---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 U.S.C. § 777"
title: "6"
title_heading: "Domestic Security"
number: "777"
heading: "Public assistance pilot program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/6/777"
units:
  - "Chapter 2 — National Emergency Management"
  - "Subchapter II — Comprehensive Preparedness System"
  - "Part C — Miscellaneous Authorities"
---

# §777. Public assistance pilot program

- (a) **Pilot program—**
  - (1) **In general—** The President, acting through the [Administrator](/usc/6/821.md?p=1), and in coordination with [State](/usc/6/821.md?p=9) and [local governments](/usc/6/821.md?p=9), shall establish and conduct a pilot program to—
    - (A) reduce the costs to the Federal Government of providing assistance to [States](/usc/6/821.md?p=9) and [local governments](/usc/6/821.md?p=9) under sections [5170b(a)(3)(A)](/usc/42/5170b.md?p=a-3-A), [5172](/usc/42/5172.md), and [5173](/usc/42/5173.md) of title 42;
    - (B) increase flexibility in the administration of sections [5170b(a)(3)(A)](/usc/42/5170b.md?p=a-3-A), [5172](/usc/42/5172.md), and [5173](/usc/42/5173.md) of title 42; and
    - (C) expedite the provision of assistance to [States](/usc/6/821.md?p=9) and [local governments](/usc/6/821.md?p=9) provided under sections 5170b(a)(3)(A), 5172, and 5173 of title 42.
  - (2) **Participation—** Only [States](/usc/6/821.md?p=9) and [local governments](/usc/6/821.md?p=9) that elect to participate in the pilot program may participate in the pilot program for a particular project.
  - (3) **Innovative administration—**
    - (A) **In general—** For purposes of the pilot program, the [Administrator](/usc/6/821.md?p=1) shall establish new procedures to administer assistance provided under the sections referred to in [paragraph (1)](#a-1).
    - (B) **New procedures—** The new procedures established under [subparagraph (A)](#a-3-A) may include 1 or more of the following:
      - (i) Notwithstanding [section 5172(c)(1)(A) of title 42](/usc/42/5172.md?p=c-1-A), providing an option for a [State](/usc/6/821.md?p=9) or [local government](/usc/6/821.md?p=9) to elect to receive an in-lieu contribution in an amount equal to 90 percent of the Federal share of the Federal estimate of the cost of repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of a public facility owned or controlled by the [State](/usc/6/821.md?p=9) or [local government](/usc/6/821.md?p=9) and of management expenses.
      - (ii) Making grants on the basis of estimates agreed to by the [local government](/usc/6/821.md?p=9) (or where no [local government](/usc/6/821.md?p=9) is involved, by the [State](/usc/6/821.md?p=9) government) and the [Administrator](/usc/6/821.md?p=1) to provide financial incentives and disincentives for the [local government](/usc/6/821.md?p=9) (or where no [local government](/usc/6/821.md?p=9) is involved, for the [State](/usc/6/821.md?p=9) government) for the timely or cost effective completion of projects under sections 5170b(a)(3)(A), 5172, and 5173 of title 42.
      - (iii) Increasing the Federal share for removal of debris and wreckage for [States](/usc/6/821.md?p=9) and [local governments](/usc/6/821.md?p=9) that have a debris management plan approved by the [Administrator](/usc/6/821.md?p=1) and have pre-qualified 1 or more debris and wreckage removal contractors before the date of [declaration](/usc/6/677a.md?p=2) of the [major disaster](/usc/6/101.md?p=14).
      - (iv) Using a sliding scale for the Federal share for removal of debris and wreckage based on the time it takes to complete debris and wreckage removal.
      - (v) Using a financial incentive to recycle debris.
      - (vi) Reimbursing base wages for employees and extra hires of a [State](/usc/6/821.md?p=9) or [local government](/usc/6/821.md?p=9) involved in or administering debris and wreckage removal.
  - (4) **Waiver—** The [Administrator](/usc/6/821.md?p=1) may waive such regulations or rules applicable to the provisions of assistance under the sections referred to in [paragraph (1)](#a-1) as the [Administrator](/usc/6/821.md?p=1) determines are necessary to carry out the pilot program under this section.
- (b) **Report—**
  - (1) **In general—** Not later than March 31, 2009, the [Administrator](/usc/6/821.md?p=1) shall submit to the [appropriate committees of Congress](/usc/6/701.md?p=3) a report regarding the effectiveness of the pilot program under this section.
  - (2) **Contents—** The report submitted under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) shall include—
    - (A) an assessment by the [Administrator](/usc/6/821.md?p=1) of any administrative or financial benefits of the pilot program;
    - (B) an assessment by the [Administrator](/usc/6/821.md?p=1) of the effect, including any savings in time and cost, of the pilot program;
    - (C) any identified legal or other obstacles to increasing the amount of debris recycled after a [major disaster](/usc/6/101.md?p=14);
    - (D) any other findings and conclusions of the [Administrator](/usc/6/821.md?p=1) with respect to the pilot program; and
    - (E) any recommendations of the [Administrator](/usc/6/821.md?p=1) for additional authority to continue or make permanent the pilot program.
- (c) **Deadline for initiation of implementation—** The [Administrator](/usc/6/821.md?p=1) shall initiate implementation of the pilot program under this section not later than 90 days after October 4, 2006.
- (d) **Pilot program project duration—** The [Administrator](/usc/6/821.md?p=1) may not approve a project under the pilot program under this section after December 31, 2008.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 689j, Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1455.)