and
(3) to have in place a comprehensive and effective program to ensure the continuity of essential Federal Government functions under
all circumstances.
(d) Establishment of national competence for
critical infrastructure protection
(1) Support of critical infrastructure protection and continuity by National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center
There shall be established the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center
(NISAC) to serve as a source of national competence to address critical infrastructure protection and continuity through support for activities related to counterterrorism, threat assessment, and risk mitigation.
(2) Particular support
The support provided under paragraph (1)
shall include the following:
(A) Modeling, simulation, and analysis of
the systems comprising critical infrastructures, including cyber infrastructure, telecommunications infrastructure, and physical infrastructure, in order to enhance understanding of the large-scale complexity of
such systems and to facilitate modification
of such systems to mitigate the threats to
such systems and to critical infrastructures
generally.
(B) Acquisition from State and local governments and the private sector of data necessary to create and maintain models of
such systems and of critical infrastructures
generally.
(C) Utilization of modeling, simulation,
and analysis under subparagraph (A) to provide education and training to policymakers
on matters relating to—
(i) the analysis conducted under that
subparagraph;
(ii) the implications of unintended or unintentional disturbances to critical infrastructures; and
(iii) responses to incidents or crises involving critical infrastructures, including
the continuity of government and private
sector activities through and after such incidents or crises.
(D) Utilization of modeling, simulation,
and analysis under subparagraph (A) to provide recommendations to policymakers, and

§ 5196

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

to departments and agencies of the Federal
Government and private sector persons and
entities upon request, regarding means of
enhancing the stability of, and preserving,
critical infrastructures.
(3) Recipient of certain support
Modeling, simulation, and analysis provided
under this subsection shall be provided, in particular, to relevant Federal, State, and local
entities responsible for critical infrastructure
protection and policy.
(e) Critical infrastructure defined
In this section, the term ‘‘critical infrastructure’’ means systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that
the incapacity or destruction of such systems
and assets would have a debilitating impact on
security, national economic security, national
public health or safety, or any combination of
those matters.
(f) Authorization of appropriations
There is hereby authorized for the Department
of Defense for fiscal year 2002, $20,000,000 for the
Defense Threat Reduction Agency for activities
of the National Infrastructure Simulation and
Analysis Center under this section in that fiscal
year.
(Pub. L. 107–56, title X, § 1016, Oct. 26, 2001, 115
Stat. 400.)
CODIFICATION
Section was enacted as the Critical Infrastructures
Protection Act of 2001 and also as part of the Uniting
and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate
Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism
Act of 2001 or USA PATRIOT Act, and not as part of the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act which comprises this chapter.
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the National Infrastructure Simulation and
Analysis Center of the Department of Energy, including the functions of the Secretary of Energy relating
thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for
treatment of related references, see sections 121(g)(4),
551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and
the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization
Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note
under section 542 of Title 6.

PART A—POWERS AND DUTIES
§ 5196. Detailed functions of administration
(a) In general
In order to carry out the policy described in
section 5195 of this title, the Administrator shall
have the authorities provided in this section.
(b) Federal emergency response plans and programs
The Administrator may prepare Federal response plans and programs for the emergency
preparedness of the United States and sponsor
and direct such plans and programs. To prepare
such plans and programs and coordinate such
plans and programs with State efforts, the Administrator may request such reports on State
plans and operations for emergency preparedness as may be necessary to keep the President,

Page 6028

Congress, and the States advised of the status of
emergency preparedness in the United States.
(c) Delegation of emergency preparedness responsibilities
With the approval of the President, the Administrator may delegate to other departments
and agencies of the Federal Government appropriate emergency preparedness responsibilities
and review and coordinate the emergency preparedness activities of the departments and
agencies with each other and with the activities
of the States and neighboring countries.
(d) Communications and warnings
The Administrator may make appropriate provision for necessary emergency preparedness
communications and for dissemination of warnings to the civilian population of a hazard.
(e) Emergency preparedness measures
The Administrator may study and develop
emergency preparedness measures designed to
afford adequate protection of life and property,
including—
(1) research and studies as to the best methods of treating the effects of hazards;
(2) developing shelter designs and materials
for protective covering or construction;
(3) developing equipment or facilities and effecting the standardization thereof to meet
emergency preparedness requirements; and
(4) plans that take into account the needs of
individuals with pets and service animals prior
to, during, and following a major disaster or
emergency.
(f) Training programs
(1) The Administrator may—
(A) conduct or arrange, by contract or otherwise, for training programs for the instruction
of emergency preparedness officials and other
persons in the organization, operation, and
techniques of emergency preparedness;
(B) conduct or operate schools or including
the payment of travel expenses, in accordance
with subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5 and
the Standardized Government Travel Regulations, and per diem allowances, in lieu of subsistence for trainees in attendance or the furnishing of subsistence and quarters for trainees and instructors on terms prescribed by the
Administrator; and
(C) provide instructors and training aids as
necessary.
(2) The terms prescribed by the Administrator
for the payment of travel expenses and per diem
allowances authorized by this subsection shall
include a provision that such payment shall not
exceed one-half of the total cost of such expenses.
(3) The Administrator may lease real property
required for the purpose of carrying out this
subsection, but may not acquire fee title to
property unless specifically authorized by law.
(g) Public dissemination of emergency preparedness information
The Administrator may publicly disseminate
appropriate emergency preparedness information by all appropriate means.
(h) Emergency preparedness compacts
(1) The Administrator shall establish a program supporting the development of emergency

Page 6029

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

preparedness compacts for acts of terrorism, disasters, and emergencies throughout the Nation,
by—
(A) identifying and cataloging existing
emergency preparedness compacts for acts of
terrorism, disasters, and emergencies at the
State and local levels of government;
(B) disseminating to State and local governments examples of best practices in the development of emergency preparedness compacts
and models of existing emergency preparedness compacts, including agreements involving interstate jurisdictions; and
(C) completing an inventory of Federal response capabilities for acts of terrorism, disasters, and emergencies, making such inventory
available to appropriate Federal, State, and
local government officials, and ensuring that
such inventory is as current and accurate as
practicable.
(2) The Administrator may—
(A) assist and encourage the States to negotiate and enter into interstate emergency preparedness compacts;
(B) review the terms and conditions of such
proposed compacts in order to assist, to the
extent feasible, in obtaining uniformity between such compacts and consistency with
Federal emergency response plans and programs;
(C) assist and coordinate the activities under
such compacts; and
(D) aid and assist in encouraging reciprocal
emergency preparedness legislation by the
States which will permit the furnishing of mutual aid for emergency preparedness purposes
in the event of a hazard which cannot be adequately met or controlled by a State or political subdivision thereof threatened with or experiencing a hazard.
(3) A copy of each interstate emergency preparedness compact shall be transmitted promptly to the Senate and the House of Representatives. The consent of Congress is deemed to be
granted to each such compact upon the expiration of the 60-day period beginning on the date
on which the compact is transmitted to Congress.
(4) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preventing Congress from disapproving, or withdrawing at any time its consent to, any interstate emergency preparedness
compact.
(i) Materials and facilities
(1) The Administrator may procure by condemnation or otherwise, construct, lease, transport, store, maintain, renovate or distribute materials and facilities for emergency preparedness, with the right to take immediate possession thereof.
(2) Facilities acquired by purchase, donation,
or other means of transfer may be occupied,
used, and improved for the purposes of this subchapter before the approval of title by the Attorney General as required by sections 3111 and
3112 of title 40.
(3) The Administrator may lease real property
required for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this subsection, but shall not acquire

§ 5196

fee title to property unless specifically authorized by law.
(4) The Administrator may procure and maintain under this subsection radiological, chemical, bacteriological, and biological agent monitoring and decontamination devices and distribute such devices by loan or grant to the
States for emergency preparedness purposes,
under such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall prescribe.
(j) Financial contributions
(1) The Administrator may make financial
contributions, on the basis of programs or
projects approved by the Administrator, to the
States for emergency preparedness purposes, including the procurement, construction, leasing,
or renovating of materials and facilities. Such
contributions shall be made on such terms or
conditions as the Administrator shall prescribe,
including the method of purchase, the quantity,
quality, or specifications of the materials or facilities, and such other factors or care or treatment to assure the uniformity, availability, and
good condition of such materials or facilities.
(2) The Administrator may make financial
contributions, on the basis of programs or
projects approved by the Administrator, to the
States and local authorities for animal emergency preparedness purposes, including the procurement, construction, leasing, or renovating
of emergency shelter facilities and materials
that will accommodate people with pets and
service animals.
(3) No contribution may be made under this
subsection for the procurement of land or for
the purchase of personal equipment for State or
local emergency preparedness workers.
(4) The amounts authorized to be contributed
by the Administrator to each State for organizational equipment shall be equally matched by
such State from any source it determines is consistent with its laws.
(5) Financial contributions to the States for
shelters and other protective facilities shall be
determined by taking the amount of funds appropriated or available to the Administrator for
such facilities in each fiscal year and apportioning such funds among the States in the ratio
which the urban population of the critical target areas (as determined by the Administrator)
in each State, at the time of the determination,
bears to the total urban population of the critical target areas of all of the States.
(6) The amounts authorized to be contributed
by the Administrator to each State for such
shelters and protective facilities shall be equally matched by such State from any source it determines is consistent with its laws and, if not
matched within a reasonable time, the Administrator may reallocate such amounts to other
States under the formula described in paragraph
(4).1 The value of any land contributed by any
State or political subdivision thereof shall be
excluded from the computation of the State
share under this subsection.
(7) The amounts paid to any State under this
subsection shall be expended solely in carrying
out the purposes set forth herein and in accord1 See

References in Text note below.

