---
kind: "range"
citation: "42 U.S.C. §§ 5204–5204c"
title: "42"
from: "5204"
to: "5204c"
count: 4
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/5204..5204c"
---

# §5204. Insular areas disaster survival and recovery; definitions


As used in [sections 5204 to 5204c](/usc/42/5204..5204c.md) of this title—

- (1) the term “insular area” means any of the following: American Samoa, the Federated [States](/usc/42/5122.md?p=4) of Micronesia, Guam, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, the [Trust](/usc/42/12854.md?p=6) Territory of the Pacific Islands, and the Virgin Islands;
- (2) the term “disaster” means a [declaration](/usc/42/247d–6e.md?p=e-4) of a [major disaster](/usc/42/5122.md?p=2) by the President after September 1, 1989, pursuant to [section 5170 of this title](/usc/42/5170.md); and
- (3) the term “[Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2)” means the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) of the Interior.

# §5204a. Authorization of appropriations for insular areas


There are hereby authorized to be appropriated to the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) such sums as may be necessary to—

- (1) reconstruct essential [public facilities](/usc/42/5122.md?p=10) damaged by [disasters](/usc/42/5204.md?p=2) in the [insular areas](/usc/42/5204.md?p=1) that occurred prior to February 24, 1992; and
- (2) enhance the survivability of essential [public facilities](/usc/42/5122.md?p=10) in the event of [disasters](/usc/42/5204.md?p=2) in the [insular areas](/usc/42/5204.md?p=1),

except that with respect to the [disaster](/usc/42/5204.md?p=2) declared by the President in the case of Hurricane Hugo, September 1989, amounts for any fiscal year shall not exceed 25 percent of the estimated aggregate amount of grants to be made under sections [5170b](/usc/42/5170b.md) and [5172](/usc/42/5172.md) of this title for such [disaster](/usc/42/5204.md?p=2). Such sums shall remain available until expended.


# §5204b. Technical assistance for insular areas

- (a) Upon the [declaration](/usc/42/247d–6e.md?p=e-4) by the President of a [disaster](/usc/42/5204.md?p=2) in an [insular area](/usc/42/5204.md?p=1), the President, acting through the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) of the Federal [Emergency](/usc/42/5122.md?p=1) Management Agency, shall assess, in cooperation with the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) and [chief executive](/usc/42/5122.md?p=12) of such [insular area](/usc/42/5204.md?p=1), the capability of the insular government to respond to the [disaster](/usc/42/5204.md?p=2), including the capability to assess damage; coordinate activities with [Federal agencies](/usc/42/5122.md?p=9), particularly the Federal [Emergency](/usc/42/5122.md?p=1) Management Agency; develop recovery plans, including recommendations for enhancing the survivability of essential infrastructure; negotiate and manage reconstruction contracts; and prevent the misuse of [funds](/usc/42/12854.md?p=3). If the President finds that the insular government lacks any of these or other capabilities essential to the recovery effort, then the President shall provide technical assistance to the [insular area](/usc/42/5204.md?p=1) which the President deems necessary for the recovery effort.
- (b) One year following the [declaration](/usc/42/247d–6e.md?p=e-4) by the President of a [disaster](/usc/42/5204.md?p=2) in an [insular area](/usc/42/5204.md?p=1), the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2), in consultation with the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) of the Federal [Emergency](/usc/42/5122.md?p=1) Management Agency, shall submit to the Senate Committee on [Energy](/usc/42/6311.md?p=7) and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Natural Resources a report on the status of the recovery effort, including an audit of Federal [funds](/usc/42/12854.md?p=3) expended in the recovery effort and recommendations on how to improve public health and safety, survivability of infrastructure, recovery efforts, and effective use of [funds](/usc/42/12854.md?p=3) in the event of future [disasters](/usc/42/5204.md?p=2).

# §5204c. Hazard mitigation for insular areas


The total of contributions under the last sentence of [section 5170c of this title](/usc/42/5170c.md) for the [insular areas](/usc/42/5204.md?p=1) shall not exceed 10 percent of the estimated aggregate amounts of grants to be made under sections [5170b](/usc/42/5170b.md), [5172](/usc/42/5172.md), [5173](/usc/42/5173.md), [5174](/usc/42/5174.md), and [5178](/usc/42/5178.md)[^1] of this title for any [disaster](/usc/42/5204.md?p=2): Provided, That the President shall require a 50 percent local match for assistance in excess of 10 percent of the estimated aggregate amount of grants to be made under [section 5172 of this title](/usc/42/5172.md) for any [disaster](/usc/42/5204.md?p=2).