Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 96 Part 1.djvu/994

 96 STAT. 952

PUBLIC LAW 97-258—SEPT. 13, 1982 (1) warrants be issued and countersigned for the receipt, retention, and disbursement of public money and trust funds; and (2) amounts be requisitioned and advanced to accountable officials. (b) Regulations of the Secretary and the Comptroller General may provide for the payment of vouchers by authorized disbursing officials by checks drawn on the general fund of the Treasury. However, the regulations shall provide for appropriate action (including suspension or withdrawal of authority to make payments) against a delinquent disbursing official for any reason related to the official's accounts. § 3327. General authority to issue checks and other drafts The Secretary of the Treasury may issue a check or other draft on public money in the Treasury to pay an obligation of the United States Government. When the Secretary decides it is convenient to a public creditor and in the public interest, the Secretary may designate a depositary to issue a check or other draft on public money held by the depositary to pay an obligation of the Government. As directed by the Secretary, each depositary shall report to the Secretary on public money paid and received by the depositary.

Regulations.

§ 3328. Paying checks and drafts (a)(1) Except as provided in sections 3329 and 3330 of this title, a check drawn on the Treasury may be paid at any time. However, if the Secretary of the Treasury is on notice of a question of law or fact about the check when the check is presented, the Secretary shall defer payment until the Comptroller General settles the question. (2) When the Secretary decides it is appropriate, the Secretary may transfer— (A) the amount of an unpaid check drawn on the Treasury from the account on which it was drawn to a consolidated account of the Treasury available for paying checks; and (B) an amount available, but not required, for paying checks drawn on the Treasury to the appropriate receipt account. (b)(1) If a check issued by a disbursing official and drawn on a designated depositary is not paid by the last day of the fiscal year after the fiscal year in which the check was issued, the amount of the check is— (A) withdrawn from the account with the depositary; and (B) deposited in the Treasury for credit to a consolidated account of the Treasury. (2) A claim for the proceeds of an unpaid check under this subsection may be paid from a consolidated account by a check drawn on the Treasury on settlement by the Comptroller General. (c) A limitation imposed on a claim against the United States Government under section 3702 of this title does not apply to an unpaid check drawn on the Treasury or a designated depositary. (d) With the approval of the Comptroller General, the Secretary may prescribe regulations the Secretary decides are necessary to carry out subsections (a)-(c) of this section. (e)(l) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations on— (A) enforcing the speedy presentation of Government drafts; (B) paying drafts, including the place of payment; and (C) paying drafts if presentment is not made as required.

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