Title 42 — The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73
§803 Coronavirus local fiscal recovery fund
Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 7— - SOCIAL SECURITY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER VI— - CORONAVIRUS RELIEF, FISCAL RECOVERY, AND CRITICAL CAPITAL PROJECTS FUNDS › § 803
Summary
Provides $130,200,000,000 for metropolitan cities, other local governments, and counties to help with the health and economic effects of COVID‑19. The money is available through December 31, 2024, and none can be spent after September 30, 2026. The Treasury Secretary must set aside $45,570,000,000 for metropolitan cities, $19,530,000,000 to be given to States to pass on to smaller local governments, and $65,100,000,000 for counties. Half of each allocation (the First Tranche) should be paid as soon as possible and, when practical, no later than 60 days after March 11, 2021. The other half (the Second Tranche) may be paid not earlier than 12 months after the First Tranche. States must pass money to smaller local governments within 30 days, with limited 30‑day extensions and one more 30‑day extension if the State gives a written plan. A local government’s share cannot exceed 75 percent of its most recent budget as of January 27, 2020. If a State fails to distribute funds on time, the undistributed amount becomes a debt the State must repay. Local governments may use the funds only for COVID‑19 response and its economic harms (like help for households, small businesses, and affected industries), premium pay for essential workers, replacing lost revenue up to the COVID‑related loss or $10,000,000 (whichever is larger), water/sewer/broadband projects, and emergency disaster relief. Money may not be put into pension funds. Transfers to certain nonprofits, special local units, or the State are allowed. Up to the greater of $10,000,000 or 30 percent of a payment may be used for certain transportation or infrastructure projects under rules in the law, and such uses must add to, not replace, other government funding. Recipients must report how they use the funds. Money spent in ways that break the rules must be repaid. The Secretary of the Treasury can make rules to run the program. Defined terms (one line each): county = county or similar local division; eligible workers = workers needed to keep essential services running; First Tranche Amount = 50% of an allocation; Second Tranche Amount = up to 50% of an allocation; Secretary = Secretary of the Treasury; State = the 50 States, DC, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa; unit of general local government = local government unit as defined elsewhere.
Full Legal Text
Title 42, §803
The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated for fiscal year 2021, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $130,200,000,000, to remain available through December 31, 2024 (except as provided in subsection (c)(6)), for making payments under this section to metropolitan cities, nonentitlement units of local government, and counties to mitigate the fiscal effects stemming from the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID–19).
(b)(1)(A)Of the amount appropriated under subsection (a), the Secretary shall reserve $45,570,000,000 to make payments to metropolitan cities.
(B)From the amount reserved under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall allocate and, in accordance with paragraph (7), pay to each metropolitan city an amount determined for the metropolitan city consistent with the formula under section 5306(b) of this title, except that, in applying such formula, the Secretary shall substitute “all metropolitan cities” for “all metropolitan areas” each place it appears.
(2)(A)Of the amount appropriated under subsection (a), the Secretary shall reserve $19,530,000,000 to make payments to States for distribution by the State to nonentitlement units of local government in the State.
(B)From the amount reserved under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall allocate and, in accordance with paragraph (7), pay to each State an amount which bears the same proportion to such reserved amount as the total population of all areas that are non-metropolitan cities in the State bears to the total population of all areas that are non-metropolitan cities in all such States.
(C)(i)Not later than 30 days after a State receives a payment under subparagraph (B), the State shall distribute to each nonentitlement unit of local government in the State an amount that bears the same proportion to the amount of such payment as the population of the nonentitlement unit of local government bears to the total population of all the nonentitlement units of local government in the State, subject to clause (iii).
(ii)(I)If an authorized officer of a State required to make distributions under clause (i) certifies in writing to the Secretary before the end of the 30-day distribution period described in such clause that it would constitute an excessive administrative burden for the State to meet the terms of such clause with respect to 1 or more such distributions, the authorized officer may request, and the Secretary shall grant, an extension of such period of not more than 30 days to allow the State to make such distributions in accordance with clause (i).
