Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-110
§803 Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund
Title 42 › CHAPTER 7 — SOCIAL SECURITY › SUBCHAPTER VI — CORONAVIRUS RELIEF, FISCAL RECOVERY, AND CRITICAL CAPITAL PROJECTS FUNDS › § 803
Summary
Provides $130,200,000,000 for fiscal year 2021 to help cities, towns, and counties deal with the effects of COVID‑19. The money is available through December 31, 2024 (except as noted for certain infrastructure uses). The Treasury will set aside $45,570,000,000 for metropolitan cities, $19,530,000,000 to send to States for smaller cities and towns, and $65,100,000,000 to pay counties. Payments are based mainly on population and other formulas using the latest Census data. Each place gets half of its amount as a “first tranche” paid no later than 60 days after March 11, 2021, and the rest as a “second tranche” not earlier than 12 months after the first. States must pass along their funds to smaller local governments within 30 days or get limited 30‑day extensions (and one extra 30‑day extension if they submit a plan). A local unit cannot receive more than 75% of its most recent budget as of January 27, 2020; any excess is returned to the Treasury. If a State does not distribute funds on time, the undistributed amount can be treated as a debt the State must repay. Funds may be used through December 31, 2024 to fight the public health emergency or its economic harms (for example, help for households, small businesses, nonprofits, affected industries, premium pay for eligible workers, emergency housing and food, or water/sewer/broadband projects). Money cannot be put into pension funds. Local governments may transfer money to eligible nonprofits, certain public benefit transportation corporations, special local units, or to their State. Some infrastructure projects are allowed but are limited to the greater of $10,000,000 or 30% of a payment and must follow applicable federal rules. Recipients must report how they spend the money, must repay any funds spent unlawfully, and the Treasury Secretary can issue rules to run the program. County: county, parish, or similar local division. Eligible workers: workers needed to keep critical infrastructure running and others a local chief executive names. First Tranche Amount: 50% of an allocation. Metropolitan city: the defined category of large cities (includes some that gave up that status). Nonentitlement unit of local government: a city that is not a metropolitan city. Premium pay: defined elsewhere (see section 802(g)). 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: defined elsewhere.
Full Legal Text
Title 42, §803
The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Appropriation
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)Authority to make payments
(1)Metropolitan cities
(A)In general
Of the amount appropriated under subsection (a), the Secretary shall reserve $45,570,000,000 to make payments to metropolitan cities.
(B)Allocation and payment
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)Nonentitlement units of local government
(A)In general
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)Allocation and payment
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)Distribution to nonentitlement units of local government
(i)In general
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)Distribution of funds
(I)Extension for distribution
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)Additional extensions
(aa)In general
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)Further additional extensions
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)Capped amount
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)Return of excess amounts
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)Penalty for noncompliance
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)Counties
(A)Amount
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)Special rules
(i)Urban counties
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)Counties that are not units of general local government
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)District of Columbia
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)Consolidated governments
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)Pro rata adjustment authority
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)Population
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)Timing
(A)First tranche amount
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)Second tranche amount
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)Requirements
(1)Use of funds
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)Pension funds
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)Transfer authority
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)Transfers to States
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)Use of funds to satisfy non-Federal matching, maintenance of effort, or other expenditure requirement
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)Authority to use funds for certain infrastructure projects
(A)In general
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)Limitations; application of requirements
(i)Limitation on amounts to be used for infrastructure projects
(I)In general
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)
(bb)30 percent of such payment.
(II)Rule of application
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)Limitation on operating expenses
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)Application of requirements
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)
(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) 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)Oversight
The Secretary may delegate oversight and administration of the requirements described in clause (iii) to the appropriate Federal agency.
(v)Supplement, not supplant
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)Reports
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)Availability
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)Reporting
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)Recoupment
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)Regulations
The Secretary shall have the authority to issue such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out this section.
(g)Definitions
In this section: (1) County
(2)Eligible workers
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)First tranche amount
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)Metropolitan city
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)Nonentitlement unit of local government
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)Premium pay
The term “premium pay” has the meaning given such term in section 802(g) of this title.
(7)Second tranche amount
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)Secretary
The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Treasury.
(9)State
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)Unit of general local government
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
Sep 23, 2026
Release point: 119-110