31 U.S.C.
United States Code, 2023 Edition
Title 31 - MONEY AND FINANCE
SUBTITLE II - THE BUDGET PROCESS
CHAPTER 13 - APPROPRIATIONS
SUBCHAPTER III - LIMITATIONS, EXCEPTIONS, AND PENALTIES
Sec. 1344 - Passenger carrier use
From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov

### §1344. Passenger carrier use

(a)(1) Funds available to a Federal agency, by appropriation or otherwise, may be expended by the Federal agency for the maintenance, operation, or repair of any passenger carrier only to the extent that such carrier is used to provide transportation for official purposes. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, transporting any individual other than the individuals listed in subsections (b) and (c) of this section between such individual's residence and such individual's place of employment is not transportation for an official purpose.

(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), transportation between the residence of an officer or employee and various locations that is—

(A) required for the performance of field work, in accordance with regulations prescribed pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, or

(B) essential for the safe and efficient performance of intelligence, counterintelligence, protective services, or criminal law enforcement duties, or transportation of federally owned canines associated with force protection duties of any part of the intelligence community (as defined in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003)),

is transportation for an official purpose, when approved in writing by the head of the Federal agency.

(3) For purposes of paragraph (1), the transportation of an individual between such individual's place of employment and a mass transit facility pursuant to subsection (g) is transportation for an official purpose.

(b) A passenger carrier may be used to transport between residence and place of employment the following officers and employees of Federal agencies:

(1)(A) the President and the Vice President;

(B) no more than 6 officers or employees in the Executive Office of the President, as designated by the President; and

(C) no more than 10 additional officers or employees of Federal agencies, as designated by the President;

(2) the Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court;

(3)(A) officers compensated at Level I of the Executive Schedule pursuant to section 5312 of title 5; and

(B) a single principal deputy to an officer described in subclause (A) of this clause, when a determination is made by such officer that such transportation is appropriate;

(4) principal diplomatic and consular officials abroad, and the United States Ambassador to the United Nations;

(5) the Deputy Secretary of Defense and Under Secretaries of Defense, the Secretary of the Air Force, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy, the members and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Commandant of the Coast Guard;

(6) the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives 1 the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;

(7) the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;

(8) the Comptroller General of the United States and the Postmaster General of the United States; and

(9) an officer or employee with regard to whom the head of a Federal agency makes a determination, in accordance with subsection (d) of this section and with regulations prescribed pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (e), that highly unusual circumstances present a clear and present danger, that an emergency exists, or that other compelling operational considerations make such transportation essential to the conduct of official business.

Except as provided in paragraph (2) of subsection (d), any authorization made pursuant to clause (9) of this subsection to permit the use of a passenger carrier to transport an officer or employee between residence and place of employment shall be effective for not more than 15 calendar days.

(c) A passenger carrier may be used to transport between residence and place of employment any person for whom protection is specifically authorized pursuant to section 3056(a) of title 18 or for whom transportation is authorized pursuant to section 28 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956, section 2637 of title 10, or section 8(a)(1) of the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949.

(d)(1) Any determination made under subsection (b)(9) of this section shall be in writing and shall include the name and title of the officer or employee affected, the reason for such determination, and the duration of the authorization for such officer or employee to use a passenger carrier for transportation between residence and place of employment.

(2) If a clear and present danger, an emergency, or a compelling operational consideration described in subsection (b)(9) of this section extends or may extend for a period in excess of 15 calendar days, the head of the Federal agency shall determine whether an authorization under such paragraph shall be extended in excess of 15 calendar days for a period of not more than 90 additional calendar days. Determinations made under this paragraph may be reviewed by the head of such agency at the end of each such period, and, where appropriate, a subsequent determination may be made whether such danger, emergency, or consideration continues to exist and whether an additional extension, not to exceed 90 calendar days, may be authorized. Determinations made under this paragraph shall be in accordance with regulations prescribed pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (e).

