31 U.S.C. § 321 — General authority of the Secretary

Page 29 TITLE 31—MONEY AND FINANCE § 321 point employees of the Department of the Treas- ury as a Treasury Financial Attache´, who shall— (1) further the work of the Department of the Treasury in developing and executing the financial and economic policy of the United States Government and the international fight against terrorism, money laundering, and other illicit finance; (2) be co-located in a United States Em- bassy, a similar United States Government fa- cility, or a foreign government facility, as the Secretary determines is appropriate; (3) establish and maintain relationships with foreign counterparts, including employees of ministries of finance, central banks, inter- national financial institutions, and other rel- evant official entities; (4) conduct outreach to local and foreign fi- nancial institutions and other commercial ac- tors; (5) coordinate with representatives of the Department of Justice at United States Em- bassies who perform similar functions on be- half of the United States Government; and (6) perform such other actions as the Sec- retary determines are appropriate. (b) NUMBER OF ATTACHE´ S.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The number of Treasury Fi- nancial Attache´s appointed under this section at any one time shall be not fewer than 6 more employees than the number of employees of the Department of the Treasury serving as Treasury attache´s on the date of enactment of this section. (2) ADDITIONAL POSTS.—The Secretary of the Treasury may establish additional posts sub- ject to the availability of appropriations. (c) COMPENSATION.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Each Treasury Financial Attache´ appointed under this section and lo- cated at a United States Embassy shall re- ceive compensation, including allowances, at the higher of— (A) the rate of compensation, including al- lowances, provided to a Foreign Service offi- cer serving at the same embassy; and (B) the rate of compensation, including al- lowances, the Treasury Financial Attache´ would otherwise have received, absent the application of this subsection. (2) PHASE IN.—The compensation described in paragraph (1) shall be phased in over 2 years. (Added Pub. L. 116–283, div. F, title LXI, § 6106(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4556.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT The date of enactment of this section, referred to in subsecs. (b)(1), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 116–283, which was approved Jan. 1, 2021. SUBCHAPTER II—ADMINISTRATIVE § 321. General authority of the Secretary (a) The Secretary of the Treasury shall— (1) prepare plans for improving and man- aging receipts of the United States Govern- ment and managing the public debt; (2) carry out services related to finances that the Secretary is required to perform; (3) issue warrants for money drawn on the Treasury consistent with appropriations; (4) mint coins, engrave and print currency and security documents, and refine and assay bullion, and may strike medals; (5) prescribe regulations that the Secretary considers best calculated to promote the pub- lic convenience and security, and to protect the Government and individuals from fraud and loss, that apply to anyone who may— (A) receive for the Government, Treasury notes, United States notes, or other Govern- ment securities; or (B) be engaged or employed in preparing and issuing those notes or securities; (6) collect receipts; (7) with a view to prosecuting persons, take steps to discover fraud and attempted fraud involving receipts and decide on ways to pre- vent and detect fraud; (8) maintain separate accounts of taxes re- ceived in each State, territory, and possession of the United States, and collection district, with each account listing— (A) each kind of tax; (B) the amount of each tax; and (C) the money paid as pay and allowances to officers and employees of the Department collecting taxes in that State, territory, pos- session, or district; and (9) advise the President on major domestic and international prudential policy issues in connection with all lines of insurance except health insurance. (b) The Secretary may— (1) prescribe regulations to carry out the du- ties and powers of the Secretary; (2) delegate duties and powers of the Sec- retary to another officer or employee of the Department of the Treasury; (3) transfer within the Department the records, property, officers, employees, and un- expended balances of appropriations, alloca- tions, and amounts of the Department that the Secretary considers necessary to carry out a delegation made under clause (2) of this sub- section; (4) detail, in addition to details authorized under another law, not more than 6 officers and employees of the Department at any one time to enforce the laws related to the Depart- ment, except that of those 6 officers and em- ployees not more than 4 officers and employ- ees— (A) paid from the appropriations for the collection of customs may be so detailed; (B) paid from the appropriations