CHAPTER 68 - DISASTER RELIEF

Title 42 > CHAPTER 68

Sections (131)

§ 5121 Congressional findings and declarations

(a) The Congress hereby finds and declares that— because disasters often cause loss of life, human suffering, loss of income, and property loss and damage; and 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— revising and broadening the scope of existing disaster relief programs; encouraging the development of comprehensive disaster preparedness and assistance plans, programs, capabilities, and organizations by the States and by local governments; achieving greater coordination and responsiveness of disaster preparedness and relief programs; encouraging individuals, States, and local governments to protect themselves by obtaining insurance coverage to supplement or replace governmental assistance; encouraging hazard mitigation measures to reduce losses from disasters, including development of land use and construction regulations; providing Federal assistance programs for both public and private losses sustained in disasters; and identifying and improving the climate and natural hazard resilience of vulnerable communities.

§ 5122 Definitions

As used in this chapter— “Emergency” means any occasion or instance for which, in the determination of the President, Federal assistance is needed 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. “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. “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. “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. “Governor” means the chief executive of any State. 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 The term “individual with a disability” means an individual with a disability as defined in section 12102(2) of this title . The term “local government” means— 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; 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 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. “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. “Public facility” means the following facilities owned by a State or local government: Any flood control, navigation, irrigation, reclamation, public power, sewage treatment and collection, water supply and distribution, watershed development, or airport facility. Any non-Federal-aid street, road, or highway. Any other public building, structure, or system, including those used for educational, recreational, or cultural purposes. Any park. 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. 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. 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.)

§ 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 .)

§ 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— preparation of disaster preparedness plans for mitigation, warning, emergency operations, rehabilitation, and recovery; training and exercises; postdisaster critiques and evaluations; annual review of programs; coordination of Federal, State, and local preparedness programs; application of science and technology; 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— 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 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.

“SEC. 2 DEFINITIONS.

“In this Act [see Short Title of 2022 Amendment note set out under section 5121 of this title ]— the term ‘Administrator’ means the Administrator of the Agency; the term ‘Agency’ means the Federal Emergency Management Agency; the term ‘appropriate committees of Congress’ means— the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; the term ‘emergency’ means an emergency declared or determined to exist by the President under section 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5191 ); the terms ‘Indian tribal government’, ‘local government’, and ‘State’ have the meanings given such terms in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5122 ); and 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 ).

“SEC. 4 RED FLAG WARNINGS AND PREDISASTER ACTIONS.

“Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [ Dec. 20, 2022 ], the Administrator, in coordination with the National Weather Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall— conduct a study of, develop recommendations for, and initiate a process for the use of forecasts and data, including information that supports the Red Flag Warnings of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and similar weather alert and notification methods, to establish— plans and actions, consistent with law, that can be implemented prior to a wildfire event, including pre-impact disaster declarations and surge operations, that can limit the impact, duration, or severity of the fire; and mechanisms to increase interagency collaboration to expedite the delivery of disaster assistance; and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a comprehensive report regarding the study described in paragraph (1), including any recommendations of the Administrator, and the activities of the Administrator to carry out paragraph (1).”

§ 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 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.

§ 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 The Governor of each State may recommend to the President not fewer than five local governments to receive assistance under this section. 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. In making recommendations under subparagraph (A), a Governor shall consider the criteria specified in subsection (g). 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. 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. 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 Technical and financial assistance provided under this section— 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 may be used— to support effective public-private natural disaster hazard mitigation partnerships; to improve the assessment of a community’s vulnerability to natural hazards; to establish hazard mitigation priorities, and an appropriate hazard mitigation plan, for a community; or to establish and carry out enforcement activities and implement 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. 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 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). 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— is not less than the lesser of— $575,000; or the amount that is equal to 1 percent of the total funds appropriated to carry out this section for the fiscal year; and 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. The President may— 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 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— the extent and nature of the hazards to be mitigated; the degree of commitment of the State or local government to reduce damages from future natural disasters; the degree of commitment by the State or local government to support ongoing non-Federal support for the hazard mitigation measures to be carried out using the technical and financial assistance; the extent to which the hazard mitigation measures to be carried out using the technical and financial assistance contribute to the mitigation goals and priorities established by the State; the extent to which the technical and financial assistance is consistent with other assistance provided under this chapter; the extent to which prioritized, cost-effective mitigation activities that produce meaningful and definable outcomes are clearly identified; 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; the opportunity to fund activities that maximize net benefits to society; the extent to which assistance will fund mitigation activities in small impoverished communities; 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; the extent to which the assistance will fund activities that increase the level of resiliency; and such other criteria as the President establishes in consultation with State and local governments.

(h) Federal share Financial assistance provided under this section may contribute up to 75 percent of the total cost of mitigation activities approved by the President. 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 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. Not later than 180 days after each major disaster declaration pursuant to this chapter, the 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. 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 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. 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). 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. 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. The multihazard advisory maps shall be made available to the appropriate State and local governments for the purposes of— informing the general public about the risks of natural hazards in the areas described in paragraph (2); supporting the activities described in subsection (e); and 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 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 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. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available to carry out this section may be used for congressionally directed spending. 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.

“SEC. 2 Definitions.—

In this Act [see section 1 of Pub. L. 117–251 , set out as a Short Title of 2022 Amendment note under section 5121 of this title ]— the term ‘Administrator’ means the Administrator of the Agency; the term ‘Agency’ means the Federal Emergency Management Agency; the term ‘appropriate committees of Congress’ means— the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; the term ‘emergency’ means an emergency declared or determined to exist by the President under section 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5191 ); the terms ‘Indian tribal government’, ‘local government’, and ‘State’ have the meanings given such terms in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5122 ); and 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 ).

“SEC. 4 Red Flag Warnings and Predisaster Actions.—

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [ Dec. 20, 2022 ], the Administrator, in coordination with the National Weather Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall— conduct a study of, develop recommendations for, and initiate a process for the use of forecasts and data, including information that supports the Red Flag Warnings of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and similar weather alert and notification methods, to establish— plans and actions, consistent with law, that can be implemented prior to a wildfire event, including pre-impact disaster declarations and surge operations, that can limit the impact, duration, or severity of the fire; and mechanisms to increase interagency collaboration to expedite the delivery of disaster assistance; and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a comprehensive report regarding the study described in paragraph (1), including any recommendations of the Administrator, and the activities of the Administrator to carry out paragraph (1).”

§ 5134 Interagency task force

(a) In general The President shall establish a Federal interagency task force for the purpose of coordinating 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— relevant Federal agencies; State and local government organizations (including Indian tribes); and the American Red Cross.

§ 5135 Grants to entities for establishment of hazard mitigation revolving loan funds

(a) General authority 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— the loss of life and property; the cost of insurance; and Federal disaster payments. Any agreement entered into under this section shall require the participating entity to— comply with the requirements of this section; and use accounting, audit, and fiscal procedures conforming to generally accepted accounting standards.

(b) Application To be eligible to receive a capitalization grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Administrator an application that includes the following: 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. An assessment of recurring major disaster vulnerabilities impacting the entity that demonstrates a risk to life and property. A description of how the hazard mitigation plan of the entity has or has not taken the vulnerabilities described in subparagraph (B) into account. 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. 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. The Administrator shall provide technical assistance to eligible entities for applications under this section.

(c) Entity loan 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. Except as provided in paragraph (3), entity loan funds shall— be administered by the agency responsible for emergency management; and include only— funds provided by a capitalization grant under this section; repayments of loans under this section to the entity loan fund; and interest earned on amounts in the entity loan fund. 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— 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 the authority to establish assistance priorities and carry out oversight activities remains in the control of the entity agency responsible for emergency management. On or before the date on which a participating entity receives a capitalization grant 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. 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 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. 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— administrative costs incurred in carrying out this section; and providing technical assistance to participating entities under subsection (b)(2). In the apportionment of capitalization grants under this subsection, the Administrator shall give priority to entity applications under subsection (b) that— propose projects increasing resilience and reducing risk of harm to natural and built infrastructure; involve a partnership between two or more eligible entities to carry out a project or similar projects; 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 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 and Tribal governments), power and water production and distribution centers, and bridges and waterways essential to interstate commerce.

