A search for the term “462 text” can yield a bewildering array of results, leaving the average user more confused than when they started. One search might point to a complex piece of federal legislation, another to a state-level criminal statute, and a third to a cryptic text message received on a mobile phone. This confusion arises because the number “462” is a polysemous identifier—a simple numerical label used across dozens of independent systems, from the halls of Congress to the infrastructure of telecommunications. Each system uses the number for its own internal logic, creating a significant challenge for anyone trying to find a specific, context-driven answer.
The core problem is not a lack of information, but an overabundance of conflicting, context-less data. A homeowner in New York trying to understand their legal obligations has no interest in a public lands bill in Nevada, just as a person troubleshooting a text message has no need for the intricacies of labor union law. This report serves as the single most comprehensive resource for disambiguating the term “462” for a United States audience. It is designed to solve this “context collapse” by systematically organizing and explaining each distinct meaning. This guide will navigate the various uses of “462” in federal law, congressional bills and votes, state-level legislation with a particular focus on real estate and criminal law, and its role in modern technology, providing clarity and definitive answers.
“Section 462” in the United States Code: A Federal Law Breakdown
The United States Code is the official compilation of permanent federal statutes. It is organized by subject matter into 54 different “titles,” and each title is further broken down into chapters and sections. Because this organizational system is used across all areas of federal law, the designation “Section 462” appears in multiple titles, each referring to a completely different and unrelated law. Understanding which “Section 462” is relevant depends entirely on the title number it is associated with.
28 U.S.C. § 462: Court Accommodations – Where Federal Justice Happens
Found in Title 28, which governs the Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, this statute is a critical administrative law that dictates the physical locations where federal courts can operate. It stipulates that sessions of United States courts, with the exception of the Supreme Court, can only be held in places where the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts provides official accommodations or where suitable facilities are furnished at no cost to the judicial branch.
The law further specifies that the Director can only provide permanent courtrooms and chambers at places where regular court sessions are legally authorized, and only after the judicial council of the relevant circuit has approved the accommodations as necessary. This ensures a centralized and fiscally responsible process for establishing federal courthouses. The statute also includes provisions allowing for chambers for circuit judges at other locations within their circuit and specifies that permanent accommodations for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims shall be located only in the District of Columbia. This law is fundamental to the orderly administration of justice, ensuring that federal judicial proceedings occur in appropriate, approved, and properly funded facilities across the nation.
29 U.S.C. § 462: Labor Union Trusteeships – Ensuring Fair Representation
Under Title 29, which covers Labor law, this section addresses the governance of labor unions. Specifically, it defines the legitimate purposes for which a national or international labor organization can impose a “trusteeship” over a subordinate body, such as a local union chapter. A trusteeship is a mechanism where the parent organization suspends the autonomy of a local chapter to take control of its assets and manage its affairs.
According to this statute, a trusteeship can only be established and administered in accordance with the parent organization’s constitution and bylaws and for a limited set of reasons. These include correcting corruption or financial malpractice, assuring the performance of collective bargaining agreements, restoring democratic procedures, or otherwise carrying out the legitimate objectives of the labor organization. This law serves as a crucial protection for the rights of rank-and-file union members, preventing national leadership from taking over local chapters for arbitrary or punitive reasons and ensuring that such a significant intervention is only used to address serious issues of misconduct or mismanagement.
6 U.S.C. § 462: Office of National Capital Region Coordination – Securing Washington D.C.
This statute is part of Title 6, covering Domestic Security. It establishes the Office of National Capital Region Coordination within the Department of Homeland Security. The primary function of this office is to oversee and coordinate federal programs and relationships with state, local, and regional authorities within the National Capital Region—an area that includes the District of Columbia and surrounding parts of Maryland and Virginia.
The office is tasked with a range of responsibilities aimed at integrating regional authorities into federal homeland security planning. These duties include assessing and advocating for the resources needed by local authorities, providing them with technical support and information, and coordinating with all levels of government on terrorism preparedness, information sharing, and training exercises. Enacted in the wake of the September 11th attacks, this law reflects the unique and heightened security concerns surrounding the nation’s capital and creates a formal structure for the complex intergovernmental cooperation required to protect it.
Other Notable Federal Statutes (A Quick Reference Guide)
The number 462 appears in several other titles of the U.S. Code, each with a distinct purpose.
- 21 U.S.C. § 462 (Poultry and Poultry Products Inspection): This law is a consumer protection measure within the food and drug regulations. It ensures due process by requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to give a person or business reasonable notice of an alleged violation and an opportunity to present their views before the case is reported to a U.S. attorney for criminal prosecution.
