---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 2332"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "2332"
heading: "Priorities; uniformity; preferences; impairment of rights"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/2332"
units:
  - "Chapter 24 — Disposal of Atomic Energy Communities"
  - "Subchapter III — Classification of Property and Priorities"
---

# §2332. Priorities; uniformity; preferences; impairment of rights


The [Commission](/usc/42/2304.md?p=a) shall establish, by rule or regulation, a detailed system of reasonable and fair priority rights applicable to the sale of Government-owned property to private purchasers at each [community](/usc/42/2304.md?p=b). The priorities shall—

- (a) be uniform in each class or subclass of property;
- (b) give such preference to [occupants](/usc/42/2304.md?p=g) and [project-connected persons](/usc/42/2304.md?p=j) and to incoming employees of the [Commission](/usc/42/2304.md?p=a), of a contractor, or of a licensee as the [Commission](/usc/42/2304.md?p=a) finds necessary or desirable, giving due consideration to the following factors:
  - (1) The retention and recruitment of personnel essential to the atomic energy program;
  - (2) The minimization of dislocations within the [community](/usc/42/2304.md?p=b);
  - (3) The expeditious accomplishment of the [disposal](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=7) program; and
  - (4) The desirability of encouraging private firms to locate or remain in the [community](/usc/42/2304.md?p=b);
- (c) give the [occupant](/usc/42/2304.md?p=g) of a Government-owned [single family](/usc/42/2304.md?p=m) [house](/usc/42/2304.md?p=c), and the senior [occupant](/usc/42/2304.md?p=g) of a duplex [house](/usc/42/2304.md?p=c), at least ninety days in which to exercise the first right of priority;
- (d) permit persons who have formerly been [occupants](/usc/42/2304.md?p=g), [project-connected persons](/usc/42/2304.md?p=j), or inhabitants of the [community](/usc/42/2304.md?p=b), upon application therefor, to have such priority as the [Commission](/usc/42/2304.md?p=a) finds to be fair and equitable; and
- (e) not impair any rights, including purchase rights, conferred by existing leases and covenants.

## Source credit

(Aug. 4, 1955, ch. 543, ch. 4, § 42, 69 Stat. 475.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Transfer of Functions

Atomic Energy Commission abolished and functions transferred by sections 5814 and 5841 of this title. See also Transfer of Functions notes set out under those sections.