§5121 Congressional findings and declarations

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

note set out below and Tables.

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.

of 2018 Amendment Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1202, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3438, provided that: “(a) Applicability for Stafford Act.—Except as otherwise expressly provided, the

in this division [see section 1201 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a

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.

of 2024 Amendment Pub. L. 118–44, § 1, Mar. 18, 2024, 138 Stat. 455, provided that: “This Act [amending section 5177 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 5177 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Disaster Assistance Deadlines Alignment Act’.”

of 2022 Amendment Pub. L. 117–263, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7311, Dec. 23, 2022, 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’.” Pub. L. 117–251, § 1, Dec. 20, 2022, 136 Stat. 2354, provided that: “This Act [amending section 5183, 5189d, and 5196c of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 5131, 5183, 5189d, and 5196c of this title] may be cited as the ‘FEMA Improvement, Reform, and Efficiency Act of 2022’ or the ‘FIRE Act’.” Pub. L. 117–189, § 1, Oct. 10, 2022, 136 Stat. 2204, provided that: “This Act [amending section 5189 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 5189 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Small Project Efficient and Effective Disaster Recovery Act’ or the ‘SPEED Recovery Act’.”

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

of 2018 Amendment Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1201, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3438, provided that: “This division [div. D (§§ 1201–1246) of Pub. L. 115–254, enacting section 5161a, 5165g, 5174a, 5174b, 5189h, 5196g, and 5205a of this title, and section 748a of Title 6, Domestic Security, amending section 3149, 5122, 5133, 5149, 5152, 5155, 5165, 5165b, 5170a to 5170c, 5172, 5174, 5187, 5189a, 5189f, 5205 of this title, and section 761 and 762 of Title 6, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and section 5122, 5133, 5155, 5170, 5170c, 5172, 5174, 5187, 5189g, 5205 of this title, and section 721 of Title 6, and amending provisions set out as a note under section 5172 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018’.”

of 2017 Amendment Pub. L. 115–87, § 1, Nov. 21, 2017, 131 Stat. 1277, provided that: “This Act [enacting provisions set out as a note under this section] may be cited as the ‘FEMA Accountability, Modernization and Transparency Act of 2017’.”

of 2016 Amendment Pub. L. 114–326, § 1, Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1968, provided that: “This Act [enacting section 5165f of this title, amending section 8101 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, and section 4303 of Title 38, Veterans’ Benefits, and enacting and amending provisions set out as notes under section 3791 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act of 2016’.” Pub. L. 114–132, § 1, Feb. 29, 2016, 130 Stat. 293, provided that: “This Act [enacting section 5165e of this title and provisions set out as notes under section 5165e of this title] may be cited as the ‘Directing Dollars to Disaster Relief Act of 2015’.”

of 2015 Amendment Pub. L. 114–111, § 1, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2240, provided that: “This Act [amending section 5122 and 5172 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Emergency Information Improvement Act of 2015’.”

of 2013 Amendment Pub. L. 113–2, div. B, § 1101(a), Jan. 29, 2013, 127 Stat. 39, provided that: “This division [enacting section 5123, 5189f, and 5189g of this title, amending section 5122, 5170, 5170b, 5170c, 5174, 5189, 5189e, and 5191 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 5122, 5170, 5170c, and 5189a of this title] may be cited as the ‘Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013’.”

of 2011 Amendment Pub. L. 111–351, § 1, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3863, provided that: “This Act [amending section 5133, 5134, 5144, 5165d, 5170c, 5172, 5195a, 5195b, 5196 to 5196b, 5196f, 5197 to 5197c, and 5197h of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 5133 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Predisaster Hazard Mitigation Act of 2010’.”

of 2006 Amendment Pub. L. 109–308, § 1, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1725, provided that: “This Act [amending section 5170b, 5196, and 5196b of this title] may be cited as the ‘Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006’.” Pub. L. 109–218, § 1, Apr. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 333, provided that: “This Act [amending section 5150 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Local Community Recovery Act of 2006’.”

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

of 2000 Amendment Pub. L. 106–390, § 1(a), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1552, provided that: “This Act [enacting section 5133, 5134, 5165 to 5165c, 5205, and 5206 of this title, amending section 3796b, 5122, 5154, 5170c, 5172, 5174, 5184, 5187, and 5192 of this title, repealing section 5176 and 5178 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and section 3796b, 5133, 5165b, 5172, 5174, and 5187 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000’.”

of 1993 Amendment Pub. L. 103–181, § 1, Dec. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 2054, provided that: “This Act [amending section 5170c of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 4601 and 5170c of this title] may be cited as the ‘Hazard Mitigation and Relocation Assistance Act of 1993’.”

of 1988 Amendment Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 101(a), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4689, provided that: “This title [enacting section 5141, 5153 to 5157, 5159 to 5164, 5170 to 5170c, 5172, 5174, 5178, 5189 to 5189b, and 5191 to 5193 of this title, amending this section, section 1382a, 3030, 3231, 3232, 3539, 4003, 4013, 5122, 5131, 5143, 5144, 5147 to 5152, 5158, 5171, 5173, 5176, 5177, 5179 to 5188, 5201, 7704, and 9601 of this title, section 1421, 1427, 1427a, 1961, 1964, and 2014 of Title 7, Agriculture, section 1706c, 1709, and 1715l of Title 12, Banks and Banking, section 636 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, section 1536 and 3505 of Title 16, Conservation, section 241–1 and 646 of Title 20, Education, section 125 of Title 23, Highways, section 165, 5064, and 5708 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code, section 701n of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters, and section 1820 [now 3720] of Title 38, Veterans’ Benefits, repealing section 5142, 5145, 5146, 5175, and 5202 of this title and former section 5141, 5153 to 5157, 5172, 5174, 5178, and 5189 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and section 3231, 5122, and 5201 of this title, amending provisions set out as a note under this section and section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions, and repealing provisions set out as notes under this section and former section 5178 of this title] may be cited as ‘The Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance

of 1988’.”

of 1980 Amendment Pub. L. 96–568, § 1, Dec. 23, 1980, 94 Stat. 3334, provided: “That this Act [amending section 5202 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Disaster Relief Act

of 1980’.”