- 50 U.S.C. App. § 462 (Military Selective Service Act): This section, part of the appendix to Title 50 (War and National Defense), outlines the offenses and penalties associated with the military draft. It has been a historically significant piece of legislation, particularly during periods of conscription, defining the legal consequences for those who fail to comply with selective service laws.
- 26 U.S.C. § 462 (Repealed Tax Law): Formerly part of the Internal Revenue Code, this section related to the creation of reserves for estimated business expenses. It was repealed by Congress in 1955. Its existence is primarily of interest for historical tax research and understanding the evolution of U.S. tax policy.
- 9 Stat. 462 (Fugitive Slave Act of 1850): While not part of the modern U.S. Code, this citation refers to a historically infamous act of Congress found in Volume 9 of the United States Statutes at Large, page 462. This law compelled officials and citizens in free states to aid in the capture and return of escaped slaves, imposing harsh penalties for non-compliance. It was a major point of contention that contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War.
To provide a clear and accessible overview, the various federal laws designated as “Section 462” are summarized in the table below.
“Bill 462” & “Vote 462”: How Congress Uses the Number
Beyond permanent law codified in the U.S. Code, the number 462 frequently appears in the day-to-day operations of the United States Congress. Each two-year congressional session sees thousands of pieces of proposed legislation, known as bills, introduced in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. These bills are assigned sequential numbers, meaning there will be a “House Bill 462” (H.R. 462) and a “Senate Bill 462” (S. 462) in every Congress, each dealing with a different topic. Furthermore, recorded votes taken on the floor of the House or Senate are also numbered sequentially, known as Roll Call votes.
H.R. 462: The “No Support for Terror Act”
Introduced in the House of Representatives during the 119th Congress (2025-2026), H.R. 462 is titled the “No Support for Terror Act”. This bill addresses matters of foreign trade and international finance. Its primary objective is to prevent the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from allocating Special Drawing Rights (SDRs)—a type of international reserve asset—to any country that the U.S. Secretary of State has determined to be a perpetrator of genocide or a state sponsor of terrorism. The bill would instruct the U.S. Executive Director at the IMF to vote against such allocations.
Additionally, the act aims to prevent U.S. tax dollars from being provided to the Taliban or other terrorist organizations. It mandates a review by the Secretaries of the Treasury and State, along with the Administrator of USAID, to ensure that assistance provided to non-governmental and international organizations is not being sub-awarded to terrorist groups. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs for consideration.
S. 462: The “Truckee Meadows Public Lands Management Act”
In the Senate, S. 462 of the 119th Congress is a public lands bill focused on Washoe County, Nevada, titled the “Truckee Meadows Public Lands Management Act”. This legislation is designed to facilitate both economic development and conservation in the region. A central component of the bill is the conveyance of federal lands, currently under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service, to local government entities.
Specifically, the bill authorizes the transfer of certain federal parcels to the city of Reno for public purposes, including roadway expansion. Other lands would be conveyed to Washoe County for open space and trails, and to the Washoe County School District. The bill stipulates that the local entities must cover all administrative costs associated with the transfers and that the land must be used for public purposes. In some cases, the bill includes a reversion clause, which states that if the land ceases to be used for its designated public purpose, it could revert to the ownership of the United States. This type of legislation is common in Western states with large amounts of federal land, representing a negotiated balance between local development needs and federal land management policies.
House Roll Call 462: A Vote on Energy Policy
The designation “Roll no. 462” refers not to a bill, but to a specific recorded vote. During the 118th Congress, House Roll Call 462 was the vote on the passage of H.R. 8446, a bill to amend the Energy Act of 2020. The legislation’s purpose was to expand the official definition of “critical minerals” to include “critical materials” as designated by the Department of Energy (DOE). This change aimed to harmonize the lists maintained by the DOE and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to better reflect materials essential for both energy production and national security. The bill passed the House by a vote of 245 to 155, as recorded in Roll Call 462. This illustrates the procedural use of the number 462 in the legislative record, capturing a specific moment of congressional action on U.S. energy and security policy.
U.S. Reports 462: A Supreme Court Citation
In the legal world, numbers are essential for citations, which allow lawyers and judges to find specific court decisions. The official publication of U.S. Supreme Court opinions is the United States Reports. A citation like United States v. Place, 462 U.S. 696 (1983), refers to a case found in volume 462 of the U.S. Reports, beginning on page 696.