(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 Amounts deposited in an entity loan fund, including loan repayments and interest earned on such amounts, may be used— to make loans, on the condition that— such loans are made at an interest rate of not more than 1 percent; 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— not later than 20 years after the date on which the project is completed; or 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; the loan recipient of a loan under this subparagraph establishes a dedicated source of revenue for repayment of the loan; the loan recipient of a loan under this subparagraph has a hazard mitigation plan that has been approved by the Administrator; and the entity loan fund will be credited with all payments of principal and interest on all loans made under this subparagraph; 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; for the reasonable costs of administering the fund and conducting activities under this section, except that such amounts shall not exceed $100,000peryear,2percentofthecapitalizationgrantsmadetotheparticipatingentityinafiscalyear,or1percentofthevalueoftheentityloanfund,whicheveramountisgreatest,plustheamountofanyfeescollectedbytheentityforsuchpurposeregardlessofthesource;andtoearninterestontheentityloanfund.Incarryingoutthissection,theAdministratormaynotdeterminethataloanisaduplicationofassistanceorprogramsunderthischapter.Exceptasprovidedinthissubsection,aparticipatingentitymayusefundsintheentityloanfundtoprovidefinancialassistanceforprojectsoractivitiesthatmitigatetheimpactsofnaturalhazardsincluding—droughtandprolongedepisodesofintenseheat;severestorms,includinghurricanes,tornados,windstorms,cyclones,andseverewinterstorms;wildfires;earthquakes;flooding,includingtheconstruction,repair,orreplacementofanon-Federalleveeorotherfloodcontrolstructure,providedthattheAdministrator,inconsultationwiththeArmyCorpsofEngineers(ifappropriate),requiresaneligibleentitytodeterminethatsuchleveeorstructureisdesigned,constructed,andmaintainedinaccordancewithsoundengineeringpracticesandstandardsequivalenttothepurposeforwhichsuchleveeorstructureisintended;shorelineerosion;highwaterlevels;andstormsurges.Aparticipatingentitymayusenotmorethan10percentofacapitalizationgrantunderthissectiontoenableunitsoflocalgovernmenttoimplementzoningandlanduseplanningchangesfocusedon—thedevelopmentandimprovementofzoningandlandusecodesthatincentivizeandencouragelow-impactdevelopment,resilientwildland-urbaninterfacelandmanagementanddevelopment,naturalinfrastructure,greenstormwatermanagement,conservationareasadjacenttofloodplains,implementationofwatershedorgreenwaymasterplans,andreconnectionoffloodplains;thestudyandcreationofagriculturalriskcompensationdistrictswherethereisadesiretoremoveorset-backleveesprotectinghighlydevelopedagriculturallandtomitigateforflooding,allowingagriculturalproducerstoreceivecompensationforassuminggreaterfloodriskthatwouldalleviatefloodexposuretopopulationcentersandareaswithcriticalnationalinfrastructure;thestudyandcreationoflanduseincentivesthatrewarddevelopersforgreaterrelianceonlowimpactdevelopmentstormwaterbestmanagementpractices,exchangedensityincreasesforincreasedopenspaceandimprovementofneighborhoodcatchbasinstomitigateurbanflooding,rewarddevelopersforincludingandaugmentingnaturalinfrastructureadjacenttoandaroundbuildingprojectswithoutrelianceonincreasedsprawl,andrewarddevelopersforaddressingwildfireignition;andthestudyandcreationofanerosionresponseplanthataccommodatesriver,lake,forest,plains,andoceanshorelineretreatingorbluffstabilizationduetoincreasedfloodinganddisasterimpacts.Aparticipatingentitymayusecapitalizationgrantsunderthissectiontoenableunitsoflocalgovernmenttoestablishandcarryoutthelatestpublishededitionsofrelevantbuildingcodes,specifications,andstandardsforthepurposeofprotectingthehealth,safety,andgeneralwelfareofthebuilding’susersagainstdisastersandnaturalhazards.Foreachfiscalyear,aparticipatingentitymayusetheamountdescribedinparagraph(1)(C)to—paythereasonablecostsofadministeringtheprogramsunderthissection,includingthecostofestablishinganentityloanfund;andprovidetechnicalassistancetorecipientsoffinancialassistancefromtheentityloanfund,ontheconditionthatsuchtechnicalassistancedoesnotexceed5percentofthecapitalizationgrantmadetosuchentity.Aparticipatingentitymaynotprovideanamountequaltoormorethan$5,000,000 to a single hazard mitigation project. 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 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. An entity intended use plan prepared under paragraph (1) shall include— 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; an explanation of the mitigation and resiliency benefits the entity intends to achieve by— reducing future damage and loss associated with hazards; reducing the number of severe repetitive loss structures and repetitive loss structures in the entity; decreasing the number of insurance claims in the entity from injuries resulting from major disasters or other natural hazards; and increasing the rating under the community rating system under section 4022(b) of this title for communities in the entity; information on the availability of, and application process for, financial assistance from the entity loan fund of such entity; the criteria and methods established for the distribution of funds; the amount of financial assistance that the entity anticipates apportioning; the expected terms of the assistance provided from the entity loan fund; and 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 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— conduct an audit of the entity loan fund established under subsection (c); and provide to the Administrator a report including— the result of any such audit; and 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). A participating entity shall publish and periodically update information about all projects receiving funding from the entity loan fund of such entity, including— the location of the project; the type and amount of assistance provided from the entity loan fund; the expected funding schedule; and the anticipated date of completion of the project. 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. 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. 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— ensure that each participating entity uses funds as efficiently as possible; reduce waste, fraud, and abuse to the maximum extent possible; and 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— waive notice and comment rulemaking, if the Administrator determines the waiver is necessary to expeditiously implement this section; and 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— the appropriateness of regulations and guidance issued by the Administrator for the program, including any oversight of the program; 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; the effectiveness of the entity loan funds to lower disaster related costs; and recommendations for improving the administration of entity loan funds.

(m) Definitions In this section, the following definitions apply: The term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The term “Agency” means the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The term “eligible entity” means a State or an Indian tribal government that has received a major disaster declaration pursuant to section 5170 of this title . The term “hazard mitigation plan” means a mitigation plan submitted under section 5165 of this title . The term “low-income geographic area” means an area described in paragraph (1) or (2) of section 3161(a) of this title . The term “participating entity” means an eligible entity that has entered into an agreement under this section. The term “repetitive loss structure” has the meaning given the term in section 4121 of this title . The term “severe repetitive loss structure” has the meaning given the term in section 4104c(h) of this title . 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.

§ 5136 Natural hazard risk assessment

(a) Definitions In this section: The term “community disaster resilience zone” means a census tract designated by the President under subsection (d)(1). The term “eligible entity” means— a State; an Indian tribal government; or a local government.

(b) Products The President shall continue to maintain a natural hazard assessment program that develops and maintains products that— are available to the public; and define natural hazard risk across the United States.

(c) Features The products maintained under subsection (b) shall, for lands within States and areas under the jurisdiction of Indian tribal governments— show the risk of natural hazards; and include ratings and data for— loss exposure, including population equivalence, buildings, and agriculture; social vulnerability; community resilience; and any other element determined by the President.

(d) Community disaster resilience zones designation Not later than 30 days after the date on which the President makes the update and enhancement required under subsection (e)(4), and not less frequently than every 5 years thereafter, the President shall identify and designate community disaster resilience zones, which shall be— the 50 census tracts assigned the highest individual hazard risk ratings; and subject to paragraph (3), in each State, not less than 1 percent of census tracts that are assigned high individual risk ratings. In carrying out paragraph (1), the President shall use census tract risk ratings derived from a product maintained under subsection (b) that— reflect— high levels of individual hazard risk ratings based on an assessment of the intersection of— loss to population equivalence; building value; and agriculture value; high social vulnerability ratings and low community resilience ratings; and any other elements determined by the President; and reflect the principal natural hazard risks identified for the respective census tracts. In identifying and designating the community disaster resilience zones described in paragraph (1)(B)— for the purpose of achieving geographic balance, when applicable, the President shall consider making designations in coastal, inland, urban, suburban, and rural areas; and the President shall include census tracts on Tribal lands located within a State. The designation of a community disaster resilience zone under paragraph (1) shall be effective for a period of not less than 5 years.

