Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 96 Part 1.djvu/1012

 96 STAT. 970

PUBLIC LAW 97-258—SEPT. 13, 1982 Sec. 3727. 3728. 3729. 3730. 3731.

Assignments of claims. Setoff against judgment. False claims. Civil actions for false claims. False claims procedure.

SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL §3701. Definitions In this chapter— (1) "executive or legislative agency" means a department, agency, or instrumentality in the executive or legislative branch of the United States Government. (2) "military department" means the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. (3) "uniformed services" means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service.

Report to Congress.

§ 3702. Authority of the Comptroller General to settle claims (a) Except as provided in this chapter or another law, the Comptroller General shall settle all claims of or against the United States Government. A claim that was not administratively examined before submission to the Comptroller General shall be examined by 2 officers or employees of the General Accounting Office independently of each other. (b)(1) A claim against the Government presented under this section must contain the signature and address of the claimant or an authorized representative. The claim must be received by the Comptroller General within 6 years after the claim accrues except— (A) as provided in this chapter or another law; or (B) a claim of a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory or possession of the United States. (2) When the claim of a member of the armed forces accrues during war or within 5 years before war begins, the claim must be presented to the Comptroller General within 5 years after peace is established or within the period provided in clause (1) of subsection, whichever is later. (3) The Comptroller General shall return a claim not received in the time required under this subsection with a copy of this subsection and no further communication is required. (c) A claim on a check or warrant that the records of the Comptroller General or the Secretary of the Treasury show as being paid must be presented to the Comptroller General or the Secretary within 6 years after the check or warrant was issued. (d) The Comptroller General shall report to Congress on a claim against the Government that is timely presented under this section that may not be adjusted by using an existing appropriation, and that the Comptroller General believes Congress should consider for legal or equitable reasons. The report shall include recommendations of the Comptroller General.

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