H.R. 8070 — what changed

added Section 9062 of title 10, United States Code, as amended by section 154(a)(3) of this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

added “(m) The Secretary of the Air Force shall continuously operate not fewer than three air logistics complexes. For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘air logistics complex’ means an air logistics complex operated by the Air Force as of January 1, 2024.”

added Section 152 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 137 Stat. 180; 50 U.S.C. 98e-2) is amended—

added “(e) Priority—In carrying out the activities described in this section, the Secretary may give priority to the procurement of strategic and critical materials that are derived from recycled and reused minerals and metals to the maximum extent practicable, and from terrestrial mines that do not cause harm to the natural or cultural resources of Tribal communities or sovereign nations or result in degraded ground or surface water.”

added “(1) The term “strategic and critical material” means a material determined to be a strategic or critical material under section 3(a) of the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act (50 U.S.C. 98b(a)).”

added “(4) The term “produced” means formed, assembled, manufactured, or systems integrated.”

added “(e) Disclosure requirements—Whenever issuing a statement, press release, request for proposals, bid solicitation, or other document describing a project or program that is funded in whole or in part with Federal funding, a person performing a research or development project under paragraph (1) or (5) of subsection (b) shall clearly state the following:

added “(1) The percentage of the total costs of the program or project financed with Federal funding.

added “(2) The dollar amount of Federal funds obligated for the project or program.

added “(3) The percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the project or program that will be financed from nongovernmental sources.”

added “(a) Authority—The Secretary of Defense”

added “(b) Technology transfer—Technology may”

added “(c) Disclosure requirements—Whenever issuing a statement, press release, request for proposals, bid solicitation, or other document describing a project or program that is funded in whole or in part with Federal funding, a person performing a research or development project pursuant to a cooperative research and development agreement entered into under subsection (a) shall clearly state the following:

added “(1) The percentage of the total costs of the program or project financed with Federal funding.

added “(2) The dollar amount of Federal funds obligated for the project or program.

added “(3) The percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the project or program that will be financed from nongovernmental sources.”

added Section 220 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232; 10 U.S.C. 2364 note) is amended—

added “(1) be coordinated across the Department of Defense enterprise to focus on small business innovators that are small, independent United States businesses, including—

added “(A) those participating in the Small Business Innovation Research program or the Small Business Technology Transfer program;

added “(B) those participating in the Pilot Program to Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies and the Rapid Defense Enterprise Research program; and

added “(C) nontraditional defense companies that are working with research, innovation, and advanced project entities;”

added “(E) the date of the initial award to the participant from the Department of Defense; and

added “(F) the dates of any additional awards made to the participant, including the dates of any contracts or other agreements entered into between the participant the Department of Defense; and”

added “(e) Updates required

added “(1) In general—Not less frequently than once each fiscal quarter, the head of the Defense Technical Information Center, in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, shall update the innovators information repository established under this section.

added “(2) Notice to Congress—Not later than 30 days after making an update to the innovators information repository under paragraph (1), the head of the Defense Technical Information Center shall submit to the congressional defense committees notice of such update together with instructions for electronically accessing the updated repository.”

added Section 256 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92; 133 Stat. 1290) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

added “(d) Artificial intelligence and machine learning education platforms

added “(1) In general—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025, each Secretary of a military department shall provide personnel in that Secretary’s department with distance education courses on—

added “(A) the foundational concepts of artificial intelligence and machine learning; and

added “(B) the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence and machine learning applications.

added “(2) Report—Not later than 270 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 progress of the Secretaries of the military departments in implementing paragraph (1).”

added Section 2713(c)(3) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking “two calendar years” and inserting “five calendar years”.

added The Director of the Defense Logistics Agency shall modify Defense Logistics Agency Instructions 5025.03 and 3110.01—

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 that contains—

added Section 2241(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

added “(8) Acquisition, development, modification, and sustainment of software.”

added Section 115a of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

added “(2) The justification and explanation required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:

added “(A) An assessment of the most important threats facing the United States, disaggregated by geographic combatant command.

added “(B) An explanation of how personnel end strength level requests address threats described in subparagraph (A).

