H.R. 4909 — what changed

added Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the cost of the B–21 aircraft. The report shall include an estimate of the total cost of research, production, and maintenance for the aircraft expressed in constant base-year dollars and in current dollars.

added None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for the Air Force may be obligated or expended to retire, prepare to retire, or place in storage or on backup aircraft inventory status any U–2 aircraft.

added “4781. Natural gas: production, treatment, management, and use at Fort Knox, Kentucky

added “(a) Authority

added “(1) The Secretary of the Army may provide for the production, treatment, management, and use of natural gas located under Fort Knox, Kentucky, without regard to section 3 of the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands (30 U.S.C. 352).

added “(2) The Secretary is authorized to enter into a contract with an appropriate entity to carry out paragraph (1).

added “(b) Limitation on uses—Any natural gas produced under subsection (a) may be used only to support activities and operations at Fort Knox and may not be sold for use elsewhere.

added “(c) Ownership of facilities—The Secretary of the Army may take ownership of any gas production and treatment equipment and facilities and associated infrastructure from an entity with which the Secretary has entered into a contract under subsection (a) in accordance with the terms of the contract.

added “(d) Applicability—The authority of the Secretary of the Army under this section is effective as of August 2, 2007.”

added In carrying out the disposal of munitions in the stockpile of conventional ammunition awaiting demilitarization and disposal (commonly referred to as munitions in the “B5A account”) the Secretary of the Army shall consider using cost-competitive technologies that minimize waste generation and air emissions as alternatives to disposal by open burning, open detonation, direct contact combustion, and incineration.

added It is the Sense of Congress that the Department of Defense should work with State and local health officials to prevent human exposure to perfluorinated chemicals.

added Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on the travel expenses of members of reserve components associated with performing active duty service, active service, full-time National Guard duty, active Guard and Reserve duty, and inactive-duty training, as such terms are defined in section 101(d) of title 10, United States Code. Such report shall include the average annual cost for all travel expenses for a member of a reserve component.

added Consistent with section 2492a of title 10, United States Code, the Secretary of Defense is encouraged to enter into contracts with third-party vendors in order to provide members of the Armed Forces who are deployed overseas at any United States military facility, at which wireless high-speed Internet and network connections are otherwise available, with access to such Internet and network connections without charge.

added Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall implement a formal process to provide Government agencies outside the Department of Defense with information on the availability of surplus, serviceable ammunition for the purpose of reducing the overall storage and disposal costs related to such ammunition.

added The Secretary of Defense shall establish an electronic means by which members of the Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces can track their operational active-duty service performed after January 28, 2008, under section 12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(g), 12302, or 12304 of title 10, United States Code. The tour calculator shall specify early retirement credit authorized for each qualifying tour of active duty, as well as cumulative early reserve retirement credit authorized to date under section 12731(f) of such title.

added Section 1142(b)(11) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting before the period the following: “and information concerning the availability of treatment options and resources to address substance abuse, including alcohol, prescription drug, and opioid abuse”.

added Section 1144(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

added “(10) Provide information regarding the deduction of disability compensation paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs pursuant to section 1175a(h) of this title by reason of voluntary separation pay received by the member.”

added “(e) Congressional notification in advance of appointments—When a nominee of a Senator, Representative, or Delegate is selected for appointment as a cadet, the Senator, Representative, or Delegate shall be notified at least 48 hours before the official notification or announcement of the appointment is made”

added Notwithstanding section 5(d) of the Every Student Succeeds Act (Public Law 114–95; 129 Stat. 1806), the amendment made by section 7004(1) of such Act (Public Law 114–95; 129 Stat. 2077)—

added Section 3330d(c) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

added “(3) No time limitation on appointment—A relocating spouse of a member of the Armed Forces remains eligible for noncompetitive appointment under this section for the duration of the spouse’s relocation to the permanent duty station of the member.”

added “(6) payments regarding reimbursements of any kind (including insurance settlement payments) for medical expenses resulting from any accident, theft, loss, or casualty loss (as defined by the Secretary), but the amount excluded under this clause shall not exceed the costs of medical care provided to the victim of the accident, theft, loss, or casualty loss.”

added It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of each military department and the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating should—

added Section 1967(f)(4) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking the second sentence.

added Section 10219(g) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking “October 1, 2017” and inserting “October 1, 2018”.

