TITLE 31 - US CODE - MONEY AND FINANCE

SUBTITLE I - US CODE - GENERAL

TITLE 31 - US CODE - CHAPTER 1 - DEFINITIONS

31 USC 101 - Agency

In this title, agency means a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government.

31 USC 102 - Executive agency

In this title, executive agency means a department, agency, or instrumentality in the executive branch of the United States Government.

31 USC 103 - United States

In this title, United States, when used in a geographic sense, means the States of the United States and the District of Columbia.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - CHAPTER 3 - DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER I - ORGANIZATION

31 USC 301 - Department of the Treasury

(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, 2 Deputy Under Secretaries, and a Treasurer of the United States, 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. 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 9 Assistant Secretaries appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. 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.

31 USC 302 - Treasury of the United States

The United States Government has a Treasury of the United States. The Treasury is in the Department of the Treasury.

31 USC 303 - Bureau of Engraving and Printing

(a) The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is a bureau in the Department of the Treasury.
(b) The head of the Bureau is the Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury. The Director
(1) shall carry out duties and powers prescribed by the Secretary; and
(2) reports directly to the Secretary.

31 USC 304 - United States Mint

(a) The United States Mint is a bureau in the Department of the Treasury.
(b) 
(1) The head of the Mint is the Director of the Mint. The Director is appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The term of the Director is 5 years. The President may remove the Director from office. On removal, the President shall send a message to the Senate giving the reasons for removal.
(2) The Director shall carry out duties and powers prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury.

31 USC 305 - Federal Financing Bank

The Federal Financing Bank, established under section 4 of the Federal Financing Bank Act of 1973 (12 U.S.C. 2283), is subject to the direction and supervision of the Secretary of the Treasury.

31 USC 306 - Fiscal Service

(a) The Fiscal Service is a service in the Department of the Treasury.
(b) The head of the Fiscal Service is the Fiscal Assistant Secretary appointed under section 301 (d) of this title.
(c) The Fiscal Service has a
(1) Bureau of Government Financial Operations, having as its head a Commissioner of Government Financial Operations; and
(2) Bureau of the Public Debt, having as its head a Commissioner of the Public Debt.
(d) The Secretary of the Treasury may designate another officer or employee of the Department to act as the Fiscal Assistant Secretary when the Fiscal Assistant Secretary is absent or unable to serve or when the office of Fiscal Assistant Secretary is vacant.

31 USC 307 - Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, established under section 324 of the Revised Statutes (12 U.S.C. 1), is an office in the Department of the Treasury.

31 USC 308 - United States Customs Service

The United States Customs Service, established under section 1 of the Act of March 3, 1927 (19 U.S.C. 2071), is a service in the Department of the Treasury.

31 USC 309 - Office of Thrift Supervision

The Office of Thrift Supervision established under section 3(a) of the Home Owners Loan Act shall be an office in the Department of the Treasury.

31 USC 310 - Financial Crimes Enforcement Network

(a) In General.— 
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network established by order of the Secretary of the Treasury (Treasury Order Numbered 10508, in this section referred to as FinCEN) on April 25, 1990, shall be a bureau in the Department of the Treasury.
(b) Director.— 

(1) Appointment.— 
The head of FinCEN shall be the Director, who shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury.
(2) Duties and powers.— 
The duties and powers of the Director are as follows:
(A) Advise and make recommendations on matters relating to financial intelligence, financial criminal activities, and other financial activities to the Under Secretary of the Treasury for Enforcement.
(B) Maintain a government-wide data access service, with access, in accordance with applicable legal requirements, to the following:
(i) Information collected by the Department of the Treasury, including report information filed under subchapter II of chapter 53 of this title (such as reports on cash transactions, foreign financial agency transactions and relationships, foreign currency transactions, exporting and importing monetary instruments, and suspicious activities), chapter 2 of title I of Public Law 91508, and section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
(ii) Information regarding national and international currency flows.
(iii) Other records and data maintained by other Federal, State, local, and foreign agencies, including financial and other records developed in specific cases.
(iv) Other privately and publicly available information.
(C) Analyze and disseminate the available data in accordance with applicable legal requirements and policies and guidelines established by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Under Secretary of the Treasury for Enforcement to
(i) identify possible criminal activity to appropriate Federal, State, local, and foreign law enforcement agencies;
(ii) support ongoing criminal financial investigations and prosecutions and related proceedings, including civil and criminal tax and forfeiture proceedings;
(iii) identify possible instances of noncompliance with subchapter II of chapter 53 of this title, chapter 2 of title I of Public Law 91508, and section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to Federal agencies with statutory responsibility for enforcing compliance with such provisions and other appropriate Federal regulatory agencies;
(iv) evaluate and recommend possible uses of special currency reporting requirements under section 5326;
(v) determine emerging trends and methods in money laundering and other financial crimes;
(vi) support the conduct of intelligence or counterintelligence activities, including analysis, to protect against international terrorism; and
(vii) support government initiatives against money laundering.
(D) Establish and maintain a financial crimes communications center to furnish law enforcement authorities with intelligence information related to emerging or ongoing investigations and undercover operations.
(E) Furnish research, analytical, and informational services to financial institutions, appropriate Federal regulatory agencies with regard to financial institutions, and appropriate Federal, State, local, and foreign law enforcement authorities, in accordance with policies and guidelines established by the Secretary of the Treasury or the Under Secretary of the Treasury for Enforcement, in the interest of detection, prevention, and prosecution of terrorism, organized crime, money laundering, and other financial crimes.
(F) Assist Federal, State, local, and foreign law enforcement and regulatory authorities in combatting the use of informal, nonbank networks and payment and barter system mechanisms that permit the transfer of funds or the equivalent of funds without records and without compliance with criminal and tax laws.
(G) Provide computer and data support and data analysis to the Secretary of the Treasury for tracking and controlling foreign assets.
(H) Coordinate with financial intelligence units in other countries on anti-terrorism and anti-money laundering initiatives, and similar efforts.
(I) Administer the requirements of subchapter II of chapter 53 of this title, chapter 2 of title I of Public Law 91508, and section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, to the extent delegated such authority by the Secretary of the Treasury.
(J) Such other duties and powers as the Secretary of the Treasury may delegate or prescribe.
(c) Requirements Relating to Maintenance and Use of Data Banks.— 
The Secretary of the Treasury shall establish and maintain operating procedures with respect to the government-wide data access service and the financial crimes communications center maintained by FinCEN which provide
(1) for the coordinated and efficient transmittal of information to, entry of information into, and withdrawal of information from, the data maintenance system maintained by FinCEN, including
(A) the submission of reports through the Internet or other secure network, whenever possible;
(B) the cataloguing of information in a manner that facilitates rapid retrieval by law enforcement personnel of meaningful data; and
(C) a procedure that provides for a prompt initial review of suspicious activity reports and other reports, or such other means as the Secretary may provide, to identify information that warrants immediate action; and
(2) in accordance with section 552a of title 5 and the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978, appropriate standards and guidelines for determining
(A) who is to be given access to the information maintained by FinCEN;
(B) what limits are to be imposed on the use of such information; and
(C) how information about activities or relationships which involve or are closely associated with the exercise of constitutional rights is to be screened out of the data maintenance system.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.— 

(1) In general.— 
There are authorized to be appropriated for FinCEN such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005.
(2) Authorization for funding key technological improvements in mission-critical fincen systems.— 
There are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2005 the following amounts, which are authorized to remain available until expended:
(A) BSA direct.— 
For technological improvements to provide authorized law enforcement and financial regulatory agencies with Web-based access to FinCEN data, to fully develop and implement the highly secure network required under section 362 of Public Law 10756 to expedite the filing of, and reduce the filing costs for, financial institution reports, including suspicious activity reports, collected by FinCEN under chapter 53 and related provisions of law, and enable FinCEN to immediately alert financial institutions about suspicious activities that warrant immediate and enhanced scrutiny, and to provide and upgrade advanced information-sharing technologies to materially improve the Governments ability to exploit the information in the FinCEN data banks, $16,500,000.
(B) Advanced analytical technologies.— 
To provide advanced analytical tools needed to ensure that the data collected by FinCEN under chapter 53 and related provisions of law are utilized fully and appropriately in safeguarding financial institutions and supporting the war on terrorism, $5,000,000.
(C) Data networking modernization.— 
To improve the telecommunications infrastructure to support the improved capabilities of the FinCEN systems, $3,000,000.
(D) Enhanced compliance capability.— 
To improve the effectiveness of the Office of Compliance in FinCEN, $3,000,000.
(E) Detection and prevention of financial crimes and terrorism.— 
To provide development of, and training in the use of, technology to detect and prevent financial crimes and terrorism within and without the United States, $8,000,000.

31 USC 311 - Office of Intelligence and Analysis

(a) Establishment.— 
There is established within the Department of the Treasury, the Office of Intelligence and Analysis (in this section referred to as the Office), which shall
(1) be within the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence;
(2) be responsible for the receipt, analysis, collation, and dissemination of foreign intelligence and foreign counterintelligence information (within the meaning of section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 401a)) related to the operation and responsibilities of the Department of the Treasury; and
(3) have such other related duties and authorities as may be assigned to it by the Secretary, subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary.
(b) Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis.— 
The Office shall be headed by an Assistant Secretary, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Assistant Secretary shall report directly to the Undersecretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Crimes.

31 USC 312 - Continuing in office

When the term of office of an officer of the Department of the Treasury ends, the officer may continue to serve until a successor is appointed and qualified.

31 USC 313 - Terrorism and Financial Intelligence

(a) Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.— 

(1) Establishment.— 
There is established within the Department of the Treasury the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (in this section referred to as OTFI), which shall be the successor to any such office in existence on the date of enactment of this section.
(2) Leadership.— 

(A) Undersecretary.— 
There is established within the Department of the Treasury, the Office of the Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes, who shall serve as the head of the OTFI, and shall report to the Secretary of the Treasury through the Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. The Office of the Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes shall be the successor to the Office of the Undersecretary for Enforcement.
(B) Appointment.— 
The Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(3) Assistant secretary for terrorist financing.— 

(A) Establishment.— 
There is established within the OTFI the position of Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing.
(B) Appointment.— 
The Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(C) Duties.— 
The Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing shall be responsible for formulating and coordinating the counter terrorist financing and anti-money laundering efforts of the Department of the Treasury, and shall report directly to the Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes.
(4) Functions.— 
The functions of the OTFI include providing policy, strategic, and operational direction to the Department on issues relating to
(A) implementation of titles I and II of the Bank Secrecy Act;
(B) United States economic sanctions programs;
(C) combating terrorist financing;
(D) combating financial crimes, including money laundering, counterfeiting, and other offenses threatening the integrity of the banking and financial systems;
(E) other enforcement matters;
(F) those intelligence analysis and coordination functions described in subsection (b); and
(G) the security functions and programs of the Department of the Treasury.
(5) Reports to congress on proposed measures.— 
The Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes and the Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing shall report to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives not later than 72 hours after proposing by rule, regulation, order, or otherwise, any measure to reorganize the structure of the Department for combatting money laundering and terrorist financing, before any such proposal becomes effective.
(6) Other offices within otfi.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the following offices of the Department of the Treasury shall be within the OTFI:
(A) The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, which shall report directly to the Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes.
(B) The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing, which shall report directly to the Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes.
(C) The Office of Foreign Assets Control (in this section referred to as the OFAC), which shall report directly to the Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes.
(D) The Executive Office for Asset Forfeiture, which shall report to the Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes.
(E) The Office of Intelligence and Analysis (in this section referred to as the OIA), which shall report to the Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis.
(F) The Office of Terrorist Financing, which shall report to the Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing.
(7) FinCEN.— 

(A) Reporting to undersecretary.— 
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (in this section referred to as FinCEN), a bureau of the Department of the Treasury, shall report to the Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes. The Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes may not redelegate its reporting authority over FinCEN.
(B) Office of compliance.— 
There is established within FinCEN, an Office of Compliance.
(b) Office of Intelligence and Analysis.— 

(1) Assistant secretary for intelligence and analysis.— 
The Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis shall head the OIA.
(2) Responsibilities.— 
The OIA shall be responsible for the receipt, analysis, collation, and dissemination of intelligence and counterintelligence information related to the operations and responsibilities of the entire Department of the Treasury, including all components and bureaus of the Department.
(3) Primary functions.— 
The primary functions of the OIA are
(A) to build a robust analytical capability on terrorist finance by coordinating and overseeing work involving intelligence analysts in all components of the Department of the Treasury, focusing on the highest priorities of the Department, as well as ensuring that the existing intelligence needs of the OFAC and FinCEN are met; and
(B) to provide intelligence support to senior officials of the Department on a wide range of international economic and other relevant issues.
(4) Other functions and duties.— 
The OIA shall
(A) carry out the intelligence support functions that are assigned, to the Office of Intelligence Support under section 311 (pursuant to section 105 of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004);
(B) serve in a liaison capacity with the intelligence community; and
(C) represent the Department in various intelligence related activities.
(5) Duties of the assistant secretary.— 
The Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis shall serve as the Senior Officer Intelligence Community, and shall represent the Department in intelligence community fora, including the National Foreign Intelligence Board committees and the Intelligence Community Management Staff.
(c) Delegation.— 
To the extent that any authorities, powers, and responsibilities over enforcement matters delegated to the Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes, or the positions of Assistant Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes, Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Operations, or Deputy Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes, have not been transferred to the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, or the Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy (related to the customs revenue functions of the Bureau of Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade), those remaining authorities, powers, and responsibilities are delegated to the Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes.
(d) Designation as Enforcement Organization.— 
The Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (including any components thereof) is designated as a law enforcement organization of the Department of the Treasury for purposes of section 9703 of title 31, United States Code, and other relevant authorities.
(e) Use of Existing Resources.— 
The Secretary may employ personnel, facilities, and other Department of the Treasury resources available to the Secretary on the date of enactment of this section in carrying out this section, except as otherwise prohibited by law.
(f) References.— 
References in this section to the Secretary, Undersecretary, Deputy Secretary, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office, Assistant Secretary, and Department are references to positions and offices of the Department of the Treasury, unless otherwise specified.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER II - ADMINISTRATIVE

31 USC 321 - General authority of the Secretary

(a) The Secretary of the Treasury shall
(1) prepare plans for improving and managing receipts of the United States Government and managing the public debt;
(2) carry out services related to finances that the Secretary is required to perform;
(3) issue warrants for money drawn on the Treasury consistent with appropriations;
(4) mint coins, engrave and print currency and security documents, and refine and assay bullion, and may strike medals;
(5) prescribe regulations that the Secretary considers best calculated to promote the public convenience and security, and to protect the Government and individuals from fraud and loss, that apply to anyone who may
(A) receive for the Government, Treasury notes, United States notes, or other Government securities; or
(B) be engaged or employed in preparing and issuing those notes or securities;
(6) collect receipts;
(7) with a view to prosecuting persons, take steps to discover fraud and attempted fraud involving receipts and decide on ways to prevent and detect fraud; and
(8) maintain separate accounts of taxes received in each State, territory, and possession of the United States, and collection district, with each account listing
(A) each kind of tax;
(B) the amount of each tax; and
(C) the money paid as pay and allowances to officers and employees of the Department collecting taxes in that State, territory, possession, or district.
(b) The Secretary may
(1) prescribe regulations to carry out the duties and powers of the Secretary;
(2) delegate duties and powers of the Secretary to another officer or employee of the Department of the Treasury;
(3) transfer within the Department the records, property, officers, employees, and unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations, and amounts of the Department that the Secretary considers necessary to carry out a delegation made under clause (2) of this subsection;
(4) detail, in addition to details authorized under another law, not more than 6 officers and employees of the Department at any one time to enforce the laws related to the Department, except that of those 6 officers and employees not more than 4 officers and employees
(A) paid from the appropriations for the collection of customs may be so detailed;
(B) paid from the appropriations for internal revenue may be so detailed; and
(C) paid from the appropriations for suppressing counterfeiting and other crimes may be so detailed;
(5) authorize, at rates and under conditions prescribed by the Secretary, the private use of telephone lines controlled by the Department when the use does not interfere with Department business;
(6) buy arms and ammunition required by officers and employees of the Department in carrying out their duties and powers; and
(7) notwithstanding any other provision of law, fulfill any requirement to issue a report on the financial condition of any fund on the books of the Treasury by including the required information in a consolidated report, except that information with respect to a specific fund shall be separately reported if the Secretary determines that the consolidation of such information would result in an unwarranted delay in the availability of such information.
(c) Duties and powers of officers and employees of the Department are vested in the Secretary except duties and powers
(1) vested by subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5 in administrative law judges employed by the Secretary;
(2) of the Comptroller of the Currency; and
(3) of the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision;
(d) 
(1) The Secretary of the Treasury may accept, hold, administer, and use gifts and bequests of property, both real and personal, for the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the Department of the Treasury. Gifts and bequests of money and the proceeds from sales of other property received as gifts or bequests shall be deposited in the Treasury in a separate fund and shall be disbursed on order of the Secretary of the Treasury. Property accepted under this paragraph, and the proceeds thereof, shall be used as nearly as possible in accordance with the terms of the gift or bequest.
(2) For purposes of the Federal income, estate, and gift taxes, property accepted under paragraph (1) shall be considered as a gift or bequest to or for the use of the United States.
(3) The Secretary of the Treasury may invest and reinvest the fund in public debt securities with maturities suitable for the needs of the fund and bearing interest at rates determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, taking into consideration the current average market yield on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States of comparable maturities. Income accruing from the securities, and from any other property accepted under paragraph (1), shall be deposited to the credit of the fund, and shall be disbursed on order of the Secretary of the Treasury for purposes as nearly as possible in accordance with the terms of the gifts or bequests.
(4) The Secretary of the Treasury shall, not less frequently than annually, make a public disclosure of the amount (and sources) of the gifts and bequests received under this subsection, and the purposes for which amounts in the separate fund established under this subsection are expended.
(e) Certain Reorganization Prohibited.— 
The Secretary of the Treasury may not merge or consolidate the Office of Thrift Supervision, or any of the functions or responsibilities of the Office or the Director of such office, with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency or the Comptroller of the Currency.

31 USC 322 - Working capital fund

(a) The Department of the Treasury has a working capital fund. Amounts in the fund are available for expenses of operating and maintaining common administrative services of the Department that the Secretary of the Treasury, with the approval of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, decides may be carried out more advantageously and more economically as central services.
(b) Amounts in the fund remain available until expended. Amounts may be appropriated to the fund.
(c) The fund consists of
(1) amounts appropriated to the fund;
(2) to the extent transferred to the fund by the Secretary, the reasonable value of supply inventories, equipment, and other assets and inventories on order for providing services out of amounts in the fund, less related liabilities and unpaid obligations;
(3) amounts received from the sale or exchange of property; and
(4) payments received for loss or damage to property of the fund.
(d) The fund shall be reimbursed, or credited with advance payments, from amounts available to the Department or from other sources, for supplies and services at rates that will equal the expenses of operation, including accrual of annual leave and the depreciation of plant and equipment. Amounts the Secretary decides are in excess of the needs of the fund shall be deposited at the end of each fiscal year in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.

31 USC 323 - Investment of operating cash

(a) To manage United States cash, the Secretary of the Treasury may invest any part of the operating cash of the Treasury for not more than 90 days. Investments may be made in obligations of
(1) depositaries maintaining Treasury tax and loan accounts secured by pledged collateral acceptable to the Secretary; and
(2) the United States Government.
(b) Subsection (a) of this section does not
(1) require the Secretary to invest a cash balance held in a particular account; or
(2) permit the Secretary to require the sale of obligations by a particular person, dealer, or financial institution.
(c) The Secretary shall consider the prevailing market in prescribing rates of interest for investments under subsection (a)(1) of this section.

31 USC 324 - Disposing and extending the maturity of obligations

(a) The Secretary of the Treasury may
(1) dispose of obligations
(A) acquired by the Secretary for the United States Government; or
(B) delivered by an executive agency; and
(2) make arrangements to extend the maturity of those obligations.
(b) The Secretary may dispose or extend the maturity of obligations under subsection (a) of this section in the way, in amounts, at prices (for cash, obligations, property, or a combination of cash, obligations, or property), and on conditions the Secretary considers advisable and in the public interest.
(c) The authority under this section is in addition to authority under another law.

31 USC 325 - International affairs authorization

(a) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary may provide officers and employees of the Department of the Treasury carrying out international affairs duties and powers of the Department with allowances and benefits comparable to those provided under chapter 9 of title I of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4081 et seq.).
(b) The following amounts may be appropriated to the Secretary for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1982:
(1) not more than $22,896,000 to carry out the international affairs duties and powers of the Department (including amounts for official functions and reception and representation expenses).
(2) not more than $1,000,000 for increases in
(A) pay, under section 5382 (c) and subchapter I of chapter 53 of title 5 (except section 5305, or corresponding prior provision of such title), of officers and employees carrying out the duties and powers referred to in clause (1) of this subsection;
(B) departmental contributions attributable to those pay increases; and
(C) allowances and benefits, because of cost of living increases, provided under subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Necessary amounts may be appropriated to the Secretary for each fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1982
(1) to carry out the international affairs duties and powers of the Department (including amounts for official functions and reception and representation expenses);
(2) for increases in
(A) pay, under section 5382 (c) and subchapter I of chapter 53 of title 5 (except section 5303), of officers and employees carrying out the duties and powers referred to in clause (1) of this subsection;
(B) departmental contributions attributable to those pay increases; and
(C) allowances and benefits, because of cost of living increases, provided under subsection (a) of this section.

31 USC 326 - Availability of appropriations for certain expenses

(a) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, an appropriation for the Department of the Treasury available to pay travel expenses also is available to pay expenses to attend meetings of organizations related to the function or activity for which the appropriation is made.
(b) The Secretary may approve reimbursement to agents on protective missions for subsistence expenses authorized by law without regard to rates and amounts established under section 5702 of title 5.

31 USC 327 - Advancements and reimbursements for services

(a) In this section, service includes service provided in
(1) disbursing and receiving amounts.
(2) servicing bonds.
(3) making accounts.
(4) maintaining bank accounts.
(b) When the Secretary of the Treasury provides a service for an agency (except the Department of the Treasury) for which amounts have not been appropriated to the Department, the agency may advance for credit or reimburse the Department the amounts necessary to provide the service. Notwithstanding section 3302 of this title, amounts advanced or reimbursed may be credited to the appropriation of the Department that is current when the service is provided.

31 USC 328 - Accounts and payments of former disbursing officials

(a) If a chief disbursing official or a director of a disbursing center of the Department of the Treasury dies, resigns, or leaves office, the deputy chief disbursing official or the deputy director of the disbursing center designated by the Secretary of the Treasury may continue the accounts and payments in the name of the former disbursing official or director through the last day of the 2d month after the month in which the death, resignation, or separation occurs. The accounts and payments shall be allowed, audited, and settled as provided by law. The Secretary shall honor checks signed in the name of the former disbursing official or director in the same way as if the former disbursing official or director had continued in office.
(b) Only the deputy chief or deputy director designated under subsection (a) of this section is liable for actions taken in the name of the former disbursing official under subsection (a).

31 USC 329 - Limitations on outside activities

(a) 
(1) The Secretary of the Treasury and the Treasurer may not
(A) be involved in trade or commerce;
(B) own any part of a vessel (except a pleasure vessel);
(C) buy or hold as a beneficiary in trust public property;
(D) be involved in buying or disposing of obligations of a State or the United States Government; and
(E) personally take or use a benefit gained from conducting business of the Department of the Treasury except as authorized by law.
(2) An officer violating this subsection shall be fined $3,000, removed from office, and thereafter may not hold an office of the Government.
(3) An individual (except prosecutors) giving information leading to the prosecution and conviction of an individual violating this subsection shall receive $1,500 of the fine when paid.
(b) 
(1) An officer or employee of the Department (except the Secretary or Treasurer) may not
(A) carry on a trade or business in the funds, debts, or property of a State or the Government; and
(B) personally use a benefit gained from conducting business of the Department.
(2) An officer or employee violating this subsection shall be fined $500 and removed from office.

31 USC 330 - Practice before the Department

(a) Subject to section 500 of title 5, the Secretary of the Treasury may
(1) regulate the practice of representatives of persons before the Department of the Treasury; and
(2) before admitting a representative to practice, require that the representative demonstrate
(A) good character;
(B) good reputation;
(C) necessary qualifications to enable the representative to provide to persons valuable service; and
(D) competency to advise and assist persons in presenting their cases.
(b) After notice and opportunity for a proceeding, the Secretary may suspend or disbar from practice before the Department, or censure, a representative who
(1) is incompetent;
(2) is disreputable;
(3) violates regulations prescribed under this section; or
(4) with intent to defraud, willfully and knowingly misleads or threatens the person being represented or a prospective person to be represented.

The Secretary may impose a monetary penalty on any representative described in the preceding sentence. If the representative was acting on behalf of an employer or any firm or other entity in connection with the conduct giving rise to such penalty, the Secretary may impose a monetary penalty on such employer, firm, or entity if it knew, or reasonably should have known, of such conduct. Such penalty shall not exceed the gross income derived (or to be derived) from the conduct giving rise to the penalty and may be in addition to, or in lieu of, any suspension, disbarment, or censure of the representative.

(c) After notice and opportunity for a hearing to any appraiser, the Secretary may
(1) provide that appraisals by such appraiser shall not have any probative effect in any administrative proceeding before the Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service, and
(2) bar such appraiser from presenting evidence or testimony in any such proceeding.
(d) Nothing in this section or in any other provision of law shall be construed to limit the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to impose standards applicable to the rendering of written advice with respect to any entity, transaction plan or arrangement, or other plan or arrangement, which is of a type which the Secretary determines as having a potential for tax avoidance or evasion.

31 USC 331 - Reports

(a) The Secretary of the Treasury shall submit to Congress each year an annual report. The report shall include
(1) a statement of the public receipts and public expenditures for the prior fiscal year;
(2) estimates of public receipts and public expenditures for the current and next fiscal years;
(3) plans for improving and increasing public receipts to provide Congress with information on ways to raise amounts necessary to meet public expenditures;
(4) a statement of all contracts for supplies or services made by the Secretary during the prior fiscal year;
(5) a statement of appropriations expended to pay for miscellaneous claims not otherwise provided for;
(6) a statement on all payments made from the fund under section 3126 of this title for the prior fiscal year; and
(7) estimates of amounts for payment under section 1322 (b) of this title.
(b) 
(1) On the first day of each regular session of Congress, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report for the prior fiscal year on
(A) the total and individual amounts of contingent liabilities and unfunded liabilities of the United States Government;
(B) as far as practicable, trust fund liabilities, liabilities of Government corporations, indirect liabilities not included as a part of the public debt, and liabilities of insurance and annuity programs (including their actuarial status);
(C) collateral pledged and assets available (or to be realized) as security for the liabilities (separately noting Government obligations) and other assets specifically available to liquidate the liabilities of the Government; and
(D) the total amount in each category under clauses (A)(C) of this paragraph for each agency.
(2) The report shall present the information required under paragraph (1) of this subsection in a concise way, with explanatory material (including an analysis of the significance of liabilities based on past experience and probable risk) the Secretary considers desirable.
(c) On the first day of each regular session of Congress, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report for the prior fiscal year on the total amount of public receipts and public expenditures listing receipts, when practicable, by ports, districts, and States and the expenditures by each appropriation.
(d) The Secretary shall report to either House of Congress in person or in writing, as required, on matters referred to the Secretary by that House of Congress.
(e) 
(1) Not later than March 31 of 1998 and each year thereafter, the Secretary of the Treasury, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, shall annually prepare and submit to the President and the Congress an audited financial statement for the preceding fiscal year, covering all accounts and associated activities of the executive branch of the United States Government. The financial statement shall reflect the overall financial position, including assets and liabilities, and results of operations of the executive branch of the United States Government, and shall be prepared in accordance with the form and content requirements set forth by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
(2) The Comptroller General of the United States shall audit the financial statement required by this section.

31 USC 332 - Miscellaneous administrative authority

The Secretary of the Treasury may to the extent provided in advance by appropriation Acts
(1) contract for the temporary or intermittent services of experts or consultants as authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, at rates not to exceed the per diem equivalent to the rate for GS18;
(2) contract with and reimburse the Department of State for health and medical services for employees of the Department of the Treasury and their dependents serving in foreign countries;
(3) provide for official functions, and reception and representation activities;
(4) maintain, repair, and clean uniforms furnished by the Department of the Treasury to uniformed employees;
(5) provide athletic and related activities for students at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, Georgia;
(6) install and maintain fencing, lighting, guard booths, and other facilities as necessary for the performance of protective functions of the Department of the Treasury on property not owned by or under jurisdiction and control of the United States Government and, subsequently, to remove the facilities therefrom;
(7) enter into reciprocal assistance agreements with State and local law enforcement agencies and, in connection with the agreements and otherwise, train employees of those agencies, when necessary, with or without reimbursement;
(8) provide laboratory assistance to State and local law enforcement agencies, with or without reimbursement;
(9) obtain insurance for official motor vehicles operated in foreign countries; and
(10) 
(A) when necessary for the performance of official business
(i) acquire in foreign countries real property by lease for periods not greater than 10 years and personal property for use in foreign countries by purchase, lease, or otherwise, and
(ii) manage, maintain, repair, improve, and insure by purchase of commercial insurance policies properties referred to in clause (i), and
(B) when appropriate, dispose of (by sale, rent, transfer, or otherwise) properties referred to in subparagraph (A)(i).

31 USC 333 - Prohibition of misuse of Department of the Treasury names, symbols, etc.

(a) General Rule.— 
No person may use, in connection with, or as a part of, any advertisement, solicitation, business activity, or product, whether alone or with other words, letters, symbols, or emblems
(1) the words Department of the Treasury, or the name of any service, bureau, office, or other subdivision of the Department of the Treasury,
(2) the titles Secretary of the Treasury or Treasurer of the United States or the title of any other officer or employee of the Department of the Treasury,
(3) the abbreviations or initials of any entity referred to in paragraph (1),
(4) the words United States Savings Bond or the name of any other obligation issued by the Department of the Treasury,
(5) any symbol or emblem of an entity referred to in paragraph (1) (including the design of any envelope or stationary used by such an entity), and
(6) any colorable imitation of any such words, titles, abbreviations, initials, symbols, or emblems,

in a manner which could reasonably be interpreted or construed as conveying the false impression that such advertisement, solicitation, business activity, or product is in any manner approved, endorsed, sponsored, or authorized by, or associated with, the Department of the Treasury or any entity referred to in paragraph (1) or any officer or employee thereof.

(b) Treatment of Disclaimers.— 
Any determination of whether a person has violated the provisions of subsection (a) shall be made without regard to any use of a disclaimer of affiliation with the United States Government or any particular agency or instrumentality thereof.
(c) Civil Penalty.— 

(1) In general.— 
The Secretary of the Treasury may impose a civil penalty on any person who violates the provisions of subsection (a).
(2) Amount of penalty.— 
The amount of the civil penalty imposed by paragraph (1) shall not exceed $5,000 for each use of any material in violation of subsection (a). If such use is in a broadcast or telecast, the preceding sentence shall be applied by substituting $25,000 for $5,000.
(3) Time limitations.— 

(A) Assessments.— 
The Secretary of the Treasury may assess any civil penalty under paragraph (1) at any time before the end of the 3-year period beginning on the date of the violation with respect to which such penalty is imposed.
(B) Civil action.— 
The Secretary of the Treasury may commence a civil action to recover any penalty imposed under this subsection at any time before the end of the 2-year period beginning on the date on which such penalty was assessed.
(4) Coordination with subsection (d).No penalty may be assessed under this subsection with respect to any violation after a criminal proceeding with respect to such violation has been commenced under subsection (d).
(d) Criminal Penalty.— 

(1) In general.— 
If any person knowingly violates subsection (a), such person shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $10,000 for each such use or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both. If such use is in a broadcast or telecast, the preceding sentence shall be applied by substituting $50,000 for $10,000.
(2) Time limitations.— 
No person may be prosecuted, tried, or punished under paragraph (1) for any violation of subsection (a) unless the indictment is found or the information instituted during the 3-year period beginning on the date of the violation.
(3) Coordination with subsection (c).No criminal proceeding may be commenced under this subsection with respect to any violation if a civil penalty has previously been assessed under subsection (c) with respect to such violation.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - CHAPTER 5 - OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER I - ORGANIZATION

31 USC 501 - Office of Management and Budget

The Office of Management and Budget is an office in the Executive Office of the President.

31 USC 502 - Officers

(a) The head of the Office of Management and Budget is the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. The Director is appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Under the direction of the President, the Director shall administer the Office.
(b) The Office has a Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Deputy Director
(1) shall carry out the duties and powers prescribed by the Director; and
(2) acts as the Director when the Director is absent or unable to serve or when the office of Director is vacant.
(c) The Office has a Deputy Director for Management appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Deputy Director for Management shall be the chief official responsible for financial management in the United States Government.
(d) The Office has 3 Assistant Directors who shall carry out the duties and powers prescribed by the Director.
(e) The Office may have not more than 6 additional officers, each of whom is appointed in the competitive service by the Director, with the approval of the President. Each additional officer shall carry out the duties and powers prescribed by the Director. The Director shall specify the title of each additional officer.
(f) When the Director and Deputy Director are absent or unable to serve or when the offices of Director and Deputy Director are vacant, the President may designate an officer of the Office to act as Director.

31 USC 503 - Functions of Deputy Director for Management

(a) Subject to the direction and approval of the Director, the Deputy Director for Management shall establish governmentwide financial management policies for executive agencies and shall perform the following financial management functions:
(1) Perform all functions of the Director, including all functions delegated by the President to the Director, relating to financial management.
(2) Provide overall direction and leadership to the executive branch on financial management matters by establishing financial management policies and requirements, and by monitoring the establishment and operation of Federal Government financial management systems.
(3) Review agency budget requests for financial management systems and operations, and advise the Director on the resources required to develop and effectively operate and maintain Federal Government financial management systems and to correct major deficiencies in such systems.
(4) Review and, where appropriate, recommend to the Director changes to the budget and legislative proposals of agencies to ensure that they are in accordance with financial management plans of the Office of Management and Budget.
(5) Monitor the financial execution of the budget in relation to actual expenditures, including timely performance reports.
(6) Oversee, periodically review, and make recommendations to heads of agencies on the administrative structure of agencies with respect to their financial management activities.
(7) Develop and maintain qualification standards for agency Chief Financial Officers and for agency Deputy Chief Financial Officers appointed under sections 901 and 903, respectively (excluding any officer designated or appointed under section 901 (c)).
(8) Provide advice to agency heads with respect to the selection of agency Chief Financial Officers and Deputy Chief Financial Officers (excluding any officer designated or appointed under section 901 (c)).
(9) Provide advice to agencies regarding the qualifications, recruitment, performance, and retention of other financial management personnel.
(10) Assess the overall adequacy of the professional qualifications and capabilities of financial management staffs throughout the Government and make recommendations on ways to correct problems which impair the capacity of those staffs.
(11) Settle differences that arise among agencies regarding the implementation of financial management policies.
(12) Chair the Chief Financial Officers Council established by section 302 of the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990.
(13) Communicate with the financial officers of State and local governments, and foster the exchange with those officers of information concerning financial management standards, techniques, and processes.
(14) Issue such other policies and directives as may be necessary to carry out this section, and perform any other function prescribed by the Director.
(b) Subject to the direction and approval of the Director, the Deputy Director for Management shall establish general management policies for executive agencies and perform the following general management functions:
(1) Coordinate and supervise the general management functions of the Office of Management and Budget.
(2) Perform all functions of the Director, including all functions delegated by the President to the Director, relating to
(A) managerial systems, including the systematic measurement of performance;
(B) procurement policy;
(C) grant, cooperative agreement, and assistance management;
(D) information and statistical policy;
(E) property management;
(F) human resources management;
(G) regulatory affairs; and
(H) other management functions, including organizational studies, long-range planning, program evaluation, productivity improvement, and experimentation and demonstration programs.
(3) Provide complete, reliable, and timely information to the President, the Congress, and the public regarding the management activities of the executive branch.
(4) Facilitate actions by the Congress and the executive branch to improve the management of Federal Government operations and to remove impediments to effective administration.
(5) Chair the Chief Information Officers Council established under section 3603 of title 44.
(6) Provide leadership in management innovation, through
(A) experimentation, testing, and demonstration programs; and
(B) the adoption of modern management concepts and technologies.
(7) Work with State and local governments to improve and strengthen intergovernmental relations, and provide assistance to such governments with respect to intergovernmental programs and cooperative arrangements.
(8) Review and, where appropriate, recommend to the Director changes to the budget and legislative proposals of agencies to ensure that they respond to program evaluations by, and are in accordance with general management plans of, the Office of Management and Budget.
(9) Provide advice to agencies on the qualification, recruitment, performance, and retention of managerial personnel.
(10) Perform any other functions prescribed by the Director.

31 USC 504 - Office of Federal Financial Management

(a) There is established in the Office of Management and Budget an office to be known as the Office of Federal Financial Management. The Office of Federal Financial Management, under the direction and control of the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget, shall carry out the financial management functions listed in section 503 (a) of this title.
(b) There shall be at the head of the Office of Federal Financial Management a Controller, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Controller shall be appointed from among individuals who possess
(1) demonstrated ability and practical experience in accounting, financial management, and financial systems; and
(2) extensive practical experience in financial management in large governmental or business entities.
(c) The Controller of the Office of Federal Financial Management shall be the deputy and principal advisor to the Deputy Director for Management in the performance by the Deputy Director for Management of functions described in section 503 (a).

31 USC 505 - Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs

The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, established under section 3503 of title 44, is an office in the Office of Management and Budget.

31 USC 506 - Office of Federal Procurement Policy

The Office of Federal Procurement Policy, established under section 5(a) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 404 (a)), is an office in the Office of Management and Budget.

31 USC 507 - Office of Electronic Government

The Office of Electronic Government, established under section 3602 of title 44, is an office in the Office of Management and Budget.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER II - ADMINISTRATIVE

31 USC 521 - Employees

The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall appoint and fix the pay of employees of the Office under regulations prescribed by the President.

31 USC 522 - Necessary expenditures

The Director of the Office of Management and Budget may make necessary expenditures for the Office under regulations prescribed by the President.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - CHAPTER 7 - GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER I - DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL ORGANIZATION

31 USC 701 - Definitions

In this chapter
(1) agency includes the District of Columbia government but does not include the legislative branch or the Supreme Court.
(2) appropriations means appropriated amounts and includes, in appropriate context
(A) funds;
(B) authority to make obligations by contract before appropriations; and
(C) other authority making amounts available for obligation or expenditure.

31 USC 702 - Government Accountability Office

(a) The Government Accountability Office is an instrumentality of the United States Government independent of the executive departments.
(b) The head of the Office is the Comptroller General of the United States. The Office has a Deputy Comptroller General of the United States.
(c) The Comptroller General may adopt a seal for the Office.

31 USC 703 - Comptroller General and Deputy Comptroller General

(a) 
(1) The Comptroller General and Deputy Comptroller General are appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(2) When a vacancy occurs in the office of Comptroller General or Deputy Comptroller General, a commission is established to recommend individuals to the President for appointment to the vacant office. The commission shall be composed of
(A) the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(B) the President pro tempore of the Senate;
(C) the majority and minority leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate;
(D) the chairmen and ranking minority members of the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Government Operations of the House; and
(E) when the office of Deputy Comptroller General is vacant, the Comptroller General.
(3) A commission established because of a vacancy in the office of the Comptroller General shall recommend at least 3 individuals. The President may ask the commission to recommend additional individuals.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, the term of the Comptroller General is 15 years. The Comptroller General may not be reappointed. The term of the Deputy Comptroller General expires on the date an individual is appointed Comptroller General. The Deputy Comptroller General may continue to serve until a successor is appointed.
(c) The Deputy Comptroller General
(1) carries out duties and powers prescribed by the Comptroller General; and
(2) acts for the Comptroller General when the Comptroller General is absent or unable to serve or when the office of Comptroller General is vacant.
(d) The Comptroller General shall designate an officer or employee of the Government Accountability Office to act as Comptroller General when the Comptroller General and Deputy Comptroller General are absent or unable to serve or when the offices of Comptroller General and Deputy Comptroller General are vacant.
(e) 
(1) A Comptroller General or Deputy Comptroller General may retire after becoming 70 years of age and completing 10 years of service as Comptroller General or Deputy Comptroller General (as the case may be). Either may be removed at any time by
(A) impeachment; or
(B) joint resolution of Congress, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, only for
(i) permanent disability;
(ii) inefficiency;
(iii) neglect of duty;
(iv) malfeasance; or
(v) a felony or conduct involving moral turpitude.
(2) A Comptroller General or Deputy Comptroller General removed from office under paragraph (1) of this subsection may not be reappointed to the office.
(f) The annual rate of basic pay of the
(1) Comptroller General is equal to the rate for level II of the Executive Schedule; and
(2) Deputy Comptroller General is equal to the rate for level III of the Executive Schedule.

31 USC 704 - Relationship to other laws

(a) To the extent applicable, all laws generally related to administering an agency apply to the Comptroller General.
(b) A copy of a record and a transcript from a record or proceeding of the Comptroller General, that the Comptroller General or Deputy Comptroller General certifies under seal, shall be admitted as evidence with the same effect as a copy or transcript referred to in section 1733 of title 28.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER II - GENERAL DUTIES AND POWERS

31 USC 711 - General authority

The Comptroller General may
(1) prescribe regulations to carry out the duties and powers of the Comptroller General;
(2) delegate the duties and powers of the Comptroller General to officers and employees of the Government Accountability Office as the Comptroller General decides is necessary to carry out those duties and powers;
(3) regulate the practice of representatives of persons before the Office; and
(4) administer oaths to witnesses when auditing and settling accounts.

31 USC 712 - Investigating the use of public money

The Comptroller General shall
(1) investigate all matters related to the receipt, disbursement, and use of public money;
(2) estimate the cost to the United States Government of complying with each restriction on expenditures of a specific appropriation in a general appropriation law and report each estimate to Congress with recommendations the Comptroller General considers desirable;
(3) analyze expenditures of each executive agency the Comptroller General believes will help Congress decide whether public money has been used and expended economically and efficiently;
(4) make an investigation and report ordered by either House of Congress or a committee of Congress having jurisdiction over revenue, appropriations, or expenditures; and
(5) give a committee of Congress having jurisdiction over revenue, appropriations, or expenditures the help and information the committee requests.

31 USC 713 - Audit of Internal Revenue Service, Tax and Trade Bureau, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives

(a) Under regulations of the Comptroller General, the Comptroller General shall audit the Internal Revenue Service and the Tax and Trade Bureau, Department of the Treasury, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Department of Justice of the Department of the Treasury.[1] An audit under this section does not affect a final decision of the Secretary of the Treasury under section 6406 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 6406).
(b) 
(1) To carry out this section and to the extent provided by and only subject to section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 6103)
(A) returns and return information (as defined in section 6103(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 6103 (b)) shall be made available to the Comptroller General; and
(B) records and property of, or used by, the Service or either Bureau, shall be made available to the Comptroller General.
(2) At least once every 6 months, the Comptroller General shall designate each officer and employee of the Government Accountability Office by name and title to whom returns, return information, or records or property of the Service or either Bureau that can identify a particular taxpayer may be made available. Each designation or a certified copy of the designation shall be sent to the Committee on Finance of the Senate, the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Government Operations of the House, the Joint Committee on Taxation, the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, the Tax and Trade Bureau, Department of the Treasury, and the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Department of Justice.
(3) Except as expressly provided by law, an officer or employee of the Office may make known information derived from a record or property of, or in use by, the Service or either Bureau that can identify a particular taxpayer only to another officer or employee of the Office whose duties or powers require that the record or property be made known.
[1] So in original.

31 USC 714 - Audit of Financial Institutions Examination Council, Federal Reserve Board, Federal reserve banks, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Office of Comptroller of the Currency

(a) In this section, agency means the Financial Institutions Examination Council, the Federal Reserve Board, Federal reserve banks, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Office of Thrift Supervision.
(b) Under regulations of the Comptroller General, the Comptroller General shall audit an agency, but may carry out an onsite examination of an open insured bank or bank holding company only if the appropriate agency has consented in writing. Audits of the Federal Reserve Board and Federal reserve banks may not include
(1) transactions for or with a foreign central bank, government of a foreign country, or nonprivate international financing organization;
(2) deliberations, decisions, or actions on monetary policy matters, including discount window operations, reserves of member banks, securities credit, interest on deposits, and open market operations;
(3) transactions made under the direction of the Federal Open Market Committee; or
(4) a part of a discussion or communication among or between members of the Board of Governors and officers and employees of the Federal Reserve System related to clauses (1)(3) of this subsection.
(c) 
(1) Except as provided in this subsection, an officer or employee of the Government Accountability Office may not disclose information identifying an open bank, an open bank holding company, or a customer of an open or closed bank or bank holding company. The Comptroller General may disclose information related to the affairs of a closed bank or closed bank holding company identifying a customer of the closed bank or closed bank holding company only if the Comptroller General believes the customer had a controlling influence in the management of the closed bank or closed bank holding company or was related to or affiliated with a person or group having a controlling influence.
(2) An officer or employee of the Office may discuss a customer, bank, or bank holding company with an official of an agency and may report an apparent criminal violation to an appropriate law enforcement authority of the United States Government or a State.
(3) This subsection does not authorize an officer or employee of an agency to withhold information from a committee of Congress authorized to have the information.
(d) 
(1) To carry out this section, all records and property of or used by an agency, including samples of reports of examinations of a bank or bank holding company the Comptroller General considers statistically meaningful and workpapers and correspondence related to the reports shall be made available to the Comptroller General. The Comptroller General shall give an agency a current list of officers and employees to whom, with proper identification, records and property may be made available, and who may make notes or copies necessary to carry out an audit.
(2) The Comptroller General shall prevent unauthorized access to records or property of or used by an agency that the Comptroller General obtains during an audit.

31 USC 715 - Audit of accounts and operations of the District of Columbia government

(a) In addition to the audit carried out under section 455 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act (Public Law 93198, 87 Stat. 803; D.C. Code, 47117), the Comptroller General each year shall audit the accounts and operations of the District of Columbia government. An audit shall be carried out according to principles, under regulations, and in a way the Comptroller General prescribes. When prescribing the procedures to follow and the extent of the inspection of records, the Comptroller General shall consider generally accepted principles of auditing, including the effectiveness of accounting organizations and systems, internal audit and control, and related administrative practices.
(b) The Comptroller General shall submit each audit report to Congress and (other than the audit reports of the District of Columbia Courts) the Mayor and Council of the District of Columbia. The report shall include the scope of an audit, information the Comptroller General considers necessary to keep Congress, the Mayor, and the Council informed of operations audited, and recommendations the Comptroller General considers advisable.
(c) 
(1) By the 90th day after receiving an audit report from the Comptroller General, the Mayor shall state in writing to the Council measures the District of Columbia government is taking to comply with the recommendations of the Comptroller General. A copy of the statement shall be sent to Congress.
(2) After the Council receives the statement of the Mayor, the Council may make available for public inspection the report of the Comptroller General and other material the Council considers pertinent.
(d) To carry out this section, records and property of or used by the District of Columbia government necessary to make an audit easier shall be made available to the Comptroller General. The Mayor shall provide facilities to carry out an audit.
(e) Not later than March 1 of each year, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on the District of Columbia of the House of Representatives and the Subcommittee on General Services, Federalism, and the District of Columbia of the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate a review of the report of the breakdown of the independently audited revenues of the District of Columbia for the preceding fiscal year by revenues derived from the Federal Government and revenues derived from sources other than the Federal Government that is included in the independent annual audit of the funds of the District of Columbia conducted for such fiscal year.

31 USC 716 - Availability of information and inspection of records

(a) Each agency shall give the Comptroller General information the Comptroller General requires about the duties, powers, activities, organization, and financial transactions of the agency. The Comptroller General may inspect an agency record to get the information. This subsection does not apply to expenditures made under section 3524 or 3526 (e) of this title.
(b) 
(1) When an agency record is not made available to the Comptroller General within a reasonable time, the Comptroller General may make a written request to the head of the agency. The request shall state the authority for inspecting the records and the reason for the inspection. The head of the agency has 20 days after receiving the request to respond. The response shall describe the record withheld and the reason the record is being withheld. If the Comptroller General is not given an opportunity to inspect the record within the 20-day period, the Comptroller General may file a report with the President, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Attorney General, the head of the agency, and Congress.
(2) Through an attorney the Comptroller General designates in writing, the Comptroller General may bring a civil action in the district court of the United States for the District of Columbia to require the head of the agency to produce a record
(A) after 20 days after a report is filed under paragraph (1) of this subsection; and
(B) subject to subsection (d) of this section.
(3) The Attorney General may represent the head of the agency. The court may punish a failure to obey an order of the court under this subsection as a contempt of court.
(c) 
(1) Subject to subsection (d) of this section, the Comptroller General may subpena a record of a person not in the United States Government when the record is not made available to the Comptroller General to which the Comptroller General has access by law or by agreement of that person from whom access is sought. A subpena shall identify the record and the authority for the inspection and may be issued by the Comptroller General. The Comptroller General may have an individual serve a subpena under this subsection by delivering a copy to the person named in the subpena or by mailing a copy of the subpena by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to the residence or principal place of business of the person. Proof of service is shown by a verified return by the individual serving the subpena that states how the subpena was served or by the return receipt signed by the person served.
(2) If a person residing, found, or doing business in a judicial district refuses to comply with a subpena issued under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Comptroller General, through an attorney the Comptroller General designates in writing, may bring a civil action in that district court to require the person to produce the record. The court has jurisdiction of the action and may punish a failure to obey an order of the court under this subsection as a contempt of court.
(d) 
(1) The Comptroller General may not bring a civil action for a record withheld under subsection (b) of this section or issue a subpena under subsection (c) of this section if
(A) the record related to activities the President designates as foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activities;
(B) the record is specifically exempted from disclosure to the Comptroller General by a statute that
(i) without discretion requires that the record be withheld from the Comptroller General;
(ii) establishes particular criteria for withholding the record from the Comptroller General; or
(iii) refers to particular types of records to be withheld from the Comptroller General; or
(C) by the 20th day after a report is filed under subsection (b)(1) of this section, the President or the Director certifies to the Comptroller General and Congress that a record could be withheld under section 552 (b)(5) or (7) of title 5 and disclosure reasonably could be expected to impair substantially the operations of the Government.
(2) The President or the Director may not delegate certification under paragraph (1)(C) of this subsection. A certification shall include a complete explanation of the reasons for the certification.
(e) 
(1) The Comptroller General shall maintain the same level of confidentiality for a record made available under this section as is required of the head of the agency from which it is obtained. Officers and employees of the Government Accountability Office are subject to the same statutory penalties for unauthorized disclosure or use as officers or employees of the agency.
(2) The Comptroller General shall keep information described in section 552 (b)(6) of title 5 that the Comptroller General obtains in a way that prevents unwarranted invasions of personal privacy.
(3) This section does not authorize information to be withheld from Congress.