added “(C) The rationale for recommended increases or decreases in active, reserve, and civilian personnel for each component of the Department of Defense.

added “(D) The rationale for recommended increases or decreases in active, reserve, and civilian personnel for each of the geographic combatant commands.

added “(E) The primary functions or missions of active, reserve, and civilian personnel in each geographic combatant command.

added “(F) An assessment of any areas in which decreases in active, reserve, or civilian personnel would not result in a decrease in readiness.

added “(G) The actual end strength number for each armed force for the prior fiscal year, compared to authorized end strength levels.

added “(H) The shortfall in recruiting by each armed force as a percentage, as the Secretary determines appropriate.

added “(I) The number of applicants who were found to be ineligible for service in the Department of Defense during the prior fiscal year as a result of current enlistment standards, disaggregated by armed force and reason for disqualification.”

added Section 14314 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

added “(2) For any general officer covered by paragraph (1) who is released from a joint duty assignment or other non-joint active-duty assignment, the Secretary concerned shall complete the transfer or discharge required by paragraph (1) not later than 60 days after the officer’s release.”

added The Secretary of Defense may not require an individual to wear a mask while on a military installation in the United States to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

added Every office of the Armed Forces and of the Department of Defense established to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion is eliminated and the employment of all personnel of each such office is terminated.

added Section 772 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

added “(k)

added “(1) A member awarded a decoration specified in paragraph (2) may wear the uniform prescribed by the Secretary concerned on the same basis as a retired officer under subsection (c) while such member attends a special event (including a wedding).

added “(2) The decorations specified in this paragraph are the following:

added “(A) The Purple Heart.

added “(B) The Medal of Honor.

added “(C) The Distinguished Service Cross.

added “(D) The Navy Cross.

added “(E) The Air Force Cross.

added “(F) The Coast Guard Cross.

added “(G) The Bronze Star.”

added “8528A. Military recruiter access to secondary school campuses

added “Each local educational agency receiving assistance under this Act shall provide military recruiters the same access to the campus of each secondary school served by the local educational agency for the purpose of recruiting students who are at least 17 years of age that is provided to any prospective employer, institution of higher education, or other recruiter.”

added The Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees an annual report on military recruitment practices in public secondary schools during calendar year 2024 and each subsequent calendar year. Each such report shall include, for the year covered by the report—

added Section 546(d) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 10 U.S.C. 520 note) is amended—

added “(4) The determination of the Secretary regarding the effectiveness of the preparatory course.

added “(5) Recommendations of the Secretary regarding—

added “(A) how to improve the preparatory course;

added “(B) whether to expand the preparatory course.”

added Chapter 102 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

added “2037. Training on prevention of sexual abuse

added “(a) Establishment—The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, shall establish training for students enrolled in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps regarding prevention of sexual abuse.

added “(b) Elements—The training established under this section shall—

added “(1) be age-appropriate;

added “(2) be evidence-based in polyvictimization research;

added “(3) be comprehensive, including elements regarding—

added “(A) grooming;

added “(B) bullying, including cyberbullying;

added “(C) appropriate relationships and interactions between such students and instructors;

added “(D) signs of inappropriate behavior between adults and adolescents; and

added “(E) digital abuse; and

added “(4) provide such students with the contact information of local resources through which a student may report alleged sexual abuse or receive treatment and support for such abuse.

added “(c) Provision—The Secretary shall ensure that each such student receives training established under this section—

added “(1) from an entity other than an administrator or instructor of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps; and

added “(2) once each year.

added “(d) Metrics—The Secretary shall establish and maintain metrics regarding the effectiveness of the training established under this section.

added “(e) Sexual abuse defined—In this section, the term “sexual abuse” means an offense covered by section 920, 920b, 920c, or 930 of this title (article 120, 120b, 120c, or 130 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice).”

added “(2)

added “(A) The Secretary of the military department concerned may pay expenses incident to the detail, under this subsection, of an officer or enlisted member for a period of training described in paragraph (1).

added “(B) Not more than 25 officers and enlisted members from each military department may, in any single fiscal year, begin a period of training described in paragraph (1) for which the Secretary of the military department concerned pays expenses under this paragraph.