added The Office of Health of the Department of Defense shall work in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health to—

added Section 808 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (Public Law 112–81; 125 Stat. 1489), as most recently amended by section 813 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113–291; 128 Stat. 3429) is further amended—

added Section 801(e) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113–66; 127 Stat. 804; 10 U.S.C. 2514 note) is amended by striking “2017” and inserting “2021”.

added Not later than February 1, 2017, the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a briefing on the use and implementation of the two-phase design-build selection procedures. The briefing shall address the following:

added No Department of Defense function that is performed by Department of Defense civilian employees and is tied to a certain military base may be converted to performance by a contractor until the Secretary of Defense conducts an assessment to determine if the Department of Defense has carried out sufficient outreach programs to assist small business concerns owned and controlled by women (as such term is defined in section 8(d)(3)(D) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(3)(D))) and small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (as such term is defined in section 8(d)(3)(C) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(3)(C))) that are located in the geographic area near the military base.

added The Comptroller General of the United States shall include in the annual report to Congress on the Government Accountability Office each year a list of the most common grounds for sustaining protests relating to bids for contracts during such year.

added Section 901(a)(1) of the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” Mckeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113–291; 128 Stat. 3462; 10 U.S.C. 132a note) is amended by striking “February 1, 2017” and inserting “February 1, 2018”.

added “(7) the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.”

added “(d)

added “(1)

added “(A) Except as provided by subparagraph (B), the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs shall be appointed by the President.

added “(B) If the staff of the Council exceeds 100 covered employees at any point during a term of the President, and for the duration of such term (without regard to any changes to the number of such covered employees), the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

added “(2)

added “(A) Beginning on the date on which the staff of the Council exceeds 100 covered employees, the person appointed as the Assistant under paragraph (1)(A), the person nominated by the President to be appointed the Assistant under paragraph (1)(B), or any other person designated by the President to serve as the Assistant in an acting capacity, may serve in an acting capacity for no longer than 210 days.

added “(B) If the person nominated by the President to be appointed the Assistant under paragraph (1)(B) is rejected by the Senate, withdrawn, or returned to the President by the Senate, the President shall nominate another person and the person serving as the acting Assistant may continue to serve—

added “(i) until the second nomination is confirmed; or

added “(ii) for no more than 210 days after the second nomination is rejected, withdrawn, or returned.

added “(3) The President shall notify Congress in writing not more than seven days after the date on which the staff of the Council exceeds 100 covered employees.

added “(4) In this subsection, the term “covered employees” means each of the following officers and employees (counted without regard to full-time equivalent basis):

added “(A) Officers and employees occupying a position funded by the Executive Office of the President performing a function of the Council.

added “(B) Officers, employees, and members of the Armed Forces from any department, agency, or independent establishment of the executive branch of the Government that are on detail to the Council performing a function of the Council.”

added Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report ranking all military departments and Defense Agencies in order of how advanced they are in achieving auditable financial statements as required by law. The report should not include information otherwise available in other reports to Congress.

added The Secretary of Defense shall coordinate unmanned aerial systems training missions along the southern border of the United States in order to support the Department of Homeland Security’s counter-narcotic trafficking efforts.

added The Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on the effectiveness of the United States Southern Command Operation to limit threats to the national security of the United States by detecting and monitoring drug trafficking, specifically heroin and fentanyl.

added Section 2576a of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

added “(g) Preference for border security purposes

added “(1) In transferring the personal property described in paragraph (2) under this section, the Secretary of Defense may give first preference to the Department of Homeland Security and then to Federal and State agencies that agree to use the property primarily for the purpose of strengthening border security along the southern border of the United States.

added “(2) The personal property described in this section is—

added “(A) unmanned aerial vehicles;

added “(B) the Aerostat radar system;

added “(C) night-vision goggles; and

added “(D) high mobility multi-purpose wheel vehicles (commonly known as “humvees”).”

added Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on the impact of changes to existing carrier air wing force structure and the impact a potential reduction to 9 carrier air wings would have on overall fleet readiness if aircraft and personnel were to be distributed throughout the remaining 9 air wings.

added Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a briefing on the adjustment and diversification assistance authorized by subsections (b) and (c) of section 2391 of title 10, United States Code. Such briefing shall include each of the following:

added Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on the efforts of the Department of Defense to protect the personally identifiable information of members of the Armed Forces and their families, and of employees of the Department of Defense, which shall include—

added Section 1034(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114–92; 129 Stat. 969; 10 U.S.C. 801 note) is amended—

added “(5) the United States Government and the government of the foreign country have entered into a written memorandum of understanding regarding the transfer of the individual and such memorandum of understanding has previously been transmitted to the appropriate committees of Congress.”

