31 U.S.C. § 1512 (2024) — Title 31: MONEY AND FINANCE / Chapter 15 / Subchapter II / Section 1512: Apportionment and reserves
Apportionment and reserves
Status: in_force

(a) Except as provided in this subchapter, an appropriation available for obligation for a definite period shall be apportioned to prevent obligation or expenditure at a rate that would indicate a necessity for a deficiency or supplemental appropriation for the period. An appropriation for an indefinite period and authority to make obligations by contract before appropriations shall be apportioned to achieve the most effective and economical use. An apportionment may be reapportioned under this section.

(b)(1) An appropriation subject to apportionment is apportioned by—

(A) months, calendar quarters, operating seasons, or other time periods;

(B) activities, functions, projects, or objects; or

(C) a combination of the ways referred to in clauses (A) and (B) of this paragraph.

(2) The official designated in section 1513 of this title to make apportionments shall apportion an appropriation under paragraph (1) of this subsection as the official considers appropriate. Except as specified by the official, an amount apportioned is available for obligation under the terms of the appropriation on a cumulative basis unless reapportioned.

(c)(1) In apportioning or reapportioning an appropriation, a reserve may be established only—

(A) to provide for contingencies;

(B) to achieve savings made possible by or through changes in requirements or greater efficiency of operations; or

(C) as specifically provided by law.

(2) A reserve established under this subsection may be changed as necessary to carry out the scope and objectives of the appropriation concerned. When an official designated in section 1513 of this title to make apportionments decides that an amount reserved will not be required to carry out the objectives and scope of the appropriation concerned, the official shall recommend the rescission of the amount in the way provided in chapter 11 of this title for appropriation requests. Reserves established under this section shall be reported to Congress as provided in the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 681 et seq.).

(d) An apportionment or a reapportionment shall be reviewed at least 4 times a year by the official designated in section 1513 of this title to make apportionments.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 929.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

1512(a)
31:665(c)(1)(1st sentence), (4)(words after 1st comma).
R.S. §3679(c)(1)(1st sentence), (3), (4); Mar. 3, 1905, ch. 1484, §4(1st par.), 33 Stat. 1257; Feb. 27, 1906, ch. 510, §3, 34 Stat. 48; restated Sept. 6, 1950, ch. 896, §1211, 64 Stat. 765, 766.

1512(b)
31:665(c)(3).

1512(c)
31:665(c)(2).
R.S. §3679(c)(2); Mar. 3, 1905, ch. 1484, §4(1st par.), 33 Stat. 1257; Feb. 27, 1906, ch. 510, §3, 34 Stat. 48; Sept. 6, 1950, ch. 896, §1211, 64 Stat. 765; restated July 12, 1974, Pub. L. 93–344, §1002, 88 Stat. 332.

1512(d)
31:665(c)(4)(words before 1st comma).

In subsection (a), the word "appropriation" is substituted for "appropriations or funds" because of the definition of "appropriation" in section 1511 of the revised title. The words "at a rate" are substituted for "in a manner" for clarity. The words "indefinite period" are substituted for "not limited to a definite period of time" for consistency in the revised title. The words "An apportionment may be reapportioned under this section" are substituted for 31:665(c)(4)(words after 1st comma) to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (b)(1), before clause (A), the word "apportioned" is substituted for "distributed" for consistency in the revised section.

In subsections (b)(2) and (d), the word "official" is substituted for "officer" for consistency in the revised title.

In subsection (c)(1)(C), the words "by law" are substituted for "by particular appropriation Acts or other laws" to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (c)(2), the words "appropriation requests" are substituted for "estimates of appropriations" for consistency with chapter 11 of the revised title.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Impoundment Control Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), is parts A and B of title X of Pub. L. 93–344, July 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 332, which is classified principally to subchapters I (§681) and II (§682 et seq.) of chapter 17B of Title 2, The Congress. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 681 of Title 2 and Tables.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Apportionment of Funds Appropriated to District of Columbia Government

Pub. L. 100–202, §101(c) [title I, §135], Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329–90, 1329–102, provided that: "Federal funds hereafter appropriated to the District of Columbia government shall not be subject to apportionment except to the extent specifically provided by statute."
31 U.S.C. § 903 (2024) — Title 31: MONEY AND FINANCE / Chapter 9 / Section 903: Establishment of agency Deputy Chief Financial Officers
Establishment of agency Deputy Chief Financial Officers
Status: in_force

(a) There shall be within each agency described in section 901(b) an agency Deputy Chief Financial Officer, who shall report directly to the agency Chief Financial Officer on financial management matters. The position of agency Deputy Chief Financial Officer shall be a career reserved position in the Senior Executive Service.

(b) Consistent with qualification standards developed by, and in consultation with, the agency Chief Financial Officer and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the head of each agency shall appoint as Deputy Chief Financial Officer an individual with demonstrated ability and experience in accounting, budget execution, financial and management analysis, and systems development, and not less than 6 years practical experience in financial management at large governmental entities.

(Added Pub. L. 101–576, title II, §205(a), Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2845.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Senior Executive Service, referred to in subsec. (a), see section 5382 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
31 U.S.C. § 1344 (2024) — Title 31: MONEY AND FINANCE / Chapter 13 / Subchapter III / Section 1344: Passenger carrier use
Passenger carrier use
Status: in_force

(a)(1) Funds available to a Federal agency, by appropriation or otherwise, may be expended by the Federal agency for the maintenance, operation, or repair of any passenger carrier only to the extent that such carrier is used to provide transportation for official purposes. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, transporting any individual other than the individuals listed in subsections (b) and (c) of this section between such individual's residence and such individual's place of employment is not transportation for an official purpose.

(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), transportation between the residence of an officer or employee and various locations that is—

(A) required for the performance of field work, in accordance with regulations prescribed pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, or

(B) essential for the safe and efficient performance of intelligence, counterintelligence, protective services, or criminal law enforcement duties, or transportation of federally owned canines associated with force protection duties of any part of the intelligence community (as defined in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003)),

is transportation for an official purpose, when approved in writing by the head of the Federal agency.

(3) For purposes of paragraph (1), the transportation of an individual between such individual's place of employment and a mass transit facility pursuant to subsection (g) is transportation for an official purpose.

(b) A passenger carrier may be used to transport between residence and place of employment the following officers and employees of Federal agencies:

(1)(A) the President and the Vice President;

(B) no more than 6 officers or employees in the Executive Office of the President, as designated by the President; and

(C) no more than 10 additional officers or employees of Federal agencies, as designated by the President;

(2) the Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court;

(3)(A) officers compensated at Level I of the Executive Schedule pursuant to section 5312 of title 5; and

(B) a single principal deputy to an officer described in subclause (A) of this clause, when a determination is made by such officer that such transportation is appropriate;

(4) principal diplomatic and consular officials abroad, and the United States Ambassador to the United Nations;

(5) the Deputy Secretary of Defense and Under Secretaries of Defense, the Secretary of the Air Force, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy, the members and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Commandant of the Coast Guard;

(6) the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives 1 the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;

(7) the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;

(8) the Comptroller General of the United States and the Postmaster General of the United States; and

(9) an officer or employee with regard to whom the head of a Federal agency makes a determination, in accordance with subsection (d) of this section and with regulations prescribed pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (e), that highly unusual circumstances present a clear and present danger, that an emergency exists, or that other compelling operational considerations make such transportation essential to the conduct of official business.

Except as provided in paragraph (2) of subsection (d), any authorization made pursuant to clause (9) of this subsection to permit the use of a passenger carrier to transport an officer or employee between residence and place of employment shall be effective for not more than 15 calendar days.

(c) A passenger carrier may be used to transport between residence and place of employment any person for whom protection is specifically authorized pursuant to section 3056(a) of title 18 or for whom transportation is authorized pursuant to section 28 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956, section 2637 of title 10, or section 8(a)(1) of the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949.

(d)(1) Any determination made under subsection (b)(9) of this section shall be in writing and shall include the name and title of the officer or employee affected, the reason for such determination, and the duration of the authorization for such officer or employee to use a passenger carrier for transportation between residence and place of employment.

(2) If a clear and present danger, an emergency, or a compelling operational consideration described in subsection (b)(9) of this section extends or may extend for a period in excess of 15 calendar days, the head of the Federal agency shall determine whether an authorization under such paragraph shall be extended in excess of 15 calendar days for a period of not more than 90 additional calendar days. Determinations made under this paragraph may be reviewed by the head of such agency at the end of each such period, and, where appropriate, a subsequent determination may be made whether such danger, emergency, or consideration continues to exist and whether an additional extension, not to exceed 90 calendar days, may be authorized. Determinations made under this paragraph shall be in accordance with regulations prescribed pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (e).

(3) The authority to make designations under subsection (b)(1) of this section and to make determinations pursuant to subsections (a)(2) and (b)(3)(B) and (9) of this section and pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection may not be delegated, except that, with respect to the Executive Office of the President, the President may delegate the authority of the President under subsection (b)(9) of this section to an officer in the Executive Office of the President. No designation or determination under this section may be made solely or principally for the comfort or convenience of the officer or employee.

(4) Notification of each designation or determination made under subsection (b)(1), (3)(B), and (9) of this section and under paragraph (2) of this subsection, including the name and title of the officer or employee affected, the reason for any determination under subsection (b)(9), and the expected duration of any authorization under subsection (b)(9), shall be transmitted promptly to the Committee on Government Operations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate.

(e)(1) Not later than March 15, 1987, the Administrator of General Services, after consultation with the Comptroller General, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, shall promulgate regulations governing the heads of all Federal agencies in making the determinations authorized by subsections (a)(2)(A), (b)(9), and (d)(2) of this section. Such regulations shall specify that the comfort and convenience of an officer or employee is not sufficient justification for authorizations of transportation under this section.

(2) In promulgating regulations under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Administrator of General Services shall provide criteria defining the term "field work" for purposes of subsection (a)(2)(A) of this section. Such criteria shall ensure that transportation between an employee's residence and the location of the field work will be authorized only to the extent that such transportation will substantially increase the efficiency and economy of the Government.

(f) Each Federal agency shall maintain logs or other records necessary to establish the official purpose for Government transportation provided between an individual's residence and such individual's place of employment pursuant to this section.

(g)(1) If and to the extent that the head of a Federal agency, in his or her sole discretion, deems it appropriate, a passenger carrier may be used to transport an officer or employee of a Federal agency between the officer's or employee's place of employment and a mass transit facility (whether or not publicly owned) in accordance with succeeding provisions of this subsection.

(2) Notwithstanding section 1343, a Federal agency that provides transportation services under this subsection (including by passenger carrier) may absorb the costs of such services using any funds available to such agency, whether by appropriation or otherwise.

(3) In carrying out this subsection, a Federal agency, to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with sound budget policy, should—

(A) use alternative fuel vehicles for the provision of transportation services;

(B) to the extent consistent with the purposes of this subsection, provide transportation services in a manner that does not result in additional gross income for Federal income tax purposes; and

(C) coordinate with other Federal agencies to share, and otherwise avoid duplication of, transportation services provided under this subsection.

(4) For purposes of any determination under chapter 81 of title 5 or chapter 171 of title 28, an individual shall not be considered to be in the "performance of duty" or "acting within the scope of his or her office or employment" by virtue of the fact that such individual is receiving transportation services under this subsection. Nor shall any time during which an individual uses such services be considered when calculating the hours of work or employment for that individual for purposes of title 5 of the United States Code, including chapter 55 of that title.

(5)(A) The Administrator of General Services, after consultation with the appropriate agencies, shall prescribe any regulations necessary to carry out this subsection.

(B) Transportation services under this subsection shall be subject neither to the last sentence of subsection (d)(3) nor to any regulations under the last sentence of subsection (e)(1).

(6) In this subsection, the term "passenger carrier" means a passenger motor vehicle or similar means of transportation that is owned, leased, or provided pursuant to contract by the United States Government.

(h) As used in this section—

(1) the term "passenger carrier" means a passenger motor vehicle, aircraft, boat, ship, or other similar means of transportation that is owned or leased by the United States Government; and

(2) the term "Federal agency" means—

(A) a department—

(i) including independent establishments, other agencies, and wholly owned Government corporations; but

(ii) not including the Senate, House of Representatives, or Architect of the Capitol, or the officers or employees thereof;

(B) an Executive department (as such term is defined in section 101 of title 5);

(C) a military department (as such term is defined in section 102 of title 5);

(D) a Government corporation (as such term is defined in section 103(1) of title 5);

(E) a Government controlled corporation (as such term is defined in section 103(2) of title 5);

(F) a mixed-ownership Government corporation (as such term is defined in section 9101(2) of this title);

(G) any establishment in the executive branch of the Government (including the Executive Office of the President);

(H) any independent regulatory agency (including an independent regulatory agency specified in section 3502(10) 2 of title 44);

(I) the Smithsonian Institution; and

(J) any nonappropriated fund instrumentality of the United States,

except that such term does not include the government of the District of Columbia.

(i) Notwithstanding section 410(a) of title 39, this section applies to the United States Postal Service.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 924; Pub. L. 99–550, §1(a), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3067; Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title XIII, §1314(d)(2), Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1176; Pub. L. 100–202, §101(a) [title IV, §407], Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329, 1329–26; Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title III, §326(b), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1531; Pub. L. 103–272, §4(f)(2), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1363; Pub. L. 104–91, title I, §101(a), Jan. 6, 1996, 110 Stat. 11, amended Pub. L. 104–99, title II, §211, Jan. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 37; Pub. L. 108–7, div. K, title IV, §423, Feb. 20, 2003, 117 Stat. 526; Pub. L. 108–447, div. B, title I, §117, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 2870; Pub. L. 109–59, title III, §3049(b)(1), (2), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1712, 1713; Pub. L. 111–350, §5(h)(4), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3849; Pub. L. 117–103, div. X, title III, §306, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 966.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

1344(a)
31:638a(c)(2)(1st sentence).
July 16, 1914, ch. 141, §5(c)(2)(1st, last sentences), 38 Stat. 508; restated Aug. 2, 1946, ch. 744, §16(a), 60 Stat. 810.

1344(b)
31:638a(c)(2)(last sentence).

In subsection (a), before clause (1), the words "officers and employees of the Government" are substituted for "officers and employees" for clarity. In clause (2), the words "performing field work requiring transportation" are substituted for "engaged in field work the character of whose duties makes such transportation necessary" to eliminate unnecessary words. The word "agency" is substituted for "department" because of section 101 of the revised title and for consistency with the source provisions restated in the section and section 1341.

In subsection (b)(2), the words "section 101 of title 5" are used because of section 7(b) of the Act of September 6, 1966 (Pub. L. 89–554, 80 Stat. 631).

In subsection (b)(3), the words "ambassadors, ministers, charges d'affaires" are omitted as being included in "principal diplomatic and consular officials".

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 28 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956, referred to in subsec. (c), is classified to section 2700 of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.

Section 8(a)(1) of the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949, referred to in subsec. (c), is classified to section 3510(a)(1) of Title 50, War and National Defense.

Subsection (b)(2)(B) of this section, referred to in subsec. (d)(3), (4), was redesignated subsec. (b)(3)(B) by Pub. L. 100–202. See 1987 Amendment note below.

Section 3502 of title 44, referred to in subsec. (h)(2)(H), which in par. (10) defined "independent regulatory agency", was omitted in the general amendment of chapter 35 of Title 44, Public Printing and Documents, by Pub. L. 104–13, §2, May 22, 1995, 109 Stat. 163. Pub. L. 104–13 enacted a new section 3502 of Title 44 which also defines "independent regulatory agency".

Codification

Amendment by Pub. L. 104–91 is based on section 118 of H.R. 2076, One Hundred Fourth Congress, as passed by the House of Representatives on Dec. 6, 1995, which was enacted into law by Pub. L. 104–91.

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 117–103 inserted ", or transportation of federally owned canines associated with force protection duties of any part of the intelligence community (as defined in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003))" after "duties".

2011—Subsec. (h)(2)(A). Pub. L. 111–350 amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (A) read as follows: "a department (as such term is defined in section 18 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (41 U.S.C. 5a));".

2005—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 109–59, §3049(b)(2), added par. (3).

Subsecs. (g) to (i). Pub. L. 109–59, §3049(b)(1), added subsec. (g) and redesignated former subsecs. (g) and (h) as (h) and (i), respectively.

2004—Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 108–447 inserted "Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives" after "Federal Bureau of Investigation,".

2003—Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 108–7 added par. (6) and struck out former par. (6) which read as follows: "the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration;".

1996—Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 104–91, as amended by Pub. L. 104–99, amended par. (6) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (6) read as follows: "the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation;".

1994—Subsecs. (b), (d), (e). Pub. L. 103–272 amended Pub. L. 100–202. See 1987 Amendment notes below.

1990—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101–510 inserted ", section 2637 of title 10," after "Act of 1956".

1987—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–202, §101(a) [title IV, §407(1)], as amended by Pub. L. 103–272, added cl. (2), redesignated former cl. (2) as (3) and in subcl. (B) substituted "subclause (A) of this clause" for "subparagraph (A) of this paragraph", redesignated former cls. (3) to (8) as (4) to (9), respectively, and in last sentence substituted "clause (9)" for "paragraph (8)".

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 100–180 inserted "the members and Vice Chairman of" before "the Joint Chiefs of Staff".

Subsec. (d)(1), (2). Pub. L. 100–202, §101(a) [title IV, §407(2)(A)], as amended by Pub. L. 103–272, substituted "subsection (b)(9) of this section" for "paragraph (8) of subsection (b)".

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 100–202, §101(a) [title IV, §407(2)(B)], as amended by Pub. L. 103–272, substituted "subsections (a)(2) and (b)(3)(B) and (9)" for "subsections (a)(2), (b)(2)(B), and (b)(8)" and "subsection (b)(9)" for "subsection (b)(8)".

Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 100–202, §101(a) [title IV, §407(2)(C)], as amended by Pub. L. 103–272, substituted "subsection (b)(1), (3)(B), and (9) of this section" and "subsection (b)(9), and the expected duration of any authorization under subsection (b)(9)" for "paragraphs (1), (2)(B), and (8) of subsection (b)" and "paragraph (8) of subsection (b), and the expected duration of any authorization under such paragraph", respectively.

Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 100–202, §101(a) [title IV, §407(3)], as amended by Pub. L. 103–272, substituted "(b)(9)" for "(b)(8)".