Pub. L. 93–288, § 1, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143, as amended by Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 102(a), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4689; Pub. L. 106–390, title III, § 301, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1572, provided: “That this Act [enacting this section, sections 3231 to 3236, 5122, 5131, 5132, 5141 to 5158, 5171 to 5189, 5201, and 5202 of this title, and section 1264 of former Title 31, Money and Finance, amending section 1706c, 1709, 1715l of Title 12, Banks and Banking, section 241–1, 646, 758 of Title 20, Education, section 165, 5064, 5708 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code, section 1820 [now 3720] of Title 38, Veterans’ Benefits, section 461 of former Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, repealing section 4401, 4402, 4411 to 4413, 4414 to 4420, 4431 to 4436, 4457 to 4462, 4481 to 4485 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section, section 4401 and 5178 of this title, and section 1264 of former Title 31, and amending provisions set out as a note under section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions] may be cited as the ‘Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act’.”

For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1) of Title 6, Domestic Security. For

, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see former section 313(1) and section 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6. References to Disaster Relief Act of 1974 Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 102(b), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4689, provided that: “Whenever any reference is made in any law (other than this Act [see Tables for classification]), regulation, document, rule, record, or other paper of the United States to a section or provision of the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 [former

of Pub. L. 93–288], such reference shall be deemed to be a reference to such section or provision of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act [Pub. L. 93–288, see

note above].” References to Disaster Relief Act of 1970 Pub. L. 93–288, title VII, § 702(m), formerly title VI, § 602(m), May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 164, as renumbered by Pub. L. 103–337, div. C, title XXXIV, § 3411(a)(1), (2), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 3100, provided that: “Whenever reference is made in any provision of law (other than this Act [see

note set out above]), regulation, rule, record, or documents of the United States to provisions of the Disaster Relief Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1744), repealed by this Act such reference shall be deemed to be a reference to the appropriate provision of this Act.” Requirements for Grant Systems Modernization Pub. L. 115–87, § 2, Nov. 21, 2017, 131 Stat. 1277, provided that: “(a) In General.—The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall ensure the ongoing modernization of the grant systems for the administration of assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) includes the following:“(1) An online interface, including online assistance, for applicants to complete application forms, submit materials, and access the status of applications. “(2) Mechanisms to eliminate duplication of benefits. “(3) If appropriate, enable the sharing of information among agencies and with State, local, and tribal governments, to eliminate the need to file multiple applications and speed disaster recovery. “(4) Any additional tools the Administrator determines will improve the implementation of this section. “(b) Implementation.—To the extent practicable, the Administrator shall deliver the system capabilities described in subsection (a) in increments or iterations as working components for applicant use.” Report on State Management of Small Disasters Initiative Pub. L. 106–390, title II, § 208, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1571, provided that not later than 3 years after Oct. 30, 2000, the President would submit to Congress a report describing the results of the State Management of Small Disasters Initiative, including recommendations concerning State administration of parts of the program. Study Regarding Cost Reduction Pub. L. 106–390, title II, § 209, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1571, as amended by Pub. L. 109–139, § 3, Dec. 22, 2005, 119 Stat. 2649, provided that: “Not later than September 30, 2007, the Director of the Congressional Budget Office shall complete a study estimating the reduction in Federal disaster assistance that has resulted and is likely to result from the enactment of this Act [see

of 2000 Amendment note above].” Study of Participation by Indian Tribes in Emergency Management Pub. L. 106–390, title III, § 308, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1575, required the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to conduct a study of participation by Indian tribes in emergency management and submit a report no later than 1 year after Oct. 30, 2000. National Drought Policy Pub. L. 105–199, July 16, 1998, 112 Stat. 641, as amended by Pub. L. 106–78, title VII, § 753, Oct. 22, 1999, 113 Stat. 1170, known as the “National Drought Policy Act of 1998”, established the National Drought Policy Commission to study and submit a report on national drought policy and terminated the Commission 90 days after the submission of the report. Recommendations Concerning Improvement of Relationships Among Disaster Management Officials Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 110, Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4710, provided that not later than 1 year after Nov. 23, 1988, the President was to recommend to the Congress proposals to improve the operational and fiscal relationships that exist among Federal, State, and local major disaster and emergency management officials, including provisions which would decrease the amount of time for processing requests for major disaster and emergency declarations and providing Federal assistance for major disasters and emergencies, provide for more effective utilization of State and local resources in relief efforts, and improve the timeliness of reimbursement. Declared Disasters and Emergencies Not Affected Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 112, Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4711, provided that: “This title [see

of 1988 Amendment note above] shall not affect the administration of any assistance for a major disaster or emergency declared by the President before the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 23, 1988].”

For provisions relating to seismic safety requirements for new

or total replacement of a building under this chapter after a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency, see Ex. Ord. No. 13717, Feb. 2, 2016, 81 F.R. 6407, set out as a note under section 7704 of this title.