It is the purpose of this subchapter to provide for the determination of the validity and amounts of outstanding claims against the German Democratic Republic which arose out of the nationalization, expropriation, or other taking of (or special measures directed against) property interests 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 the German Democratic Republic for losses arising as a result of the nationalization, expropriation, or other taking of (or special measures directed against) property, including any rights or interests therein, owned wholly or partially, directly or indirectly, at the time by nationals of the United States whether such losses occurred in the German Democratic Republic or in East Berlin. 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 twelve months after such publication) within sixty days after October 18, 1976, 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 shall not be favorably considered under section 1644b of this title unless 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 if favorably considered, the claim shall be considered only if it 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, the Commission shall deduct all amounts the claimant has received from any source on account of the same loss or losses, including any amount claimant received under section 4132(a) of title 50, for losses which occurred as a direct consequence of special measures directed against such property in any area covered under this subchapter.

With respect to any claim under section 1644b 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 thereto, which award shall indicate the respective interests of such claimants therein, 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 following the final date for the filing of claims as provided in section 1644b of this title.

The Secretary of State is authorized and directed to 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 hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to enable the Commission and the Treasury Department of 1

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 claims. 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.

To the extent they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this subchapter, the following provisions of subchapter I of this chapter shall be applicable to this subchapter: subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), (h), and (j) of section 1623 of this title; subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f) of section 1626 of this title.