31 USC 717 - Evaluating programs and activities of the United States Government

(a) In this section, agency means a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government (except a mixed-ownership Government corporation) or the District of Columbia government.
(b) The Comptroller General shall evaluate the results of a program or activity the Government carries out under existing law
(1) on the initiative of the Comptroller General;
(2) when either House of Congress orders an evaluation; or
(3) when a committee of Congress with jurisdiction over the program or activity requests the evaluation.
(c) The Comptroller General shall develop and recommend to Congress ways to evaluate a program or activity the Government carries out under existing law.
(d) 
(1) On request of a committee of Congress, the Comptroller General shall help the committee to
(A) develop a statement of legislative goals and ways to assess and report program performance related to the goals, including recommended ways to assess performance, information to be reported, responsibility for reporting, frequency of reports, and feasibility of pilot testing; and
(B) assess program evaluations prepared by and for an agency.
(2) On request of a member of Congress, the Comptroller General shall give the member a copy of the material the Comptroller General compiles in carrying out this subsection that has been released by the committee for which the material was compiled.

31 USC 718 - Availability of draft reports

(a) A draft report of an audit under section 714 of this title shall be submitted to the Financial Institutions Examination Council, the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for comment for 30 days.
(b) 
(1) The Comptroller General may submit a part of a draft report to an agency for comment for more than 30 days only if the Comptroller General decides, after a showing by the agency, that a longer period is necessary and likely to result in a more accurate report. The report may not be delayed because the agency does not comment within the comment period.
(2) When a draft report is submitted to an agency for comment, the Comptroller General shall make the draft report available on request to
(A) either House of Congress, a committee of Congress, or a member of Congress if the report was begun because of a request of the House, committee, or member; or
(B) the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Government Operations of the House of Representatives if the report was not begun because of a request of either House of Congress, a committee of Congress, or a member of Congress.
(3) This subsection is subject to statutory and executive order guidelines for handling and storing classified information and material.
(c) A final report of the Comptroller General shall include
(1) a statement of significant changes of a finding, conclusion, or recommendation in an earlier draft report because of comments on the draft by an agency;
(2) a statement of the reasons the changes were made; and
(3) for a draft report submitted under subsection (a) of this section, written comments of the agency submitted during the comment period.

31 USC 719 - Comptroller General reports

(a) At the beginning of each regular session of Congress, the Comptroller General shall report to Congress (and to the President when requested by the President) on the work of the Comptroller General. A report shall include recommendations on
(1) legislation the Comptroller General considers necessary to make easier the prompt and accurate making and settlement of accounts; and
(2) other matters related to the receipt, disbursement, and use of public money the Comptroller General considers advisable.
(b) 
(1) The Comptroller General shall include in the report to Congress under subsection (a) of this section
(A) a review of activities under sections 717 (b)(d) and 731(e)(2) of this title, including recommendations under section 717 (c) of this title;
(B) information on carrying out duties and powers of the Comptroller General under clauses (A) and (C) of this paragraph, subsections (g) and (h)1 of this section, and sections 717, 731 (e)(2), 734, 1112, and 1113 of this title; and
(C) the name of each officer and employee of the Government Accountability Office assigned or detailed to a committee of Congress, the committee to which the officer or employee is assigned or detailed, the length of the period of assignment or detail, a statement on whether the assignment or detail is finished or continuing, and compensation paid out of appropriations available to the Comptroller General for the period of the assignment or detail that has been completed.
(2) In a report under subsection (a) of this section or in a special report to Congress when Congress is in session, the Comptroller General shall include recommendations on greater economy and efficiency in public expenditures.
(3) The report under subsection (a) shall also include a statement of the staff hours and estimated cost of work performed on audits, evaluations, investigations, and related work during each of the three fiscal years preceding the fiscal year in which the report is submitted, stated separately for each division of the Government Accountability Office by category as follows:
(A) A category for work requested by the chairman of a committee of Congress, the chairman of a subcommittee of such a committee, or any other Member of Congress.
(B) A category for work required by law to be performed by the Comptroller General.
(C) A category for work initiated by the Comptroller General in the performance of the Comptroller Generals general responsibilities.
(c) The Comptroller General shall report to Congress
(1) specially on expenditures and contracts an agency makes in violation of law;
(2) on the adequacy and effectiveness of
(A) administrative audits of accounts and claims in an agency; and
(B) inspections by an agency of offices and accounts of fiscal officials; and
(3) as frequently as practicable on audits carried out under sections 713 and 714 of this title.
(d) The Comptroller General shall report on analyses carried out under section 712 (3) of this title to the Committees on Governmental Affairs and Appropriations of the Senate, the Committees on Government Operations and Appropriations of the House, and the committees with jurisdiction over legislation related to the operation of each executive agency.
(e) The Comptroller General shall give the President information on expenditures and accounting the President requests.
(f) When the Comptroller General submits a report to Congress, the Comptroller General shall deliver copies of the report to
(1) the Committees on Governmental Affairs and Appropriations of the Senate;
(2) the Committees on Government Operations and Appropriations of the House;
(3) a committee of Congress that requested information on any part of a program or activity of a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government (except a mixed-ownership Government corporation) or the District of Columbia government that is the subject of any part of a report; and
(4) any other committee of Congress requesting a copy.
(g) 
(1) The Comptroller General shall prepare
(A) each month a list of reports issued during the prior month; and
(B) at least once each year a list of reports issued during the prior 12 months.
(2) A copy of each list shall be sent to each committee of Congress and each member of Congress. On request, the Comptroller General promptly shall provide a copy of a report to a committee or member.
(h) On request of a committee of Congress, the Comptroller General shall explain to and discuss with the committee or committee staff a report the Comptroller General makes that would help the committee
(1) evaluate a program or activity of an agency within the jurisdiction of the committee; or
(2) in its consideration of proposed legislation.
[1] See References in Text note below.

31 USC 720 - Agency reports

(a) In this section, agency means a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government (except a mixed-ownership Government corporation) or the District of Columbia government.
(b) When the Comptroller General makes a report that includes a recommendation to the head of an agency, the head of the agency shall submit a written statement on action taken on the recommendation by the head of the agency. The statement shall be submitted to
(1) the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Government Operations of the House of Representatives before the 61st day after the date of the report; and
(2) the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress in the first request for appropriations submitted more than 60 days after the date of the report.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER III - PERSONNEL

31 USC 731 - General

(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) 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.
(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 maximum daily rate for GS18 under section 5332 of such title, except that the services of not 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.
(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 Offices 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) the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.);
(6) section 1043 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
(7) section 27 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 423).

31 USC 732 - Personnel management system

(a) The Comptroller General shall maintain a personnel management system. The Comptroller General may prescribe a regulation about the system only after notice and opportunity for public comment. A reprisal or threat of reprisal may not be made against an officer or employee of the Government Accountability Office because of comments on a proposed regulation about the system.
(b) The personnel management system shall
(1) include the principles of section 2301 (b) of title 5;
(2) prohibit personnel practices prohibited under section 2302 (b) of title 5;
(3) prohibit political activities prohibited under subchapter III of chapter 73 of title 5;
(4) ensure that officers and employees of the Office are appointed, promoted, and assigned only on the basis of merit and fitness, but without regard to those provisions of title 5 governing appointments and other personnel actions in the competitive service;
(5) give a preference to an individual eligible for a preference in the executive branch of the United States Government in a way and to an extent consistent with a preference given an individual in the executive branch; and
(6) provide that the Comptroller General shall fix the basic pay of officers and employees of the Office not fixed by law, consistent with section 5301 of title 5, except as provided under subsection (c)(3) of this section and section 733 (a)(3)(B) of this title.
(c) Under the personnel management system
(1) the Comptroller General shall publish a schedule of basic pay rates for officers and employees of the Office;
(2) except as provided in clause (4) of this subsection and section 733 (a)(3)(A) of this title, the highest basic pay rate under the pay schedule may not be more than the highest basic rate for GS15;
(3) except as provided under section 733 (a)(3)(B) of this title, basic rates of officers and employees of the Office shall be adjusted annually to such extent as determined by the Comptroller General, and in making that determination the Comptroller General shall consider
(A) the principle that equal pay should be provided for work of equal value within each local pay area;
(B) the need to protect the purchasing power of officers and employees of the Office, taking into consideration the Consumer Price Index or other appropriate indices;
(C) any existing pay disparities between officers and employees of the Office and non-Federal employees in each local pay area;
(D) the pay rates for the same levels of work for officers and employees of the Office and non-Federal employees in each local pay area;
(E) the appropriate distribution of agency funds between annual adjustments under this section and performance-based compensation; and
(F) such other criteria as the Comptroller General considers appropriate, including, but not limited to, the funding level for the Office, amounts allocated for performance-based compensation, and the extent to which the Office is succeeding in fulfilling its mission and accomplishing its strategic plan;

notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph, an adjustment under this paragraph shall 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;

(4) the pay schedule for officers and employees of the Office may provide that the basic pay rates for not more than 129 positions (including senior-level positions under section 732a of this title) may be at rates not more than the rate of basic pay payable for grade GS18 of the General Schedule, less the number of positions in the General Accounting Office Senior Executive Service[1] under section 733 of this title (except positions included in the Service under section 733 (c) of this title and senior-level positions described in section 732a (b) of this title); and
(5) the Comptroller General shall prescribe regulations under which an officer or employee of the Office shall be entitled to pay retention if, as a result of any reduction-in-force or other workforce adjustment procedure, position reclassification, or other appropriate circumstances as determined by the Comptroller General, such officer or employee is placed in or holds a position in a lower grade or band with a maximum rate of basic pay that is less than the rate of basic pay payable to the officer or employee immediately before the reduction in grade or band; such regulations
(A) shall provide that the officer or employee shall be entitled to continue receiving the rate of basic pay that was payable to the officer or employee immediately before the reduction in grade or band until such time as the retained rate becomes less than the maximum rate for the grade or band of the position held by such officer or employee; and
(B) shall include provisions relating to the minimum period of time for which an officer or employee must have served or for which the position must have been classified at the higher grade or band in order for pay retention to apply, the events that terminate the right to pay retention (apart from the one described in subparagraph (A)), and exclusions based on the nature of an appointment; in prescribing regulations under this subparagraph, the Comptroller General shall be guided by the provisions of sections 5362 and 5363 of title 5.
(d) The personnel management system shall provide
(1) for a system to appraise the performance of officers and employees of the General Accounting Office[2] that meets the requirements of section 4302 of title 5 and in addition includes
(A) a link between the performance management system and the agencys strategic plan;
(B) adequate training and retraining for supervisors, managers, and employees in the implementation and operation of the performance management system;
(C) a process for ensuring ongoing performance feedback and dialogue between supervisors, managers, and employees throughout the appraisal period and setting timetables for review;
(D) effective transparency and accountability measures to ensure that the management of the system is fair, credible, and equitable, including appropriate independent reasonableness, reviews, internal assessments, and employee surveys; and
(E) a means to ensure that adequate agency resources are allocated for the design, implementation, and administration of the performance management system;
(2) that the Comptroller General has the same responsibility for performance appraisals under this subsection as the Director of the Office of Personnel Management has under section 4302 of title 5;
(3) for a reduction in grade or removal of an officer or employee because of unacceptable performance consistent with section 4303 of title 5;
(4) for other personnel actions consistent with chapter 75 of title 5; and
(5) a procedure for processing complaints and grievances not otherwise provided for under clauses (3) and (4) of this subsection or subsection (e) or (f)(1) of this section.
(e) The personnel management system shall provide
(1) a procedure that ensures that each officer and employee of the Government Accountability Office may form, join, or assist, or not form, join, or assist, an employee organization freely and without fear of penalty or reprisal; and
(2) for a labor-management relations program consistent with chapter 71 of title 5.
(f) 
(1) The personnel management system shall
(A) provide that all personnel actions affecting an officer, employee, or applicant for employment be taken without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, or handicapping condition; and
(B) include a minority recruitment program consistent with section 7201 of title 5.
(2) This subchapter and subchapter IV of this chapter do not affect a right or remedy of an officer, employee, or applicant for employment under a law prohibiting discrimination in employment in the Government on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, or handicapping condition. However, for officers, employees, or applicants in the Government Accountability Office
(A) the General Accounting Office Personnel Appeals Board[1] has the same authority over oversight and appeals matters as an executive agency has over oversight and appeals matters; and
(B) the Comptroller General has the same authority over matters (except oversight and appeals) as an executive agency has over matters (except oversight and appeals).
(3) This section does not affect a lawful effort to achieve equal employment opportunity through affirmative action.
(g) An officer or employee of the Government Accountability Office completing at least one year of continuous service under a nontemporary appointment under the personnel management system acquires a competitive status for appointment to a position in the competitive service for which the officer or employee is qualified.
(h) 
(1) 
(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Comptroller General shall prescribe regulations, consistent with regulations issued by the Office of Personnel Management under authority of section 3502 (a) of title 5 for the separation of employees of the Government Accountability Office during a reduction in force or other adjustment in force.
(B) The regulations must give effect to the following factors in descending order of priority
(i) tenure of employment;
(ii) military preference subject to section 3501 (a)(3) of title 5;
(iii) veterans preference under sections 3502 (b) and 3502 (c) of title 5;
(iv) performance ratings;
(v) length of service computed in accordance with the second sentence of section 3502 (a) of title 5; and
(vi) other objective factors such as skills and knowledge that the Comptroller General considers necessary and appropriate to realign the agencys workforce in order to meet current and future mission needs, to correct skill imbalances, or to reduce high-grade, managerial, or supervisory positions.
(C) Notwithstanding subparagraph (B), the regulations relating to removal from the General Accounting Office Senior Executive Service[1] in a reduction in force or other adjustment in force shall be consistent with section 3595 (a) of title 5.
(2) 
(A) The regulations shall provide a right of appeal to the General Accounting Office Personnel Appeals Board[1] regarding a personnel action under the regulations, consistent with section 753 of this title.
(B) The regulations shall provide that final decision by the General Accounting Office Personnel Appeals Board[1] may be reviewed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit consistent with section 755 of this title.
(3) 
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), an employee may not be released, due to a reduction in force, unless such employee is given written notice at least 60 days before such employee is so released. Such notice shall include
(i) the personnel action to be taken with respect to the employee involved;
(ii) the effective date of the action;
(iii) a description of the procedures applicable in identifying employees for release;
(iv) the employees ranking relative to other competing employees, and how that ranking was determined; and
(v) a description of any appeal or other rights which may be available.
(B) The Comptroller General may, in writing, shorten the period of advance notice required under subparagraph (A) with respect to a particular reduction in force, if necessary because of circumstances not reasonably foreseeable, except that such period may not be less than 30 days.
(i) The regulations under subsection (h) shall include provisions under which, at the discretion of the Comptroller General, the opportunity to separate voluntarily (in order to permit the retention of an individual occupying a similar position) shall, with respect to the Government Accountability Office, be available to the same extent and in the same manner as described in subsection (f)(1)(4) of section 3502 of title 5 (with respect to the Department of Defense or a military department).
[1] See Change of Name note below.
[2] So in original. Probably should be “Government Accountability Office”.

31 USC 732a - Critical positions

(a) The Comptroller General may establish senior-level positions to meet critical scientific, technical or professional needs of the Government Accountability Office. An individual serving in such a position shall
(1) be subject to the laws and regulations applicable to the General Accounting Office Senior Executive Service[1] under section 733 of this title, with respect to rates of basic pay, performance awards, ranks, carry over of annual leave, benefits, performance appraisals, removal or suspension, and reductions in force;
(2) have the same rights of appeal to the General Accounting Office Personnel Appeals Board[1] as are provided to the Office Senior Executive Service;
(3) be exempt from the same provisions of law as are made inapplicable to the Office Senior Executive Service under section 733 (d) of this title, except for section 732 (e) of this title;
(4) be entitled to discontinued service retirement under chapter 83 or 84 of title 5 as if a member of the Office Senior Executive Service; and
(5) be subject to reassignment by the Comptroller General to any position in the Office Senior Executive Service under section 733 of this title, as the Comptroller General determines necessary and appropriate.
(b) Senior-level positions under this section may include positions referred to in section 731 (d), (e)(1), or (e)(2) of this title.
[1] See Change of Name note below.

31 USC 733 - Senior Executive Service

(a) The Comptroller General may establish a General Accounting Office Senior Executive Service[1]
(1) meeting the requirements of section 3131 of title 5;
(2) providing requirements for positions consistent with section 3132 (a)(2) of title 5;
(3) providing rates of basic pay
(A) not more than the maximum rate or less than the minimum rate for the Senior Executive Service under section 5382 of title 5; and
(B) adjusted annually by the Comptroller General after taking into consideration the factors listed under section 732 (c)(3) of this title, except that an adjustment under this subparagraph shall 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;
(4) providing a performance appraisal system consistent with subchapter II of chapter 43 of title 5;
(5) allowing the Comptroller General to award ranks to officers and employees in the Office Senior Executive Service consistent with section 4507 of title 5;
(6) providing for removal consistent with section 3592 of title 5, and for removal or suspension consistent with section 7543 of title 5;
(7) allowing the Comptroller General to reassign an officer or employee in the Office Senior Executive Service to any senior-level position established under section 732a of this title, as the Comptroller General determines necessary and appropriate; and
(8) allowing the Comptroller General to pay performance awards to officers and employees of the Office Senior Executive Service consistent with section 5384 of title 5.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (a), the Comptroller General may apply any part of title 5 that applies to an applicant for or officer or employee in the Senior Executive Service under title 5 to the Office Senior Executive Service.
(c) The Office Senior Executive Service may include positions referred to in section 731 (c), (d), (e)(1), or (e)(2) of this title.
(d) Section 732 (b)(6), (c), (d)(1)(4), and (e) of this title does not apply to the Office Senior Executive Service.
[1] See Change of Name note below.

31 USC 734 - Assignments and details to Congress

The Comptroller General may assign or detail an officer or employee of the Government Accountability Office to full-time continuous duty with a committee of Congress for not more than one year.

31 USC 735 - Relationship to other laws

(a) Except as provided in section 733 (c) of this title, this subchapter and subchapter IV of this chapter do not affect sections 702 (b), 703, 731 (c)(e), 772, 775(a) and (d) of this title.
(b) Except as specifically provided in this subchapter and subchapter IV of this chapter, those subchapters do not change the application of a law applicable to officers and employees of the Government Accountability Office.

31 USC 736 - Authorization of appropriations

Amounts necessary to carry out this subchapter and subchapter IV of this chapter may be appropriated to the Comptroller General.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER IV - PERSONNEL APPEALS BOARD

31 USC 751 - Organization

(a) The Government Accountability Office has a General Accounting Office Personnel Appeals Board.[1] The Board is composed of 5 members appointed by the Comptroller General. An individual may be appointed only if the individual
(1) is not a current or former officer or employee of the Office or of the Architect of the Capitol, the Botanic Garden, or the Senate Restaurants,;[2]
(2) has the demonstrated ability, background, training, and experience necessary to be qualified specially to serve on the Board; and
(3) demonstrates a capacity and willingness to devote sufficient time to dispose of cases in a timely way.
(b) The Comptroller General shall appoint members only
(1) after considering any candidates who are recommended to the Comptroller General (at such time and in such manner as the Comptroller General requires) by organizations composed primarily of individuals experienced in adjudicating or arbitrating personnel matters; and
(2) after the Comptroller General consults with organizations representing employees of the Office and with any member of each committee of Congress, having legislative jurisdiction over the personnel management system maintained under section 732 of this title, whom the chairman of the committee designates.
(c) 
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the term of a member of the Board is 5 years. A member may not be reappointed. An individual appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of a term of office is appointed for the remainder of the term. However, if the unexpired part of a term is less than one year, the Comptroller General may appoint an individual for a 5-year term plus the unexpired part of the term. When the term of a member ends, the member may continue to serve until a successor takes office or for 6 months after the term expires, whichever is earlier.
(2) 
(A) The term of a member serving on the date of the enactment of the General Accounting Office Personnel Amendments Act of 1988 shall be as follows:
(i) Of the 2 members appointed in 1985, the term of 1 such member shall be 5 years, and the term of the other such member shall be 6 years.
(ii) Of the 2 members appointed in 1986, the term of 1 such member shall be 6 years, and the term of the other such member shall be 7 years.
(iii) The term of the member appointed in 1987 shall be 7 years.
(B) Within 60 days after the date referred to in subparagraph (A), the Comptroller General shall determine
(i) with respect to the members under subparagraph (A)(i), which will have a term of 5 years and which will have a term of 6 years; and
(ii) with respect to the members under subparagraph (A)(ii), which will have a term of 6 years and which will have a term of 7 years.
(C) A term established for a member under this paragraph shall be measured
(i) from the date on which the member was originally appointed; or
(ii) in the case of a member serving for the unexpired portion of a term, from the appointment date of the individual who was originally appointed to serve for such term.
(d) A member may be removed by a majority of the Board (except the member subject to removal) only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. A member subject to removal shall be given notice and an opportunity for a hearing before the Board unless the member waives the opportunity in writing.
(e) While carrying out a members duties (including travel), a member who is not an officer or employee of the United States Government is entitled to basic pay at a rate equal to the daily rate of basic pay payable for grade GS18 of the General Schedule. Each member is entitled to travel expenses and per diem allowances under section 5703 of title 5.
[1] See Change of Name note below.
[2] So in original. The comma probably should not appear.

31 USC 752 - Chairman and General Counsel

(a) The General Accounting Office Personnel Appeals Board[1] shall select one of its members as Chairman. The Chairman is the chief executive and administrative officer of the Board.
(b) 
(1) The Comptroller General shall appoint as General Counsel of the Board an individual the Chairman selects. The General Counsel serves at the pleasure of the Chairman.
(2) The Chairman shall fix the pay of the General Counsel. The rate of basic pay of the General Counsel may be not more than the maximum rate of basic pay payable for grade GS16 of the General Schedule.
(3) The General Counsel shall
(A) investigate an allegation about a prohibited personnel practice under section 732 (b)(2) of this title to decide if there are reasonable grounds to believe the practice has occurred, exists, or will be taken by an officer or an employee of the Government Accountability Office;
(B) investigate an allegation about a prohibited political activity under section 732 (b)(3) of this title;
(C) investigate a matter under the jurisdiction of the Board if the Board or a member of the Board requests; and
(D) help the Board carry out its duties and powers.
[1] See Change of Name note below.

31 USC 753 - Duties and powers

(a) The General Accounting Office Personnel Appeals Board[1] may consider and order corrective or disciplinary action in a case arising from
(1) an officer or employee appeal about a removal, suspension for more than 14 days, reduction in grade or pay, or furlough of not more than 30 days;
(2) a prohibited personnel practice under section 732 (b)(2) of this title;
(3) a prohibited political activity under section 732 (b)(3) of this title;
(4) a decision of an appropriate unit of employees for collective bargaining;
(5) an election or certification of a collective bargaining representative;
(6) a matter appealable to the Board under the labor-management relations program under section 732 (e)(2) of this title, including a labor practice prohibited under section 732 (e)(1) of this title;
(7) an action involving discrimination prohibited under section 732 (f)(1) of this title;
(8) an issue about Office personnel the Comptroller General by regulation decides the Board shall resolve; and
(9) an action involving discrimination prohibited under section 312(e)(2)2 of the Architect of the Capitol Human Resources Act.
(b) The Board has no authority to issue a stay of any reduction in force action.
(c) The Board may delegate to a member or a panel of members the authority to act under subsection (a) of this section. A decision of a member or panel under subsection (a) is deemed to be a final decision of the Board unless the Board reconsiders the decision under subsection (d) of this section.
(d) On motion of a party or on its own initiative, the Board may reconsider a decision under subsection (a) of this section by the 30th day after the decision is made.
(e) The Board shall prescribe regulations
(1) providing for officer and employee appeals consistent with sections 7701 and 7702 of title 5; and
(2) on the operating procedure of the Board.
[1] See Change of Name note below.
[2] See References in Text note below.

31 USC 754 - Action by the Comptroller General

When the Comptroller General has authority, the Comptroller General promptly shall carry out action the General Accounting Office Personnel Appeals Board[1] orders under section 753 of this title.
[1] See Change of Name note below.

31 USC 755 - Judicial review

(a) A final decision under section 753 (a)(1)(3), (6),,[1] (7) or (9) of this title may be reviewed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Chapter 158 of title 28 applies to a review under this subchapter, except the petition for review shall be filed by the 30th day after the petitioner receives notice of the decision. The court shall set aside a final decision the court decides is
(1) arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not consistent with law;
(2) not made consistent with required procedures; or
(3) unsupported by substantial evidence.
(b) If an officer, employee, applicant for employment, or employee of the Architect of the Capitol, the Botanic Garden, or the Senate Restaurants is the prevailing party in a proceeding under this section, and the decision is based on a finding of discrimination prohibited under section 732 (f) of this title or under section 312(e)(2)2 of the Architect of the Capitol Human Resources Act, attorneys fees may be allowed by the court in accordance with the standards prescribed under section 706(k) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
[1] So in original. Second comma probably should follow “(7)”.
[2] See References in Text note below.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER V - ANNUITIES

31 USC 771 - Definitions

In this subchapter
(1) dependent child means an unmarried dependent child (including a stepchild or adopted child) who is
(A) under 18 years of age;
(B) incapable of self-support because of physical or mental disability; or
(C) between 18 and 22 years of age and is a student regularly pursuing a full-time course of study or training in residence in a high school, trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or comparable recognized educational institution. For the purposes of this subchapter, a child whose 22nd birthday occurs before July 1 or after August 31 of a calendar year, and while such child is regularly pursuing such a course of study or training, is deemed to have become 22 years of age on the first day of July after that birthday. A child who is a student is deemed not to have ceased to be a student during an interim period between school years if the interim period is not more than 5 months and if such child shows to the satisfaction of the General Counsel of the Government Accountability Office that such child has a bona fide intention of continuing in the same or a different school during the school semester (or other period into which the school year is divided) immediately after the interim period.
(2) surviving spouse means a surviving spouse of an individual who was a Comptroller General or retired Comptroller General and the spouse
(A) was married to the individual for at least 1 year immediately before the individual died; or
(B) has not remarried before age 55 and is the parent of issue by the marriage.
(3) service as a Comptroller General equals the number of years and complete months an individual is Comptroller General.

31 USC 772 - Annuity of the Comptroller General

(a) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a Comptroller General serving a complete term as Comptroller General or who retires under section 703 (e)(1) of this title is entitled to receive an annuity for life equal to the pay the Comptroller General is receiving on completion of the term or at the time of retirement. An annuity of a Comptroller General who completes a term before becoming 65 years of age is reduced by .25 percent for each complete month the Comptroller General is under 65 years of age.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a Comptroller General becoming permanently disabled shall be retired and is entitled to receive an annuity for life equal to
(1) the pay of the Comptroller General at the time of retirement if the Comptroller General served at least 10 years; or
(2) 50 percent of the pay if the Comptroller General served less than 10 years.
(c) A Comptroller General who, when appointed, is or has been subject to subchapter III of chapter 83 or chapter 84 of title 5 remains subject to such subchapter III or such chapter 84 (as the case may be) unless the Comptroller General elects in writing to receive an annuity under this section. An election is irrevocable and must be made within 10 years and 60 days after the start of service as Comptroller General. A Comptroller General electing to receive an annuity under this section is entitled to a refund of the lump-sum credit to the account of the Comptroller General in the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund.
(d) A Comptroller General (except a Comptroller General remaining subject to subchapter III of chapter 83 of title 5) shall
(1) deposit with the Government Accountability Office for redeposit in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts as a contribution to the annuity
(A) 3.5 percent of the pay received as Comptroller General before deductions are made under clause (2)(A) of this subsection plus 3 percent interest compounded every December 31 on the amount to be deposited, if electing survivor benefits under this subchapter; or
(B) 8 percent of the pay received as Comptroller General before deductions are made under clause (2)(B) of this subsection plus 3 percent interest compounded every December 31 on the amount to be deposited, if not electing survivor benefits under this subchapter; and
(2) have
(A) 3.5 percent of the pay received as Comptroller General deducted as a contribution to the annuity if electing survivor benefits under this subchapter; or
(B) 8 percent of the pay received as Comptroller General deducted as a contribution to the annuity if not electing survivor benefits under this subchapter.
(e) A Comptroller General receiving benefits under this section may not receive retirement or disability benefits under another law of the United States.

31 USC 773 - Election of survivor benefits

(a) To provide survivor benefits, a Comptroller General may elect in writing to reduce the pay and annuity of the Comptroller General. An election shall be made within 6 months of taking office or, if an election is made under section 772 (c) of this title, by the 60th day after making an election under section 772 (c).
(b) A Comptroller General electing to provide survivor benefits shall
(1) have 4.5 percent of the pay received as Comptroller General and 5 percent of the annuity of the Comptroller General deducted; and
(2) deposit with the Government Accountability Office for redeposit in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts
(A) 4.5 percent of the pay and annuity received as Comptroller General before the deductions begin;
(B) 4.5 percent of basic pay received as a member of Congress or for other civilian service on which a surviving spouses annuity is computed under section 774 (d) of this title; and
(C) 4 percent interest before January 1, 1948, and 3 percent interest after December 31, 1947, compounded every December 31, on amounts deposited.
(c) This subchapter does not prevent a surviving spouse or dependent child from receiving another annuity while receiving an annuity under section 774 of this title. However, service used in computing an annuity under section 774 may not be used in computing the other annuity.
(d) The reduction in the Comptroller Generals annuity under subsection (b)(1) for the purpose of providing survivor benefits shall be terminated for each full month after the death of the spouse.

31 USC 774 - Survivor annuities

(a) In this section
(1) allowable military service means honorable active service of not more than 5 years in an armed force (including service in the National Guard when ordered to active duty for the United States Government), when the service is not creditable in computing another annuity.
(2) other prior allowable service means civilian service as an officer or employee of the Government or District of Columbia government not covered by subsection (d)(1) of this section.
(3) congressional employee has the same meaning given that term in section 2107 of title 5.
(b) A survivor annuity shall be paid under this subchapter when a Comptroller General
(1) makes an election under section 773 of this title;
(2) dies in office or while receiving an annuity under section 772 of this title;
(3) had at least 18 months of civilian service at death computed under subsections (a) and (d) of this section; and
(4) had deductions or deposits under section 773 of this title made for the last 18 months of civilian service.
(c) If the Comptroller General or retired Comptroller General is survived
(1) only by a spouse, the surviving spouse shall receive an annuity computed under subsection (d) of this section beginning on the death of the Comptroller General or retired Comptroller General or when the spouse is 50 years of age, whichever is later;
(2) by a spouse and a dependent child, the surviving spouse shall receive an immediate annuity computed under subsection (d) of this section and each dependent child shall receive an immediate annuity equal to the smaller of
(A) 10 percent of the average annual pay computed under subsection (d)(1) of this section; or
(B) 20 percent of the average annual pay computed under subsection (d)(1) of this section, divided by the number of dependent children; or
(3) only by a dependent child, each dependent child shall receive an immediate annuity equal to the smaller of
(A) the annuity a surviving spouse would be entitled to receive under clause (2) of this subsection, divided by the number of dependent children;
(B) 20 percent of the average annual pay computed under subsection (d)(1) of this section; or
(C) 40 percent of the average annual pay computed under subsection (d)(1) of this section, divided by the number of dependent children.
(d) The annuity of a surviving spouse is equal to
(1) 1.5 percent of the average annual pay (based on the 3 years of highest pay received as Comptroller General and other prior allowable service) times
(A) the number of years of
(i) service as Comptroller General or a member of Congress; and
(ii) prior allowable military service; and
(B) not more than 15 years of prior allowable service as a congressional employee; plus
(2) .75 percent of the average pay computed under clause (1) of this subsection times the number of years of other allowable service.
(e) A surviving spouses annuity may not be more than 50 percent nor less than 25 percent of the average annual pay computed under subsection (d)(1) of this section. If a Comptroller General does not make the deposit under section 773 (b) of this title, a surviving spouses annuity shall be credited with the service during which a deposit was not made, unless the spouse elects not to have the service credited. However, the annuity shall be reduced by 10 percent of the amount of the unpaid deposit, computed on the date the Comptroller General or retired Comptroller General dies.

31 USC 775 - Refunds

(a) A Comptroller General separated from office before becoming entitled to receive an annuity under section 772 of this title is entitled to a lump-sum refund of the amount deducted from pay or deposited as a contribution under section 772, plus 3 percent interest on the amount compounded every December 31.
(b) A Comptroller General making an election under section 773 of this title who is separated from office before becoming entitled to an annuity under section 772 of this title is entitled to a lump-sum refund of the amount deducted under section 773 of this title, plus 4 percent interest before January 1, 1948, and 3 percent interest after December 31, 1947, compounded every December 31 until the separation date.
(c) A lump-sum refund of the amounts deducted under sections 772 and 773 of this title, plus interest of 4 percent before January 1, 1948, and 3 percent after December 31, 1947, compounded every December 31 until the date of death, shall be paid under subsection (d) of this section if
(1) a Comptroller General dies in office before completing 5 years of civilian service under section 774 of this title or after completing 5 years of civilian service but without a survivor entitled to an annuity under section 774 (b) and (c) of this title; or
(2) if a retired Comptroller General dies without a survivor entitled to an annuity under section 774 (b) and (c) of this title.
(d) If a Comptroller General or retired Comptroller General dies before a refund is made under this section, the refund shall be paid in the following order of precedence:
(1) to a beneficiary the Comptroller General or retired Comptroller General designated in writing if the designation was received by the Government Accountability Office before the death of the Comptroller General or retired Comptroller General.
(2) to a surviving spouse.
(3) to the children and to a descendant of a deceased child by representation.
(4) to the parents equally or, if only one surviving parent, to that survivor.
(5) to the executor or administrator of the estate of the Comptroller General or retired Comptroller General.
(6) to the next of kin that the General Counsel of the Government Accountability Office decides is entitled to the refund under the laws of the domicile of the Comptroller General or retired Comptroller General at the time of death.
(e) The General Counsel is not subject to section 771 (1) and (2) of this title when making a decision about a surviving spouse or child under subsection (c) or (d) of this section.
(f) If the annuities of all individuals entitled to survivor annuities under this subchapter end before the amount of annuities paid equals the amount deducted under sections 772 and 773 of this title, plus interest of 4 percent before January 1, 1948, and 3 percent after December 31, 1947, compounded every December 31 until the date of death, the remainder shall be paid under subsection (d) of this section.

31 USC 776 - Payment of survivor benefits

(a) An annuity under section 774 of this title accrues monthly and is paid monthly on the first business day of the month after the month in which an annuity accrues.
(b) 
(1) A surviving spouses annuity ends when the spouse remarries before age 55 or dies.
(2) A dependent childs annuity ends when the child becomes 18 years of age (unless the child is then a student as described in section 771 (1)(C) of this title), marries, or dies, whichever is earliest. However, if a child is not self-supporting because of a physical or mental disability, an annuity ends when the child recovers, marries, or dies.
(3) If a surviving spouse dies and a dependent child survives, the childs annuity is recomputed under section 774 (c)(3) of this title.
(4) When a dependent childs annuity ends, the annuity of another dependent child is recomputed as if the child whose annuity has ended did not survive a Comptroller General or retired Comptroller General.
(c) An accrued annuity unpaid when the annuity of a survivor ends
(1) for a reason except death, shall be paid to the survivor; and
(2) when a survivor dies, shall be paid in the following order of precedence:
(A) to the executor or administrator of the estate of the individual.
(B) if there is no executor or administrator, then after 30 days after the date of death, to an individual the General Counsel of the Government Accountability Office decides is legally entitled to the payment.
(d) 
(1) A payment under subsection (c)(2)(B) of this section or section 775 (d) of this title is a bar to recovery by another individual.
(2) A benefit under this section and sections 773–775 of this title is not assignable or subject to legal process.

31 USC 777 - Annuity increases

(a) An annuity payable under this subchapter shall be increased at the same time that, and by the same percent as the percentage by which, annuities are increased under section 8340 (b) of title 5.
(b) An annuity under section 772 of this title may not be more than the basic pay of the Comptroller General. A surviving spouses annuity may be increased under this section without regard to any limitation set forth in section 774 (e) of this title.

31 USC 778 - Dependency and disability decisions

The General Counsel of the Government Accountability Office shall decide a question of dependency, disability, or dependency and disability under sections 773–776 of this title. A decision under this section is final.

31 USC 779 - Use of appropriations

Annuities and refunds under this subchapter shall be paid by the Comptroller General from appropriations of the Government Accountability Office.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER VI - PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

31 USC 781 - Authority over the General Accounting Office Building

(a) The Comptroller General shall have exclusive custody and control over the building located at 441 G Street, N.W., in the District of Columbia, that is generally known as the General Accounting Office Building,[1] including operation, maintenance, protection, alteration, repair, and assignment of space therein. Such custody and control shall also extend to any machinery, equipment, spare parts and tools located in and usable for the operation and maintenance of the General Accounting Office Building.[1] For the purposes of securing approval of any prospectus detailing proposed alterations of the General Accounting Office Building,[1] as required by section 3307 of title 40, the Comptroller General shall perform the functions assigned to the Administrator of General Services by that section.
(b) Upon request of the Comptroller General, the Administrator of General Services shall provide, to the extent resources are available, any necessary services for the protection of the property and persons in the General Accounting Office Building,[1] including the provision of special police, responding to and investigating incidents, and the monitoring of the perimeter security system. Such services may be provided with or without reimbursement as the Comptroller General and the Administrator may agree.
(c) 
(1) The Comptroller General is authorized to enter into agreements or contracts to acquire property or services on such terms and conditions and in such a manner as he deems necessary and without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5); except that the Comptroller General may not acquire real property unless specifically authorized by law. In exercising the authority granted by this section, the Comptroller General shall obtain full and open competition in accordance with the principles and purposes of the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984.
(2) To the extent that funds are otherwise available for obligation, agreements or contracts for utility services may be made for periods not exceeding 10 years.
(3) The Comptroller General may make advance, progress, and other payments which relate to agreements or contracts entered into under authority of this section, without regard to the provisions of section 3324 (a) and (b) of this title.
[1] See Change of Name note below.

31 USC 782 - Leasing of space in the General Accounting Office Building

The Comptroller General is authorized to lease or otherwise provide space and services within the General Accounting Office Building[1] to persons, both public and private, or to any department, agency or instrumentality of the United States Government upon such terms and conditions as the Comptroller General deems necessary to protect the public interest. The Comptroller General shall establish a rental rate for such leased space equivalent to the prevailing commercial rate for comparable space devoted to a similar purpose in the vicinity of the General Accounting Office Building.[1] Additionally, the Comptroller General may make available, on occasion, or may lease at such rates and on such other terms and conditions as the Comptroller General deems to be in the public interest, auditoriums, meeting rooms, and lobbies of the General Accounting Office Building[1] to persons, firms, or organizations engaged in cultural, educational, or recreational activities (as defined in section 3306 (a) of title 40). The Comptroller General will consult with the Administrator of General Services and will give priority to Federal agencies in filling available space within the General Accounting Office Building.[1] Payments for space or services may be made in advance or by way of reimbursement and shall be deposited to a special account and shall be available for expenditure for operation, maintenance, protection, alteration, or repair of the General Accounting Office Building[1] in such amounts as are specified in annual appropriation Acts without regard to fiscal year limitations.
[1] See Change of Name note below.

31 USC 783 - Rules and regulations

(a) The Comptroller General is authorized to make all needful rules and regulations for the Government of the General Accounting Office Building,[1] and to annex to such rules and regulations such reasonable penalties, within the limits prescribed in subsection (b), as will ensure their enforcement. Such rules and regulations shall be posted and kept posted in a conspicuous place on such Federal property.
(b) Whoever shall violate any rule or regulation promulgated pursuant to subsection (a) shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both.
[1] See Change of Name note below.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - CHAPTER 9 - AGENCY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERS

31 USC 901 - Establishment of agency Chief Financial Officers

(a) There shall be within each agency described in subsection (b) an agency Chief Financial Officer. Each agency Chief Financial Officer shall
(1) for those agencies described in subsection (b)(1)
(A) be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; or
(B) be designated by the President, in consultation with the head of the agency, from among officials of the agency who are required by law to be so appointed;
(2) for those agencies described in subsection (b)(2)
(A) be appointed by the head of the agency;
(B) be in the competitive service or the senior executive service; and
(C) be career appointees; and
(3) be appointed or designated, as applicable, from among individuals who possess demonstrated ability in general management of, and knowledge of and extensive practical experience in financial management practices in large governmental or business entities.
(b) 
(1) The agencies referred to in subsection (a)(1) are the following:
(A) The Department of Agriculture.
(B) The Department of Commerce.
(C) The Department of Defense.
(D) The Department of Education.
(E) The Department of Energy.
(F) The Department of Health and Human Services.
(G) The Department of Homeland Security.
(H) The Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(I) The Department of the Interior.
(J) The Department of Justice.
(K) The Department of Labor.
(L) The Department of State.
(M) The Department of Transportation.
(N) The Department of the Treasury.
(O) The Department of Veterans Affairs.
(P) The Environmental Protection Agency.
(Q) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
(2) The agencies referred to in subsection (a)(2) are the following:
(A) The Agency for International Development.
(B) The General Services Administration.
(C) The National Science Foundation.
(D) The Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
(E) The Office of Personnel Management.
(F) The Small Business Administration.
(G) The Social Security Administration.
(c) 
(1) There shall be within the Executive Office of the President a Chief Financial Officer, who shall be designated or appointed by the President from among individuals meeting the standards described in subsection (a)(3). The position of Chief Financial Officer established under this paragraph may be so established in any Office (including the Office of Administration) of the Executive Office of the President.
(2) The Chief Financial Officer designated or appointed under this subsection shall, to the extent that the President determines appropriate and in the interest of the United States, have the same authority and perform the same functions as apply in the case of a Chief Financial Officer of an agency described in subsection (b).
(3) The President shall submit to Congress notification with respect to any provision of section 902 that the President determines shall not apply to a Chief Financial Officer designated or appointed under this subsection.
(4) The President may designate an employee of the Executive Office of the President (other than the Chief Financial Officer), who shall be deemed the head of the agency for purposes of carrying out section 902, with respect to the Executive Office of the President.

31 USC 902 - Authority and functions of agency Chief Financial Officers

(a) An agency Chief Financial Officer shall
(1) report directly to the head of the agency regarding financial management matters;
(2) oversee all financial management activities relating to the programs and operations of the agency;
(3) develop and maintain an integrated agency accounting and financial management system, including financial reporting and internal controls, which
(A) complies with applicable accounting principles, standards, and requirements, and internal control standards;
(B) complies with such policies and requirements as may be prescribed by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget;
(C) complies with any other requirements applicable to such systems; and
(D) provides for
(i) complete, reliable, consistent, and timely information which is prepared on a uniform basis and which is responsive to the financial information needs of agency management;
(ii) the development and reporting of cost information;
(iii) the integration of accounting and budgeting information; and
(iv) the systematic measurement of performance;
(4) make recommendations to the head of the agency regarding the selection of the Deputy Chief Financial Officer of the agency;
(5) direct, manage, and provide policy guidance and oversight of agency financial management personnel, activities, and operations, including
(A) the preparation and annual revision of an agency plan to
(i) implement the 5-year financial management plan prepared by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget under section 3512 (a)(3) of this title; and
(ii) comply with the requirements established under sections 3515 and subsections (e) and (f) of section 3521 of this title;
(B) the development of agency financial management budgets;
(C) the recruitment, selection, and training of personnel to carry out agency financial management functions;
(D) the approval and management of agency financial management systems design or enhancement projects;
(E) the implementation of agency asset management systems, including systems for cash management, credit management, debt collection, and property and inventory management and control;
(6) prepare and transmit, by not later than 60 days after the submission of the audit report required by section 3521 (f) of this title, an annual report to the agency head and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, which shall include
(A) a description and analysis of the status of financial management of the agency;
(B) the annual financial statements prepared under section 3515 of this title;
(C) the audit report transmitted to the head of the agency under section 3521 (f) of this title;
(D) a summary of the reports on internal accounting and administrative control systems submitted to the President and the Congress under the amendments made by the Federal Managers Financial Integrity Act of 1982 (Public Law 97255); and
(E) other information the head of the agency considers appropriate to fully inform the President and the Congress concerning the financial management of the agency;
(7) monitor the financial execution of the budget of the agency in relation to actual expenditures, and prepare and submit to the head of the agency timely performance reports; and
(8) review, on a biennial basis, the fees, royalties, rents, and other charges imposed by the agency for services and things of value it provides, and make recommendations on revising those charges to reflect costs incurred by it in providing those services and things of value.
(b) 
(1) In addition to the authority otherwise provided by this section, each agency Chief Financial Officer
(A) subject to paragraph (2), shall have access to all records, reports, audits, reviews, documents, papers, recommendations, or other material which are the property of the agency or which are available to the agency, and which relate to programs and operations with respect to which that agency Chief Financial Officer has responsibilities under this section;
(B) may request such information or assistance as may be necessary for carrying out the duties and responsibilities provided by this section from any Federal, State, or local governmental entity; and
(C) to the extent and in such amounts as may be provided in advance by appropriations Acts, may
(i) enter into contracts and other arrangements with public agencies and with private persons for the preparation of financial statements, studies, analyses, and other services; and
(ii) make such payments as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
(2) Except as provided in paragraph (1)(B), this subsection does not provide to an agency Chief Financial Officer any access greater than permitted under any other law to records, reports, audits, reviews, documents, papers, recommendations, or other material of any Office of Inspector General established under the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).

31 USC 903 - Establishment of agency Deputy Chief Financial Officers

(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.

SUBTITLE II - US CODE - THE BUDGET PROCESS

TITLE 31 - US CODE - CHAPTER 11 - THE BUDGET AND FISCAL, BUDGET, AND PROGRAM INFORMATION

31 USC 1101 - Definitions

In this chapter
(1) agency includes the District of Columbia government but does not include the legislative branch or the Supreme Court.
(2) appropriations means appropriated amounts and includes, in appropriate context
(A) funds;
(B) authority to make obligations by contract before appropriations; and
(C) other authority making amounts available for obligation or expenditure.

31 USC 1102 - Fiscal year

The fiscal year of the Treasury begins on October 1 of each year and ends on September 30 of the following year. Accounts of receipts and expenditures required under law to be published each year shall be published for the fiscal year.

31 USC 1103 - Budget ceiling

Congress reaffirms its commitment that budget outlays of the United States Government for a fiscal year may be not more than the receipts of the Government for that year.

31 USC 1104 - Budget and appropriations authority of the President

(a) The President shall prepare budgets of the United States Government under section 1105 of this title and proposed deficiency and supplemental appropriations under section 1107 of this title. To the extent practicable, the President shall use uniform terms in stating the purposes and conditions of appropriations.
(b) Except as provided in this chapter, the President shall prescribe the contents and order of statements in the budget on expenditures and estimated expenditures and statements on proposed appropriations and information submitted with the budget and proposed appropriations. The President shall include with the budget and proposed appropriations information on personnel and other objects of expenditure in the way that information was included in the budget for fiscal year 1950. However, the requirement that information be included in the budget in that way may be waived or changed by joint action of the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress. This subsection does not limit the authority of a committee of Congress to request information in a form it prescribes.
(c) When the President makes a basic change in the form of the budget, the President shall submit with the budget information showing where items in the budget for the prior fiscal year are contained in the present budget. However, the President may change the functional categories in the budget only in consultation with the Committees on Appropriations and on the Budget of both Houses of Congress. Committees of the House of Representatives and Senate shall receive prompt notification of all such changes.
(d) The President shall develop programs and prescribe regulations to improve the compilation, analysis, publication, and dissemination of statistical information by executive agencies. The President shall carry out this subsection through the Administrator for the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in the Office of Management and Budget.
(e) Under regulations prescribed by the President, each agency shall provide information required by the President in carrying out this chapter. The President has access to, and may inspect, records of an agency to obtain information.