(3) The authority to make designations under subsection (b)(1) of this section and to make determinations pursuant to subsections (a)(2) and (b)(3)(B) and (9) of this section and pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection may not be delegated, except that, with respect to the Executive Office of the President, the President may delegate the authority of the President under subsection (b)(9) of this section to an officer in the Executive Office of the President. No designation or determination under this section may be made solely or principally for the comfort or convenience of the officer or employee.

(4) Notification of each designation or determination made under subsection (b)(1), (3)(B), and (9) of this section and under paragraph (2) of this subsection, including the name and title of the officer or employee affected, the reason for any determination under subsection (b)(9), and the expected duration of any authorization under subsection (b)(9), shall be transmitted promptly to the Committee on Government Operations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate.

(e)(1) Not later than March 15, 1987, the Administrator of General Services, after consultation with the Comptroller General, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, shall promulgate regulations governing the heads of all Federal agencies in making the determinations authorized by subsections (a)(2)(A), (b)(9), and (d)(2) of this section. Such regulations shall specify that the comfort and convenience of an officer or employee is not sufficient justification for authorizations of transportation under this section.

(2) In promulgating regulations under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Administrator of General Services shall provide criteria defining the term "field work" for purposes of subsection (a)(2)(A) of this section. Such criteria shall ensure that transportation between an employee's residence and the location of the field work will be authorized only to the extent that such transportation will substantially increase the efficiency and economy of the Government.

(f) Each Federal agency shall maintain logs or other records necessary to establish the official purpose for Government transportation provided between an individual's residence and such individual's place of employment pursuant to this section.

(g)(1) If and to the extent that the head of a Federal agency, in his or her sole discretion, deems it appropriate, a passenger carrier may be used to transport an officer or employee of a Federal agency between the officer's or employee's place of employment and a mass transit facility (whether or not publicly owned) in accordance with succeeding provisions of this subsection.

(2) Notwithstanding section 1343, a Federal agency that provides transportation services under this subsection (including by passenger carrier) may absorb the costs of such services using any funds available to such agency, whether by appropriation or otherwise.

(3) In carrying out this subsection, a Federal agency, to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with sound budget policy, should—

(A) use alternative fuel vehicles for the provision of transportation services;

(B) to the extent consistent with the purposes of this subsection, provide transportation services in a manner that does not result in additional gross income for Federal income tax purposes; and

(C) coordinate with other Federal agencies to share, and otherwise avoid duplication of, transportation services provided under this subsection.

(4) For purposes of any determination under chapter 81 of title 5 or chapter 171 of title 28, an individual shall not be considered to be in the "performance of duty" or "acting within the scope of his or her office or employment" by virtue of the fact that such individual is receiving transportation services under this subsection. Nor shall any time during which an individual uses such services be considered when calculating the hours of work or employment for that individual for purposes of title 5 of the United States Code, including chapter 55 of that title.

(5)(A) The Administrator of General Services, after consultation with the appropriate agencies, shall prescribe any regulations necessary to carry out this subsection.

(B) Transportation services under this subsection shall be subject neither to the last sentence of subsection (d)(3) nor to any regulations under the last sentence of subsection (e)(1).

(6) In this subsection, the term "passenger carrier" means a passenger motor vehicle or similar means of transportation that is owned, leased, or provided pursuant to contract by the United States Government.

(h) As used in this section—

(1) the term "passenger carrier" means a passenger motor vehicle, aircraft, boat, ship, or other similar means of transportation that is owned or leased by the United States Government; and

(2) the term "Federal agency" means—

(A) a department—

(i) including independent establishments, other agencies, and wholly owned Government corporations; but

(ii) not including the Senate, House of Representatives, or Architect of the Capitol, or the officers or employees thereof;

(B) an Executive department (as such term is defined in section 101 of title 5);

(C) a military department (as such term is defined in section 102 of title 5);

(D) a Government corporation (as such term is defined in section 103(1) of title 5);

(E) a Government controlled corporation (as such term is defined in section 103(2) of title 5);

(F) a mixed-ownership Government corporation (as such term is defined in section 9101(2) of this title);

(G) any establishment in the executive branch of the Government (including the Executive Office of the President);

(H) any independent regulatory agency (including an independent regulatory agency specified in section 3502(10) 2 of title 44);

(I) the Smithsonian Institution; and

(J) any nonappropriated fund instrumentality of the United States,

except that such term does not include the government of the District of Columbia.

