Division E — Other Matters

118th Congress · Approved Dec 23, 2024 · 138 Stat. 1773

DIVISION E Other Matters

TITLE L Veterans Affairs Matters

SEC. 5001. Grants for State, County, and Tribal Veterans’ Cemeteries That Allow Interment of Certain Persons Eligible for Interment in National Cemeteries.

Section 2408 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

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

(2)

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

“(k)

(1) The Secretary may not establish a condition for a grant under this section that restricts the ability of a State, county, or tribal organization receiving such a grant to allow the interment of any person described in paragraph (8) or (10) of section 2402(a) of this title in a veterans’ cemetery owned by that State or county or on trust land owned by, or held in trust for, that tribal organization.

“(2) The Secretary may not deny an application for a grant under this section solely on the basis that the State, county, or tribal organization receiving such grant may use funds from such grant to expand, improve, operate, or maintain a veterans’ cemetery in which interment of persons described in paragraph (8) or (10) of section 2402(a) of this title is allowed.

“(3)

(A) When requested by a State, county, or tribal organization that is the recipient of a grant made under this section, the Secretary shall—

“(i) determine whether a person is eligible for burial in a national cemetery under paragraph (8) or (10) of section 2402(a) of this title; and

“(ii) advise the recipient of the determination.

“(B) A recipient described in subparagraph (A) may use a determination of the Secretary under such subparagraph as a determination of the eligibility of the person concerned for burial in the cemetery for which the grant was made.”

SEC. 5002. Telephone Helpline for Assistance for Veterans and Other Eligible Individuals.

(a)

In General.— Chapter 53 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

“§ 5321. Benefits helpline

“(a) Establishment.—The Secretary shall maintain a toll-free telephone helpline that a covered individual may call in order to—

“(1) obtain information about any service or benefit provided under the laws administered by the Secretary; or

“(2) be directed to an appropriate office of the Department regarding such a service or benefit.

“(b) Contract for Direction of Calls Authorized.—The Secretary may enter into a contract with a third party to direct calls made to the helpline to an appropriate office under subsection (a)(2).

“(c) Live Individual Required.—The Secretary shall ensure that a covered individual who calls the helpline has the option to speak with a live individual.

“(d) Definitions.—In this section:

“(1) The term ‘covered individual’ means—

“(A) a veteran;

“(B) an individual acting on behalf of a veteran; or

“(C) an individual other than a veteran who is eligible to receive a benefit or service under a law administered by the Secretary.

“(2) The term ‘veteran’ has the meaning given such term in section 2002(b) of this title.”

(b)

Clerical Amendment.— The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

“5321. Benefits helpline.”.

SEC. 5003. Report on Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry 2.0.

(a)

Report Required.— Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the redesigned Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry 2.0.

(b)

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

(1)

An analysis of how the redesigned Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry 2.0 improves research and delivery of health care for veterans exposed to airborne hazards and open burn pits.

(2)

A description of how the redesign has affected the accuracy of registry data, including data regarding causes of death.

(3)

The plans of the Secretary to ensure veterans, caregivers, and survivors are updated on research outcomes and informed regarding how to confirm the accuracy of registry data.

TITLE LI Foreign Affairs Matters

Subtitle A United States Foundation for International Conservation Act of 2024

SEC. 5101. Definitions.

In this title:

(1)

The term “appropriate congressional committees” means—

(A)

the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;

(B)

the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;

(C)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and

(D)

the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

(2)

The term “Board” means the Board of Directors established pursuant to section 5103(b).

(3)

The term “eligible country” means any country described in section 5106(b).

(4)

The term “eligible project” means any project described in section 5106(a)(3).

(5)

The term “Executive Director” means the Executive Director of the Foundation hired pursuant to section 5103.

(6)

The term “Foundation” means the United States Foundation for International Conservation established pursuant to section 5102(a).

(7)

The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of State.

SEC. 5102. United States Foundation for International Conservation.

(a)

Establishment.—

(1)

In general.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish the United States Foundation for International Conservation, which shall be operated as a charitable, nonprofit corporation.

(2)

Independence.— The Foundation is not an agency or instrumentality of the United States Government.

(3)

Tax-exempt status.— The Board shall take all necessary and appropriate steps to ensure that the Foundation is an organization described in subsection (c) of section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, which exempt the organization from taxation under subsection (a) of such section.

(4)

Termination of operations.— The Foundation shall terminate operations on the date that is 10 years after the date on which the Foundation becomes operational, in accordance with—

(A)

a plan for winding down the activities of the Foundation that the Board shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees not later than 180 days before such termination date; and

(B)

the bylaws established pursuant to section 5103(b)(13).

(b)

Purposes.— The purposes of the Foundation are—

(1)

to provide grants for the responsible management of designated priority primarily protected and conserved areas in eligible countries that have a high degree of biodiversity or species and ecosystems of significant ecological value;

(2)

to promote responsible, long-term management of primarily protected and conserved areas and their contiguous buffer zones;

(3)

to incentivize, leverage, accept, and effectively administer governmental and nongovernmental funds, including donations from the private sector, to increase the availability and predictability of financing for responsible, long-term management of primarily protected and conserved areas in eligible countries;

(4)

to help close critical gaps in public international conservation efforts in eligible countries by—

(A)

increasing private sector investment, including investments from philanthropic entities; and

(B)

collaborating with partners providing bilateral and multilateral financing to support enhanced coordination, including public and private funders, partner governments, local protected areas authorities, and private and nongovernmental organization partners;

(5)

to identify and financially support viable projects that—

(A)

promote responsible, long-term management of primarily protected and conserved areas and their contiguous buffer zones in eligible countries, including support for the management of terrestrial, coastal, freshwater, and marine protected areas, parks, community conservancies, Indigenous reserves, conservation easements, and biological reserves; and

(B)

provide effective area-based conservation measures, consistent with best practices and standards for environmental and social safeguards; and

(6)

to coordinate with, consult, and otherwise support and assist, governments, private sector entities, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and other stakeholders in eligible countries in undertaking biodiversity conservation activities—

(A)

to achieve measurable and enduring biodiversity conservation outcomes; and

(B)

to improve local security, governance, food security, and economic opportunities.

(c)

Plan of Action.—

(1)

In general.— Not later than 6 months after the establishment of the Foundation, the Executive Director shall submit for approval from the Board an initial 3-year Plan of Action to implement the purposes of this title, including—

(A)

a description of the priority actions to be undertaken by the Foundation over the proceeding 3-year period, including a timeline for implementation of such priority actions;

(B)

descriptions of the processes and criteria by which—

(i)

eligible countries, in which eligible projects may be selected to receive assistance under this title, will be identified;

(ii)

grant proposals for Foundation activities in eligible countries will be developed, evaluated, and selected; and

(iii)

grant implementation will be monitored and evaluated;

(C)

the projected staffing and budgetary requirements of the Foundation during the proceeding 3-year period; and

(D)

a plan to maximize commitments from private sector entities to fund the Foundation.

(2)

Submission.— The Executive Director shall submit the initial Plan of Action to the appropriate congressional committees not later than 5 days after the Plan of Action is approved by the Board.

(3)

Updates.— The Executive Director shall annually update the Plan of Action and submit each such updated plan to the appropriate congressional committees not later that 5 days after the update plan is approved by the Board.

SEC. 5103. Governance of the Foundation.

(a)

Executive Director.— There shall be in the Foundation an Executive Director, who shall—

(1)

manage the Foundation; and

(2)

report to, and be under the direct authority, of the Board.

(b)

Board of Directors.—

(1)

Governance.— The Foundation shall be governed by a Board of Directors, which—

(A)

shall perform the functions specified to be carried out by the Board under this title; and

(B)

may prescribe, amend, and repeal bylaws, rules, regulations, and procedures governing the manner in which the business of the Foundation may be conducted and in which the powers granted to it by law may be exercised.

(2)

Membership.— The Board shall be composed of—

(A)

the Secretary, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, the Secretary of the Interior, the Chief of the United States Forest Service, and the head of one other relevant Federal department or agency, as determined by the Secretary, or the Senate-confirmed designees of such officials; and

(B)

8 other individuals, who shall be appointed by the Secretary, in consultation with the members of the Board described in subparagraph (A), the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, and the President Pro Tempore and Minority Leader of the Senate, of whom—

(i)

4 members shall be private-sector donors making financial contributions to the Foundation; and

(ii)

4 members shall be independent experts who, in addition to meeting the qualification requirements described in paragraph (3), represent diverse points of view and diverse geographies, to the maximum extent practicable.

(3)

Qualifications.— Each member of the Board appointed pursuant to paragraph (2)(B) shall be knowledgeable and experienced in matters relating to—

(A)

international development;

(B)

protected area management and the conservation of global biodiversity, fish and wildlife, ecosystem restoration, adaptation, and resilience; and

(C)

grantmaking in support of international conservation.

(4)

Political affiliation.— Not more than 5 of the members appointed to the Board pursuant to paragraph (2)(B) may be affiliated with the same political party.

(5)

Conflicts of interest.— Any individual with business interests, financial holdings, or controlling interests in any entity that has sought support, or is receiving support, from the Foundation may not be appointed to the Board during the 5-year period immediately preceding such appointment.

(6)

Chairperson.— The Board shall elect, from among its members, a Chairperson, who shall serve for a 2-year term.

(7)

Terms; vacancies.—

(A)

Terms.—

(i)

In general.— The term of service of each member of the Board appointed pursuant to paragraph (2)(B) shall be not more than 5 years.

(ii)

Initial appointed directors.— Of the initial members of the Board appointed pursuant to paragraph (2)(B)—

(I)

4 members, including at least 2 private-sector donors making financial contributions to the Foundation, shall serve for 4 years; and

(II)

4 members shall serve for 5 years, as determined by the Chairperson of the Board.

(B)

Vacancies.— Any vacancy in the Board—

(i)

shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made; and

(ii)

shall not affect the power of the remaining appointed members of the Board to execute the duties of the Board.

(8)

Quorum.— A majority of the current membership of the Board, including the Secretary or the Secretary’s designee, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of Foundation business.

(9)

Meetings.—

(A)

In general.— The Board shall meet not less frequently than annually at the call of the Chairperson. Such meetings may be in person, virtual, or hybrid.

(B)

Initial meeting.— Not later than 60 days after the Board is established pursuant to section 5102(a), the Secretary of State shall convene a meeting of the ex-officio members of the Board and the appointed members of the Board to incorporate the Foundation.

(C)

Removal.— Any member of the Board appointed pursuant to paragraph (2)(B) who misses 3 consecutive regularly scheduled meetings may be removed by a majority vote of the Board.

(10)

Reimbursement of expenses.—

(A)

In general.— Members of the Board shall serve without pay, but may be reimbursed for the actual and necessary traveling and subsistence expenses incurred in the performance of the duties of the Foundation.

(B)

Limitation.— Expenses incurred outside the United States may be reimbursed under this paragraph if at least 2 members of the Board concurrently incurred such expenses. Such reimbursements—

(i)

shall be available exclusively for actual costs incurred by members of the Board up to the published daily per diem rate for lodging, meals, and incidentals; and

(ii)

shall not include first-class, business-class, or travel in any class other than economy class or coach class.

