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January, 1917, shall remain in force and effect in said islands, and the same shall be administered by the civil officials and through the local judicial tribunals established in said islands, respectively; and the orders, judgments, and decrees of said judicial tribunals shall be duly enforced. With the approval of the President, or under such rules and regulations as the President may prescribe, any of said laws may be repealed, altered, or amended by the colonial council having jurisdiction. The jurisdiction of the judicial tribunals of said islands shall extend to all judicial proceedings and controversies in said islands to which the United States or any citizen thereof may be a party. (Mar. 3, 1917, ch. 171, § 2, 39 Stat. 1132; June 25, 1948, ch. 646, § 39, 62 Stat. 992.)

REFERENCES IN TEXT

Section 1391 of this title, referred to in text, was repealed by Pub. L. 89-554, § 8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 643.

AMENDMENTS

1948-Act June 25, 1948, repealed last sentence relating to appeals. See section 1294 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1948 AMENDMENT Amendment by act June 25, 1948, effective Sept. 1, 1948, see section 38 of act June 25, 1948, set out as an Effective Date note preceding section 1 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

§ 1392a. Repealed. Pub. L. 89-554, § 8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 650, 654

Section, acts May 24, 1940, ch. 209, § 3, 54 Stat. 220; July 31, 1946, ch. 704, § 1, 60 Stat. 716; June 25, 1948, ch. 646, § 30, 62 Stat. 991, related to the salary of the judge of the District Court.

Section was formerly classified to section 5a of Title 28 prior to the general revision and enactment of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, by act June 25, 1948, ch. 646, § 1, 62 Stat. 869.

§ 1392b. Repealed. Pub. L. 97-357, title III, § 308(c), Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1710

Section, act July 1, 1932, ch. 370, § 2, 47 Stat. 565, vested in the District Court of the Virgin Islands jurisdiction of prosecutions for violations of section 1399 of this title, relating to obstruction of navigable waters. § 1393. Repealed. Pub. L. 97-357, title III, § 308(a), Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1710

Section, act July 12, 1921, ch. 44, § 1, 42 Stat. 123, declared as ineligible to hold office as a member of the colonial councils of the Virgin Islands or any other public office under the Virgin Islands government, anyone owing allegiance to any country other than the United States.

§ 1394. Customs duties and internal-revenue taxes

There shall be levied, collected, and paid upon all articles coming into the United States or its possessions from the Virgin Islands the rates of duty and internal-revenue taxes which are required to be levied, collected, and paid upon like articles imported from foreign countries: Provided, That all articles, the growth or product of, or manufactured in, such islands, from materials the growth or product of such islands or of the United States, or of both, or

which do not contain foreign materials to the value of more than 20 per centum of their total value, upon which no drawback of customs duties has been allowed therein, coming into the United States from such islands shall be admitted free of duty. In determining whether such a Virgin Islands article contains foreign material to the value of more than 20 per centum, no material shall be considered foreign which, at the time the Virgin Islands article is entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption, may be imported into the continental United States free of duty generally. (Mar. 3, 1917, ch. 171, § 3, 39 Stat. 1133; Sept. 7, 1950, ch. 909, 64 Stat. 784.)

AMENDMENTS

1950-Act Sept. 7, 1950, permitted free entry of arti cles into the United States from the Virgin Islands when such articles contain foreign materials which may be imported directly into the United States free of duty.

CROSS REFERENCES

Customs duties, see General Headnote 3(a) under section 1202 of Title 19, Customs Duties.

Industrial alcohol plants, application of internal rev. enue laws to Virgin Islands, see section 5314 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Internal revenue, special provisions applicable to Virgin Islands, see sections 7652 and 7653 of Title 26.

SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS This section is referred to in sections 1392, 1396 of this title.

