An Act to promote the safety of ports, harbors, waterfront areas, and navigable waters of the United States
PL 92-340 (H.R.8140), enacted 07/10/1972

424 
PUBLIC L
A
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[86 STAT. 
"(C) the term 'towing vessel' means a commercial vessel engaged 
in or intended to engage in the service of towing which is 
twenty-six feet or more in length, measured from end to end over 
the deck, excluding sheer; 
" (D) the term 'uninspected' means not required by law to have 
a valid certificate of inspection issued by the Secretary. 
" (2) An uninspected towing vessel in order to assure safe navigation 
shall, while underway, be under the actual direction and control of a 
person licensed by the Secretary to operate in the particular geo-
graphic area and by type of vessel under regulations prescribed by 
him. A person so licensed may not work a vessel while underway or 
perform other duties in excess of a total of twelve hours in any con-
secutive twenty-four-hour period except in case of emergency. 
"(3) Paragraph 2 of this subsection shall not apply to towing ves-
sels of less than two hundred gross tons engaged in a service or ipre-
paring or intending to immediately engage m a service to the offshore 
oil and mineral exploitation industry, mcluding construction for such 
industry, where the vessels involved would nave as their ultimate 
destination or last point of departure offshore oil and mineral exploita-
tion sites or equipment." 
to S>n*irenr°'* 
^^^' ^* '^^^ Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a study con-
cerning the need for engineers on uninspected towing vessels and 
shall submit to the Congress a report on this study, together with any 
legislative recommendations not later than ten months after the enact-
ment of this legislation. 
Effective 
SEC. 3. The amendments made by the first section of this Act shall 
become effective on January 1, 1972, or on the first day of the sixth 
month which begins after the month in which regulations are first 
issued under section 4427(b) (2) of the Eevised Statutes (as added by 
the first section of this Act), whichever date is later. 
Approved July 7, 1972. 
Public Law 92-340 
July 10, 1972 
-^^ -^^'^ 
[H. R. 8140] 
To promote the safety of ixn-ts, harbors, waterfront areas, and navigable waters 
of the Unitefl States. 
Be it enacted by the /Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Ports and Water- United Sttttes of AmeHca in Congress assemmed, That this Act may be 
7f'97^//"*y ^'* 
f-ited as the "Ports and Waterways Safety Act of 1972". 
TITLE I—PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY AND 
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 
SEC. 101. In order to prevent damage to, or the destruction or loss 
''• 
of any vessel, bridge, or other structure on or in the navigable waters 
of the United States, or any land structure or shore area immediately 
,,,.;, 
adjacent to those waters; and to protect the navigable waters and the 
resources therein from environmental harm resulting from vessel or 
structure damage, destruction, or loss, the Secretary of the department 
in which the Coast Guard is operating may— ,. 
dates 
86 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC L
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425 
(1) establish, operate, and maintain vessel traffic services and 
systems for ports, harbors, and other waters subject to congested 
vessel traffic; 
(2) require vessels which operate in an area of a vessel traffic 
service or system to utilize or comply with that service or system, 
including the carrying or installation of electronic or other 
devices necessary for the use of the service or system; 
(3) control vessel traffic in areas which he determines to be 
especially hazardous, or under conditions of reduced visibility, 
adverse weather, vessel congestion, or other hazardous circum-
stances by— 
(i) specifying times of entry, movement, or departure to, 
from, within, or through ports, harbors, or other waters; 
(ii) establishing vessel traffic routing schemes; 
(iii) establishing vessel size and speed limitations and 
vessel operating conditions; and 
(iv) restricting vessel operation, in a hazardous area or 
under hazardous conditions, to vessels which have particular 
operating characteristics and capabilities which he considers 
necessary for safe operation under the circumstances; 
(4) direct the anchoring, mooring, or movement of a vessel 
when necessary to prevent damage to or by that vessel or her 
cargo, stores, supplies, or fuel; 
(5) require pilots on self-propelled vessels engaged in the for-
eign trades in areas and under circumstances where a pilot is not 
otherwise required by State law to be on board until the State 
having jurisdiction of an area involved establishes a requirement 
for a pilot in that area or under the circumstances involved; 
(6) establish procedures, measures, and standards for the han-
dling, loading, discharge, storage, stowage, and movement, 
including the emergency removal, control and disposition, oi 
explosives or other dangerous articles or substances (including the 
substances described in section 4417a(2) (A), (B), and (C) of the 
Revised Statutes of the United States (46 U.S.C. 391a(2) (A), 
(B), and (C)) on structures subject to this title; 
^oat, P. 427. 