(C)

Other expenses.— All other expenses, including salaries for officers and staff of the Foundation, shall be established by a majority vote of the Board, as proposed by the Executive Director on no less than an annual basis.

(11)

Not federal employees.— Appointment as a member of the Board and employment by the Foundation does not constitute employment by, or the holding of an office of, the United States for purposes of any Federal law.

(12)

Duties.— The Board shall—

(A)

establish bylaws for the Foundation in accordance with paragraph (13);

(B)

provide overall direction for the activities of the Foundation and establish priority activities;

(C)

carry out any other necessary activities of the Foundation;

(D)

evaluate the performance of the Executive Director;

(E)

take steps to limit the administrative expenses of the Foundation; and

(F)

not less frequently than annually, consult and coordinate with stakeholders qualified to provide advice, assistance, and information regarding effective protected and conserved area management.

(13)

Bylaws.—

(A)

In general.— The bylaws required to be established under paragraph (12)(A) shall include—

(i)

the specific duties of the Executive Director;

(ii)

policies and procedures for the selection of members of the Board and officers, employees, agents, and contractors of the Foundation;

(iii)

policies, including ethical standards, for—

(I)

the acceptance, solicitation, and disposition of donations and grants to the Foundation; and

(II)

the disposition of assets of the Foundation upon the dissolution of the Foundation;

(iv)

policies that subject all implementing partners, employees, fellows, trainees, and other agents of the Foundation (including ex-officio members of the Board and appointed members of the Board) to stringent ethical and conflict of interest standards;

(v)

removal and exclusion procedures for implementing partners, employees, fellows, trainees, and other agents of the Foundation (including ex-officio members of the Board and appointed members of the Board) who fail to uphold the ethical and conflict of interest standards established pursuant to clause (iii);

(vi)

policies for winding down the activities of the Foundation upon its dissolution, including a plan—

(I)

to return unspent appropriations to the Treasury of the United States; and

(II)

to donate unspent private and philanthropic contributions to projects that align with the goals and requirements described in section 5106;

(vii)

policies for vetting implementing partners and grantees to ensure the Foundation does not provide grants to for profit entities whose primary objective is activities other than conservation activities; and

(viii)

clawback policies and procedures to be incorporated into grant agreements to ensure compliance with the policies referred to in clause (vii).

(B)

Requirements.— The Board shall ensure that the bylaws of the Foundation and the activities carried out under such bylaws do not—

(i)

reflect unfavorably on the ability of the Foundation to carry out activities in a fair and objective manner; or

(ii)

compromise, or appear to compromise, the integrity of any governmental agency or program, or any officer or employee employed by, or involved in, a governmental agency or program.

(c)

Foundation Staff.— Officers and employees of the Foundation—

(1)

may not be employees of, or hold any office in, the United States Government;

(2)

may not serve in the employ of any nongovernmental organization, project, or person related to or affiliated with any grantee of the Foundation while employed by the Foundation;

(3)

may not receive compensation from any other source for work performed in carrying out the duties of the Foundation while employed by the Foundation; and

(4)

should not receive a salary at a rate that is greater than the maximum rate of basic pay authorized for positions at level I of the Executive Schedule under section 5312 of title 5, United States Code.

(d)

Limitation and Conflicts of Interests.—

(1)

Political participation.— The Foundation may not—

(A)

lobby for political or policy issues; or

(B)

participate or intervene in any political campaign in any country.

(2)

Financial interests.— As determined by the Board and set forth in the bylaws established pursuant to subsection (b)(13), and consistent with best practices, any member of the Board or officer or employee of the Foundation shall be prohibited from participating, directly or indirectly, in the consideration or determination of any question before the Foundation affecting—

(A)

the financial interests of such member of the Board, or officer or employee of the Foundation, not including such member’s Foundation expenses and compensation; and

(B)

the interests of any corporation, partnership, entity, or organization in which such member of the Board, officer, or employee has any fiduciary obligation or direct or indirect financial interest.

(3)

Recusals.— Any member of the Board that has a business, financial, or familial interest in an organization or community seeking support from the Foundation shall recuse himself or herself from all deliberations, meetings, and decisions concerning the consideration and decision relating to such support.

(4)

Project ineligibility.— The Foundation may not provide support to individuals or entities with business, financial, or familial ties to—

(A)

a current member of the Board; or

(B)

a former member of the Board during the 5-year period immediately following the last day of the former member’s term on the Board.

SEC. 5104. Corporate Powers and Obligations of the Foundation.

(a)

General Authority.—

(1)

In general.— The Foundation—

(A)

may conduct business in foreign countries;

(B)

shall have its principal offices in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area; and

(C)

shall continuously maintain a designated agent in Washington, DC, who is authorized to accept notice or service of process on behalf of the Foundation.

(2)

Notice and service of process.— The serving of notice to, or service of process upon, the agent referred to in paragraph (1)(C), or mailed to the business address of such agent, shall be deemed as service upon, or notice to, the Foundation.

(3)

Audits.— The Foundation shall be subject to the general audit authority of the Comptroller General of the United States under section 3523 of title 31, United States Code.

(b)

Authorities.— In addition to powers explicitly authorized under this subtitle, the Foundation, in order to carry out the purposes described in section 5102(b), shall have the usual powers of a corporation headquartered in Washington, DC, including the authority—

(1)

to accept, receive, solicit, hold, administer, and use any gift, devise, or bequest, either absolutely or in trust, or real or personal property or any income derived from such gift or property, or other interest in such gift or property located in the United States;

(2)

to acquire by donation, gift, devise, purchase, or exchange any real or personal property or interest in such property located in the United States;

(3)

unless otherwise required by the instrument of transfer, to sell, donate, lease, invest, reinvest, retain, or otherwise dispose of any property or income derived from such property located in the United States;

(4)

to complain and defend itself in any court of competent jurisdiction (except that the members of the Board shall not be personally liable, except for gross negligence);

(5)

to enter into contracts or other arrangements with public agencies, private organizations, and persons and to make such payments as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of such contracts or arrangements; and

(6)

to award grants for eligible projects, in accordance with section 5106.

(c)

Limitation of Public Liability.— The United States shall not be liable for any debts, defaults, acts, or omissions of the Foundation. The Federal Government shall be held harmless from any damages or awards ordered by a court against the Foundation.

SEC. 5105. Safeguards and Accountability.

(a)

Safeguards.— The Foundation shall develop, and incorporate into any agreement for support provided by the Foundation, appropriate safeguards, policies, and guidelines, consistent with United States law and best practices and standards for environmental and social safeguards.

(b)

Independent Accountability Mechanism.—

(1)

In general.— The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee, shall establish a transparent and independent accountability mechanism, consistent with best practices, which shall provide—

(A)

a compliance review function that assesses whether Foundation-supported projects adhere to the requirements developed pursuant to subsection (a);

(B)

a dispute resolution function for resolving and remedying concerns between complainants and project implementers regarding the impacts of specific Foundation-supported projects with respect to such standards; and

(C)

an advisory function that reports to the Board on projects, policies, and practices.

(2)

Duties.— The accountability mechanism shall—

(A)

report annually to the Board and the appropriate congressional committees regarding the Foundation’s compliance with best practices and standards in accordance with paragraph (1)(A) and the nature and resolution of any complaint;

(B)

(i)

have permanent staff, led by an independent accountability official, to conduct compliance reviews and dispute resolutions and perform advisory functions; and

(ii)

maintain a roster of experts to serve such roles, to the extent needed; and

(C)

hold a public comment period lasting not fewer than 60 days regarding the initial design of the accountability mechanism.

(c)

Internal Accountability.— The Foundation shall establish an ombudsman position at a senior level of executive staff as a confidential, neutral source of information and assistance to anyone affected by the activities of the Foundation.

(d)

Annual Review.— The Secretary shall, periodically, but not less frequent than annually, review assistance provided by the Foundation for the purpose of implementing section 5102(b) to ensure consistency with the provisions under section 620M of Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2378d).

SEC. 5106. Projects and Grants.

(a)

Project Funding Requirements.—

(1)

In general.— The Foundation shall—

(A)

provide grants to support eligible projects described in paragraph (3) that advance its mission to enable effective management of primarily protected and conserved areas and their contiguous buffer zones in eligible countries;

(B)

advance effective landscape or seascape approaches to conservation that include buffer zones, wildlife dispersal and corridor areas, and other effective area-based conservation measures; and

(C)

not purchase, own, or lease land, including conservation easements, in eligible countries.

(2)

Eligible entities.— Eligible entities shall include—

(A)

not-for-profit organizations with demonstrated expertise in protected and conserved area management and economic development;

(B)

governments of eligible partner countries, as determined by subsection (b), with the exception of governments and government entities that are prohibited from receiving grants from the Foundation pursuant to section 5107; and

(C)

Indigenous and local communities in such eligible countries.

(3)

Eligible projects.— Eligible projects shall include projects that—

(A)

focus on supporting—

(i)

transparent and effective long-term management of primarily protected or conserved areas and their contiguous buffer zones in countries described in subsection (b), including terrestrial, coastal, and marine protected or conserved areas, parks, community conservancies, Indigenous reserves, conservation easements, and biological reserves; and

(ii)

other effective area-based conservation measures;

(B)

are cost-matched at a ratio of not less than $2 from sources other than the United States for every $1 made available under this subtitle;

(C)

are subject to long-term binding memoranda of understanding with the governments of eligible countries and local communities—

(i)

to ensure that local populations have access, resource management responsibilities, and the ability to pursue permissible, sustainable economic activity on affected lands; and

(ii)

that may be signed by governments in such eligible countries to ensure free, prior, and informed consent of affected communities;

(D)

incorporate a set of key performance and impact indicators;

(E)

demonstrate robust local community engagement, with the completion of appropriate environmental and social due diligence, including—

(i)

free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples and relevant local communities;

(ii)

inclusive governance structures; and

(iii)

effective grievance mechanisms;

(F)

create economic opportunities for local communities, including through—

(i)

equity and profit-sharing;

(ii)

cooperative management of natural resources;

(iii)

employment activities; and

(iv)

other related economic growth activities;

(G)

leverage stable baseline funding for the effective management of the primarily protected or conserved area project; and

(H)

to the extent possible—

(i)

are viable and prepared for implementation; and

(ii)

demonstrate a plan to strengthen the capacity of, and transfer skills to, local institutions to manage the primarily protected or conserved area before or after grant funding is exhausted.

(b)

Eligible Countries.—

(1)

In general.— Pursuant to the Plan of Action required under section 5102(c), and before awarding any grants or entering into any project agreements for any fiscal year, the Board shall conduct a review to identify eligible countries in which the Foundation may fund projects. Such review shall consider countries that—

(A)

are low-income, lower middle-income, or upper-middle-income economies (as defined by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association);

(B)

have—

(i)

a high degree of threatened or at-risk biological diversity; or

(ii)

species or ecosystems of significant importance, including threatened or endangered species or ecosystems at risk of degradation or destruction;

(C)

have demonstrated a commitment to conservation through verifiable actions, such as protecting lands and waters through the gazettement of national parks, community conservancies, marine reserves and protected areas, forest reserves, or other legally recognized forms of place-based conservation; and

(D)

are not ineligible to receive United States foreign assistance pursuant to any other provision of law, including laws identified in section 5107.