§ 1395. Tax laws continued; tax on sugar

Until Congress shall otherwise provide all laws now imposing taxes in the said West Indian Islands, including the customs laws and regulations, shall, insofar as compatible with the changed sovereignty and not otherwise herein provided, continue in force and effect, except that articles the growth, product, or manufacture of the United States shall be admitted there free of duty: Provided, That upon exportation of sugar to any foreign country, or the shipment thereof to the United States or any of its possessions, there shall be levied, collected, and paid thereon an export duty of $6 per ton of two thousand pounds, irrespective of polariscope test, in lieu of any export tax now required by law: Provided further, That the internal revenue taxes levied by the Colonial Council of Saint Croix, or by the Colonial Council of Saint Thomas and Saint John, in pursuance of the authority granted by this section and sections 1391, 1392, 1394, and 1396 of this title on articles, goods, wares, or merchandise may be levied and collected as the Colonial Council of Saint Croix, or as the Colonial Council of Saint Thomas and Saint John, may direct, on the articles subject to said tax, as soon as the same are manufactured, sold, used, or brought into the island: And provided further, That no discrimination be made between the articles imported from the United States or for. eign countries and similar articles produced or manufactured in the municipality of Saint Croix, or in the municipality of Saint Thomas and Saint John, respectively. The officials of

the Customs and Postal Services of the United States are directed to assist the appropriate officials of the municipality of Saint Croix, or of the municipality of Saint Thomas and Saint John, in the collection of these taxes.

(Mar. 3, 1917, ch. 171, § 4, 39 Stat. 1133; Feb. 25, 1927, ch. 192, § 5, 44 Stat. 1235; June 24, 1932, ch. 275, 47 Stat. 333.)

REFERENCES IN TEXT

The customs laws, referred to in text, are classified generally to Title 19, Customs Duties.

Section 1391 of this title, referred to in text, was repealed by Pub. L. 89-554, § 8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 643.

AMENDMENTS

1932-Act June 24, 1932, added provisos permitting local levy of internal revenue taxes, prohibiting discrimination against imports, and directing the customs and postal services to assist in collecting taxes. 1927-Act Feb. 25, 1927, reduced export duty on sugar from $8 to $6 per ton.

SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS

This section is referred to in sections 1392, 1396 of this title.

§ 1396. Duties and taxes covered into Virgin Islands treasury

The duties and taxes collected in pursuance of sections 1394 and 1395 of this title shall not be covered into the general fund of the Treasury of the United States, but shall be used and expended for the government and benefit of the Virgin Islands, under such rules and regulations as the President may prescribe.

(Mar. 3, 1917, ch. 171, § 5, 39 Stat. 1133.)

CROSS REFERENCES

Disposition of proceeds of taxes on articles produced in the Virgin Islands and transported into the United States, see section 7652 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Use of proceeds of customs duties and taxes collected in the Virgin Islands, see section 1642 of this title. SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS

This section is referred to in section 1392 of this title.

§ 1397. Income tax laws of United States in force; payment of proceeds; levy of surtax on all taxpayers

The income-tax laws in force in the United States of America and those which may hereafter be enacted shall be held to be likewise in force in the Virgin Islands of the United States, except that the proceeds of such taxes shall be paid into the treasuries of said islands: Provided further, That, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Legislature of the Virgin Islands is authorized to levy a surtax on all taxpayers in an amount not to exceed 10 per centum of their annual income tax obligation to the government of the Virgin Islands. (July 12, 1921, ch. 44, § 1, 42 Stat. 123; Aug. 19, 1976, Pub. L. 94-392, § 5, 90 Stat. 1195.)

REFERENCES IN TEXT

The income-tax laws in force in the United States of America, referred to in text, are classified to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

CODIFICATION

Section is from act July 12, 1921, popularly known as the Naval Service Appropriation Act, 1922.

AMENDMENTS

1976-Pub. L. 94-392 added proviso authorizing Legislature of the Virgin Islands to levy a surtax, not to exceed 10 per centum, on annual income tax obligation of all taxpayers.

APPLICATION OF WESTERN HEMISPHERE TRADE CORPORATION PROVISION UNDER THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TAX LAWS

Treatment of Western Hemisphere Trade Corporation provisions of sections 921 and 922 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code, as having been repealed effective with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 10, 1971, for purposes of applying income tax laws of the United States with respect to the Virgin Islands under this section, see Pub. L. 92-178, title III, § 307, Dec. 10, 1971, 85 Stat. 524, set out as a note under section 921 of Title 26.

