§ 7302. Temporary housing.

(a) Authority of Governor.--Whenever the Governor has proclaimed a disaster emergency under this part, or the President has declared an emergency or a major disaster to exist in this Commonwealth, the Governor is authorized:

(1) To enter into purchase, lease or other arrangements with any Federal agency for temporary housing units to be occupied by disaster victims and to make the units available to any political subdivision of this Commonwealth named as a party to the emergency or disaster declaration.

(2) To assist any political subdivision of this Commonwealth which is the locus of temporary housing for disaster victims to acquire sites necessary for such temporary housing and to do all things required to prepare such sites to receive and utilize temporary housing units by:

(i) advancing or lending funds available to the Governor from any appropriation made by the General Assembly or from any other source;

(ii) "passing through" funds made available by any agency, public or private; or

(iii) becoming a copartner with the political subdivision for the execution and performance of any temporary housing for disaster victims project; and for such purposes to pledge the credit of the Commonwealth on such terms as the Governor deems appropriate having due regard for current debt transactions of the Commonwealth.

(3) Under such regulations as the Governor shall prescribe, to temporarily suspend or modify for not to exceed 60 days any public health, safety, zoning, transportation

(within or across this Commonwealth) or other requirement of statute or regulation within this Commonwealth when by proclamation the Governor deems the suspension or modification essential to provide temporary housing for disaster victims.

(b) Acquisition of sites by political subdivisions.--Any political subdivision of this Commonwealth is expressly authorized to acquire, temporarily or permanently, by purchase, lease or otherwise, sites required for installation of temporary housing units for disaster victims, and to enter into whatever arrangements which are necessary to prepare or equip the sites to utilize the housing units.

(c) Construction of section.--This section does not limit the authority of the Governor to apply for, administer and expend any grants, gifts or payments in aid of disaster prevention, preparedness, response or recovery.

(d) Definitions.--As used in this section, "major disaster" and "emergency" shall have the same meanings as defined or used in The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Public Law 93-288, 42 U.S.C. § 5121 et seq.). (May 31, 1996, 2nd Sp.Sess., P.L.1762, No.2, eff. imd.)

1996 Amendment. Act 2, 2nd Sp.Sess., amended subsec. (d).

Cross References. Section 7302 is referred to in section 7306 of this title.