(2)

Identification of eligible countries.— Not later than 5 days after the date on which the Board determines which countries are eligible to receive assistance under this title for a fiscal year, the Executive Director shall—

(A)

submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that includes—

(i)

a list of all such eligible countries, as determined through the review process described in paragraph (1); and

(ii)

a detailed justification for each such eligibility determination, including—

(I)

an analysis of why the eligible country would be suitable for partnership;

(II)

an evaluation of the eligible partner country’s interest in and ability to participate meaningfully in proposed Foundation activities, including an evaluation of such eligible country’s prospects to substantially benefit from Foundation assistance;

(III)

an estimation of each such eligible partner country’s commitment to conservation; and

(IV)

an assessment of the capacity and willingness of the eligible country to enact or implement reforms that might be necessary to maximize the impact and effectiveness of Foundation support; and

(B)

publish the information contained in the report described in subparagraph (A) in the Federal Register.

(c)

Grantmaking.—

(1)

In general.— In order to maximize program effectiveness, the Foundation shall—

(A)

coordinate with other international public and private donors to the greatest extent practicable and appropriate;

(B)

seek additional financial and nonfinancial contributions and commitments for its projects from governments in eligible countries;

(C)

strive to generate a partnership mentality among all participants, including public and private funders, host governments, local protected areas authorities, and private and nongovernmental organization partners;

(D)

prioritize investments in communities with low levels of economic development to the greatest extent practicable and appropriate; and

(E)

consider the eligible partner country’s planned and dedicated resources to the proposed project and the eligible entity’s ability to successfully implement the project.

(2)

Grant criteria.— Foundation grants—

(A)

shall fund eligible projects that enhance the management of well-defined primarily protected or conserved areas and the systems of such conservation areas in eligible countries;

(B)

should support adequate baseline funding for eligible projects in eligible countries to be sustained for not less than 10 years;

(C)

should, during the grant period, demonstrate progress in achieving clearly defined key performance indicators (as defined in the grant agreement), which may include—

(i)

the protection of biological diversity;

(ii)

the protection of native flora and habitats, such as trees, forests, wetlands, grasslands, mangroves, coral reefs, and sea grass;

(iii)

community-based economic growth indicators, such as improved land tenure, increases in beneficiaries participating in related economic growth activities, and sufficient income from conservation activities being directed to communities in project areas;

(iv)

improved management of the primarily protected or conserved area covered by the project, as documented through the submission of strategic plans or annual reports to the Foundation; and

(v)

the identification of additional revenue sources or sustainable financing mechanisms to meet the recurring costs of management of the primarily protected or conserved areas; and

(D)

shall be terminated if the Board determines that the project is not—

(i)

meeting applicable requirements under this title; or

(ii)

making progress in achieving the key performance indicators defined in the grant agreement.

SEC. 5107. Prohibition of Support for Certain Governments.

(a)

In General.— The Foundation may not provide support for any government, or any entity owned or controlled by a government, if the Secretary has determined that such government—

(1)

has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism, as determined under—

(A)

section 1754(c)(1)(A)(i) of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (22 U.S.C. 4813(c)(1)(A)(i));

(B)

section 620A(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371(a));

(C)

section 40(d) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2780(d)); or

(D)

any other relevant provision of law;

(2)

has been identified pursuant to section 116(a) or 502B(a)(2) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151n(a) and 2304(a)(2)) or any other relevant provision of law; or

(3)

has failed the “control of corruption” indicator, as determined by the Millennium Challenge Corporation, within any of the preceding 3 years of the intended grant.

(b)

Prohibition of Support for Sanctioned Persons.— The Foundation may not engage in any dealing prohibited under United States sanctions laws or regulations, including dealings with persons on the list of specially designated persons and blocked persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury, except to the extent otherwise authorized by the Secretary or by the Secretary of the Treasury.

(c)

Prohibition of Support for Activities Subject to Sanctions.— The Foundation shall require any person receiving support to certify that such person, and any entity owned or controlled by such person, is in compliance with all United States sanctions laws and regulations.

SEC. 5108. Annual Report.

Not later than 360 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter while the Foundation continues to operate, the Executive Director of the Foundation shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that describes—

(1)

the goals of the Foundation;

(2)

the programs, projects, and activities supported by the Foundation;

(3)

private and governmental contributions to the Foundation; and

(4)

the standardized criteria utilized to determine the programs and activities supported by the Foundation, including baselines, targets, desired outcomes, measurable goals, and extent to which those goals are being achieved for each project.

SEC. 5109. Authorization of Appropriations.

(a)

Authorization.— In addition to amounts authorized to be appropriated to carry out international conservation and biodiversity programs under part I and chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.), and subject to the limitations set forth in subsections (b) and (c), there is authorized to be appropriated to the Foundation to carry out the purposes of this title—

(1)

$1,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; and

(2)

not more than $100,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2026 through 2034.

(b)

Cost Matching Requirement.— Amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) may only be made available to grantees to the extent the Foundation or such grantees secure funding for an eligible project from sources other than the United States Government in an amount that is not less than twice the amount received in grants for such project pursuant to section 5106.

(c)

Administrative Costs.— The administrative costs of the Foundation shall come from sources other than the United States Government.

(d)

Prohibition on Use of Grant Amounts for Lobbying Expenses.— Amounts provided as a grant by the Foundation pursuant to section 5106 may not be used for any activity intended to influence legislation pending before the Congress of the United States.

Subtitle B Western Hemisphere Partnership Act

SEC. 5111. Short Title.

This subtitle may be cited as the “Western Hemisphere Partnership Act”.

SEC. 5112. United States Policy in the Western Hemisphere.

It is the policy of the United States to promote economic competitiveness, democratic governance, and security in the Western Hemisphere by—

(1)

encouraging stronger economic relations, respect for property rights, the rule of law, and enforceable investment rules and labor and environmental standards;

(2)

advancing the principles and practices expressed in the Charter of the Organization of American States, the American Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Man, and the Inter-American Democratic Charter; and

(3)

enhancing the capacity and technical capabilities of democratic partner nation government institutions, including civilian law enforcement, the judiciary, attorneys general, and security forces.

SEC. 5113. Promoting Security and the Rule of Law in the Western Hemisphere.

(a)

In General.— The Secretary of State, in coordination with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, should support the improvement of security conditions and the rule of law in the Western Hemisphere through collaborative efforts with democratic partners that—

(1)

enhance the institutional capacity and technical capabilities of defense and security institutions in democratic partner nations to conduct national or regional security missions, including through regular bilateral and multilateral engagements, foreign military sales and financing, international military education and training programs, expanding the National Guard State Partnership Programs, training on civil and political rights, and other means;

(2)

provide technical assistance and material support (including, as appropriate, radars, vessels, and communications equipment) to relevant security forces to disrupt, degrade, and dismantle organizations involved in the illicit trafficking of narcotics and precursor chemicals, transnational criminal activities, illicit mining, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and other illicit activities, including in Haiti and countries included in the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative;

(3)

enhance the institutional capacity, legitimacy, and technical capabilities of relevant civilian law enforcement, attorneys general, and judicial institutions to—

(A)

strengthen the rule of law and transparent governance;

(B)

combat corruption and kleptocracy in the region; and

(C)

improve regional cooperation to disrupt, degrade, and dismantle transnational organized criminal networks and terrorist organizations, including through training, anticorruption initiatives, anti-money laundering programs, and strengthening cyber capabilities and resources;

(4)

enhance port management and maritime security partnerships and airport management and aviation security partnerships to disrupt, degrade, and dismantle transnational criminal networks and facilitate the legitimate flow of people, goods, and services;

(5)

strengthen cooperation to improve border security across the Western Hemisphere, dismantle human smuggling and trafficking networks, and increase cooperation to demonstrably strengthen migration management systems;

(6)

counter the malign influence of state and non-state actors and disinformation campaigns;

(7)

disrupt illicit domestic and transnational financial networks;

(8)

foster mechanisms for cooperation on emergency preparedness and rapid recovery from natural disasters, including by—

(A)

supporting regional preparedness, recovery, and emergency management centers to facilitate rapid response to survey and help maintain planning on regional disaster anticipated needs and possible resources;

(B)

training disaster recovery officials on latest techniques and lessons learned from United States experiences;

(C)

making available, preparing, and transferring on-hand nonlethal supplies, and providing training on the use of such supplies, for humanitarian or health purposes to respond to unforeseen emergencies; and

(D)

conducting medical support operations and medical humanitarian missions, such as hospital ship deployments and base-operating services, to the extent required by the operation;

(9)

foster regional mechanisms for early warning and response to pandemics in the Western Hemisphere, including through—

(A)

improved cooperation with and research by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through regional pandemic response centers;

(B)

personnel exchanges for technology transfer and skills development; and

(C)

surveying and mapping of health networks to build local health capacity;

(10)

promote women’s economic security and the meaningful participation of women across all political processes, including conflict prevention and conflict resolution and post-conflict relief and recovery efforts;

(11)

promote the economic, social and political advancement of indigenous communities, afro-descendants, and other marginalized communities; and

(12)

hold accountable actors that violate political and civil rights.

(b)

Limitations on Use of Technologies.— Operational technologies transferred pursuant to subsection (a) to partner governments for intelligence, defense, or law enforcement purposes shall be used solely for the purposes for which the technology was intended. The United States shall take steps to ensure that the use of such operational technologies is consistent with United States law, including protections of freedom of expression, freedom of movement, and freedom of association.

(c)

Strategy.—

(1)

In general.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a 5-year strategy to promote security and the rule of law in the Western Hemisphere in accordance to this section.

(2)

Elements.— The strategy required under paragraph (1) shall include the following elements:

(A)

A detailed assessment of the resources required to carry out such collaborative efforts.

(B)

Annual benchmarks to track progress and obstacles in undertaking such collaborative efforts.

(C)

A public diplomacy component to engage the people of the Western Hemisphere with the purpose of demonstrating that the security of their countries is enhanced to a greater extent through alignment with the United States and democratic values rather than with authoritarian countries such as the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

(3)

Briefing.— Not later than 1 year after submission of the strategy required under paragraph (1), and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State shall provide to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a briefing on the implementation of the strategy.

SEC. 5114. Promoting Digitalization and Cybersecurity in the Western Hemisphere.