§ 5196

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

ance with State emergency preparedness programs or projects approved by the Administrator. The Administrator shall make no contribution toward the cost of any program or
project for the procurement, construction, or
leasing of any facility which (A) is intended for
use, in whole or in part, for any purpose other
than emergency preparedness, and (B) is of such
kind that upon completion it will, in the judgment of the Administrator, be capable of producing sufficient revenue to provide reasonable
assurance of the retirement or repayment of
such cost; except that (subject to the preceding
provisions of this subsection) the Administrator
may make a contribution to any State toward
that portion of the cost of the construction, reconstruction, or enlargement of any facility
which the Administrator determines to be directly attributable to the incorporation in such
facility of any feature of construction or design
not necessary for the principal intended purpose
thereof but which is, in the judgment of the Administrator necessary for the use of such facility for emergency preparedness purposes.
(8) The Administrator shall submit to Congress a report, at least annually, regarding all
contributions made pursuant to this subsection.
(9) All laborers and mechanics employed by
contractors or subcontractors in the performance of construction work financed with the assistance of any contribution of Federal funds
made by the Administrator under this subsection shall be paid wages at rates not less than
those prevailing on similar construction in the
locality as determined by the Secretary of
Labor in accordance with sections 3141–3144,
3146, and 3147 of title 40, and every such employee shall receive compensation at a rate not
less than one and 1⁄2 times the basic rate of pay
of the employee for all hours worked in any
workweek in excess of eight hours in any workday or 40 hours in the workweek, as the case
may be. The Administrator shall make no contribution of Federal funds without first obtaining adequate assurance that these labor standards will be maintained upon the construction
work. The Secretary of Labor shall have, with
respect to the labor standards specified in this
subsection, the authority and functions set forth
in Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950 (5
U.S.C. App.) and section 3145 of title 40.
(k) Sale or disposal of certain materials and facilities
The Administrator may arrange for the sale or
disposal of materials and facilities found by the
Administrator to be unnecessary or unsuitable
for emergency preparedness purposes in the
same manner as provided for excess property
under chapters 1 to 11 of title 40 and division C
(except sections 3302, 3307(e), 3501(b), 3509, 3906,
4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of title 41. Any funds
received as proceeds from the sale or other disposition of such materials and facilities shall be
deposited into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title VI, § 611, as added Pub. L.
103–337, div. C, title XXXIV, § 3411(a)(3), Oct. 5,
1994, 108 Stat. 3102; amended Pub. L. 104–66, title
II, § 2071, Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 729; Pub. L.
108–458, title VII, § 7406, Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat.

Page 6030

3851; Pub. L. 109–308, § 3, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat.
1725; Pub. L. 111–351, § 3(c)(2), Jan. 4, 2011, 124
Stat. 3864.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Paragraph (4), referred to in subsec. (j)(6), was redesignated paragraph (5) by Pub. L. 109–308, § 3(2), Oct. 6,
2006, 120 Stat. 1725.
Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950, referred to
in subsec. (j)(9), is Reorg. Plan No. 14 of 1950, eff. May
24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3176, 64 Stat. 1267, which is set out in
the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and
Employees.
CODIFICATION
In subsec. (i)(2), ‘‘sections 3111 and 3112 of title 40’’
substituted for ‘‘section 355 of the Revised Statutes (40
U.S.C. 255)’’ and, in subsec. (j)(9), ‘‘sections 3141–3144,
3146, and 3147 of title 40’’ substituted for ‘‘the Act of
March 3, 1931 (commonly known as the Davis-Bacon
Act (40 U.S.C. 276a–276a–5))’’ and ‘‘section 3145 of title
40’’ substituted for ‘‘section 2 of the Act of June 13, 1934
(40 U.S.C. 276(c))’’, meaning 276c, on authority of Pub.
L. 107–217, § 5(c), Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1303, the first
section of which enacted Title 40, Public Buildings,
Property, and Works.
In subsec. (k), ‘‘chapters 1 to 11 of title 40 and division C (except sections 3302, 3307(e), 3501(b), 3509, 3906,
4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of title 41’’ substituted for
‘‘the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act
of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 471 et seq.)’’ on authority of Pub. L.
107–217, § 5(c), Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1303, which Act enacted Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works,
and Pub. L. 111–350, § 6(c), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3854,
which Act enacted Title 41, Public Contracts.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2281 of the former Appendix to Title
50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L.
103–337, § 3412(a).
AMENDMENTS
2011—Pub. L. 111–351 substituted ‘‘Administrator’’ for
‘‘Director’’ wherever appearing.
2006—Subsec. (e)(4). Pub. L. 109–308, § 3(1), added par.
(4).
Subsec. (j)(2) to (9). Pub. L. 109–308, § 3(2), added par.
(2) and redesignated former pars. (2) to (8) as (3) to (9),
respectively.
2004—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 108–458 substituted ‘‘Emergency preparedness compacts’’ for ‘‘Interstate emergency preparedness compacts’’ in subsec. heading,
added par. (1), redesignated former pars. (1) to (3) as (2)
to (4), respectively, and realigned margins of par. (2), as
redesignated.
1995—Subsec. (i)(3) to (5). Pub. L. 104–66 redesignated
pars. (4) and (5) as (3) and (4), respectively, and struck
out former par. (3) which read as follows: ‘‘The Director
shall submit to Congress a report, at least quarterly,
describing all property acquisitions made pursuant to
this subsection.’’
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including
the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1)
of Title 6, Domestic Security.
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto,
to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and
sections 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Secu-

Page 6031

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

rity, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set
out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.
NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION MUTUAL AID
Pub. L. 108–458, title VII, § 7302, Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat.
3840, as amended by Pub. L. 110–250, § 1, June 26, 2008, 122
Stat. 2318, provided that:
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
‘‘(1) AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT.—The term ‘authorized representative of
the Federal Government’ means any individual or individuals designated by the President with respect to
the executive branch, the Chief Justice with respect
to the Federal judiciary, or the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives with
respect to Congress, or their designees, to request assistance under a mutual aid agreement for an emergency or public service event.
‘‘(2) CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER.—The term ‘chief operating officer’ means the official designated by law
to declare an emergency in and for the locality of
that chief operating officer.
‘‘(3) EMERGENCY.—The term ‘emergency’ means a
major disaster or emergency declared by the President, or a state of emergency declared by the mayor
of the District of Columbia, the Governor of the State
of Maryland or the Commonwealth of Virginia, or the
declaration of a local emergency by the chief operating officer of a locality, or their designees, that
triggers mutual aid under the terms of a mutual aid
agreement.
‘‘(4) EMPLOYEE.—The term ‘employee’ means the
employees of the party who are committed in a mutual aid agreement to prepare for or who respond to
an emergency or public service event.
‘‘(5) LOCALITY.—The term ‘locality’ means a county,
city, town, or other governmental agency, governmental authority, or governmental institution with
the power to sue or be sued in its own name, within
the National Capital Region.
‘‘(6) MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT.—The term ‘mutual aid
agreement’ means an agreement, authorized under
subsection (b), for the provision of police, fire, rescue
and other public safety and health or medical services to any party to the agreement during a public
service event, an emergency, or pre-planned training
event.
‘‘(7) NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION OR REGION.—The term
‘National Capital Region’ or ‘Region’ means the area
defined under section 2674(f)(2) of title 10, United
States Code, and those counties with a border abutting that area and any municipalities therein.
‘‘(8) PARTY.—The term ‘party’ means the State of
Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the District of Columbia, and any of the localities duly executing a Mutual Aid Agreement under this section.
‘‘(9) PUBLIC SERVICE EVENT.—The term ‘public service event’—
‘‘(A) means any undeclared emergency, incident
or situation in preparation for or response to which
the mayor of the District of Columbia, an authorized representative of the Federal Government, the
Governor of the State of Maryland, the Governor of
the Commonwealth of Virginia, or the chief operating officer of a locality in the National Capital
Region, or their designees, requests or provides assistance under a Mutual Aid Agreement within the
National Capital Region; and
‘‘(B) includes Presidential inaugurations, public
gatherings, demonstrations and protests, and law
enforcement, fire, rescue, emergency health and
medical services, transportation, communications,
public works and engineering, mass care, and other
support that require human resources, equipment,
facilities or services supplemental to or greater
than the requesting jurisdiction can provide.
‘‘(10) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means the State of
Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the
District of Columbia.