(7) prescribe minimum safety equipment requirements for 
structures subject to this title to assure adequate protection from 
fire, explosion, natural disasters, and other serious accidents or 
casualties; 
(8) establish water or waterfront safety zones or other ineas-
ures for limited, controlled, or conditional access and activity 
' 
!, 
when necessary for the protection of any vessel, structure, waters, 
or shore area; and 
(9) establish procedures for examination to assure compliance 
with the minimum safety equipment requirements for structures. 
SEC. 102. (a) For the purpose of this Act, the term "United States" 
"United states." 
includes the fifty States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the 
territories and possessions of the United States, and the Trust Terri-
tory of the Pacific Islands. 
426 
PUBLIC LAW 92-340-JULY 10, 1972 
[86 STAT. 
Panama Canal; 
Saint Lawrence 
Seaway. 
Investigatory 
powers. 
(b) Nothing contained in this title supplants or modifies any treaty 
or Federal statute or authority granted thereunder, nor does it pre-
vent a State or political subdivision thereof from prescribing for 
structures only higher safety equipment requirements or safety stand-
ards than those wliich may be prescribed pursuant to this title. 
(c) In the exercise of his authority under this title, the Secretary 
shall consult with other Federal agencies, as appropriate, in order to 
give due consideration to their statutory and other responsibilities, 
and to assure consistency of regulations applicable to vessels, struc-
tures, and areas covered by this title. The Secretary may also consider, 
utilize, and incorporate regulations or similar directory materials 
issued by port or other State and local authorities. 
(d) This title shall not be applicable to the Panama Canal. The 
authority granted to the Secretary under section 101 of this title shall 
not be delegated with respect to the Saint Lawrence Seaway to any 
agency other than the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corpora-
tion. Any other authority granted the Secretary under this title shall 
be delegated to the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation 
to the extent that the Secretary determines such delegation is neces-
sary for the proper operation of the Seaway. 
(e) In carrying out his duties and responsibilities under this title 
to promote the safe and efficient conduct of maritime commerce the 
Secretary shall consider fully the wide variety of interests which may 
be affected by the exercise of his authority hereunder. In determining 
the need for, and the substance of, any rule or regulation oi- the exer-
cise of other authority hereunder the Secretary shall, among other 
things, consider— 
(1 ^ the scope and degree of the hazards; 
(2) vessel traffic characteristics including minimum interfer-
ence with the flow of commercial traffic, traffic volume, the sizes 
and types of vessels, the usual nature of local cargoes, and similar 
factors; 
(3) port and waterway configurations and the differences in 
geographic, climatic, and other conditions and circumstances; 
(4) environmental factors; 
economic impact and effects; 
existing vessel traffic control systems, services, and schemes; 
(5) 
(6) 
and 
(T) local practices and customs, including voluntary arrange-
ments and agreements within the maritime community. 
SEC. 103. The Secretary may investigate any incident, accident, or 
act involving the loss or destruction of, or damage to, any structure 
subject to this title, or which affects or may affect the safety or envi-
ronmental quality of the ports, harbors, or navigable waters of the 
Ignited States. In any investigation under this title, the Secretary 
may issue a subpena to require the attendance of any witness and the 
production of documents and other evidence. In case of refusal to 
obey a subpena issued to any person, the Secretary may request the 
Attorney General to invoke the aid of the appropriate district court 
of the United States to compel compliance. Witnesses may be paid 
fees for travel and attendance at rates not exceeding those allowed 
in a district court of the United States. 
86 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-340-JULY 10, 1972 
427 
SEC. 104. The Secretary may issue reasonable rules, regulations, auth^rl^^.''^"^ 
and standards necessary to implement this title. In the exercise of his 
lulemaking authority the Secretary is subject to the provisions of 
chapters 5 and 7 of title 5, United States Code, In preparing proposed 3 92°^8?staf.°i 9;. 
rules, regulations, and standards, the Secretary shall provide an ade- 
5'use soo, 
quate opportunity for consultation and comment to State and local ^°^-
governments, representatives of the marine industry, port and har-
bor authorities, environmental groups, and other interested parties. 
