(a) In this subchapter—

(1) An obligated balance of an appropriation account as of the end of a fiscal year is the amount of unliquidated obligations applicable to the appropriation less amounts collectible as repayments to the appropriation.

(2) An unobligated balance is the difference between the obligated balance and the total unexpended balance.

(3) A fixed appropriation account is an appropriation account available for obligation for a definite period.


Terms Used In 31 USC 1551

  • Appropriation: The provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization
  • Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • officer: includes any person authorized by law to perform the duties of the office. See 1 USC 1

(b) The limitations on the availability for expenditure prescribed in this subchapter apply to all appropriations unless specifically otherwise authorized by a law that specifically—

(1) identifies the appropriate account for which the availability for expenditure is to be extended;

(2) provides that such account shall be available for recording, adjusting, and liquidating obligations properly chargeable to that account; and

(3) extends the availability for expenditure of the obligated balances.


(c) This subchapter does not apply to—

(1) appropriations for the District of Columbia government; or

(2) appropriations to be disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate or the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives.

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