Temporary housing for victims of an emergency or major disaster and site acquisition and preparation

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  • (a) Whenever there exists an emergency or major disaster under the laws of this Territory, or the President has declared an emergency or a major disaster, as defined by the Stafford Act to exist in this Territory, the Governor is authorized:

    • (1) To enter into purchase, lease, or other arrangements with any agency of the United States for temporary housing units to be occupied by victims of an emergency or major disaster.

    • (2) To acquire, temporarily or permanently, by purchase, lease, or otherwise, sites necessary for the installation of temporary housing units for victims of an emergency or major disaster, and to do all things required to prepare such site to receive and utilize temporary housing units. For this purpose, the Governor may utilize any funds available from federal funds, appropriations made by the Legislature, or from any other source, and, where necessary, the credit of the Government of the Virgin Islands on such terms as he deems appropriate, having due regard for current debt transactions of the Territory.

    • (3) Under such executive orders as he shall prescribe, to suspend temporarily or modify for not to exceed 60 days any public health, safety, zoning, transportation or other requirement of law or regulation within this Territory when by executive order he deems such suspension or modification essential to provide temporary housing for victims of an emergency or major disaster. Pursuant to this section, the Governor's action is subject to judicial and Legislative review but shall not be subject to temporary stay pending litigation.

  • (b) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to limit the Governor's authority to apply for, administer, and expend any grants, gifts, or payments in aid of disaster prevention, preparedness, response, or recovery.


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