839 



during the course of the study. (Pub. L. 93-234, title 

 n, § 206, Dec. 31, 1973, 87 Stat. 983.) 



SUBCHAPTER IV.— GENERAL PROVISIONS 

 §4I2L Definitions. 



(a) As used In this chapter — 



(1) the term "flood" shall have such meaning 

 as may be prescribed in regulations of the Secre- 

 tary, and may include inundation from rising 

 waters or from the overflow of streams, rivers, or 

 other bodies of water, or from tidal surges, ab- 

 normally high tidal water, tidal waves, tsunamis, 

 hurricanes, or other severe storms or deluge; 



(2) the terms "United States" (when used In a 

 geographic sense) and "State" includes the several 

 States, the District of Columbia, the territories 

 and possessions, the Commonwealth of Puerto 

 Rico, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific 

 Islands: 



(3) the terms "Insurance company", "other In- 

 surer" and "Insurance agent or broker" Include 

 any organizations and persons authorized to en- 

 gage in the Insurance business under the laws of 

 any State; 



(4) the term "Insurance adjustment organiza- 

 tion" Includes any organizations and persons en- 

 gaged In the busine.ss of adjusting loss claims 

 arising under insurance policies issued by any 

 Insurance company or other insurer; 



(5) the term "person" includes any individual 

 or group of Individuals, corporation, partnership, 

 association, or any other organized group of per- 

 sons. Including State and local governments and 

 agencies thereof; and 



(6) the term "Secretary" means the Secretary 

 of Housing and Urban Development. 



(b) The term "flood" shall also include Inundation 

 from mudslides which are proximately caused by ac- 

 cumulations of water on or under the ground; and 

 all of the provisions of this chapter shall apply with 

 respect to such mudslides In the same manner and 

 to the same extent as with respect to floods described 

 in paragraph (1) , subject to and In accordance with 

 such regulations, modifying the provisions of this 

 chapter (including the provisions relating to land 

 management and use) to the extent necessary to 

 insure that they can be effectively so applied, as the 

 Secretary may prescribe to achieve (with respect to 

 such mudslides) the purposes of this chapter and 

 the objectives of the program. 



(c) The term "flood" shall also include the col- 

 lapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake 

 or other body of water as a result of erosion or 

 undermining caused by waves or currents of water 

 exceeding anticipated cyclical levels, and all of the 

 provisions of this chapter shall apply with respect to 

 such collapse or subsidence in the same manner and 

 to the same extent as with respect to floods described 

 in paragraph (1), subject to and in accordance with 

 such regulations, modifying the provisions of this 

 chapter (including the provisions relating to land 

 management and use) to the extent necessary to 

 Insure that they can be effectively so applied, as the 

 Secretary may prescribe to achieve (with respect 

 to such collapse or subsidence) the purposes of this 



chapter and the objectives of the program. (As 

 amended Pub. L. 93-234, title I, §§ 107. 108(b), Dec. 

 31, 1973, 87 Stat. 979, 980.) 



Amendments 



1973— Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 93-234, §107, Inserted 

 "proximately" before "caused". 



Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 93-234, § 108(b), added subsec. (c) . 



§4122. Studies of other natural disasters; cooperation 

 and consultation with other departments and 

 agencies. 



(a) The Secretary is aut"horized to undertake such 

 studies as may be necessary for the purpose of deter- 

 mining the extent to which insurance protection 

 against earthquakes or any other natural disaster 

 perils, other than flood, is not available from public 

 or private sources, and the feasibility of such insur- 

 ance protection being made available. 



(b) Studies under this section shall be carried out» 

 to the maximum extent practicable, with the coop- 

 eration of other Federal departments and agencies 

 and State and local agencies, and the Secretary Is 

 authorized to consult with, receive information from, 

 and enter Into any necessary agreements or other 

 arrangements with such other Federal departments 

 and agencies (on a reimbursement basis) and such 

 State and local agencies. (Pub. L. 90-448, title xm, 

 § 1371, Aug. 1, 1968, 82 SUt. 588.) 



§ 4123. Advance payments. 



Any payments under this chapter may be made 

 (after necessary adjustment on account of previously 

 made underpayments or overpayments) in advance 

 or by way of reimbursement, and in such install- 

 ments and on such conditions, as the Secretary may 

 determine. (Pub. L. 90-448, title Xni, § 1372, Aug. 1, 

 1968, 82 Stat. 589.) 



§ 4124. Applicability of Government Corporation Con- 

 trol Act. 



The provisions of the Government Corporation 

 Control Act shall apply to the program authorized 

 under this chapter to the same extent as they apply 

 to wholly owned Government corporations. (Pub. L. 

 90-448, title XIII. § 1373, Aug. 1, 1968, 82 Stat. 589.) 



§ 4125. Finality of certain financial transactions. 



Notwithstanding the provisions of any other 

 law — 



(1) any financial transaction authorized to be 

 carried out under this chapter, and 



( 2 ) any payment authorized to be made or to be 

 received in connection with any such financial 

 transaction, 



shall be final and conclusive upon all ofBcers of the 

 Government. (Pub. L. 90-448, title XIII, § 1374, Aug. 

 1, 1968. 82 Stat. 589.) 



§4126. Administrative expenses. 



Any administrative expenses which may be sus- 

 tained by the Federal Government in carrying out 

 the fiood insurance program authorized xmder this 

 chapter may be paid out of appropriated funds. 