(e) Review and update Not later than 180 days after December 20, 2022 , and not less frequently than every 5 years thereafter, the President shall— with respect to any product that is a natural hazard risk assessment— review the underlying methodology of the product; and receive public input on the methodology and data used for the product; consider including additional data in any product that is a natural hazard risk assessment, such as— the most recent census tract data; data from the American Community Survey of the Bureau of the Census, a successor survey, a similar survey, or another data source, including data by census tract on housing characteristics and income; information relating to development, improvements, and hazard mitigation measures; data that assesses past and future loss exposure, including analysis on the effects of a changing climate on future loss exposure; data from the Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool of the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and other information relevant to prioritizing areas that have— high risk levels of— natural hazard loss exposure, including population equivalence, buildings, infrastructure, and agriculture; and social vulnerability; and low levels of community resilience; make publicly available any changes in methodology or data used to inform an update to a product maintained under subsection (b); and update and enhance the products maintained under subsection (b), as necessary.

(f) Natural hazard risk assessment insights In determining additional data to include in products that are natural hazard risk assessments under subsection (e)(2), the President shall consult with, at a minimum— the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency; the Secretary of Agriculture and the Chief of the Forest Service; the Secretary of Commerce, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Director of the Bureau of the Census, and the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology; the Secretary of Defense and the Commanding Officer of the United States Army Corps of Engineers; the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; the Secretary of the Interior and the Director of the United States Geological Survey; the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; and the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

(g) Community disaster resilience zone With respect to financial assistance provided under section 5133(i) of this title to perform a resilience or mitigation project within, or that primarily benefits, a community disaster resilience zone, the President may increase the amount of the Federal share described under section 5133(h) of this title to not more than 90 percent of the total cost of the resilience or mitigation project.

(h) Resilience or mitigation project planning assistance The President may provide financial, technical, or other assistance under this subchapter to an eligible entity that plans to perform a resilience or mitigation project within, or that primarily benefits, a community disaster resilience zone. The purpose of assistance provided under paragraph (1) shall be to carry out activities in preparation for a resilience or mitigation project or seek an evaluation and certification under subsection (i)(2) for a resilience or mitigation project before the date on which permanent work of the resilience or mitigation project begins. If required by the President, an eligible entity seeking assistance under paragraph (1) shall submit an application in accordance with subsection (i)(1). In providing assistance under paragraph (1), the President may use amounts set aside under section 5133(i) of this title .

(i) Community disaster resilience zone project applications If required by the President or other Federal law, an eligible entity shall submit to the President an application at such time, in such manner, and containing or accompanied by such information as the President may reasonably require. Not later than 120 days after the date on which an eligible entity submits an application under paragraph (1), the President shall evaluate the application to determine whether the resilience or mitigation project that the entity plans to perform within, or that primarily benefits, a community disaster resilience zone— is designed to reduce injuries, loss of life, and damage and destruction of property, such as damage to critical services and facilities; and substantially reduces the risk of, or increases resilience to, future damage, hardship, loss, or suffering. If the President determines that an application submitted under paragraph (1) meets the criteria described in subparagraph (A), the President shall certify the proposed resilience or mitigation project. The certification of a proposed resilience or mitigation project under subparagraph (B) shall not be construed to exempt the resilience or mitigation project from the requirements of any other law. With respect to a resilience or mitigation project certified under paragraph (2)(B) that involves the displacement of a resident from any occupied housing unit, the entity performing the resilience or mitigation project shall— provide, at the option of the resident, a suitable and habitable housing unit that is, with respect to the housing unit from which the resident is displaced— of a comparable size; located in the same local community or a community with reduced hazard risk; and offered under similar costs, conditions, and terms; ensure that property acquisitions resulting from the displacement and made in connection with the resilience or mitigation project— are deed restricted in perpetuity to preclude future property uses not relating to mitigation or resilience; and are the result of a voluntary decision by the resident; and plan for robust public participation in the resilience or mitigation project.

§ 5136a Assistance and training for communities with technological hazards and related emerging threats

(a) In general The Administrator shall maintain the capacity to provide States, local, and Indian Tribal governments with technological hazards and related emerging threats technical assistance, training, and other preparedness programming to build community resilience to technological hazards and related emerging threats.

(b) Authorities The Administrator shall carry out subsection (a) in accordance with— the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.); section 5196g of this title ; and the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 ( Public Law 109–295 ; 120 Stat. 1394 ).

(c) Assessment and notification In carrying out subsection (a), the Administrator shall— use any available and appropriate multi-hazard risk assessment and mapping tools and capabilities to identify the communities that have the highest risk of and vulnerability to a technological hazard in each State; and ensure each State and Indian Tribal government is aware of— the communities identified under paragraph (1); and the availability of programming under this section for— technological hazards and related emerging threats preparedness; and building community capability.

(d) Report Not later than 1 year after December 23, 2022 , and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report relating to— actions taken to implement this section; and technological hazards and related emerging threats preparedness programming provided under this section during the 1-year period preceding the date of submission of the report.

(e) Consultation The Secretary of Homeland Security may seek continuing input relating to technological hazards and related emerging threats preparedness needs by consulting State, Tribal, territorial, and local emergency services organizations and private sector stakeholders.

(f) Coordination The Secretary of Homeland Security shall coordinate with the Secretary of Energy relating to technological hazard preparedness and training for a hazard that could result from activities or facilities authorized or licensed by the Department of Energy.

(g) Non-duplication of effort In carrying out activities under subsection (a), the Administrator shall ensure that such activities do not unnecessarily duplicate efforts of other Federal departments or agencies, including programs within the Department of Health and Human Services.

§ 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 .)

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

§ 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— make an initial appraisal of the types of relief most urgently needed; establish such field offices as he deems necessary and as are authorized by the President; 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 take such other action, consistent with authority delegated to him by the President, and consistent with the provisions of this 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.

§ 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 support teams, each such detail to be without loss of seniority, pay, or other employee status.

(b) Emergency response teams In carrying out subsection (a), the President, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall establish— at a minimum 3 national response teams; and sufficient regional response teams, including Regional Office strike teams under section 317 of title 6 ; and other response teams as may be necessary to meet the incident management responsibilities of the Federal Government. 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. 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. 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 .

§§ 5145, 5146 Repealed. Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 105(d), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4691

§ 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 .)

§ 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 .)

§ 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— 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; 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 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.

(d) Personnel performing service responding to disasters and emergencies The protections, rights, benefits, and obligations provided under chapter 43 of title 38 shall apply to intermittent personnel appointed pursuant to subsection (b)(1) to perform service to the Federal Emergency Management Agency under sections 5170 and 5191 of this title or to train for such service. Preclusion of giving notice of service by necessity of service under subsection (b)(1) to perform service to the Federal Emergency Management Agency under sections 5170 and 5191 of this title or to train for such service shall be considered 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 review in any judicial or administrative proceeding.

§ 5150 Use of local firms and individuals

(a) Contracts or agreements with private entities In the 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, 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. 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. In carrying out this section, a contract or agreement may be set aside for award based on a specific geographic area.

(b) Implementation 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. 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. 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.

§ 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.

§ 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 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, 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.

§ 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: The United States Housing Act of 1937 [ 42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.] for the provision of low-income housing. Sections 3502 to 3505 of title 40 for assistance in public works planning. 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.]. Section 1926 of title 7 . The Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 [ 42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.]. Subtitle IV of title 40. 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.

§ 5154 Insurance

(a) Applicants for replacement of damaged facilities 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. 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.

§ 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 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— 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 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. 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— the transferee fails to obtain or maintain flood insurance in accordance with applicable Federal law with respect to the property, the property is damaged by a flood disaster, and 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. For purposes of paragraph (1), a property is described in this paragraph if it is personal, 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— 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 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 .

§ 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 This section shall not prohibit the provision of Federal assistance to a person who is or 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. The President shall establish such procedures as the President considers necessary to ensure uniformity in preventing duplication of 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.

(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 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 resource-tested benefit programs.

§ 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 administered 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 .)

§ 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.

§ 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 .)

§ 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 .)

§ 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.

§ 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.

§ 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 .)

§ 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— the State is unable to assume its financial responsibility under such cost-sharing provisions— with respect to concurrent, multiple major disasters in a jurisdiction, or after incurring extraordinary costs as a result of a particular disaster; and 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 Any loan or advance under this section shall be repaid to the United States. Loans and advances under this section shall bear interest at a rate determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, taking into consideration 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.

§ 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 .)

§ 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 .)

§ 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— describe actions to mitigate hazards, risks, and vulnerabilities identified under the plan; and establish a strategy to implement those actions.

(c) State plans The State process of development of a mitigation plan under this section shall— identify the natural hazards, risks, and vulnerabilities of areas in the State; support development of local mitigation plans; provide for technical assistance to local and tribal governments for mitigation planning; and identify and prioritize mitigation actions that the State will support, as resources become available.

