49 U.S.C. § 5324 — Public transportation emergency relief program

1. (a)DefinitionIn this section the following definitions shall apply:
   1. (1)Eligible operating costsThe term “eligible operating costs” means costs relating to—
      1. (A)evacuation services;
      2. (B)rescue operations;
      3. (C)temporary public transportation service; or
      4. (D)reestablishing, expanding, or relocating public transportation route service before, during, or after an emergency.
   2. (2)EmergencyThe term “emergency” means a natural disaster affecting a wide area (such as a flood, hurricane, tidal wave, earthquake, severe storm, or landslide) or a catastrophic failure from any external cause, as a result of which—
      1. (A)the Governor of a State has declared an emergency and the Secretary has concurred; or
      2. (B)the President has declared a major disaster under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170).
2. (b)General AuthorityThe Secretary may make grants and enter into contracts and other agreements (including agreements with departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Government) for—
   1. (1)capital projects to protect, repair, reconstruct, or replace equipment and facilities of a public transportation system operating in the United States or on an Indian reservation that the Secretary determines is in danger of suffering serious damage, or has suffered serious damage, as a result of an emergency; and
   2. (2)eligible operating costs of public transportation equipment and facilities in an area directly affected by an emergency during—
      1. (A)the 1-year period beginning on the date of a declaration described in subsection (a)(2); or
      2. (B)if the Secretary determines there is a compelling need, the 2-year period beginning on the date of a declaration described in subsection (a)(2).
3. (c)Coordination of Emergency Funds
   1. (1)Use of fundsFunds appropriated to carry out this section shall be in addition to any other funds available under this chapter.
   2. (2)No effect on other government activityThe provision of funds under this section shall not affect the ability of any other agency of the Government, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or a State agency, a local governmental entity, organization, or person, to provide any other funds otherwise authorized by law.
   3. (3)NotificationThe Secretary shall notify the Secretary of Homeland Security of the purpose and amount of any grant made or contract or other agreement entered into under this section.
4. (d)Grant RequirementsA grant awarded under this section or under section 5307 or 5311 that is made to address an emergency defined under subsection (a)(2) shall be—
   1. (1)subject to the terms and conditions the Secretary determines are necessary; and
   2. (2)made only for expenses that are not reimbursed under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.).
5. (e)Government Share of Costs
   1. (1)Capital projects and operating assistanceA grant, contract, or other agreement for a capital project or eligible operating costs under this section shall be, at the option of the recipient, for not more than 80 percent of the net project cost, as determined by the Secretary.
   2. (2)Non-federal shareThe remainder of the net project cost may be provided from an undistributed cash surplus, a replacement or depreciation cash fund or reserve, or new capital.
   3. (3)WaiverThe Secretary may waive, in whole or part, the non-Federal share required under—
      1. (A)paragraph (2); or
      2. (B)section 5307 or 5311, in the case of a grant made available under section 5307 or 5311, respectively, to address an emergency.
6. (f)InsuranceBefore receiving a grant under this section following an emergency, an applicant shall—
   1. (1)submit to the Secretary documentation demonstrating proof of insurance required under Federal law for all structures related to the grant application; and
   2. (2)certify to the Secretary that the applicant has insurance required under State law for all structures related to the grant application.