• Under automatic apportionment, the amount available during the period covered by the current CR is the lesser of either 1) a pro-rated level to reflect a constant rate of obligation over the period or 2) the seasonal rate of obligation. To calculate a pro-rated level, the agency would multiply the annualized appropriation by the number of days the CR is in effect and divide that number by 365 (days in a year). For example, H. J. Res. 111 provides 4/365 and H. J. Res. 112 provides 7/365 of the annualized appropriation.
• To determine a seasonal rate of obligation instead, an agency would first calculate the historical rate of obligation for the period of the CR from either the prior fiscal year or an average of a number of prior years. Then, the agency would multiply that historical rate by the annualized appropriation provided under the CR.

Informed Budgeteer (Senate Budget Committee) October 7, 2002