(d) Funding Federal contributions under section 5170c of this title may be used to fund the development and updating of mitigation plans under this section. 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 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 . In determining whether to increase the maximum percentage under paragraph (1), the President shall consider whether the State has established— eligibility criteria for property acquisition and other types of mitigation measures; requirements for cost effectiveness that are related to the eligibility criteria; a system of priorities that is related to the eligibility criteria; and a process by which an assessment of the effectiveness of a mitigation action may be carried out after the mitigation action is complete.

§ 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— 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 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.

§ 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 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. 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 grantee under section 5170c of this title may be reimbursed not more than 15 percent 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. 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.

§ 5165c Public notice, comment, and consultation requirements

(a) Public notice and comment concerning new or modified policies The President shall provide for public notice and opportunity for comment before adopting any new or modified policy that— governs implementation of the public assistance program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency under this chapter; and could result in a significant reduction of assistance under the program. 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 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— to result in a significant reduction of assistance to applicants for the assistance with respect to the major disaster or emergency; or 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. 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.

§ 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— 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; assist small population States in the preparation of requests for major disaster or emergency declarations; assist States in the collection and presentation of material in the disaster or emergency declaration request relevant to demonstrate severe localized impacts within the State for a specific incident, including— the per capita personal income by local area, as calculated by the Bureau of Economic Analysis; the disaster impacted population profile, as reported by the Bureau of the Census, including— the percentage of the population for whom poverty status is determined; the percentage of the population already receiving Government assistance such as Supplemental Security Income and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits; the pre-disaster unemployment rate; the percentage of the population that is 65 years old and older; the percentage of the population 18 years old and younger; the percentage of the population with a disability; the percentage of the population who speak a language other than English and speak English less than “very well”; and any unique considerations regarding American Indian and Alaskan Native Tribal populations raised in the State’s request for a major disaster declaration that may not be reflected in the data points referenced in this subparagraph; the impact to community infrastructure, including— disruptions to community life-saving and life-sustaining services; disruptions or increased demand for essential community services; and disruptions to transportation, infrastructure, and utilities; and any other information relevant to demonstrate severe local impacts; and conduct such other activities as the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency considers appropriate.

§ 5165e Integrated plan for administrative cost reduction

(a) In general Not later than 365 days after February 29, 2016 , the Administrator shall— develop and implement an integrated plan to control and reduce administrative costs for major disasters, which shall include— steps the Agency will take to reduce administrative costs; milestones needed for accomplishing the reduction of administrative costs; strategic goals for the average annual percentage of administrative costs of major disasters for each fiscal year; the assignment of clear roles and responsibilities, including the designation of officials responsible for monitoring and measuring performance; and a timetable for implementation; 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 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.

§ 5165f National Urban Search and Rescue Response System

(a) Definitions In this section, the following definitions shall apply: The term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The term “Agency” means the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The term “hazard” has the meaning given the term in section 5195a of this title . The term “nonemployee System member” means a System member not employed by a sponsoring agency or 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. 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. The term “System” means the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System to be administered under this section. 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. 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 The Administrator shall designate task forces to participate in the System. The Administration shall determine the criteria for such participation. 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. A task force may include, at the discretion of the sponsoring agency, one or more participating 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. 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 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. The Administrator may make appointments under paragraph (1) without regard to the provisions of title 5 governing appointments in the competitive service. The authority of the Administrator to make appointments under this subsection shall not affect any other authority of the Administrator under this chapter. 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 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— 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 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). 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 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). 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). 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 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. 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— receive benefits under such subchapter; or receive benefits from the State or local government. 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. An election of benefits made under this paragraph is irrevocable unless otherwise provided by law. Subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may impose by regulation, if a 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. 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: 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. 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 agreement with each sponsoring agency. Amounts made available to a sponsoring agency under such a preparedness cooperative agreement shall be for the following purposes: Training and exercises, including training and exercises with other Federal, State, and local government response entities. Acquisition and maintenance of equipment, including interoperable communications and personal protective equipment. 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.

§ 5165g National veterinary emergency teams

(a) In general The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency may establish one or more national veterinary emergency teams at accredited colleges of veterinary medicine.

(b) Responsibilities A national veterinary emergency team shall— deploy with a team of the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System to assist with— veterinary care of canine search teams; locating and treating companion animals, service animals, livestock, and other animals; and surveillance and treatment of zoonotic diseases; 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); 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 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.

§ 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 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 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). 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. 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 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— the President has the authority to waive or adjust the payment under another provision of this subchapter; and the President determines that the waiver or adjustment is necessary and appropriate. The President shall establish criteria for making determinations under paragraph (1)(B).

§ 5170a General Federal assistance

In any major disaster, the President may— 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; coordinate all disaster relief assistance (including voluntary assistance) provided by Federal agencies, private organizations, and State and local governments, including precautionary evacuations and recovery; provide technical and advisory assistance to affected State and local governments for— the performance of essential community services; issuance of warnings of risks and hazards; public health and safety information, including dissemination of such information; provision of health and safety measures; management, control, and reduction of immediate threats to public health and safety; and recovery activities, including disaster impact assessments and planning; assist State and local governments in the distribution of medicine, food, and other consumable supplies, and emergency assistance; provide assistance to State and local governments for building code and floodplain management ordinance administration and enforcement, including inspections for substantial damage compliance; and 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— shall, to the fullest extent practicable, promptly notify and coordinate with officials in a State in which such assistance or support is provided; and 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. 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 .)

§ 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: 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. 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 medical equipment,, 1 food, and other consumable supplies, and other services and assistance to disaster victims. 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— debris removal; 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; clearance of roads and construction of temporary bridges necessary to the performance of emergency tasks and essential community services; provision of temporary facilities for schools and other essential community services; demolition of unsafe structures which endanger the public; warning of further risks and hazards; dissemination of public information and assistance regarding health and safety measures; provision of technical advice to State and local governments on disaster management and control; reduction of immediate threats to life, property, and public health and safety; and provision of rescue, care, shelter, and essential needs— to individuals with household pets and service animals; and to such pets and animals. 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 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. 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. The cost of any assistance provided pursuant to this subsection shall be reimbursed out of funds made available to carry out this chapter. The Federal share of assistance under this subsection shall be not less than 75 percent. Not later than 180 days after November 23, 1988 , the President shall issue guidelines for carrying out this subsection. Such guidelines shall consider any likely effect assistance under this subsection will have on the availability of other forms of assistance under this chapter. For purposes of this section— The term “Department of Defense” has the meaning the term “department” has under section 101 of title 10 . 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 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— basic pay and benefits for permanent employees of the State, tribal, or local government conducting emergency protective measures under this section, if— the work is not typically performed by the employees; and the type of work may otherwise be carried out by contract or agreement with private organizations, firms, or individuals.; 2 or overtime and hazardous duty compensation for permanent employees of the State, tribal, or local government conducting emergency protective measures under this section. 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.). Nothing in this subsection shall affect the ability of the President to reimburse labor force expenses provided pursuant to an authorized mutual aid pact.

§ 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 $2,000,000,000,10percentforamountsofmorethan$2,000,000,000 and not more than $10,000,000,000,and7.5percentonamountsofmorethan$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 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). An acquisition or relocation project shall be eligible to receive assistance pursuant to paragraph (1) only if— the applicant for the assistance is otherwise eligible to receive assistance under the hazard mitigation grant program established under subsection (a); and on or after December 3, 1993 , the applicant for the assistance enters into an agreement with the Administrator that provides assurances that— 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; 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— a public facility that is open on all sides and functionally related to a designated open space; a rest room; or a structure that the Administrator approves in writing before the commencement of the construction of the structure; and 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— no subsequent application for additional disaster assistance for any purpose will be made by the recipient to any Federal entity; and no assistance referred to in subclause (I) will be provided to the applicant by any Federal source. 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 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. 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 section as a pilot program. The criteria shall include, at a minimum— the demonstrated ability of the State to manage the grant program under this section; there being in effect an approved mitigation plan under section 5165 of this title ; and a demonstrated commitment to mitigation activities. The President shall approve an application submitted under paragraph (1) that meets the criteria established under paragraph (2). 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. The President shall provide for periodic audits of the hazard mitigation grant programs administered by States under this subsection.