SEC. 105. The Secretary shall, within one year after the effective 
Report to con-
date of this Act, report to the Congress his recommendations for legis- ^'•''^^" 
lation which may be necessary to achieve coordination and/or elim-
inate duplication between the functions authorized by this Act and 
the functions of any other agencies. 
SEC. 106. Whoever violates a regulation issued under this title shall 
Penalty. 
be liable to a civil penalty of not more than $10,000. The Secretary 
may assess and collect any civil penalty incurred under this title and, 
in his discretion, remit, mitigate, or compromise any penalty. Upon 
failure to collect or compromise a penalty, the Secretary may request 
the Attorney General to commence an action for collection in any dis-
trict court of the United States. A vessel used or employed in a viola-
tion of a regulation under this title shall be liable in rem and may be 
;
-
proceeded against in any district court of the United States having 
jurisdiction. 
SEC. 107. Whoever willfully violates a regulation issued under this 
title shall be fined not less than $5,000 or more than $50,000 or im-
prisoned for not more than five years, or both, 
TITLE II—VESSELS CARRYING CERTAIN CARGOES 
IN BULK 
SEC, 201, Section 4417a of the Revised Statutes of the United States 
(46 U.S.C. 391a) is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"SEC. 4417a. (1) STATEMENT OF POLICY,—The Congress hereby finds 
and declares— 
"That the carriage by vessels of certain cargoes in bulk creates 
substantial hazards to life, property, the navigable waters of the 
United States (including the quality thereof) and the resources 
contained therein and of the adjoining land, including but not 
limited to fish, shellfish, and wildlife, marine and coastal ecosys-
tems and recreational and scenic values, which waters and 
resources are hereafter in this section referred to as the 'marine 
environment', 
"That existing standards for the design, construction, altera-
tion, repair, maintenance and operation of such vessels must be 
improved for the adequate protection of the marine environment, 
"That it is necessary that there be established for all such vessels 
documented under the laws of the United States or entering the 
navigable waters of the United States comprehensive minimum 
standards of design, construction, alteration, repair, maintenance, 
and operation to prevent or mitigate the hazards to life, property, 
and the marine environment, 
" (2) VESSELS INCLUDED,—All vessels, regardless of tonnage size, or 
manner of propulsion, and whether self-propelled or not, and whether 
carrying freight or passengers for hire or not, which are documented 
under the laws of the United States or enter the navigable waters of 
the United States, except public vessels other than those engaged in 
et seg. 
46 use 391a. 
428 
PUBLIC LAW 92-340-JULY 10, 1972 
[86 STAT. 
commercial service, that shall have on board liquid cargo in bulk 
which is— 
'"(A) inflammable or combustible, or 
"(B) oil, of any kind or in any form, including but not lim-
ited to, petroleum, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse, and oil mixed with 
wastes other than dredged spoil, or 
"(C) designated as a hazardous polluting substance under sec-
tion 12(a) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 
84 Stat. 98. 
1162) ; 
shall be considered steam vessels for the purposes of title 52 of the 
46 use 361 
Revised Statutes of the United States and shall be subject to the pro-
visions thereof: Provided, That this section shall not apply to vessels 
having on board the substances set forth in (A), (B), or (C) above 
only for use as fuel or stores or to vessels carrying such cargo only in 
drums, barrels, or other packages: And provided 
further. 
That 
nothing contained herein shall be deemed to amend or modify the 
82 stajt^. 341. 
provisious of section 4 of Public Law 90-397 with respect to certairi 
vessels of not more than five hmidred gross tons: And 
provided 
further, That this section shall not apply to vessels of not more than 
five hundred gross tons documented in the service of oil exploitation 
which are not tank vessels and which would be subject to this section 
only because of the transfer of fuel from the vessels' own fuel supply 
tanks to offshore drilling or production facilities. 
