ADVANCE PAYMENTS OF ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIMS

SEC. 735. ADVANCE PAYMENTS OF ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIMS (a) Increase in Maximum Payment.—Subsection (a) of section 2736 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: “(a)(1) In the case of a person who is injured or killed, or whose property is damaged or lost, under circumstances for which the Secretary of a military department is authorized by law to allow a claim, the Secretary of the military department concerned may 102 STAT. 2006make a payment to or for the person, or the legal representatives of the person, in advance of the submission of such a claim or, if such a claim is submitted, in advance of the final settlement of the claim. The amount of such a payment may not exceed $100,000. “(2) Payments under this subsection are limited to payments which would otherwise be payable under section 2733 or 2734 of this title or section 715 of title 32. “(3) The Secretary of a military department may delegate the authority to make payments under this subsection to the Judge Advocate General of an armed force under the jurisdiction of the Secretary. The Secretary may delegate such authority to any other officer or employee under the jurisdiction of the Secretary, but only with respect to the payment of amounts of $25,000 or less. “(4) Payments under this subsection shall be made under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the military department concerned.”. (b) Effective Date.—The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to any claim which would otherwise be payable under section 2733 or 2734 of title 10, United States Code, or under section 715 of title 32, United States Code, and which has not been finally settled on or before the date of the enactment of this Act.