Us Code § 502 - Rental of property for Forest Service; forage, care, and housing of animals; storage of vehicles and other equipment; pack stock; loss, damage, or destruction of horses, vehicles, and other equipment

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 502 — Rental of property for Forest Service; forage, care, and housing of animals; storage of vehicles and other equipment; pack stock; loss, damage, or destruction of horses, vehicles, and other equipment, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 502. Rental of property for Forest Service; forage, care, and housing of animals; storage of vehicles and other equipment; pack stock; loss, damage, or destruction of horses, vehicles, and other equipment

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized, under such regulations as he may prescribe:

(a) To hire or rent property from employees of the Forest Service for the use of that Service whenever the public interest will be promoted thereby.

(b) To provide forage, care, and housing for animals, and storage for vehicles and other equipment obtained by the Forest Service for the use of that service from employees.

(c) To contract with public and private agencies, corporations, firms, associations, or individuals to train, provide forage, care, and housing for, and to work pack stock owned and held in reserve by the Forest Service for fire emergency purposes and as all or part of the consideration therefor to permit such contractors to use the stock for their own purposes during the periods of nonuse by the Forest Service.

(d) To reimburse owners for loss, damage, or destruction of horses, vehicles, and other equipment obtained by the Forest Service for the use of that service from employees or other private owners: Provided, That payments or reimbursements herein authorized may be made from the applicable appropriations for the Forest Service: And provided further, That except for fire fighting emergencies no reimbursement herein authorized shall be made in an amount in excess of $50 to persons who were employees of the Forest Service prior to the time the equipment was obtained or $2,500 in any other case, unless the equipment was made available under a written agreement, contract, or lease.

(Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 145, §1 (part), 37 Stat. 843; Jan. 31, 1931, ch. 76, 46 Stat. 1052; Pub. L. 85–464, §1, June 20, 1958, 72 Stat. 216; Pub. L. 89–270, Oct. 19, 1965, 79 Stat. 991; Pub. L. 97–375, title I, §103(b), Dec. 21, 1982, 96 Stat. 1819.)


Editorial Notes

Amendments

1982—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–375 struck out provision that the Secretary transmit to Congress a statement of rentals under the authority of this paragraph as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year.

1965—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 89–270 required the transmittal of statement of rentals during the fiscal year to congressional committees and omitted restriction against use of hired or rented property by the employee from whom hired or rented and $3,000 limitation on aggregate amount of payment in any one year to permanent employees, exclusive of fire emergency obligations.

1958—Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 85–464 added subsec. (c), redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d) and authorized reimbursement in an amount not in excess of $2,500 in any case where the person is not an employee of the Forest Service at the time the equipment is obtained.

1931—Act Jan. 31, 1931, substituted "The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized, under such regulations as he may prescribe" for prior provision which authorized Secretary to reimburse owners of private property lost or damaged while being used for necessary official business.

Subsecs. (a) to (c). Act Jan. 31, 1931, added subsecs. (a) to (c).

About This Section

16 U.S.C. § 502 is part of Title 16 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 16 U.S.C. § 502. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 502

What does United States Code § 502 cover?

Section 502 ("Rental of property for Forest Service; forage, care, and housing of animals; storage of vehicles and other equipment; pack stock; loss, damage, or destruction of horses, vehicles, and other equipment") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 502?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 502" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 502 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.