(i) Notwithstanding section 410(a) of title 39, this section applies to the United States Postal Service.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 924; Pub. L. 99–550, §1(a), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3067; Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title XIII, §1314(d)(2), Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1176; Pub. L. 100–202, §101(a) [title IV, §407], Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329, 1329–26; Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title III, §326(b), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1531; Pub. L. 103–272, §4(f)(2), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1363; Pub. L. 104–91, title I, §101(a), Jan. 6, 1996, 110 Stat. 11, amended Pub. L. 104–99, title II, §211, Jan. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 37; Pub. L. 108–7, div. K, title IV, §423, Feb. 20, 2003, 117 Stat. 526; Pub. L. 108–447, div. B, title I, §117, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 2870; Pub. L. 109–59, title III, §3049(b)(1), (2), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1712, 1713; Pub. L. 111–350, §5(h)(4), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3849; Pub. L. 117–103, div. X, title III, §306, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 966.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large)
--- | --- | ---
1344(a) | 31:638a(c)(2)(1st sentence). | July 16, 1914, ch. 141, §5(c)(2)(1st, last sentences), 38 Stat. 508; restated Aug. 2, 1946, ch. 744, §16(a), 60 Stat. 810.
1344(b) | 31:638a(c)(2)(last sentence). |

In subsection (a), before clause (1), the words "officers and employees of the Government" are substituted for "officers and employees" for clarity. In clause (2), the words "performing field work requiring transportation" are substituted for "engaged in field work the character of whose duties makes such transportation necessary" to eliminate unnecessary words. The word "agency" is substituted for "department" because of section 101 of the revised title and for consistency with the source provisions restated in the section and section 1341.

In subsection (b)(2), the words "section 101 of title 5" are used because of section 7(b) of the Act of September 6, 1966 (Pub. L. 89–554, 80 Stat. 631).

In subsection (b)(3), the words "ambassadors, ministers, charges d'affaires" are omitted as being included in "principal diplomatic and consular officials".

#### Editorial Notes

#### References in Text

Section 28 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956, referred to in subsec. (c), is classified to section 2700 of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.

Section 8(a)(1) of the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949, referred to in subsec. (c), is classified to section 3510(a)(1) of Title 50, War and National Defense.

Subsection (b)(2)(B) of this section, referred to in subsec. (d)(3), (4), was redesignated subsec. (b)(3)(B) by Pub. L. 100–202. See 1987 Amendment note below.

Section 3502 of title 44, referred to in subsec. (h)(2)(H), which in par. (10) defined "independent regulatory agency", was omitted in the general amendment of chapter 35 of Title 44, Public Printing and Documents, by Pub. L. 104–13, §2, May 22, 1995, 109 Stat. 163. Pub. L. 104–13 enacted a new section 3502 of Title 44 which also defines "independent regulatory agency".

#### Codification

Amendment by Pub. L. 104–91 is based on section 118 of H.R. 2076, One Hundred Fourth Congress, as passed by the House of Representatives on Dec. 6, 1995, which was enacted into law by Pub. L. 104–91.

#### Amendments

2022—Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 117–103 inserted ", or transportation of federally owned canines associated with force protection duties of any part of the intelligence community (as defined in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003))" after "duties".

2011—Subsec. (h)(2)(A). Pub. L. 111–350 amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (A) read as follows: "a department (as such term is defined in section 18 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (41 U.S.C. 5a));".