1986—Pub. L. 99–550 substituted "carrier" for "motor vehicle and aircraft" in section catchline and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:

"(a) Except as specifically provided by law, an appropriation may be expended to maintain, operate, and repair passenger motor vehicles or aircraft of the United States Government that are used only for an official purpose. An official purpose does not include transporting officers or employees of the Government between their domiciles and places of employment except—

"(1) medical officers on out-patient medical service; and

"(2) officers or employees performing field work requiring transportation between their domiciles and places of employment when the transportation is approved by the head of the agency.

"(b) This section does not apply to a motor vehicle or aircraft for the official use of—

"(1) the President;

"(2) the heads of executive departments listed in section 101 of title 5; or

"(3) principal diplomatic and consular officials."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Reference to the Director of Central Intelligence or the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency in the Director's capacity as the head of the intelligence community deemed to be a reference to the Director of National Intelligence. Reference to the Director of Central Intelligence or the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency in the Director's capacity as the head of the Central Intelligence Agency deemed to be a reference to the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. See section 1081(a), (b) of Pub. L. 108–458, set out as a note under section 3001 of Title 50, War and National Defense.

Committee on Governmental Affairs of Senate changed to Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of Senate, effective Jan. 4, 2005, by Senate Resolution No. 445, One Hundred Eighth Congress, Oct. 9, 2004.

Committee on Government Operations of House of Representatives treated as referring to Committee on Government Reform and Oversight of House of Representatives by section 1(a) of Pub. L. 104–14, set out as a note preceding section 21 of Title 2, The Congress. Committee on Government Reform and Oversight of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Government Reform of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Sixth Congress, Jan. 6, 1999. Committee on Government Reform of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Oversight and Reform of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, Jan. 9, 2019. Committee on Oversight and Reform of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Oversight and Accountability of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Eighteenth Congress, Jan. 9, 2023.

Effective Date of 2004 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–447, div. B, title I, §117, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 2870, provided in part that: "This amendment [amending this section] shall take effect as if enacted on January 1, 2004."

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–272, §4(f)(2), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1363, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Dec. 22, 1987.

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

Charging Helps Agencies Realize General Efficiencies

Pub. L. 116–160, Oct. 1, 2020, 134 Stat. 753, provided that:

"SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

"This Act may be cited as the 'Charging Helps Agencies Realize General Efficiencies Act' or the 'CHARGE Act'.

"SEC. 2. PAYMENT BY CHARGE CARD FOR CHARGING FEDERAL ELECTRIC MOTOR VEHICLES.

"(a) Definitions.—In this Act—

"(1) the term 'Administrator' means the Administrator of General Services;

"(2) the term 'charge card'—

"(A) means a card, plate, coupon book, or other means existing for the purpose of obtaining money, property, labor, or services; and

"(B) includes—

"(i) a card issued under the GSA SmartPay program; and

"(ii) a Fleet Services card;

"(3) the term 'covered electric motor vehicle' means a passenger carrier that is—

"(A) a passenger motor vehicle; and

"(B) an electric motor vehicle;

"(4) the term 'electric motor vehicle' has the meaning given the term in section 601 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13271);

"(5) the term 'electric motor vehicle charging station' means a battery-charging station that permits the transfer of electric energy (by conductive or inductive means) to a battery or other storage device in an electric motor vehicle; and

"(6) the terms 'Federal agency' and 'passenger carrier' have the meanings given those terms in section 1344(h) of title 31, United States Code.

"(b) Guidance.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 1, 2020], the Administrator shall issue guidance to clarify that each Federal agency may, in accordance with section 1344 of title 31, United States Code—

"(1) charge a covered electric motor vehicle at a commercial electric motor vehicle charging station; and

"(2) pay for a transaction described in paragraph (1) with a charge card.

"(c) Issuance of charge cards.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue to each Federal agency a charge card for each covered electric motor vehicle of the Federal agency that may be used by an officer or employee of the Federal agency to pay for charging the covered motor vehicle in accordance with the guidance issued under subsection (b)."

Coordination

Pub. L. 109–59, title III, §3049(b)(3), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1713, provided that: "The authority to provide transportation services under section 1344(g) of title 31, United States Code (as amended by paragraph (1)) shall be in addition to any authority otherwise available to the agency involved."

Use of Government Vehicles

Pub. L. 101–194, title V, §503, Nov. 30, 1989, 103 Stat. 1755, as amended by Pub. L. 101–280, §6(b), May 4, 1990, 104 Stat. 160, provided that: "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the head of each department, agency, or other entity of each branch of the Government may prescribe by rule appropriate conditions for the incidental use, for other than official business, of vehicles owned or leased by the Government. Such use with respect to vehicles owned or leased by, or the cost of which is reimbursed by, the House of Representatives or the Senate shall be only as prescribed by rule of the House of Representatives or the Senate, as applicable."

Use of Official Vehicles of House of Representatives

Pub. L. 101–194, title VIII, §802(d), Nov. 30, 1989, 103 Stat. 1773, as amended by Pub. L. 104–186, title II, §219(a), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1747, provided that: "The Committee on House Oversight [now Committee on House Administration] of the House of Representatives shall take such action as may be necessary to carry out section 503 [set out above] with respect to vehicles of the House of Representatives."

1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.

2 See References in Text note below.
31 U.S.C. § 3733 (2024) — Title 31: MONEY AND FINANCE / Chapter 37 / Subchapter III / Section 3733: Civil investigative demands
Civil investigative demands
Status: in_force

(a) In General.—

(1) Issuance and service.—Whenever the Attorney General, or a designee (for purposes of this section), has reason to believe that any person may be in possession, custody, or control of any documentary material or information relevant to a false claims law investigation, the Attorney General, or a designee, may, before commencing a civil proceeding under section 3730(a) or other false claims law, or making an election under section 3730(b), issue in writing and cause to be served upon such person, a civil investigative demand requiring such person—

(A) to produce such documentary material for inspection and copying,

(B) to answer in writing written interrogatories with respect to such documentary material or information,

(C) to give oral testimony concerning such documentary material or information, or

(D) to furnish any combination of such material, answers, or testimony.

The Attorney General may delegate the authority to issue civil investigative demands under this subsection. Whenever a civil investigative demand is an express demand for any product of discovery, the Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General, or an Assistant Attorney General shall cause to be served, in any manner authorized by this section, a copy of such demand upon the person from whom the discovery was obtained and shall notify the person to whom such demand is issued of the date on which such copy was served. Any information obtained by the Attorney General or a designee of the Attorney General under this section may be shared with any qui tam relator if the Attorney General or designee determine it is necessary as part of any false claims act 1 investigation.

(2) Contents and deadlines.—

(A) Each civil investigative demand issued under paragraph (1) shall state the nature of the conduct constituting the alleged violation of a false claims law which is under investigation, and the applicable provision of law alleged to be violated.

(B) If such demand is for the production of documentary material, the demand shall—

(i) describe each class of documentary material to be produced with such definiteness and certainty as to permit such material to be fairly identified;

(ii) prescribe a return date for each such class which will provide a reasonable period of time within which the material so demanded may be assembled and made available for inspection and copying; and

(iii) identify the false claims law investigator to whom such material shall be made available.

(C) If such demand is for answers to written interrogatories, the demand shall—

(i) set forth with specificity the written interrogatories to be answered;

(ii) prescribe dates at which time answers to written interrogatories shall be submitted; and

(iii) identify the false claims law investigator to whom such answers shall be submitted.

(D) If such demand is for the giving of oral testimony, the demand shall—

(i) prescribe a date, time, and place at which oral testimony shall be commenced;

(ii) identify a false claims law investigator who shall conduct the examination and the custodian to whom the transcript of such examination shall be submitted;

(iii) specify that such attendance and testimony are necessary to the conduct of the investigation;

(iv) notify the person receiving the demand of the right to be accompanied by an attorney and any other representative; and

(v) describe the general purpose for which the demand is being issued and the general nature of the testimony, including the primary areas of inquiry, which will be taken pursuant to the demand.

(E) Any civil investigative demand issued under this section which is an express demand for any product of discovery shall not be returned or returnable until 20 days after a copy of such demand has been served upon the person from whom the discovery was obtained.

(F) The date prescribed for the commencement of oral testimony pursuant to a civil investigative demand issued under this section shall be a date which is not less than seven days after the date on which demand is received, unless the Attorney General or an Assistant Attorney General designated by the Attorney General determines that exceptional circumstances are present which warrant the commencement of such testimony within a lesser period of time.

(G) The Attorney General shall not authorize the issuance under this section of more than one civil investigative demand for oral testimony by the same person unless the person requests otherwise or unless the Attorney General, after investigation, notifies that person in writing that an additional demand for oral testimony is necessary.

(b) Protected Material or Information.—

(1) In general.—A civil investigative demand issued under subsection (a) may not require the production of any documentary material, the submission of any answers to written interrogatories, or the giving of any oral testimony if such material, answers, or testimony would be protected from disclosure under—

(A) the standards applicable to subpoenas or subpoenas duces tecum issued by a court of the United States to aid in a grand jury investigation; or

(B) the standards applicable to discovery requests under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, to the extent that the application of such standards to any such demand is appropriate and consistent with the provisions and purposes of this section.

(2) Effect on other orders, rules, and laws.—Any such demand which is an express demand for any product of discovery supersedes any inconsistent order, rule, or provision of law (other than this section) preventing or restraining disclosure of such product of discovery to any person. Disclosure of any product of discovery pursuant to any such express demand does not constitute a waiver of any right or privilege which the person making such disclosure may be entitled to invoke to resist discovery of trial preparation materials.

(c) Service; Jurisdiction.—

(1) By whom served.—Any civil investigative demand issued under subsection (a) may be served by a false claims law investigator, or by a United States marshal or a deputy marshal, at any place within the territorial jurisdiction of any court of the United States.

(2) Service in foreign countries.—Any such demand or any petition filed under subsection (j) may be served upon any person who is not found within the territorial jurisdiction of any court of the United States in such manner as the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure prescribe for service in a foreign country. To the extent that the courts of the United States can assert jurisdiction over any such person consistent with due process, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia shall have the same jurisdiction to take any action respecting compliance with this section by any such person that such court would have if such person were personally within the jurisdiction of such court.

(d) Service Upon Legal Entities and Natural Persons.—

(1) Legal entities.—Service of any civil investigative demand issued under subsection (a) or of any petition filed under subsection (j) may be made upon a partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity by—

(A) delivering an executed copy of such demand or petition to any partner, executive officer, managing agent, or general agent of the partnership, corporation, association, or entity, or to any agent authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of process on behalf of such partnership, corporation, association, or entity;

(B) delivering an executed copy of such demand or petition to the principal office or place of business of the partnership, corporation, association, or entity; or

(C) depositing an executed copy of such demand or petition in the United States mails by registered or certified mail, with a return receipt requested, addressed to such partnership, corporation, association, or entity at its principal office or place of business.

(2) Natural persons.—Service of any such demand or petition may be made upon any natural person by—

(A) delivering an executed copy of such demand or petition to the person; or

(B) depositing an executed copy of such demand or petition in the United States mails by registered or certified mail, with a return receipt requested, addressed to the person at the person's residence or principal office or place of business.

(e) Proof of Service.—A verified return by the individual serving any civil investigative demand issued under subsection (a) or any petition filed under subsection (j) setting forth the manner of such service shall be proof of such service. In the case of service by registered or certified mail, such return shall be accompanied by the return post office receipt of delivery of such demand.

(f) Documentary Material.—

(1) Sworn certificates.—The production of documentary material in response to a civil investigative demand served under this section shall be made under a sworn certificate, in such form as the demand designates, by—

(A) in the case of a natural person, the person to whom the demand is directed, or

(B) in the case of a person other than a natural person, a person having knowledge of the facts and circumstances relating to such production and authorized to act on behalf of such person.

The certificate shall state that all of the documentary material required by the demand and in the possession, custody, or control of the person to whom the demand is directed has been produced and made available to the false claims law investigator identified in the demand.

(2) Production of materials.—Any person upon whom any civil investigative demand for the production of documentary material has been served under this section shall make such material available for inspection and copying to the false claims law investigator identified in such demand at the principal place of business of such person, or at such other place as the false claims law investigator and the person thereafter may agree and prescribe in writing, or as the court may direct under subsection (j)(1). Such material shall be made so available on the return date specified in such demand, or on such later date as the false claims law investigator may prescribe in writing. Such person may, upon written agreement between the person and the false claims law investigator, substitute copies for originals of all or any part of such material.

(g) Interrogatories.—Each interrogatory in a civil investigative demand served under this section shall be answered separately and fully in writing under oath and shall be submitted under a sworn certificate, in such form as the demand designates, by—

(1) in the case of a natural person, the person to whom the demand is directed, or

(2) in the case of a person other than a natural person, the person or persons responsible for answering each interrogatory.

If any interrogatory is objected to, the reasons for the objection shall be stated in the certificate instead of an answer. The certificate shall state that all information required by the demand and in the possession, custody, control, or knowledge of the person to whom the demand is directed has been submitted. To the extent that any information is not furnished, the information shall be identified and reasons set forth with particularity regarding the reasons why the information was not furnished.

(h) Oral Examinations.—

(1) Procedures.—The examination of any person pursuant to a civil investigative demand for oral testimony served under this section shall be taken before an officer authorized to administer oaths and affirmations by the laws of the United States or of the place where the examination is held. The officer before whom the testimony is to be taken shall put the witness on oath or affirmation and shall, personally or by someone acting under the direction of the officer and in the officer's presence, record the testimony of the witness. The testimony shall be taken stenographically and shall be transcribed. When the testimony is fully transcribed, the officer before whom the testimony is taken shall promptly transmit a copy of the transcript of the testimony to the custodian. This subsection shall not preclude the taking of testimony by any means authorized by, and in a manner consistent with, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

(2) Persons present.—The false claims law investigator conducting the examination shall exclude from the place where the examination is held all persons except the person giving the testimony, the attorney for and any other representative of the person giving the testimony, the attorney for the Government, any person who may be agreed upon by the attorney for the Government and the person giving the testimony, the officer before whom the testimony is to be taken, and any stenographer taking such testimony.

(3) Where testimony taken.—The oral testimony of any person taken pursuant to a civil investigative demand served under this section shall be taken in the judicial district of the United States within which such person resides, is found, or transacts business, or in such other place as may be agreed upon by the false claims law investigator conducting the examination and such person.

(4) Transcript of testimony.—When the testimony is fully transcribed, the false claims law investigator or the officer before whom the testimony is taken shall afford the witness, who may be accompanied by counsel, a reasonable opportunity to examine and read the transcript, unless such examination and reading are waived by the witness. Any changes in form or substance which the witness desires to make shall be entered and identified upon the transcript by the officer or the false claims law investigator, with a statement of the reasons given by the witness for making such changes. The transcript shall then be signed by the witness, unless the witness in writing waives the signing, is ill, cannot be found, or refuses to sign. If the transcript is not signed by the witness within 30 days after being afforded a reasonable opportunity to examine it, the officer or the false claims law investigator shall sign it and state on the record the fact of the waiver, illness, absence of the witness, or the refusal to sign, together with the reasons, if any, given therefor.

(5) Certification and delivery to custodian.—The officer before whom the testimony is taken shall certify on the transcript that the witness was sworn by the officer and that the transcript is a true record of the testimony given by the witness, and the officer or false claims law investigator shall promptly deliver the transcript, or send the transcript by registered or certified mail, to the custodian.

(6) Furnishing or inspection of transcript by witness.—Upon payment of reasonable charges therefor, the false claims law investigator shall furnish a copy of the transcript to the witness only, except that the Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General, or an Assistant Attorney General may, for good cause, limit such witness to inspection of the official transcript of the witness' testimony.

(7) Conduct of oral testimony.—(A) Any person compelled to appear for oral testimony under a civil investigative demand issued under subsection (a) may be accompanied, represented, and advised by counsel. Counsel may advise such person, in confidence, with respect to any question asked of such person. Such person or counsel may object on the record to any question, in whole or in part, and shall briefly state for the record the reason for the objection. An objection may be made, received, and entered upon the record when it is claimed that such person is entitled to refuse to answer the question on the grounds of any constitutional or other legal right or privilege, including the privilege against self-incrimination. Such person may not otherwise object to or refuse to answer any question, and may not directly or through counsel otherwise interrupt the oral examination. If such person refuses to answer any question, a petition may be filed in the district court of the United States under subsection (j)(1) for an order compelling such person to answer such question.

(B) If such person refuses to answer any question on the grounds of the privilege against self-incrimination, the testimony of such person may be compelled in accordance with the provisions of part V of title 18.

(8) Witness fees and allowances.—Any person appearing for oral testimony under a civil investigative demand issued under subsection (a) shall be entitled to the same fees and allowances which are paid to witnesses in the district courts of the United States.

(i) Custodians of Documents, Answers, and Transcripts.—

(1) Designation.—The Attorney General shall designate a false claims law investigator to serve as custodian of documentary material, answers to interrogatories, and transcripts of oral testimony received under this section, and shall designate such additional false claims law investigators as the Attorney General determines from time to time to be necessary to serve as deputies to the custodian.

(2) Responsibility for materials; disclosure.—(A) A false claims law investigator who receives any documentary material, answers to interrogatories, or transcripts of oral testimony under this section shall transmit them to the custodian. The custodian shall take physical possession of such material, answers, or transcripts and shall be responsible for the use made of them and for the return of documentary material under paragraph (4).

(B) The custodian may cause the preparation of such copies of such documentary material, answers to interrogatories, or transcripts of oral testimony as may be required for official use by any false claims law investigator, or other officer or employee of the Department of Justice. Such material, answers, and transcripts may be used by any such authorized false claims law investigator or other officer or employee in connection with the taking of oral testimony under this section.

(C) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, no documentary material, answers to interrogatories, or transcripts of oral testimony, or copies thereof, while in the possession of the custodian, shall be available for examination by any individual other than a false claims law investigator or other officer or employee of the Department of Justice authorized under subparagraph (B). The prohibition in the preceding sentence on the availability of material, answers, or transcripts shall not apply if consent is given by the person who produced such material, answers, or transcripts, or, in the case of any product of discovery produced pursuant to an express demand for such material, consent is given by the person from whom the discovery was obtained. Nothing in this subparagraph is intended to prevent disclosure to the Congress, including any committee or subcommittee of the Congress, or to any other agency of the United States for use by such agency in furtherance of its statutory responsibilities.

