On January 1, 2016 family members with a means of having an emergency “gun violence restraining order” imposed against a loved one if they can convince a judge that this person’s possession of a firearm “poses an immediate and present danger of causing personal injury to himself, herself or another by having in his or her custody or control.
Earlier this a Chicago Uber driver with a valid concealed carry permit shot and wounded a wouldbe gunman who open fire on a crowd of people. After that Uber made this their policy.
UBER FIREARMS PROHIBITION POLICY
We seek to ensure that everyone using the Uber digital platform—both driver-partners and riders—feels safe and comfortable using the service. During a ride arranged through the Uber platform, Uber and its affiliates therefore prohibit possessing firearms of any kind in a vehicle. Any rider or driver found to have violated this prohibition may lose access to the Uber platform.
Which if you copy and past this link you will see.
https://www.uber.com/legal/firearms-prohibition-policy
We spoke to many Uber drivers some are for and some are against.
We ask you the uber patron or partner would you feel safe if you knew your driver was carrying or if your passenger was carrying.
Salt lake city -Utah Supreme Court issued a strong endorsement of self-defense as public policy in a claim arising out of private action. In Ray v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., the court held that an employee’s right of self-defense trumps an employer’s right to fire an employee, including an employee who can usually be terminated without specific cause (an “at-will” employee.)
The case stems from an incident in January 2011, when six workers were fired after they fought with a shoplifter who pulled a gun on them inside the Layton Wal-Mart. The company had claimed the employees violated Wal-Mart’s policy of disengaging, withdrawing and alerting authorities.
The case involved two incidents where a total of four Wal-Mart employees were fired after using force – in self-defense – against armed shoplifters. In the first case, three employees at the Layton, Utah, store confronted a customer who hid a laptop computer in his pants. After employees escorted him to the store’s security office, the shoplifter drew a gun and grabbed one of the employees, pressing the gun to his back. The other employees grabbed the man, seized his gun, and held him for the police.
In the second event, two employees at a West Valley City, Utah, store grabbed a shoplifter after she tried to run away. She pulled a pocketknife and threatened to stab the employees unless they released her. Afraid of what would happen if they let go, they kept hold while a customer helped grab the knife.
Utah law reflects a policy favoring the right of self-defense, and that policy is of sufficient magnitude to qualify as a substantial public policy exception to the at-will employment doctrine, but only under the narrow circumstances where an employee cannot withdraw and faces.
Therefore it is this courts finding that Wal-Mart's policy violated the 2nd ammendment and that their employees have the right to carry a concealed firearm while they are at work.
Early yesterday protesters entered Trump International and destroyed the lobby and Christmas decorations chanting Fuck Trump. We reached out to Mr. Trump to get his thought but instead we spoke with Ivanka Trump who informed us that after the protest is over the security feed will be pulled and saved a insurance adjuster will be out and then will meet with Mr. Trump his team of lawyers and then bring everything to the police department for criminal charges.
Trump will be seeking restitution as to the damages as well as court cost and lawyer fee. said Ivanka.
I was visiting the Pilsen neighborhood while conducting my black Friday shopping. I got hungry and ventured in.
I ordered the sweet and sour chicken with ship fried rice and 2 egg rolls and 2 cans of coke. When it came up I had an extra egg roll. I informed them and I got was oh that's ok that for your long wait.
The food was good and what I ordered came to 20.00 bucks.
1 01. Egg Roll (2) : 1 2.50
2 Can of Soda : 2 2.00
Choice of Soda Can:
Coke
3 F. Sweet & Sour Chicken : 1 8.95
Sub Rice:
Jumbo Shrim Fried Rice ($2.00)
SubTotal 13.45
Tax 1.45
Tip CASH
Total 18.90
Which was good I give it 4 Seartowers.
The address and phone number is on the picture
A little boy started going out in a military style uniform shaking hands with U.S. soldiers and going to cemeteries to lay flags and to set up a table for the missing soldier. Either way we thought we would honor him with a blog about the wonderful things he has done and continues to do. He hasn't posted anything in a while according to his face book page. However we support him and his operation. So we are giving him former blogger Detective Longcock award and the highest medal given out by us. See his info to help support his mission. His information is pictured below.
Thank you to all of our veterans.
God bless.
2 guys from Philadelphia that own a pizza parlor were not allowed on the aircraft because they were speaking Aribic and fellow passengers were concerned for what was in the box. Hours later they were allowed back on the plane after a strip search, cavity search and 4 pizza later they bored the plane for the city of brotherly love.
A Berwyn woman driving on 31st Street said she saw the naked trekker around 9:25 a.m. west of Maple Avenue. Brookfield police weren’t able to find the swift streaker after several calls came in around 9:30 a.m., according Brookfield Police.
John Miller, a Blue Island police officer, is charged with two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault. Miller, 51, appeared for a bond hearing at the criminal courthouse in Bridgeview - but it never happened. The hearing was transferred to another courthouse after his defense attorney convinced the judge that he had no jurisdiction to hear the case because the alleged crimes happened in Blue Island, which is in another jurisdiction.
Cook County sheriff's deputies arrested Miller on Wednesday morning, about a week after investigators said someone came to the Blue Island Police Department accusing the veteran cop of a sex crime. Police officials then called in the Cook County sheriff's office, which began investigating the allegations.
A new video produced by the Islamic State's (ISIS) media Furaat Media Center threatens an attack on New York City.
The video shows TGI Fridays in Times Square and the Gap in Herald Square as well as yellow taxis driving by, according the The New York Post. The video also features jihadis praising "soldiers of the caliphate in France" for their "blessed operation" that killed 129 and injured more than 350 on Friday, according to the Post.
Late Wednesday night, Mayor Bill de Blasio said there is no "specific and credible threat" against the city.
Police Commissioner William Bratton agreed with the mayor during an evening news conference by both men in Times Square, adding that there was nothing new about the video, which he called "hastily produced."
"There is no credible and specific threat against New York City," de Blasio said, encouraging New Yorkers to "go about their business" as normal, while remaining watchful.
"While some of the video footage is not new, the video reaffirms the message that New York City remains a top terrorist target," New York City Police Department spokesman Stephen Davis told Fox News.
"While there is no current or specific threat to the City at this time, we will remain at a heightened state of vigilance and will continue to work with the FBI, the Joint Terrorism Task Force and the entire intelligence community to keep the City of New York safe," according to another NYPD spokesman, J. Peter Donald.
The video is an effort by ISIS to build on the momentum of the attacks not only in Paris, but in Beirut and Baghdad as well, National Review columnist and terrorism expert Tom Rogan said Wednesday on Fox News
Obama is preparing to declare martial law in America. He may decide not to do so but it is a prepared option that requires nothing more than the say-so of one man. The necessary Executive Order has been authorized. The National Defense Resources Preparedness grants Obama power over “resources and services needed to support…plans and programs” in “the event of a potential threat to the security of the United States.” The grant of authority is so complete that it includes the ability to commandeer technology, industry, and the nation’s other resources down to its “food resources, livestock resources, and the distribution of farm equipment and commercial fertilizer.”
The legal framework for martial law is in place.
The signs are unmistakable. They include: Homeland Security recently purchased $1.6 billion worth of ammunition for domestic use by its 100,000+ armed enforcement agents; it also acquired thousands of military-style armored vehicles.
What is martial law?
Martial law occurs when the military or militarized law enforcement replaces civilian authorities in order to impose military rule during an emergency. Civil liberties are suspended. In the United States, a pivot point that signals martial law is the suspension of habeas corpus – the right to a hearing on whether an imprisonment is lawful. In practice, habeas corpus means a person cannot be imprisoned without legitimate charges and due process. The U.S. Constitution recognizes the suspension of habeas corpus as an identifying feature of martial law in Article I, Section 9, “The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.”
Copy and past link
https://youtu.be/qIETFbaDrOQ
https://youtu.be/Rc3QezVTQ20
Indiana Representative Andre Carson (D) took part in a major Islamic convention in Chicago this past weekend. The convention was hosted and sponsored by the Muslim American Society (MAS) and the Islamic Circle of North America.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and Muslim American Society (MAS) were included in an approved list of designated terrorist organizations under an anti-terror law issued by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Emirates News Agency reported.
Executive director of MAS, Mazen Mokhtar ,who is known to be operating an Al Qaeda website and raising funds for the Taliban was also on the panel. Mokhtar was connected to a UK based Al Qaeda fund raising website, as well as for other terrorist organizations, in a 2004 federal investigation.
To read more copy and paste this link.
http://truthuncensored.net/muslim-u-s-dem-congressman-busted-for-working-with-terrorist-front-man/#sthash.jfdeIEe2.dpuf
This was released to us before any other news team received this. We would like to thank the Senator for this vital information.
Article I
In his conduct while President of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama, in violation of his constitutional oath to faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, has willfully corrupted and manipulated the executive branch to increase its power and destroy the balance of powers between the three branches of government that is established by the Constitution of the United States.
(1) Shortly after being sworn in for his first term as President of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama began creating new departments and appointing Czars to oversee these departments. These Czars were never submitted to the United States Senate for approval as required by Article 2, Section 2 of the Constitution. In addition, these Czars and the Departments have budgets that are not subject to being controlled by Congress as provided for by Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution. He also made recess appointments when the Senate was not in recess and these appointments were struck down by the Supreme Court.
(2) Article 2, Section 3 of the Constitution mandates that the President of the United States “shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed…” Barack Hussein Obama, in violation of his oath of office has repeatedly ignored this Constitutional mandate by refusing to enforce laws against illegal immigration, defend in court the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and refusing to enforce Federal voting laws.
(3) Article 1 of the Constitution establishes the legislative branch of the U.S. government and sets forth the powers of the Senate and House of Representatives to make laws. These powers are exclusive and the Constitution does not grant the President the power to either make laws or amend them on his own. Barack Hussein Obama has ignored these provisions and made or changed laws by either issuing unconstitutional executive orders or instructing governmental departments to take illegal and unconstitutional actions. Specific actions include, but are not necessarily limited to:
A. Ordering the Environmental Protection Agency to implement portions of the Cap & Trade bill that failed to pass in the U.S. Senate.
B. Ordering implementation of portions of the “Dream Act” that failed to pass in Congress.
C. Orchestrating a government takeover of a major part of the automobile industry in 2009.
D. Ordering a moratorium on new offshore oil and gas exploration and production without approval of Congress.
E. Signing an Executive Order on March 16, 2012 giving himself and the Executive branch extraordinary powers to control and allocate resources such as food, water, energy and health care resources etc. in the interest of vaguely defined national defense issues. It would amount to a complete government takeover of the U.S. economy.
F. Signing an Executive Order on July 6, 2012 giving himself and the Executive branch the power to control all methods of communications in the United States based on a Presidential declaration of a national emergency.
G. Signing an Executive Order on January 6, 2013 that contained 23 actions designed to limit the individual right to keep and bear arms guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the Constitution.
H. Amending portions of the Affordable Healthcare Act and other laws passed by Congress without Congressional approval as required by Article 1 of the Constitution.
I. Issuing Executive orders in January 2014 amending the HIPPA law to allow the turning over of confidential medical records to Federal agencies if there is any information to be used to add individuals to the NICS list to prohibit them from purchasing firearms.
J. Having the EPA impose regulations on the coal industry that will force many utility companies and coal mines out of business. This will cost the U.S. economy thousands of jobs and dramatically increase the cost of energy to the public. This is being done without Congressional approval.
K. Hindering the ability of the U.S. Border Patrol Agency to not only stop illegal immigration, but to stop human and drug trafficking.
L. Removing the work requirement from welfare reform legislation without Congressional approval.
Article II
(1) Article 2, Section 3 of the Constitution mandates that from time to time the President “shall give to Congress information on the State of the Union….” Implicit in this is an obligation for the President to be truthful with the Congress and the American people. Barack Hussein Obama has repeatedly violated his oath of office and the requirements of the Constitution by willfully withholding information on important issues or actively taken part in misleading the Congress and the American people. Specific actions include, but are not necessarily limited to:
A. Using Executive privilege to block Congress from getting documents relating to the DOJ’s Operation Fast and Furious and the death of U.S. Border Patrol Brian Terry.
B. Had members of his administration provide false information about the act of terrorism committed in Benghazi, Libya on September 11, 2012 and refusing to allow the State Department and other federal agencies to cooperate in the Congressional investigation.
C. Falsely labeled the mass murder of American soldiers at Ft. Hood, Texas as “workplace violence” instead of the act of Islamic terrorism it was.
D. Falsely labeling the IRS targeting of conservative and Christian groups as a “phony” scandal and refusing to order an active pursuit of the investigation into who was ultimately responsible.
E. Refusing to order an independent investigation of the actions of Eric Holder and the DOJ in targeting the phone records of members of the news media.
F. Telling the American people on a television show that the NSA was not prying into the emails and phone calls of Americans when the facts prove otherwise.
(2) The oath of office of the President of the United States requires him to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. This obviously includes what may be the most important part of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights. Barack Hussein Obama has repeatedly violated his oath of office by seeking to limit both the individual rights and the rights of the States guaranteed in the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Specific actions include, but are not necessarily limited to:
A. Having the Department of Health and Human Services order religious institutions and businesses owned by religious families to provide their employees free contraception and other services that are contrary to their religious beliefs. This is being done under the auspices of the Affordable Health Care Act and violates the religious freedom clauses of the First Amendment.
B. Having the military place restrictions on the religious freedom of Chaplains and other members of the military in order to favor gay rights advocates and atheists in violation of the First Amendment.
C. Having the military place restrictions on the freedom of speech of members of the military and the civilian employees of the DOD in violation of their rights under the First Amendment.
D. Using Executive orders and government agency actions to limit Second Amendment rights. This includes actions by the Veterans Administration to disarm American veterans without due process as required by the Fifth Amendment.
E. Having the National Security Agency intercept and monitor the private communications of millions of Americans without a court order and in violation of the Fourth Amendment.
F. Joining with foreign governments in lawsuits against sovereign U.S. states to prohibit them from enforcing immigration laws. This is in violation of the Tenth Amendment.
G. Filing suits under the Voting Rights Act against sovereign U.S. states to prevent them from enforcing Voter ID laws despite rulings by the Supreme Court upholding these laws. This is another violation of the Tenth Amendment and the balance of powers.
H. Having the IRS propose new regulations on conservative 501 (C ) (4) organizations to limit their freedom of speech and political activities during election cycles in violation of the First Amendment to the Constitution.
I. Having the FCC prepare new rules on internet neutrality in violation of the ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court striking down such regulations.