2005—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 109–59, §3049(b)(2), added par. (3).

Subsecs. (g) to (i). Pub. L. 109–59, §3049(b)(1), added subsec. (g) and redesignated former subsecs. (g) and (h) as (h) and (i), respectively.

2004—Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 108–447 inserted "Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives" after "Federal Bureau of Investigation,".

2003—Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 108–7 added par. (6) and struck out former par. (6) which read as follows: "the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration;".

1996—Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 104–91, as amended by Pub. L. 104–99, amended par. (6) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (6) read as follows: "the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation;".

1994—Subsecs. (b), (d), (e). Pub. L. 103–272 amended Pub. L. 100–202. See 1987 Amendment notes below.

1990—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101–510 inserted ", section 2637 of title 10," after "Act of 1956".

1987—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–202, §101(a) [title IV, §407(1)], as amended by Pub. L. 103–272, added cl. (2), redesignated former cl. (2) as (3) and in subcl. (B) substituted "subclause (A) of this clause" for "subparagraph (A) of this paragraph", redesignated former cls. (3) to (8) as (4) to (9), respectively, and in last sentence substituted "clause (9)" for "paragraph (8)".

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 100–180 inserted "the members and Vice Chairman of" before "the Joint Chiefs of Staff".

Subsec. (d)(1), (2). Pub. L. 100–202, §101(a) [title IV, §407(2)(A)], as amended by Pub. L. 103–272, substituted "subsection (b)(9) of this section" for "paragraph (8) of subsection (b)".

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 100–202, §101(a) [title IV, §407(2)(B)], as amended by Pub. L. 103–272, substituted "subsections (a)(2) and (b)(3)(B) and (9)" for "subsections (a)(2), (b)(2)(B), and (b)(8)" and "subsection (b)(9)" for "subsection (b)(8)".

Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 100–202, §101(a) [title IV, §407(2)(C)], as amended by Pub. L. 103–272, substituted "subsection (b)(1), (3)(B), and (9) of this section" and "subsection (b)(9), and the expected duration of any authorization under subsection (b)(9)" for "paragraphs (1), (2)(B), and (8) of subsection (b)" and "paragraph (8) of subsection (b), and the expected duration of any authorization under such paragraph", respectively.

Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 100–202, §101(a) [title IV, §407(3)], as amended by Pub. L. 103–272, substituted "(b)(9)" for "(b)(8)".

1986—Pub. L. 99–550 substituted "carrier" for "motor vehicle and aircraft" in section catchline and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:

"(a) Except as specifically provided by law, an appropriation may be expended to maintain, operate, and repair passenger motor vehicles or aircraft of the United States Government that are used only for an official purpose. An official purpose does not include transporting officers or employees of the Government between their domiciles and places of employment except—

"(1) medical officers on out-patient medical service; and

"(2) officers or employees performing field work requiring transportation between their domiciles and places of employment when the transportation is approved by the head of the agency.

"(b) This section does not apply to a motor vehicle or aircraft for the official use of—

"(1) the President;

"(2) the heads of executive departments listed in section 101 of title 5; or

"(3) principal diplomatic and consular officials."

#### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

#### Change of Name

Reference to the Director of Central Intelligence or the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency in the Director's capacity as the head of the intelligence community deemed to be a reference to the Director of National Intelligence. Reference to the Director of Central Intelligence or the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency in the Director's capacity as the head of the Central Intelligence Agency deemed to be a reference to the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. See section 1081(a), (b) of Pub. L. 108–458, set out as a note under section 3001 of Title 50, War and National Defense.

Committee on Governmental Affairs of Senate changed to Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of Senate, effective Jan. 4, 2005, by Senate Resolution No. 445, One Hundred Eighth Congress, Oct. 9, 2004.