"(3) RULES AND REGULATIONS.—In order to secure effective provi-
sion (A) for vessel safety, and (B) for protection of the marine 
environment, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating (hereafter referred to in this section as the 'Sec-
retary') shall estaWish for the vessels to which this section applies such 
additional rules and regulations as may be necessary with respect to the 
design and construction, alteration, repair, and maintenance of such 
vessels, including, but not limited to, the superstructures, hulls, places 
for stowing and carrying such cargo, fittings, equipment, appliances, 
propulsive machinery, auxiliary machinery, and boilers thereof; and 
with respect to all materials used in such construction, alteration, or 
repair; and with respect to the handling and stowage of such cargo, 
the manner of such handling or stowage, and the machinery and 
appliances used in such handling and stowage; and with respect to 
equipment and appliances for life saving, fire protection, and the pre-
vention and mitigation of damage to the marine environment; and 
with respect to the operation of such vessels; and with respect to the 
requirements of the manning of such vessels and the duties and qual-
ifications of the officers and crew thereof; and with respect to the 
inspection of all the foregoing. In establishing such rules and regula-
tions the Secretary may, after hearing as provided in subsection (4), 
adopt rules of the American Bureau of Shipping or similar American 
classification society for classed vessels insofar as such rules pertain 
to the efficiency of hulls and the reliability of machinery of vessels 
to which this section applies. In establishing such rules and regula-
tions, the Secretary shall give due consideration to the kinds and 
grades of such cargo permitted to be on board such vessel. In estab-
lishing such rules and regulations the Secretary shall, after consulta-
tion with the Secretary of Commerce and the Administrator of the 
Environmental Protection Agency, identify those established for pro-
tection of the marine environment and those established for vessel 
safety. 
"(4) AoomoN OF RULES AND REGULATIONS.—Before any rules or 
regulations, or any alteration, amendment, or repeal thereof, are ap-
proved by the Secretary under the provisions of this section, except 
86 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-340-JULY 10, 1972 
429 
in an emergency, the Secretary shall (A) consult with other appro-
priate Federal departments and agencies, and particularly with the 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Sec-
retary of Commerce, with regard to all rules and regulations for the 
protection of the marine environment, (B) publish proposed rules pubiic'^uon"hear-
and regulations, and (C) permit interested persons an opportunity ing opportunity. 
for hearing. In prescribing rules or regulations, the Secretary shall 
consider, among other things, (i) the need for such rules or regula-
tions, (ii) the extent to which such rules or regulations will contribute 
to safetj or protection of the marine environment, and (iii) the prac-
ticability of compliance therewith, including cost and technical 
feasibility. 
"(5) RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR SAFETY; INSPECTION; PERMITS; 
FOREIGN VESSELS.—No vessel subject to the provisions of this section 
shall, after the effective date of the rules and regulations for vessel 
safety established hereunder, have on board such cargo, until a cer-
tificate of inspection has been issued to such vessel in accordance with 
the provisions of title 52 of the Revised Statutes of the L^nited States 
"^^ "sc aei &t 
and until a permit has been endorsed on such certificate of inspection **^* 
by the Secretary, indicating that such vessel is in compliance with the 
provisions of this section and the rules and regulations for vessel 
safety established hereunder, and showing the kinds and grades of 
such cargo that such vessel may have on board or transport. Such per-
mit shall not be endorsed by the Secretary on such certificate of in-
spection until such vessel has been inspected by the Secretary and 
found to be in compliance with the provisions of this section and the 
rules and regulations for vessel safety established hereunder. For the 
purpose of such inspection, approved plans and certificates of class 
of the American Bureau of Shipping or other recognized classifica-
tion society for classed vessels may be accepted as evidence of the 
structural efficiency of the hull and the reliability of the machinery of 
such classed vessels except as far as existing law places definite re-
sponsibility on the Coast Guard. A certificate issued under the provi-
sions of this section shall be valid for a period of time not to exceed the 
duration of the certificate of inspection on which such permit is en-
dorsed, and shall be subject to rev^ocation by the Secretary Avhenever 
he shall find that the vessel concerned does not comply with the condi-
tions upon which such permit was issued: Provided, That rules and 
regulations for vessel safety established hereunder and the provisions 
of this subsection shall not apply to vessels of a foreign nation having 
on board a valid certificate of inspection recognized under law or treaty 
by the United States: And provided further. That no permit shall be 
issued under the provisions of this section authorizing the presence 
on board any vessel of any of the materials expressly prohibited from 
being thereon by subsection (3) of section 4472 of this title. 
46 use 170. 