§ 5196

‘‘(11) TRAINING.—The term ‘training’ means emergency and public service event-related exercises, testing, or other activities using equipment and personnel to simulate performance of any aspect of the
giving or receiving of aid by National Capital Region
jurisdictions during emergencies or public service
events, such actions occurring outside actual emergency or public service event periods.
‘‘(b) MUTUAL AID AUTHORIZED.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The mayor of the District of Columbia, any authorized representative of the Federal
Government, the Governor of the State of Maryland,
the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, or
the chief operating officer of a locality, or their designees, acting within his or her jurisdictional purview, may, in accordance with State law, enter into,
request or provide assistance under mutual aid agreements with localities for—
‘‘(A) law enforcement, fire, rescue, emergency
health and medical services, transportation, communications, public works and engineering, mass
care, and resource support in an emergency or public service event;
‘‘(B) preparing for, mitigating, managing, responding to or recovering from any emergency or
public service event; and
‘‘(C) training for any of the activities described
under subparagraphs (A) and (B).
‘‘(2) FACILITATING LOCALITIES.—The State of Maryland and the Commonwealth of Virginia are encouraged to facilitate the ability of localities to enter
into interstate mutual aid agreements in the National Capital Region under this section.
‘‘(3) APPLICATION AND EFFECT.—This section—
‘‘(A) does not apply to law enforcement security
operations at special events of national significance
under section 3056(e) of title 18, United States Code,
or other law enforcement functions of the United
States Secret Service;
‘‘(B) does not diminish any authorities, express or
implied, of Federal agencies to enter into mutual
aid agreements in furtherance of their Federal missions; and
‘‘(C) does not—
‘‘(i) preclude any party from entering into supplementary Mutual Aid Agreements with fewer
than all the parties, or with another party; or
‘‘(ii) affect any other agreement in effect before
the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 17, 2004]
among the States and localities, including the
Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
‘‘(4) RIGHTS DESCRIBED.—Other than as described in
this section, the rights and responsibilities of the
parties to a mutual aid agreement entered into under
this section shall be as described in the mutual aid
agreement.
‘‘(c) DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The District of Columbia may
purchase liability and indemnification insurance or
become self insured against claims arising under a
mutual aid agreement authorized under this section.
‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be
necessary to carry out paragraph (1).
‘‘(d) LIABILITY AND ACTIONS AT LAW.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Any responding party or its officers, employees, or agents rendering aid or failing to
render aid to the District of Columbia, the Federal
Government, the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia, or a locality, under a mutual aid
agreement authorized under this section, and any
party or its officers, employees, or agents engaged in
training activities with another party under such a
mutual aid agreement, shall be liable on account of
any act or omission of its officers, employees, or
agents while so engaged or on account of the maintenance or use of any related equipment, facilities, or
supplies, but only to the extent permitted under the
laws and procedures of the State of the party rendering aid.

§ 5196a

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

‘‘(2) ACTIONS.—Any action brought against a party
or its officers, employees, or agents on account of an
act or omission in the rendering of aid to the District
of Columbia, the Federal Government, the State of
Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia, or a locality, or failure to render such aid or on account of the
maintenance or use of any related equipment, facilities, or supplies may be brought only under the laws
and procedures of the State of the party rendering aid
and only in the Federal or State courts located therein. Actions against the United States under this section may be brought only in Federal courts.
‘‘(3) IMMUNITIES.—This section shall not abrogate
any other immunities from liability that any party
has under any other Federal or State law.
‘‘(e) WORKERS COMPENSATION.—
‘‘(1) COMPENSATION.—Each party shall provide for
the payment of compensation and death benefits to
injured members of the emergency forces of that
party and representatives of deceased members of
such forces if such members sustain injuries or are
killed while rendering aid to the District of Columbia, the Federal Government, the State of Maryland,
the Commonwealth of Virginia, or a locality, under a
mutual aid agreement, or engaged in training activities under a mutual aid agreement, in the same manner and on the same terms as if the injury or death
were sustained within their own jurisdiction.
‘‘(2) OTHER STATE LAW.—No party shall be liable
under the law of any State other than its own for providing for the payment of compensation and death
benefits to injured members of the emergency forces
of that party and representatives of deceased members of such forces if such members sustain injuries
or are killed while rendering aid to the District of Columbia, the Federal Government, the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia, or a locality,
under a mutual aid agreement or engaged in training
activities under a mutual aid agreement.
‘‘(f) LICENSES AND PERMITS.—If any person holds a license, certificate, or other permit issued by any responding party evidencing the meeting of qualifications for professional, mechanical, or other skills and
assistance is requested by a receiving jurisdiction, such
person will be deemed licensed, certified, or permitted
by the receiving jurisdiction to render aid involving
such skill to meet a public service event, emergency or
training for any such events.’’
PILOT PROGRAM TO STUDY DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
OF BUILDINGS TO MINIMIZE EFFECTS OF NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS

Pub. L. 96–342, title VII, § 704, Sept. 8, 1980, 94 Stat.
1090, required the Director of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency to establish a pilot program of designing and constructing buildings able to withstand
nuclear explosions and to submit a report to Congress
on the establishment of the pilot program no later than
Apr. 1, 1981.

§ 5196a. Mutual aid pacts between States and
neighboring countries
The Administrator shall give all practicable
assistance to States in arranging, through the
Department of State, mutual emergency preparedness aid between the States and neighboring countries.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title VI, § 612, as added Pub. L.
103–337, div. C, title XXXIV, § 3411(a)(3), Oct. 5,
1994, 108 Stat. 3105; amended Pub. L. 111–351,
§ 3(c)(2), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3864.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2283 of the former Appendix to Title
50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L.
103–337, § 3412(a).

Page 6032

AMENDMENTS
2011—Pub. L. 111–351 substituted ‘‘Administrator’’ for
‘‘Director’’.
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including
the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1)
of Title 6, Domestic Security.
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto,
to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and
sections 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set
out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

§ 5196b. Contributions for personnel and administrative expenses
(a) General authority
To further assist in carrying out the purposes
of this subchapter, the Administrator may make
financial contributions to the States (including
interstate emergency preparedness authorities
established pursuant to section 5196(h) of this
title) for necessary and essential State and local
emergency preparedness personnel and administrative expenses, on the basis of approved plans
(which shall be consistent with the Federal
emergency response plans for emergency preparedness) for the emergency preparedness of
the States. The financial contributions to the
States under this section may not exceed onehalf of the total cost of such necessary and essential State and local emergency preparedness
personnel and administrative expenses.
(b) Plan requirements
A plan submitted under this section shall—
(1) provide, pursuant to State law, that the
plan shall be in effect in all political subdivisions of the State and be mandatory on them
and be administered or supervised by a single
State agency;
(2) provide that the State shall share the financial assistance with that provided by the
Federal Government under this section from
any source determined by it to be consistent
with State law;
(3) provide for the development of State and
local emergency preparedness operational
plans, including a catastrophic incident annex,
pursuant to standards approved by the Administrator;
(4) provide for the employment of a full-time
emergency preparedness director, or deputy
director, by the State;
(5) provide that the State shall make such
reports in such form and content as the Administrator may require;
(6) make available to duly authorized representatives of the Administrator and the
Comptroller General, books, records, and papers necessary to conduct audits for the purposes of this section; and
(7) include a plan for providing information
to the public in a coordinated manner.

Page 6033

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(c) Catastrophic incident annex
(1) Consistency
A catastrophic incident annex submitted
under subsection (b)(3) shall be—
(A) modeled after the catastrophic incident annex of the National Response Plan;
and
(B) consistent with the national preparedness goal established under section 743 of
title 6, the National Incident Management
System, the National Response Plan, and
other related plans and strategies.
(2) Consultation
In developing a catastrophic incident annex
submitted under subsection (b)(3), a State
shall consult with and seek appropriate comments from local governments, emergency response providers, locally governed multijurisdictional councils of government, and regional
planning commissions.
(d) Terms and conditions
The Administrator shall establish such other
terms and conditions as the Administrator considers necessary and proper to carry out this
section.
(e) Application of other provisions
In carrying out this section, the provisions of
section 1 5196(h) and 5197(h) of this title shall
apply.
(f) Allocation of funds
For each fiscal year concerned, the Administrator shall allocate to each State, in accordance with regulations and the total sum appropriated under this subchapter, amounts to be
made available to the States for the purposes of
this section. Regulations governing allocations
to the States under this subsection shall give
due regard to (1) the criticality of the areas
which may be affected by hazards with respect
to the development of the total emergency preparedness readiness of the United States, (2) the
relative state of development of emergency preparedness readiness of the State, (3) population,
and (4) such other factors as the Administrator
shall prescribe. The Administrator may reallocate the excess of any allocation not used by a
State in a plan submitted under this section.
Amounts paid to any State or political subdivision under this section shall be expended solely
for the purposes set forth in this section.
(g) Standards for State and local emergency preparedness operational plans
In approving standards for State and local
emergency preparedness operational plans pursuant to subsection (b)(3), the Administrator
shall ensure that such plans take into account
the needs of individuals with household pets and
service animals prior to, during, and following a
major disaster or emergency.
(h) 2 Submission of plan
If a State fails to submit a plan for approval
as required by this section within 60 days after
the Administrator notifies the States of the al1 So
2 So

in original. Probably should be ‘‘sections’’.
in original. Two subsecs. (h) have been enacted.

