
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document affected by Public Law 107-107 Section 1014(b)]
[CITE: 10USC7623]

 
                         TITLE 10--ARMED FORCES
 
                    Subtitle C--Navy and Marine Corps
 
                     PART IV--GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
 
                           CHAPTER 653--CLAIMS
 
Sec. 7623. Admiralty claims by the United States

    (a) The Secretary of the Navy may settle, or compromise, and receive 
payment of a claim by the United States for damage to property under the 
jurisdiction of the Department of the Navy or property for which the 
Department has assumed an obligation to respond for damage, if--
        (1) the claim is--
            (A) of a kind that is within the admiralty jurisdiction of a 
        district court of the United States; or
            (B) for damage caused by a vessel or floating object; and

        (2) the net amount to be received by the United States is not 
    more than $1,000,000.

    (b) In exchange for payment of an amount found to be due the United 
States under this section, the Secretary may execute a release of the 
claim on behalf of the United States. Amounts received under this 
section shall be covered into the Treasury.
    (c) In any case where the amount to be received by the United States 
is not more than $100,000, the Secretary may delegate his authority 
under this section to any person designated by him.
    (d) Upon acceptance of payment by the Secretary, the settlement or 
compromise of a claim under this section is final and conclusive 
notwithstanding any other provision of law.
    (e) This section does not apply to any claim while there is pending 
as to that claim a suit filed by or against the United States.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 472; Pub. L. 89-67, July 7, 1965, 79 
Stat. 212; Pub. L. 101-189, div. A, title XVI, Sec. 1633, Nov. 29, 1989, 
103 Stat. 1608.)

                                          Historical and Revision Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
            Revised section                      Source (U.S. Code)            
   Source (Statutes at Large)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
7623..................................  34 U.S.C. 600a.                      De
c. 5, 1945, ch. 555, Sec.  1, 59
                                                                              S
tat. 596.
                                        34 U.S.C. 600d.                      De
c. 5, 1945, ch. 555, Sec.  4;
                                                                              a
dded Aug. 2, 1946, ch. 742, 60
                                                                              S
tat. 806.
                                        34 U.S.C. 600c.                      De
c. 5, 1945, ch. 555, Sec.  3, 59
                                                                              S
tat. 596.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------

    In subsection (a) the words ``consider, ascertain, adjust, 
determine'' are omitted as covered by the word ``settle'', as defined in 
section 7621(b) of this title. The words ``of the United States'' 
(following the word ``property''), ``by contract or otherwise'', and 
``thereto'' are omitted as surplusage. The words ``of a kind that is 
within the admiralty jurisdiction of'' are substituted for the words 
``cognizable in admiralty in''. The words ``receive payment of a claim * 
* * if the net amount to be received by the United States is not more 
than $1,000,000'' are substituted for the words ``receive in payment of 
any such claim the amount due the United States pursuant to 
determination, compromise, or settlement as herein authorized * * * 
Provided, further, That no settlement or compromise where there is 
involved a payment in the net amount of over $1,000,000 shall be 
authorized by this Act''.
    In subsection (b) the words ``and to deliver'' are omitted as 
covered by the word ``execute''. The words ``Amounts received under this 
section'' are substituted for the words ``All such payments'' for 
clarity and uniformity. The words ``of the United States as 
miscellaneous receipts'' are omitted as surplusage.
    In subsection (c) the words ``In any case where the amount to be 
received by the United States is not more than'' are substituted for the 
words ``Where the net amount received in settlement does not exceed'' 
for clarity, since the delegation of authority necessarily precedes 
receipt of payment. The words ``the Secretary may delegate his 
authority'' are substituted for the words ``the authority of the 
Secretary of the Navy * * * may be exercised'' for clarity.
    In subsection (d) the words ``but not until then'', ``for all 
purposes'', and ``to the contrary'' are omitted as surplusage.
    Subsection (e) is worded to insure that the effect of a suit pending 
at any time is preserved and that the provision is not interpreted to 
apply only to suits that are pending on the date of enactment of this 
title.
    The first proviso of 34 U.S.C. 600a, stating that this section is 
supplementary to, and not in lieu of, other laws authorizing the 
settlement of claims, is omitted as unnecessary, since the other 
applicable claims laws are restated in this title.


                               Amendments

    1989--Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101-189 substituted ``$100,000'' for 
``$10,000''.
    1965--Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 89-67 substituted ``$10,000'' for 
``$1,000''.
