H.R. 8800 — Reported in House → Engrossed in House

Sec. 2 Organization of Act into divisions; table of contents

(a)

Divisions— This Act is organized into four divisions as follows:

(1)

Division A—Department of Defense Authorizations.

(2)

Division B—Military Construction Authorizations.

(3)

Division C—Department of Energy National Security Authorizations and Other Authorizations.

(4)

Division D—Funding Tables.

(5)

added Division E—SAVE America Act.

(b)

Table of contents— The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 112 Report on production of 155mm artillery ammunition

added

added Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report that includes—

(1)

added an explanation of the status of efforts to produce 155mm artillery ammunition for the Department of Defense; and

(2)

added recommendations, if any, for accelerating the production of such ammunition to support the Army’s minimum production goal of 100,000 rounds per month for each type of 155mm artillery round.

Sec. 113 Sense of Congress on domestic production of artillery projectiles

added

added It is the sense of Congress that—

(1)

added maintaining robust domestic production of M795 155mm artillery projectiles is critical to ensuring the operational effectiveness of the Army; and

(2)

added the Secretary of Defense should take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that the United States has sufficient stockpiles of such projectiles to protect the interests of the United States and its allies and partners throughout the world.

Sec. 114 Report on fielding of Link 16 tactical data link networking capabilities on UH–60M and CH–47F aircraft

added

added Not later than December 1, 2026, the Secretary of the Army shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the efforts of the Army to field Link 16 tactical data link networking capabilities on UH–60M and CH–47F aircraft. The report shall include—

(1)

added a description of how Link 16 tactical data link networking capabilities on the AH–64E, UH–60M, and CH–47F aircraft contribute to the Next Generation Command and Control efforts of the Army; and

(2)

added such other information as the Secretary determines appropriate.

Sec. 115 Minimum inventory requirement for Stryker A1 combat vehicles

added

(a)

added Minimum inventory requirement— During the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2030, the Secretary of the Army shall ensure that the Army maintains a minimum inventory of not fewer than 1,524 deployable Stryker DVH A1 combat vehicles in its Stryker Brigade Combat Teams.

(b)

added Exception— The requirement under subsection (a) shall not apply to individual Stryker DVH A1 combat vehicles that the Secretary of the Army determines, on a case-by-case basis, to be no longer mission capable and uneconomical to repair because of accidents, mishaps, or excessive material degradation.

Sec. 116 Multiyear procurement authority for armored multi-purpose vehicles

added

(a)

added Authority for multiyear procurement— Subject to section 3501 of title 10, United States Code, the Secretary of the Army may enter into one or more multiyear contracts, beginning with the fiscal year 2027 program year, for the procurement of armored multipurpose vehicles.

(b)

added Condition for out-year contract payments— A contract entered into under subsection (a) shall provide that any obligation of the United States to make a payment under the contract for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2027 is subject to the availability of appropriations or funds for that purpose for such later fiscal year.

(c)

added Authority for advance procurement— The Secretary of the Army may enter into one or more contracts, beginning in fiscal year 2028, for advance procurement associated with the vehicles for which authorization to enter into a multiyear procurement contract is provided under subsection (a), which may include procurement of economic order quantities of material and equipment for such vehicles when cost savings are achievable.

Sec. 134 Minimum inventory of P–8A Poseidon aircraft

added

(a)

added In general— The Secretary of the Navy shall ensure that the total number of P–8A Poseidon aircraft in the inventory of the Navy is not less than 136 aircraft.

(b)

added Authority to increase planned procurement— Beginning on October 1, 2026, the Secretary of the Navy may increase the total planned procurement of P–8A Poseidon aircraft to beyond 136 aircraft.

(c)

added Limitation— None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for the Department of Defense may be obligated or expended to retire, divest, transfer to a nonoperational status, place in storage, prepare for retirement, or otherwise reduce the total active inventory of P–8A Poseidon aircraft below the number specified in subsection (a).

(d)

added Waiver— The Secretary of Defense may waive the limitation under subsection (c) if the Secretary certifies to the congressional defense committees that—

(1)

added the reduction is required due to the loss of an aircraft through combat, accident, or other unforeseen circumstance; and

(2)

added the reduction will not materially degrade the ability of the Navy to conduct maritime patrol, antisubmarine warfare, antisurface warfare, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and fleet support missions.

Sec. 141 Inventory requirements for certain fighter aircraft

(a)

Modification of inventory requirements for Air Force fighter aircraft—

(1)

In general— Subsection (i) of section 9062 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

“(i)

changed ~~“(1)~~ “(1)(A) During the period beginning on October 1, 2026, and ending on October 1, 2035, the Secretary of the Air Force shall maintain a total aircraft inventory of fighter aircraft of not less than 1,800 aircraft.

added “(B) The Secretary of the Air Force shall maintain a total aircraft inventory of combat-coded fighter aircraft of—

added “(i) not less than 1,369 aircraft by December 31, 2030; and

added “(ii) not less than 1,558 aircraft by December 31, 2035.

“(2) In this subsection:

“(A) The term fighter aircraft—

“(i) means an aircraft that—

“(I) is designated by a mission design series prefix of F– or A–;

“(II) is manned by one or two crewmembers; and

“(III) executes single-role or multi-role missions, including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground attack, air interdiction, suppression or destruction of enemy air defenses, close air support, strike control and reconnaissance, combat search and rescue support, or airborne forward air control; and

“(ii) does not include collaborative combat aircraft.

“(B) The term primary mission aircraft inventory means aircraft assigned to meet the primary aircraft authorization to a unit for the performance of its wartime mission.”

(2)

Effective date— The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on October 1, 2026.

(b)

Authority to increase planned procurement— Beginning on October 1, 2026, the Secretary of the Air Force may increase the total planned procurement of F–15EX aircraft to beyond 267 aircraft.

Sec. 152 Limitation on retirement of E–11 battlefield airborne communications node aircraft

added

added None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of the Air Force may be obligated or expended to retire, divest, place in storage, transfer to nonoperational status, or prepare for retirement any E–11 Battlefield Airborne Communications Node aircraft.

Sec. 170 Limitation on procurement of cut flowers and cut greens

added

(a)

added Requirement—

(1)

added In general— Funds appropriated or otherwise available to the Department of Defense may only be used for the procurement of a cut flower or cut green if the cut flower or cut green is grown in a qualifying area.

(2)

added Applicability— This subsection shall apply to a procurement made or contracted for—

(A)

added in the United States; and

(B)

added on or after the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section.

(b)

added Gifts for displays—

(1)

added In general— The Department of Defense may only accept a gift of a cut flower or cut green that is not grown in a qualifying area from a covered entity for the purpose of displaying the cut flower or cut green if the origin of the cut flower or cut green is clearly displayed at the time of delivery.

(2)

added Requirement— If the Department of Defense accepts a gift of a cut flower or cut green from a covered entity under paragraph (1), it shall clearly display the origin of the cut flower or cut green during the period of display of the cut flower or cut green.

(c)

added Definitions— In this section:

(1)

added The term covered entity means—

(A)

added a foreign government; and

(B)

added an agent of a foreign principal (as defined section 1 of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (22 U.S.C. 611)).

(2)

added The term cut flower means a flower removed from a living plant for decorative use.

(3)

added The term cut green means a green, foliage, or branch removed from a living plant for decorative use.

(4)

added The term qualifying area means—

(A)

added a State;

(B)

added the District of Columbia;

(C)

added a territory or possession of the United States; or

(D)

added an area subject to the jurisdiction of a federally recognized Indian Tribe.

Sec. 171 Modification to multiyear procurement authority for domestically processed critical minerals

added

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

(1)

added by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and

(2)

added by inserting after subsection (d) the following new subsection:

added “(e) Consideration of recycled and reused materials—In exercising the authority under this section, the Secretary of Defense shall give special consideration the procurement of critical minerals derived from recycled and reused minerals and metals, to the maximum extent practicable.”

Sec. 172 Assessment of Department of Defense display supply chain vulnerabilities

added

(a)

added Assessment required— The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, shall conduct an assessment of supply chain vulnerabilities related to displays used in Department of Defense weapon systems and platforms.

(b)

added Elements— The assessment shall include—

(1)

added identification of defense systems dependent on displays sourced from the People’s Republic of China or Taiwan;

(2)

added assessment of supply disruption risks and potential operational impacts;

(3)

added evaluation of domestic or allied manufacturing capabilities for advanced display technologies;

(4)

added analysis of emerging display technologies, including microLED displays; and

(5)

added recommendations for reducing foreign dependence in critical display applications.

(c)

added Report— 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 results of the assessment conducted under subsection (a).

(d)

added Form— The report under subsection (c) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.

Sec. 173 Sense of Congress on fielding of combat collaborative aircraft capabilities to support warfighters

added

added It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense should take such steps as may be necessary to prioritize funding for the procurement of combat collaborative aircraft to ensure there is a minimal viable fielded and operational combat collaborative aircraft capability by the end of fiscal year 2028 to meet operational requirements of combatant commanders.

Sec. 202 Funding for compact semiconductor-based fast neutron detectors

added

(a)

added Increase— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Air Force, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for Aerospace Sensors (PE 0602204F), Line 9, is hereby increased by $4,300,000 for Compact Semiconductor-Based Fast Neutron Detectors.

(b)

added Offset— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 101 for Aircraft Procurement, Navy, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4101, for F–18 Series, Line 028, is hereby reduced by $4,300,000.

Sec. 203 Funding for environmental and thermal protection coatings

added

(a)

added Increase— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Air Force, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for Aerospace Sensors (PE 0602204F), Line 9, is hereby increased by $8,500,000 for ultra-high-temperature metallic oxide environmental and thermal protection coatings for hypersonic vehicle leading edges, hot structures, and space vehicle heat shields.

(b)

added Offset— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 101 for Aircraft Procurement, Navy, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4101, for F–18 Series, Line 028, is hereby reduced by $8,500,000.

Sec. 204 Funding for reactive material to enhance the lethality of munitions

added

(a)

added Increase— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test and evaluation, Defense-wide, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for industrial base analysis and sustainment support, line 233 (PE 0607210D8Z) for domestic manufacturing capability for advanced reactive materials is hereby increased by $5,000,000 (to be available for the purpose of accelerating the manufacture of a reactive material to enhance the lethality of munitions).

(b)

added Offset— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 301 for operation and maintenance, Defense-wide, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4301, for defense media activity, line 330 is hereby reduced by $5,000,000.

Sec. 205 Funding for next generation combat vehicle advanced technology

added

(a)

added Increase— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test, and evaluation, Army as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for advanced technology development for Next Generation Combat Vehicle Advanced Technology, Line 050, is hereby increased by $7,000,000 (with the amount of such increase to be used to support Virtual Engineering and Army Readiness and Sustainment (VEARS)).

(b)

added Offset— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 301 for operation and maintenance, Navy, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4301, for Ship Depot Operations Support, Line 090, is hereby reduced by $7,000,000.

Sec. 206 Funding for rapid airborne and waterborne chemical and biological threat detection

added

(a)

added Increase— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test, and evaluation, Army, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for applied research for Ground Technology, Line 012, is hereby increased by $10,000,000 (with the amount of such increase to be used to support Rapid Airborne and Waterborne Chemical and Biological Threat Detection (RAW CBTD)).

(b)

added Offset— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 301 for operation and maintenance, Navy, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4301, for Ship Depot Operations Support, Line 090, is hereby reduced by $10,000,000.

Sec. 207 Funding for the Rapid Prototyping Program

added

(a)

added Increase— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for Rapid Prototyping Program is hereby increased by $4,900,000.

(b)

added Offset— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 301 for Operation and Maintenance, Navy, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4301, for Ship Depot Operations Support is hereby reduced by $4,900,000.

Sec. 208 Funding for ultra-light Group 1 small unmanned aircraft systems for special operations forces

added

(a)

added Increase— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test, and evaluation, Defense-wide, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for intelligence systems development (PE 1160405BB), line 303, is hereby increased by $10,000,000 (with the amount of such increase to be made available for ultra-light Group 1 small unmanned aircraft systems for the United States Special Operations Command).

(b)

added Offset— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test, and evaluation, Defense-wide, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for Office of the Secretary of Defense, OUSD(C) IT development initiatives (PE 0605027D8Z), line 153, is hereby reduced by $10,000,000.

Sec. 209 Funding for National Defense Education Program

added

(a)

added Increase— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test, and evaluation, Defense-wide, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for basic research, National Defense Education Program, line 6, is hereby increased by $5,000,000 (with the amount of such increase to be used to strengthen and expand STEM education opportunities and workforce initiatives targeted at military students).

(b)

added Offset— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 4301 for Operation and Maintenance, Defense-wide, for Washington Headquarters Services, line 510, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4301, is hereby reduced by $5,000,000.

Sec. 209A Funding for software-defined and AI-powered counter unmanned aerial systems

added

(a)

added Increase— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test, and evaluation, Army, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for Landmine Warfare/Barrier—Eng Dev (PE 0604808A), line 122, is hereby increased by $10,000,000 for software-defined and AI-powered counter unmanned aerial systems.

(b)

added Offset— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 301 for operation and maintenance, Defense-wide, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4301, for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, line 480, is hereby reduced by $10,000,000.

Sec. 209B Funding for blast overpressure mitigation devices for small and medium caliber weapons

added

(a)

added Increase— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 4201 for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Defense-wide, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for Warrior Systems, line 305, is hereby increased by $5,000,000 (with the amount of such increase to be used for blast overpressure mitigation devices for small and medium caliber weapons).

(b)

added Offset— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 4201 for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Army, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, line 128 for Artillery Systems—EMD is hereby reduced by $5,000,000.

Sec. 209C Funding for high-hypersonic detonation propulsion research and flight demonstrations

added

(a)

added Increase— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test, and evaluation, Air Force, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for Aerospace Systems Technologies (PE 0602203F), line 008, is hereby increased by $5,000,000 for the acceleration of high-hypersonic detonation propulsion research and flight demonstrations.

(b)

added Offset— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 301 for operation and maintenance, Defense-wide, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4301, for administration and service-wide activities, Office of the Secretary of Defense, line 480, is hereby reduced by $5,000,000.

Sec. 209D Increase in funding for Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities

added

(a)

added Increase— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test, and evaluation, Air Force, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for Future AF Capabilities Applied Research (PE 0602020F), line 003, is hereby increased by $1,200,000 for Secure Research Facilities in fast-growing metropolitan areas located in proximity to aerospace industries and facilities.

(b)

added Offset— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 301 for operation and maintenance, Defense-wide, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4301, for administration and service-wide activities, Office of the Secretary of Defense, line 480, is hereby reduced by $1,200,000.

Sec. 209E Funding for advanced naval casting for hardware and operational repairs

added

(a)

added Increase— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test, and evaluation, Navy, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for Ship Concept Advanced Design (PE 0603563N), line 044, is hereby increased by $16,000,000 for Advanced Naval Casting for Hardware and Operational Repairs.

(b)

added Offset— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 301 for operation and maintenance, Navy, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4301, for Administration, line 410, is hereby reduced by $16,000,000.

Sec. 209F Funding for accelerating the adoption of naval aviation advanced manufacturing processes

added

(a)

added Increase— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test, and evaluation, Navy, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for Navy Advanced Manufacturing (PE 0604286N), line 084, is hereby increased by $15,000,000 for Accelerating the Adoption of Naval Aviation Advanced Manufacturing Processes.

(b)

added Offsets—

(1)

added Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test, and evaluation, Defense-wide, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for Cyber Operations Technology Support, line 293, is hereby reduced by $5,000,000.

(2)

added Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test, and evaluation, Navy, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for Marine Corps Ground Combat/Support System, line 057, is hereby reduced by $10,000,000.

Sec. 209G Funding for Air Force materials research

added

(a)

added Increase— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test, and evaluation, Air Force, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for applied research, materials (PE 0602102F), line 005, is hereby increased by $6,400,000 to secure U.S. silicon carbide for national security and critical technologies.

(b)

added Offset— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 301 for operation and maintenance, Air Force, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4301, for other servicewide activities, line 410, is hereby reduced by $6,400,000.

Sec. 209H Funding for university innovative materials processing modernization research

added

(a)

added Increase— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research development, test, and evaluation, Defense-wide, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for Defense-wide manufacturing science and technology program (PE 0603680D8Z), line 062, is hereby increased by $5,000,000 for university innovative materials processing modernization research.

(b)

added Offset— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 301 for operation and maintenance, Defense-wide, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4301, for Washington Headquarters Services, line 510, is hereby reduced by $5,000,000.

Sec. 209I Funding for autonomous high-altitude long-endurance aircraft and pseudo-satellites

added

(a)

added Increase— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test, and evaluation, Defense-wide, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for the Rapid Prototyping Program (PE 604331D8Z), line 111, is hereby increased by $5,000,000 for the development, prototyping, and demonstration of autonomous High-Altitude Long-Endurance Aircraft (HALE) and High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS) capable of providing resilient intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, communications, and sensing capabilities in contested environments.

(b)

added Offset— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for research, development, test, and evaluation, Defense-wide, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201, for JADC2 Development and Experimentation Activities (PE 0604122D8Z), line 169, is hereby reduced by $5,000,000.

Sec. 219 United States–Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative

(a)

changed Establishment— The Secretary of Defense shall designate an executive agent, as such term is defined in Department of Defense Directive 5101.01 (relating to DoD Executive Agent, issued February 7, 2022), responsible for synchronizing cooperative efforts between the United States and Israel, to expand and accelerate bilateral defense technology research, development, testing, evaluation, ~~integration,~~ and industrial cooperation, by—

(1)

identifying jointly developed or Israeli-origin technologies with operational utility for potential integration into United States systems and programs of record;

(2)

ensuring collaborative research initiatives involving government, private sector, and academic institutions in the United States and Israel, is done in a manner that protects sensitive technology and information and the national security interests of the United States and Israel;

(3)

facilitating the transition of technologies from research and development into procurement and acquisition pathways;

(4)

establishing frameworks for joint ventures, licensing agreements, and United States-based co-production or manufacturing partnerships with Israeli industry;

(5)

coordinating with relevant Department of Defense components, including the Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate, capability development and innovation divisions, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the Defense Innovation Unit, the United States-Israel Operations Technology Working Group, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Missile Defense Agency, the United States Space Command, the military departments, and other Department of Defense entities, as appropriate, to align efforts and avoid duplication; and

(6)

promoting joint training exercises and information-sharing mechanisms to enhance operational readiness to deploy jointly developed technologies.

(b)

Cooperative efforts— The synchronized cooperative efforts under subsection (a) may be carried out through the following domains:

(1)

Counter-Unmanned Systems including aerial, maritime, and ground platforms.

(2)

Anti-tunneling and subterranean threats.

(3)

Missile and air defense technologies.

(4)

Artificial intelligence, quantum, machine learning, and autonomous systems.

(5)

Directed energy and advanced sensing.

(6)

Cyber defense, electronic warfare, and digital resilience.

(7)

Biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and medical defense.

(8)

changed ~~Network integration,~~ Networks, data fusion, and contested logistics.

(9)

Defense industrial base cooperation, manufacturing, and co-production.

(10)

Other emerging technologies as jointly agreed by the United States and Israel.

(c)

Activities in coordination with other federal departments and agencies— The Secretary of Defense shall coordinate activities, as appropriate, with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Commerce, and the heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, to ensure consistency with existing laws and regulations.

(d)

Interim progress update— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the congressional defense committees an interim briefing on—

(1)

the executive agent designated pursuant to subsection (a) and the efforts undertaken by such executive agent to lead Department of Defense implementation of the synchronized cooperative efforts described in such subsection;

(2)

the status of coordination, Department-wide, with Israeli counterparts;

(3)

changed initial technology areas identified for accelerated cooperation and technologies with operational utility for ~~integration into~~ United States systems and programs of record; and

(4)

any early transition, prototyping, or integration activities initiated during the period covered by the update.

(e)

changed Annual report— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until ~~2030,~~ the date on which there is no longer an executive agent designated under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on implementation of the cooperative efforts described in subsection (a). Each such report shall include—

(1)

a description of activities conducted;

(2)

an assessment of progress made in advancing shared national security interests;

(3)

an assessment of collaboration with other relevant Federal programs;

(4)

a description of technologies transitioned into United States acquisition programs or fielded systems;

(5)

a description of partnerships established with United States and Israeli industry; and

(6)

changed recommendations for future opportunities to promote the long-term ~~integration of~~ joint capabilities between the United States and Israel.

(f)

Form— Each report required under subsection (e) shall be submitted in unclassified form and may include a classified annex.

(g)

Public transparency— The Secretary of Defense shall make available on a publicly accessible website of the Department of Defense periodic, unclassified updates, to the maximum extent practicable, on the synchronized cooperative efforts carried out under subsection (a), including a description of how these efforts contribute to United States technological and military supremacy. Such updates shall be made in a manner that ensures that classified information or other information that would compromise operational security, export controls, or sensitive technology are not released.

Sec. 221 Requirement to establish test and training corridors for small unmanned aircraft systems and associated capabilities

(a)

In general— The Secretary of Defense shall establish or designate, and operate, one or more test and training corridors for small unmanned aircraft systems, counter-unmanned aircraft system platforms, and associated capabilities within the national airspace system.

