31 U.S.C. § 3721 — Claims of personnel of agencies and the

Page 326 TITLE 31—MONEY AND FINANCE § 3720E (B) A suit under this paragraph may not be filed before the termination of the collection ac- tion, unless earlier filing is necessary to avoid expiration of any applicable statute of limita- tions period. (3) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), an employer shall not be required to vary its nor- mal pay and disbursement cycles in order to comply with this subsection. (g) For the purpose of this section, the term ‘‘disposable pay’’ means that part of the com- pensation of any individual from an employer remaining after the deduction of any amounts required by any other law to be withheld. (h) The Secretary of the Treasury shall issue regulations to implement this section. (Added Pub. L. 104–134, title III, § 31001(o)(1), Apr. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 1321–369.) § 3720E. Dissemination of information regarding identity of delinquent debtors (a) The head of any agency may, with the re- view of the Secretary of the Treasury, for the purpose of collecting any delinquent nontax debt owed by any person, publish or otherwise publicly disseminate information regarding the identity of the person and the existence of the nontax debt. (b)(1) The Secretary of the Treasury, in con- sultation with the Director of the Office of Man- agement and Budget and the heads of other ap- propriate Federal agencies, shall issue regula- tions establishing procedures and requirements the Secretary considers appropriate to carry out this section. (2) Regulations under this subsection shall in- clude— (A) standards for disseminating information that maximize collections of delinquent nontax debts, by directing actions under this section toward delinquent debtors that have assets or income sufficient to pay their delin- quent nontax debt; (B) procedures and requirements that pre- vent dissemination of information under this section regarding persons who have not had an opportunity to verify, contest, and com- promise their nontax debt in accordance with this subchapter; and (C) procedures to ensure that persons are not incorrectly identified pursuant to this section. (Added Pub. L. 104–134, title III, § 31001(r)(1), Apr. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 1321–372.) SUBCHAPTER III—CLAIMS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT § 3721. Claims of personnel of agencies and the District of Columbia government for per- sonal property damage or loss (a) In this section— (1) ‘‘agency’’ does not include a non- appropriated fund activity or a contractor with the United States Government. (2) ‘‘head of an agency’’ means— (A) for a military department, the Sec- retary of the military department; (B) for the Department of Defense (except the military departments), the Secretary of Defense; and (C) for another agency, the head of the agency. (3) ‘‘settle’’ means consider, determine, ad- just, and dispose of a claim by disallowance or by complete or partial allowance. (b)(1) The head of an agency may settle and pay not more than $40,000 for a claim against the Government made by a member of the uni- formed services under the jurisdiction of the agency or by an officer or employee of the agen- cy for damage to, or loss of, personal property incident to service. If, however, the claim arose from an emergency evacuation or from extraor- dinary circumstances, the amount settled and paid under the authority of the preceding sen- tence may exceed $40,000, but may not exceed $100,000. A claim allowed under this subsection may be paid in money or the personal property replaced in kind. (2) The Secretary of State may waive the set- tlement and payment limitation referred to in paragraph (1) for claims for damage or loss by United States Government personnel under the jurisdiction of a chief of mission in a foreign country if such claims arise in circumstances where there is in effect a departure from the country authorized or ordered under cir- cumstances described in section 5522(a) of title 5, if the Secretary determines that there exists ex- ceptional circumstances that warrant such a waiver. (c) On paying a claim under this section, the Government is subrogated for the amount of the payment to a right or claim that the claimant may have against a foreign country for the dam- age or loss for which the Government made the payment. (d) The Mayor of the District of Columbia may settle and pay a claim against the District of Columbia government made by an officer or em- ployee of the District of Columbia government to the same extent the head of an agency may settle and pay a claim under this section. (e) A claim may not be allowed under this sec- tion if the personal property damage or loss oc- curred