added “(3) The Secretary of the military department concerned may detail an officer or enlisted member under paragraph (1) without paying expenses under paragraph (2).”

added “(i) in the case of a member for whose training the Secretary of the military department concerned pays expenses under subsection (a)(2), two years; or

added “(ii) in the case of a member described in subsection (a)(3), one year for each year or part thereof of legal training under subsection (a).”

added “(2) in the case of a member described in subsection (a)(3), either—

added “(A) have served on active duty for a period of not less than two years nor more than eight years and be an officer in the grade of O–3 or below as of the time the training is to begin; or

added “(B) have served on active duty for a period of not less than four years nor more than ten years and be an enlisted member in the grade of E–5, E–6, or E–7 as of the time the training is to begin;”

added “(q) Rule of construction for certain detail—A member of the armed forces may not be denied an allowance under this section solely on the basis that such member has been detailed for a period of training under section 2004 of title 10.”

added The Secretary of the Air Force shall require that training to qualify as a combat controller of the Air Force includes dive school.

added Part I of title 18, United States Code, is amended—

added Section 1142(d) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

added “(2) In the case of a member whom the Secretary concerned knows has a history of opioid use disorder, such Secretary concerned shall notify the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of such history within 60 days of the separation. retirement, or discharge of such member.”

added Section 570F of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92; 10 U.S.C. 1142 note) is amended—

added “(1) an email address; and”

added “(2) if the individual would like to opt-out of the transmittal of the individual’s information to and through a State veterans agency as described in subsection (a).”

added “(d) Opt-Out of information sharing—Information on an individual shall be transmitted to and through a State veterans agency as described in subsection (a) unless the individual indicates pursuant to subsection (c)(2) that the individual would like to opt out of such transmittal.”

added “(11) Information concerning mental health, including—

added “(A) the availability of mental health services furnished by the Secretary concerned, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or a non-profit entity;

added “(B) the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, anxiety disorders, depression, chronic pain, sleep disorders, suicidal ideation, or other mental health conditions associated with service in the armed forces;

added “(C) the risk of suicide, including signs, symptoms, and risk factors (including adverse childhood experiences, depression, bipolar disorder, homelessness, unemployment, and relationship strain);

added “(D) the availability of treatment options and resources to address substance abuse, including alcohol, prescription drug, and opioid abuse;

added “(E) the potential effects of the loss of community and support systems experienced by a member separating from the armed forces;

added “(F) isolation from family, friends, or society; and

added “(G) the potential stressors associated with separation from the armed forces.”

added “(G) assisting eligible veterans who elect to enroll in the system of patient enrollment under section 1705(a) of this title;

added “(H) educating veterans about mental health and counseling services available through the Veterans Health Administration;”

added Section 1142(c)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

added “(M) Child care requirements of the member (including whether a dependent of the member is enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program).

added “(N) The employment status of other adults in the household of the member.

added “(O) The location of the duty station of the member (including whether the member was separated from family while on duty).

added “(P) The effects of operating tempo and personnel tempo on the member and the household of the member.

added “(Q) Whether the member is an Indian or urban Indian, as those terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (Public Law 94–437; 25 U.S.C. 1603).”

added Section 1142 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

added “(2) The Secretary concerned shall provide to a member described in subsection (a) an electronic copy of the member's service medical record not later than 30 days before the member separates, retires, or is discharged.”

added “(f) Separation documents—The Secretary concerned shall provide to a member described in subsection (a) an electronic copy of the member’s separation documents (including a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214)) not later than 15 days after such member separates, retires, or is discharged.”

added The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that each elementary school operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity notifies the parents of any student enrolled in such school when the student does not score as grade-level proficient in reading or language arts at the end of the third grade based on the reading or language arts assessments administered under section 1111(b)(2)(B)(v)(I)(aa) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(B)(v)(I)(aa)) or another assessment administered to all third grade students by such school.

added By not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the process by which members of the Armed Forces with health care experience transition to civilian life and the number such members who join the Medical Reserve Corps.