§ 5196b

locations under this section, the Administrator
may reallocate such funds, or portions thereof,
among the other States in such amounts as, in
the judgment of the Administrator, will best assure the adequate development of the emergency
preparedness capability of the United States.
(h) 2 Annual reports
The Administrator shall report annually to
the Congress all contributions made pursuant to
this section.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title VI, § 613, as added Pub. L.
103–337, div. C, title XXXIV, § 3411(a)(3), Oct. 5,
1994, 108 Stat. 3106; amended Pub. L. 107–188, title
I, § 151, June 12, 2002, 116 Stat. 630; Pub. L.
109–295, title VI, § 631, Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1420;
Pub. L. 109–308, § 2, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1725;
Pub. L. 111–351, § 3(c)(2), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat.
3864.)
CODIFICATION
Section 631(2) of Pub. L. 109–295, which directed
amendment of this section ‘‘by redesignating subsections (c) through (g) and subsections (d) through (h),
respectively’’, was executed by redesignating subsecs.
(c) to (g) as (d) to (h), respectively, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2286 of the former Appendix to Title
50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L.
103–337, § 3412(a).
AMENDMENTS
2011—Pub. L. 111–351 substituted ‘‘Administrator’’ for
‘‘Director’’ wherever appearing.
2006—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 109–295, § 631(1), inserted
‘‘including a catastrophic incident annex,’’ after
‘‘plans,’’.
Subsecs. (c) to (f). Pub. L. 109–295, § 631(2), (3), added
subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsecs. (c) to (e) as
(d) to (f), respectively. Former subsec. (f) redesignated
(g). See Codification note above.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 109–308, § 2(2), added subsec. (g).
Former subsec. (g) relating to submission of plan redesignated (h).
Pub. L. 109–295, § 631(2), redesignated subsec. (f) as (g).
Former subsec. (g) relating to annual reports redesignated (h). See Codification note above.
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 109–308, § 2(1), redesignated subsec. (g) relating to submission of plan as (h).
Pub. L. 109–295, § 631(2), redesignated subsec. (g) relating to annual reports as (h). See Codification note
above.
2002—Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 107–188 added par. (7).
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including
the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1)
of Title 6, Domestic Security.
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto,
to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and
sections 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set
out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

§ 5196c

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

§ 5196c. Grants for construction of emergency operations centers
(a) Grants
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency may make grants to States
under this subchapter for equipping, upgrading,
and constructing State and local emergency operations centers.
(b) Federal share
Notwithstanding any other provision of this
subchapter, the Federal share of the cost of an
activity carried out using amounts from grants
made under this section shall not exceed 75 percent.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title VI, § 614, as added Pub. L.
103–337, div. C, title XXXIV, § 3411(a)(3), Oct. 5,
1994, 108 Stat. 3107; amended Pub. L. 110–53, title
II, § 202, Aug. 3, 2007, 121 Stat. 295.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2288 of the former Appendix to Title
50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L.
103–337, § 3412(a).
AMENDMENTS
2007—Pub. L. 110–53 amended section generally. Prior
to amendment, text read as follows: ‘‘Notwithstanding
any other provision of this subchapter, funds appropriated to carry out this subchapter may not be used
for the purpose of constructing emergency operating
centers (or similar facilities) in any State unless such
State matches in an equal amount the amount made
available to such State under this subchapter for such
purpose.’’
NON-FEDERAL COST SHARE
Pub. L. 108–7, div. K, title IV, § 419, Feb. 20, 2003, 117
Stat. 526, provided that: ‘‘Notwithstanding 42 U.S.C.
5196c, amounts provided in Public Law 107–117 [see Tables for classification] and subsequent appropriations
Acts for the construction of emergency operations centers (or similar facilities) shall only require a 25 percent non-Federal cost share.’’

§ 5196d. Use of funds to prepare for and respond
to hazards
Funds made available to the States under this
subchapter may be used by the States for the
purposes of preparing for hazards and providing
emergency assistance in response to hazards.
Regulations prescribed to carry out this section
shall authorize the use of emergency preparedness personnel, materials, and facilities supported in whole or in part through contributions
under this subchapter for emergency preparedness activities and measures related to hazards.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title VI, § 615, as added Pub. L.
103–337, div. C, title XXXIV, § 3411(a)(3), Oct. 5,
1994, 108 Stat. 3107.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2289 of the former Appendix to Title
50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L.
103–337, § 3412(a).

§ 5196e. Radiological Emergency Preparedness
Fund
There is hereby established in the Treasury a
Radiological Emergency Preparedness Fund,

Page 6034

which shall be available under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 [42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.], as
amended, and Executive Order 12657, for offsite
radiological emergency planning, preparedness,
and response. Beginning in fiscal year 1999 and
thereafter, the Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) shall
promulgate through rulemaking fees to be assessed and collected, applicable to persons subject to FEMA’s radiological emergency preparedness regulations. The aggregate charges
assessed pursuant to this section during fiscal
year 1999 shall not be less than 100 percent of the
amounts anticipated by FEMA necessary for its
radiological emergency preparedness program
for such fiscal year. The methodology for assessment and collection of fees shall be fair and equitable; and shall reflect costs of providing such
services, including administrative costs of collecting such fees. Fees received pursuant to this
section shall be deposited in the Fund as offsetting collections and will become available for
authorized purposes on October 1, 1999, and remain available until expended.
(Pub. L. 105–276, title III, Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat.
2502; Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 612(c), Oct. 4, 2006,
120 Stat. 1410.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Atomic Energy Act of 1954, referred to in text, is
act Aug. 1, 1946, ch. 724, as added by act Aug. 30, 1954,
ch. 1073, § 1, 68 Stat. 919, which is classified principally
to chapter 23 (§ 2011 et seq.) of this title. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title
note set out under section 2011 of this title and Tables.
Executive Order 12657, referred to in text, is Ex. Ord.
No. 12657, Nov. 18, 1988, 53 F.R. 47513, which is set out
as a note under section 5195 of this title.
CODIFICATION
Section was enacted as part of the Departments of
Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development,
and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999, and
not as part of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief
and Emergency Assistance Act which comprises this
chapter.
CHANGE OF NAME
‘‘Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’’ substituted for ‘‘Director of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency’’ on authority of section 612(c) of Pub. L. 109–295, set out as a note under
section 313 of Title 6, Domestic Security. Any reference
to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in title VI of Pub. L. 109–295 or an
amendment by title VI to be considered to refer and
apply to the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency until Mar. 31, 2007, see section 612(f)(2)
of Pub. L. 109–295, set out as a note under section 313 of
Title 6.
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including
the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1)
of Title 6, Domestic Security.
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto,
to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and

Page 6035

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

§ 5197

sections 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set
out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

(Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1236, Oct. 5, 2018, 132
Stat. 3464.)

§ 5196f. Disaster related information services

Section was enacted as part of the Disaster Recovery
Reform Act of 2018 and as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, and not as part of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
which comprises this chapter.

(a) In general
Consistent with section 5151(a) of this title,
the Administrator of Federal 1 Emergency Management Agency shall—
(1) identify, in coordination with State and
local governments, population groups with
limited English proficiency and take into account such groups in planning for an emergency or major disaster;
(2) ensure that information made available
to individuals affected by a major disaster or
emergency is made available in formats that
can be understood by—
(A) population groups identified under
paragraph (1); and
(B) individuals with disabilities or other
special needs; and
(3) develop and maintain an informational
clearinghouse of model language assistance
programs and best practices for State and
local governments in providing services related to a major disaster or emergency.
(b) Group size
For purposes of subsection (a), the Administrator of Federal 1 Emergency Management
Agency shall define the size of a population
group.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title VI, § 616, as added Pub. L.
109–295, title VI, § 689e, Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1452;
amended Pub. L. 111–351, § 3(c)(2), Jan. 4, 2011, 124
Stat. 3864.)
AMENDMENTS
2011—Pub. L. 111–351 substituted ‘‘Administrator’’ for
‘‘Director’’ in subsecs. (a) and (b).

§ 5196g. Guidance and training by FEMA on coordination of emergency response plans
(a) Training requirement
The Administrator, in coordination with other
relevant agencies, shall provide guidance and
training on an annual basis to State, local, and
Indian tribal governments, first responders, and
facilities that store hazardous materials on coordination of emergency response plans in the
event of a major disaster or emergency, including severe weather events. The guidance and
training shall include the following:
(1) Providing a list of equipment required in
the event a hazardous substance is released
into the environment.
(2) Outlining the health risks associated
with exposure to hazardous substances to improve treatment response.
(3) Publishing best practices for mitigating
further danger to communities from hazardous
substances.
(b) Implementation
The requirement of subsection (a) shall be implemented not later than 180 days after October
5, 2018.
1 So in original. The word ‘‘the’’ probably should appear before
‘‘Federal’’.

CODIFICATION

DEFINITIONS
For definition of ‘‘Administrator’’ and ‘‘State’’ as
used in this section, see section 1203 of Pub. L. 115–254,
set out as a note under section 5122 of this title.

