Title 31Money and FinanceRelease 119-73

§1511 Definition and application

Title 31 › Subtitle SUBTITLE II— - THE BUDGET PROCESS › Chapter CHAPTER 15— - APPROPRIATION ACCOUNTING › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - APPORTIONMENT › § 1511

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Defines what "appropriations" means for this part of the law: money actually appropriated, other funds, and the authority to sign contracts that commit money before funds are set aside. Says the rules do not apply to certain cases: money (except administrative expenses) for price support and removing surplus farm commodities and funds under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c); a corporation getting money to make loans (except paid‑in capital amounts) when the United States has no legal liability; and the Senate, the House of Representatives, their committees, members, officers, employees, and the Office of the Architect of the Capitol and its officers and employees.

Full Legal Text

Title 31, §1511

Money and Finance — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(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.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 1511(a)31:665(c)(1)(last sentence), (d)(2)(5th sentence).R.S. § 3679(c)(1)(last sentence), (d)(2)(5th sentence, 6th sentence less 1st–22d words, last sentence related to price supports), (f)(2); Mar. 3, 1905, ch. 1484, § 4(1st par.), 33 Stat. 1257; Feb. 27, 1906, ch. 510, § 3, 34 Stat. 48; restated Sept. 6, 1950, ch. 896, § 1211, 64 Stat. 765, 766, 767. 1511(b)(1)31:665(d)(2)(6th sentence less 1st–22d words). 1511(b)(2)31:665(d)(2)(last sentence related to price supports). 1511(b)(3)31:665(f)(2). In subsection (a)(1), the words “appropriated amounts” are substituted for “appropriations” for clarity. In clause (3), the word “make” is substituted for “create” as being more precise. The text of 31:665(d)(2)(5th sentence) is omitted as unnecessary because of section 102 of the revised title. In subsection (b), the word “amounts” is substituted for “funds” for consistency in the revised title. In clause (1)(B), the words “(7 U.S.C. 612c)” are substituted for “section 612(c) of title 7” to correct an error in section 3679(d)(2)(6th sentence) of the Revised Statutes. Clause (2) is substituted for the source provisions for consistency in the revised title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

31 U.S.C. § 1511

Title 31Money and Finance

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73