(b)

Facilities— The Secretary of Defense may construct new facilities, or use existing facilities available to the Department of Defense, to support one or more test and training corridors established or designated under subsection (a) that collectively address each of the functions described in subsection (c).

(c)

Functions— The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that any test and training corridor established or designated under subsection (a) enables the research, development, testing, and evaluation of, and training for members of the Armed Forces on—

(1)

small unmanned aircraft systems and associated autonomy software, kinetic and nonkinetic payloads, sensors, communications, and navigation technology;

(2)

kinetic and nonkinetic counter small-unmanned aircraft system capabilities, including high power microwave, high energy laser, and electronic warfare capabilities, and any requisite autonomy software, sensors, and command and control capabilities;

(3)

small to medium caliber counter unmanned aircraft systems ammunition and weapon systems, low collateral damage weapons and munitions, and drone-versus-drone capabilities;

(4)

the acceleration of the integration of modular payloads onto multiple unmanned aircraft systems and counter unmanned aircraft systems and platforms;

(5)

the reduction in time-to-field for lethal and non-lethal drone-enabled munitions and munition payload capabilities; and

(6)

standardization of payload-to-platform interfaces.

(d)

Site selection— In establishing or designating one or more test and training corridors under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Director of the Test Resource Management Center and the Secretaries of the military departments, shall—

(1)

identify potential locations within the national airspace system that would be conducive to conducting testing, evaluation, and training activities with respect to small unmanned aircraft systems and counter-small unmanned aircraft capabilities, with prioritization of sites that best support the test and training corridor functions described in subsection (c);

(2)

assess whether existing test and evaluation facilities, including Government-owned and non-Government owned facilities, could be used to meet current and future requirements with respect to such testing, evaluation and training;

(3)

identify any additional resources required to establish or designate, and operate the corridor, including military construction costs and personnel and manning costs;

(4)

identify any sensors and capabilities needed to adequately simulate operationally realistic environments in the corridor, including environments with denied or degraded—

(A)

communications;

(B)

electromagnetic spectrum; and

(C)

global positioning system;

(5)

identify any interagency, legal, regulatory, or policy impediments to carrying out testing, evaluation, and training activities with respect to small unmanned aircraft systems and counter-small unmanned aircraft capabilities within the national airspace system, including any impediments to the use of—

(A)

electronic warfare;

(B)

directed energy (such as high-powered microwave and high energy lasers);

(C)

GPS jamming and spoofing;

(D)

spectrum enabled and cellular-network enabled systems and capabilities; and

(E)

other relevant capabilities;

(6)

consult with interagency partners to develop recommendations for—

(A)

addressing any impediments identified under paragraph (4); and

(B)

ensuring the safety of testing and training activities conducted in the national airspace system; and

(7)

consider diverse geographic regions across the United States.

(e)

Notification to Congress— Not later than 90 days after establishing or designating a test and training corridor under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a written notification that describes—

(1)

the location of the corridor;

(2)

changed any funding, personnel, or other resources required to support the ~~corridor; and~~corridor;

(3)

changed any agreements with other Federal agencies that may be required to safely operate the corridor in the national airspace ~~system.~~system; and

(4)

added specific statutory changes necessary to allow for rapid development, testing, and operational evaluation of unmanned systems and counter-unmanned system platforms within the designated corridors, including draft legislative text necessary to expedite development for such systems.

Sec. 228 Pilot program to recognize outstanding achievements in technology and prototype development

(a)

changed Pilot program— The Director of the Defense Innovation Unit (referred to in this section as the Director) shall carry out a pilot program under which the Director awards prizes, on a competitive basis, to recognize outstanding achievements in technology development and prototype development ~~that——~~that—

(1)

have the potential to address operational problems and capability gaps identified by the Secretary of Defense, the Secretaries of the military departments, and combatant commanders; or

(2)

have potential for application to the performance of the military missions of the Department of Defense.

(b)

Form of prizes— Prizes awarded under this section may include—

(1)

cash prizes; or

(2)

the award of contracts or other agreements.

(c)

Information dissemination— The Director shall carry out activities to publicize the prize competitions carried out under this section and to solicit participation in such competitions from eligible individuals and entities.

(d)

Prize maximum and coinvestment requirements—

(1)

Maximum value— The value of a prize awarded under this section may not exceed $15,000,000.

(2)

Coinvestment— The Director may award a prize under this section without receiving approval from the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering if—

(A)

the value of the prize is not more than $2,000,000; or

(B)

in the case of a prize with a value exceeding $2,000,000, at least half of the funds for the portion of the prize in excess of $2,000,000 are provided by the portfolio acquisition executive of an organization of the Department of Defense outside the Defense Innovation Unit.

(e)

Use of prize authority— Use of prize authority under this section shall be considered the use of competitive procedures for the purposes of chapter 221 of title 10, United States Code.

(f)

Commencement and termination—

(1)

Deadline for commencement— The Director shall commence implementation of the pilot program under subsection (a) not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(2)

Termination— The authority to carry out the pilot program under subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is three years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(g)

Congressional notice—

(1)

In general— Not later than 15 days after a contract or other agreement that exceeds a fair market value of $2,000,000 is awarded under this section, the Director shall submit to the congressional defense committees written notice of such award.

(2)

Contents— Each notice submitted under paragraph (1) shall include—

(A)

the value of the relevant contract or other agreement, as applicable, including all options;

(B)

an identification of any portfolio acquisition executive responsible for implementation or oversight of technology development or prototype development (as applicable) for which an award was made under this section, and a brief summary of lessons learned by such portfolio acquisition executive in carrying out such implementation or oversight;

(C)

a brief description of the technology development or prototype for which such contract or other agreement, as applicable, was awarded; and

(D)

an explanation of the benefit to the performance of the military mission of the Department of Defense resulting from the award.

(h)

Portfolio acquisition executive defined— In this section, the term portfolio acquisition executive has the meaning given that term in section 1737 of title 10, United States Code.

Sec. 238 Prioritization of partnerships with institutions of higher education in certain research areas

added

(a)

added In general— In exercising the authority to enter into partnerships to support the research, development, test, and evaluation activities of the Department of Defense, the Secretary of Defense shall prioritize partnerships with institutions of higher education conducting research on hypersonics, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence.

(b)

added Report— Not later than 180 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 the House of Representatives a report that identifies any ongoing partnerships with institutions of higher education as described in subsection (a).

Sec. 239 Mobile device force protection against commercial surveillance threats

added

(a)

added Pilot program—

(1)

added Establishment— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program to evaluate mobile device force protection technologies intended to reduce the operational exposure of covered personnel arising from application-generated signals.

(2)

added Participation— The Secretary shall make participation in the pilot program available to the military departments, the combatant commands, and other covered organizations seeking to participate.

(3)

added Acquisition authorities— The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, use existing rapid acquisition authorities and other transaction authorities to minimize administrative barriers to participation in the pilot program.

(4)

added Measures of effectiveness— The Secretary shall establish objective, outcome-based measures of effectiveness before the initiation of the pilot program.

(b)

added Minimum operational requirements— A technology evaluated under the pilot program shall demonstrate the ability to—

(1)

added identify applications generating signals relevant to force protection;

(2)

added determine the destinations receiving such signals;

(3)

added characterize the categories of information transmitted in sufficient detail to assess operational exposure;

(4)

added distinguish legitimate application functionality from analytics, diagnostics, advertising, profiling, and related exploitation activities;

(5)

added maintain auditable records and generate commander-level reporting sufficient to support force protection decisions;

(6)

added actively control application-generated transmissions, including the ability to block, throttle, or otherwise govern which signals leave the device and the destinations to which they may be sent, and not merely to observe, characterize, or report them;

(7)

added enable the Department of Defense, and not solely a vendor, to independently verify the matters described in paragraphs (1) through (6) and to confirm measured reductions in operational exposure; and

(8)

added adapt as commercial surveillance techniques evolve.

(c)

added Transition and operational adoption—

(1)

added Determination— Not later than 90 days after the evaluation of a technology is completed under the pilot program, the Secretary shall determine whether the evaluated technology demonstrated measurable reductions in operational exposure associated with commercial mobile surveillance.

(2)

added Adoption— If the Secretary determines that the effectiveness of a technology evaluated under the pilot program has been adequately demonstrated, the Secretary may authorize operational deployment of the technology without initiating a duplicative requirements process.

(3)

added Transition pathways— The Secretary shall identify potential transition pathways for a technology before evaluating the technology under the pilot program.

(d)

added Continuous assessment—

(1)

added Framework— The Secretary shall establish a continuous assessment framework applicable to deployed mobile device force protection technologies, under which each such technology is reviewed not less frequently than annually to evaluate whether it continues to reduce operational exposure arising from commercial mobile surveillance.

(2)

added Annual report— Not less frequently than annually, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that summarizes the findings of the assessments conducted under paragraph (1), identifies emerging commercial surveillance techniques, documents the effectiveness of deployed technologies, and recommends modifications to standards and procurement approaches.

(e)

added Degradation and reassessment— If the Secretary determines that a deployed mobile device force protection technology no longer provides meaningful protection against identified threats, the Secretary shall initiate a review of alternative capabilities using the authorities established under this section.

(f)

added Rule of construction— Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the use of a particular technical architecture, implementation methodology, or commercial vendor. The requirements established under this section are intended to define the operational outcomes necessary to support force protection and not to prescribe the means by which those outcomes are achieved.

(g)

added Definitions— In this section:

(1)

added The term application-generated signal means any data transmitted from a mobile device by, or on behalf of, a software application, including data derived from device sensors, network and environmental observations, diagnostic and behavioral telemetry, and embedded software development kits, whether or not the data includes a persistent identifier.

(2)

added The term covered personnel means—

(A)

added members of the Armed Forces;

(B)

added civilian employees of the Department of Defense;

(C)

added contractors supporting the Department of Defense;

(D)

added employees of entities engaged in the development or manufacture of weapons systems or other defense articles; and

(E)

added any other category of personnel designated by the Secretary of Defense whose duties involve heightened operational security considerations.

(3)

added The term mobile device force protection technology means a technology or capability intended to identify, observe, characterize, audit, report upon, restrict, suppress, or otherwise manage application-generated signals that may contribute to operational surveillance or pattern-of-life reconstruction affecting covered personnel.

(4)

added The term Secretary means the Secretary of Defense.

Sec. 240 Modifications to joint artificial intelligence research, development, and transition activities

added

(a)

added In general— Section 238 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232; 10 U.S.C. 4061 note prec.) is amended—

(1)

added in subsection (a)—

(A)

added by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:

added “(1) In general—The Secretary of Defense shall maintain within the Department of Defense a set of activities, led by the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer (referred to in this section as the “CDAO”), to coordinate the efforts of the Department to develop, mature, and transition artificial intelligence technologies into operational use, and to prepare the Department for the national security implications of artificial general intelligence and other forms of highly advanced artificial intelligence.”

(B)

added by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

added “(3) Artificial general intelligence preparedness—The set of activities established under paragraph (1) shall include a dedicated initiative (referred to in this section as the “AGI Preparedness Initiative”) to—

added “(A) study and prepare for the national security implications of artificial general intelligence;

added “(B) analyze strategic competition with the People’s Republic of China and other adversaries with respect to artificial general intelligence and highly advanced artificial intelligence; and

added “(C) develop countermeasures against adversary artificial intelligence-enabled military capabilities.”

(2)

added in subsection (d)—

(A)

added in paragraph (2)—

(i)

added in subparagraph (J), by striking “and” at the end;

(ii)

added in subparagraph (K), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and

(iii)

added by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:

added “(L) review relevant industry, scientific, and classified documents describing artificial general intelligence and other forms of highly advanced artificial intelligence, including the preparedness frameworks, scaling policies, and risk management frameworks of advanced artificial intelligence developers;

added “(M) develop and maintain an internal set of definitions for the Department that characterizes tiers of artificial general intelligence to inform intelligence collection requirements, program and procurement requirements, and national strategy around advanced artificial intelligence competition, with emphasis on describing the capabilities of artificial intelligence systems with the most significant impacts for national security and strategic competition, including chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear capabilities, advanced cyber capabilities, model autonomy, strategic deception, advanced research and development capabilities in military domains, and advanced research and development capabilities for producing increasingly powerful artificial intelligence;

added “(N) develop and conduct unclassified and classified scenario exercises, wargames, tabletop exercises, and other similar efforts to understand how artificial general intelligence and advanced artificial intelligence capabilities could present acute national security risks or crises, pose risks to existing Department operational plans, or create strategic opportunities for the United States;

added “(O) develop preparedness plans detailing governmental response strategies to scenarios described in subparagraph (N), including detailed information describing how the Department would coordinate with relevant United States entities, including advanced artificial intelligence developers, compute cluster providers, and relevant government officials, in the event of an acute national security risk or crisis;

added “(P) identify potential gaps in the Department’s authorities, relationships, personnel, or other factors that could affect the Department’s ability to address scenarios described in subparagraph (N) or execute plans described in subparagraph (O);

added “(Q) develop a detailed approach to limit the proliferation of artificial general intelligence and other highly advanced artificial intelligence systems by defining artificial intelligence systems with critical capabilities that would pose a grave national security threat if acquired or stolen by adversaries, reviewing and potentially drawing from approaches derived from Department of Energy practices for handling Restricted Data and Formerly Restricted Data, as well as approaches for handling other national security information;

added “(R) assess the value of creating a centralized, highly secure, Department-led project to develop artificial general intelligence or other highly advanced artificial intelligence in a secure environment, including examination of the chain-of-command, size and location of such project, resources and personnel required, cyber and physical security protocols, counterintelligence and anti-espionage measures against the People’s Republic of China and other foreign adversaries, contingency and emergency response plans, and geopolitical considerations; and

added “(S) prepare strategies to protect the weights of advanced artificial intelligence systems, core insights required to develop or deploy advanced artificial intelligence systems, and other sensitive technical information from highly resourced adversaries, including nation-states.”

(B)

added by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

added “(4) Adversary artificial intelligence analysis

added “(A) In general—The CDAO shall establish a dedicated analytical cell to continuously monitor, assess, and report on the progress of the People’s Republic of China and other adversaries designated by the Secretary in developing artificial general intelligence and advanced artificial intelligence capabilities for military and intelligence applications.

added “(B) Duties—Such analytical cell shall—

added “(i) coordinate with the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, the Central Intelligence Agency, and other elements of the intelligence community to ensure timely access to classified reporting on adversary artificial intelligence development programs;

added “(ii) produce, not less frequently than annually, classified assessments of adversary artificial intelligence military capabilities, including identified applications in autonomous weapons systems, command and control, intelligence analysis, cyber operations, electronic warfare, and information operations;

added “(iii) develop and maintain a classified database of identified People’s Republic of China artificial intelligence military programs, key personnel, institutional relationships, supply chain dependencies, and assessed capability timelines;

added “(iv) assess the effectiveness of existing United States technology control and denial measures in constraining adversary artificial intelligence capabilities and recommend modifications as needed, in coordination with other relevant interagency bodies;

added “(v) develop specific countermeasure recommendations and identify vulnerabilities in adversary artificial intelligence systems that could be exploited to maintain United States military advantage; and

added “(vi) identify strategies for improving strategic competition relating to advanced artificial intelligence, including strategies to ensure United States leadership in global artificial intelligence competition and strategies to avoid or mitigate national security threats from such competition.

added “(C) Personnel—The analytical cell required by this paragraph shall include personnel with demonstrated expertise in People’s Republic of China military modernization, technical artificial intelligence competence, and intelligence analysis.

added “(5) Countermeasure development—The CDAO shall, in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and the Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, develop and maintain a classified program of research and development focused on countermeasures against adversary artificial intelligence-enabled military capabilities, including autonomous weapons systems, artificial intelligence-directed cyber operations, artificial intelligence-enhanced intelligence collection, and artificial intelligence-enabled command and control systems.

added “(6) Workforce requirements

added “(A) In general—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the CDAO shall develop and submit to the congressional defense committees minimum qualification standards for personnel assigned to artificial general intelligence preparedness functions under this section, including requirements for technical expertise in machine learning, neural network architectures, computational infrastructure, and artificial intelligence safety and alignment research.

added “(B) Hiring authority—The CDAO shall establish a competitive hiring authority, consistent with section 1599f of title 10, United States Code, to recruit and retain individuals with demonstrated expertise in advanced artificial intelligence research and development from private industry, academia, and national laboratories.

added “(C) Technical staff—Not less than 50 percent of the technical staff assigned to artificial general intelligence preparedness functions under this section shall possess graduate-level education or equivalent professional experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer science, or a directly related field.

added “(D) Exchange program—The Secretary of Defense shall establish an exchange program with leading artificial intelligence research laboratories and companies to provide personnel assigned to functions under this section with rotational assignments of not less than 90 days to maintain current technical expertise.

added “(E) Report—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph, and annually thereafter, the CDAO shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the status of workforce recruitment and retention for functions under this section, including the number of billets authorized and filled, attrition rates, average tenure, and an assessment of the competitiveness of Department compensation relative to the private sector for comparable artificial intelligence positions.

added “(7) Senior leader artificial intelligence education

added “(A) In general—The CDAO, in coordination with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, shall develop and implement an artificial intelligence education program for all general and flag officers, members of the Senior Executive Service within the Department, and combatant command staff principals.

added “(B) Elements—Such program shall include—

added “(i) technical foundations of current artificial intelligence capabilities and limitations;

added “(ii) the current state and projected trajectory of artificial general intelligence development;

added “(iii) adversary artificial intelligence military capabilities and doctrine, with emphasis on People’s Republic of China programs;

added “(iv) artificial intelligence-enabled operational concepts and their implications for force design and employment; and

added “(v) artificial intelligence safety, alignment, and control challenges relevant to military applications.

added “(8) Operational integration—The CDAO shall, in coordination with the Joint Staff and the combatant commands, develop a plan to integrate artificial general intelligence preparedness findings into joint operational planning processes, including updates to contingency plans, campaign plans, and global force management allocation plans, not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this paragraph.

added “(9) Interagency coordination on export controls and technology protection—The CDAO shall coordinate with the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, the Department of Energy, and other relevant interagency bodies to—

added “(A) assess the effectiveness of technology control measures in constraining adversary access to artificial intelligence capabilities;

added “(B) recommend modifications to export control lists, end-use restrictions, and investment screening criteria as needed to address emerging artificial intelligence-related threats; and

added “(C) ensure that classification guidance developed under subsection (d)(2)(G) is updated to address artificial general intelligence and advanced artificial intelligence systems.”

(3)

added by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections (g) and (h), respectively;

(4)

added by inserting after subsection (e) the following new subsection:

added “(f) Reports, briefings, and accountability

added “(1) Initial report and briefing—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary of Defense shall—

added “(A) submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report detailing—

added “(i) the organizational structure, staffing requirements, and initial objectives of the AGI Preparedness Initiative described in subsection (a)(3);

added “(ii) a comprehensive assessment of the performance of the CDAO in executing the duties established under this section since the date of the original enactment of this section, including an identification of specific deficiencies in organizational structure, personnel qualifications, interagency coordination, and operational impact; and

added “(iii) the initial objectives and milestones for the duties added by the amendments to this section made by title II of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027; and

added “(B) provide to such Committees a briefing on the matters set forth in the report.

added “(2) Periodic reports and briefings—Not later than 180 days after the submission of the initial report under paragraph (1), and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall—

added “(A) submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the activities carried out under this section since the date of the last report under this paragraph, including—

added “(i) any findings, assessments, and recommendations with respect to the national security implications of artificial general intelligence and advanced artificial intelligence;

added “(ii) the progress of the CDAO against each benchmark established under paragraph (3); and

added “(iii) a classified annex containing specific assessments of People’s Republic of China artificial intelligence military capabilities, the effectiveness of current export control measures with respect to adversary artificial intelligence development, and identified countermeasure priorities; and

added “(B) provide to such Committees a briefing on the matters set forth in the report.

added “(3) Performance metrics and accountability

added “(A) In general—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the CDAO shall submit to the congressional defense committees a set of measurable performance benchmarks and milestones for each duty described in subsection (d).

added “(B) Elements—Each report required under paragraph (2) shall include a detailed assessment of progress against each benchmark established under subparagraph (A), including specific explanations for any benchmarks not met and corrective actions planned.

added “(4) Policy recommendations—The CDAO shall provide policy recommendations to the Secretary of Defense, the President, and Congress relating to the national security implications of artificial general intelligence and advanced artificial intelligence, including recommendations for legislative action.”

(5)

added by adding at the end the following new subsection:

added “(i) Additional definitions—In this section:

added “(1) The term artificial general intelligence means artificial intelligence systems that match or exceed human expert performance across a wide variety of domains, including chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear applications, cyber offense, model autonomy, persuasion, research and development, and self-improvement.

added “(2) The term CDAO means the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer of the Department of Defense, or such successor official as the Secretary of Defense may designate.”

(b)

added Conforming amendment— The heading of section 238 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232; 10 U.S.C. 4061 note prec.) is amended by striking “Joint artificial intelligence research, development, and transition activities” and inserting “Department of Defense artificial intelligence and artificial general intelligence activities”.

(c)

added Rule of construction— Nothing in this section or the amendments made by this section shall be construed to limit or otherwise affect any authority of the Secretary of Defense or the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer under section 238 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232; 10 U.S.C. note prec. 4061), as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act.