31 USC 1105 - Budget contents and submission to Congress

(a) On or after the first Monday in January but not later than the first Monday in February of each year, the President shall submit a budget of the United States Government for the following fiscal year. Each budget shall include a budget message and summary and supporting information. The President shall include in each budget the following:
(1) information on activities and functions of the Government.
(2) when practicable, information on costs and achievements of Government programs.
(3) other desirable classifications of information.
(4) a reconciliation of the summary information on expenditures with proposed appropriations.
(5) except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations the President decides are necessary to support the Government in the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted and the 4 fiscal years after that year.
(6) estimated receipts of the Government in the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted and the 4 fiscal years after that year under
(A) laws in effect when the budget is submitted; and
(B) proposals in the budget to increase revenues.
(7) appropriations, expenditures, and receipts of the Government in the prior fiscal year.
(8) estimated expenditures and receipts, and appropriations and proposed appropriations, of the Government for the current fiscal year.
(9) balanced statements of the
(A) condition of the Treasury at the end of the prior fiscal year;
(B) estimated condition of the Treasury at the end of the current fiscal year; and
(C) estimated condition of the Treasury at the end of the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted if financial proposals in the budget are adopted.
(10) essential information about the debt of the Government.
(11) other financial information the President decides is desirable to explain in practicable detail the financial condition of the Government.
(12) for each proposal in the budget for legislation that would establish or expand a Government activity or function, a table showing
(A) the amount proposed in the budget for appropriation and for expenditure because of the proposal in the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted; and
(B) the estimated appropriation required because of the proposal for each of the 4 fiscal years after that year that the proposal will be in effect.
(13) an allowance for additional estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations for the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted.
(14) an allowance for unanticipated uncontrollable expenditures for that year.
(15) a separate statement on each of the items referred to in section 301 (a)(1)(5) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 632 (a)(1)(5)).
(16) the level of tax expenditures under existing law in the tax expenditures budget (as defined in section 3(a)(3) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 622 (a)(3)) for the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted, considering projected economic factors and changes in the existing levels based on proposals in the budget.
(17) information on estimates of appropriations for the fiscal year following the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted for grants, contracts, and other payments under each program for which there is an authorization of appropriations for that following fiscal year when the appropriations are authorized to be included in an appropriation law for the fiscal year before the fiscal year in which the appropriation is to be available for obligation.
(18) a comparison of the total amount of budget outlays for the prior fiscal year, estimated in the budget submitted for that year, for each major program having relatively uncontrollable outlays with the total amount of outlays for that program in that year.
(19) a comparison of the total amount of receipts for the prior fiscal year, estimated in the budget submitted for that year, with receipts received in that year, and for each major source of receipts, a comparison of the amount of receipts estimated in that budget with the amount of receipts from that source in that year.
(20) an analysis and explanation of the differences between each amount compared under clauses (18) and (19) of this subsection.
(21) a horizontal budget showing
(A) the programs for meteorology and of the National Climate Program established under section 5 of the National Climate Program Act (15 U.S.C. 2904);
(B) specific aspects of the program of, and appropriations for, each agency; and
(C) estimated goals and financial requirements.
(22) a statement of budget authority, proposed budget authority, budget outlays, and proposed budget outlays, and descriptive information in terms of
(A) a detailed structure of national needs that refers to the missions and programs of agencies (as defined in section 101 of this title); and
(B) the missions and basic programs.
(23) separate appropriation accounts for appropriations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.) and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 801 et seq.).
(24) recommendations on the return of Government capital to the Treasury by a mixed-ownership corporation (as defined in section 9101 (2) of this title) that the President decides are desirable.
(25) a separate appropriation account for appropriations for each Office of Inspector General of an establishment defined under section 11(2) of the Inspector General Act of 1978.
(26) a separate statement of the amount of appropriations requested for the Office of National Drug Control Policy and each program of the National Drug Control Program.
(27) a separate statement of the amount of appropriations requested for the Office of Federal Financial Management.
(28) beginning with fiscal year 1999, a Federal Government performance plan for the overall budget as provided for under section 1115.
(29) information about the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund, including a separate statement of amounts in that Trust Fund.
(30) an analysis displaying, by agency, proposed reductions in full-time equivalent positions compared to the current years level in order to comply with section 5 of the Federal Workforce Restructuring Act of 1994.
(31) a separate statement of the amount of appropriations requested for the Chief Financial Officer in the Executive Office of the President.
(32) a statement of the levels of budget authority and outlays for each program assumed to be extended in the baseline as provided in section 257 (b)(2)(A) and for excise taxes assumed to be extended under section 257(b)(2)(C) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
(33) [1] a separate appropriation account for appropriations for the Inspectors General Criminal Investigator Academy and the Inspectors General Forensic Laboratory of the Department of the Treasury.
(34) with respect to the amount of appropriations requested for use by the Export-Import Bank of the United States, a separate statement of the amount requested for its program budget, the amount requested for its administrative expenses, and of the amount requested for its administrative expenses, the amount requested for technology expenses.
(33) [2] (A)(i) a detailed, separate analysis, by budget function, by agency, and by initiative area (as determined by the administration) for the prior fiscal year, the current fiscal year, the fiscal years for which the budget is submitted, and the ensuing fiscal year identifying the amounts of gross and net appropriations or obligational authority and outlays that contribute to homeland security, with separate displays for mandatory and discretionary amounts, including
(I) summaries of the total amount of such appropriations or new obligational authority and outlays requested for homeland security;
(II) an estimate of the current service levels of homeland security spending;
(III) the most recent risk assessment and summary of homeland security needs in each initiative area (as determined by the administration); and
(IV) an estimate of user fees collected by the Federal Government on behalf of homeland security activities;
(ii) with respect to subclauses (I) through (IV) of clause (i), amounts shall be provided by account for each program, project and activity; and
(iii) an estimate of expenditures for homeland security activities by State and local governments and the private sector for the prior fiscal year and the current fiscal year.
(B) In this paragraph, consistent with the Office of Management and Budgets June 2002 Annual Report to Congress on Combatting Terrorism, the term homeland security refers to those activities that detect, deter, protect against, and respond to terrorist attacks occurring within the United States and its territories.
(C) In implementing this paragraph, including determining what Federal activities or accounts constitute homeland security for purposes of budgetary classification, the Office of Management and Budget is directed to consult periodically, but at least annually, with the House and Senate Budget Committees, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, and the Congressional Budget Office.
(b) Estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations for the legislative branch and the judicial branch to be included in each budget under subsection (a)(5) of this section shall be submitted to the President before October 16 of each year and included in the budget by the President without change.
(c) The President shall recommend in the budget appropriate action to meet an estimated deficiency when the estimated receipts for the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted (under laws in effect when the budget is submitted) and the estimated amounts in the Treasury at the end of the current fiscal year available for expenditure in the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted, are less than the estimated expenditures for that year. The President shall make recommendations required by the public interest when the estimated receipts and estimated amounts in the Treasury are more than the estimated expenditures.
(d) When the President submits a budget or supporting information about a budget, the President shall include a statement on all changes about the current fiscal year that were made before the budget or information was submitted.
(e) 
(1) The President shall submit with materials related to each budget transmitted under subsection (a) on or after January 1, 1985, an analysis for the ensuing fiscal year that shall identify requested appropriations or new obligational authority and outlays for each major program that may be classified as a public civilian capital investment program and for each major program that may be classified as a military capital investment program, and shall contain summaries of the total amount of such appropriations or new obligational authority and outlays for public civilian capital investment programs and summaries of the total amount of such appropriations or new obligational authority and outlays for military capital investment programs. In addition, the analysis under this paragraph shall contain
(A) an estimate of the current service levels of public civilian capital investment and of military capital investment and alternative high and low levels of such investments over a period of ten years in current dollars and over a period of five years in constant dollars;
(B) the most recent assessment analysis and summary, in a standard format, of public civilian capital investment needs in each major program area over a period of ten years;
(C) an identification and analysis of the principal policy issues that affect estimated public civilian capital investment needs for each major program; and
(D) an identification and analysis of factors that affect estimated public civilian capital investment needs for each major program, including but not limited to the following factors:
(i) economic assumptions;
(ii) engineering standards;
(iii) estimates of spending for operation and maintenance;
(iv) estimates of expenditures for similar investments by State and local governments; and
(v) estimates of demand for public services derived from such capital investments and estimates of the service capacity of such investments.

To the extent that any analysis required by this paragraph relates to any program for which Federal financial assistance is distributed under a formula prescribed by law, such analysis shall be organized by State and within each State by major metropolitan area if data are available.

(2) For purposes of this subsection, any appropriation, new obligational authority, or outlay shall be classified as a public civilian capital investment to the extent that such appropriation, authority, or outlay will be used for the construction, acquisition, or rehabilitation of any physical asset that is capable of being used to produce services or other benefits for a number of years and is not classified as a military capital investment under paragraph (3). Such assets shall include (but not be limited to)
(A) roadways or bridges,
(B) airports or airway facilities,
(C) mass transportation systems,
(D) wastewater treatment or related facilities,
(E) water resources projects,
(F) hospitals,
(G) resource recovery facilities,
(H) public buildings,
(I) space or communications facilities,
(J) railroads, and
(K) federally assisted housing.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, any appropriation, new obligational authority, or outlay shall be classified as a military capital investment to the extent that such appropriation, authority, or outlay will be used for the construction, acquisition, or rehabilitation of any physical asset that is capable of being used to produce services or other benefits for purposes of national defense and security for a number of years. Such assets shall include military bases, posts, installations, and facilities.
(4) Criteria and guidelines for use in the identification of public civilian and military capital investments, for distinguishing between public civilian and military capital investments, and for distinguishing between major and nonmajor capital investment programs shall be issued by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget after consultation with the Comptroller General and the Congressional Budget Office. The analysis submitted under this subsection shall be accompanied by an explanation of such criteria and guidelines.
(5) For purposes of this subsection
(A) the term construction includes the design, planning, and erection of new structures and facilities, the expansion of existing structures and facilities, the reconstruction of a project at an existing site or adjacent to an existing site, and the installation of initial and replacement equipment for such structures and facilities;
(B) the term acquisition includes the addition of land, sites, equipment, structures, facilities, or rolling stock by purchase, lease-purchase, trade, or donation; and
(C) the term rehabilitation includes the alteration of or correction of deficiencies in an existing structure or facility so as to extend the useful life or improve the effectiveness of the structure or facility, the modernization or replacement of equipment at an existing structure or facility, and the modernization of, or replacement of parts for, rolling stock.
(f) The budget transmitted pursuant to subsection (a) for a fiscal year shall be prepared in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 that apply to that and subsequent fiscal years.
(g) 
(1) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall establish the funding for advisory and assistance services for each department and agency as a separate object class in each budget annually submitted to the Congress under this section.
(2) 
(A) In paragraph (1), except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term advisory and assistance services means the following services when provided by nongovernmental sources:
(i) Management and professional support services.
(ii) Studies, analyses, and evaluations.
(iii) Engineering and technical services.
(B) In paragraph (1), the term advisory and assistance services does not include the following services:
(i) Routine automated data processing and telecommunications services unless such services are an integral part of a contract for the procurement of advisory and assistance services.
(ii) Architectural and engineering services, as defined in section 1102 of title 40.
(iii) Research on basic mathematics or medical, biological, physical, social, psychological, or other phenomena.
(h) 
(1) If there is a medicare funding warning under section 801(a)(2) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 made in a year, the President shall submit to Congress, within the 15-day period beginning on the date of the budget submission to Congress under subsection (a) for the succeeding year, proposed legislation to respond to such warning.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply if, during the year in which the warning is made, legislation is enacted which eliminates excess general revenue medicare funding (as defined in section 801(c) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003) for the 7-fiscal-year reporting period, as certified by the Board of Trustees of each medicare trust fund (as defined in section 801(c)(5) of such Act) not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of such legislation.
[1] So in original. Another par. (33) is set out after par. (34).
[2] So in original. Another par. (33) is set out preceding par. (34).

31 USC 1106 - Supplemental budget estimates and changes

(a) Before July 16 of each year, the President shall submit to Congress a supplemental summary of the budget for the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted under section 1105 (a) of this title. The summary shall include
(1) for that fiscal year
(A) substantial changes in or reappraisals of estimates of expenditures and receipts;
(B) substantial obligations imposed on the budget after its submission;
(C) current information on matters referred to in section 1105 (a)(8) and (9)(B) and (C) of this title; and
(D) additional information the President decides is advisable to provide Congress with complete and current information about the budget and current estimates of the functions, obligations, requirements, and financial condition of the United States Government;
(2) for the 4 fiscal years following the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted, information on estimated expenditures for programs authorized to continue in future years, or that are considered mandatory, under law; and
(3) for future fiscal years, information on estimated expenditures of balances carried over from the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted.
(b) Before July 16 of each year, the President shall submit to Congress a statement of changes in budget authority requested, estimated budget outlays, and estimated receipts for the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted (including prior changes proposed for the executive branch of the Government) that the President decides are necessary and appropriate based on current information. The statement shall include the effect of those changes on the information submitted under section 1105 (a)(1)(14) and (b) of this title and shall include supporting information as practicable. The statement submitted before July 16 may be included in the information submitted under subsection (a)(1) of this section.
(c) Subsection (f) of section 1105 shall apply to revisions and supplemental summaries submitted under this section to the same extent that such subsection applies to the budget submitted under section 1105 (a) to which such revisions and summaries relate.

31 USC 1107 - Deficiency and supplemental appropriations

The President may submit to Congress proposed deficiency and supplemental appropriations the President decides are necessary because of laws enacted after the submission of the budget or that are in the public interest. The President shall include the reasons for the submission of the proposed appropriations and the reasons the proposed appropriations were not included in the budget. When the total proposed appropriations would have required the President to make a recommendation under section 1105 (c) of this title if they had been included in the budget, the President shall make a recommendation under that section.

31 USC 1108 - Preparation and submission of appropriations requests to the President

(a) In this section (except subsections (b)(1) and (e)), agency means a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government.
(b) 
(1) The head of each agency shall prepare and submit to the President each appropriation request for the agency. The request shall be prepared and submitted in the form prescribed by the President under this chapter and by the date established by the President. When the head of an agency does not submit a request by that date, the President shall prepare the request for the agency to be included in the budget or changes in the budget or as deficiency and supplemental appropriations. The President may change agency appropriation requests. Agency appropriation requests shall be developed from cost-based budgets in the way and at times prescribed by the President. The head of the agency shall use the cost-based budget to administer the agency and to divide appropriations or amounts.
(2) An officer or employee of an agency in the executive branch may submit to the President or Congress a request for legislation authorizing deficiency or supplemental appropriations for the agency only with the approval of the head of the agency.
(c) The head of an agency shall include with an appropriation request submitted to the President a report that the statement of obligations submitted with the request contains obligations consistent with section 1501 of this title. The head of the agency shall support the report with a certification of the consistency and shall support the certification with records showing that the amounts have been obligated. The head of the agency shall designate officials to make the certifications, and those officials may not delegate the duty to make the certifications. The certifications and records shall be kept in the agency
(1) in a form that makes audits and reconciliations easy; and
(2) for a period necessary to carry out audits and reconciliations.
(d) To the extent practicable, the head of an agency shall
(1) provide information supporting the agencys budget request for its missions by function and subfunction (including the mission of each organizational unit of the agency); and
(2) relate the agencys programs to its missions.
(e) Except as provided in subsection (f) of this section, an officer or employee of an agency (as defined in section 1101 of this title) may submit to Congress or a committee of Congress an appropriations estimate or request, a request for an increase in that estimate or request, or a recommendation on meeting the financial needs of the Government only when requested by either House of Congress.
(f) The Interstate Commerce Commission shall submit to Congress copies of budget estimates, requests, and information (including personnel needs), legislative recommendations, prepared testimony for congressional hearings, and comments on legislation at the same time they are sent to the President or the Office of Management and Budget. An officer of an agency may not impose conditions on or impair communication by the Commission with Congress, or a committee or member of Congress, about the information.
(g) Amounts available under law are available for field examinations of appropriation estimates. The use of the amounts is subject only to regulations prescribed by the appropriate standing committees of Congress.

31 USC 1109 - Current programs and activities estimates

(a) On or before the first Monday after January 3 of each year (on or before February 5 in 1986), the President shall submit to both Houses of Congress the estimated budget outlays and proposed budget authority that would be included in the budget for the following fiscal year if programs and activities of the United States Government were carried on during that year at the same level as the current fiscal year without a change in policy. The President shall state the estimated budget outlays and proposed budget authority by function and subfunction under the classifications in the budget summary table under the heading Budget Authority and Outlays by Function and Agency, by major programs in each function, and by agency. The President also shall include a statement of the economic and program assumptions on which those budget outlays and budget authority are based, including inflation, real economic growth, and unemployment rates, program caseloads, and pay increases.
(b) The Joint Economic Committee shall review the estimated budget outlays and proposed budget authority and submit an economic evaluation of the budget outlays and budget authority to the Committees on the Budget of both Houses before March 1 of each year.

31 USC 1110 - Year-ahead requests for authorizing legislation

A request to enact legislation authorizing new budget authority to continue a program or activity for a fiscal year shall be submitted to Congress before May 16 of the year before the year in which the fiscal year begins. If a new program or activity will continue for more than one year, the request must be submitted for at least the first and 2d fiscal years.

31 USC 1111 - Improving economy and efficiency

To improve economy and efficiency in the United States Government, the President shall
(1) make a study of each agency to decide, and may send Congress recommendations, on changes that should be made in
(A) the organization, activities, and business methods of agencies;
(B) agency appropriations;
(C) the assignment of particular activities to particular services; and
(D) regrouping of services; and
(2) evaluate and develop improved plans for the organization, coordination, and management of the executive branch of the Government.

31 USC 1112 - Fiscal, budget, and program information

(a) In this section, agency means a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government except a mixed-ownership Government corporation.
(b) In cooperation with the Comptroller General, the Secretary of the Treasury and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall establish and maintain standard data processing and information systems for fiscal, budget, and program information for use by agencies to meet the needs of the Government, and to the extent practicable, of State and local governments.
(c) The Comptroller General
(1) in cooperation with the Secretary, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, shall establish, maintain, and publish standard terms and classifications for fiscal, budget, and program information of the Government, including information on fiscal policy, receipts, expenditures, programs, projects, activities, and functions;
(2) when advisable, shall report to Congress on those terms and classifications, and recommend legislation necessary to promote the establishment, maintenance, and use of standard terms and classifications by the executive branch of the Government; and
(3) in carrying out this subsection, shall give particular consideration to the needs of the Committees on Appropriations and on the Budget of both Houses of Congress, the Committee on Ways and Means of the House, the Committee on Finance of the Senate, and the Congressional Budget Office.
(d) Agencies shall use the standard terms and classifications published under subsection (c)(1) of this section in providing fiscal, budget, and program information to Congress.
(e) In consultation with the President, the head of each executiveagency shall take actions necessary to achieve to the extent possible
(1) consistency in budget and accounting classifications;
(2) synchronization between those classifications and organizational structure; and
(3) information by organizational unit on performance and program costs to support budget justifications.
(f) In cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, the Comptroller General, and appropriate representatives of State and local governments, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (to the extent practicable) shall provide State and local governments with fiscal, budget, and program information necessary for accurate and timely determination by those governments of the impact on their budgets of assistance of the United States Government.

31 USC 1113 - Congressional information

(a) 
(1) When requested by a committee of Congress having jurisdiction over receipts or appropriations, the President shall provide the committee with assistance and information.
(2) When requested by a committee of Congress, additional information related to the amount of an appropriation originally requested by an Office of Inspector General shall be submitted to the committee.
(b) When requested by a committee of Congress, by the Comptroller General, or by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the head of each executive agency shall
(1) provide information on the location and kind of available fiscal, budget, and program information;
(2) to the extent practicable, prepare summary tables of that fiscal, budget, and program information and related information the committee, the Comptroller General, or the Director of the Congressional Budget Office considers necessary; and
(3) provide a program evaluation carried out or commissioned by an executive agency.
(c) In cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, the Secretary, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Comptroller General shall
(1) establish and maintain a current directory of sources of, and information systems for, fiscal, budget, and program information and a brief description of the contents of each source and system;
(2) when requested, provide assistance to committees of Congress and members of Congress in obtaining information from the sources in the directory; and
(3) when requested, provide assistance to committees and, to the extent practicable, to members of Congress in evaluating the information obtained from the sources in the directory.
(d) To the extent they consider necessary, the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office individually or jointly shall establish and maintain a file of information to meet recurring needs of Congress for fiscal, budget, and program information to carry out this section and sections 717 and 1112 of this title. The file shall include information on budget requests, congressional authorizations to obligate and expend, apportionment and reserve actions, and obligations and expenditures. The Comptroller General and the Director shall maintain the file and an index to the file so that it is easier for the committees and agencies of Congress to use the file and index through data processing and communications techniques.
(e) 
(1) The Comptroller General shall
(A) carry out a continuing program to identify the needs of committees and members of Congress for fiscal, budget, and program information to carry out this section and section 1112 of this title;
(B) assist committees of Congress in developing their information needs;
(C) monitor recurring reporting requirements of Congress and committees; and
(D) make recommendations to Congress and committees for changes and improvements in those reporting requirements to meet information needs identified by the Comptroller General, to improve their usefulness to congressional users, and to eliminate unnecessary reporting.
(2) Before September 2 of each year, the Comptroller General shall report to Congress on
(A) the needs identified under paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection;
(B) the relationship of those needs to existing reporting requirements;
(C) the extent to which reporting by the executive branch of the United States Government currently meets the identified needs;
(D) the changes to standard classifications necessary to meet congressional needs;
(E) activities, progress, and results of the program of the Comptroller General under paragraph (1)(B)(D) of this subsection; and
(F) progress of the executive branch in the prior year.
(3) Before March 2 of each year, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Secretary shall report to Congress on plans for meeting the needs identified under paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection, including
(A) plans for carrying out changes to classifications to meet information needs of Congress;
(B) the status of information systems in the prior year; and
(C) the use of standard classifications.

31 USC 1114 - Repealed. Pub. L. 103355, title II, 2454(c)(2), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3326]

Section, Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 916, related to budget information on consulting services.

31 USC 1115 - Performance plans

(a) In carrying out the provisions of section 1105 (a)(28), the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall require each agency to prepare an annual performance plan covering each program activity set forth in the budget of such agency. Such plan shall
(1) establish performance goals to define the level of performance to be achieved by a program activity;
(2) express such goals in an objective, quantifiable, and measurable form unless authorized to be in an alternative form under subsection (b);
(3) provide a description of how the performance goals and objectives are to be achieved, including the operation processes, training, skills and technology, and the human, capital, information, and other resources and strategies required to meet those performance goals and objectives.[1]
(4) establish performance indicators to be used in measuring or assessing the relevant outputs, service levels, and outcomes of each program activity;
(5) provide a basis for comparing actual program results with the established performance goals; and
(6) describe the means to be used to verify and validate measured values.
(b) If an agency, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, determines that it is not feasible to express the performance goals for a particular program activity in an objective, quantifiable, and measurable form, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget may authorize an alternative form. Such alternative form shall
(1) include separate descriptive statements of
(A) 
(i) a minimally effective program, and
(ii) a successful program, or
(B) such alternative as authorized by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget,

with sufficient precision and in such terms that would allow for an accurate, independent determination of whether the program activitys performance meets the criteria of the description; or

(2) state why it is infeasible or impractical to express a performance goal in any form for the program activity.
(c) For the purpose of complying with this section, an agency may aggregate, disaggregate, or consolidate program activities, except that any aggregation or consolidation may not omit or minimize the significance of any program activity constituting a major function or operation for the agency.
(d) An agency may submit with its annual performance plan an appendix covering any portion of the plan that
(1) is specifically authorized under criteria established by an Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy; and
(2) is properly classified pursuant to such Executive order.
(e) The functions and activities of this section shall be considered to be inherently Governmental functions. The drafting of performance plans under this section shall be performed only by Federal employees.
(f) With respect to each agency with a Chief Human Capital Officer, the Chief Human Capital Officer shall prepare that portion of the annual performance plan described under subsection (a)(3).
(g) For purposes of this section and sections 1116 through 1119, and sections 97032 and 9704 the term
(1) agency has the same meaning as such term is defined under section 306 (f) of title 5;
(2) outcome measure means an assessment of the results of a program activity compared to its intended purpose;
(3) output measure means the tabulation, calculation, or recording of activity or effort and can be expressed in a quantitative or qualitative manner;
(4) performance goal means a target level of performance expressed as a tangible, measurable objective, against which actual achievement can be compared, including a goal expressed as a quantitative standard, value, or rate;
(5) performance indicator means a particular value or characteristic used to measure output or outcome;
(6) program activity means a specific activity or project as listed in the program and financing schedules of the annual budget of the United States Government; and
(7) program evaluation means an assessment, through objective measurement and systematic analysis, of the manner and extent to which Federal programs achieve intended objectives.
[1] So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon.
[2] See References in Text note below.

31 USC 1116 - Program performance reports

(a) Not later than 150 days after the end of an agencys fiscal year, the head of each agency shall prepare and submit to the President and the Congress, a report on program performance for the previous fiscal year.
(b) 
(1) Each program performance report shall set forth the performance indicators established in the agency performance plan under section 1115, along with the actual program performance achieved compared with the performance goals expressed in the plan for that fiscal year.
(2) If performance goals are specified in an alternative form under section 1115 (b), the results of such program shall be described in relation to such specifications, including whether the performance failed to meet the criteria of a minimally effective or successful program.
(c) The report for fiscal year 2000 shall include actual results for the preceding fiscal year, the report for fiscal year 2001 shall include actual results for the two preceding fiscal years, and the report for fiscal year 2002 and all subsequent reports shall include actual results for the three preceding fiscal years.
(d) Each report shall
(1) review the success of achieving the performance goals of the fiscal year;
(2) evaluate the performance plan for the current fiscal year relative to the performance achieved toward the performance goals in the fiscal year covered by the report;
(3) explain and describe, where a performance goal has not been met (including when a program activitys performance is determined not to have met the criteria of a successful program activity under section 1115 (b)(1)(A)(ii) or a corresponding level of achievement if another alternative form is used)
(A) why the goal was not met;
(B) those plans and schedules for achieving the established performance goal; and
(C) if the performance goal is impractical or infeasible, why that is the case and what action is recommended;
(4) describe the use and assess the effectiveness in achieving performance goals of any waiver under section 97031 of this title;
(5) include a review of the performance goals and evaluation of the performance plan relative to the agencys strategic human capital management; and
(6) include the summary findings of those program evaluations completed during the fiscal year covered by the report.
(e) 
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), each program performance report shall contain an assessment by the agency head of the completeness and reliability of the performance data included in the report. The assessment shall describe any material inadequacies in the completeness and reliability of the performance data, and the actions the agency can take and is taking to resolve such inadequacies.
(2) If a program performance report is incorporated into a report submitted under section 3516, the requirements of section 3516 (e) shall apply in lieu of paragraph (1).
(f) The functions and activities of this section shall be considered to be inherently Governmental functions. The drafting of program performance reports under this section shall be performed only by Federal employees.
[1] See References in Text note below.

31 USC 1117 - Exemption

The Director of the Office of Management and Budget may exempt from the requirements of sections 1115 and 1116 of this title and section 306 of title 5, any agency with annual outlays of $20,000,000 or less.

31 USC 1118 - Pilot projects for performance goals

(a) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget, after consultation with the head of each agency, shall designate not less than ten agencies as pilot projects in performance measurement for fiscal years 1994, 1995, and 1996. The selected agencies shall reflect a representative range of Government functions and capabilities in measuring and reporting program performance.
(b) Pilot projects in the designated agencies shall undertake the preparation of performance plans under section 1115, and program performance reports under section 1116, other than section 1116 (c), for one or more of the major functions and operations of the agency. A strategic plan shall be used when preparing agency performance plans during one or more years of the pilot period.
(c) No later than May 1, 1997, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall submit a report to the President and to the Congress which shall
(1) assess the benefits, costs, and usefulness of the plans and reports prepared by the pilot agencies in meeting the purposes of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993;
(2) identify any significant difficulties experienced by the pilot agencies in preparing plans and reports; and
(3) set forth any recommended changes in the requirements of the provisions of Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, section 306 of title 5, sections 1105, 1115, 1116, 1117, 1119 and 97031 of this title, and this section.
[1] See References in Text note below.

31 USC 1119 - Pilot projects for performance budgeting

(a) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget, after consultation with the head of each agency shall designate not less than five agencies as pilot projects in performance budgeting for fiscal years 1998 and 1999. At least three of the agencies shall be selected from those designated as pilot projects under section 1118, and shall also reflect a representative range of Government functions and capabilities in measuring and reporting program performance.
(b) Pilot projects in the designated agencies shall cover the preparation of performance budgets. Such budgets shall present, for one or more of the major functions and operations of the agency, the varying levels of performance, including outcome-related performance, that would result from different budgeted amounts.
(c) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall include, as an alternative budget presentation in the budget submitted under section 1105 for fiscal year 1999, the performance budgets of the designated agencies for this fiscal year.
(d) No later than March 31, 2001, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall transmit a report to the President and to the Congress on the performance budgeting pilot projects which shall
(1) assess the feasibility and advisability of including a performance budget as part of the annual budget submitted under section 1105;
(2) describe any difficulties encountered by the pilot agencies in preparing a performance budget;
(3) recommend whether legislation requiring performance budgets should be proposed and the general provisions of any legislation; and
(4) set forth any recommended changes in the other requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, section 306 of title 5, sections 1105, 1115, 1116, 1117, and 97031 of this title, and this section.
(e) After receipt of the report required under subsection (d), the Congress may specify that a performance budget be submitted as part of the annual budget submitted under section 1105.
[1] See References in Text note below.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - CHAPTER 13 - APPROPRIATIONS

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER I - GENERAL

31 USC 1301 - Application

(a) Appropriations shall be applied only to the objects for which the appropriations were made except as otherwise provided by law.
(b) The reappropriation and diversion of the unexpended balance of an appropriation for a purpose other than that for which the appropriation originally was made shall be construed and accounted for as a new appropriation. The unexpended balance shall be reduced by the amount to be diverted.
(c) An appropriation in a regular, annual appropriation law may be construed to be permanent or available continuously only if the appropriation
(1) is for rivers and harbors, lighthouses, public buildings, or the pay of the Navy and Marine Corps; or
(2) expressly provides that it is available after the fiscal year covered by the law in which it appears.
(d) A law may be construed to make an appropriation out of the Treasury or to authorize making a contract for the payment of money in excess of an appropriation only if the law specifically states that an appropriation is made or that such a contract may be made.

31 USC 1302 - Determining amounts appropriated

Except as specifically provided by law, the total amount appropriated in an appropriation law is determined by adding up the specific amounts or rates appropriated in each paragraph of the law.

31 USC 1303 - Effect of changes in titles of appropriations

Expenditures for a particular object or purpose authorized by a law (and referred to in that law by the specific title previously used for the appropriation item in the appropriation law concerned) may be made from a corresponding appropriation item when the specific title is changed or eliminated from a later appropriation law.

31 USC 1304 - Judgments, awards, and compromise settlements

(a) Necessary amounts are appropriated to pay final judgments, awards, compromise settlements, and interest and costs specified in the judgments or otherwise authorized by law when
(1) payment is not otherwise provided for;
(2) payment is certified by the Secretary of the Treasury; and
(3) the judgment, award, or settlement is payable
(A) under section 2414, 2517, 2672, or 2677 of title 28;
(B) under section 3723 of this title;
(C) under a decision of a board of contract appeals; or
(D) in excess of an amount payable from the appropriations of an agency for a meritorious claim under section 2733 or 2734 of title 10, section 715 of title 32, or section 203 of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 U.S.C. 2473).
(b) 
(1) Interest may be paid from the appropriation made by this section
(A) on a judgment of a district court, only when the judgment becomes final after review on appeal or petition by the United States Government, and then only from the date of filing of the transcript of the judgment with the Secretary of the Treasury through the day before the date of the mandate of affirmance; or
(B) on a judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit or the United States Court of Federal Claims under section 2516 (b) of title 28, only from the date of filing of the transcript of the judgment with the Secretary of the Treasury through the day before the date of the mandate of affirmance.
(2) Interest payable under this subsection in a proceeding reviewed by the Supreme Court is not allowed after the end of the term in which the judgment is affirmed.
(c) 
(1) A judgment or compromise settlement against the Government shall be paid under this section and sections 2414, 2517, and 25181 of title 28 when the judgment or settlement arises out of an express or implied contract made by
(A) the Army and Air Force Exchange Service;
(B) the Navy Exchanges;
(C) the Marine Corps Exchanges;
(D) the Coast Guard Exchanges; or
(E) the Exchange Councils of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
(2) The Exchange making the contract shall reimburse the Government for the amount paid by the Government.
[1] See References in Text note below.

31 USC 1305 - Miscellaneous permanent appropriations

Necessary amounts are appropriated for the following:
(1) to pay the proceeds of the personal estate of a United States citizen dying abroad to the legal representative of the deceased on proper demand and proof.
(2) to pay interest on the public debt under laws authorizing payment.
(3) to pay proceeds from derelict and salvage cases adjudged by the courts of the United States to salvors.
(4) to make payments required under contracts made under section 108 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5308) for the payment of interest on obligations guaranteed by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under section 108.
(5) to make payments required under contracts made under section 103(b) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1453 (b)) for projects or programs for which amounts had been committed before January 1, 1975, and for which amounts have not been appropriated.
(6) to pay the interest on the fund derived from the bequest of James Smithson, for the construction of buildings and expenses of the Smithsonian Institution, at the rates determined under section 5590 of the Revised Statutes (20 U.S.C. 54). annual contributions for assisted housing
(7) to make payments required under contracts made under section 5 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1437c). college housing grants
(8) to make payments required under contracts made under title IV of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1749 et seq.). rent supplement program
(9) to make payments required under contracts under section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701s). homeownership and rental housing assistance
(10) to make payments required under contracts under sections 235 and 236, respectively, of the National Housing Act, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1715z, 1715z–1).

31 USC 1306 - Use of foreign credits

(a) In General.— 
Foreign credits (including currencies) owed to or owned by the United States may be used by any agency for any purpose for which appropriations are made for the agency for the current fiscal year (including the carrying out of Acts requiring or authorizing the use of such credits), but only when reimbursement therefor is made to the Treasury from applicable appropriations of the agency.
(b) Exception to Reimbursement Requirement.— 
Credits described in subsection (a) that are received as exchanged allowances, or as the proceeds of the sale of personal property, may be used in whole or partial payment for the acquisition of similar items, to the extent and in the manner authorized by law, without reimbursement to the Treasury.

31 USC 1307 - Public building construction

Amounts appropriated to construct public buildings remain available until completion of the work. When a building is completed and outstanding liabilities for the construction are paid, balances remaining shall revert immediately to the Treasury.

31 USC 1308 - Telephone and metered services

Charges for telephone and metered services (such as gas, electricity, water, and steam) for a time period beginning in one fiscal year or allotment period and ending in another fiscal year or allotment period may be charged against the appropriation or allotment current at the end of the time period covered by the service.

31 USC 1309 - Social security tax

Amounts made available for the compensation of officers and employees of the United States Government may be used to pay taxes imposed on an agency as an employer under chapter 21 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.).

31 USC 1310 - Appropriations for private organizations

(a) The Secretary of the Treasury shall credit an appropriation for a private organization to the appropriate fiscal official of the organization. The credit shall be carried on the accounts of
(1) the Treasury; or
(2) a designated depositary of the United States Government (except a national bank).
(b) The fiscal official may pay an amount out of the appropriation only on a check of the fiscal official
(1) payable to the order of the person to whom payment is to be made; and
(2) that states the specific purpose for which the amount is to be applied.
(c) 
(1) The fiscal official may pay an amount of less than $20 out of the appropriation on a check
(A) payable to the order of the fiscal official; and
(B) that states the amount is to be applied to small claims.
(2) The fiscal official shall provide the Secretary or the designated depositary on which the check is drawn with a certified list of the claims. The list shall state the kind and amount of each claim and the name of each claimant.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER II - TRUST FUNDS AND REFUNDS

31 USC 1321 - Trust funds

(a) The following are classified as trust funds:
(1) Philippine special fund (customs duties).
(2) Philippine special fund (internal revenue).
(3) Unclaimed condemnation awards, Department of the Treasury.
(4) Naval reservation, Olangapo civil fund.
(5) Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund.
(6) Return to deported aliens of passage money collected from steamship companies.
(7) Vocational rehabilitation, special fund.
(8) Library of Congress gift fund.
(9) Library of Congress trust fund, investment account.
(10) Library of Congress trust fund, income from investment account.
(11) Library of Congress trust fund, permanent loan.
(12) Relief and rehabilitation, Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act.
(13) Cooperative work, Forest Service.
(14) Wages and effects of American seamen, Department of Commerce.
(15) Pension money, Saint Elizabeths Hospital.
(16) Personal funds of patients, Saint Elizabeths Hospital.
(17) National Park Service, donations.
(18) Purchase of lands, national parks, donations.
(19) Extension of winter-feed facilities of game animals of Yellowstone National Park, donations.
(20) Indian moneys, proceeds of labor, agencies, schools, and so forth.
(21) Funds of Federal prisoners.
(22) Commissary funds, Federal prisons.
(23) Pay of the Navy, deposit funds.
(24) Pay of Marine Corps, deposit funds.
(25) Pay of the Army, deposit fund.
(26) Preservation birthplace of Abraham Lincoln.
(27) Funds contributed for flood control, Mississippi River, its outlets and tributaries.
(28) Funds contributed for flood control, Sacramento River, California.
(29) Effects of deceased employees, Department of the Treasury.
(30) Money and effects of deceased patients, Public Health Service.
(31) Effects of deceased employees, Department of Commerce.
(32) Topographic survey of the United States, contributions.
(33) National Institutes of Health, gift fund.
(34) National Institutes of Health, conditional gift fund.
(35) Patients deposits, United States Marine Hospital, Carville, Louisiana.
(36) Estates of deceased personnel, Department of the Army.
(37) Effects of deceased employees, Department of the Interior.
(38) Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County Battlefields memorial fund.
(39) Petersburg National Military Park fund.
(40) Gorgas memorial laboratory quotas.
(41) Contributions to International Boundary Commission, United States and Mexico.
(42) Salvage proceeds, American vessels.
(43) Wages due American seamen.
(44) Federal Industrial Institution for Women, contributions for chapel.
(45) General post fund, National Homes, Department of Veterans Affairs.
(46) Repatriation of American seamen.
(47) Expenses, public survey work, general.
(48) Expenses, public survey work, Alaska.
(49) Funds contributed for improvement of roads, bridges, and trails, Alaska.
(50) Protective works and measures, Lake of the Woods and Rainy River, Minnesota.
(51) Washington redemption fund.
(52) Permit fund, District of Columbia.
(53) Unclaimed condemnation awards, National Capital Park and Planning Commission, District of Columbia.
(54) Unclaimed condemnation awards, Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Commission, District of Columbia.
(55) Miscellaneous trust fund deposits, District of Columbia.
(56) Surplus fund, District of Columbia.
(57) Relief and rehabilitation, District of Columbia Workmens Compensation Act.
(58) Inmates fund, workhouse and reformatory, District of Columbia.
(59) International Center for Middle Eastern-Western Dialogue Trust Fund.
(60) Chamber Music Auditorium, Library of Congress.
(61) Bequest of Gertrude Hubbard.
(62) Puerto Rico special fund (Internal Revenue).
(63) Miscellaneous trust funds, Department of State.
(64) Funds contributed for improvement of (name of river or harbor).
(65) Funds advanced for improvement of (name of river or harbor).
(66) Funds contributed for Indian projects.
(67) Miscellaneous trust funds of Indian tribes.
(68) Ships stores profits, Navy.
(69) Completing Surveys within Railroad Land Grants.
(70) Memorial to Women of World War, contributions.
(71) Funds contributed for Memorial to John Ericsson.
(72) American National Red Cross Building, contributions.
(73) Estate of decedents, Department of State, Trust Fund.
(74) Funds due Incompetent Beneficiaries, Department of Veterans Affairs.
(75) To promote the Education of the Blind (principal).
(76) Paving Government Road across Fort Sill Military Reservation, Okla.
(77) Bequest of William F. Edgar, Museum and Library, office of Surgeon General of the Army.
(78) Funds Contributed for Flood Control (name of river, harbor, or project).
(79) Matured obligations of the District of Columbia.
(80) To promote the education of the blind (interest).
[(81) Repealed. Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title XV, 1533(c)(1)(A)(ii), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1735.]
(82) Post-Vietnam Era Veterans Education Account, Department of Veterans Affairs.
(83) United States Government life insurance fund, Department of Veterans Affairs.
(84) Estates of deceased soldiers, United States Army.
(85) Teachers Retirement Fund Deductions, District of Columbia.
(86) Teachers Retirement Fund, Government Reserves, District of Columbia.
(87) Expenses of Smithsonian Institution Trust Fund (principal).
(88) Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund.
(89) Canal Zone Retirement and Disability Fund.
(90) Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund.
(91) Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund.
(b) 
(1) Amounts (except amounts received by the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) that are analogous to the funds named in subsection (a) of this section and are received by the United States Government as trustee shall be deposited in an appropriate trust fund account in the Treasury. Except as provided in paragraph (2), amounts accruing to these funds are appropriated to be disbursed in compliance with the terms of the trust.
(2) Expenditures from the following trust funds may be made only under annual appropriations and only if the appropriations are specifically authorized by law:
(A) Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund.
(B) Fisher House Trust Fund, Department of the Army.
(C) Fisher House Trust Fund, Department of the Air Force.
(D) Fisher House Trust Fund, Department of the Navy.

31 USC 1322 - Payments of unclaimed trust fund amounts and refund of amounts erroneously deposited

(a) On September 30 of each year, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Treasury trust fund receipt account Unclaimed Moneys of Individuals Whose Whereabouts are Unknown that part of the balance of a trust fund account named in section 1321 (a)(1)(82) of this title or an analogous trust fund established under section 1321 (b) of this title that has been in the fund for more than one year and represents money belonging to individuals whose whereabouts are unknown. Subsequent claims to the transferred funds shall be paid from the account Unclaimed Moneys of Individuals Whose Whereabouts are Unknown.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, necessary amounts are appropriated to the Secretary of the Treasury to make payments from
(1) the Treasury trust fund receipt account Unclaimed Moneys of Individuals Whose Whereabouts are Unknown; and
(2) the United States Government account Refund of Moneys Erroneously Received and Covered and other collections erroneously deposited that are not properly chargeable to another appropriation.
(c) 
(1) The Secretary of the Treasury shall hold in the Treasury trust fund receipt account Unclaimed Moneys of Individuals Whose Whereabouts Are Unknown the balance remaining after the final distribution of unclaimed Postal Savings System deposits under subsection (a) of the first section of the Act of August 13, 1971 (Public Law 92117; 85 Stat. 337). The Secretary shall use the balance to pay claims for Postal Savings System deposits without regard to the State law or the law of other jurisdictions of deposit concerning the disposition of unclaimed or abandoned property.
(2) Necessary amounts may be appropriated without fiscal year limitation to the trust fund receipt account to pay claims for deposits when the balance in the account is not sufficient to pay the claims made within the time limitation set forth in paragraph (3) of this subsection.
(3) No claim for any Postal Savings System deposit may be brought more than one year from the date of the enactment of the Postal Savings System Statute of Limitations Act.
(4) The United States Postal Service shall assist the Secretary of the Treasury in providing public notice of the time limitation set forth in paragraph (3) of this subsection by posting notices thereof in all post offices as soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of the Postal Savings System Statute of Limitations Act.

31 USC 1323 - Trust funds for certain fees, donations, quasi-public amounts, and unearned amounts

(a) Amounts from the following sources held in checking accounts of disbursing officials shall be deposited in the Treasury to the appropriate trust fund receipt accounts:
(1) unearned money, lands (Department of the Interior).
(2) reentry permit fees (Department of Justice).
(3) naturalization fees (Department of Justice).
(4) registry fees (Department of Justice).
(b) Amounts deposited under subsection (a) of this section are appropriated for refunds. Earned parts of those amounts shall be transferred and credited to the appropriate receipt fund accounts.
(c) Donations, quasi-public amounts, and unearned amounts shall be deposited in the Treasury as trust funds and are appropriated for disbursement under the terms of the trusts when the donation or amount is
(1) administered by officers and employees of the United States Government; and
(2) carried in checking accounts of disbursing officials or others required to account to the Comptroller General (except clerks and marshals of the United States district courts).

31 USC 1324 - Refund of internal revenue collections

(a) Necessary amounts are appropriated to the Secretary of the Treasury for refunding internal revenue collections as provided by law, including payment of
(1) claims for prior fiscal years; and
(2) accounts arising under
(A) Allowance or drawback (Internal Revenue);
(B) Redemption of stamps (Internal Revenue);
(C) Refunding legacy taxes, Act of March 30, 1928;
(D) Repayment of taxes on distilled spirits destroyed by casualty; and
(E) Refunds and payments of processing and related taxes.
(b) Disbursements may be made from the appropriation made by this section only for
(1) refunds to the limit of liability of an individual tax account; and
(2) refunds due from credit provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.) enacted before January 1, 1978, or enacted by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, or from section 35 or 53(e) of such Code.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER III - LIMITATIONS, EXCEPTIONS, AND PENALTIES

31 USC 1341 - Limitations on expending and obligating amounts

(a) 
(1) An officer or employee of the United States Government or of the District of Columbia government may not
(A) make or authorize an expenditure or obligation exceeding an amount available in an appropriation or fund for the expenditure or obligation;
(B) involve either government in a contract or obligation for the payment of money before an appropriation is made unless authorized by law;
(C) make or authorize an expenditure or obligation of funds required to be sequestered under section 252 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985; or
(D) involve either government in a contract or obligation for the payment of money required to be sequestered under section 252 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
(2) This subsection does not apply to a corporation getting amounts to make loans (except paid in capital amounts) without legal liability of the United States Government.
(b) An article to be used by an executive department in the District of Columbia that could be bought out of an appropriation made to a regular contingent fund of the department may not be bought out of another amount available for obligation.

31 USC 1342 - Limitation on voluntary services

An officer or employee of the United States Government or of the District of Columbia government may not accept voluntary services for either government or employ personal services exceeding that authorized by law except for emergencies involving the safety of human life or the protection of property. This section does not apply to a corporation getting amounts to make loans (except paid incapital amounts) without legal liability of the United States Government. As used in this section, the term emergencies involving the safety of human life or the protection of property does not include ongoing, regular functions of government the suspension of which would not imminently threaten the safety of human life or the protection of property.

31 USC 1343 - Buying and leasing passenger motor vehicles and aircraft

(a) In this section, buying a passenger motor vehicle or aircraft includes a transfer of the vehicle or aircraft between agencies.
(b) An appropriation may be expended to buy or lease passenger motor vehicles only
(1) for the use of
(A) the President;
(B) the secretaries to the President; or
(C) the heads of executive departments listed in section 101 of title 5; or
(2) as specifically provided by law.
(c) 
(1) Except as specifically provided by law, an agency may use an appropriation to buy a passenger motor vehicle (except a bus or ambulance) only at a total cost (except costs required only for transportation) that
(A) includes the price of systems and equipment the Administrator of General Services decides is incorporated customarily in standard passenger motor vehicles completely equipped for ordinary operation;
(B) includes the value of a vehicle used in exchange;
(C) is not more than the maximum price established by the agency having authority under law to establish a maximum price; and
(D) is not more than the amount specified in a law.
(2) Additional systems and equipment may be bought for a passenger motor vehicle if the Administrator decides the purchase is appropriate. The price of additional systems or equipment is not included in deciding whether the cost of the vehicle is within a maximum price specified in a law.
(d) An appropriation (except an appropriation for the armed forces) is available to buy, maintain, or operate an aircraft only if the appropriation specifically authorizes the purchase, maintenance, or operation.
(e) This section does not apply to
(1) buying, maintaining, and repairing passenger motor vehicles by the United States Capitol Police;
(2) buying, maintaining, and repairing vehicles necessary to carry out projects to improve, preserve, and protect rivers and harbors; or
(3) leasing, maintaining, repairing, or operating motor passenger vehicles necessary in the field work of the Department of Agriculture.

31 USC 1344 - Passenger carrier use

(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 individuals residence and such individuals 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,

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 individuals 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 employees 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 individuals residence and such individuals 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 officers or employees 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 (as such term is defined in section 18 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (41 U.S.C. 5a));
(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.
[1] So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
[2] See References in Text note below.

31 USC 1345 - Expenses of meetings

Except as specifically provided by law, an appropriation may not be used for travel, transportation, and subsistence expenses for a meeting. This section does not prohibit
(1) an agency from paying the expenses of an officer or employee of the United States Government carrying out an official duty; and
(2) the Secretary of Agriculture from paying necessary expenses for a meeting called by the Secretary for 4H Boys and Girls Clubs as part of the cooperative extension work of the Department of Agriculture.

31 USC 1346 - Commissions, councils, boards, and interagency and similar groups

(a) Except as provided in this section
(1) public money and appropriations are not available to pay
(A) the pay or expenses of a commission, council, board, or similar group, or a member of that group;
(B) expenses related to the work or the results of work or action of that group; or
(C) for the detail or cost of personal services of an officer or employee from an executive agency in connection with that group; and
(2) an accounting or disbursing official, absent a special appropriation to pay the account or charge, may not allow or pay an account or charge related to that group.
(b) Appropriations of an executive agency are available for the expenses of an interagency group conducting activities of interest common to executive agencies when the group includes a representative of the agency. The representatives receive no additional pay because of membership in the group. An officer or employee of an executive agency not a representative of the group may not receive additional pay for providing services for the group.
(c) Subject to section 1347 of this title, this section does not apply to
(1) commissions, councils, boards, or similar groups authorized by law;
(2) courts-martial or courts of inquiry of the armed forces; or
(3) the contingent fund related to foreign relations at the disposal of the President.

31 USC 1347 - Appropriations or authorizations required for agencies in existence for more than one year

(a) An agency in existence for more than one year may not use amounts otherwise available for obligation to pay its expenses without a specific appropriation or specific authorization by law. If the principal duties and powers of the agency are substantially the same as or similar to the duties and powers of an agency established by executive order, the agency established later is deemed to have been in existence from the date the agency established by the order came into existence.
(b) Except as specifically authorized by law, another agency may not use amounts available for obligation to pay expenses to carry out duties and powers substantially the same as or similar to the principal duties and powers of an agency that is prohibited from using amounts under this section.