(d) Streamlined procedures For the purpose of providing assistance under this section, the President shall ensure that— 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 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. 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 cost-share 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 activities to help reduce the risk of future damage, hardship, loss, or suffering in any area affected by a wildfire or windstorm, such as— reseeding ground cover with quick-growing or native species; mulching with straw or chipped wood; constructing straw, rock, or log dams in small tributaries to prevent flooding; placing logs and other erosion barriers to catch sediment on hill slopes; installing debris traps to modify road and trail drainage mechanisms; modifying or removing culverts to allow drainage to flow freely; adding drainage dips and constructing emergency spillways to keep roads and bridges from washing out during floods; planting grass to prevent the spread of noxious weeds; installing warning signs; establishing defensible space measures; reducing hazardous fuels; mitigating windstorm and wildfire damage, including— replacing or installing electrical transmission or distribution utility pole structures with poles that are resilient to extreme wind, wildfire, and combined ice and wind loadings for the basic wind speeds and ice conditions associated with the relevant location; and the installation of fire-resistant wires and infrastructure and the undergrounding of wires; removing standing burned trees; and 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— improvements to regional seismic networks in support of building a capability for earthquake early warning; improvements to geodetic networks in support of building a capability for earthquake early warning; and improvements to seismometers, Global Positioning System receivers, and associated infrastructure in support of building a capability for earthquake early warning.

“SECTION 1 SHORT TITLE.

“This Act may be cited as the ‘Hazard Eligibility and Local Projects Act’.

“SEC. 2 AUTHORITY TO BEGIN IMPLEMENTATION OF ACQUISITION AND DEMOLITION ASSISTANCE PROJECTS.

(“(a) Definitions.— In this section: The term ‘Administrator’ means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The term ‘covered project’ means a project that— is an acquisition and demolition project for which an entity began implementation, including planning or construction, before or after requesting assistance for the project under a hazard mitigation assistance program; and qualifies for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The term ‘hazard mitigation assistance program’ means— any grant program authorized under section 203 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5133 ); 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 ); and the flood mitigation assistance program authorized under section 1366 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 ( 42 U.S.C. 4104c ).

(“(b) Eligibility for Assistance for Covered Projects.— An entity seeking assistance under a hazard mitigation assistance program may be eligible to receive that assistance for a covered project if— the entity— complies with all other eligibility requirements of the hazard mitigation assistance program for acquisition or demolition projects, including extinguishing all incompatible encumbrances; and complies with all Federal requirements for the covered project; and the Administrator determines that the covered project— qualifies for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); is compliant with applicable floodplain management and protection of wetland regulations and criteria; and does not require consultation under any other environmental or historic preservation law or regulation or involve any extraordinary circumstances. An entity seeking assistance under a hazard mitigation assistance program shall be responsible for any project costs incurred by the entity for a covered project if the covered project is not awarded, or is determined to be ineligible for, assistance.

(“(c) Applicability.— This Act shall apply to covered projects started on or after the date of enactment of this Act [ Jan. 5, 2023 ].

(“(d) Report.— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 3 years, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report on use of the authority under this Act, including— how many applicants used the authority; how many applicants using the authority successfully obtained a grant; how many applicants were not able to successfully obtain a grant; the reasons applicants were not able to obtain a grant; and the extent to which applicants using the authority were able to comply with all necessary Federal environmental, historic preservation, and other related laws and regulations.

(“(e) Termination.— The authority provided under this Act shall cease to be effective on the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act.”

§ 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.

§ 5172 Repair, restoration, and replacement of damaged facilities

(a) Contributions The President may make contributions— 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 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. For the purposes of this section, associated expenses shall include— the costs of mobilizing and employing the National Guard for performance of eligible work; 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; 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 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. The President may make contributions to a private nonprofit facility under paragraph (1)(B) only if— the facility provides critical services (as defined by the President) in the event of a major disaster; or the owner or operator of the facility— has applied for a disaster loan under section 636(b) of title 15 ; and has been determined to be ineligible for such a loan; or has obtained such a loan in the maximum amount for which the Small Business Administration determines the facility is eligible. 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. 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. Before making any contribution under this section in an amount greater than $20,000,000, the President shall notify— the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate; the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

(b) 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. 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— that has been damaged, on more than one occasion within the preceding 10-year period, by the same type of event; and the owner of which has failed to implement appropriate mitigation measures to address the hazard that caused the damage to the facility. 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— the adoption of a mitigation plan approved under section 5165 of this title ; investments in disaster relief, insurance, and emergency management programs; 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; facilitating participation in the community rating system; and funding mitigation projects or granting tax incentives for projects that reduce risk. 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 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. 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. Nothing in this paragraph prevents the President from increasing the Federal cost share above 85 percent.

(c) Large in-lieu contributions 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. Funds contributed to a State or local government under this paragraph may be used— to repair, restore, or expand other selected public facilities; to construct new facilities; or 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. Funds made available to a State or local government under this paragraph may not be used for— 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 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.). 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, reconstructing, 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. Funds contributed to a person under this paragraph may be used— to repair, restore, or expand other selected private nonprofit facilities owned or operated by the person; to construct new private nonprofit facilities to be owned or operated by the person; or 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. Funds made available to a person under this paragraph may not be used for— 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 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 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 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 . The amount of a reduction in Federal assistance under this section with respect to a facility shall be the lesser of— the value of such facility on the date of the flood damage or destruction, or the maximum amount of insurance proceeds which would have been payable with respect to such facility if such facility had been covered by flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 on such date. 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. 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 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— on the basis of the design of the facility as the facility existed immediately before the major disaster; 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 in a manner that allows the facility to meet the definition of resilient developed pursuant to this subsection. Subject to paragraph (2), the President shall use the cost estimation procedures established under paragraph (3) to determine the eligible cost under this subsection. 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 . Contributions for the eligible cost made under this section may be provided on an actual cost basis or on cost-estimation procedures. 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). 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. 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. Nothing in this paragraph affects any right of appeal under section 5189a of this title . 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. The expert panel shall develop recommendations concerning— procedures for estimating the cost of repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing a facility consistent with industry practices; and the ceiling and floor percentages referred to in paragraph (2). Taking into account the recommendations of the expert panel under subparagraph (B), the President shall promulgate regulations that establish— cost estimation procedures described in subparagraph (B)(i); and the ceiling and floor percentages referred to in paragraph (2). 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

§ 5173 Debris removal

(a) Presidential authority The President, whenever he determines it to be in the public interest, is authorized— 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 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.

(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 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). 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.

“SECTION 1 SHORT TITLE.

“This Act may be cited as the ‘Disaster Contract Improvement Act’.

“SEC. 2 OVERSIGHT ON DEBRIS REMOVAL.

(“(a) Definitions.— In this section: The term ‘Administrator’ means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The term ‘debris removal program’ means the program established under section 407 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5173 ).

(“(b) Advisory Working Group.— The Administrator shall establish an advisory working group to encourage and foster collaborative efforts among individuals and entities engaged in disaster recovery relating to debris removal. The advisory working group established under paragraph (1) shall be comprised of— representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency; representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers; representatives from the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the Department of Agriculture; representatives of States, Tribal governments, and units of local government; and subject matter experts in debris removal, including not less than 1 representative from the debris services contractor industry.

(“(c) Guidance.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [ Dec. 17, 2024 ], the Administrator, in consultation with the advisory working group established under subsection (b)(1), shall— determine whether guidance and procedures in effect as of the date of enactment of this Act with respect to the oversight and cost of debris removal contracts entered into under the debris removal program are sufficient; and if the Administrator, in consultation with the advisory working group established under subsection (b)(1), determines that the guidance and procedures described in paragraph (1) are insufficient, develop and implement additional such guidance and procedures, including— a requirement that each State, Tribal government, and unit of local government receiving a grant under the debris removal program take the primary role in the oversight function of debris removal; guidance for State, Tribal, and local debris monitors relating to debris removal operations, debris operations oversight, and contractor oversight, including contractor monitoring; guidance for streamlining the reimbursement of debris costs overall, including debris management planning and support for resilience in debris removal operations; checklists, job aids, eligibility requirements, contract requirements, debris management planning guidance, sample bids, and other items, as determined necessary by the Administrator, for State and local debris monitors; a list of the specific debris removal monitoring responsibilities expected to be completed by a State that receives a grant under the debris removal program; a list of the specific debris removal monitoring responsibilities expected to be completed by recipients of a grant under the debris removal program; and guidance for State and Tribal governments and units of local government to reduce duplication and inefficiency in debris removal contracting across the Federal Government, State and Tribal governments, and units of local government.