Sec. 241 Pilot program on use of subscription-based funding model at Major Range and Test Facility Base

added

(a)

added In general— Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering shall, acting through the Director of the Test Resource Management Center, commence carrying out a pilot program to determine the feasibility, effectiveness, and operational impacts of implementing a subscription-based funding model for test and evaluation facilities.

(b)

added Requirements— The pilot program required by subsection (a) shall—

(1)

added be conducted during the two-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot program;

(2)

added include not fewer than two cyber-physical test and training ranges designated by the Director of the Test Resource Management Center;

(3)

added include at least one cyber-physical test and training range operated by, or under the authority of, the National Guard of a State;

(4)

added provide for participation by military departments, defense agencies, combat support agencies, federally funded research and development centers, and such other Department of Defense entities as the Director considers appropriate; and

(5)

added evaluate the applicability of subscription-based funding to cyber, cyber-physical, electronic warfare, modeling and simulation, and integrated test environments associated with the participating ranges.

(c)

added Subscription-based funding model— For purposes of the pilot program required by subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall establish a funding structure under which participating organizations pay recurring subscription fees in exchange for access to specified range capabilities, infrastructure, services, test environments, cybersecurity resources, data management capabilities, and related support functions, in lieu of or in combination with traditional reimbursable or direct-user funding mechanisms. The Under Secretary shall ensure that any subscription fees are commensurate with the services provided.

(d)

added Elements— In carrying out the pilot program required by subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall—

(1)

added establish subscription tiers or other recurring funding arrangements designed to support baseline operational, sustainment, modernization, and cybersecurity costs of participating ranges;

(2)

added assess the extent to which a subscription-based model improves funding predictability, resource utilization, infrastructure availability, and mission readiness;

(3)

added evaluate impacts on range scheduling, access, interoperability, and support for developmental testing, operational testing, training, experimentation, and rapid prototyping activities;

(4)

added identify authority constraints or other challenges associated with broader implementation of such a model;

(5)

added measure effects on cost recovery, user demand, and long-term sustainment of cyber-physical range capabilities; and

(6)

added develop recommendations regarding whether and how a subscription-based funding model could be expanded to additional test and evaluation facilities.

(e)

added Selection of participating ranges— In selecting ranges for participation in the pilot program required by subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall prioritize cyber-physical ranges that—

(1)

added support joint testing, training, or experimentation activities;

(2)

added integrate operational technology, cyber, communications, electronic warfare, or weapon-system testing capabilities; and

(3)

added can provide representative data regarding the scalability of subscription-based funding approaches across test and evaluation facilities.

(f)

added Report— Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a report describing the following:

(1)

added The actions taken under subsection (a).

(2)

added The status of implementation of integration required by such subsection.

(3)

added Any exceptions to full integration under subsection (b)(2).

(4)

added The reasons for the exceptions described in paragraph (3).

(g)

added Briefing— Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Under Secretary submits the report required by subsection (f), the Under Secretary shall provide the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a briefing on the matters covered by the report.

Sec. 242 Secure artificial intelligence data center demonstration program

added

(a)

added Demonstration program— The Secretary of Defense shall, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and in consultation with the Director of the National Security Agency and the head of the Center for Artificial Intelligence Standards and Innovation at the Department of Commerce, carry out a program to construct, prototype, and perform testing and evaluation on highly secure data centers, and to assess security requirements for such facilities, focused on—

(1)

added resisting attacks by nation-state adversaries;

(2)

added securing the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of artificial intelligence models and inference pipelines; and

(3)

added assessing whether existing security frameworks are sufficient to protect artificial intelligence capabilities supporting classified workloads.

(b)

added Focus— The program required by subsection (a) shall be focused on—

(1)

added prototyping technologies and security controls needed to protect artificial intelligence data centers from attacks by nation-state adversaries;

(2)

added protecting model weights and other sensitive assets from theft, sabotage, or unauthorized access;

(3)

added assessing physical security, cybersecurity, supply chain, insider threat, and incident response requirements for such facilities;

(4)

added prototyping secure inference-only clusters or devices designed to prevent unauthorized model weight extraction or modification, including mechanisms to securely or cryptographically verify that only authorized workloads are executed; and

(5)

added developing plans, budgets, and cost estimates and recommended courses of action for constructing or retrofitting such facilities.

(c)

added Briefing and report—

(1)

added Briefing— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on progress made under the program required by subsection (a), including key findings from prototype activities, threats, vulnerabilities, capability gaps, and resourcing requirements.

(2)

added Report— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the results of the program required by subsection (a), including—

(A)

added prototype results, technologies, or operational measures needed to improve the security of artificial intelligence data centers; and

(B)

added recommendations for further investments to address threats from nation-state adversaries.

Sec. 243 Comprehensive shared database for research and development

added

(a)

added Establishment— The Secretary of Defense shall, in collaboration with Federal laboratories, establish a comprehensive shared database of research and technology developed to help improve public and private cooperation in order to benefit national security. Such database shall meet necessary security standards, as determined by the Secretary.

(b)

added Federal laboratories— In establishing the database under subsection (a), the Secretary shall collaborate with Federal laboratories that focus on a variety of technologies, sectors, and needs within the national security sector.

Sec. 244 Development, test, evaluation, demonstration, and transition to production of alternative low-cost weapon systems

added

(a)

added In general— The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and in coordination with Secretaries of the military departments and the Director of the Missile Defense Agency, shall develop, test, evaluate, demonstrate, and transition to production, as appropriate, a portfolio of alternative, affordable, low-cost weapon systems in each of the following categories:

(1)

added Hypersonic strike systems.

(2)

added Cruise missiles.

(3)

added Shoulder-launched missiles.

(4)

added Extended range munitions.

(5)

added Mid-range integrated air and missile defense interceptors.

(6)

added Exoatmospheric interceptors.

(7)

added Short-range integrated air and missile defense interceptors.

(8)

added Medium-range air-to-air missiles.

(9)

added Autonomous systems, counter-unmanned systems, and loitering munitions.

(b)

added Requirements— In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall—

(1)

added employ innovative acquisition strategies, including rapid prototyping, digital engineering, modular open-system architectures, commercial-off-the-shelf components where feasible, and other cost-reduction initiatives to achieve significantly lower unit costs than current baseline systems while maintaining operationally relevant performance;

(2)

added prioritize expendable designs optimized for attritable, high-volume employment, compatibility with existing launch platforms, logistics infrastructure, and command-and-control networks, and the ability to complement existing programs of record;

(3)

added ensure systems are designed to enable production at scale in significantly greater quantities than current program of record systems through the prioritization of manufacturing ease and speed;

(4)

added include technology maturation, risk reduction, testing, and transition planning to low-rate initial production not later than fiscal year 2030 for each category of weapon system specified in subsection (a);

(5)

added establish specific cost and performance targets through competitive analysis, market research, prototyping, and experimentation;

(6)

added maximize the use of commercial acquisition procedures, commercial solutions openings, other transaction authority, and other rapid acquisition authorities to increase participation by nontraditional defense contractors, commercial suppliers, and small businesses;

(7)

added treat autonomous systems described in subsection (a)(9) as consumable combat equipment, including for purposes of acquisition, budgeting, sustainment, inventory, training, fielding, expenditure, replenishment, repair, upgrade, and replacement, unless the Secretary of Defense, or a covered designee, determines in writing that such treatment is inappropriate based on cost, complexity, expected service life, safety requirements, operational role, or replenishment requirements; and

(8)

added ensure that autonomous systems described in subsection (a)(9) are not subjected to acquisition, sustainment, inventory, training, or fielding requirements applicable to aircraft, vessels, or enduring major platforms solely on the basis that such systems operate in the air, on the surface of the sea, or undersea, unless the Secretary of Defense, or a covered designee, determines in writing that such requirements are necessary based on safety, operational, or legal requirements.

(c)

added Definitions— In this section:

(1)

added The term alternative low-cost systems means weapon systems in the categories listed in subsection (a) that are designed to achieve unit procurement costs significantly lower than existing program of record systems while delivering the minimum requirements set forth by the Secretary.

(2)

added The term autonomous systems means unmanned, remotely operated, optionally unmanned, autonomous, or semiautonomous systems, including associated software, sensors, payloads, communications equipment, and mission autonomy capabilities, that operate in the air, on land, on or below the surface of the sea, or across multiple domains.

(3)

added The term counter-unmanned systems means systems designed to detect, track, and defeat unmanned platforms through kinetic, directed energy, electronic warfare, cyber, or other means.

(4)

added The term covered designee means the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the Secretary of a military department, or a service acquisition executive.

(5)

added The term cruise missiles means turbojet-powered missiles designed for standoff precision strikes against land or sea targets at ranges generally exceeding 250 nautical miles, with simplified guidance, propulsion, and airframe designs.

(6)

added The term exoatmospheric interceptors means kinetic hit-to-kill interceptors designed for ballistic missile defense in the exoatmosphere, with engagement ranges generally exceeding 300 nautical miles (or equivalent altitudes above 50 nautical miles) and closing speeds of not less than Mach 8.

(7)

added The term extended range munitions means ground-launched precision munitions designed for extended standoff strikes at ranges generally exceeding 50 nautical miles.

(8)

added The term hypersonic strike systems means systems capable of Mach 5 or greater flight with maneuverability, designed for long-range precision strikes against time-sensitive, defended, or high-value targets at ranges generally exceeding 400 nautical miles.

(9)

added The term loitering munitions means expendable unmanned aerial systems designed to loiter in a target area and deliver kinetic effects against surface targets, capable of autonomous or semiautonomous terminal guidance.

(10)

added The term medium-range air-to-air missiles means guided missiles providing beyond-visual-range air-to-air intercept capability with diverse target-set engagement potential, performing intercepts at not less than 60 nautical miles and with a maximum speed of not less than Mach 3.

(11)

added The term mid-range integrated air and missile defense interceptors means interceptors optimized for integrated air and missile defense against cruise missiles, aircraft, and short- to medium-range ballistic missiles, with engagement ranges of not less than 30 nautical miles and speeds of not less than Mach 3.5.

(12)

added The term short-range integrated air and missile defense interceptors means interceptors for terminal defense against aircraft, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial systems, with engagement ranges of not less than five nautical miles and maximum speeds of not less than Mach 2.

(13)

added The term shoulder-launched missiles means man-portable or vehicle-launched missiles providing fire-and-forget or command-guided antiarmor capability at ranges of not less than one nautical mile.

Sec. 245 Modification to use of partnership intermediaries to promote defense research and education

added

added Section 4124(f) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

added by inserting “or Department of Defense laboratory” after “Center” each place it appears;

(2)

added by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3);

(3)

added by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph:

added “(2) A Department of Defense laboratory may pay the Federal costs of a contract, memorandum of understanding, or other transaction entered into under this subsection out of funds available to the laboratory for the support of technology transfer and transition functions, research and development, or operation and maintenance.”

(4)

added in paragraph (3)(B), as so redesignated, by adding “, or that can assist a Center or Department of Defense laboratory with technology transition, either out of, or into, the Center or laboratory” before the semicolon.

Sec. 251 Policy to guide the development and acquisition of quantum computing systems for the Department of Defense

(a)

Policy required— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall issue a policy to guide the development and acquisition of quantum computing systems for the Department of Defense. Under the policy, the Secretary shall—

(1)

establish a definition of “quantum computing system” for purposes of the policy;

(2)

establish a process for validating and verifying quantum computing systems before such systems are developed or acquired by the Department; and

(3)

ensure that the development and acquisition of such systems is consistent with and informed by the findings and processes of the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (or any successor initiative).

(b)

Limitation and waiver—

(1)

renumbered was (3)(2) Limitation— Following issuance of the policy under subsection (a), a quantum computing system may not be developed or acquired by an element of the Department of Defense unless the system has been validated and verified in accordance with such policy.

(2)

renumbered was (3)(3) Waiver— The Secretary of Defense may waive the limitation under paragraph (1), on a case by case basis, with respect to a specific quantum computing system. In the event the Secretary issues such a waiver, the Secretary shall provide to the congressional defense committees, not later than 15 days after date on which the waiver was issued—

(A)

renumbered was (3)(3)(3) written notice of such waiver; and

(B)

renumbered was (3)(3)(4) the Secretary’s justification for the waiver.

Sec. 257 Funding for rotary wing aviation lift upgrade enhancement

added

(a)

added Increase— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in Division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 201 for Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation, Defense-Wide, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4201 for system development for Aviation Systems (PE1160403BB) Line 302 is hereby increased by $12,000,000 (with the amount of such increase to be used to support Rotary Wing Aviation Lift Upgrade Enhancement).

(b)

added Offset— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in Division D the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 301 for operation and maintenance, Army, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4301, for Aviation Assets, Line 060, is hereby reduced by $12,000,000.

Sec. 258 Strategy for the adoption and integration of artificial intelligence

added

(a)

added In general— The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, shall develop a strategy regarding the adoption, fielding, integration, and scaling of artificial intelligence technologies across the Department of Defense and the defense industrial base.

(b)

added Report— 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 that includes—

(1)

added the strategy developed under subsection (a); and

(2)

added with respect to artificial intelligence technologies, a description of any—

(A)

added barriers to adoption and integration;

(B)

added workforce and infrastructure requirements;

(C)

added opportunities to strengthen collaboration with private industry and institutions of higher education; and

(D)

added recommendations to improve the deployment of such technologies.

Sec. 259 Report on Gun-Launched Electromagnetic Obscuration Capabilities for Naval Systems

added

(a)

added In general— Not later than March 1, 2027, the Secretary of the Navy, in coordination with the Chief of Naval Research and the Commander of the Naval Surface and Undersea Warfare Centers, shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a report on the feasibility and operational utility of integrating electromagnetic obscurant payloads into existing 5-inch naval cargo rounds.

(b)

added Contents— The report under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1)

added An assessment of the feasibility of integrating radiofrequency chaff or other electromagnetic obscurant payloads into existing 5-inch naval cargo rounds and Mk 45 naval gun systems.

(2)

added An assessment of the operational utility of gun-launched electromagnetic obscuration capabilities for degrading adversary radar tracking, targeting, and sensor fusion in contested maritime environments.

(3)

added A description of ongoing or planned prototyping, testing, or live-fire demonstration activities related to ship-launched electromagnetic countermeasure payload delivery.

(4)

added An assessment of integration considerations, including shipboard storage, handling, payload dispersion, range, and compatibility with existing naval gun systems.

(5)

added An assessment of opportunities to leverage existing cargo munition technologies, infrastructure, or cross-service technical expertise relevant to electromagnetic payload delivery.

(c)

added Form— The report required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex.

Sec. 260 Plan to support advanced manufacturing and materials for hypersonics research and development

added

(a)

added Plan required— The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment shall develop a plan to develop a comprehensive set of advanced manufacturing practices and advanced materials for hypersonics research and development.

(b)

added Elements— At a minimum, the plan under subsection (a) shall—

(1)

added address—

(A)

added intelligence-optimized robotic forming;

(B)

added additive and subtractive manufacturing methods;

(C)

added precision joining (laser, e-beam, friction stir) for dissimilar metals and metal/CMC interfaces; and

(D)

added advanced materials and processing; and

(2)

added define qualification artifacts (process allowable, non-destructive inspection procedures, and digital-thread data standards) and pilot lines executed by consortia of primes, startups, and Federal labs, with TRL/MRL, cost, and lead-time objectives.

(c)

added Report— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the plan developed under subsection (a).

Sec. 261 Strategy for the development of friction stir additive manufacturing technologies

added

(a)

added In general— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering shall submit to the congressional defense committees a comprehensive report outlining the strategy of the Department of Defense for the research, development, and deployment of friction stir additive manufacturing technologies.

(b)

added Elements— The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1)

added An assessment of the strategic importance of developing and deploying friction stir additive manufacturing technologies for national defense, including their potential to enhance supply chain resilience, manufacturing agility, and operational readiness.

(2)

added A detailed summary of current and planned Department of Defense programs and initiatives that are supporting the development, testing, or implementation of friction stir additive manufacturing technologies.

(3)

added An analysis of key areas of operational impact of such technologies, including—

(A)

added expeditionary manufacturing and sustainment capabilities;

(B)

added deployable micro-factory systems for forward operating bases or contested environments; and

(C)

added development of ultra-large-scale friction stir additive manufacturing techniques for critical defense infrastructure and platforms.

Sec. 262 Annual report on the transition of successful prototype projects

added

(a)

added In general— Not later than the last day of each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the transition of successful prototype projects into procurement, follow-on production, or operational deployment.

(b)

added Annual reporting requirements— Each report required under subsection (a) shall include the following information:

(1)

added The average time between the successful completion of a prototype project and a determination regarding procurement, follow-on production, operational deployment, additional testing, or program termination.

(2)

added The number and percentage of successful prototype projects that transitioned into procurement, follow-on production, or programs of record during the preceding year.

(3)

added The number and percentage of successful prototype projects that failed to transition into procurement or production capabilities during the preceding year.

(4)

added Explanations for delays exceeding 365 days between prototype completion and procurement or production decisions.

(5)

added Data on prototype projects funded through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), and other defense innovation and prototyping initiatives.

(6)

added Data broken down by military department, defense agency, and technology category, including artificial intelligence, autonomy, cyber capabilities, microelectronics, advanced manufacturing, and other critical emerging technologies.

(c)

added One-time reporting requirements— In addition to the information required under subsection (b), the final report required under subsection (a) shall include the following information:

(1)

added An identification of acquisition, contracting, budgeting, testing, or requirements-related bottlenecks that delay the transition of innovative technologies into operational capability.

(2)

added Recommendations to improve procurement efficiency and accelerate transition timelines for prototype projects.

(3)

added An assessment of barriers faced by small businesses and nontraditional defense contractors participating in defense innovation programs, including challenges related to financing, cybersecurity compliance, intellectual property protection, and access to follow-on procurement opportunities.

(d)

added Successful prototype project defined— In this section, the term “successful prototype project” means a prototype project that achieved the operational, technical, or mission requirements identified by the sponsoring military department or defense agency.

(e)

added Form of report— Each report required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex.

Sec. 311 Inclusion of nuclear energy in energy policy of Department of Defense and related matters

(a)

Inclusion in energy policy— Section 2911 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

changed in subsections (b) and (e), by inserting ~~“ or~~ “or nuclear energy” after “renewable energy sources” each place it appears;

(2)

in subsection (g)—

(A)

changed in the heading, by inserting ~~“ and~~ “and nuclear energy” after “renewable energy”;

(B)

changed in paragraphs (1) and (2), by inserting ~~“ or~~ “or nuclear energy” after “renewable energy sources” each place it appears; and

(C)

changed in paragraph (2), by inserting ~~“ and~~ “and nuclear energy” after “the use of renewable energy”; and

(3)

in subsection (h)(2)—

(A)

changed in subparagraph (C), by inserting ~~“ or~~ “or nuclear energy” after “renewable energy source, other than solar energy,”; and

(B)

changed in subparagraph (D), by inserting ~~“ or~~ “or nuclear energy” after “a renewable energy source”.

(b)

Inclusion in matters relating to use of energy for facilities— Section 2915 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in the section heading, by striking “renewable forms of energy” and inserting “nuclear energy, renewable forms of energy,”;

(2)

by striking “solar energy or other renewable forms of energy” each place it appears and inserting “nuclear energy, or solar energy or other renewable forms of energy,”; and

(3)

in subsection (b), by striking “a renewable form of energy” and inserting “such a form of energy”.

Sec. 319 Assessment of geothermal energy potential with respect to military installations

added

(a)

added Assessment— The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, shall conduct an assessment of geothermal energy resources located on or underlying military installations.

(b)

added Contents— The assessment under subsection (a) shall include an identification of the following:

(1)

added Each military installation with significant geothermal energy potential.

(2)

added Opportunities to improve the energy resilience (as such term is defined in section 101(f) of title 10, United States Code) of military installations through geothermal energy development.

(3)

added Opportunities for collaboration between the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy with respect to resource characterization, technology demonstration, and future geothermal energy development.

(c)

added Report— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report containing the results of the assessment under subsection (a).

Sec. 319A Report on PFAS destruction and water reclamation

added

(a)

added Report— Not later than June 1, 2027, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on available technology that leverages recent developments in single-pass high PFAS-destruction technology in water.

(b)

added Elements— The report described in subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1)

added A list and a description of available technology that allows—

(A)

added an air-water interface to serve as the primary heat transfer surface; and

(B)

added for the core operating temperature to enable single-pass high PFAS-destruction technology to ensure rapid destruction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in water.

(2)

added A proposal to establish a pilot program under which single-pass high PFAS destruction technology shall be tested for Department of Defense uses.

(3)

added A list of potential locations that could host such a pilot program.

(4)

added Any other matters the Secretary determines relevant.

(c)

added Single-pass high PFAS-destruction technology defined— In this section, the term single-pass high PFAS-destruction technology means a technology that—

(1)

added destroys per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances;

(2)

added is portable and able to operate in remote areas; and

(3)

added can process up to 20,000 gallons of water per day.