31 USC 1348 - Telephone installation and charges

(a) 
(1) Except as provided in this section, appropriations are not available to install telephones in private residences or for tolls or other charges for telephone service from private residences.
(2) Under regulations of the Secretary of State, appropriations may be used to install and pay for the use of telephones in residences owned or leased by the United States Government in foreign countries for the use of the Foreign Service.
(b) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Army on recommendation of the Chief of Engineers, not more than $30,000 may be expended each fiscal year to install and use in private residences telephones required for official business in constructing and operating locks and dams for navigation, flood control, and related water uses.
(c) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, funds appropriated to the Department of Defense are available to install, repair, and maintain telephone wiring in residences owned or leased by the United States Government and, if necessary for national defense purposes, in other private residences.

31 USC 1349 - Adverse personnel actions

(a) An officer or employee of the United States Government or of the District of Columbia government violating section 1341 (a) or 1342 of this title shall be subject to appropriate administrative discipline including, when circumstances warrant, suspension from duty without pay or removal from office.
(b) An officer or employee who willfully uses or authorizes the use of a passenger motor vehicle or aircraft owned or leased by the United States Government (except for an official purpose authorized by section 1344 of this title) or otherwise violates section 1344 shall be suspended without pay by the head of the agency. The officer or employee shall be suspended for at least one month, and when circumstances warrant, for a longer period or summarily removed from office.

31 USC 1350 - Criminal penalty

An officer or employee of the United States Government or of the District of Columbia government knowingly and willfully violating section 1341 (a) or 1342 of this title shall be fined not more than $5,000, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both.

31 USC 1351 - Reports on violations

If an officer or employee of an executive agency or an officer or employee of the District of Columbia government violates section 1341 (a) or 1342 of this title, the head of the agency or the Mayor of the District of Columbia, as the case may be, shall report immediately to the President and Congress all relevant facts and a statement of actions taken. A copy of each report shall also be transmitted to the Comptroller General on the same date the report is transmitted to the President and Congress.

31 USC 1352 - Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracting and financial transactions

(a) 
(1) None of the funds appropriated by any Act may be expended by the recipient of a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement to pay any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with any Federal action described in paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(2) The prohibition in paragraph (1) of this subsection applies with respect to the following Federal actions:
(A) The awarding of any Federal contract.
(B) The making of any Federal grant.
(C) The making of any Federal loan.
(D) The entering into of any cooperative agreement.
(E) The extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.
(b) 
(1) Each person who requests or receives a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement from an agency or requests or receives from an agency a commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan shall file with that agency, in accordance with paragraph (4) of this subsection
(A) a written declaration described in paragraph (2) or (3) of this subsection, as the case may be; and
(B) copies of all declarations received by such person under paragraph (5).
(2) A declaration filed by a person pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection in connection with a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement shall contain
(A) the name of any registrant under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 who has made lobbying contacts on behalf of the person with respect to that Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement; and
(B) a certification that the person making the declaration has not made, and will not make, any payment prohibited by subsection (a).
(3) A declaration filed by a person pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection in connection with a commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan shall contain the name of any registrant under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 who has made lobbying contacts on behalf of the person in connection with that loan insurance or guarantee.
(4) A person referred to in paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection shall file a declaration referred to in that paragraph
(A) with each submission by such person that initiates agency consideration of such person for award of a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement, or for grant of a commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan;
(B) upon receipt by such person of a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement or of a commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan, unless such person previously filed a declaration with respect to such contract, grant, loan, cooperative agreement or commitment pursuant to clause (A); and
(C) at the end of each calendar quarter in which there occurs any event that materially affects the accuracy of the information contained in any declaration previously filed by such person in connection with such Federal contract, grant, loan, cooperative agreement, loan insurance commitment, or loan guaranty commitment.
(5) Any person who requests or receives from a person referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection a subcontract under a Federal contract, a subgrant or contract under a Federal grant, a contract or subcontract to carry out any purpose for which a particular Federal loan is made, or a contract under a Federal cooperative agreement shall be required to file with the person referred to in such paragraph a written declaration referred to in clause (A) of such paragraph.
(6) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget, after consulting with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives, shall issue guidance for agency implementation of, and compliance with, the requirements of this section.
(c) 
(1) Any person who makes an expenditure prohibited by subsection (a) of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more than $100,000 for each such expenditure.
(2) 
(A) Any person who fails to file or amend a declaration required to be filed or amended under subsection (b) of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more than $100,000 for each such failure.
(B) A filing of a declaration of a declaration amendment on or after the date on which an administrative action for the imposition of a civil penalty under this subsection is commenced does not prevent the imposition of such civil penalty for a failure occurring before that date. For the purposes of this subparagraph, an administrative action is commenced with respect to a failure when an investigating official determines in writing to commence an investigation of an allegation of such failure.
(3) Sections 3803 (except for subsection (c)), 3804, 3805, 3806, 3807, 3808, and 3812 of this title shall be applied, consistent with the requirements of this section, to the imposition and collection of civil penalties under this subsection.
(4) An imposition of a civil penalty under this subsection does not prevent the United States from seeking any other remedy that the United States may have for the same conduct that is the basis for the imposition of such civil penalty.
(d) 
(1) 
(A) Subsection (a)(1) of this section does not apply in the case of a payment of reasonable compensation made to an officer or employee of a person requesting or receiving a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement to the extent that the payment is for agency and legislative liaison activities not directly related to a Federal action referred to in subsection (a)(2) of this section.
(B) Subsection (a)(1) of this section does not prohibit any reasonable payment to a person in connection with, or any payment of reasonable compensation to an officer or employee of a person requesting or receiving, a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement or an extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement if the payment is for professional or technical services rendered directly in the preparation, submission, or negotiation of any bid, proposal, or application for that Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement or for meeting requirements imposed by or pursuant to law as a condition for receiving that Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.
(C) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as permitting the use of appropriated funds for making any payment prohibited in or pursuant to any other provision of law.
(2) The reporting requirement in subsection (b) of this section shall not apply to any person with respect to
(A) payments of reasonable compensation made to regularly employed officers or employees of a person requesting or receiving a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement or a commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan;
(B) a request for or receipt of a contract (other than a contract referred to in clause (C)), grant, cooperative agreement, subcontract (other than a subcontract referred to in clause (C)), or subgrant that does not exceed $100,000; and
(C) a request for or receipt of a loan, or a commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan, that does not exceed $150,000, or the single family maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever is greater, including a contract or subcontract to carry out any purpose for which such a loan is made.
(e) The Secretary of Defense may exempt a Federal action described in subsection (a)(2) from the prohibition in subsection (a)(1) whenever the Secretary determines, in writing, that such an exemption is in the national interest. The Secretary shall transmit a copy of each such written exemption to Congress immediately after making such determination.
(f) The head of each Federal agency shall take such actions as are necessary to ensure that the provisions of this section are vigorously implemented and enforced in such agency.
(g) As used in this section:
(1) The term recipient, with respect to funds received in connection with a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement
(A) includes the contractors, subcontractors, or subgrantees (as the case may be) of the recipient; but
(B) does not include an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or any other Indian organization eligible to receive Federal contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or loans from an agency but only with respect to expenditures that are by such tribe or organization for purposes specified in subsection (a) and are permitted by other Federal law.
(2) The term agency has the same meaning provided for such term in section 552 (f) of title 5, and includes a Government corporation, as defined in section 9101 (1) of this title.
(3) The term person
(A) includes an individual, corporation, company, association, authority, firm, partnership, society, State, and local government, regardless of whether such entity is operated for profit or not for profit; but
(B) does not include an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or any other Indian organization eligible to receive Federal contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or loans from an agency but only with respect to expenditures by such tribe or organization that are made for purposes specified in subsection (a) and are permitted by other Federal law.
(4) The term State means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a territory or possession of the United States, an agency or instrumentality of a State, and a multi-State, regional, or interstate entity having governmental duties and powers.
(5) The term local government means a unit of government in a State and, if chartered, established, or otherwise recognized by a State for the performance of a governmental duty, the following entities:
(A) A local public authority.
(B) A special district.
(C) An intrastate district.
(D) A council of governments.
(E) A sponsor group representative organization.
(F) Any other instrumentality of a local government.
(6) 
(A) The terms Federal contract, Federal grant, Federal cooperative agreement mean, respectively
(i) a contract awarded by an agency;
(ii) a grant made by an agency or a direct appropriation made by law to any person; and
(iii) a cooperative agreement entered into by an agency.
(B) Such terms do not include
(i) direct United States cash assistance to an individual;
(ii) a loan;
(iii) loan insurance; or
(iv) a loan guaranty.
(7) The term Federal loan means a loan made by an agency. Such term does not include loan insurance or a loan guaranty.
(8) The term reasonable payment means, with respect to professional and other technical services, a payment in an amount that is consistent with the amount normally paid for such services in the private sector.
(9) The term reasonable compensation means, with respect to a regularly employed officer or employee of any person, compensation that is consistent with the normal compensation for such officer or employee for work that is not furnished to, not funded by, or not furnished in cooperation with the Federal Government.
(10) The term regularly employed, with respect to an officer or employee of a person requesting or receiving a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement or a commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan, means an officer or employee who is employed by such person for at least 130 working days within one year immediately preceding the date of the submission that initiates agency consideration of such person for receipt of such contract, grant, loan, cooperative agreement, loan insurance commitment, or loan guaranty commitment.
(11) The terms Indian tribe and tribal organization have the meaning provided in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).

31 USC 1353 - Acceptance of travel and related expenses from non-Federal sources

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator of General Services, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Government Ethics, shall prescribe by regulation the conditions under which an agency in the executive branch (including an independent agency) may accept payment, or authorize an employee of such agency to accept payment on the agencys behalf, from non-Federal sources for travel, subsistence, and related expenses with respect to attendance of the employee (or the spouse of such employee) at any meeting or similar function relating to the official duties of the employee. Any cash payment so accepted shall be credited to the appropriation applicable to such expenses. In the case of a payment in kind so accepted, a pro rata reduction shall be made in any entitlement of the employee to payment from the Government for such expenses.
(b) Except as provided in this section or section 4111 or 7342 of title 5, an agency or employee may not accept payment for expenses referred to in subsection (a). An employee who accepts any payment in violation of the preceding sentence
(1) may be required, in addition to any penalty provided by law, to repay, for deposit in the general fund of the Treasury, an amount equal to the amount of the payment so accepted; and
(2) in the case of a repayment under paragraph (1), shall not be entitled to any payment from the Government for such expenses.
(c) As used in this section
(1) the term executive branch means all executive agencies (as such term is defined in section 105 of title 5); and
(2) the term employee in the executive branch means
(A) an appointed officer or employee in the executive branch; and
(B) an expert or consultant in the executive branch, under section 3109 of title 5; and
(3) the term payment means a payment or reimbursement, in cash or in kind.
(d) 
(1) The head of each agency of the executive branch shall, in the manner provided in paragraph (2), submit to the Director of the Office of Government Ethics reports of payments of more than $250 accepted under this section with respect to employees of the agency. The Director shall make such reports available for public inspection and copying.
(2) The reports required by paragraph (1) shall, with respect to each payment
(A) specify the amount and method of payment, the name of the person making the payment, the name of the employee, the nature of the meeting or similar function, the time and place of travel, the nature of the expenses, and such other information as the Administrator of General Services may prescribe by regulation under subsection (a);
(B) be submitted not later than May 31 of each year with respect to payments in the preceding period beginning on October 1 and ending on March 31; and
(C) be submitted not later than November 30 of each year with respect to payments in the preceding period beginning on April 1 and ending on September 30.

31 USC 1354 - Limitation on use of appropriated funds for contracts with entities not meeting veterans employment reporting requirements

(a) 
(1) Subject to paragraph (2), no agency may obligate or expend funds appropriated for the agency for a fiscal year to enter into a contract described in section 4212 (a) of title 38 with a contractor from which a report was required under section 4212(d) of that title with respect to the preceding fiscal year if such contractor did not submit such report.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall cease to apply with respect to a contractor otherwise covered by that paragraph on the date on which the contractor submits the report required by such section 4212 (d) for the fiscal year concerned.
(b) The Secretary of Labor shall make available in a database a list of the contractors that have complied with the provisions of such section 4212 (d).

TITLE 31 - US CODE - CHAPTER 15 - APPROPRIATION ACCOUNTING

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER I - GENERAL

31 USC 1501 - Documentary evidence requirement for Government obligations

(a) An amount shall be recorded as an obligation of the United States Government only when supported by documentary evidence of
(1) a binding agreement between an agency and another person (including an agency) that is
(A) in writing, in a way and form, and for a purpose authorized by law; and
(B) executed before the end of the period of availability for obligation of the appropriation or fund used for specific goods to be delivered, real property to be bought or leased, or work or service to be provided;
(2) a loan agreement showing the amount and terms of repayment;
(3) an order required by law to be placed with an agency;
(4) an order issued under a law authorizing purchases without advertising
(A) when necessary because of a public exigency;
(B) for perishable subsistence supplies; or
(C) within specific monetary limits;
(5) a grant or subsidy payable
(A) from appropriations made for payment of, or contributions to, amounts required to be paid in specific amounts fixed by law or under formulas prescribed by law;
(B) under an agreement authorized by law; or
(C) under plans approved consistent with and authorized by law;
(6) a liability that may result from pending litigation;
(7) employment or services of persons or expenses of travel under law;
(8) services provided by public utilities; or
(9) other legal liability of the Government against an available appropriation or fund.
(b) A statement of obligations provided to Congress or a committee of Congress by an agency shall include only those amounts that are obligations consistent with subsection (a) of this section.

31 USC 1502 - Balances available

(a) The balance of an appropriation or fund limited for obligation to a definite period is available only for payment of expenses properly incurred during the period of availability or to complete contracts properly made within that period of availability and obligated consistent with section 1501 of this title. However, the appropriation or fund is not available for expenditure for a period beyond the period otherwise authorized by law.
(b) A provision of law requiring that the balance of an appropriation or fund be returned to the general fund of the Treasury at the end of a definite period does not affect the status of lawsuits or rights of action involving the right to an amount payable from the balance.

31 USC 1503 - Comptroller General reports of amounts for which no accounting is made

The Comptroller General shall make a special report each year to Congress on recommendations for changes in laws, that the Comptroller General believes may be in the public interest, about amounts
(1) for which no accounting is made to the Comptroller General; and
(2) that are in
(A) accounts of the United States Government; or
(B) the custody of an officer or employee of the Government if the Government is financially concerned.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER II - APPORTIONMENT

31 USC 1511 - Definition and application

(a) In this subchapter, appropriations means
(1) appropriated amounts;
(2) funds; and
(3) authority to make obligations by contract before appropriations.
(b) This subchapter does not apply to
(1) amounts (except amounts for administrative expenses) available
(A) for price support and surplus removal of agricultural commodities; and
(B) under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c);
(2) a corporation getting amounts to make loans (except paid in capital amounts) without legal liability on the part of the United States Government; and
(3) the Senate, the House of Representatives, a committee of Congress, a member, officer, employee, or office of either House of Congress, or the Office of the Architect of the Capitol or an officer or employee of that Office.

31 USC 1512 - Apportionment and reserves

(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.

31 USC 1513 - Officials controlling apportionments

(a) The official having administrative control of an appropriation available to the legislative branch, the judicial branch, the United States International Trade Commission, or the District of Columbia government that is required to be apportioned under section 1512 of this title shall apportion the appropriation in writing. An appropriation shall be apportioned not later than the later of the following:
(1) 30 days before the beginning of the fiscal year for which the appropriation is available; or
(2) 30 days after the date of enactment of the law by which the appropriation is made available.
(b) 
(1) The President shall apportion in writing an appropriation available to an executive agency (except the Commission) that is required to be apportioned under section 1512 of this title. The head of each executive agency to which the appropriation is available shall submit to the President information required for the apportionment in the form and the way and at the time specified by the President. The information shall be submitted not later than the later of the following:
(A) 40 days before the beginning of the fiscal year for which the appropriation is available; or
(B) 15 days after the date of enactment of the law by which the appropriation is made available.
(2) The President shall notify the head of the executive agency of the action taken in apportioning the appropriation under paragraph (1) of this subsection not later than the later of the following:
(A) 20 days before the beginning of the fiscal year for which the appropriation is available; or
(B) 30 days after the date of enactment of the law by which the appropriation is made available.
(c) By the first day of each fiscal year, the head of each executive department of the United States Government shall apportion among the major organizational units of the department the maximum amount to be expended by each unit during the fiscal year out of each contingent fund appropriated for the entire year for the department. Each amount may be changed during the fiscal year only by written direction of the head of the department. The direction shall state the reasons for the change.
(d) An appropriation apportioned under this subchapter may be divided and subdivided administratively within the limits of the apportionment.
(e) This section does not affect the initiation and operation of agricultural price support programs.

31 USC 1514 - Administrative division of apportionments

(a) The official having administrative control of an appropriation available to the legislative branch, the judicial branch, the United States International Trade Commission, or the District of Columbia government, and, subject to the approval of the President, the head of each executive agency (except the Commission) shall prescribe by regulation a system of administrative control not inconsistent with accounting procedures prescribed under law. The system shall be designed to
(1) restrict obligations or expenditures from each appropriation to the amount of apportionments or reapportionments of the appropriation; and
(2) enable the official or the head of the executive agency to fix responsibility for an obligation or expenditure exceeding an apportionment or reapportionment.
(b) To have a simplified system for administratively dividing appropriations, the head of each executive agency (except the Commission) shall work toward the objective of financing each operating unit, at the highest practical level, from not more than one administrative division for each appropriation affecting the unit.

31 USC 1515 - Authorized apportionments necessitating deficiency or supplemental appropriations

(a) An appropriation required to be apportioned under section 1512 of this title may be apportioned on a basis that indicates the need for a deficiency or supplemental appropriation to the extent necessary to permit payment of such pay increases as may be granted pursuant to law to civilian officers and employees (including prevailing rate employees whose pay is fixed and adjusted under subchapter IV of chapter 53 of title 5) and to retired and active military personnel.
(b) 
(1) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, an official may make, and the head of an executive agency may request, an apportionment under section 1512 of this title that would indicate a necessity for a deficiency or supplemental appropriation only when the official or agency head decides that the action is required because of
(A) a law enacted after submission to Congress of the estimates for an appropriation that requires an expenditure beyond administrative control; or
(B) an emergency involving the safety of human life, the protection of property, or the immediate welfare of individuals when an appropriation that would allow the United States Government to pay, or contribute to, amounts required to be paid to individuals in specific amounts fixed by law or under formulas prescribed by law, is insufficient.
(2) If an official making an apportionment decides that an apportionment would indicate a necessity for a deficiency or supplemental appropriation, the official shall submit immediately a detailed report of the facts to Congress. The report shall be referred to in submitting a proposed deficiency or supplemental appropriation.

31 USC 1516 - Exemptions

An official designated in section 1513 of this title to make apportionments may exempt from apportionment
(1) a trust fund or working fund if an expenditure from the fund has no significant effect on the financial operations of the United States Government;
(2) a working capital fund or a revolving fund established for intragovernmental operations;
(3) receipts from industrial and power operations available under law; and
(4) appropriations made specifically for
(A) interest on, or retirement of, the public debt;
(B) payment of claims, judgments, refunds, and drawbacks;
(C) items the President decides are of a confidential nature;
(D) payment under a law requiring payment of the total amount of the appropriation to a designated payee; and
(E) grants to the States under the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.).

31 USC 1517 - Prohibited obligations and expenditures

(a) An officer or employee of the United States Government or of the District of Columbia government may not make or authorize an expenditure or obligation exceeding
(1) an apportionment; or
(2) the amount permitted by regulations prescribed under section 1514 (a) of this title.
(b) If an officer or employee of an executive agency or of the District of Columbia government violates subsection (a) of this section, the head of the executive agency or the Mayor of the District of Columbia, as the case may be, shall report immediately to the President and Congress all relevant facts and a statement of actions taken. A copy of each report shall also be transmitted to the Comptroller General on the same date the report is transmitted to the President and Congress.

31 USC 1518 - Adverse personnel actions

An officer or employee of the United States Government or of the District of Columbia government violating section 1517 (a) of this title shall be subject to appropriate administrative discipline including, when circumstances warrant, suspension from duty without pay or removal from office.

31 USC 1519 - Criminal penalty

An officer or employee of the United States Government or of the District of Columbia government knowingly and willfully violating section 1517 (a) of this title shall be fined not more than $5,000, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER III - TRANSFERS AND REIMBURSEMENTS

31 USC 1531 - Transfers of functions and activities

(a) The balance of an appropriation available and necessary to finance or discharge a function or activity transferred or assigned under law within an executive agency or from one executive agency to another may be transferred to and used
(1) by the organizational unit or agency to which the function or activity was transferred or assigned; and
(2) for a purpose for which the appropriation was originally available.
(b) The head of the executive agency determines the amount that, with the approval of the President, is necessary to be transferred when the transfer or assignment of the function or activity is within the agency. The President determines the amount necessary to be transferred when the transfer or assignment of the function or activity is from one executive agency to another.
(c) A balance transferred under this section is
(1) credited to an applicable existing or new appropriation account;
(2) merged with the amount in an account to which the balance is credited; and
(3) with the amount with which the balance is merged, accounted for as one amount.
(d) New appropriation accounts may be established to carry out subsection (c)(1) of this section.

31 USC 1532 - Withdrawal and credit

An amount available under law may be withdrawn from one appropriation account and credited to another or to a working fund only when authorized by law. Except as specifically provided by law, an amount authorized to be withdrawn and credited is available for the same purpose and subject to the same limitations provided by the law appropriating the amount. A withdrawal and credit is made by check and without a warrant.

31 USC 1533 - Transfers of appropriations for salaries and expenses to carry out national defense responsibilities

An appropriation of an executive agency for salaries and expenses is available to carry out national defense responsibilities assigned to the agency under law. A transfer necessary to carry out this section may be made between appropriations or allocations within the executive agency. An allocation may not be made to an executive agency that can carry out with its regular personnel a defense activity assigned to it by using the authority of this section to realign its regular programs.

31 USC 1534 - Adjustments between appropriations

(a) An appropriation available to an agency may be charged at any time during a fiscal year for the benefit of another appropriation available to the agency to pay costs
(1) when amounts are available in both the appropriation to be charged and the appropriation to be benefited; and
(2) subject to limitations applicable to the appropriations.
(b) Amounts paid under this section are charged on a final basis during, or as of the close of, the fiscal year to the appropriation benefited. The appropriation charged under subsection (a) of this section shall be appropriately credited.

31 USC 1535 - Agency agreements

(a) The head of an agency or major organizational unit within an agency may place an order with a major organizational unit within the same agency or another agency for goods or services if
(1) amounts are available;
(2) the head of the ordering agency or unit decides the order is in the best interest of the United States Government;
(3) the agency or unit to fill the order is able to provide or get by contract the ordered goods or services; and
(4) the head of the agency decides ordered goods or services cannot be provided by contract as conveniently or cheaply by a commercial enterprise.
(b) Payment shall be made promptly by check on the written request of the agency or unit filling the order. Payment may be in advance or on providing the goods or services ordered and shall be for any part of the estimated or actual cost as determined by the agency or unit filling the order. A bill submitted or a request for payment is not subject to audit or certification in advance of payment. Proper adjustment of amounts paid in advance shall be made as agreed to by the heads of the agencies or units on the basis of the actual cost of goods or services provided.
(c) A condition or limitation applicable to amounts for procurement of an agency or unit placing an order or making a contract under this section applies to the placing of the order or the making of the contract.
(d) An order placed or agreement made under this section obligates an appropriation of the ordering agency or unit. The amount obligated is deobligated to the extent that the agency or unit filling the order has not incurred obligations, before the end of the period of availability of the appropriation, in
(1) providing goods or services; or
(2) making an authorized contract with another person to provide the requested goods or services.
(e) This section does not
(1) authorize orders to be placed for goods or services to be provided by convict labor; or
(2) affect other laws about working funds.

31 USC 1536 - Crediting payments from purchases between executive agencies

(a) An advance payment made on an order under section 1535 of this title is credited to a special working fund that the Secretary of the Treasury considers necessary to be established. Except as provided in this section, any other payment is credited to the appropriation or fund against which charges were made to fill the order.
(b) An amount paid under section 1535 of this title may be expended in providing goods or services or for a purpose specified for the appropriation or fund credited. Where goods are provided from stocks on hand, the amount received in payment is credited so as to be available to replace the goods unless
(1) another law authorizes the amount to be credited to some other appropriation or fund; or
(2) the head of the executive agency filling the order decides that replacement is not necessary, in which case, the amount received is deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.
(c) This section does not affect other laws about working funds.

31 USC 1537 - Services between the United States Government and the District of Columbia government

(a) To prevent duplication and to promote efficiency and economy, an officer or employee of
(1) the United States Government may provide services to the District of Columbia government; and
(2) the District of Columbia government may provide services to the United States Government.
(b) 
(1) Services under this section shall be provided under an agreement
(A) negotiated by officers and employees of the 2 governments; and
(B) approved by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Mayor of the District of Columbia.
(2) Each agreement shall provide that the cost of providing the services shall be borne in the way provided in subsection (c) of this section by the government to which the services are provided at rates or charges based on the actual cost of providing the services.
(3) To carry out an agreement made under this subsection, the agreement may provide for the delegation of duties and powers of officers and employees of
(A) the District of Columbia government to officers and employees of the United States Government; and
(B) the United States Government to officers and employees of the District of Columbia government.
(c) In providing services under an agreement made under subsection (b) of this section
(1) costs incurred by the United States Government may be paid from appropriations available to the District of Columbia government officer or employee to whom the services were provided; and
(2) costs incurred by the District of Columbia government may be paid from amounts available to the United States Government officer or employee to whom the services were provided.
(d) When requested by the Director of the United States Secret Service, the Chief of the Metropolitan Police shall assist the Secret Service and the Secret Service Uniformed Division on a non-reimbursable basis in carrying out their protective duties under sections 3056 and 3056A of title 18.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER IV - CLOSING ACCOUNTS

31 USC 1551 - Definitions; applicability of subchapter

(a) In this subchapter
(1) An obligated balance of an appropriation account as of the end of a fiscal year is the amount of unliquidated obligations applicable to the appropriation less amounts collectible as repayments to the appropriation.
(2) An unobligated balance is the difference between the obligated balance and the total unexpended balance.
(3) A fixed appropriation account is an appropriation account available for obligation for a definite period.
(b) The limitations on the availability for expenditure prescribed in this subchapter apply to all appropriations unless specifically otherwise authorized by a law that specifically
(1) identifies the appropriate account for which the availability for expenditure is to be extended;
(2) provides that such account shall be available for recording, adjusting, and liquidating obligations properly chargeable to that account; and
(3) extends the availability for expenditure of the obligated balances.
(c) This subchapter does not apply to
(1) appropriations for the District of Columbia government; or
(2) appropriations to be disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate or the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives.

31 USC 1552 - Procedure for appropriation accounts available for definite periods

(a) On September 30th of the 5th fiscal year after the period of availability for obligation of a fixed appropriation account ends, the account shall be closed and any remaining balance (whether obligated or unobligated) in the account shall be canceled and thereafter shall not be available for obligation or expenditure for any purpose.
(b) Collections authorized or required to be credited to an appropriation account, but not received before closing of the account under subsection (a) or under section 1555 of this title shall be deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.

31 USC 1553 - Availability of appropriation accounts to pay obligations

(a) After the end of the period of availability for obligation of a fixed appropriation account and before the closing of that account under section 1552 (a) of this title, the account shall retain its fiscal-year identity and remain available for recording, adjusting, and liquidating obligations properly chargeable to that account.
(b) 
(1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2), after the closing of an account under section 1552 (a) or 1555 of this title, obligations and adjustments to obligations that would have been properly chargeable to that account, both as to purpose and in amount, before closing and that are not otherwise chargeable to any current appropriation account of the agency may be charged to any current appropriation account of the agency available for the same purpose.
(2) The total amount of charges to an account under paragraph (1) may not exceed an amount equal to 1 percent of the total appropriations for that account.
(c) 
(1) In the case of a fixed appropriation account with respect to which the period of availability for obligation has ended, if an obligation of funds from that account to provide funds for a program, project, or activity to cover amounts required for contract changes would cause the total amount of obligations from that appropriation during a fiscal year for contract changes for that program, project, or activity to exceed $4,000,000, the obligation may only be made if the obligation is approved by the head of the agency (or an officer of the agency within the Office of the head of the agency to whom the head of the agency has delegated the authority to approve such an obligation).
(2) In the case of a fixed appropriation account with respect to which the period of availability for obligation has ended, if an obligation of funds from that account to provide funds for a program, project, or activity to cover amounts required for contract changes would cause the total amount obligated from that appropriation during a fiscal year for that program, project, or activity to exceed $25,000,000, the obligation may not be made until
(A) the head of the agency submits to the appropriate authorizing committees of Congress and the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives a notice in writing of the intent to obligate such funds, together with a description of the legal basis for the proposed obligation and the policy reasons for the proposed obligation; and
(B) a period of 30 days has elapsed after the notice is submitted.
(3) In this subsection, the term contract change means a change to a contract under which the contractor is required to perform additional work. Such term does not include adjustments to pay claims or increases under an escalation clause.
(d) 
(1) Obligations under this section may be paid without prior action of the Comptroller General.
(2) This subchapter does not
(A) relieve the Comptroller General of the duty to make decisions requested under law; or
(B) affect the authority of the Comptroller General to settle claims and accounts.

31 USC 1554 - Audit, control, and reporting

(a) Any audit requirement, limitation on obligations, or reporting requirement that is applicable to an appropriation account shall remain applicable to that account after the end of the period of availability for obligation of that account.
(b) 
(1) After the close of each fiscal year, the head of each agency shall submit to the President and the Secretary of the Treasury a report regarding the unliquidated obligations, unobligated balances, canceled balances, and adjustments made to appropriation accounts of that agency during the completed fiscal year. The report shall be submitted no later than 15 days after the date on which the Presidents budget for the next fiscal year is submitted to Congress under section 1105 of this title.
(2) Each report required by this subsection shall
(A) provide a description, with reference to the fiscal year of appropriations, of the amount in each account, its source, and an itemization of the appropriations accounts;
(B) describe all current and expired appropriations accounts;
(C) describe any payments made under section 1553 of this title;
(D) describe any adjustment of obligations during that fiscal year pursuant to section 1553 of this title;
(E) contain a certification by the head of the agency that the obligated balances in each appropriation account of the agency reflect proper existing obligations and that expenditures from the account since the preceding review were supported by a proper obligation of funds and otherwise were proper;
(F) describe all balances canceled under sections 1552 and 1555 of this title.
(3) The head of each Federal agency shall provide a copy of each such report to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Governmental Affairs, and other appropriate oversight and authorizing committees of the Senate.
(c) The head of each agency shall establish internal controls to assure that an adequate review of obligated balances is performed to support the certification required by section 1108 (c) of this title.

31 USC 1555 - Closing of appropriation accounts available for indefinite periods

An appropriation account available for obligation for an indefinite period shall be closed, and any remaining balance (whether obligated or unobligated) in that account shall be canceled and thereafter shall not be available for obligation or expenditure for any purpose, if
(1) the head of the agency concerned or the President determines that the purposes for which the appropriation was made have been carried out; and
(2) no disbursement has been made against the appropriation for two consecutive fiscal years.

31 USC 1556 - Comptroller General: reports on appropriation accounts

(a) In carrying out audit responsibilities, the Comptroller General shall report on operations under this subchapter to
(1) the head of the agency concerned;
(2) the Secretary of the Treasury; and
(3) the President.
(b) A report under this section shall include an appraisal of unpaid obligations under fixed appropriation accounts for which the period of availability for obligation has ended.

31 USC 1557 - Authority for exemptions in appropriation laws

A provision of an appropriation law may exempt an appropriation from the provisions of this subchapter and fix the period for which the appropriation remains available for expenditure.

31 USC 1558 - Availability of funds following resolution of a formal protest or other challenge

(a) Notwithstanding section 1552 of this title or any other provision of law, funds available to an agency for obligation for a contract at the time a protest or other action referred to in subsection (b) is filed in connection with a solicitation for, proposed award of, or award of such contract shall remain available for obligation for 100 days after the date on which the final ruling is made on the protest or other action. A ruling is considered final on the date on which the time allowed for filing an appeal or request for reconsideration has expired, or the date on which a decision is rendered on such an appeal or request, whichever is later.
(b) Subsection (a) applies with respect to
(1) any protest filed under subchapter V of chapter 35 of this title; or
(2) an action commenced under administrative procedures or for a judicial remedy if
(A) the action involves a challenge to
(i) a solicitation for a contract;
(ii) a proposed award of a contract;
(iii) an award of a contract; or
(iv) the eligibility of an offeror or potential offeror for a contract or of the contractor awarded the contract; and
(B) commencement of the action delays or prevents an executive agency from making an award of a contract or proceeding with a procurement.

SUBTITLE III - US CODE - FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

TITLE 31 - US CODE - CHAPTER 31 - PUBLIC DEBT

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER I - BORROWING AUTHORITY

31 USC 3101 - Public debt limit

(a) In this section, the current redemption value of an obligation issued on a discount basis and redeemable before maturity at the option of its holder is deemed to be the face amount of the obligation.
(b) The face amount of obligations issued under this chapter and the face amount of obligations whose principal and interest are guaranteed by the United States Government (except guaranteed obligations held by the Secretary of the Treasury) may not be more than $9,815,000,000,000, outstanding at one time, subject to changes periodically made in that amount as provided by law through the congressional budget process described in Rule XLIX[1] of the Rules of the House of Representatives or otherwise.
(c) For purposes of this section, the face amount, for any month, of any obligation issued on a discount basis that is not redeemable before maturity at the option of the holder of the obligation is an amount equal to the sum of
(1) the original issue price of the obligation, plus
(2) the portion of the discount on the obligation attributable to periods before the beginning of such month (as determined under the principles of section 1272(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 without regard to any exceptions contained in paragraph (2) of such section).
[1] See References in Text note below.

31 USC 3102 - Bonds

(a) With the approval of the President, the Secretary of the Treasury may borrow on the credit of the United States Government amounts necessary for expenditures authorized by law and may issue bonds of the Government for the amounts borrowed and may buy, redeem, and make refunds under section 3111 of this title. The Secretary may issue bonds authorized by this section to the public and to Government accounts at any annual interest rate and prescribe conditions under section 3121 of this title.
(b) The Secretary shall offer the bonds authorized under this section first as a popular loan under regulations of the Secretary that allow the people of the United States as nearly as possible an equal opportunity to participate in subscribing to the offered bonds. However, the bonds may be offered in a way other than as a popular loan when the Secretary decides the other way is in the public interest.
(c) 
(1) When the Secretary decides it is in the public interest in making a bond offering under this section, the Secretary may
(A) make full allotments on receiving applications for smaller amounts of bonds to subscribers applying before the closing date the Secretary sets for filing applications;
(B) reject or reduce allotments on receiving applications filed after the closing date or for larger amounts;
(C) reject or reduce allotments on receiving applications from incorporated banks and trust companies for their own account and make full allotments or increase allotments to other subscribers; and
(D) prescribe a graduated scale of allotments.
(2) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations applying to all popular loan subscribers similarly situated governing a reduction or increase of an allotment under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(d) The Secretary may make special arrangements for subscriptions from members of the armed forces. However, bonds issued to those members must be the same as other bonds of the same issue.
(e) The Secretary may dispose of any part of a bond offering not taken and may prescribe the price and way of disposition.

31 USC 3103 - Notes

(a) With the approval of the President, the Secretary of the Treasury may borrow on the credit of the United States Government amounts necessary for expenditures authorized by law and may issue notes of the Government for the amounts borrowed and may buy, redeem, and make refunds under section 3111 of this title. The Secretary may prescribe conditions under section 3121 of this title. Notwithstanding section 3121 (a)(5) of this title, the payment date of each series of notes issued shall be at least one year but not more than 10 years from the date of issue.
(b) The Government may redeem any part of a series of notes before maturity by giving at least 4 months notice but not more than one years notice.
(c) The holder of a note of one series issued under this section with the same issue date as another series of notes issued under this section may convert, at par value, a note of the holder for a note of the other series.

31 USC 3104 - Certificates of indebtedness and Treasury bills

(a) The Secretary of the Treasury may borrow on the credit of the United States Government amounts necessary for expenditures authorized by law and may buy, redeem, and make refunds under section 3111 of this title. For amounts borrowed, the Secretary may issue
(1) certificates of indebtedness of the Government; and
(2) Treasury bills of the Government.
(b) The Secretary may prescribe conditions for issuing certificates of indebtedness and Treasury bills under section 3121 of this title and conditions under which the certificates and bills may be redeemed before maturity. Notwithstanding section 3121 (a)(5) of this title, the payment date of certificates of indebtedness and Treasury bills may not be more than one year after the date of issue.
(c) Treasury bills issued under this section may not be accepted before maturity to pay principal or interest on obligations of governments of foreign countries that are held by the United States Government.

31 USC 3105 - Savings bonds and savings certificates

(a) With the approval of the President, the Secretary of the Treasury may issue savings bonds and savings certificates of the United States Government and may buy, redeem, and make refunds under section 3111 of this title. Proceeds from the bonds and certificates shall be used for expenditures authorized by law. Savings bonds and certificates may be issued on an interest-bearing basis, on a discount basis, or on an interest-bearing and discount basis. Savings bonds shall mature not more than 20 years from the date of issue. Savings certificates shall mature not more than 10 years from the date of issue. The difference between the price paid and the amount received on redeeming a savings bond or certificate is interest under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.).
(b) 
(1) The Secretary may
(A) fix the investment yield for savings bonds; and
(B) change the investment yield on an outstanding savings bond, except that the yield on a bond for the period held may not be decreased below the minimum yield for the period guaranteed on the date of issue.
(2) The Secretary may prescribe regulations providing that
(A) owners of savings bonds may keep the bonds after maturity or after a period beyond maturity during which the bonds have earned interest and continue to earn interest at rates consistent with paragraph (1) of this subsection; and
(B) savings bonds earning a different rate of interest before the regulations are prescribed shall earn a rate of interest consistent with paragraph (1).
(c) The Secretary may prescribe for savings bonds and savings certificates issued under this section
(1) the form and amount of an issue and series;
(2) the way in which they will be issued;
(3) the conditions, including restrictions on transfer, to which they will be subject;
(4) conditions governing their redemption;
(5) their sales price and denominations;
(6) a way to evidence payments for or on account of them and to provide for the exchange of savings certificates for savings bonds; and
(7) the maximum amount issued in a year that may be held by one person.
(d) The Secretary may authorize financial institutions to make payments to redeem savings bonds and savings notes. A financial institution may be a paying agent only if the institution
(1) is incorporated under the laws of the United States, a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory or possession of the United States;
(2) in the usual course of business accepts, subject to withdrawal, money for deposit or the purchase of shares;
(3) is under the supervision of a banking authority of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated;
(4) has a regular office to do business; and
(5) is qualified under regulations prescribed by the Secretary in carrying out this subsection.
(e) 
(1) The Secretary may prescribe a way in which a check issued to an individual (except a trust or estate) as a refund for taxes imposed under subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.) may become a series E savings bond. However, a check may become a bond only if the claim for a refund is filed by the last day prescribed by law for filing the return (determined without any extensions) for the taxable year for which the refund is made. The Secretary may prescribe the time and way in which the check becomes a bond.
(2) A bond issued under this subsection is deemed to be a series E bond issued under this section, except that the bond shall bear an issue date of the first day of the first month beginning after the close of the taxable year for which the bond is issued. The Secretary also may provide that a bond issued to joint payees may be redeemed by either payee alone.

31 USC 3106 - Retirement and savings bonds

(a) With the approval of the President, the Secretary of the Treasury may issue retirement and savings bonds of the United States Government and may buy, redeem, and make refunds under section 3111 of this title. The proceeds from the bonds shall be used for expenditures authorized by law. Retirement and savings bonds may be issued only on a discount basis. The maturity period of the bonds shall be at least 10 years from the date of issue but not more than 30 years from the date of issue. The difference between the price paid and the amount received on redeeming a bond is interest under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.).
(b) With the approval of the President, the Secretary may allow owners of retirement and savings bonds to keep the bonds after maturity and continue to earn interest on them at rates that are consistent with the rate of investment yield provided by retirement and savings bonds.
(c) Section 3105 (c)(1)(5) of this title applies to this section. Sections 3105 (c)(6) and (d) and 3126 of this title apply to this section to the extent consistent with this section. The Secretary may prescribe the maximum amount of retirement and savings bonds issued under this section in a year that may be held by one person. However, the maximum amount shall be at least $3,000.

31 USC 3107 - Increasing interest rates and investment yields on retirement bonds

With the approval of the President, the Secretary of the Treasury may increase by regulation the interest rate or investment yield on an offering of bonds issued under this chapter that are described in sections 405(b) and 409(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (26 U.S.C. 405 (b), 409 (a)), as in effect before the enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1984. The increased yield shall be for interest accrual periods specified in the regulations so that the interest rate or investment yield on the bonds for those periods is consistent with the interest rate or investment yield on a new offering of those bonds.

31 USC 3108 - Prohibition against circulation privilege

An obligation issued under sections 3102–3104(a)(1) and 3105–3107 of this title may not bear the circulation privilege.

31 USC 3109 - Tax and loss bonds

(a) The Secretary of the Treasury may issue tax and loss bonds of the United States Government and may buy, redeem, and make refunds under section 3111 of this title. The proceeds of the tax and loss bonds shall be used for expenditures authorized by law. Tax and loss bonds are nontransferrable except as provided by the Secretary, bear no interest, and shall be issued in amounts needed to allow persons to comply with section 832(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 832 (e)). The Secretary may prescribe the amount of tax and loss bonds and the conditions under which the bonds will be issued as required by section 832 (e).
(b) For a taxable year in which amounts are deducted from the mortgage guaranty account referred to in section 832(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 832 (e)(3)), an amount of tax and loss bonds bought under section 832(e)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 832 (e)(2)) shall be redeemed for the amount deducted from the account. The amount redeemed shall be applied as necessary to pay taxes due because of the inclusion under section 832(b)(1)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 832 (b)(1)(E)) of amounts in gross income. The Secretary also may prescribe additional ways to redeem the bonds.

31 USC 3110 - Sale of obligations of governments of foreign countries

(a) With the approval of the President, the Secretary of the Treasury may sell obligations of the government of a foreign country when the obligations were acquired under
(1) the First Liberty Bond Act and matured before June 16, 1947;
(2) the Second Liberty Bond Act and matured before October 16, 1938; or
(3) section 7(a) of the Victory Liberty Loan Act.
(b) The Secretary may prescribe the conditions and frequency for receiving payment under obligations of a government of a foreign country acquired under the laws referred to in subsection (a) of this section. A sale of an obligation acquired under those Acts shall at least equal the purchase price and accrued interest. The proceeds of obligations sold under this section and payments received from governments on the principal of their obligations shall be used to redeem or buy (for not more than par value and accrued interest) bonds of the United States Government issued under this chapter. If those bonds cannot be redeemed or bought, the Secretary shall redeem or buy other outstanding interest-bearing obligations of the Government that are subject to redemption or which can be bought at not more than par value and accrued interest.

31 USC 3111 - New issue used to buy, redeem, or refund outstanding obligations

An obligation may be issued under this chapter to buy, redeem, or refund, at or before maturity, outstanding bonds, notes, certificates of indebtedness, Treasury bills, or savings certificates of the United States Government. Under regulations of the Secretary of the Treasury, money received from the sale of an obligation and other money in the general fund of the Treasury may be used in making the purchases, redemptions, or refunds.

31 USC 3112 - Sinking fund for retiring and cancelling bonds and notes

(a) The Department of the Treasury has a sinking fund for retiring bonds and notes issued under this chapter. Amounts in the fund are appropriated for payment of bonds and notes at maturity or for their redemption or purchase before maturity by the Secretary of the Treasury. The fund is available until all the bonds and notes are retired.
(b) For each fiscal year, an amount is appropriated equal to
(1) the interest that would have been payable during the fiscal year for which the appropriation is made on the bonds and notes bought, redeemed, or paid out of the fund during that or prior years;
(2) 2.5 percent of the total amount of bonds and notes issued under the First Liberty Bond Act, the Second Liberty Bond Act, the Third Liberty Bond Act, the Fourth Liberty Bond Act, and the Victory Liberty Loan Act and outstanding on July 1, 1920, less an amount equal to the par amount of obligations of governments of foreign countries that the United States Government held on July 1, 1920; and
(3) 2.5 percent of the total amount expended after June 29, 1933, from appropriations made or authorized in sections 301 and 302 of the Emergency Relief and Construction Act of 1932.
(c) The Secretary may prescribe the price and conditions for paying, redeeming, and buying bonds and notes under this section. The average cost of bonds and notes bought under this section may not be more than par value and accrued interest. Bonds and notes bought, redeemed, or paid out of the sinking fund must be canceled and retired and may not be reissued.

31 USC 3113 - Accepting gifts

(a) To provide the people of the United States with an opportunity to make gifts to the United States Government to be used to reduce the public debt
(1) the Secretary of the Treasury may accept for the Government a gift of
(A) money made only on the condition that it be used to reduce the public debt;
(B) an obligation of the Government included in the public debt made only on the condition that the obligation be canceled and retired and not reissued; and
(C) other intangible personal property made only on the condition that the property is sold and the proceeds from the sale used to reduce the public debt; and
(2) the Administrator of General Services may accept for the Government a gift of tangible property made only on the condition that it be sold and the proceeds from the sale be used to reduce the public debt.
(b) The Secretary and the Administrator each may reject a gift under this section when the rejection is in the interest of the Government.
(c) The Secretary and the Administrator shall convert a gift either of them accepts under subsection (a)(1)(C) or (2) of this section to money on the best terms available. If a gift accepted under subsection (a) of this section is subject to a gift or inheritance tax, the Secretary or the Administrator may pay the tax out of the proceeds of the gift or the proceeds of the redemption or sale of the gift.
(d) The Treasury has an account into which money received as gifts and proceeds from the sale or redemption of gifts under this section shall be deposited. The Secretary shall use the money in the account to pay at maturity, or to redeem or buy before maturity, an obligation of the Government included in the public debt. An obligation of the Government that is paid, redeemed, or bought with money from the account shall be canceled and retired and may not be reissued. Money deposited in the account is appropriated and may be expended to carry out this section.
(e) 
(1) The Secretary shall redeem a direct obligation of the Government bearing interest or sold on a discount basis on receiving it when the obligation
(A) is given to the Government;
(B) becomes the property of the Government under the conditions of a trust; or
(C) is payable on the death of the owner to the Government (or to an officer of the Government in the officers official capacity).
(2) If the gift or transfer to the Government is subject to a gift or inheritance tax, the Secretary shall pay the tax out of the proceeds of redemption.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER II - ADMINISTRATIVE

31 USC 3121 - Procedure

(a) In issuing obligations under sections 3102–3104 of this title, the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe
(1) whether an obligation is to be issued on an interest-bearing basis, a discount basis, or an interest-bearing and discount basis;
(2) regulations on the conditions under which the obligation will be offered for sale, including whether it will be offered for sale on a competitive or other basis;
(3) the offering price and interest rate;
(4) the method of computing the interest rate;
(5) the dates for paying principal and interest;
(6) the form and denominations of the obligations; and
(7) other conditions.
(b) 
(1) Under conditions prescribed by the Secretary, an obligation issued under this chapter and redeemable on demand of the owner or holder may be used to pay the United States Government for taxes imposed by it.
(2) An obligation of the Government issued after March 3, 1971, under law may not be redeemed before its maturity to pay a tax imposed by the Government in an amount more than the fair market value of the obligation at the time of its redemption. This paragraph does not apply to a Treasury bill issued under section 3104 of this title.
(c) Under conditions prescribed by the Secretary, an obligation authorized by this chapter may be issued in exchange for an obligation of an agency whose principal and interest are unconditionally guaranteed by the Government at or before maturity.
(d) Under conditions prescribed by the Secretary, the Secretary may issue registered bonds in exchange for and instead of coupon bonds that have been or may be issued. The registered bonds shall be similar in all respects to the registered bonds issued under a law authorizing the issue of coupon bonds offered for exchange.
(e) A decision of the Secretary about an issue of obligations under sections 3102–3104 of this title is final.
(f) The Secretary may accept voluntary services in carrying out the sale of public debt obligations.
(g) 
(1) In this subsection, registration-required obligation means an obligation except an obligation
(A) not of a type offered to the public;
(B) having a maturity (at issue) of not more than one year; or
(C) described in paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(2) An obligation is not a registration-required obligation if
(A) there are arrangements reasonably designed to ensure that the obligation will be sold (or resold in connection with the original issue) only to a person that is not a United States person; and
(B) for an obligation not in registered form
(i) interest on the obligation is payable only outside the United States and its territories and possessions; and
(ii) a statement is on the face of the obligation that a United States person holding the obligation is subject to limitations under the United States income tax laws.
(3) Every registration-required obligation of the Government shall be in registered form. A book entry obligation is deemed to be in registered form if the right to principal and stated interest on the obligation may be transferred only through a book entry consistent with regulations of the Secretary.
(4) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations necessary to carry out this subsection when there is a nominee.
(h) 
(1) The Secretary shall prescribe by regulation standards for the safeguarding and use of obligations issued under this chapter, and obligations otherwise issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the United States. Such regulations shall apply only to a depository institution that is not a government securities broker or a government securities dealer and that holds such obligations as fiduciary, custodian, or otherwise for the account of a customer and not for its own account. Such regulations shall provide for the adequate segregation of obligations so held, including obligations which are purchased or sold subject to resale or repurchase.
(2) Violation of a regulation prescribed under paragraph (1) shall constitute adequate basis for the issuance of an order under section 5239(a) or (b) of the Revised Statutes (12 U.S.C. 93 (a) or (b)), section 8(b) or 8(c) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, section 5(d)(2) or 5(d)(3)1 of the Home Owners Loan Act of 1933, section 407(e) or 407(f)1 of the National Housing Act, or section 206(e) or 206(f) of the Federal Credit Union Act. Such an order may be issued with respect to a depository institution by its appropriate regulatory agency and with respect to a federally insured credit union by the National Credit Union Administration Board.
(3) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to affect in any way the powers of such agencies under any other provision of law.
(4) The Secretary shall, prior to adopting regulations under this subsection, determine with respect to each appropriate regulatory agency and the National Credit Union Administration Board, whether its rules and standards adequately meet the purposes of regulations to be promulgated under this subsection, and if the Secretary so determines, shall exempt any depository institution subject to such rules or standards from the regulations promulgated under this subsection.
(5) As used in this subsection
(A) depository institution has the meaning stated in clauses (i) through (vi) of section 19(b)(1)(A) of the Federal Reserve Act and also includes a foreign bank, an agency or branch of a foreign bank, and a commercial lending company owned or controlled by a foreign bank (as such terms are defined in the International Banking Act of 1978).
(B) government securities broker has the meaning prescribed in section 3(a)(43) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(C) government securities dealer has the meaning prescribed in section 3(a)(44) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(D) appropriate regulatory agency has the meaning prescribed in section 3(a)(34)(G) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
[1] See References in Text note below.