(II)(aa)If a State has been granted an extension to the distribution period under subclause (I) but is unable to make all the distributions required under clause (i) before the end of such period as extended, an authorized officer of the State may request an additional extension of the distribution period of not more than 30 days. The Secretary may grant a request for an additional extension of such period only if—
(AA)the authorized officer making such request provides a written plan to the Secretary specifying, for each distribution for which an additional extension is requested, when the State expects to make such distribution and the actions the State has taken and will take in order to make all such distributions before the end of the distribution period (as extended under subclause (I) and this subclause); and
(BB)the Secretary determines that such plan is reasonably designed to distribute all such funds to nonentitlement units of local government by the end of the distribution period (as so extended).
(bb)If a State granted an additional extension of the distribution period under item (aa) requires any further additional extensions of such period, the request only may be made and granted subject to the requirements specified in item (aa).
(iii)The total amount distributed to a nonentitlement unit of local government under this paragraph may not exceed the amount equal to 75 percent of the most recent budget for the nonentitlement unit of local government as of January 27, 2020.
(iv)Any amounts not distributed to a nonentitlement unit of local government as a result of the application of clause (iii) shall be returned to the Secretary.
(D)If, by the end of the 120-day period that begins on the date a State receives a payment from the amount allocated under subparagraph (B) or, if later, the last day of the distribution period for the State (as extended with respect to the State under subparagraph (C)(ii)), such State has failed to make all the distributions from such payment in accordance with the terms of subparagraph (C) (including any extensions of the distribution period granted in accordance with such subparagraph), an amount equal to the amount of such payment that remains undistributed as of such date shall be booked as a debt of such State owed to the Federal Government, shall be paid back from the State’s allocation provided under section 802(b)(3)(B)(iii) of this title, and shall be deposited into the general fund of the Treasury.
(3)(A)From the amount appropriated under subsection (a), the Secretary shall reserve and allocate $65,100,000,000 of such amount to make payments directly to counties in an amount which bears the same proportion to the total amount reserved under this paragraph as the population of each such county bears to the total population of all such entities and shall pay such allocated amounts to such counties in accordance with paragraph (7).
(B)(i)No county that is an “urban county” (as defined in section 5302 of this title) shall receive less than the amount the county would otherwise receive if the amount paid under this paragraph were allocated to metropolitan cities and urban counties under section 5306(b) of this title.
(ii)In the case of an amount to be paid to a county that is not a unit of general local government, the amount shall instead be paid to the State in which such county is located, and such State shall distribute such amount to each unit of general local government within such county in an amount that bears the same proportion to the amount to be paid to such county as the population of such units of general local government bears to the total population of such county.
(iii)For purposes of this paragraph, the District of Columbia shall be considered to consist of a single county that is a unit of general local government.
(4)A unit of general local government that has formed a consolidated government, or that is geographically contained (in full or in part) within the boundaries of another unit of general local government may receive a distribution under each of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), as applicable, based on the respective formulas specified in such paragraphs.
(5)The amounts otherwise determined for allocation and payment under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) may be adjusted by the Secretary on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary to ensure that all available funds are distributed to metropolitan cities, counties, and States in accordance with the requirements specified in each paragraph (as applicable) and the certification requirement specified in subsection (d).
(6)For purposes of determining allocations under this section, the population of an entity shall be determined based on the most recent data are available from the Bureau of the Census or, if not available, from such other data as a State determines appropriate.
(7)(A)To the extent practicable, with respect to each metropolitan city for which an amount is allocated under paragraph (1), each State for which an amount is allocated under paragraph (2) for distribution to nonentitlement units of local government, and each county for which an amount is allocated under paragraph (3), the Secretary shall pay from such allocation the First Tranche Amount for such city, State, or county not later than 60 days after March 11, 2021.
(B)The Secretary shall pay to each metropolitan city for which an amount is allocated under paragraph (1), each State for which an amount is allocated under paragraph (2) for distribution to nonentitlement units of local government, and each county for which an amount is allocated under paragraph (3), the Second Tranche Amount for such city, State, or county not earlier than 12 months after the date on which the First Tranche Amount is paid to the city, State, or county.