added The Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity shall publish guidance prohibiting the use of TikTok for instructional purposes at schools operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity.

added Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report that includes—

added Not later than September 30, 2025, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report containing the results of a study on—

added “1135. Last Servicemember Standing medal

added “(a) Medal authorized—The Secretary concerned may issue a service medal, to be known as the “Last Servicemember Standing medal”, to persons eligible under subsection (c).

added “(b) Design—The Last Servicemember Standing medal shall be of an appropriate design approved by the Secretary of Defense, with ribbons, lapel pins, and other appurtenances.

added “(c) Eligible persons—Subject to subsection (d), a person eligible to be issued the Last Servicemember Standing medal is any member who—

added “(1) served on active duty;

added “(2) was deployed during war or overseas contingency operation;

added “(3) as a result of a combat instance during such war or overseas contingency, was the last surviving member of a unit;

added “(4) demonstrated extraordinary heroism in defense of the United States during such combat instance; and

added “(5) whose character is recommended for recognition by their commanding officer and at least two peers.

added “(d) One medal authorized—Not more than one Last Servicemember Standing medal may be issued to any person.

added “(e) Issuance to next-of-Kin—If a person described in subsection (c) is deceased, the Secretary concerned may provide for issuance of the Last Servicemember Standing medal to the next-of-kin of the person.

added “(f) Regulations—The issuance of a Last Servicemember Standing medal shall be subject to such regulations as the Secretaries concerned shall prescribe for purposes of this section. The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that any regulations prescribed under this subsection are uniform to the extent practicable.”

added The Secretary of the military department concerned may, upon the application of an individual who is a veteran who participated in Operation End Sweep, award that individual the Vietnam Service Medal.

added It is the sense of Congress that increasing geopolitical threats, combined with recruitment challenges experienced by the Armed Forces, are a threat to the national security interests of the United States, therefore, the Secretary of Defense should issue medical waivers to an individual seeking to serve in the Armed Forces who is precluded from serving solely because of a non-service-connected amputation.

added The Chief of the National Guard Bureau shall submit a report to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives containing the number of national guard members, aggregated by State, that received sexual assault and response prevention training in the preceding calendar year—

added The Secretary of Defense shall create a strategy to support the transition of military aviation mechanics to commercial aviation mechanics after active duty service.

added The Secretary of Defense shall study the feasibility of establishing a mentoring program for members of the Armed Forces who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs or founding start-up businesses after their active duty service.

added Not later than October 1, 2024, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report regarding the Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion (DACODAI). The report shall contain the following items:

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 assessing the use of chaplains and the Chaplain Corps during campaigning efforts in the Indo-Pacific, that also includes the following:

added Title 10, United States Code, is amended—

added Section 701(l)(1)(A) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking “two weeks” and inserting “12 weeks”.

added An travel or transportation allowance paid pursuant to the Joint Travel Regulations for the Uniformed Services may not require that such travel or transportation be in a zero-emission vehicle.

added It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense should raise the family separation allowance to the maximum allowable amount of $400 per month as authorized under section 427 of title 37, United States Code (as amended by section 626 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 137 Stat. 294)).

added Not later than September 30, 2025, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation of the Secretaries of the military departments, shall publish and post on the website of Military OneSource a guide regarding how a survivor of a deceased member of the Armed Forces may—

added Section 1052 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

added “(4) The term “guardianship” means a legal guardianship, as such term is defined in section 475 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 675).”

added “1067. MWR facilities: civilian employees

added “(a) Current employees—Subject to subsection (c) of this section and section 1066 of this title, a civilian employee of the Department of Defense or department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall be permitted to use MWR retail facilities on the same basis as members of the armed forces on active duty.

added “(b) Retired employees—Subject to subsection (c), a retired civilian employee of the Department of Defense or department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall be permitted to use MWR retail facilities on the same basis as members of the armed forces on active duty.

added “(c) Limitation—A civilian employee or retired civilian employee may not purchase tobacco or a military uniform at MWR retail facilities.

added “(d) MWR retail facilities defined—In this section, the term “MWR retail facilities” has the meaning given such term in section 1063 of this title.”