PART B—GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 5197. Administrative authority
(a) In general
For the purpose of carrying out the powers
and duties assigned to the Administrator under
this subchapter, the Administrator may exercise
the administrative authorities provided under
this section.
(b) Advisory personnel
(1) The Administrator may employ not more
than 100 part-time or temporary advisory personnel (including not to exceed 25 subjects of the
United Kingdom or citizens of Canada) as the
Administrator considers to be necessary in carrying out the provisions of this subchapter.
(2) Persons holding other offices or positions
under the United States for which they receive
compensation, while serving as advisory personnel, shall receive no additional compensation
for such service. Other part-time or temporary
advisory personnel so employed may serve without compensation or may receive compensation
at a rate not to exceed $180 for each day of service, plus authorized subsistence and travel, as
determined by the Administrator.
(c) Services of other agency personnel and volunteers
The Administrator may—
(1) use the services of Federal agencies and,
with the consent of any State or local government, accept and use the services of State and
local agencies;
(2) establish and use such regional and other
offices as may be necessary; and
(3) use such voluntary and uncompensated
services by individuals or organizations as
may from time to time be needed.
(d) Gifts
Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the Administrator may accept gifts of supplies,
equipment, and facilities and may use or distribute such gifts for emergency preparedness
purposes in accordance with the provisions of
this subchapter.
(e) Reimbursement
The Administrator may reimburse any Federal agency for any of its expenditures or for
compensation of its personnel and use or consumption of its materials and facilities under
this subchapter to the extent funds are available.
(f) Printing
The Administrator may purchase such printing, binding, and blank-book work from public,

§ 5197a

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

commercial, or private printing establishments
or binderies as the Administrator considers necessary upon orders placed by the Director of the
Government Publishing Office or upon waivers
issued in accordance with section 504 of title 44.
(g) Rules and regulations
The Administrator may prescribe such rules
and regulations as may be necessary and proper
to carry out any of the provisions of this subchapter and perform any of the powers and duties provided by this subchapter. The Administrator may perform any of the powers and duties
provided by this subchapter through or with the
aid of such officials of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency as the Administrator may
designate.
(h) Failure to expend contributions correctly
(1) When, after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing to the State or other person
involved, the Administrator finds that there is a
failure to expend funds in accordance with the
regulations, terms, and conditions established
under this subchapter for approved emergency
preparedness plans, programs, or projects, the
Administrator may notify such State or person
that further payments will not be made to the
State or person from appropriations under this
subchapter (or from funds otherwise available
for the purposes of this subchapter for any approved plan, program, or project with respect to
which there is such failure to comply) until the
Administrator is satisfied that there will no
longer be any such failure.
(2) Until so satisfied, the Administrator shall
either withhold the payment of any financial
contribution to such State or person or limit
payments to those programs or projects with respect to which there is substantial compliance
with the regulations, terms, and conditions governing plans, programs, or projects hereunder.
(3) As used in this subsection, the term ‘‘person’’ means the political subdivision of any
State or combination or group thereof or any
person, corporation, association, or other entity
of any nature whatsoever, including instrumentalities of States and political subdivisions.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title VI, § 621, as added Pub. L.
103–337, div. C, title XXXIV, § 3411(a)(3), Oct. 5,
1994, 108 Stat. 3107; amended Pub. L. 111–351,
§ 3(c)(2), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3864; Pub. L.
113–235, div. H, title I, § 1301(d), Dec. 16, 2014, 128
Stat. 2537.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2253 of the former Appendix to Title
50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L.
103–337, § 3412(a).
AMENDMENTS
2011—Pub. L. 111–351 substituted ‘‘Administrator’’ for
‘‘Director’’ wherever appearing.
CHANGE OF NAME
‘‘Director of the Government Publishing Office’’ substituted for ‘‘Public Printer’’ in subsec. (f) on authority
of section 1301(d) of Pub. L. 113–235, set out as a note
under section 301 of Title 44, Public Printing and Documents.
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of

Page 6036

the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including
the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1)
of Title 6, Domestic Security.
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto,
to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and
sections 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set
out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

§ 5197a. Security regulations
(a) Establishment
The Administrator shall establish such security requirements and safeguards, including restrictions with respect to access to information
and property as the Administrator considers
necessary.
(b) Limitations on employee access to information
No employee of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall be permitted to have access to information or property with respect to
which access restrictions have been established
under this section, until it shall have been determined that no information is contained in
the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
or any other investigative agency of the Government indicating that such employee is of questionable loyalty or reliability for security purposes, or if any such information is so disclosed,
until the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall
have conducted a full field investigation concerning such person and a report thereon shall
have been evaluated in writing by the Administrator.
(c) National security positions
No employee of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall occupy any position determined by the Administrator to be of critical
importance from the standpoint of national security until a full field investigation concerning
such employee shall have been conducted by the
Director of the Office of Personnel Management
and a report thereon shall have been evaluated
in writing by the Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency. In the event
such full field investigation by the Director of
the Office of Personnel Management develops
any data reflecting that such applicant for a position of critical importance is of questionable
loyalty or reliability for security purposes, or if
the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency for any other reason considers it to be advisable, such investigation shall
be discontinued and a report thereon shall be referred to the Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency for evaluation
in writing. Thereafter, the Administrator of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency may
refer the matter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the conduct of a full field investigation by such Bureau. The result of such latter
investigation by such Bureau shall be furnished
to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency for action.

Page 6037

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(d) Employee oaths
Each Federal employee of the Federal Emergency Management Agency acting under the authority of this subchapter, except the subjects of
the United Kingdom and citizens of Canada specified in section 5197(b) of this title, shall execute
the loyalty oath or appointment affidavits prescribed by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management. Each person other than a
Federal employee who is appointed to serve in a
State or local organization for emergency preparedness shall before entering upon duties,
take an oath in writing before a person authorized to administer oaths, which oath shall be
substantially as follows:
‘‘I, llllll, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear
true faith and allegiance to the same; that I
take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that
I will well and faithfully discharge the duties
upon which I am about to enter.
‘‘And I do further swear (or affirm) that I do
not advocate, nor am I a member or an affiliate of any organization, group, or combination of persons that advocates the overthrow
of the Government of the United States by
force or violence; and that during such time as
I am a member of llllll (name of emergency preparedness organization), I will not
advocate nor become a member or an affiliate
of any organization, group, or combination of
persons that advocates the overthrow of the
Government of the United States by force or
violence.’’
After appointment and qualification for office,
the director of emergency preparedness of any
State, and any subordinate emergency preparedness officer within such State designated by the
director in writing, shall be qualified to administer any such oath within such State under
such regulations as the director shall prescribe.
Any person who shall be found guilty of having
falsely taken such oath shall be punished as provided in section 1621 of title 18.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title VI, § 622, as added Pub. L.
103–337, div. C, title XXXIV, § 3411(a)(3), Oct. 5,
1994, 108 Stat. 3108; amended Pub. L. 111–351,
§ 3(c)(2), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3864.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2255 of the former Appendix to Title
50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L.
103–337, § 3412(a).
AMENDMENTS
2011—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–351 substituted ‘‘Administrator’’ for ‘‘Director’’ in two places.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–351 substituted ‘‘Administrator’’ for ‘‘Director’’.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 111–351 substituted ‘‘determined
by the Administrator’’ for ‘‘determined by the Director’’, ‘‘writing by the Administrator’’ for ‘‘writing by
the Director’’, ‘‘or if the Administrator’’ for ‘‘or if the
Director’’, ‘‘referred to the Administrator’’ for ‘‘referred to the Director’’, ‘‘Thereafter, the Administrator’’ for ‘‘Thereafter, the Director’’, and ‘‘furnished
to the Administrator’’ for ‘‘furnished to the Director’’.

§ 5197c

TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including
the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1)
of Title 6, Domestic Security.
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto,
to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and
sections 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set
out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

§ 5197b. Use of existing facilities
In performing duties under this subchapter,
the Administrator—
(1) shall cooperate with the various departments and agencies of the Federal Government;
(2) shall use, to the maximum extent, the existing facilities and resources of the Federal
Government and, with their consent, the facilities and resources of the States and political subdivisions thereof, and of other organizations and agencies; and
(3) shall refrain from engaging in any form
of activity which would duplicate or parallel
activity of any other Federal department or
agency unless the Administrator, with the
written approval of the President, shall determine that such duplication is necessary to accomplish the purposes of this subchapter.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title VI, § 623, as added Pub. L.
103–337, div. C, title XXXIV, § 3411(a)(3), Oct. 5,
1994, 108 Stat. 3110; amended Pub. L. 111–351,
§ 3(c)(2), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3864.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2257 of the former Appendix to Title
50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L.
103–337, § 3412(a).
AMENDMENTS
2011—Pub. L. 111–351 substituted ‘‘Administrator’’ for
‘‘Director’’ in introductory provisions and in par. (3).
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including
the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1)
of Title 6, Domestic Security.
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto,
to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and
sections 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set
out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

§ 5197c. Annual report to Congress
The Administrator shall annually submit a
written report to the President and Congress

§ 5197d

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

covering expenditures, contributions, work, and
accomplishments of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency pursuant to this subchapter, accompanied by such recommendations
as the Administrator considers appropriate.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title VI, § 624, as added Pub. L.
103–337, div. C, title XXXIV, § 3411(a)(3), Oct. 5,
1994, 108 Stat. 3110; amended Pub. L. 111–351,
§ 3(c)(2), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3864.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2258 of the former Appendix to Title
50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L.
103–337, § 3412(a).
AMENDMENTS
2011—Pub. L. 111–351 substituted ‘‘Administrator’’ for
‘‘Director’’ in two places.
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including
the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1)
of Title 6, Domestic Security.
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto,
to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and
sections 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set
out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

§ 5197d. Applicability of subchapter
The provisions of this subchapter shall be applicable to the United States, its States, Territories and possessions, and the District of Columbia, and their political subdivisions.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title VI, § 625, as added Pub. L.
103–337, div. C, title XXXIV, § 3411(a)(3), Oct. 5,
1994, 108 Stat. 3110.)