(D) While in the possession of the custodian and under such reasonable terms and conditions as the Attorney General shall prescribe—

(i) documentary material and answers to interrogatories shall be available for examination by the person who produced such material or answers, or by a representative of that person authorized by that person to examine such material and answers; and

(ii) transcripts of oral testimony shall be available for examination by the person who produced such testimony, or by a representative of that person authorized by that person to examine such transcripts.

(3) Use of material, answers, or transcripts in other proceedings.—Whenever any attorney of the Department of Justice has been designated to appear before any court, grand jury, or Federal agency in any case or proceeding, the custodian of any documentary material, answers to interrogatories, or transcripts of oral testimony received under this section may deliver to such attorney such material, answers, or transcripts for official use in connection with any such case or proceeding as such attorney determines to be required. Upon the completion of any such case or proceeding, such attorney shall return to the custodian any such material, answers, or transcripts so delivered which have not passed into the control of such court, grand jury, or agency through introduction into the record of such case or proceeding.

(4) Conditions for return of material.—If any documentary material has been produced by any person in the course of any false claims law investigation pursuant to a civil investigative demand under this section, and—

(A) any case or proceeding before the court or grand jury arising out of such investigation, or any proceeding before any Federal agency involving such material, has been completed, or

(B) no case or proceeding in which such material may be used has been commenced within a reasonable time after completion of the examination and analysis of all documentary material and other information assembled in the course of such investigation,

the custodian shall, upon written request of the person who produced such material, return to such person any such material (other than copies furnished to the false claims law investigator under subsection (f)(2) or made for the Department of Justice under paragraph (2)(B)) which has not passed into the control of any court, grand jury, or agency through introduction into the record of such case or proceeding.

(5) Appointment of successor custodians.—In the event of the death, disability, or separation from service in the Department of Justice of the custodian of any documentary material, answers to interrogatories, or transcripts of oral testimony produced pursuant to a civil investigative demand under this section, or in the event of the official relief of such custodian from responsibility for the custody and control of such material, answers, or transcripts, the Attorney General shall promptly—

(A) designate another false claims law investigator to serve as custodian of such material, answers, or transcripts, and

(B) transmit in writing to the person who produced such material, answers, or testimony notice of the identity and address of the successor so designated.

Any person who is designated to be a successor under this paragraph shall have, with regard to such material, answers, or transcripts, the same duties and responsibilities as were imposed by this section upon that person's predecessor in office, except that the successor shall not be held responsible for any default or dereliction which occurred before that designation.

(j) Judicial Proceedings.—

(1) Petition for enforcement.—Whenever any person fails to comply with any civil investigative demand issued under subsection (a), or whenever satisfactory copying or reproduction of any material requested in such demand cannot be done and such person refuses to surrender such material, the Attorney General may file, in the district court of the United States for any judicial district in which such person resides, is found, or transacts business, and serve upon such person a petition for an order of such court for the enforcement of the civil investigative demand.

(2) Petition to modify or set aside demand.—(A) Any person who has received a civil investigative demand issued under subsection (a) may file, in the district court of the United States for the judicial district within which such person resides, is found, or transacts business, and serve upon the false claims law investigator identified in such demand a petition for an order of the court to modify or set aside such demand. In the case of a petition addressed to an express demand for any product of discovery, a petition to modify or set aside such demand may be brought only in the district court of the United States for the judicial district in which the proceeding in which such discovery was obtained is or was last pending. Any petition under this subparagraph must be filed—

(i) within 20 days after the date of service of the civil investigative demand, or at any time before the return date specified in the demand, whichever date is earlier, or

(ii) within such longer period as may be prescribed in writing by any false claims law investigator identified in the demand.

(B) The petition shall specify each ground upon which the petitioner relies in seeking relief under subparagraph (A), and may be based upon any failure of the demand to comply with the provisions of this section or upon any constitutional or other legal right or privilege of such person. During the pendency of the petition in the court, the court may stay, as it deems proper, the running of the time allowed for compliance with the demand, in whole or in part, except that the person filing the petition shall comply with any portions of the demand not sought to be modified or set aside.

(3) Petition to modify or set aside demand for product of discovery.—(A) In the case of any civil investigative demand issued under subsection (a) which is an express demand for any product of discovery, the person from whom such discovery was obtained may file, in the district court of the United States for the judicial district in which the proceeding in which such discovery was obtained is or was last pending, and serve upon any false claims law investigator identified in the demand and upon the recipient of the demand, a petition for an order of such court to modify or set aside those portions of the demand requiring production of any such product of discovery. Any petition under this subparagraph must be filed—

(i) within 20 days after the date of service of the civil investigative demand, or at any time before the return date specified in the demand, whichever date is earlier, or

(ii) within such longer period as may be prescribed in writing by any false claims law investigator identified in the demand.

(B) The petition shall specify each ground upon which the petitioner relies in seeking relief under subparagraph (A), and may be based upon any failure of the portions of the demand from which relief is sought to comply with the provisions of this section, or upon any constitutional or other legal right or privilege of the petitioner. During the pendency of the petition, the court may stay, as it deems proper, compliance with the demand and the running of the time allowed for compliance with the demand.

(4) Petition to require performance by custodian of duties.—At any time during which any custodian is in custody or control of any documentary material or answers to interrogatories produced, or transcripts of oral testimony given, by any person in compliance with any civil investigative demand issued under subsection (a), such person, and in the case of an express demand for any product of discovery, the person from whom such discovery was obtained, may file, in the district court of the United States for the judicial district within which the office of such custodian is situated, and serve upon such custodian, a petition for an order of such court to require the performance by the custodian of any duty imposed upon the custodian by this section.

(5) Jurisdiction.—Whenever any petition is filed in any district court of the United States under this subsection, such court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter so presented, and to enter such order or orders as may be required to carry out the provisions of this section. Any final order so entered shall be subject to appeal under section 1291 of title 28. Any disobedience of any final order entered under this section by any court shall be punished as a contempt of the court.

(6) Applicability of federal rules of civil procedure.—The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure shall apply to any petition under this subsection, to the extent that such rules are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section.

(k) Disclosure Exemption.—Any documentary material, answers to written interrogatories, or oral testimony provided under any civil investigative demand issued under subsection (a) shall be exempt from disclosure under section 552 of title 5.

(l) Definitions.—For purposes of this section—

(1) the term "false claims law" means—

(A) this section and sections 3729 through 3732; and

(B) any Act of Congress enacted after the date of the enactment of this section which prohibits, or makes available to the United States in any court of the United States any civil remedy with respect to, any false claim against, bribery of, or corruption of any officer or employee of the United States;

(2) the term "false claims law investigation" means any inquiry conducted by any false claims law investigator for the purpose of ascertaining whether any person is or has been engaged in any violation of a false claims law;

(3) the term "false claims law investigator" means any attorney or investigator employed by the Department of Justice who is charged with the duty of enforcing or carrying into effect any false claims law, or any officer or employee of the United States acting under the direction and supervision of such attorney or investigator in connection with a false claims law investigation;

(4) the term "person" means any natural person, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity, including any State or political subdivision of a State;

(5) the term "documentary material" includes the original or any copy of any book, record, report, memorandum, paper, communication, tabulation, chart, or other document, or data compilations stored in or accessible through computer or other information retrieval systems, together with instructions and all other materials necessary to use or interpret such data compilations, and any product of discovery;

(6) the term "custodian" means the custodian, or any deputy custodian, designated by the Attorney General under subsection (i)(1);

(7) the term "product of discovery" includes—

(A) the original or duplicate of any deposition, interrogatory, document, thing, result of the inspection of land or other property, examination, or admission, which is obtained by any method of discovery in any judicial or administrative proceeding of an adversarial nature;

(B) any digest, analysis, selection, compilation, or derivation of any item listed in subparagraph (A); and

(C) any index or other manner of access to any item listed in subparagraph (A); and

(8) the term "official use" means any use that is consistent with the law, and the regulations and policies of the Department of Justice, including use in connection with internal Department of Justice memoranda and reports; communications between the Department of Justice and a Federal, State, or local government agency, or a contractor of a Federal, State, or local government agency, undertaken in furtherance of a Department of Justice investigation or prosecution of a case; interviews of any qui tam relator or other witness; oral examinations; depositions; preparation for and response to civil discovery requests; introduction into the record of a case or proceeding; applications, motions, memoranda and briefs submitted to a court or other tribunal; and communications with Government investigators, auditors, consultants and experts, the counsel of other parties, arbitrators and mediators, concerning an investigation, case or proceeding.

(Added Pub. L. 99–562, §6(a), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3159; amended Pub. L. 111–21, §4(c), May 20, 2009, 123 Stat. 1623.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, referred to in subsecs. (b)(1)(B), (c)(2), (h)(1), and (j)(6), are set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

The date of enactment of this section, referred to in subsec. (l)(1)(B), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 99–562, which was approved Oct. 27, 1986.

Amendments

2009—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 111–21, §4(c)(1)(A), in introductory provisions, inserted ", or a designee (for purposes of this section)," after "Whenever the Attorney General" and substituted "the Attorney General, or a designee, may, before commencing a civil proceeding under section 3730(a) or other false claims law, or making an election under section 3730(b)," for "the Attorney General may, before commencing a civil proceeding under section 3730 or other false claims law," and, in concluding provisions, substituted "may delegate" for "may not delegate" and inserted at end "Any information obtained by the Attorney General or a designee of the Attorney General under this section may be shared with any qui tam relator if the Attorney General or designee determine it is necessary as part of any false claims act investigation."

Subsec. (a)(2)(G). Pub. L. 111–21, §4(c)(1)(B), struck out at end "The Attorney General may not, notwithstanding section 510 of title 28, authorize the performance, by any other officer, employee, or agency, of any function vested in the Attorney General under this subparagraph."

Subsec. (i)(2)(B). Pub. L. 111–21, §4(c)(2)(A), struck out ", who is authorized for such use under regulations which the Attorney General shall issue" after "Justice".

Subsec. (i)(2)(C). Pub. L. 111–21, §4(c)(2)(B), struck out at end "Disclosure of information to any such other agency shall be allowed only upon application, made by the Attorney General to a United States district court, showing substantial need for the use of the information by such agency in furtherance of its statutory responsibilities."

Subsec. (l)(8). Pub. L. 111–21, §4(c)(3), added par. (8).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2009 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 111–21 effective May 20, 2009, and applicable to conduct on or after May 20, 2009, except that this section, as amended by Pub. L. 111–21, applicable to cases pending on May 20, 2009, see section 4(f) of Pub. L. 111–21, set out as a note under section 3729 of this title.

1 So in original. Probably should be "law".
31 U.S.C. § 3729 (2024) — Title 31: MONEY AND FINANCE / Chapter 37 / Subchapter III / Section 3729: False claims
False claims
Status: in_force

(a) Liability for Certain Acts.—

(1) In general.—Subject to paragraph (2), any person who—

(A) knowingly presents, or causes to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval;

(B) knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim;

(C) conspires to commit a violation of subparagraph (A), (B), (D), (E), (F), or (G);

(D) has possession, custody, or control of property or money used, or to be used, by the Government and knowingly delivers, or causes to be delivered, less than all of that money or property;

(E) is authorized to make or deliver a document certifying receipt of property used, or to be used, by the Government and, intending to defraud the Government, makes or delivers the receipt without completely knowing that the information on the receipt is true;

(F) knowingly buys, or receives as a pledge of an obligation or debt, public property from an officer or employee of the Government, or a member of the Armed Forces, who lawfully may not sell or pledge property; or

(G) knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or statement material to an obligation to pay or transmit money or property to the Government, or knowingly conceals or knowingly and improperly avoids or decreases an obligation to pay or transmit money or property to the Government,

is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not less than $5,000 and not more than $10,000, as adjusted by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (28 U.S.C. 2461 note; Public Law 104–410 1), plus 3 times the amount of damages which the Government sustains because of the act of that person.

(2) Reduced damages.—If the court finds that—

(A) the person committing the violation of this subsection furnished officials of the United States responsible for investigating false claims violations with all information known to such person about the violation within 30 days after the date on which the defendant first obtained the information;

(B) such person fully cooperated with any Government investigation of such violation; and

(C) at the time such person furnished the United States with the information about the violation, no criminal prosecution, civil action, or administrative action had commenced under this title with respect to such violation, and the person did not have actual knowledge of the existence of an investigation into such violation,

the court may assess not less than 2 times the amount of damages which the Government sustains because of the act of that person.

(3) Costs of civil actions.—A person violating this subsection shall also be liable to the United States Government for the costs of a civil action brought to recover any such penalty or damages.

(b) Definitions.—For purposes of this section—

(1) the terms "knowing" and "knowingly"—

(A) mean that a person, with respect to information—

(i) has actual knowledge of the information;

(ii) acts in deliberate ignorance of the truth or falsity of the information; or

(iii) acts in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the information; and

(B) require no proof of specific intent to defraud;

(2) the term "claim"—

(A) means any request or demand, whether under a contract or otherwise, for money or property and whether or not the United States has title to the money or property, that—

(i) is presented to an officer, employee, or agent of the United States; or

(ii) is made to a contractor, grantee, or other recipient, if the money or property is to be spent or used on the Government's behalf or to advance a Government program or interest, and if the United States Government—

(I) provides or has provided any portion of the money or property requested or demanded; or

(II) will reimburse such contractor, grantee, or other recipient for any portion of the money or property which is requested or demanded; and

(B) does not include requests or demands for money or property that the Government has paid to an individual as compensation for Federal employment or as an income subsidy with no restrictions on that individual's use of the money or property;

(3) the term "obligation" means an established duty, whether or not fixed, arising from an express or implied contractual, grantor-grantee, or licensor-licensee relationship, from a fee-based or similar relationship, from statute or regulation, or from the retention of any overpayment; and

(4) the term "material" means having a natural tendency to influence, or be capable of influencing, the payment or receipt of money or property.

(c) Exemption From Disclosure.—Any information furnished pursuant to subsection (a)(2) shall be exempt from disclosure under section 552 of title 5.

(d) Exclusion.—This section does not apply to claims, records, or statements made under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 978; Pub. L. 99–562, §2, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3153; Pub. L. 103–272, §4(f)(1)(O), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1362; Pub. L. 111–21, §4(a), May 20, 2009, 123 Stat. 1621.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

3729
31:231.
R.S. §3490.

In the section, before clause (1), the words "a member of an armed force of the United States" are substituted for "in the military or naval forces of the United States, or in the militia called into or actually employed in the service of the United States" and "military or naval service" for consistency with title 10. The words "is liable" are substituted for "shall forfeit and pay" for consistency. The words "civil action" are substituted for "suit" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. The words "and such forfeiture and damages shall be sued for in the same suit" are omitted as unnecessary because of rules 8 and 10 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.). In clauses (1)–(3), the words "false or fraudulent" are substituted for "false, fictitious, or fraudulent" and "Fraudulent or fictitious" to eliminate unnecessary words and for consistency. In clause (1), the words "presents, or causes to be presented" are substituted for "shall make or cause to be made, or present or cause to be presented" for clarity and consistency and to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "officer or employee of the Government or a member of an armed force" are substituted for "officer in the civil, military, or naval service of the United States" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code. The words "upon or against the Government of the United States, or any department of the United States, or any department or officer thereof" are omitted as surplus. In clause (2), the word "knowingly" is substituted for "knowing the same to contain any fraudulent or fictitious statement or entry" to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "record or statement" are substituted for "bill, receipt, voucher, roll, account, claim, certificate, affidavit, or deposition" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code. In clause (3), the words "conspires to" are substituted for "enters into any agreement, combination, or conspiracy" to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "of the United States, or any department or officer thereof" are omitted as surplus. In clause (4), the words "charge", "or other", and "to any other person having authority to receive the same" are omitted as surplus. In clause (5), the words "document certifying receipt" are substituted for "certificate, voucher, receipt, or other paper certifying the receipt" to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "arms, ammunition, provisions, clothing, or other", "to any other person", and "the truth of" are omitted as surplus. In clause (6), the words "arms, equipments, ammunition, clothes, military stores, or other" are omitted as surplus. The words "member of an armed force" are substituted for "soldier, officer, sailor, or other person called into or employed in the military or naval service" for consistency with title 10. The words "such soldier, sailor, officer, or other person" are omitted as surplus.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (d), is classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Amendments

2009—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 111–21, §4(a)(1), (2), added subsecs. (a) and (b) and struck out former subsecs. (a) and (b) which related to liability for certain acts and defined "knowing" and "knowingly", respectively.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 111–21, §4(a)(4), substituted "subsection (a)(2)" for "subparagraphs (A) through (C) of subsection (a)".

Pub. L. 111–21, §4(a)(2), (3), redesignated subsec. (d) as (c) and struck out heading and text of former subsec. (c). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "For purposes of this section, 'claim' includes any request or demand, whether under a contract or otherwise, for money or property which is made to a contractor, grantee, or other recipient if the United States Government provides any portion of the money or property which is requested or demanded, or if the Government will reimburse such contractor, grantee, or other recipient for any portion of the money or property which is requested or demanded."

Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 111–21, §4(a)(3), redesignated subsecs. (d) and (e) as (c) and (d), respectively.

1994—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 103–272 substituted "1986" for "1954".

1986—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–562, §2(1), designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted subsec. heading, and substituted "Any person who" for "A person not a member of an armed force of the United States is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of $2,000, an amount equal to 2 times the amount of damages the Government sustains because of the act of that person, and costs of the civil action, if the person" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 99–562, §2(2), substituted "United States Government or a member of the Armed Forces of the United States" for "Government or a member of an armed force".

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 99–562, §2(3), inserted "by the Government" after "approved".

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 99–562, §2(4), substituted "control of property" for "control of public property" and "by the Government" for "in an armed force".

Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 99–562, §2(5), substituted "by the Government" for "in an armed force" and "true;" for "true; or".

Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 99–562, §2(6), substituted "an officer or employee of the Government, or a member of the Armed Forces," for "a member of an armed force" and "property; or" for "property."

Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 99–562, §2(7), added par. (7).