J. Having the FCC institute a plan to place agents in newsrooms of radio and television stations as well as print media to monitor whether they are providing the “proper” news content to the public, a direct violation of the First Amendment to the Constitution.
K. Having the Secretary of State sign the U.N. Small Arms Treaty despite the opposition of a majority of the U.S. Senate and with full awareness that the implementation of the treaty would violate the Second Amendment rights of American citizens.
(3) Under Article 2, Section 2 of the Constitution the President of the United States is the Commander in Chief of the United States military and as such is responsible for using them in a manner that best serves the national security of the United States and protects our soldiers from unnecessary risks and harm. Barack Hussein Obama has violated his oath of office in this regard. Specific actions include, but are not necessarily limited to:
A. In the name of “political correctness,” he imposed unnecessary and dangerous rules of engagement on our troops in combat causing them to lose offensive and defensive capabilities and putting them in danger. Many American service personnel have been killed or wounded as a result of this policy.
B. Releasing the identity of American military personnel and units engaged in dangerous and secret operations such as the killing of Osama bin Laden by Navy Seal team 6.
C. Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution gives Congress the exclusive power to declare war. Yet, without consulting Congress President Obama ordered the American military into action in Libya.
D. Having the Attorney General tell Secretaries of State that they do not have to comply with the Federal law requiring states to timely send absentee ballots to military personnel.
Article III
(1) Article 2, Section 2 of the Constitution establishes the President as Commander in Chief of the United States Military. This requires him to use his power and authority to oversee the proper use of the military to properly protect and defend the people and territory of the United States against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. He is further responsible for using the U.S. military in a manner that is effective and protects members of the military and takes proper care of veterans.
The President takes an oath of office that encompasses these duties. Barack Hussein Obama has consistently violated these duties and violated his oath. Specific actions include, but are not necessarily limited to:
A. Imposing Rules of Engagement on the active military in war zones that have unnecessarily endangered the lives of American soldiers.
B. Allowed the leaking of classified information about U.S. military operations to the media in order to enhance his political image. Such leaks place the lives of U.S. soldiers in danger.
C. Despite being informed in 2009 of problems in the Veterans Administration involving treatment of veterans, took no action improve the situation, but instead ordered the VA to spend a major part of its budget on green energy projects at VA facilities instead on veteran care.
D. Endangered the lives of members of the American military and American civilians by negotiating with terrorists to trade five high level Taliban leaders in exchange for an American soldier who deserted his post and his fellow soldiers. In addition, he did the foregoing action in violation of Federal law since he did not provide the legally required thirty day notice to members of Congress of his intent to release prisoners from Guantanamo Bay.
E. Continues to refuse to enforce immigration laws passed by Congress in violation of Article 2, Section 3 of the Constitution, and further has used illegal and unconstitutional Executive orders to grant amnesty or de-facto amnesty to illegal aliens currently in the United States.
F. Has deliberately destroyed the morale and effectiveness of Border Patrol agents by interfering with their attempts to fulfill their oath of office and enforce laws legally passed by the U.S. Congress.
G. By his deliberate actions encouraged parents of thousands of children in Central America to send their children, often unaccompanied by adults, across the U.S. border and then asking for billions of taxpayer dollars to care for these children.
H. Ordered the Border Patrol and Department of Homeland Security to place thousands of these children on buses or planes and dumping them in communities around the country; often without any prior notifications to the local elected officials in these communities.
I. Allowed the TSA to let these children, as well as possible teenage gang members and unidentified to fly in U.S. Airlines at taxpayer expense without proper identification required by Federal law.
J. Has refused to respond to lawful requests by Governors of the southern Border States to close the Southern border to any further illegal immigration and has created a severe financial crisis for Border States and other states in order to advance his own political agenda.
K. Has ordered the release of thousands of illegal aliens who have been convicted of serious crimes in the U.S. to be released and stay in the country after they have served their sentences. This violates the requirements of Federal law that such people be immediately deported.
L. Ordered the immediate release of approximately 68,000 other criminals in Federal prisons that have been convicted of drug offenses. These actions endanger the lives and property of honest and law abiding American citizens that the President is legally and constitutionally required to protect.
M. Has authorized the IRS, HHS, BATF, DHS, and EPA to propose new regulations not authorized by Congress that will adversely affect the rights of Americans protected by the First, Second, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments to the Constitution.
In all of this, Barack Hussein Obama has undermined the integrity of his office, has brought disrepute on the Presidency, has betrayed his trust as President and has acted in a manner subversive of the rule of law and justice, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.
Wherefore, Barack Hussein Obama, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States.
According to Oaklawn Police a black female entered and ordered the $4.00 all you can eat pancakes. When a waitress walked by and noticed pookey was feeding her friends mookey, nookey, ookey, dookey,and dumbbells. Pookey didn't like it and started a fight. Needless to say she was arrested and charged with battery guess she'll like the new season of the new black is orange. Next time pookey eat your own dam meal.
Train hits car in Alsip
http://truenewsusa.blogspot.com/2015/11/driving-while-black-in-alsip-il-two.html?m=1
The Obama administration funding ISIS should not surprise us. Lets not forget that the Obama administration has refused to back Egypt in its destruction of ISIS, and is working with Turkey which one of the main backers of ISIS. Let us also not forget that the USA supports the FSA and is working to continue to fund and train jihadists in Syria to overthrow the Assad regimen, an action that will only allow the Islamists, and ultimately Turkey, to dominate the Middle East.
An ISIS leader named Yousef al-Salafi in Pakistan has admitted that ISIS is being funded by the USA, and thus, the Obama administration.
The world truly is ruled by the devil, and all of his demons are possessing the most powerful people in the world, and while they make us think that they are doing the “right thing,” they are in reality supporting the epitome of all evil. From psychiatric drugs, Islamic terrorists, the slaughter of innocent infants, to the homosexual agenda, the evils that we see in front of our eyes are being empowered wicked men, embellished with suites and smiles.
We think the Islamic terrorists are the only evil, but the truth remains that the most demonic people are the ones behind the curtain of destruction, directing the scenes of perdition, while going before cameras with sharp grins, hand waves, and a lofty podium, and they are in power only because the masses allow them to be in power.
Let us always keep in mind that it was George Bush who removed Saddam, who was suppressing the jihadists and protecting the Christians, and all that did was set the stage for all of these Islamists to invade the Middle East, and from such chaos and disorder, ISIS was formed.
Back in 2011 we reported that Obama killed 4 Americans on foreign soil. Well turns out he is now doing it here in America.
The Obama administration believes it could technically use military force to kill an American on U.S. soil in an "extraordinary circumstance" but has "no intention of doing so," U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said in a letter disclosed Tuesday.
President Barack Obama has the authority to use an unmanned drone strike to kill US citizens on American soil, his attorney general has said.
Eric Holder argued that using lethal military force against an American in his home country would be legal and justified
LaRouche Democrat and U.S. Senate candidate Kesha Rogers of Texas calls for the impeachment of Democratic President Barack Obama, she lists among her reasons the "assassination" of U.S. citizens.
Rogers says on her campaign website that Obama violated the Fifth Amendment "with the avowed assassination of at least four American citizens, Anwar Al-Awlaki, his 16-year-old son, Samir Khan, and Jude Mohammed, without benefit of due process of law. Indeed, the death warrants against these individuals were effectively signed in secret, in a committee which is overseen directly by the president." The child is an American
You remember the last time Obama passed the NDAA. I do he took away your constitutional rights. Congress passed this one and the president VETOed it, why you ask well we will tell you.
1. There is no mention of the president able to throw you in to a FEMA concentration camp.
2. There is no mention that he can hold you and seize your home and all other assetts.
3. There is nothing saying he has the power to help the Muslim Brotherhood.
Full Summary:
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016
(Sec. 3) Defines "congressional defense committees" as the House and Senate Armed Services and Appropriations Committees.
(Sec. 4) Specifies procedures for determining the budgetary effects of this bill for compliance with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) Act of 2010.
DIVISION A--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATIONS
TITLE I--PROCUREMENT
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations
(Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for Procurement at the levels identified in section 4101 of this bill.
Subtitle B--Navy Programs
(Sec. 111) Amends the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 to reduce the limit on the cost of the CVN-78 class aircraft carrier program.
(Sec. 112) Limits the funds that may be used for the U.S.S. John. F. Kennedy (CVN-79) until the Navy submits to Congress: (1) a certification that it will conduct full ship shock trials by the end of FY2017, and (2) specified reports regarding cost issues and requirements, capabilities, and alternatives for aircraft carriers that would replace or supplement the CVN-78 class aircraft carrier.
(Sec. 113) Limits the funds that may be used for the U.S.S. Enterprise (CVN-80) until a specified certification and report is submitted to Congress.
(Sec. 114) Requires the quarterly report for the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) to include a description of new design and engineering changes to CVN-78 class aircraft carriers.
(Sec. 115) Limits the availability of funds for research and development, design, construction, procurement or advanced procurement of materials for the upgraded Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) until the Navy submits specified capabilities assessments, reports, certifications, and plans to Congress.
(Sec. 116) Amends the Carl Levin and Howard P. ''Buck'' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 to extend the limitation on funds for LCS-25 and LCS-26 until pre-existing requirements are met. Requires the Navy to provide Congress with acquisition strategies, a plan to outfit Flight 0 and Flight 0+ Littoral Combat Ships with capabilities identified for the upgraded Littoral Combat Ship, and a current test and evaluation master plan for the Littoral Combat Ship mission modules.
(Sec. 117) Permits the Navy to enter into a contract beginning in FY2016 for the procurement of one Arleigh Burke class destroyer in addition to the 10 DDG-51s in the FY2013-FY2017 multiyear procurement contract or for one DDG-51 in FY2018. Permits incremental funding to be used.
(Sec. 118) Permits the Navy to enter into one or more contracts to procure up to six Fleet Replenishment Oilers.
(Sec. 119) Sets forth reporting requirements for the Ohio-class replacement submarine program.
(Sec. 120) Requires the Air Force to station aircraft previously modified by the C-130 Avionics Modernization Program to support U.S. Army Airborne and U.S. Army Special Operations Command daily training and contingency requirements in FY2017. Prohibits the Air Force from requiring the aircraft to deploy in the normal rotation of C-130 H units.
Subtitle C--Air Force Programs
(Sec. 131) Limits the retirement of B-1, B-2, or B-52 bomber aircraft prior to initial operational capability (IOC) of the Long Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B) unless DOD certifies to Congress, that: (1) the retirement is required to reallocate funding and manpower resources to enable LRS-B to reach IOC and full operational capability (FOC); and (2) the retirements will not detrimentally affect operational capability.
(Sec. 132) Requires the Air Force to maintain a minimum total active inventory of at least 1,950 fighter aircraft and a total primary mission aircraft inventory (combat-coded) of at least 1,116 fighter aircraft.
Prohibits the Air Force from retiring fighter aircraft from the total active inventory as of the date of the enactment of this bill until the Air Force certifies to Congress that the retirement: (1) will not increase the operational risk of meeting the National Defense Strategy; and (2) will not reduce the total fighter force structure below specified levels.
Requires the Air Force to report to Congress on the retirement of aircraft and on the proposed force structure and basing of fighter aircraft.
(Sec. 133) Limits the use of FY2016 funds for F-35A procurement until DOD certifies to Congress that F-35A aircraft delivered in FY2018 will have full combat capability with currently planned Block 3F hardware, software, and weapons carriage.
(Sec. 134) Prohibits the use of funds to retire, prepare to retire, or place in storage any A-10 aircraft. Requires the Air Force to: (1) maintain a minimum of 171 A-10 aircraft in primary mission aircraft inventory status, and (2) commission an independent assessment of the required capabilities and mission platform to replace the A-10 aircraft.
(Sec. 135) Prohibits the use of funds to retire, prepare to retire, or place in storage any EC-130H Compass Call aircraft.
(Sec. 136) Limits the use of funds to transfer any C-130H aircraft from one facility to another, initiate any C-130 manpower authorization adjustments, retire or prepare to retire any C-130H aircraft, or close any C-130H unit until after the Air Force makes a specified certification to Congress.
(Sec. 137) Limits the use of funds for avionics modification to the T-1A Jayhawk aircraft until after the Air Force submits to Congress a required report on options for the modernization or replacement of the T-1A aircraft capability.
(Sec. 138) Prohibits the Air Force from retiring any operational Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS), EC-130H Compass Call, or Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWACS) aircraft until the follow-on replacement aircraft program enters Low-Rate Initial Production.
(Sec. 139) Expresses the sense of Congress regarding basing of the F-35A aircraft outside of the continental United States.
(Sec. 140) Expresses the sense of the Congress on F-16 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar upgrades.
Subtitle D--Defense-wide, Joint, and Multiservice Matters
(Sec. 151) Requires the Army and the Navy to submit to Congress a report on the plan to modernize small arms for the Army and the Marine Corps.
Subtitle E--Army Programs
(Sec. 161) Authorizes additional Procurement and Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation appropriations for Stryker Lethality Upgrades for the Army.
TITLE II--RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations
(Sec. 201) Authorizes appropriations for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation activities at the levels identified in section 4201 of this bill.
Subtitle B--Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations
(Sec. 211) Requires DOD to: (1) designate each science and technology reinvention laboratory as a Center for Science, Technology, and Engineering Partnership in the core competencies of the designee, and (2) establish a policy to encourage the Secretary of each military department to reengineer management and business processes and adopt best-business and personnel practices at their Centers to serve as recognized leaders in their core competencies.
Authorizes DOD to establish incentives for the Director of a Center for Science, Technology, and Engineering Partnership to enter into public-private cooperative arrangements for: (1) employees of the Center, private industry, or other entities outside of DOD to perform work related to the core competencies of the Center, and (2) for private industry or other entities outside DOD to use facilities or equipment of the Center that are not fully used for DOD activities.
(Sec. 212) Requires DOD to establish a technology offset program to build and maintain the military technological superiority of the United States by: (1) accelerating the fielding of offset technologies that would help counter technological advantages of potential adversaries, and (2) developing and implementing new policies and acquisition and business practices.
Requires DOD to develop a directed energy strategy to ensure that the U.S. directed energy technologies are being developed and deployed at an accelerated pace.
(Sec. 213) Amends the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 to reauthorize the Rapid Innovation Program to accelerate the fielding of innovative technologies. Requires DOD to ensure that projects are selected using merit-based selection procedures and not subject to undue influence by Congress or other federal agencies.
(Sec. 214) Reauthorizes the Global Research Watch Program, which monitors and analyzes research activities and capabilities of foreign nations in areas of military interest. Expands the focus of the program to include the private sector as a part of the global focus.
(Sec. 215) Requires DOD to establish a set of science, technology, and innovation activities to improve the acquisition outcomes of major automated information systems through improved performance and reduced developmental and life cycle costs.
(Sec. 216) Expands DOD's Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) program, which awards scholarships to students studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, to include students from countries which are parties to The Technical Cooperation Program memorandum of understanding of October 24, 1995 (currently the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada).
(Sec. 217) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 to eliminate the requirements for the Joint Federated Assurance Center to coordinate certain research and development activities with the Center for Assured Software of the National Security Agency and the Defense Microelectronics Activity. (The Joint Federated Assurance Center was established to serve as a joint, department-wide federation of existing capabilities to ensure security of DOD software and hardware.)
(Sec. 218) Limits the use of U.S. Special Operations Command funds for the Shallow Water Combat Submersible until the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics: (1) designates a civilian official responsible for oversight and assistance for all undersea mobility programs; and (2) submits a report to Congress on the Shallow Water Combat Submersible.
(Sec. 219) Limits the use of funds for the distributed common ground system of the Army until the Army reviews and reports to Congress on the program planning for the system.
(Sec. 220) Limits the use of U.S. Special Operations Command funds for the distributed common ground system until a specified report is submitted to Congress.
Subtitle C--Other Matters
(Sec. 231) Requires the Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE) to contract with an independent entity to assess requirements and capabilities to determine the technological feasibility, achievability, suitability, and survivability of a tactical communications and data network. Limits the use of funds for the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T), Increment 2 until the report is submitted to Congress.
(Sec. 232) Requires DOD to conduct a hardware assurance study to assess the presence, scope, and effect on DOD operations of counterfeit electronic parts that have passed through the Department supply chain and into field systems.
(Sec. 233) Requires the Air Force, the Army, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to jointly conduct a demonstration of the Persistent Close Air Support (PCAS) capability in FY2016.
(Sec. 234) Requires the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics and the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to jointly develop a plan to enable secure and survivable communications between and among fifth- and fourth-generation fighter aircraft, and the aircraft that support them, in anti-access/area denial environments. Prohibits the use of funds for the interim communications initiatives identified as Talon Hate and Multi-Domain Adaptable Processing System until Congress is briefed on the plan.
(Sec. 235) Requires DOD to submit to Congress and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review a report on the Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) of the technologies and capabilities critical to the Long Range Strike Bomber aircraft.
TITLE III--OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations
(Sec. 301) Authorizes appropriations for Operation and Maintenance activities at the levels identified in section 4301 of this bill.
Subtitle B--Energy and Environment
(Sec. 311) Amends energy management reporting requirements to eliminate requirements for reporting of renewable energy credits and revise electricity outage reporting requirements to include non-commercial utility outages and DOD-owned infrastructure.
(Sec. 312) Requires the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics to submit to Congress a report detailing efforts to achieve cost savings at military installations with high energy costs.
(Sec. 313) Establishes Southern Sea Otter Military Readiness Areas at specified offshore islands in the Southern California Bight. Exempts military readiness activities of the Navy from specified environmental laws pertaining to the southern sea otter in the areas. Requires the Navy to monitor and report to Congress on the effects of military readiness activities on the southern otter population in the areas.
Subtitle C--Logistics and Sustainment
(Sec. 321) Repeals a limitation on the authority of the Air Force to enter into a contract for the sustainment, maintenance, repair, or overhaul of the F117 engine.
Subtitle D--Reports
(Sec. 331) Revises requirements for the annual report on prepositioned materiel and equipment to require a list of any equipment used in support of contingency operations slated for retrograde and subsequent inclusion in the prepositioned stocks. (Under current law, the list applies specifically to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, or Operation Enduring Freedom.)
Subtitle E--Limitations and Extensions of Authority
(Sec. 341) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 to revise reporting and administrative requirements that apply to certain transfers of aircraft within the Air Force inventory.
(Sec. 342) Prohibits DOD from using funds for any sponsorship, advertising, or marketing associated with a sports-related organization or sporting event until the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness reviews and reports to Congress on current activities in this area.
(Sec. 342A) Prohibits DOD from entering into any contract or other agreement under which payments are to be made for activities by the contractor intended to honor members of the Armed Forces at a sporting event.
(Sec. 343) Temporarily extends the authority to extend contracts and leases under the Armament Retooling and Manufacturing Support (ARMS) Initiative.
Subtitle F--Other Matters
(Sec. 351) Requires DOD to: (1) review the management, headquarters, and organization of DOD to consolidate and streamline headquarters functions, and (2) submit to Congress and implement a plan to reduce amounts used for administration by specified percentages. Limits the availability of funds for contract personnel support until DOD certifies to Congress that the required reductions in administration costs have been achieved.
(Sec. 352) Gives preference in the adoption of retired military working dogs to their former handlers, consistent with the best interests of the dogs.
(Sec. 353) Revises the scope of required DOD reviews of projects related to potential obstructions to aviation to: (1) cover requests for informal reviews by Indian tribes and landowners, (2) provide that information received from private entities is not required to be publicly released, and (3) eliminate categories of adverse risk impact.
(Sec. 354) Requires DOD to carry out a pilot program to assess providing scholarships in accordance with the David L. Boren National Security Education Act of 1991 to individuals for intensive instruction in certain Asian languages.
TITLE IV--MILITARY PERSONNEL AUTHORIZATIONS
Subtitle A--Active Forces
(Sec. 401) Authorizes specified end strengths for Active Duty personnel of the Armed Forces.
(Sec. 402) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense and the service secretaries to vary military personnel end strengths below those authorized in title IV of this bill.
Subtitle B--Reserve Forces
(Sec. 411) Authorizes specified end strengths for Selected Reserve personnel.
(Sec. 412) Authorizes specified end strengths for Reserves on Active Duty in support of the Reserves. Requires the National Guard Bureau to take into account the actual number of members of the Army National Guard serving in each state as of September 30 of each year when allocating full-time duty personnel in the Army National Guard among the states.
(Sec. 413) Authorizes specified end strengths for military technicians (dual status).
(Sec. 414) Establishes limits on the number of non-dual status technicians who may be employed by DOD.
(Sec. 415) Establishes limits on the number of reserve personnel authorized to be on active duty for operational support.
(Sec. 416) Authorizes the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to increase certain end strengths applicable to the Army National Guard by specified amounts if any increase is paid for out of FY2016 funds appropriated for Operation and Maintenance--Army National Guard.
Subtitle C--Authorization of Appropriations
(Sec. 421) Authorizes appropriations for military personnel at the levels identified in section 4401 of this bill.
TITLE V--MILITARY PERSONNEL POLICY
Subtitle A--Officer Personnel Policy
(Sec. 501) Authorizes an officer promotion board to recommend officers of particular merit to be placed at the top of the promotion list.
(Sec. 502) Establishes minimum grades for specified positions in the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
(Sec. 503) Revises authorities related to the defense acquisition work force to: (1) provide credit for joint duty assignments for acquisition related assignments to broaden the promotion preference and career opportunities for military acquisition professionals; (2) provide for an enhanced dual track career path in combat arms and a functional secondary career in acquisition, (3) include business and commercial training as joint professional military education; and (4) require an annual report to Congress on promotion rates for officers in acquisition positions.
(Sec. 504) Revises the restriction on the number of officers that may be recommended for discharge by a selection board.
(Sec. 505) Permits the Secretaries of the military departments to defer, until age 68, the mandatory retirement age of a general or flag officer serving as Chief or Deputy Chief of Chaplains of the Army, Navy, or Air Force.
(Sec. 506) Reinstates the authority for the service secretaries to convene selection boards to consider regular warrant officers on the Active-Duty list for involuntary discharge.
(Sec. 507) Authorizes a service secretary to retire warrant officers in the highest grade in which they served satisfactorily before retirement.
Subtitle B--Reserve Component Management
(Sec. 511) Authorizes the secretaries of the military departments to defer promotion consideration for reserve component officers in a non-participatory (membership points only) status.
(Sec. 512) Provides that the purpose of a Reserve Component special selection board is limited to the correction of errors at a mandatory promotion board.
(Sec. 513) Aligns the citizenship or residency requirements for enlistment in the reserve components of the Armed Forces with the citizenship requirements for the active components.
(Sec. 514) Authorizes the Air Force to use up to 50 Active, Guard, and Reserve members and dual status military technicians to provide pilot instruction training to active duty and foreign military personnel in excess of what is currently authorized. Requires the Air Force to submit to Congress a plan to eliminate pilot instructor shortages within the Air Force.
Subtitle C--General Service Authorities
(Sec. 521) Requires DOD to provide pre-separation counseling to members who have completed their first 180 continuous days of Active Duty service and whose discharge or release from Active Duty is anticipated as of a specific date.
(Sec. 522) Amends the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2009 to expand the authority to conduct pilot programs on career flexibility to enhance retention of members of the Armed Forces. Removes limitations on: (1) participation by members of the Armed Forces serving under an agreement upon entry or receiving a critical military skill retention bonus, and (2) the number of participants. (Under the programs, officers and enlisted members may be inactivated from active duty in order to meet personal or professional needs and returned to active duty at the end of the period of inactivation from active duty.)
(Sec. 523) Expresses the sense of Congress on the development of gender-neutral occupational standards for occupational assignments in the Armed Forces.
(Sec. 524) Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should: (1) continue to recognize and promote diversity in the Armed Forces, and (2) honor those from all diverse backgrounds and religious traditions who have made sacrifices in serving the United States through the Armed Forces.
Subtitle D--Member Education and Training
Part I--Educational Assistance Reform
(Sec. 531) Requires the Secretary concerned to determine that education or training subsidized through the tuition assistance program is likely to contribute to the member's professional development.
(Sec. 532) Terminates the program to provide educational assistance for reserve component members supporting contingency operations and other operations in four years after the date of enactment of this bill.
(Sec. 533) Requires each Secretary concerned to submit to Congress an annual report on the educational levels attained by certain members of the Armed Forces who transferred unused education benefits to family members and separated from the Armed Forces.
(Sec. 534) Expresses the sense of Congress on the transferability of unused education benefits to family members.
(Sec. 535) Provides that individuals receiving Post-9/11 Education Assistance may not also receive unemployment insurance while receiving the post-9/11 education benefit.
Part II--Other Matters
(Sec. 536) Removes requirements that Joint Professional Military Education Phase II courses taught at the Joint Forces Staff College be taught in residence and last for at least 10 weeks.
(Sec. 537) Requires the Secretaries of the military departments to ensure that professional accreditation programs provided to members of the Armed Services meet recognized national and international standards.
(Sec. 538) Authorizes the Army to enter into certain contracts and agreements with the Army West Point Athletic Association to support the athletic and physical fitness programs of the U.S. Military Academy and sets forth requirements for the agreements.
(Sec. 539) Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to notify certain members of the Armed Forces about the availability of the higher education component of the Transition Assistance Program on the DOD website.
Requires DOD to assess the feasibility of providing access for veterans and dependents to the higher education component of the Transition Assistance Program on the eBenefits Internet website of the VA and tracking the completion of that component through the site.
Subtitle E--Military Justice
(Sec. 546) Amends the Military Rules of Evidence to provide that a confession may be considered as evidence against the accused only if independent evidence, direct or circumstantial, has been admitted into evidence that would tend to establish the trustworthiness of the confession.
(Sec. 547) Modifies the Rules for Courts-Martial to prohibit giving a less favorable rating to any member of the Armed Forces serving as a Special Victims' Counsel because of the zeal with which the Counsel represented a victim.
(Sec. 548) Requires a trial counsel to disclose to the Special Victim's Counsel on a timely basis specified materials and information related to the prosecution of offenses.
(Sec. 549) Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), to allow an interlocutory (interim) appeal by a victim based on an assertion that the victim's rights at an Article 32, UCMJ investigation were violated.
(Sec. 550) Expands the circumstances under which an alleged victim must be provided a copy of all prepared records of the proceedings of a court-martial.
(Sec. 551) Requires a military criminal investigator seeking to question an individual eligible for assistance of Special Victims' Counsel (SVC) to inform the victim of the right to be represented by a SVC.
Provides that if a victim invokes to the right to be represented by the SVC: (1) the SVC must assist the victim during questioning, (2) the investigator may only contact the victim through the SVC, and (3) the military criminal investigator may not question the victim without consent of the SVC.
(Sec. 552) Authorizes the SVC to provide legal consultation and assistance to victims of an alleged sex-related offense, in connection with inspector general and equal opportunity complaints, requests under the Freedom of Information Act, and communications with Congress.
(Sec. 553) Provides that federal law protecting the privacy of victims who are servicemembers or adult military dependents and who file restricted reports of sexual assault preempts state laws requiring reporting to a sexual assault response coordinator, a sexual assault victim advocate, or healthcare personnel providing assistance to a victim. Includes an exception if reporting is necessary to prevent or mitigate a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of an individual.
(Sec. 554) Establishes an Office of Complex Investigations within the National Guard Bureau to assist the states in administrative investigations of sexual assault involving members of the National Guard and in circumstances involving members of the Guard where states have limited jurisdiction or authority.
(Sec. 555) Requires DOD to establish the Defense Advisory Committee on Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces no later than 90 days after enactment of this bill.
(Sec. 556) Requires the GAO to report on policies of the Army National Guard and the Army Reserve regarding sexual assault response and prevention.
(Sec. 557) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) military juries should not face a choice between imposing a fair sentence or protecting the benefits of a member of the Armed Forces for the sake of family members, and (2) family members of retirement-eligible members should not be adversely affected by the loss of the member's benefits due to a court-martial conviction.
Subtitle F--Defense Dependents Education and Military Family Readiness
(Sec. 561) Authorizes appropriations to continue DOD assistance to local educational agencies impacted by enrollment of dependent children of military members and DOD civilian employees.
(Sec. 562) Authorizes appropriations for impact aid payments for children with disabilities to continue DOD assistance to local educational agencies that benefit eligible dependents with severe disabilities.
(Sec. 563) Authorizes the use of appropriations to support student meal programs in domestic defense dependents' schools located outside of the United States.
(Sec. 564) Requires the DOD Office of Family Policy to conduct biennial surveys of adult dependents of members of the Armed Forces on military family readiness.
Subtitle G--Miscellaneous Reporting Requirements
(Sec. 571) Extends the requirement for semiannual reports on involuntary separation of members of the Armed Forces.
(Sec. 572) Limits the use of Air Force Operation and Maintenance funds until the Air Force reports to Congress on remotely piloted aircraft career field manning levels and actions that will be taken to rectify personnel shortfalls.