(c)(1)Subject to paragraph (2), and except as provided in paragraphs (3), (4), (5), and (6), a metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county shall only use the funds provided under a payment made under this section to cover costs incurred by the metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county, by December 31, 2024—
(A)to respond to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) or its negative economic impacts, including assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits, or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel, and hospitality;
(B)to respond to workers performing essential work during the COVID–19 public health emergency by providing premium pay to eligible workers of the metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county that are performing such essential work, or by providing grants to eligible employers that have eligible workers who perform essential work;
(C)for the provision of government services up to an amount equal to the greater of—
(i)the amount of the reduction in revenue of such metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county due to the COVID–19 public health emergency relative to revenues collected in the most recent full fiscal year of the metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county to the emergency; or
(ii)$10,000,000;
(D)to make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure; or
(E)to provide emergency relief from natural disasters or the negative economic impacts of natural disasters, including temporary emergency housing, food assistance, financial assistance for lost wages, or other immediate needs.
(2)No metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county may use funds made available under this section for deposit into any pension fund.
(3)A metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county receiving a payment from funds made available under this section may transfer funds to a private nonprofit organization (as that term is defined in section 11360 of this title, a public benefit corporation involved in the transportation of passengers or cargo, or a special-purpose unit of State or local government.
(4)Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county receiving a payment from funds made available under this section may transfer such funds to the State in which such entity is located.
(5)Funds provided under this section for an authorized Bureau of Reclamation project may be used for purposes of satisfying any non-Federal matching requirement required for the project.
(6)(A)Subject to subparagraph (B), notwithstanding any other provision of law, a metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county receiving a payment under this section may use funds provided under such payment for projects described in subparagraph (B) of section 802(c)(5) of this title, including, to the extent consistent with guidance or rules issued by the Secretary or the head of a Federal agency to which the Secretary has delegated authority pursuant to subparagraph (B)(iv)—
(i)in the case of a project eligible under section 117 of title 23 or section 5309 or 6701 of title 49 to satisfy a non-Federal share requirement applicable to such a project; and
(ii)in the case of a project eligible for credit assistance under the TIFIA program under chapter 6 of title 23—
(I)to satisfy a non-Federal share requirement applicable to such a project; and
(II)to repay a loan provided under such program.
(B)(i)(I)The total amount that a metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county may use from a payment made under this section for uses described in subparagraph (A) shall not exceed the greater of—
(aa)$10,000,000; and
(bb)30 percent of such payment.
(II)The spending limitation under subclause (I) shall not apply to any use of funds permitted under paragraph (1), and any such use of funds shall be disregarded for purposes of applying such spending limitation.
(ii)Funds provided under a payment made under this section shall not be used for operating expenses of a project described in clauses (xx) through (xxiv) of section 802(c)(5)(B) of this title.
(iii)Except as otherwise determined by the Secretary or the head of a Federal agency to which the Secretary has delegated authority pursuant to clause (iv) or provided in this section—
(I)the requirements of section 1702 of title 47 shall apply to funds provided under a payment made under this section that are used pursuant to subparagraph (A) for a project described in clause (xxvi) of section 802(c)(5)(B) of this title that relates to broadband infrastructure; and
(II)the requirements of titles 23, 40, and 49, title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.), and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et. seq) 11 So in original. shall apply to funds provided under a payment made under this section that are used for projects described in section 802(c)(5)(B) of this title.
(iv)The Secretary may delegate oversight and administration of the requirements described in clause (iii) to the appropriate Federal agency.
(v)Amounts from a payment made under this section that are used by a metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county for uses described in subparagraph (A) shall supplement, and not supplant, other Federal, State, territorial, Tribal, and local government funds (as applicable) otherwise available for such uses.
(C)The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, shall provide periodic reports on the use of funds by metropolitan cities, nonentitlement units of local government, or counties under subparagraph (A).
(D)Funds provided under a payment made under this section to a metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county shall remain available for obligation for a use described in subparagraph (A) through December 31, 2024, except that no amount of such funds may be expended after September 30, 2026.
(d)Any metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county receiving funds provided under a payment made under this section shall provide to the Secretary periodic reports providing a detailed accounting of the uses of such funds by such metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county and including such other information as the Secretary may require for the administration of this section.
(e)Any metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county that has failed to comply with subsection (c) shall be required to repay to the Secretary an amount equal to the amount of funds used in violation of such subsection.