The Secretary of State, in coordination with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, should promote digitalization and cybersecurity in the Western Hemisphere through collaborative efforts with democratic partners that—

(1)

promote digital connectivity and facilitate e-commerce by expanding access to information and communications technology (ICT) supply chains that adhere to high-quality security and reliability standards, including—

(A)

to open market access on a national treatment, nondiscriminatory basis; and

(B)

to strengthen the cybersecurity and cyber resilience of partner countries;

(2)

advance the provision of digital government services (e-government) that, to the greatest extent possible, promote transparency, lower business costs, and expand citizens’ access to public services and public information; and

(3)

develop robust cybersecurity partnerships to—

(A)

promote the inclusion of components and architectures in information and communications technology (ICT) supply chains from participants in initiatives that adhere to high-quality security and reliability standards;

(B)

share best practices to mitigate cyber threats to critical infrastructure from ICT architectures from foreign countries of concern as defined in section 10612(a)(1) of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19221(a)(1)), foreign entities of concern as defined in section 10612(a)(2) of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19221(a)(2)), and by technology providers that supply equipment and services covered under section 2 of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (47 U.S.C. 1601);

(C)

effectively respond to cybersecurity threats, including state-sponsored threats; and

(D)

to strengthen resilience against cyberattacks and cybercrime.

SEC. 5115. Promoting Economic and Commercial Partnerships in the Western Hemisphere.

The Secretary of State, in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, should support the improvement of economic conditions in the Western Hemisphere through collaborative efforts with democratic partners that—

(1)

facilitate a more open, transparent, and competitive environment for United States businesses and promote robust and comprehensive trade capacity-building and trade facilitation by—

(A)

reducing trade and nontariff barriers between the countries in the region, establishing a mechanism for pursuing Mutual Recognition Agreements and Formalized Regulatory Cooperation Agreements in priority sectors of the economy;

(B)

building relationships and exchanges between relevant regulatory bodies in the United States and democratic partners in the Western Hemisphere to promote best practices and transparency in rulemaking, implementation, and enforcement, and provide training and assistance to help improve supply chain management in the Western Hemisphere;

(C)

establishing regional fora for identifying, raising, and addressing supply chain management issues, including infrastructure needs and strengthening of investment rules and regulatory frameworks;

(D)

establishing a dedicated program of trade missions and reverse trade missions to increase commercial contacts and ties between the United States and Western Hemisphere partner countries; and

(E)

strengthening labor and environmental standards in the region;

(2)

establish frameworks or mechanisms to review and address the long-term financial sustainability and national security implications of foreign investments in strategic sectors or services;

(3)

establish competitive and transparent infrastructure project selection and procurement processes that promote transparency, open competition, financial sustainability, and robust adherence to global standards and norms;

(4)

advance robust and comprehensive energy production and integration, including through a more open, transparent, and competitive environment for United States companies competing in the Western Hemisphere; and

(5)

explore opportunities to partner with the private sector and multilateral institutions, such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank, to promote universal access to reliable and affordable electricity in the Western Hemisphere.

SEC. 5116. Promoting Transparency and Democratic Governance in the Western Hemisphere.

The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development and heads of other relevant Federal agencies, should support transparent, accountable, and democratic governance in the Western Hemisphere through collaborative efforts with democratic partners that—

(1)

strengthen the capacity of national electoral institutions to ensure free, fair, and transparent electoral processes, including through pre-election assessment missions, technical assistance, and independent local and international election monitoring and observation missions;

(2)

enhance the capabilities of democratically elected national legislatures, parliamentary bodies, and autonomous regulatory institutions to conduct oversight;

(3)

strengthen the capacity of subnational government institutions to govern in a transparent, accountable, and democratic manner, including through training and technical assistance;

(4)

combat corruption at local and national levels, including through trainings, cooperation agreements, initiatives aimed at dismantling corrupt networks, and political support for bilateral or multilateral anticorruption mechanisms that strengthen attorneys general and prosecutors’ offices;

(5)

strengthen the capacity of civil society to conduct oversight of government institutions, build the capacity of independent professional journalism, facilitate substantive dialogue with government and the private sector to generate issue-based policies, and mobilize local resources to carry out such activities;

(6)

promote the meaningful and significant participation of women in democratic processes, including in national and subnational government and civil society; and

(7)

support the creation of procedures for the Organization of American States (OAS) to create an annual forum for democratically elected national legislatures from OAS member States to discuss issues of hemispheric importance, as expressed in section 4 of the Organization of American States Legislative Engagement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116–343).

SEC. 5117. Sense of Congress on Prioritizing Nomination and Confirmation of Qualified Ambassadors.

It is the sense of Congress that it is critically important that both the President and the Senate play their respective roles to nominate and confirm qualified ambassadors as quickly as possible.

SEC. 5118. Western Hemisphere Defined.

In this subtitle, the term “Western Hemisphere” does not include Cuba, Nicaragua, or Venezuela.

SEC. 5119. Report on Efforts to Capture and Detain United States Citizens as Hostages.

(a)

In General.— Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on efforts by the Maduro regime of Venezuela to detain United States citizens and lawful permanent residents.

(b)

Elements.— The report required by subsection (a) shall include, regarding the arrest, capture, detainment, and imprisonment of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents—

(1)

the names, positions, and institutional affiliation of Venezuelan individuals, or those acting on their behalf, who have engaged in such activities;

(2)

a description of any role played by transnational criminal organizations, and an identification of such organizations; and

(3)

where relevant, an assessment of whether and how United States citizens and lawful permanent residents have been lured to Venezuela.

(c)

Form.— The report required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but shall include a classified annex, which shall include a list of the total number of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents detained or imprisoned in Venezuela as of the date on which the report is submitted.

Subtitle C Other Matters

SEC. 5121. Improving Multilateral Cooperation to Improve the Security of Taiwan.

(a)

Short Titles.— This section may be cited as the “Building Options for the Lasting Security of Taiwan through European Resolve Act” or the “BOLSTER Act”.

(b)

Consultations With European Governments Regarding Sanctions Against the PRC Under Certain Circumstances.— The head of the Office of Sanctions Coordination at the Department of State, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control at the Department of the Treasury, shall engage in regular consultations with the International Special Envoy for the Implementation of European Union Sanctions and appropriate government officials of European countries, including the United Kingdom, to develop coordinated plans and share information on independent plans to impose sanctions and other economic measures against the People’s Republic of China (PRC), as appropriate, if the PRC is found to be involved in—

(1)

overthrowing or dismantling the governing institutions in Taiwan;

(2)

occupying any territory controlled or administered by Taiwan as of the date of the enactment of this Act; or

(3)

taking significant action against Taiwan, including—

(A)

creating a naval blockade or other quarantine of Taiwan;

(B)

seizing the outer lying islands of Taiwan; or

(C)

initiating a cyberattack that threatens civilian or military infrastructure in Taiwan.

(c)

Report on the Economic Impacts of PRC Military Action Against Taiwan.— Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit a report to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives that contains an independent assessment of the expected economic impact of—

(1)

a 30-day blockade or quarantine of Taiwan by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA); and

(2)

a 180-day blockade or quarantine of Taiwan by the PLA.

(d)

Sense of Congress Regarding Consultations With the European Union and European Governments Regarding Increasing Political and Economic Relations With Taiwan.— It is the sense of Congress that—

(1)

the United States, Europe, and Taiwan are like-minded partners that—

(A)

share common values, such as democracy, the rule of law and human rights; and

(B)

enjoy a close trade and economic partnership;

(2)

bolstering political, economic, and people-to-people relations with Taiwan would benefit the European Union, individual European countries, and the United States;

(3)

the European Union can play an important role in helping Taiwan resist the economic coercion of the PRC by negotiating with Taiwan regarding new economic, commercial, and investment agreements;

(4)

the United States and European countries should coordinate and increase diplomatic efforts to facilitate Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations;

(5)

the United States and European countries should—

(A)

publicly and repeatedly emphasize the differences between their respective “One China” policies and the PRC’s “One China” principle;

(B)

counter the PRC’s propaganda and false narratives about United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 (XXVI), which claim the resolution recognizes PRC territorial claims to Taiwan;

(C)

increase public statements of support for Taiwan’s democracy and its meaningful participation in international organizations;

(D)

facilitate unofficial diplomatic visits to and from Taiwan by high-ranking government officials and parliamentarians;

(E)

establish parliamentary caucuses or groups that promote strong relations with Taiwan;

(F)

strengthen subnational diplomacy, including cultural and trade-related visits to and from Taiwan by local government officials;

(G)

strengthen coordination between United States and European business chambers, universities, think tanks, and other civil society groups with similar groups in Taiwan;

(H)

promote direct flights to and from Taiwan;

(I)

facilitate visits by civil society leaders to Taiwan; and

(J)

increase economic engagement and trade relations; and

(6)

Taiwan’s inclusion in the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council’s Secure Supply Chain working group would bring valuable expertise and enhance transatlantic cooperation in the semiconductor sector.

(e)

Sense of Congress Regarding Consultations With European Governments on Supporting Taiwan’s Self-defense.— It is the sense of Congress that—

(1)

preserving peace and security in the Taiwan Strait is a shared interest of the United States and Europe;

(2)

European countries, particularly countries with experience combating Russian aggression and malign activities, can provide Taiwan with lessons learned from their “total defense” programs to mobilize the military and civilians in a time of crisis;

(3)

the United States and Europe should increase coordination to strengthen Taiwan’s cybersecurity, especially for critical infrastructure and network defense operations;

(4)

the United States and Europe should work with Taiwan—

(A)

to improve its energy resiliency;

(B)

to strengthen its food security;

(C)

to combat misinformation, disinformation, digital authoritarianism, offensive cyber operations, and foreign interference;

(D)

to provide expertise on how to improve defense infrastructure;

(E)

to encourage other nations to express support for Taiwan’s security;

(F)

to facilitate arms transfers or arms sales, particularly of weapons consistent with an asymmetric defense strategy;

(G)

to facilitate transfers or sales of dual-use items and technology;

(H)

to facilitate transfers or sales of critical nonmilitary supplies, such as food and medicine;

(I)

to increase the military presence of such countries in the Indo-Pacific region; and

(J)

to engage in joint training and military exercises that may be necessary for Taiwan to maintain credible defense, in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act (22 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.);

(5)

European naval powers, in coordination with the United States, should increase freedom of navigation transits through the Taiwan Strait; and

(6)

European naval powers, the United States, and Taiwan should establish exchanges and partnerships among their coast guards to counter coercion by the PRC.

SEC. 5122. Millennium Challenge Corporation Candidate Country Reform.

(a)

Short Title.— This section may be cited as the “Millennium Challenge Corporation Candidate Country Reform Act”.

(b)

Modifications of Requirements to Become a Candidate Country.— Section 606 of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 (22 U.S.C. 7705) is amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 606. CANDIDATE COUNTRIES.

“(a) In General.—A country shall be a candidate country for purposes of eligibility to receive assistance under section 605 if—

“(1) the per capita income of the country in a fiscal year is equal to or less than the World Bank threshold for initiating the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development graduation process for the fiscal year; and

“(2) subject to subsection (b), the country is not ineligible to receive United States economic assistance under part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.) by reason of the application of any provision of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or any other provision of law.