Subtitle H--Other Matters
Part I--Financial Literacy and Preparedness of Members of the Armed Forces
(Sec. 581) Specifies requirements for providing financial literacy training to certain servicemembers. Requires DOD to include a financial literacy and preparedness survey in the status of forces survey.
(Sec. 582) Requires the Secretary concerned to provide financial literacy training to members of the uniformed services.
(Sec. 583) Expresses the sense of Congress on financial literacy and preparedness of members of the Armed Forces.
Part II-- Other Matters
(Sec. 586) Authorizes the service secretaries to apply for a correction to military records on behalf of an individual.
(Sec. 587) Authorizes DOD to obligate installment payments of bonus, incentive pay, and similar benefits at the time payment is due.
(Sec. 588) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 to revise the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program to:
expand eligibility for the program;
add quality of life services to the services that DOD may enter into partnerships to provide under the program;
provide flexibility in the number and timing of information, events, and activities under the program; and
require the Office for Reintegration Programs to assist in the collection and analysis of best practices regarding suicide prevention.
(Sec. 589) Requires DOD to consult with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to afford a priority in the processing of applications for a Transportation Worker Identification Credential submitted by members of the Armed Forces who are undergoing separation, discharge, or release from the Armed Forces under honorable conditions.
(Sec. 590) Requires DOD to issue an identification card to certain members who are undergoing discharge or release from the Armed Forces. Authorizes DOD to work with retailers that offer reduced prices on services, consumer products, and pharmaceuticals to veterans to ensure that the cards are recognized.
(Sec. 591) Prohibits the use of uniformed military personnel to provide network services to military installations within the United States. Includes exceptions for network services in support of combatant commands, special operations, the intelligence community, or Cyber Command and waiver authority for safety reasons or combat operations.
(Sec. 592) Increases from 90 to 180 days the number of continuous days of Active Duty required to be performed by reserve component members for the duty to be considered satisfactory federal service for purposes of unemployment compensation.
(Sec. 593) Requires the Department of Commerce, beginning with the 2020 census, to take appropriate measures when tabulating total population by states to ensure that all members of the Armed Forces deployed abroad are: (1) fully and accurately counted, and (2) properly attributed to the state in which their permanent duty station or homeport is located.
TITLE VI--COMPENSATION AND OTHER PERSONNEL BENEFITS
Subtitle A--Pay and Allowances
(Sec. 601) Authorizes a 1.3% increase in military pay effective on January 1, 2016.
(Sec. 602) Authorizes DOD to reduce the monthly amount of the basic allowance for housing by up to 5% of the national average for housing for a given pay grade and dependency status.
(Sec. 603) Extends the authority of DOD to temporarily increase the rate of basic allowance for housing in areas impacted by natural disasters or experiencing a sudden influx of personnel.
(Sec. 604) Limits the basic allowance for housing for married military couples and other members living together who are assigned within normal commuting distance from each other.
(Sec. 605) Repeals a provision that exempted benefits paid by the VA from a modification to the basic allowance for housing.
(Sec. 606) Ends the supplemental subsistence allowance for servicemembers serving inside the United States. (Servicemembers serving outside the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or Guam would still be eligible to receive the supplemental subsistence allowance from DOD.)
(Sec. 607) Permits DOD to obtain information from the Department of Agriculture regarding the number of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) applicant households that contain members of the Armed Forces.
Subtitle B--Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays
(Sec. 611) Extends certain bonus and special pay authorities for Reserve Forces.
(Sec. 612) Extends certain bonus and special pay authorities for health care professionals.
(Sec. 613) Extends certain bonus and special pay authorities for nuclear officers.
(Sec. 614) Extends the general bonus authority for enlisted members and officers, the special bonus and incentive pay authority for nuclear officers, special aviation incentive pay and bonus authorities, the special incentive pay and bonus authorities for officers in health professions, hazardous duty pay, assignment pay or special duty pay, skill incentive pay or the proficiency bonus, the contracting bonus for Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets and midshipmen, and the retention bonus for members with critical military skills or assigned to high-priority units.
(Sec. 615) Extends the authority for the aviation officer retention bonus, assignment incentive pay, the reenlistment bonus for active members, the reenlistment bonus for active members, the incentive pay for members of precommissioning programs pursuing foreign language proficiency, the accession bonus for new officers in critical skills, the incentive bonus for conversion to military occupational specialty to ease personnel shortage, the incentive bonus for transfer between Armed Forces, and the accession bonus for officer candidates.
(Sec. 616) Authorizes the Navy to increase the maximum nuclear officer bonus for retention purposes.
(Sec. 617) Repeals the authority of the Army to pay bonuses to encourage Army personnel to refer persons for enlistment in the Army.
Subtitle C--Travel and Transportation Allowances
(Sec. 621) Repeals the special travel and transportation allowance for survivors of deceased members of the Armed Forces from the Vietnam conflict to provide equal travel benefits regardless of the location of death or connection to a specific conflict.
(Sec. 622) Requires the GAO to study the impact of the policy changes to the Joint Travel Regulations for uniformed service members and DOD civilian employees related to flat rate per diem for long-term temporary duty travel.
(Sec. 623) Permits the Secretary of the military department concerned to provide round trip transportation to transfer ceremonies for family and next of kin of members of the armed forces who die overseas during humanitarian relief operations.
(Sec. 624) Requires DOD to: (1) review current policies on the travel for next of kin to participate in the transfer of remains of members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees who die overseas, and (2) modify the policies to provide government-funded travel for the next of kin to participate in the transfer of remains of members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees who die overseas, regardless of whether the death occurs in a combat area or a non-combat area. Includes an exception if DOD certifies to Congress that the action is not in the best interests of the United States.
Subtitle D--Disability Pay, Retired Pay, and Survivor Benefits
Part I--Retired Pay Reform
(Sec. 631) Provides a government-matching Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) retirement benefit for those who enter uniformed service on or after January 1, 2018, or a member serving before that date who makes a voluntary election to opt-in to the new plan.
(Sec. 632) Establishes a new military retirement defined benefit that, when combined with the government-matching TSP established by this bill, would comprise a new hybrid retirement system.
(Sec. 633) Permits the voluntary election of lump sum payments of retired pay for those serving for 20 or more years.
(Sec. 634) Directs the Secretary concerned to provide continuation pay to servicemembers, serving under the new military retirement system who reach 12 years of service and agree to serve another 4 years.
(Sec. 635) Permits the Secretary concerned to modify the years of service required for retirement under the new military retirement system for particular occupational specialties or other groupings in order to facilitate force shaping or to correct manpower shortages within an occupational specialty. Requires Congress to be notified one year in advance of using this authority.
Part II--Other Matters
(Sec. 641) Permits the election of a new spouse beneficiary under the Survivor Benefit Plan after the death of a former spouse beneficiary.
(Sec. 642) Authorizes DOD and DHS (with respect to the Coast Guard) to provide monthly transitional compensation and other benefits to dependents or former dependents of a member of the Armed Forces who is ineligible to receive retired pay as a result of a court-martial sentence.
Subtitle E--Commissary and Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentality Benefits and Operations
(Sec. 651) Authorizes DOD to: (1) transfer second destination transportation costs for commissary goods and supplies overseas to the commissary patron in the price of goods in all commissaries worldwide, and (2) transfer certain costs of obtaining supplies from the defense working capital fund to the surcharge fund.
(Sec. 652) Requires DOD to: (1) submit to Congress a plan for privatizing the defense commissary system, and (2) carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of the plan.
(Sec. 653) Requires GAO to report on policies and procedures for construction projects funded through the Commissary Surcharge, Non-appropriated Fund and the Privately-Financed Major Construction Program of DOD.
TITLE VII--HEALTH CARE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--TRICARE and Other Health Care Benefits
(Sec. 701) Authorizes a covered beneficiary under the TRICARE program to access up to four urgent care visits per year without pre-authorization.
(Sec. 702) Modifies cost-sharing requirements for the TRICARE pharmacy benefits program.
(Sec. 703) Expands continued health benefits coverage to include discharged and released members of the Selected Reserve.
(Sec. 704) Expands reimbursement for smoking cessation services for certain TRICARE beneficiaries.
(Sec. 705) Authorizes DOD to conduct a pilot program to award grants to community partners to provide intensive outpatient programs to treat members of the Armed Forces suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from military sexual trauma.
Subtitle B--Health Care Administration
(Sec. 711) Requires DOD to: (1) ensure that TRICARE beneficiaries obtain health care appointments within access standards and wait-time goals established by the DOD for primary care and specialty care, (2) offer an appointment with a contracted health care provider if the beneficiary is unable to obtain appointment within the wait-time goals, and (3) publish health care access standards and appointment wait-times on publicly accessible websites.
(Sec. 712) Requires DOD to ensure that beneficiaries covered under a TRICARE health plan can access health care under that health plan in each TRICARE program region.
(Sec. 713) Requires DOD to:
ensure that all DOD primary care and mental health care providers receive evidence-based training on the recognition, assessment, and management of individuals at risk for suicide;
submit to Congress an assessment of the mental health workforce and the long-term mental health care needs of servicemembers and their dependents; and
develop procedures to measure mental health data related to outcomes, variations in outcomes, and barriers to implementing guidelines and recommended treatments.
(Sec. 714) Requires DOD to: (1) provide, through clinical practice guidelines, current and evidence-based standards of care regarding contraception methods and counseling to all health care providers, (2) ensure service women have access to comprehensive contraception counseling, and (3) establish a uniform, standard curriculum to be used in family planning education programs for all members of the Armed Forces.
(Sec. 715) Authorizes DOD to waive recoupment of an erroneous payment to a covered TRICARE beneficiary if:
the payment was due to an administrative error by an employee of the DOD or a TRICARE contractor,
the beneficiary reasonably believed that the payment was correct,
the beneficiary relied on the expectation of the benefit, and
a waiver of recoupment is necessary to prevent an injustice.
Requires DOD to impose financial responsibility on TRICARE contractors that are responsible for erroneous payments.
(Sec. 716) Requires DOD to develop a system for designating non-department mental health care providers that meet criteria relating to knowledge and understanding of military culture and evidence-based mental health treatments approved by DOD.
(Sec. 717) Provides that a DOD medical or dental position may not be converted to a civilian position unless: (1) the position is not a military essential position, (2) conversion would not result in the degradation of medical or dental care or the medical or dental readiness of the Armed Forces, and (3) conversion is more cost effective.
(Sec. 718) Extends the authority for the joint DOD-VA Medical Facility Demonstration Fund.
(Sec. 719) Extends the authority for the joint DOD-VA Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund.
(Sec. 720) Requires DOD to conduct and report to Congress on a pilot program to assess value-based incentive programs to encourage institutional and individual health care providers under the TRICARE program to improve quality of care, the experience of beneficiaries in receiving care, and the health of beneficiaries.
Subtitle C--Reports and Other Matters
(Sec. 731) Requires DOD to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to report and make publicly available through the HHS Hospital Compare website information on quality of care and health outcomes at military medical treatment facilities.
(Sec. 732) Requires DOD to publish on its public website data on all measures used to assess patient safety, quality of care, patient satisfaction, and health outcomes for care provided under TRICARE.
(Sec. 733) Requires DOD to submit annually to Congress a report on patient safety, quality of care, and access to care at military medical treatment facilities.
(Sec. 734) Requires DOD to submit to Congress and GAO to assess a report describing plans to improve the experience of care of beneficiaries and to eliminate performance variability for health care provided in military medical treatment facilities and in the TRICARE purchased care network.
(Sec. 735) Requires DOD to submit to Congress a plan to improve pediatric care and related services for children of members of the Armed Forces.
(Sec. 736) Requires DOD to submit to Congress a report on mental health screenings of individuals before becoming members of the Armed Forces.
(Sec. 737) Requires GAO to report on DOD use of metrics with respect to the quality of care provided at military treatment facilities.
(Sec. 738) Requires DOD and the VA to jointly submit to Congress a report setting forth a timeline with milestones for achieving interoperability between electronic health records systems of DOD and the VA.
(Sec. 739) Requires DOD to submit to the VA specified information related to the exposure of members of the Armed Forces to airborne hazards, open burn pits, and environmental factors in Iraq and Afghanistan connected to respiratory illnesses.
(Sec. 740) Requires GAO to study gaming facilities at military installations and problem gambling among members of the Armed Forces.
(Sec. 741) Requires DOD and the VA to jointly report to Congress on the standards for security and transmission of data to be implemented in deploying the new or updated electronic health record system of each department at military installations and in field environments.
TITLE VIII--ACQUISITION POLICY, ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT, AND RELATED MATTERS
Subtitle A--Acquisition Policy and Management
(Sec. 801) Sets forth roles of the service chiefs, the principal military deputies to the service acquisition executive, and the Joint Requirements Oversight Council with respect to decisions regarding the balancing of resources, priorities, and associated trade- offs among cost, schedule, technical feasibility, and performance on major defense acquisition programs.
(Sec. 802) Amends the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 to allow DOD to use existing rapid acquisition authority for supplies and services that DOD determines are:
urgently needed and impact an ongoing or anticipated contingency operation that, if left unfulfilled, could potentially result in loss of life or critical mission failure; or
urgently needed to eliminate a deficiency that as the result of a cyber-attack has resulted or is likely to result in critical mission failure, the loss of life, property destruction, or economic effects.
Increases the amount of rapid acquisition authority for contingency operations and authorizes a specified amount for cyber security.
(Sec. 803) Requires the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics to issue guidance for an expedited and streamlined ''middle tier'' of acquisition programs that are intended to be completed within five years.
Requires the guidance to include two acquisition pathways: (1) a rapid prototyping pathway that can demonstrate new capabilities to meet emerging military needs which could result in a residual operational capability, and (2) a rapid fielding pathway for proven technologies to field production quantities of new or upgraded systems with minimal development required.
Authorizes the use of expedited and streamlined procedures for both of these pathways and establishes a Rapid Prototyping Fund to provide additional funds for each rapid prototyping pathway program.
(Sec. 804) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 to make permanent the transaction authority for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to carry out certain prototype projects that are directly relevant to enhancing the mission effectiveness of military personnel and the supporting platforms, systems, components, or materials proposed to be acquired or developed by DOD, or to improvement of platforms, systems, components, or materials in use by the Armed Forces.
Sets forth policies regarding the qualification of contractors as nontraditional contractors, permissible uses of the authority, and the participation of small businesses without a cost-share requirement.
(Sec. 805) Requires DOD to establish and report to Congress on procedures and guidelines for alternative acquisition pathways to acquire capital assets and services that meet critical national security needs.
