Pub. L. 83-663, ch. XIII, sec. 1311

Sec. 1311. (a) After the date of enactment hereof no amount shall be recorded as an obligation of the Government of the United States unless it is supported by documentary evidence of— (1) a binding agreement in writing between the parties thereto, including Government agencies, in a manner and form and for a purpose authorized by law, executed before the expiration of the period of availability for obligation of the appropriation or fund concerned for specific goods to be delivered, real property to be purchased or leased, or work or services to be performed; or (2) a valid loan agreement, showing the amount of the loan to be made and the terms of repayment thereof; or (3) an order required by law to be placed with a Government agency; or (4) an order issued pursuant to a law authorizing purchases without advertising when necessitated by public exigency or for perishable subsistence supplies or within specific monetary limitations; or (5) a grant or subsidy payable (i) from appropriations made for payment of or contributions toward, sums required to be paid in specific amounts fixed by law or in accord with formulae prescribed by law, or (ii) pursuant to agreement authorized by, or plans approved in accord with and authorized by, law; or (6) a liability which may result from pending litigation brought under authority of law; or (7) employment or services of persons or expenses of travel in accord with law, and services performed by public utilities; or (8) any other legal liability of the United States against an appropriation or fund legally available therefor. (b) Not later than September 30 of each year, the head of each Federal agency shall report, as to each appropriation or fund under the control of such agency, the amount thereof remaining obligated but unexpended and the amount thereof remaining unobligated on68 Stat. 831 June 30 of such year and copies of such report shall be forwarded by him to the chairman of the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives, to the Comptroller General of the United States, and to the Director of the Bureau of the Budget: Provided, That such report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1954, shall be made not later than December 31, 1954, and shall include only such obligations as could have been recorded under the provisions of subsection (a) hereof. (c) Each report made pursuant to subsection (b) shall be supported by certifications of the officials designated by the head of the agency, and such certifications shall be supported by records evidencing the amounts which are reported therein as having been obligated. Such certifications and records shall be retained in the agency in such form as to facilitate audit and reconciliation for such period as may be necessary for such purposes. The officials designated by the head of the agency to make certifications may not redelegate the responsibility. (d) No appropriation or fund which is limited for obligation purposes to a definite period of time shall be available for expenditure after the expiration of such period except for liquidation of amounts obligated in accord with subsection (a) hereof; but no such appropriation or fund shall remain available for expenditure for any period beyond that otherwise authorized by law. (e) Any statement of obligation of funds furnished by any agency of the Government to the Congress or any committee thereof shall include only such amounts as may be valid obligations as defined in subsection (a) hereof.