U.S. Virgin Islands Emergency Management and Homeland Security Statutory Authorities

Publication Date: July 2004

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

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Research Area: Government

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Abstract:

The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Act was enacted to reduce the vulnerability of the people and communities of the islands to damage, injury, and loss of life and property resulting from natural or man-made catastrophes, riots, or hostile military or paramilitary action. The statute clarifies and strengthens roles of the governor and territorial agencies. It also authorizes activities with regard to the prevention of, preparation for, response to, and recovery from emergencies and provides for coordination with other jurisdictions. Financial assistance derives from federal aid, state emergency response funds and a state contingency fund. The act authorizes agreements with states to assist in the evacuation of all or part of the population of the islands.

This report is one of a series that profiles emergency management and homeland security statutory authorities of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Each profile identifies the more significant elements of state statutes, generally as codified. Congressional readers may wish to conduct further searches for related provisions using the Internet link presented in the last section of this report. The National Conference of State Legislatures provided primary research assistance in the development of these profiles under contract to the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Summary information on all of the profiles is presented in CRS Report RL32287. This report will be updated as developments warrant.