CROSS REFERENCES

All provisions of laws of the United States applicable to assessment and collection of taxes imposed by Internal Revenue Code as applicable to possessions, see section 7651 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Disposition of proceeds of taxes on articles produced in the Virgin Islands and transported into the United States, see section 7652 of Title 26.

Use of proceeds of United States income tax collected in the Virgin Islands, see section 1642 of this title. Taxation of income derived from sources within the United States, see section 933 of Title 26.

SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS This section is referred to in title 26 sections 932, 934.

§ 1398. Omitted

CODIFICATION

Section, act July 1, 1922, ch. 259, 42 Stat. 788, which related to quarantine and passport fees, was from the Navy Department and Naval Service Appropriation Act, 1923, was not repeated in subsequent years. See section 1642 of this title.

§ 1399. Repealed. Pub. L. 97-357, title III, § 308(b), Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1710

Section, acts July 3, 1930, ch. 847, § 8, 46 Stat. 948; July 1, 1932, ch. 370, § 1, 47 Stat. 565, made applicable to the Virgin Islands and the navigable waters thereof, certain provisions of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters, relating to obstruction of navigable waters.

§ 1400. Admiralty laws of United States; extension to islands

There is conferred upon the judicial tribunals of the Virgin Islands jurisdiction in admiralty which shall be the same as is exercised by the United States district courts, and the practice and procedure shall be the same as in the United States district courts, and all cases coming within the admiralty jurisdiction of said tribunals shall be determined in accordance with the general admiralty laws of the United States of America.

(May 20, 1932, ch. 194, 47 Stat. 160.)

REFERENCES IN TEXT

The admiralty laws of the United States of America, referred to in text, are classified generally to Title 46, Shipping.

CROSS REFERENCES

Admiralty jurisdiction of United States district courts, see section 1333 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

§ 1401. Equalization of taxes on real property; declaration of policy

It is the policy of Congress to equalize and more equitably to distribute existing taxes on real property in the Virgin Islands of the United States and to reduce the burden of taxation now imposed on land in productive use in such islands.

(May 26, 1936, ch. 450, § 1, 49 Stat. 1372.)

SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS

This section is referred to in sections 1401b, 1401e of this title.

§ 1401a. Valuation of real property for assessment; uniformity of rates

For the calendar year 1936 and for all succeeding years all taxes on real property in the Virgin Islands shall be computed on the basis of the actual value of such property and the rate in each municipality of such islands shall be the same for all real property subject to taxation in such municipality whether or not such property is in cultivation and regardless of the use to which such property is put.

(May 26, 1936, ch. 450, § 2, 49 Stat. 1372.)

SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS

This section is referred to in sections 1401b, 1401e of this title.

§ 1401b. Rate of tax in absence of local laws; regulations by President for assessment and collection pending adoption of local laws

Until local tax laws conforming to the requirements of sections 1401 to 1401e of this title are in effect in a municipality the tax on real property in such municipality for any calendar year shall be at the rate of 1.25 per centum of the assessed value. If the legislative authority of a municipality failed to enact laws for the levy, assessment, collection, or enforcement of any tax imposed under authority of said sections, within three months after May 26, 1936, the President shall prescribe regulations for the levy, assessment, collection, and enforcement of such tax, which shall be in effect until the legislative authority of such municipality shall make regulations for such purposes.

(May 26, 1936, ch. 450, § 3, 49 Stat. 1372.)

REFERENCES IN TEXT

Section 1401d of this title, included within reference in text to sections 1401 to 1401e of this title, was omitted from the Code.

CROSS REFERENCES

Excess or additional rate of taxation for servicing outstanding bonds authorized, see section 1403 of this title.

SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS This section is referred to in section 1401e of this title.

§ 1401c. Depository

All taxes so levied and collected shall be deposited in the municipal treasury of the municipality in which such taxes are collected. (May 26, 1936, ch. 450, § 4, 49 Stat. 1372.)

SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS This section is referred to in sections 1401b, 1401e of this title.

