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Title 50 — War and National DefenseRelease 119-73not60

§2317 Rapid Response Information System

Title 50 › Chapter 40— DEFENSE AGAINST WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION › Subchapter I— DOMESTIC PREPAREDNESS › § 2317

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Federal agencies that take part in the Federal Response Plan must make and keep a list of physical equipment and assets they could use to help state and local officials in search, rescue, and other disaster work for emergencies involving weapons of mass destruction. Each agency must mark items that are extra and could be used for response or training. Agencies must send their lists and updates to FEMA, which must make one central list by December 31, 1997, and update it every year after that. FEMA must also add instructions by December 31, 1997 for how to get and use the listed equipment in existing federal emergency plans. FEMA, working with the Secretary of Defense, must build a database about chemical and biological agents and munitions, including their traits and safety steps for civilian use, with the initial design finished by December 31, 1997. FEMA must set up and run a system so federal, state, and local officials can access the lists and database during an emergency or for training. That system must include a secure but easy-to-use emergency hotline to get information and request help.

Full Legal Text

Title 50, §2317

War and National Defense — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)The head of each Federal Response Plan agency shall develop and maintain an inventory of physical equipment and assets under the jurisdiction of that agency that could be made available to aid State and local officials in search and rescue and other disaster management and mitigation efforts associated with an emergency involving weapons of mass destruction. The agency head shall submit a copy of the inventory, and any updates of the inventory, to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency for inclusion in the master inventory required under subsection (b).
(2)Each inventory shall include a separate listing of any equipment that is excess to the needs of that agency and could be considered for disposal as excess or surplus property for use for response and training with regard to emergencies involving weapons of mass destruction.
(b)The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall compile and maintain a comprehensive listing of all inventories prepared under subsection (a). The first such master list shall be completed not later than December 31, 1997, and shall be updated annually thereafter.
(c)Not later than December 31, 1997, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall develop and incorporate into existing Federal emergency response plans and programs prepared under section 5196(b) of title 42 guidance on accessing and using the physical equipment and assets included in the master list developed under subsection 11 So in original. Probably should be “subsection (b)”. to respond to emergencies involving weapons of mass destruction.
(d)The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall prepare a database on chemical and biological agents and munitions characteristics and safety precautions for civilian use. The initial design and compilation of the database shall be completed not later than December 31, 1997.
(e)The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall design and maintain a system to give Federal, State, and local officials access to the inventory listing and database maintained under this section in the event of an emergency involving weapons of mass destruction or to prepare and train to respond to such an emergency. The system shall include a secure but accessible emergency response hotline to access information and request assistance.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

“Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency” substituted for “Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency” wherever appearing in text on authority of section 612(c) of Pub. L. 109–295, set out as a note under section 313 of Title 6, Domestic Security. Any reference to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in title VI of Pub. L. 109–295 or an amendment by title VI to be considered to refer and apply to the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency until Mar. 31, 2007, see section 612(f)(2) of Pub. L. 109–295, set out as a note under section 313 of Title 6.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

50 U.S.C. § 2317

Title 50 — War and National Defense

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60