Subsecs. (b) to (e). Pub. L. 99–562, §2(7), added subsecs. (b) to (e).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2009 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–21, §4(f), May 20, 2009, 123 Stat. 1625, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 3730 to 3733 of this title] shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act [May 20, 2009] and shall apply to conduct on or after the date of enactment, except that—

"(1) subparagraph (B) of section 3729(a)(1) of title 31, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), shall take effect as if enacted on June 7, 2008, and apply to all claims under the False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. 3729 et seq.) that are pending on or after that date; and

"(2) section 3731(b) [probably should be section 3731] of title 31, as amended by subsection (b); section 3733, of title 31, as amended by subsection (c); and section 3732 of title 31, as amended by subsection (e); shall apply to cases pending on the date of enactment."

Increased Penalties for False Claims in Defense Procurement

Pub. L. 99–145, title IX, §931(b), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 699, provided that: "Notwithstanding section 3729 of title 31, United States Code, the amount of the liability under that section in the case of a person who makes a false claim related to a contract with the Department of Defense shall be a civil penalty of $2,000, an amount equal to three times the amount of the damages the Government sustains because of the act of the person, and costs of the civil action."

[Section 931(c) of Pub. L. 99–145 provided that section 931(b) is applicable to claims made or presented on or after Nov. 8, 1985.]

1 So in original. Probably should be "101–410".
31 U.S.C. § 5141 (2024) — Title 31: MONEY AND FINANCE / Chapter 51 / Subchapter IV / Section 5141: Operation of the Bureau
Operation of the Bureau
Status: in_force

(a) The Secretary of the Treasury shall prepare and submit to the President an annual business-type budget for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

(b)(1) The Secretary shall maintain in the Bureau an integrated accounting system with internal controls that—

(A) ensures adequate control over assets and liabilities of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing Fund described in section 5142 of this title;

(B) develops accurate production costs to enable the Bureau to recover those costs on the basis of the work requisitioned;

(C) provides for replacement of capitalized equipment and other fixed assets by maintaining adequate depreciation reserves based on original cost or appraised values;

(D) discloses the financial condition and operations of the Fund on an accrual basis of accounting; and

(E) provides information for the prior fiscal year on the annual budget of the Bureau.

(2) The accounting system shall conform to principles and standards prescribed by the Comptroller General to carry out this subsection. The Comptroller General may review the system to ensure conformity to the principles and standards and its effectiveness of operation.

(c) An officer or employee in the clerical-mechanical service of the Bureau assigned to an established shift or tour of duty at least half of which occurs between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. is entitled to pay for the regular 40-hour week (except when on leave) at a rate of pay 15 percent higher than the day rate for the same work.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 990.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

5141(a)
31:181b.
Aug. 4, 1950, ch. 558, §§4, 5, 64 Stat. 409.

5141(b)
31:181c.

5141(c)
31:180.
July 1, 1944, ch. 357, 58 Stat. 648.

In subsection (a), the word "budget" is substituted for "budget program" to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "to the President" are added because of chapter 11 of the revised title.

In subsection (b)(1), before clause (A), the words "Secretary shall maintain" are substituted for "There shall be installed and maintained" because of sections 301 and 303 of the revised title and to eliminate executed words. The words "internal controls" are substituted for "including proper features of internal control" to eliminate unnecessary words. In clause (B), the word "costs" is substituted for "direct and indirect costs" to eliminate unnecessary words. In clause (D), the word "basis" is substituted for "method" for clarity. In clause (E), the words "provides information" are substituted for "supply on the basis of accounting results the data" to eliminate unnecessary words. The word "prior" is substituted for "last completed" for consistency in the revised title.

In subsection (c), the words "An officer or employee" are substituted for "employees" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. The words "assigned to an established shift or tour of duty at least half of which occurs between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m." are substituted for "assigned to perform their work at night" and 31:180(proviso) to eliminate unnecessary words.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Authority of Special Police Officers

Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, §101(f) [title V, §517], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–314, 3009–346, provided that: "Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation during the fiscal year ending September 30, 1997, and thereafter:

"(1) The authority of the special police officers of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area, extends to buildings and land under the custody and control of the Bureau; to buildings and land acquired by or for the Bureau through lease, unless otherwise provided by the acquisition agency; to the streets, sidewalks and open areas immediately adjacent to the Bureau along Wallenberg Place (15th Street) and 14th Street between Independence and Maine Avenues and C and D Streets between 12th and 14th Streets; to areas which include surrounding parking facilities used by Bureau employees, including the lots at 12th and C Streets, SW, Maine Avenue and Water Streets, SW, Maiden Lane, the Tidal Basin and East Potomac Park; to the protection in transit of United States securities, plates and dies used in the production of United States securities, or other products or implements of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing which the Director of that agency so designates.

"(2) The authority of the special police officers of the United States Mint extends to the buildings and land under the custody and control of the Mint; to the streets, sidewalks and open areas in the vicinity to such facilities; to surrounding parking facilities used by Mint employees; and to the protection in transit of bullion, coins, dies, and other property and assets of, or in the custody of, the Mint.

"(3) The exercise of police authority by Bureau or Mint officers, with the exception of the exercise of authority upon property under the custody and control of the Bureau or the Mint, respectively, shall be deemed supplementary to the Federal police force with primary jurisdictional responsibility. This authority shall be in addition to any other law enforcement authority which has been provided to these officers under other provisions of law or regulations."

Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriation acts:

Pub. L. 104–52, title V, §520, Nov. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 494.

Pub. L. 103–329, title V, §535, Sept. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 2414.
31 U.S.C. § 5133 (2024) — Title 31: MONEY AND FINANCE / Chapter 51 / Subchapter III / Section 5133: Settlement of accounts
Settlement of accounts
Status: in_force

(a) The Secretary of the Treasury shall—

(1) charge the superintendent of each mint with the amount in weight of standard metal of bullion the superintendent receives from the Secretary;

(2) credit each superintendent with the amount in weight of coins, clippings, and other bullion the superintendent returns to the Secretary; and

(3) charge separately to each superintendent, who shall account for, copper to be used in the alloy of gold and silver bullion.

(b) Settlement of Accounts.—

(1) In general.—At least once each year, the Secretary of the Treasury shall settle the accounts of the superintendents of the mints.

(2) Procedure.—At any settlement under this subsection, the superintendent shall—

(A) return to the Secretary any coin, clipping, or other bullion in the possession of the superintendent; and

(B) present the Secretary with a statement of bullion received and returned since the last settlement (including any bullion returned for settlement).

(3) Audit.—The Secretary shall—

(A) audit the accounts of each superintendent; and

(B) allow each superintendent the waste of precious metals that the Secretary determines is necessary—

(i) for refining and minting (within the limitations which the Secretary shall prescribe); and

(ii) for casting fine gold and silver bars (within the limit prescribed for refining), except that any waste allowance under this clause may not apply to deposit operations.

(c) After settlement, the Secretary shall compare the amount of gold and silver bullion and coins on hand with the total liabilities of the mints. The Secretary also shall make a statement of the ordinary expense account.

(d) The Secretary shall procure for each mint a series of standard weights corresponding to the standard troy pound of the National Institute of Standards and Technology of the Department of Commerce. The series shall include a one pound weight and multiples and subdivisions of one pound from .01 grain to 25 pounds. At least once a year, the Secretary shall test the weights normally used in transactions at the mints against the standard weights.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 989; Pub. L. 100–274, §2(c)(4)–(7), (9), (10), Mar. 31, 1988, 102 Stat. 49; Pub. L. 100–418, title V, §5115(c), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1433.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

5133(a)
31:354(1st sentence).
R.S. §3541; Aug. 23, 1912, ch. 350, §1(last par. words before 7th comma under heading "Assay Office at Salt Lake City, Utah"), 37 Stat. 384.

 
31:355(last sentence).
R.S. §3542; Aug. 23, 1912, ch. 350, §1(last par. words before 7th comma under heading "Assay Office at Salt Lake City, Utah"), 37 Stat. 384; July 23, 1965, Pub. L. 89–81, §207, 79 Stat. 257.

5133(b)
31:283(2d, last sentences).
R.S. §3558(2d, last sentences); restated July 11, 1962, Pub. L. 87–534, §2, 76 Stat. 155.

 
31:354(last sentence).

 
31:355(1st, 2d sentences).

5133(c)
31:356.
R.S. §3543.

5133(d)
31:365.
R.S. §3549; restated Mar. 4, 1911, ch. 268, §2, 36 Stat. 1354.

In the section, the word "Secretary" is substituted for "superintendent" and "Director of the Mint" in 31:354, 356, 365, and the word "Superintendent" is substituted for "superintendent of coining department" in 31:354 and 355 and "superintendent of melting and refining", because of the source provisions restated in section 321(c) of the revised title.

In subsection (a), the words "superintendent of each mint and the assay office at New York and the officer in charge of the assay office at San Francisco" are added because of the source provisions restated in section 5131(b) and (c) of the revised title.

In subsection (b), before clause (1), the words "shall settle" are substituted for "and at such time as the . . . shall appoint, there shall be an accurate and full settlement" in 31:354(last sentence) to eliminate unnecessary words. In clause (1), the words "The Secretary shall audit" are substituted for "When all the coins, clippings, and other bullion have been delivered to the superintendent, it shall be his duty to examine" in 31:355(1st, 2d sentences) to eliminate unnecessary words. In clause (2), the words "the waste of precious metals . . . decides is necessary for refining and minting" are substituted for "The difference between the amount charged and credited to each officer . . . as necessary wastage, if . . . shall be satisfied that there has been a bona fide waste of the precious metals" for consistency in the subsection and to eliminate unnecessary words. In clause (3), the words "limitations prescribed for refining" are substituted for "that provided for the melter and refiner" in 31:283(2d, last sentences) for consistency in the subsection. The word "bona fide" is omitted as being included in "necessary".

In subsection (c), the words "It shall also be the duty of the superintendent to forward a correct statement of his balance sheet" are omitted as superseded by the source provisions restated in section 321(c) of the revised title. The words "mints and assay offices" are substituted for "mint" for consistency in the section.

In subsection (d), the words "National Bureau of Standards of the Department of Commerce" are substituted for "Bureau of Standards of the United States" because of 15:1511. The words "from .01 grain" are substituted for "from the hundredths part of a grain" for consistency. The words "under the inspection of the superintendent and assayer" are omitted as superseded by the source provisions restated in section 321(c) of the revised title. The words "and the accuracy of those used at the mint at Philadelphia shall be tested annually in the presence of the assay commissioners, at the time of the annual examination and test of coins" are omitted because the position of assay commissioner was abolished by section 201 of the Act of March 14, 1980 (Pub. L. 96–209, 94 Stat. 98).

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1988—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 100–274, §2(c)(4), substituted "each mint" and "superintendent receives" for "each mint and the assay office at New York and the officer in charge of the assay office at San Francisco" and "superintendent or officer receives", respectively.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 100–274, §2(c)(5), substituted "credit each superintendent with the amount" and "superintendent returns" for "credit each superintendent and the officer with the amount" and "superintendent or officer returns", respectively.

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 100–274, §2(c)(6), substituted "superintendent, who" for "superintendent and the officer, who".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–274, §2(c)(7), inserted heading and amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: "At least once a year, the Secretary shall settle the accounts of the superintendents and the officer in charge. At settlement, each superintendent and the officer shall return to the Secretary coins, clippings, and other bullion in their possession with a statement of bullion received and returned since the last settlement (including bullion returned for settlement). The Secretary shall—

"(1) audit the accounts and statements of each superintendent and the officer;

"(2) allow each superintendent the waste of precious metals, within limitations prescribed by the Secretary, that the Secretary decides is necessary for refining and minting; and

"(3) allow the officer the waste, within the limitations prescribed for refining, that the Secretary decides is necessary in casting fine gold and silver bars, except that the waste allowance may not apply to deposit operations."

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–274, §2(c)(9), struck out "and assay offices" after "total liabilities of the mints".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100–418 substituted "National Institute of Standards and Technology" for "National Bureau of Standards".

Pub. L. 100–274, §2(c)(10), struck out "and assay office" after "procure for each mint" and "and assay offices" after "transactions at the mints".
31 U.S.C. § 5132 (2024) — Title 31: MONEY AND FINANCE / Chapter 51 / Subchapter III / Section 5132: Administrative
Administrative
Status: in_force

(a)(1) Except as provided in this chapter, the Secretary of the Treasury shall deposit in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts amounts the Secretary receives from the operations of the United States Mint. Expenditures made from appropriated funds which are subsequently determined to be properly chargeable to the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund established by section 5134 shall be reimbursed by such Fund to the appropriation. The Secretary shall annually sell to the public, directly and by mail, sets of uncirculated and proof coins minted under paragraphs (1) through (6) of section 5112(a) of this title, and shall solicit such sales through the use of the customer list of the United States Mint. Except with respect to amounts deposited in the Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund in accordance with section 5134, the Secretary may not use amounts the Secretary receives from profits on minting coins or from charges on gold or silver bullion under section 5122 to pay officers and employees.

(2)(A) In addition to the coins described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall sell annually to the public directly and by mail, sets of proof coins minted under paragraphs (1) through (6) of section 5112(a).

(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for purposes of this paragraph—

(i) the coins described in paragraphs (2) through (4) of section 5112(a) shall be made of an alloy of not less than 90 percent silver; and

(ii) all coins minted under this paragraph shall have a mint mark indicating the place of manufacture.

(C) All coins minted under this paragraph shall be considered to be—

(i) numismatic items for purposes of paragraph (1) and section 5111(a)(3); and

(ii) legal tender, as provided in section 5103.

(D) The Secretary shall obtain silver for coins minted under this paragraph by purchase from stockpiles established under the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act (50 U.S.C. 98 et seq.). At such time as the silver stockpile is depleted, the Secretary shall obtain silver for such coins by purchase of silver mined from natural deposits in the United States or in a territory or possession of the United States not more than 1 year following the month in which the ore from which it is derived was mined. The Secretary shall pay not more than the average world price for such silver. The Secretary may issue such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this subparagraph.

(3) Not more than $54,208,000 may be appropriated to the Secretary for the fiscal year ending on September 30, 1993, to pay costs of the mints. Not more than $965,000 of amounts appropriated pursuant to the preceding sentence shall remain available until expended for research and development.

(b) To the extent the Secretary decides is necessary, the Secretary may use amounts received from depositors for refining bullion and the proceeds from the sale of byproducts (including spent acids from surplus bullion recovered in refining processes) to pay the costs of refining the bullion (including labor, material, waste, and loss on the sale of sweeps). The Secretary may not use amounts appropriated for the mints to pay those costs.

(c) The Secretary shall make an annual report at the end of each fiscal year on the operation of the United States Mint.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 988; Pub. L. 97–452, §1(21), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2477; Pub. L. 98–151, §123, Nov. 14, 1983, 97 Stat. 979; Pub. L. 98–216, §1(7), Feb. 14, 1984, 98 Stat. 4; Pub. L. 99–61, title II, §204, July 9, 1985, 99 Stat. 116; Pub. L. 99–185, §2(e), Dec. 17, 1985, 99 Stat. 1178; Pub. L. 100–274, §§1, 2(c)(3), Mar. 31, 1988, 102 Stat. 48; Pub. L. 101–585, §2, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2874; Pub. L. 102–390, title II, §§211, 221(c)(1), 225(b)(3), (4), Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1624, 1628, 1629; Pub. L. 106–445, §2(a), Nov. 6, 2000, 114 Stat. 1931; Pub. L. 114–94, div. G, title LXXIII, §73001(2), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1786.)

Historical and Revision Notes
1982 Act

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

5132(a)
31:273(1st, 2d sentences).
R.S. §3506(1st, 2d sentences).

 
31:369.
R.S. §3552; restated May 10, 1950, ch. 172, 64 Stat. 157; Sept. 5, 1962, Pub. L. 87–643, §2, 76 Stat. 440; Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97–35, §382(b)(1), 95 Stat. 432.

5132(b)
31:361(1st sentence words after 1st comma, last sentence).
June 19, 1878, ch. 329, §1(2d sentence words before last semicolon on p. 191), 20 Stat. 191.

 

July 7, 1898, ch. 571(7th par. 1st sentence words after 1st comma, last sentence under heading "Mints and Assay Offices"), 30 Stat. 661.

5132(c)
31:253.
R.S. §345.

In subsection (a)(1), the words "Secretary of the Treasury shall deposit in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts" are substituted for "shall . . . be covered into the Treasury" in 31:369 because of the source provisions restated in section 321(c) of the revised title. The words "amounts the Secretary receives from the operations of the Bureau of the Mint" are substituted for "The money arising from all charges and deductions on and from gold and silver bullion and from all other sources" for clarity and to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "amounts from" are substituted for "money arising from the manufacture and sale of" to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "numismatic items" are substituted for "medals, proof coins, and uncirculated coins" for consistency with section 5111(a)(3) of the revised title. The words "minting coins" are substituted for "silver or minor coinage" for consistency with section 5112 of the revised title. The words "made by law" are omitted as surplus. The words "on estimates furnished by the Secretary of the Treasury" are omitted because of section 1108 of the revised title. The text of 31:273(1st, 2d sentences) is omitted because of section 321 of the revised title and the other source provisions restated in this chapter.

In subsection (a)(2), the words "ending September 30" are added for clarity and consistency in the revised title. The words "to pay costs" are substituted for "for all expenditures (salaries and expenses)" for consistency in the revised title and to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "not herein otherwise provided for" are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (b), the word "refining" is substituted for "parting and refining" for consistency in the revised chapter. The words "mints and assay offices" are substituted for "coinage mints and assay office at New York" because of the source provisions restated in section 5131(b) of the revised title. The words "pursuant to law" are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (c), the text of 31:253(less 18th–38th words) is omitted as superseded by the source provisions restated in section 321(c) of the revised title.

1983 Act

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

5132(a)(2)
31 App.:369.
Sept. 8, 1982, Pub. L. 97–253, §202, 96 Stat. 790.

1984 Act

This is necessary because the language was restated by section 382(h)(1) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (Pub. L. 97–35, 95 Stat. 432) but inadvertently codified as 31:5132(a)(1) (last sentence) by section 1 of the Act of September 13, 1982 (Pub. L. 97–258, 96 Stat. 989.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(D), is act June 7, 1939, ch. 190, as revised generally by Pub. L. 96–41, §2, July 30, 1979, 93 Stat. 319, which is classified generally to subchapter III (§98 et seq.) of chapter 5 of Title 50, War and National Defense. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 98 of Title 50 and Tables.