Sec. 319B Geothermal resource confirmation for Saipan under Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program

added

(a)

added Assessment required— As part of the Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program, the Secretary of Defense shall conduct an assessment of the viability of geothermal resources through drilling and other means on the island of Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, for the purposes of improving the energy security of Department of Defense facilities and operations. Such assessment shall include each of the following:

(1)

added The collection and analysis of geophysical, geochemical, and subsurface data relevant to geothermal resource viability.

(2)

added Field investigations, including geophysical surveys and test well drilling, to confirm the capacity of geothermal resources.

(3)

added An evaluation of the potential of geothermal resources to support resilient power for Department of Defense activities on Saipan, as well on Tinian via undersea cable.

(b)

added Execution; coordination— In carrying out the assessment under subsection (a), the Secretary—

(1)

added may act through the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations and Environment, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, or such other component of the Department of Defense as the Secretary considers appropriate; and

(2)

added shall coordinate, as appropriate, with the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Energy, the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, and the Government of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

(c)

added Report— Upon the completion of the assessment required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee as on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the findings of the assessment, including a determination regarding the viability of geothermal resources and recommended next steps.

Sec. 319C Study on energy fuel source conversion at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant

added

(a)

added In general— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of the Army shall, using funds otherwise made available to the Army, conduct a study to assess the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of converting the energy fuel source at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant from propane to natural gas.

(b)

added Elements— The study under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1)

added A determination of the current annual propane consumption at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant, including consumption by use category and seasonal variation.

(2)

added An estimate of the equivalent annual natural gas demand required to meet the energy needs of the plant.

(3)

added An analysis of the projected costs and savings associated with converting from propane to natural gas, including any capital costs for the conversion of plant infrastructure.

(4)

added An assessment of the energy reliability and resilience implications of such a conversion.

(5)

added An evaluation of the availability of natural gas supply to the plant, including any infrastructure, such as pipeline access, that would be required to deliver natural gas to the facility.

(c)

added Submission— Not later than 30 days after the completion of the study under subsection (a), the Secretary of the Army shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report containing the findings of such study.

Sec. 336 Improvements to management of tactical vehicles of the Navy and Marine Corps

added

added The Secretary of the Navy shall improve the management of tactical vehicles of the Navy and the Marine Corps by—

(1)

added establishing clearly defined responsibilities for vehicle commanders; and

(2)

added implementing standardized procedures that enable first-line supervisors to identify, assess and mitigate operational risks relating to such vehicles during training and mission execution.

Sec. 337 Pilot program on integrated road and railroad logistics capabilities for United States Transportation Command

added

(a)

added Establishment— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Commander of the United States Transportation Command, shall establish a pilot program to assess the operational utility of integrated road and railroad logistics capabilities at the initial and final stages of the transportation process, to improve the resilience, throughput, and safety of surface distribution in support of joint force operations, including in austere and contested environments.

(b)

added Activities— The pilot program under subsection (a) shall, to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with applicable safety and security requirements, include the following activities:

(1)

added The demonstration and evaluation of surface logistics platforms capable of—

(A)

added operating on public roads and on standard-gauge rail infrastructure, including yards, spurs, sidings, and railheads; and

(B)

added transitioning between such modes without requiring the construction of new fixed terminal infrastructure.

(2)

added The demonstration and evaluation of capabilities to transport standardized cargo platforms, including loads compatible with international intermodal containers (commonly referred to as “ISO containers”) and other modular payloads, between public roads and rail infrastructure in a manner that reduces reliance on multiple specialized assets for handling cargo and reduces cargo dwell time at railheads and yards.

(3)

added The assessment of plans for the operational deployment of such platforms, capabilities, and associated systems, for—

(A)

added distribution to military installations and use with respect to depots;

(B)

added port and strategic mobility support activities; and

(C)

added distributed logistics in austere and contested environments where infrastructure is damaged, constrained, or unavailable.

(4)

added The demonstration and evaluation of a software-enabled capability to coordinate transportation on public roads and rail infrastructure at the initial and final stages of the transportation process, including to coordinate the scheduling of yard and terminal availability, mission assignment, and exception management, and to generate auditable performance data on such activities.

(5)

added The assessment of cybersecurity and data integrity measures for any networked command-and-control, dispatch, or audit logging function relating to such pilot program, including authentication, encryption in transit, access controls, and tamper-evident recordkeeping, consistent with applicable cybersecurity policies of the Department of Defense.

(6)

added The evaluation of safety considerations (including with respect to human involvement in supervision activities, as appropriate) and compliance pathways for operations on or adjacent to rail infrastructure and in controlled environments, including geofenced areas.

(c)

added Locations— The Commander of the United States Transportation Command shall carry out the pilot program under subsection (a) at one or more locations selected by the Commander. Such locations may include the following:

(1)

added A strategic distribution node, port, or other surface distribution hub supporting the Defense Transportation System.

(2)

added A railhead located at a military installation, a depot, a location at which logistics readiness activities are conducted, or another facility of the Department of Defense with recurring surface distribution requirements.

(d)

added Metrics and evaluation— In carrying out the pilot program under subsection (a), the Commander of the United States Transportation Command shall establish metrics and, to the maximum extent practicable, collect and assess performance data for the activities conducted under such pilot program. Such data may include the following:

(1)

added Cargo dwell time and throughput.

(2)

added Labor hour requirements and safety incidents.

(3)

added Operational availability and maintenance burden.

(4)

added Energy use and fuel consumption.

(5)

added Integration burden with existing logistics information systems.

(6)

added Cybersecurity observations and data integrity outcomes.

(e)

added Termination— The pilot program under subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is two years after the date on which the pilot program is established.

(f)

added Report— Not later than 180 days after the date of the termination of the pilot program under subsection (e), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report containing a description of the results of such pilot program, including the following:

(1)

added A summary of the activities conducted under such pilot program and the locations selected pursuant to subsection (c).

(2)

added An assessment of the performance of such activities against the metrics established pursuant to subsection (d).

(3)

added An identification of any safety or regulatory constraint encountered in carrying out such activities, including as a result of railroad operating rules.

(4)

added An assessment of cybersecurity and data integrity considerations.

(5)

added A cost-informed assessment of the scalability of such pilot program and related sustainment considerations.

(6)

added Recommendations regarding future experimentation relating to the capabilities demonstrated and evaluated under such pilot program or similar capabilities, the development of related requirements, and potential transition pathways for such capabilities.

Sec. 342 Assessment of capacity for ground-safety programs with respect to tactical vehicle operations

added

(a)

added Assessment— The Secretary of the Army shall conduct an assessment as to whether operational units of the Army have sufficient personnel, resources, and organizational capacity to effectively implement ground-safety programs with respect to tactical vehicle operations.

(b)

added Report— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report containing the results of the assessment conducted under subsection (a).

Sec. 343 Report on reduction of training-related accidents across military departments

added

added Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on progress made by each military department to reduce training-related accidents, fatalities, and serious injuries. Such report shall include, with respect to each military department—

(1)

added data trends, including year-over-year comparisons of such data;

(2)

added an assessment of the effectiveness of any action taken in response to prior congressional concerns expressed regarding training safety; and

(3)

added a description of ongoing and planned efforts to further reduce training-related incidents, improve risk management practices, and enhance the safety of the members of the Armed Forces during training operations.

Sec. 344 Study on potential establishment of Strategic Infrastructure Partnership Initiative

added

(a)

added Study— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, shall conduct a study on the potential benefits of establishing an initiative, to be known as the “Strategic Infrastructure Partnership Initiative”, to conduct strategic assessments and leverage regional engagement to—

(1)

added advance the identification, development, and implementation of high-quality, resilient, and secure infrastructure projects across the area of responsibility of the United States Indo-Pacific Command;

(2)

added prioritize, with respect to such infrastructure projects, dual-use infrastructure (including ports, airfields, energy systems, digital networks, and logistics facilities) that supports civilian economic development and regional stability and security objectives;

(3)

added incorporate into the design and implementation of such infrastructure projects best practices for infrastructure resilience, including through the adoption of cybersecurity and physical security standards; and

(4)

added align assistance and security priorities by coordinating with the heads of relevant Federal departments and agencies, including the Director of the United States Trade and Development Agency, with respect to such infrastructure projects.

(b)

added Report— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report containing the results of the study required under subsection (a).

Sec. 345 Report on accelerating military posture within area of responsibility of United States Indo-Pacific Command

added

added Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on options to accelerate the posture of the Armed Forces within the area of responsibility of such Command. Such report shall include the following:

(1)

added A comprehensive list of each planned or underway initiative to establish or enhance access by the Armed Forces to locations within such area of responsibility, including access to headquarters, military installations, prepositioned stocks, and forward operating locations within such area.

(2)

added For each initiative listed pursuant to paragraph (1)—

(A)

added an expected timeline for the completion of the initiative, including an identification of major milestones during the periods ending in 2030, 2035, and 2040, respectively;

(B)

added a description of any opportunities to accelerate such expected timeline;

(C)

added an analysis of any financial, diplomatic, logistical, or other impediment to such accelerated timeline;

(D)

added recommendations to overcoming any such impediment, including an identification of resources required; and

(E)

added an evaluation of the operational and strategic benefits of such acceleration.

(3)

added A prioritized list of candidate initiatives, and corresponding locations, suitable for the acceleration described in paragraph (2), including an identification of any resources or actions required for such acceleration.

Sec. 346 Requirement to provide briefing on insect repellent uniform treatments

added

(a)

added Requirement— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall provide a briefing to the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate regarding validated insect repellent available to the Army on the date of the enactment of this Act.

(b)

added Elements— The briefing under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

(1)

added Ongoing evaluations to validate fabric treatments to improve insect repellency for combat uniforms.

(2)

added An analysis of fabric treatment and garment treatment performance results.

(3)

added Established research and development programs to improve uniform insect repellency.

Sec. 347 Study and report on use of next-generation geothermal technologies to support energy capabilities of the Department of Defense

added

(a)

added In general— The Secretary of Defense shall carry out a study to evaluate the potential and feasibility of implementing next-generation geothermal technologies to meet the power needs of the Department of Defense and strengthen national security.

(b)

added Elements— The study under subsection (a) shall evaluate—

(1)

added the potential for next-generation geothermal technologies to be used to meet energy resilience requirements under section 2920 of title 10, United States Code;

(2)

added the long-term cost of increasing the use of next-generation geothermal technologies to meet Department of Defense power needs, including cost estimates for—

(A)

added point-of-use power production;

(B)

added reduced transmission requirements;

(C)

added reduced reliance on fuel costs; and

(D)

added reduced reliance on fuel delivery; and

(3)

added how next-generation geothermal technologies may be used to—

(A)

added provide district heating and cooling for military quarters, hospitals, or other relevant facilities of the Department of Defense;

(B)

added reduce exposure of the military departments to cybersecurity threats;

(C)

added reduce the reliance of the military departments on vulnerable supply chains; and

(D)

added improve natural disaster resiliency on military installations and in areas in geographic proximity to military installations.

(c)

added Report— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that includes the results of the study under subsection (a).

Sec. 348 Report on certain water and wastewater infrastructure systems at military installations

added

(a)

added Report— 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 identifying any water and wastewater infrastructure system—

(1)

added that is located at a military installation;

(2)

added the age of which exceeds 60 years;

(3)

added that the Secretary determines requires substantial deferred maintenance, or replacement, to maintain compliance with applicable environmental or public health requirements; and

(4)

added the failure of which the Secretary determines—

(A)

added presents a significant risk to installation readiness, force health protection, continuity of operations, or mission execution; and

(B)

added would result in significant contingency operating costs.

(b)

added Matters— The report under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1)

added For each system identified pursuant to such report, the following information:

(A)

added The age and condition of the system.

(B)

added The estimated cost to maintain, restore, modernize, or replace the system.

(C)

added The estimated contingency operating costs associated with the failure of the system.

(D)

added An assessment of the effect such failure would have with respect to installation readiness, force health protection, continuity of operations, and mission execution.

(E)

added An assessment of the effect such failure would have with respect to members of the Armed Forces, military families, and quality of life at the military installation, including such effects on access to safe drinking water, sanitation, housing, healthcare, and other essential services.

(2)

added A prioritized ranking across the systems so identified, based on an assessment of the lifecycle condition of such systems, the operational risks, and effects on installation readiness, that would result from the failure of such systems, and the compliance requirements specified in subsection (a)(3) applicable to such systems.

(3)

added Recommendations for addressing, through maintenance, restoration, modernization, or replacement activities, the systems ranked as the highest priority pursuant to paragraph (2).

Sec. 366 Federal financial assistance for operation and maintenance of National Guard facilities

added

added Chapter 1 of title 32, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

added “116. Federal financial assistance for operation and maintenance of National Guard facilities

added “The Secretary of Defense may provide assistance, through a grant or cooperative agreement entered into with the Governor of a State (or, in the case of the District of Columbia, with the commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard), a local government, or other recipient for the purpose of operating or maintaining National Guard facilities required to organize, train, and equip the National Guard to perform State and Federal operations and missions.”

Sec. 416 Removal of end strength limitation for National Guard support for counterdrug activities

added

added Section 112 of title 32, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

added by striking subsection (e); and

(2)

added by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections (g) and (h), respectively.

Sec. 503 Limited consideration of satisfactory non-regular service towards service-in-grade requirement of a reserve officer who retires voluntarily

added Section 1370(b)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(a)

removed ~~Army—~~ Section 7037(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “The Judge Advocate General, while so serving, has the grade of lieutenant general. An officer appointed as Deputy Judge Advocate General who holds a lower regular grade shall be appointed in the regular grade of major general.”.

(1)

changed ~~Marine Corps—~~ ~~Section 8046(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended~~ in subparagraph (A), by ~~adding at the end the following: “If the officer to be appointed as the Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps holds~~ striking “; and” and inserting a ~~grade lower than the grade of lieutenant general immediately before the appointment, the officer shall be appointed in the grade of lieutenant general.”.~~semicolon;

(2)

added in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting “; and”; and

(3)

added by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

added “(C) in the case of a reserve officer, such period may include satisfactory non-regular service, but not for purposes of calculating—

added “(i) the retired pay or other benefits from the United States to which such reserve officer would have been entitled based upon military service; or

added “(ii) any benefit to which any other person may become entitled based on such military service.”

(d)

removed ~~Navy—~~

(1)

removed ~~The Judge Advocate General—~~ Section 8088(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “The Judge Advocate General, while so serving, has the grade of vice admiral or lieutenant general, as appropriate.”.

(2)

removed ~~The Deputy Judge Advocate General—~~ Section 8089(a)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “If an officer appointed as the Deputy Judge Advocate General holds a lower regular grade, the officer shall be appointed in the regular grade of rear admiral or major general, as appropriate.”.

(f)

removed ~~Air Force—~~

(1)

removed ~~The Judge Advocate General—~~ ~~Section 9037(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “The Judge Advocate General, while so serving, has the grade of lieutenant general.”.~~

(2)

removed ~~The Deputy Judge Advocate General—~~ Section 9037(d)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “An officer appointed as Deputy Judge Advocate General who holds a lower regular grade shall be appointed in the regular grade of major general.”.

Sec. 504 Ranks of Judge Advocates General

(a)

added Army— Section 7037(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “The Judge Advocate General, while so serving, has the grade of lieutenant general. An officer appointed as Deputy Judge Advocate General who holds a lower regular grade shall be appointed in the regular grade of major general.”.

(a)

removed ~~In general—~~

(1)

removed ~~Chief of Army Reserve—~~ ~~Section 7038(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following new paragraph:~~

removed ~~“(4) The Chief of Army Reserve, while so serving, holds the grade of lieutenant general.”~~

(2)

removed ~~Chief of Navy Reserve—~~ ~~Section 8083(b) of such title is amended by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following new paragraph:~~

removed ~~“(4) The Chief of Navy Reserve, while so serving, holds the grade of vice admiral.”~~

(3)

removed ~~Commander, Marine Forces Reserve—~~ ~~Section 8084(b) of such title is amended by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following new paragraph:~~

removed ~~“(4) The Commander, Marine Forces Reserve, while so serving, holds the grade of lieutenant general.”~~

(4)

removed ~~Chief of Air Force Reserve—~~ ~~Section 9038(b) of such title is amended by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following new paragraph:~~

removed ~~“(4) The Chief of Air Force Reserve, while so serving, holds the grade of lieutenant general.”~~

(b)

changed ~~Effective date—~~Marine Corps— ~~The amendments made~~ Section 8046(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by ~~subsection (a) shall take effect on~~ adding at the ~~day that is one year after~~ end the ~~date~~ following: “If the officer to be appointed as the Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the ~~enactment~~ Marine Corps holds a grade lower than the grade of ~~this Act and~~ lieutenant general immediately before the appointment, the officer shall ~~apply to appointments made on or after such day.~~be appointed in the grade of lieutenant general.”.

(d)

added Navy—

(1)

added The Judge Advocate General— Section 8088(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “The Judge Advocate General, while so serving, has the grade of vice admiral or lieutenant general, as appropriate.”.

(2)

added The Deputy Judge Advocate General— Section 8089(a)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “If an officer appointed as the Deputy Judge Advocate General holds a lower regular grade, the officer shall be appointed in the regular grade of rear admiral or major general, as appropriate.”.

(f)

added Air Force—

(1)

added The Judge Advocate General— Section 9037(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “The Judge Advocate General, while so serving, has the grade of lieutenant general.”.

(2)

added The Deputy Judge Advocate General— Section 9037(d)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “An officer appointed as Deputy Judge Advocate General who holds a lower regular grade shall be appointed in the regular grade of major general.”.

Sec. 505 Grades of certain chiefs of reserve components

(a)

added In general—

(1)

added Chief of Army Reserve— Section 7038(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following new paragraph:

added “(4) The Chief of Army Reserve, while so serving, holds the grade of lieutenant general.”

(2)

added Chief of Navy Reserve— Section 8083(b) of such title is amended by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following new paragraph:

added “(4) The Chief of Navy Reserve, while so serving, holds the grade of vice admiral.”

(3)

added Commander, Marine Forces Reserve— Section 8084(b) of such title is amended by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following new paragraph:

added “(4) The Commander, Marine Forces Reserve, while so serving, holds the grade of lieutenant general.”

(4)

added Chief of Air Force Reserve— Section 9038(b) of such title is amended by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following new paragraph:

added “(4) The Chief of Air Force Reserve, while so serving, holds the grade of lieutenant general.”

removed ~~Section 7084 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—~~

(b)

changed Effective date— The amendments made by ~~striking “The Chief”~~ subsection (a) shall take effect on the day that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and ~~inserting “(a) Appointment.—The Chief”; and~~shall apply to appointments made on or after such day.

(2)

removed ~~by adding at the end the following new subsection:~~

removed ~~“(b) Grade—The Chief of the Veterinary Corps of the Army, while so serving, holds the grade of brigadier general.”~~

Sec. 506 Grade of Chief of the Veterinary Corps of the Army

changed Section ~~514~~ 7084 of ~~the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118–159; 10 U.S.C. 20001 note)~~ title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

changed by ~~redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (l);~~ striking “The Chief” and inserting “(a) Appointment.—The Chief”; and

(2)

changed by ~~inserting after subsection (j)~~ adding at the end the following new ~~subsection (k):~~subsection:

changed ~~“(k) Rules~~ “(b) Grade—The Chief of ~~construction—Nothing in this section shall be construed to—~~the Veterinary Corps of the Army, while so serving, holds the grade of brigadier general.”

removed ~~“(1) authorize the transfer of a member of the Air National Guard of the United States more than once under subsection (c); or~~

removed ~~“(2) establish a waiver of the applicability of any provision of section 104 of title 32, United States Code, or of section 18238 of title 10, United States Code.”~~

Sec. 507 Report on effect of equipment shortfalls on National Guard ability to assist in disaster response

changed ~~Not later than 90 days after the date~~ Chapter 9 of title 32, United States Code, is amended by adding at the ~~enactment of this Act,~~ end the ~~Secretary of Defense shall ensure that Global Force Management plans and processes—~~following new section:

added “909. Report on effect of equipment availability to assist in disaster response

added “Not later than March 31 of the next fiscal year, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Administration, shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate a report with respect to each fiscal year on—

added “(1) equipment shortfalls in the National Guard of each State;

added “(2) the effect of such shortfalls in the ability of the National Guard of a State to provide assistance or conduct operations related to disaster response, including with respect to hurricanes; and

added “(3) recommendations for addressing the shortfalls, including through modernization and preposition of equipment in disaster-prone States.”

(1)

removed ~~specifically address the assignment and allocation of active duty and reserve judge advocates; and~~

(2)

removed convey information on the staffing availability of judge advocates in a manner that enables combatant commanders to readily determine the number of judge advocates who are available for permanent assignment to the combatant commands in the event of an armed conflict.

Sec. 508 Continuation in office of Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau when necessary to ensure leadership continuity

(a)

changed ~~In general—~~Extension of term when position of Chief of the National Guard Bureau is vacant— ~~The Secretary~~ Section 10505(a)(3) of ~~Defense shall ensure—~~title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

changed ~~a covered military chaplain is able to provide pastoral counseling, including emotional, moral, or behavioral assistance counseling;~~in subparagraph (A), by striking “subparagraph (B)” and inserting “subparagraphs (B) and (C)”; and

(2)

changed ~~a covered military chaplain is able to provide pastoral counseling with respect to matters not strictly related to spiritual counseling; and~~by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

added “(C) If upon the date on which the term of the Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau would otherwise expire the position of Chief of the National Guard Bureau is vacant and a replacement for the position of Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau has not been confirmed by the Senate, the term of the Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau shall be extended until the date on which the Senate has confirmed a nominee for either position.”