Committee on Government Operations of House of Representatives treated as referring to Committee on Government Reform and Oversight of House of Representatives by section 1(a) of Pub. L. 104–14, set out as a note preceding section 21 of Title 2, The Congress. Committee on Government Reform and Oversight of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Government Reform of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Sixth Congress, Jan. 6, 1999. Committee on Government Reform of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Oversight and Reform of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, Jan. 9, 2019. Committee on Oversight and Reform of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Oversight and Accountability of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Eighteenth Congress, Jan. 9, 2023.

#### Effective Date of 2004 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–447, div. B, title I, §117, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 2870, provided in part that: "This amendment [amending this section] shall take effect as if enacted on January 1, 2004."

#### Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–272, §4(f)(2), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1363, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective Dec. 22, 1987.

#### 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 relating 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 Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

#### Charging Helps Agencies Realize General Efficiencies

Pub. L. 116–160, Oct. 1, 2020, 134 Stat. 753, provided that:

#### "SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

"This Act may be cited as the 'Charging Helps Agencies Realize General Efficiencies Act' or the 'CHARGE Act'.

#### "SEC. 2. PAYMENT BY CHARGE CARD FOR CHARGING FEDERAL ELECTRIC MOTOR VEHICLES.

"(a) Definitions.—In this Act—

"(1) the term 'Administrator' means the Administrator of General Services;

"(2) the term 'charge card'—

"(A) means a card, plate, coupon book, or other means existing for the purpose of obtaining money, property, labor, or services; and

"(B) includes—

"(i) a card issued under the GSA SmartPay program; and

"(ii) a Fleet Services card;

"(3) the term 'covered electric motor vehicle' means a passenger carrier that is—

"(A) a passenger motor vehicle; and

"(B) an electric motor vehicle;

"(4) the term 'electric motor vehicle' has the meaning given the term in section 601 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13271);

"(5) the term 'electric motor vehicle charging station' means a battery-charging station that permits the transfer of electric energy (by conductive or inductive means) to a battery or other storage device in an electric motor vehicle; and

"(6) the terms 'Federal agency' and 'passenger carrier' have the meanings given those terms in section 1344(h) of title 31, United States Code.

"(b) Guidance.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 1, 2020], the Administrator shall issue guidance to clarify that each Federal agency may, in accordance with section 1344 of title 31, United States Code—

"(1) charge a covered electric motor vehicle at a commercial electric motor vehicle charging station; and

"(2) pay for a transaction described in paragraph (1) with a charge card.

"(c) Issuance of charge cards.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue to each Federal agency a charge card for each covered electric motor vehicle of the Federal agency that may be used by an officer or employee of the Federal agency to pay for charging the covered motor vehicle in accordance with the guidance issued under subsection (b)."

#### Coordination

Pub. L. 109–59, title III, §3049(b)(3), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1713, provided that: "The authority to provide transportation services under section 1344(g) of title 31, United States Code (as amended by paragraph (1)) shall be in addition to any authority otherwise available to the agency involved."

#### Use of Government Vehicles

Pub. L. 101–194, title V, §503, Nov. 30, 1989, 103 Stat. 1755, as amended by Pub. L. 101–280, §6(b), May 4, 1990, 104 Stat. 160, provided that: "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the head of each department, agency, or other entity of each branch of the Government may prescribe by rule appropriate conditions for the incidental use, for other than official business, of vehicles owned or leased by the Government. Such use with respect to vehicles owned or leased by, or the cost of which is reimbursed by, the House of Representatives or the Senate shall be only as prescribed by rule of the House of Representatives or the Senate, as applicable."

#### Use of Official Vehicles of House of Representatives

Pub. L. 101–194, title VIII, §802(d), Nov. 30, 1989, 103 Stat. 1773, as amended by Pub. L. 104–186, title II, §219(a), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1747, provided that: "The Committee on House Oversight [now Committee on House Administration] of the House of Representatives shall take such action as may be necessary to carry out section 503 [set out above] with respect to vehicles of the House of Representatives."

1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.

2 See References in Text note below.