Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 84 Part 2.djvu/418

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80 Stat. 443. 5 USC 5101. Ante, p. 198-1. 5 USC 3109.

Presidential powers.

Regulations.

Program review.

study.

Report to Congress.

PUBLIC LAW 91-606-DEC. 31, 1970

[84 STAT.

out regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, to employ experts and consultants in accordance with the provisions of section 3109 of such title, and to incur obligations on behalf of the Ignited States by contract or otherwise for the acquisition, rental, or hire of equipment, services, materials, and supplies for shipping, dray age, travel, and communication, and for the supervision and administration of such activities. Such obligations, including obligations arising out of the temporary employment of additional personnel, may be incurred by an agency in such amount as may be made available to it by the President. (f) In the interest of providing maximum mobilization of Federal assistance under this Act, the President is authorized to coordinate in such manner as he may determine the activities of Federal agencies in providing disaster assistance. The President may direct any Federal agency, with or without reimbursement, to utilize its available personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, and other resources in accordance with the authority, herein contained. The President may prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary and proper to carry out any of the provisions of this Act, and he may exercise any power or authority conferred on him by any section of this Act either directly or through such Federal agency as he may designate. (g) The President, acting through the Office of Emergency Preparedness, shall conduct periodic reviews (at least annually) of the activities of Federal and State departments or agencies providing disaster assistance, in order to assure maximum coordination of such programs, and to evaluate progress being made in the development of Federal, State, and local preparedness to cope with major disasters. (h) The Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness is authorized and directed to make in cooperation with the heads of other affected Federal and State agencies, a full and complete investigation and study for the purpose of determining what additional or improved plans, procedures, and facilities are necessary to provide immediate effective action to prevent or minimize losses of publicly or privately owned property and personal injuries or deaths which could result from fires (forest and grass), earthquakes, tornadoes, freezes and frosts, tsunami, storm surges and tides, and floods, which are or threaten to become major disasters. Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this subsection, and from time to time, the Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness shall report to Congress the findings of this study and investigation together with his recommendations with respect thereto. USE OF LOCAL FIRMS AND INDIVIDUALS

SEC. 204. In the expenditure of Federal funds for debris clearance, distribution of supplies, reconstruction, and other major disaster assistance activities which may be carried out by contract with private organizations, firms, or individuals, preference shall be given, to the extent feasible and practicable, to those organizations, firms, and individuals who reside or do business primarily in the disaster area. FEDERAL GRANT-IN-AID PROGRAMS Waiver.

SEC. 205. Any Federal agency charged wth the administration of a Federal grant-in-aid program is authorized, if so requested by the applicant State or local authorities, to modify or waive, for the dura-

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