(“(d) Training.— The Administrator shall conduct outreach to States, Tribal governments, and units of local government with respect to any guidance or support materials developed under this section.

(“(e) GAO Study.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [ Dec. 17, 2024 ], the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study that— studies the use and adoption rate of advance contracts for debris removal by selected States, Tribal governments, and units of local government; identifies the benefits and challenges of advance contracts for debris removal; with respect to the reporting and information sharing processes, as of the date of enactment of this Act, for advance contracts for debris removal between States and units of local government and Federal partners— assesses those processes; and makes any necessary recommendations for those processes; studies— the process for setting Federal reimbursement rates for the debris removal program; the use of penalties, as of the date of enactment of this Act, for violations of law and regulations relating to debris removal; and fraud, waste, and abuse relating to the debris removal program, including case studies; and makes any necessary recommendations for improvements to oversight and fraud prevention across the debris removal program.”

§ 5174 Federal assistance to individuals and households

(a) In general 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. 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 The President may provide financial or other assistance under this section to individuals and households to respond to the disaster-related housing needs of individuals and households who are displaced from their predisaster primary residences or whose predisaster primary residences are rendered uninhabitable, or with respect to individuals with disabilities, rendered inaccessible or uninhabitable, as a result of damage caused by a major disaster. 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. 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 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. 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. 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). The President, to the extent the President determines it would be a cost-effective alternative to other temporary housing options, may— 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 make repairs or improvements to properties under such lease agreements, to the extent necessary to serve as safe and adequate temporary housing. 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. The President may not provide direct assistance under clause (i) with respect to a major disaster after the end of the 18-month period beginning on the date of the declaration of the major disaster by the President, except that the President may extend that period if the President determines that due to extraordinary circumstances an extension would be in the public interest. 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. The President may provide financial assistance for— 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 eligible hazard mitigation measures that reduce the likelihood of future damage to such residences, utilities, or infrastructure. 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. The President may provide financial assistance for the replacement of owner-occupied private residences damaged by a major disaster. 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. The President may provide financial assistance or direct assistance to individuals or households to construct permanent or semi-permanent housing in insular areas outside the continental United States and in other locations in cases in which— no alternative housing resources are available; and 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 Any readily fabricated dwelling provided under this section shall, whenever practicable, be located on a site that— is complete with utilities; meets the physical accessibility requirements for individuals with disabilities; and 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. 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. 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. A sale of a temporary housing unit under clause (i) shall be at a price that is fair and equitable. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the proceeds of a sale under clause (i) shall be deposited in the appropriate Disaster Relief Fund account. 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. The President may use the services of the General Services Administration to accomplish a sale under clause (i). 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— may be sold to any person; or may be sold, transferred, donated, or otherwise made available directly to a State or other governmental entity or to a voluntary organization for the sole purpose of providing temporary housing to disaster victims in major disasters and emergencies if, as a condition of the sale, transfer, or donation, the State, other governmental agency, or voluntary organization agrees— to comply with the nondiscrimination provisions of section 5151 of this title ; and to obtain and maintain hazard and flood insurance on the housing unit.

(e) Financial assistance to address other needs 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. 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 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). 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). 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. A State or Indian tribal government desiring to provide assistance under subsection (c)(1)(B), (c)(4), or (e) shall submit to the President an application for a grant to provide financial assistance under the program. 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— a requirement that the State or Indian tribal government submit a housing strategy under subparagraph (C); the demonstrated ability of the State or Indian tribal government to manage the program under this section; 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; a requirement that the State or Indian tribal government comply with rules and regulations established pursuant to subsection (j); and a requirement that the President, or the designee of the President, comply with subsection (i). 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. The housing strategy required under clause (i) shall— 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 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. 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 implementation 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. 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. 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. 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— whether the State or Indian tribal government’s role helped to improve the general speed of disaster recovery; whether the State or Indian tribal government providing assistance under this section had the capacity to administer this section; and recommendations for changes to improve the program if the State or Indian tribal government’s role to administer the programs should be continued. 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 other options, potential adjustments to the cost-share requirement and management costs to State and Indian tribal governments. 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. 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. 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. 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 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. In the case of financial assistance provided under subsection (e)— the Federal share shall be 75 percent; and the non-Federal share shall be paid from funds made available by the State.

(h) Maximum amount of assistance 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). 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. The limit established under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be adjusted annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Department of Labor. 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. 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— 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; minimize the risk of making duplicative payments or payments for fraudulent claims under this section; 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; 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 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.

§ 5174a Flexibility

(a) Waiver authority In this subsection, the term “covered assistance” means assistance provided— under section 5174 of this title ; and 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 . Notwithstanding section 3716(e) of title 31 , the Administrator— except as provided in subparagraph (B), shall— waive a debt owed to the United States related to covered assistance provided to an individual or household if the covered assistance was distributed based on an error by the Agency and such debt shall be construed as a hardship; and waive a debt owed to the United States related to covered assistance provided to an individual or household if such assistance is subject to a claim or legal action, including in accordance with section 1 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5160 ); and 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. 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. If the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security determines, with respect 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— the Inspector General shall notify the Administrator and publish the determination in the Federal Register; and 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 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 actions that the Administrator will take to reduce the error rate.

(b) Recoupment of certain assistance prohibited 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. In this subsection, the term “covered assistance” means assistance provided— under section 5174 of this title ; and 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 With respect to disaster or emergency assistance provided to a State or local government on or after January 1, 2004 — 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 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). 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 .

§ 5174b Critical document fee waiver

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: The passport application fee for individuals who lost their United States passport in a major disaster within the preceding three calendar years. The file search fee for a United States passport. The Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa form (Form I–193) fee. The Permanent Resident Card replacement form (Form I–90) filing fee. The Declaration of Intention form (Form N–300) filing fee. The Naturalization/Citizenship Document replacement form (Form N–565) filing fee. The Employment Authorization form (Form I–765) filing fee. The biometric service fee. 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. The assistance limit in section 5174(h) of this title shall not apply to any fee waived under this subsection. 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 .)

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

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

§ 5177 Unemployment assistance

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

(c) Application deadline With respect to a major disaster for which assistance is provided under this section and section 5174 of this title , the application deadline for an individual seeking assistance under this section shall match the application deadline for individuals and households seeking assistance under section 5174 of this title . The President may accept an application from an individual described in paragraph (1) that is submitted after the deadline described in paragraph (1) if— the individual has good cause for the late submission; and the individual submits the application before the date on which the period during which assistance is provided under this section for the applicable major disaster expires.

§ 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— who has, during any consecutive 12 month period within the preceding 24 month period, performed farm work for wages; 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 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.

§ 5178 Repealed. Pub. L. 106–390, title II, § 206(c), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1571

§ 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.

§ 5180 Food commodities

(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.

§ 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. ( 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 .)

§ 5182 Legal services

Whenever the President determines that low-income 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. ( 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 .)

§ 5183 Crisis counseling assistance and training

(a) In general 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.

(b) Training Each State, local agency, or private mental health organization providing professional counseling services described in subsection (a) shall ensure that, any individual providing professional counseling services to victims of a major disaster as authorized under subsection (a), including individuals working for nonprofit partners and recovery organizations, is appropriately trained to address impacts from major disasters in communities, and to individuals, with socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

§ 5184 Community disaster loans

(a) In general The President is authorized to make loans to any local government which may suffer a substantial 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— 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;orifthelossoftaxandotherrevenuesofthelocalgovernmentasaresultofthemajordisasterisatleast75percentoftheannualoperatingbudgetofthatlocalgovernmentforthefiscalyearinwhichthemajordisasteroccurs,50percentoftheannualoperatingbudgetofthatlocalgovernmentforthefiscalyearinwhichthemajordisasteroccurs,andshallnotexceed$5,000,000.

(c) Repayment 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. 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.

“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.

“Sec. 106

(a) There is hereby authorized to be appropriated for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1977 , $225,000,000ofwhichsum$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 .)

§ 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 .)

§ 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 .

(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.

§ 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 disaster, 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 $1,000forsalesunderonemillionboardfeet,(2)ofmorethan$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.

