Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

15 U.S.C. § 647

Duplication of activities of other Federal departments or agencies

(a)

General prohibition; exception

1

1 So in original.
The Administration shall not duplicate the work or activity of any other department or agency of the Federal Government,, and nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to authorize any such duplication unless such work or activity is expressly provided for in this chapter. If loan applications are being refused or loans denied by such other department or agency responsible for such work or activity due to administrative withholding from obligation or withholding from apportionment, or due to administratively declared moratorium, then, for purposes of this section, no duplication shall be deemed to have occurred.

(b)

“Agricultural enterprises” defined

As used in this chapter, the term “agricultural enterprises” means those small business concerns engaged in the production of food and fiber, ranching, and raising of livestock, aquaculture, and all other farming and agricultural-related industries.

Pub. L. 85–536, § 2[18]72 Stat. 396Pub. L. 93–386, § 588 Stat. 746Pub. L. 94–305, title I, § 112(e)90 Stat. 667Pub. L. 96–38, title I, § 101(c)93 Stat. 119Pub. L. 96–302, title I, § 119(c)94 Stat. 841Pub. L. 98–270, title III, § 30398 Stat. 160Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title IV, § 240198 Stat. 1116Pub. L. 99–272, title XVIII, § 18006(a)(3)100 Stat. 366Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title XVIII, § 1831(a)130 Stat. 2657Pub. L. 115–189, § 4(b)132 Stat. 1497(, , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

act July 30, 1953, ch. 282act Aug. 9, 1955, ch. 628, § 1469 Stat. 551section 651 of this titlePub. L. 85–536section 641 of this titlesection 631 of this titlePrior similar provisions were contained in section 225, of , as added by , , which was previously classified to . The provisions of section 218 of act , formerly classified to this section, were transferred to section 2[12] of , and are classified to . See Codification note set out under .

Amendments

Pub. L. 115–1892018—Subsec. (b). amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “As used in this chapter—

“(1) ‘agricultural enterprises’ means those small business concerns engaged in the production of food and fiber, ranching, and raising of livestock, aquaculture, and all other farming and agricultural related industries; and

“(2) ‘credit elsewhere’ means the availability of sufficient credit from non-Federal sources at reasonable rates and terms, taking into consideration prevailing private rates and terms in the community in or near where the concern transacts business for similar purposes and periods of time.”

Pub. L. 114–3282016—Subsec. (b)(1). substituted “small business concerns” for “businesses”.

Pub. L. 99–272section 636(b)(1) of this title1986—Subsec. (a). struck out agricultural enterprises exception and proviso that, prior to , an agricultural enterprise not be eligible for loan assistance under to repair or replace property other than residences and/or personal property unless it is declined for, or would be declined for, emergency loan assistance at substantially similar interest rates from the Farmers Home Administration under subchapter III of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.

Pub. L. 98–3691984—Subsec. (a). substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 98–270 substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 96–302, § 119(c)(1)1980—Subsec. (a). , inserted proviso relating to eligibility for loan assistance prior to .

Pub. L. 96–302, § 119(c)(2)Subsec. (b). , added par. (1) and designated as par. (2) existing definition of “credit elsewhere”.

Pub. L. 96–381979— designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b).

Pub. L. 94–3051976— inserted reference to those enterprises engaged in the production of food and fiber, ranching, and raising of livestock, aquaculture, and all other farming and agricultural related industries.

Pub. L. 93–3861974— inserted provision authorizing the refusal of loan applications and the denial of loans, for purposes of this section, to be deemed nonduplication of activities.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Pub. L. 98–270section 313 of Pub. L. 98–270section 632 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Pub. L. 96–302section 119(d) of Pub. L. 96–302section 636 of this titleAmendment by inapplicable to disasters commencing on or before , see , set out as a note under .

Programs Administered by the Department of Commerce

Pub. L. 95–507, § 20792 Stat. 1767

Pub. L. 95–507Pub. L. 95–507“Nothing in this chapter [meaning chapter 1 of title II of , consisting of sections 201–206 of which amended sections 631, 633, 636, and 637 of this title] is intended to duplicate or limit any programs or projects administered by the Department of Commerce.”
, , , provided that: