A prior section 3231, 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, set forth congressional statement of purpose and defined “major disaster”, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 105–393, § 102(c).

A prior section 701 of Pub. L. 89–136 was classified to section 3211 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 105–393, § 102(b)(3).

2025—Pub. L. 118–272 added subsecs. (a) to (j), redesignated former subsec. (b) as (k), and struck out former subsec. (a) which authorized appropriations for economic development assistance programs to carry out this chapter for fiscal years 2004 to 2008.

2004—Pub. L. 108–373 reenacted section catchline without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this chapter $397,969,000 for fiscal year 1999, $368,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, $335,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, $335,000,000 for fiscal year 2002, and $335,000,000 for fiscal year 2003, to remain available until expended.”

Section effective Feb. 11, 1999, see section 105 of Pub. L. 105–393, set out as a note under section 3121 of this title.