# Federal Appropriations Law Refresher and Update (Self-Paced)

Canonical URL: <https://www.graduateschool.edu/courses/federal-appropriations-law-refresher-and-update-self-paced>

## Overview

This course provides a periodic refresher and update on federal appropriations law that is needed for the following reasons: 

1. Congress passes new laws from time to time 
2. Federal Courts issue new decisions that set precedent 
3. The Comptroller General occasionally renders new decisions or modifies existing decisions 

This course brings you up-to-date on all of these changes to federal appropriations law. Participants will learn to apply appropriations law concepts by completing case studies based on Comptroller General decisions.

## What you'll learn

- Evaluate propriety of administrative decisions.
- Apply Comptroller General decisions.
- Assist in the legal obligation of funds.
- Avoid Anti-Deficiency Act violations.
- Record obligations properly.

## Prerequisites

Students should have prior experience working with financial data, interpreting basic financial statements, and applying analytical techniques such as trend or variance analysis, as well as familiarity with budgeting or performance measurement in a federal context.

## Curriculum

#### Module 1: Introduction

- Review the purpose and objectives of federal appropriations law.
- Understand the scope and application of appropriations regulations in federal agencies.
- Introduce key terminology and concepts used in funding law.

#### Module 2: Legal Framework

- Examine constitutional provisions, statutes, and case law governing appropriations.
- Identify the roles of Congress, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
- Understand the hierarchy of legal authority in federal funding decisions.

#### Module 3: Availability of Appropriations — Purpose

- Explain the “Purpose Statute” and its role in determining legal expenditure uses.
- Discuss the principles of necessary expense doctrine.
- Review examples of permissible and impermissible use of funds.

#### Module 4: Reserved for Future Use

- This section is intentionally left blank for future course updates and new guidance.

#### Module 5: Availability of Appropriations — Time

- Understand the rules governing the period of availability for federal funds.
- Differentiate between annual, multiple-year, and no-year appropriations.
- Review expiration and cancellation of appropriations.

#### Module 6: Availability of Appropriations — Amount

- Examine statutory limitations on the amount of appropriations available.
- Discuss the Anti-Deficiency Act and its implications for agency operations.
- Review reporting and corrective actions for violations.

#### Module 7: Obligation of Appropriations

- Define “obligation” in the context of federal appropriations law.
- Identify the legal criteria for valid obligations.
- Review common issues and errors in obligating funds.

#### Module 8: Continuing Resolutions

- Explain the purpose and function of continuing resolutions in maintaining government operations.
- Discuss the limitations and challenges of operating under continuing resolutions.
- Review compliance requirements during temporary funding measures.

#### Module 9: Liability and Relief of Accountable Officers

- Identify the responsibilities of accountable officers in federal financial management.
- Discuss legal liabilities and potential penalties for misuse of funds.
- Review processes for requesting and obtaining relief from liability.

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $1049