(Sec. 806) Permits DOD to waive acquisition laws or regulations to acquire a capability that is in the vital interest of the United States and is not otherwise available to the Armed Forces. Requires DOD to notify Congress before using this authority and designate a senior official to be responsible and accountable for the rapid and effective acquisition and deployment of the needed capability.
(Sec. 807) Authorizes limited acquisition authority for non-major systems for the Commander of U.S. Cyber Command.
(Sec. 808) Requires DOD to establish, under the sponsorship of the Defense Acquisition University and the National Defense University, an advisory panel on streamlining acquisition regulations.
(Sec. 809) Requires the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to review the time-based requirements process and budgeting and acquisition systems.
(Sec. 810) Sets forth DOD responsibilities for improving program and project management and requires DOD to develop department-wide standards, policies and guidelines for program and project management.
Subtitle B--Amendments to General Contracting Authorities, Procedures, and Limitations
(Sec. 821) Requires the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement to be revised to establish a preference for fixed-price contracts, including fixed-price incentive contracts, in the determination of contract type for development programs.
(Sec. 822) Limits the applicability of requirements under the Truth in Negotiations Act to submit certified cost and pricing data if the data relates to an offset agreement in connection with a contract for the sale of a weapon system or defense-related item to a foreign country or foreign firm.
(Sec. 823) Amends the Truth in Negotiations Act to raise the threshold for the requirement to provide certified cost or pricing data in non-price competitive procurements on non-commercial items. Requires DOD to establish a risk-based contracting approach, under which certified cost or pricing data would be required for a risk-based sample of contracts for non-price competitive procurements valued at less than the new threshold but more than the current threshold.
(Sec. 824) Prohibits the use of reverse auctions and lowest priced technically acceptable (LPTA) contracting methods for the procurement of personal protective equipment where the level of quality needed or the failure of the item could result in combat casualties. Establishes a preference for best value contracting methods when procuring this equipment.
(Sec. 825) Sets forth procedures for the validation of rights in technical data for sub-systems and components of major weapon systems and establishes a government-industry advisory panel on rights in technical data.
(Sec. 826) Revises experimental acquisition authority to apply the authority to transportation, energy, medical, and space flight supplies.
(Sec. 827) Extends the authority to acquire products and services produced in countries along a major route of supply to Afghanistan.
(Sec. 828) Requires DOD to report to Congress regarding the failure of contractors to meet goals under negotiated comprehensive small business subcontracting plans.
(Sec. 829) Ensures that non-profit organizations can compete for contracts for religious related services on a U.S. military installation.
(Sec. 830) Provides that DOD contracts for purchases of products by other federal agencies or state or local governments where DOD serves as an intermediary for the General Services Administration are not subject to specified contracting requirements.
(Sec. 831) Establishes a pilot program for streamlining awards of certain contracts to a small business or non-traditional defense contractor pursuant to: (1) a technical merit based selection procedure; or (2) the Small Business Innovation Research Program. Establishes exceptions to requirements for certified cost and pricing data and records examination for these contracts.
Subtitle C--Provisions Relating to Major Defense Acquisition Programs
(Sec. 841) Requires the development of an acquisition strategy for each DOD major defense acquisition program. Requires the strategy to include a sustainment strategy.
(Sec. 842) Requires DOD to ensure that the acquisition strategy developed for each major defense acquisition program includes: (1) a comprehensive approach to continuously identifying and addressing risk, and (2) documentation of the major sources of risk identified and the approach to retiring that risk.
(Sec. 843) Designates the service acquisition executives as the milestone decision authority for major acquisition programs managed by the military services. Permits DOD to designate an alternative milestone decision authority for joint programs.
(Sec. 844) Requires the DOD official serving as the milestone decision authority to ensure that, before granting a milestone A (initiates technology maturation and risk reduction) approval, an acquisition program has demonstrated sufficient knowledge to enter into a risk reduction phase following Milestone A and has sound plans to progress to the development phase.
(Sec. 845) Amends the requirements for Milestone B (initiates engineering and manufacturing development) approval of major defense acquisition programs. Retains the requirements to make key findings related to program risk, but requires the milestone decision authority to make a determination that appropriate steps have been taken to address the risks, rather than making certifications required under current law. Continues the requirement for certification of the maturity of key technologies.
(Sec. 846) Requires DOD to revise guidance for defense acquisition programs to address the tenure and accountability of program managers for the program development period of defense acquisition programs.
(Sec. 847) Addresses the tenure and accountability of program managers for the program execution period of defense acquisition programs. Requires each program manager to enter into a performance agreement with the milestone decision authority. Requires program managers to be: (1) given authority comparable to the authority given to private sector program managers and, (2) assigned to a program until the delivery of the first production units.
(Sec. 848) Eliminates the requirement for a stand-alone manpower estimate for major defense acquisition programs.
(Sec. 849) Requires each military department to pay an annual penalty in the amount of 3% of the cumulative cost overrun on all of its major defense acquisition programs.
(Sec. 850) Modifies reporting requirements applicable to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering regarding major defense acquisition programs.
(Sec. 851) Requires each Configuration Steering Board to track any changes in program requirements for a major defense acquisition program and requires the changes to be approved by the service chief.
(Sec. 852) Requires DOD to submit to Congress a report assessing the feasibility and advisability of redesignating the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Materiel Readiness as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment and assigning functions relating to: (1) the sustainment strategy, and (2) manufacturing and industrial base policy.
Subtitle D--Provisions Relating to Commercial Items
(Sec. 861) Requires the establishment of a list in the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement of defense-unique provisions of law that are inapplicable to contracts for commercial items.
(Sec. 862) Requires DOD to issue guidance and conduct reviews to ensure that defense acquisition officials and specified documents fully comply with requirements regarding market research and the preference for commercial items.
(Sec. 863) Requires DOD to address the validity of commercial item determinations for multiple item procurements by presuming that a previous determination is valid, unless the determination was made in error or based on inadequate information.
(Sec. 864) Modifies procedures regarding the purchase of commercial items as major weapons systems.
(Sec. 865) Limits the conversion of the procurement of a commercial item or service to a non-commercial acquisition procedure unless DOD certifies to Congress that it will realize a significant cost savings compared to the cost of procuring a similar quantity using commercial acquisition procedures.
(Sec. 866) Authorizes DOD to treat goods and services provided by a non-traditional contractor as a commercial item.
Subtitle E--Other Matters
(Sec. 871) Sets forth the lines of responsibility and oversight roles for the acquisition of defense business systems. Requires DOD to issue guidance to coordinate decision making, planning, programming, and control of investments in defense business systems.
(Sec. 872) Extends the Defense Acquisition Workforce Development Fund and modifies the requirement of the biennial strategic workforce plan to assess any new or expanded critical skills or competencies needed by the acquisition workforce.
(Sec. 873) Requires the Deputy Chief Management Officer; the Chief Information Officer (CIO); and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics to jointly conduct a business case analysis to determine the most effective and efficient way to acquire common services across DOD networks. Requires DOD to establish a governance mechanism and process to ensure essential interoperability across DOD networks.
(Sec. 874) Requires the CIO to: (1) develop a cloud strategy for the Secret Internet Protocol Network (SIPRNet); (2) develop a consistent pricing and cost recovery process for the use by DOD components of the Intelligence Community's cloud services; and (3) assess the feasibility and advisability of imposing a minimum set of open standards for cloud infrastructure, middle-ware, metadata, and application programming interfaces to promote interoperability, information sharing, access to data, and competition.
(Sec. 875) Modifies requirements for a major automated information system program that fails to achieve a full deployment decision within five years after the initiation of the program. Requires DOD to submit a written determination justifying the need for a longer time period.
(Sec. 876) Expands the pilot program on the acquisition of military purpose non-developmental items to include additional classes of contractors and apply the standards of the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984 to the contracts.
(Sec. 877) Extends the DOD Mentor-Protege Pilot Program, which provides incentives for major DOD contractors to furnish disadvantaged small business concerns with assistance to enhance capabilities to perform under DOD contracts.
(Sec. 878) Authorizes the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) to provide outside audit support to non-defense agencies only if DOD certifies that the backlog for incurred cost audits is less than 12 months of incurred cost inventory. Requires DOD to: (1) use up to 5% of the auditing staff of the Office of the Inspector General and the service audit agencies, augmented by private audit firms if necessary, to help address DCAA's audit backlog, and (2) review the oversight and audit structure of DOD.
(Sec. 879) Requires DOD to conduct and report to Congress on a survey of the top ten contractors with the highest level of reimbursements for cost type contracts with DOD during FY2014 to estimate industry's cost of regulatory compliance.
(Sec. 880) Requires GAO to report on the prevalence and impact of bid protests on DOD acquisitions over the previous 10 years.
(Sec. 881) Requires the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics to issue guidance on steps that should be taken to identify and address the potentially unfair competitive advantage of certain entities providing technical advice to acquisition officials in the award of research and development work by the officials.
(Sec. 882) Authorizes the inclusion of qualified disaster areas in the Historically Underutilized Business Zone program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA).
(Sec. 883) Authorizes the inclusion of base closure areas in the Historically Underutilized Business Zone program administered by the SBA.
(Sec. 884) Provides that the enhanced authority to acquire goods and services manufactured in Afghanistan and Central Asian States is not available for any good contained in the AbilityOne procurement catalog that can be produced and delivered by a qualified non-profit agency for the blind or a non-profit agency for other severely disabled in a timely fashion to support mission requirements.
(Sec. 885) Requires the small business offices in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the military departments to serve as intermediaries between small businesses and contracting officials prior to the award of contracts in cases where a small business prospective contractor believes that the process has been modified to preclude a small business from bidding on the contract or would give another contractor an unfair advantage.
(Sec. 886) Requires DOD to submit to Congress an annual report on foreign purchases.
TITLE IX--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT
(Sec. 901) Revises the functions of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to include additional joint force integration functions currently overseen by the Chairman, as a result of the disestablishment of U.S. Joint Forces Command and the deletion of that command from the Unified Command Plan.
(Sec. 902) Reorganizes and redesignates the Office of Community Support for Military Families with Special Needs and the Office of Family Policy/Children and Youth into the Office of Military Family Readiness Policy.
(Sec. 903) Eliminates a requirement for the Navy to make funds available annually to support the Ocean Research Advisory Panel.
TITLE X--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Financial Matters
(Sec. 1001) Permits DOD to make transfers between amounts authorized for FY2016 in division A of this bill, subject to specified limitations and a congressional notification requirement.
(Sec. 1002) Requires the DOD Inspector General to fulfill its statutory audit responsibilities to perform financial statement audits for the military departments and other designated DOD components by contracting with independent external auditors.
(Sec. 1003) Provides that if an Act is enacted at a later date that revises the defense and non-defense discretionary spending limits in proportionally equal amounts, the amounts authorized in title XV above $50.9 billion and equal to the amount of the increase to the defense discretionary cap for FY2016 will be deemed to be authorized in title III.
(Sec. 1004) Expresses the sense of the Senate on the negative impact that the statutory budget caps on discretionary spending are having on DOD and U.S. national security, as well as the need for legislation to adjust the caps.
(Sec. 1005) Expresses the sense of the Senate that DOD should continue to find efficiencies within the working capital fund activities.
Subtitle B--Counter-Drug Activities
(Sec. 1011) Extends the authority of DOD to provide assistance to support the unified counterdrug and counterterrorism campaign of the government of Colombia.
(Sec. 1012) Extends the authority of DOD to provide additional support for counter-drug activities of certain foreign governments and adds Kenya, Tanzania, and Somalia to the countries eligible to receive assistance.
Subtitle C--Naval Vessels and Shipyards
(Sec. 1021) Directs DOD to commission and submit to Congress three studies to recommend potential future fleet architectures.
(Sec. 1022) Permits unobligated funds from any DOD appropriation to be transferred to the National Sea-Based Deterrence Fund, subject to the existing $3.5 billion limit.
(Sec. 1023) Extends the authority for reimbursement of expenses for certain Navy mess operations afloat.
(Sec. 1024) Requires the annual naval vessel construction plan to include the estimated levels of annual funding necessary to carry out the program by ship class in both graphical and tabular form.
(Sec. 1025) Requires DOD to report to Congress on the viability of privatizing the defense commissary system before developing any plans or pilot program to privatize defense commissaries or the defense commissary system. Requires the GAO to assess the report.
(Sec. 1026) Requires DOD to submit to Congress a report assessing DOD definitions and policies regarding software maintenance, particularly with respect to the term "software sustainment" in the definition of "depot-level maintenance and repair."
Subtitle D--Counterterrorism
(Sec. 1031) Prohibits the use of funds to construct or modify facilities in the United States to house detainees transferred from the U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (Guantanamo) unless Congress approves a plan submitted by DOD for the disposition of all detainees.
(Sec. 1032) Limits the transfer of Guantanamo detainees to the United States. Permits transfers for detention, trial, or incarceration if: (1) DOD determines that the transfer is in the national security interest of the United States, (2) appropriate actions have been taken to address any risk to public safety, (3) Congress has been notified, and (4) DOD has submitted a report detailing a plan for all individuals held at Guantanamo and Congress approves the plan. Provides expedited procedures for congressional consideration of the plan.
(Sec. 1033) Prohibits DOD from using funds to transfer or release any individual detained at Guantanamo to the individual's country of origin or any other foreign country or entity, unless DOD provides a certification to Congress addressing specified requirements.
Prohibits DOD from using funds to transfer an individual to a country if there is a confirmed case of any individual transferred from Guantanamo to the same country or entity engaging in terrorist activity after the transfer.
Permits DOD to waive certification requirements for national security, subject to reporting requirements and exceptions.
(Sec. 1034) Permits DOD to temporarily transfer individuals detained at Guantanamo to a DOD medical facility in the United States for providing medical treatment if specified conditions are met.
(Sec. 1035) Prohibits DOD from using funds for the transfer or release of any individual detained at Guantanamo to Yemen or any entity within Yemen.
(Sec. 1036) Requires DOD to provide an unclassified report to Congress listing individuals detained at Guantanamo who have been assessed by the Joint Task Force Guantanamo to be a high or medium risk to the United States, its interests, or allies.
(Sec. 1037) Requires DOD to submit to Congress a report setting forth the written memorandum of understanding (or stating that one does not exist) between the United States and the government of the foreign country concerned regarding each individual detained at Guantanamo who was transferred to a foreign country during the 18-month period ending on the date of the enactment of this bill.
(Sec. 1038) Requires DOD to report to Congress semiannually on the use by terrorist organizations of images and symbols relating to Guantanamo or any other DOD or Bureau of Prisons detention facility for recruitment and propaganda purposes.