This particular case is a landmark decision concerning the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. The Court addressed the constitutionality of detaining a traveler’s luggage based on reasonable suspicion and subjecting it to a “sniff test” by a narcotics-detection dog. The Court held that the sniff test itself is not a “search” under the Fourth Amendment. However, it also ruled that the 90-minute seizure of the luggage in this instance was an unreasonable detention without probable cause, thus violating the Fourth Amendment. This case is a cornerstone of modern search and seizure law, and its citation demonstrates yet another distinct context in which the number 462 is critically important.
A State-by-State Guide to Laws Numbered 462
Just as the U.S. Congress numbers its bills sequentially, so too do the 50 state legislatures. This practice guarantees that every state will have its own “Bill 462” or “Section 462” in its legal code, each pertaining to a subject relevant to that state’s governance. These laws can range from real estate regulations and criminal statutes to tax codes and professional licensing rules. The following sections explore some of the most prominent and high-interest state laws that carry the “462” designation.
Deep Dive: New York Real Property Law § 462 – The Property Condition Disclosure Act
Perhaps the most searched-for state law involving the number 462 is New York Real Property Law § 462, which establishes the Property Condition Disclosure Act (PCDA). This law has a profound impact on nearly every residential real estate transaction in the state and has undergone significant changes that directly affect the rights and liabilities of both homebuyers and sellers.
What the Law Requires
The PCDA mandates that sellers of residential real property—defined as a one-to-four family dwelling—must provide the buyer or the buyer’s agent with a comprehensive Property Condition Disclosure Statement (PCDS) before a binding contract of sale is signed. This statement is a lengthy questionnaire, currently containing 56 questions, that requires the seller to disclose their “actual knowledge” of the property’s condition. The questions cover a wide range of topics, including:
- General Information: Age of the structure, length of ownership, certificates of occupancy, and any shared features like driveways or fences.
- Environmental Issues: Location in a floodplain, presence of asbestos or lead plumbing, history of fuel spills, radon tests, and indoor mold.
- Structural Conditions: Any known rot or water damage, fire or smoke damage, termite infestations, and defects in the foundation, roof, or walls.
- Mechanical Systems: The condition of the plumbing, electrical, heating, and air conditioning systems.
A copy of the PCDS, signed by both the buyer and the seller, must be attached to the final real estate purchase contract.
The Landmark 2024 Amendment: Eliminating the $500 Credit
For over two decades after the PCDA was enacted in 2002, the law contained a critical loophole. Sellers had two options: they could either complete the detailed PCDS or they could opt out by providing the buyer with a $500 credit at closing. In many parts of the state, particularly downstate and in New York City, choosing to pay the credit became standard practice. Sellers and their attorneys often preferred this route to avoid the potential liability that could arise from making an inaccurate or incomplete statement on the PCDS, even if done unintentionally.
However, this practice was seen by consumer advocates and legislators as undermining the law’s purpose of providing buyers with crucial information. In response, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that, effective March 20, 2024, eliminated the $500 credit option. Sellers of non-exempt properties are now required to complete and deliver the PCDS. This amendment marked a significant shift away from New York’s traditional
caveat emptor (“let the buyer beware”) doctrine toward a more transparent, disclosure-oriented model. The amendment also added seven new questions specifically related to a property’s flood history and flood insurance requirements, reflecting growing concerns over climate change and extreme weather events.
Implications for Sellers and Buyers
The elimination of the $500 credit has created a new legal landscape for real estate transactions in New York.
- For Sellers: The mandatory disclosure requirement significantly increases potential liability. A seller who provides a PCDS is liable for the actual damages suffered by a buyer for a “willful failure to perform the requirements of this article,” which includes making a knowingly false or incomplete statement. Sellers must answer all questions based on their “actual knowledge” at the time of signing and are required to provide a revised PCDS if they later acquire new information that renders a previous statement inaccurate. This places a heavy burden on sellers to be truthful and thorough, as mistakes or omissions could lead to costly post-closing litigation.
- For Buyers: While the mandatory PCDS provides more information upfront, it is crucial for buyers to understand its limitations. The PCDS is explicitly not a warranty or guarantee from the seller. Furthermore, the seller is not required to conduct any special investigations or inspections to complete the form; they only have to disclose what they already know. Therefore, the PCDS should be viewed as a starting point for due diligence, not a substitute for a professional home inspection, environmental tests, and a title search. A PCDS with numerous answers marked “Unknown” (Unkn) could be a red flag, signaling that the buyer needs to conduct more thorough investigations in those areas.
Common Legal Disputes: ‘Actual Knowledge’ vs. ‘Active Concealment’
Legal disputes arising from the PCDA often center on two key concepts: “actual knowledge” and “active concealment.” For a buyer to successfully sue a seller based on an inaccurate PCDS, they generally must prove that the seller had actual knowledge of a defect and willfully failed to disclose it. This can be a high bar to clear. For instance, in the case of
Malach v. Chuang, a court found that a seller who answered “unknown” to a question about rot was not liable because the buyer could not prove the seller had actual knowledge of the condition.