§ 5189 Simplified procedure

(a) In general If the Federal estimate of the cost of— repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing under section 5172 of this title any damaged or destroyed public facility or private nonprofit facility, emergency assistance under section 5170b or 5192 of this title, or debris removed under section 5173 of this title , is less than $1,000,000(or,iftheAdministratorhasestablishedathresholdundersubsection(b),theamountestablishedundersubsection(b)),thePresident(onapplicationoftheStateorlocalgovernmentortheowneroroperatoroftheprivatenonprofitfacility)maymakethecontributiontosuchStateorlocalgovernmentorowneroroperatorundersection5170b,5172,5173,or5192ofthistitle,asthecasemaybe,onthebasisofsuchFederalestimate.Such$1,000,000 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 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— 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 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). After the Administrator submits the report required under paragraph (1), the President shall direct the Administrator to— immediately establish a threshold for eligibility under this section in an appropriate amount, without regard to chapter 5 of title 5; and adjust the threshold annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers published by the Department of Labor. 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 and 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 such review, including any recommendations developed pursuant to such review.

§ 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 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 $500,000foranydisasterthatoccurredafterJanuary1,2016.SucharbitrationshallbeconductedbytheCivilianBoardofContractAppealsandthedecisionofsuchBoardshallbebinding.TheCivilianBoardofContractAppealsshallconsiderfromtheapplicantalloriginalandadditionaldocumentation,testimony,orothersuchevidencesupportingtheapplicant’spositionatanytimeduringarbitration.Foranapplicantforassistanceinaruralareaunderthissubchapter,theassistanceamounteligibleforarbitrationpursuanttothissubsectionshallbe$100,000. 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. To participate in arbitration under this subsection, an applicant— shall submit the dispute to the arbitration process established under the authority granted under section 601 of Public Law 111–5 ; and may submit a request for arbitration after the completion of the first appeal under subsection (a) at any time before the 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.

§ 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 .)

§ 5189c Transportation assistance to individuals and households

The President may provide transportation assistance to relocate individuals displaced from 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 .)

§ 5189d Case management services

(a) In general 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.

(b) Training Each State, local government agency, or qualified private organization providing professional counseling services described in subsection (a) shall ensure that any individual providing case management services to victims of a major disaster as authorized under subsection (a), including individuals working for nonprofit partners and recovery organizations, is appropriately trained to address impacts from major disasters in communities, and to individuals, with socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

§ 5189e Essential service providers

(a) Definition In this section, the term “essential service provider” means an entity that— provides wireline or mobile telephone service, Internet access service, radio or television broadcasting, cable service, or direct broadcast satellite service; electrical power; natural gas; water and sewer services; or any other essential service, as determined by the President; or is a tower owner or operator; is— a municipal entity; a nonprofit entity; or a private, for profit entity; and 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— 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 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.

§ 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— reducing the costs to the Federal Government of providing such assistance; increasing flexibility in the administration of such assistance; expediting the provision of such assistance to a State, tribal or local government, or owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility; and 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 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. The President may not condition the provision of Federal assistance under this chapter on the election by a State, local, or Indian 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: For repair, restoration, and replacement of damaged facilities under section 5172 of this title — 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; 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— 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 management expenses; 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; 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— cost-effective activities that reduce the risk of future damage, hardship, or suffering from a major disaster; and other activities to improve future Public Assistance operations or planning; 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; 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 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. For debris removal under sections 5170b(a)(3)(A), 5173, and 5192(a)(5) of this title— 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; 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; allowing use of program income from recycled debris without offset to the grant amount; 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; 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 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— debris management planning; acquisition of debris management equipment for current or future use; and 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— waive notice and comment rulemaking, if the Administrator determines the waiver is necessary to expeditiously implement this section; and 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 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 damaged facilities under section 5172 of this title authorized under this section. The report shall contain an assessment of the effectiveness of the alternative procedures, including— whether the alternative procedures helped to improve the general speed of disaster recovery; the accuracy of the estimates relied upon; whether the financial incentives and disincentives were effective; whether the alternative procedures were cost effective; whether the independent expert panel described in subsection (e)(1)(E) was effective; and recommendations for whether the alternative procedures should be continued and any recommendations for changes to the alternative procedures.

§ 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.

(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.

§ 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— identifying the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region; the disaster or emergency declaration number; the State, county, and applicant name; if the applicant is a private nonprofit organization; the damage category code; the amount of the Federal share obligated; and the date of the award.

(b) Mission assignments Not later than 5 days after the issuance of a mission assignment or mission assignment 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— the name of the impacted State or Indian Tribe; the disaster declaration for such State or Indian Tribe; the assigned agency; the assistance requested; a description of the disaster; the total cost estimate; the amount obligated; the State or Indian tribal government cost share, if applicable; the authority under which the mission assignment or mission assignment task order was directed; and if applicable, the date a State or Indian Tribe requested the mission assignment. 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— 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— the unobligated balance of funds to be carried over from the prior fiscal year to the budget year; the unobligated balance of funds to be carried over from the budget year to the budget year plus 1; the amount of obligations for noncatastrophic events for the budget year; the amount of obligations for the budget year for catastrophic events delineated by event and by State; 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; the amount of previously obligated funds that will be recovered for the budget year; 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 described in section 5187 of this title , surge activities, and disaster readiness and support activities; and the amount required for activities not covered under section 901(b)(2)(D)(iii) of title 2 ; and 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 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. A table of disaster relief activity delineated by month, including— the beginning and ending balances; the total obligations to include amounts obligated for fire assistance, emergencies, surge, and disaster support activities; the obligations for catastrophic events delineated by event and by State; and the amount of previously obligated funds that are recovered. A summary of allocations, obligations, and expenditures for catastrophic events delineated by event. The cost of the following categories of spending: Public assistance. Individual assistance. Mitigation. Administrative. Operations. Any other relevant category (including emergency measures and disaster resources) delineated by disaster. The date on which funds appropriated will be exhausted.

(d) Contracts 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— the name of the party; the date the contract was awarded; the amount and scope of the contract; if the contract was awarded through a competitive bidding process; if no competitive bidding process was used, the reason why competitive bidding was not used; and 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. 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: The number of contracts awarded without competitive bidding. The reasons why a competitive bidding process was not used. The total amount of contracts awarded with no competitive bidding. The damage category codes, if applicable, for contracts awarded without competitive bidding.

(e) Collection of public assistance recipient and subrecipient contracts 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— the disaster number, project worksheet number, and the category of work associated with each contract; the name of each party; the date the contract was awarded; the amount of the contract; the scope of the contract; the period of performance for the contract; and whether the contract was awarded through a competitive bidding process. 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. 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).

§ 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 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). 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. 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.

§ 5192 Federal emergency assistance

(a) Specified In any emergency, the President may— 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; coordinate all disaster relief assistance (including voluntary assistance) provided by Federal agencies, private organizations, and State and local governments; provide technical and advisory assistance to affected State and local governments for— the performance of essential community services; issuance of warnings of risks or hazards; public health and safety information, including dissemination of such information; provision of health and safety measures; and management, control, and reduction of immediate threats to public health and safety; provide emergency assistance through Federal agencies; remove debris in accordance with the terms and conditions of section 5173 of this title ; provide assistance in accordance with section 5174 of this title and section 5183 of this title ; assist State and local governments in the distribution of medicine, food, and other consumable supplies, and emergency assistance; and 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— shall, to the fullest extent practicable, promptly notify and coordinate with a State in which such assistance or support is provided; and 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.

§ 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 Except as provided in paragraph (2), total assistance provided under this subchapter for a single emergency shall not exceed $5,000,000. The limitation described in paragraph (1) may be exceeded when the President determines that— continued emergency assistance is immediately required; there is a continuing and immediate risk to lives, property, public health or safety; and necessary assistance will not otherwise be provided on a timely basis. 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.

§ 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 .)

“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: 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; 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; 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; 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 ]; 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— the advisability of developing a single, unified emergency information and communication system for use by the Agency in carrying out its emergency management activities; the potential for using communication and remote sensing satellites as part of the Agency’s emergency information and communication system; and 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; 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; conduct emergency first response programs so as to better train and prepare emergency personnel to meet emergencies outside of their primary field of service; and 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— $4,939,000tocarryoutsection301,whichamountshallinclude—notlessthan$700,000 to carry out the purposes of paragraphs (1) through (6) of such section; such sums as may be necessary, but in any case not less than $939,000,forusebytheUnitedStatesFireAdministrationincarryingoutparagraph(7)ofsuchsection;andnotlessthan$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 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— $2,774,000tocarryoutsection301,whichamountshallinclude—notlessthan$300,000 to carry out the purposes of paragraphs (1) through (6) of such section; such sums as may be necessary, but in any case not less than $939,000,forusebytheUnitedStatesFireAdministrationincarryingoutparagraph(7)ofsuchsection;andnotlessthan$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 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.”