“(b) Rule of Construction.—For the purposes of determining whether a country is eligible, pursuant to subsection (a)(2), to receive assistance under section 605, the exercise by the President, the Secretary of State, or any other officer or employee of the United States Government of any waiver or suspension of any provision of law referred to in subsection (a)(2), and notification to the appropriate congressional committees in accordance with such provision of law, shall be construed as satisfying the requirements under subsection (a).

“(c) Determination by the Board.—The Board shall determine whether a country is a candidate country for purposes of this section.”

(c)

Conforming Amendments.—

(1)

Amendment to report identifying candidate countries.— Section 608(a)(1) of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 (22 U.S.C. 7707(a)(1)) is amended by striking “ section 606(a)(1)(B)” and inserting “ section 606(a)(2)”.

(2)

Amendment to millennium challenge compact authority.— Section 609(b)(2) of such Act (22 U.S.C. 7708(b)(2)) is amended—

(A)

by amending the paragraph heading to read as follows: “ Country contributions”; and

(B)

by striking “ with respect to a lower middle income country described in section 606(b),”.

(3)

Amendment to authorization to provide assistance for candidate countries.— Section 616(b)(1) of such Act (22 U.S.C. 7715(b)(1)) is amended by striking “ subsection (a) or (b) of section 606” and inserting “ section 606(a)”.

(d)

Modification to Factors in Determining Eligibility.— Section 607(c)(2) of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 (22 U.S.C. 7706(c)(2)) is amended in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by striking “ consider” and inserting “ prioritize need and impact by considering”.

(e)

Reporting Alignment.— Section 613(a) of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 (22 U.S.C. 7712(a)) is amended to read as follows:

“(a) Report.—Not later than the third Friday of December of each year, the Chief Executive Officer shall submit a report to Congress describing the assistance provided pursuant to section 605 during the most recently concluded fiscal year.”

(f)

Report on Efforts to Undermine Programs of the Millennium Challenge Corporation.—

(1)

In general.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation shall submit a report to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives that details any efforts targeted towards undermining Millennium Challenge Corporation programs, particularly efforts conducted by the People’s Republic of China.

(2)

Form.— The report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in an unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.

SEC. 5123. Extension of Sunset.

Section 7438 of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 (22 U.S.C. 8791 note) is amended by striking “ the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act” and inserting “ December 31, 2029”.

SEC. 5124. Strategy and Grant Program to Promote Internet Freedom in Iran.

(a)

Strategy.—

(1)

In general.— Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of the this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the heads of other Federal agencies, as appropriate, shall develop a strategy to support and enhance access to information by civil society in Iran.

(2)

Elements.— The strategy required in subparagraph (A) shall include the following elements:

(A)

An evaluation of the use of virtual private networks by civil society in Iran.

(B)

An assessment of the level of internet access for Iranians who do not use virtual private networks, including levels of reliable connectivity, bandwidth, and coverage, as well as censorship, surveillance, and other limitations on internet access.

(C)

A strategy to increase the accessibility of virtual private networks in Iran.

(D)

An assessment of alternatives to virtual private networks that are capable of circumventing restrictions on open internet access imposed by the Government of Iran.

(E)

An assessment of how companies providing Iranian civilians with technology and other tools to overcome technical and political obstacles are able to access the open internet.

(F)

An assessment of the ability of the Government of Iran to cut off all access to the internet in Iran.

(G)

A strategy to circumvent internet blackouts for Iranian civil society.

(3)

Initial update.— Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the heads of other Federal agencies, as appropriate, shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate an updated version of the strategy required in paragraph (1).

(4)

Periodic review and updates.— The Secretary, in consultation with the heads of other Federal agencies, as appropriate, shall—

(A)

not less frequently than twice each year, review the strategy required in paragraph (1); and

(B)

if the results of such review indicate that modifications to such strategy are required to more effectively promote internet freedom and access to information for civil society in Iran, submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate an updated version of such strategy.

(5)

Form.— Each strategy required to be submitted under this subsection shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.

(b)

Grant Program and Contract Authority.—

(1)

In general.— The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development and the President of the Open Technology Fund, as appropriate, may award grants and enter into contracts to private organizations to support and develop programs in Iran that promote or expand—

(A)

an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure internet; and

(B)

the online exercise of internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms of civil society in Iran.

(2)

Program goals.— The goal of each program developed with a grant funds awarded pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be to—

(A)

support unrestricted access to the internet in Iran;

(B)

increase the availability of internet freedom tools to overcome technical and political obstacles to internet access in Iran;

(C)

increase the distribution of such technologies and tools throughout Iran;

(D)

conduct research on repressive tactics that undermine internet freedom in Iran;

(E)

ensure that information regarding digital safety is available to civil society in Iran; or

(F)

engage private industry, including e-commerce firms and social networking companies, regarding the importance of preserving unrestricted internet access in Iran.

(3)

Grant award requirements.— The Secretary shall award grants authorized in paragraph (1) to recipients through an evidence-based process.

(4)

Security audits.— The Secretary shall conduct a comprehensive security audit of each new technology developed using grant funds distributed pursuant to paragraph (1) to ensure that each such technology is secure and has not been compromised in a manner detrimental to—

(A)

the interests of the United States; or

(B)

an individual or organization benefitting from a program supported by such funding.

(5)

Authorization of appropriations.—

(A)

In general.— There is authorized to be appropriated for the Open Technology Fund established under section 309A of the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 6208a) $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026 to carry out the grant program authorized under this subsection.

(B)

Availability.— Amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization in subparagraph (A) are authorized remain available until expended.

TITLE LII Judiciary Matters

Subtitle A Law Enforcement And Victim Support Act of 2024

SEC. 5201. Short Title.

This subtitle may be cited as the “Law Enforcement And Victim Support Act of 2024”.

SEC. 5202. Project Safe Childhood Act.

Section 143 of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (34 U.S.C. 20942) is amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 143. PROJECT SAFE CHILDHOOD.

“(a) Definitions.—In this section:

“(1) Child sexual abuse material.—The term ‘child sexual abuse material’ has the meaning given the term ‘child pornography’ in section 2256 of title 18, United States Code.

“(2) Child sexual exploitation offense.—The term ‘child sexual exploitation offense’ means—

“(A)

(i) an offense involving a minor under section 1591 or chapter 117 of title 18, United States Code;

“(ii) an offense under subsection (a), (b), or (c) of section 2251 of title 18, United States Code;

“(iii) an offense under section 2251A or 2252A(g) of title 18, United States Code; or

“(iv) any attempt or conspiracy to commit an offense described in clause (i) or (ii); or

“(B) an offense involving a minor under a State or Tribal statute that is similar to a provision described in subparagraph (A).

“(3) Circle of trust offender.—The term ‘circle of trust offender’ means an offender who is related to, or in a position of trust, authority, or supervisory control with respect to, a child.

“(4) Computer.—The term ‘computer’ has the meaning given the term in section 1030 of title 18, United States Code.

“(5) Contact sexual offense.—The term ‘contact sexual offense’ means—

“(A) an offense involving a minor under chapter 109A of title 18, United States Code, or any attempt or conspiracy to commit such an offense; or

“(B) an offense involving a minor under a State or Tribal statute that is similar to a provision described in subparagraph (A).

“(6) Dual offender.—The term ‘dual offender’ means—

“(A) a person who commits—

“(i) a technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation offense or an offense involving child sexual abuse material; and

“(ii) a contact sexual offense; and

“(B) without regard to whether the offenses described in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A)—

“(i) are committed as part of the same course of conduct; or

“(ii) involve the same victim.

“(7) Facilitator.—The term ‘facilitator’ means an individual who facilitates the commission by another individual of—

“(A) a technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation offense or an offense involving child sexual abuse material; or

“(B) a contact sexual offense.

“(8) ICAC affiliate partner.—The term ‘ICAC affiliate partner’ means a law enforcement agency that has entered into a formal operating agreement with the ICAC Task Force Program.

“(9) ICAC task force.—The term ‘ICAC task force’ means a task force that is part of the ICAC Task Force Program.

“(10) ICAC task force program.—The term ‘ICAC Task Force Program’ means the National Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program established under section 102 of the PROTECT Our Children Act of 2008 (34 U.S.C. 21112).

“(11) Offense involving child sexual abuse material.—The term ‘offense involving child sexual abuse material’ means—

“(A) an offense under section 2251(d), section 2252, or paragraphs (1) through (6) of section 2252A(a) of title 18, United States Code, or any attempt or conspiracy to commit such an offense; or

“(B) an offense under a State or Tribal statute that is similar to a provision described in subparagraph (A).

“(12) Serious offender.—The term ‘serious offender’ means—

“(A) an offender who has committed a contact sexual offense or child sexual exploitation offense;

“(B) a dual offender, circle of trust offender, or facilitator; or

“(C) an offender with a prior conviction for a contact sexual offense, a child sexual exploitation offense, or an offense involving child sexual abuse material.

“(13) State.—The term ‘State’ means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, and any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.

“(14) Technology-facilitated.—The term ‘technology-facilitated’, with respect to an offense, means an offense that is committed through the use of a computer, even if the use of a computer is not an element of the offense.

“(b) Establishment of Program.—The Attorney General shall create and maintain a nationwide initiative to align Federal, State, and local entities to combat the growing epidemic of online child sexual exploitation and abuse, to be known as the ‘Project Safe Childhood program’, in accordance with this section.

“(c) Best Practices.—The Attorney General, in coordination with the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice, and in consultation with training and technical assistance providers under the ICAC Task Force Program who are funded by the Attorney General and with appropriate nongovernmental organizations, shall—

“(1) develop best practices to adopt a balanced approach to the investigation of suspect leads involving contact sexual offenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, and offenses involving child sexual abuse material, and the prosecution of those offenses, prioritizing when feasible the identification of a child victim or a serious offender, which approach shall incorporate the use of—

“(A) proactively generated leads, including leads generated by current and emerging technology;

“(B) in-district investigative referrals; and

“(C) CyberTipline reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children;

“(2) develop best practices to be used by each United States Attorney and ICAC task force to assess the likelihood that an individual could be a serious offender or that a child victim may be identified;

“(3) develop and implement a tracking and communication system for Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutor’s offices to report successful cases of victim identification and child rescue to the Department of Justice and the public; and

“(4) encourage the submission of all lawfully seized visual depictions to the Child Victim Identification Program of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

“(d) Implementation.—Except as authorized under subsection (e), funds authorized under this section may only be used for the following 4 purposes:

“(1) Integrated Federal, State, and local efforts to investigate and prosecute contact sexual offenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, and offenses involving child sexual abuse material, including—

“(A) the partnership by each United States Attorney with each Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force within the district of such attorney;

“(B) training of Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers and prosecutors through—

“(i) programs facilitated by the ICAC Task Force Program;

“(ii) ICAC training programs supported by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice;

“(iii) programs facilitated by appropriate nongovernmental organizations with subject matter expertise, technical skill, or technological tools to assist in the identification of and response to serious offenders, contact sexual offenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, or offenses involving child sexual abuse material; and

“(iv) any other program that provides training—

“(I) on the investigation and identification of serious offenders or victims of contact sexual offenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, or offenses involving child sexual abuse material; or