Page 6038

(Pub. L. 93–288, title VI, § 626, as added Pub. L.
103–337, div. C, title XXXIV, § 3411(a)(3), Oct. 5,
1994, 108 Stat. 3110.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2260 of the former Appendix to Title
50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L.
103–337, § 3412(a).

§ 5197f. Relation to Atomic Energy Act of 1954
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed
to alter or modify the provisions of the Atomic
Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.).
(Pub. L. 93–288, title VI, § 627, as added Pub. L.
103–337, div. C, title XXXIV, § 3411(a)(3), Oct. 5,
1994, 108 Stat. 3110.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Atomic Energy Act of 1954, referred to in text, is
act Aug. 1, 1946, ch. 724, as added by act Aug. 30, 1954,
ch. 1073, § 1, 68 Stat. 919, which is classified principally
to chapter 23 (§ 2011 et seq.) of this title. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title
note set out under section 2011 of this title and Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2262 of the former Appendix to Title
50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L.
103–337, § 3412(a).

§ 5197g. Federal Bureau of Investigation
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed
to authorize investigations of espionage, sabotage, or subversive acts by any persons other
than personnel of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title VI, § 628, as added Pub. L.
103–337, div. C, title XXXIV, § 3411(a)(3), Oct. 5,
1994, 108 Stat. 3110.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2263 of the former Appendix to Title
50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L.
103–337, § 3412(a).

PRIOR PROVISIONS
Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2259 of the former Appendix to Title
50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L.
103–337, § 3412(a).

§ 5197e. Authorization of appropriations and
transfers of funds
(a) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such
sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this subchapter.
(b) Transfer authority
Funds made available for the purposes of this
subchapter may be allocated or transferred for
any of the purposes of this subchapter, with the
approval of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to any agency or government
corporation designated to assist in carrying out
this subchapter. Each such allocation or transfer shall be reported in full detail to the Congress within 30 days after such allocation or
transfer.

§ 5197h. Minority emergency preparedness demonstration program
(a) In general
The Administrator shall establish a minority
emergency preparedness demonstration program
to research and promote the capacity of minority communities to provide data, information,
and awareness education by providing grants to
or executing contracts or cooperative agreements with eligible nonprofit organizations to
establish and conduct such programs.
(b) Activities supported
An eligible nonprofit organization may use a
grant, contract, or cooperative agreement
awarded under this section—
(1) to conduct research into the status of
emergency preparedness and disaster response
awareness in African American and Hispanic
households located in urban, suburban, and
rural communities, particularly in those
States and regions most impacted by natural
and manmade disasters and emergencies; and

Page 6039

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

(2) to develop and promote awareness of
emergency preparedness education programs
within minority communities, including development and preparation of culturally competent educational and awareness materials
that can be used to disseminate information
to minority organizations and institutions.
(c) Eligible organizations
A nonprofit organization is eligible to be
awarded a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section with respect to a program if the organization is a nonprofit organization that is described in section 501(c)(3) of title
26 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of
such title, whose primary mission is to provide
services to communities predominately populated by minority citizens, and that can demonstrate a partnership with a minority-owned
business enterprise or minority business located
in a HUBZone (as defined in section 632(p) 1 of
title 15) with respect to the program.
(d) Use of funds
A recipient of a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement awarded under this section may
only use the proceeds of the grant, contract, or
agreement to—
(1) acquire expert professional services necessary to conduct research in communities
predominately populated by minority citizens,
with a primary emphasis on African American
and Hispanic communities;
(2) develop and prepare informational materials to promote awareness among minority
communities about emergency preparedness
and how to protect their households and communities in advance of disasters;
(3) establish consortia with minority national organizations, minority institutions of
higher education, and faith-based institutions
to disseminate information about emergency
preparedness to minority communities; and
(4) implement a joint project with a minority serving institution, including a part B institution (as defined in section 1061(2) of title
20), an institution described in subparagraph
(A), (B), or (C) of section 1063b(e)(1) 1 of title 20,
and a Hispanic-serving institution (as defined
in section 1101a(a)(5) of title 20).
(e) Application and review procedure
To be eligible to receive a grant, contract, or
cooperative agreement under this section, an organization must submit an application to the
Administrator at such time, in such manner,
and accompanied by such information as the Administrator may reasonably require. The Administrator shall establish a procedure by which
to accept such applications.
(f) Authorization of appropriation
There is authorized to be appropriated to
carry out this section $1,500,000 for fiscal year
2002 and such funds as may be necessary for fiscal years 2003 through 2007. Such sums shall remain available until expended.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title VI, § 629, as added Pub. L.
107–73, title IV, § 431, Nov. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 697;
amended Pub. L. 111–351, § 3(c)(2), Jan. 4, 2011, 124
Stat. 3864.)
1 See

References in Text note below.

§ 5201

REFERENCES IN TEXT
Section 632(p) of title 15, referred to in subsec. (c),
was redesignated section 657a(b) of Title 15, Commerce
and Trade, by Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title XVII,
§ 1701(a)(2), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1795.
Subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 1063b(e)(1) of
title 20, referred to in subsec. (d)(4), was in the original
‘‘subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 326 of that Act
(20 U.S.C. 1063b(e)(1)(A), (B), or (C))’’, which was translated as reading ‘‘subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 326(e)(1) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1063b(e)(1)(A), (B), or
(C))’’ to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
AMENDMENTS
2011—Pub. L. 111–351 substituted ‘‘Administrator’’ for
‘‘Director’’ wherever appearing.
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including
the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1)
of Title 6, Domestic Security.
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto,
to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and
sections 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set
out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

SUBCHAPTER V—MISCELLANEOUS
§ 5201. Rules and regulations
(a)(1) The President may prescribe such rules
and regulations as may be necessary and proper
to carry out any of the provisions of this chapter, and he may exercise any power or authority
conferred on him by any section of this chapter
either directly or through such Federal agency
or agencies as he may designate.
(2) DEADLINE FOR PAYMENT OF ASSISTANCE.—
Rules and regulations authorized by paragraph
(1) shall provide that payment of any assistance
under this chapter to a State shall be completed
within 60 days after the date of approval of such
assistance.
(b) In furtherance of the purposes of this chapter, the President or his delegate may accept
and use bequests, gifts, or donations of service,
money, or property, real, personal, or mixed,
tangible, or intangible. All sums received under
this subsection shall be deposited in a separate
fund on the books of the Treasury and shall be
available for expenditure upon the certification
of the President or his delegate. At the request
of the President or his delegate, the Secretary of
the Treasury may invest and reinvest excess
monies in the fund. Such investments shall be in
public debt securities with maturities suitable
for the needs of the fund and shall bear interest
at rates determined by the Secretary of the
Treasury, taking into consideration current
market yields on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States of comparable maturities. The interest on such investments shall
be credited to, and form a part of, the fund.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title VII, § 701, formerly title VI,
§ 601, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 163; Pub. L. 96–446,

§ 5202

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

Oct. 13, 1980, 94 Stat. 1893; Pub. L. 100–707, title
I, § 108(a), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4707; renumbered title VII, § 701, Pub. L. 103–337, div. C, title
XXXIV, § 3411(a)(1), (2), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat.
3100.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original
‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88
Stat. 143, as amended. For complete classification of
this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under
section 5121 of this title and Tables.
AMENDMENTS
1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–707 designated existing
provision as par. (1) and added par. (2).
1980—Pub. L. 96–446 designated existing provisions as
subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b).
DEADLINE FOR ISSUANCE OF REGULATIONS
Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 113, Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4711, provided that: ‘‘Regulations necessary to carry
out this title and the amendments made by this title
[see Short Title of 1988 Amendment note set out under
section 5121 of this title] shall be issued no later than
the 180th day following the date of the enactment of
this Act [Nov. 23, 1988].’’
[Functions of President under section 113 of Pub. L.
100–707 delegated to Director of Federal Emergency
Management Agency by section 5 of Ex. Ord. No. 12673,
Mar. 23, 1989, 54 F.R. 12571, set out as a note under section 5195 of this title.]

§ 5202. Repealed. Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 108(c),
Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4708
Section, Pub. L. 93–288, title VI, § 606, May 22, 1974, 88
Stat. 164; Pub. L. 95–51, § 1, June 20, 1977, 91 Stat. 233;
Pub. L. 96–568, § 2, Dec. 22, 1980, 94 Stat. 3334, authorized
appropriations of such sums as necessary to carry out
this chapter through the close of Sept. 30, 1981.

Page 6040

CODIFICATION
Section was enacted as part of the Dire Emergency
Supplemental Appropriations and Transfers for Relief
From the Effects of Natural Disasters, for Other Urgent
Needs, and for Incremental Cost of ‘‘Operation Desert
Shield/Desert Storm’’ Act of 1992, and not as a part of
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act which comprises this chapter.