Amendments

2015—Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(i). Pub. L. 114–94 substituted "not less than 90 percent silver" for "90 percent silver and 10 percent copper".

2000—Subsec. (a)(2)(B)(i). Pub. L. 106–445 substituted "paragraphs (2)" for "paragraphs (1)".

1992—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 102–390, §225(b)(3), substituted "United States Mint" for "Bureau of the Mint" in two places.

Pub. L. 102–390, §221(c)(1)(A), amended second sentence generally. Prior to amendment, second sentence read as follows: "However, amounts from numismatic items shall be reimbursed to the current appropriation used to pay the cost of preparing and selling the items."

Pub. L. 102–390, §221(c)(1)(B), amended last sentence generally. Prior to amendment, last sentence read as follows: "The Secretary may not use amounts the Secretary receives from profits on minting coins or from charges on gold or silver bullion under section 5122 of this title to pay officers and employees."

Subsec. (a)(3) to (5). Pub. L. 102–390, §211, which directed the substitution of "$54,208,000" for "$46,511,000" and "1993" for "1988" in par. (2), and the striking out of pars. (3) and (4), was executed by making the substitution in par. (3) and striking out pars. (4) and (5) to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the intervening amendment by Pub. L. 101–585 redesignating pars. (2) to (4) as (3) to (5). See 1990 Amendment note below. Prior to being struck out, par. (4) provided that not more than $75,000 be expended for purpose of hosting International Mint Directors' Conference in the United States in 1988, and par. (5) authorized Director of the Mint to collect from participants at Conference reasonable fees and assessments in connection with Conference, administer such amounts, and spend such amounts to pay expenses incurred in connection with Conference.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–390, §225(b)(4), substituted "United States Mint" for "Bureau".

1990—Subsec. (a)(2) to (5). Pub. L. 101–585 added par. (2), redesignated former pars. (2) to (4) as (3) to (5), respectively, and substituted "(3)" for "(2)" in par. (4).

1988—Subsec. (a)(2) to (4). Pub. L. 100–274, §1, added pars. (2) to (4) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: "Not more than $50,165,000 may be appropriated to the Secretary for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1983, to pay costs of the mints and assay offices."

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–274, §2(c)(3), struck out "and assay offices" after "amounts appropriated for the mints" in last sentence.

1985—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 99–185 inserted "paragraphs (1) through (6) of" before "section 5112(a) of this title".

Pub. L. 99–61 inserted "minted under section 5112(a) of this title" after "proof coins".

1984—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 98–216 struck out provision requiring the Secretary to pay the costs of the mints and assay offices not provided for in this subsection out of appropriations.

1983—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 98–151 inserted provisions relating to authority of Secretary to sell sets of uncirculated and proof coins and solicitation of such sales through the customer lists of the Bureau of the Mint.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 97–452 substituted "$50,165,000" for "$54,706,000", and "1983" for "1982".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1992 Amendment

Pub. L. 102–390, title II, §221(e), Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1629, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [enacting section 5134 of this title, amending this section, amending and repealing provisions set out as notes under section 5112 of this title] shall apply with respect to fiscal years beginning after fiscal year 1992."

Effective Date of 1985 Amendments

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–185 effective Oct. 1, 1985, except that no coins may be issued or sold under section 5112(i) of this title before Oct. 1, 1986, see section 3 of Pub. L. 99–185, set out as a note under section 5112 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–61 effective Oct. 1, 1985, with exception as to issuance or sale of coins under section 5112(e) of this title, see section 205 of Pub. L. 99–61, set out as a note under section 5112 of this title.

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–216 effective Sept. 13, 1982, see section 4(c) of Pub. L. 98–216, set out as a note under section 490 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

Termination of Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund

All assets and liabilities of Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund transferred to United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund and Numismatic Public Enterprise Fund to cease to exist as separate fund as its activities and functions are subsumed under and subject to United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund, see section 5136 of this title.
31 U.S.C. § 5135 (2024) — Title 31: MONEY AND FINANCE / Chapter 51 / Subchapter III / Section 5135: Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee
Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee
Status: in_force

(a) Establishment.—

(1) In general.—There is hereby established the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the "Advisory Committee") to advise the Secretary of the Treasury on the selection of themes and designs for coins.

(2) Oversight of advisory committee.—The Advisory Committee shall be subject to the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in this section referred to as the "Secretary").

(b) Membership.—

(1) Appointment.—The Advisory Committee shall consist of 11 members appointed by the Secretary as follows:

(A) Seven persons appointed by the Secretary—

(i) one of whom shall be appointed from among individuals who are specially qualified to serve on the Advisory Committee by virtue of their education, training, or experience as a nationally or internationally recognized curator in the United States of a numismatic collection;

(ii) one of whom shall be appointed from among individuals who are specially qualified to serve on the Advisory Committee by virtue of their experience in the medallic arts or sculpture;

(iii) one of whom shall be appointed from among individuals who are specially qualified to serve on the Advisory Committee by virtue of their education, training, or experience in American history;

(iv) one of whom shall be appointed from among individuals who are specially qualified to serve on the Advisory Committee by virtue of their education, training, or experience in numismatics; and

(v) three of whom shall be appointed from among individuals who can represent the interests of the general public in the coinage of the United States.

(B) Four persons appointed by the Secretary on the basis of the recommendations of the following officials who shall make the selection for such recommendation from among citizens who are specially qualified to serve on the Advisory Committee by virtue of their education, training, or experience:

(i) One person recommended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(ii) One person recommended by the minority leader of the House of Representatives.

(iii) One person recommended by the majority leader of the Senate.

(iv) One person recommended by the minority leader of the Senate.

(2) Terms.—

(A) In general.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), members of the Advisory Committee shall be appointed for a term of 4 years.

(B) Terms of initial appointees.—As designated by the Secretary at the time of appointment, of the members first appointed—

(i) four of the members appointed under paragraph (1)(A) shall be appointed for a term of 4 years;

(ii) the four members appointed under paragraph (1)(B) shall be appointed for a term of 3 years; and

(iii) three of the members appointed under paragraph (1)(A) shall be appointed for a term of 2 years.

(3) Preservation of public advisory status.—No individual may be appointed to the Advisory Committee while serving as an officer or employee of the Federal Government.

(4) Continuation of service.—Each appointed member may continue to serve for up to 6 months after the expiration of the term of office to which such member was appointed until a successor has been appointed.

(5) Vacancy and removal.—

(A) In general.—Any vacancy on the Advisory Committee shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made.

(B) Removal.—Advisory Committee members shall serve at the discretion of the Secretary and may be removed at any time for good cause.

(6) Chairperson.—The Chairperson of the Advisory Committee shall be appointed for a term of 1 year by the Secretary from among the members of the Advisory Committee.

(7) Pay and expenses.—Members of the Advisory Committee shall serve without pay for such service but each member of the Advisory Committee shall be reimbursed from the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund for travel, lodging, meals, and incidental expenses incurred in connection with attendance of such members at meetings of the Advisory Committee in the same amounts and under the same conditions as employees of the United States Mint who engage in official travel, as determined by the Secretary.

(8) Meetings.—

(A) In general.—The Advisory Committee shall meet at the call of the Secretary, the chairperson, or a majority of the members, but not less frequently than twice annually.

(B) Open meetings.—Each meeting of the Advisory Committee shall be open to the public.

(C) Prior notice of meetings.—Timely notice of each meeting of the Advisory Committee shall be published in the Federal Register, and timely notice of each meeting shall be made to trade publications and publications of general circulation.

(9) Quorum.—Seven members of the Advisory Committee shall constitute a quorum.

(c) Duties of the Advisory Committee.—The duties of the Advisory Committee are as follows:

(1) Advising the Secretary of the Treasury on any theme or design proposals relating to circulating coinage, bullion coinage, congressional gold medals and national and other medals produced by the Secretary of the Treasury in accordance with section 5111 of title 31, United States Code.

(2) Advising the Secretary of the Treasury with regard to—

(A) the events, persons, or places that the Advisory Committee recommends be commemorated by the issuance of commemorative coins in each of the 5 calendar years succeeding the year in which a commemorative coin designation is made;

(B) the mintage level for any commemorative coin recommended under subparagraph (A); and

(C) the proposed designs for commemorative coins.

(d) Expenses.—The expenses of the Advisory Committee that the Secretary of the Treasury determines to be reasonable and appropriate shall be paid by the Secretary from the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

(e) Administrative Support, Technical Services, and Advice.—Upon the request of the Advisory Committee, or as necessary for the Advisory Committee to carry out the responsibilities of the Advisory Committee under this section, the Director of the United States Mint shall provide to the Advisory Committee the administrative support, technical services, and advice that the Secretary of the Treasury determines to be reasonable and appropriate.

(f) Consultation Authority.—In carrying out the duties of the Advisory Committee under this section, the Advisory Committee may consult with the Commission of Fine Arts.

(g) Annual Report.—

(1) Required.—Not later than September 30 of each year, the Advisory Committee shall submit a report to the Secretary, the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate. Should circumstances arise in which the Advisory Committee cannot meet the September 30 deadline in any year, the Secretary shall advise the Chairpersons of the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate of the reasons for such delay and the date on which the submission of the report is anticipated.

(2) Contents.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall describe the activities of the Advisory Committee during the preceding year and the reports and recommendations made by the Advisory Committee to the Secretary of the Treasury.

(h) Chapter 10 of Title 5 Does Not Apply.—Subject to the requirements of subsection (b)(8), chapter 10 of title 5 shall not apply with respect to the Committee.

(Added Pub. L. 102–390, title II, §229(a), Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1631; amended Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, §101(f) [title V, §529(d)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–314, 3009–352; Pub. L. 104–329, title III, §303(a), Oct. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 4014; Pub. L. 108–15, title I, §103(a), Apr. 23, 2003, 117 Stat. 616; Pub. L. 117–286, §4(a)(196), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4327.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 117–286 substituted "Chapter 10 of Title 5" for "Federal Advisory Committee Act" in heading and "chapter 10 of title 5" for "the Federal Advisory Committee Act" in text.

2003—Pub. L. 108–15 amended section catchline and text generally. Prior to amendment, text provided for the establishment of the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee and contained provisions concerning its oversight, membership, duties, and funding, the term of each membership, and the compensation of each member.

1996—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 104–329 reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Each member appointed under clause (i) or (iii) of paragraph (3)(A) shall be appointed for a term of 4 years."

Pub. L. 104–208, §101(f) [title V, §529(d)(1)], reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "No individual shall be appointed to serve as a member of the Advisory Committee for a term in excess of 5 years."

Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 104–208, §101(f) [title V, §529(d)(2)], added par. (7).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Abolishment of Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee; Continuity of Members

Pub. L. 108–15, title I, §103(b), (c), Apr. 23, 2003, 117 Stat. 618, 619, provided that:

"(b) Abolishment of Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee.—Effective on the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 23, 2003], the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee (established by section 5135 of title 31, United States Code, as in effect before the amendment made by subsection (a)) is hereby abolished.

"(c) Continuity of Members of Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee.—Subject to paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 5135(b) of title 31, United States Code, any person who is a member of the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee on the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 23, 2003], other than the member of such committee who is appointed from among the officers or employees of the United States Mint, may continue to serve the remainder of the term to which such member was appointed as a member of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee in one of the positions as determined by the Secretary."

Staggered Terms for Members of Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee

Pub. L. 104–329, title III, §303(b), Oct. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 4014, provided that members serving on the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee as of Oct. 20, 1996, would be deemed to have been appointed to terms which ended on Dec. 31, 1997, 1998, or 1999.

Status of Members of Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee

Pub. L. 104–329, title III, §303(c), Oct. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 4015, provided that members appointed to the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee under clause (i) or (iii) of subsec. (a)(3)(A) of this section would not be treated as special Government employees.
31 U.S.C. § 5320 (2024) — Title 31: MONEY AND FINANCE / Chapter 53 / Subchapter II / Section 5320: Injunctions
Injunctions
Status: in_force

When the Secretary of the Treasury believes a person has violated, is violating, or will violate this subchapter or a regulation prescribed or order issued under this subchapter, the Secretary may bring a civil action in the appropriate district court of the United States or appropriate United States court of a territory or possession of the United States to enjoin the violation or to enforce compliance with the subchapter, regulation, or order. An injunction or temporary restraining order shall be issued without bond.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 999.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

5320
31:1057.
Oct. 26, 1970, Pub. L. 91–508, §208, 84 Stat. 1120.

 
31:1143(b)(words before last comma).
Sept. 21, 1973, Pub. L. 93–110, §203(b)(words before last comma), 87 Stat. 353.

The words "has violated, is violating, or will violate this subchapter" are substituted for "has engaged, is engaged, or is about to engage in any acts or practices constituting a violation of the provisions of this chapter" in 31:1057 and "failed to submit a report required under any rule or regulation issued under this subchapter or has violated any rule or regulation issued hereunder" in 31:1143(b)(words before last comma) to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "or a regulation prescribed" are added because of the restatement. The words "in his discretion" are omitted as surplus. The word "civil" is added because of rule 2 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.). The word "possession" is substituted for "other place subject to the jurisdiction" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. The words "or to enforce compliance with the subchapter, regulation, or order" are substituted for 31:1057(last sentence) and the words "a mandatory injunction commanding such person to comply with such rule or regulation" in 31:1143(b)(words before last comma) to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "and upon a proper showing . . . permanent or" are omitted as surplus.
31 U.S.C. § 731 (2024) — Title 31: MONEY AND FINANCE / Chapter 7 / Subchapter III / Section 731: General
General
Status: in_force

(a) The Comptroller General may appoint, pay, assign, and remove officers (except the Deputy Comptroller General) and employees the Comptroller General decides are necessary to carry out the duties and powers of the Government Accountability Office.

(b) The Comptroller General may establish for appropriate officers and employees a merit pay system consistent with section 5401 of title 5, as in effect on October 31, 1993.

(c) The annual rate of basic pay of the General Counsel of the Government Accountability Office is equal to the rate for level IV of the Executive Schedule.

[(d) Repealed. Pub. L. 110–323, §9(a)(1), Sept. 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 3548.]

(e) The Comptroller General may procure the services of experts and consultants under section 3109 of title 5 at rates not in excess of the daily rate for level IV of the Executive Schedule, except that the services of not more than 20 experts and consultants may be procured for terms of not more than 3 years, but which shall be renewable.

(f) The Comptroller General shall prescribe regulations under which officers and employees of the Office may, in appropriate circumstances, be reimbursed for any relocation expenses under subchapter II of chapter 57 of title 5 for which they would not otherwise be eligible, but only if the Comptroller General determines that the transfer giving rise to such relocation is of sufficient benefit or value to the Office to justify such reimbursement.

(g) The Comptroller General shall prescribe regulations under which key officers and employees of the Office who have less than 3 years of service may accrue leave in accordance with section 6303(a)(2) of title 5, in those circumstances in which the Comptroller General has determined such increased annual leave is appropriate for the recruitment or retention of such officers and employees. Such regulations shall define key officers and employees and set forth the factors in determining which officers and employees should be allowed to accrue leave in accordance with this subsection.

(h) The Comptroller General may by regulation establish an executive exchange program under which officers and employees of the Office may be assigned to private sector organizations, and employees of private sector organizations may be assigned to the Office, to further the institutional interests of the Office or Congress, including for the purpose of providing training to officers and employees of the Office. Regulations to carry out any such program—

(1) shall include provisions (consistent with sections 3702 through 3704 of title 5) as to matters concerning—

(A) the duration and termination of assignments;

(B) reimbursements; and

(C) status, entitlements, benefits, and obligations of program participants;

(2) shall limit—

(A) the number of officers and employees who are assigned to private sector organizations at any one time to not more than 15; and

(B) the number of employees from private sector organizations who are assigned to the Office at any one time to not more than 30;

(3) shall require that an employee of a private sector organization assigned to the Office may not have access to any trade secrets or to any other nonpublic information which is of commercial value to the private sector organization from which such employee is assigned;

(4) shall require that, before approving the assignment of an officer or employee to a private sector organization, the Comptroller General shall determine that the assignment is an effective use of the Office's funds, taking into account the best interests of the Office and the costs and benefits of alternative methods of achieving the same results and objectives; and

(5) shall not allow any assignment under this subsection to commence after the end of the 5-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this subsection.

(i) An employee of a private sector organization assigned to the Office under the executive exchange program shall be considered to be an employee of the Office for purposes of—

(1) chapter 73 of title 5;

(2) sections 201, 203, 205, 207, 208, 209, 603, 606, 607, 643, 654, 1905, and 1913 of title 18;

(3) sections 1343, 1344, and 1349(b) of this title;

(4) chapter 171 of title 28 (commonly referred to as the "Federal Tort Claims Act") and any other Federal tort liability statute;

(5) chapter 131 of title 5;

(6) section 1043 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and

(7) chapter 21 of title 41.

(j) Funds appropriated to the Government Accountability Office for salaries and expenses are available for meals and other related reasonable expenses incurred in connection with recruitment.

(k) Federal Government Details.—The activities of the Government Accountability Office may, in the reasonable discretion of the Comptroller General, be carried out by receiving details of personnel from other offices of the Federal Government on a reimbursable, partially-reimbursable, or nonreimbursable basis.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 896; Pub. L. 98–326, §1(a), June 22, 1984, 98 Stat. 269; Pub. L. 98–615, title II, §204(b), Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3216; Pub. L. 103–89, §3(b)(4), Sept. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 983; Pub. L. 106–303, §5, Oct. 13, 2000, 114 Stat. 1069; Pub. L. 108–271, §§5–7, 8(b), July 7, 2004, 118 Stat. 813, 814; Pub. L. 110–323, §9(a), Sept. 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 3548; Pub. L. 111–350, §5(h)(2), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3849; Pub. L. 114–113, div. I, title I, §1301(a), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2671; Pub. L. 117–286, §4(c)(35), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4358.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

731(a)
31:44(1st sentence).
June 10, 1921, ch. 18, §304(1st par. 1st sentence), 42 Stat. 24.

 
31:52(a), (b).
June 10, 1921, ch. 18, §311(a), (b), 42 Stat. 25; restated Feb. 15, 1980, Pub. L. 96–191, §8(e)(3), 94 Stat. 33.