(3)

removed ~~that privileged communications between covered military chaplains and members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Space Force are protected.~~

(b)

changed ~~Covered military chaplain defined—~~Inclusion as a member of the Joint Requirements Oversight Council— ~~In this section, the term covered military chaplain means a chaplain in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Space Force.~~Section 181 of such title is amended—

(1)

added in subsection (c)(1), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

added “(G) The Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau.”

(2)

added in subsection (d), by striking paragraph (4).

Sec. 509 Limitation on the transfer to the Space Force of certain functions of the Air National Guard

added

added Section 514 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118–159; 10 U.S.C. 20001 note) is amended—

(1)

added by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (l); and

(2)

added by inserting after subsection (j) the following new subsection (k):

added “(k) Rules of construction—Nothing in this section shall be construed to—

added “(1) authorize the transfer of a member of the Air National Guard of the United States more than once under subsection (c); or

added “(2) establish a waiver of the applicability of any provision of section 104 of title 32, United States Code, or of section 18238 of title 10, United States Code.”

Sec. 509A Change in evaluation criteria for officers: notification; consultation

added

(a)

added In general— Not less than 180 days before the Secretary of Defense changes any criterion used in the evaluation of an officer of a covered Armed Force, the Secretary shall—

(1)

added submit to the covered committees a written explanation of such proposed change; and

(2)

added consult, in conversation, with the covered committees regarding such proposed change.

(b)

added Definitions— In this section:

(1)

added The term “covered Armed Force” means the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force.

(2)

added The term “covered committees” means the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Sec. 509B Inclusion of Judge Advocates in Global Force Management processes

added

added Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that Global Force Management plans and processes—

(1)

added specifically address the assignment and allocation of active duty and reserve judge advocates; and

(2)

added convey information on the staffing availability of judge advocates in a manner that enables combatant commanders to readily determine the number of judge advocates who are available for permanent assignment to the combatant commands in the event of an armed conflict.

Sec. 509C Role of military chaplains

added

(a)

added In general— The Secretary of Defense shall ensure—

(1)

added a covered military chaplain is able to provide pastoral counseling, including emotional, moral, or behavioral assistance counseling;

(2)

added a covered military chaplain is able to provide pastoral counseling with respect to matters not strictly related to spiritual counseling; and

(3)

added that privileged communications between covered military chaplains and members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Space Force are protected.

(b)

added Covered military chaplain defined— In this section, the term covered military chaplain means a chaplain in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Space Force.

Sec. 518 Soldier Digital Lifecycle Modernization Initiative

(a)

changed ~~Pilot program—~~In general— The Secretary of ~~Defense may~~ the Army shall carry out a pilot program to ~~evaluate~~ design, develop, and implement an initiative to be known as the ~~use of automated, voice-based risk assessment technology~~ “Soldier Digital Lifecycle Modernization Initiative” to ~~support targeted drug testing of~~ provide members of the ~~Armed Forces~~ Army, prospective recruits to ~~determine if such technology can improve~~ the ~~efficiency, cost-effectiveness,~~ Army, and ~~operational readiness~~ veterans of the ~~drug testing programs of~~ Army with a secure, digital experience through the ~~Department~~ lifecycle of ~~Defense by enabling risk-informed testing in place~~ a member of ~~universal urinalysis.~~the Army, including during recruitment and after separation.

(b)

changed Elements— ~~If the Secretary of Defense carries out the~~ The pilot program under subsection ~~(a), such pilot program~~ (a) shall—

(1)

changed ~~make use~~ be carried out consistent with Executive Order 14338 (90 Fed. Reg. 163, relating to Improving Our Nation Through Better Design) and Office of ~~automated, voice-based risk assessment technology;~~Management and Budget Memorandum M-23-22 relating to Delivering a Digital-First Public Experience or any successor Executive order or Office of Management and Budget memorandum;

(2)

changed ~~be executed as part~~ make use of ~~the Drug Demand Reduction Program~~ existing digital infrastructure and systems of the ~~Department of Defense;~~Army;

(3)

changed ~~be conducted consistent with the goals~~ include establishment a secure digital identity record enabling continuity of data from recruitment into the ~~drug testing program, including deterrence~~ Army through separation and transition to ~~assess the security, military fitness, readiness, good order, and discipline of commands;~~being a veteran;

(4)

changed ~~be conducted in~~ include development of a ~~manner that allows the results to be used~~ unified experience platform for ~~punitive or other appropriate actions; and~~members of the Army that provides integrated, role-based, and personalized digital services;

(5)

changed ~~be conducted in a manner that protects individual privacy and complies with applicable law~~ include modernization of routine administrative workflows to reduce manual processing and ~~Department policy.~~data reentry;

(6)

added include deployment of analytics and decision-support tools to inform readiness and retention decisions; and

(7)

added include enhancement of digital transition pathways to support separation from the Armed Forces and continued engagement with veterans.

(c)

changed ~~Report—~~Commercial best practices— ~~If the Secretary of Defense carries~~ In carrying out the pilot program ~~under~~ required by subsection (a), ~~not later than one year after~~ the ~~date on which the~~ Secretary ~~of Defense establishes such pilot, the Secretary shall submit~~ shall, to the ~~congressional defense committees an assessment of such pilot program, including the impact of the~~ maximum extent practicable and cost-effective, make use of ~~automated, voice-based risk assessment technology as described in subsection (a) on testing volume, cost savings, personnel time,~~ commercially available technologies, modular architectures, and ~~operational readiness.~~open standards to accelerate delivery and improve user experience.

(d)

changed ~~Termination—~~Report— If Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of ~~Defense carries out~~ the ~~pilot program under subsection (a), such pilot program~~ Army shall ~~terminate on the date that is three years after~~ submit to the ~~date on which such pilot program is established.~~congressional defense committees a report describing—

(1)

added the implementation plan for the initiative;

(2)

added key design and integration milestones;

(3)

added estimated costs by fiscal year;

(4)

added performance metrics to measure improvements in user experience, administrative burden reduction, retention indicators, and transition outcomes; and

(5)

added any additional authorities the Secretary determines are required.

(e)

added Termination— The pilot program required by subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is three years after the date of the establishment of such pilot program.

Sec. 519 Authority to study the propensity of certain students to serve in the Armed Forces

(a)

added Study—

(1)

added Agreement— The Secretary of Defense shall seek to enter into an agreement—

(A)

added with an entity described in paragraph (2) pursuant to which such entity shall conduct a comprehensive study on the propensity to serve of military-connected students; and

(B)

added not later than year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(2)

added Eligible entity— An entity described in this paragraph is a national nonprofit organization that—

(A)

added focuses on the educational environment of military-connected youth;

(B)

added is a partner to an institution of higher education; and

(C)

added has demonstrated expertise in research, mixed-methods methodology, or adolescent development.

(3)

added Scope— Such study shall—

(A)

added examine the relationship between family military tradition and legacy, including generational service, parental attitudes toward service in the Armed Forces, and household military culture, and a student’s propensity to serve in the Armed Forces;

(B)

added assess the relationship between academic environmental factors (including participation in JROTC, access to military-affiliated mentors and counselors, and type of school) and the propensity to serve;

(C)

added evaluate the role of peer support programming in shaping plans after secondary school among military-connected students;

(D)

added catalog factors that enhance or detract from the propensity to serve identified by military-connected students, their parents or guardians, and school personnel; and

(E)

added aggregate findings by subgroup, including by grade level, gender, race, ethnicity, geographic region, and school type.

(4)

added Methodology— Study shall be conducted—

(A)

added using mixed methods, including—

(i)

added a quantitative survey administered to a nationally representative sample of not fewer than 1,500 military-connected students, using a purpose-built and validated instrument measuring the propensity to serve, family military legacy, JROTC participation, and school environment; and

(ii)

added semi-structured qualitative interviews with not fewer than 60 participants, including military-connected students, their parents or guardians, JROTC instructors, school counselors, school liaison officers, and program coordinators; and

(B)

added in accordance with—

(i)

added the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects (part 46 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations including provisions applicable to research involving minors;

(ii)

added the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (Public Law 93–380; 20 U.S.C. 1232g); and

(iii)

added applicable guidance of the Department of Defense governing the conduct of research on human subjects.

(5)

added Optional participation— Participation in the study shall be voluntary. A military-connected student who is under 18 years of age may not participate without the informed written consent of a parent or legal guardian.

(b)

added Reports—

(1)

added Interim report— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives an interim report on such a study, including—

(A)

added whether the Secretary has entered into an agreement under subsection (a);

(B)

added whether such study has begun; and

(C)

added any preliminary findings available at the time of the report.

(a)

removed ~~In general—~~ The Secretary of the Army shall carry out a pilot program to design, develop, and implement an initiative to be known as the “Soldier Digital Lifecycle Modernization Initiative” to provide members of the Army, prospective recruits to the Army, and veterans of the Army with a secure, digital experience through the lifecycle of a member of the Army, including during recruitment and after separation.

(b)

removed ~~Elements—~~ ~~The pilot program under subsection (a) shall—~~

(2)

changed Final report— ~~be carried out consistent with Executive Order 14338 (90 Fed. Reg. 163, relating~~ Not later than two years after the Secretary enters into an agreement under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to ~~Improving Our Nation Through Better Design) and Office~~ the Committees on Armed Services of ~~Management~~ the Senate and ~~Budget Memorandum M-23-22 relating to Delivering~~ the House of Representatives a ~~Digital-First Public Experience or any successor Executive order or Office~~ final report on the results of ~~Management and Budget memorandum;~~the study. Such a final report shall include—

(A)

added a detailed description of the study methodology, sample characteristics, and data collection procedures;

(B)

added the quantitative findings, including statistical analyses of the relationship between family military legacy, school environment, JROTC participation, peer-to-peer program participation, and the propensity to serve;

(C)

added the qualitative findings, including key themes derived from interviews with military-connected students, their parents or guardians, and school personnel;

(D)

added an integrated analysis of quantitative and qualitative findings;

(E)

added findings disaggregated by grade level, gender, race, ethnicity, geographic region, and school type;

(F)

added recommendations for the Secretary regarding military recruitment strategy, development of JROTC programs, and support services for military-connected students; and

(G)

added recommendations to Congress regarding legislative action based on such findings.

(3)

changed Form— ~~make use of existing digital infrastructure and systems of~~ The reports required under this subsection shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex if the ~~Army;~~Secretary determines such annex is necessary.

(3)

removed ~~include establishment a secure digital identity record enabling continuity of data from recruitment into the Army through separation and transition to being a veteran;~~

(4)

removed ~~include development of a unified experience platform for members of the Army that provides integrated, role-based, and personalized digital services;~~

(5)

removed ~~include modernization of routine administrative workflows to reduce manual processing and data reentry;~~

(6)

removed ~~include deployment of analytics and decision-support tools to inform readiness and retention decisions; and~~

(7)

removed ~~include enhancement of digital transition pathways to support separation from the Armed Forces and continued engagement with veterans.~~

(c)

changed ~~Commercial best practices—~~Definitions— In carrying out the pilot program required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable and cost-effective, make use of commercially available technologies, modular architectures, and open standards to accelerate delivery and improve user experience.this section:

(1)

added The term military-connected student means a secondary school student—

(A)

added enrolled in grade 11 or 12; and

(B)

added who has at least one parent or guardian who is currently serving, or who previously served, in the Armed Forces.

(2)

added The term propensity to serve means a student’s self-reported likelihood of joining the Armed Forces after graduation from secondary school.

(3)

added The term JROTC means the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program authorized under chapter 102 of title 10, United States Code.

(d)

removed ~~Report—~~ ~~Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report describing—~~

(1)

removed ~~the implementation plan for the initiative;~~

(2)

removed ~~key design and integration milestones;~~

(3)

removed ~~estimated costs by fiscal year;~~

(4)

removed ~~performance metrics to measure improvements in user experience, administrative burden reduction, retention indicators, and transition outcomes; and~~

(5)

removed ~~any additional authorities the Secretary determines are required.~~

(e)

removed ~~Termination—~~ ~~The pilot program required by subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is three years after the date of the establishment of such pilot program.~~

Sec. 519A Prohibition on enlistment or appointment of foreign nationals from foreign adversaries

(a)

added Enlistment— Section 504 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

added “(d) Nationals of foreign adversary countries—Notwithstanding subsection (b), no person who is a national of a covered nation (as defined in section 4872(f) of this title) may be enlisted in an armed force.”

(b)

added Appointment— Section 532(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(a)

removed ~~Study—~~

(1)

removed ~~Agreement—~~ ~~The Secretary of Defense shall seek to enter into an agreement—~~

(A)

removed ~~with an entity described in paragraph (2) pursuant to which such entity shall conduct a comprehensive study on the propensity to serve of military-connected students; and~~

(B)

removed ~~not later than year after the date of the enactment of this Act.~~

(2)

removed ~~Eligible entity—~~ ~~An entity described in this paragraph is a national nonprofit organization that—~~

(A)

removed ~~focuses on the educational environment of military-connected youth;~~

(B)

removed ~~is a partner to an institution of higher education; and~~

(C)

removed ~~has demonstrated expertise in research, mixed-methods methodology, or adolescent development.~~

(3)

removed ~~Scope—~~ ~~Such study shall—~~

(A)

removed examine the relationship between family military tradition and legacy, including generational service, parental attitudes toward service in the Armed Forces, and household military culture, and a student’s propensity to serve in the Armed Forces;

(B)

removed ~~assess the relationship between academic environmental factors (including participation in JROTC, access to military-affiliated mentors and counselors, and type of school) and the propensity to serve;~~

(C)

removed ~~evaluate the role of peer support programming in shaping plans after secondary school among military-connected students;~~

(D)

removed ~~catalog factors that enhance or detract from the propensity to serve identified by military-connected students, their parents or guardians, and school personnel; and~~

(E)

removed ~~aggregate findings by subgroup, including by grade level, gender, race, ethnicity, geographic region, and school type.~~

(4)

removed ~~Methodology—~~ ~~Study shall be conducted—~~

(A)

removed ~~using mixed methods, including—~~

(i)

removed a quantitative survey administered to a nationally representative sample of not fewer than 1,500 military-connected students, using a purpose-built and validated instrument measuring the propensity to serve, family military legacy, JROTC participation, and school environment; and

(ii)

removed semi-structured qualitative interviews with not fewer than 60 participants, including military-connected students, their parents or guardians, JROTC instructors, school counselors, school liaison officers, and program coordinators; and

(B)

removed ~~in accordance with—~~

(i)

removed ~~the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects (part 46 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations including provisions applicable to research involving minors;~~

(ii)

removed ~~the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (Public Law 93–380; 20 U.S.C. 1232g); and~~

(iii)

removed ~~applicable guidance of the Department of Defense governing the conduct of research on human subjects.~~

(5)

removed ~~Optional participation—~~ ~~Participation in the study shall be voluntary. A military-connected student who is under 18 years of age may not participate without the informed written consent of a parent or legal guardian.~~

(b)

removed ~~Reports—~~

(1)

removed ~~Interim report—~~ Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives an interim report on such a study, including—

(A)

removed ~~whether the Secretary has entered into an agreement under subsection (a);~~

(B)

removed ~~whether such study has begun; and~~

(C)

removed ~~any preliminary findings available at the time of the report.~~

(1)

changed ~~Final report—~~ ~~Not later than two years after the Secretary enters into an agreement under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate~~ in paragraph (3), by striking “; and” and ~~the House of Representatives a final report on the results of the study. Such~~ inserting a ~~final report shall include—~~semicolon;

(A)

removed ~~a detailed description of the study methodology, sample characteristics, and data collection procedures;~~

(B)

removed the quantitative findings, including statistical analyses of the relationship between family military legacy, school environment, JROTC participation, peer-to-peer program participation, and the propensity to serve;

(C)

removed ~~the qualitative findings, including key themes derived from interviews with military-connected students, their parents or guardians, and school personnel;~~

(D)

removed ~~an integrated analysis of quantitative and qualitative findings;~~

(E)

removed ~~findings disaggregated by grade level, gender, race, ethnicity, geographic region, and school type;~~

(F)

removed ~~recommendations for the Secretary regarding military recruitment strategy, development of JROTC programs, and support services for military-connected students; and~~

(G)

removed ~~recommendations to Congress regarding legislative action based on such findings.~~

(2)

changed ~~Form—~~ ~~The reports required under this subsection shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex if the Secretary determines such annex is necessary.~~by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and

(3)

added by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new paragraph:

added “(4) has not been a national of a covered nation (as defined in section 4872(f) of this title) during the five-year period ending on the date of such appointment; and”

(c)

changed ~~Definitions—~~Review of existing personnel— In Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ~~section:~~Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report that—

(1)

changed ~~The term military-connected student means a secondary school student—~~identifies the number of members of the Armed Forces who—

(A)

changed ~~enrolled~~ are foreign nationals of a covered nation (as defined in ~~grade 11 or 12;~~ section 4872(f) of title 10, United States Code); and

(B)

changed ~~who has at least one parent or guardian who is currently serving, or who previously served,~~ were lawfully admitted for permanent residence (as defined in section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a))) on the date of accession to the Armed ~~Forces.~~Forces;

(2)

changed ~~The term propensity to serve means a student’s self-reported likelihood~~ identifies the date of ~~joining~~ accession to the Armed Forces ~~after graduation from secondary school.~~of each member identified in paragraph (1);

(3)

changed ~~The term JROTC means~~ identifies the ~~Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program authorized under chapter 102~~ number of ~~title 10, United States Code.~~years of service of each member identified in paragraph (1); and

(4)

added identifies how many members identified in paragraph (1) are in the process of seeking citizenship in the United States.

(d)

added Applicability— The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply to the original enlistment or original appointment of a person as a member of the Armed Forces on or after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Sec. 519B Report on educational partnerships to support military recruitment, readiness, and end strength requirements

added

(a)

added Report required— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall submit to the congressional defense committees, the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report on opportunities to strengthen military recruitment and support the readiness and end strength requirements of the Armed Forces through partnerships with secondary schools, institutions of higher education, and career and technical education programs.

(b)

added Matters included— The report required under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1)

added An assessment of current and projected recruiting challenges affecting the Armed Forces and the ability of the military departments to meet authorized end strength requirements.

(2)

added An assessment of the extent to which academic preparedness, physical fitness, workforce readiness, and awareness of military service opportunities impact the pool of qualified applicants available to the Armed Forces.

(3)

added An evaluation of existing Department of Defense engagement with secondary schools, institutions of higher education, and career and technical education programs and the effectiveness of such engagement in supporting recruiting objectives and military readiness.

(4)

added An assessment of the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program and the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program, including—

(A)

added participation levels and recent enrollment trends;

(B)

added geographic distribution and accessibility of those programs;

(C)

added barriers to program expansion, including in areas experiencing recruiting shortfalls; and

(D)

added opportunities to increase participation, improve awareness of military service pathways, and strengthen leadership development among participants.

(5)

added An assessment of opportunities to expand partnerships between the Department of Defense and educational institutions to support recruitment into mission-critical military career fields, including science, technology, engineering, mathematics, cybersecurity, aviation, logistics, healthcare, artificial intelligence, and other fields identified by the Secretary of Defense.

(6)

added Recommendations for improving coordination between the Department of Defense and the Department of Education to increase awareness of military service opportunities, scholarships, service academies, Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps scholarships, military career pathways, and other programs that support military recruiting and readiness.

(7)

added An assessment of opportunities to align existing educational, workforce development, and career readiness programs with current and projected Armed Forces personnel requirements.

(8)

added Recommendations for legislative or administrative actions to strengthen the pipeline of qualified applicants for military service and support long-term military readiness and end strength requirements.

(9)

added Recommendations to increase the attractiveness of military service as a career path and form of public service, including recommendations to improve awareness of military career opportunities, expand pathways to service through the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps programs, strengthen educational and workforce development partnerships, and increase the pool of qualified applicants available to meet military readiness and end strength requirements.

(c)

added Briefing— Not later than 30 days after submitting the report required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall provide a briefing to the congressional defense committees on the findings and recommendations contained in the report.

(d)

added Form— The report required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.

