42 U.S.C. § 5121 - Congressional findings and declarations

• Cite as: 42 U.S.C. § 5121

(a) The Congress hereby finds and declares that-

(1) because disasters often cause loss of life, human suffering, loss of income, and property loss and damage; and

(2) because disasters often disrupt the normal functioning of governments and communities, and adversely affect individuals and families with great severity;

special measures, designed to assist the efforts of the affected States in expediting the rendering of aid, assistance, and emergency services, and the reconstruction and rehabilitation of devastated areas, are necessary.

(b) It is the intent of the Congress, by this chapter, to provide an orderly and continuing means of assistance by the Federal Government to State and local governments in carrying out their responsibilities to alleviate the suffering and damage which result from such disasters by-

(1) revising and broadening the scope of existing disaster relief programs;

(2) encouraging the development of comprehensive disaster preparedness and assistance plans, programs, capabilities, and organizations by the States and by local governments;

(3) achieving greater coordination and responsiveness of disaster preparedness and relief programs;

(4) encouraging individuals, States, and local governments to protect themselves by obtaining insurance coverage to supplement or replace governmental assistance;

(5) encouraging hazard mitigation measures to reduce losses from disasters, including development of land use and construction regulations;

(6) providing Federal assistance programs for both public and private losses sustained in disasters; and

(7) identifying and improving the climate and natural hazard resilience of vulnerable communities.

Cite as 42 U.S.C. § 5121

Source: Pub. L. 93-288, title I, §101, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143; Pub. L. 100-707, title I, §103(a), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4689; Pub. L. 117-255, §2, Dec. 20, 2022, 136 Stat. 2363.

Notes from the Office of Law Revision Counsel

current through 5/23/2023

EDITORIAL NOTES

REFERENCES IN TEXT

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b), was in the original "this Act", meaning Pub. L. 93-288, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out below and Tables.

AMENDMENTS

2022-Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 117-255 added par. (7).

1988-Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 100-707 struck out par. (7) expressing Congressional intent to provide disaster assistance through a long-range economic recovery program for major disaster areas.

STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT

Pub. L. 115-254, div. D, §12021202,, 132 Stat. 3438, provided that:

"(a) APPLICABILITY FOR STAFFORD ACT.-Except as otherwise expressly provided, the amendments in this division [see section 1201 of Pub. L. 115-254 set out as a Short Title of 2018 Amendment note below] to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) apply to each major disaster and emergency declared by the President on or after August 1, 2017, under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

"(b) DIVISION APPLICABILITY.-Except as otherwise expressly provided, the authorities provided under this division [div. D (§§1201-1246) of Pub. L. 115-254] apply to each major disaster and emergency declared by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act on or after January 1, 2016."

EFFECTIVE DATE

Pub. L. 93-288, title VI, §605, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 164, provided that Pub. L. 93-288 was effective Apr. 1, 1974, with the exception of section 5178 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 100-707, title I, §108(b), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4708.

SHORT TITLE OF 2022 AMENDMENT

Pub. L. 117-263, div. G, title LXXIII, §73117311,, 136 Stat. 3689, provided that: "This subtitle [subtitle B (§§7311-7315) of title LXXIII of div. G of Pub. L. 117-263 enacting section 5136a of this title and provisions set out as notes under section 5136a of this title] may be cited as the 'Technological Hazards Preparedness and Training Act of 2022'."

Pub. L. 117-255, §1, Dec. 20, 2022, 136 Stat. 2363, provided that: "This Act [enacting section 5136 of this title, amending this section, and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 5136 of this title] may be cited as the 'Community Disaster Resilience Zones Act of 2022'."