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Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-110

§5205 Disaster Grant Closeout Procedures

Title 42 › CHAPTER 68 — DISASTER RELIEF › SUBCHAPTER V — MISCELLANEOUS › § 5205

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Stops federal attempts to recover disaster or emergency payments more than 3 years after the grantee sends the final certified expenditure report showing the project is finished. The 3-year limit does not apply if there is evidence of civil or criminal fraud. If a dispute comes up after those 3 years, it is assumed the grantee kept proper accounting records unless there is clear proof they did not. Not being able to find source documents after 3 years is not enough to prove records were not kept. The federal, state, or local government can access records for as long as those records exist. A state or local government does not have to repay money or face penalties if the payment was approved in a written agreement, the costs were reasonable, and the grant’s purpose was met. FEMA may create incentives or penalties to speed up closeout and must work to shorten the time it takes to finish disaster awards.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §5205

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Statute of limitations
(1)In general
Notwithstanding section 3716(e) of title 31 and except as provided in paragraph (2), no administrative action to recover any payment made to a State or local government for disaster or emergency assistance under this chapter shall be initiated in any forum after the date that is 3 years after the date of transmission of the final expenditure report for project completion as certified by the grantee.
(2)Fraud exception
The limitation under paragraph (1) shall apply unless there is evidence of civil or criminal fraud.
(b)Rebuttal of presumption of record maintenance
(1)In general
In any dispute arising under this section after the date that is 3 years after the date of transmission of the final expenditure report for project completion as certified by the grantee, there shall be a presumption that accounting records were maintained that adequately identify the source and application of funds provided for financially assisted activities.
(2)Affirmative evidence
The presumption described in paragraph (1) may be rebutted only on production of affirmative evidence that the State or local government did not maintain documentation described in that paragraph.
(3)Inability to produce documentation
The inability of the Federal, State, or local government to produce source documentation supporting expenditure reports later than 3 years after the date of transmission of the final expenditure report for project completion as certified by the grantee shall not constitute evidence to rebut the presumption described in paragraph (1).
(4)Right of access
The period during which the Federal, State, or local government has the right to access source documentation shall not be limited to the required 3-year retention period referred to in paragraph (3), but shall last as long as the records are maintained.
(c)Binding nature of grant requirements
A State or local government shall not be liable for reimbursement or any other penalty for any payment made under this chapter if—
(1)the payment was authorized by an approved agreement specifying the costs;
(2)the costs were reasonable; and
(3)the purpose of the grant was accomplished.
(d)Facilitating closeout
(1)Incentives
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency may develop incentives and penalties that encourage State, local, or Indian tribal governments to close out expenditures and activities on a timely basis related to disaster or emergency assistance.
(2)Agency requirements
The Federal Emergency Management Agency shall, consistent with applicable regulations and required procedures, meet its responsibilities to improve closeout practices and reduce the time to close disaster program awards.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1) and (c), 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 under section 5121 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1216(c)(1)(A), substituted “Notwithstanding section 3716(e) of title 31 and except” for “Except” and “report for project completion as certified by the grantee” for “report for the disaster or emergency”. Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1216(c)(1)(B)(i), substituted “report for project completion as certified by the grantee” for “report for the disaster or emergency”. Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1216(c)(1)(B)(ii), inserted “for project completion as certified by the grantee” after “final expenditure report”. Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1221(a), added subsec. (d).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2018 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each major disaster and emergency declared by the President on or after Aug. 1, 2017, and authorities provided under div. D of Pub. L. 115–254 applicable to each major disaster and emergency declared by the President on or after Jan. 1, 2016, except as otherwise provided, see section 1202 of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 5121 of this title.

Regulations

Pub. L. 115–254, div. D, § 1221(b), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3454, provided that: “The Administrator [of the Federal Emergency Management Agency] shall issue

Regulations

to implement the amendment made by this section [amending this section].”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 5205

Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110