§ 1401d. Omitted

CODIFICATION

Section, acts May 26, 1936, ch. 450, § 5, 49 Stat. 1372; June 30, 1949, ch. 285, § 12, 63 Stat. 356, which related to payments to be made by the Virgin Islands Corporation into municipal treasuries of the Virgin Islands in lieu of certain taxes, valuation of real property in the Virgin Islands owned by the Virgin Islands Corporation as a basis for determining the amount of taxation, and payment to be made for any property owned by the United States in the Virgin Islands used for ordinary business or commercial purposes, was omitted in view of the termination of the Corporation program on June 30, 1965, and subsequent dissolution of the Corporation on July 1, 1966, and the repeal of sections 1407 to 14071 of this title, which provided the basic authority for the Corporation, by Pub. L. 97-357, title III, § 308(e), Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1710.

§ 1401e. Exemptions from taxation; authority of municipalities to alter, amend, or repeal existing laws

Nothing in sections 1401 to 1401e of this title shall be construed as altering, amending, or repealing exemptions from taxation, existing on May 26, 1936, of property used for educational, charitable, or religious purposes. Subject to the provisions of said sections, the legislative authority of the respective municipalities is empowered to alter, amend, or repeal, subject to the approval of the Governor, any law imposing taxes on real and personal property on May 26, 1936.

(May 26, 1936, ch. 450, § 6, 49 Stat. 1373.)

REFERENCES IN TEXT

Section 1401d of this title, included within reference in text to sections 1401 to 1401e of this title, was omitted from the Code.

SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS This section is referred to in section 1401b of this title.

§ 1401f. Purchases

The Territorial and local governments of the Virgin Islands are authorized to make purchases through the General Services Administration.

(Dec. 30, 1982, Pub. L. 97-394, title I, § 100, 96 Stat. 1979.)

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Section, as it relates to Guam, American Samoa, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, is classified to sections 14237, 1665, and 1682 respectively, of this title.

SIMILAR PROVISIONS

Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriation acts:

Dec. 23, 1981, Pub. L. 97-100, title I, § 100, 95 Stat. 1401.

Dec. 12, 1980, Pub. L. 96-514, title I, § 100, 94 Stat. 2969.

Nov. 27, 1979, Pub. L. 96-126, title I, § 100, 93 Stat. 965.

Oct. 17, 1978, Pub. L. 95-465, title I, § 100, 92 Stat. 1289.

July 26, 1977, Pub. L. 95-74, title I, § 100, 91 Stat. 295.

July 31, 1976, Pub. L. 94-373, title I, § 100, 90 Stat. 1052.

Dec. 23, 1975, Pub. L. 94-165, title I, § 100, 89 Stat. 987.

Aug. 31, 1974, Pub. L. 93-404, title I, § 100, 88 Stat. 812.

Oct. 4, 1973, Pub. L. 93-120, title I, § 100, 87 Stat. 433.

Aug. 10, 1972, Pub. L. 92-369, title I, § 100, 86 Stat. 512.

Aug. 10, 1971, Pub. L. 92-76, title I, § 100, 85 Stat. 233.

July 31, 1970, Pub. L. 91-361, title I, § 100, 84 Stat. 673.

Oct. 29, 1969, Pub. L. 91-98, title I, § 100, 83 Stat. 151.

July 26, 1968, Pub. L. 90-425, title I, § 100, 82 Stat. 430.

June 24, 1967, Pub. L. 90-28, title I, § 100, 81 Stat. 63. May 31, 1966, Pub. L. 89-435, title I, § 100, 80 Stat. 174.

June 28, 1965, Pub. L. 89-52, title I, § 100, 79 Stat. 179.

July 7, 1964, Pub. L. 88-356, title I, § 100, 78 Stat. 278.

July 26, 1963, Pub. L. 88-79, title I, § 100, 77 Stat. 102.

Aug. 9, 1962, Pub. L. 87-578, title I, § 100, 76 Stat. 339.

Aug. 3, 1961, Pub. L. 87-122, title I, § 100, 75 Stat. 250.

May 13, 1960, Pub. L. 86-455, title I, § 100, 74 Stat. 112. June 23, 1959, Pub. L. 86-60, title I, § 100, 73 Stat. 101.