31 USC 3122 - Banks and trust companies as depositaries

(a) The Secretary of the Treasury may designate incorporated banks and trust companies as depositaries for any part of proceeds of an obligation issued under this chapter. The Secretary may prescribe the conditions under which deposits may be made under this section, including the interest rate on amounts deposited and security requirements.
(b) The Secretary may designate a bank or trust company that is a depositary under subsection (a) of this section as a fiscal agent of the United States Government in selling and delivering bonds and certificates of indebtedness issued by the Government.

31 USC 3123 - Payment of obligations and interest on the public debt

(a) The faith of the United States Government is pledged to pay, in legal tender, principal and interest on the obligations of the Government issued under this chapter.
(b) The Secretary of the Treasury shall pay interest due or accrued on the public debt. As the Secretary considers expedient, the Secretary may pay in advance interest on the public debt by a period of not more than one year, with or without a rebate of interest on the coupons.
(c) 
(1) The Secretary may issue a bond, note, or certificate of indebtedness authorized under this chapter whose principal and interest are payable in a foreign currency stated in the bond, note, or certificate. The Secretary may dispose of the bonds, notes, and certificates at a price that is at least par value without complying with section 3102 (b)(d) of this title.
(2) In determining the dollar amount of bonds, notes, and certificates of indebtedness that may be issued under this chapter, the dollar equivalent of the amount of bonds, notes, and certificates payable in a foreign currency is determined by the par of the exchange value on the date of issue of the bonds, notes, or certificates as published by the Secretary under section 5151 of this title.
(3) The Secretary may designate depositaries in foreign countries in which any part of the proceeds of bonds, notes, or certificates of indebtedness payable in the foreign currency may be deposited.

31 USC 3124 - Exemption from taxation

(a) Stocks and obligations of the United States Government are exempt from taxation by a State or political subdivision of a State. The exemption applies to each form of taxation that would require the obligation, the interest on the obligation, or both, to be considered in computing a tax, except
(1) a nondiscriminatory franchise tax or another nonproperty tax instead of a franchise tax, imposed on a corporation; and
(2) an estate or inheritance tax.
(b) The tax status of interest on obligations and dividends, earnings, or other income from evidences of ownership issued by the Government or an agency and the tax treatment of gain and loss from the disposition of those obligations and evidences of ownership is decided under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.). An obligation that the Federal Housing Administration had agreed, under a contract made before March 1, 1941, to issue at a future date, has the tax exemption privileges provided by the authorizing law at the time of the contract. This subsection does not apply to obligations and evidences of ownership issued by the District of Columbia, a territory or possession of the United States, or a department, agency, instrumentality, or political subdivision of the District, territory, or possession.

31 USC 3125 - Relief for lost, stolen, destroyed, mutilated, or defaced obligations

(a) In this section, obligation means a direct obligation of the United States Government issued under law for valuable consideration, including bonds, notes, certificates of indebtedness, Treasury bills, and interim certificates issued for an obligation.
(b) The Secretary of the Treasury may provide relief for the loss, theft, destruction, mutilation, or defacement of an obligation identified by number and description.
(c) 
(1) An indemnity bond is required as a condition of relief if the obligation is payable to bearer or assigned so as to become payable to bearer and is not proven clearly to have been destroyed. The Secretary may prescribe for the indemnity bond the form, amount, and surety or security requirements.
(2) Relief for interest coupons claimed to have been attached to an obligation may be provided only if the Secretary is satisfied that the coupons have not been paid and are destroyed or will not become the basis of a valid claim against the Government.

31 USC 3126 - Losses and relief from liability related to redeeming savings bonds and notes

(a) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, a loss resulting from a payment related to redeeming a savings bond or savings note shall be replaced out of the fund established by section 17303 (a) of title 40. A Federal reserve bank, a paying agent allowed to make payments in redeeming a bond or note, or an officer or employee of the Department of the Treasury is relieved from liability to the United States Government for the loss when the Secretary decides that the loss did not result from the fault or negligence of the bank, paying agent, officer, or employee. The Secretary shall relieve the bank, agent, officer, or employee from liability when the Secretary decides that written notice of liability or potential liability has not been given to the bank, agent, officer, or employee by the Government within 10 years from the date of the erroneous payment. However, the Secretary may not relieve a paying agent of an assumed unconditional liability to the Government.
(b) Section 17304 (c) of title 40 applies to a decision of the Secretary made under this section. A recovery or repayment of a loss for which replacement is made out of the fund shall be credited to the fund and is available for the purposes for which the fund was established.

31 USC 3127 - Credit to officers, employees, and agents for stolen Treasury notes

When an officer, employee, or agent of the United States Government authorized to receive, redeem, or cancel Treasury notes receives or pays a note that was stolen and put in circulation after it had been received or redeemed by an officer, employee, or agent authorized to receive or redeem the note, the Secretary of the Treasury may allow the officer, employee, or agent receiving or paying the stolen note a credit for the amount of the note. The Secretary may allow the credit only if the Secretary is satisfied that the note was received or paid in good faith and in exercising ordinary prudence.

31 USC 3128 - Proof of death to support payment

A finding of death made by an officer or employee of the United States Government authorized by law to make the finding is sufficient proof of death to allow credit in the accounts of a Federal reserve bank or accountable official of the Department of the Treasury in a case involving the transfer, exchange, reissue, redemption, or payment of obligations of the Government, including obligations guaranteed by the Government for which the Secretary of the Treasury acts as transfer agent.

31 USC 3129 - Appropriation to pay expenses

(a) Amounts to pay necessary expenses (including rent) for an issue of obligations authorized under this chapter are appropriated to the Secretary of the Treasury. However, the amount appropriated under this section may not be more than
(1) .2 percent of the amount of bonds and notes authorized under this chapter;
(2) .1 percent of the amount of certificates of indebtedness authorized under section 3104 of this title; and
(3) .1 percent of the amount of certificates of indebtedness authorized under the First Liberty Bond Act.
(b) An appropriation under this section is available for obligation only through the end of the fiscal year after the fiscal year in which the issue was made. During a period for which an appropriation for a specified amount is made for expenses for which this section makes an appropriation for an unspecified amount, only the appropriation for the specified amount is available for obligation.

31 USC 3130 - Annual public debt report

(a) General Rule.— 
On or before June 1 of each calendar year after 1993, the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit a report to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate on
(1) the Treasurys public debt activities, and
(2) the operations of the Federal Financing Bank.
(b) Required Information on Public Debt Activities.— 
Each report submitted under subsection (a) shall include the following information:
(1) A table showing the following information with respect to the total public debt:
(A) The past levels of such debt and the projected levels of such debt as of the close of the current fiscal year and as of the close of the next 5 fiscal years under the most recent current services baseline projection of the executive branch.
(B) The past debt to GDP ratios and the projected debt to GDP ratios as of the close of the current fiscal year and as of the close of the next 5 fiscal years under such most recent current services baseline projection.
(2) A table showing the following information with respect to the net public debt:
(A) The past levels of such debt and the projected levels of such debt as of the close of the current fiscal year and as of the close of the next 5 fiscal years under the most recent current services baseline projection of the executive branch.
(B) The past debt to GDP ratios and the projected debt to GDP ratios as of the close of the current fiscal year and as of the close of the next 5 fiscal years under such most recent current services baseline projection.
(C) The interest cost on such debt for prior fiscal years and the projected interest cost on such debt for the current fiscal year and for the next 5 fiscal years under such most recent current services baseline projection.
(D) The interest cost to outlay ratios for prior fiscal years and the projected interest cost to outlay ratios for the current fiscal year and for the next 5 fiscal years under such most recent current services baseline projection.
(3) A table showing the maturity distribution of the net public debt as of the time the report is submitted and for prior years, and an explanation of the overall financing strategy used in determining the distribution of maturities when issuing public debt obligations, including a discussion of the projections and assumptions with respect to the structure of interest rates for the current fiscal year and for the succeeding 5 fiscal years.
(4) A table showing the following information as of the time the report is submitted and for prior years:
(A) A description of the various categories of the holders of public debt obligations.
(B) The portions of the total public debt held by each of such categories.
(5) A table showing the relationship of federally assisted borrowing to total Federal borrowing as of the time the report is submitted and for prior years.
(6) A table showing the annual principal and interest payments which would be required to amortize in equal annual payments the level (as of the time the report is submitted) of the net public debt over the longest remaining term to maturity of any obligation which is a part of such debt.
(c) Required Information on Federal Financing Bank.— 
Each report submitted under subsection (a) shall include (but not be limited to) information on the financial operations of the Federal Financing Bank, including loan payments and prepayments, and on the levels and categories of the lending activities of the Federal Financing Bank, for the current fiscal year and for prior fiscal years.
(d) Recommendations.— 
The Secretary of the Treasury may include in any report submitted under subsection (a) such recommendations to improve the issuance and sale of public debt obligations (and with respect to other matters) as he may deem advisable.
(e) Definitions.— 
For purposes of this section
(1) Current fiscal year.— 
The term current fiscal year means the fiscal year ending in the calendar year in which the report is submitted.
(2) Total public debt.— 
The term total public debt means the total amount of the obligations subject to the public debt limit established in section 3101 of this title.
(3) Net public debt.— 
The term net public debt means the portion of the total public debt which is held by the public.
(4) Debt to gdp ratio.— 
The term debt to GDP ratio means the percentage obtained by dividing the level of the total public debt or net public debt, as the case may be, by the gross domestic product.
(5) Interest cost to outlay ratio.— 
The term interest cost to outlay ratio means, with respect to any fiscal year, the percentage obtained by dividing the interest cost for such fiscal year on the net public debt by the total amount of Federal outlays for such fiscal year.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - CHAPTER 33 - DEPOSITING, KEEPING, AND PAYING MONEY

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER I - DEPOSITS AND DEPOSITARIES

31 USC 3301 - General duties of the Secretary of the Treasury

(a) The Secretary of the Treasury shall
(1) receive and keep public money;
(2) take receipts for money paid out by the Secretary;
(3) give receipts for money deposited in the Treasury;
(4) endorse warrants for receipts for money deposited in the Treasury;
(5) submit the accounts of the Secretary to the Comptroller General every 3 months, or more often if required by the Comptroller General; and
(6) submit to inspection at any time by the Comptroller General of money in the possession of the Secretary.
(b) Except as provided in section 3326 of this title, an acknowledgment for money deposited in the Treasury is not valid if the Secretary does not endorse a warrant as required by subsection (a)(4) of this section.

31 USC 3302 - Custodians of money

(a) Except as provided by another law, an official or agent of the United States Government having custody or possession of public money shall keep the money safe without
(1) lending the money;
(2) using the money;
(3) depositing the money in a bank; and
(4) exchanging the money for other amounts.
(b) Except as provided in section 3718 (b)1 of this title, an official or agent of the Government receiving money for the Government from any source shall deposit the money in the Treasury as soon as practicable without deduction for any charge or claim.
(c) 
(1) A person having custody or possession of public money, including a disbursing official having public money not for current expenditure, shall deposit the money without delay in the Treasury or with a depositary designated by the Secretary of the Treasury under law. Except as provided in paragraph (2), money required to be deposited pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited not later than the third day after the custodian receives the money. The Secretary or a depositary receiving a deposit shall issue duplicate receipts for the money deposited. The original receipt is for the Secretary and the duplicate is for the custodian.
(2) The Secretary of the Treasury may by regulation prescribe that a person having custody or possession of money required by this subsection to be deposited shall deposit such money during a period of time that is greater or lesser than the period of time specified by the second sentence of paragraph (1).
(d) An official or agent not complying with subsection (b) of this section may be removed from office. The official or agent may be required to forfeit to the Government any part of the money held by the official or agent and to which the official or agent may be entitled.
(e) An official or agent of the Government having custody or possession of public money shall keep an accurate entry of each amount of public money received, transferred, and paid.
(f) When authorized by the Secretary, an official or agent of the Government having custody or possession of public money, or performing other fiscal agent services, may be allowed necessary expenses to collect, keep, transfer, and pay out public money and to perform those services. However, money appropriated for those expenses may not be used to employ or pay officers and employees of the Government.
[1] See References in Text note below.

31 USC 3303 - Designation of depositaries

(a) The Secretary of the Treasury designates depositaries of money as provided in this section and under other law.
(b) When necessary to carry out the business of the United States Government and under conditions the Secretary decides are necessary, the Secretary may designate depositaries in foreign countries and in territories and possessions of the United States to receive deposits of public money. The Secretary shall give preference to United States financial institutions the Secretary decides are safe and able to give the service required.

31 USC 3304 - Transfers of public money from depositaries

The Secretary of the Treasury may transfer public money in the possession of a depositary
(1) to the Treasury; and
(2) if the Secretary believes the safety of the public money and convenience require it, to another depositary.

31 USC 3305 - Audits of depositaries

The Secretary of the Treasury, or an officer, employee, or agent designated by the Secretary, may audit a depositary of public money. For uniformity and accuracy in accounts and safety of public money, an individual conducting an audit shall audit a depositarys
(1) books;
(2) accounts;
(3) returns; and
(4) public money on hand and the way the money is kept.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER II - PAYMENTS

31 USC 3321 - Disbursing authority in the executive branch

(a) Except as provided in this section or another law, only officers and employees of the Department of the Treasury designated by the Secretary of the Treasury as disbursing officials may disburse public money available for expenditure by an executive agency.
(b) For economy and efficiency, the Secretary may delegate the authority to disburse public money to officers and employees of other executive agencies.
(c) The head of each of the following executive agencies shall designate personnel of the agency as disbursing officials to disburse public money available for expenditure by the agency:
(1) United States Marshals Office.
(2) The Department of Defense.
(3) The Department of Homeland Security.[1] (with respect to public money available for expenditure by the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy).
(d) On request of the Secretary and with the approval of the head of an executive agency referred to in subsection (c) of this section, facilities of the agency may be used to assist in disbursing public money available for expenditure by another executive agency.
[1] So in original. The period probably should not appear.

31 USC 3322 - Disbursing officials

(a) The Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer public money to a disbursing official only by draft or warrant written on the Treasury. Except as provided in section 3716 and section 3720A of this title and subsection (b) of this section, a disbursing official shall
(1) deposit public money as required by section 3302 of this title; and
(2) draw public money from the Treasury or a depositary only
(A) as necessary to make payments; and
(B) payable to persons to whom payment is to be made.
(b) In a place without a depositary, the Secretary, on deciding it is essential to the public interest, may authorize specially in writing that public money be
(1) deposited in any other public depositary; or
(2) kept in another manner under regulations the Secretary decides are the safest and most effective in making a payment to a public creditor easier.
(c) A disbursing official is not liable for an overpayment provided under a United States Government bill of lading or transportation request when the overpayment is caused by the
(1) use of improper transportation rates or classifications if the Administrator of General Services has determined that verification by a prepayment audit conducted pursuant to section 3726 (a) of this title for a particular mode or modes of transportation, or for an agency or subagency, will not adequately protect the interests of the Government; or
(2) failure to deduct the proper amount under
(A) a land grant law; or
(B) an equalization or other agreement.

31 USC 3323 - Warrants

(a) Except as provided in section 3326 of this title, the Secretary of the Treasury may pay out money only against a warrant. A warrant shall be
(1) authorized by law;
(2) signed by the Secretary; and
(3) countersigned by the Comptroller General.
(b) 
(1) A disbursing official shall send to the Secretary with a warrant a certificate under section 3526 of this title, or a requisition for an advance. The certificate or requisition shall state the appropriation to which the payment is to be charged.
(2) The Secretary shall return the certificate or requisition to the Comptroller General with the date and amount endorsed on the certificate or requisition.
(c) A requisition for the payment of money on an audited account or for depositing money in the Treasury is not required.
(d) The Secretary and the Comptroller General shall charge to the appropriate appropriation in their books any money paid by a warrant.

31 USC 3324 - Advances

(a) Except as provided in this section, a payment under a contract to provide a service or deliver an article for the United States Government may not be more than the value of the service already provided or the article already delivered.
(b) An advance of public money may be made only if it is authorized by
(1) a specific appropriation or other law; or
(2) the President to be made to
(A) a disbursing official if the President decides the advance is necessary to carry out
(i) the duties of the official promptly and faithfully; and
(ii) an obligation of the Government; or
(B) an individual serving in the armed forces at a distant station if the President decides the advance is necessary to disburse regularly pay and allowances.
(c) Before the Secretary of the Treasury acts on a requisition for an advance, the Comptroller General shall act on the requisition under section 3522 of this title. The Comptroller General does not countersign a requisition for an advance.
(d) The head of an agency may pay in advance from appropriations available for the purpose
(1) to the Secretary of the Army, charges for messages sent by the Secretary of the Army for the head of the agency, including charges for
(A) payment of tolls of commercial carriers;
(B) leasing facilities for sending messages; and
(C) installing and maintaining facilities for sending messages; and
(2) charges for a publication printed or recorded in any way for the auditory or visual use of the agency.

31 USC 3325 - Vouchers

(a) A disbursing official in the executive branch of the United States Government shall
(1) disburse money only as provided by a voucher certified by
(A) the head of the executive agency concerned; or
(B) an officer or employee of the executive agency having written authorization from the head of the agency to certify vouchers;
(2) examine a voucher if necessary to decide if it is
(A) in proper form;
(B) certified and approved; and
(C) computed correctly on the facts certified; and
(3) except for the correctness of computations on a voucher or pursuant to payment intercepts or offsets pursuant to section 3716 or 3720A of this title,,[1] be held accountable for carrying out clauses (1) and (2) of this subsection.
(b) In addition to officers and employees referred to in subsection (a)(1)(B) of this section as having authorization to certify vouchers, members of the armed forces may certify vouchers when authorized, in writing, by the Secretary of Defense or, in the case of the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, by the Secretary of Homeland Security.
(c) On request, the Secretary of the Treasury may provide to the appropriate officer or employee of the United States Government a list of persons receiving periodic payments from the Government. When certified and in proper form, the list may be used as a voucher on which the Secretary may disburse money.
(d) The head of an executive agency or an officer or employee of an executive agency referred to in subsection (a)(1)(B), as applicable, shall include with each certified voucher submitted to a disbursing official pursuant to this section the taxpayer identifying number of each person to whom payment may be made under the voucher.
[1] So in original.

31 USC 3326 - Waiver of requirements for warrants and advances

(a) When the Secretary of the Treasury and the Comptroller General decide that, with sufficient safeguards, existing procedures may be changed to simplify, improve, and economize the control and accounting of public money, they may prescribe joint regulations for waiving any part of the requirements in effect on September 12, 1950, that
(1) warrants be issued and countersigned for the receipt, retention, and disbursement of public money and trust funds; and
(2) amounts be requisitioned and advanced to accountable officials.
(b) Regulations of the Secretary and the Comptroller General may provide for the payment of vouchers by authorized disbursing officials by checks drawn on the general fund of the Treasury. However, the regulations shall provide for appropriate action (including suspension or withdrawal of authority to make payments) against a delinquent disbursing official for any reason related to the officials accounts.

31 USC 3327 - General authority to issue checks and other drafts

(a) The Secretary of the Treasury may issue a check or other draft on public money in the Treasury to pay an obligation of the United States Government. When the Secretary decides it is convenient to a public creditor and in the public interest, the Secretary may designate a depositary to issue a check or other draft on public money held by the depositary to pay an obligation of the Government. As directed by the Secretary, each depositary shall report to the Secretary on public money paid and received by the depositary.
(b) The Secretary of the Treasury shall take such actions as are necessary to ensure that Social Security account numbers (including derivatives of such numbers) are not visible on or through unopened mailings of checks or other drafts described in subsection (a) of this section.

31 USC 3328 - Paying checks and drafts

(a) Time Limit on Treasury Checks.— 

(1) In general.— 
Except as provided in sections 3329 and 3330 of this title
(A) the Secretary shall not be required to pay a Treasury check issued on or after the effective date of this section unless it is negotiated to a financial institution within 12 months after the date on which the check was issued; and
(B) the Secretary shall not be required to pay a Treasury check issued before the effective date of this section unless it is negotiated to a financial institution within 12 months after such effective date.
(2) Deferral pending settlement.— 
Notwithstanding the time limitations imposed by paragraph (1), if the Secretary is on notice of a question of law or fact about whether a Treasury check is properly payable when the check is presented for payment, the Secretary may defer payment on such check until the question is settled.
(3) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to affect the underlying obligation of the United States, or any agency thereof, for which a Treasury check was issued.
(b) 
(1) If a check issued by a disbursing official and drawn on a designated depositary is not paid by the last day of the fiscal year after the fiscal year in which the check was issued, the amount of the check is
(A) withdrawn from the account with the depositary; and
(B) deposited in the Treasury for credit to a consolidated account of the Treasury.
(2) A claim for the proceeds of an unpaid check under this subsection may be paid from a consolidated account by a check drawn on the Treasury.
(c) A limitation imposed on a claim against the United States Government under section 3702 of this title does not apply to an unpaid check drawn on the Treasury or a designated depositary.
(d) The Secretary may prescribe regulations the Secretary decides are necessary to carry out subsections (a)(c) of this section.
(e) 
(1) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations on
(A) enforcing the speedy presentation of Government drafts;
(B) paying drafts, including the place of payment; and
(C) paying drafts if presentment is not made as required.
(2) Regulations prescribed under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall prevent, as far as may be practicable, Government drafts from being used or placed in circulation as paper currency or a medium of exchange.
(f) Authority To Decline Payment.— 
Nothing in this section limits the authority of the Secretary to decline payment of a Treasury check after first examination thereof at the Treasury.

31 USC 3329 - Withholding checks to be sent to foreign countries

(a) The Secretary of the Treasury shall prohibit a check or warrant drawn on public money from being sent to a foreign country from the United States or from a territory or possession of the United States when the Secretary decides that postal, transportation, or banking facilities generally, or local conditions in the foreign country, do not reasonably ensure that the payee
(1) will receive the check or warrant; and
(2) will be able to negotiate it for full value.
(b) 
(1) If a check or warrant is prohibited from being sent to a foreign country under subsection (a) of this section, the drawer shall hold the check or warrant until the end of the calendar quarter after the date of the check or warrant.
(2) The Secretary may release the check or warrant for delivery during the calendar quarter after the date of the check or warrant if the Secretary decides that conditions have changed to ensure reasonably that the payee
(A) will receive the check or warrant; and
(B) will be able to negotiate it for full value.
(3) Unless the Secretary otherwise directs, the drawer shall send at the end of the calendar quarter after the date of the check or warrant the
(A) withheld check or warrant to the drawee; and
(B) report to the Secretary on
(i) the name and address of the payee;
(ii) the date, number, and amount of the check or warrant; and
(iii) the account on which the check or warrant was drawn.
(4) The drawee shall transfer the amount of a withheld check or warrant from the account of the drawer to the special deposit account Secretary of the Treasury, Proceeds of Withheld Foreign Checks. The check or warrant shall be marked Paid into Withheld Foreign Check Account. The Secretary shall credit the accounts of the drawer and drawee.
(c) The Secretary may pay an amount deposited in the special account under subsection (b)(4) of this section with a check drawn on the account when
(1) a person claiming payment satisfies the Secretary of the right to the amount of the check or warrant (or satisfies the Secretary of Veterans Affairs if the claim represents a payment under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs); and
(2) the Secretary is reasonably ensured that the person
(A) will receive the check or warrant; and
(B) will be able to negotiate it for full value.
(d) This section and section 3330 of this title
(1) apply to a check or warrant whose delivery may be withheld under Executive Order 8389;
(2) do not affect a requirement for a license for delivering and paying a check in payment of a claim under subsection (c) of this section when a license is required by law to authorize delivery and payment; and
(3) do not affect a check or warrant issued for the payment of pay or goods bought by the United States Government in a foreign country.

31 USC 3330 - Payment of Department of Veterans Affairs checks for the benefit of individuals in foreign countries

(a) 
(1) A check is deemed to be issued for sending to a foreign country and subject to this section and section 3329 of this title if the check is
(A) drawn on public money;
(B) for benefits under laws carried out by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and
(C) to be sent to a person in the United States or a territory or possession of the United States, and the person is legally responsible for the care of an individual in a foreign country.
(2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall notify the Secretary of the Treasury of each check described under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(3) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may exempt a check from paragraph (1) of this subsection if the application of paragraph (1) would reduce, discontinue, or deny benefits for the care of a dependent of an individual in a foreign country.
(b) When the amount of checks (representing payments to an individual under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs) transferred under section 3329 (b)(4) of this title equals $1,000, the amounts of additional checks (except checks under contracts of insurance) payable to the individual under those laws shall be deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. An amount transferred under section 3329 (b)(4) or deposited as miscellaneous receipts is deemed to be payment for all purposes to the individual entitled to payment.
(c) If the payee of a check for pension, compensation, or emergency officers retirement pay under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs dies while the amount of the check is in the special deposit account, the amount is payable (subject to section 3329 of this title and this section) as follows:
(1) after the death of the veteran, to the surviving spouse, or, if there is no surviving spouse, to children of the veteran under 18 years of age at the time of the veterans death.
(2) after the death of the surviving spouse, to children of the spouse under 18 years of age at the time of the spouses death.
(3) after the death of an apportionee of a part of the veterans pension, compensation, or emergency officers retirement pay but before all of the apportioned amount is paid to the veteran, the apportioned amount not paid.
(4) in any other case, only to the extent necessary to reimburse a person for burial expenses.
(d) 
(1) A payment may be made under subsection (c) of this section only if a claim for payment is
(A) filed with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs by the end of the first year after the date of the death of the individual entitled to payment; and
(B) completed by submitting the necessary evidence by the 6th month after the date the Secretary of Veterans Affairs requests the evidence.
(2) Payment shall include only amounts due at the time of death under ratings or decisions existing at the time of the death.

31 USC 3331 - Substitute checks

(a) In this section, original check
(1) means an order for the payment of money
(A) payable on demand;
(B) that does not bear interest;
(C) drawn by an authorized disbursing official or agent of the United States Government; and
(D) the amount of which is deposited with the Treasury or another account available for payment; and
(2) does not include coins and currency of the Government.
(b) When the Secretary of the Treasury is satisfied that an original check is lost, stolen, destroyed in any part, or is so defaced that the value to the owner or holder is impaired, the Secretary may issue a substitute check to the owner or holder of the original check. Except as provided in subsection (c) or (f) of this section, the substitute check is payable from the amount available to pay the original check.
(c) When the Secretary is satisfied that an original check drawn on a depositary in a foreign country or a territory or possession of the United States is lost, stolen, destroyed in part, or is so defaced that its value to the owner or holder is impaired, the drawer of the original check (or another official designated by the Secretary with the approval of the head of the agency on whose behalf the original check was issued) may issue to the owner or holder of the check a substitute check. The drawer or official shall issue the substitute check by the last day of the fiscal year after the fiscal year in which the original check was issued
(1) using the current date; and
(2) drawn on the account of the drawer of the original check or another account available for payment of the substitute.
(d) A substitute check issued under this section
(1) may be paid only if the original check has not been paid;
(2) shall include information necessary to identify the original check;
(3) that is drawn on the Treasury
(A) is deemed to be an original check; and
(B) is paid under the same conditions as the original check; and
(4) does not relieve a disbursing or certifying official from liability to the Government for payment resulting from erroneously issuing the original check.
(e) Before issuing a substitute check under this section, the Secretary may require the owner or holder of the original check to agree to indemnify the Government with security in the form and amount the Secretary decides is necessary.
(f) The Secretary may waive any provision of this section as may be necessary to ensure that claimants receive timely payments.
(g) Under conditions the Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary may delegate duties and powers of the Secretary under this section to the head of an agency. Consistent with a delegation from the Secretary under this subsection, the head of an agency may delegate those duties and powers to an officer or employee of the agency.

31 USC 3332 - Required direct deposit

(a) 
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all Federal wage, salary, and retirement payments shall be paid to recipients of such payments by electronic funds transfer, unless another method has been determined by the Secretary of the Treasury to be appropriate.
(2) Each recipient of Federal wage, salary, or retirement payments shall designate one or more financial institutions or other authorized payment agents and provide the payment certifying or authorizing agency information necessary for the recipient to receive electronic funds transfer payments through each institution so designated.
(b) 
(1) The head of each agency shall waive the requirements of subsection (a) of this section for a recipient of Federal wage, salary, or retirement payments authorized or certified by the agency upon written request by such recipient.
(2) Federal wage, salary, or retirement payments shall be paid to any recipient granted a waiver under paragraph (1) of this subsection by any method determined appropriate by the Secretary of the Treasury.
(c) 
(1) The Secretary of the Treasury may waive the requirements of subsection (a) of this section for any group of recipients upon request by the head of an agency under standards prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury.
(2) Federal wage, salary, or retirement payments shall be paid to any member of a group granted a waiver under paragraph (1) of this subsection by any method determined appropriate by the Secretary of the Treasury.
(d) This section shall apply only to recipients of Federal wage or salary payments who begin to receive such payments on or after January 1, 1995, and recipients of Federal retirement payments who begin to receive such payments on or after January 1, 1995.
(e) 
(1) Notwithstanding subsections (a) through (d) of this section, sections 5120 (a) and (d) of title 38, and any other provision of law, all Federal payments to a recipient who becomes eligible for that type of payment after 90 days after the date of the enactment of the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 shall be made by electronic funds transfer.
(2) The head of a Federal agency shall, with respect to Federal payments made or authorized by the agency, waive the application of paragraph (1) to a recipient of those payments upon receipt of written certification from the recipient that the recipient does not have an account with a financial institution or an authorized payment agent.
(f) 
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law (including subsections (a) through (e) of this section and sections 5120 (a) and (d) of title 38), except as provided in paragraph (2) all Federal payments made after January 1, 1999, shall be made by electronic funds transfer.
(2) 
(A) The Secretary of the Treasury may waive application of this subsection to payments
(i) for individuals or classes of individuals for whom compliance imposes a hardship;
(ii) for classifications or types of checks; or
(iii) in other circumstances as may be necessary.
(B) The Secretary of the Treasury shall make determinations under subparagraph (A) based on standards developed by the Secretary.
(g) Each recipient of Federal payments required to be made by electronic funds transfer shall
(1) designate 1 or more financial institutions or other authorized agents to which such payments shall be made; and
(2) provide to the Federal agency that makes or authorizes the payments information necessary for the recipient to receive electronic funds transfer payments through each institution or agent designated under paragraph (1).
(h) The crediting of the amount of a payment to the appropriate account on the books of a financial institution or other authorized payment agent designated by a payment recipient under this section shall constitute a full acquittance to the United States for the amount of the payment.
(i) 
(1) The Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe regulations that the Secretary considers necessary to carry out this section.
(2) Regulations under this subsection shall ensure that individuals required under subsection (g) to have an account at a financial institution because of the application of subsection (f)(1)
(A) will have access to such an account at a reasonable cost; and
(B) are given the same consumer protections with respect to the account as other account holders at the same financial institution.
(j) For purposes of this section
(1) The term electronic funds transfer means any transfer of funds, other than a transaction originated by cash, check, or similar paper instrument, that is initiated through an electronic terminal, telephone, computer, or magnetic tape, for the purpose of ordering, instructing, or authorizing a financial institution to debit or credit an account. The term includes Automated Clearing House transfers, Fed Wire transfers, transfers made at automatic teller machines, and point-of-sale terminals.
(2) The term Federal agency means
(A) an agency (as defined in section 101 of this title); and
(B) a Government corporation (as defined in section 103 of title 5).
(3) The term Federal payments includes
(A) Federal wage, salary, and retirement payments;
(B) vendor and expense reimbursement payments; and
(C) benefit payments.

Such term shall not include any payment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

31 USC 3333 - Relief for payments made without negligence

(a) 
(1) The Secretary of the Treasury is not liable for a payment made by the Secretary or depositary in due course and without negligence, of
(A) a check, draft, or warrant drawn on the Treasury or the depositary;
(B) an electronic payment issued by the Treasury or the depositary; and
(C) a debt obligation guaranteed or assumed by the United States Government.
(2) The Comptroller General shall credit the accounts of the Treasury or the depositary for the payment.
(3) The amount of the relief and the amount of any relief granted to an official or agent of the Department of the Treasury under 31 U.S.C. 3527, shall be charged to the Check Forgery Insurance Fund (31 U.S.C. 3343). A recovery or repayment of a loss for which replacement is made out of the fund shall be credited to the fund and is available for the purposes for which the fund was established.
(b) This section does not relieve another individual from civil or criminal liability for a check, draft, warrant, or debt obligation of the Government.

31 USC 3334 - Cancellation and proceeds distribution of Treasury checks

(a) In General.— 

(1) The Secretary shall provide monthly to each agency that authorizes the issuance of Treasury checks a list of those checks issued for such agency on or after such effective date that have not been paid and have become more than 12 months old during the preceding month, beginning with the fourteenth month following the effective date of this section.
(2) Such checks shall be canceled by the Secretary and the proceeds thereof shall be returned to the agency concerned and credited to the appropriation or fund account initially charged for the payment.
(b) Checks Issued Before Effective Date.— 

(1) Not later than 18 months after the effective date of this section, the Secretary shall identify and cancel all Treasury checks issued before such effective date that have not been paid in accordance with section 3328 of this title.
(2) The proceeds from checks canceled pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be applied to eliminate the balances in accounts that represent uncollectible accounts receivable and other costs associated with the payment of checks and check claims by the Department of the Treasury on behalf of all payment certifying agencies. Any remaining proceeds shall be deposited to the miscellaneous receipts of the Treasury.
(c) No Effect on Underlying Obligation.— 
Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the underlying obligation of the United States, or any agency thereof, for which a Treasury check was issued.

31 USC 3335 - Timely disbursement of Federal funds

(a) Each head of an executive agency (other than the Tennessee Valley Authority) shall, under such regulations as the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe, provide for the timely disbursement of Federal funds through cash, checks, electronic funds transfer, or any other means identified by the Secretary.
(b) The Secretary may collect from any executive agency which does not comply with subsection (a) a charge in an amount the Secretary determines to be the cost to the general fund of the Treasury caused by such noncompliance.
(c) The amounts of charges collected from an executive agency under this section shall be deposited in the Treasury and credited as miscellaneous receipts.
(d) Any charge assessed by the Secretary under this section, to the maximum extent practicable
(1) shall be paid out of appropriations available for executive agency operations; and
(2) shall not be paid from amounts available for funding programs of an executive agency.

31 USC 3336 - Electronic benefit transfer pilot

(a) The Congress finds that:
(1) Electronic benefit transfer (EBT) is a safe, reliable, and economical way to provide benefit payments to individuals who do not have an account at a financial institution.
(2) The designation of financial institutions as financial agents of the Federal Government for EBT is an appropriate and reasonable use of the Secretarys authority to designate financial agents.
(3) A joint federal-state[1] EBT system offers convenience and economies of scale for those states[1] (and their citizens) that wish to deliver [1]state-administered benefits on a single card by entering into a partnership with the federal[1] government.[1]
(4) The Secretarys designation of a financial agent to deliver EBT is a specialized service not available through ordinary business channels and may be offered to the states[1] pursuant to section 6501 et seq. of this title.
(b) The Secretary shall continue to carry out the existing EBT pilot to disburse benefit payments electronically to recipients who do not have an account at a financial institution, which shall include the designation of one or more financial institution[2] as a financial agent of the Government, and the offering to the participating states[1] of the opportunity to contract with the financial agent selected by the Secretary, as described in the Invitation for Expressions of Interest to Acquire EBT Services for the Southern Alliance of States dated March 9, 1995, as amended as of June 30, 1995, July 7, 1995, and August 1, 1995.
(c) The selection and designation of financial agents, the design of the pilot program, and any other matter associated with or related to the EBT pilot described in subsection (b) shall not be subject to judicial review.
[1] So in original. Probably should be capitalized.
[2] So in original. Probably should be “institutions”.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER III - MISCELLANEOUS

31 USC 3341 - Sale of Government warrants, checks, drafts, and obligations

(a) A disbursing official of the United States Government may sell a Government warrant, check, draft, or obligation not the property of the official at a premium, or dispose of the proceeds of the warrant, check, draft, or obligation, only if the official deposits the premium and the proceeds in the Treasury or with a depositary for the credit of the Government.
(b) A disbursing official violating subsection (a) of this section shall be dismissed immediately.

31 USC 3342 - Check cashing and exchange transactions

(a) A disbursing official of the United States Government may
(1) cash and negotiate negotiable instruments payable in United States currency or currency of a foreign country;
(2) exchange United States currency, coins, and negotiable instruments and currency, coins, and negotiable instruments of foreign countries; and
(3) cash checks drawn on the Treasury to accommodate United States citizens in a foreign country, but only if
(A) satisfactory banking facilities are not available in the foreign country; and
(B) a check is presented by the payee who is a United States citizen.
(b) A disbursing official may act under subsection (a)(1) and (2) of this section only for the following:
(1) An official purpose.
(2) Personnel of the Government.
(3) A dependent of personnel of the Government, but only
(A) at a United States installation at which adequate banking facilities are not available; and
(B) in the case of negotiation of negotiable instruments, if the dependents sponsor authorizes, in writing, the presentation of negotiable instruments to the disbursing official for negotiation.
(4) A veteran hospitalized or living in an institution operated by an agency.
(5) A contractor, or personnel of a contractor, carrying out a Government project.
(6) Personnel of an authorized agency not part of the Government that operates with an agency of the Government.
(7) A Federal credit union (as defined in section 101(1) of the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1752 (1))) that at the request of the Secretary of Defense is operating on a United States military installation in a foreign country, but only if that country does not permit contractor-operated military banking facilities to operate on such installations.
(8) A member of the military forces of an allied or coalition nation who is participating in a combined operation, combined exercise, or combined humanitarian or peacekeeping mission with the Armed Forces of the United States, but
(A) only if
(i) such disbursing official action for members of the military forces of that nation is approved by the senior United States military commander assigned to that operation, exercise, or mission; and
(ii) that nation has guaranteed payment for any deficiency resulting from such disbursing official action; and
(B) in the case of negotiable instruments, only for a negotiable instrument drawn on a financial institution located in the United States or on a foreign branch of such an institution.
(c) 
(1) An amount held by the disbursing official that is available for expenditure may be used to carry out subsection (a) of this section with the approval of the head of the agency having jurisdiction over the amount.
(2) The head of an agency having jurisdiction over a disbursing official may offset, within the same fiscal year, a deficiency resulting from a transaction under subsection (a) of this section with a gain from a transaction under subsection (a). A gain in the account of a disbursing official not used to offset deficiencies under subsection (a) shall be deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.
(3) The amount of any deficiency resulting from cashing a check for a dependent under subsection (b)(3), including any charges assessed against the disbursing official by a financial institution for insufficient funds to pay the check, may be offset from the pay of the dependents sponsor.
(4) Amounts necessary to adjust for deficiencies in the account of a disbursing official because of transactions under subsection (a) of this section are authorized to be appropriated.
(d) The Secretary of the Treasury and, with the approval of the Secretary, the head of an agency having jurisdiction over a disbursing official, may issue regulations to carry out this section. However, under conditions the Secretary decides are necessary, the Secretary may delegate to the head of an agency the authority to issue regulations applying to a disbursing official that is an officer or employee of the agency.
(e) Regulations prescribed under subsection (d) shall include regulations that define the terms dependent and sponsor for the purposes of this section. In the regulations, the term dependent, with respect to a member of a uniformed service, shall have the meaning given that term in section 401 of title 37.
(f) With respect to automated teller machines on naval vessels, the authority of a disbursing official of the United States Government under subsection (a) also includes the following:
(1) The authority to provide operating funds to the automated teller machines.
(2) The authority to accept, for safekeeping, deposits and transfers of funds made through the automated teller machines.

31 USC 3343 - Check forgery insurance fund

(a) The Department of the Treasury has a special deposit revolving fund, the Check Forgery Insurance Fund. Necessary amounts are hereafter appropriated to the Fund out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, and shall remain available until expended to make the payments required or authorized under this section. The Fund consists of amounts
(1) appropriated to the Fund; and
(2) received under subsection (d) of this section.
(b) The Secretary of the Treasury shall pay from the Fund to a payee or special endorsee of a check drawn on the Treasury or a depositary designated by the Secretary the amount of the check without interest if in the determination of the Secretary the payee or special endorse[1] establishes that
(1) the check was lost or stolen without the fault of the payee or a holder that is a special endorsee and whose endorsement is necessary for further negotiation;
(2) the check was negotiated later and paid by the Secretary or a depositary on a forged endorsement of the payees or special endorsees name; and
(3) the payee or special endorsee has not participated in any part of the proceeds of the negotiation or payment.
(c) Notwithstanding section 1306 of this title, a check drawn on a designated depositary may be paid in the currency of a foreign country when the appropriate accountable official authorizes payment in that currency.
(d) The Secretary shall deposit immediately to the credit of the Fund an amount recovered from a forger or a transferee or party on the check. The Secretary may use amounts in the Fund to reimburse payment certifying or authorizing agencies for any payment that the Secretary determines would otherwise have been payable from the Fund, and may reimburse certifying or authorizing agencies with amounts recovered because of payee nonentitlement. However, currency of a foreign country recovered because of a forged check drawn on a designated depositary shall be credited to the Fund or to the foreign currency fund that was charged when payment was made under subsection (b) of this section to the payee or special endorsee.
(e) The Secretary may waive any provision of this section as may be necessary to ensure that claimants receive timely payments.
(f) Under such conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary may delegate duties and powers of the Secretary under this section to the head of an agency. Consistent with a delegation from the Secretary under this subsection, the head of an agency may redelegate those duties and powers to officers or employees of the agency.
(g) This section does not relieve
(1) a forger from civil or criminal liability; or
(2) a transferee or party on a check after the forgery from liability
(A) on the express or implied warranty of prior endorsements of the transferee or party; or
(B) to refund amounts to the Secretary.
[1] So in original. Probably should be “endorsee”.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - CHAPTER 35 - ACCOUNTING AND COLLECTION

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER I - GENERAL

31 USC 3501 - Definition

In this chapter, executive agency does not include (except in section 3513 and subchapter VI[1] of this title) a corporation, agency, or instrumentality subject to chapter 91 of this title.
[1] So in original.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER II - ACCOUNTING REQUIREMENTS, SYSTEMS, AND INFORMATION

31 USC 3511 - Prescribing accounting requirements and developing accounting systems

(a) The Comptroller General shall prescribe the accounting principles, standards, and requirements that the head of each executive agency shall observe. Before prescribing the principles, standards, and requirements, the Comptroller General shall consult with the Secretary of the Treasury and the President on their accounting, financial reporting, and budgetary needs, and shall consider the needs of the heads of the other executive agencies.
(b) Requirements prescribed under subsection (a) of this section shall
(1) provide for suitable integration between the accounting process of each executive agency and the accounting of the Department of the Treasury;
(2) allow the head of each agency to carry out section 3512 of this title; and
(3) provide a method of
(A) integrated accounting for the United States Government;
(B) complete disclosure of the results of the financial operations of each agency and the Government; and
(C) financial information and control the President and Congress require to carry out their responsibilities.
(c) Consistent with subsections (a) and (b) of this section
(1) the authority of the Comptroller General continues under section 121 (b) of title 40; and
(2) the Comptroller General may prescribe the forms, systems, and procedures that the judicial branch of the Government (except the Supreme Court) shall observe.
(d) The Comptroller General, the Secretary, and the President shall conduct a continuous program for improving accounting and financial reporting in the Government.

31 USC 3512 - Executive agency accounting and other financial management reports and plans

(a) 
(1) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of the Congress a financial management status report and a governmentwide 5-year financial management plan.
(2) A financial management status report under this subsection shall include
(A) a description and analysis of the status of financial management in the executive branch;
(B) a summary of the most recently completed financial statements
(i) of Federal agencies under section 3515 of this title; and
(ii) of Government corporations;
(C) a summary of the most recently completed financial statement audits and reports
(i) of Federal agencies under section 3521 (e) and (f) of this title; and
(ii) of Government corporations;
(D) a summary of reports on internal accounting and administrative control systems submitted to the President and the Congress under the amendments made by the Federal Managers Financial Integrity Act of 1982 (Public Law 97255);
(E) a listing of agencies whose financial management systems do not comply substantially with the requirements of Section[1] 3(a)[2] the Federal Financial Management Improvement Act of 1996, and a summary statement of the efforts underway to remedy the noncompliance; and
(F) any other information the Director considers appropriate to fully inform the Congress regarding the financial management of the Federal Government.
(3) 
(A) A governmentwide 5-year financial management plan under this subsection shall describe the activities the Director, the Deputy Director for Management, the Controller of the Office of Federal Financial Management, and agency Chief Financial Officers shall conduct over the next 5 fiscal years to improve the financial management of the Federal Government.
(B) Each governmentwide 5-year financial management plan prepared under this subsection shall
(i) describe the existing financial management structure and any changes needed to establish an integrated financial management system;
(ii) be consistent with applicable accounting principles, standards, and requirements;
(iii) provide a strategy for developing and integrating individual agency accounting, financial information, and other financial management systems to ensure adequacy, consistency, and timeliness of financial information;
(iv) identify and make proposals to eliminate duplicative and unnecessary systems, including encouraging agencies to share systems which have sufficient capacity to perform the functions needed;
(v) identify projects to bring existing systems into compliance with the applicable standards and requirements;
(vi) contain milestones for equipment acquisitions and other actions necessary to implement the 5-year plan consistent with the requirements of this section;
(vii) identify financial management personnel needs and actions to ensure those needs are met;
(viii) include a plan for ensuring the annual audit of financial statements of executive agencies pursuant to section 3521 (h) of this title; and
(ix) estimate the costs of implementing the governmentwide 5-year plan.
(4) 
(A) Not later than 15 months after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall submit the first financial management status report and governmentwide 5-year financial management plan under this subsection to the appropriate committees of the Congress.
(B) 
(i) Not later than January 31 of each year thereafter, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall submit to the appropriate committees of the Congress a financial management status report and a revised governmentwide 5-year financial management plan to cover the succeeding 5 fiscal years, including a report on the accomplishments of the executive branch in implementing the plan during the preceding fiscal year.
(ii) The Director shall include with each revised governmentwide 5-year financial management plan a description of any substantive changes in the financial statement audit plan required by paragraph (3)(B)(viii), progress made by executive agencies in implementing the audit plan, and any improvements in Federal Government financial management related to preparation and audit of financial statements of executive agencies.
(5) Not later than 30 days after receiving each annual report under section 902 (a)(6) of this title, the Director shall transmit to the Chairman of the Committee on Government Operations of the House of Representatives and the Chairman of the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate a final copy of that report and any comments on the report by the Director.
(b) The head of each executive agency shall establish and maintain systems of accounting and internal controls that provide
(1) complete disclosure of the financial results of the activities of the agency;
(2) adequate financial information the agency needs for management purposes;
(3) effective control over, and accountability for, assets for which the agency is responsible, including internal audit;
(4) reliable accounting results that will be the basis for
(A) preparing and supporting the budget requests of the agency;
(B) controlling the carrying out of the agency budget; and
(C) providing financial information the President requires under section 1104 (e) of this title; and
(5) suitable integration of the accounting of the agency with the central accounting and reporting responsibilities of the Secretary of the Treasury under section 3513 of this title.
(c) 
(1) To ensure compliance with subsection (b)(3) of this section and consistent with standards the Comptroller General prescribes, the head of each executive agency shall establish internal accounting and administrative controls that reasonably ensure that
(A) obligations and costs comply with applicable law;
(B) all assets are safeguarded against waste, loss, unauthorized use, and misappropriation; and
(C) revenues and expenditures applicable to agency operations are recorded and accounted for properly so that accounts and reliable financial and statistical reports may be prepared and accountability of the assets may be maintained.
(2) Standards the Comptroller General prescribes under this subsection shall include standards to ensure the prompt resolution of all audit findings.
(d) 
(1) In consultation with the Comptroller General, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget
(A) shall establish by December 31, 1982, guidelines that the head of each executive agency shall follow in evaluating the internal accounting and administrative control systems of the agency to decide whether the systems comply with subsection (c) of this section; and
(B) may change a guideline when considered necessary.
(2) By December 31 of each year (beginning in 1983), the head of each executive agency, based on an evaluation conducted according to guidelines prescribed under paragraph (1) of this subsection, shall prepare a statement on whether the systems of the agency comply with subsection (c) of this section, including
(A) if the head of an executive agency decides the systems do not comply with subsection (c) of this section, a report identifying any material weakness in the systems and describing the plans and schedule for correcting the weakness; and
(B) a separate report on whether the accounting system of the agency conforms to the principles, standards, and requirements the Comptroller General prescribes under section 3511 (a) of this title.
(3) The head of each executive agency shall sign the statement and reports required by this subsection and submit them to the President and Congress. The statement and reports are available to the public, except that information shall be deleted from a statement or report before it is made available if the information specifically is
(A) prohibited from disclosure by law; or
(B) required by Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs.
(e) To assist in preparing a cost-based budget under section 1108 (b) of this title and consistent with principles and standards the Comptroller General prescribes, the head of each executive agency shall maintain the accounts of the agency on an accrual basis to show the resources, liabilities, and costs of operations of the agency. An accounting system under this subsection shall include monetary property accounting records.
(f) The Comptroller General shall
(1) cooperate with the head of each executive agency in developing an accounting system for the agency; and
(2) approve the system when the Comptroller General considers it to be adequate and in conformity with the principles, standards, and requirements prescribed under section 3511 of this title.
(g) The Comptroller General shall review the accounting systems of each executive agency. The results of a review shall be available to the head of the executive agency, the Secretary, and the President. The Comptroller General shall report to Congress on a review when the Comptroller General considers it proper.
[1] So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.
[2] So in original. Probably should be followed by “of”. See References in Text note below.

