§20143 Full Cost Appropriations Account Structure

Summary

Make the agency’s money in three separate budget accounts: one for science, aeronautics, and education work; one for exploration systems and space operations; and one for the Office of the Inspector General’s necessary expenses. Inside the exploration/operations account, no more than 10 percent of a year’s Exploration Systems funds can be moved to Space Operations, and no more than 10 percent of a year’s Space Operations funds can be moved to Exploration Systems. Money usually stays available for 2 fiscal years. Each account must show the planned full costs of the agency’s work. The agency may move money between accounts when needed for pay and benefits, training and travel, facilities, IT, publishing, testing and engineering work, and other admin items. It may also move money right away to pay for recovery from a major disaster (as defined in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122)), an act of terrorism, or an emergency astronaut rescue. Unused balances from old appropriations for these activities can be moved into the new accounts, combined, and treated as one fund under the same rules.