Title 15Commerce and TradeRelease 119-73

§647 Duplication of activities of other Federal departments or agencies

Title 15 › Chapter CHAPTER 14A— - AID TO SMALL BUSINESS › § 647

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Administration must not repeat work done by any other federal department or agency unless this chapter clearly allows it. If another agency is refusing loan applications or denying loans because it has put a funding hold, stopped apportioning money, or declared a moratorium, then doing that work is not treated as duplication. "Agricultural enterprises" means small businesses that farm, raise animals, run ranches, do aquaculture, or work in related farming industries.

Full Legal Text

Title 15, §647

Commerce and Trade — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Administration shall not duplicate the work or activity of any other department or agency of the Federal Government,,11 So in original. and nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to authorize any such duplication unless such work or activity is expressly provided for in this chapter. If loan applications are being refused or loans denied by such other department or agency responsible for such work or activity due to administrative withholding from obligation or withholding from apportionment, or due to administratively declared moratorium, then, for purposes of this section, no duplication shall be deemed to have occurred.
(b)As used in this chapter, the term “agricultural enterprises” means those small business concerns engaged in the production of food and fiber, ranching, and raising of livestock, aquaculture, and all other farming and agricultural-related industries.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Prior similar provisions were contained in section 225, of act
July 30, 1953, ch. 282, as added by act Aug. 9, 1955, ch. 628, § 14, 69 Stat. 551, which was previously classified to section 651 of this title. The provisions of section 218 of act
July 30, 1953, formerly classified to this section, were transferred to section 2[12] of Pub. L. 85–536, and are classified to section 641 of this title. See Codification note set out under section 631 of this title.

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–189 amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “As used in this chapter— “(1) ‘agricultural enterprises’ means those small business concerns engaged in the production of food and fiber, ranching, and raising of livestock, aquaculture, and all other farming and agricultural related industries; and “(2) ‘credit elsewhere’ means the availability of sufficient credit from non-Federal sources at reasonable rates and terms, taking into consideration prevailing private rates and terms in the community in or near where the concern transacts business for similar purposes and periods of time.” 2016—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 114–328 substituted “small business concerns” for “businesses”. 1986—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–272 struck out agricultural enterprises exception and proviso that, prior to Oct. 1, 1987, an agricultural enterprise not be eligible for loan assistance under section 636(b)(1) of this title to repair or replace property other than residences and/or personal property unless it is declined for, or would be declined for, emergency loan assistance at substantially similar interest rates from the Farmers Home Administration under subchapter III of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. 1984—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 98–369 substituted “
October 1, 1987” for “
October 1, 1986”. Pub. L. 98–270 substituted “
October 1, 1986” for “
October 1, 1983”. 1980—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 96–302, § 119(c)(1), inserted proviso relating to eligibility for loan assistance prior to
October 1, 1983. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 96–302, § 119(c)(2), added par. (1) and designated as par. (2) existing definition of “credit elsewhere”. 1979—Pub. L. 96–38 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b). 1976—Pub. L. 94–305 inserted reference to those enterprises engaged in the production of food and fiber, ranching, and raising of livestock, aquaculture, and all other farming and agricultural related industries. 1974—Pub. L. 93–386 inserted provision authorizing the refusal of loan applications and the denial of loans, for purposes of this section, to be deemed nonduplication of activities.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1984 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 98–270 effective Oct. 1, 1983, see section 313 of Pub. L. 98–270, set out as a note under section 632 of this title.

Effective Date

of 1980 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 96–302 inapplicable to disasters commencing on or before Oct. 1, 1980, see section 119(d) of Pub. L. 96–302, set out as a note under section 636 of this title. Programs Administered by the Department of Commerce Pub. L. 95–507, § 207, Oct. 24, 1978, 92 Stat. 1767, provided that: “Nothing in this chapter [meaning chapter 1 of title II of Pub. L. 95–507, consisting of section 201–206 of Pub. L. 95–507 which amended section 631, 633, 636, and 637 of this title] is intended to duplicate or limit any programs or projects administered by the Department of Commerce.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

15 U.S.C. § 647

Title 15Commerce and Trade

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73