for inter- nal revenue may be so detailed; and (C) paid from the appropriations for sup- pressing counterfeiting and other crimes may be so detailed; (5) authorize, at rates and under conditions prescribed by the Secretary, the private use of telephone lines controlled by the Department when the use does not interfere with Depart- ment business; (6) buy arms and ammunition required by of- ficers and employees of the Department in car- rying out their duties and powers; and Page 30 TITLE 31—MONEY AND FINANCE § 321 (7) notwithstanding any other provision of law, fulfill any requirement to issue a report on the financial condition of any fund on the books of the Treasury by including the re- quired information in a consolidated report, except that information with respect to a spe- cific fund shall be separately reported if the Secretary determines that the consolidation of such information would result in an unwar- ranted delay in the availability of such infor- mation. (c) Duties and powers of officers and employ- ees of the Department are vested in the Sec- retary except duties and powers— (1) vested by subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5 in administrative law judges employed by the Secretary; and (2) of the Comptroller of the Currency. (d)(1) The Secretary of the Treasury may ac- cept, hold, administer, and use gifts and be- quests of property, both real and personal, for the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the Department of the Treasury. Gifts and be- quests of money and the proceeds from sales of other property received as gifts or bequests shall be deposited in the Treasury in a separate fund and shall be disbursed on order of the Secretary of the Treasury. Property accepted under this paragraph, and the proceeds thereof, shall be used as nearly as possible in accordance with the terms of the gift or bequest. (2) For purposes of the Federal income, estate, and gift taxes, property accepted under para- graph (1) shall be considered as a gift or bequest to or for the use of the United States. (3) The Secretary of the Treasury may invest and reinvest the fund in public debt securities with maturities suitable for the needs of the fund and bearing interest at rates determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, taking into con- sideration the current average market yield on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States of comparable maturities. Income accruing from the securities, and from any other property accepted under paragraph (1), shall be deposited to the credit of the fund, and shall be disbursed on order of the Secretary of the Treas- ury for purposes as nearly as possible in accord- ance with the terms of the gifts or bequests. (4) The Secretary of the Treasury shall, not less frequently than annually, make a public disclosure of the amount (and sources) of the gifts and bequests received under this sub- section, and the purposes for which amounts in the separate fund established under this sub- section are expended. (Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 880; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IV, § 445, July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 816; Pub. L. 101–73, title III, § 307(b), (d), Aug. 9, 1989, 103 Stat. 353; Pub. L. 104–66, title I, § 1132(b), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 725; Pub. L. 111–203, title III, § 378(1), title V, § 502(b), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1570, 1588.) HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES Revised Section Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large) 321(a)(1)– (3). 31:1002(less words between 1st and 2d semicolons and between 4th and 5th semicolons). R.S. § 248(less words between 4th and 5th semicolons). HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES—CONTINUED Revised Section Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large) 321(a)(4) .. (no source). 321(a)(5) .. 31:427. R.S. § 251(words after ‘‘Treas- ury’’ and before ‘‘shall pre- scribe forms of entries’’). 321(a)(6) .. 31:1002(words be- tween 1st and 2d semicolons). 321(a)(7) .. 31:1011. R.S. § 376; May 10, 1934, ch. 277, § 512(b), 48 Stat. 759. 321(a)(8) .. 31:1024. R.S. §§ 239, 261; Feb. 18, 1875, ch. 80, § 1(3d complete par. on p. 317), 18 Stat. 317; Aug. 7, 1946, ch. 770, § 1(48), 60 Stat. 870. 321(b)(1) .. 31:127. Oct. 9, 1940, ch. 796, § 5, 54 Stat. 1087. 31:317f. Dec. 18, 1942, ch. 767, § 7, 56 Stat. 1066. 31:397. July 23, 1965, Pub. L. 89–81, § 107, 79 Stat. 255. 31:528(d). R.S. § 3646(d); July 8, 1937, ch. 444, § 9, 50 Stat. 483; restated Dec. 3, 1945, ch. 515, § 1, 59 Stat. 593. 31:564. Nov. 21, 1941, ch. 489, § 5, 55 Stat. 778; Dec. 22, 1974, Pub. L. 93–539, § 1(a) (related to § 4), 88 Stat. 1738. 31:1053. Oct. 26, 1970, Pub. L. 91–508, § 204, 84 Stat. 1120. 31:1262(a). Oct. 20, 1972, Pub. L. 92–512, § 142(a), 86 Stat. 935. 321(b)(2), (3). 31:1001(note). Reorg. Plan No. 26 of 1950, eff. July 31, 1950, §§ 2, 4, 64 Stat. 1281. 321(b)(4) .. 