(Sec. 1039) Extends the authority of DOD to make rewards for providing U.S. personnel or allied forces participating in a combined operation with information or nonlethal assistance that is beneficial to force protection or an operation or activity against international terrorism. Modifies reporting requirements for the rewards.
(Sec. 1040) Limits interrogation techniques to those that are authorized and listed in the Army Field Manual.
Requires DOD to review and revise the Army Field Manual to ensure that it complies with the legal obligations of the United States and reflects current, evidence-based, best practices for interrogation that are designed to elicit reliable and voluntary statements and do not involve the use or threat of force.
Requires the interagency body established pursuant to Executive Order 13491 (commonly known as the High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group) to report to DOD and other specified agencies on current, evidence-based, best practices for interrogation that are designed to elicit reliable and voluntary statements and do not involve the use of force.
Requires the head of any U.S. department or agency to provide the International Committee of the Red Cross with access to detainees.
Subtitle E--Miscellaneous Authorities and Limitations
(Sec. 1041) Authorizes DOD to provide assistance to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to increase ongoing efforts to secure the southern land border of the United States, subject to the concurrence of the Department of Homeland Security.
(Sec. 1042) Requires DOD to protect the buildings, grounds, and property under the jurisdiction, custody, or control of DOD and persons on the property. Permits DOD to designate personnel to: (1) enforce federal laws and regulations to protect people and property, (2) carry firearms, (3) make arrests, and (4) conduct investigations.
(Sec. 1043) Requires DOD to submit to Congress an updated military strategy for the protection of U.S. national security interests in the Arctic region.
(Sec. 1044) Extends limitations on the transfer of AH-64 Apache helicopters from the regular Army to the Army National Guard.
(Sec. 1045) Requires the Army to: (1) report to Congress on the number of AH-64D Apache helicopters that have been transferred from the Army National Guard to the original equipment manufacturer for remanufacture, and (2) count the helicopters specified in the report against the total number of helicopters that may be transferred from the Army National Guard to the regular Army under current law.
(Sec. 1046) Requires DOD to convert at least 20% of the general administration, clerical, and office service occupation positions identified in a specified report from military technician (dual status) positions to civilian positions. Phases in the termination of military technician (non-dual status) positions. Sets forth reporting requirements.
(Sec. 1047) Expresses the sense of Congress that DOD should consider the full range of manpower available in all locations worldwide in deciding the proper mix of military, civilian, and contractor personnel to accomplish the National Defense Strategy.
(Sec. 1048) Express the sense of the Senate that the Marine Corps should remain the nation's expeditionary crisis response force and should be organized, trained, and equipped in the manner and for the purposes required under current law.
Subtitle F--Studies and Reports
(Sec. 1061) Eliminates specified reporting requirements.
(Sec. 1062) Eliminates requirements for specified recurring reports.
(Sec. 1063) Requires DOD to annually submit specified munitions assessments to Congress.
(Sec. 1064) Requires DOD to assess and brief Congress on: (1) the potential future role for U.S. ground forces in the island chains of the western Pacific in creating anti-access and area denial capabilities in cooperation with host nations in order to deter and defeat aggression in the western Pacific region, and (2) the potential geopolitical impact on the U.S. posture in the Pacific theater of a strategy of long-term engagement by U.S ground forces with the island nations of the western Pacific to enhance U.S. strategic relationships with potential partners in the region.
(Sec. 1065) Requires DOD, in consultation with the Department of Transportation and the Department of Homeland Security, to submit to Congress an assessment of the plans for airfields in the United States that are required to support homeland defense and local disaster response missions.
(Sec. 1066) Requires the annual report of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to include an assessment of the ability of the National Guard to carry out: (1) its federal missions, and (2) emergency support functions of the National Response Framework.
Subtitle G--Other Matters
(Sec. 1081) Makes technical and clerical corrections to the U.S. Code and various National Defense Authorization Acts.
(Sec. 1082) Authorizes DOD to provide training to personnel of foreign ministries of defense or regional organizations with security missions for the purpose of: (1) enhancing civilian oversight; (2) establishing responsible defense governance and internal controls; (3) assessing and addressing organizational weaknesses; and (4) enhancing ministerial, general or joint staff, service level core competencies.
(Sec. 1083) Amends the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act to expand outreach for veterans transitioning from Active Duty to inform them about community oriented veteran peer support networks and other available support programs.
(Sec. 1084) Modifies the requirements for the amount of usable space and the length of the lease for a major medical facility lease for a VA outpatient clinic in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
(Sec. 1085) Requires the GAO to report on VA administration and oversight of contracts for the design and construction of major medical facility projects.
(Sec. 1086) Expresses the sense of the Senate regarding the accidental transfer of live anthrax from an Army laboratory to other laboratories and the measures that DOD should take to prevent a reoccurrence.
(Sec. 1087) Permits the Maritime Administration to accept a gift from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation for the purpose of renovating Melville Hall on the campus of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
(Sec. 1088) Requires investigators carrying out certain investigations relating to whistle-blower retaliation to certify to the DOD Inspector General or the Inspector General of the military department that there was no conflict of interest between the investigator, any witness involved, and the employee or member of the Armed Forces during the investigation.
(Sec. 1089) Authorizes the VA to carry out the major medical facility projects specified in the explanatory statement accompanying the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 at the locations and in the amounts specified in the statement.
(Sec. 1090) Requires DOD to develop and report to Congress on specified plans and schedules related to personnel security, insider threat detection and prevention, and physical security.
Requires DOD to define physical and logical access standards, capabilities, and processes applicable to all personnel with access to DOD installations and information technology systems.
Requires the Office of Management and Budget to: (1) develop a capability to share and apply electronic identity information across the government, (2) develop investigative and adjudicative standards for the reevaluation of the eligibility of an individual to retain credentials, and (3) formalize the Security, Suitability, and Credentialing Line of Business.
Requires the Performance Accountability Council to ensure that: (1) a centralized system is available to serve as the reciprocity management system for the federal government; and (2) the system is aligned with, and incorporates results from, continuous evaluation and other enterprise reform initiatives.
Revises the requirements for criminal justice agencies to provide agencies with access to criminal history records for national security and other purposes.
(Sec. 1091) Requires the VA to enter into an agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers or another entity of the federal government to serve, on a reimbursable basis, as the construction agent on all VA construction projects that are: (1) authorized by Congress after enactment of this bill, and (2) involve a cost above $100 million, excluding any acquisition by exchange.
TITLE XI--CIVILIAN PERSONNEL MATTERS
(Sec. 1101) Establishes a required two-year probationary period for new DOD employees and permits service secretaries to extend the probationary period.
(Sec. 1102) Authorizes DOD to delay periodic step increases in salary for civilian DOD employees based on unacceptable performance.
(Sec. 1103) Requires DOD to establish procedures for using performance as the primary factor for determining which employees should be separated from employment during any reduction in force for civilian positions.
(Sec. 1104) Provides enhanced hiring and retention authorities to DOD for civilians on the staff of the U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) and the elements of the CYBERCOM components of the armed services.
(Sec. 1105) Extends the authority to waive limitations on pay of certain employees who perform work in overseas locations.
(Sec. 1106) Extends the expedited hiring authority for designated defense acquisition workforce positions.
(Sec. 1107) Amends the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 to extend the authority for federal agencies to grant allowances, benefits, and gratuities comparable to those provided to members of the foreign service to an agency's civilian employees on official duty in a combat zone.
(Sec. 1108) Extends the authority for overtime pay for Navy employees assigned to temporary duty to perform work aboard or dockside in direct support of the nuclear aircraft carrier that is forward deployed in Japan.
(Sec. 1109) Expands the authority to directly appoint candidates possessing bachelor's degrees to scientific and engineering positions at science and technology laboratories by increasing the limit on the number of candidates hired under this authority.
(Sec. 1110) Extends the Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project.
(Sec. 1111) Requires DOD to carry out a pilot program to assess the use of authorities such as flexible length and renewable term technical appointments, reemployment of annuitants, early retirement incentives, and separation incentive pay to improve the technical skills and expertise at certain DOD laboratories.
(Sec. 1112) Requires DOD to carry out a pilot program to assess the temporary exchange of financial management and acquisition personnel with nontraditional defense contractors (commercial companies who either do not do business with DOD or do so exclusively through commercial terms and conditions).
(Sec. 1113) Authorizes DOD to carry out a pilot program to assess using a higher level of pay to attract and retain high quality acquisition and technology experts in positions responsible for management and developing complex, high cost, technological acquisition efforts of DOD.
(Sec. 1114) Requires DOD to carry out a pilot program for the service acquisition executives of each military department to directly appoint qualified veteran candidates to scientific, technical, engineering, and mathematics positions in the defense acquisition activities.
(Sec. 1115) Authorizes the service secretaries of each military department to directly appoint qualified candidates with a scientific or engineering degree to scientific and engineering positions within the defense acquisition workforce.
TITLE XII--MATTERS RELATING TO FOREIGN NATIONS
Subtitle A--Training and Assistance
(Sec. 1201) Extends funding limitations for DOD's authority to build the capacity of foreign security forces.
(Sec. 1202) Authorizes assistance to Jordan and Lebanon for the purposes of supporting and enhancing efforts to support and sustain security along their borders with Syria and/or Iraq. Prohibits the assistance to Lebanon from being used for the reimbursement of Hezbollah or any forces other than the armed forces of Lebanon.
(Sec. 1203) Extends the authority of DOD to provide Weapons of Mass Destruction incident response training and basic equipment to foreign first responders.
(Sec. 1204) Redesignates the National Guard State Partnership Program as the Department of Defense State Partnership Program. Extends and modifies the program.
(Sec. 1205) Authorizes DOD, in coordination with the Department of State, to provide, on a non-reimbursable basis, logistic support, supplies, and services to the national military forces of an allied country conducting counterterrorism operations in Africa if DOD determines that the support is: (1) in the national security interests of the United States; and (2) critical to the timely and effective participation of the national military forces in the operations.
(Sec. 1206) Authorizes DOD to provide intelligence training to foreign military intelligence units to increase partner capacity.
(Sec. 1207) Prohibits assistance to an entity in Yemen controlled by members of the Houthi movement unless DOD determines that the assistance is important to the national security interests of the United States.
(Sec. 1208) Requires DOD to report to Congress on potential support to the vetted Syrian opposition pursuant to the authority provided in the Carl Levin and Howard P. "Buck" McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015.
(Sec. 1209) Requires the semiannual report on enhancing security and stability in Afghanistan to include an assessment of: (1) the security of Afghan women and girls, and (2) the implementation of the plans for the recruitment, integration, retention, training, treatment, and provision of appropriate facilities and transportation for women in the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).
Requires DOD to: (1) support the efforts of Afghanistan to promote the security of Afghan women and girls during and after the security transition process through the development and implementation of an Afghan-led plan, and (2) use specified funds from the Afghan Security Forces Fund for the recruitment, integration, retention, training, and treatment of women in the ANSF as well as the recruitment, training, and contracting of female security personnel for future elections.
Subtitle B--Matters Relating to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq
(Sec. 1221) Expresses the sense of Congress on the drawdown of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Requires the President to certify to Congress that the reduction of U.S. forces in Afghanistan will result in an acceptable level of risk to U.S. national security objectives taking into consideration the security conditions on the ground.
(Sec. 1222) Extends and modifies the authorization of appropriations for the Commanders' Emergency Response Program in Afghanistan. Authorizes payments to redress injury and loss in Iraq.
(Sec. 1223) Extends the authority to transfer defense articles and provide defense services to the military and security forces of Afghanistan. Extends the exemption for excess defense articles (EDA) transferred from DOD stocks in Afghanistan from limitations on the aggregate value of EDA transferred.
(Sec. 1224) Extends and modifies the authority for reimbursement of coalition nations for support provided to the United States for military operations in Afghanistan. Extends notification and certification requirements relating to payments to Pakistan. Establishes a pilot program to authorize the use of appropriations for Pakistan for stability activities in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
(Sec. 1225) Prohibits assistance authorized under current law to counter the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) from being provided to Iraq unless DOD certifies to Congress that Iraq has taken appropriate steps to safeguard against transferring or otherwise providing the assistance to violent extremist organizations. Requires DOD to report to Congress after making any determination that equipment or supplies have been transferred to or acquired by a violent extremist organization.
(Sec. 1226) Requires DOD to report to Congress on the lines of communication that enable the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Jabhatal-Nusra, and other foreign terrorist organizations to facilitate assistance through countries bordering on Syria.
(Sec. 1227) Modifies the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program.
(Sec. 1228) Extends the authority to support operations and activities of the Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq and modifies reporting requirements.
(Sec. 1229) Expresses the sense of the Senate urging the United States, in coordination with coalition partners, to provide security assistance to the security forces of the Kurdistan Regional Government.
(Sec. 1230) Expresses the sense of Congress regarding the security and protection of Iranian dissidents living in Camp Liberty, Iraq.
Subtitle C--Matters Relating to Iran
(Sec. 1241) Extends and modifies the requirement for an annual report on the military power of Iran.
Subtitle D--Matters Relating to the Russian Federation
(Sec. 1251) Authorizes DOD to provide security assistance and intelligence support to military and other security forces of the government of Ukraine.
(Sec. 1252) Authorizes DOD to conduct the Eastern European Training Initiative to provide multilateral or regional training for countries in Eastern Europe that are signatories to the Partnership for Peace Framework Documents but not members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or that became NATO members after January 1, 1999.
(Sec. 1253) Requires DOD to report to Congress on options for expanding the presence of U.S. ground forces of the size of a Brigade Combat Team in Eastern Europe to respond to the security challenges posed by Russia and increase the combat capability of forces able to respond to unconventional or hybrid warfare tactics such as those used by the Russian Federation in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine.
(Sec. 1254) Expresses the sense of Congress urging the United States to encourage NATO allies to meet defense budget commitments and to continue to coordinate defense investments to improve deterrence against Russian aggression and terrorist organizations and more appropriately balance defense spending across the alliance.
(Sec. 1255) Requires the annual report on military matters and security developments involving Russia to include an assessment of the force structure and capabilities of Russian military forces stationed in the Arctic region, Kaliningrad, and Crimea, as well as an assessment of the Russian military strategy in the Arctic region.
(Sec. 1256) Requires DOD to submit to Congress an assessment of alternative capabilities to procure and sustain nonstandard rotary wing aircraft that are historically acquired through or are reliant on Rosoboronexport.
