308
PUBLIC LAW
89-507-JULY
18,
1%6
[80 STAT.
Ante, p. 30 6.
Effective date.
SEC.
9. (a) The section heading of section 2672 of title 28, United
States Code, is amended
to
read as
follows:
"§
2672. Administrative
adjustment
of claims"
(b) The analysis of chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code,
immediately preceding section 2671 of such title, is amended by
deleting the item
"2672.
Administrative adjustment of claims of
$2,o00
ov less."
and inserting in lieu
thereof:
•'2672.
Administrative adjustment of claims."
SEC.
10. This Act shall apply to claims accruing six months or more
after the date of its enactment.
Approved July 18, 1966.
July 18, 1966
[H.
R.
14182]
Public Law 89-507
AN ACT
To provide for
judgments
for costs against the United States.
Judgments for
costs against U.S.
62 Stat. 973.
75 Stat. 415;
62 Stat. 979.
Repeal.
Applicability.
Be it enacted
hy
the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of
America
in
Congress
assembled^
That section 2412 of
title 28 of the United States Code is amended to read as
follows:
"Except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, a judgment
for
costs, as enumerated in section 1920 of this title but not including
the fees and expenses of attorneys may be awarded to the prevailing
party in any civil action brought by or against the United States or
any agency or official of the United States acting in his official
capacity, in any court having jurisdiction of such action. A judg-
ment for costs when taxed against the Government shall, in an amount
established by statute or court rule or order, be limited to reimbursing
in whole or in part the prevailing
party for
the costs incurred by him
in the litigation. Payment of a judgment for costs shall be as pro-
vided in section 2414 and section 2517 of this title for the payment of
judgments against the United States."
SEC.
2. Section 2520(d) of title 28 of the United States Code is
hereby repealed.
SEC.
3. These amendments shall apply only to judgments entered
in actions filed subsequent to the date of enactment of this Act. These
amendments shall not authorize the reopening or modification of
judgments entered prior to the enactment of this Act.
Approved July 18, 1966.
July 19, 1966
[H.R. 13651]
Public Law 89-508
AN ACT
To avoid unnecessary litigation by providing for the collection of claims of the
United States, and for other purposes.
Federal Claims
Collection Act of
1966.
Definitions.
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United
States of America in
Congress
assembled^
That this Act may
be cited as the "Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966".
SEC.
2.
In this
Act—
(a) "agency" means any department, office, commission, board,
service.
Government corporation, instrumentality, or other estab-
lishment or body in either the executive or legislative branch of
the Federal
Government;
80
STAT.
] PUBLIC LAW
89-508-JULY
19, 1966 309
(b) "head of an agency'' includes, where applicable, commis-
sion, board, or other group of individuals having the decision-
making responsibility for the agency.
SEC,
3. (a) The head of an agency or his designee, pursuant to
u.s.
claims,
regulations prescribed by him and in conformity with such standards
'^° ^^
'°"-
as may be promulgated jointly by the Attorney General and the Comp-
troller General, shall attempt collection of all claims of the United
States for money or property arising out of the activities of, or
referred to, his agency.
(b) with respect to such claims of the United States that have not
been referred to another agency, including the General Accounting
Office, for further collection action and that do not exceed $20,000,
exclusive of interest, the head of an agency or his designee, pursuant
to regulations prescribed by him and in conformity with such stand-
ards as may be promulgated jointly by the Attorney General and the
Comptroller General, may (1) compromise any such claim, or (2)
cause collection action on any such claim to be terminated or suspended
where it
afjpears
that no person liable on the claim has the present
or prospective financial ability to pay any significant sum thereon or
that the cost of collecting the claim
is
likely to exceed the amount of
recovery. The Comptroller General or his designee shall have the
foregoing authority with respect to claims referred to the General
Accounting Office by another agency for further collection action.
The head of an agency or his designee shall not exercise the foregoing
authority with respect to a claim as to which there is an indication of
fraud, the presentation of a false claim, or misrepresentation on the
part of the debtor or any other party having an interest in the claim,
or a claim based in whole or in part on conduct in violation of the
antitrust laws; nor shall the head of an agency, other
than
the Comp-
troller General of the United States, have
authority
to compromise a
claim that arises from an exception made by the General Accounting
Office in the account of an accountable officer.
(c) A compromise effected pursuant to authority conferred by sub-
section (b) of this section shall be final and conclusive on the debtor
and on all officials, agencies, and courts of the United States, except if
procured by fraud, misrepresentation, the presentation of a false
claim, or mutual mistake of
fact.
No accountable officer shall be liable
for any amount paid or for the value of property lost, damaged, or
destroyed,
w^here
the recovery of such amount or value may not be had
because of a compromise with a person primarily responsible under
subsection (b).
SEC.
4. Nothing in this Act shall increase or diminish the existing
authority of the head of an agency to litigate claims, or diminish his
existing authority to settle, compromise, or close claims.
SEC.
5. This Act shall become effective on the one hundred and
Effective
date.
eightieth day following the date of its enactment.
Approved July 19, 1966.