(f)The Secretary shall have the authority to issue such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out this section.
(g)In this section:
(1)The term “county” means a county, parish, or other equivalent county division (as defined by the Bureau of the Census).
(2)The term “eligible workers” means those workers needed to maintain continuity of operations of essential critical infrastructure sectors and additional sectors as each chief executive officer of a metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county may designate as critical to protect the health and well-being of the residents of their metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county.
(3)The term “First Tranche Amount” means, with respect to each metropolitan city for which an amount is allocated under subsection (b)(1), each State for which an amount is allocated under subsection (b)(2) for distribution to nonentitlement units of local government, and each county for which an amount is allocated under subsection (b)(3), 50 percent of the amount so allocated to such metropolitan city, State, or county (as applicable).
(4)The term “metropolitan city” has the meaning given that term in section 5302(a)(4) of this title and includes cities that relinquish or defer their status as a metropolitan city for purposes of receiving allocations under section 5306 of this title for fiscal year 2021.
(5)The term “nonentitlement unit of local government” means a “city”, as that term is defined in section 5302(a)(5) of this title, that is not a metropolitan city.
(6)The term “premium pay” has the meaning given such term in section 802(g) of this title.
(7)The term “Second Tranche Amount” means, with respect to each metropolitan city for which an amount is allocated under subsection (b)(1), each State for which an amount is allocated under subsection (b)(2) for distribution to nonentitlement units of local government, and each county for which an amount is allocated under subsection (b)(3), an amount not to exceed 50 percent of the amount so allocated to such metropolitan city, State, or county (as applicable).
(8)The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Treasury.
(9)The term “State” means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
(10)The term “unit of general local government” has the meaning given that term in section 5302(a)(1) of this title.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (c)(6)(B)(iii)(II), is Pub. L. 93–383, Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 633. Title I of the Act is classified principally to chapter 69 (§ 5301 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 5301 of this title and Tables. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (c)(6)(B)(iii)(II), is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§ 4321 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 4321 of this title and Tables.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 803, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VI, § 603, as added Oct. 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–603, title III, § 302, 86 Stat. 1481, which provided for payments to States under approved plans for services to the aged, blind, or disabled, was repealed by Pub. L. 93–647, §§ 3(b), 7(b), Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2349, 2351, effective with respect to payments under section 803 for quarters commencing after Sept. 30, 1975. Another prior section 803, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VI, § 603, 49 Stat. 635, which provided for allotments to States by appropriations for investigation of diseases by Public Health Service, was repealed by act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XIII, § 1313, formerly title VI, § 611, 58 Stat. 719. See section 246 of this title.
Amendments
2022—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 117–328, § 102(a)(2)(A), inserted “(except as provided in subsection (c)(6))” after “December 31, 2024”. Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 117–328, § 102(a)(2)(B)(i)(I), substituted “paragraphs (3), (4), (5), and (6)” for “paragraphs (3) and (4)” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (c)(1)(C). Pub. L. 117–328, § 102(a)(2)(B)(i)(II), amended subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (C) read as follows: “for the provision of government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue of such metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county due to the COVID–19 public health emergency relative to revenues collected in the most recent full fiscal year of the metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county prior to the emergency; or”. Subsec. (c)(1)(E). Pub. L. 117–328, § 102(a)(2)(B)(i)(III), (IV), added subpar. (E). Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 117–328, § 102(b), substituted “section 11360” for “section 11360(17)”. Subsec. (c)(6). Pub. L. 117–328, § 102(a)(2)(B)(ii), added par. (6). 2021—Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 117–58 added par. (5).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 2022 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 117–328 effective upon issuance of guidance or the promulgation of a rule by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, see section 102(c) of Pub. L. 117–328, set out as a note under section 802 of this title.
Effective Date
of 2021 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 117–58 effective as if included in the enactment of section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117–2; 135 Stat. 223), see section 40909(c) of Pub. L. 117–58, set out as a note under section 802 of this title. Wage Rate RequirementsFor provisions relating to rates of wages to be paid to laborers and mechanics on projects for
Construction
, alteration, or repair work funded under div. D or an amendment by div. D of Pub. L. 117–58, including authority of Secretary of Labor, see section 18851 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 803
Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73