Title 16 — ConservationRelease 119-73
§557a Field season contracts; authority to make prior to appropriation
Title 16 › Chapter CHAPTER 3— - FORESTS; FOREST SERVICE; REFORESTATION; MANAGEMENT › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 557a
Summary
The Secretary of Agriculture can sign contracts to buy services, materials, and supplies for national forests for the next fiscal year before Congress approves the money, but the contracts must split costs by year and say the United States will not pay until the funds are available.
Full Legal Text
Title 16, §557a
Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The Secretary of Agriculture is hereafter authorized, in connection with the administration of the national forests, to enter into contracts for the procurement of services, materials, and supplies for the ensuing fiscal year, prior to the passage of an appropriation therefor: Provided, That such contracts shall aliquot the cost for such service by fiscal years and shall not be binding on the United States as to that part for the ensuing year unless and until an appropriation applicable to the payment thereof is made: And provided further, That all such contracts shall by their terms provide that the obligation of the United States is contingent upon the passage of an applicable appropriation and that no payment thereunder will be made until such appropriation becomes available for expenditure.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
16 U.S.C. § 557a
Title 16 — Conservation
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73