Title 46ShippingRelease 119-73

§30911 Costs and interest

Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle III— - Maritime Liability › Chapter CHAPTER 309— - SUITS IN ADMIRALTY AGAINST THE UNITED STATES › § 30911

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Courts may add costs and 4% yearly interest to judgments against the U.S. or federally owned corporations until paid. Court decides when interest runs, but not for time before the suit; contract terms override.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §30911

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(a)A judgment against the United States or a federally-owned corporation under this chapter may include costs and interest at the rate of 4 percent per year until satisfied. Interest shall run as ordered by the court, except that interest is not allowable for the period before the action is filed.
(b)Notwithstanding subsection (a), if the claim is based on a contract providing for interest, interest may be awarded at the rate and for the period provided in the contract.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 3091146 App.:743 (2d, 3d sentences).Mar. 9, 1920, ch. 95, § 3 (2d, 3d sentences), 41 Stat. 526. 46 App.:745 (last proviso).Mar. 9, 1920, ch. 95, § 5 (last proviso), 41 Stat. 526; June 30, 1932, ch. 315, 47 Stat. 420; Dec. 13, 1950, ch. 1136, 64 Stat. 1112. In subsection (a), the words “and when the decree is for a money judgment” are omitted as unnecessary. The words “except that interest is not allowable for the period before the action is filed” are substituted for “And provided further, That after June 30, 1932, no interest shall be allowed on any claim prior to the time when suit on such claim is brought as authorized by section 742 of this Appendix” to eliminate unnecessary words. Subsection (b) is substituted for “or at any higher rate which shall be stipulated in any contract upon which such decree shall be based” in 46 App. U.S.C. 743 and “unless upon a contract expressly stipulating for the payment of interest” in 46 App. U.S.C. 745 (last proviso) for clarity and consistency.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 30911

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Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73