added Subchapter III of chapter 147 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

added “2497. Prohibition on sale of goods from companies engaged in an anti-Israel boycott

added “(a) Prohibition—The Secretary of Defense may not knowingly permit the sale, at a commissary store or military exchange, of any good, ware, article, or merchandise from any entity that has engaged in or engages in a boycott of the State of Israel.

added “(b) Definitions—In this section:

added “(1) The term “boycott action” means, with respect to a target entity, the refusal to deal with such entity, the termination of business activities with such entity, or the limitation of commercial relations with such entity.

added “(2) The term “boycott of the State of Israel” means a boycott action the target of which is—

added “(A) the State of Israel; and

added “(B)

added “(i) any company or individual doing business in or with the State of Israel; or

added “(ii) any company authorized by, licensed by, or organized under the laws of the State of Israel to do business.

added “(3) The term “company”—

added “(A) means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or similar entity; and

added “(B) includes any wholly-owned subsidiary, majority-owned subsidiary, parent company, or affiliate of an entity described in subparagraph (A).”

added Chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1076f the following new section (and conforming the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter accordingly):

added “1076g. TRICARE program: prohibition on coverage and furnishment of certain gender transition surgeries and related services

added “(a) Prohibition—The medical care to which individuals are entitled to under this chapter does not include the services described in subsection (b) and the Secretary of Defense may not furnish any such service.

added “(b) Services described—The services described in this subsection are the following:

added “(1) Gender transition surgeries furnished for the purpose of the gender alteration of an individual who identifies as transgender.

added “(2) Hormone treatments furnished for the purpose of the gender alteration of an individual who identifies as transgender.”

added “(c) Prohibition on payment or reimbursement of certain fees

added “(1) The Secretary of Defense may not pay for or reimburse any fees or expenses, including travel expenses, relating to a health-care professional gaining a license in a State if the purpose of gaining such license is to provide abortion services.

added “(2) In this subsection:

added “(A) The term health-care professional means a member of the armed forces, civilian employee of the Department of Defense, personal services contractor under section 1091 of this title, or other individual who provides health care at a military medical treatment facility.

added “(B) The term license has the meaning given that term in section 1094 of this title.”

added Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House Representatives a report on cost sharing paid by beneficiaries under the TRICARE program for outpatient visits for mental health or behavioral health care. Such report shall include the following:

added Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, and with respect to members of the Coast Guard, the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating in any case in which such Department is not operating as a service in the Navy, shall submit to Congress a report on the rate of maternal mortality among members of the Armed Forces and the dependents of such members.

added Not later than June 1, 2026, each Secretary of a military department shall—

added Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Director of the Defense Health Agency, in collaboration with military treatment facilities engaged in emergency and trauma care to civilian patients, shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes the following:

added “(2) Notwithstanding the responsibilities and authorities of the Defense Health Agency with respect to the administration of military medical treatment facilities as set forth in this section (including medical evaluations of members of the armed forces under the jurisdiction of the military department concerned), the Secretary of each military department shall maintain personnel authority over, and responsibility for, any member of the armed forces under the jurisdiction of the military department concerned while the member is being considered by a medical evaluation board or is otherwise subject to the integrated disability evaluation system. Such responsibility shall include the following:

added “(A) Responsibility for administering the morale and welfare of the member.

added “(B) Responsibility for determinations of fitness for duty of the member under chapter 61 of this title.

added “(3) Notwithstanding the responsibilities and authorities of the Defense Health Agency with respect to the administration of the integrated disability evaluation system, a commander shall, at all times, maintain absolute responsibility for, and authority over, a member of the armed forces referred to the integrated disability evaluation system. Such responsibility and authority include the following:

added “(A) The authority to pause any process of the integrated disability evaluation system regarding the member.

added “(B) The authority to withdraw the member from the integrated disability evaluation system if the commander determines that any policy, procedure, regulation, or other guidance has not been followed in the member’s case.

added “(4) Pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, a member referred to the integrated disability evaluation system may file an appeal of such referral with the Secretary of the military department concerned. Such an appeal—

added “(A) shall be in addition to any appeals process established as part of the integrated disability evaluation system;

added “(B) shall include a hearing before an officer who may convene a general court-martial and who is in the chain of command of the member; and

added “(C) shall be adjudicated not later than 90 days after such filing.”