Separate from the PCDA, a seller can also be held liable under a common law fraud claim for “active concealment.” This occurs when a seller does more than simply remain silent about a defect; they take steps to hide it from the buyer, thereby thwarting the buyer’s ability to discover it through a reasonable inspection. A knowingly false statement on the PCDS itself can be considered evidence of active concealment. In
Renkas v. Sweers, the court examined a claim where the seller allegedly misled buyers about the cause of water in a basement both orally and on the PCDS. The court noted that to recover for active concealment, a plaintiff must show that the seller’s actions prevented them from fulfilling their own inspection responsibilities. These cases illustrate the complex legal standards involved and underscore the importance for both parties to seek legal counsel.
California Penal Code § 462: Probation and Residential Burglary
In California, “462” refers to a section of the Penal Code that sets strict sentencing guidelines for the crime of residential burglary. California Penal Code § 462(a) states that, except in “unusual cases where the interests of justice would best be served,” probation shall not be granted to any person convicted of burglarizing an inhabited dwelling house, trailer coach, or inhabited floating home.
This statute reflects a legislative judgment that the invasion of a person’s home is a particularly serious offense that warrants a strong presumption against probation. If a court does decide to grant probation in such a case, it is required by § 462(b) to state the specific reasons for its decision on the court record. A related statute, Penal Code § 462.5, applies a similar presumption against probation for “custodial institution burglary,” defined as burglarizing a jail or correctional facility with the intent to steal items to be used as weapons, escape tools, or drugs.
West Virginia’s Legislative Cycle: The Many Lives of SB 462
The legislative process in many states leads to the same bill number being assigned to completely different subjects in different years or sessions. This can be a significant source of confusion for citizens trying to track legislation. West Virginia’s use of “Senate Bill 462” (SB 462) provides a clear example of this phenomenon, which can be thought of as a “Legislative Phoenix”—a designation that is reborn with a new purpose each session.
- SB 462 (2024 Session): This bill related to the West Virginia Personal Income Tax Act. Its purpose was to amend state law to update the definition of “federal adjusted gross income” to conform with changes made to the U.S. Internal Revenue Code through the end of 2023.
- SB 462 (2023 Session): This bill addressed the motor vehicle industry. It focused on clarifying a manufacturer’s obligations for warranty and recall service reimbursement to new motor vehicle dealers.
- SB 462 (2025 Session, Proposed): This proposed bill relates to professional licensing. It would amend the code to permit the West Virginia Board of Occupational Therapy to require applicants to submit to state and national criminal history record checks.
A person searching for “West Virginia SB 462” without specifying a year could easily find information about the 2023 motor vehicle dealer law when they are actually interested in the 2024 tax code update. This demonstrates a critical principle for anyone researching state legislation: it is essential to include the year or legislative session in any search to ensure the information retrieved is accurate and relevant.
The following table provides a snapshot of other state laws and bills numbered 462, illustrating the diverse range of topics they cover.
| State | Law/Bill Citation | Subject Area | Brief Description |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Statutes Chapter 462 | Planning & Zoning | Governs municipal and regional planning, zoning ordinances, official maps, and subdivision regulations. |
| South Carolina | S. 462 (2025-2026 Session) | Sales Tax | Proposes a sales tax exemption for capital equipment purchased by school districts, counties, or municipalities for use on capital projects. |
| Virginia | Code of Virginia § 8.01-462 | Civil Remedies | Grants courts of equity the jurisdiction to enforce the lien of a judgment and to decree the sale of real estate to satisfy the judgment. |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 462 | Professional Licensing | Regulates the licensing and practice of radiographers and limited X-ray machine operators. |
“462” in Your Daily Life: Texts, Calls, and Radio
Moving away from the legal and governmental sphere, the number 462 also appears in several technological contexts that Americans may encounter in their daily lives. From text messages on a smartphone to the frequencies used by two-way radios, “462” serves as a key identifier in the background of modern communication.
The 462 SMS Short Code Explained
Many people have received text messages from a short, 5- or 6-digit number instead of a standard 10-digit phone number. These are known as SMS short codes and are used by businesses, financial institutions, and other organizations to send high volumes of messages for purposes like marketing alerts, appointment reminders, or two-factor authentication. “462” is one such short code that has been used for these functions.