Sec. 519C Prohibited dietary supplement ingredients and performance-enhancing substances

added

(a)

added Prohibition— Chapter 49 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 978 the following new section:

added “978a. Prohibited dietary supplement ingredients and performance-enhancing substances

added “(a) Prohibited ingredient and substance lists—The Secretary shall publish and, not less frequently than once every 90 days, shall update a list of—

added “(1) dietary supplement ingredients prohibited for use by members of the armed forces; and

added “(2) performance-enhancing substances prohibited for use by members of the armed forces.

added “(b) Required formats—The Secretary shall publish the list under subsection (a)—

added “(1) on an internet website where such list may be viewed in full without use of a search function;

added “(2) in a searchable database; and

added “(3) in a digital file that may be downloaded from such internet website in a common format.

added “(c) Commanding officer may elect not to discipline—The commanding officer of a member of the armed forces who possesses or uses a dietary supplement containing an ingredient (other than a substance included in the schedule under section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812)) appearing on the list under subsection (a)(1)—

added “(1) may elect not to subject such member to discipline if—

added “(A) such possession or use is the first disciplinary offense committed by such member;

added “(B) such commanding officer determines that such member satisfies the good faith standard under subsection (e); and

added “(C) such member agrees to participate in education, counseling, or drug testing in lieu of discipline; and

added “(2) may elect not to subject such member to administrative separation.

added “(d) Possession of prohibited ingredient not drug abuse—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, possession of a dietary supplement containing an ingredient (other than a substance included in the schedule under section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812)) appearing on the list under subsection (a)(1) shall not constitute drug abuse for purposes of this title.

added “(e) Good faith standard—A member of the armed forces satisfies the good faith standard under this subsection if such member—

added “(1) possesses or uses a dietary supplement containing an ingredient (other than a substance included in the schedule under section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812)) appearing on the list under subsection (a)(1) without actual knowledge that such dietary supplement contains such ingredient;

added “(2) purchases such supplement from a retail facility affiliated with the Department of Defense;

added “(3) reasonably relies, prior to purchasing or using such supplement, on a search of the list under subsection (a)(1) that fails to identify such ingredient as prohibited under subsection (a)(1), including due to a misspelling or variation in the name of such ingredient on such list; or

added “(4) otherwise demonstrates a reasonable belief that such supplement does not contain such ingredient.”

(b)

added Secretary to update Department of Defense Instruction— Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness, shall revise Department of Defense Instruction 6130.06 pursuant to section 978a of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a).

(c)

added Secretary to update Operation Supplement Safety internet website— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall—

(1)

added update the Operation Supplement Safety internet website to enhance functionality for—

(A)

added vendors of dietary supplements; and

(B)

added members of the Armed Forces; and

(2)

added review possible improvements to such internet website, including with respect to—

(A)

added search tools that employ—

(i)

added autofill functionality; and

(ii)

added autocorrect functionality;

(B)

added artificial intelligence tools that can—

(i)

added scan product labels; and

(ii)

added search such internet website for information on the ingredients found on such labels; and

(C)

added capacity to allow a user to register to receive a notification when a dietary supplement ingredient is added to the list under section 978a(a)(1) of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a).

(d)

added Secretary to review dietary supplement safety education opportunities— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall review opportunities for incorporating into existing training programs for members of the Armed Forces education concerning—

(1)

added dietary supplement safety; and

(2)

added the list under section 978a(a) of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a).

(e)

added Reports—

(1)

added Initial implementation report— Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report describing efforts made to ensure that retail facilities affiliated with the Department of Defense do not sell any products containing an ingredient appearing on the list under section 978a(a) of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a).

(2)

added Final implementation report— Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report describing steps taken to implement section 978a of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a).

(3)

added Annual reports— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, and annually thereafter for a period of five years, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report—

(A)

added listing, for the one-year period ending on the date on which such report is submitted—

(i)

added the total number of administrative separation actions initiated for possession or use of a dietary supplement containing an ingredient appearing on the list under section 978a(a)(1) of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), disaggregated by—

(I)

added armed force;

(II)

added pay grade;

(III)

added characterization of discharge sought;

(IV)

added whether the member subject to the administrative separation action contested such action; and

(V)

added outcome; and

(ii)

added the number of commanding officers who elected not to subject a member of the Armed Forces to discipline under section 978a(c) of such title; and

(B)

added assessing the effectiveness of efforts to provide education relating to dietary supplement safety to members of the Armed Forces.

Sec. 529C Modifications to payment of tuition for off-duty training or education

added

(a)

added Authority— Section 2007 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

added in the heading, by inserting “and institution fees” after “tuition”;

(2)

added in subsection (a), by striking “tuition or expenses” and inserting “tuition, expenses, or institution fees”; and

(3)

added in subsection (c), by striking “tuition or expenses” each place it appears and inserting “tuition, expenses, or institution fees”.

(b)

added Increase in per-semester hour cap— The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations increasing the limit on tuition assistance per-semester-hour under section 2007 of title 10, United States Code, to $350.

(c)

added Annual report— Section 2007 of title 10, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

added “(h) The Secretary of Defense shall annually submit to the congressional defense committees a report on outcomes related to off-duty and voluntary education and training for members of the armed forces. Such report shall include—

added “(1) the amount of funds used to provide such education and training;

added “(2) the number of members of the armed forces receiving assistance with such education and training sections 2005, 2006a, and 2007 of this title;

added “(3) an analysis of the compliance of the use of such funds with the requirements of sections 2005, 2006a, and 2007 of this title;

added “(4) an analysis of the relationship between the use of funds to provide such education and training to members and the educational attainment, retention, mission readiness, and transition readiness of such members and the recruitment of new members; and

added “(5) an analysis of the potential severing of an annual limit per member on the provision of such funds and a per-semester-hour limit.”

Sec. 529D Update of guidance and evaluation of Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps instructor pay scale

added

(a)

added Update of guidance— Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretaries concerned (as that term is defined in section 101(a)(9) of title 10, United States Code), shall update Department of Defense guidance governing the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program to include—

(1)

added an evaluation plan to assess the effects of the JROTC Standardized Instructor Pay Scale (JSIPS), or any successor pay system, on recruitment and retention of JROTC instructors; and

(2)

added standardized metrics for measuring JROTC instructor recruiting outcomes and retention rates across the military services.

(b)

added Required metrics— The evaluation plan required under subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum, metrics relating to—

(1)

added instructor vacancy rates and time-to-hire;

(2)

added retention rates and length of service;

(3)

added geographic variation in recruiting and retention outcomes, including high-cost-of-living areas, rural, urban, and geographically isolated locations;

(4)

added comparisons between outcomes under the legacy pay system and the JSIPS;

(5)

added the identification of recruiting efforts used to attract instructor applicants, including data on how applicants learned about available instructor positions;

(6)

added the number of applicants who begin, complete, or withdraw from the instructor hiring process, including the interview and background investigation stages;

(7)

added the number of applicants who accept or decline instructor position offers, including to the extent practicable, information on the reasons offers were declined; and

(8)

added any other matters the Secretary determines appropriate.

(c)

added Report to Congress— Not later than one year after the issuance of the updated guidance under subsection (a), and annually thereafter for two years, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a report that includes—

(1)

added a description of the updated guidance and implementation status;

(2)

added baseline data and metrics collected using the metrics developed under subsection (a);

(3)

added an assessment of the effects of the pay scale on recruitment and retention; and

(4)

added any recommendations for legislative or administrative action.

Sec. 529E Expansion of personalized financial and housing counseling for members of the Armed Forces

added

(a)

added In general— Section 992 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

added in subsection (a)(1)—

(A)

added by redesignating subparagraphs (D) and (E) as subparagraphs (E) and (F), respectively; and

(B)

added by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following new subparagraph:

added “(D) practices relating to financial management, home buying and selling, renting during changing permanent station, rental planning, home loans available through the programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other financial services that are routinely offered to private sector home loans;”

(2)

added by redesignating subsection (d) through (f) as subsections (e) through (g), respectively; and

(3)

added by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection:

added “(d) Individualized financial and housing counseling

added “(1) Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary of Defense shall establish a program in accordance with this section and Department of Defense Instruction 1322.34, or any successor guidance, to provide one-on-one counseling tailored to the needs of each member of the armed forces on the following topics:

added “(A) Credit management.

added “(B) Budgeting.

added “(C) Anti-predatory lending practices.

added “(D) Changes of permanent station and rental planning.

added “(E) Home loans available through the programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

added “(F) Protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3901 et seq.) and section 987 of this title.

added “(2) For the purposes of carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall seek to enter an agreement with a counseling service organization that—

added “(A) is a HUD-approved counseling agency (as defined in section 106(h) of the House and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701x(h)));

added “(B) is organized as a tax-exempt entity under section 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, defined by the Internal Revenue Service as a Veteran Service Organization serving the military-connected community;

added “(C) has expertise in financial literacy, housing stability, and home loan benefits for veterans; and

added “(D) is capable of developing, administering, maintaining, and providing specialized training and certification for HUD-Certified Housing Counselors serving members of the armed forces, veterans, and their families.”

(b)

added Regulations— The Secretary of Defense may prescribe such regulations as are necessary to carry out the amendments made by subsection (a).

(c)

added Report— Not later than 2 years after the date on which the services required under subsection (d) of section section 992 of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), are established, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the implementation of such services, including—

(1)

added the number of members of the Armed Forces who received counseling for housing stability, home loan benefits for veterans, or rental planning;

(2)

added the rate of completion of the counseling services offered under the pilot program; and

(3)

added indicators of financial stress and housing instability for members of the Armed Forces participating in the pilot program and any metrics for mitigating risks to the members participating.

Sec. 529F Strategy to improve academic outcomes at the United States Air Force Academy

added

added Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy shall submit to the congressional defense committees and the Chairman of the Board of Visitors of the Academy a report containing a strategy to improve academic outcomes at the Academy. Such report shall include—

(1)

added an assessment of the Cadet Honor Code and any recommendations of the Superintendent to update the Cadet Honor Code to address artificial intelligence, large language models, and other emerging technology;

(2)

added an assessment of the effects of banning the use of mobile phones, smart watches, and other internet-connected devices in academic settings, including a review of publicly available data and outcomes from academic institutions other than military service academies that have implemented such a ban; and

(3)

added any other policies or modifications to methods of instruction that the Superintendent considers appropriate to improve academic outcomes in support of the Air Force Core Values of “Integrity First. Service Before Self. Excellence in All We Do”.

Sec. 536 Redesignation of Dean of the Faculty of United States Air Force Academy as Provost and Dean of the Faculty

added

added Chapter 953 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

added in section 9431(b)(2), by striking “Dean of the Faculty” and inserting “Provost and Dean of the Faculty”; and

(2)

added in section 9435—

(A)

added in the heading, by inserting “Provost and” before “Dean”;

(B)

added in subsection (a)—

(i)

added in the first sentence, by striking “Dean of the Faculty” and inserting “Provost and Dean of the Faculty”; and

(ii)

added by striking “the Dean” each place it appears in the second and third sentences and inserting “the Provost and Dean”; and

(C)

added in subsection (b), by striking “Dean of the Faculty” and inserting “Provost and Dean of the Faculty”.

Sec. 537 Joint Special Operations University

added

added Chapter 108 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2165 the following new section:

added “2166. Joint Special Operations University

added “(a) Establishment—There is a Joint Special Operations University in the Department of Defense.

added “(b) Functions—The Joint Special Operations University shall—

added “(1) provide relevant joint special operation-peculiar education programs that strengthen the impact of special operations on the armed forces and the United States;

added “(2) provide joint special operation-peculiar staff education and development programs tailored to the needs of joint special operations forces headquarters and commanders;

added “(3) provide education and academic enabling programs required for special operations mission and activities for which no solution exists in an armed force to address critical special operations knowledge gaps;

added “(4) provide accredited graduate-level programs, professional military education, and specialized short courses for special operations forces of the armed forces and associated personnel;

added “(5) conduct and coordinate research and analysis on the full range of special operations activities to inform Department of Defense policy and strategy;

added “(6) serve as a hub for collaboration with academic institutions, allied countries, and interagency partners to advance special operations capabilities;

added “(7) provide outreach and education to enhance understanding of special operations roles within the Department of Defense and the Federal Government; and

added “(8) provide input to service and joint professional military education institutions to ensure special operations capabilities and activities are incorporated into curricula and courses.

added “(c) Administration

added “(1) Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict, the Commander of United States Special Operations Command shall oversee the Joint Special Operations University.

added “(2) The Commander of United States Special Operations Command shall appoint a President of the Joint Special Operations University, who shall be a senior officer of the armed forces or a civilian with expertise in special operations and education, to manage the operations and academic programs of the Joint Special Operations University.”

Sec. 559A Establishment of Department of Defense automated victim notification system

added

(a)

added Establishment— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall establish an automated notification system to ensure that a registered victim receives timely and accurate notification of each of the following:

(1)

added Any proceeding of a service clemency and parole board relating to the offense, not later than 30 days before the date of such proceeding.

(2)

added Any change in the confinement status of the offender, including release, transfer to a residential reentry center or halfway house, furlough, or escape.

(3)

added Any grant of clemency or parole with respect to the offender.

(4)

added The projected release date of the offender, not later than 60 days before such date, including notice of whether the offender has received good time credits for early release.

(b)

added System requirements— In establishing the automated notification system required by subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall ensure the system incorporates the notification capabilities available in existing Federal and State automated victim notification platforms, including capabilities equivalent to those provided by the Department of Justice Victim Notification System and State-based Victim Information and Notification Everyday programs. At a minimum, the system shall—

(1)

added provide each registered victim with a unique victim identification number and a personal identification number to enable secure access to case and custody information through an internet-accessible portal and a toll-free automated telephone call center, both available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year;

(2)

added allow a registered victim to elect to receive notifications through any combination of—

(A)

added automated telephone call, with persistent retry at regular intervals until receipt is confirmed by entry of the victim’s personal identification number, or until a 48-hour threshold is reached, after which a written notification shall be mailed to the victim’s address of record;

(B)

added electronic mail;

(C)

added short message service text message;

(D)

added a secure, dedicated mobile application available on commonly used mobile operating systems; or

(E)

added TTY or other accessible format for victims with hearing impairments;

(3)

added make notifications available in English and Spanish, and provide access to live interpretation services in not fewer than 10 additional languages through the toll-free call center;

(4)

added provide each registered victim with the ability to use the internet portal or toll-free call center to—

(A)

added search for and verify the current custody status and facility location of the offender;

(B)

added view the projected release date and any scheduled service clemency and parole board proceedings relating to the offense;

(C)

added update the victim’s contact information; and

(D)

added discontinue participation in the notification program;

(5)

added continuously poll the military confinement records system for changes in offender custody status and transmit notifications to registered victims not later than 24 hours after a triggering event described in subsection (a);

(6)

added generate a confirmation record for each notification transmitted, which shall be retained in the confinement record of the offender;

(7)

added be accessible to victims regardless of the military department of the offender or the military correctional facility in which the offender is confined;

(8)

added protect the privacy and confidentiality of each registered victim by—

(A)

added encrypting all victim data at rest and in transit using encryption modules validated under Federal Information Processing Standard 140–3, or any successor standard, as certified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology;

(B)

added limiting access to victim registration data and notification records to authorized personnel with a demonstrated need to know, and maintaining an audit log of all access to such data;

(C)

added prohibiting the use of victim registration data for any purpose other than providing notifications authorized under this section, and prohibiting disclosure of such data to any person or entity not authorized under this section or applicable Federal law; and

(D)

added providing each registered victim with a written privacy notice, at the time of registration and upon any material change to the system’s data practices, describing the categories of information collected, the purposes for which such information is used, the individuals authorized to access such information, and the procedures by which a victim may request correction or deletion of their registration data; and

(9)

added be designed, implemented, and operated in a manner consistent with the guidelines for protecting personally identifiable information set forth in National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800–122, or any successor publication.

(c)

added Verification before board proceedings—

(1)

added The Secretary of the military department concerned shall verify, before convening any proceeding of the applicable service clemency and parole board, that each registered victim, with respect to the offense at issue has been notified of the proceeding in accordance with subsection (a)(1). A record of such verification shall be included in the official record of the proceeding.

(2)

added If the Board determines that timely notice was not given or that the victim was not adequately informed of the nature of the proceeding, the Board shall continue the hearing for the time necessary to notify the victim of the time, place, and nature of the proceeding.

(3)

added Before making such determination, the Board shall make every effort to permit the fullest attendance possible by the victim and shall consider reasonable alternatives to the exclusion of the victim from the proceeding.

(d)

added Coordination— In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the system established under subsection (a) is consistent with—

(1)

added the rights of victims under section 806b of title 10, United States Code (article 6b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice); and

(2)

added the victim and witness assistance programs established under Department of Defense Instruction 1030.02, or any successor instruction.

(e)

added Report— Not later than one year 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 the House of Representatives a report on the implementation of this section, including—

(1)

added a description of the automated notification system established under subsection (a), including the delivery channels and languages made available;

(2)

added the number of registered victims enrolled to receive notifications as of the date of the report;

(3)

added the number of notifications transmitted during the one-year period covered by the report, disaggregated by triggering event type and delivery channel; and

(4)

added any recommended legislative changes to further strengthen victim notification under section 806b of title 10, United States Code (article 6b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice).

(f)

added Definitions— In this section:

(1)

added The term registered victim means a victim of an offense under chapter 47 of title 10, United States Code (the Uniform Code of Military Justice), who—

(A)

added has a right to receive notices under section 806b(a)(2) of such chapter (article 6b(a)(2)); and

(B)

added informed the Department of Defense of their desire to receive such notices—

(i)

added by submitting Department of Defense form 2705 (or a successor form); or

(ii)

added through another method determined appropriate by the Secretary of Defense.

(2)

added The term service clemency and parole board means a clemency and parole board established by the Secretary of a military department pursuant to sections 952 and 954 of title 10, United States Code.

Sec. 562 Designation of senior official for military-to-civilian transition

(a)

In general— Chapter 58 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

“1156. Senior official for military-to-civilian transition

“(a) Designation—The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness shall designate a senior official of the Department of Defense to oversee policy and programs related to the transition of members of the armed forces from active duty to civilian life or reserve components.

changed “(b) Qualifications—The official designated under paragraph (1) shall be designated from among individuals with extensive experience with veterans services and knowledge of the transition from active duty to civilian life and reserve ~~components..~~components.

“(c) Role, responsibility, and authority

“(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness shall prescribe the roles, responsibilities, and authorities of the official designated under subsection (a).

“(2) The roles, responsibilities, and authorities prescribed under paragraph (1) shall include, with respect to the transition of members of the armed forces from active duty to civilian life and reserve components and the families of such members experiencing such transition—

“(A) serving as the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, and the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness on policies, operations, and programs and activities relating to the transition of members;

“(B) assisting the Secretary of Defense, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, and the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness with policies, operations, and programs and activities relating to the transition of members;

“(C) working, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Education, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of all activities relating to the transition of members;

“(D) serving as the chief transition officer of the Department of Defense, with the mission of coordinating and overseeing the effectiveness of transition programs of the Department of Defense and ensuring all members of the armed forces are well equipped for civilian life or the reserve components, as the case may be;

“(E) overseeing the implementation of transition programs in the Department of Defense;

“(F) conducting a review and assessment of all transition programs and services offered by the Department of Defense, including the programs under this chapter, and proposing legislative or administrative action—

“(i) to improve the efficacy and efficiency of the programs; and

“(ii) to ensure compliance with all legal requirements related to transition assistance; and

“(G) working with Federal agencies, State and local governments, and nongovernmental organizations to improve the delivery of transition support services to members and families of members.”

(b)

Implementation and briefing—

(1)

Implementation— The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness shall designate a senior official under section 1156(a) of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a) of this section, not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(2)

Briefing— Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall provide a briefing to the congressional defense committees on—

(A)

the status of the designation of the official under subsection (a); and

(B)

the implementation of the roles, responsibilities, and authorities of the official under subsection (b).

Sec. 565 Pilot program to provide benefits and services to Army explosive ordnance disposal members who are separating

added

(a)

added Pilot Program— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall jointly establish a pilot program to provide members of the Army who are separating under honorable conditions who are qualified for explosive ordnance disposal to attend the Criminal Investigator Training Program of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers.

(b)

added Requirements— In carrying out the pilot program required by subsection (a), the Secretary of the Army shall—

(1)

added require participants in the pilot program to be separated from the Armed Forces or on terminal leave, as determined by the Secretary;

(2)

added shall reimburse the Director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers not more than $50,000 per participant in the pilot program for not more than 24 participants per fiscal year; and

(3)

added shall not reimburse any other agency for any additional training provided to participants.

(c)

added Reports—

(1)

added Annual Report— Not later than one year after the establishment of the pilot program required by subsection (a), and annually thereafter until the termination of the pilot program, the Secretary of the Army, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs of the Senate a report on the pilot program, including—

(A)

added the number of participants in the pilot program who successfully complete the Criminal Investigator Training Program;

(B)

added the recommendation of the Secretary as to whether the number of participants authorized to participate in the pilot program should be increased or decreased; and

(C)

added an assessment of the viability of expanding the pilot program to members of other Armed Forces with expertise in explosive ordnance disposal.

(2)

added Final Report— Not later than 90 days after the termination of the pilot program required by subsection (a), the Secretary of the Army, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall submit to the committees described in paragraph (1) a report that includes—

(A)

added the elements described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1); and

(B)

added the recommendation of the Secretary as to whether to make the pilot program permanent.

(d)

added Termination— The pilot program required by subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is five years after the date on which such pilot program is established.

Sec. 566 Additional funding for Skillbridge

added

(a)

added Funding— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 4301 for administration and service-wide activities for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, line 480, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4301, is hereby increased by $5,000,000 for the Skillbridge program.

(b)

added Offset— Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 4301 for administration and service-wide activities for Washington Headquarters Services, line 510, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4301, is hereby reduced by $5,000,000.

