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AN ACT To provide certain basic authority for the Department of State. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be cited as the "State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956".1 TITLE I-BASIC AUTHORITIES GENERALLY

ORGANIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE

SECTION 1.2 (a) SECRETARY OF STATE.

(1) The Department of State shall be administered, in accordance with this Act and other provisions of law, under the supervision and direction of the Secretary of State (hereinafter referred to as the "Secretary").

(2) The Secretary and the Deputy Secretary of State 3 shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

1 Sec. 111(2) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 (Public Law 102-138; 105 Stat. 654) added "That this Act may be cited as the 'State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956'.".

222 U.S.C. 2651a. Sec. 161(a) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 (Public Law 103-236; 108 Stat. 402), amended and restated sec. 1. It formerly read as follows (formerly at 22 U.S.C. 2662):

"SECTION 1. The Secretary of State is authorized to establish, maintain, and operate passport and dispatch agencies.".

Sec. 161 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 (Public Law 103-236; 108 Stat. 404), as amended, further provided the following.

"(b) APPLICATION.-The amendments made by this section and section 162 shall apply with respect to officials, offices, and bureaus of the Department of State when executive orders, regulations, or departmental directives implementing such amendments become effective, or 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, whichever comes earlier.

"(c) TRANSITION.-Any officer of the Department of State holding office on the date of the enactment of this Act shall not be required to be reappointed to any other office, at the Department of State at the same level performing similar functions, as determined by the President, by reason of the enactment of the amendments made by this section and section 162.

"(d) REFERENCES IN OTHER ACTS.-Except as specifically provided in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, a reference in any other provision of law to an official or office of the Department of State affected by the amendment made by subsection (a) (other than the Inspector General of the Department of State and the Chief Financial Officer of the Department of State) shall be deemed to be a reference to the Secretary of State or the Department of State, as may be appropriate.

"(e) OFFICE OF THE COORDINATOR FOR COUNTERTERRORISM.-Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, for not less than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act there shall be in the Department of State an Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism which shall be headed by a Coordinator for Counterterrorism. The office shall have the same responsibilities and functions as the Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the Department of State had as of January 20, 1993.

(f) DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR BURDENSHARING.—

"(1) ESTABLISHMENT.-None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act shall be available for obligation or expenditure during fiscal year 1995 unless, not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State has established within the Department of State the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Burdensharing, the incumbent of which shall be an official of ambassadorial rank, appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

"(2) RESPONSIBILITIES.-The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Burdensharing shall perform such duties and exercise such authorities as the Secretary of State shall prescribe, including for the following:

"(A) The principal duty of negotiating increased in-kind and financial support (including increased payment of basing costs) by countries allied to the United States for Department of Defense military units and personnel assigned to permanent duty ashore outside the United States in support of the security of such countries.

"(B) In consultation with the Department of Defense, assist in negotiations with the host governments for the recoupment of funds associated with financial commitments from such countries for paying the United States the residual value of United States facilities in such countries that the United States relinquishes to such countries upon the termination of the use of such facilities by the United States.".

3 Sec. 1(X1) of Public Law 103-415 (108 Stat. 4299) inserted "and the Deputy Secretary of State" after "Secretary".

(3)(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law and except as provided in this section, the Secretary shall have and exercise any authority vested by law in any office or official of the Department of State. The Secretary shall administer, coordinate, and direct the Foreign Service of the United States and the personnel of the Department of State, except where authority is inherent in or vested in the President.

(B)(i) The Secretary shall not have the authority of the Inspector General or the Chief Financial Officer.

(ii) The Secretary shall not have any authority given expressly to diplomatic or consular officers.

(4) The Secretary is authorized to promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the Secretary of State and the Department of State. Unless otherwise specified in law, the Secretary may delegate authority to perform any of the functions of the Secretary or the Department to officers and employees under the direction and supervision of the Secretary. The Secretary may delegate the authority to redelegate any such functions.

(b) UNDER SECRETARIES.-There shall be in the Department of State not more than 5 Under Secretaries of State, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and who shall be compensated at the rate provided for at level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code.