Occasionally, users may find they are unable to send or receive messages from a short code. This can be frustrating, especially if the message is important. There is a straightforward troubleshooting process to resolve this issue:
- Verify the Short Code Number: First, double-check that the short code was entered correctly into your mobile device. A simple typo can prevent the message from going through.
- Check Service Activity: Confirm that the service you are trying to use is still active. Sometimes businesses discontinue a particular short code service.
- Contact Your Carrier’s Customer Service: If the problem persists, the most effective step is to contact your mobile carrier’s customer service (e.g., T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T). A common reason for this issue is that short code messaging has been inadvertently blocked on your account. A customer service representative can check your account settings and unblock the service, resolving the issue.
Area Code 462: A Future Phone Number Prefix
In the world of telephony, three-digit area codes are fundamental to the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), the system that governs phone numbers in the United States, Canada, and parts of the Caribbean. These codes serve as a unique numerical identifier for a specific geographic region, ensuring that calls are routed to their correct destination. While many area codes are in active use, others are reserved for future assignment as existing codes run out of available numbers. Area code 462 is one such code that has been designated within the NANP but may not yet be assigned to a specific region.
462 MHz: The Frequency for GMRS Radios
The number 462 is also significant in the realm of radio communications. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allocates specific frequency bands for different uses. The frequencies around 462 MHz and 467 MHz are designated for the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS).
GMRS is a licensed radio service intended for short-distance, two-way voice communications. It is most commonly used by individuals and their immediate family members with handheld radios (walkie-talkies), mobile radios installed in vehicles, and repeater systems that can extend the range of communication. In 2017, the FCC expanded GMRS rules to also allow for short data messaging, including text messages and GPS location information. To operate a GMRS system, an individual must obtain a license from the FCC, which is valid for a ten-year term. This service is popular for recreational activities like hiking, camping, and coordinating family travel.
Beyond the Law: Historical and Mathematical Meanings of 462
To provide a truly exhaustive understanding of the number 462, it is worth exploring its significance beyond the modern contexts of law and technology. The number also holds a place in history and mathematics, adding another layer of depth to its identity.
A Look Back at the Year 462 A.D.
The year 462 (CDLXII) was a common year in the 5th century, a tumultuous period marking the decline of the Western Roman Empire. While records from this era can be sparse, historians have identified several key events. One notable occurrence was the return of Licinia Eudoxia, the widow of the Western Roman Emperor Valentinian III, and her daughter Placidia to Constantinople. They had been held captive in Carthage for seven years by the Vandals, and their release was secured after Emperor Leo I of the Eastern Roman Empire paid a large ransom.
This same year is also credited with the founding of the Monastery of Stoudios in Constantinople. This monastery would go on to become one of the most important and influential centers of Byzantine monasticism and learning for centuries. These events provide a glimpse into the political and cultural landscape of the late antique world.
The Number 462 by the Numbers
In the field of mathematics, every integer possesses a unique set of properties. The number 462 is a composite number, meaning it has factors other than 1 and itself. Its properties include:
- Factors: The positive integer divisors of 462 are 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 11, 14, 21, 22, 33, 42, 66, 77, 154, 231, and 462. In total, it has 16 factors.
- Prime Factorization: Every composite number can be expressed as a unique product of prime numbers. The prime factorization of 462 is .
- Sum of Factors: The sum of all the positive factors of 462 is 1152.
While these details may seem abstract, the principles behind them, particularly prime factorization, are foundational to many modern technologies. For example, the difficulty of factoring very large numbers into their prime components is the basis for many of the encryption algorithms that secure online banking, e-commerce, and digital communications.
Conclusion: Making Sense of “462” in Your World
The number 462 serves as a powerful illustration of how a simple identifier can hold vastly different meanings depending on its context. Whether it appears in the text of a federal statute, a state law, a congressional bill, a court case citation, an SMS short code, or a radio frequency, its significance is unlocked only by understanding the system in which it is being used. From the administrative rules governing federal courts in 28 U.S.C. § 462 to the mandatory seller disclosures required by New York Real Property Law § 462, and from the probation guidelines in California Penal Code § 462 to the frequencies used by GMRS radios, the number functions as a unique label within each distinct domain.
This guide has sought to provide a comprehensive map to navigate these disparate contexts. By breaking down the meaning of “462” across federal and state law, congressional procedure, telecommunications, and even history, the ambiguity surrounding the term is replaced with clarity. The ultimate takeaway is that context is paramount. By using the reference tables and detailed explanations provided, users can more effectively identify which “462” is relevant to their specific situation, empowering them to find the precise information they need. For specific legal or technical advice, consulting a qualified professional remains the most prudent course of action, but this report serves as an authoritative first step in decoding the many meanings of 462.