§ 5204. Insular areas disaster survival and recovery; definitions
As used in sections 5204 to 5204c of this title—
(1) the term ‘‘insular area’’ means any of the
following: American Samoa, the Federated
States of Micronesia, Guam, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust
Territory of the Pacific Islands, and the Virgin Islands;
(2) the term ‘‘disaster’’ means a declaration
of a major disaster by the President after September 1, 1989, pursuant to section 5170 of this
title; and
(3) the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of the Interior.
(Pub. L. 102–247, title II, § 201, Feb. 24, 1992, 106
Stat. 37.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Sections 5204 to 5204c of this title, referred to in text,
was in the original ‘‘this title’’, meaning title II of Pub.
L. 102–247, Feb. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 37, which enacted sections 5204 to 5204c of this title and amended section 5122
of this title.
CODIFICATION
Section was enacted as part of the Omnibus Insular
Areas Act of 1992, and not as part of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
which comprises this chapter.

§ 5203. Excess disaster assistance payments as
budgetary emergency requirements

TERMINATION OF TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC
ISLANDS

Beginning in fiscal year 1993, and in each year
thereafter, notwithstanding any other provision
of law, all amounts appropriated for disaster assistance payments under the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
(42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) that are in excess of either the historical annual average obligation of
$320,000,000, or the amount submitted in the
President’s initial budget request, whichever is
lower, shall be considered as ‘‘emergency requirements’’ pursuant to section 901(b)(2)(D) 1 of
title 2, and such amounts shall on and after December 12, 1991, be so designated.

For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding section 1681 of Title
48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

(Pub. L. 102–229, title I, Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat.
1711.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, referred to in text, is Pub. L.
93–288, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143, as amended, which is
classified principally to this chapter. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title
note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
Section 901 of title 2, referred to in text, was amended
by Pub. L. 105–33, title X, § 10203(a)(4), Aug. 5, 1997, 111
Stat. 699, and Pub. L. 112–25, title I, § 101, Aug. 2, 2011,
125 Stat. 241. As so amended, section 901(b)(2)(D) of title
2 no longer refers to ‘‘emergency requirements’’.
1 See

References in Text note below.

§ 5204a. Authorization of appropriations for insular areas
There are hereby authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be
necessary to—
(1) reconstruct essential public facilities
damaged by disasters in the insular areas that
occurred prior to February 24, 1992; and
(2) enhance the survivability of essential
public facilities in the event of disasters in the
insular areas,
except that with respect to the disaster declared
by the President in the case of Hurricane Hugo,
September 1989, amounts for any fiscal year
shall not exceed 25 percent of the estimated aggregate amount of grants to be made under sections 5170b and 5172 of this title for such disaster. Such sums shall remain available until
expended.
(Pub. L. 102–247, title II, § 202, Feb. 24, 1992, 106
Stat. 37.)
CODIFICATION
Section was enacted as part of the Omnibus Insular
Areas Act of 1992, and not as part of the Robert T. Staf-

Page 6041

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

ford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
which comprises this chapter.

§ 5204b. Technical assistance for insular areas
(a) Upon the declaration by the President of a
disaster in an insular area, the President, acting
through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall assess, in cooperation with the Secretary and chief executive of such insular area, the capability of the
insular government to respond to the disaster,
including the capability to assess damage; coordinate activities with Federal agencies, particularly the Federal Emergency Management
Agency; develop recovery plans, including recommendations for enhancing the survivability
of essential infrastructure; negotiate and manage reconstruction contracts; and prevent the
misuse of funds. If the President finds that the
insular government lacks any of these or other
capabilities essential to the recovery effort,
then the President shall provide technical assistance to the insular area which the President
deems necessary for the recovery effort.
(b) One year following the declaration by the
President of a disaster in an insular area, the
Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, shall submit to the Senate Committee
on Energy and Natural Resources and the House
Committee on Natural Resources a report on the
status of the recovery effort, including an audit
of Federal funds expended in the recovery effort
and recommendations on how to improve public
health and safety, survivability of infrastructure, recovery efforts, and effective use of funds
in the event of future disasters.
(Pub. L. 102–247, title II, § 203, Feb. 24, 1992, 106
Stat. 37; Pub. L. 103–437, § 15(p), Nov. 2, 1994, 108
Stat. 4594; Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 612(c), Oct.
4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1410.)
CODIFICATION
Section was enacted as part of the Omnibus Insular
Areas Act of 1992, and not as part of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
which comprises this chapter.
AMENDMENTS
1994—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–437 substituted ‘‘House
Committee on Natural Resources’’ for ‘‘House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs’’.
CHANGE OF NAME
‘‘Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’’ substituted for ‘‘Director of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency’’ in subsecs. (a) and
(b) on authority of section 612(c) of Pub. L. 109–295, set
out as a note under section 313 of Title 6, Domestic Security. Any reference to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in title VI of Pub.
L. 109–295 or an amendment by title VI to be considered
to refer and apply to the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency until Mar. 31, 2007, see section 612(f)(2) of Pub. L. 109–295, set out as a note under
section 313 of Title 6.
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including
the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal

§ 5205

Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1)
of Title 6, Domestic Security.
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto,
to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and
sections 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set
out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

§ 5204c. Hazard mitigation for insular areas
The total of contributions under the last sentence of section 5170c of this title for the insular
areas shall not exceed 10 percent of the estimated aggregate amounts of grants to be made
under sections 5170b, 5172, 5173, 5174, and 5178 1 of
this title for any disaster: Provided, That the
President shall require a 50 percent local match
for assistance in excess of 10 percent of the estimated aggregate amount of grants to be made
under section 5172 of this title for any disaster.
(Pub. L. 102–247, title II, § 204, Feb. 24, 1992, 106
Stat. 38.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Section 5178 of this title, referred to in text, was repealed by Pub. L. 106–390, title II, § 206(c), Oct. 30, 2000,
114 Stat. 1571, effective 18 months after Oct. 30, 2000.
CODIFICATION
Section was enacted as part of the Omnibus Insular
Areas Act of 1992, and not as part of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
which comprises this chapter.

§ 5205. Disaster grant closeout procedures
(a) Statute of limitations
(1) In general
Notwithstanding section 3716(e) of title 31
and except as provided in paragraph (2), no administrative action to recover any payment
made to a State or local government for disaster or emergency assistance under this chapter shall be initiated in any forum after the
date that is 3 years after the date of transmission of the final expenditure report for
project completion as certified by the grantee.
(2) Fraud exception
The limitation under paragraph (1) shall
apply unless there is evidence of civil or criminal fraud.
(b) Rebuttal of presumption of record maintenance
(1) In general
In any dispute arising under this section
after the date that is 3 years after the date of
transmission of the final expenditure report
for project completion as certified by the
grantee, there shall be a presumption that accounting records were maintained that adequately identify the source and application of
funds provided for financially assisted activities.
(2) Affirmative evidence
The presumption described in paragraph (1)
may be rebutted only on production of affirm1 See

References in Text note below.

§ 5205a

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

ative evidence that the State or local government did not maintain documentation described in that paragraph.
(3) Inability to produce documentation
The inability of the Federal, State, or local
government to produce source documentation
supporting expenditure reports later than 3
years after the date of transmission of the
final expenditure report for project completion
as certified by the grantee shall not constitute
evidence to rebut the presumption described in
paragraph (1).
(4) Right of access
The period during which the Federal, State,
or local government has the right to access
source documentation shall not be limited to
the required 3-year retention period referred
to in paragraph (3), but shall last as long as
the records are maintained.
(c) Binding nature of grant requirements
A State or local government shall not be liable for reimbursement or any other penalty for
any payment made under this chapter if—
(1) the payment was authorized by an approved agreement specifying the costs;
(2) the costs were reasonable; and
(3) the purpose of the grant was accomplished.
(d) Facilitating closeout
(1) Incentives
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency may develop incentives and penalties that encourage State,
local, or Indian tribal governments to close
out expenditures and activities on a timely
basis related to disaster or emergency assistance.
(2) Agency requirements
The Federal Emergency Management Agency shall, consistent with applicable regulations and required procedures, meet its responsibilities to improve closeout practices
and reduce the time to close disaster program
awards.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title VII, § 705, as added Pub. L.
106–390, title III, § 304, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1573;
amended Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, §§ 1216(c)(1),
1221(a), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3451, 3453.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1) and (c), was
in the original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–288, May
22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
AMENDMENTS
2018—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1216(c)(1)(A),
substituted ‘‘Notwithstanding section 3716(e) of title 31
and except’’ for ‘‘Except’’ and ‘‘report for project completion as certified by the grantee’’ for ‘‘report for the
disaster or emergency’’.
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1216(c)(1)(B)(i), substituted ‘‘report for project completion as certified by
the grantee’’ for ‘‘report for the disaster or emergency’’.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1216(c)(1)(B)(ii), inserted ‘‘for project completion as certified by the
grantee’’ after ‘‘final expenditure report’’.

Page 6042

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1221(a), added subsec. (d).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each
major disaster and emergency declared by the President on or after Aug. 1, 2017, and authorities provided
under div. D of Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each major
disaster and emergency declared by the President on or
after Jan. 1, 2016, except as otherwise provided, see section 1202 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5121 of this title.
REGULATIONS
Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1221(b), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat.
3454, provided that: ‘‘The Administrator [of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency] shall issue regulations to implement the amendment made by this section [amending this section].’’