 
31:52–1(related to appointment, pay, and assignment).
Feb. 15, 1980, Pub. L. 96–191, §§2(related to appointment, pay, and assignment), 5(b), 94 Stat. 27, 32.

 
31:56.
Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 297, §1(proviso on p. 866), 35 Stat 866; May 29, 1920, ch. 214, §1(last par. under heading "Office of Comptroller of the Treasury"), 41 Stat. 647.

731(b)
31:52–4(b).

731(c)
31:51a.
Aug. 14, 1964, Pub. L. 88–426, §203(c)(5th–14th words), 78 Stat. 415; Dec. 16, 1967, Pub. L. 90–206, §219(2), 81 Stat. 639; restated Aug. 9, 1975, Pub. L. 94–82, §204(b), 89 Stat. 421.

731(d)
31:52b.
Aug. 14, 1964, Pub. L. 88–426, 78 Stat. 400, §203(i); added Dec. 15, 1971, Pub. L. 92–190, 85 Stat. 646.

731(e)
31:52c.
Jan. 2, 1975, Pub. L. 93–604, §401, 88 Stat. 1962.

 
31:1154(d)(last sentence).
Oct. 26, 1970, Pub. L. 91–510, §204(d)(last sentence), 84 Stat. 1168; restated July 12, 1974, Pub. L. 93–344, §702(a), 88 Stat. 326.

In subsection (a), the text of 31:52(a) and (b) and 31:56 is omitted as superseded by the other source provisions restated in this subchapter and subchapter IV of this chapter. The word "remove" is added for consistency with other provisions of the subchapter. The words "officers (except the Deputy Comptroller General) and employees" are substituted for "personnel" in 31:52–1, and the word "powers" is substituted for "functions", for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.

Subsection (b) is substituted for 31:52–4(b) to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "officers and" are added for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code.

In subsections (c) and (d), the words "basic pay" are substituted for "compensation" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code.

In subsection (c), the words "United States" and "positions at" are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (d), the words "in the General Accounting Office", "prescribed . . . under section 5315 of title 5", and "of the Office" are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (e), before clause (1), the words "procure the services of" are substituted for "employ" for consistency with 5:3109. The words "at rates not in excess of the maximum daily rate prescribed for GS–18 under section 5332 of title 5 for persons in the Government service employed intermittently" are omitted as unnecessary because of 5:3109. In clause (1), the word "periods" is omitted as surplus. Clause (2) is substituted for 31:1154(d)(last sentence) to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "and consultants" are added because of 5:3109.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 5401 of title 5, referred to in subsec. (b), was repealed by Pub. L. 103–89, §3(a)(1), Sept. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 981.

Level IV of the Executive Schedule, referred to in subsecs. (c) and (e), is set out in section 5315 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

The date of the enactment of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (h)(5), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 108–271, which was approved July 7, 2004.

Section 1043 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (i)(6), is classified to section 1043 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (i)(5). Pub. L. 117–286 substituted "chapter 131 of title 5;" for "the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.);".

2015—Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 114–113 added subsec. (k).

2011—Subsec. (i)(7). Pub. L. 111–350 substituted "chapter 21 of title 41" for "section 27 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 423)".

2008—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 110–323, §9(a)(1), struck out subsec. (d) which read as follows: "When a change in organization, management responsibility, or workload makes it necessary, the Comptroller General may fix the rate of basic pay of 5 positions at rates not more than the rate for level IV of the Executive Schedule."

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 110–323, §9(a)(2), substituted "daily rate for level IV of the Executive Schedule" for "maximum daily rate for GS–18 under section 5332 of such title" and "more than 20 experts and consultants may be procured for terms of not more than 3 years, but which shall be renewable." for "more than—

"(1) 15 experts and consultants may be procured for terms of not more than 3 years, but which shall be renewable; and

"(2) 10 experts and consultants may be procured permanently, temporarily, or intermittently to carry out sections 717(b)–(d) and 719(b)(1)(A) of this title at rates that are not more than the rate for level IV of the Executive Schedule."

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 110–323, §9(a)(3), added subsec. (j).

2004—Subsecs. (a), (c). Pub. L. 108–271, §8(b), substituted "Government Accountability Office" for "General Accounting Office".

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 108–271, §5, added subsec. (f).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 108–271, §6, added subsec. (g).

Subsecs. (h), (i). Pub. L. 108–271, §7, added subsecs. (h) and (i).

2000—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 106–303, §5(1), substituted "terms of not more than 3 years, but which shall be renewable" for "not more than 3 years".

Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 106–303, §5(2), substituted "level IV" for "level V".

1993—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–89 inserted before period at end ", as in effect on October 31, 1993".

1984—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98–615 substituted "section 5401 of title 5" for "section 5401(a) of title 5".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 98–236 substituted "title 5 at rates not in excess of the maximum daily rate for GS–18 under section 5332 of such title" for "title 5" in provisions preceding par. (1) and "15" for "10" in par. (1).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Pub. L. 114–113, div. I, title I, §1301(b), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2671, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2016 and each succeeding fiscal year."

Effective Date of 2004 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–271, §13, July 7, 2004, 118 Stat. 816, provided that:

"(a) In General.—Except as provided in subsection (b), this Act [see Tables for classification] and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act [July 7, 2004].

"(b) Pay Adjustments.—

"(1) In general.—Section 3 of this Act [amending sections 732 and 733 of this title] and the amendments made by that section shall take effect on October 1, 2005, and shall apply in the case of any annual pay adjustment taking effect on or after that date.

"(2) Interim authorities.—In connection with any pay adjustment taking effect under section 732(c)(3) or 733(a)(3)(B) of title 31, United States Code, before October 1, 2005, the Comptroller General may by regulation—

"(A) provide that such adjustment not be applied in the case of any officer or employee whose performance is not at a satisfactory level, as determined by the Comptroller General for purposes of such adjustment; and

"(B) provide that such adjustment be reduced if and to the extent necessary because of extraordinary economic conditions or serious budget constraints.

"(3) Additional authority.—

"(A) In general.—The Comptroller General may by regulation delay the effective date of section 3 of this Act and the amendments made by that section for groups of officers and employees that the Comptroller General considers appropriate.

"(B) Interim authorities.—If the Comptroller General provides for a delayed effective date under subparagraph (A) with respect to any group of officers or employees, paragraph (2) shall, for purposes of such group, be applied by substituting such date for 'October 1, 2005'."

Effective Date of 1993 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–89 effective Nov. 1, 1993, see section 3(c) of Pub. L. 103–89, set out as a note under section 3372 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date of 1984 Amendments

Pub. L. 98–615, title II, §205, Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3217, provided that amendment by Pub. L. 98–615 was effective Oct. 1, 1984, and applicable with respect to pay periods commencing on or after that date, with certain exceptions and qualifications.

Pub. L. 98–326, §2, June 22, 1984, 98 Stat. 269, provided that: "The amendments made by this Act [amending this section and sections 732 and 733 of this title] shall take effect beginning on October 1, 1984."

Consultation

Pub. L. 108–271, §10, July 7, 2004, 118 Stat. 815, provided that: "Before the implementation of any changes authorized under this Act [see Tables for classification], the Comptroller General shall consult with any interested groups or associations representing officers and employees of the General Accounting Office [now Government Accountability Office]."
31 U.S.C. § 9305 (2024) — Title 31: MONEY AND FINANCE / Chapter 93 / Section 9305: Authority and revocation of authority of surety corporations
Authority and revocation of authority of surety corporations
Status: in_force

(a) Before becoming a surety under section 9304 of this title, a surety corporation must file with the Secretary of the Treasury—

(1) a copy of the articles of incorporation of the corporation; and

(2) a statement of the assets and liabilities of the corporation signed and sworn to by the president and secretary of the corporation.

(b) The Secretary may authorize in writing a surety corporation to provide surety bonds under section 9304 of this title if the Secretary decides that—

(1) the articles of incorporation of the corporation authorize the corporation to do business described in section 9304(a)(2) of this title;

(2) the corporation has paid-up capital of at least $250,000 in cash or its equivalent; and

(3) the corporation is able to carry out its contracts.

(c) A surety corporation authorized under subsection (b) of this section to provide surety bonds shall file with the Secretary each January, April, July, and October a statement of the assets and liabilities of the corporation signed and sworn to by the president and secretary of the corporation.

(d) The Secretary—

(1) shall revoke the authority of a surety corporation to do new business if the Secretary decides the corporation is insolvent or is in violation of this section or section 9304 or 9306 of this title;

(2) may investigate the solvency of a surety corporation at any time; and

(3) may require additional security from the person required to provide a surety bond if the Secretary decides that a surety corporation no longer is sufficient security.

(e) A surety corporation providing a surety bond under section 9304 of this title may not provide any additional bond under that section if—

(1) the corporation does not pay a final judgment or order against it on the bond; and

(2) no appeal or stay of the judgment or order is pending 30 days after the judgment or order is entered.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1047.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

9305(a), (b)
6:8.

9305(c), (d)
6:9.

9305(e)
6:11.

In subsection (a), before clause (1), the words "Before becoming a surety under section 9304 of this title, a surety corporation must file" are substituted for "Every company, before transacting any business under sections 6 to 13 of this title, shall deposit" for consistency and as being more precise. In clause (1), the words "charter or" are omitted as being included in "articles of incorporation".

Subsection (b) is substituted for 6:8(2d sentence) for clarity and consistency and because of the restatement.

In subsection (c), the words "A surety corporation authorized under subsection (b) of this section to provide surety bonds" are substituted for "Every such company" for clarity. The words "as is required by section 8 of this title" are omitted as unnecessary because of the restatement.

In subsection (d)(1), the word "shall" is substituted for "shall have the power, and it shall be his duty, to" to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "under sections 6 to 13 of this title" are omitted as unnecessary because of the restatement. The words "conducting its business" are omitted as surplus. In clause (3), the words "that . . . be given at any time" are omitted as surplus. The words "from the person required to provide a surety bond" are substituted for "by any principal" for clarity.

Subsection (e) is substituted for 6:11 to eliminate unnecessary words, for clarity and consistency, and because of the restatement.
31 U.S.C. § 3526 (2024) — Title 31: MONEY AND FINANCE / Chapter 35 / Subchapter III / Section 3526: Settlement of accounts
Settlement of accounts
Status: in_force

(a) The Comptroller General shall settle all accounts of the United States Government and supervise the recovery of all debts finally certified by the Comptroller General as due the Government.

(b) A decision of the Comptroller General under section 3529 of this title is conclusive on the Comptroller General when settling the account containing the payment.

(c)(1) The Comptroller General shall settle an account of an accountable official within 3 years after the date the Comptroller General receives the account. A copy of the certificate of settlement shall be provided the official.

(2) The settlement of an account is conclusive on the Comptroller General after 3 years after the account is received by the Comptroller General. However, an amount may be charged against the account after the 3-year period when the Government has or may have lost money because the official acted fraudulently or criminally.

(3) A 3-year period under this subsection is suspended during a war.

(4) This subsection does not prohibit—

(A) recovery of public money illegally or erroneously paid;

(B) recovery from an official of a balance due the Government under a settlement within the 3-year period; or

(C) an official from clearing an account of questioned items as prescribed by law.

(d) On settling an account of the Government, the balance certified by the Comptroller General is conclusive on the executive branch of the Government. On the initiative of the Comptroller General or on request of an individual whose accounts are settled or the head of the agency to which the account relates, the Comptroller General may change the account within a year after settlement. The decision of the Comptroller General to change the account is conclusive on the executive branch.

(e) When an amount of money is expended under law for a treaty or relations with a foreign country, the President may—

(1) authorize the amount to be accounted for each year specifically by settlement of the Comptroller General when the President decides the amount expended may be made public; or

(2) make, or have the Secretary of State make, a certificate of the amount expended if the President decides the amount is not to be accounted for specifically. The certificate is a sufficient voucher for the amount stated in the certificate.

(f) The Comptroller General shall keep all settled accounts, vouchers, certificates, and related papers until they are disposed of as prescribed by law.

(g) This subchapter does not prohibit the Comptroller General from suspending an item in an account to get additional evidence or explanations needed to settle an account.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 964.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

3526(a)
31:44(1st sentence).
June 10, 1921, ch. 18, §304(1st par.), 42 Stat. 24.

 
31:71(related to accounts).
R.S. §236(related to accounts); restated June 10, 1921, ch. 18, §305, 42 Stat. 24.

 
31:538.
June 5, 1920, ch. 240(3d par. under heading "Advances to Disbursing Officers"), 41 Stat. 975.

 
31:541.
June 19, 1878, ch. 312, §3, 20 Stat. 168.

3526(b)
31:44(1st sentence).

 
31:74(last par. words after 4th comma).
July 31, 1894, ch. 174, §8(1st par. less proviso, 3d par. 1st sentence words after semicolon, 4th par., 6th par. words after 4th comma), 28 Stat. 207, 208; Oct. 25, 1951, ch. 562, §3(1), 65 Stat. 639.

3526(c)
31:82i.
May 19, 1947, ch. 78, 61 Stat. 101; June 6, 1972, Pub. L. 92–310, §231(ee), 86 Stat. 213.

3526(d)
31:44.

 
31:74(1st par. 1st sentence).

3526(e)
31:44(1st sentence).

 
31:107.
R.S. §291.

3526(f)
31:44(1st sentence).

 
31:74(2d par.).

3526(g)
31:44(1st sentence).

 
31:74(1st par. last sentence).

In the section, the words "Comptroller General" are substituted for "General Accounting Office" for consistency.

In subsection (a), the text of 31:538 and 541 is omitted as executed and obsolete. The words "either as debtor or creditor" in 31:71(related to accounts) and "and adjusted" are omitted as surplus. The last 17 words are added to restate that part of section 4 of the Act of July 31, 1894 (ch. 174, 28 Stat. 206), that was inadvertently repealed in the codification of title 5.

Subsection (b) is substituted for 31:74(last par. words after 4th comma) for clarity and consistency and because of the restatement.

In subsection (c)(1), the words "Effective three years after May 19, 1947" are omitted as executed. The words "monthly or quarterly . . . disbursing . . . or certifying" are omitted as surplus. The word "official" is substituted for "officer" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. The words "a period of not to exceed", "in each case", and "involved" are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (c)(2), the words "final and", "the expiration of", and "date of" are omitted as surplus. The words "However, an amount may be charged against the account after the 3-year period when" are substituted for "to the extent that no further charges or debts shall be raised in such account thereafter except as to" for clarity and consistency.

Subsection (c)(3) is substituted for 31:82i(last proviso) to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (c)(4), before clause (A), the words "Provided, That" and "Provided further, That" are omitted because of the restatement. In clause (A), the words "from any payee" and "to such payee" are omitted as surplus. In clause (B), the words "disbursing, accountable, or certifying", "found . . . made", and "as provided in this section" are omitted as surplus. In clause (C), the words "of his right at any time" and "existing" are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (d), the text of 31:44(last sentence) is omitted as executed. The words "final and" are omitted as surplus. The words "an account of the Government" are substituted for "public" for consistency. The words "On the initiative of" and "after settlement" are added for clarity.

In subsection (e), before clause (1), the words "is expended" are substituted for "has been or shall be issued, from the Treasury" for clarity. The words "the purposes of" are omitted as surplus. The word "country" is substituted for "nations" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code. The words "in pursuance of any law" are omitted as surplus. In clause (1), the word "duly" is omitted as surplus. In clause (2), the words "if the President decides the amount is not to be accounted for specifically" are substituted for "as he may think it advisable not to specify" for clarity. The words "to have been expended" are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (f), the word "settled" is substituted for "which have been finally adjusted" for consistency. The words "together with" are omitted as surplus.
31 U.S.C. § 301 (2024) — Title 31: MONEY AND FINANCE / Chapter 3 / Subchapter I / Section 301: Department of the Treasury
Department of the Treasury
Status: in_force

(a) The Department of the Treasury is an executive department of the United States Government at the seat of the Government.

(b) The head of the Department is the Secretary of the Treasury. The Secretary is appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(c) The Department has a Deputy Secretary of the Treasury appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Deputy Secretary shall carry out—

(1) duties and powers prescribed by the Secretary; and

(2) the duties and powers of the Secretary when the Secretary is absent or unable to serve or when the office of Secretary is vacant.

(d) The Department has 2 Under Secretaries, an Under Secretary for Enforcement, and 2 Deputy Under Secretaries, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Department also has a Fiscal Assistant Secretary appointed by the Secretary and a Treasurer of the United States appointed by the President. They shall carry out duties and powers prescribed by the Secretary. The President may designate one Under Secretary as Counselor. When appointing each Deputy Under Secretary, the President may designate the Deputy Under Secretary as an Assistant Secretary.

(e) The Department has 8 Assistant Secretaries appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Department shall have 2 Assistant Secretaries not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate who shall be the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, and the Assistant Secretary for Management. The Assistant Secretaries shall carry out duties and powers prescribed by the Secretary. The Assistant Secretaries appointed under this subsection are in addition to the Assistant Secretaries appointed under subsection (d) of this section.

(f)(1) The Department has a General Counsel appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The General Counsel is the chief law officer of the Department. Without regard to those provisions of title 5 governing appointment in the competitive service, the Secretary may appoint not more than 5 Assistant General Counsels. The Secretary may designate one of the Assistant General Counsels to act as the General Counsel when the General Counsel is absent or unable to serve or when the office of General Counsel is vacant. The General Counsel and Assistant General Counsels shall carry out duties and powers prescribed by the Secretary.

(2) The President may appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, an Assistant General Counsel who shall be the Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service. The Chief Counsel is the chief law officer for the Service and shall carry out duties and powers prescribed by the Secretary.

(g) The Department shall have a seal.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 878; Pub. L. 98–594, §1(a), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 3129; Pub. L. 99–190, §141, Dec. 19, 1985, 99 Stat. 1324; Pub. L. 103–211, title II, §2003(a), Feb. 12, 1994, 108 Stat. 24; Pub. L. 108–177, title I, §105(d)(2), Dec. 13, 2003, 117 Stat. 2603; Pub. L. 110–49, §11(a), July 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 260; Pub. L. 110–343, div. A, title I, §101(a)(3)(B)(ii), Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3768; Pub. L. 112–166, §2(l), Aug. 10, 2012, 126 Stat. 1286.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

301(a)
31:1001(words before 1st comma).
R.S. §233.