Sec. 567 GAO study and report on mental health effectiveness of Transition Assistance Program and Solid Start Program

added

(a)

added Study required— The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on the effectiveness of TAP and the Solid Start program in identifying, counseling, and supporting members of the Armed Forces and veterans regarding mental health risks and transition-related stressors during their separation from the Armed Forces.

(b)

added Elements— The study required under subsection (a) shall include an assessment of the following:

(1)

added The extent to which counseling provided under TAP includes comprehensive information regarding post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, anxiety disorders, depression, chronic pain, sleep disorders, suicidal ideation, and other mental health conditions associated with service in the Armed Forces.

(2)

added The effectiveness of TAP curriculum in educating separating members on the risk factors of suicide, including signs of severe relationship strain, isolation, unemployment, or loss of community support systems.

(3)

added The baseline performance metrics and outreach success rates of the Solid Start program during the first year following separation from the Armed Forces, with a specific focus on the program’s success in facilitating veterans’ enrollment in the system of annual patient enrollment under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code.

(4)

added The degree of interagency data-sharing and coordination between the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to track warm handoffs for high-risk members of the Armed Forces separating from active duty.

(5)

added Gaps in current pre-separation counseling and post-separation outreach related to substance use disorder resources, including alcohol and prescription opioid abuse counseling.

(c)

added Report— Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report containing the findings and recommendations of the Comptroller General based on the study conducted under subsection (a), including administrative or legislative recommendations to reduce veteran suicide during the first year following separation from the Armed Forces.

(d)

added Definitions— In this section:

(1)

added The term “appropriate congressional committee” means—

(A)

added the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives;

(B)

added the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate;

(C)

added the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives; or

(D)

added the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate.

(2)

added The term “Solid Start program” means the program under section 6320 of title 38, United States Code.

(3)

added The term “TAP” means the Transition Assistance Program under sections 1142 and 1144 of title 10, United States Code.

Sec. 572 Pilot program to increase payments for child care services in high-cost areas

Section 1798 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsection (d) and (e), respectively; and

(2)

by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection:

“(c) Pilot program for grants to increase infant and toddler capacity in high-cost areas

“(1) The Secretary of Defense may establish a pilot program to provide grants to eligible providers seeking to expand the capacity of such providers to provide care for infants and toddlers.

“(2) A grant awarded under the pilot program established under paragraph (1) shall—

“(A) be in an amount determined by the Secretary, but in no case more than 75 percent of the estimated cost of the expansion for which the grant is provided; and

“(B) require the recipient of a grant to—

“(i) make available not less than half of any additional capacity for infants and toddlers to children of members of the armed forces that results from the expansion for which a grant is awarded for the 10-year period that begins on the date on which such expansion is completed; and

“(ii) certify that the recipient will not displace children enrolled on the date described in clause (i) who are not children of members of the armed forces to meet the requirement of clause (i).

“(3) The Secretary—

“(A) shall award grants under the pilot program established under paragraph (1) to not less than 10 eligible providers located in areas with high child care services costs or a significant lack of accessible child care services, as determined by the Secretary; and

“(B) may award grants under the pilot program established under paragraph (1) to eligible providers located in other areas as the Secretary considers appropriate.

“(4) Not later than one year after the establishment of the pilot program under this subsection, and semiannually thereafter until the date of the termination of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the pilot program that includes—

“(A) the number of eligible providers participating in the pilot program, disaggregated by location;

changed “(B) the number of additional infant and toddler enrollments at eligible providers made available under the pilot program, disaggregated by ~~loacation;~~location;

“(C) the determination of the Secretary as to whether grants provided under the pilot program—

“(i) helped reduce child care costs for applicable military families;

“(ii) increased child care provider participation in the financial assistance available under this section; and

“(iii) increased access to infant and toddler care for military families;

“(D) the determination of the Secretary with respect to the feasibility of expanding the pilot program to all communities;

“(E) any challenges identified by the Secretary in carrying out the pilot program;

“(F) legislation or administrative action that the Secretary determines necessary to make the pilot program permanent; and

“(G) any other information the Secretary determines appropriate.

“(5) Not later than 90 days after the date of the termination of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes—

“(A) the elements specified in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of paragraph (4); and

“(B) the recommendation of the Secretary as to whether to make the pilot program permanent.

“(6) The pilot program established under this subsection shall terminate on the date that is five years after the date on which such program is established.

“(7) In this subsection, the term appropriate congressional committees means—

“(A) the congressional defense committees;

“(B) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and

“(C) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.”

Sec. 579 Classroom Safe Haven Force Protection Pilot Program

added

(a)

added Program— The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity, shall establish a Classroom Safe Haven Force Protection Pilot Program (in this section referred to as the “Program”) to enhance the physical security of classrooms in covered schools.

(b)

added Objectives— The objectives of the Program shall be to—

(1)

added provide enhanced security for the approximately 600 classrooms located in covered schools;

(2)

added harden classroom entry points against armed attacks;

(3)

added increase survivability by providing protected safe-haven spaces within classrooms;

(4)

added improve emergency response effectiveness by extending the time available for law enforcement intervention;

(5)

added evaluate the operational effectiveness of ballistic-resistant door systems in educational environments; and

(6)

added assess the contribution of classroom hardening measures to the overall force protection posture and resilience of military communities and installations.

(c)

added Use of funds— Under the Program, the Secretary of Defense shall provide support to covered schools to create protected safe havens within existing classrooms through the installation and evaluation of lightweight, fire-rated, ballistic-resistant door systems and related protective infrastructure designed to provide immediate protection for students and educators during an armed assault or active shooter incident. Such door systems shall—

(1)

added provide ballistic protection meeting or exceeding UL 752 Level 8 standards, including protection against 7.62x51mm FMJ rounds;

(2)

added be capable of defeating multiple impacts from high-velocity assault rifle rounds commonly associated with active shooter incidents;

(3)

added be certified to applicable fire-resistance standards for educational occupancies;

(4)

added be capable of retrofit installation within existing educational facilities without requiring substantial structural modification or major construction;

(5)

added preserve the appearance and functionality of standard educational environments during normal operations;

(6)

added maintain compliance with all applicable life-safety, accessibility, and emergency egress requirements; and

(7)

added provide continuous passive protection without reliance on external power, electronics, or mechanical deployment during an emergency.

(d)

added Report— Not later than 180 days after an initial round of security improvements have been completed in covered schools in accordance with this section, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report detailing—

(1)

added participating schools and the number of classrooms protected;

(2)

added implementation costs;

(3)

added safety and operational outcomes;

(4)

added lessons learned;

(5)

added recommendations regarding expansion of the Program across additional covered schools and schools operated by the Department of Defense education activity outside the United States; and

(6)

added an assessment of the effectiveness of classroom hardening measures in enhancing protection for military-connected students, educators, and school personnel and supporting military family readiness and force protection objectives.

(e)

added Covered school defined— In this section, the term “covered school” means a school operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity in the United States.

Sec. 579A Comptroller General study of child care services provided or paid for by the Department of Defense

added

(a)

added Study— The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to assess the child care programs of the Department of Defense, including military child development centers, family home day care, the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood program, and the Child Care in Your Home program.

(b)

added Report— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report containing the results of the study required by subsection (a). Such report shall include the following information, disaggregated by covered Armed Force:

(1)

added The period of time military families in each priority category are on a waiting list from the time of submitting a request until the time of final approval.

(2)

added The percentage of military families that submitted a request for child care services and did not receive an offer within 90 days of the date requested.

(3)

added The average percentage of annual income a military family spends on child care per child.

(4)

added The percentage of military families that require more than one child care program to meet child care needs.

(5)

added The current amount of funds allocated to each covered Armed Force for the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood and Child Care in Your Home programs.

(6)

added How much of the amount described in paragraph (5) is spent on—

(A)

added administration; and

(B)

added child care services for military families.

(c)

added Definitions— In this section:

(1)

added The term “covered Armed Force” means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Space Force.

(2)

added The terms “military child development center” and “family home day care” have the meaning given those terms in section 1800 of title 10, United States Code.

Sec. 579B Prohibition on male participation in female sports at DODEA schools

added

(a)

added In general— The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that no school operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity permits a person enrolled at such school whose sex is male to participate in an athletic program or activity that is designated for females.

(b)

added Rule of construction— Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any school operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity from permitting males to train or practice with an athletic program or activity that is designated for females so long as no female is deprived of a roster spot on a team or sport, opportunity to participate in a practice or competition, or any other benefit that accompanies participating in the athletic program or activity.

(c)

added Definitions— In this section:

(1)

added The term “athletic programs and activities” includes all programs or activities that are provided conditional upon participation with any athletic team.

(2)

added The term “female” refers to an individual who naturally has, had, will have, or would have, but for a developmental or genetic anomaly or historical accident, the reproductive system that at some point produces, transports, and uses eggs for fertilization.

(3)

added The term “male” refers to an individual who naturally has, had, will have, or would have, but for a developmental or genetic anomaly or historical accident, the reproductive system that at some point produces, transports, and uses sperm for fertilization.

Sec. 579C Study on weekend drill child care programs

added

(a)

added Study required— The Secretary of each military department that carries out a child care program for members of reserve components during inactive duty training on weekends shall conduct a study on the effectiveness of such program and any challenges in executing such program.

(b)

added Report— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, each Secretary of a military department described in subsection (a) shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report containing the results of the study required under subsection (a).

Sec. 579D Report on strengthening the military child care workforce

added

(a)

added In general— Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report assessing workforce, readiness, and policy challenges associated with military child care and military child development centers.

(b)

added Contents— The report under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1)

added An analysis of the current workforce of military child development centers, including—

(A)

added the percentage of employees who are military spouses; and

(B)

added the percentage of employees who are spouses of retired or separated members of the Armed Forces.

(2)

added A feasibility assessment of increasing the transferability of licenses or certifications for military spouses employed at military child development centers when accompanying a service member on a permanent change of station.

(3)

added An assessment of vacancy rates across military child development centers and the reasons for such vacancies.

(4)

added An assessment of the number of additional children who could be served by military child development centers if such centers were fully staffed.

(5)

added A feasibility assessment of permitting military spouses residing in on-post housing to provide childcare within their homes under a supervisory program coordinated by a military child development center.

(6)

added Recommendations for incentives to attract and retain military spouses in the military child care workforce, including—

(A)

added professional development opportunities;

(B)

added stipend or subsidy programs; and

(C)

added flexible scheduling options.

Sec. 579E Support for expanding early child care options for members of the Armed Forces and their families

added

(a)

added In general— The Secretary of Defense may—

(1)

added direct the Secretaries of the military departments—

(A)

added to identify gaps between existing early child care needs and available eligible child care providers;

(B)

added to use resources of the Department of Defense to support eligible child care providers in recruitment and retention of employees, including through professional development and financial incentives for such employees; and

(C)

added to seek to enter into an interagency partnership with a Federal agency with the ability to place national service participants and volunteers trained in education services, including senior volunteer programs, at military child development centers in accordance with applicable national service laws and with all the benefits accorded to such participants and volunteers; and

(2)

added provide training and resource subsidies to eligible child care providers and networks of such providers.

(b)

added Definitions— In this section:

(1)

added Eligible child care provider— The term “eligible child care provider” has the meaning given that term in section 658P of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858n).

(2)

added Military child development center— The term “military child development center” has the meaning given that term in section 1800 of title 10, United States Code.

Sec. 579F Limitation on provision of funds to elementary and secondary schools hosting Confucius Institutes and Classrooms

added

(a)

added Limitation— None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2027 for the Department of Defense may be provided to an elementary school or secondary school that hosts a Confucius Institute or Classroom, other than amounts provided directly to students as educational assistance.

(b)

added Definitions— In this section:

(1)

added The term Confucius Institute or Classroom means a cultural institute or educational partnership directly or indirectly funded by the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

(2)

added The terms elementary school and secondary school have the meanings given those terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

Sec. 579G Department of Defense education activity emergency response mapping

added

(a)

added In general— Chapter 108 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2164d the following new section:

added “2164e. Procurement of emergency response maps for schools operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity

added “(a) In general—The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity, shall prioritize the procurement of emergency response maps for Defense Dependent Schools to ensure, to the greatest extent practicable, compatibility with public safety systems in the event of an emergency.

added “(b) Requirements—Maps procured under subsection (a) shall—

added “(1) be—

added “(A) in a digital file format accessible through a standard or open-source file reader or image viewer on a laptop computer, tablet computer, smartphone, or other mobile platform;

added “(B) verified through on-site walkthrough inspections by the entity producing the mapping data;

added “(C) developed in coordination with industry partners possessing demonstrated expertise in emergency response mapping for schools;

added “(D) capable of being updated, printed, and shared electronically;

added “(E) accessible without a subscription fee or other restriction; and

added “(F) verified for accuracy by a walkthrough inspection;

added “(2) integrate with software used by Federal, State, and local public safety agencies;

added “(3) not be stored in a data center outside of the United States;

added “(4) display information oriented true north and on a coordinate grid; and

added “(5) depict any floor of such site or such portion through overlaid, aerial imagery.

added “(c) Defense Dependent School defined—In this section, the term Defense Dependent School means—

added “(1) a school operated under the Defense Dependents’ Education System, as authorized under the Defense Dependents Education Act of 1978 (20 U.S.C. 921 et seq.); or

added “(2) a Department of Defense domestic dependent elementary and secondary school, as authorized under section 2164 of this title.”

(b)

added Briefing— 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 plan of the Department of Defense Education Activity for procuring emergency response maps under section 2164e of title 10, United States Code, as added by this section.

Sec. 589B Sense of Congress regarding award of award of Medal of Honor to Gregory McManus for acts of valor

added

(a)

added Sense of Congress— It is the sense of Congress that—

(1)

added the Secretary of Defense should review the acts of valor of Gregory McManus described in subsection (b) to determine whether to recommend to the President to award Gregory McManus the Medal of Honor for such acts of valor; and

(2)

added subject to the enactment of legislation to waive the time limitations in section 7274 of title 10, United States Code, the President should award the Medal of Honor to Gregory McManus for such acts of valor if the Secretary so recommends.

(b)

added Acts of valor described— The acts of valor described in this subsection are the following:

(1)

added Chief Warrant Officer Gregory McManus distinguished himself for his brave acts of valor while serving in the United States Army by risking his life to save the lives of his fellow servicemembers.

(2)

added Chief Warrant Officer McManus deserves recognition for his acts of valor while serving as the commander of a single helicopter gunship on an important mission north of Chai Duc.

(3)

added Discovering an envoy of hundreds of enemy troops along the Cambodian border, Chief Warrant Officer McManus attacked the enemy without hesitation.

(4)

added Chief Warrant Officer McManus disregarded the tracers that rose to meet him, firing rockets the entire length of the convoy, confusing the enemy, and scattering the troop column.

(5)

added Chief Warrant Officer McManus then attacked an armored vehicle with a mounted machine gun, destroying it and a large artillery piece which it was towing.

(6)

added Over and over, Chief Warrant Officer McManus flew through heavy automatic weapons and machine gun fire to attack the enemy, only deciding to return when his ordinance was expended, and his ship had taken so much damage that further flight was inadvisable.

(7)

added With this noble deed, Chief Warrant Officer McManus was able to destroy the enemy unit and scattered the rest in disorder with a single ship.

(8)

added Disregarding the size and scope of the enemy troop’s convoy, Chief Warrant Officer McManus put his own life in danger, all in the service of his country and members of the Armed Forces.

(9)

added Because of the heroic actions of Chief Warrant Officer McManus, countless American soldier’s lives were saved.

(10)

added These actions of heroism by Chief Warrant Officer McManus deserves recognition and demonstrates this hero of the United States more than deserve the medal of honor.

Sec. 589C Study on timely process of award and decoration recommendations

added

(a)

added Study required— The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a study on the process for reviewing recommendations for the award of medals, decorations, or other honors to members of the Armed Forces.

(b)

added Report— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of the study, including any recommendations of the Secretary to ensure the process for reviewing recommendations for the award of medals, decorations, or other honors to members of the Armed Forces is timely, consistent, and transparent.

Sec. 589D Sense of Congress regarding award of medal of honor to Robert J. Graham for acts of valor

added

added It is the sense of Congress that—

(1)

added the Secretary of Defense should review the acts of valor of Robert J. Graham as a Captain in the Air Force on May 1, 1966, to determine whether to recommend to the President to award Robert J. Graham the Medal of Honor for such acts of valor; and

(2)

added subject to the enactment of legislation to waive the time limitations in section 9274 of title 10, United States Code, the President should award the Medal of Honor to Robert J. Graham for such acts of valor if the Secretary so recommends.

Sec. 589E Authorization for award of medal of honor to certain battle of midway torpedo squadron commanders and dive bomber flight leads for acts of valor

added

(a)

added Authorization— Notwithstanding the time limitations specified in sections 8298(a) and 8300 of title 10, United States Code, or any other time limitation with respect to the awarding of certain medals to persons who served in the Armed Forces, the President is authorized to award the Medal of Honor, under section 8291 of such title, to Commander Clarence W. McClusky, Lieutenant Commander Max F. Leslie, Lieutenant Commander Eugene E. Lindsey, Lieutenant Commander Lance E. Massey, Lieutenant Commander John C. Waldron, and Lieutenant Richard H. Best for the acts of valor described in subsection (b).

(b)

added Acts of valor described— The acts of valor described in this subsection are the actions of the individuals described in subsection (a) on June 4, 1942, as members of the Navy, during combat operations near Midway Atoll that led to the sinking of four enemy aircraft carriers.

Sec. 595 Pilot program of anonymous nonmedical counseling for special operations forces

added

(a)

added Pilot program— In addition to authorities under sections 167 and 1788a of title 10, United States Code, the Commander of the United States Special Operations Command shall carry out a pilot program to provide anonymous nonmedical counseling services to members of the special operations forces and families of such members using a novel anonymous telehealth platform. The Commander shall ensure that counseling services under the pilot program are available to eligible individuals described in subsection (c) beginning not later than June 1, 2027.

(b)

added Use of existing personnel—

(1)

added Designation— The Commander shall designate counselors and clinicians employed by, contracted to, or assigned to the United States Special Operations Command or its component commands, including counselors and clinicians supporting the Preservation of the Force and Family program, to provide services under the pilot program. Counseling hours dedicated to the pilot program shall be equivalent to not less than 20 percent of the total counseling capacity supporting the Preservation of the Force and Family program.

(2)

added Continuation of existing duties— The Commander shall ensure that—

(A)

added designated personnel under paragraph (1) continue to perform the existing assigned duties of the personnel; and

(B)

added the pilot program and the anonymous telehealth platform serve as a supplemental intake pathway for participating counselors.

(3)

added Geographic scope of service— A counselor or clinician designated under paragraph (1) may provide services under the pilot program to any eligible individual described in subsection (c), regardless of the installation, duty station, or geographic location of the counselor, clinician, or eligible individual.

(c)

added Eligibility— The Commander shall ensure that the pilot program is available to all individuals currently or previously assigned to, supporting, or augmenting the United States Special Operations Command or its component commands, and to the spouses and dependents (as defined in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code) of such individuals.

(d)

added Standard of care— Services under the pilot program shall consist of nonmedical counseling similar in type and scope to the nonmedical counseling provided under the Department of Defense Military and Family Life Counseling Program under section 1781(d) of title 10, United States Code, including with respect to charting and recordkeeping practices and the cross-jurisdictional authorities described in paragraph (2) of such section, except that services under the pilot program shall be delivered exclusively through an anonymous telehealth platform.

(e)

added Anonymity—

(1)

added Platform— The Commander shall ensure that—

(A)

added the anonymous telehealth platform does not collect or retain personally identifiable information regarding any participant; and

(B)

added session content transmitted during the course of services is protected by end-to-end encryption, such that the platform vendor cannot access such content, and is not retained on the platform after the session.

(2)

added Participant disclosure— A participant may voluntarily disclose identifying information in the course of receiving services but is not required to do so as a condition of participation.

(3)

added Counselor conduct— A counselor providing services under the pilot program may not request, require, or otherwise solicit personally identifiable information from a participant, except as necessary to act on a duty arising under applicable Federal or State law in cases involving imminent risk of harm.

(4)

added Use of information— Participation in the pilot program, and any information disclosed by a participant during services, shall not result in entry into medical records, command notification, or referral, except as required to discharge a duty described in paragraph (3).

(f)

added Information security— The Chief Information Officer of the Department of Defense shall establish alternative information security requirements for the anonymous telehealth platform used to deliver services under the pilot program, reflecting the anonymous design of the platform and the limited duration of the pilot program. Such requirements shall not include authorization under the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program.

(g)

added Funding— No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the pilot program.

(h)

added Reports— Not later than February 1 of each year following the date counseling services first become available under the pilot program, the Commander shall submit to the congressional defense committees an annual report evaluating utilization, impact on existing counseling capacity, cost considerations, readiness implications, and recommendations for continuation or expansion.

(i)

added Sunset— The authority under this section terminates on September 30, 2029, except that the Commander may extend the pilot program for up to two additional fiscal years upon notification to the congressional defense committees.

Sec. 596 Assessment of antisemitism in the Service Academies

added

(a)

added Inclusion— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the Defense Organizational Climate Survey (hereinafter, “DEOCS”) includes specific questions to assess the prevalence, nature, and impact of antisemitism in the Service Academies (as such term is defined in section 347 of title 10, United States Code). The questions included shall be designed to gather detailed information on the following:

(1)

added Instances of antisemitic behavior, language, and symbols.

