APPROPRIATIONS LAW
Appropriations Law governs the expenditure of government funds; therefore every agency is affected
and concerned with the legality of spending. Appropriations Law is constantly changing, as
decisions of the Comptroller General are issued on a daily basis; therefore, there is no "absolutely
correct answer for today and always." Emphasis is placed on teaching attendees where to find the
answers to common questions such as: "How much may I spend, when may I spend it, and on what
may I spend it?" The information used is from all four volumes of the "Principles of Appropriations
Law" issued by the Government Accountability Office, supplemented by recent decisions of the
Comptroller General and changes in the governing law. The course is 4 days in length and grants
32 Continuing Professional Education units.
OBJECTIVES
Upon completion, attendees will be able to:
CONTENT
Class consists of lecture, workshops, and team efforts with heavy emphasis on case studies
designed to illustrate the process and procedures. Specific topics include:
AUDIENCE
This course is designed for those needing to understand the legal aspects of federal spending on a
day-to-day basis.
Appropriations Law governs the expenditure of government funds; therefore every agency is affected
and concerned with the legality of spending. Appropriations Law is constantly changing, as
decisions of the Comptroller General are issued on a daily basis; therefore, there is no "absolutely
correct answer for today and always." Emphasis is placed on teaching attendees where to find the
answers to common questions such as: "How much may I spend, when may I spend it, and on what
may I spend it?" The information used is from all four volumes of the "Principles of Appropriations
Law" issued by the Government Accountability Office, supplemented by recent decisions of the
Comptroller General and changes in the governing law. The course is 4 days in length and grants
32 Continuing Professional Education units.
OBJECTIVES
Upon completion, attendees will be able to:
- Analyze availability of funds as to purpose, time, and amount
- Understand the impact of the various types of appropriations available
- Know the ground-rules for "reprogramming" funds
- Identify legal and valid obligations
- Apply the "necessary expense" rule for expenditures
- Correctly use the bona fide needs rule
- Not violate the Anti-Deficiency Act
CONTENT
Class consists of lecture, workshops, and team efforts with heavy emphasis on case studies
designed to illustrate the process and procedures. Specific topics include:
- Nature of Appropriation Law
- Life Cycle of an Appropriation
- Interpretation of an Appropriation
- Authorization vs. Appropriation
- Appropriation vs. Apportionment
- Availability of Appropriations as to Time, Purpose, Amount
- Obligations
AUDIENCE
This course is designed for those needing to understand the legal aspects of federal spending on a
day-to-day basis.
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