Document: 479 U.S. 305 107 S.Ct. 702 93 L.Ed.2d 639 WEST VIRGINIA, Petitionerv.UNITED STATES. No. 85-937. Argued Nov. 10, 1986. Decided Jan. 13, 1987. Syllabus The President declared floods that occurred in 1972 West Virginia to be "major disasters," qualifying the affected areas for federal relief under Disaster Relief Act of 1970 (DRA) (later repealed). Section 226(a) DRA provided any mobile home or temporary housing displaced persons was placed on a site by State "without charge United States." In aftermath disasters here, Army Corps Engineers, at State's request, prepared sites homes and, late and early 1973, billed such services. acknowledged bills, but failed make payment. After delaying States brought suit against 1978, seeking recover preparation costs plus prejudgment interest. District Court held contractually obligated services, denied States' motion an order interest debt. Appeals affirmed Court's holding debt, reversed determination not liable Held: is debt arising from contractual obligation reimburse services rendered Corps. rule governing recovered as damages delayed payment controlled state law. While there are instances which law may adopted decision, this case presents no compelling reason doing so. A single nationwide preferable, incorporation would give due regard maintaining apportionment responsibility Congress devised DRA. Before applying usual private parties owing debts Federal Government must pay where underlying claim money, Royal Indemnity Co. v. States, 313 289, 61 995, 85 L.Ed. 1361, court should consider interests two governments involved. Board Comm'rs Jackson County 308 343, 350, 60 285, 288, 84 313. Here, policy plainly calls award DRA's purpose relieve entire burden disaster relief, apportion between Governments. reflects statute's allocative intent bear cost housing, element complete compensation Government. asserts justify relieving it its compensate fully. Because have sovereign immunity Government, exempting only does apply own force obligations also represent obliged further. Pp. 308-313. 764 F.2d 1028, affirmed. MARSHALL, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. Charles G. Brown, Charleston, W.Va., petitioner. Albert Lauber, Jr., Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice MARSHALL 1 issue whether Engineers. 2 * On February 26, 1972, heavy rains resulting caused collapse coal waste dam Buffalo Creek southwestern Virginia. "Buffalo disaster" over 100 deaths millions dollars property damage left thousands homeless. August year, series storms widespread flooding mudslides same region State. Although additional loss life, "Gilbert substantial damage. 3 both events 1970, Pub.L. 91-606, Stat. 1744, 42 U.S.C. § 4401 et seq. (1970 ed.) (DRA Act), repealed 93-288, 88 164. authorized Director Office Emergency Preparedness provide typically homes, disaster. That section governed homes. It provided: 4 "Any readily fabricated dwelling shall with utilities local government, owner occupant who major disaster, without States. However, elect other more economical accessible expense when he determines action public interest." 4436 ed.). 5 disasters, found itself unable prepare asked Engineers do so, agreed. but, despite several requests, $4.2 million liability claiming official had entered into agreement acted authority. rejected Civ.Action 78-2049 (SD Sept. 27, 1982). then moved outstanding debt.1 motion. appropriate analysis required examination congressional relative equities parties. completing analysis, concluded R-78-2049 28, 1983). 6 Fourth Circuit 1028 (1985). question law, allowable matter right breach-of-contract amount liquidated, ascertained, agreed to. Id., 1030-1031. conclusion depended balancing equities, that, even if were test, prevail. 1032-1033. remanded enter We granted certiorari, limited properly 475 1009, 106 1182, 89 299 (1986). affirm. II 7 "[T]he statute common absence applicable statute, courts determine, according their criteria, measure damage, expressed terms interest, nonpayment due." 296, 997, 1361 (1941); see Clearfield Trust 318 363, 366-367, 63 573, 574-575, 87 838 (1943). Yazell, 382 341, 86 500, 15 404 (1966), preferable one turning Finally, application "disrupt commercial relationships predicated law," Kimbell Foods, Inc., 440 715, 729, 99 1448, 1459, 59 711 (1979) (footnote omitted), since govern contracts 8 Given neither nor remains us rule. (1939), addressed issue. There, considered political subdivision tax refund owed Native American whose behalf suit. assessed. noted certain defenses asserted ineffective because historic those defenses, id., 351, S.Ct., determined lacked comparable historical roots, could simply respect all claims subdivision. therefore before regarding party State, 288. Noting aggrieved taxpayers Americans not, entitled refunds, 349, 287, individuals rights arose put better position than 352, 289. further reasoned inequitable eight years collect money county. Ibid. 9 Application present indicates required. No compels deviation longstanding money. supra, U.S., 295-297, 997-998. Moreover, See, e.g., §§ 101(a)(2) (b) (Act intended "to assist efforts States," "an orderly continuing means assistance governments"); 102(1) (Governor occurs certify need "giv[e] assurance expenditure reasonable funds governments, agencies alleviating . catastrophe"). intent; explicitly states victims. Prejudgment compensation, see, General Motors Corp. Devex Corp., 461 648, 655-656, 103 2058, 2062, 76 211, n. 10 (1983);2 fully repaying will distribution burdens intended.3 This likely ordinary arrangement situation, difficult imagine efforts. none, except understandable paying has argues exempt because, unless consented be. See Guaranty New York Turnpike Comm'n, 144 W.Va. 266, 271, S.E.2d 792, 796 (1959). But source exemption immunity, 274-275, S.E.2d, 797-798; consent sued parties, fashion refuse Texas, 143 621, 646, 12 488, 493, 36 285 (1892), cf. Library Shaw, 478 310, 2957, 92 250 (1986),4 further.5 Cf. County, 289; 506 (while show "solicitude interests, particularly field family family-property arrangements," these overridden avoid injury "clear National Government"). Accordingly, we hold circumstances interest.6 11 recognize our work hardship upon citizens Virginia, already suffered greatly result tragedies gave rise litigation. solution problem lie courts. expresses clear apportioned particular way remedy unfairness sought through process. judgment Affirmed. $5,783,098.09 October 18, 1982, $2,841.26 every day thereafter until entered. App. Pet. Cert. C-3, 2. serves use time accrues entered, thereby achieving full redress. Comment, Interest: Survey Suggestion, 77 N.W.U.L.Rev. 192 (1982). paid parties; approach, we. say equitable consideration laches cannot bar otherwise valid 352-353, (1939). Petitioners contend North Carolina, 136 920, 34 336 (1890), establishes consents either form statute. decided dispositively retain speculate Carolina been sustained rationale articulated there. general Under available contract actions 1868. W.Va.Code 56-6-27 (1966) (the jury "shall find aggregate principal trial"); W.Va.Code, Ch. 131, 14 (1923) (same); 120, (1882) (1868) (same). 1981, 56-6-31 amended cases actions, special defined liquidated damages. (Supp.1986). decline attribute significance purposes 12, 1983, 97-452, 96 2467. prescribes payable "person[s]" 31 3717(a)(1), excludes definition "person" "agency unit government." 3701(c). As stated 3717(g)(2), 25, here. can draw inference about Congress' comprehension enactment, discernible legislative history, definitional excluding "persons" statutorily venture enactment abrogate leave intact Pennsylvania Dept. Public Welfare 781 334, 341-342 (CA3 1986); Perales 598 F.Supp. 19, 23-24 (SDNY), aff'd, 751 95 (CA2 1984) (per curiam).

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