Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 78.djvu/525

 78 STAT. ]

PUBLIC LAW 88-447-AUG. 19, 1964

(d) The payment of an award shall be final and conclusive for all purposes, notwithstanding any other provision of the law to the contrary, and shall be a full discharge of the United States and all of its officers, agents, servants, and employees with respect to all claims arising out of the same subject matter. An order of dismissal against a claimant, unless set aside by the Commissioner, shall thereafter bar any further claim against the United States or any officer, agent, servant, or employee thereof arising out of the same subject matter. SEC. 5. The Commissioner shall complete the adjudication of claims and payment of awards pursuant to this Act not later than one year following the enactment of legislation making appropriations for the payment of awards and administrative expenses necessary for the settlement of claims. SEC. 6. The Commissioner, in rendering an award in favor of any claimant, may as a part of the award determine and allow reasonable attorneys' fees, which shall not exceed 10 per centum of the amount allowed, to be paid out of, but not in addition to, the amount of such award. Any attorney who charges, demands, receives, or collects for services rendered in connection with such claim any amount in excess of that limited by the terms of this section, if recovery be had, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall upon conviction thereof be subject to a fine of not more than $2,000, or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. SEC. 7. For the purposes of this Act the Commissioner may— (1) employ and fix the compensation of such personnel as he deems advisable and necessary for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act, without regard to the provisions of the civil service laws and Classification Act of 1949, as amended; (2) call upon any other Federal department or agency for any information or records necessary, and may utilize the services of experts from such Federal department or agency, on a reimbursable basis; (3) secure the cooperation of State and local agencies, governmental or otherwise, and reimburse such agencies for services rendered; (4) utilize such voluntary and uncompensated services as may from time to time be needed and available; (5) assist needy claimants in the preparation and filing of claims; (6) make such investigations as may be necessary; (7) make expenditures for witness fees and mileage and for other administrative expenses; (8) prescribe such rules and regulations, perform such acts not inconsistent with law, and delegate such authority as he may deem proper in carrying out the provisions of this Act. SEC. 8. There is authorized to be appropriated to the Department of State for use of the United States Section, International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Pending the appropriation of such funds, not to exceed $20,000 of funds appropriated for the construction of Falcon Dam shall be available for the payment of administrative costs of the claims program provided for in this Act. Approved August 19, 1964.

483

Time limitation.

Attorneys' fees.

Administrative authority.

Ante, p. 400.

Appropriation.

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