§3231. Congressional statement of purpose; "major disaster" defined

(a) It is the purpose of this subchapter to provide assistance for the economic recovery, after the period of emergency aid and replacement of essential facilities and services, of any major disaster area which has suffered a dislocation of its economy of sufficient severity to require (1) assistance in planning for development to replace that lost in the major disaster; (2) continued coordination of assistance available under Federal-aid programs; and (3) continued assistance toward the restoration of the employment base.

(b) As used in this subchapter the term "major disaster" means a major disaster declared by the President in accordance with the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act [42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.].

(Pub. L. 89–136, title VIII, §801, as added Pub. L. 93–288, title V, §501, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 160 ; amended Pub. L. 100–707, title I, §109(r)(1), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4710 .)

References in Text

The Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, referred to in subsec. (b), is Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143 , as amended, known as the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, which is classified principally to chapter 68 (§5121 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of that Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

1988-Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–707 substituted "Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act" for "Disaster Relief Act of 1974".

Effective Date

Section effective Apr. 1, 1974, see section 605 of Pub. L. 93–288, set out as a note under section 5121 of this title.

Construction of 1988 Amendments

Section 107(b) of Pub. L. 100–707 provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending title V of Pub. L. 93–288 generally by enacting new sections 501 to 503, classified to sections 5191 to 5193 of this title] shall not be construed as having any effect on title VIII of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 [section 3231 et seq. of this title] which was added to such Act by section 501 of the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 [Pub. L. 93–288] on May 22, 1974."