§ 5205a. Certain recoupment prohibited
(a) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the Agency shall deem any covered disaster assistance to have been properly procured, provided, and utilized, and shall restore any funding of covered disaster assistance previously
provided but subsequently withdrawn or
deobligated.
(b) Covered disaster assistance defined
In this section, the term ‘‘covered disaster assistance’’ means assistance—
(1) provided to a local government pursuant
to section 5170b, 5172, or 5173 of this title; and
(2) with respect to which the inspector general of the Department of Homeland Security
has determined, after an audit, that—
(A) the Agency deployed to the local government a Technical Assistance Contractor
to review field operations, provide eligibility
advice, and assist with day-to-day decisions;
(B) the Technical Assistance Contractor
provided inaccurate information to the local
government; and
(C) the local government relied on the inaccurate information to determine that relevant contracts were eligible, reasonable,
and reimbursable.
(c) Effective date
This section shall be effective on October 5,
2018.
(Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1237, Oct. 5, 2018, 132
Stat. 3464.)
CODIFICATION
Section was enacted as part of the Disaster Recovery
Reform Act of 2018 and as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, and not as part of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
which comprises this chapter.
DEFINITIONS
For definition of ‘‘Agency’’ as used in this section,
see section 1203 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note
under section 5122 of this title.

§ 5206. Buy American
(a) Compliance with chapter 83 of title 41
No funds authorized to be appropriated under
this Act or any amendment made by this Act
may be expended by an entity unless the entity,

Page 6043

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

in expending the funds, complies with chapter 83
of title 41.
(b) Debarment of persons convicted of fraudulent use of ‘‘Made in America’’ labels
(1) In general
If the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency determines that a
person has been convicted of intentionally
affixing a label bearing a ‘‘Made in America’’
inscription to any product sold in or shipped
to the United States that is not made in
America, the Administrator shall determine,
not later than 90 days after determining that
the person has been so convicted, whether the
person should be debarred from contracting
under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121
et seq.).
(2) Definition of debar
In this subsection, the term ‘‘debar’’ has the
meaning given the term in section 2393(c) of
title 10.
(Pub. L. 106–390, title III, § 306, Oct. 30, 2000, 114
Stat. 1574; Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 612(c), Oct.
4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1410.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is Pub. L. 106–390,
Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1552, known as the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2000 Amendment
note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is
Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143, as amended,
which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short
Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and
Tables.
CODIFICATION
In subsec. (a), ‘‘chapter 83 of title 41’’ substituted for
references to the Buy American Act on authority of
Pub. L. 111–350, § 6(c), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3854, which
Act enacted Title 41, Public Contracts.
Section was enacted as part of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, and not as part of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
which comprises this chapter.
CHANGE OF NAME
‘‘Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’’ and ‘‘Administrator’’ substituted for
‘‘Director of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency’’ and ‘‘Director’’, respectively, in subsec. (b)(1)
on authority of section 612(c) of Pub. L. 109–295, set out
as a note under section 313 of Title 6, Domestic Security. Any reference to the Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency in title VI of Pub. L.
109–295 or an amendment by title VI to be considered to
refer and apply to the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency until Mar. 31, 2007, see section 612(f)(2) of Pub. L. 109–295, set out as a note under
section 313 of Title 6.
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including
the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1)
of Title 6, Domestic Security.

§ 5207

For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto,
to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and
sections 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set
out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

§ 5207. Firearms policies
(a) Prohibition on confiscation of firearms
No officer or employee of the United States
(including any member of the uniformed services), or person operating pursuant to or under
color of Federal law, or receiving Federal funds,
or under control of any Federal official, or providing services to such an officer, employee, or
other person, while acting in support of relief
from a major disaster or emergency, may—
(1) temporarily or permanently seize, or authorize seizure of, any firearm the possession
of which is not prohibited under Federal,
State, or local law, other than for forfeiture in
compliance with Federal law or as evidence in
a criminal investigation;
(2) require registration of any firearm for
which registration is not required by Federal,
State, or local law;
(3) prohibit possession of any firearm, or
promulgate any rule, regulation, or order prohibiting possession of any firearm, in any
place or by any person where such possession
is not otherwise prohibited by Federal, State,
or local law; or
(4) prohibit the carrying of firearms by any
person otherwise authorized to carry firearms
under Federal, State, or local law, solely because such person is operating under the direction, control, or supervision of a Federal agency in support of relief from the major disaster
or emergency.
(b) Limitation
Nothing in this section shall be construed to
prohibit any person in subsection (a) from requiring the temporary surrender of a firearm as
a condition for entry into any mode of transportation used for rescue or evacuation during a
major disaster or emergency, provided that such
temporarily surrendered firearm is returned at
the completion of such rescue or evacuation.
(c) Private rights of action
(1) In general
Any individual aggrieved by a violation of
this section may seek relief in an action at
law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding
for redress against any person who subjects
such individual, or causes such individual to
be subjected, to the deprivation of any of the
rights, privileges, or immunities secured by
this section.
(2) Remedies
In addition to any existing remedy in law or
equity, under any law, an individual aggrieved
by the seizure or confiscation of a firearm in
violation of this section may bring an action
for return of such firearm in the United States
district court in the district in which that in-

§ 5208

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

dividual resides or in which such firearm may
be found.
(3) Attorney fees
In any action or proceeding to enforce this
section, the court shall award the prevailing
party, other than the United States, a reasonable attorney’s fee as part of the costs.
(Pub. L. 93–288, title VII, § 706, as added Pub. L.
109–295, title V, § 557, Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1391.)
§ 5208. Repealed. Pub. L. 112–74, div. D, title III,
Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 963
Section, Pub. L. 110–161, div. E, title III, Dec. 26, 2007,
121 Stat. 2064, related to Federal Emergency Management Agency monthly Disaster Relief reports.

CHAPTER 69—COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Sec.

5301.
5302.
5303.
5304.
5305.
5306.
5307.
5308.
5309.
5310.
5311.
5312.

5313.
5313a.
5314.
5315.
5316.
5317.
5318.
5318a.
5319.
5320.
5321.
5322.

Congressional findings and declaration of purpose.
General provisions.
Grants to States, units of general local government and Indian tribes; authorizations.
Statement of activities and review.
Activities eligible for assistance.
Allocation and distribution of funds.
Special purpose grants.
Guarantee and commitment to guarantee
loans for acquisition of property.
Nondiscrimination in programs and activities.
Labor standards; rate of wages; exceptions;
enforcement powers.
Remedies for noncompliance with community
development requirements.
Use of grants for settlement of outstanding
urban renewal loans of units of general
local government.
Reporting requirements.
Duplication of benefits.
Consultation by Secretary with other Federal
departments, etc.
Interstate agreements or compacts; purposes.
Transition provisions.
Liquidation of superseded or inactive programs.
Urban development action grants.
John Heinz Neighborhood Development Program.
Community participation in programs.
Historic preservation requirements.
Suspension of requirements for disaster
areas.
Funds made available for administrative
costs without regard to particular disaster
appropriation.

§ 5301. Congressional findings and declaration of
purpose
(a) Critical social, economic, and environmental
problems facing Nation’s urban communities
The Congress finds and declares that the Nation’s cities, towns, and smaller urban communities face critical social, economic, and environmental problems arising in significant measure from—
(1) the growth of population in metropolitan
and other urban areas, and the concentration
of persons of lower income in central cities;
(2) inadequate public and private investment
and reinvestment in housing and other physical facilities, and related public and social
services, resulting in the growth and persist-

Page 6044

ence of urban slums and blight and the
marked deterioration of the quality of the
urban environment; and
(3) increasing energy costs which have seriously undermined the quality and overall effectiveness of local community and housing
development activities.
(b) Establishment and maintenance of viable
urban communities; systematic and sustained action by Federal, State, and local
governments; expansion of and continuity in
Federal assistance; increased private investment; streamlining programs and improvement of functioning of agencies; action to address consequences of scarce fuel supplies
The Congress further finds and declares that
the future welfare of the Nation and the wellbeing of its citizens depend on the establishment
and maintenance of viable urban communities
as social, economic, and political entities, and
require—
(1) systematic and sustained action by Federal, State, and local governments to eliminate blight, to conserve and renew older urban
areas, to improve the living environment of
low- and moderate-income families, and to develop new centers of population growth and
economic activity;
(2) substantial expansion of and greater continuity in the scope and level of Federal assistance, together with increased private investment in support of community development activities;
(3) continuing effort at all levels of government to streamline programs and improve the
functioning of agencies responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating community development efforts; and
(4) concerted action by Federal, State, and
local governments to address the economic
and social hardships borne by communities as
a consequence of scarce fuel supplies.
(c) Decent housing, suitable living environment,
and economic opportunities for persons of
low and moderate income; community development activities which may be supported
by Federal assistance
The primary objective of this chapter and of
the community development program of each
grantee under this chapter is the development of
viable urban communities, by providing decent
housing and a suitable living environment and
expanding economic opportunities, principally
for persons of low and moderate income. Consistent with this primary objective, not less
than 70 percent of the aggregate of the Federal
assistance provided to States and units of general local government under section 5306 of this
title and, if applicable, the funds received as a
result of a guarantee or a grant under section
5308 of this title, shall be used for the support of
activities that benefit persons of low and moderate income, and the Federal assistance provided in this chapter is for the support of community development activities which are directed toward the following specific objectives—
(1) the elimination of slums and blight and
the prevention of blighting influences and the
deterioration of property and neighborhood
and community facilities of importance to the