PUBLIC LAW 97-258—SEPT. 13, 1982 SUBCHAPTER II—CLAIMS OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT §3711. Collection and compromise (a) The head of an executive or legislative agency— (1) shall try to collect a claim of the United States Government for money or property arising out of the activities of, or referred to, the agency; (2) may compromise a claim of the Government of not more than $20,000 (excluding interest) that has not been referred to another executive or legislative agency for further collection action; and (3) may suspend or end collection action on a claim referred to in clause (2) of this subsection when it appears that no person liable on the claim has the present or prospective ability to pay a significant amount of the claim or the cost of collecting the claim is likely to be more than the amount recovered. (b) The Comptroller General has the same authority that the head of the agency has under subsection (a) of this section when the claim is referred to the Comptroller General for further collection action. Only the Comptroller General may compromise a claim arising out of an exception the Comptroller General makes in the account of an accountable official. (c)(1) The head of an executive or legislative agency may not act under subsection (a)(2) or (3) of this section on a claim that appears to be fraudulent, false, or misrepresented by a party with an interest in the claim, or that is based on conduct in violation of the antitrust laws. (2) The Secretary of Transportation may not compromise for less than $250 a penalty under section 6 of the Act of March 2, 1893 (45 U.S.C. 6), section 4 of the Act of April 14, 1910 (45 U.S.C. 13), section 9 of the Act of February 17, 1911 (45 U.S.C. 34), and section 25(h) of the Interstate Commerce Act (49 U.S.C. 26(h)). (d) A compromise under this section is final and conclusive unless gotten by fraud, misrepresentation, presenting a false claim, or mutual mistake of fact. An accountable official is not liable for an amount paid or for the value of property lost or damaged if the amount or value is not recovered because of a compromise under this section. (e) The head of an executive or legislative agency acts under— (1) regulations prescribed by the head of the agency; and (2) standards that the Attorney General and the Comptroller General may prescribe jointly. § 3712. Time limitations for presenting certain claims of the Government (a) Except as provided in this subsection, the United States Government must bring a civil action to enforce the liability of an endorser, transferor, depositary, or fiscal agent on a forged or unauthorized signature or endorsement on, or a change in, a check or warrant issued by the Secretary of the Treasury, the United States Postal Service, or a disbursing official or agent within 6 years after the check or warrant is presented to the drawee of the check or warrant for payment unless, within that period, written notice of the claim is given to the endorser, transferor, depositary, or fiscal agent. The period for bringing a civil action or giving notice is
96 STAT. 971
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