"(6) 
RULES AND REGUI^TIONS FOR PROTECTION or THE MARINE 
ENVIRONMENT; INSPECTION; CERTIFICATION.—No vessel subject to the 
provisions of this section shall, after the effective date of rules and 
regulations for protection of the marine environment, have on board 
such cargo, until a certificate of compliance, or an endorsement on the 
certificate of inspection for domestic vessels^ has been issued by the 
Secretary indicating that such vessel is in compliance with such rules 
and regulations. Such certificate of compliance or endorsement shall 
not be issued by the Secretary until such vessel has been inspected by 
the Secretary and found to be in compliance with the rules and regu-
lations for protection of the marine environment established here-
under. A certificate of compliance or an endorsement issued under this 
subsection shall be valid for a period specified therein by the Secre-
tary and shall be subject to revocation whenever the Secretary finds 
that the vessel concerned does not comply with the conditions upon 
which such certificate or endorsement was issued. 
430 
PUBLIC LAW 92-340-JULY 10, 1972 
[86 STAT. 
Publication. 
Effective date. 
"(7) 
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR PROTECTION OF THE MARINE 
ENVIRONMENT 
RELATING TO VESSEL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, 
ALTERATION, AND REPAIR; INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT.—(A) 
The 
Secretary shall begin publication as soon as practicable of proposed 
rules and regulations setting forth minimum standards of design, con-
struction, alteration, and repair of the vessels to which this section ap-
plies for the purpose of protecting the marine environment. Such rules 
and regulations shall, to the extent possible, include but not be limited 
to standards to improve vessel maneuvering and stopping ability and 
otherwise reduce the possibility of collision, grounding, or other acci-
dent, to reduce cargo loss following collision, grounding, or other acci-
dent, and to reduce damage to the marine environment by normal 
vessel operations such as ballasting and deballasting, cargo handling, 
and other activities. 
"(B) The Secretary shall cause proposed rules and regulations pub-
lished by him pursuant to subsection (7) (A) to be transmitted to 
appropriate international forums for consideration as international 
standards. 
"(C) Rules and regulations published pursuant to subsection (7) 
(A) shall be effective not earlier than January 1, 1974, unless the 
Secretary shall earlier establish rules and regulations consonant with 
international treaty, convention, or agreement, which generally ad-
dress the regulation of similar topics for the protection of the marine 
environment. In the absence of the promulgation of such rules and 
regulations consonant with international treaty, convention, or agree-
ment, the Secretary shall establish an effective date not later than 
January 1, 1976, for rules and regulations previously published pur-
suant to this subsection (7) which he then deems appropriate. 
"(D) Any rule or regulation for protection of the marine environ-
ment promulgated pursuant to this subsection (7) shall be equally 
applicable to foreign vessels and United States-flag vessels operating 
in the foreign trade. If a treaty, convention, or agreement provides 
for reciprocity of recognition of certificates or other documents to be 
issued to vessels by countries party thereto, which evidence compli-
ance with rules and regulations issued pursuant to such treaty, con-
vention, or agreement, the Secretary, in his discretion, may accept 
such certificates or documents as evidence of compliance with such 
rules and regulations in lieu of the certificate of compliance otherwise 
required by subsection (6) of this section. 
"(8) SHIPPING DOCUMENTS.—Vessels subject to the provisions of 
this section shall have on board such shipping documents as may be 
prescribed by the Secretary indicating the kinds, grades, and approxi-
mate quantities of such cargo on board such vessel, the shippers and 
consignees thereof, and the location of the shipping and destination 
points. 
"(9) OFFICERS; TANKERMEN; CERTIFICATION.—(A) 
In all cases 
where the certificate of inspection does not require at least two licensed 
officers, the Secretary shall enter in the permit issued to any vessel 
under the provisions of this section the number of the crew required 
to be certified as tankermen. 
"(B) The Secretary shall issue to applicants certificates as tanker-
men, stating the kinds of cargo the holder of such certificate is, in the 
86 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 92-340-JULY 10, 1972 
431 
judgment of the Secretary, qualified to handle aboard vessels with 
safety, upon satisfactory proof and examination, in form and manner 
prescribed by the Secretary, that the applicant is in good physical 
condition, that such applicant is trained in and capable efficiently to 
perform the necessary operations aboard vessels having such cargo on 
board, and that the applicant fulfills the qualifications of tankerman 
as prescribed by the Secretary under the provisions of this section. 
Such certificates shall be subject to suspension or revocation on the 
same grounds and in the same manner and with like procedure as is 
provided in the case of suspension or revocation of licenses of officers 
under the provisions of section 4450 of this title. 
^^ use 239. 