added “(d) There is established a Maritime Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Committee, which shall be a continuing body and shall provide advice to the Secretary in formulating maritime industry standards and regarding matters pertaining to the administration of this Act related to the maritime industry. The composition of this advisory committee shall be consistent with the advisory committees established under subsection (b), provided that a member of this committee who is otherwise qualified may continue to serve until a successor is appointed. The Secretary may promulgate or amend regulations as necessary to implement this subsection.”

added It is the sense of the Congress that—

added The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service and the Director of the Bureau of Economic Analysis, shall post on the public Web site of the Department of Defense the costs, including the relevant legacy costs, to each American taxpayer of each of the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.

added “(b) Numerical limitations for nonimmigrant workers—An alien, if otherwise qualified, may seek admission to Guam or to the Commonwealth during the transition program as a nonimmigrant worker under section 101(a)(15)(H) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)) without counting against the numerical limitations set forth in section 214(g) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(g)). An alien, if otherwise qualified, may, before October 1, 2028, be admitted under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) of such Act for a period of up to 3 years (which may be extended by the Secretary of Homeland Security before October 1, 2028, for an additional period or periods not to exceed 3 years each) to perform services or labor on Guam pursuant to any agreement entered into by a prime contractor or subcontractor calling for services or labor required for performance of the contract or subcontract in direct support of all military-funded construction, repairs, renovation, and facilities services, or to perform services or labor on Guam as a health-care worker, notwithstanding the requirement of such section that the service or labor be temporary. This subsection does not apply to any employment to be performed outside of Guam or the Commonwealth.”

added Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall review and update Department of Defense regulations to ensure such regulations comply with Federal consumer protection law with respect to the collection of debt.

added “40728B. Recovery of excess rifles, ammunition, and parts granted to foreign countries and transfer to certain persons

added “(a) Authority to recover

added “(1) Subject to paragraph (2) and subsection (b), the Secretary of the Army may acquire from any person any rifle, ammunition, repair parts, or other supplies described in section 40731(a) of this title which were—

added “(A) provided to any country on a grant basis under the conditions imposed by section 505 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2314) that became excess to the needs of such country; and

added “(B) lawfully acquired by such person.

added “(2) The Secretary of the Army may not acquire anything under paragraph (1) except for transfer to a person in the United States under subsection (c).

added “(3) The Secretary of the Army may accept rifles, ammunition, repair parts, or other supplies under paragraph (1) notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31.

added “(b) Cost of recovery—The Secretary of the Army may not acquire anything under subsection (a) if the United States would incur any cost for such acquisition.

added “(c) Availability for transfer—Any rifles, ammunition, repair parts, or supplies acquired under subsection (a) shall be available for transfer in the United States to the person from whom acquired if such person—

added “(1) is licensed as a manufacturer, importer, or dealer pursuant to section 923(a) of title 18; and

added “(2) uses an ammunition depot of the Army that is an eligible facility for receipt of any rifles, ammunition, repair parts, or supplies under this paragraph.

added “(d) Contracts—Notwithstanding subsection (k) of section 2304 of title 10, the Secretary may enter into such contracts or cooperative agreements on a sole source basis pursuant to paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (c) of such section to carry out this section.

added “(e) AECA—Transfers authorized under this section may only be made in accordance with applicable provisions of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2778).

added “(f) rifle defined—In this section, the term “rifle” has the meaning given such term in section 921 of title 18.”

added “(d) Sales by other persons—A person who receives a rifle or any ammunition, repair parts, or supplies under section 40728B(c) of this title may sell, at fair market value, such rifle, ammunition, repair parts, or supplies. With respect to rifles other than caliber .22 rimfire and caliber .30 rifles, the seller shall obtain a license as a dealer in rifles and abide by all requirements imposed on persons licensed under chapter 44 of title 18, including maintaining acquisition and disposition records, and conducting background checks.”