June 4, 1958, Pub. L. 85-439, title I, § 100, 72 Stat. 163.

July 1, 1957, Pub. L. 85-77, title I, § 100, 72 Stat. 163. June 13, 1956, ch. 380, title I, § 101, 70 Stat. 264. June 16, 1955, ch. 147, title I, § 1, 69 Stat. 149. July 1, 1954, ch. 446, title I, § 101, 68 Stat. 372. July 31, 1953, ch. 298, title I, § 1, 67 Stat. 273. July 9, 1952, ch. 597, title I, § 101, 66 Stat. 457. Aug. 31, 1951, ch. 375, title I, § 101, 65 Stat. 263. Sept. 6, 1950, ch. 896, ch. VII, title I, § 101, 64 Stat. 694.

§ 1402. Extension of industrial alcohol and internal revenue laws to Virgin Islands

Title III of the National Prohibition Act, as amended, and all provisions of the internal revenue laws relating to the enforcement thereof, are extended to and made applicable to the Virgin Islands, from and after August 27, 1935. The Insular Government shall advance to the Treasury of the United States such funds as may be required from time to time by the Secretary of the Treasury for the purpose of defraying all expenses incurred by the Treasury Department in connection with the enforce

ment in the Virgin Islands of the said Title III and regulations promulgated thereunder. The funds so advanced shall be deposited in a separate trust fund in the Treasury of the United States and shall be available to the Treasury Department for the purposes of this section. (June 26, 1936, ch. 830, title III, § 329(c), 49 Stat. 1957.)

REFERENCES IN TEXT

The National Prohibition Act, as amended, referred to in text, is act Oct. 28, 1919, ch. 85, 41 Stat. 305, as amended. Title III of such Act was classified principally to chapter 3 (§ 71 et seq.) of Title 27, Intoxicating Liquors, and was omitted from the Code in view of the incorporation of such provisions in the Internal Revenue Code of 1939, and subsequently into the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.

The internal revenue laws, referred to in text, are classified generally to Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

CODIFICATION

Provisions similar to those comprising this section relating to Puerto Rico are classified to section 734a of this title.

CROSS REFERENCE

Industrial alcohol plants, application of internal revenue laws to Virgin Islands, see section 5314 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

§ 1403. Issuance of bonds or other obligations by government or municipalities; use of proceeds; limit on public indebtedness; terms, execution, interest rate, and sale price; taxes

To construct, improve, extend, better, repair, reconstruct, acquire, and operate any and all types of public works which shall include, but not be limited to, streets, bridges, wharves, and harbor facilities, sewers and sewage-disposal plants, municipal buildings, schools, libraries, gymnasia and athletic fields, fire houses, electric distribution systems or other work pertaining to electric systems, and other public utilities, including those owned or operated by the Saint Thomas Power Authority, or to clear slums, accomplish urban redevelopment or provide low-rent housing, negotiable general obligation bonds and other obligations may be issued by the government of the Virgin Islands or any municipality thereof: Provided, That no public indebtedness of any municipality thereof shall be incurred in excess of 10 per centum of the aggregate assessed valuation of the taxable real property in such municipality and that no public indebtedness of the government of the Virgin Islands shall be incurred in excess of 10 per centum of the aggregate assessed valuation of the taxable real property in the islands. Bonds issued pursuant to sections 1403 to 1403b of this title shall bear such date or dates, may be in such denominations, may mature in such amounts and at such time or times, not exceeding thirty years from the date thereof, may be payable at such place or places, may be sold at either public or private sale, may be redeemable (either with or without premium) or nonredeemable, may carry such registration privileges as to either principal and interest, or principal only, and may be executed by such offi

