§4601 Definitions

Summary

Defines key words used in the chapter. A "Federal agency" is a department or office in the executive branch, a wholly government-owned corporation, the Architect of the Capitol, Federal Reserve banks, or anyone who can use federal eminent domain. A "State" includes the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories and possessions, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and their local governments. A "State agency" is a department or office of a State or local government, a joint agency of two or more States, or anyone who can use eminent domain under State law. "Federal financial assistance" means a U.S. grant, loan, or contribution, but it does not include federal guarantees or insurance, interest-reduction payments to individuals for buying a home, or annual payments or capital loans to the District of Columbia. "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, or association. A "displaced person" is someone who must move from property, or move their belongings, because a federal agency or a project using federal money acquires or rehabilitates, demolishes, or otherwise permanently displaces the property. For certain parts of the law (solely for the purposes of sections 4622(a) and (b) and 4625), the definition also covers moves caused by acquisition or work on other property used for a business or farm. It does not include people found to be in a dwelling illegally or who lived there just to get benefits, nor short-term renters who moved in after the property was bought. "Business" means most lawful non-farm activities that buy, sell, make, process, or provide goods or services, including nonprofits and, for section 4622, outdoor advertising displays used to help sell goods or services. A "farm operation" is an activity that produces agricultural products or timber mainly for sale or home use and helps support the operator. A "mortgage" means the kinds of liens used under State law to secure loans or unpaid purchase prices of real estate, plus the loan papers secured by them. A "comparable replacement dwelling" must be in good, safe condition, big enough for the occupants, affordable to the displaced person, similar in function, not in a place with bad environmental problems, and in a location generally as desirable for utilities, services, and work. The "displacing agency" is the federal, State, or other party doing the project that causes the move. The "lead agency" is the Department of Transportation. An "appraisal" is a written value opinion by a qualified appraiser based on market information for the described property on a specific date.