---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 1856e"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "1856e"
heading: "Reimbursement of fire funds"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/1856e"
units:
  - "Chapter 15A — Reciprocal Fire Protection Agreements"
  - "Subchapter I — Protection of United States Property"
---

# §1856e. Reimbursement of fire funds

- (a) **Definition of State—** In this section, the term “[State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14)” means—
  - (1) a [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14); and
  - (2) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
- (b) **In general—** If a [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) seeks reimbursement for amounts expended for resources and services provided to another [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) for the management and suppression of a wildfire, the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2), subject to subsections [(c)](#c) and [(d)](#d)—
  - (1) may accept the reimbursement amounts from the other [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14); and
  - (2) shall pay those amounts to the [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) seeking reimbursement.
- (c) **Mutual assistance agreement—** As a condition of seeking and providing reimbursement under [subsection (b)](#b), the [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) seeking reimbursement and the [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) providing reimbursement must each have a mutual assistance agreement with the Forest Service or another Federal [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) for providing and receiving wildfire management and suppression resources and services.
- (d) **Terms and conditions—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) may prescribe the terms and conditions determined to be necessary to carry out [subsection (b)](#b).
- (e) **Effect on prior reimbursements—** Any acceptance of funds or reimbursements made by the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) before February 7, 2014, that otherwise would have been authorized under this section shall be considered to have been made in accordance with this section.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 113–79, title VIII, § 8304, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 924.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Agricultural Act of 2014, and not as part of act May 27, 1955, which comprises this subchapter.

Section is comprised of section 8304 of Pub. L. 113–79. Subsec. (f) of section 8304 of Pub. L. 113–79 amended section 1856d of this title.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Definition of “Secretary”

“Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture, see section 9001 of Title 7, Agriculture.