31:1017. June 12, 1917, ch. 27, § 1(4th par. under heading ‘‘Mis- cellaneous Objects, Treas- ury Department’’), 40 Stat. 118; Mar. 4, 1921, ch. 161, § 1(1st par. under heading ‘‘Miscellaneous Objects, Treasury Department’’), 41 Stat. 1374. 321(b)(5) .. 31:486. Apr. 28, 1904, ch. 1762, § 1(proviso immediately be- fore heading ‘‘Revenue-Cut- ter Service’’), 33 Stat. 460. 321(b)(6) .. 31:1023(a). June 1, 1955, ch. 119, § 1(a), 69 Stat. 82. 321(c) ...... 31:1001(note). Reorg. Plan No. 26 of 1950, eff. July 31, 1950, § 1(a), (b), 64 Stat. 1280. In subsection (a)(1)–(3), the words between the 2d and 3d semicolons are omitted as superseded by section 3512 of the revised title. In subsection (a)(1), the word ‘‘digest’’ is omitted as being included in ‘‘prepare’’. The word ‘‘receipts’’ is substituted for ‘‘revenue’’, and the words ‘‘managing the public debt’’ are substituted for ‘‘for the support of the public credit’’, for consistency in the revised title. In subsection (a)(2), the words ‘‘carry out’’ are sub- stituted for ‘‘generally shall perform’’ for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. The words ‘‘that the Secretary is re- quired’’ are substituted for ‘‘as he shall be directed’’ be- cause of the restatement. In subsection (a)(3), the word ‘‘issue’’ is substituted for ‘‘shall grant’’ for consistency. The words ‘‘under limitations herein established or to be provided’’ are omitted as unnecessary. The word ‘‘consistent’’ is sub- stituted for ‘‘in pursuance of’’, and the words ‘‘by law’’ are omitted, for consistency. Subsection (a)(4) is included to reflect all the major duties of the Secretary of the Treasury. See chapter 51 of the revised title. In subsection (a)(5), before subclause (A), the words ‘‘prescribe regulations’’ are substituted for ‘‘make and issue from time to time such instructions and regula- tions’’ for consistency in the revised title and to elimi- nate unnecessary words. The words ‘‘applicable to any- one’’ are substituted for ‘‘to the several collectors, re- ceivers, depositaries, officers, and others’’ for clarity and to eliminate unnecessary words. In subclause (A), the words ‘‘for the Government’’ are inserted because section 8 of the Act of June 30, 1864 (ch. 172, 13 Stat. 221), from which section 251 of the Revised Statutes is derived, used the phrase ‘‘in behalf of the United Page 31 TITLE 31—MONEY AND FINANCE § 322 States’’. In subclause (B), the words ‘‘those notes and securities’’ are substituted for ‘‘the same’’ for clarity. In subsection (a)(6), the word ‘‘collect’’ is substituted for ‘‘superintend the collection’’ because of the source provisions restated in section 321(c) of the revised title. The word ‘‘receipts’’ is substituted for ‘‘revenue’’ for consistency in the revised title. In subsection (a)(7), the words ‘‘Secretary of the Treasury’’ are substituted for ‘‘General Counsel of the Department of the Treasury, under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury’’ because of the source provi- sions restated in subsection (c) of this section. The words ‘‘with a view to prosecuting persons’’ are sub- stituted for ‘‘for the prosecution of persons charged with the commission thereof’’ for clarity. The words ‘‘take steps to discover fraud and attempted fraud’’ are substituted for ‘‘take cognizance of all frauds or at- tempted frauds’’ for clarity. The words ‘‘involving re- ceipts’’ are substituted for ‘‘upon the revenue’’ for con- sistency in the revised title. The words ‘‘decide on ways to prevent and detect fraud’’ are substituted for ‘‘exer- cise a general supervision over the measures for their prevention and detection’’ for clarity and to eliminate unnecessary words. In subsection (a)(8), before subclause (A), the word ‘‘maintain’’ is substituted for ‘‘shall be kept’’ for con- sistency. The words ‘‘all moneys’’ and ‘‘internal’’ are omitted as unnecessary because of the restatement. The words ‘‘duties or’’ are omitted as being included in ‘‘taxes’’. The word ‘‘possession’’ is added for consist- ency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code. The word ‘‘listing’’ is substituted for ‘‘so as to ex- hibit, as far as may be’’ for clarity and to eliminate un- necessary words. In subclause (A), the word ‘‘kind’’ is substituted for ‘‘species’’ for consistency. The words ‘‘that shall accrue’’ are omitted as surplus. In sub- clause (B), the words ‘‘each tax’’ are substituted for ‘‘each source of revenue’’ for clarity. In subclause (C), the word ‘‘pay’’ is substituted for ‘‘compensation’’ for consistency. The words ‘‘officers and employees’’ are substituted for ‘‘collectors and deputy collectors, in- spectors, and other officers’’ for consistency and to eliminate unnecessary words. Subsection (b)(1) is included as a general statement of the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations to avoid repeating each time spe- cific authority of the Secretary to carry out certain provisions of law. In subsection (b)(2), the words ‘‘make such provi- sions’’ in 31:1001(note) are omitted as unnecessary. The words ‘‘or by any agency’’ are omitted and the words ‘‘duties and powers’’ are substituted for ‘‘function’’, for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code. The words ‘‘including any function trans- ferred to the Secretary by the provisions of this reorga- nization plan’’ are omitted as executed. In subsection (b)(3), the word ‘‘effect ’’ is omitted as unnecessary. The words ‘‘(available or to be made available)’’ are omitted as surplus. The words ‘‘delega- tion made under clause (2) of this subsection’’ are sub- stituted for ‘‘provisions of this reorganization plan’’ be- cause the only provision of Reorganization Plan No. 26 of 1950 (eff. July 31, 1950, 64 Stat. 1281) that continues to have legal effect is section 2 that is restated in clause (2). In subsection (b)(4), before subclause (A), the word ‘‘detail’’ is substituted for ‘‘to use for, and in connec- tion with’’ to eliminate unnecessary words. The words ‘‘in addition to details authorized under another law’’ are substituted for 31:1017(last sentence) to eliminate unnecessary words and because subsequent laws would also provide additional authority to detail. The words ‘‘and the several branches of the public service under its control’’ are omitted as being included in ‘‘Depart- ment’’. The words ‘‘officers and employees’’ are sub- stituted for ‘‘persons’’ for clarity and consistency in the revised title. In subclause (B), the words ‘‘agents or from the appropriation for the foregoing purpose’’ are omitted as unnecessary because of the restatement. In subsection (b)(5), the words ‘‘the proceeds thereof to be accounted for and paid into the Treasury of the United States’’ are omitted as unnecessary because of section 3302 of the revised title. In subsection (b)(6), the word ‘‘buy’’ is substituted for ‘‘make expenditures’’ for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code. The words ‘‘offi- cers or employees’’ are substituted for ‘‘civilian em- ployees’’, and the words ‘‘in carrying out their duties and powers’’ are substituted for ‘‘in the performance of their official duties’’, for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code. Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS 2010—Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 111–203, § 502(b), added par. (9). Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 111–203, § 378(1)(A), inserted ‘‘and’’ at end of par. (1), substituted period for ‘‘; and’’ at end of par. (2), and struck out par. (3) which read as follows: ‘‘of the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision;’’. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 111–203, § 378(1)(B), struck out sub- sec. (e). Text read as follows: ‘‘The Secretary of the Treasury may not merge or consolidate the Office of Thrift Supervision, or any of the functions or respon- sibilities of the Office or the Director of such office, with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency or the Comptroller of the Currency.’’ 1995—Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 104–66 added par. (7). 1989—Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 101–73, § 307(b), added par. (3). Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 101–73, § 307(d), added subsec. (e). 1984—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 98–369 added subsec. (d). Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2010 AMENDMENT Amendment by section 378(1) of Pub. L. 111–203 effec- tive on the transfer date, see section 351 of Pub. L. 111–203, set out as a note under section 906 of Title 2, The Congress. Amendment by section 502(b) of Pub. L. 111–203 effec- tive 1 day after July 21, 2010, except as otherwise pro- vided, see section 4 of Pub. L. 111–203, set out as an Ef- fective Date note under section 5301 of Title 12, Banks and Banking. USE OF AIRCRAFT IN EMERGENCY LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPORT Pub. L. 104–52, title I, § 107, Nov. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 476, provided that: ‘‘The Secretary of the Treasury is au- thorized in fiscal year 1996 and hereafter, to use Treas- ury Department aircraft, with or without reimburse- ment, to assist bureaus within the Department of the Treasury or other Federal agencies, Departments or of- fices outside of the Department of the Treasury to pro- vide emergency law enforcement support to protect human life, property, public health, or safety.’’ Executive Documents EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FUNCTIONS For assignment of certain emergency preparedness functions to Secretary of the Treasury, see Parts 1, 2, and 15 of Ex. Ord. No. 12656, Nov. 18, 1988, 53 F.R. 47491, set out as a note under section 5195 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. § 322. Working capital fund (a) The Department of the Treasury has a working capital fund. Amounts in the fund are available for expenses of operating and main- taining common administrative services of the Department that the Secretary of the Treasury, with the approval of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, decides may be carried out more advantageously and more economi- cally as central services.