added “(c) Program and project management

added “(1) Requirement—Subject to the direction and approval of the Director, the Deputy Director for Management or a designee shall—

added “(A) adopt governmentwide standards, policies, and guidelines for program and project management for executive agencies;

added “(B) oversee implementation of program and project management for the standards, policies, and guidelines established under subparagraph (A);

added “(C) chair the Program Management Policy Council established under section 1126(b);

added “(D) establish standards and policies for executive agencies, consistent with widely accepted standards for program and project management planning and delivery;

added “(E) engage with the private sector to identify best practices in program and project management that would improve Federal program and project management;

added “(F) conduct portfolio reviews to address programs identified as high risk by the Government Accountability Office;

added “(G) not less than annually, conduct portfolio reviews of agency programs in coordination with Project Management Improvement Officers designated under section 1126(a)(1) to assess the quality and effectiveness of program management; and

added “(H) establish a 5-year strategic plan for program and project management.

added “(2) Application to Department of Defense—Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the Department of Defense to the extent that the provisions of that paragraph are substantially similar to or duplicative of—

added “(A) the provisions of chapter 87 of title 10; or

added “(B) policy, guidance, or instruction of the Department related to program management.”

added “1126. Program Management Improvement Officers and Program Management Policy Council

added “(a) Program Management Improvement Officers

added “(1) Designation—The head of each agency described in section 901(b) shall designate a senior executive of the agency as the Program Management Improvement Officer of the agency.

added “(2) Functions—The Program Management Improvement Officer of an agency designated under paragraph (1) shall—

added “(A) implement program management policies established by the agency under section 503(c); and

added “(B) develop a strategy for enhancing the role of program managers within the agency that includes the following:

added “(i) Enhanced training and educational opportunities for program managers that shall include—

added “(I) training in the relevant competencies encompassed with program and project manager within the private sector for program managers; and

added “(II) training that emphasizes cost containment for large projects and programs.

added “(ii) Mentoring of current and future program managers by experienced senior executives and program managers within the agency.

added “(iii) Improved career paths and career opportunities for program managers.

added “(iv) A plan to encourage the recruitment and retention of highly qualified individuals to serve as program managers.

added “(v) Improved means of collecting and disseminating best practices and lessons learned to enhance program management across the agency.

added “(vi) Common templates and tools to support improved data gathering and analysis for program management and oversight purposes.

added “(3) Application to Department of Defense—This subsection shall not apply to the Department of Defense to the extent that the provisions of this subsection are substantially similar to or duplicative of the provisions of chapter 87 of title 10. For purposes of paragraph (1), the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (or a designee of the Under Secretary) shall be considered the Program Management Improvement Officer.

added “(b) Program Management Policy Council

added “(1) Establishment—There is established in the Office of Management and Budget a council to be known as the “Program Management Policy Council” (in this subsection referred to as the “Council”).

added “(2) Purpose and Functions—The Council shall act as the principal interagency forum for improving agency practices related to program and project management. The Council shall—

added “(A) advise and assist the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget;

added “(B) review programs identified as high risk by the General Accountability Office and make recommendations for actions to be taken by the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget or a designee;

added “(C) discuss topics of importance to the workforce, including—

added “(i) career development and workforce development needs;

added “(ii) policy to support continuous improvement in program and project management; and

added “(iii) major challenges across agencies in managing programs;

added “(D) advise on the development and applicability of standards governmentwide for program management transparency; and

added “(E) review the information published on the website of the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to section 1122.

added “(3) Membership

added “(A) Composition—The Council shall be composed of the following members:

added “(i) Five members from the Office of Management and Budget as follows:

added “(I) The Deputy Director for Management.

added “(II) The Administrator of the Office of Electronic Government.

added “(III) The Administrator of Federal Procurement Policy.

added “(IV) The Controller of the Office of Federal Financial Management.

added “(V) The Director of the Office of Performance and Personnel Management.

added “(ii) The Program Management Improvement Officer from each agency described in section 901(b).

added “(iii) Other individuals as determined appropriate by the Chairperson.

added “(B) Chairperson and Vice Chairperson

added “(i) In General—The Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget shall be the Chairperson of the Council. A Vice Chairperson shall be elected by the members and shall serve a term of not more than 1 year.

added “(ii) Duties—The Chairperson shall preside at the meetings of the Council, determine the agenda of the Council, direct the work of the Council, and establish and direct subgroups of the Council as appropriate.

added “(4) Meetings—The Council shall meet not less than twice per fiscal year and may meet at the call of the Chairperson or a majority of the members of the Council.

