Title 2 › CHAPTER 17A — CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET AND FISCAL OPERATIONS › SUBCHAPTER II — FISCAL PROCEDURES › Part B — Federal Mandates › § 658
Defines key words used in this part so people know what the terms mean. Agency means what section 551(1) of title 5 says, but it does not include independent regulatory agencies. Amount means the budget authority for a federal grant program or any program that makes loan guarantees or direct loans. Direct costs means the total estimated money state, local, tribal governments, or the private sector must spend (or cannot raise) to follow a federal mandate, assuming they try to reduce costs but do not raise taxes or fees; it does not include costs already required by existing laws or costs that are offset by direct savings or other changes made in the same bill or regulation. Direct savings means the estimated reduction in costs to governments or the private sector from following a mandate. Federal intergovernmental mandate means a law or rule that creates an enforceable duty on state, local, or tribal governments (not including conditions of federal help or voluntary programs) or that cuts authorizations of federal aid to them; it also covers changes to big entitlement programs of $500,000,000 or more a year if rules are tightened or funding is capped and governments cannot change their duties. Federal mandate means either an intergovernmental or private‑sector mandate. Federal private sector mandate means a law or rule that creates an enforceable duty on the private sector or cuts federal aid needed to meet that duty. Local government and State mean what section 6501(6) and 6501(9) of title 31 say. Private sector means people and entities like individuals, companies, schools, and nonprofits, but not governments. Regulation or rule means the definition of “rule” in section 601(2) of title 5 (not a House rule). Small government means the small jurisdictions in section 601(5) of title 5 and any tribal government. Tribal government means an Indian tribe, band, nation, or similar group, including Alaska Native villages or corporations as defined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688; 43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) that the U.S. recognizes for special Indian programs and services.
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Reference
Citation
2 U.S.C. § 658
Title 2, The Congress
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110