301(b)
31:1001(words after 1st comma).

301(c)
31:1004(related to Deputy Secretary).
Feb. 17, 1922, ch. 55(related to appointment and duties of Deputy and Under Secretaries), 42 Stat. 366; July 22, 1954, ch. 557, §3, 68 Stat. 496; restated May 18, 1972, Pub. L. 92–302, §1(a), 86 Stat. 148.

 
 
Jan. 3, 1923, ch. 22(related to appointment and duties of Deputy and Under Secretaries), 42 Stat. 1087.

 
 
Apr. 4, 1924, ch. 84(related to appointment and duties of Deputy and Under Secretaries), 43 Stat. 64.

 
31:1005.
Feb. 17, 1922, ch. 55(related to vacancy in office of Secretary of the Treasury), 42 Stat. 366; restated May 18, 1972, Pub. L. 92–302, §1(a), 86 Stat. 149.

 
 
Jan. 3, 1923, ch. 22(related to vacancy in office of Secretary of the Treasury), 42 Stat. 1087.

 
 
Apr. 4, 1924, ch. 84(related to vacancy in office of Secretary of the Treasury), 43 Stat. 64.

301(d)
31:141.
R.S. §301.

 
31:1004(related to Under Secretaries).

 
31:1005a(1st–3d sentences).
May 18, 1972, Pub. L. 92–302, §1(b), 86 Stat. 149.

 
5 App.
Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1940, eff. June 30, 1940, §1(a)(7)(1st sentence), 54 Stat. 1231.

301(e)
31:1005a(last sentence).

 
31:1006.
R.S. §234; July 11, 1890, ch. 667, §1(1st par. under heading "Treasury Department"), 26 Stat. 236; Mar. 3, 1917, ch. 163, §1(1st par. under heading "Treasury Department"), 39 Stat. 1083; Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1940, eff. June 30, 1940, §1(d), 54 Stat. 1232; restated July 22, 1954, ch. 557, §4, 68 Stat. 496; July 8, 1963, Pub. L. 88–58, 77 Stat. 76; May 18, 1972, Pub. L. 92–302, §1(c), 86 Stat. 149.

 
31:1007.
R.S. §245.

301(f)(1)
26:7801(b)(1), (2)(last sentence), (3).
Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, §7801(b), 68A Stat. 915; restated Sept. 22, 1959, Pub. L. 86–368, §1, 73 Stat. 647; Aug. 14, 1964, Pub. L. 88–426, §305(39), 78 Stat. 427; Oct. 4, 1976, Pub. L. 94–455, §1906(b)(13)(B), 90 Stat. 1834.

 
31:1009.
May 10, 1934, ch. 277, §512(a), (c), 48 Stat. 758, 759.

301(f)(2)
26:7801(b)(2)(1st, 2d sentences).

301(g)
31:1010(related to seal).
R.S. §372(related to seal); May 10, 1934, ch. 277, §512(b), 48 Stat. 759.

In subsection (a), the words "of the United States Government" are added for clarity.

In subsection (b), the words "The Secretary is appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate" are added to conform with clause 2, section 2, of article II of the Constitution.

In subsection (c), the words "carry out" and "duties and powers" are substituted for "perform" and "duties", respectively, for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. In clause (1), the words "in the Office of the Secretary" in 31:1004 are omitted as unnecessary because of the restatement and for consistency. Clause (2) is substituted for 31:1005 to eliminate unnecessary words and for consistency with other titles of the Code.

In subsection (d), the words "in accordance with the civil-service laws" in section 1(a)(7)(1st sentence) of Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1940 (eff. June 30, 1940, 54 Stat. 1232) are omitted as unnecessary because of title 5. The words "and shall receive a salary at the rate of $15,000 per annum" are omitted as superseded by 5:5316. The words "carry out" and "duties and powers" are substituted for "perform" and "duties", respectively, in 31:1004 and 1005a for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code. The words "in the Office of the Secretary" in 31:1004 are omitted as unnecessary because of the restatement and for consistency. The words "of the Treasury" in 31:1005a are omitted for consistency with other titles of the Code and as being unnecessary.

In subsection (e), the words "of the Treasury" in 31:1006 and 1007 are omitted for consistency with other titles of the Code and as being unnecessary. The words "examine letters, contracts, and warrants prepared for the signature of the Secretary of the Treasury" and "by law" in 31:1007 are omitted as superseded by the source provisions restated in section 321 of the revised title. The words "carry out" and "duties and powers" are substituted for "perform" and "duties", respectively, for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code.

In subsection (f), the words "carry out" and "duties and powers" are substituted for "perform" and "duties", respectively, for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code. The text of 26:7801(b)(3) is omitted as unnecessary because of 5:3101. The words "is absent or unable to serve or when the office of General Counsel is vacant" are substituted for "during the absence of" for clarity and consistency. The text of 31:1009(less (a)(6th sentence)) is omitted as superseded by 26:7801(b) as restated in this subsection.

In subsection (f)(1), the words "governing appointment in the competitive service" are substituted for "civil service laws" to conform to 5:2102.

In subsection (g), the words "The General Counsel . . . shall have charge" are omitted as superseded by the source provisions restated in subsection (b) of this section and section 321(c) of the revised title.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The provisions of title 5 governing appointment in the competitive service, referred to in subsec. (f)(1), are classified generally to section 3301 et seq. of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Amendments

2012—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 112–166, §2(l)(2), substituted "and 2 Deputy Under Secretaries" for "2 Deputy Under Secretaries, and a Treasurer of the United States" and inserted "and a Treasurer of the United States appointed by the President" after "Fiscal Assistant Secretary appointed by the Secretary".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 112–166, §2(l)(1), substituted "8 Assistant Secretaries" for "10 Assistant Secretaries" and inserted after first sentence "The Department shall have 2 Assistant Secretaries not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate who shall be the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, and the Assistant Secretary for Management."

2008—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 110–343 substituted "10" for "9".

2007—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 110–49 substituted "9 Assistant" for "8 Assistant".

2003—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 108–177 substituted "8" for "7".

1994—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 103–211 inserted "an Under Secretary for Enforcement," after "2 Under Secretaries,".

1985—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 99–190 substituted "2 Under Secretaries" for "an Under Secretary, an Under Secretary for Monetary Affairs" and "The President may designate one Under Secretary as Counselor" for "When appointing the Under Secretary, the President may designate the Under Secretary as Counselor".

1984—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 98–594 substituted "7" for "5".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–166 effective 60 days after Aug. 10, 2012, and applicable to appointments made on and after that effective date, including any nomination pending in the Senate on that date, see section 6(a) of Pub. L. 112–166, set out as a note under section 113 of Title 6, Domestic Security.

Effective Date of 2007 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 110–49 applicable after the end of the 90-day period beginning on July 26, 2007, see section 12 of Pub. L. 110–49, set out as a note under section 5315 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Short Title of 2010 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–203, title V, §501, July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1580, provided that: "This subtitle [subtitle A (§§501, 502) of title V of Pub. L. 111–203, enacting sections 313 and 314 of this title, amending section 321 of this title, and renumbering former sections 312 and 313 of this title as sections 315 and 312, respectively] may be cited as the 'Federal Insurance Office Act of 2010'."

Office of Secretary of the Treasury; Compensation

Pub. L. 105–61, title I, §116, Oct. 10, 1997, 111 Stat. 1284, provided that:

"(a)(1) Effective beginning on the date determined under paragraph (2), the compensation and other emoluments attached to the Office of Secretary of the Treasury shall be those that would then apply if Public Law 103–2 (107 Stat. 4; 31 U.S.C. 301 note) had never been enacted.

"(2) Paragraph (1) shall become effective on the later of—

"(A) the day after the date on which the individual holding the Office of Secretary of the Treasury on January 1, 1997, ceases to hold that office; or

"(B) the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 10, 1997].

"(3) Nothing in this subsection shall be considered to affect the compensation or emoluments due to any individual in connection with any period preceding the date determined under paragraph (2).

"(b) Subsection (b) of the first section of the public law referred to in subsection (a)(1) of this section shall not apply in the case of any appointment the consent of the Senate to which occurs on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

"(c) This section shall not be limited (for purposes of determining whether a provision of this section applies or continues to apply) to fiscal year 1998."

Office of the Undersecretary for Enforcement

Pub. L. 108–447, div. H, title II, §222(b)(2), Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3245, provided that: "The Office of the Undersecretary for Enforcement of the Department of the Treasury, established in accordance with section 103 [105] of the Treasury Department Appropriations Act, 1994 (Public Law 103–123) [set out below] is abolished, and all rights, duties, and responsibilities of that office are transferred on the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 8, 2004] to the Office of the Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes of the Department of the Treasury in accordance with this section [enacting section 313 of this title and amending section 311 of this title], and the amendments made by this section, except as otherwise specifically provided in this section or the amendments made by this section, or other applicable law."

Pub. L. 103–123, title I, §105, Oct. 28, 1993, 107 Stat. 1234, provided that: "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Treasury shall establish an Office of the Undersecretary for Enforcement within the Department of the Treasury by no later than February 15, 1994."

Compensation and Emoluments of Secretary of the Treasury at Level in Effect on January 1, 1989; Actions Challenging Appointment on Constitutional Grounds

Pub. L. 103–2, Jan. 19, 1993, 107 Stat. 4, provided: "That (a) the compensation and other emoluments attached to the office of Secretary of the Treasury shall be those in effect January 1, 1989, notwithstanding any increase in such compensation or emoluments after that date under—

"(1) the Ethics Reform Act of 1989 (Public Law 101–194) [see Tables for classification] or any other provision of law amended by that Act; or

"(2) any other provision of law, or provision which has the force and effect of law, that is enacted or becomes effective during the period beginning at noon of January 3, 1989, and ending at noon of January 3, 1995.

"(b)(1) Any person aggrieved by an action of the Secretary of the Treasury may bring a civil action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia to contest the constitutionality of the appointment and continuance in office of the Secretary of the Treasury on the ground that such appointment and continuance in office is in violation of article I, section 6, clause 2, of the Constitution. The United States District Court for the District of Columbia shall have exclusive jurisdiction over such a civil action, without regard to the sum or value of the matter in controversy.

"(2) Any claim challenging the constitutionality of the appointment and continuance in office of the Secretary of the Treasury on the ground that such appointment and continuance in office is in violation of article I, section 6, clause 2, of the Constitution, in an action brought under paragraph (1) shall be heard and determined by a panel of three judges in accordance with section 2284 of title 28, United States Code. It shall be the duty of the district court to advance on the docket and to expedite the disposition of any matter brought under this subsection.

"(3)(A) An appeal may be taken directly to the Supreme Court of the United States from any interlocutory or final judgment, decree, or order upon the validity of the appointment and continuance in office of the Secretary of the Treasury under article I, section 6, clause 2, of the Constitution, entered in any action brought under this subsection. Any such appeal shall be taken by a notice of appeal filed within 20 days after such judgment, decree, or order is entered.

"(B) The Supreme Court shall, if it has not previously ruled on the question presented by an appeal taken pursuant to subparagraph (A), accept jurisdiction over the appeal, advance the appeal on the docket, and expedite the appeal.

"(c) This joint resolution shall become effective at 12:00 p.m., January 20, 1993."

Duties and Functions of Department of the Treasury

Nothing in Pub. L. 101–576 [see Short Title of 1990 Amendment note set out under section 501 of this title] to be construed to interfere with exercise of functions, duties, and responsibilities of Department of the Treasury, as in effect immediately before Nov. 15, 1990, see section 204 of Pub. L. 101–576, set out as a note under section 501 of this title.

Executive Documents

Order of Succession

For order of succession during any period when both Secretary and Deputy Secretary of the Treasury are unable to perform functions and duties of office of Secretary, see Ex. Ord. No. 13246, Dec. 18, 2001, 66 F.R. 66270, listed in a table under section 3345 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
31 U.S.C. § 9106 (2024) — Title 31: MONEY AND FINANCE / Chapter 91 / Section 9106: Management reports
Management reports
Status: in_force

(a)(1) A Government corporation shall submit an annual management report to the Congress not later than 180 days after the end of the Government corporation's fiscal year.

(2) A management report under this subsection shall include—

(A) a statement of financial position;

(B) a statement of operations;

(C) a statement of cash flows;

(D) a reconciliation to the budget report of the Government corporation, if applicable;

(E) a statement on internal accounting and administrative control systems by the head of the management of the corporation, consistent with the requirements for agency statements on internal accounting and administrative control systems under the amendments made by the Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act of 1982 (Public Law 97–255);

(F) the report resulting from an audit of the financial statements of the corporation conducted under section 9105 of this title; and

(G) any other comments and information necessary to inform the Congress about the operations and financial condition of the corporation.

(b) A Government corporation shall provide the President, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the Comptroller General of the United States a copy of the management report when it is submitted to Congress.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1044; Pub. L. 101–576, title III, §306(a), Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2854.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

9106(a)
31:851(1st–3d sentences).
Dec. 6, 1945, ch. 557, §106, 59 Stat. 599; Aug. 30, 1964, Pub. L. 88–518, §2(b), 78 Stat. 698; Jan. 2, 1975, Pub. L. 93–604, §601(b), 88 Stat. 1962.

 
31:858(1st–3d sentences).
Dec. 6, 1945, ch. 557, §203, 59 Stat. 600; Aug. 30, 1964, Pub. L. 88–518, §1(b), 78 Stat. 698; Jan. 2, 1975, Pub. L. 93–604, §601(d), 88 Stat. 1963.

9106(b)
31:851(last sentence).

 
31:858(last sentence).

In subsection (a), before clause (1), the words "of a Government corporation" are added for clarity. In clause (5), the words "program, expenditure, or other", "observed in the course of the audit", and "of law" are omitted as surplus. In clause (6), the word "statement" is substituted for "report" for consistency. The words "noted in the audit" are omitted as surplus. The word "made" is substituted for "accomplished" for consistency. In clause (7), the word "other" is added for clarity because of the restatement. The words "with respect thereto" are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (b), the words "The Comptroller General" are added for clarity.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act of 1982, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(E), is Pub. L. 97–255, Sept. 8, 1982, 96 Stat. 814, which added subsec. (d) to section 66a of former Title 31, Money and Finance. Section 66a of former Title 31 was repealed by Pub. L. 97–258, §5(b), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1068, and reenacted by the first section thereof as section 3512 of this title. Provisions relating to statements on internal accounting and administrative control systems are restated in section 3512(d)(2) and (3) of this title.

Amendments

1990—Pub. L. 101–576 substituted "Management" for "Audit" in section catchline and amended text of section generally. Prior to amendment, section read as follows:

"(a) The Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report on each audit of a Government corporation under section 9105 of this title not later than 6.5 months after the end of the last year covered by the audit. The report shall state the scope of the audit and include—

"(1) a statement (showing intercorporate relations) of assets, liabilities, capital, and surplus or deficit;

"(2) a statement of surplus or deficit analysis;

"(3) a statement of income and expenditures;

"(4) a statement of sources and the use of money;

"(5) specifically each financial transaction or undertaking the Comptroller General believes was carried out or made without authority of law;

"(6) comments and information the Comptroller General considers necessary to keep Congress informed about the operations and financial condition of the Government corporation, including a statement of impaired capital noticed and recommendations for the return of capital of the United States Government or the payment of dividends the Comptroller General believes should be made; and

"(7) other recommendations the Comptroller General considers advisable.

"(b) The Comptroller General shall give the President, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Government corporation a copy of the report when it is submitted to Congress."
31 U.S.C. § 313 (2024) — Title 31: MONEY AND FINANCE / Chapter 3 / Subchapter I / Section 313: Federal Insurance Office
Federal Insurance Office
Status: in_force

(a) Establishment.—There is established within the Department of the Treasury the Federal Insurance Office.

(b) Leadership.—The Office shall be headed by a Director, who shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury. The position of Director shall be a career reserved position in the Senior Executive Service, as that position is defined under section 3132 of title 5, United States Code.

(c) Functions.—

(1) Authority pursuant to direction of secretary.—The Office, pursuant to the direction of the Secretary, shall have the authority—

(A) to monitor all aspects of the insurance industry, including identifying issues or gaps in the regulation of insurers that could contribute to a systemic crisis in the insurance industry or the United States financial system;

(B) to monitor the extent to which traditionally underserved communities and consumers, minorities (as such term is defined in section 1204(c) of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 1811 note)), and low- and moderate-income persons have access to affordable insurance products regarding all lines of insurance, except health insurance;

(C) to recommend to the Financial Stability Oversight Council that it designate an insurer, including the affiliates of such insurer, as an entity subject to regulation as a nonbank financial company supervised by the Board of Governors pursuant to title I of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act;

(D) to assist the Secretary in administering the Terrorism Insurance Program established in the Department of the Treasury under the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. 6701 note);

(E) to coordinate Federal efforts and develop Federal policy on prudential aspects of international insurance matters, including representing the United States, as appropriate, in the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (or a successor entity) and assisting the Secretary in negotiating covered agreements (as such term is defined in subsection (r));

(F) to determine, in accordance with subsection (f), whether State insurance measures are preempted by covered agreements;

(G) to consult with the States (including State insurance regulators) regarding insurance matters of national importance and prudential insurance matters of international importance; and

(H) to perform such other related duties and authorities as may be assigned to the Office by the Secretary.

(2) Advisory functions.—The Office shall advise the Secretary on major domestic and prudential international insurance policy issues.

(3) Advisory capacity on council.—The Director shall serve in an advisory capacity on the Financial Stability Oversight Council established under the Financial Stability Act of 2010.

(d) Scope.—The authority of the Office shall extend to all lines of insurance except—

(1) health insurance, as determined by the Secretary in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services based on section 2791 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg–91);

(2) long-term care insurance, except long-term care insurance that is included with life or annuity insurance components, as determined by the Secretary in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and in the case of long-term care insurance that is included with such components, the Secretary shall coordinate with the Secretary of Health and Human Services in performing the functions of the Office; and

(3) crop insurance, as established by the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).

(e) Gathering of Information.—

(1) In general.—In carrying out the functions required under subsection (c), the Office may—

(A) receive and collect data and information on and from the insurance industry and insurers;

(B) enter into information-sharing agreements;

(C) analyze and disseminate data and information; and

(D) issue reports regarding all lines of insurance except health insurance.

