It is the purpose of this subchapter to provide for the determination of the validity and amounts of outstanding claims against Vietnam which arose out of the nationalization, expropriation, or other taking of (or special measures directed against) property of nationals of the United States. This subchapter shall not be construed as authorizing or as any intention to authorize an appropriation by the United States for the purpose of paying such claims.

The Commission shall receive and determine in accordance with applicable substantive law, including international law, the validity and amounts of claims by nationals of the United States against Vietnam arising on or after April 29, 1975, for losses incurred as a result of the nationalization, expropriation, or other taking of (or special measures directed against) property which, at the time of such nationalization, expropriation, or other taking, was owned wholly or partially, directly or indirectly, by nationals of the United States to whom no restoration or adequate compensation for such property has been made. Such claims must be submitted to the Commission within the period specified by the Commission by notice published in the Federal Register (which period shall not be more than a period of two years beginning on the date of such publication) within sixty days after December 28, 1980, or of legislation making appropriations to the Commission for payment of administrative expenses incurred in carrying out its functions under this subchapter, whichever date is later.

A claim may be favorably considered under section 1645b of this title only if the property right on which it is based was owned, wholly or partially, directly or indirectly, by a national of the United States on the date of loss and only to the extent that the claim has been held by one or more nationals of the United States continuously from the date that the loss occurred until the date of filing with the Commission.

In determining the amount of any claim under this subchapter, the Commission shall deduct all amounts the claimant has received from any source on account of the same loss or losses for which the claim is filed.

With respect to any claim under section 1645b of this title which, at the time of the award, is vested in persons other than the person by whom the original loss was sustained, the Commission shall issue a consolidated award in favor of all claimants then entitled to the award, which award shall indicate the respective interests of such claimants in the award, and all such claimants shall participate, in proportion to their indicated interests, in any payments that may be made under this subchapter in all respects as if the award had been in favor of a single person.

The Commission shall complete its affairs in connection with the settlement of claims pursuant to this subchapter not later than three years after the final date for the filing of claims as provided in section 1645b of this title.

The Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Secretary of Defense shall transfer or otherwise make available to the Commission such records and documents relating to claims authorized by this subchapter as may be required by the Commission in carrying out its functions under this subchapter.

There are authorized to be appropriated for any fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 1980, such sums as may be necessary to enable the Commission and the Treasury Department to pay their respective administrative expenses incurred in carrying out their functions under this subchapter. Amounts appropriated under this section may remain available until expended.

No remuneration on account of services rendered on behalf of any claimant, in connection with any claim filed with the Commission under this subchapter, shall exceed 10 per centum of the total amount paid pursuant to any award certified under the provisions of this subchapter on account of such claim. Any agreement to the contrary shall be unlawful and void. Whoever, in the United States or elsewhere, demands or receives, on account of services so rendered, any remuneration in excess of the maximum permitted by this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than twelve months, or both.