“(II) that specifically addresses the use of existing and emerging technologies to commit or facilitate contact sexual offenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, or offenses involving child sexual abuse material;

“(C) the development by each United States Attorney of a district-specific strategic plan to coordinate with State and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutor’s offices, including ICAC task forces and their ICAC affiliate partners, on the investigation of suspect leads involving serious offenders, contact sexual offenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, and offenses involving child sexual abuse material, and the prosecution of those offenders and offenses, which plan—

“(i) shall include—

“(I) the use of the best practices developed under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c);

“(II) the development of plans and protocols to target and rapidly investigate cases involving potential serious offenders or the identification and rescue of a victim of a contact sexual offense, a child sexual exploitation offense, or an offense involving child sexual abuse material;

“(III) the use of training and technical assistance programs to incorporate victim-centered, trauma-informed practices in cases involving victims of contact sexual offenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, and offenses involving child sexual abuse material, which may include the use of child protective services, children’s advocacy centers, victim support specialists, or other supportive services;

“(IV) the development of plans to track, report, and clearly communicate successful cases of victim identification and child rescue to the Department of Justice and the public;

“(V) an analysis of the investigative and forensic capacity of law enforcement agencies and prosecutor’s offices within the district, and goals for improving capacity and effectiveness;

“(VI) a written policy describing the criteria for referrals for prosecution from Federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies, particularly when the investigation may involve a potential serious offender or the identification or rescue of a child victim;

“(VII) plans and budgets for training of relevant personnel on contact sexual offenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, and offenses involving child sexual abuse material;

“(VIII) plans for coordination and cooperation with State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies and prosecutorial offices; and

“(IX) evidence-based programs that educate the public about and increase awareness of such offenses; and

“(ii) shall be developed in consultation, as appropriate, with—

“(I) the local ICAC task force;

“(II) the United States Marshals Service Sex Offender Targeting Center;

“(III) training and technical assistance providers under the ICAC Task Force Program who are funded by the Attorney General;

“(IV) nongovernmental organizations with subject matter expertise, technical skill, or technological tools to assist in the identification of and response to contact sexual offenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, or offenses involving child sexual abuse material;

“(V) any relevant component of Homeland Security Investigations;

“(VI) any relevant component of the Federal Bureau of Investigation;

“(VII) the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice;

“(VIII) the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice;

“(IX) the United States Postal Inspection Service;

“(X) the United States Secret Service; and

“(XI) each military criminal investigation organization of the Department of Defense; and

“(D) a quadrennial assessment by each United States Attorney of the investigations within the district of such attorney of contact sexual offenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, and offenses involving child sexual abuse material—

“(i) with consideration of—

“(I) the variety of sources for leads;

“(II) the proportion of work involving proactive or undercover law enforcement investigations;

“(III) the number of serious offenders identified and prosecuted; and

“(IV) the number of children identified or rescued; and

“(ii) information from which may be used by the United States Attorney, as appropriate, to revise the plan described in subparagraph (C).

“(2) Major case coordination by the Department of Justice (or other Federal agencies as appropriate), including specific cooperation, as appropriate, with—

“(A) the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice;

“(B) any relevant component of Homeland Security Investigations;

“(C) any relevant component of the Federal Bureau of Investigation;

“(D) the ICAC task forces and ICAC affiliate partners;

“(E) the United States Marshals Service, including the Sex Offender Targeting Center;

“(F) the United States Postal Inspection Service;

“(G) the United States Secret Service;

“(H) each Military Criminal Investigation Organization of the Department of Defense; and

“(I) any task forces established in connection with the Project Safe Childhood program set forth under subsection (b).

“(3) Increased Federal involvement in, and commitment to, the prevention and prosecution of technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation offenses or offenses involving child sexual abuse material by—

“(A) using technology to identify victims and serious offenders;

“(B) developing processes and tools to identify victims and offenders; and

“(C) taking measures to improve information sharing among Federal law enforcement agencies, including for the purposes of implementing the plans and protocols described in paragraph (1)(C)(i)(II) to identify and rescue—

“(i) victims of contact sexual offenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, and offenses involving child sexual abuse material; or

“(ii) victims of serious offenders.

“(4) The establishment, development, and implementation of a nationally coordinated ‘Safer Internet Day’ every year developed in collaboration with the Department of Education, national and local internet safety organizations, parent organizations, social media companies, and schools to provide—

“(A) national public awareness and evidence-based educational programs about the threats posed by circle of trust offenders and the threat of contact sexual offenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, or offenses involving child sexual abuse material, and the use of technology to facilitate those offenses;

“(B) information to parents and children about how to avoid or prevent technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation offenses; and

“(C) information about how to report possible technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation offenses or offenses involving child sexual abuse material through—

“(i) the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children;

“(ii) the ICAC Task Force Program; and

“(iii) any other program that—

“(I) raises national awareness about the threat of technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation offenses or offenses involving child sexual abuse material; and

“(II) provides information to parents and children seeking to report possible violations of technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation offenses or offenses involving child sexual abuse material.

“(e) Expansion of Project Safe Childhood.—Notwithstanding subsection (d), funds authorized under this section may be also be used for the following purposes:

“(1) The addition of not less than 20 Assistant United States Attorneys at the Department of Justice, relative to the number of such positions as of the day before the date of enactment of the Law Enforcement and Victim Support Act of 2024, who shall be—

“(A) dedicated to the prosecution of cases in connection with the Project Safe Childhood program set forth under subsection (b); and

“(B) responsible for assisting and coordinating the plans and protocols of each district under subsection (d)(1)(C)(i)(II).

“(2) Such other additional and related purposes as the Attorney General determines appropriate.

“(f) Authorization of Appropriations.—

“(1) In general.—For the purpose of carrying out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated—

“(A) for the activities described under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (d), $28,550,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2028;

“(B) for the activities described under subsection (d)(4), $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2028; and

“(C) for the activities described under subsection (e), $29,100,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2028.

“(2) Supplement, not supplant.—Amounts made available to State and local agencies, programs, and services under this section shall supplement, and not supplant, other Federal, State, or local funds made available for those agencies, programs, and services.”

SEC. 5203. Administrative False Claims Act of 2023.

(a)

Change in Short Title.—

(1)

In general.— Subtitle B of title VI of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (Public Law 99–509; 100 Stat. 1934) is amended—

(A)

in the subtitle heading, by striking “ Program Fraud Civil Remedies” and inserting “ Administrative False Claims”; and

(B)

in section 6101 (31 U.S.C. 3801 note), by striking “ Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act of 1986” and inserting “ Administrative False Claims Act”.

(2)

References.— Any reference to the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act of 1986 in any provision of law, regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of the United States shall be deemed a reference to the Administrative False Claims Act.

(b)

Reverse False Claims.— Chapter 38 of title 31, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in section 3801(a)(3), by amending subparagraph (C) to read as follows:

“(C) made to an authority which has the effect of concealing or improperly avoiding or decreasing an obligation to pay or transmit property, services, or money to the authority,”

; and

(2)

in section 3802(a)(3)—

(A)

by striking “ An assessment” and inserting “ (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), an assessment”; and

(B)

by adding at the end the following:

“(B) In the case of a claim described in section 3801(a)(3)(C), an assessment shall not be made under the second sentence of paragraph (1) in an amount that is more than double the value of the property, services, or money that was wrongfully withheld from the authority.”

(c)

Increasing Dollar Amount of Claims.— Section 3803(c) of title 31, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1), by striking “ $150,000” each place that term appears and inserting “ $1,000,000”; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

“(3) Adjustment for Inflation.—The maximum amount in paragraph (1) shall be adjusted for inflation in the same manner and to the same extent as civil monetary penalties under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act (28 U.S.C. 2461 note).”

(d)

Recovery of Costs.— Section 3806(g)(1) of title 31, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

“(1)

(A) Except as provided in paragraph (2)—

“(i) any amount collected under this chapter shall be credited first to reimburse the authority or other Federal entity that expended costs in support of the investigation or prosecution of the action, including any court or hearing costs; and

“(ii) amounts reimbursed under clause (i) shall—

“(I) be deposited in—

“(aa) the appropriations account of the authority or other Federal entity from which the costs described in subparagraph (A) were obligated;

“(bb) a similar appropriations account of the authority or other Federal entity; or

“(cc) if the authority or other Federal entity expended nonappropriated funds, another appropriate account; and

“(II) remain available until expended.

“(B) Any amount remaining after reimbursements described in subparagraph (A) shall be deposited as miscellaneous receipts in the Treasury of the United States.”

(e)

Semiannual Reporting.— Section 405(c) of title 5, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (4), by striking “ and” at the end;

(2)

by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and

(3)

by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:

“(5) information relating to cases under chapter 38 of title 31, including—

“(A) the number of reports submitted by investigating officials to reviewing officials under section 3803(a)(1) of such title;

“(B) actions taken in response to reports described in subparagraph (A), which shall include statistical tables showing—

“(i) pending cases;

“(ii) resolved cases;

“(iii) the average length of time to resolve each case;

“(iv) the number of final agency decisions that were appealed to a district court of the United States or a higher court; and

“(v) if the total number of cases in a report is greater than 2—

“(I) the number of cases that were settled; and

“(II) the total penalty or assessment amount recovered in each case, including through a settlement or compromise; and

“(C) instances in which the reviewing official declined to proceed on a case reported by an investigating official; and”

(f)

Increasing Efficiency of DOJ Processing.— Section 3803(j) of title 31, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

by inserting “ (1)” before “ The reviewing”; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

“(2) A reviewing official shall notify the Attorney General in writing not later than 30 days before entering into any agreement to compromise or settle allegations of liability under section 3802 and before the date on which the reviewing official is permitted to refer allegations of liability to a presiding officer under subsection (b).”

(g)

Revision of Definition of Hearing Officials.—

(1)

In general.— Chapter 38 of title 31, United States Code, is amended—

(A)

in section 3801(a)(7)—

(i)

in subparagraph (A), by striking “ or” at the end;

(ii)

in subparagraph (B)(vii), by adding “ or” at the end; and

(iii)

by adding at the end the following:

“(C) a member of the board of contract appeals pursuant to section 7105 of title 41, if the authority does not employ an available presiding officer under subparagraph (A);”

; and

(B)

in section 3803(d)(2)—

(i)

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

(ii)

in subparagraph (B)—

(I)

by striking “ the presiding” and inserting “ (i) in the case of a referral to a presiding officer described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 3801(a)(7), the presiding”;

(II)

in clause (i), as so designated, by striking the period at the end and inserting “ ; or”; and

(III)

by adding at the end the following:

“(ii) in the case of a referral to a presiding officer described in subparagraph (C) of section 3801(a)(7)—

“(I) the reviewing official shall submit a copy of the notice required by under paragraph (1) and of the response of the person receiving such notice requesting a hearing—

“(aa) to the board of contract appeals that has jurisdiction over matters arising from the agency of the reviewing official pursuant to section 7105(e)(1) of title 41; or

“(bb) if the Chair of the board of contract appeals declines to accept the referral, to any other board of contract appeals; and

“(II) the reviewing official shall simultaneously mail, by registered or certified mail, or shall deliver, notice to the person alleged to be liable under section 3802 that the referral has been made to an agency board of contract appeals with an explanation as to where the person may obtain the relevant rules of procedure promulgated by the board; and”

; and

(iii)

by adding at the end the following:

“(C) in the case of a hearing conducted by a presiding officer described in subparagraph (C) of section 3801(a)(7)—

“(i) the presiding officer shall conduct the hearing according to the rules and procedures promulgated by the board of contract appeals; and

“(ii) the hearing shall not be subject to the provisions in subsection (g)(2), (h), or (i).”