added “(5) Support—The head of each agency with a Project Management Improvement Officer serving on the Council shall provide administrative support to the Council, as appropriate, at the request of the Chairperson.

added “(6) Committee duration—Section 14(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Council.”

added This subtitle may be cited as the “United States Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Preservation Act”.

added Congress makes the following findings:

added No action may be taken to modify, abrogate, or replace the stipulations, agreements, and commitments contained in the Guantanamo Lease Agreements, or to impair or abandon the jurisdiction and control of the United States over United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, unless specifically authorized or otherwise provided by—

added In this subtitle, the term Guantanamo Lease Agreements means—

added “1599g. Public-private talent exchange

added “(a) Assignment authority—Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary may, with the agreement of a private-sector organization and the consent of the employee, arrange for the temporary assignment of an employee to such private-sector organization, or from such private-sector organization to a Department of Defense organization under this section.

added “(b) Agreements

added “(1) The Secretary of Defense shall provide for a written agreement among the Department of Defense, the private-sector organization, and the employee concerned regarding the terms and conditions of the employee’s assignment under this section. The agreement—

added “(A) shall require that the employee of the Department of Defense, upon completion of the assignment, will serve in the Department of Defense, or elsewhere in the civil service if approved by the Secretary, for a period equal to the length of the assignment; and

added “(B) shall provide that if the employee of the Department of Defense or of the private-sector organization (as the case may be) fails to carry out the agreement, such employee shall be liable to the United States for payment of all expenses of the assignment, unless that failure was for good and sufficient reason, as determined by the Secretary of Defense.

added “(2) An amount for which an employee is liable under paragraph (1) shall be treated as a debt due the United States.

added “(3) The Secretary may waive, in whole or in part, collection of a debt described in paragraph (2) based on a determination that the collection would be against equity and good conscience and not in the best interests of the United States, after taking into account any indication of fraud, misrepresentation, fault, or lack of good faith on the part of the employee.

added “(c) Termination—An assignment under this section may, at any time and for any reason, be terminated by the Department of Defense or the private-sector organization concerned.

added “(d) Duration—An assignment under this section shall be for a period of not less than 3 months and not more than one year, renewable up to a total of 4 years. No employee of the Department of Defense may be assigned under this section for more than a total of 4 years inclusive of all such assignments.

added “(e) Status of Federal Employees Assigned to Private-Sector Organizations—An employee of the Department of Defense who is assigned to a private-sector organization under this section shall be considered, during the period of assignment, to be on detail to a regular work assignment in the Department for all purposes. The written agreement established under subsection (b)(1) shall address the specific terms and conditions related to the employee’s continued status as a Federal employee.

added “(f) Terms and conditions for private-sector employees—An employee of a private-sector organization who is assigned to a Department of Defense organization under this section—

added “(1) shall continue to receive pay and benefits from the private-sector organization from which such employee is assigned and shall not receive pay or benefits from the Department of Defense, except as provided in paragraph (2);

added “(2) is deemed to be an employee of the Department of Defense for the purposes of—

added “(A) chapters 73 and 81 of title 5;

added “(B) sections 201, 203, 205, 207, 208, 209, 603, 606, 607, 643, 654, 1905, and 1913 of title 18;

added “(C) sections 1343, 1344, and 1349(b) of title 31;

added “(D) the Federal Tort Claims Act and any other Federal tort liability statute;

added “(E) the Ethics in Government Act of 1978; and

added “(F) chapter 21 of title 41;

added “(3) shall not have access to any trade secrets or to any other nonpublic information which is of commercial value to the private-sector organization from which such employee is assigned.

added “(g) Prohibition against charging certain costs to the Federal Government—A private-sector organization may not charge the Department of any other agency of the Federal Government, as direct or indirect costs under a Federal contract, the costs of pay or benefits paid by the organization to an employee assigned to a Department organization under this section for the period of the assignment.

added “(h) Considerations—In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Defense—

added “(1) shall ensure that, of the assignments made under this section each year, at least 20 percent are from small business concerns (as defined by section 3703(e)(2)(A) of title 5);

added “(2) shall take into consideration the question of how assignments under this section might best be used to help meet the needs of the Department of Defense with respect to the training of employees; and

added “(3) shall take into consideration, where applicable, areas of particular private sector expertise, such as cybersecurity.”