added The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that each military installation under the jurisdiction of the Secretary has one or more prescription drop boxes to facilitate the safe disposal of unused prescription drugs, including opioids.

added “(2) If the Secretary fails to submit a report required under paragraph (1) prior to the deadline applicable under such paragraph, the amount otherwise authorized to be appropriated for the Office of the Secretary of Defense for the next fiscal year which begins after the deadline shall be reduced by 5 percent.”

added Not later than September 30, 2025, the Director of the Defense Health Agency shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report containing the results of a study to determine how to increase access of TRICARE beneficiaries to telehealth services of the Defense Health Agency.

added Section 706 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (10 U.S.C. 1090 note) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

added “(d) Annual report—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this subsection and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation and effectiveness of naloxone distribution to members of the Armed Forces pursuant to this section to reverse opioid overdoses.”

added “(3) Stainless steel flatware.”

added Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees an assessment of the impact of continued investment in Department of Defense sponsored manufacturing innovation institutes on the defense industrial base in the United States.

added Section 861 of William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (10 U.S.C. 4901 note; Public Law 116–283; 134 Stat. 3775) is amended—

added “(3) Annual report—Not later than October 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy shall submit to the congressional defense committees, the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate a report that includes the following for the year covered by the report:

added “(A) A description of activities undertaken pursuant to this section.

added “(B) An analysis of effect on the participation of small businesses in Department of Defense contracts as a result of implementation of the small business strategy required under section 4901 of title 10, United States Code.

added “(C) A description of efforts by the Secretary of Defense to increase participation of small businesses in Department of Defense contracts through the small business strategy.

added “(4) Small business strategy report—Beginning with the report due October 1, 2029, and every four years thereafter, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy shall submit to the congressional defense committees, the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate a report on overall efficacy of the small business strategy required under such section 4901, including trends and data analysis for the period covered by the report relating to implementation and outcomes of the strategy.”

added Section 32 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657b) is amended by adding at the end the following:

added “(h) Boots to Business Program

added “(1) Covered individual defined—In this subsection, the term covered individual means—

added “(A) a member of the Armed Forces, including the National Guard or Reserves;

added “(B) an individual who is participating in the Transition Assistance Program established under section 1144 of title 10, United States Code;

added “(C) an individual who—

added “(i) served on active duty in any branch of the Armed Forces, including the National Guard or Reserves; and

added “(ii) was discharged or released from such service under conditions other than dishonorable; and

added “(D) a spouse or dependent of an individual described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C).

added “(2) Establishment—During the period beginning on the date of enactment of this subsection and ending on September 30, 2028, the Administrator shall carry out a program to be known as the “Boots to Business Program” to provide entrepreneurship training to covered individuals.

added “(3) Goals—The goals of the Boots to Business Program are to—

added “(A) provide assistance and in-depth training to covered individuals interested in business ownership; and

added “(B) provide covered individuals with the tools, skills, and knowledge necessary to identify a business opportunity, draft a business plan, identify sources of capital, connect with local resources for small business concerns, and start up a small business concern.

added “(4) Program components

added “(A) In general—The Boots to Business Program may include—

added “(i) a presentation providing exposure to the considerations involved in self-employment and ownership of a small business concern;

added “(ii) an online, self-study course focused on the basic skills of entrepreneurship, the language of business, and the considerations involved in self-employment and ownership of a small business concern;

added “(iii) an in-person classroom instruction component providing an introduction to the foundations of self employment and ownership of a small business concern; and

added “(iv) in-depth training delivered through online instruction, including an online course that leads to the creation of a business plan.

added “(B) Collaboration—The Administrator may—

added “(i) collaborate with public and private entities to develop course curricula for the Boots to Business Program; and

added “(ii) modify program components in coordination with entities participating in a Warriors in Transition program, as defined in section 738(e) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (10 U.S.C. 1071 note).

