Title 44, Public Printing and DocumentsRelease 119-102
§1708 Prices for Sales Copies of Publications; Crediting of Receipts; Resale by Dealers; Sales Agents
Title 44 › CHAPTER 17 — DISTRIBUTION AND SALE OF PUBLIC DOCUMENTS › § 1708
Summary
Superintendent of Documents must set prices for extra Government publications at the GPO Director's cost plus 50 percent, may allow discounts and resale by book dealers, and appoint officers as sales agents if printing doesn't delay Government work.
Full Legal Text
Title 44, §1708
Public Printing and Documents, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The price at which additional copies of Government publications are offered for sale to the public by the Superintendent of Documents shall be based on the cost as determined by the Director of the Government Publishing Office plus 50 percent. A discount may be allowed as determined by the Superintendent of Documents, but the printing may not interfere with prompt execution of work for the Government. The Superintendent of Documents may prescribe terms and conditions under which he authorizes the resale of Government publications by book dealers, and he may designate any Government officer his agent for the sale of Government publications under regulations agreed upon by the Superintendent of Documents and the head of the respective department or establishment of the Government.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on 44 U.S. Code, 1964 ed., § 72a (June 30, 1932, ch. 314, § 307, 47 Stat. 409).
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2014—Pub. L. 113–235 substituted “Director of the Government Publishing Office” for “Public Printer” in first par. 2004—Pub. L. 108–447, in first par., substituted “may be allowed as determined by the Superintendent of Documents” for “of not to exceed 25 percent may be allowed to book dealers and quantity purchasers”. 1993—Pub. L. 103–69, in first par., struck out at end “Receipts from general sales of publications in excess of the total costs and expenses incurred in connection with the publication and sale thereof, as determined by the Public Printer, shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States to the credit of miscellaneous receipts.” 1977—Pub. L. 95–94 substituted “Receipts from general sales of publications in excess of the total costs and expenses incurred in connection with the publication and sale thereof, as determined by the Public Printer,” for “Surplus receipts from sales”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 1993 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 103–69 effective Oct. 1, 1993, see section 207(c) of Pub. L. 103–69, set out as a note under section 309 of this title.
Effective Date
of 1977 Amendment Pub. L. 95–94, title IV, § 409(b), Aug. 5, 1977, 91 Stat. 683, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on October 1, 1977.”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
44 U.S.C. § 1708
Title 44, Public Printing and Documents
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102