46 U.S.C. § 50308 Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Program

• Library: United States Statutes
• Edition: 2023 Edition
• Currency: Current through P.L. 118-19 (published on www.congress.gov on 10/06/2023)

(a) GENERAL AUTHORITY.-The Maritime Administrator may make grants to, and enter into contracts and agreement with, eligible State and Tribal entities and eligible entities for-

(1) the costs of capital projects to protect, repair, reconstruct, or replace equipment and facilities of the United States maritime transportation system that the Maritime Administrator determines is in danger of suffering serious physical damage, or has suffered serious physical damage, as a result of an emergency; and

(2) eligible operating costs of United States maritime transportation equipment and facilities in an area directly affected by an emergency during-

(A) the one-year period beginning on the date of a declaration of an emergency referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (j)(4); and

(B) an additional one-year period beginning one year after the date of an emergency referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (j)(4), if the Maritime Administrator, in consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Administration,¹ determines there is a compelling need arising out of the emergency for which the declaration is made.

(b) ALLOCATION.-

(1) IN GENERAL.-The Maritime Administrator shall determine an appropriate method for the equitable allocation and distribution of funds under this section to eligible State and Tribal entities and eligible entities.

(2) PRIORITY.-To the extent practicable, in allocating and distributing funds under this section, the Maritime Administrator shall give priority to applications submitted by eligible State or Tribal entities.

(c) APPLICATIONS.-An applicant for assistance under this section shall submit an application for such assistance to the Maritime Administrator at such time, in such manner, and containing such information and assurances as the Maritime Administrator may require.

(d) COORDINATION OF EMERGENCY FUNDS.-

(1) USE OF FUNDS.-Funds appropriated to carry out this section shall be in addition to any other funds available under this chapter.

(2) NO EFFECT ON OTHER GOVERNMENT ACTIVITY.-The provision of funds under this section shall not affect the ability of any other agency of the Government, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or a State agency, a local governmental entity, organization, or person, to provide any other funds otherwise authorized by law.

(e) GRANT REQUIREMENTS.-A grant awarded under this section that is made to address an emergency referred to in subsection (j)(4)(B) shall be-