Subtitle E--Matters Relating to the Asia-Pacific Region
(Sec. 1261) Authorizes DOD, with the concurrence of the Department of State, to provide equipment, supplies, and training to national military or other security forces of foreign countries along the South China Sea (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam) to respond to threats to maritime security.
(Sec. 1262) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should continue to implement the rebalance of U.S. forces to the Asia-Pacific region.
(Sec. 1263) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should continue to make available to Taiwan defense articles and services necessary to maintain a sufficient self-defense, including support for Taiwan's innovative and asymmetric measures to balance the growing capabilities of China.
(Sec. 1264) Requires DOD to carry out a program of exchanges of senior military officers and officials between the United States and Taiwan to improve military to military relations.
(Sec. 1265) Requires the President to: (1) develop a strategy to promote U.S. interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, (2) issue a Presidential Policy Directive to departments and agencies including the strategy and implementing guidance, and (3) ensure that the annual budget submitted to Congress includes a separate section highlighting programs that relate to the strategy.
Subtitle F--Reports and Related Matters
(Sec. 1271) Modifies the requirements for the quarterly progress reports on assistance provided to counter the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant to include specified details regarding forces ineligible to receive assistance as a result of the vetting required by law, including information related to human rights violations.
(Sec. 1272) Authorizes DOD to carry out research, development, test, and evaluation jointly with Israel to establish anti-tunnel capabilities to detect, map, and neutralize underground tunnels that threaten the United States or Israel.
Requires DOD, prior to carrying out the activities, to submit a report and certification to Congress regarding a memorandum of agreement between the United States and Israel addressing the sharing of costs, a framework for negotiating the rights to intellectual property developed, and reports on expenditures.
Authorizes DOD to provide procurement, maintenance, and sustainment assistance to Israel in support of the anti-tunnel capabilities research, development, test, and evaluation activities authorized in this section if Israel matches the contribution.
(Sec. 1273) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should promptly consider the sale of fighter aircraft to the government of Qatar and requires DOD to report to Congress on the risks and benefits of the sale.
(Sec. 1274) Requires DOD and the State Department to jointly submit to Congress a report on the security relationship between the United States and the Republic of Cyprus.
Subtitle G--Other Matters
(Sec. 1281) Extends the authority for the NATO Special Operations Headquarters.
(Sec. 1282) Extends the authority of DOD to develop, manage, and execute a Non-Conventional Assisted Recovery personnel recovery program for isolated DOD, U.S. government, and other designated personnel supporting U.S. national interests worldwide. Designates the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict as the primary civilian within DOD with oversight responsibilities for the activities.
TITLE XIII--COOPERATIVE THREAT REDUCTION
(Sec. 1301) Specifies the Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) programs and authorizations of appropriations included in this bill and authorizes CTR funds to be available for obligation for FY2016-FY2018.
(Sec. 1302) Allocates authorizations of appropriations of funds for the CTR program in FY2016.
TITLE XIV--OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS
Subtitle A--Military Programs
(Sec. 1401) Authorizes appropriations for Defense Working Capital Funds at the levels identified in section 4501.
(Sec. 1402) Authorizes appropriations for the National Defense Sealift Fund at the levels identified in section 4501.
(Sec. 1403) Authorizes appropriations for Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction--Defense at the levels identified in section 4501.
(Sec. 1404) Authorizes appropriations for Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities--Defense-Wide at the levels identified in section 4501.
(Sec. 1405) Authorizes appropriations for the Office of the Inspector General of DOD at the levels identified in section 4501.
(Sec. 1406) Authorizes appropriations for the Defense Health Program at the levels identified in section 4501.
Subtitle B--Other Matters
(Sec. 1411) Authorizes DOD to transfer funds from the Defense Health Program to the Joint Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund for the Captain James A. Lovell Health Care Center.
(Sec. 1412) Authorizes appropriations for the Armed Forces Retirement Home.
(Sec. 1413) Amends the Armed Forces Retirement Home Act of 1991 to require the DOD Inspector General to inspect the Armed Forces Retirement Home at least every three years. Authorizes the Inspector General to determine the scope of the inspection through a risk-based analysis of the operations of the home. Removes the requirement to provide a report no later than 90 days after the inspection.
TITLE XV--AUTHORIZATION OF ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations
(Sec. 1501) Provides that the purpose of this subtitle is to authorize FY2016 appropriations to DOD to provide additional funds for overseas contingency operations being carried out by the Armed Forces.
(Sec. 1502) Authorizes additional appropriations for overseas contingency operations.
(Sec. 1503) Authorizes additional appropriations for Procurement at the levels identified in section 4102.
(Sec. 1504) Authorizes additional appropriations for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation at the levels identified in section 4202.
(Sec. 1505) Authorizes additional appropriations for Operation and Maintenance programs at the levels identified in section 4302.
(Sec. 1506) Authorizes additional appropriations for Military Personnel at the levels identified in section 4402.
(Sec. 1507) Authorizes additional appropriations for Defense Working Capital Funds at the levels identified in section 4502.
(Sec. 1508) Authorizes additional appropriations for Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities-- Defense-Wide at the levels identified in section 4502.
(Sec. 1509) Authorizes additional appropriations for the Office of the Inspector General at the levels identified in section 4502.
(Sec. 1510) Authorizes additional appropriations for the Defense Health Program at the levels identified in section 4502.
(Sec. 1511) Authorizes additional appropriations to remain available through FY2017 for the Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund at the levels identified in section 4502.
Subtitle B--Financial Matters
(Sec. 1521) Provides that appropriations authorized by this title are in addition to amounts otherwise authorized to be appropriated by this bill.
(Sec. 1522) Authorizes the transfer of up to $4 billion of the FY2016 authorizations included in this title among other FY2016 authorizations, subject to the requirements and restrictions included in section 1001 of this bill.
Subtitle C--Limitations, Reports, and Other Matters
(Sec. 1531) Continues the existing limitation and restrictions on the use of funds in the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund. Extends the authority to accept certain equipment procured using the funds and to treat the equipment as DOD stocks.
(Sec. 1532) Authorizes the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund to permit DOD to investigate, develop, and provide training, equipment, supplies, and services, to assist in the defeat of improvised explosive devices for operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and other operations or military missions designated by DOD.
(Sec. 1533) Authorizes DOD to use specified Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund appropriations to fund training activities for foreign security forces to defeat improvised explosive devices.
TITLE XVI--STRATEGIC PROGRAMS, CYBER, AND INTELLIGENCE MATTERS
Subtitle A--Space Activities
(Sec. 1601) Requires the President to establish an interagency process to develop a policy to deter adversaries in space.
(Sec. 1602) Requires DOD to designate an individual to serve as the Principal Space Control Advisor.
(Sec. 1603) Creates an exception to the prohibition on contracting with Russian suppliers of rocket engines for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program for Phase 1A competitive opportunities.
(Sec. 1604) Prohibits DOD from awarding a contract, renewing a contract, or maintaining a separate contract line item for the procurement of property or services for space launch capabilities under the EELV, subject to specified exceptions and waivers.
(Sec. 1605) Realigns the cost share of the EELV Launch Capabilities between the Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office. Requires the Air Force request for funding to bear the same ratio to the total number of Air Force cores to be procured under the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Launch Services.
(Sec. 1606) Modifies the reporting requirements for the plan for the development of the rocket propulsion system to include a plan for the development and fielding of a full-up engine.
(Sec. 1607) Prohibits the use of funds for the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program or the launch of Defense Meteorological Satellite Program satellite #20 until the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff jointly certify to Congress that the program meets specified criteria.
(Sec. 1608) Requires the Air Force to submit quarterly reports to GAO on the Global Positioning System III space segment, the Global Positioning System operational control segment, and the Military Global Positioning System user equipment acquisition programs.
(Sec. 1609) Requires the DOD Executive Agent for Space to submit to Congress a plan to consolidate the acquisition of commercial satellite communications services from across DOD into a program office in the Space and Missile Systems Center of the Air Force.
(Sec. 1610) Establishes a council to oversee the DOD positioning, navigation, and timing enterprise, including services provided to civil, commercial, scientific, and international users.
(Sec. 1611) Requires DOD to analyze and report to Congress on alternatives for a follow-on wide-band communications system to the Wideband Global SATCOM System that includes space, air, and ground layer communications capabilities of DOD.
(Sec. 1612) Expands the goals of the pilot programs for the acquisition of commercial satellite communication service to include improvements in communications capability.
(Sec. 1613) Directs the Department of Transportation, in consultation with other appropriate agencies and the commercial space sector, to report annually to Congress on actions taken to remove duplication and minimize inconsistencies across the federal government for commercial space launch requirements and approval.
Subtitle B--Defense Intelligence and Intelligence-related activities
(Sec. 1621) Requires the Air Force to report to Congress on the feasibility of using the Air National Guard in association with the active duty Air Force to operate and maintain the RQ-4 Global Hawk.
Subtitle C--Cyber Warfare, Cyber Security, And Related Matters
(Sec. 1631) Authorizes DOD to develop, prepare, coordinate, and to conduct (when authorized by the President) a military cyber operation in response to malicious cyber activity carried out against the United States by a foreign power.
(Sec. 1632) Requires DOD to designate a DOD entity to be responsible for the acquisition of critical cyber capabilities.
(Sec. 1633) Limits the use of unobligated balances of DOD appropriations to provide support services to the Executive Office of the President until the President submits a required report including an interagency process for the development of an integrated policy to deter adversaries in cyberspace.
(Sec. 1634) Authorizes specified unobligated balances of appropriations to the Army to be used for procurement of a relocatable Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility for the Cyber Center of Excellence at Fort Gordon, Georgia.
(Sec. 1635) Requires DOD to: (1) evaluate the cyber vulnerabilities of every major weapons system after submitting a plan to Congress for the evaluation, and (2) develop strategies for mitigating the risks of cyber vulnerabilities to major weapons systems. Authorizes appropriations for the evaluation.
(Sec. 1636) Requires the Principal Cyber Advisor to sponsor an independent panel to assess the ability of the National Mission Forces of the U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) to prevent or block large-scale attacks on the United States by foreign powers. Requires the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to conduct war games to assess the strategy, assumptions, and capabilities of CYBERCOM to prevent large-scale cyber-attacks by foreign powers.
(Sec. 1637) Requires DOD to conduct national exercises on responding to cyber-attacks against critical infrastructure at least every two years for a period of six years. Specifies requirements for the exercises.
(Sec. 1638) Requires DOD to develop and GAO to review a comprehensive plan for the U.S. Cyber Command to support civil authorities in responding to cyber-attacks by foreign powers against the United States or a U.S. person.
(Sec. 1639) Expresses the sense of Congress that DOD should review and consider any findings and recommendations of the Council of Governors pertaining to cyber capabilities of the Armed Forces.
Subtitle D--Nuclear Forces
(Sec. 1641) Requires the Air Force to designate officials to be responsible for policy on and procurement and integration of the nuclear, command, control, and communications systems.
(Sec. 1642) Requires the GAO to review DOD's approach for addressing recommendations in specified reports related to the Nuclear Security Enterprise.
(Sec. 1643) Directs the DOD Director of Net Assessment to assess the global security environment with respect to nuclear weapons and the role of U.S. nuclear forces, policy, and strategy in that environment.
(Sec. 1644) Requires DOD to make a Milestone A decision on the long-range standoff weapon no later than May 31, 2016.
(Sec. 1645) Authorizes Missile Procurement--Air Force funds to be used to procure certain commercial off-the-shelf parts for intercontinental ballistic missile fuzes.
(Sec. 1646) States the sense of the Congress that retaining all three legs of the nuclear triad (heavy bomber aircraft, land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, and ballistic missile submarines) is among the highest priorities of DOD and will best maintain strategic stability at a reasonable cost, while hedging against potential technical problems and vulnerabilities.
States the policy of the United States to operate, sustain, and modernize or replace a capability to forward-deploy nuclear weapons and dual capable fighter-bomber aircraft.
(Sec. 1647) Expresses the sense of the Senate on the nuclear force improvement programs of the Air Force.
Subtitle E--Missile Defense Programs
(Sec. 1651) Requires DOD to develop and the GAO to review a report to Congress on a plan for expediting the deployment time for a potential future continental U.S. interceptor site by at least two years.
(Sec. 1652) Requires the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to deploy a long-range discrimination radar or other appropriate tracking and discrimination sensor capabilities in a location optimized to support the defense of the homeland of the United States from emerging long-range ballistic missile threats from Iran.
(Sec. 1653) Expresses the sense of Congress that DOD should ensure that arrangements are in place to provide anti-air defense capability at all NATO missile defense sites in support of phases 2 and 3 of the European Phased Adaptive Approach and requires DOD to report to Congress on the plan to provide the capability.
(Sec. 1654) Authorizes appropriations to be provided to Israel for the Iron Dome short-range rocket defense system. Requires the funds to be subject to the "Agreement Between the Department of Defense of the United States of America and the Ministry of Defense of the State of Israel Concerning Iron Dome Defense System Procurement." Requires DOD to submit to Congress prior to obligating funds: (1) a certification that the Agreement is being successfully implemented, and (2) an assessment of risks relating to the implementation of the Agreement.
(Sec. 1655) Authorizes appropriations for procurement and coproduction of the Israeli David's Sling Weapons System and the Arrow 3 Upper Tier missile defense system, subject to specified terms and conditions.
(Sec. 1656) Requires the MDA to develop and deploy a highly reliable and cost-effective multiple-object kill vehicle for the ground-based midcourse defense system.
(Sec. 1657) Requires the MDA to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that all remaining ground-based interceptors of the ground-based midcourse defense system that are armed with the capability enhancement I exoatmospheric kill vehicle are replaced with the redesigned exoatmospheric kill vehicle before September 30, 2022.
(Sec. 1658) Requires DOD to report to Congress on the efforts to develop and deploy an airborne boost phase defense system for missile defense by FY2025.
(Sec. 1659) Extends the limitation on providing certain sensitive missile defense information to the Russian Federation.
(Sec. 1660) Extends the requirements for the GAO to: (1) review the annual reports of MDA on acquisition baselines and variances and assess the extent to which the MDA has achieved its acquisition goals and objectives, and (2) report on the activities of the Missile Defense Executive Board
Subtitle F--Other Matters
(Sec. 1671) Requires the President to notify Congress regarding Russia's continued violation of or compliance with the Treaty on Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF). Requires DOD to submit reports to Congress on the status of discussions with allies regarding Russia's violation of the INF Treaty. Requires the President, if Russia has not begun to return to full compliance with the INF treaty, to begin developing counterforce and countervailing capabilities and report to Congress on development and deployment.