(c) ASSISTANT SECRETARIES.—

(1) IN GENERAL.-There shall be in the Department of State not more than 20 Assistant Secretaries of State, each of whom shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and who shall be compensated at the rate provided for at level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5.

(2) ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR. (A) There shall be in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor who shall be responsible to the Secretary of State for matters pertaining to human rights and humanitarian affairs (including matters relating to prisoners of war and members of the United States Armed Forces missing in action) in the conduct of foreign policy and such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate. The Secretary of State shall carry out the Secretary's responsibility under section 502B of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 through the Assistant Secretary.

(B) The Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor shall maintain continuous observation and review all matters pertaining to human rights and humanitarian affairs (including matters relating to prisoners of war and members of the United States Armed Forces missing in action) in the conduct of foreign policy including the following:

(i) Gathering detailed information regarding humanitarian affairs and the observance of and respect for internationally recognized human rights in each country to

which requirements of sections 116 and 502B of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 are relevant.

(ii) Preparing the statements and reports to Congress required under section 502B of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

(iii) Making recommendations to the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the Agency for International Development regarding compliance with sections 116 and 502B of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, and as part of the Assistant Secretary's overall policy responsibility for the creation of United States Government human rights policy, advising the Administrator of the Agency for International Development on the policy framework under which section 116(e) projects are developed and consulting with the Administrator on the selection and implementation of such projects.

(iv) Performing other responsibilities which serve to promote increased observance of internationally recognized human rights by all countries.

(d) DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARIES.-There shall be in the Department of State not more than 66 Deputy Assistant Secretaries of State.

(e) OTHER SENIOR OFFICIALS.-In addition to officials of the Department of State who are otherwise authorized to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and to be compensated at level IV of the Executive Schedule of section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, four other such appointments are authorized.

SEC. 2.4 The Secretary of State, may use funds appropriated or otherwise available to the Secretary to

(a) provide for printing and binding outside the States of the United States 6 and the District of Columbia without regard to section 11 of the Act of March 1, 1919 (44 U.S.C. 111);

(b) for the purpose of promoting and maintaining friendly relations with foreign countries through the prompt settlement of certain claims, settle and pay any meritorious claim against the United States which is presented by a government of a foreign country for damage to or loss of real or personal property of, or personal injury to or death of, any national of such foreign country: Provided, That such claim is not cognizable under any other statute or international agreement of the United States and can be settled for not more than $15,000 or the foreign currency equivalent thereof.

(c) employ individuals or organizations, by contract, for services abroad and individuals employed by contract to per

422 U.S.C. 2669.

5 Sec. 114 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1986 and 1987 (Public Law 99-93; 99 Stat. 411), inserted "may use funds appropriated or otherwise available to the Secretary to" for "when funds are appropriated therefor, may-".

•This reference to the "States of the United States" was substituted in lieu of a reference to the "continental United States" by sec. 2 of Public Law 86-624 (74 Stat. 411).

7 Subsec. (b) was added by sec. 402 of Public Law 87-565 (76 Stat. 263; 22 U.S.C. 2669), the Foreign Assistance Act of 1962. Former sec. 2(b) was repealed by sec. 511(a)(2) of Public Law 86-707 (74 Stat. 800), the Overseas Differentials and Allowances Act.

8 Sec. 303(aX1) of Public Law 98-533 (98 Stat. 2710) amended and restated para. (c) up to the first semicolon. Subsequently, sec. 118 of Public Law 99-93 (99 Stat. 412) added the text

form such services shall not by virtue of such employment be considered to be employees of the United States Government; for purposes of any law administered by the Office of Personnel Management (except that the Secretary may determine the applicability to such individuals of subsection (f) and of any other law administered by the Secretary concerning the employment of such individuals abroad); and such contracts are authorized to be negotiated, the terms of the contracts to be prescribed, and the work to be performed, where necessary, without regard to such statutory provisions as relate to the negotiation, making, and performance of contracts and performance of work in the United States.9

(d) provide for official functions and courtesies;

(e) purchase uniforms;

(f) pay tort claims, in the manner authorized in the first paragraph of section 2672, as amended, of title 28 of the United States Code when such claims arise in foreign countries in connection with Department of State operations abroad;

(g) 10 obtain services as authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, at a rate not to exceed the maximum rate payable for GS-18 under section 5332 of such title 5;11

