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Title 31, Money and FinanceRelease 119-102

§1511 Definition and Application

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

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

Defines what "appropriations" mean here. It means three things: money Congress sets aside, funds, and the authority to sign contracts that create obligations before money is provided. Does not apply to three categories: farm price‑support and surplus‑removal money (except administrative expenses) and amounts under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c); a corporation given funds to make loans (except paid‑in capital) where the U.S. has no legal liability; or the Senate, House, their committees, members, officers, employees, offices, and the Office of the Architect of the Capitol and its staff.

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 31, Money and Finance

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102