31 USC 3513 - Financial reporting and accounting system

(a) The Secretary of the Treasury shall prepare reports that will inform the President, Congress, and the public on the financial operations of the United States Government. The reports shall include financial information the President requires. The head of each executive agency shall give the Secretary reports and information on the financial conditions and operations of the agency the Secretary requires to prepare the reports.
(b) The Secretary may
(1) establish facilities necessary to prepare the reports; and
(2) reorganize the accounting functions and procedures and financial reports of the Department of the Treasury to develop an effective and coordinated system of accounting and financial reporting in the Department that will integrate the accounting results for the Department and be the operating center for consolidating accounting results of other executive agencies with accounting results of the Department.
(c) The Comptroller General shall
(1) cooperate with the Secretary in developing and establishing the reporting and accounting system under this section; and
(2) approve the system when the Comptroller General considers it to be adequate and in conformity with the principles, standards, and requirements prescribed under section 3511 of this title.

31 USC 3514 - Discontinuing certain accounts maintained by the Comptroller General

The Comptroller General may discontinue an agency appropriation, expenditure, limitation, receipt, or personal ledger account maintained by the Comptroller General when the Comptroller General believes that the accounting system and internal controls of the agency will allow the Comptroller General to carry out the functions related to the account.

31 USC 3515 - Financial statements of agencies

(a) 
(1) [1] Except as provided in subsection (e), not later than March 1 of 2003 and each year thereafter, the head of each covered executive agency shall prepare and submit to the Congress and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget an audited financial statement for the preceding fiscal year, covering all accounts and associated activities of each office, bureau, and activity of the agency.
(b) Each audited financial statement of a covered executive agency under this section shall reflect
(1) the overall financial position of the offices, bureaus, and activities covered by the statement, including assets and liabilities thereof; and
(2) results of operations of those offices, bureaus, and activities.
(c) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall identify components of covered executive agencies that shall be required to have audited financial statements meeting the requirements of subsection (b).
(d) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall prescribe the form and content of the financial statements of covered executive agencies under this section, consistent with applicable accounting and financial reporting principles, standards, and requirements.
(e) 
(1) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget may exempt a covered executive agency, except an agency described in section 901 (b), from the requirements of this section with respect to a fiscal year if
(A) the total amount of budget authority available to the agency for the fiscal year does not exceed $25,000,000; and
(B) the Director determines that requiring an annual audited financial statement for the agency with respect to the fiscal year is not warranted due to the absence of risks associated with the agencys operations, the agencys demonstrated performance, or other factors that the Director considers relevant.
(2) The Director shall annually notify the Committee on Government Reform of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate of each agency the Director has exempted under this subsection and the reasons for each exemption.
(f) The term covered executive agency
(1) means an executive agency that is not required by another provision of Federal law to prepare and submit to the Congress and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget an audited financial statement for each fiscal year, covering all accounts and associated activities of each office, bureau, and activity of the agency; and
(2) does not include a corporation, agency, or instrumentality subject to chapter 91 of this title.
[1] So in original. No par. (2) has been enacted

31 USC 3516 - Reports consolidation

(a) 
(1) With the concurrence of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the head of an executive agency may adjust the frequency and due dates of, and consolidate into an annual report to the President, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and Congress any statutorily required reports described in paragraph (2). Such a consolidated report shall be submitted to the President, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and to appropriate committees and subcommittees of Congress not later than 150 days after the end of the agencys fiscal year.
(2) The following reports may be consolidated into the report referred to in paragraph (1):
(A) Any report by an agency to Congress, the Office of Management and Budget, or the President under section 1116, this chapter, and chapters 9, 33, 37, 75, and 91.
(B) The following agency-specific reports:
(i) The biennial financial management improvement plan by the Secretary of Defense under section 22221 of title 10.
(ii) The annual report of the Attorney General under section 522 of title 28.
(C) Any other statutorily required report pertaining to an agencys financial or performance management if the head of the agency
(i) determines that inclusion of that report will enhance the usefulness of the reported information to decision makers; and
(ii) consults in advance of inclusion of that report with the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Government Reform of the House of Representatives, and any other committee of Congress having jurisdiction with respect to the report proposed for inclusion.
(b) A report under subsection (a) that incorporates the agencys program performance report under section 1116 shall be referred to as a performance and accountability report.
(c) A report under subsection (a) that does not incorporate the agencys program performance report under section 1116 shall contain a summary of the most significant portions of the agencys program performance report, including the agencys success in achieving key performance goals for the applicable year.
(d) A report under subsection (a) shall include a statement prepared by the agencys inspector general that summarizes what the inspector general considers to be the most serious management and performance challenges facing the agency and briefly assesses the agencys progress in addressing those challenges. The inspector general shall provide such statement to the agency head at least 30 days before the due date of the report under subsection (a). The agency head may comment on the inspector generals statement, but may not modify the statement.
(e) A report under subsection (a) shall include a transmittal letter from the agency head containing, in addition to any other content, an assessment by the agency head of the completeness and reliability of the performance and financial data used in the report. The assessment shall describe any material inadequacies in the completeness and reliability of the data, and the actions the agency can take and is taking to resolve such inadequacies.
(f) The Secretary of Homeland Security
(1) shall for each fiscal year submit a performance and accountability report under subsection (a) that incorporates the program performance report under section 1116 of this title for the Department of Homeland Security;
(2) shall include in each performance and accountability report an audit opinion of the Departments internal controls over its financial reporting; and
(3) shall design and implement Department-wide management controls that
(A) reflect the most recent homeland security strategy developed pursuant to section 874(b)(2) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002; and
(B) permit assessment, by the Congress and by managers within the Department, of the Departments performance in executing such strategy.
[1] See References in Text note below.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER III - AUDITING AND SETTLING ACCOUNTS

31 USC 3521 - Audits by agencies

(a) Each account of an agency shall be audited administratively before being submitted to the Comptroller General. The head of each agency shall prescribe regulations for conducting the audit and designate a place at which the audit is to be conducted. However, a disbursing official of an executive agency may not administratively audit vouchers for which the official is responsible. With the consent of the Comptroller General, the head of the agency may waive any part of an audit.
(b) The head of an agency may prescribe a statistical sampling procedure to audit vouchers of the agency when the head of the agency decides economies will result from using the procedure. The Comptroller General
(1) may prescribe the maximum amount of a voucher that may be audited under this subsection; and
(2) in reviewing the accounting system of the agency, shall evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of the procedure.
(c) A disbursing or certifying official acting in good faith under subsection (b) of this section is not liable for a payment or certification of a voucher not audited specifically because of the procedure prescribed under subsection (b) if the official and the head of the agency carry out diligently collection action the Comptroller General prescribes.
(d) Subsections (b) and (c) of this section do not
(1) affect the liability, or authorize the relief, of a payee, beneficiary, or recipient of an illegal, improper, or incorrect payment; or
(2) relieve a disbursing or certifying official, the head of an agency, or the Comptroller General of responsibility in carrying out collection action against a payee, beneficiary, or recipient.
(e) Each financial statement prepared under section 3515 by an agency shall be audited in accordance with applicable generally accepted government auditing standards
(1) in the case of an agency having an Inspector General appointed under the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), by the Inspector General or by an independent external auditor, as determined by the Inspector General of the agency; and
(2) in any other case, by an independent external auditor, as determined by the head of the agency.
(f) For each audited financial statement required under subsection (a) of section 3515 of this title, the person who audits the statement for purpose of subsection (e) of this section shall submit a report on the audit to the head of the agency and the Controller of the Office of Federal Financial Management. A report under this subsection shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards.
(g) The Comptroller General of the United States
(1) may review any audit of a financial statement conducted under this subsection by an Inspector General or an external auditor;
(2) shall report to the Congress, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the head of the agency which prepared the statement, regarding the results of the review and make any recommendation the Comptroller General considers appropriate; and
(3) may audit a financial statement prepared under section 3515 of this title at the discretion of the Comptroller General or at the request of a committee of the Congress.

An audit the Comptroller General performs under this subsection shall be in lieu of the audit otherwise required by subsection (e) of this section. Prior to performing such audit, the Comptroller General shall consult with the Inspector General of the agency which prepared the statement.

(h) Each financial statement prepared by an executive agency for a fiscal year after fiscal year 1991 shall be audited in accordance with this section and the plan required by section 3512 (a)(3)(B)(viii) of this title.

31 USC 3522 - Making and submitting accounts

(a) 
(1) Unless the Comptroller General decides the public interest requires that an account be made more frequently, each disbursing official shall make a quarterly account. An official or agent of the United States Government receiving public money not authorized to be kept as pay of the official or agent shall make a monthly account of the money.
(2) An official or agent of the Government receiving public money shall make an account of public money received by the official or agent according to the appropriation from which the money was advanced.
(b) 
(1) A monthly account shall be submitted to the appropriate official in the District of Columbia by the 10th day after the end of the month covered by the account. The official shall submit the account to the Comptroller General by the 20th day after receiving the account.
(2) An account (except a monthly account) shall be submitted to the appropriate official in the District of Columbia by the 20th day after the end of the period covered by the account. The official shall submit the account to the Comptroller General by the 60th day after receiving the account.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, an account of the armed forces shall be submitted to the Comptroller General by the 60th day after the account is received. However, during a war or national emergency and for 18 months after the war or emergency ends, an account shall be submitted to the Comptroller General by the 90th day after the account is received.
(4) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, an account of a disbursing official of the Department of Justice shall be submitted to the Comptroller General by the 80th day after the account is received.
(c) An official shall give evidence of compliance with subsection (b) of this section if an account is not received within a reasonable time after the time required by subsection (b).
(d) The head of an agency may require other returns or reports about the agency that the public interest requires.
(e) 
(1) The Comptroller General shall disapprove a requisition for an advance of money if an account from which the advance is to be made is not submitted to the Comptroller General within the time required by subsection (b) of this section. The Comptroller General may disapprove the request for another reason related to the condition of an account of the official for whom the advance is requested. However, the Secretary of the Treasury may overrule the decision of the Comptroller General on the sufficiency of the other reasons.
(2) The Secretary may extend the time requirements of subsection (b)(1) and (2) of this section for submitting an account to the proper official in the District of Columbia or waive a condition of delinquency only when there is, or is likely to be, a manifest physical difficulty in complying with those requirements. If an account is not submitted to the Comptroller General on time under subsection (b), an order of the President or, if the President is ill or not in the District of Columbia, the Secretary is required to authorize an advance.

31 USC 3523 - General audit authority of the Comptroller General

(a) Except as specifically provided by law, the Comptroller General shall audit the financial transactions of each agency. In deciding on auditing procedures and the extent to which records are to be inspected, the Comptroller General shall consider generally accepted auditing principles, including the effectiveness of accounting organizations and systems, internal audit and control, and related administrative practices of each agency.
(b) The Comptroller General shall audit the Architect of the Capitol at times the Comptroller General considers appropriate. Section 716 of this title applies to the Architect in conducting the audit. The Comptroller General shall report the results of the audit to Congress. Each report shall be printed as a Senate document.
(c) 
(1) When the Comptroller General decides an audit shall be conducted at a place at which the records of an executive agency or the Architect of the Capitol are usually kept, the Comptroller General may require the head of the agency or the Architect to keep any part of an account of an accountable official or of a record required to be submitted to the Comptroller General. The Comptroller General may require records be kept under conditions and for a period of not more than 10 years specified by the Comptroller General. However, the Comptroller General and the head of the agency or the Architect may agree on a longer period.
(2) The Comptroller General and the head of an agency in the legislative or judicial branch of the United States Government (except the Architect) may agree to apply this subsection to the agency.

31 USC 3524 - Auditing expenditures approved without vouchers

(a) 
(1) The Comptroller General may audit expenditures, accounted for only on the approval, authorization, or certificate of the President or an official of an executive agency, to decide if the expenditure was authorized by law and made. Records and related information shall be made available to the Comptroller General in conducting the audit.
(2) The Comptroller General may release the results of the audit or disclose related information only to the President or head of the agency, or, if there is an unresolved discrepancy, to the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Government Operations of the House of Representatives, and the committees of Congress having legislative or appropriation oversight of the expenditure.
(b) Before December 1 of each year, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall submit a report listing each account that may be subject to this section to the Committees on the Budget and Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, the Committee on Governmental Affairs, and to the Committee on Government Operations, and to the Comptroller General.
(c) The President may exempt from this section a financial transaction about sensitive foreign intelligence or foreign counter-intelligence activities or sensitive law enforcement investigations if an audit would expose the identifying details of an active investigation or endanger investigative or domestic intelligence sources involved in the investigation. The exemption may apply to a class or category of financial transactions.
(d) This section does not
(1) apply to expenditures under section 102, 103, 105 (d)(1), (3), or (5), or 106 (b)(2) or (3) of title 3; or
(2) affect authority under section 8(b) of the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 (50 U.S.C. 403j (b)).
(e) Information about a financial transaction exempt under subsection (c) of this section or a financial transaction under section 8(b) of the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 (50 U.S.C. 403j (b)) may be reviewed by the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.
(f) Subsections (a)(1) and (d)(1) of this section may be superseded only by a law enacted after April 3, 1980, specifically repealing or amending this section.

31 USC 3525 - Auditing nonappropriated fund activities

(a) The Comptroller General may audit
(1) the operations and accounts of each nonappropriated fund and related activities authorized or operated by the head of an executive agency to sell goods or services to United States Government personnel and their dependents;
(2) accounting systems and internal controls of the fund and related activities; and
(3) internal or independent audits or reviews of the fund and related activities.
(b) The head of each executive agency promptly shall provide the Comptroller General with
(1) a copy of the annual report of a nonappropriated fund and related activities subject to this section when the Comptroller General
(A) requires a report for a designated class of each fund and related activities having gross sales receipts of more than $100,000 a year; or
(B) specifically requests a report for another fund and related activities; and
(2) a statement on the yearly financial operations, financial condition, and cash flow and other yearly information about the fund and related activities that the head of the agency and the Comptroller General agree on if the information is not included in the annual report.
(c) Records and property of a fund and related activities subject to this section shall be made available to the Comptroller General to the extent the Comptroller General considers necessary.

31 USC 3526 - Settlement of accounts

(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 mayhavelost 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.

31 USC 3527 - General authority to relieve accountable officials and agents from liability

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the Comptroller General may relieve a present or former accountable official or agent of an agency responsible for the physical loss or deficiency of public money, vouchers, checks, securities, or records, or may authorize reimbursement from an appropriation or fund available for the activity in which the loss or deficiency occurred for the amount of the loss or deficiency paid by the official or agent as restitution, when
(1) the head of the agency decides that
(A) the official or agent was carrying out official duties when the loss or deficiency occurred, or the loss or deficiency occurred because of an act or failure to act by a subordinate of the official or agent; and
(B) the loss or deficiency was not the result of fault or negligence by the official or agent;
(2) the loss or deficiency was not the result of an illegal or incorrect payment; and
(3) the Comptroller General agrees with the decision of the head of the agency.
(b) 
(1) The Comptroller General shall relieve an official of the armed forces referred to in subsection (a) responsible for the physical loss or deficiency of public money, vouchers, or records, or a payment described in section 3528 (a)(4)(A) of this title, or shall authorize reimbursement, from an appropriation or fund available for reimbursement, of the amount of the loss or deficiency paid by or for the official as restitution, when
(A) in the case of a physical loss or deficiency
(i) the Secretary of Defense or the appropriate Secretary of the military department of the Department of Defense (or the Secretary of Homeland Security, in the case of a disbursing official of the Coast Guard when the Coast Guard is not operating as a service in the Navy) decides that the official was carrying out official duties when the loss or deficiency occurred;
(ii) the loss or deficiency was not the result of an illegal or incorrect payment; and
(iii) the loss or deficiency was not the result of fault or negligence by the official; or
(B) in the case of a payment described in section 3528 (a)(4)(A) of this title, the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of the appropriate military department (or the Secretary of Homeland Security, in the case of a disbursing official of the Coast Guard when the Coast Guard is not operating as a service in the Navy), after taking a diligent collection action, finds that the criteria of section 3528 (b)(1) of this title are satisfied.
(2) The finding of the Secretary involved is conclusive on the Comptroller General.
(c) On the initiative of the Comptroller General or written recommendation of the head of an agency, the Comptroller General may relieve a present or former disbursing official of the agency responsible for a deficiency in an account because of an illegal, improper, or incorrect payment, and credit the account for the deficiency, when the Comptroller General decides that the payment was not the result of bad faith or lack of reasonable care by the official. However, the Comptroller General may deny relief when the Comptroller General decides the head of the agency did not carry out diligently collection action under procedures prescribed by the Comptroller General.
(d) 
(1) When the Comptroller General decides it is necessary to adjust the account of an official or agent granted relief under subsection (a) or (c) of this section, the amount of the relief shall be charged
(A) to an appropriation specifically provided to be charged; or
(B) if no specific appropriation, to the appropriation or fund available for the expense of the accountable function when the adjustment is carried out.
(2) Subsection (c) of this section does not
(A) affect the liability, or authorize the relief, of a payee, beneficiary, or recipient of an illegal, improper, or incorrect payment; or
(B) relieve an accountable official, the head of an agency, or the Comptroller General of responsibility in carrying out collection action against a payee, beneficiary, or recipient.
(e) Relief provided under this section is in addition to relief provided under another law.

31 USC 3528 - Responsibilities and relief from liability of certifying officials

(a) A certifying official certifying a voucher is responsible for
(1) information stated in the certificate, voucher, and supporting records;
(2) the computation of a certified voucher under this section and section 3325 of this title;
(3) the legality of a proposed payment under the appropriation or fund involved;
(4) repaying a payment
(A) illegal, improper, or incorrect because of an inaccurate or misleading certificate;
(B) prohibited by law; or
(C) that does not represent a legal obligation under the appropriation or fund involved; and
(5) verifying transportation rates, freight classifications, and other information provided on a Government bill of lading or transportation request, unless the Administrator of General Services has determined that verification by a prepayment audit conducted pursuant to section 3726 (a) of this title for a particular mode or modes of transportation, or for an agency or subagency, will not adequately protect the interests of the Government.
(b) 
(1) The Comptroller General may relieve a certifying official from liability when the Comptroller General decides that
(A) the certification was based on official records and the official did not know, and by reasonable diligence and inquiry could not have discovered, the correct information; or
(B) 
(i) the obligation was incurred in good faith;
(ii) no law specifically prohibited the payment; and
(iii) the United States Government received value for payment.
(2) The Comptroller General may deny relief when the Comptroller General decides the head of the agency did not carry out diligently collection action under procedures prescribed by the Comptroller General.
(c) The Comptroller General shall relieve a certifying official from liability for an overpayment
(1) to a common carrier under section 3726 of this title when the Comptroller General decides the overpayment occurred only because the administrative audit before payment did not verify transportation rates, freight classifications, or land-grant deductions and the Administrator of General Services has determined that verification by a prepayment audit conducted pursuant to section 3726 (a) of this title for a particular mode or modes of transportation, or for an agency or subagency, will not adequately protect the interests of the Government; or
(2) provided under a Government bill of lading or transportation request when the overpayment was the result of using improper transportation rates or classifications or the failure to deduct the proper amount under a land-grant law or agreement and the Administrator of General Services has determined that verification by a prepayment audit conducted pursuant to section 3726 (a) of this title for a particular mode or modes of transportation, or for an agency or subagency, will not adequately protect the interests of the Government.

31 USC 3529 - Requests for decisions of the Comptroller General

(a) A disbursing or certifying official or the head of an agency may request a decision from the Comptroller General on a question involving
(1) a payment the disbursing official or head of the agency will make; or
(2) a voucher presented to a certifying official for certification.
(b) 
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Comptroller General shall issue a decision requested under this section.
(2) A decision requested under this section concerning a function transferred to or vested in the Director of the Office of Management and Budget under section 211(a) of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1996 (109 Stat. 535), as in effect immediately before the effective date of title II of the General Accounting Office Act of 1996, or under this Act, shall be issued
(A) by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, except as provided in subparagraph (B); or
(B) in the case of a function delegated by the Director to another agency, by the head of the agency to which the function was delegated.

31 USC 3530 - Adjusting accounts

(a) An appropriation or fund currently available for the expense of an accountable function shall be charged with an amount necessary to adjust an account of an accountable official or agent when
(1) necessary to adjust the account for a loss to the United States Government resulting from the fault or negligence of the official or agent; and
(2) the head of the agency decides the loss is uncollectable.
(b) An adjustment does not affect the personal financial liability of an official or agent for the loss.
(c) The Comptroller General shall prescribe regulations to carry out subsection (a) of this section.
(d) Under procedures prescribed by the Comptroller General, the head of an agency may charge the net amount of unpaid and overpaid balances in individual pay accounts against the appropriation for the fiscal year in which the balances occurred and from which the accounts were payable. The net amount shall be credited to and paid from the corresponding appropriation for the next fiscal year.

31 USC 3531 - Repealed. Pub. L. 104316, title I, 115(f)(1), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3834]

Section, Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 967, related to certification by heads of executive departments to Comptroller General regarding losses resulting from public property entrusted to officials or agents.

31 USC 3532 - Notification of account deficiencies

An accounting official discovering a deficiency in an account of an official of the United States Government having custody of public money shall notify the head of the agency having jurisdiction of the official of the kind and amount of the deficiency.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER IV - COLLECTION

31 USC 3541 - Distress warrants

(a) When an official receiving public money before it is paid to the Treasury or a disbursing or certifying official of the United States Government does not submit an account or pay the money as prescribed by law, the Comptroller General shall make the account for the official and certify to the Secretary of the Treasury the amount due the Government.
(b) The Secretary shall issue a distress warrant against the official stating the amount due from the official and any amount paid. The warrant shall be directed to the marshal of the district in which the official resides. If the Secretary intends to take and sell the property of an official that is located in a district other than where the official resides, the warrant shall be directed to the marshal of the district in which the official resides and the marshal of the district in which the property is located.

31 USC 3542 - Carrying out distress warrants

(a) A marshal carrying out a distress warrant issued under section 3541 of this title shall seize the personal property of the official and sell the property after giving 10 days notice of the sale. Notice shall be given by posting an advertisement of the property to be sold in at least 2 public places in the town and county in which the property was taken or the town and county in which the owner of the property resides. If the property does not satisfy the amount due under the warrant, the official may be sent to prison until discharged by law.
(b) 
(1) The amount due under a warrant is a lien on the real property of the official from the date the distress warrant is issued. The lien shall be recorded in the office of the clerk of the appropriate district court until discharged under law.
(2) If the personal property of the official is not enough to satisfy a distress warrant, the marshal shall sell real property of the official after advertising the property for at least 3 weeks in at least 3 public places in the county or district where the property is located. A buyer of the real property has valid title against all persons claiming under the official.
(c) The official shall receive that part of the proceeds of a sale remaining after the distress warrant is satisfied and the reasonable costs and charges of the sale are paid.

31 USC 3543 - Postponing a distress warrant proceeding

(a) A distress warrant proceeding may be postponed for a reasonable time if the Secretary of the Treasury believes the public interest will not be harmed by the postponement.
(b) 
(1) A person adversely affected by a distress warrant issued under section 3541 of this title may bring a civil action in a district court of the United States. The complaint shall state the kind and extent of the harm. The court may grant an injunction to stay any part of a distress warrant proceeding required by the action after the person applying for the injunction gives a bond in an amount the court prescribes for carrying out a judgment.
(2) An injunction under this subsection does not affect a lien under section 3542 (b)(1) of this title. The United States Government is not required to answer in a civil action brought under this subsection.
(3) If the court dissolves the injunction on a finding that the civil action for the injunction was brought only for delay, the court may increase the interest rate imposed on amounts found due against the complainant to not more than 10 percent a year. The judge may grant or dissolve an injunction under this subsection either in or out of court.
(c) A person adversely affected by a refusal to grant an injunction or by dissolving an injunction under subsection (b) of this section may petition a judge of a circuit court of appeals in which the district is located or the Supreme Court justice allotted to that circuit by giving the judge or justice a copy of the proceeding held before the district judge. The judge or justice may grant an injunction or allow an appeal if the judge or justice finds the case requires it.

31 USC 3544 - Rights and remedies of the United States Government reserved

This subchapter does not affect a right or remedy the United States Government has by law to recover a tax, debt, or demand.

31 USC 3545 - Civil action to recover money

The Attorney General shall bring a civil action to recover an amount due to the United States Government on settlement of the account of a person accountable for public money when the person neglects or refuses to pay the amount to the Treasury. Any commission of that person and interest of 6 percent a year from the time the money is received by the person until repaid to the Treasury shall be added to the amount due on the account. The commission is forfeited when judgment is obtained.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER V - PROCUREMENT PROTEST SYSTEM

31 USC 3551 - Definitions

In this subchapter:
(1) The term protest means a written objection by an interested party to any of the following:
(A) A solicitation or other request by a Federal agency for offers for a contract for the procurement of property or services.
(B) The cancellation of such a solicitation or other request.
(C) An award or proposed award of such a contract.
(D) A termination or cancellation of an award of such a contract, if the written objection contains an allegation that the termination or cancellation is based in whole or in part on improprieties concerning the award of the contract.
(2) The term interested party
(A) with respect to a contract or a solicitation or other request for offers described in paragraph (1), means an actual or prospective bidder or offeror whose direct economic interest would be affected by the award of the contract or by failure to award the contract; and
(B) with respect to a public-private competition conducted under Office of Management and Budget Circular A76 regarding performance of an activity or function of a Federal agency, or a decision to convert a function performed by Federal employees to private sector performance without a competition under OMB Circular A76, includes
(i) any official who submitted the agency tender in such competition; and
(ii) any one person who, for the purpose of representing them in a protest under this subchapter that relates to such competition, has been designated as their agent by a majority of the employees of such Federal agency who are engaged in the performance of such activity or function.
(3) The term Federal agency has the meaning given such term by section 102 of title 40.

31 USC 3552 - Protests by interested parties concerning procurement actions

(a) A protest concerning an alleged violation of a procurement statute or regulation shall be decided by the Comptroller General if filed in accordance with this subchapter.
(b) 
(1) In the case of an agency tender official who is an interested party under section 3551 (2)(B) of this title, the official may file a protest in connection with the public-private competition for which the official is an interested party. At the request of a majority of the employees of the Federal agency who are engaged in the performance of the activity or function subject to such public-private competition, the official shall file a protest in connection with such public-private competition unless the official determines that there is no reasonable basis for the protest.
(2) The determination of an agency tender official under paragraph (1) whether or not to file a protest is not subject to administrative or judicial review. An agency tender official shall provide written notification to Congress whenever the official makes a determination under paragraph (1) that there is no reasonable basis for a protest.

31 USC 3553 - Review of protests; effect on contracts pending decision

(a) Under procedures prescribed under section 3555 of this title, the Comptroller General shall decide a protest submitted to the Comptroller General by an interested party.
(b) 
(1) Within one day after the receipt of a protest, the Comptroller General shall notify the Federal agency involved of the protest.
(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, a Federal agency receiving a notice of a protested procurement under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall submit to the Comptroller General a complete report (including all relevant documents) on the protested procurement
(A) within 30 days after the date of the agencys receipt of that notice;
(B) if the Comptroller General, upon a showing by the Federal agency, determines (and states the reasons in writing) that the specific circumstances of the protest require a longer period, within the longer period determined by the Comptroller General; or
(C) in a case determined by the Comptroller General to be suitable for the express option under section 3554 (a)(2) of this title, within 20 days after the date of the Federal agencys receipt of that determination.
(3) A Federal agency need not submit a report to the Comptroller General pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection if the agency is sooner notified by the Comptroller General that the protest concerned has been dismissed under section 3554 (a)(4) of this title.
(c) 
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a contract may not be awarded in any procurement after the Federal agency has received notice of a protest with respect to such procurement from the Comptroller General and while the protest is pending.
(2) The head of the procuring activity responsible for award of a contract may authorize the award of the contract (notwithstanding a protest of which the Federal agency has notice under this section)
(A) upon a written finding that urgent and compelling circumstances which significantly affect interests of the United States will not permit waiting for the decision of the Comptroller General under this subchapter; and
(B) after the Comptroller General is advised of that finding.
(3) A finding may not be made under paragraph (2)(A) of this subsection unless the award of the contract is otherwise likely to occur within 30 days after the making of such finding.
(d) 
(1) A contractor awarded a Federal agency contract may, during the period described in paragraph (4), begin performance of the contract and engage in any related activities that result in obligations being incurred by the United States under the contract unless the contracting officer responsible for the award of the contract withholds authorization to proceed with performance of the contract.
(2) The contracting officer may withhold an authorization to proceed with performance of the contract during the period described in paragraph (4) if the contracting officer determines in writing that
(A) a protest is likely to be filed; and
(B) the immediate performance of the contract is not in the best interests of the United States.
(3) 
(A) If the Federal agency awarding the contract receives notice of a protest in accordance with this section during the period described in paragraph (4)
(i) the contracting officer may not authorize performance of the contract to begin while the protest is pending; or
(ii) if authorization for contract performance to proceed was not withheld in accordance with paragraph (2) before receipt of the notice, the contracting officer shall immediately direct the contractor to cease performance under the contract and to suspend any related activities that may result in additional obligations being incurred by the United States under that contract.
(B) Performance and related activities suspended pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii) by reason of a protest may not be resumed while the protest is pending.
(C) The head of the procuring activity may authorize the performance of the contract (notwithstanding a protest of which the Federal agency has notice under this section)
(i) upon a written finding that
(I) performance of the contract is in the best interests of the United States; or
(II) urgent and compelling circumstances that significantly affect interests of the United States will not permit waiting for the decision of the Comptroller General concerning the protest; and
(ii) after the Comptroller General is notified of that finding.
(4) The period referred to in paragraphs (2) and (3)(A), with respect to a contract, is the period beginning on the date of the contract award and ending on the later of
(A) the date that is 10 days after the date of the contract award; or
(B) the date that is 5 days after the debriefing date offered to an unsuccessful offeror for any debriefing that is requested and, when requested, is required.
(e) The authority of the head of the procuring activity to make findings and to authorize the award and performance of contracts under subsections (c) and (d) of this section may not be delegated.
(f) 
(1) Within such deadlines as the Comptroller General prescribes, upon request each Federal agency shall provide to an interested party any document relevant to a protested procurement action (including the report required by subsection (b)(2) of this section) that would not give that party a competitive advantage and that the party is otherwise authorized by law to receive.
(2) 
(A) The Comptroller General may issue protective orders which establish terms, conditions, and restrictions for the provision of any document to a party under paragraph (1), that prohibit or restrict the disclosure by the party of information described in subparagraph (B) that is contained in such a document.
(B) Information referred to in subparagraph (A) is procurement sensitive information, trade secrets, or other proprietary or confidential research, development, or commercial information.
(C) A protective order under this paragraph shall not be considered to authorize the withholding of any document or information from Congress or an executive agency.
(g) If an interested party files a protest in connection with a public-private competition described in section 3551 (2)(B) of this title, a person representing a majority of the employees of the Federal agency who are engaged in the performance of the activity or function subject to the public-private competition may intervene in protest.

31 USC 3554 - Decisions on protests

(a) 
(1) To the maximum extent practicable, the Comptroller General shall provide for the inexpensive and expeditious resolution of protests under this subchapter. Except as provided under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Comptroller General shall issue a final decision concerning a protest within 100 days after the date the protest is submitted to the Comptroller General.
(2) The Comptroller General shall, by regulation prescribed pursuant to section 3555 of this title, establish an express option for deciding those protests which the Comptroller General determines suitable for resolution within 65 days after the date the protest is submitted.
(3) An amendment to a protest that adds a new ground of protest, if timely made, should be resolved, to the maximum extent practicable, within the time limit established under paragraph (1) of this subsection for final decision of the initial protest. If an amended protest cannot be resolved within such time limit, the Comptroller General may resolve the amended protest through the express option under paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(4) The Comptroller General may dismiss a protest that the Comptroller General determines is frivolous or which, on its face, does not state a valid basis for protest.
(b) 
(1) With respect to a solicitation for a contract, or a proposed award or the award of a contract, protested under this subchapter, the Comptroller General may determine whether the solicitation, proposed award, or award complies with statute and regulation. If the Comptroller General determines that the solicitation, proposed award, or award does not comply with a statute or regulation, the Comptroller General shall recommend that the Federal agency
(A) refrain from exercising any of its options under the contract;
(B) recompete the contract immediately;
(C) issue a new solicitation;
(D) terminate the contract;
(E) award a contract consistent with the requirements of such statute and regulation;
(F) implement any combination of recommendations under clauses (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E); or
(G) implement such other recommendations as the Comptroller General determines to be necessary in order to promote compliance with procurement statutes and regulations.
(2) If the head of the procuring activity responsible for a contract makes a finding under section 3553 (d)(3)(C)(i)(I) of this title, the Comptroller General shall make recommendations under this subsection without regard to any cost or disruption from terminating, recompeting, or reawarding the contract.
(3) If the Federal agency fails to implement fully the recommendations of the Comptroller General under this subsection with respect to a solicitation for a contract or an award or proposed award of a contract within 60 days after receiving the recommendations, the head of the procuring activity responsible for that contract shall report such failure to the Comptroller General not later than 5 days after the end of such 60-day period.
(c) 
(1) If the Comptroller General determines that a solicitation for a contract or a proposed award or the award of a contract does not comply with a statute or regulation, the Comptroller General may recommend that the Federal agency conducting the procurement pay to an appropriate interested party the costs of
(A) filing and pursuing the protest, including reasonable attorneys fees and consultant and expert witness fees; and
(B) bid and proposal preparation.
(2) No party (other than a small business concern (within the meaning of section 3(a) of the Small Business Act)) may be paid, pursuant to a recommendation made under the authority of paragraph (1)
(A) costs for consultant and expert witness fees that exceed the highest rate of compensation for expert witnesses paid by the Federal Government; or
(B) costs for attorneys fees that exceed $150 per hour unless the agency determines, based on the recommendation of the Comptroller General on a case by case basis, that an increase in the cost of living or a special factor, such as the limited availability of qualified attorneys for the proceedings involved, justifies a higher fee.
(3) If the Comptroller General recommends under paragraph (1) that a Federal agency pay costs to an interested party, the Federal agency shall
(A) pay the costs promptly; or
(B) if the Federal agency does not make such payment, promptly report to the Comptroller General the reasons for the failure to follow the Comptroller Generals recommendation.
(4) If the Comptroller General recommends under paragraph (1) that a Federal agency pay costs to an interested party, the Federal agency and the interested party shall attempt to reach an agreement on the amount of the costs to be paid. If the Federal agency and the interested party are unable to agree on the amount to be paid, the Comptroller General may, upon the request of the interested party, recommend to the Federal agency the amount of the costs that the Federal agency should pay.
(d) Each decision of the Comptroller General under this subchapter shall be signed by the Comptroller General or a designee for that purpose. A copy of the decision shall be made available to the interested parties, the head of the procuring activity responsible for the solicitation, proposed award, or award of the contract, and the senior procurement executive of the Federal agency involved.
(e) 
(1) The Comptroller General shall report promptly to the Committee on Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives any case in which a Federal agency fails to implement fully a recommendation of the Comptroller General under subsection (b) or (c). The report shall include
(A) a comprehensive review of the pertinent procurement, including the circumstances of the failure of the Federal agency to implement a recommendation of the Comptroller General; and
(B) a recommendation regarding whether, in order to correct an inequity or to preserve the integrity of the procurement process, the Congress should consider
(i) private relief legislation;
(ii) legislative rescission or cancellation of funds;
(iii) further investigation by Congress; or
(iv) other action.
(2) Not later than January 31 of each year, the Comptroller General shall transmit to the Congress a report containing a summary of each instance in which a Federal agency did not fully implement a recommendation of the Comptroller General under subsection (b) or (c) during the preceding year. The report shall also describe each instance in which a final decision in a protest was not rendered within 100 days after the date the protest is submitted to the Comptroller General.

31 USC 3555 - Regulations; authority of Comptroller General to verify assertions

(a) The Comptroller General shall prescribe such procedures as may be necessary to the expeditious decision of protests under this subchapter, including procedures for accelerated resolution of protests under the express option authorized by section 3554 (a)(2) of this title. Such procedures shall provide that the protest process may not be delayed by the failure of a party to make a filing within the time provided for the filing.
(b) The procedures shall provide that, in the computation of any period described in this subchapter
(1) the day of the act, event, or default from which the designated period of time begins to run not be included; and
(2) the last day after such act, event, or default be included, unless
(A) such last day is a Saturday, a Sunday, or a legal holiday; or
(B) in the case of a filing of a paper at the Government Accountability Office or a Federal agency, such last day is a day on which weather or other conditions cause the closing of the Government Accountability Office or Federal agency, in which event the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday shall be included.
(c) The Comptroller General may prescribe procedures for the electronic filing and dissemination of documents and information required under this subchapter. In prescribing such procedures, the Comptroller General shall consider the ability of all parties to achieve electronic access to such documents and records.
(d) The Comptroller General may use any authority available under chapter 7 of this title and this chapter to verify assertions made by parties in protests under this subchapter.

31 USC 3556 - Nonexclusivity of remedies; matters included in agency record

This subchapter does not give the Comptroller General exclusive jurisdiction over protests, and nothing contained in this subchapter shall affect the right of any interested party to file a protest with the contracting agency or to file an action in the United States Court of Federal Claims. In any such action based on a procurement or proposed procurement with respect to which a protest has been filed under this subchapter, the reports required by sections 3553 (b)(2) and 3554 (e)(1) of this title with respect to such procurement or proposed procurement and any decision or recommendation of the Comptroller General under this subchapter with respect to such procurement or proposed procurement shall be considered to be part of the agency record subject to review.

31 USC 3557 - Expedited action in protests for public-private competitions

For protests in cases of public-private competitions conducted under Office of Management and Budget Circular A76 regarding performance of an activity or function of Federal agencies, the Comptroller General shall administer the provisions of this subchapter in a manner best suited for expediting final resolution of such protests and final action in such competitions.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER VI - RECOVERY AUDITS

31 USC 3561 - Identification of errors made by executive agencies in payments to contractors and recovery of amounts erroneously paid

(a) Program Required.— 
The head of each executive agency that enters into contracts with a total value in excess of $500,000,000 in a fiscal year shall carry out a cost-effective program for identifying any errors made in paying the contractors and for recovering any amounts erroneously paid to the contractors.
(b) Recovery Audits and Activities.— 
A program of an executive agency under subsection (a) shall include recovery audits and recovery activities. The head of the executive agency shall determine, in accordance with guidance provided under subsection (c), the classes of contracts to which recovery audits and recovery activities are appropriately applied.
(c) OMB Guidance.— 
The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall issue guidance for the conduct of programs under subsection (a). The guidance shall include the following:
(1) Definitions of the terms recovery audit and recovery activity for the purposes of the programs.
(2) The classes of contracts to which recovery audits and recovery activities are appropriately applied under the programs.
(3) Protections for the confidentiality of
(A) sensitive financial information that has not been released for use by the general public; and
(B) information that could be used to identify a person.
(4) Policies and procedures for ensuring that the implementation of the programs does not result in duplicative audits of contractor records.
(5) Policies regarding the types of contracts executive agencies may use for the procurement of recovery services, including guidance for use, in appropriate circumstances, of a contingency contract pursuant to which the head of an executive agency may pay a contractor an amount equal to a percentage of the total amount collected for the United States pursuant to that contract.
(6) Protections for a contractors records and facilities through restrictions on the authority of a contractor under a contract for the procurement of recovery services for an executive agency
(A) to require the production of any record or information by any person other than an officer, employee, or agent of the executive agency;
(B) to establish, or otherwise have, a physical presence on the property or premises of any private sector entity for the purposes of performing the contract; or
(C) to act as agents for the Government in the recovery of funds erroneously paid to contractors.
(7) Policies for the appropriate types of management improvement programs authorized by section 3564 of this title that executive agencies may carry out to address overpayment problems and the recovery of overpayments.

31 USC 3562 - Disposition of recovered funds

(a) Availability of Funds for Recovery Audits and Activities Program.— 
Funds collected under a program carried out by an executive agency under section 3561 of this title shall be available to the executive agency for the following purposes:
(1) To reimburse the actual expenses incurred by the executive agency in the administration of the program.
(2) To pay contractors for services under the program in accordance with the guidance issued under section 3561 (c)(5) of this title.
(b) Funds Not Used for Program.— 
Any amounts erroneously paid by an executive agency that are recovered under such a program of an executive agency and are not used to reimburse expenses or pay contractors under subsection (a)
(1) shall be credited to the appropriations from which the erroneous payments were made, shall be merged with other amounts in those appropriations, and shall be available for the purposes and period for which such appropriations are available; or
(2) if no such appropriation remains available, shall be deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.
(c) Priority of Other Authorized Dispositions.— 
Notwithstanding subsection (b), the authority under such subsection may not be exercised to use, credit, or deposit funds collected under such a program as provided in that subsection to the extent that any other provision of law requires or authorizes the crediting of such funds to a nonappropriated fund instrumentality, revolving fund, working-capital fund, trust fund, or other fund or account.

31 USC 3563 - Sources of recovery services

(a) Consideration of Available Recovery Resources.— 

(1) In carrying out a program under section 3561 of this title, the head of an executive agency shall consider all resources available to that official to carry out the program.
(2) The resources considered by the head of an executive agency for carrying out the program shall include the resources available to the executive agency for such purpose from the following sources:
(A) The executive agency.
(B) Other departments and agencies of the United States.
(C) Private sector sources.
(b) Compliance With Applicable Law and Regulations.— 
Before entering into a contract with a private sector source for the performance of services under a program of the executive agency carried out under section 3561 of this title, the head of an executive agency shall comply with
(1) any otherwise applicable provisions of Office of Management and Budget Circular A76; and
(2) any other applicable provision of law or regulation with respect to the selection between employees of the United States and private sector sources for the performance of services.

31 USC 3564 - Management improvement programs

In accordance with guidance provided by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget under section 3561 of this title, the head of an executive agency required to carry out a program under such section 3561 may carry out a program for improving management processes within the executive agency
(1) to address problems that contribute directly to the occurrence of errors in the paying of contractors of the executive agency; or
(2) to improve the recovery of overpayments due to the agency.

31 USC 3565 - Relationship to authority of Inspectors General

Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as impairing the authority of an Inspector General under the Inspector General Act of 1978 or any other provision of law.

31 USC 3566 - Privacy protections

Any nongovernmental entity that, in the course of recovery auditing or recovery activity under this subchapter, obtains information that identifies an individual or with respect to which there is a reasonable basis to believe that the information can be used to identify an individual, may not disclose the information for any purpose other than such recovery auditing or recovery activity and governmental oversight of such activity, unless disclosure for that other purpose is authorized by the individual to the executive agency that contracted for the performance of the recovery auditing or recovery activity.

31 USC 3567 - Definition of executive agency

Notwithstanding section 102 of this title, in this subchapter, the term executive agency has the meaning given that term in section 4(1) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 403 (1)).

TITLE 31 - US CODE - CHAPTER 37 - CLAIMS

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER I - GENERAL

31 USC 3701 - Definitions and application

(a) In this chapter
(1) administrative offset means withholding funds payable by the United States (including funds payable by the United States on behalf of a State government) to, or held by the United States for, a person to satisfy a claim.
(2) calendar quarter means a 3-month period beginning on January 1, April 1, July 1, or October 1.
(3) consumer reporting agency means
(A) a consumer reporting agency as that term is defined in section 603(f) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a (f)); or
(B) a person that, for money or on a cooperative basis, regularly
(i) gets information on consumers to give the information to a consumer reporting agency; or
(ii) serves as a marketing agent under an arrangement allowing a third party to get the information from a consumer reporting agency.
(4) executive, judicial, or legislative agency means a department, agency, court, court administrative office, or instrumentality in the executive, judicial, or legislative branch of Government, including government corporations.
(5) military department means the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
(6) system of records has the same meaning given that term in section 552a (a)(5) of title 5.
(7) uniformed services means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service.
(8) nontax means, with respect to any debt or claim, any debt or claim other than a debt or claim under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(b) 
(1) In subchapter II of this chapter and subsection (a)(8) of this section, the term claim or debt means any amount of funds or property that has been determined by an appropriate official of the Federal Government to be owed to the United States by a person, organization, or entity other than another Federal agency. A claim includes, without limitation
(A) funds owed on account of loans made, insured, or guaranteed by the Government, including any deficiency or any difference between the price obtained by the Government in the sale of a property and the amount owed to the Government on a mortgage on the property,
(B) expenditures of nonappropriated funds, including actual and administrative costs related to shoplifting, theft detection, and theft prevention,
(C) over-payments, including payments disallowed by audits performed by the Inspector General of the agency administering the program,
(D) any amount the United States is authorized by statute to collect for the benefit of any person,
(E) the unpaid share of any non-Federal partner in a program involving a Federal payment and a matching, or cost-sharing, payment by the non-Federal partner,
(F) any fines or penalties assessed by an agency;[1] and
(G) other amounts of money or property owed to the Government.
(2) For purposes of section 3716 of this title, each of the terms claim and debt includes an amount of funds or property owed by a person to a State (including any past-due support being enforced by the State), the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(c) In sections 3716 and 3717 of this title, the term person does not include an agency of the United States Government.
(d) Sections 3711 (e) and 3716–3719 of this title do not apply to a claim or debt under, or to an amount payable under
(1) the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.),
(2) the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), except to the extent provided under sections 204(f) and 1631(b)(4) of such Act and section 3716 (c) of this title, or
(3) the tariff laws of the United States.
(e) In section 3716 of this title
(1) creditor agency means any agency owed a claim that seeks to collect that claim through administrative offset; and
(2) payment certifying agency means any agency that has transmitted a voucher to a disbursing official for disbursement.
(f) In section 3711 of this title, private collection contractor means private debt collectors under contract with an agency to collect a nontax debt or claim owed the United States. The term includes private debt collectors, collection agencies, and commercial attorneys.
[1] So in original. The semicolon probably should be a comma.

