Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 99 Part 2.djvu/606

 99 STAT. 1716

PUBLIC LAW 99-209—DEC. 23, 1985

Public Law 99-209 99th Congress An Act Dec. 23, 1985 [H.R. 729] Panama Canal Amendments Act of 1985. 22 USC 3601 note.

Supra.

To amend the Panama Canal Act of 1979 in order that claims for vessels damaged outside-the-locks may be resolved in the same manner as those vessels damaged inside the locks, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the "Panama Canal Amendments Act of 1985". SEC. 2. FILING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES. (a) INJURIES IN LOCKS OF CANAL.—Section 1411 of the Panama Canal Act of 1979 (22 U.S.C. 3771) is amended— (1) in the first sentence— (A) by striking out "The" and inserting in lieu thereof "(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the"; and (B) by striking out "under the control of officers or employees of the United States" and inserting in lieu thereof "when the injury was proximately caused by negligence or fault on the part of an officer or employee of the United States acting within the scope of his employment and in the line of his duties in connection with the operation of the Canal"; (2) by striking out the second sentence; and (3) by adding a t the end thereof the following new sentence: "No payment for damages on a claim may be made under this section unless the claim is filed with the Commission within 2 years after the date of the injury, or within 1 year after the date of the enactment of the Panama Canal Amendments Act of 1985, whichever is later.". (b) VESSELS WITHOUT PILOTS IN LOCKS OF CANAL.—Section 1411 of

22 USC 3761.

the Panama Canal Act of 1979 is amended by adding at the end thereof the following: "(b)(l) With respect to a claim under subsection (a) for damages for injuries to a vessel or its cargo, if, a t the time the injuries were incurred, the navigation or movement of the vessel was not under the control of a Panama Canal pilot, the Commission may adjust and pay the claim only if the amount of the claim does not exceed $50,000, unless the injuries were caused by another vessel under the control of a Panama Canal pilot. "(2) The provisions of subsections (c) through (e) of section 1401 of this Act shall apply to any claim described in paragraph (1).". (c) INJURIES OUTSIDE LOCKS.—Section 1412 of the Panama Canal Act of 1979 (22 U.S.C. 3772) is amended— (1) in the first sentence by striking out ", and when the amount of the claim does not exceed $120,000"; and (2) by adding at the end thereof the following new sentence: "No payment for damages on a claim may be made under this

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