at quarters occupied by the claimant in a State or the District of Columbia that were not assigned or provided in kind by the United States Government or the District of Columbia government. (f) A claim may be allowed under this section only if— (1) the claim is substantiated; (2) the head of the agency decides that pos- session of the property was reasonable or use- ful under the circumstances; and (3) no part of the loss was caused by any neg- ligent or wrongful act of the claimant or an agent or employee of the claimant. (g) A claim may be allowed under this section only if it is presented in writing within 2 years after the claim accrues. However, if a claim under subsection (b) of this section accrues dur- ing war or an armed conflict in which an armed force of the United States is involved, or has ac- crued within 2 years before war or an armed con- flict begins, and for cause shown, the claim must be presented within 2 years after the cause no longer exists or after the war or armed con- flict ends, whichever is earlier. An armed con- Page 327 TITLE 31—MONEY AND FINANCE § 3721 flict begins and ends as stated in a concurrent resolution of Congress or a decision of the Presi- dent. (h) The head of the agency— (1) may settle and pay a claim made by the surviving spouse, child, parent, or brother or sister of a dead member, officer, or employee if the claim is otherwise payable under this section; and (2) may settle and pay the claims by the sur- vivors only in the following order: (A) the spouse’s claim. (B) a child’s claim. (C) a parent’s claim. (D) a brother’s or sister’s claim. (i) Notwithstanding a contract, the represent- ative of a claimant may not receive more than 10 percent of a payment of a claim made under this section for services related to the claim. A person violating this subsection shall be fined not more than $1,000. (j) The President may prescribe policies to carry out this section (except subsection (b) to the extent that subsection (b) applies to the military departments, the Department of De- fense, and the Coast Guard). Subject to those policies, the head of each agency shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section. (k) Settlement of a claim under this section is final and conclusive. (Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 973; Pub. L. 97–452, § 1(17), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2474; Pub. L. 100–565, § 1, Oct. 31, 1988, 102 Stat. 2833; Pub. L. 103–236, title I, § 172(a), Apr. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 412; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title X, § 1088(a), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 458.) HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES 1982 ACT Revised Section Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large) 3721(a), (b). 31:240(3). Aug. 31, 1964, Pub. L. 88–558, §§ 2(3), 4, 78 Stat. 767, 768. 31:241(a)(1)(1st sen- tence words after 3d comma, 2d sen- tence words after last comma, last sentence). Aug. 31, 1964, Pub. L. 88–558, § 3(a)(1), 78 Stat. 767; re- stated Sept. 15, 1965, Pub. L. 89–185, § 3(b), 79 Stat. 789; Oct. 18, 1974, Pub. L. 93–455, § 1(a), 88 Stat. 1381. 31:241(a)(2)(words after 1st comma). Aug. 31, 1964, Pub. L. 88–558, § 3(a)(2), (3), (b)(2)–(d), 78 Stat. 767; restated Sept. 15, 1965, Pub. L. 89–185, § 3(b)–(d), 79 Stat. 789, 790. 31:241(b)(1)(1st sen- tence words after 5th comma, 2d sentence words after last comma, last sentence). Aug. 31, 1964, Pub. L. 88–558, § 3(b)(1), 78 Stat. 767; Sept. 15, 1965, Pub. L. 89–185, § 3(b), 79 Stat. 790; July 13, 1972, Pub. L. 92–352, § 106(a), 86 Stat. 491; restated Oct. 18, 1974, Pub. L. 93–455, § 1(b), 88 Stat. 1381. 31:243a(d)(2d sen- tence related to payment). Aug. 31, 1964, Pub. L. 88–558, 78 Stat. 767, § 9; added Dec. 12, 1980, Pub. L. 96–519, § 1, 94 Stat. 3031. 3721(c)(1) 31:243a(a)(words after 1st comma). 3721(c)(2) 31:243a(e). 3721(c)(3) 31:243a(note). Dec. 12, 1980, Pub. L. 96–519, § 2, 94 Stat. 3032. 3721(d) ..... 31:241(f). Aug. 31, 1964, Pub. L. 88–558, 78 Stat. 767, § 3(f); added Oct. 12, 1968, Pub. L. 90–561, 82 Stat. 998. 3721(e) ..... 31:241(c)(2). 3721(f) ..... 31:241(a)(1)(2d sen- tence words be- fore last comma), (b)(1)(2d sentence words before last comma), (c)(3). HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES—CONTINUED 1982 ACT Revised Section Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large) 31:243a(d)(2d sen- tence less pay- ment, last sen- tence). 3721(g) ..... 31:241(c)(1), (d). 31:243a(c). 3721(h) .... 31:241(a)(3), (b)(2). 31:243a(b). 3721(i) ..... 31:243. Aug. 31, 1964, Pub. L. 88–558, 78 Stat. 767, § 8; added Sept. 15, 1965, Pub. L. 89–185, § 5, 79 Stat. 791. 3721(j) ..... 31:241(a)(1)(1st sen- tence words be- fore 3d comma), (2)(words before 1st comma), (b)(1)(1st sentence words before 5th comma). 