(Sec. 1672) Extends from 30 to 90 days the time period by which the President must notify Congress after the Russian Federation submits a proposal to modify or introduce a new aircraft or sensor under the Open Skies Treaty. Requires the views of any relevant combatant commander to be provided in the assessment of the national security implications of any new aircraft or sensor proposed to be deployed by the Russian Federation under the Treaty.
(Sec. 1673) Requires DOD to make a Milestone A decision for the Conventional Prompt Global Strike Weapons System no later than September 30, 2020, or eight months after the successful completion of the Intermediate Range Flight 2 test.
(Sec. 1674) Expresses the sense of Congress that DOD should maintain and enhance robust military intelligence support to force protection for installations, facilities, and personnel and their family members in Europe and worldwide.
Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016
DIVISION B--MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AUTHORIZATIONS
(Sec. 2002) Provides that all authorizations contained in titles XXI through XXVII for military construction projects, land acquisition, family housing projects and facilities, and contributions to the NATO Security Investment Program expire on the later of October 1, 2018, or the date of the enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction for FY2019. Includes an exception for funds that have been obligated prior to the later of the two dates.
TITLE XXI--ARMY MILITARY CONSTRUCTION
(Sec. 2101) Authorizes specified Army construction and land acquisition projects.
(Sec. 2102) Authorizes new construction and planning and design of family housing units for the Army.
(Sec. 2103) Authorizes the Army to make improvements to existing units of family housing.
(Sec. 2104) Authorizes appropriations for Army military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions at the levels identified in section 4601.
(Sec. 2105) Modifies the authorization for the construction of a Cadet barracks building at the U.S. Military Academy in New York.
(Sec. 2106) Extends the authorizations for specified FY2012 projects.
(Sec. 2107) Extends the authorizations for specified FY2013 projects.
(Sec. 2108) Authorizes a project to construct a vehicle bridge and traffic circle to facilitate traffic flow to and from the Medical Center at Rhine Ordnance Barracks, Germany. Permits the Army to use available host-nation payment-in-kind funding for the project
(Sec. 2109) Prohibits funds from being used to construct new facilities at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba until DOD certifies to Congress that any new construction of facilities have enduring military value independent of a high value detention mission.
TITLE XXII--NAVY MILITARY CONSTRUCTION
(Sec. 2201) Authorizes specified Navy construction and land acquisition projects.
(Sec. 2202) Authorizes new construction and planning and design of family housing units for the Navy.
(Sec. 2203) Authorizes the Navy to make improvements to existing units of family housing.
(Sec. 2204) Authorizes appropriations for Navy military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions at the levels identified in section 4601.
(Sec. 2205) Extends the authorizations of specified FY2012 projects.
(Sec. 2206) Extends the authorizations of specified FY2013 projects.
TITLE XXIII--AIR FORCE MILITARY CONSTRUCTION
(Sec. 2301) Authorizes specified Air Force construction and land acquisition projects.
(Sec. 2302) Authorizes new construction and planning and design of family housing units for the Air Force.
(Sec. 2303) Authorizes the Air Force to make improvements to existing units of family housing.
(Sec. 2304) Authorizes appropriations for Air Force military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions at the levels identified in section 4601.
(Sec. 2305) Modifies the authorization for construction of a ground control tower at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.
(Sec. 2306) Modifies the authorization for construction of a Guardian Angel Operations Facility at Royal Air Force Station Lakenheath, United Kingdom.
(Sec. 2307) Modifies the authorization for construction of a KC-46A Alter Composite Maintenance Shop at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas.
(Sec. 2308) Extends the authorization for a specified project at Sigonella Naval Air Station, Italy.
(Sec. 2309) Extends the authorization for a specified project at Lajes Field, Portugal.
TITLE XXIV--DEFENSE AGENCIES MILITARY CONSTRUCTION
(Sec. 2401) Authorizes specified construction and land acquisition projects for defense agencies.
(Sec. 2402) Authorizes DOD to carry out specified energy conservation projects.
(Sec. 2403) Authorizes appropriations for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of defense agencies at the levels identified in section 4601.
(Sec. 2404) Modifies the authorization for construction of the High Performance Computing Center at Fort Meade, Maryland.
(Sec. 2405) Extends the authorizations of specified FY2012 projects.
(Sec. 2406) Extends the authorizations of specified FY2013 projects.
(Sec. 2407) Modifies the authorization for construction of an Ambulatory Care Center for Fort Knox, Kentucky.
TITLE XXV--NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION SECURITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM
(Sec. 2501) Authorizes DOD to make specified contributions to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security equal to the sum of amount authorized in section 2502 and the amount collected from NATO for construction previously financed by the United States.
(Sec. 2502) Authorizes appropriations for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program at the levels identified in section 4601.
TITLE XXVI--GUARD AND RESERVE FORCES FACILITIES
Subtitle A--Project Authorizations and Authorization of Appropriations
(Sec. 2601) Authorizes specified construction and land acquisition projects for the Army National Guard.
(Sec. 2602) Authorizes specified construction and land acquisition projects for the Army Reserve.
(Sec. 2603) Authorizes specified construction and land acquisition projects for the Navy Reserve and Marine Corps Reserve.
(Sec. 2604) Authorizes specified construction and land acquisition projects for the Air National Guard.
(Sec. 2605) Authorizes specified construction and land acquisition projects for the Air Force Reserve.
(Sec. 2606) Authorize appropriations for the National Guard and Reserve military construction at the levels identified in section 4601.
Subtitle B--Others Matters
(Sec. 2611) Authorizes the Army to modify the scope of the authorization for construction of the Army Reserve Center for Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.
(Sec. 2612) Modifies the authorizations for construction of: (1) a Guardian Angel Operations facility at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona; and (2) a consolidated Secure Compartmented Information Facility at Fort Smith Municipal Airport, Arkansas to provide for increased costs associated with these projects.
(Sec. 2613) Extends the authorizations of specified FY2012 projects.
(Sec. 2614) Extends the authorizations of specified FY2013 projects.
TITLE XXVII--BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE ACTIVITIES
(Sec. 2701) Authorizes appropriations for ongoing Base Realignment and Closure activities at the levels identified in section 4601.
(Sec. 2702) States that nothing in this bill authorizes an additional Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round.
TITLE XXVIII--MILITARY CONSTRUCTION GENERAL PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing Changes
(Sec. 2801) Authorizes DOD to accept cash contributions from partner countries for the purpose of the payment of costs in connection with mutually beneficial construction, maintenance, and repair projects.
(Sec. 2802) Authorizes a military service to increase the scope of a military construction project by up to 10% once the service secretary involved approves the increase and notifies Congress.
(Sec. 2803) Extends the authority to use Operation and Maintenance funds for certain construction projects outside of the United States.
(Sec. 2804) Requires DOD to report annually to Congress on in-kind construction and renovation payments received during the preceding fiscal year.
(Sec. 2805) Authorizes DOD to use Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation funds for construction projects at science and technology reinvention laboratories, subject to specified conditions.
(Sec. 2806) Permit service secretaries to convey excess relocatable military housing units to certain Indian tribes, at no cost, and without consideration.
Subtitle B--Real Property and Facilities Administration
(Sec. 2811) Permits the conveyance of additional utility systems to an entity already operating other utility systems on a joint base if it is in the best interest of the government using a business case analysis.
(Sec. 2812) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to lease non-excess property for consideration that is below fair market value if the lease is to a local education agency or an elementary or secondary school.
(Sec. 2813) Requires congressional notification of facility repair projects that are expected to cost more than 75% of the estimated cost of a military construction project to replace the facility or the facility is located at an overseas location that has not been designated a main operating base or forward operating site.
(Sec. 2814) Increases the cost threshold for the congressional notice and wait requirement for unspecified minor military construction and repair of facilities for the reserve components.
(Sec. 2815) Expresses the sense of Congress regarding coordination with state fish and wildlife managers, tribes, and local governments regarding hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities on military lands.
(Sec. 2816) Exempts certain excess, unutilized, or underutilized non-mobile Army property from property disposal requirements of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act if: (1) the property is not feasible to relocate, (2) the property is located in an area to which the general public is denied access in the interest of national security, and (3) the exemption would facilitate the efficient disposal of excess property or result in more efficient real property management.
Subtitle C--Land Conveyances
(Sec. 2821) Amends the terms of a conveyance of real property in Jefferson County, Arkansas to the Economic Development Alliance of Jefferson County, Arkansas to allow the conveyance for other than the required conditions if the Economic Development Alliance pays fair market value for the property and the costs associated with conveyance.
(Sec. 2822) Authorizes the Navy to convey to Escambia County, Florida a parcel of real property containing Navy Outlying Landing Field Site 8 in Escambia County associated with Naval Air Station, Whiting Field, Milton, Florida. Requires the County, in exchange for the property, to convey to the Navy land and improvements in Santa Rosa County, Florida, that is acceptable to the Navy and suitable for use as a Navy outlying landing field to replace Navy Outlying Landing Field Site 8.
DIVISION C--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL SECURITY AUTHORIZATIONS AND OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS
TITLE XXXI--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMS
Subtitle A--National Security Programs Authorizations
(Sec. 3101) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) at the levels identified in section 4701 of division D of this bill. Authorizes a new plant project for the NNSA at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico.
(Sec. 3102) Authorizes appropriations to DOE for Defense Environmental Cleanup activities at the levels identified in section 4701 of this bill.
(Sec. 3103) Authorizes to DOE for Other Defense Activities in carrying out programs as specified in section 4701 of this bill.
Subtitle B--Program Authorizations, Restrictions, and Limitations
(Sec. 3111) Amends the Atomic Energy Defense Act to require the NNSA to establish and carry out a program to exercise the technical capabilities of the NNSA with respect to design and production of nuclear weapons to ensure that NNSA is ready to respond to future uncertainties not addressed by existing life extension programs.
(Sec. 3112) Requires DOE to submit with the President's budget in even-numbered years a plan for meeting the national security requirements for unencumbered uranium through 2026. (Unencumbered, with respect to uranium, means that the United States has no obligation to foreign governments to use the uranium for only peaceful purposes.)
(Sec. 3113) Requires the NNSA to submit to Congress a management plan for defense nuclear nonproliferation programs.
(Sec. 3114) Requires DOE to develop a plan to provide guidance for activities related to the deactivation and decommissioning of nonoperational defense nuclear facilities.
(Sec. 3115) Requires DOE to arrange to have an owner's agent assist in carrying out oversight responsibilities associated with a specified contract between the DOE Office of River Protection and Bechtel National, Inc. relating to the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plan.
(Sec. 3116) Requires DOE to include an assessment of the emergency preparedness of the facility in each award-fee evaluation conducted of a management and operating contract for a DOE nuclear facility in 2016, or any even-numbered year thereafter.
(Sec. 3117) Revises the percentage of funds provided to DOE laboratories for national security activities that may be used for laboratory-directed research and development.
(Sec. 3118) Authorizes the NNSA to withhold bonus payments to employees who engage in improper program management.
(Sec. 3119) Modifies the authorized personnel levels for the Office of the Administration for Nuclear Security to permit up to 100 exempt employees to be hired under section 3241 of the National Nuclear Security Administration Act.
(Sec. 3120) Extends the GAO's annual reporting deadline for reviewing the budget of the NNSA weapons program.
(Sec. 3121) Eliminates phase three of a required GAO review of certain projects carried out by the DOE Office of Environmental Management pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
(Sec. 3122) Modifies requirements for reports on competition for management and operating contracts at NNSA facilities and changes the timing of GAO's review to assess whether estimated cost savings and other benefits are actually occurring as planned.
(Sec. 3123) Requires the NNSA to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Public Administration to review the implementation of recommendations of the Congressional Advisory Panel on the Governance of the Nuclear Security Enterprise.
TITLE XXXII--DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD
(Sec. 3201) Authorizes appropriations for the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.
TITLE XXXV--MARITIME ADMINISTRATION
(Sec. 3501) Amends the requirements for U.S. Merchant Marine Academy cadet commitment agreements to modify licensing and service requirements.
(Sec. 3502) Modifies requirements for U.S. Merchant Marine Academy student incentive payment agreements related to licensing, the service commitment, and the circumstances under which an individual may be ordered to active duty. Permits payments to individuals to be modified if the total amount of payments to an individual does not exceed $32,000.
(Sec. 3503) Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reflect the transfer of the Maritime Administration from the Department of Commerce to the Department of Transportation.
(Sec. 3504) Modifies the definition of "short sea transportation" to include carriage by a documented vessel of cargo that is: (1) shipped in discrete units or packages that are handled individually, palletized, or unitized for purposes of transportation; or (2) freight vehicles carried aboard commuter ferry boats.
(Sec. 3505) Authorizes specified appropriations for the national security aspects of the U.S. Merchant Marine for FY2016 and FY2017.
DIVISION D--FUNDING TABLES
(Sec. 4001) Provides for the allocation of funds among programs, projects, and activities in accordance with the tables in division D of this bill, subject to reprogramming requirements.
Requires decisions by an agency to commit, obligate, or expend funds to a specific entity on the basis of the funding tables to be based on merit-based selection procedures that comply with applicable laws.
(Sec. 4002) Provides that undistributed reductions in funding for operation and maintenance due to bulk fuel purchases and foreign currency fluctuations may be applied to all operation and maintenance funding.
TITLE XLI--PROCUREMENT
(Sec. 4101) Sets forth amounts requested and authorized for Procurement.
(Sec. 4102) Sets forth amounts requested and authorized for Procurement for Overseas Contingency Operations.
TITLE XLII--RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATI
(Sec. 4201) Sets forth amounts requested and authorized for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation.
(Sec. 4202) Sets forth amounts requested and authorized for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation for Overseas Contingency Operations.
TITLE XLIII--OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
(Sec. 4301) Sets forth amounts requested and authorized for Operation and Maintenance.
(Sec. 4302) Sets forth amounts requested and authorized for Operation and Maintenance for Overseas Contingency Operations.
TITLE XLIV--MILITARY PERSONNEL
(Sec. 4401) Sets forth amounts requested and authorized for Military Personnel.
(Sec. 4402) Sets forth amounts requested and authorized for Military Personnel for Overseas Contingency Operations.
TITLE XLV--OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS
(Sec. 4501) Sets forth amounts requested and authorized for other specified authorizations, including: the Working Capital Fund, the National Defense Sealift Fund, Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction, Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities, the Office of the Inspector General, and the Defense Health Program.
(Sec. 4502) Sets forth amounts requested and authorized for the Working Capital Fund, Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities, the Office of the Inspector General, and the Defense Health Program, the Counterterrorism Partnership