cers and in such manner, as shall be prescribed by the government of the Virgin Islands or of the municipality issuing the bonds. In case any of the officers whose signatures appear on the bonds or coupons shall cease to be such officers before delivery of such bonds, such signature, whether manual or facsimile, shall, nevertheless, be valid and sufficient for all purposes, the same as if such officers had remained in office until such delivery. The bonds so issued shall bear interest at a rate not to exceed 4 per centum per annum, payable semiannually. All such bonds shall be sold for not less than the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest. All bonds issued by the government of the Virgin Islands or any municipality thereof, including specifically interest thereon, shall be exempt from taxation by the Government of the United States, or by the government of the Virgin Islands or any political subdivision thereof, or by any State, Territory, or possession or by any political subdivision of any State, Territory, or possession, or by the District of Columbia: Provided further, That the government of the Virgin Islands and any municipality thereof shall be obliged to levy and collect sufficient taxes for servicing any of the outstanding bonds, even if such taxation is required at a rate in excess of or in addition to the tax or tax rate of 1.25 per centum of the assessed value which is provided for in section 1401b of this title.

(Oct. 27, 1949, ch. 769, § 1, 63 Stat. 940.)

SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS

This section is referred to in sections 1403a, 1403b, 1408a of this title; title 26 section 103.

§ 1403a. Expenditure of bond proceeds for public improvements

The proceeds of the bond issues or other obligations herein authorized shall be expended only for the public improvements set forth in section 1403 of this title, or for the reduction of the debt created by such bond issue or obligation, unless otherwise authorized by the Congress.

(Oct. 27, 1949, ch. 769, § 2, 63 Stat. 941.)

SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS

This section is referred to in sections 1403, 1403b, 1408a of this title.

§ 1403b. Bond liability of United States

Bonds or other obligations issued pursuant to sections 1403 to 1403b of this title shall not be a debt of the United States, nor shall the United States be liable thereon.

(Oct. 27, 1949, ch. 769, § 3, 63 Stat. 941.)

SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS

This section is referred to in sections 1403, 1408a of this title.

SUBCHAPTER II-CIVIL GOVERNMENT SUBCHAPTER REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS This subchapter is referred to in sections 1408a, 1574 of this title.

§ 1405. Geographical application of subchapter; land and waters included in term "Virgin Islands"

The provisions of this subchapter, and the name "the Virgin Islands" as used in this subchapter, shall apply to and include the territorial domain, lands and waters acquired by the United States through cession of the Danish West Indian Islands by the convention between the United States of America and His Majesty the King of Denmark entered into August 4, 1916, and ratified by the Senate on September 7, 1916 (39 Stat. L. 1706).

(June 22, 1936, ch. 699, § 1, 49 Stat. 1807.)

CROSS REFERENCE

Provisions of this subchapter, not inconsistent with section 1541 et seq. of this title as continued in force and effect, see section 1574 of this title. See also Codi. fication note set out preceding section 1391 of this title.

§8 1405a, 1405b. Repealed. Pub. L. 97-357, title III, § 307, Oct. 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 1709

Section 1405a, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, § 2, 49 Stat. 1807, related to the division of the Virgin Islands into the municipality of Saint Croix and the municipality of Saint Thomas and Saint John.

Section 1405b, act June 22, 1936, ch. 699, § 3, 49 Stat. 1807, related to the constituting into bodies politic and juridic of the inhabitants of the municipalities of Saint Croix and of Saint Thomas and Saint John.

§ 1405c. Transfer of property to government (a) Property not reserved

All property which may have been acquired by the United States from Denmark in the Virgin Islands under the convention entered into August 4, 1916, not reserved by the United States for public purposes prior to June 22, 1937, is placed under the control of the Government of the Virgin Islands.

(b) Applicability of United States law

Except as otherwise expressly provided, all laws of the United States for the protection and improvement of the navigable waters of the United States shall apply to the Virgin Is. lands.

(c) Applicability of tonnage duties

No Federal laws levying tonnage duties, light money, or entrance and clearance fees shall apply to the Virgin Islands.

(d) Presidential determination of applicable laws

The legislature of the Virgin Islands shall have power to enact navigation, boat inspection, and safety laws of local application; but the President shall have power to make appli cable to the Virgin Islands such of the navigation, vessel inspection, and coastwise laws of the United States as he may find and declare to be necessary in the public interest, and, to the extent that the laws so made applicable conflict with any laws of local application enacted by the legislature, such laws enacted by the legislature shall have no force and effect.

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