(2)

Agency boards.— Section 7105(e) of title 41, United States Code, is amended—

(A)

in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following:

“(E) Administrative false claims act.—

“(i) In general.—The boards described in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) shall have jurisdiction to hear any case referred to a board of contract appeals under section 3803(d) of title 31.

“(ii) Declining referral.—If the Chair of a board described in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) determines that accepting a case under clause (i) would prevent adequate consideration of other cases being handled by the board, the Chair may decline to accept the referral.”

; and

(B)

in paragraph (2), by inserting “ or, in the event that a case is filed under chapter 38 of title 31, any relief that would be available to a litigant under that chapter” before the period at the end.

(3)

Regulations.— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, each authority head, as defined in section 3801 of title 31, United States Code, and each board of contract appeals of a board described in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) of section 7105(e) of title 41, United States Code, shall amend procedures regarding proceedings as necessary to implement the amendments made by this subsection.

(h)

Revision of Limitations.— Section 3808 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:

“(a) A notice to the person alleged to be liable with respect to a claim or statement shall be mailed or delivered in accordance with section 3803(d)(1) not later than the later of—

“(1) 6 years after the date on which the violation of section 3802 is committed; or

“(2) 3 years after the date on which facts material to the action are known or reasonably should have been known by the authority head, but in no event more than 10 years after the date on which the violation is committed.”

(i)

Definitions.— Section 3801 of title 31, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)—

(A)

in paragraph (8), by striking “ and” at the end;

(B)

in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and

(C)

by adding at the end the following:

“(10) ‘material’ has the meaning given the term in section 3729(b) of this title; and

“(11) ‘obligation’ has the meaning given the term in section 3729(b) of this title.”

; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

“(d) For purposes of subsection (a)(10), materiality shall be determined in the same manner as under section 3729 of this title.”

(j)

Promulgation of Regulations.— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, each authority head, as defined in section 3801 of title 31, United States Code, shall—

(1)

promulgate regulations and procedures to carry out this Act and the amendments made by this Act; and

(2)

review and update existing regulations and procedures of the authority to ensure compliance with this Act and the amendments made by this Act.

Subtitle B Other Matters

SEC. 5211. Modernizing Law Enforcement Notification.

(a)

Verified Electronic Notification Defined.— Section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(38) The term ‘verified electronic notification’, with respect to a communication to a chief law enforcement officer required under section 922(c)(2), means a digital communication—

“(A) sent to the electronic communication address that the chief law enforcement officer voluntarily designates for the purpose of receiving those communications; and

“(B) that includes a method for verifying—

“(i) the receipt of the communication; and

“(ii) the electronic communication address to which the communication is sent.”

(b)

Verified Electronic Notification.— Section 922(c) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

“(2) the transferor has—

“(A) prior to the shipment or delivery of the firearm, forwarded a copy of the sworn statement, together with a description of the firearm, in a form prescribed by the Attorney General, to the chief law enforcement officer of the transferee’s place of residence, by—

“(i) registered or certified mail (return receipt requested); or

“(ii) verified electronic notification; and

“(B)

(i) with respect to a delivery method described in subparagraph (A)(i)—

“(I) received a return receipt evidencing delivery of the statement; or

“(II) had the statement returned due to the refusal of the named addressee to accept such letter in accordance with United States Post Office Department regulations; or

“(ii) with respect to a delivery method described in subparagraph (A)(ii), received a return receipt evidencing delivery of the statement; and”

TITLE LIII Natural Resources Matters

Subtitle A WILD Act

SEC. 5301. Short Title.

This subtitle may be cited as the “Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver reauthorization Act” or the “WILD Act”.

SEC. 5302. Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act.

Section 5 of the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act (16 U.S.C. 3774) is amended by striking “ 2019 through 2023” and inserting “ 2025 through 2029”.

SEC. 5303. African Elephant Conservation Act.

(a)

Provision of Assistance.— Section 2101 of the African Elephant Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 4211) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(g) Multiyear Grants.—

“(1) Authorization.—The Secretary may award to a person who is otherwise eligible for a grant under this section a multiyear grant of up to 5 years to carry out a project that the person demonstrates is an effective, long-term conservation strategy for African elephants and the habitat of African elephants.

“(2) Effect.—Nothing in this subsection precludes the Secretary from awarding a grant on an annual basis.”

(b)

Authorization of Appropriations.— Section 2306(a) of the African Elephant Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 4245(a)) is amended by striking “ 2019 through 2023” and inserting “ 2025 through 2029”.

SEC. 5304. Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997.

(a)

Asian Elephant Conservation Assistance.— Section 5 of the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 4264) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(i) Multiyear Grants.—

“(2) Effect.—Nothing in this subsection precludes the Secretary from awarding a grant on an annual basis.”

(b)

Authorization of Appropriations.— Section 8(a) of the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 4266(a)) is amended by striking “ 2019 through 2023” and inserting “ 2025 through 2029”.

SEC. 5305. Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994.

(a)

Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Assistance.— Section 5 of the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994 (16 U.S.C. 5304) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(g) Multiyear Grants.—

“(1) Authorization.—The Secretary may award to a person who is otherwise eligible for a grant under this section a multiyear grant of up to 5 years to carry out a project that the person demonstrates is an effective, long-term conservation strategy for rhinoceroses or tigers and the habitat of rhinoceroses or tigers.

“(2) Effect.—Nothing in this subsection precludes the Secretary from awarding a grant on an annual basis.”

(b)

Authorization of Appropriations.— Section 10(a) of the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994 (16 U.S.C. 5306(a)) is amended by striking “ 2019 through 2023” and inserting “ 2025 through 2029”.

SEC. 5306. Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000.

(a)

Multiyear Grants.— Section 4(j)(1) of the Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6303(j)(1)) is amended by inserting “ of up to 5 years” after “ multiyear grant”.

(b)

Authorization of Appropriations.— Section 6 of the Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6305) is amended by striking “ 2019 through 2023” and inserting “ 2025 through 2029”.

SEC. 5307. Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004.

(a)

Multiyear Grants.— Section 4 of the Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004 (16 U.S.C. 6603) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(h) Multiyear Grants.—

“(1) Authorization.—The Secretary may award to a person who is otherwise eligible for a grant under this section a multiyear grant of up to 5 years to carry out a project that the person demonstrates is an effective, long-term conservation strategy for marine turtles, freshwater turtles, or tortoises and the habitat of marine turtles, freshwater turtles, or tortoises.

“(2) Effect.—Nothing in this subsection precludes the Secretary from awarding a grant on an annual basis.”

(b)

Authorization of Appropriations.— Section 7(a) of the Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004 (16 U.S.C. 6606(a)) is amended by striking “ 2019 through 2023” and inserting “ 2025 through 2029”.

SEC. 5308. Reporting Requirements.

(a)

Reports to Congress.— Annually, the Secretary of the Interior shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the implementation of—

(1)

the African Elephant Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 4201 et seq.);

(2)

the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 4261 et seq.);

(3)

the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994 (16 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.);

(4)

the Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.); and

(5)

the Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004 (16 U.S.C. 6601 et seq.).

(b)

Requirements.— A report submitted under subsection (a) shall include—

(1)

a list of all awards issued each year under the applicable Act;

(2)

the total monetary amount issued to each award recipient;

(3)

the name of each award recipient organization;

(4)

the country where each award will be implemented; and

(5)

a description of the projects to be completed and completed under each award.

Subtitle B Other Matters

SEC. 5311. Reauthorization of Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basins Endangered Fish and Threatened Fish Recovery Implementation Programs.

(a)

Purpose.— Section 1 of Public Law 106–392 (114 Stat. 1602) is amended by inserting “ and threatened” after “ endangered”.

(b)

Definitions.— Section 2 of Public Law 106–392 (114 Stat. 1602; 116 Stat. 3113) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1), by striking “ to implement the Recovery Implementation Program for the Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River dated September 29, 1987, and extended by the Extension of the Cooperative Agreement dated December 6, 2001, and the 1992 Cooperative Agreement to implement the San Juan River Recovery Implementation Program dated October 21, 1992, and as they may be amended” and inserting “ for the Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin dated September 29, 1987, and the 1992 Cooperative Agreement for the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program dated October 21, 1992, as the agreements may be amended and extended”;

(2)

in paragraph (6)—

(A)

by inserting “ or threatened” after “ endangered”; and

(B)

by striking “ removal or translocation” and inserting “ control”;

(3)

in paragraph (7), by striking “ long-term” each place it appears;

(4)

in paragraph (8), in the second sentence, by striking “ 1988 Cooperative Agreement and the 1992 Cooperative Agreement” and inserting “ Recovery Implementation Programs”;

(5)

in paragraph (9)—

(A)

by striking “ leases and agreements” and inserting “ acquisitions”;

(B)

by inserting “ or threatened” after “ endangered”; and

(C)

by inserting “ , as approved under the Recovery Implementation Programs” after “ nonnative fishes”; and

(6)

in paragraph (10), by inserting “ pursuant to the Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin” after “ Service”.

(c)

Authorization to Fund Recovery Programs.— Section 3 of Public Law 106–392 (114 Stat. 1603; 116 Stat. 3113; 120 Stat. 290; 123 Stat 1310; 126 Stat. 2444; 133 Stat. 809; 136 Stat. 5572) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)—

(A)

in paragraph (1), by striking “ (1) There is hereby authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary, $88,000,000 to undertake capital projects to carry out the purposes of this Act. Such funds” and inserting the following:

“(1) Authorization.—

“(A) In general.—Subject to subparagraph (B), there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for use by the Bureau of Reclamation to undertake capital projects to carry out the purposes of this Act $50,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2024 through 2031.

“(B) Annual adjustment.—For each of fiscal years 2025 through 2031, the amount authorized to be appropriated under subparagraph (A) shall be annually adjusted to reflect widely available engineering cost indices applicable to relevant construction activities.

“(C) Nonreimbursable funds.—Amounts made available pursuant to subparagraph (A)”

(B)

in paragraph (2), by striking “ Program for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin shall expire in fiscal year 2024” and inserting “ Programs shall expire in fiscal year 2031”; and

(C)

by striking paragraph (3);

(2)

by striking subsections (b) and (c) and inserting the following:

“(b) Non-Federal Contributions to Capital Projects.—The Secretary, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, may accept contributed funds, interests in land and water, or other contributions from the Upper Division States, political subdivisions of the Upper Division States, or individuals, entities, or organizations within the Upper Division States, pursuant to agreements that provide for the contributions to be used for capital projects costs.”

