GENERAL AND SPECIFIC POWERS OF COMMISSION.

SEC. 3524. GENERAL AND SPECIFIC POWERS OF COMMISSION. (a) In General.— The Panama Canal Act of 1979 (22 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 1102 the following new sections: “general powers of commission “Sec. 1102a. (a) The Commission may adopt, alter, and use a corporate seal, which shall be judicially noticed. “(b) The Commission may by action of the Board of Directors adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws governing the conduct of its general business and the performance of the powers and duties granted to or imposed upon it by law. “(c) The Commission may sue and be sued in its corporate name, except that— “(1) the amenability of the Commission to suit is limited by Article VIII of the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977, section 1401 of this Act, and otherwise by law; “(2) an attachment, garnishment, or similar process may not be issued against salaries or other moneys owed by the Commission to its employees except as provided by section 5520a of title 5, United States Code, and sections 459, 461, and 462 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 659, 661, 662), or as otherwise specifically authorized by the laws of the United States; and “(3) the Commission is exempt from the payment of interest on claims and judgments. “(d) The Commission may enter into contracts, leases, agreements, or other transactions. “(e) The Commission— “(1) may determine the character of, and necessity for, its obligations and expenditures and the manner in which they shall be incurred, allowed, and paid; and “(2) may incur, allow, and pay its obligations and expenditures, subject to pertinent provisions of law generally applicable to Government corporations. “(f) The Commission shall have the priority of the Government of the United States in the payment of debts out of bankrupt estates. “(g) The authority of the Commission under this section and section 1102B is subject to the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977 and related agreements, and to chapter 91 of title 31, United States Code. “specific powers of commission “Sec. 1102b. (a) The Commission may manage, operate, and maintain the Panama Canal. “(b) The Commission may construct or acquire, establish, maintain, and operate such activities, facilities, and appurtenances as 110 STAT. 640necessary and appropriate for the accomplishment of the purposes of this Act, including the following: “(1) Docks, wharves, piers, and other shoreline facilities. “(2) Shops and yards. “(3) Marine railways, salvage and towing facilities, fuel-handling facilities, and motor transportation facilities. “(4) Power systems, water systems, and a telephone system. “(5) Construction facilities. “(6) Living quarters and other buildings. “(7) Warehouses, storehouses, a printing plant, and manufacturing, processing, or service facilities in connection therewith. “(8) Recreational facilities. “(c) The Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as the executive departments of the Federal Government. “(d) The Commission may take such actions as are necessary or appropriate to carry out the powers specifically conferred upon it.”. (b) Clerical Amendment.— The table of contents in section 1 of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1102 the following new items: “1102a. General powers of Commission. “1102b. Specific powers of Commission.”.