(h) 10 directly procure goods and services in the United States or abroad, solely for use by United States Foreign Service posts abroad when the Secretary of State, in accordance with guidelines established in consultation with the Administrator of General Services, determines that use of the Federal Supply Service or otherwise applicable Federal goods and services acquisition authority would not meet emergency overseas security requirements determined necessary by the Secretary, taking into account overseas delivery, installation, maintenance, or replacement requirements, except that the authority granted by this paragraph shall cease to be effective when the amendment made by section 2711 of the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984 takes effect and thereafter procurement by the Secretary of State for the purposes described in this paragraph shall be in accordance with section 303(c)(2) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949;

(i) 11 pay obligations assumed in Germany on or after June 5, 1945;

(j) 11 provide telecommunications services; 12, 13

(k) 12 provide maximum physical security in Governmentowned and leased properties and vehicles abroad; and 12

of par. (c) up to the second semicolon. It formerly read as follows: "(c) employ aliens, by contract, for services abroad;".

Sec. 137 and sec. 180(b) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 (Public Law 103-236; 108 Stat. 397, 416), made identical amendments, adding "; and such contracts are authorized to be negotiated, the terms of the contracts to be prescribed, and the work to be performed, where necessary, without regard to such statutory provisions as relate to the negotiation, making, and performance of contracts and performance of work in the United States" before the period.

10 Sec. 303(aX2) of Public Law 98-533 (98 Stat.) added pars. (g) and (h).

11 Sec. 111 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 (Public Law 101-246; 104 Stat. 21), struck out “and” here, and added subsecs. (i), (j), and (k).

12 Sec. 4 of Public Law 102-20 (105 Stat. 68) struck out "and" at the end of subsec. (j), struck out the period ending subsec. (k), and inserted in lieu thereof "; and”; and added a new subsec.

(1) 12 purchase special purpose passenger n without regard to any price limitation otherwise law.

(m)13 pay obligations arising under interna ments, conventions, and binational contracts to t erwise authorized by law.

SEC. 3.14 The Secretary of State is authorized to

(a) obtain insurance on official motor vehicles the Department of State in foreign countries, an penses incident thereto;

(b) rent tie lines and teletype equipment;

(c) provide ice and drinking water for United S sies and Consulates abroad;

(d) pay excise taxes on negotiable instruments gotiated by the Department of State abroad;

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(e) 15 pay the actual expenses of preparing and to their former homes the remains of persons States Government employees, who may die awa homes while participating in international ed change activities under the jurisdiction of the D. State;

(f) pay expenses incident to the relief, protection of American seamen, and alien seamen from Unite sels in foreign countries and in the United State and possessions;

(g) pay the expenses incurred in the acknowled services of officers and crews of foreign vessels ar rescuing American seamen, airmen, or citizens fro or other catastrophe abroad or at sea;

(h) rent or lease, for periods of less than ten ye fices, buildings, grounds, and living quarters for t Foreign Service abroad as he may deem necessar payments therefor in advance;

(i) maintain, improve, and repair properties ren pursuant to authority contained in subsection (h) tion and furnish fuel, water, and utilities for such

(j) 16 provide emergency medical attention and plements, and other emergency assistance, for U: citizens incarcerated abroad or destitute United St abroad 17 who are unable to obtain such service: such assistance to be provided on a reimbursable extent feasible;

13 Sec. 120 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1992 Law 102-138; 105 Stat. 658), also struck out "and" at the end of subsec. (j); & riod ending subsec. (k), and inserted in lieu thereof “; and” (previously amend 102-20); and also added a new subsection, originally designated as (1). Sec. Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 (Public Law 10 409), redesignated the second subsec. (1) as subsec. (m).

14 22 U.S.Č. 2670.

15 Authority granted to the Secretary of State under subsec. (e) was abolish of Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1977 (establishing the ICA).

10 Subsec. (1) was added by sec. 2 of Public Law 95-45 (91 Stat. 221).

17 The words "or destitute United States citizens abroad" were added by sec Law 95 426 (92 Stat. 966). Sec. 108(b) of the same Act provided that this a: take effect on October 1, 1978.

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