(2)

added Perceptions of antisemitism among members, cadets, and midshipmen.

(3)

added The impact of antisemitism on unit cohesion, morale, and readiness.

(4)

added The effectiveness of current policies and training programs in addressing antisemitism.

(b)

added Reporting requirements—

(1)

added Annual report— The Secretary of Defense shall submit a report to the congressional defense committees not later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, detailing the following:

(A)

added The findings from the antisemitism assessment.

(B)

added Steps taken to address identified issues related to antisemitism.

(C)

added Recommendations for additional actions to mitigate antisemitism in the Armed Forces.

(2)

added Inclusion in existing report— The results of the antisemitism assessment shall be included in the annual report on the results of the DEOCS.

Sec. 597 Short title

added

added This subtitle may be cited as the “Military Chaplains Modernization Act of 2026”.

Sec. 598 Findings

added

added Congress makes the following findings:

(1)

added Religion and religious liberty have always served an essential role in society, culture, and military service, making them necessary for good democratic governance and a strong military.

(2)

added George Washington, as a young colonel, recognized the importance of religious practice for his soldiers, repeatedly requesting chaplains for his troops and periodically performing religious duties himself.

(3)

added When the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Army in June 1775, it recommended “all officers and soldiers diligently to attend Divine Service”.

(4)

added In 1775, at the behest of George Washington, then General of the Continental Army, the Second Continental Congress established the Federal chaplaincy that is in existence to this day, making it one of the oldest military services provided for American troops.

(5)

added From their earliest days, military chaplains have existed to provide pastoral care, meeting the religious needs of members of the Armed Forces and their families.

(6)

added In 1775, the Continental Congress, understanding the significance of chaplaincy, similarly instructed its fledgling navy that, “The commanders of the ships of the Thirteen United Colonies are to take care that divine services be performed twice a day on board, and a sermon preached on Sundays, unless bad weather or other extraordinary accidents prevent it.”.

(7)

added John Adams instructed his Secretary of the Navy on the influence of a Navy chaplaincy, stating, “I know not whether the commanders of our ships have given much attention to this subject [chaplains], but in my humble opinion, we shall be very unskillful politicians as well as bad Christians and unwise men if we neglect this important office in our infant Navy.”.

(8)

added In 1942, Franklin D. Roosevelt also acknowledged the importance of the chaplaincy by vowing to “never fail to provide for the spiritual needs of our officers and men under the Chaplains of our armed forces”, and during World War II, President Roosevelt had Bibles printed and provided to troops in the field.

(9)

added Understanding the importance of religion not only to the members of the United States military, but also to the United States as a whole, the Founders ratified the First Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1791.

(10)

added Under the First Amendment, which applies to the Armed Forces, the Federal Government has a constitutional duty to provide for the religious exercise of members of the Armed Forces, an obligation to which the chaplain corps is essential.

(11)

added The Supreme Court stated, in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, 597 U.S. 507 (2022), that the court is “aware of no historically sound understanding of the Establishment Clause that begins to “mak[e] it necessary for government to be hostile to religion”* * * ”.

(12)

added In Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, the Supreme Court further explained that “the Establishment Clause does not include anything like a “modified heckler's veto, in which * * * religious activity can be proscribed” based on “perceptions” or “discomfort”” and that the Clause does not ““compel the government to purge from the public sphere” anything an objective observer could reasonably infer endorses or “partakes of the religious””.

(13)

added The Supreme Court made clear in Parker v. Levy, 417 U.S. 733 (1974) that chaplains in the Armed Forces do not forfeit their First Amendment rights by virtue of their military service.

(14)

added Section 6 of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 2000bb–3) specifies that that Act (42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq.) “applies to all Federal law, and the implementation of that law, whether statutory or otherwise, and whether adopted before or after [November 16, 1993]”.

Sec. 599 Duties, responsibilities, requirements, and protections for Army chaplains

added

(a)

added Chaplains— Section 7073 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

added in subsection (a)—

(A)

added by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively; and

(B)

added by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph:

added “(2) the Deputy Chief of Chaplains;

added “(3) the Deputy Chief of Chaplains for the Army Reserve;

added “(4) the Deputy Chief of Chaplains for the Army National Guard;”

(2)

added by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (f);

(3)

added by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsections:

added “(b) The Chief of Chaplains shall serve as a principal advisor to the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff of the Army.

added “(c) The Deputy Chief of Chaplains shall serve under the authority, direction, and control of the Chief of Chaplains.

added “(d) Under the authority, direction, and control of the Chief of Chaplains, the Deputy Chief of Chaplains for the Army Reserve shall serve as a principal advisor to the Chief of the Army Reserve.

added “(e) Under the authority, direction, and control of the Chief of Chaplains, the Deputy Chief of Chaplains for the Army National Guard shall serve as a principal advisor to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau.”

(4)

added adding at the end the following new subsection:

added “(g) The Deputy Chiefs of Chaplains, while so serving, hold the grade of brigadier general.”

(b)

added Chiefs of branches: appointment; duties— Section 7036 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

added by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and

(2)

added by inserting after subsection (f) the following new subsection (g):

added “(g) The Chief of Chaplains serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff of the Army on chaplaincy matters and the provision of religious support in the Army, including strategic planning and the development of policies that affect religious support or have a nexus with the chaplaincy.”

(c)

added Chaplains— Section 7217 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

added “7217. Duties, responsibilities, requirements, and protections for Army chaplains

added “(a) Duties, responsibilities, and requirements

added “(1) The Army Chaplaincy shall perform such duties as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Chaplains of the Army.

added “(2) The Army Chaplaincy shall be overseen by the Chief of Chaplains and shall—

added “(A) serve as principal advisers to commanders on all issues concerning religious practices, spiritual readiness, spiritual care, religious provisions, and religion’s influence on military operations, which shall include, but not be limited to—

added “(i) advising and assisting commanders in discharging their responsibilities to provide for the free exercise of religion in military service, pursuant to the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, section 3 of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 2000bb–1), and related statutes and policies;

added “(ii) assisting commanders in managing religious affairs, including the accommodation of religious practices and the development of policies and procedures related to the free exercise of religion;

added “(iii) assisting commanders by serving as advisers with respect to all religious accommodation requests and by providing advice on spiritual readiness and matters concerning religion, morals, ethics, well-being, and morale; and

added “(iv) overseeing education and training programs concerning the accommodation of religious practices for members of the armed forces;

added “(B) meet the religious requirements and care for the spiritual needs of members of the armed forces, other authorized persons, and dependents of members, potentially in isolated or combat environments;

added “(C) have a primary role in providing for the free exercise of religion and other religious requirements associated with the free exercise of religion;

added “(D) facilitate meeting the religious needs and requirements for members of the armed forces to whom an assigned chaplain cannot directly minister; and

added “(E) maintain confidential, sacramental, and privileged communications, including those recognized under applicable laws and policies.

added “(3) The tasks of chaplains in the Army shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

added “(A) Performing religious rites, rituals, services, ordinances, ceremonies, and observances (such as memorials, weddings, retirements, sermons, worship, and burials).

added “(B) Counseling, meeting, advising, and praying with individuals or groups.

added “(C) Providing crisis prevention and response.

added “(D) Providing pastoral and spiritual care, guidance, support, and activities.

added “(E) Advising on religious accommodation requests.

added “(F) Providing religious training and education.

added “(b) Protections

added “(1) A chaplain’s duties, responsibilities, and requirements, as set forth in subsection (a), shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the chaplain’s sincerely held religious beliefs and the manner, form, and tenets of the chaplain’s religious-endorsing organization.

added “(2) A chaplain shall have the right to conduct public worship, provide counseling, teach, deliver sermons, advise, minister, and offer prayer in accordance with the chaplain’s sincerely held religious beliefs and the manner, form, and tenets of the chaplain's religious-endorsing organization. Those activities shall be free from censorship, undue restriction, or fear of retribution.

added “(3) A chaplain shall uphold the chaplain's duty to protect confidential, sacramental, and privileged communications, including communications recognized under applicable laws and policies.

added “(4) No member of the Armed Forces may—

added “(A) require or assign a chaplain to perform any rite, ritual, ceremony, sermon, or speech contrary to the sincerely held religious beliefs of the chaplain or contrary to the manner, form, or tenets of the chaplain’s religious-endorsing organization;

added “(B) require or assign a chaplain to perform any task or action contrary to the sincerely held religious beliefs of the chaplain or contrary to the manner, form, or tenets of the religious-endorsing organization of the chaplain, consistent with section 3 of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 2000bb–1);

added “(C) retaliate or discriminate against a chaplain based on the chaplain’s refusal to comply with a requirement prohibited under this subsection, or take, with respect to such a chaplain, any adverse personnel action including—

added “(i) denial of promotion, schooling, training, assignment, or financial recoupment;

added “(ii) issuance of letters of reprimand; or

added “(iii) any other adverse action or entry in the chaplain's record; or

added “(D) preclude a chaplain from conducting an activity described in paragraph (2).

added “(5) A member of the Armed Forces who violates paragraph (4) shall be subject to prosecution under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

added “(c) Assistance by commanding officers—Each officer shall furnish facilities, including necessary transportation, to any chaplain assigned to the command of the officer, to assist the chaplain in performing the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the chaplain under subsection (a).

added “(d) Definitions—In this section:

added “(1) Administrative endorser—The term administrative endorser means an organization that was approved to endorse chaplains for service in the armed forces under the requirements of the Department of Defense and the armed force in which those chaplains will serve, as in effect at the time the organization initially began endorsing chaplains, not on its own behalf, but on behalf of one or more external religious organizations that—

added “(A) are religious-endorsing organizations;

added “(B) at the time the organization initially began endorsing chaplains, did not possess the organizational capacity to endorse chaplains directly; and

added “(C) were not members of, nor otherwise affiliated with, a fellowship or other organizational structure meeting the requirements set forth in paragraph (5)(A)(iii) that possessed authority to endorse chaplains.

added “(2) Adverse personnel action—The term adverse personnel action means any action taken against a member of the Armed Forces that affects or has the potential to adversely affect the member's current position or career, including—

added “(A) a disciplinary action, transfer, negative performance evaluation, removal, separation, discharge, or mental health evaluation; and

added “(B) a decision not to give the member a promotion, an increase in pay or benefits, an award, training, or relief.

added “(3) Censorship—The term censorship means any governmental action taken to suppress or restrict information, ideas, or expression.

added “(4) Confidential, sacramental, and privileged communications—The term confidential, sacramental, and privileged communications means any private communication made to a chaplain acting in the chaplain’s capacity as a spiritual advisor.

added “(5) Religious-endorsing organization

added “(A) The term religious-endorsing organization means an entity that—

added “(i)

added “(I) is organized and functions primarily to perform religious ministries to nonmilitary lay members and meets the requirements of the Department of Defense and the armed force in which chaplains endorsed by the entity will serve; and

added “(II) possesses ecclesiastical authority to endorse and withdraw endorsements for chaplains serving under the authority of the entity to conduct religious observances or ceremonies in a military context; or

added “(ii)

added “(I) meets the requirements of the Department of Defense and the armed force in which chaplains endorsed by the entity will serve;

added “(II) is organized and functions primarily to support member religious organizations and religious ministry professionals that function primarily to perform religious ministries to nonmilitary lay members; and

added “(III) performs the function described in clause (i)(II) on behalf of its member religious organizations and religious ministry professionals.

added “(B) An administrative endorser that endorses chaplains before the date of the enactment of this section may continue to endorse chaplains on and after such date of enactment if administrative endorser meets the requirements of the Department of Defense and the armed force in which chaplains endorsed by the administrative endorser will serve to provide documentation verifying that the religious organizations the administrative endorser represents meet the requirements of subclause (I) and (II) of subparagraph (A)(i).”

Sec. 599A Duties, responsibilities, requirements, and protections for Navy chaplains

added

(a)

added Chaplain corps and chief of chaplains— Section 8082 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

added “(f) The Chief of Chaplains shall serve as a principal adviser to the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations.”

(b)

added Deputy chiefs of chaplains— Section 8082a of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

added “8082a. Deputy Chiefs of Chaplains

added “(a) The Secretary of the Navy shall detail as Deputy Chiefs of Chaplains officers of the Chaplain Corps in the grade of commander or above who are on active duty and who have served on active duty in the Chaplain Corps for at least eight years.

added “(b) Under the authority, direction, and control of the Chief of Chaplains, the Deputy Chief of Chaplains shall also serve as the Chaplain of the Marine Corps and shall serve as a principal advisor to the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

added “(c) Under the authority, direction, and control of the Chief of Chaplains, the Deputy Chief of Chaplains for Reserve Matters shall also serve as a principal advisor to the Chief of Navy Reserve.

added “(d) The Deputy Chiefs of Chaplains, while so serving, hold the grade of rear admiral (lower half).”

(c)

added Chaplains— Section 8221 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

added “8221. Duties, responsibilities, requirements, and protections for Navy chaplains

added “(a) Duties, responsibilities, and requirements

added “(1) The Navy Chaplaincy shall perform such duties as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Chaplains of the Navy.

added “(2) The Navy Chaplaincy shall be overseen by the Chief of Chaplains and shall—

added “(A) serve as principal advisers to commanders on all issues concerning religious practices, spiritual readiness, spiritual care, religious provisions, and religion’s influence on military operations, which shall include, but not be limited to—

added “(i) advising and assisting commanders in discharging their responsibilities to provide for the free exercise of religion in military service, pursuant to the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, section 3 of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 2000bb–1), and related statutes and policies;

added “(ii) assisting commanders in managing religious affairs, including the accommodation of religious practices and the development of policies and procedures related to the free exercise of religion;

added “(iii) assisting commanders by serving as an adviser with respect to all religious accommodation requests and by providing advice on spiritual readiness and matters concerning religion, morals, ethics, well-being, and morale; and

added “(iv) overseeing education and training programs concerning the accommodation of religious practices for members of the armed forces;

added “(B) meet the religious requirements and care for the spiritual needs of members of the armed forces, other authorized persons, and dependents, potentially in isolated or combat environments;

added “(C) have a primary role in providing for the free exercise of religion and other religious requirements associated with the free exercise of religion;

added “(D) facilitate meeting the religious needs and requirements for members of the armed forces to whom an assigned chaplain cannot directly minister; and

added “(E) maintain confidential, sacramental, and privileged communications, including communications recognized under applicable laws and policies.

added “(3) The tasks of chaplains in the Navy shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

added “(A) Performing religious rites, rituals, services, ordinances, ceremonies, and observances (such as memorials, weddings, retirements, sermons, worship, and burials).

added “(B) Counseling, meeting, advising, and praying with individuals or groups.

added “(C) Providing crisis prevention and response.

added “(D) Providing pastoral and spiritual care, guidance, support, and activities.

added “(E) Advising on religious accommodation requests.

added “(F) Providing religious training and education.

added “(b) Protections

added “(1) A chaplain’s duties, responsibilities, and requirements, as set forth in subsection (a), shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the chaplain’s sincerely held religious beliefs and the manner, form, and tenets of the chaplain's religious-endorsing organization.

added “(2) A chaplain shall have the right to conduct public worship, provide counseling, teach, deliver sermons, advise, minister, and offer prayer in accordance with the chaplain’s sincerely held religious beliefs and the manner, form, and tenets of the chaplain's religious-endorsing organization. Those activities shall be free from censorship, undue restriction, or fear of retribution.

added “(3) A chaplain shall uphold the chaplain's duty to protect confidential, sacramental, and privileged communications, including communications recognized under applicable laws and policies.

added “(4) No member of the Armed Forces may—

added “(A) require or assign a chaplain to perform any rite, ritual, ceremony, sermon, or speech, contrary to the sincerely held religious beliefs of the chaplain or contrary to the manner, form, or tenets of the chaplain's religious-endorsing organization;

added “(B) require or assign a chaplain to perform any task or action contrary to the sincerely held religious beliefs of the chaplain or contrary to the manner, form, or tenets of the chaplain's religious-endorsing organization, consistent with section 3 of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 2000bb–1);

added “(C) retaliate or discriminate against a chaplain based on the chaplain’s refusal to comply with a requirement prohibited under this subsection, or take, with respect to such a chaplain, any adverse personnel action including—

added “(i) denial of promotion, schooling, training, assignment, or financial recoupment;

added “(ii) issuance of letters of reprimand; or

added “(iii) any other adverse action or entry in the chaplain's record; or

added “(D) preclude a chaplain from conducting an activity described in paragraph (2).

added “(5) A member of the Armed Forces who violates paragraph (4) shall be subject to prosecution under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

added “(c) Assistance by commanding officers—Each officer shall furnish facilities, including necessary transportation, to any chaplain assigned to the command of the officer, to assist the chaplain in performing the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the chaplain under subsection (a).

added “(d) Definitions—In this section:

added “(1) Administrative endorser—The term administrative endorser means an organization that was approved to endorse chaplains for service in the armed forces under the requirements of the Department of Defense and the armed force in which those chaplains will serve, as in effect at the time the organization initially began endorsing chaplains, not on its own behalf, but on behalf of one or more external religious organizations that—

added “(A) are religious-endorsing organizations;

added “(B) at the time the organization initially began endorsing chaplains, did not possess the organizational capacity to endorse chaplains directly; and

added “(C) were not members of, nor otherwise affiliated with, a fellowship or other organizational structure meeting the requirements set forth in paragraph (5)(A)(iii) that possessed authority to endorse chaplains.

added “(2) Adverse personnel action—The term adverse personnel action means any action taken against a member of the Armed Forces that affects or has the potential to adversely affect the member's current position or career, including—

added “(A) a disciplinary action, transfer, negative performance evaluation, removal, separation, discharge, or mental health evaluation; and

added “(B) a decision not to give the member a promotion, an increase in pay or benefits, an award, training, or relief.

added “(3) Censorship—The term censorship means any governmental action taken to suppress or restrict information, ideas, or expression.

added “(4) Confidential, sacramental, and privileged communications—The term confidential, sacramental, and privileged communications means any private communication made to a chaplain acting in the chaplain’s capacity as a spiritual advisor.

added “(5) Religious-endorsing organization

added “(A) The term religious-endorsing organization means an entity that—

added “(i)

added “(I) is organized and functions primarily to perform religious ministries to nonmilitary lay members and meets the requirements of the Department of Defense and the armed force in which chaplains endorsed by the entity will serve; and

added “(II) possesses ecclesiastical authority to endorse and withdraw endorsements for chaplains serving under the authority of the entity to conduct religious observances or ceremonies in a military context; or

added “(ii)

added “(I) meets the requirements of the Department of Defense and the armed force in which chaplains endorsed by the entity will serve;

added “(II) is organized and functions primarily to support member religious organizations and religious ministry professionals that function primarily to perform religious ministries to nonmilitary lay members; and

added “(III) performs the function described in clause (i)(II) on behalf of its member religious organizations and religious ministry professionals.

added “(B) An administrative endorser that endorses chaplains before the date of the enactment of this section may continue to endorse chaplains on and after such date of enactment if administrative endorser meets the requirements of the Department of Defense and the armed force in which chaplains endorsed by the administrative endorser will serve to provide documentation verifying that the religious organizations the administrative endorser represents meet the requirements of subclause (I) and (II) of subparagraph (A)(i).”

Sec. 599B Duties, responsibilities, requirements, and protections for Air Force chaplains

added

(a)

added Chief of chaplains— Section 9039 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

added “(d) The Chief of Chaplains shall serve as the principal adviser to the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force on chaplaincy and religious support, including strategic planning and policy development related to those areas.

added “(e) The Air Force Chaplaincy, which also services the Space Force, shall—

added “(1) be overseen by the Office of the Chief of Chaplains; and

added “(2) advise and assist commanders in ensuring the right of members of the armed forces to religious freedom, in accordance with the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, section 3 of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 2000bb–1), and applicable laws and policies.”

(b)

added Deputy chief of chaplains— Chapter 905 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 9039 the following new section:

added “9039a. Deputy Chief of Chaplains: appointment; duties

added “(a) The Secretary of the Air Force shall detail as a Deputy Chief of Chaplains one or more officers of the Chaplain Corps in the grade of colonel or above who are on active duty and who have served on active duty in the Chaplain Corps for at least eight years.

added “(b) Under the authority, direction, and control of the Chief of Chaplains, a Deputy Chief of Chaplains shall also serve as the Chaplain of the Space Force and shall serve as a principal advisor to the Chief of Space Operations.

added “(c) A Deputy Chief of Chaplains, while so serving, holds the grade of brigadier general.”

(c)

added The Air Staff: function; composition— Section 9031 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

added by redesignating paragraphs (7), (8), and (9) as paragraphs (8), (9), and (10), respectively; and

(2)

added by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new paragraph (7):

added “(7) The Chief of Chaplains for the Air Force and the Space Force.”

(d)

added Chaplains— Section 9217 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

added “9217. Duties, responsibilities, requirements, and protections for Air Force chaplains

added “(a) Duties, responsibilities, and requirements

added “(1) The Air Force Chaplaincy shall perform such duties as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Chaplains of the Air Force.

added “(2) The Air Force Chaplaincy shall be overseen by the Chief of Chaplains and shall—