"(10) EFFECTIVE DATE OF RULES AND REGULATIONS.—Except as 
otherwise provided herein, the rules and regulations to be established 
pursuant to this section shall become effective ninety days after their 
promulgation unless the Secretary shall for good cause fix a different 
time. If the Secretary shall fix an effective date later than ninety days 
after such promulgation, his determination to fix such a later date 
shall be accompanied by an explanation of such determination which 
he shall publish and transmit to the Congress. 
"(11) PENALTIES.— (A) The owner, master, or person in charge of 
any vessel subject to the provisions of this section, or any or all of 
them, who shall violate the provisions of this section, or the rules and 
regulations established hereunder, shall be liable to a civil penalty 
of not more than $10,000. 
"(B) The owner, master, or person in charge of any vessel subject 
to the provisions of this section, or any or all of them, who shall 
knowingly and willfully violate the provisions of this section or the 
rules and regulations established hereunder, shall be subject to a fine 
of not less than $5,000 or more than $50,000, or imprisonment for not 
more than five years, or both. 
"(C) Any vessel subject to the provisions of this section, which shall 
be in violation of this section or the rules and regulations established 
hereunder, shall be liable in rem and may be proceeded against in the 
LTnited States district court for any district m which the vessel may 
be found. 
"(12) INJUNCTIVE PROCEEDINGS.—The United States district courts 
shall have jurisdiction for cause shown to restrain violations of this 
section or the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder. 
"(13) DENIAL OF ENTRY.—The Secretary may, subject to recog-
nized principles of international law, deny entry into the navigable 
waters of the United States to any vessel not in compliance with the 
provisions of this section or the regulations promulgated thereunder." 
SEC. 202. Regulations previously issued under statutory provisions ^ Savings pro-
repealed, modified, or amended by this title shall continue in effect as "'"'"" 
though promulgated under the authority of section 4417a of the Re-
vised Statutes of the United States (46'U.S.C. 391a), as amended by 
this title, until expressly abrogated, modified, or amended by the Sec-
retary of the Department in which the Coast (xuard is operating 
under the regulatory authority of such section 4417a as so amended. 
Any proceeding under such section 4417a for a violation Avhich oc-
curred before the effective date of this title may be initiated or con-
tinued to conclusion as though sitch section 4417a had not been 
amended herebv. 
vision. 
432 
PUBLIC L
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[86 STAT. 
Report to Con-
gress. 
SEC. 203. The Secretary of the Department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating shall, for a period of ten years following the en-
actment of this title, make a report to the Congress at the beginning 
of each regular session, regarding his activities under this title. Such 
report shall include but not be limited to (A) a description of the 
I'ules and regulations prescribed by the Secretary (i) to improve ves-
sel maneuvering and stopping ability and otherwise reduce the risks 
of collisions, groundings, and other accidents, (ii) to reduce cargo 
loss in the event of collisions, groundings^ and other accidents, and 
(iii) to reduce damage to the marine environment from the normal 
operation of the vessels to which this title applies, (B) the progress 
made with respect to the adoption of international standards for the 
design, construction, alteration, and repair of vessels to which this 
title applies for protection of the marine environment, and (C) to the 
extent that the Secretary finds standards with respect to the design, 
construction, alteration, and repair of vessels for the purposes set forth 
in (A)(i), (ii), or (iii) above not possible, an explanation of the 
reasons therefor. 
Approved July 10, 1972. 
July 10, 1972 
[S. 3343] 
Public Law 92-341 
AN ACT 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the maximum amount of tlie 
grant payable for specially adapted housing for disabled veterans. 
Disabled vet-
erans. 
Housing loans, 
increase. 
83 Stat. 32. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled^ That section 802 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking out "$12,500" 
and inserting in lieu thereof "$17,500". 
Approved July 10, 1972. 
July 10, 1972 
[H. R. 13 9551 
Legislative 
Branch Appropria-
tion Act, 1973. 
Public Law 92-342 
AN ACT 
:: .--''v 1 ,...• 
Making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal yeiir PJUUUK 
June 30, 1973, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That the following 
sums are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not other-
wise appropriated, for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year 
ending June 30, 1973, and for other purposes, namely: 
SENATE 
(COMPENSATION AND MILEAGE OF T H E V I C E PRESIDENT AND 
SENATORS 
AND E X P E N S E ALLOWANCES OF T H E V I C E PRESIDENT AND LEADERS OF 
THE SENATE