added “(C) Use of resource partners and district offices

added “(i) In general—The Administrator shall—

added “(I) ensure that Veteran Business Outreach Centers regularly participate, on a nationwide basis, in the Boots to Business Program; and

added “(II) to the maximum extent practicable, use district offices of the Administration and a variety of other resource partners and entities in administering the Boots to Business Program.

added “(ii) Grant authority—In carrying out clause (i), the Administrator may make grants, subject to the availability of appropriations in advance, to Veteran Business Outreach Centers, other resource partners, or other entities to carry out components of the Boots to Business Program.

added “(D) Availability to Department of Defense and the Department of Labor—The Administrator shall make available to the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Labor information regarding the Boots to Business Program, including all course materials and outreach materials related to the Boots to Business Program, for inclusion on the websites of the Department of Defense and the Department of Labor relating to the Transition Assistance Program, in the Transition Assistance Program manual, and in other relevant materials available for distribution from the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Labor.

added “(E) Availability to Department of Veterans Affairs—In consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Administrator shall make available for distribution and display on the website of the Department of Veterans Affairs and at local facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs outreach materials regarding the Boots to Business Program, which shall, at a minimum—

added “(i) describe the Boots to Business Program and the services provided; and

added “(ii) include eligibility requirements for participating in the Boots to Business Program.

added “(F) Availability to other participating agencies—The Administrator shall ensure information regarding the Boots to Business program, including all course materials and outreach materials related to the Boots to Business Program, is made available to other participating agencies in the Transition Assistance Program and upon request of other agencies.

added “(5) Competitive bidding procedures—The Administration shall use relevant competitive bidding procedures with respect to any contract or cooperative agreement executed by the Administration under the Boots to Business Program.

added “(6) Publication of notice of funding opportunity—Not later than 30 days before the deadline for submitting applications for any funding opportunity under the Boots to Business Program, the Administration shall publish a notice of the funding opportunity.

added “(7) Report—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, and not less frequently than annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives a report on the performance and effectiveness of the Boots to Business Program, which—

added “(A) may be included as part of another report submitted to such committees by the Administrator related to the Office of Veterans Business Development; and

added “(B) shall summarize available information relating to—

added “(i) grants awarded under paragraph (4)(C);

added “(ii) the total cost of the Boots to Business Program;

added “(iii) the number of program participants using each component of the Boots to Business Program;

added “(iv) the completion rates for each component of the Boots to Business Program;

added “(v) to the extent possible—

added “(I) the demographics of program participants, to include gender, age, race, ethnicity, and relationship to military;

added “(II) the number of program participants that connect with a district office of the Administration, a Veteran Business Outreach Center, or another resource partner of the Administration;

added “(III) the number of program participants that start a small business concern;

added “(IV) the results of the Boots to Business and Boots to Business Reboot course quality surveys conducted by the Office of Veterans Business Development before and after attending each of those courses, including a summary of any comments received from program participants;

added “(V) the results of the Boots to Business Program outcome surveys conducted by the Office of Veterans Business Development, including a summary of any comments received from program participants; and

added “(VI) the results of other germane participant satisfaction surveys;

added “(C) an evaluation of the overall effectiveness of the Boots to Business Program based on each geographic region covered by the Administration during the most recent fiscal year;

added “(D) an assessment of additional performance outcome measures for the Boots to Business Program, as identified by the Administrator;

added “(E) any recommendations of the Administrator for improvement of the Boots to Business Program, which may include expansion of the types of individuals who are covered individuals;

added “(F) an explanation of how the Boots to Business Program has been integrated with other transition programs and related resources of the Administration and other Federal agencies; and

added “(G) any additional information the Administrator determines necessary.”

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—

added Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report containing a list of domestic sites—

added The Secretary of Defense may not enter into a contract with a person if such person is engaged in an activity that is politically motivated and is intended to penalize or otherwise limit significant commercial relations specifically with Israel or persons doing business in Israel or in Israeli-controlled territories.

added Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall make publicly available the open interface standards for contracts awarded by the Secretary, unless the service acquisition executive (as defined in section 101 of title 10, United States Code) with respect to a specific contract submits to the Secretary a request to not disclose such standards.