added It is the sense of Congress that—

added Subsection (b) of section 1225 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113–291; 128 Stat. 3550), as amended by section 1213 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114–92; 129 Stat. 1045), is further amended by adding at the end the following:

added “(8) Afghan Personnel and Pay System—A description of the status of the implementation of the Afghan Personnel and Pay System (APPS) at the Afghan Ministry of Interior and the Afghan Ministry of Defense for personnel funds provided through the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund, including a description of the following:

added “(A) The expected completion date of installation and full implementation and utilization of the APPS.

added “(B) If installation of the APPS is complete at one, or both, ministries, the extent to which the APPS is being utilized to distribute personnel funds to the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police.

added “(C) If installation of the APPS is not complete at one, or both, ministries, or full implementation and utilization of the APPS has not been achieved at one, or both, ministries, an explanation of any delays, any expected obstacles, and any additional support that may be needed for installation or full implementation and utilization.

added “(D) Any examples of intentional delay or obstruction by members of the Government of Afghanistan, to include one, or both, ministries, or any sub-unit thereof, to installing or fully implementing or utilizing the APPS.

added “(E) If the APPS is fully implemented at one, or both, ministries, the identified cost savings to date, due to the elimination of waste, fraud, and abuse at the ministry compared to the previous payroll system. If the APPS is not fully implemented at one, or both, ministries, the expected cost savings due to the elimination of waste, fraud, and abuse at the ministry once the APPS is fully implemented.

added “(F) If the APPS is not fully implemented, what steps the United States and Afghanistan are taking to mitigate waste, fraud, and abuse in the disbursement of personnel funds provided through the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund.”

added Not later than December 31, 2017, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on the extent to which the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan has adequate access to financial records of the Government of Afghanistan to audit the use of funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2017 for assistance for Afghanistan.

added The President shall instruct the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations to use the voice and vote of the United States at the United Nations to seek the establishment of a United Nations processing center in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, to assist internationally-displaced communities.

added None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2017 may be obligated or expended to transfer or facilitate the transfer of man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) to any entity in Syria.

added Section 36 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2776) is amended by adding at the end the following:

added “(j) At the end of each fiscal year, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services and Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committees on Armed Services and Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a report that lists each request received from Taiwan and each letter of offer to sell any defense articles or services under this Act to Taiwan during such fiscal year. The report shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.”

added The Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on violence and cartel activity in Mexico and the impact of such on United States national security.

added The United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.; Public Law 103–236) is amended—

added “304. Establishment of the Chief Executive Officer of the Broadcasting Board of Governors

added “(a) Continued existence within executive branch—The Broadcasting Board of Governors shall continue to exist within the Executive branch of Government as an entity described in section 104 of title 5, United States Code.

added “(b) Chief Executive Officer

added “(1) In general—The head of the Broadcasting Board of Governors shall be a Chief Executive Officer, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The President shall nominate the Chief Executive Officer not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this section. Until such time as a Chief Executive Officer is appointed and has qualified, the current or acting Chief Executive Officer appointed by the Board may continue to serve and exercise the authorities and powers under this Act.

added “(2) Term—The first Chief Executive Officer appointed pursuant to paragraph (1) shall serve for an initial term of three years.

added “(3) Compensation—A Chief Executive Officer appointed pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be compensated at the annual rate of basic pay for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code.

added “(c) Termination of Director of International Broadcasting Bureau—Immediately upon appointment of the Chief Executive Officer under subsection (b), the Director of the International Broadcasting Bureau shall be terminated, and all of the responsibilities, authorities, and immunities of the Director or the Board under this or any other Act or authority before the date of the enactment of this section shall be transferred to and assumed or overseen by the Chief Executive Officer, as head of the agency.

added “(d) Members of the Broadcasting Board of Governors—Members of the Broadcasting Board of Governors in office as of the date of the enactment of this section may serve the remainder of their terms of office in an advisory capacity, but such terms may not be extended beyond the date on which such terms are set to expire.

added “(e) Immunity from civil liability—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all limitations on liability that apply to the Chief Executive Officer shall also apply to members of the board of directors of RFE/RL, Inc., Radio Free Asia, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, or any organization that consolidates such entities when such members are acting in their official capacities.”

added “(20) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including section 308(a), to condition, if appropriate, any grant or cooperative agreement to RFE/RL, Inc., Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks on authority to determine membership of their respective boards, and the consolidation of such entities into a single grantee organization.