31:243a(a)(words be- fore 1st comma), (d)(1st sentence). 3721(k) .... 31:242. In the section, the words ‘‘or his designee’’ are omit- ted as unnecessary. In subsections (b) and (c), the word ‘‘civilian’’ is omitted as surplus. In subsection (b), the words ‘‘arising after August 31, 1964’’ and ‘‘arising after October 18, 1974’’ and 31:241(a)(1)(last sentence) and (b)(1)(last sentence) are omitted as executed. In subsection (c)(1)(B), the words ‘‘mob violence, ter- rorist attacks, or other’’ are omitted as surplus. The word ‘‘members’’ is added for consistency. In subsection (c)(2), the words ‘‘in which that damage or loss occurred’’ are omitted as surplus. In subsection (c)(3), the text of section 2(last sen- tence) of the Act of December 12, 1980 (Pub. L. 96–519, 94 Stat. 3032) is omitted as obsolete. Subsection (d) is substituted for 31:241(f) because of the restatement. In subsection (e), the words ‘‘assigned to him or oth- erwise’’ in 31:241(c)(2) are omitted as surplus. The words ‘‘or the District of Columbia government’’ are added because of the restatement. In subsection (f), the words ‘‘the head of the agency decides’’ are substituted for ‘‘determined to be’’ in 31:241(b)(1) for clarity. In subsection (g), the text of 31:243a(c)(words after 1st comma) are omitted as executed. The words ‘‘in writ- ing’’ and ‘‘of the United States’’ in 31:241(c)(1) are omit- ted as unnecessary. In subsection (h)(1), the words ‘‘the surviving . . . of a dead member, officer, or employee’’ are substituted for ‘‘If a person named in this subsection is dead’’ and ‘‘the decedent’s surviving’’ in 31:241(a)(3) and (b)(2) and ‘‘if such person is deceased’’ and ‘‘the decedent’s sur- viving’’ in 31:243a(b) to omit surplus words. The words ‘‘that arose before, concurrently with, or after the de- cedent’s death’’ in 31:241(a)(3) and (b)(2) and 31:243a(b) are omitted as surplus. The words ‘‘child, parent, or brother or sister’’ are substituted for ‘‘(2) children, (3) father or mother, or both, or (4) brothers or sisters, or both’’ to eliminate surplus words and because of 1:1. The words ‘‘otherwise payable’’ are substituted for ‘‘otherwise covered’’ for clarity. Subsection (h)(2) is substituted for ‘‘Claims of sur- vivors shall be settled and paid in the order named’’ in 31:241(a)(3) and (b)(2) and ‘‘Claims of survivors shall be settled and paid in the order set forth in the preceding sentence’’ in 31:243a(b) for clarity. In subsection (i), the words ‘‘to the contrary’’ are omitted as surplus. The words ‘‘representative of a claimant’’ are substituted for ‘‘agent or attorney’’ for clarity and consistency. The words ‘‘be paid or deliv- ered to or’’ are omitted as surplus. The word ‘‘pay- ment’’ is substituted for ‘‘amount paid in settlement’’ to eliminate unnecessary words. The words ‘‘individual Page 328 TITLE 31—MONEY AND FINANCE § 3722 . . . submitted and settled . . . the authority of’’ are omitted as surplus. The words ‘‘and the same shall be unlawful’’ are omitted because of the restatement. The words ‘‘shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof . . . in any sum’’ are omitted as surplus. In subsection (j), the words ‘‘the purposes of’’ in 31:241(b)(1)(1st sentence words before 5th comma) are omitted as surplus. The words ‘‘(except subsection (b) to the extent that subsection (b) applies to the military departments, the Department of Defense, and the Coast Guard)’’ are substituted for the source provisions be- cause of the restatement. The words ‘‘to carry out this section’’ after ‘‘regulations’’ are added for clarity. In subsection (k), the words ‘‘Notwithstanding any other provision of law’’ are omitted as unnecessary. 1983 ACT Revised Section Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large) 3721(b) ..... 31 App.:241(a)(1), (b)(1). July 28, 1982, Pub. L. 97–226, § 1(a), 96 Stat. 245. Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS 1996—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 104–106 inserted after first sentence ‘‘If, however, the claim arose from an emer- gency evacuation or from extraordinary circumstances, the amount settled and paid under the authority of the preceding sentence may exceed $40,000, but may not ex- ceed $100,000.’’ 1994—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–236 designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2). 1988—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–565, § 1(1), substituted ‘‘$40,000’’ for ‘‘$25,000’’. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–565, § 1(2), in amending subsec. (c) generally, redesignated former subsec. (c)(2) as (c) and substituted ‘‘section’’ for ‘‘subsection’’, struck out par. (1) which authorized agency head to pay claim against Government for not more than $40,000 to mem- ber of uniformed services, or officer or employee of agency, for damage to, or loss of, personal property in foreign country, incurred after December 30, 1978, inci- dent to service, after evacuation from foreign country, and struck out par. (3) which limited amounts to be ob- ligated or expended for claims to extent provided in ad- vance in appropriation laws. 1983—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 97–452 substituted ‘‘$25,000’’ for ‘‘$15,000’’. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1996 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title X, § 1088(b), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 459, provided that: ‘‘The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to claims arising before, on, or after the date of the enact- ment of this Act [Feb. 10, 1996].’’ EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1994 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 103–236, title I, § 172(b), Apr. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 412, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by sub- section (a) [amending this section] shall apply with re- spect to claims arising on or after October 31, 1988.’’ EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 100–565, § 2, Oct. 31, 1988, 102 Stat. 2833, pro- vided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this Act [amending this section] shall apply only to claims aris- ing on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 31, 1988].’’ EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1983 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 97–452, § 2(g), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2479, pro- vided that: ‘‘The amendment made by section 1(17) of this Act [amending this section] applies only to claims arising after July 27, 1982.’’ TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relat- ing thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Secu- rity, and the Department of Homeland Security Reor- ganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6. REPRESENTMENTS OF PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED CLAIMS Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title X, § 1088(c), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 459, provided that: ‘‘(1) A claim under subsection (b) of section 3721 of title 31, United States Code, that was settled under such section before the date of the enactment of this Act [Feb. 10, 1996] may be represented under such sec- tion, as amended by subsection (a), to the head of the agency concerned to recover the amount equal to the difference between the actual amount of the damage or loss and the amount settled and paid under the author- ity of such section before the date of the enactment of this Act, except that— ‘‘(A) the claim shall be represented in writing with- in two years after the date of the enactment of this Act; ‘‘(B) a determination of the actual amount of the damage or loss shall have been made by the head of the agency concerned pursuant to settlement of the claim under the authority of such section before the date of the enactment of this Act; ‘‘(C) the claimant shall have proof of the deter- mination referred to in subparagraph (B); and ‘‘(D) the total of all amounts paid in settlement of the claim under the authority of such section may not exceed $100,000. ‘‘(2) Subsection (k) of such section shall not apply to bar representment of a claim described in paragraph (1), but shall apply to such a claim that is represented and settled under that section after the date of the en- actment of this Act.’’ § 3722. Claims of officers and employees at Gov- ernment penal and correctional institutions (a) The Attorney General may settle and pay not more than $1,000 in any one case for a claim made by an officer or employee at a United States Government penal or correctional insti- tution for damage to, or loss of, personal prop- erty incident to employment. (b) A claim may not be allowed under this sec- tion if the loss occurred at quarters occupied by the claimant that were not assigned or provided in kind by the Government. (c) A claim may be allowed only if— (1) no part of the loss was caused by any neg- ligent or wrongful act of the claimant or an agent or employee of the claimant; (2) the Attorney General decides that posses- sion of the property was reasonable or useful under the circumstances; and (3) it is presented in writing within one year after it accrues. (d) A claim may be paid under this section only if the claimant accepts the amount of the settlement in complete satisfaction of the claim. (e) Necessary amounts are authorized to be ap- propriated to carry out this section. (Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 974.)