§ 5195a Definitions

(a) Definitions For purposes of this subchapter only: The term “hazard” means an emergency or disaster resulting from— a natural disaster; or an accidental or man-caused event. 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. 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: 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). 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). 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). 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. The term “materials” includes raw materials, supplies, medicines, equipment, component parts and technical information and processes necessary for emergency preparedness. The term “facilities”, except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, includes buildings, shelters, utilities, and land. The term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The term “neighboring countries” includes Canada and Mexico. The terms “United States” and “States” includes 1 the several States, the District of Columbia, and territories and possessions of the United States. 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.

§ 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 .)

§ 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: 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. 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. 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. This national effort requires extensive modeling and analytic capabilities for purposes of evaluating appropriate mechanisms to ensure the stability of these complex and 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— 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; 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 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 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. The support provided under paragraph (1) shall include the following: 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. 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. Utilization of modeling, simulation, and analysis under subparagraph (A) to provide education and training to policymakers on matters relating to— the analysis conducted under that subparagraph; the implications of unintended or unintentional disturbances to critical infrastructures; and responses to incidents or crises involving critical infrastructures, including the continuity of government and private sector activities through and after such incidents or crises. Utilization of modeling, simulation, and analysis under subparagraph (A) to provide recommendations to policymakers, and 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. 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.

§ 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, 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— research and studies as to the best methods of treating the effects of hazards; developing shelter designs and materials for protective covering or construction; developing equipment or facilities and effecting the standardization thereof to meet emergency preparedness requirements; and 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 The Administrator may— 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; 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 provide instructors and training aids as necessary. 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. 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 The Administrator shall establish a program supporting the development of emergency preparedness compacts for acts of terrorism, disasters, and emergencies throughout the Nation, by— identifying and cataloging existing emergency preparedness compacts for acts of terrorism, disasters, and emergencies at the State and local levels of government; 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 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. The Administrator may— assist and encourage the States to negotiate and enter into interstate emergency preparedness compacts; 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; assist and coordinate the activities under such compacts; and 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. 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. 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 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. 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. The Administrator may lease real property required for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this subsection, but shall not acquire fee title to property unless specifically authorized by law. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. The amounts paid to any State under this subsection shall be expended solely in carrying out the purposes set forth herein and in accordance 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. The Administrator shall submit to Congress a report, at least annually, regarding all contributions made pursuant to this subsection. 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 ½ 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.

“SECTION 1 SHORT TITLE.

“This Act may be cited as the ‘Planning for Animal Wellness Act’ or the ‘PAW Act’.

“SEC. 2 WORKING GROUP GUIDELINES.

(“(a) Definitions.— In this section: The term ‘Administrator’ means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The term ‘working group’ means the advisory working group established under subsection (b).

(“(b) Working Group.— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [ Oct. 17, 2022 ], the Administrator shall establish an advisory working group.

(“(c) Membership.— The working group shall consist of— not less than 2 representatives of State governments with experience in animal emergency management; not less than 2 representatives of local governments with experience in animal emergency management; not less than 2 representatives from academia; not less than 2 veterinary experts; not less than 2 representatives from nonprofit organizations working to address the needs of households [sic] pets and service animals in emergencies or disasters; representatives from the Federal Animal Emergency Management Working Group; and any other members determined necessary by the Administrator.

(“(d) Duties.— The working group shall— encourage and foster collaborative efforts among individuals and entities working to address the needs of household pets, service and assistance animals, and captive animals, as appropriate, in emergency and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery; and review best practices and Federal guidance, as of the date of enactment of this Act, on congregate and noncongregate sheltering and evacuation planning relating to the needs of household pets, service and assistance animals, and captive animals, as appropriate, in emergency and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

(“(e) No Compensation.— The members of the working group shall serve on the working group on a voluntary basis.

(“(f) Guidance Determination.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the working group shall determine whether the best practices and Federal guidance described in subsection (d)(2) are sufficient.

(“(g) New Guidance.— Not later than 540 days after the date of enactment of this Act, if the Administrator, in consultation with the working group, determines that the best practices and Federal guidance described in subsection (d)(2) are insufficient, the Administrator, in consultation with the working group, shall publish updated Federal guidance.

(“(h) Sunset.— Subject to paragraph (2), the working group shall terminate on the date that is 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act. The Administrator may extend the date described in paragraph (1) if the Administrator determines an extension is appropriate.”

§ 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 .)

§ 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 one-half 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— 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; 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; provide for the development of State and local emergency preparedness operational plans, including a catastrophic incident annex, pursuant to standards approved by the Administrator; provide for the employment of a full-time emergency preparedness director, or deputy director, by the State; provide that the State shall make such reports in such form and content as the Administrator may require; 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 include a plan for providing information to the public in a coordinated manner.

(c) Catastrophic incident annex A catastrophic incident annex submitted under subsection (b)(3) shall be— modeled after the catastrophic incident annex of the National Response Plan; and 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. 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) 22 So in original. Two subsecs. (h) have been enacted. 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 allocations 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.

§ 5196c Grants for construction of emergency operations centers

(a) Grants The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency may make grants to States and Indian tribal governments under this subchapter for equipping, upgrading, and constructing State, local, and Tribal 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.

§ 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 .)

§ 5196e Radiological Emergency Preparedness Fund

There is hereby established in the Treasury a Radiological Emergency Preparedness Fund, 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 .)

§ 5196f Disaster related information services

(a) In general Consistent with section 5151(a) of this title , the Administrator of Federal 1 Emergency Management Agency shall— 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; ensure that information made available to individuals affected by a major disaster or emergency is made available in formats that can be understood by— population groups identified under paragraph (1); and individuals with disabilities or other special needs; and 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.

§ 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: Providing a list of equipment required in the event a hazardous substance is released into the environment. Outlining the health risks associated with exposure to hazardous substances to improve treatment response. 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 .

§ 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 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. 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— 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; establish and use such regional and other offices as may be necessary; and 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, 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 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. 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. 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.

§ 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.

(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, ______, 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 ______ (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 .

§ 5197b Use of existing facilities

In performing duties under this subchapter, the Administrator— shall cooperate with the various departments and agencies of the Federal Government; 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 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 .)

§ 5197c Annual report to Congress

The Administrator shall annually submit a written report to the President and Congress 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 .)

§ 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 .)

§ 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.

§ 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 .)

§ 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 .)

§ 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— 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 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— 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; 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; 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 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.

§ 5201 Rules and regulations

(a) 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. 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.

§ 5202 Repealed. Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 108(c), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4708

§ 5203 Excess disaster assistance payments as budgetary emergency requirements

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. ( Pub. L. 102–229, title I , Dec. 12, 1991 , 105 Stat. 1711 .)

§ 5204 Insular areas disaster survival and recovery; definitions

As used in sections 5204 to 5204c of this title— 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; 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 the term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior. ( Pub. L. 102–247, title II, § 201 , Feb. 24, 1992 , 106 Stat. 37 .)

§ 5204a Authorization of appropriations for insular areas

There are hereby authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary to— reconstruct essential public facilities damaged by disasters in the insular areas that occurred prior to February 24, 1992 ; and 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 .)

§ 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.

§ 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 .)

§ 5205 Disaster grant closeout procedures

(a) Statute of limitations 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. The limitation under paragraph (1) shall apply unless there is evidence of civil or criminal fraud.

(b) Rebuttal of presumption of record maintenance 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. The presumption described in paragraph (1) may be rebutted only on production of affirmative evidence that the State or local government did not maintain documentation described in that paragraph. 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). 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— the payment was authorized by an approved agreement specifying the costs; the costs were reasonable; and the purpose of the grant was accomplished.

(d) Facilitating closeout 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. 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.

§ 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— provided to a local government pursuant to section 5170b, 5172, or 5173 of this title; and with respect to which the inspector general of the Department of Homeland Security has determined, after an audit, that— 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; the Technical Assistance Contractor provided inaccurate information to the local government; and 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 .

§ 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, in expending the funds, complies with chapter 83 of title 41.

(b) Debarment of persons convicted of fraudulent use of “Made in America” labels 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.). In this subsection, the term “debar” has the meaning given the term in section 4654(c) of title 10 .

§ 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— 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; require registration of any firearm for which registration is not required by Federal, State, or local law; 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 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 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. 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 individual resides or in which such firearm may be found. 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.

§ 5208 Repealed. Pub. L. 112–74, div. D, title III, Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 963