---
kind: "section"
citation: "4 U.S.C. § 125"
title: "4"
title_heading: "Flag and Seal, Seat of Government, and the States"
number: "125"
heading: "Nonseverability"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/4/125"
units:
  - "Chapter 4 — The States"
---

# §125. Nonseverability


If a court of competent jurisdiction enters a final judgment on the merits that—

- (1) is based on Federal law;
- (2) is no longer subject to appeal; and
- (3) substantially limits or impairs the essential elements of sections [116](/usc/4/116.md) through [126](/usc/4/126.md) of this title,

then sections [116](/usc/4/116.md) through [126](/usc/4/126.md) of this title are invalid and have no legal effect as of the date of entry of such judgment.


## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 106–252, § 2(a), July 28, 2000, 114 Stat. 632.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date; Application of Amendment

Section effective July 28, 2000, and applicable only to customer bills issued after the first day of the first month beginning more than 2 years after July 28, 2000, see section 3 of Pub. L. 106–252, set out as a note under section 116 of this title.