added “(21) To redirect funds within the scope of any grant or cooperative agreement, or between grantees, as necessary, and to condition grants or cooperative agreements, if appropriate, on similar amendments as authorized under section 308(a) to meet the purposes of this Act.

added “(22) To change the name of the Board pursuant to congressional notification 60 days prior to any such change.”

added The United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.; Public Law 103–236) is amended—

added “310. Broadcast entities reporting to Chief Executive Officer

added “(a) Grantee organizations—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the following provisions shall apply:

added “(1) Consolidation—The Chief Executive Officer, subject to the regular notification procedures of the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, who is authorized to incorporate a grantee, may condition annual grants to RFE/RL, Inc., Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks on the consolidation of such grantees into a single, consolidated private, non-profit corporation (in accordance with section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code), which may broadcast and provide news and information to audiences wherever the Agency may broadcast, for activities that the Chief Executive Officer determines are consistent with the purposes of this Act, including the terms and conditions of subsections (g)(5), (h), (i), and (j) of section 308, except that the Agency may select any name for such a consolidated grantee.

added “(2) Federal status—Nothing in this or any other Act, or any action taken pursuant to this or any other Act, may be construed to make such a consolidated grantee described in paragraph (1) or RFE/RL, Inc., Radio Free Asia, or the Middle East Broadcasting Networks or any other grantee or entity provided funding by the Agency a Federal agency or instrumentality. Employees or staff of such grantees or entities shall not be considered Federal employees. For purposes of this subsection and this Act, the term “grant” includes agreements under section 6305 of title 31, United States Code, and the term “grantee” includes recipients of such agreements.

added “(3) Leadership of grantee organizations—Officers of RFE/RL Inc., Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks or any organization that is established through the consolidation of such entities, or authorized under this Act, shall serve at the pleasure of the Chief Executive Officer of the Agency.

added “(b) Voice of America

added “(1) Status as a Federal entity—The Chief Executive Officer is authorized to establish an independent grantee organization, as a private nonprofit organization, to carry out all broadcasting and related programs currently performed by the Voice of America. The Chief Executive Officer may make and supervise grants or cooperative agreements to such grantee, including under terms and conditions and in any manner authorized under section 305(a). Such grantee shall not be considered a Federal agency or instrumentality and shall adhere to the same standards of professionalism and accountability required of all Board broadcasters and grantees. The Board is authorized to transfer any facilities or equipment to such grantee, and to utilize the provisions of subchapter VI of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code.

added “(2) Sense of Congress—It is the sense of the Congress that the Voice of America, operating as a nonprofit organization, should have the mission to—

added “(A) serve as a consistently reliable and authoritative source of news on the United States, its policies, its people, and the international developments that affect the United States;

added “(B) provide accurate, objective, and comprehensive information, with the understanding that these three values provide credibility among global news audiences;

added “(C) present the official policies of the United States, and related discussions and opinions about those policies, clearly and effectively; and

added “(D) represent the whole of the United States, and shall accordingly work to produce programming and content that presents a balanced and comprehensive projection of the diversity of thought and institutions of the United States.

added “311. Inspector General authorities

added “(a) In general—The Inspector General of the Department of State and the Foreign Service shall exercise the same authorities with respect to the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the International Broadcasting Bureau as the Inspector General exercises under the Inspector General Act of 1978 and section 209 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 with respect to the Department of State.

added “(b) Respect for journalistic integrity of broadcasters—The Inspector General shall respect the journalistic integrity of all the broadcasters covered by this title and may not evaluate the philosophical or political perspectives reflected in the content of broadcasts.”

added “1263. Southeast Asia Maritime Security Initiative”

added Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretaries of the military departments and the Secretary of State, shall submit to Congress a report that describes—

added It is the sense of Congress that continued United States leadership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is critical to the national security of the United States.

added It is the sense of Congress that United States foreign policy should support a denuclearized Korean peninsula.

added The Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, is authorized to enter into agreements with the governments of foreign countries to develop land-based water resources in support of and in preparation for contingency operations, including water selection, pumping, purification, storage, distribution, cooling, consumption, water reuse, water source intelligence, research and development, training, acquisition of water support equipment, and water support operations.

added Section 1252(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (22 U.S.C. 8808(a)) is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking “2016” and inserting “2019”.

added The Secretary of Defense shall implement the following criteria in requests for overseas contingency operations: