50 U.S. Code § 1512 - Transportation, open air testing, and disposal; Presidential determination; report to Congress; notice to Congress and State Governors
This Act, referred to in provision preceding par. (1), means Pub. L. 91–121, Nov. 19, 1969, 83 Stat. 204. Provisions authorizing the appropriation of funds are not classified to the Code. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.
1970—Pub. L. 91–441 inserted reference to the disposal of lethal chemical or biological warfare agents in the United States.
“Secretary of Health and Human Services” substituted for “Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare” in par. (2), pursuant to section 509(b) of Pub. L. 96–88 which is classified to section 3508(b) of Title 20, Education.
Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title XII, § 1232, Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3468, provided that:
Pub. L. 91–672, § 13, Jan. 12, 1971, 84 Stat. 2055, directed that no authorized funds could be used to transport chemical munitions from Okinawa to the United States, but could be used for detoxification or destruction of these munitions only outside the United States.
Ex. Ord. No. 11850, Apr. 8, 1975, 40 F.R. 16187, provided:
The United States renounces, as a matter of national policy, first use of herbicides in war except use, under regulations applicable to their domestic use, for control of vegetation within U.S. bases and installations or around their immediate defensive perimeters, and first use of riot control agents in war except in defensive military modes to save lives such as:
(a) Use of riot control agents in riot control situations in areas under direct and distinct U.S. military control, to include controlling rioting prisoners of war.
(b) Use of riot control agents in situations in which civilians are used to mask or screen attacks and civilian casualties can be reduced or avoided.
(c) Use of riot control agents in rescue missions in remotely isolated areas, of downed aircrews and passengers, and escaping prisoners.
(d) Use of riot control agents in rear echelon areas outside the zone of immediate combat to protect convoys from civil disturbances, terrorists and paramilitary organizations.
I have determined that the provisions and procedures prescribed by this Order are necessary to ensure proper implementation and observance of such national policy.
NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States of America by the Constitution and laws of the United States and as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. The Secretary of Defense shall take all necessary measures to ensure that the use by the Armed Forces of the United States of any riot control agents and chemical herbicides in war is prohibited unless such use has Presidential approval, in advance.
Sec. 2. The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe the rules and regulations he deems necessary to ensure that the national policy herein announced shall be observed by the Armed Forces of the United States.