(2) Collection of information from insurers and affiliates.—

(A) In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (3), the Office may require an insurer, or any affiliate of an insurer, to submit such data or information as the Office may reasonably require in carrying out the functions described under subsection (c).

(B) Rule of construction.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, for purposes of subparagraph (A), the term "insurer" means any entity that writes insurance or reinsures risks and issues contracts or policies in 1 or more States.

(3) Exception for small insurers.—Paragraph (2) shall not apply with respect to any insurer or affiliate thereof that meets a minimum size threshold that the Office may establish, whether by order or rule.

(4) Advance coordination.—Before collecting any data or information under paragraph (2) from an insurer, or affiliate of an insurer, the Office shall coordinate with each relevant Federal agency and State insurance regulator (or other relevant Federal or State regulatory agency, if any, in the case of an affiliate of an insurer) and any publicly available sources to determine if the information to be collected is available from, and may be obtained in a timely manner by, such Federal agency or State insurance regulator, individually or collectively, other regulatory agency, or publicly available sources. If the Director determines that such data or information is available, and may be obtained in a timely manner, from such an agency, regulator, regulatory agency, or source, the Director shall obtain the data or information from such agency, regulator, regulatory agency, or source. If the Director determines that such data or information is not so available, the Director may collect such data or information from an insurer (or affiliate) only if the Director complies with the requirements of subchapter I of chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (relating to Federal information policy; commonly known as the Paperwork Reduction Act), in collecting such data or information. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, each such relevant Federal agency and State insurance regulator or other Federal or State regulatory agency is authorized to provide to the Office such data or information.

(5) Confidentiality.—

(A) Retention of privilege.—The submission of any nonpublicly available data and information to the Office under this subsection shall not constitute a waiver of, or otherwise affect, any privilege arising under Federal or State law (including the rules of any Federal or State court) to which the data or information is otherwise subject.

(B) Continued application of prior confidentiality agreements.—Any requirement under Federal or State law to the extent otherwise applicable, or any requirement pursuant to a written agreement in effect between the original source of any nonpublicly available data or information and the source of such data or information to the Office, regarding the privacy or confidentiality of any data or information in the possession of the source to the Office, shall continue to apply to such data or information after the data or information has been provided pursuant to this subsection to the Office.

(C) Information-sharing agreement.—Any data or information obtained by the Office may be made available to State insurance regulators, individually or collectively, through an information-sharing agreement that—

(i) shall comply with applicable Federal law; and

(ii) shall not constitute a waiver of, or otherwise affect, any privilege under Federal or State law (including the rules of any Federal or State court) to which the data or information is otherwise subject.

(D) Agency disclosure requirements.—Section 552 of title 5, United States Code, shall apply to any data or information submitted to the Office by an insurer or an affiliate of an insurer.

(6) Subpoenas and enforcement.—The Director shall have the power to require by subpoena the production of the data or information requested under paragraph (2), but only upon a written finding by the Director that such data or information is required to carry out the functions described under subsection (c) and that the Office has coordinated with such regulator or agency as required under paragraph (4). Subpoenas shall bear the signature of the Director and shall be served by any person or class of persons designated by the Director for that purpose. In the case of contumacy or failure to obey a subpoena, the subpoena shall be enforceable by order of any appropriate district court of the United States. Any failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt of court.

(f) Preemption of State Insurance Measures.—

(1) Standard.—A State insurance measure shall be preempted pursuant to this section or section 314 if, and only to the extent that the Director determines, in accordance with this subsection, that the measure—

(A) results in less favorable treatment of a non-United States insurer domiciled in a foreign jurisdiction that is subject to a covered agreement than a United States insurer domiciled, licensed, or otherwise admitted in that State; and

(B) is inconsistent with a covered agreement.

(2) Determination.—

(A) Notice of potential inconsistency.—Before making any determination under paragraph (1), the Director shall—

(i) notify and consult with the appropriate State regarding any potential inconsistency or preemption;

(ii) notify and consult with the United States Trade Representative regarding any potential inconsistency or preemption;

(iii) cause to be published in the Federal Register notice of the issue regarding the potential inconsistency or preemption, including a description of each State insurance measure at issue and any applicable covered agreement;

(iv) provide interested parties a reasonable opportunity to submit written comments to the Office; and

(v) consider any comments received.

(B) Scope of review.—For purposes of this subsection, any determination of the Director regarding State insurance measures, and any preemption under paragraph (1) as a result of such determination, shall be limited to the subject matter contained within the covered agreement involved and shall achieve a level of protection for insurance or reinsurance consumers that is substantially equivalent to the level of protection achieved under State insurance or reinsurance regulation.

(C) Notice of determination of inconsistency.—Upon making any determination under paragraph (1), the Director shall—

(i) notify the appropriate State of the determination and the extent of the inconsistency;

(ii) establish a reasonable period of time, which shall not be less than 30 days, before the determination shall become effective; and

(iii) notify the Committees on Financial Services and Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and Finance of the Senate.

(3) Notice of effectiveness.—Upon the conclusion of the period referred to in paragraph (2)(C)(ii), if the basis for such determination still exists, the determination shall become effective and the Director shall—

(A) cause to be published a notice in the Federal Register that the preemption has become effective, as well as the effective date; and

(B) notify the appropriate State.

(4) Limitation.—No State may enforce a State insurance measure to the extent that such measure has been preempted under this subsection.

(g) Applicability of Administrative Procedures Act.—Determinations of inconsistency made pursuant to subsection (f)(2) shall be subject to the applicable provisions of subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code (relating to administrative procedure), and chapter 7 of such title (relating to judicial review), except that in any action for judicial review of a determination of inconsistency, the court shall determine the matter de novo.

(h) Regulations, Policies, and Procedures.—The Secretary may issue orders, regulations, policies, and procedures to implement this section.

(i) Consultation.—The Director shall consult with State insurance regulators, individually or collectively, to the extent the Director determines appropriate, in carrying out the functions of the Office.

(j) Savings Provisions.—Nothing in this section shall—

(1) preempt—

(A) any State insurance measure that governs any insurer's rates, premiums, underwriting, or sales practices;

(B) any State coverage requirements for insurance;

(C) the application of the antitrust laws of any State to the business of insurance; or

(D) any State insurance measure governing the capital or solvency of an insurer, except to the extent that such State insurance measure results in less favorable treatment of a non-United State 1 insurer than a United States insurer;

(2) be construed to alter, amend, or limit any provision of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency Act of 2010; or

(3) affect the preemption of any State insurance measure otherwise inconsistent with and preempted by Federal law.

(k) Retention of Existing State Regulatory Authority.—Nothing in this section or section 314 shall be construed to establish or provide the Office or the Department of the Treasury with general supervisory or regulatory authority over the business of insurance.

(l) Retention of Authority of Federal Financial Regulatory Agencies.—Nothing in this section or section 314 shall be construed to limit the authority of any Federal financial regulatory agency, including the authority to develop and coordinate policy, negotiate, and enter into agreements with foreign governments, authorities, regulators, and multinational regulatory committees and to preempt State measures to affect uniformity with international regulatory agreements.

(m) Retention of Authority of United States Trade Representative.—Nothing in this section or section 314 shall be construed to affect the authority of the Office of the United States Trade Representative pursuant to section 141 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2171) or any other provision of law, including authority over the development and coordination of United States international trade policy and the administration of the United States trade agreements program.

(n) Annual Reports to Congress.—

(1) Section 313(f) reports.—Beginning September 30, 2011, the Director shall submit a report on or before September 30 of each calendar year to the President and to the Committees on Financial Services and Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and Finance of the Senate on any actions taken by the Office pursuant to subsection (f) (regarding preemption of inconsistent State insurance measures).

(2) Insurance industry.—Beginning September 30, 2011, the Director shall submit a report on or before September 30 of each calendar year to the President and to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate on the insurance industry and any other information as deemed relevant by the Director or requested by such Committees.

(o) Reports on U.S. and Global Reinsurance Market.—The Director shall submit to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate—

(1) a report received not later than September 30, 2012, describing the breadth and scope of the global reinsurance market and the critical role such market plays in supporting insurance in the United States; and

(2) a report received not later than January 1, 2013, and updated not later than January 1, 2015, describing the impact of part II of the Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2010 on the ability of State regulators to access reinsurance information for regulated companies in their jurisdictions.

(p) Study and Report on Regulation of Insurance.—

(1) In general.—Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Director shall conduct a study and submit a report to Congress on how to modernize and improve the system of insurance regulation in the United States.

(2) Considerations.—The study and report required under paragraph (1) shall be based on and guided by the following considerations:

(A) Systemic risk regulation with respect to insurance.

(B) Capital standards and the relationship between capital allocation and liabilities, including standards relating to liquidity and duration risk.

(C) Consumer protection for insurance products and practices, including gaps in State regulation.

(D) The degree of national uniformity of State insurance regulation.

(E) The regulation of insurance companies and affiliates on a consolidated basis.

(F) International coordination of insurance regulation.

(3) Additional factors.—The study and report required under paragraph (1) shall also examine the following factors:

(A) The costs and benefits of potential Federal regulation of insurance across various lines of insurance (except health insurance).

(B) The feasibility of regulating only certain lines of insurance at the Federal level, while leaving other lines of insurance to be regulated at the State level.

(C) The ability of any potential Federal regulation or Federal regulators to eliminate or minimize regulatory arbitrage.

(D) The impact that developments in the regulation of insurance in foreign jurisdictions might have on the potential Federal regulation of insurance.

(E) The ability of any potential Federal regulation or Federal regulator to provide robust consumer protection for policyholders.

(F) The potential consequences of subjecting insurance companies to a Federal resolution authority, including the effects of any Federal resolution authority—

(i) on the operation of State insurance guaranty fund systems, including the loss of guaranty fund coverage if an insurance company is subject to a Federal resolution authority;

(ii) on policyholder protection, including the loss of the priority status of policyholder claims over other unsecured general creditor claims;

(iii) in the case of life insurance companies, on the loss of the special status of separate account assets and separate account liabilities; and

(iv) on the international competitiveness of insurance companies.

(G) Such other factors as the Director determines necessary or appropriate, consistent with the principles set forth in paragraph (2).

(4) Required recommendations.—The study and report required under paragraph (1) shall also contain any legislative, administrative, or regulatory recommendations, as the Director determines appropriate, to carry out or effectuate the findings set forth in such report.

(5) Consultation.—With respect to the study and report required under paragraph (1), the Director shall consult with the State insurance regulators, consumer organizations, representatives of the insurance industry and policyholders, and other organizations and experts, as appropriate.

(q) Use of Existing Resources.—To carry out this section, the Office may employ personnel, facilities, and any other resource of the Department of the Treasury available to the Secretary and the Secretary shall dedicate specific personnel to the Office.

(r) Definitions.—In this section and section 314, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) Affiliate.—The term "affiliate" means, with respect to an insurer, any person who controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the insurer.

(2) Covered agreement.—The term "covered agreement" means a written bilateral or multilateral agreement regarding prudential measures with respect to the business of insurance or reinsurance that—

(A) is entered into between the United States and one or more foreign governments, authorities, or regulatory entities; and

(B) relates to the recognition of prudential measures with respect to the business of insurance or reinsurance that achieves a level of protection for insurance or reinsurance consumers that is substantially equivalent to the level of protection achieved under State insurance or reinsurance regulation.

(3) Insurer.—The term "insurer" means any person engaged in the business of insurance, including reinsurance.

(4) Federal financial regulatory agency.—The term "Federal financial regulatory agency" means the Department of the Treasury, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Office of Thrift Supervision, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or the National Credit Union Administration.

(5) Non-united states insurer.—The term "non-United States insurer" means an insurer that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than a State, but does not include any United States branch of such an insurer.

(6) Office.—The term "Office" means the Federal Insurance Office established by this section.

(7) State insurance measure.—The term "State insurance measure" means any State law, regulation, administrative ruling, bulletin, guideline, or practice relating to or affecting prudential measures applicable to insurance or reinsurance.

(8) State insurance regulator.—The term "State insurance regulator" means any State regulatory authority responsible for the supervision of insurers.

(9) Substantially equivalent to the level of protection achieved.—The term "substantially equivalent to the level of protection achieved" means the prudential measures of a foreign government, authority, or regulatory entity achieve a similar outcome in consumer protection as the outcome achieved under State insurance or reinsurance regulation.

(10) United states insurer.—The term "United States insurer" means—

(A) an insurer that is organized under the laws of a State; or

(B) a United States branch of a non-United States insurer.

(s) Authorization of Appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated for the Office for each fiscal year such sums as may be necessary.

(Added Pub. L. 111–203, title V, §502(a)(3), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1580.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 1204(c) of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(B), is section 1204(c) of Pub. L. 101–73, which is set out as a note under section 1811 of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(C), is Pub. L. 111–203, July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1376. Title I of the Act, known as the Financial Stability Act of 2010, is classified principally to subchapter I (§5311 et seq.) of chapter 53 of Title 12, Banks and Banking. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5301 of Title 12 and Tables.

The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(D), is Pub. L. 107–297, Nov. 26, 2002, 116 Stat. 2322. Title I of the Act, relating to the Terrorism Insurance Program, is set out as a note under section 6701 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2002 Amendment note set out under section 6701 of Title 15 and Tables.

The Financial Stability Act of 2010, referred to in subsec. (c)(3), is title I of Pub. L. 111–203, July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1391, which is classified principally to subchapter I (§5311 et seq.) of chapter 53 of Title 12, Banks and Banking. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5301 of Title 12 and Tables.

The Federal Crop Insurance Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(3), is subtitle A of title V of act Feb. 16, 1938, ch. 30, 52 Stat. 72, which is classified generally to subchapter I (§1501 et seq.) of chapter 36 of Title 7, Agriculture. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1501 of Title 7 and Tables.

The Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010, referred to in subsec. (j)(2), is title X of Pub. L. 111–203, July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1955, which enacted subchapter V (§5481 et seq.) of chapter 53 of Title 12, Banks and Banking, and enacted, amended, and repealed numerous other sections and notes in the Code. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5301 of Title 12 and Tables.

The Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2010, referred to in subsec. (o)(2), is subtitle B (§§511–542) of title V of Pub. L. 111–203, July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1589. Part II of the Act is classified generally to subchapter II (§8221 et seq.) of chapter 108 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 8201 of Title 15 and Tables.

The date of enactment of this section, referred to subsec. (p)(1), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 111–203, which was approved July 21, 2010.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 313 was renumbered section 312 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective 1 day after July 21, 2010, except as otherwise provided, see section 4 of Pub. L. 111–203, set out as a note under section 5301 of Title 12, Banks and Banking.

International Insurance Capital Standards Accountability

Pub. L. 115–174, title II, §211, May 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 1316, provided that:

"(a) Findings.—Congress finds that—

"(1) the Secretary of the Treasury, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and Director of the Federal Insurance Office shall support increasing transparency at any global insurance or international standard-setting regulatory or supervisory forum in which they participate, including supporting and advocating for greater public observer access to working groups and committee meetings of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors; and

"(2) to the extent that the Secretary of the Treasury, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Director of the Federal Insurance Office take a position or reasonably intend to take a position with respect to an insurance proposal by a global insurance regulatory or supervisory forum, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Director of the Federal Insurance Office shall achieve consensus positions with State insurance regulators through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, when they are United States participants in negotiations on insurance issues before the International Association of Insurance Supervisors, Financial Stability Board, or any other international forum of financial regulators or supervisors that considers such issues.

"(b) Insurance Policy Advisory Committee.—

"(1) Establishment.—There is established the Insurance Policy Advisory Committee on International Capital Standards and Other Insurance Issues at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

"(2) Membership.—The Committee shall be composed of not more than 21 members, all of whom represent a diverse set of expert perspectives from the various sectors of the United States insurance industry, including life insurance, property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, agents and brokers, academics, consumer advocates, or experts on issues facing underserved insurance communities and consumers.

"(c) Reports.—

"(1) Reports and testimony by secretary of the treasury and chairman of the federal reserve.—

"(A) In general.—The Secretary of the Treasury and the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or their designee, shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives, an annual report and provide annual testimony to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives on the efforts of the Secretary and the Chairman with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners with respect to global insurance regulatory or supervisory forums, including—

"(i) a description of the insurance regulatory or supervisory standard-setting issues under discussion at international standard-setting bodies, including the Financial Stability Board and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors;

"(ii) a description of the effects that proposals discussed at international insurance regulatory or supervisory forums of insurance could have on consumer and insurance markets in the United States;

"(iii) a description of any position taken by the Secretary of the Treasury, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Director of the Federal Insurance Office in international insurance discussions; and

"(iv) a description of the efforts by the Secretary of the Treasury, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Director of the Federal Insurance Office to increase transparency at the Financial Stability Board with respect to insurance proposals and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors, including efforts to provide additional public access to working groups and committees of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors.

"(B) Termination.—This paragraph shall terminate on December 31, 2024.

"(2) Reports and testimony by national association of insurance commissioners.—The National Association of Insurance Commissioners may provide testimony to Congress on the issues described in paragraph (1)(A).

"(3) Joint report by the chairman of the federal reserve and the director of the federal insurance office.—

"(A) In general.—The Secretary of the Treasury, the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Director of the Federal Insurance Office shall, in consultation with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, complete a study on, and submit to Congress a report on the results of the study, the impact on consumers and markets in the United States before supporting or consenting to the adoption of any final international insurance capital standard.

"(B) Notice and comment.—

"(i) Notice.—The Secretary of the Treasury, the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Director of the Federal Insurance Office shall provide public notice before the date on which drafting a report required under subparagraph (A) is commenced and after the date on which the draft of the report is completed.

"(ii) Opportunity for comment.—There shall be an opportunity for public comment for a period beginning on the date on which the report is submitted under subparagraph (A) and ending on the date that is 60 days after the date on which the report is submitted.

"(C) Review by comptroller general.—The Secretary of the Treasury, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Director of the Federal Insurance Office shall submit to the Comptroller General of the United States the report described in subparagraph (A) for review.

"(4) Report on increase in transparency.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [May 24, 2018], the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Secretary of the Treasury, or their designees, shall submit to Congress a report and provide testimony to Congress on the efforts of the Chairman and the Secretary to increase transparency at meetings of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors."

1 So in original. Probably should be "States".