31 USC 3702 - Authority to settle claims

(a) Except as provided in this chapter or another law, all claims of or against the United States Government shall be settled as follows:
(1) The Secretary of Defense shall settle
(A) claims involving uniformed service members pay, allowances, travel, transportation, payments for unused accrued leave, retired pay, and survivor benefits; and
(B) claims by transportation carriers involving amounts collected from them for loss or damage incurred to property incident to shipment at Government expense.
(2) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall settle claims involving Federal civilian employees compensation and leave.
(3) The Administrator of General Services shall settle claims involving expenses incurred by Federal civilian employees for official travel and transportation, and for relocation expenses incident to transfers of official duty station.
(4) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall settle claims not otherwise provided for by this subsection or another provision of law.
(b) 
(1) A claim against the Government presented under this section must contain the signature and address of the claimant or an authorized representative. The claim must be received by the official responsible under subsection (a) for settling the claim or by the agency that conducts the activity from which the claim arises within 6 years after the claim accrues except
(A) as provided in this chapter or another law; or
(B) a claim of a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory or possession of the United States.
(2) When the claim of a member of the armed forces accrues during war or within 5 years before war begins, the claim must be received within 5 years after peace is established or within the period provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection, whichever is later.
(3) A claim that is not received in the time required under this subsection shall be returned with a copy of this subsection, and no further communication is required.
(c) One-Year Limit for Check Claims.— 

(1) Any claim on account of a Treasury check shall be barred unless it is presented to the agency that authorized the issuance of such check within 1 year after the date of issuance of the check or the effective date of this subsection, whichever is later.
(2) Nothing in this subsection affects the underlying obligation of the United States, or any agency thereof, for which a Treasury check was issued.
(d) The official responsible under subsection (a) for settling the claim shall report to Congress on a claim against the Government that is timely presented under this section that may not be adjusted by using an existing appropriation, and that the official believes Congress should consider for legal or equitable reasons. The report shall include recommendations of the official.
(e) 
(1) The Secretary of Defense may waive the time limitations set forth in subsection (b) or (c) in the case of a claim referred to in subsection (a)(1)(A). In the case of a claim by or with respect to a member of the uniformed services who is not under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department, such a waiver may be made only upon the request of the Secretary concerned (as defined in section 101 of title 37).
(2) Payment of a claim settled under subsection (a)(1)(A) shall be made from an appropriation that is available, for the fiscal year in which the payment is made, for the same purpose as the appropriation to which the obligation claimed would have been charged if the obligation had been timely paid, except that in the case of a claim for retired pay or survivor benefits, if the obligation claimed would have been paid from a trust fund if timely paid, the payment of the claim shall be made from that trust fund.
(3) This subsection does not apply to a claim in excess of $25,000.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER II - CLAIMS OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

31 USC 3711 - Collection and compromise

(a) The head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency
(1) shall try to collect a claim of the United States Government for money or property arising out of the activities of, or referred to, the agency;
(2) may compromise a claim of the Government of not more than $100,000 (excluding interest) or such higher amount as the Attorney General may from time to time prescribe that has not been referred to another executive or legislative agency for further collection action, except that only the Comptroller General may compromise a claim arising out of an exception the Comptroller General makes in the account of an accountable official; and
(3) may suspend or end collection action on a claim referred to in clause (2) of this subsection when it appears that no person liable on the claim has the present or prospective ability to pay a significant amount of the claim or the cost of collecting the claim is likely to be more than the amount recovered.
(b) 
(1) The head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency may not act under subsection (a)(2) or (3) of this section on a claim that appears to be fraudulent, false, or misrepresented by a party with an interest in the claim, or that is based on conduct in violation of the antitrust laws.
(2) The Secretary of Transportation may not compromise for less than $500 a penalty under section 21302 of title 49 for a violation of chapter 203, 205, or 207 of title 49 or a regulation or requirement prescribed or order issued under any of those chapters.
(c) A compromise under this section is final and conclusive unless gotten by fraud, misrepresentation, presenting a false claim, or mutual mistake of fact. An accountable official is not liable for an amount paid or for the value of property lost or damaged if the amount or value is not recovered because of a compromise under this section.
(d) The head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency acts under
(1) regulations prescribed by the head of the agency; and
(2) standards that the Attorney General, the Secretary of the Treasury, may prescribe.[1]
(e) 
(1) When trying to collect a claim of the Government under a law except the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), the head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency shall disclose to a consumer reporting agency information from a system of records that a person is responsible for a claim if
(A) notice required by section 552a (e)(4) of title 5 indicates that information in the system may be disclosed to a consumer reporting agency;
(B) the head of the agency has reviewed the claim and decided that the claim is valid and overdue;
(C) the head of the agency has notified the person in writing
(i) that payment of the claim is overdue;
(ii) that, within not less than 60 days after sending the notice, the head of the agency intends to disclose to a consumer reporting agency that the person is responsible for the claim;
(iii) of the specific information to be disclosed to the consumer reporting agency; and
(iv) of the rights the person has to a complete explanation of the claim, to dispute information in the records of the agency about the claim, and to administrative repeal or review of the claim;
(D) the person has not
(i) repaid or agreed to repay the claim under a written repayment plan that the person has signed and the head of the agency has agreed to; or
(ii) filed for review of the claim under paragraph (2) of this subsection;
(E) the head of the agency has established procedures to
(i) disclose promptly, to each consumer reporting agency to which the original disclosure was made, a substantial change in the condition or amount of the claim;
(ii) verify or correct promptly information about the claim on request of a consumer reporting agency for verification of information disclosed; and
(iii) get satisfactory assurances from each consumer reporting agency that the agency is complying with all laws of the United States related to providing consumer credit information; and
(F) the information disclosed to the consumer reporting agency is limited to
(i) information necessary to establish the identity of the person, including name, address, and taxpayer identification number;
(ii) the amount, status, and history of the claim; and
(iii) the agency or program under which the claim arose.
(2) Before disclosing information to a consumer reporting agency under paragraph (1) of this subsection and at other times allowed by law, the head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency shall provide, on request of a person alleged by the agency to be responsible for the claim, for a review of the obligation of the person, including an opportunity for reconsideration of the initial decision on the claim.
(3) Before disclosing information to a consumer reporting agency under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency shall take reasonable action to locate a person for whom the head of the agency does not have a current address to send the notice under paragraph (1)(C).
(4) The head of each executive agency shall require, as a condition for insuring or guaranteeing any loan, financing, or other extension of credit under any law to a person, that the lender provide information relating to the extension of credit to consumer reporting agencies or commercial reporting agencies, as appropriate.
(5) The head of each executive agency may provide to a consumer reporting agency or commercial reporting agency information from a system of records that a person is responsible for a claim which is current, if notice required by section 552a (e)(4) of title 5 indicates that information in the system may be disclosed to a consumer reporting agency or commercial reporting agency, respectively.
(f) 
(1) The Secretary of Defense may suspend or terminate an action by the Secretary or by the Secretary of a military department under subsection (a) to collect a claim against the estate of a person who died while serving on active duty as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard during a period when the Coast Guard is operating as a service in the Navy if the Secretary determines that, under the circumstances applicable with respect to the deceased person, it is appropriate to do so.
(2) The Secretary of Homeland Security may suspend or terminate an action by the Secretary under subsection (a) to collect a claim against the estate of a person who died while serving on active duty as a member of the Coast Guard if the Secretary determines that, under the circumstances applicable with respect to the deceased person, it is appropriate to do so.
(3) In this subsection, the term active duty has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 10.
(g) 
(1) If a nontax debt or claim owed to the United States has been delinquent for a period of 180 days
(A) the head of the executive, judicial, or legislative agency that administers the program that gave rise to the debt or claim shall transfer the debt or claim to the Secretary of the Treasury; and
(B) upon such transfer the Secretary of the Treasury shall take appropriate action to collect or terminate collection actions on the debt or claim.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply
(A) to any debt or claim that
(i) is in litigation or foreclosure;
(ii) will be disposed of under an asset sales program within 1 year after becoming eligible for sale, or later than 1 year if consistent with an asset sales program and a schedule established by the agency and approved by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget;
(iii) has been referred to a private collection contractor for collection for a period of time determined by the Secretary of the Treasury;
(iv) has been referred by, or with the consent of, the Secretary of the Treasury to a debt collection center for a period of time determined by the Secretary of the Treasury; or
(v) will be collected under internal offset, if such offset is sufficient to collect the claim within 3 years after the date the debt or claim is first delinquent; and
(B) to any other specific class of debt or claim, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury at the request of the head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency or otherwise.
(3) For purposes of this section, the Secretary of the Treasury may designate, and withdraw such designation of debt collection centers operated by other Federal agencies. The Secretary of the Treasury shall designate such centers on the basis of their performance in collecting delinquent claims owed to the Government.
(4) At the discretion of the Secretary of the Treasury, referral of a nontax claim may be made to
(A) any executive department or agency operating a debt collection center for servicing, collection, compromise, or suspension or termination of collection action;
(B) a private collection contractor operating under a contract for servicing or collection action; or
(C) the Department of Justice for litigation.
(5) Nontax claims referred or transferred under this section shall be serviced, collected, or compromised, or collection action thereon suspended or terminated, in accordance with otherwise applicable statutory requirements and authorities. Executive departments and agencies operating debt collection centers may enter into agreements with the Secretary of the Treasury to carry out the purposes of this subsection. The Secretary of the Treasury shall
(A) maintain competition in carrying out this subsection;
(B) maximize collections of delinquent debts by placing delinquent debts quickly;
(C) maintain a schedule of private collection contractors and debt collection centers eligible for referral of claims; and
(D) refer delinquent debts to the person most appropriate to collect the type or amount of claim involved.
(6) Any agency operating a debt collection center to which nontax claims are referred or transferred under this subsection may charge a fee sufficient to cover the full cost of implementing this subsection. The agency transferring or referring the nontax claim shall be charged the fee, and the agency charging the fee shall collect such fee by retaining the amount of the fee from amounts collected pursuant to this subsection. Agencies may agree to pay through a different method, or to fund an activity from another account or from revenue received from the procedure described under section 3720C of this title. Amounts charged under this subsection concerning delinquent claims may be considered as costs pursuant to section 3717 (e) of this title.
(7) Notwithstanding any other law concerning the depositing and collection of Federal payments, including section 3302 (b) of this title, agencies collecting fees may retain the fees from amounts collected. Any fee charged pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited into an account to be determined by the executive department or agency operating the debt collection center charging the fee (in this subsection referred to in this section[2] as the Account). Amounts deposited in the Account shall be available until expended to cover costs associated with the implementation and operation of Governmentwide debt collection activities. Costs properly chargeable to the Account include
(A) the costs of computer hardware and software, word processing and telecommunications equipment, and other equipment, supplies, and furniture;
(B) personnel training and travel costs;
(C) other personnel and administrative costs;
(D) the costs of any contract for identification, billing, or collection services; and
(E) reasonable costs incurred by the Secretary of the Treasury, including services and utilities provided by the Secretary, and administration of the Account.
(8) Not later than January 1 of each year, there shall be deposited into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts an amount equal to the amount of unobligated balances remaining in the Account at the close of business on September 30 of the preceding year, minus any part of such balance that the executive department or agency operating the debt collection center determines is necessary to cover or defray the costs under this subsection for the fiscal year in which the deposit is made.
(9) Before discharging any delinquent debt owed to any executive, judicial, or legislative agency, the head of such agency shall take all appropriate steps to collect such debt, including (as applicable)
(A) administrative offset,
(B) tax refund offset,
(C) Federal salary offset,
(D) referral to private collection contractors,
(E) referral to agencies operating a debt collection center,
(F) reporting delinquencies to credit reporting bureaus,
(G) garnishing the wages of delinquent debtors, and
(H) litigation or foreclosure.
(10) To carry out the purposes of this subsection, the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe such rules, regulations, and procedures as the Secretary considers necessary and transfer such funds from funds appropriated to the Department of the Treasury as may be necessary to meet existing liabilities and obligations incurred prior to the receipt of revenues that result from debt collections.
(h) 
(1) The head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency acting under subsection (a)(1), (2), or (3) of this section to collect a claim, compromise a claim, or terminate collection action on a claim may obtain a consumer report (as that term is defined in section 603 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a)) or comparable credit information on any person who is liable for the claim.
(2) The obtaining of a consumer report under this subsection is deemed to be a circumstance or purpose authorized or listed under section 604 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681b).
(i) 
(1) The head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency may sell, subject to section 504(b) of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 and using competitive procedures, any nontax debt owed to the United States that is delinquent for more than 90 days. Appropriate fees charged by a contractor to assist in the conduct of a sale under this subsection may be payable from the proceeds of the sale.
(2) After terminating collection action, the head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency shall sell, using competitive procedures, any nontax debt or class of nontax debts owed to the United States, if the Secretary of the Treasury determines the sale is in the best interests of the United States.
(3) Sales of nontax debt under this subsection
(A) shall be for
(i) cash, or
(ii) cash and a residuary equity or profit participation, if the head of the agency reasonably determines that the proceeds will be greater than sale solely for cash,
(B) shall be without recourse, but may include the use of guarantees if otherwise authorized, and
(C) shall transfer to the purchaser all rights of the Government to demand payment of the nontax debt, other than with respect to a residuary equity or profit participation under subparagraph (A)(ii).
(4) 
(A) Within one year after the date of enactment of the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, each executive agency with current and delinquent collateralized nontax debts shall report to the Congress on the valuation of its existing portfolio of loans, notes and guarantees, and other collateralized debts based on standards developed by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury.
(B) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall determine what information is required to be reported to comply with subparagraph (A). At a minimum, for each financing account and for each liquidating account (as those terms are defined in sections 502 (7) and 502 (8), respectively, of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990) the following information shall be reported:
(i) The cumulative balance of current debts outstanding, the estimated net present value of such debts, the annual administrative expenses of those debts (including the portion of salaries and expenses that are directly related thereto), and the estimated net proceeds that would be received by the Government if such debts were sold.
(ii) The cumulative balance of delinquent debts, debts outstanding, the estimated net present value of such debts, the annual administrative expenses of those debts (including the portion of salaries and expenses that are directly related thereto), and the estimated net proceeds that would be received by the Government if such debts were sold.
(iii) The cumulative balance of guaranteed loans outstanding, the estimated net present value of such guarantees, the annual administrative expenses of such guarantees (including the portion of salaries and expenses that are directly related to such guaranteed loans), and the estimated net proceeds that would be received by the Government if such loan guarantees were sold.
(iv) The cumulative balance of defaulted loans that were previously guaranteed and have resulted in loans receivables, the estimated net present value of such loan assets, the annual administrative expenses of such loan assets (including the portion of salaries and expenses that are directly related to such loan assets), and the estimated net proceeds that would be received by the Government if such loan assets were sold.
(v) The marketability of all debts.
(5) This subsection is not intended to limit existing statutory authority of agencies to sell loans, debts, or other assets.
[1] So in original. Probably should be “Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe jointly.”
[2] So in original.

31 USC 3712 - Time limitations for presenting certain claims of the Government

(a) Claims Over Forged or Unauthorized Endorsements.— 

(1) Period for claims.— 
If the Secretary of the Treasury determines that a Treasury check has been paid over a forged or unauthorized endorsement, the Secretary may reclaim the amount of such check from the presenting bank or any other endorser that has breached its guarantee of endorsements prior to
(A) the end of the 1-year period beginning on the date of payment; or
(B) the expiration of the 180-day period beginning on the close of the period described in subparagraph (A) if a timely claim is received under section 3702.
(2) Civil actions.— 

(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the United States may bring a civil action to enforce the liability of an endorser, transferor, depository, or fiscal agent on a forged or unauthorized signature or endorsement on, or a change in, a check or warrant issued by the Secretary of the Treasury, the United States Postal Service, or any disbursing official or agent not later than 1 year after a check or warrant is presented to the drawee for payment.
(B) If the United States has given an endorser written notice of a claim against the endorser within the time allowed by subparagraph (A), the 1-year period for bringing a civil action on that claim under subparagraph (A) shall be extended by 3 years.
(3) Effect on agency authority.— 
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit the authority of any agency under subchapter II of chapter 37 of this title.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a civil action may be brought within 2 years after the claim is discovered when an endorser, transferor, depositary, or fiscal agent fraudulently conceals the claim from an officer or employee of the Government entitled to bring the civil action.
(c) The Comptroller General shall credit the appropriate account of the Treasury for the amount of a check or warrant for which a civil action cannot be brought because notice was not given within the time required under subsection (a) of this section if the failure to give notice was not the result of negligence of the Secretary.
(d) The Government waives all claims against a person arising from dual pay from the Government if the dual pay is not reported to the Comptroller General for collection within 6 years from the last date of a period of dual pay.
(e) Treasury Check Offset.— 

(1) In general.— 
To facilitate collection of amounts owed by presenting banks pursuant to subsection (a) or (b), upon the direction of the Secretary, a Federal reserve bank shall withhold credit from banks presenting Treasury checks for ultimate charge to the account of the United States Treasury. By presenting Treasury checks for payment a presenting bank is deemed to authorize this offset.
(2) Attempt to collect required.— 
Prior to directing offset under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall first attempt to collect amounts owed in the manner provided by sections 3711 and 3716.

31 USC 3713 - Priority of Government claims

(a) 
(1) A claim of the United States Government shall be paid first when
(A) a person indebted to the Government is insolvent and
(i) the debtor without enough property to pay all debts makes a voluntary assignment of property;
(ii) property of the debtor, if absent, is attached; or
(iii) an act of bankruptcy is committed; or
(B) the estate of a deceased debtor, in the custody of the executor or administrator, is not enough to pay all debts of the debtor.
(2) This subsection does not apply to a case under title 11.
(b) A representative of a person or an estate (except a trustee acting under title 11) paying any part of a debt of the person or estate before paying a claim of the Government is liable to the extent of the payment for unpaid claims of the Government.

31 USC 3714 - Keeping money due States in default

The Secretary of the Treasury shall keep the necessary amount of money the United States Government owes a State when the State defaults in paying principal or interest on investments in stocks or bonds the State issues or guarantees and that the Government holds in trust. The money shall be used to pay the principal or interest or reimburse, with interest, money the Government advanced for interest due on the stocks or bonds.

31 USC 3715 - Buying real property of a debtor

The head of an agency for whom a civil action is brought against a debtor of the United States Government may buy real property of the debtor at a sale on execution of the real property of the debtor resulting from the action. The head of the agency may not bid more for the property than the amount of the judgment for which the property is being sold, and costs. The marshal of the district in which the sale is held shall transfer the property to the Government.

31 USC 3716 - Administrative offset

(a) After trying to collect a claim from a person under section 3711 (a) of this title, the head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency may collect the claim by administrative offset. The head of the agency may collect by administrative offset only after giving the debtor
(1) written notice of the type and amount of the claim, the intention of the head of the agency to collect the claim by administrative offset, and an explanation of the rights of the debtor under this section;
(2) an opportunity to inspect and copy the records of the agency related to the claim;
(3) an opportunity for a review within the agency of the decision of the agency related to the claim; and
(4) an opportunity to make a written agreement with the head of the agency to repay the amount of the claim.
(b) Before collecting a claim by administrative offset, the head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency must either
(1) adopt, without change, regulations on collecting by administrative offset promulgated by the Department of Justice, the Government Accountability Office, or the Department of the Treasury; or
(2) prescribe regulations on collecting by administrative offset consistent with the regulations referred to in paragraph (1).
(c) 
(1) 
(A) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a disbursing official of the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Defense, the United States Postal Service, or any other government corporation, or any disbursing official of the United States designated by the Secretary of the Treasury, shall offset at least annually the amount of a payment which a payment certifying agency has certified to the disbursing official for disbursement, by an amount equal to the amount of a claim which a creditor agency has certified to the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to this subsection.
(B) An agency that designates disbursing officials pursuant to section 3321 (c) of this title is not required to certify claims arising out of its operations to the Secretary of the Treasury before such agencys disbursing officials offset such claims.
(C) Payments certified by the Department of Education under a program administered by the Secretary of Education under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 shall not be subject to administrative offset under this subsection.
(2) Neither the disbursing official nor the payment certifying agency shall be liable
(A) for the amount of the administrative offset on the basis that the underlying obligation, represented by the payment before the administrative offset was taken, was not satisfied; or
(B) for failure to provide timely notice under paragraph (8).
(3) 
(A) 
(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of law (including sections 207 and 1631(d)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 407 and 1383 (d)(1)), section 413(b) of Public Law 91173 (30 U.S.C. 923 (b)), and section 14 of the Act of August 29, 1935 (45 U.S.C. 231m)), except as provided in clause (ii), all payments due to an individual under
(I) the Social Security Act,
(II) part B of the Black Lung Benefits Act, or
(III) any law administered by the Railroad Retirement Board (other than payments that such Board determines to be tier 2 benefits),

shall be subject to offset under this section.

(ii) An amount of $9,000 which a debtor may receive under Federal benefit programs cited under clause (i) within a 12-month period shall be exempt from offset under this subsection. In applying the $9,000 exemption, the disbursing official shall
(I) reduce the $9,000 exemption amount for the 12-month period by the amount of all Federal benefit payments made during such 12-month period which are not subject to offset under this subsection; and
(II) apply a prorated amount of the exemption to each periodic benefit payment to be made to the debtor during the applicable 12-month period.

For purposes of the preceding sentence, the amount of a periodic benefit payment shall be the amount after any reduction or deduction required under the laws authorizing the program under which such payment is authorized to be made (including any reduction or deduction to recover any overpayment under such program).

(B) The Secretary of the Treasury shall exempt from administrative offset under this subsection payments under means-tested programs when requested by the head of the respective agency. The Secretary may exempt other payments from administrative offset under this subsection upon the written request of the head of a payment certifying agency. A written request for exemption of other payments must provide justification for the exemption under standards prescribed by the Secretary. Such standards shall give due consideration to whether administrative offset would tend to interfere substantially with or defeat the purposes of the payment certifying agencys program. The Secretary shall report to the Congress annually on exemptions granted under this section.
(C) The provisions of sections 205(b)(1), 809(a)(1), and 1631(c)(1) of the Social Security Act shall not apply to any administrative offset executed pursuant to this section against benefits authorized by title II, VIII, or title XVI of the Social Security Act, respectively.
(4) The Secretary of the Treasury may charge a fee sufficient to cover the full cost of implementing this subsection. The fee may be collected either by the retention of a portion of amounts collected pursuant to this subsection, or by billing the agency referring or transferring a claim for those amounts. Fees charged to the agencies shall be based on actual administrative offsets completed. Amounts received by the United States as fees under this subsection shall be deposited into the account of the Department of the Treasury under section 3711 (g)(7) of this title, and shall be collected and accounted for in accordance with the provisions of that section.
(5) The Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Security and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, may prescribe such rules, regulations, and procedures as the Secretary of the Treasury considers necessary to carry out this subsection. The Secretary shall consult with the heads of affected agencies in the development of such rules, regulations, and procedures.
(6) Any Federal agency that is owed by a person a past due, legally enforceable nontax debt that is over 180 days delinquent, including nontax debt administered by a third party acting as an agent for the Federal Government, shall notify the Secretary of the Treasury of all such nontax debts for purposes of administrative offset under this subsection.
(7) 
(A) The disbursing official conducting an administrative offset with respect to a payment to a payee shall notify the payee in writing of
(i) the occurrence of the administrative offset to satisfy a past due legally enforceable debt, including a description of the type and amount of the payment otherwise payable to the payee against which the offset was executed;
(ii) the identity of the creditor agency requesting the offset; and
(iii) a contact point within the creditor agency that will handle concerns regarding the offset.
(B) If the payment to be offset is a periodic benefit payment, the disbursing official shall take reasonable steps, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, to provide the notice to the payee not later than the date on which the payee is otherwise scheduled to receive the payment, or as soon as practical thereafter, but no later than the date of the administrative offset. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the failure of the debtor to receive such notice shall not impair the legality of such administrative offset.
(8) A levy pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall take precedence over requests for administrative offset pursuant to other laws.
(d) Nothing in this section is intended to prohibit the use of any other administrative offset authority existing under statute or common law.
(e) This section does not apply
(1) to a claim under this subchapter that has been outstanding for more than 10 years; or
(2) when a statute explicitly prohibits using administrative offset or setoff to collect the claim or type of claim involved.
(f) The Secretary may waive the requirements of sections 552a (o) and (p) of title 5 for administrative offset or claims collection upon written certification by the head of a State or an executive, judicial, or legislative agency seeking to collect the claim that the requirements of subsection (a) of this section have been met.
(g) The Data Integrity Board of the Department of the Treasury established under 552a(u) of title 5 shall review and include in reports under paragraph (3)(D) of that section a description of any matching activities conducted under this section. If the Secretary has granted a waiver under subsection (f) of this section, no other Data Integrity Board is required to take any action under section 552a (u) of title 5.
(h) 
(1) The Secretary may, in the discretion of the Secretary, apply subsection (a) with respect to any past-due, legally-enforceable debt owed to a State if
(A) the appropriate State disbursing official requests that an offset be performed; and
(B) a reciprocal agreement with the State is in effect which contains, at a minimum
(i) requirements substantially equivalent to subsection (b) of this section; and
(ii) any other requirements which the Secretary considers appropriate to facilitate the offset and prevent duplicative efforts.
(2) This subsection does not apply to
(A) the collection of a debt or claim on which the administrative costs associated with the collection of the debt or claim exceed the amount of the debt or claim;
(B) any collection of any other type, class, or amount of claim, as the Secretary considers necessary to protect the interest of the United States; or
(C) the disbursement of any class or type of payment exempted by the Secretary of the Treasury at the request of a Federal agency.
(3) In applying this section with respect to any debt owed to a State, subsection (c)(3)(A) shall not apply.

31 USC 3717 - Interest and penalty on claims

(a) 
(1) The head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency shall charge a minimum annual rate of interest on an outstanding debt on a United States Government claim owed by a person that is equal to the average investment rate for the Treasury tax and loan accounts for the 12-month period ending on September 30 of each year, rounded to the nearest whole percentage point. The Secretary of the Treasury shall publish the rate before November 1 of that year. The rate is effective on the first day of the next calendar quarter.
(2) The Secretary may change the rate of interest for a calendar quarter if the average investment rate for the 12-month period ending at the close of the prior calendar quarter, rounded to the nearest whole percentage point, is more or less than the existing published rate by 2 percentage points.
(b) Interest under subsection (a) of this section accrues from the date
(1) on which notice is mailed after October 25, 1982, if notice was first mailed before October 25, 1982; or
(2) notice of the amount due is first mailed to the debtor at the most current address of the debtor available to the head of the executive or[1] legislative agency, if notice is first mailed after October 24, 1982.
(c) The rate of interest charged under subsection (a) of this section
(1) is the rate in effect on the date from which interest begins to accrue under subsection (b) of this section; and
(2) remains fixed at that rate for the duration of the indebtedness.
(d) Interest under subsection (a) of this section may not be charged if the amount due on the claim is paid within 30 days after the date from which interest accrues under subsection (b) of this section. The head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency may extend the 30-day period.
(e) The head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency shall assess on a claim owed by a person
(1) a charge to cover the cost of processing and handling a delinquent claim; and
(2) a penalty charge of not more than 6 percent a year for failure to pay a part of a debt more than 90 days past due.
(f) Interest under subsection (a) of this section does not accrue on a charge assessed under subsection (e) of this section.
(g) This section does not apply
(1) if a statute, regulation required by statute, loan agreement, or contract prohibits charging interest or assessing charges or explicitly fixes the interest or charges; and
(2) to a claim under a contract executed before October 25, 1982, that is in effect on October 25, 1982.
(h) In conformity with standards prescribed jointly by the Attorney General, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Comptroller General, the head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency may prescribe regulations identifying circumstances appropriate to waiving collection of interest and charges under subsections (a) and (e) of this section. A waiver under the regulations is deemed to be compliance with this section.
(i) 
(1) The head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency may increase an administrative claim by the cost of living adjustment in lieu of charging interest and penalties under this section. Adjustments under this subsection will be computed annually.
(2) For the purpose of this subsection
(A) the term cost of living adjustment means the percentage by which the Consumer Price Index for the month of June of the calendar year preceding the adjustment exceeds the Consumer Price Index for the month of June of the calendar year in which the claim was determined or last adjusted; and
(B) the term administrative claim includes all debt that is not based on an extension of Government credit through direct loans, loan guarantees, or insurance, including fines, penalties, and overpayments.
[1] So in original. Probably should be “, judicial, or”.

31 USC 3718 - Contracts for collection services

(a) Under conditions the head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency considers appropriate, the head of the agency may enter into a contract with a person for collection service to recover indebtedness owed, or to locate or recover assets of, the United States Government. The head of an agency may not enter into a contract under the preceding sentence to locate or recover assets of the United States held by a State government or financial institution unless that agency has established procedures approved by the Secretary of the Treasury to identify and recover such assets. The contract shall provide that
(1) the head of the agency retains the authority to resolve a dispute, compromise a claim, end collection action, and refer a matter to the Attorney General to bring a civil action; and
(2) the person is subject to
(A) section 552a of title 5, to the extent provided in section 552a (m); and
(B) laws and regulations of the United States Government and State governments related to debt collection practices.
(b) 
(1) 
(A) The Attorney General may make contracts retaining private counsel to furnish legal services, including representation in negotiation, compromise, settlement, and litigation, in the case of any claim of indebtedness owed the United States. Each such contract shall include such terms and conditions as the Attorney General considers necessary and appropriate, including a provision specifying the amount of the fee to be paid to the private counsel under such contract or the method for calculating that fee. The amount of the fee payable for legal services furnished under any such contract may not exceed the fee that counsel engaged in the private practice of law in the area or areas where the legal services are furnished typically charge clients for furnishing legal services in the collection of claims of indebtedness, as determined by the Attorney General, considering the amount, age, and nature of the indebtedness and whether the debtor is an individual or a business entity. Nothing in this subparagraph shall relieve the Attorney General of the competition requirements set forth in title III of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 251 and following).
(B) The Attorney General shall use his best efforts to enter into contracts under this paragraph with law firms owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and law firms that are qualified HUBZone small business concerns (as defined in section 3(p) of the Small Business Act), so as to enable each agency to comply with paragraph (3).
(2) The head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency may, subject to the approval of the Attorney General, refer to a private counsel retained under paragraph (1) of this subsection claims of indebtedness owed the United States arising out of activities of that agency.
(3) Each agency shall use its best efforts to assure that not less than 10 percent of the amounts of all claims referred to private counsel by that agency under paragraph (2) are referred to law firms owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and law firms that are qualified HUBZone small business concerns. For purposes of this paragraph
(A) the term law firm owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals means a law firm that meets the requirements set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) of section 8(d)(3)(C) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637 (d)(3)(C)(i) and (ii)) and regulations issued under those clauses;
(B) socially and economically disadvantaged individuals shall be presumed to include these[1] groups and individuals described in the last paragraph of section 8(d)(3)(C) of the Small Business Act; and
(C) the term qualified HUBZone small business concern has the meaning given that term in section 3(p) of the Small Business Act.
(4) Notwithstanding sections 516, 518 (b), 519, and 547 (2) of title 28, a private counsel retained under paragraph (1) of this subsection may represent the United States in litigation in connection with legal services furnished pursuant to the contract entered into with that counsel under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(5) A contract made with a private counsel under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include
(A) a provision permitting the Attorney General to terminate either the contract or the private counsels representation of the United States in particular cases if the Attorney General finds that such action is for the convenience of the Government;
(B) a provision stating that the head of the executive or[2] legislative agency which refers a claim under the contract retains the authority to resolve a dispute regarding the claim, to compromise the claim, or to terminate a collection action on the claim; and
(C) a provision requiring the private counsel to transmit monthly to the Attorney General and the head of the executive or[1] legislative agency referring a claim under the contract a report on the services relating to the claim rendered under the contract during the month and the progress made during the month in collecting the claim under the contract.
(6) Notwithstanding the fourth sentence of section 803(6) of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. 1692a (6)), a private counsel performing legal services pursuant to a contract made under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be considered to be a debt collector for the purposes of such Act.
(7) Any counterclaim filed in any action to recover indebtedness owed the United States which is brought on behalf of the United States by private counsel retained under this subsection may not be asserted unless the counterclaim is served directly on the Attorney General or the United States Attorney for the judicial district in which, or embracing the place in which, the action is brought. Such service shall be made in accordance with the rules of procedure of the court in which the action is brought.
(c) The Attorney General shall transmit to the Congress an annual report on the activities of the Department of Justice to recover indebtedness owed the United States which was referred to the Department of Justice for collection. Each such report shall include a list, by agency, of
(1) the total number and amounts of claims which were referred for legal services to the Department of Justice and to private counsel under subsection (b) during the 1-year period covered by the report;
(2) the total number and amount of those claims referred for legal services to the Department of Justice which were collected or were not collected or otherwise resolved during the 1-year period covered by the report; and
(3) the total number and amount of those claims referred for legal services to private counsel under subsection (b)
(A) which were collected or were not collected or otherwise resolved during the 1-year period covered by the report;
(B) which were not collected or otherwise resolved under a contract terminated by the Attorney General during the 1-year period covered by the report; and
(C) on which the Attorney General terminated the private counsels representation during the 1-year period covered by the report without terminating the contract with the private counsel under which the claims were referred.
(d) Notwithstanding section 3302 (b) of this title, a contract under subsection (a) or (b) of this section may provide that a fee a person charges to recover indebtedness owed, or to locate or recover assets of, the United States Government is payable from the amount recovered.
(e) A contract under subsection (a) or (b) of this section is effective only to the extent and in the amount provided in an appropriation law. This limitation does not apply in the case of a contract that authorizes a person to collect a fee as provided in subsection (d) of this section.
(f) This section does not apply to the collection of debts under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.).
(g) In order to assist Congress in determining whether use of private counsel is a cost-effective method of collecting Government debts, the Attorney General shall, following consultation with the Government Accountability Office, maintain and make available to the Inspector General of the Department of Justice, statistical data relating to the comparative costs of debt collection by participating United States Attorneys Offices and by private counsel.
[1] So in original. Probably should be “the”.
[2] So in original. Probably should be “, judicial, or”.

31 USC 3719 - Reports on debt collection activities

(a) In consultation with the Comptroller General of the United States, the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe regulations requiring the head of each agency with outstanding nontax claims to prepare and submit to the Secretary at least once each year a report summarizing the status of loans and accounts receivable that are managed by the head of the agency. The report shall contain
(1) information on
(A) the total amount of loans and accounts receivable owed the agency and when amounts owed the agency are due to be repaid;
(B) the total amount of receivables and number of claims at least 30 days past due;
(C) the total amount written off as actually uncollectible and the total amount allowed for uncollectible loans and accounts receivable;
(D) the rate of interest charged for overdue debts and the amount of interest charged and collected on debts;
(E) the total number of claims and the total amount collected; and
(F) the number and total amount of claims referred to the Attorney General for settlement and the number and total amount of claims the Attorney General settles;
(2) the information described in clause (1) of this subsection for each program or activity the head of the agency carries out; and
(3) other information the Secretary considers necessary to decide whether the head of the agency is acting aggressively to collect the claims of the agency.
(b) The Secretary shall analyze the reports submitted under subsection (a) of this section and shall report annually to Congress on the management of debt collection activities by the head of each agency, including the information provided the Secretary under subsection (a).

31 USC 3720 - Collection of payments

(a) Each head of an executive agency (other than an agency subject to section 9 of the Act of May 18, 1933 (48 Stat. 63, chapter 32; 16 U.S.C. 831h)) shall, under such regulations as the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe, provide for the timely deposit of money by officials and agents of such agency in accordance with section 3302, and for the collection and timely deposit of sums owed to such agency by the use of such procedures as withdrawals and deposits by electronic transfer of funds, automatic withdrawals from accounts at financial institutions, and a system under which financial institutions receive and deposit, on behalf of the executive agency, payments transmitted to post office lockboxes. The Secretary is authorized to collect from any agency not complying with the requirements imposed pursuant to the preceding sentence a charge in an amount the Secretary determines to be the cost to the general fund caused by such noncompliance.
(b) The head of an executive agency shall pay to the Secretary of the Treasury charges imposed pursuant to subsection (a). Payments shall be made out of amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to carry out the program to which the collections relate. The amounts of the charges paid under this subsection shall be deposited in the Cash Management Improvements Fund established by subsection (c).
(c) There is established in the Treasury of the United States a revolving fund to be known as the Cash Management Improvements Fund. Sums in the fund shall be available without fiscal year limitation for the payment of expenses incurred in developing the methods of collection and deposit described in subsection (a) of this section and the expenses incurred in carrying out collections and deposits using such methods, including the costs of personal services and the costs of the lease or purchase of equipment and operating facilities.

31 USC 3720A - Reduction of tax refund by amount of debt

(a) Any Federal agency that is owed by a person a past-due, legally enforceable debt (including debt administered by a third party acting as an agent for the Federal Government) shall, and any agency subject to section 9 of the Act of May 18, 1933 (16 U.S.C. 831h), owed such a debt may, in accordance with regulations issued pursuant to subsections (b) and (d), notify the Secretary of the Treasury at least once each year of the amount of such debt.
(b) No Federal agency may take action pursuant to subsection (a) with respect to any debt until such agency
(1) notifies the person incurring such debt that such agency proposes to take action pursuant to such paragraph with respect to such debt;
(2) gives such person at least 60 days to present evidence that all or part of such debt is not past-due or not legally enforceable;
(3) considers any evidence presented by such person and determines that an amount of such debt is past due and legally enforceable;
(4) satisfies such other conditions as the Secretary may prescribe to ensure that the determination made under paragraph (3) with respect to such debt is valid and that the agency has made reasonable efforts (determined on a government-wide basis) to obtain payment of such debt; and
(5) certifies that reasonable efforts have been made by the agency (pursuant to regulations) to obtain payment of such debt.
(c) Upon receiving notice from any Federal agency that a named person owes to such agency a past-due legally enforceable debt, the Secretary of the Treasury shall determine whether any amounts, as refunds of Federal taxes paid, are payable to such person. If the Secretary of the Treasury finds that any such amount is payable, he shall reduce such refunds by an amount equal to the amount of such debt, pay the amount of such reduction to such agency, and notify such agency of the individuals home address.
(d) The Secretary of the Treasury shall issue regulations prescribing the time or times at which agencies must submit notices of past-due legally enforceable debts, the manner in which such notices must be submitted, and the necessary information that must be contained in or accompany the notices. The regulations shall specify the minimum amount of debt to which the reduction procedure established by subsection (c) may be applied and the fee that an agency must pay to reimburse the Secretary of the Treasury for the full cost of applying such procedure. Any fee paid to the Secretary pursuant to the preceding sentence may be used to reimburse appropriations which bore all or part of the cost of applying such procedure.
(e) Any Federal agency receiving notice from the Secretary of the Treasury that an erroneous payment has been made to such agency under subsection (c) shall pay promptly to the Secretary, in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, an amount equal to the amount of such erroneous payment (without regard to whether any other amounts payable to such agency under such subsection have been paid to such agency).
(f) 
(1) Subsection (a) shall apply with respect to an OASDI overpayment made to any individual only if such individual is not currently entitled to monthly insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act.
(2) 
(A) The requirements of subsection (b) shall not be treated as met in the case of the recovery of an OASDI overpayment from any individual under this section unless the notification under subsection (b)(1) describes the conditions under which the Commissioner of Social Security is required to waive recovery of an overpayment, as provided under section 204(b) of the Social Security Act.
(B) In any case in which an individual files for a waiver under section 204(b) of the Social Security Act within the 60-day period referred to in subsection (b)(2), the Commissioner of Social Security shall not certify to the Secretary of the Treasury that the debt is valid under subsection (b)(4) before rendering a decision on the waiver request under such section 204 (b). In lieu of payment, pursuant to subsection (c), to the Commissioner of Social Security of the amount of any reduction under this subsection based on an OASDI overpayment, the Secretary of the Treasury shall deposit such amount in the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund or the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, whichever is certified to the Secretary of the Treasury as appropriate by the Commissioner of Social Security.
(g) In the case of refunds of business associations, this section shall apply only to refunds payable on or after January 1, 1995. In the case of refunds of individuals who owe debts to Federal agencies that have not participated in the Federal tax refund offset program prior to the date of enactment of this subsection, this section shall apply only to refunds payable on or after January 1, 1994.
(h) 
(1) [1] The disbursing official of the Department of the Treasury
(1) [1] shall notify a taxpayer in writing of
(A) the occurrence of an offset to satisfy a past-due legally enforceable nontax debt;
(B) the identity of the creditor agency requesting the offset; and
(C) a contact point within the creditor agency that will handle concerns regarding the offset;
(2) [1] shall notify the Internal Revenue Service on a weekly basis of
(A) the occurrence of an offset to satisfy a past-due legally enforceable non-tax[2] debt;
(B) the amount of such offset; and
(C) any other information required by regulations; and
(3) shall match payment records with requests for offset by using a name control, taxpayer identifying number (as that term is used in section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986), and any other necessary identifiers.
(h) [1] The term disbursing official of the Department of the Treasury means the Secretary or his designee.
(i) An agency subject to section 9 of the Act of May 18, 1933 (16 U.S.C. 831h), may implement this section at its discretion.
[1] So in original. Subsec. (h) contains two pars. designated (1) and (2).
[2] So in original. Probably should not be hyphenated.

31 USC 3720B - Barring delinquent Federal debtors from obtaining Federal loans or loan insurance guarantees

(a) Unless this subsection is waived by the head of a Federal agency, a person may not obtain any Federal financial assistance in the form of a loan (other than a disaster loan or a marketing assistance loan or loan deficiency payment under subtitle C of the Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7231 et seq.)) or loan insurance or guarantee administered by the agency if the person has an outstanding debt (other than a debt under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) with any Federal agency which is in a delinquent status, as determined under standards prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. Such a person may obtain additional loans or loan guarantees only after such delinquency is resolved in accordance with those standards. The Secretary of the Treasury may exempt, at the request of an agency, any class of claims.
(b) The head of a Federal agency may delegate the waiver authority under subsection (a) to the Chief Financial Officer of the agency. The waiver authority may be redelegated only to the Deputy Chief Financial Officer of the agency.

31 USC 3720C - Debt Collection Improvement Account

(a) 
(1) There is hereby established in the Treasury a special fund to be known as the Debt Collection Improvement Account (hereinafter in this section referred to as the Account).
(2) The Account shall be maintained and managed by the Secretary of the Treasury, who shall ensure that agency programs are credited with amounts transferred under subsection (b)(1).
(b) 
(1) Not later than 30 days after the end of a fiscal year, an agency may transfer to the Account the amount described in paragraph (3), as adjusted under paragraph (4).
(2) Agency transfers to the Account may include collections from
(A) salary, administrative, and tax refund offsets;
(B) the Department of Justice;
(C) private collection agencies;
(D) sales of delinquent loans; and
(E) contracts to locate or recover assets.
(3) The amount referred to in paragraph (1) shall be 5 percent of the amount of delinquent debt collected by an agency in a fiscal year, minus the greater of
(A) 5 percent of the amount of delinquent nontax debt collected by the agency in the previous fiscal year, or
(B) 5 percent of the average annual amount of delinquent nontax debt collected by the agency in the previous 4 fiscal years.
(4) In consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Office of Management and Budget may adjust the amount described in paragraph (3) for an agency to reflect the level of effort in credit management programs by the agency. As an indicator of the level of effort in credit management, the Office of Management and Budget shall consider the following:
(A) The number of days between the date a claim or debt became delinquent and the date which an agency referred the debt or claim to the Secretary of the Treasury or obtained an exemption from this referral under section 3711 (g)(2) of this title.
(B) The ratio of delinquent debts or claims to total receivables for a given program, and the change in this ratio over a period of time.
(c) 
(1) The Secretary of the Treasury may make payments from the Account solely to reimburse agencies for qualified expenses. For agencies with franchise funds, such payments may be credited to subaccounts designated for debt collection.
(2) For purposes of this section, the term qualified expenses means expenditures for the improvement of credit management, debt collection, and debt recovery activities, including
(A) account servicing (including cross-servicing under section 3711 (g) of this title),
(B) automatic data processing equipment acquisitions,
(C) delinquent debt collection,
(D) measures to minimize delinquent debt,
(E) sales of delinquent debt,
(F) asset disposition, and
(G) training of personnel involved in credit and debt management.
(3) 
(A) Amounts transferred to the Account shall be available to the Secretary of the Treasury for purposes of this section to the extent and in amounts provided in advance in appropriations Acts.
(B) As soon as practicable after the end of the third fiscal year after which amounts transferred are first available pursuant to this section, and every 3 years thereafter, any uncommitted balance in the Account shall be transferred to the general fund of the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.
(d) For direct loans and loan guarantee programs subject to title V of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, amounts credited in accordance with subsection (c) shall be considered administrative costs.
(e) The Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe such rules, regulations, and procedures as the Secretary considers necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this section.

31 USC 3720D - Garnishment

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of State law, the head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency that administers a program that gives rise to a delinquent nontax debt owed to the United States by an individual may in accordance with this section garnish the disposable pay of the individual to collect the amount owed, if the individual is not currently making required repayment in accordance with any agreement between the agency head and the individual.
(b) In carrying out any garnishment of disposable pay of an individual under subsection (a), the head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency shall comply with the following requirements:
(1) The amount deducted under this section for any pay period may not exceed 15 percent of disposable pay, except that a greater percentage may be deducted with the written consent of the individual.
(2) The individual shall be provided written notice, sent by mail to the individuals last known address, a minimum of 30 days prior to the initiation of proceedings, from the head of the executive, judicial, or legislative agency, informing the individual of
(A) the nature and amount of the debt to be collected;
(B) the intention of the agency to initiate proceedings to collect the debt through deductions from pay; and
(C) an explanation of the rights of the individual under this section.
(3) The individual shall be provided an opportunity to inspect and copy records relating to the debt.
(4) The individual shall be provided an opportunity to enter into a written agreement with the executive, judicial, or legislative agency, under terms agreeable to the head of the agency, to establish a schedule for repayment of the debt.
(5) The individual shall be provided an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with subsection (c) on the determination of the head of the executive, judicial, or legislative agency concerning
(A) the existence or the amount of the debt, and
(B) in the case of an individual whose repayment schedule is established other than by a written agreement pursuant to paragraph (4), the terms of the repayment schedule.
(6) If the individual has been reemployed within 12 months after having been involuntarily separated from employment, no amount may be deducted from the disposable pay of the individual until the individual has been reemployed continuously for at least 12 months.
(c) 
(1) A hearing under subsection (b)(5) shall be provided prior to issuance of a garnishment order if the individual, on or before the 15th day following the mailing of the notice described in subsection (b)(2), and in accordance with such procedures as the head of the executive, judicial, or legislative agency may prescribe, files a petition requesting such a hearing.
(2) If the individual does not file a petition requesting a hearing prior to such date, the head of the agency shall provide the individual a hearing under subsection (a)(5)1 upon request, but such hearing need not be provided prior to issuance of a garnishment order.
(3) The hearing official shall issue a final decision at the earliest practicable date, but not later than 60 days after the filing of the petition requesting the hearing.
(d) The notice to the employer of the withholding order shall contain only such information as may be necessary for the employer to comply with the withholding order.
(e) 
(1) An employer may not discharge from employment, refuse to employ, or take disciplinary action against an individual subject to wage withholding in accordance with this section by reason of the fact that the individuals wages have been subject to garnishment under this section, and such individual may sue in a State or Federal court of competent jurisdiction any employer who takes such action.
(2) The court shall award attorneys fees to a prevailing employee and, in its discretion, may order reinstatement of the individual, award punitive damages and back pay to the employee, or order such other remedy as may be reasonably necessary.
(f) 
(1) The employer of an individual
(A) shall pay to the head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency as directed in a withholding order issued in an action under this section with respect to the individual, and
(B) shall be liable for any amount that the employer fails to withhold from wages due an employee following receipt by such employer of notice of the withholding order, plus attorneys fees, costs, and, in the courts discretion, punitive damages.
(2) 
(A) The head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency may sue an employer in a State or Federal court of competent jurisdiction to recover amounts for which the employer is liable under paragraph (1)(B).
(B) A suit under this paragraph may not be filed before the termination of the collection action, unless earlier filing is necessary to avoid expiration of any applicable statute of limitations period.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), an employer shall not be required to vary its normal pay and disbursement cycles in order to comply with this subsection.
(g) For the purpose of this section, the term disposable pay means that part of the compensation of any individual from an employer remaining after the deduction of any amounts required by any other law to be withheld.
(h) The Secretary of the Treasury shall issue regulations to implement this section.
[1] So in original. Probably should be subsection “(b)(5)”.

31 USC 3720E - Dissemination of information regarding identity of delinquent debtors

(a) The head of any agency may, with the review of the Secretary of the Treasury, for the purpose of collecting any delinquent nontax debt owed by any person, publish or otherwise publicly disseminate information regarding the identity of the person and the existence of the nontax debt.
(b) 
(1) The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, shall issue regulations establishing procedures and requirements the Secretary considers appropriate to carry out this section.
(2) Regulations under this subsection shall include
(A) standards for disseminating information that maximize collections of delinquent nontax debts, by directing actions under this section toward delinquent debtors that have assets or income sufficient to pay their delinquent nontax debt;
(B) procedures and requirements that prevent dissemination of information under this section regarding persons who have not had an opportunity to verify, contest, and compromise their nontax debt in accordance with this subchapter; and
(C) procedures to ensure that persons are not incorrectly identified pursuant to this section.

TITLE 31 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER III - CLAIMS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

31 USC 3721 - Claims of personnel of agencies and the District of Columbia government for personal property damage or loss

(a) In this section
(1) agency does not include a nonappropriated fund activity or a contractor with the United States Government.
(2) head of an agency means
(A) for a military department, the Secretary of the military department;
(B) for the Department of Defense (except the military departments), the Secretary of Defense; and
(C) for another agency, the head of the agency.
(3) settle means consider, determine, adjust, and dispose of a claim by disallowance or by complete or partial allowance.
(b) 
(1) The head of an agency may settle and pay not more than $40,000 for a claim against the Government made by a member of the uniformed services under the jurisdiction of the agency or by an officer or employee of the agency for damage to, or loss of, personal property incident to service. If, however, the claim arose from an emergency evacuation or from extraordinary circumstances, the amount settled and paid under the authority of the preceding sentence may exceed $40,000, but may not exceed $100,000. A claim allowed under this subsection may be paid in money or the personal property replaced in kind.
(2) The Secretary of State may waive the settlement and payment limitation referred to in paragraph (1) for claims for damage or loss by United States Government personnel under the jurisdiction of a chief of mission in a foreign country if such claims arise in circumstances where there is in effect a departure from the country authorized or ordered under circumstances described in section 5522 (a) of title 5, if the Secretary determines that there exists exceptional circumstances that warrant such a waiver.
(c) On paying a claim under this section, the Government is subrogated for the amount of the payment to a right or claim that the claimant may have against a foreign country for the damage or loss for which the Government made the payment.
(d) The Mayor of the District of Columbia may settle and pay a claim against the District of Columbia government made by an officer or employee of the District of Columbia government to the same extent the head of an agency may settle and pay a claim under this section.
(e) A claim may not be allowed under this section if the personal property damage or loss occurred at quarters occupied by the claimant in a State or the District of Columbia that were not assigned or provided in kind by the United States Government or the District of Columbia government.
(f) A claim may be allowed under this section only if
(1) the claim is substantiated;
(2) the head of the agency decides that possession of the property was reasonable or useful under the circumstances; and
(3) no part of the loss was caused by any negligent or wrongful act of the claimant or an agent or employee of the claimant.
(g) A claim may be allowed under this section only if it is presented in writing within 2 years after the claim accrues. However, if a claim under subsection (b) of this section accrues during war or an armed conflict in which an armed force of the United States is involved, or has accrued within 2 years before war or an armed conflict begins, and for cause shown, the claim must be presented within 2 years after the cause no longer exists or after the war or armed conflict ends, whichever is earlier. An armed conflict begins and ends as stated in a concurrent resolution of Congress or a decision of the President.
(h) The head of the agency
(1) may settle and pay a claim made by the surviving spouse, child, parent, or brother or sister of a dead member, officer, or employee if the claim is otherwise payable under this section; and
(2) may settle and pay the claims by the survivors only in the following order:
(A) the spouses claim.
(B) a childs claim.
(C) a parents claim.
(D) a brothers or sisters claim.
(i) Notwithstanding a contract, the representative of a claimant may not receive more than 10 percent of a payment of a claim made under this section for services related to the claim. A person violating this subsection shall be fined not more than $1,000.
(j) The President may prescribe policies to carry out this section (except subsection (b) to the extent that subsection (b) applies to the military departments, the Department of Defense, and the Coast Guard). Subject to those policies, the head of each agency shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section.
(k) Settlement of a claim under this section is final and conclusive.

