§ 29-31-8 — Powers and duties related to the West Virginia Disaster Recovery Trust Fund

The State Resiliency Officer is hereby granted, has and may exercise all powers necessary or appropriate to carry out and effectuate the purposes set forth in §29-31-7 of this code. The State Resiliency Officer has the power:

(1) To accept appropriations, gifts, grants, bequests, and devises from any source, public or private, for deposit into the Recovery Fund, and to use or dispose of the same to provide assistance to any person, political subdivision, or local organization for recovering from a disaster, or otherwise involved in disaster recovery activities;

(2) To make and execute contracts, leases, releases, and other instruments necessary or convenient for the exercise of its power;

(3) To make, and from time to time, amend, and repeal bylaws for the governance of its activities not inconsistent with the provisions of this article;

(4) To sue and be sued;

(5) To acquire, hold, and dispose of real and personal property;

(6) To enter into agreements or other transactions with any federal or state agency, political subdivision, or person;

(7) To provide for the deposit of any funds or assets of the West Virginia Disaster Recovery Trust Fund with the state Treasurer for investment pursuant to §12-6C-6 of this code;

(8) To procure insurance against any loss in connection with its property in such amounts, and from such insurers, as may be necessary or desirable;

(9) To provide financial assistance to state and local governmental entities for the nonfederal share for federal disaster assistance programs;

(10) To provide for financial assistance to homeowners and communities that are not eligible for Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery and other federal funding assistance;

(11) To provide loans and grants to local governments in disaster areas that need immediate cash flow assistance;

(12) To provide grants to governmental entities and organizations exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code to repair or replace infrastructure or equipment damaged as a result of a natural disaster;

(13) To provide financial assistance for verifiable losses of agricultural commodities due to a natural disaster; and

(14) Do all acts necessary and proper to carry out the powers granted to the State Resiliency Office within its disaster recovery mission.

Legislative History

2023 Reg. Sess., SB677