31 USC 3722 - Claims of officers and employees at Government penal and correctional institutions

(a) The Attorney General may settle and pay not more than $1,000 in any one case for a claim made by an officer or employee at a United States Government penal or correctional institution for damage to, or loss of, personal property incident to employment.
(b) A claim may not be allowed under this section if the loss occurred at quarters occupied by the claimant that were not assigned or provided in kind by the Government.
(c) A claim may be allowed only if
(1) no part of the loss was caused by any negligent or wrongful act of the claimant or an agent or employee of the claimant;
(2) the Attorney General decides that possession of the property was reasonable or useful under the circumstances; and
(3) it is presented in writing within one year after it accrues.
(d) A claim may be paid under this section only if the claimant accepts the amount of the settlement in complete satisfaction of the claim.
(e) Necessary amounts are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section.

31 USC 3723 - Small claims for privately owned property damage or loss

(a) The head of an agency (except a military department of the Department of Defense or the Coast Guard) may settle a claim for not more than $1,000 for damage to, or loss of, privately owned property that
(1) is caused by the negligence of an officer or employee of the United States Government acting within the scope of employment; and
(2) may not be settled under chapter 171 of title 28.
(b) A claim under this section may be allowed only if it is presented to the head of the agency within one year after it accrues.
(c) A claim under this section may be paid as provided in section 1304 of this title only if the claimant accepts the amount of the settlement in complete satisfaction of the claim against the Government.

31 USC 3724 - Claims for damages caused by investigative or law enforcement officers of the Department of Justice

(a) The Attorney General may settle, for not more than $50,000 in any one case, a claim for personal injury, death, or damage to, or loss of, privately owned property, caused by an investigative or law enforcement officer as defined in section 2680 (h) of title 28 who is employed by the Department of Justice acting within the scope of employment that may not be settled under chapter 171 of title 28. An officer or employee of the United States Government may not present a claim arising during the scope of employment. A claim may be allowed only if it is presented to the Attorney General within one year after it accrues.
(b) A claim may be paid under this section only if the claimant accepts the amount of the settlement in complete satisfaction of the claim against the Government.

31 USC 3725 - Claims of non-nationals for personal injury or death in a foreign country

(a) The Secretary of State may settle, for not more than $1,500 in any one case, a claim for personal injury or death of an individual not a national of the United States in a foreign country in which the United States exercises privileges of extraterritoriality when the injury or death is caused by an officer, employee, or agent of the United States Government (except of a military department of the Department of Defense or the Coast Guard). An officer or employee of the Government may not present a claim. A claim under this section may be allowed only if it is presented to the Secretary within one year after it accrues.
(b) The Secretary shall certify to Congress a settlement under this section for payment out of an appropriation that may be made to pay the settlement. The Secretary shall include a brief statement on the type of the claim, the amount claimed, and the amount of the settlement.
(c) A claim may be paid under this section only if the claimant accepts the amount of the settlement in complete satisfaction of the claim against the Government.

31 USC 3726 - Payment for transportation

(a) 
(1) Each agency that receives a bill from a carrier or freight forwarder for transporting an individual or property for the United States Government shall verify its correctness (to include transportation rates, freight classifications, or proper combinations thereof), using prepayment audit, prior to payment in accordance with the requirements of this section and regulations prescribed by the Administrator of General Services.
(2) The Administrator of General Services may exempt bills, a particular mode or modes of transportation, or an agency or subagency from a prepayment audit and verification and in lieu thereof require a postpayment audit, based on cost effectiveness, public interest, or other factors the Administrator considers appropriate.
(3) Expenses for prepayment audits shall be funded by the agencys appropriations used for the transportation services.
(4) The audit authority provided to agencies by this section is subject to oversight by the Administrator.
(b) The Administrator may conduct pre- or post-payment audits of transportation bills of any Federal agency. The number and types of bills audited shall be based on the Administrators judgment.
(c) 
(1) The Administrator shall adjudicate transportation claims which cannot be resolved by the agency procuring the transportation services, or the carrier or freight-forwarder presenting the bill.
(2) A claim under this section shall be allowed only if it is received by the Administrator not later than 3 years (excluding time of war) after the later of the following dates:
(A) The date of accrual of the claim.
(B) The date payment for the transportation is made.
(C) The date a refund for an overpayment for the transportation is made.
(D) The date a deduction under subsection (d) of this section is made.
(d) Not later than 3 years (excluding time of war) after the time a bill is paid, the Government may deduct from an amount subsequently due a carrier or freight forwarder an amount paid on the bill that was greater than the rate allowed under
(1) a lawful tariff under title 49 or on file with the Secretary of Transportation with respect to foreign air transportation (as defined in section 40102 (a) of title 49), the Federal Maritime Commission, or a State transportation authority;
(2) a lawfully quoted rate subject to the jurisdiction of the Surface Transportation Board; or
(3) sections 10721, 13712, and 15504 of title 49 or an equivalent arrangement or an exemption.
(e) Expenses of transportation audit postpayment contracts and contract administration, and the expenses of all other transportation audit and audit-related functions conferred upon the Administrator of General Services, shall be financed from overpayments collected from carriers on transportation bills paid by the Government and other similar type refunds, not to exceed collections. Payment to any contractor for audit services shall not exceed 50 percent of the overpayment identified by contract audit.
(f) At least annually, and as determined by the Administrator, after making adequate provision for expense of refunds to carriers, transportation audit postpayment contracts, contract administration, and other expenses authorized in subsection (e), overpayments collected by the General Services Administration shall be transferred to miscellaneous receipts of the Treasury. A report of receipts, disbursements, and transfers (to miscellaneous receipts) pursuant to this section shall be made annually in connection with the budget estimates to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and to the Congress. This reporting requirement expires December 31, 1998.
(g) The Administrator may delegate any authority conferred by this section to another agency or agencies if the Administrator determines that such a delegation would be cost-effective or otherwise in the public interest.
(h) Under regulations the head of an agency prescribes that conform with standards the Secretary of the Treasury prescribes, a bill under this section may be paid before the transportation is completed notwithstanding section 3324 of this title when a carrier or freight forwarder issues the usual document for the transportation. Payment for transportation ordered but not provided may be recovered by deduction or other means.
(i) 
(1) A carrier or freight forwarder may request the Administrator of General Services to review the action of the Administrator if the request is received not later than 6 months (excluding time of war) after the Administrator acts or within the time stated in subsection (c) of this section, whichever is later.
(2) This section does not prevent the Comptroller General from conducting an audit under chapter 35 of this title.
(j) The Administrator of General Services may provide transportation audit and related technical assistance services, on a reimbursable basis, to any other agency. Such reimbursements may be credited to the appropriate revolving fund or appropriation from which the expenses were incurred.

31 USC 3727 - Assignments of claims

(a) In this section, assignment means
(1) a transfer or assignment of any part of a claim against the United States Government or of an interest in the claim; or
(2) the authorization to receive payment for any part of the claim.
(b) An assignment may be made only after a claim is allowed, the amount of the claim is decided, and a warrant for payment of the claim has been issued. The assignment shall specify the warrant, must be made freely, and must be attested to by 2 witnesses. The person making the assignment shall acknowledge it before an official who may acknowledge a deed, and the official shall certify the assignment. The certificate shall state that the official completely explained the assignment when it was acknowledged. An assignment under this subsection is valid for any purpose.
(c) Subsection (b) of this section does not apply to an assignment to a financing institution of money due or to become due under a contract providing for payments totaling at least $1,000 when
(1) the contract does not forbid an assignment;
(2) unless the contract expressly provides otherwise, the assignment
(A) is for the entire amount not already paid;
(B) is made to only one party, except that it may be made to a party as agent or trustee for more than one party participating in the financing; and
(C) may not be reassigned; and
(3) the assignee files a written notice of the assignment and a copy of the assignment with the contracting official or the head of the agency, the surety on a bond on the contract, and any disbursing official for the contract.
(d) During a war or national emergency proclaimed by the President or declared by law and ended by proclamation or law, a contract with the Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, the Department of Energy (when carrying out duties and powers formerly carried out by the Atomic Energy Commission), or other agency the President designates may provide, or may be changed without consideration to provide, that a future payment under the contract to an assignee is not subject to reduction or setoff. A payment subsequently due under the contract (even after the war or emergency is ended) shall be paid to the assignee without a reduction or setoff for liability of the assignor
(1) to the Government independent of the contract; or
(2) because of renegotiation, fine, penalty (except an amount that may be collected or withheld under, or because the assignor does not comply with, the contract), taxes, social security contributions, or withholding or failing to withhold taxes or social security contributions, arising from, or independent of, the contract.
(e) 
(1) An assignee under this section does not have to make restitution of, refund, or repay the amount received because of the liability of the assignor to the Government that arises from or is independent of the contract.
(2) The Government may not collect or reclaim money paid to a person receiving an amount under an assignment or allotment of pay or allowances authorized by law when liability may exist because of the death of the person making the assignment or allotment.

31 USC 3728 - Setoff against judgment

(a) The Secretary of the Treasury shall withhold paying that part of a judgment against the United States Government presented to the Secretary that is equal to a debt the plaintiff owes the Government.
(b) The Secretary shall
(1) discharge the debt if the plaintiff agrees to the setoff and discharges a part of the judgment equal to the debt; or
(2) 
(A) withhold payment of an additional amount the Secretary decides will cover legal costs of bringing a civil action for the debt if the plaintiff denies the debt or does not agree to the setoff; and
(B) have a civil action brought if one has not already been brought.
(c) If the Government loses a civil action to recover a debt or recovers less than the amount the Secretary withholds under this section, the Secretary shall pay the plaintiff the balance and interest of 6 percent for the time the money is withheld.

31 USC 3729 - False claims

(a) Liability for Certain Acts.— 
Any person who
(1) knowingly presents, or causes to be presented, to an officer or employee of the United States Government or a member of the Armed Forces of the United States a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval;
(2) knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or statement to get a false or fraudulent claim paid or approved by the Government;
(3) conspires to defraud the Government by getting a false or fraudulent claim allowed or paid;
(4) has possession, custody, or control of property or money used, or to be used, by the Government and, intending to defraud the Government or willfully to conceal the property, delivers, or causes to be delivered, less property than the amount for which the person receives a certificate or receipt;
(5) 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;
(6) 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 the property; or
(7) knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or statement to conceal, avoid, or decrease 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, plus 3 times the amount of damages which the Government sustains because of the act of that person, except that 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 the person. 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) Knowing and Knowingly Defined.— 
For purposes of this section, the terms knowing and knowingly mean that a person, with respect to information
(1) has actual knowledge of the information;
(2) acts in deliberate ignorance of the truth or falsity of the information; or
(3) acts in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the information,

and no proof of specific intent to defraud is required.

(c) Claim Defined.— 
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.
(d) Exemption From Disclosure.— 
Any information furnished pursuant to subparagraphs (A) through (C) of subsection (a) shall be exempt from disclosure under section 552 of title 5.
(e) Exclusion.— 
This section does not apply to claims, records, or statements made under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

31 USC 3730 - Civil actions for false claims

(a) Responsibilities of the Attorney General.— 
The Attorney General diligently shall investigate a violation under section 3729. If the Attorney General finds that a person has violated or is violating section 3729, the Attorney General may bring a civil action under this section against the person.
(b) Actions by Private Persons.— 

(1) A person may bring a civil action for a violation of section 3729 for the person and for the United States Government. The action shall be brought in the name of the Government. The action may be dismissed only if the court and the Attorney General give written consent to the dismissal and their reasons for consenting.
(2) A copy of the complaint and written disclosure of substantially all material evidence and information the person possesses shall be served on the Government pursuant to Rule 4(d)(4) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The complaint shall be filed in camera, shall remain under seal for at least 60 days, and shall not be served on the defendant until the court so orders. The Government may elect to intervene and proceed with the action within 60 days after it receives both the complaint and the material evidence and information.
(3) The Government may, for good cause shown, move the court for extensions of the time during which the complaint remains under seal under paragraph (2). Any such motions may be supported by affidavits or other submissions in camera. The defendant shall not be required to respond to any complaint filed under this section until 20 days after the complaint is unsealed and served upon the defendant pursuant to Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
(4) Before the expiration of the 60-day period or any extensions obtained under paragraph (3), the Government shall
(A) proceed with the action, in which case the action shall be conducted by the Government; or
(B) notify the court that it declines to take over the action, in which case the person bringing the action shall have the right to conduct the action.
(5) When a person brings an action under this subsection, no person other than the Government may intervene or bring a related action based on the facts underlying the pending action.
(c) Rights of the Parties to Qui Tam Actions.— 

(1) If the Government proceeds with the action, it shall have the primary responsibility for prosecuting the action, and shall not be bound by an act of the person bringing the action. Such person shall have the right to continue as a party to the action, subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (2).
(2) 
(A) The Government may dismiss the action notwithstanding the objections of the person initiating the action if the person has been notified by the Government of the filing of the motion and the court has provided the person with an opportunity for a hearing on the motion.
(B) The Government may settle the action with the defendant notwithstanding the objections of the person initiating the action if the court determines, after a hearing, that the proposed settlement is fair, adequate, and reasonable under all the circumstances. Upon a showing of good cause, such hearing may be held in camera.
(C) Upon a showing by the Government that unrestricted participation during the course of the litigation by the person initiating the action would interfere with or unduly delay the Governments prosecution of the case, or would be repetitious, irrelevant, or for purposes of harassment, the court may, in its discretion, impose limitations on the persons participation, such as
(i) limiting the number of witnesses the person may call;
(ii) limiting the length of the testimony of such witnesses;
(iii) limiting the persons cross-examination of witnesses; or
(iv) otherwise limiting the participation by the person in the litigation.
(D) Upon a showing by the defendant that unrestricted participation during the course of the litigation by the person initiating the action would be for purposes of harassment or would cause the defendant undue burden or unnecessary expense, the court may limit the participation by the person in the litigation.
(3) If the Government elects not to proceed with the action, the person who initiated the action shall have the right to conduct the action. If the Government so requests, it shall be served with copies of all pleadings filed in the action and shall be supplied with copies of all deposition transcripts (at the Governments expense). When a person proceeds with the action, the court, without limiting the status and rights of the person initiating the action, may nevertheless permit the Government to intervene at a later date upon a showing of good cause.
(4) Whether or not the Government proceeds with the action, upon a showing by the Government that certain actions of discovery by the person initiating the action would interfere with the Governments investigation or prosecution of a criminal or civil matter arising out of the same facts, the court may stay such discovery for a period of not more than 60 days. Such a showing shall be conducted in camera. The court may extend the 60-day period upon a further showing in camera that the Government has pursued the criminal or civil investigation or proceedings with reasonable diligence and any proposed discovery in the civil action will interfere with the ongoing criminal or civil investigation or proceedings.
(5) Notwithstanding subsection (b), the Government may elect to pursue its claim through any alternate remedy available to the Government, including any administrative proceeding to determine a civil money penalty. If any such alternate remedy is pursued in another proceeding, the person initiating the action shall have the same rights in such proceeding as such person would have had if the action had continued under this section. Any finding of fact or conclusion of law made in such other proceeding that has become final shall be conclusive on all parties to an action under this section. For purposes of the preceding sentence, a finding or conclusion is final if it has been finally determined on appeal to the appropriate court of the United States, if all time for filing such an appeal with respect to the finding or conclusion has expired, or if the finding or conclusion is not subject to judicial review.
(d) Award to Qui Tam Plaintiff.— 

(1) If the Government proceeds with an action brought by a person under subsection (b), such person shall, subject to the second sentence of this paragraph, receive at least 15 percent but not more than 25 percent of the proceeds of the action or settlement of the claim, depending upon the extent to which the person substantially contributed to the prosecution of the action. Where the action is one which the court finds to be based primarily on disclosures of specific information (other than information provided by the person bringing the action) relating to allegations or transactions in a criminal, civil, or administrative hearing, in a congressional, administrative, or Government[1] Accounting Office report, hearing, audit, or investigation, or from the news media, the court may award such sums as it considers appropriate, but in no case more than 10 percent of the proceeds, taking into account the significance of the information and the role of the person bringing the action in advancing the case to litigation. Any payment to a person under the first or second sentence of this paragraph shall be made from the proceeds. Any such person shall also receive an amount for reasonable expenses which the court finds to have been necessarily incurred, plus reasonable attorneys fees and costs. All such expenses, fees, and costs shall be awarded against the defendant.
(2) If the Government does not proceed with an action under this section, the person bringing the action or settling the claim shall receive an amount which the court decides is reasonable for collecting the civil penalty and damages. The amount shall be not less than 25 percent and not more than 30 percent of the proceeds of the action or settlement and shall be paid out of such proceeds. Such person shall also receive an amount for reasonable expenses which the court finds to have been necessarily incurred, plus reasonable attorneys fees and costs. All such expenses, fees, and costs shall be awarded against the defendant.
(3) Whether or not the Government proceeds with the action, if the court finds that the action was brought by a person who planned and initiated the violation of section 3729 upon which the action was brought, then the court may, to the extent the court considers appropriate, reduce the share of the proceeds of the action which the person would otherwise receive under paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection, taking into account the role of that person in advancing the case to litigation and any relevant circumstances pertaining to the violation. If the person bringing the action is convicted of criminal conduct arising from his or her role in the violation of section 3729, that person shall be dismissed from the civil action and shall not receive any share of the proceeds of the action. Such dismissal shall not prejudice the right of the United States to continue the action, represented by the Department of Justice.
(4) If the Government does not proceed with the action and the person bringing the action conducts the action, the court may award to the defendant its reasonable attorneys fees and expenses if the defendant prevails in the action and the court finds that the claim of the person bringing the action was clearly frivolous, clearly vexatious, or brought primarily for purposes of harassment.
(e) Certain Actions Barred.— 

(1) No court shall have jurisdiction over an action brought by a former or present member of the armed forces under subsection (b) of this section against a member of the armed forces arising out of such persons service in the armed forces.
(2) 
(A) No court shall have jurisdiction over an action brought under subsection (b) against a Member of Congress, a member of the judiciary, or a senior executive branch official if the action is based on evidence or information known to the Government when the action was brought.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, senior executive branch official means any officer or employee listed in paragraphs (1) through (8) of section 101(f) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).
(3) In no event may a person bring an action under subsection (b) which is based upon allegations or transactions which are the subject of a civil suit or an administrative civil money penalty proceeding in which the Government is already a party.
(4) 
(A) No court shall have jurisdiction over an action under this section based upon the public disclosure of allegations or transactions in a criminal, civil, or administrative hearing, in a congressional, administrative, or Government[2] Accounting Office report, hearing, audit, or investigation, or from the news media, unless the action is brought by the Attorney General or the person bringing the action is an original source of the information.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, original source means an individual who has direct and independent knowledge of the information on which the allegations are based and has voluntarily provided the information to the Government before filing an action under this section which is based on the information.
(f) Government Not Liable for Certain Expenses.— 
The Government is not liable for expenses which a person incurs in bringing an action under this section.
(g) Fees and Expenses to Prevailing Defendant.— 
In civil actions brought under this section by the United States, the provisions of section 2412 (d) of title 28 shall apply.
(h) Any employee who is discharged, demoted, suspended, threatened, harassed, or in any other manner discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment by his or her employer because of lawful acts done by the employee on behalf of the employee or others in furtherance of an action under this section, including investigation for, initiation of, testimony for, or assistance in an action filed or to be filed under this section, shall be entitled to all relief necessary to make the employee whole. Such relief shall include reinstatement with the same seniority status such employee would have had but for the discrimination, 2 times the amount of back pay, interest on the back pay, and compensation for any special damages sustained as a result of the discrimination, including litigation costs and reasonable attorneys fees. An employee may bring an action in the appropriate district court of the United States for the relief provided in this subsection.
[1] So in original. Probably should be “General”.
[2] So in original. Probably should be “General”.

31 USC 3731 - False claims procedure

(a) A subpena requiring the attendance of a witness at a trial or hearing conducted under section 3730 of this title may be served at any place in the United States.
(b) A civil action under section 3730 may not be brought
(1) more than 6 years after the date on which the violation of section 3729 is committed, or
(2) more than 3 years after the date when facts material to the right of action are known or reasonably should have been known by the official of the United States charged with responsibility to act in the circumstances, but in no event more than 10 years after the date on which the violation is committed,

whichever occurs last.

(c) In any action brought under section 3730, the United States shall be required to prove all essential elements of the cause of action, including damages, by a preponderance of the evidence.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, or the Federal Rules of Evidence, a final judgment rendered in favor of the United States in any criminal proceeding charging fraud or false statements, whether upon a verdict after trial or upon a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, shall estop the defendant from denying the essential elements of the offense in any action which involves the same transaction as in the criminal proceeding and which is brought under subsection (a) or (b) of section 3730.

31 USC 3732 - False claims jurisdiction

(a) Actions Under Section 3730.— 
Any action under section 3730 may be brought in any judicial district in which the defendant or, in the case of multiple defendants, any one defendant can be found, resides, transacts business, or in which any act proscribed by section 3729 occurred. A summons as required by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure shall be issued by the appropriate district court and served at any place within or outside the United States.
(b) Claims Under State Law.— 
The district courts shall have jurisdiction over any action brought under the laws of any State for the recovery of funds paid by a State or local government if the action arises from the same transaction or occurrence as an action brought under section 3730.

31 USC 3733 - Civil investigative demands

(a) In General.— 

(1) Issuance and service.— 
Whenever the Attorney General 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 may, before commencing a civil proceeding under section 3730 or other false claims law, 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 not 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.

(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. 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.
(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 persons 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 officers 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, who is authorized for such use under regulations which the Attorney General shall issue. 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. 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.
(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 persons 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); and
(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).

TITLE 31 - US CODE - CHAPTER 38 - ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDIES FOR FALSE CLAIMS AND STATEMENTS

31 USC 3801 - Definitions

(a) For purposes of this chapter
(1) authority means
(A) an executive department;
(B) a military department;
(C) an establishment (as such term is defined in section 11(2) of the Inspector General Act of 1978) which is not an executive department;
(D) the United States Postal Service; and
(E) the National Science Foundation.[1]
(2) authority head means
(A) the head of an authority; or
(B) an official or employee of the authority designated, in regulations promulgated by the head of the authority, to act on behalf of the head of the authority;
(3) claim means any request, demand, or submission
(A) made to an authority for property, services, or money (including money representing grants, loans, insurance, or benefits);
(B) made to a recipient of property, services, or money from an authority or to a party to a contract with an authority
(i) for property or services if the United States
(I) provided such property or services;
(II) provided any portion of the funds for the purchase of such property or services; or
(III) will reimburse such recipient or party for the purchase of such property or services; or
(ii) for the payment of money (including money representing grants, loans, insurance, or benefits) if the United States
(I) provided any portion of the money requested or demanded; or
(II) will reimburse such recipient or party for any portion of the money paid on such request or demand; or
(C) made to an authority which has the effect of decreasing an obligation to pay or account for property, services, or money,

except that such term does not include any claim made in any return of tax imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;

(4) investigating official means an individual who
(A) 
(i) in the case of an authority in which an Office of Inspector General is established by the Inspector General Act of 1978 or by any other Federal law, is the Inspector General of that authority or an officer or employee of such Office designated by the Inspector General;
(ii) in the case of an authority in which an Office of Inspector General is not established by the Inspector General Act of 1978 or by any other Federal law, is an officer or employee of the authority designated by the authority head to conduct investigations under section 3803 (a)(1) of this title; or
(iii) in the case of a military department, is the Inspector General of the Department of Defense or an officer or employee of the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Defense who is designated by the Inspector General; and
(B) who, if a member of the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty, is serving in grade O7 or above or, if a civilian employee, is serving in a position for which the rate of basic pay is not less than the minimum rate of basic pay for grade GS16 under the General Schedule;
(5) knows or has reason to know, for purposes of establishing liability under section 3802, means that a person, with respect to a claim or statement
(A) has actual knowledge that the claim or statement is false, fictitious, or fraudulent;
(B) acts in deliberate ignorance of the truth or falsity of the claim or statement; or
(C) acts in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the claim or statement,

and no proof of specific intent to defraud is required;

(6) person means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, or private organization;
(7) presiding officer means
(A) in the case of an authority to which the provisions of subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5 apply, an administrative law judge appointed in the authority pursuant to section 3105 of such title or detailed to the authority pursuant to section 3344 of such title; or
(B) in the case of an authority to which the provisions of such subchapter do not apply, an officer or employee of the authority who
(i) is selected under chapter 33 of title 5 pursuant to the competitive examination process applicable to administrative law judges;
(ii) is appointed by the authority head to conduct hearings under section 3803 of this title;
(iii) is assigned to cases in rotation so far as practicable;
(iv) may not perform duties inconsistent with the duties and responsibilities of a presiding officer;
(v) is entitled to pay prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management independently of ratings and recommendations made by the authority and in accordance with chapter 51 of such title and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title;
(vi) is not subject to performance appraisal pursuant to chapter 43 of such title; and
(vii) may be removed, suspended, furloughed, or reduced in grade or pay only for good cause established and determined by the Merit Systems Protection Board on the record after opportunity for hearing by such Board;
(8) reviewing official means any officer or employee of an authority
(A) who is designated by the authority head to make the determination required under section 3803 (a)(2) of this title;
(B) who, if a member of the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty, is serving in grade O7 or above or, if a civilian employee, is serving in a position for which the rate of basic pay is not less than the minimum rate of basic pay for grade GS16 under the General Schedule; and
(C) who is
(i) not subject to supervision by, or required to report to, the investigating official; and
(ii) not employed in the organizational unit of the authority in which the investigating official is employed; and
(9) statement means any representation, certification, affirmation, document, record, or accounting or bookkeeping entry made
(A) with respect to a claim or to obtain the approval or payment of a claim (including relating to eligibility to make a claim); or
(B) with respect to (including relating to eligibility for)
(i) a contract with, or a bid or proposal for a contract with; or
(ii) a grant, loan, or benefit from, an authority, or any State, political subdivision of a State, or other party, if the United States Government provides any portion of the money or property under such contract or for such grant, loan, or benefit, or if the Government will reimburse such State, political subdivision, or party for any portion of the money or property under such contract or for such grant, loan, or benefit, except that such term does not include any statement made in any return of tax imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(b) For purposes of paragraph (3) of subsection (a)
(1) each voucher, invoice, claim form, or other individual request or demand for property, services, or money constitutes a separate claim;
(2) each claim for property, services, or money is subject to this chapter regardless of whether such property, services, or money is actually delivered or paid; and
(3) a claim shall be considered made, presented, or submitted to an authority, recipient, or party when such claim is actually made to an agent, fiscal intermediary, or other entity, including any State or political subdivision thereof, acting for or on behalf of such authority, recipient, or party.
(c) For purposes of paragraph (9) of subsection (a)
(1) each written representation, certification, or affirmation constitutes a separate statement; and
(2) a statement shall be considered made, presented, or submitted to an authority when such statement is actually made to an agent, fiscal intermediary, or other entity, including any State or political subdivision thereof, acting for or on behalf of such authority.
[1] So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon.

31 USC 3802 - False claims and statements; liability

(a) 
(1) Any person who makes, presents, or submits, or causes to be made, presented, or submitted, a claim that the person knows or has reason to know
(A) is false, fictitious, or fraudulent;
(B) includes or is supported by any written statement which asserts a material fact which is false, fictitious, or fraudulent;
(C) includes or is supported by any written statement that
(i) omits a material fact;
(ii) is false, fictitious, or fraudulent as a result of such omission; and
(iii) is a statement in which the person making, presenting, or submitting such statement has a duty to include such material fact; or
(D) is for payment for the provision of property or services which the person has not provided as claimed,

shall be subject to, in addition to any other remedy that may be prescribed by law, a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for each such claim. Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, such person shall also be subject to an assessment, in lieu of damages sustained by the United States because of such claim, of not more than twice the amount of such claim, or the portion of such claim, which is determined under this chapter to be in violation of the preceding sentence.

(2) Any person who makes, presents, or submits, or causes to be made, presented, or submitted, a written statement that
(A) the person knows or has reason to know
(i) asserts a material fact which is false, fictitious, or fraudulent; or
(ii) 
(I) omits a material fact; and
(II) is false, fictitious, or fraudulent as a result of such omission;
(B) in the case of a statement described in clause (ii) of subparagraph (A), is a statement in which the person making, presenting, or submitting such statement has a duty to include such material fact; and
(C) contains or is accompanied by an express certification or affirmation of the truthfulness and accuracy of the contents of the statement,

shall be subject to, in addition to any other remedy that may be prescribed by law, a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for each such statement.

(3) An assessment shall not be made under the second sentence of paragraph (1) with respect to a claim if payment by the Government has not been made on such claim.
(b) 
(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection
(A) a determination under section 3803 (a)(2) of this title that there is adequate evidence to believe that a person is liable under subsection (a) of this section; or
(B) a determination under section 3803 of this title that a person is liable under subsection (a) of this section,

may provide the authority with grounds for commencing any administrative or contractual action against such person which is authorized by law and which is in addition to any action against such person under this chapter.

(2) A determination referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection may be used by the authority, but shall not require such authority, to commence any administrative or contractual action which is authorized by law.
(3) In the case of an administrative or contractual action to suspend or debar any person who is eligible to enter into contracts with the Federal Government, a determination referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not be considered as a conclusive determination of such persons responsibility pursuant to Federal procurement laws and regulations.

31 USC 3803 - Hearing and determinations

(a) 
(1) The investigating official of an authority may investigate allegations that a person is liable under section 3802 of this title and shall report the findings and conclusions of such investigation to the reviewing official of the authority. The preceding sentence does not modify any responsibility of an investigating official to report violations of criminal law to the Attorney General.
(2) If the reviewing official of an authority determines, based upon the report of the investigating official under paragraph (1) of this subsection, that there is adequate evidence to believe that a person is liable under section 3802 of this title, the reviewing official shall transmit to the Attorney General a written notice of the intention of such official to refer the allegations of such liability to a presiding officer of such authority. Such notice shall include
(A) a statement of the reasons of the reviewing official for the referral of such allegations;
(B) a statement specifying the evidence which supports such allegations;
(C) a description of the claims or statements for which liability under section 3802 of this title is alleged;
(D) an estimate of the amount of money or the value of property or services requested or demanded in violation of section 3802 of this title; and
(E) a statement of any exculpatory or mitigating circumstances which may relate to such claims or statements.
(b) 
(1) Within 90 days after receipt of a notice from a reviewing official under paragraph (2) of subsection (a), the Attorney General or an Assistant Attorney General designated by the Attorney General shall transmit a written statement to the reviewing official which specifies
(A) that the Attorney General or such Assistant Attorney General approves or disapproves the referral to a presiding officer of the allegations of liability stated in such notice;
(B) in any case in which the referral of allegations is approved, that the initiation of a proceeding under this section with respect to such allegations is appropriate; and
(C) in any case in which the referral of allegations is disapproved, the reasons for such disapproval.
(2) A reviewing official may refer allegations of liability to a presiding officer only if the Attorney General or an Assistant Attorney General designated by the Attorney General approves the referral of such allegations in a written statement described in paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(3) If the Attorney General or an Assistant Attorney General designated by the Attorney General transmits to an authority head a written finding that the continuation of any hearing under this section with respect to a claim or statement may adversely affect any pending or potential criminal or civil action related to such claim or statement, such hearing shall be immediately stayed and may be resumed only upon written authorization of the Attorney General.
(c) 
(1) No allegations of liability under section 3802 of this title with respect to any claim made, presented, or submitted by any person shall be referred to a presiding officer under paragraph (2) of subsection (b) if the reviewing official determines that
(A) an amount of money in excess of $150,000; or
(B) property or services with a value in excess of $150,000,

is requested or demanded in violation of section 3802 of this title in such claim or in a group of related claims which are submitted at the time such claim is submitted.

(2) 
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, no allegations of liability against an individual under section 3802 of this title with respect to any claim or statement made, presented, or submitted, or caused to be made, presented, or submitted, by such individual relating to any benefits received by such individual shall be referred to a presiding officer under paragraph (2) of subsection (b).
(B) Allegations of liability against an individual under section 3802 of this title with respect to any claim or statement made, presented, or submitted, or caused to be made, presented, or submitted, by such individual relating to any benefits received by such individual may be referred to a presiding officer under paragraph (2) of subsection (b) if
(i) such claim or statement is made by such individual in making application for such benefits;
(ii) such allegations relate to the eligibility of such individual to receive such benefits; and
(iii) with respect to such claim or statement, the individual
(I) has actual knowledge that the claim or statement is false, fictitious, or fraudulent;
(II) acts in deliberate ignorance of the truth or falsity of the claim or statement; or
(III) acts in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the claim or statement.
(C) For purposes of this subsection, the term benefits means
(i) benefits under the supplemental security income program under title XVI of the Social Security Act;
(ii) old age, survivors, and disability insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act;
(iii) benefits under title XVIII of the Social Security Act;
(iv) assistance under a State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act;
(v) medical assistance under a State plan approved under section 1902(a) of the Social Security Act;
(vi) benefits under title XX of the Social Security Act;
(vii) benefits under the food stamp program (as defined in section 3(h) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977);
(viii) benefits under chapters 11, 13, 15, 17, and 21 of title 38;
(ix) benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Act;
(x) benefits under the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children established under section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966;
(xi) benefits under section 336 of the Older Americans Act;
(xii) any annuity or other benefit under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974;
(xiii) benefits under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act;
(xiv) benefits under any housing assistance program for lower income families or elderly or handicapped persons which is administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development or the Secretary of Agriculture;
(xv) benefits under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981; and
(xvi) benefits under part A of the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976,

which are intended for the personal use of the individual who receives the benefits or for a member of the individuals family.

(d) 
(1) On or after the date on which a reviewing official is permitted to refer allegations of liability to a presiding officer under subsection (b) of this section, the reviewing official shall mail, by registered or certified mail, or shall deliver, a notice to the person alleged to be liable under section 3802 of this title. Such notice shall specify the allegations of liability against such person and shall state the right of such person to request a hearing with respect to such allegations.
(2) If, within 30 days after receiving a notice under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the person receiving such notice requests a hearing with respect to the allegations contained in such notice
(A) the reviewing official shall refer such allegations to a presiding officer for the commencement of such hearing; and
(B) the presiding officer shall commence such hearing by mailing by registered or certified mail, or by delivery of, a notice which complies with paragraphs (2)(A) and (3)(B)(i) of subsection (g) to such person.
(e) 
(1) 
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, at any time after receiving a notice under paragraph (2)(B) of subsection (d), the person receiving such notice shall be entitled to review, and upon payment of a reasonable fee for duplication, shall be entitled to obtain a copy of, all relevant and material documents, transcripts, records, and other materials, which relate to such allegations and upon which the findings and conclusions of the investigating official under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) are based.
(B) A person is not entitled under subparagraph (A) to review and obtain a copy of any document, transcript, record, or material which is privileged under Federal law.
(2) At any time after receiving a notice under paragraph (2)(B) of subsection (d), the person receiving such notice shall be entitled to obtain all exculpatory information in the possession of the investigating official or the reviewing official relating to the allegations contained in such notice. The provisions of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) do not apply to any document, transcript, record, or other material, or any portion thereof, in which such exculpatory information is contained.
(f) Any hearing commenced under paragraph (2) of subsection (d) shall be conducted by the presiding officer on the record in order to determine
(1) the liability of a person under section 3802 of this title; and
(2) if a person is determined to be liable under such section, the amount of any civil penalty or assessment to be imposed on such person.

Any such determination shall be based on the preponderance of the evidence.

(g) 
(1) Each hearing under subsection (f) of this section shall be conducted
(A) in the case of an authority to which the provisions of subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5 apply, in accordance with
(i) the provisions of such subchapter to the extent that such provisions are not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter; and
(ii) procedures promulgated by the authority head under paragraph (3) of this subsection; or
(B) in the case of an authority to which the provisions of such subchapter do not apply, in accordance with procedures promulgated by the authority head under paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection.
(2) An authority head of an authority described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) shall by regulation promulgate procedures for the conduct of hearings under this chapter. Such procedures shall include:
(A) The provision of written notice of the hearing to any person alleged to be liable under section 3802 of this title, including written notice of
(i) the time, place, and nature of the hearing;
(ii) the legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be held; and
(iii) the matters of facts and law to be asserted.
(B) The provision to any person alleged to be liable under section 3802 of this title of opportunities for the submission of facts, arguments, offers of settlement, or proposals of adjustment.
(C) Procedures to ensure that the presiding officer shall not, except to the extent required for the disposition of ex parte matters as authorized by law
(i) consult a person or party on a fact in issue, unless on notice and opportunity for all parties to the hearing to participate; or
(ii) be responsible to or subject to the supervision or direction of the investigating official or the reviewing official.
(D) Procedures to ensure that the investigating official and the reviewing official do not participate or advise in the decision required under subsection (h) of this section or the review of the decision by the authority head under subsection (i) of this section, except as provided in subsection (j) of this section.
(E) The provision to any person alleged to be liable under section 3802 of this title of opportunities to present such persons case through oral or documentary evidence, to submit rebuttal evidence, and to conduct such cross-examination as may be required for a full and true disclosure of the facts.
(F) Procedures to permit any person alleged to be liable under section 3802 of this title to be accompanied, represented, and advised by counsel or such other qualified representative as the authority head may specify in such regulations.
(G) Procedures to ensure that the hearing is conducted in an impartial manner, including procedures to
(i) permit the presiding officer to at any time disqualify himself; and
(ii) permit the filing, in good faith, of a timely and sufficient affidavit alleging personal bias or another reason for disqualification of a presiding officer or a reviewing official.
(3) 
(A) Each authority head shall promulgate by regulation procedures described in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph for the conduct of hearings under this chapter. Such procedures shall be in addition to the procedures described in paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of this subsection, as the case may be.
(B) The procedures referred to in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph are:
(i) Procedures for the inclusion, in any written notice of a hearing under this section to any person alleged to be liable under section 3802 of this title, of a description of the procedures for the conduct of the hearing.
(ii) Procedures to permit discovery by any person alleged to be liable under section 3802 of this title only to the extent that the presiding officer determines that such discovery is necessary for the expeditious, fair, and reasonable consideration of the issues, except that such procedures shall not apply to documents, transcripts, records, or other material which a person is entitled to review under paragraph (1) of subsection (e) or to information to which a person is entitled under paragraph (2) of such subsection. Procedures promulgated under this clause shall prohibit the discovery of the notice required under subsection (a)(2) of this section.
(4) Each hearing under subsection (f) of this section shall be held
(A) in the judicial district of the United States in which the person alleged to be liable under section 3802 of this title resides or transacts business;
(B) in the judicial district of the United States in which the claim or statement upon which the allegation of liability under such section was made, presented, or submitted; or
(C) in such other place as may be agreed upon by such person and the presiding officer who will conduct such hearing.
(h) The presiding officer shall issue a written decision, including findings and determinations, after the conclusion of the hearing. Such decision shall include the findings of fact and conclusions of law which the presiding officer relied upon in determining whether a person is liable under this chapter. The presiding officer shall promptly send to each party to the hearing a copy of such decision and a statement describing the right of any person determined to be liable under section 3802 of this title to appeal the decision of the presiding officer to the authority head under paragraph (2) of subsection (i).
(i) 
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection and section 3805 of this title, the decision, including the findings and determinations, of the presiding officer issued under subsection (h) of this section are final.
(2) 
(A) 
(i) Except as provided in clause (ii) of this subparagraph, within 30 days after the presiding officer issues a decision under subsection (h) of this section, any person determined in such decision to be liable under section 3802 of this title may appeal such decision to the authority head.
(ii) If, within the 30-day period described in clause (i) of this subparagraph, a person determined to be liable under this chapter requests the authority head for an extension of such 30-day period to file an appeal of a decision issued by the presiding officer under subsection (h) of this section, the authority head may extend such period if such person demonstrates good cause for such extension.
(B) Any authority head reviewing under this section the decision, findings, and determinations of a presiding officer shall not consider any objection that was not raised in the hearing conducted pursuant to subsection (f) of this section unless a demonstration is made of extraordinary circumstances causing the failure to raise the objection. If any party demonstrates to the satisfaction of the authority head that additional evidence not presented at such hearing is material and that there were reasonable grounds for the failure to present such evidence at such hearing, the authority head shall remand the matter to the presiding officer for consideration of such additional evidence.
(C) The authority head may affirm, reduce, reverse, compromise, remand, or settle any penalty or assessment determined by the presiding officer pursuant to this section. The authority head shall promptly send to each party to the appeal a copy of the decision of the authority head and a statement describing the right of any person determined to be liable under section 3802 of this title to judicial review under section 3805 of this title.
(j) The reviewing official has the exclusive authority to compromise or settle any allegations of liability under section 3802 of this title against a person without the consent of the presiding officer at any time after the date on which the reviewing official is permitted to refer allegations of liability to a presiding officer under subsection (b) of this section and prior to the date on which the presiding officer issues a decision under subsection (h) of this section. Any such compromise or settlement shall be in writing.

31 USC 3804 - Subpoena authority

(a) For the purposes of an investigation under section 3803 (a)(1) of this title, an investigating official is authorized to require by subpoena the production of all information, documents, reports, answers, records, accounts, papers, and data not otherwise reasonably available to the authority.
(b) For the purposes of conducting a hearing under section 3803 (f) of this title, a presiding officer is authorized
(1) to administer oaths or affirmations; and
(2) to require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of all information, documents, reports, answers, records, accounts, papers, and other data and documentary evidence which the presiding officer considers relevant and material to the hearing.
(c) In the case of contumacy or refusal to obey a subpoena issued pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of this section, the district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction to issue an appropriate order for the enforcement of any such subpoena. Any failure to obey such order of the court is punishable by such court as contempt. In any case in which an authority seeks the enforcement of a subpoena issued pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of this section, the authority shall request the Attorney General to petition any district court in which a hearing under this chapter is being conducted, or in which the person receiving the subpoena resides or conducts business, to issue such an order.

31 USC 3805 - Judicial review

(a) 
(1) A determination by a reviewing official under section 3803 of this title shall be final and shall not be subject to judicial review.
(2) Unless a petition is filed under this section, a determination under section 3803 of this title that a person is liable under section 3802 of this title shall be final and shall not be subject to judicial review.
(b) 
(1) 
(A) Any person who has been determined to be liable under section 3802 of this title pursuant to section 3803 of this title may obtain review of such determination in
(i) the United States district court for the district in which such person resides or transacts business;
(ii) the United States district court for the district in which the claim or statement upon which the determination of liability is based was made, presented, or submitted; or
(iii) the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
(B) Such review may be obtained by filing in any such court a written petition that such determination be modified or set aside. Such petition shall be filed
(i) only after such person has exhausted all administrative remedies under this chapter; and
(ii) within 60 days after the date on which the authority head sends such person a copy of the decision of such authority head under section 3803 (i)(2) of this title.
(2) The clerk of the court shall transmit a copy of a petition filed under paragraph (1) of this subsection to the authority and to the Attorney General. Upon receipt of the copy of such petition, the authority shall transmit to the Attorney General the record in the proceeding resulting in the determination of liability under section 3802 of this title. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction to review the decision, findings, and determinations in issue and to affirm, modify, remand for further consideration, or set aside, in whole or in part, the decision, findings, and determinations of the authority, and to enforce such decision, findings, and determinations to the extent that such decision, findings, and determinations are affirmed or modified.
(c) The decisions, findings, and determinations of the authority with respect to questions of fact shall be final and conclusive, and shall not be set aside unless such decisions, findings, and determinations are found by the court to be unsupported by substantial evidence. In concluding whether the decisions, findings, and determinations of an authority are unsupported by substantial evidence, the court shall review the whole record or those parts of it cited by a party, and due account shall be taken of the rule of prejudicial error.
(d) Any district court reviewing under this section the decision, findings, and determinations of an authority shall not consider any objection that was not raised in the hearing conducted pursuant to section 3803 (f) of this title unless a demonstration is made of extraordinary circumstances causing the failure to raise the objection. If any party demonstrates to the satisfaction of the court that additional evidence not presented at such hearing is material and that there were reasonable grounds for the failure to present such evidence at such hearing, the court shall remand the matter to the authority for consideration of such additional evidence.
(e) Upon a final determination by the district court that a person is liable under section 3802 of this title, the court shall enter a final judgment for the appropriate amount in favor of the United States.

31 USC 3806 - Collection of civil penalties and assessments

(a) The Attorney General shall be responsible for judicial enforcement of any civil penalty or assessment imposed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
(b) Any penalty or assessment imposed in a determination which has become final pursuant to this chapter may be recovered in a civil action brought by the Attorney General. In any such action, no matter that was raised or that could have been raised in a hearing conducted under section 3803 (f) of this title or pursuant to judicial review under section 3805 of this title may be raised as a defense, and the determination of liability and the determination of amounts of penalties and assessments shall not be subject to review.
(c) The district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction of any action commenced by the United States under subsection (b) of this section.
(d) Any action under subsection (b) of this section may, without regard to venue requirements, be joined and consolidated with or asserted as a counterclaim, cross-claim, or setoff by the United States in any other civil action which includes as parties the United States and the person against whom such action may be brought.
(e) The United States Court of Federal Claims shall have jurisdiction of any action under subsection (b) of this section to recover any penalty or assessment if the cause of action is asserted by the United States as a counterclaim in a matter pending in such court.
(f) The Attorney General shall have exclusive authority to compromise or settle any penalty or assessment the determination of which is the subject of a pending petition pursuant to section 3805 of this title or a pending action to recover such penalty or assessment pursuant to this section.
(g) 
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, any amount of penalty or assessment collected under this chapter shall be deposited as miscellaneous receipts in the Treasury of the United States.
(2) 
(A) Any amount of a penalty or assessment imposed by the United States Postal Service under this chapter shall be deposited in the Postal Service Fund established by section 2003 of title 39.
(B) Any amount of a penalty or assessment imposed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under this chapter with respect to a claim or statement made in connection with old age and survivors benefits under title II of the Social Security Act shall be deposited in the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund.
(C) Any amount of a penalty or assessment imposed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under this chapter with respect to a claim or statement made in connection with disability benefits under title II of the Social Security Act shall be deposited in the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund.
(D) Any amount of a penalty or assessment imposed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under this chapter with respect to a claim or statement made in connection with benefits under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act shall be deposited in the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.
(E) Any amount of a penalty or assessment imposed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under this chapter with respect to a claim or statement made in connection with benefits under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act shall be deposited in the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund.

31 USC 3807 - Right to administrative offset

(a) The amount of any penalty or assessment which has become final under section 3803 of this title, or for which a judgment has been entered under section 3805 (e) or 3806 of this title, or any amount agreed upon in a settlement or compromise under section 3803 (j) or 3806 (f) of this title, may be collected by administrative offset under section 3716 of this title, except that an administrative offset may not be made under this subsection against a refund of an overpayment of Federal taxes, then or later owing by the United States to the person liable for such penalty or assessment.
(b) All amounts collected pursuant to this section shall be remitted to the Secretary of the Treasury for deposit in accordance with section 3806 (g) of this title.

31 USC 3808 - Limitations

(a) A hearing under section 3803 (d)(2) of this title with respect to a claim or statement shall be commenced within 6 years after the date on which such claim or statement is made, presented, or submitted.
(b) A civil action to recover a penalty or assessment under section 3806 of this title shall be commenced within 3 years after the date on which the determination of liability for such penalty or assessment becomes final.
(c) If at any time during the course of proceedings brought pursuant to this chapter the authority head receives or discovers any specific information regarding bribery, gratuities, conflict of interest, or other corruption or similar activity in relation to a false claim or statement, the authority head shall immediately report such information to the Attorney General, and in the case of an authority in which an Office of Inspector General is established by the Inspector General Act of 1978 or by any other Federal law, to the Inspector General of that authority.

31 USC 3809 - Regulations

Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this chapter, each authority head shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter. Such rules and regulations shall
(1) ensure that investigating officials and reviewing officials are not responsible for conducting the hearing required in section 3803 (f) of this title, making the determinations required by subsections (f) and (h) of section 3803 of this title, or making collections under section 3806 of this title; and
(2) require a reviewing official to include in any notice required by section 3803 (a)(2) of this title a statement which specifies that the reviewing official has determined that there is a reasonable prospect of collecting, from a person with respect to whom the reviewing official is referring allegations of liability in such notice, the amount for which such person may be liable.

31 USC 3810 - Repealed. Pub. L. 10466, title III, 3001(c)(1), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 734]

Section, added Pub. L. 99–509, title VI, § 6103(a), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1947, required annual reports to Congress.

31 USC 3811 - Effect on other law

(a) This chapter does not diminish the responsibility of any agency to comply with the provisions of chapter 35 of title 44.
(b) This chapter does not supersede the provisions of section 3512 of title 44.