(3)

by redesignating subsections (d) through (j) as subsections (c) through (i), respectively;

(4)

in subsection (c) (as so redesignated)—

(A)

in paragraph (1)(A), by striking “ $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024” and inserting “ $92,040,000 for the period of fiscal years 2024 through 2031”;

(B)

in paragraph (2)—

(i)

in the first sentence, by striking “ $4,000,000 per year” and inserting “ $61,100,000 for the period of fiscal years 2024 through 2031”;

(ii)

in the second sentence—

(I)

by inserting “ Basin” after “ San Juan River”; and

(II)

by striking “ $2,000,000 per year” and inserting “ $30,940,000 for the period of fiscal years 2024 through 2031”; and

(iii)

in the third sentence, by striking “ in fiscal years commencing after the enactment of this Act” and inserting “ for fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter”; and

(C)

by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:

“(3) Federal contributions to annual base funding.—

“(A) In general.—For each of fiscal years 2024 through 2031, the Secretary, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, may accept funds from other Federal agencies, including power revenues collected pursuant to the Act of April 11, 1956 (commonly known as the “Colorado River Storage Project Act”) (43 U.S.C. 620 et seq.).

“(B) Availability of funds.—Funds made available under subparagraph (A) shall be available for expenditure by the Secretary, as determined by the contributing agency in consultation with the Secretary.

“(C) Treatment of funds.—Funds made available under subparagraph (A) shall be treated as nonreimbursable Federal expenditures.

“(D) Treatment of power revenues.—Not more than $499,000 in power revenues over the period of fiscal years 2024 through 2031 shall be accepted under subparagraph (A) and treated as having been repaid and returned to the general fund of the Treasury.

“(4) Non-federal contributions to annual base funding.—The Secretary, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, may accept contributed funds from the Upper Division States, political subdivisions of the Upper Division States, or individuals, entities, or organizations within the Upper Division States, pursuant to agreements that provide for the contributions to be used for annual base funding.

“(5) Replacement power.—Contributions of funds made pursuant to this subsection shall not include the cost of replacement power purchased to offset modifications to the operation of the Colorado River Storage Project to benefit threatened or endangered fish species under the Recovery Implementation Programs.”

(5)

in subsection (f) (as so redesignated), in the first sentence, by inserting “ or threatened” after “ endangered”;

(6)

in subsection (g) (as so redesignated), by striking “ unless the time period for the respective Cooperative Agreement is extended to conform with this Act” and inserting “ , as amended or extended”;

(7)

in subsection (h) (as so redesignated), in the first sentence, by striking “ Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program or the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program” and inserting “ Recovery Implementation Programs”; and

(8)

in subsection (i)(1) (as so redesignated)—

(A)

by striking “ 2022” each place it appears and inserting “ 2030”;

(B)

by striking “ 2024” each place it appears and inserting “ 2031”; and

(C)

in subparagraph (C)(ii)(III), by striking “ contributions by the States, power customers, Tribes, water users, and environmental organizations” and inserting “ non-Federal contributions”.

TITLE LIV Telecommunications-Related Matters

SEC. 5401. Short Title.

This title may be cited as the “Spectrum and Secure Technology and Innovation Act of 2024”.

SEC. 5402. Definitions.

In this title:

(1)

Commission.— The term “Commission” means the Federal Communications Commission.

(2)

Covered auction.— The term “covered auction” means a system of competitive bidding conducted under section 5403.

SEC. 5403. Fcc Auction of Certain Licenses.

(a)

FCC Auction of Certain Licenses.— Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall initiate systems of competitive bidding under section 309(j) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 309(j)) to grant licenses for spectrum in the inventory of the Commission as of the date of enactment of this Act in the bands of frequencies referred to by the Commission as the “AWS–3 bands”, consistent with existing regulations to protect Federal Government operations.

(b)

Completion of Auctions.— The Commission shall complete the systems of competitive bidding described in subsection (a), including receiving payments, processing applications, and granting licenses, without regard to whether the authority of the Commission under paragraph (11) of section 309(j) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 309(j)) has expired.

SEC. 5404. Spectrum Auction Trust Fund.

(a)

Establishment.—

(1)

In general.— There is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund to be known as the “Spectrum Auction Trust Fund” (referred to in this section as the “Fund”) for the purposes described in subsection (b).

(2)

Amounts available until expended.— Amounts deposited in the Fund shall remain available until expended.

(b)

Deposit of Proceeds.—

(1)

In general.— Notwithstanding any other provision of law, except section 309(j)(8)(B) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 309(j)(8)(B)), the proceeds (including deposits and upfront payments from successful bidders) from any covered auction shall be deposited or available in accordance with this subsection.

(2)

Treasury reimbursement.— Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an aggregate total amount of $3,300,000,000 of the proceeds of covered auctions shall be deposited in the Fund as follows:

(A)

50 percent of those amounts, but not more than $3,080,000,000 cumulatively, shall be transferred to the general fund of the Treasury to reimburse the amount borrowed under subsection (c)(1).

(B)

50 percent of those amounts, but not more than $220,000,000 cumulatively, shall be transferred to the general fund of the Treasury to reimburse the amount borrowed under subsection (d)(1).

(3)

Distribution.— If the maximum amount permitted under any subparagraph of paragraph (2) is reached, whether through covered auction proceeds or appropriations to the program specified in that subparagraph, any remaining proceeds from the amount of proceeds of covered auctions described in that paragraph shall be deposited pro rata based on the original distribution to all subparagraphs of paragraph (2) for which the maximum amount permitted has not been met.

(4)

Extra amounts.—

(A)

In general.— After the amounts required to be made available by paragraphs (2) and (3) are so made available, any remaining amounts up to $280,000,000 shall be made available to the Secretary of Commerce to carry out section 28 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3722a).

(B)

Limitation.— The Secretary of Commerce may not use any funds made available under subparagraph (A) in a manner that may result in outlays on or after December 31, 2033.

(C)

Deficit reduction.— After the amounts required to be made available by subparagraph (A) are so made available, any remaining amounts shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury, where such amounts shall be dedicated for the sole purpose of deficit reduction.

(c)

FCC Borrowing Authority.—

(1)

In general.— Subject to the limitation under paragraph (2), not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission may borrow from the Treasury of the United States an amount not to exceed $3,080,000,000 to carry out the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (47 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.).

(2)

Limitation.— The Commission may not use any funds borrowed under this subsection in a manner that may result in outlays on or after December 31, 2033.

(d)

Department of Commerce Borrowing Authority.—

(1)

In general.— Subject to the limitation under paragraph (2), not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce may borrow from the Treasury of the United States an amount not to exceed $220,000,000 to carry out section 28 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3722a).

(2)

Limitation.— The Secretary of Commerce may not use any funds borrowed under this subsection in a manner that may result in outlays on or after December 31, 2033.

(e)

Reporting Requirement.— Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until funds are fully expended, the head of an agency that receives funds under subsection (b)(4)(A), (c)(1), or (d)(1) shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report on the uses of the amounts received by that agency head under the applicable subsection.

SEC. 5405. Increase in Limitation on Expenditure under Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program.

Section 4(k) of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (47 U.S.C. 1603(k)) is amended by striking “ $1,900,000,000” and inserting “ $4,980,000,000”.

TITLE LV Transportation and Infrastructure Matters

SEC. 5501. Gao Study and Report on Intentional Disruption of the National Airspace System.

(a)

Study.— The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on the vulnerability of the national airspace system to potential disruptive operations by any person, party, or entity (in this section referred to as “adversaries”) exploiting the electromagnetic spectrum and security vulnerabilities in the Aircraft Communications, Reporting and Addressing System and Controller Pilot Data Link Communications. Such study shall include an analysis of—

(1)

the extent to which adversaries can engage in denial of service attacks and electromagnetic spectrum interference against—

(A)

the national airspace system; and

(B)

high-traffic international routes of economic and strategic importance to the United States;

(2)

the Federal Government’s efforts, to date, to prevent and prepare for such denial of service attacks and spectrum disruptions;

(3)

the feasibility of mitigating the vulnerabilities through cybersecurity and other upgrades to the Aircraft Communications, Reporting and Addressing System and Controller Pilot Data Link Communications;

(4)

whether the Federal Aviation Administration is requiring sufficient cybersecurity and electromagnetic spectrum defenses to address denial of service attacks and other risks in new technologies it mandates be used on aircraft; and

(5)

any other item determined appropriate by the Comptroller General.

(b)

Report.—

(1)

To congress.—

(A)

In general.— Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives a report containing the results of the study conducted under subsection (a) together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate.

(B)

Unclassified form.— In preparing the report under subparagraph (A), the Comptroller General shall ensure that any classified information is only in an addendum to the report and not in the main body of the report.

(2)

Public availability.— The Comptroller General shall post the report submitted under paragraph (1) on the public internet website of the Government Accountability Office at the time of such submission but shall not include any classified addendum included with such report.

SEC. 5502. Frank a. Lobiondo National Aerospace Safety and Security Campus.

(a)

In General.— The campus and grounds of the Federal Aviation Administration Technical Center located at the Atlantic City International Airport in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, shall be known and designated as the “Frank A. LoBiondo National Aerospace Safety and Security Campus”.

(b)

Reference.— Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the campus and grounds at the Federal Aviation Administration Technical Center referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the “Frank A. LoBiondo National Aerospace Safety and Security Campus”.

TITLE LVI Homeland Security-Related Matters

Subtitle A Securing Adjacent Federal Property

SEC. 5601. Short Title.

This subtitle may be cited as the “Secure Adjacent Federal Property Act of 2023”.

SEC. 5602. Definitions.

In this subtitle:

(1)

Administrator.— The term “Administrator” means the Administrator of General Services.

(2)

Beneficial owner.—

(A)

In general.— The term “beneficial owner”, with respect to a covered entity, means each natural person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise—

(i)

exercises substantial control over the covered entity; or

(ii)

owns or controls not less than 25 percent of the ownership interests of, or receives substantial economic benefits from the assets of, the covered entity.

(B)

Exclusions.— The term “beneficial owner”, with respect to a covered entity, does not include—

(i)

a minor;

(ii)

a person acting as a nominee, intermediary, custodian, or agent on behalf of another person;

(iii)

a person acting solely as an employee of the covered entity and whose control over or economic benefits from the covered entity derives solely from the employment status of the person;

(iv)

a person whose only interest in the covered entity is through a right of inheritance, unless the person also meets the requirements of subparagraph (A); or

(v)

a creditor of the covered entity, unless the creditor also meets the requirements of subparagraph (A).

(C)

Anti-abuse rule.— The exclusions under subparagraph (B) shall not apply if, in the determination of the Administrator, an exclusion is used for the purpose of evading, circumventing, or abusing the requirements of this subtitle.

(3)

Control.— The term “control”, with respect to a covered entity, means—

(A)

having the authority or ability to determine how the covered entity is utilized; or

(B)

having some decisionmaking power for the use of the covered entity.

(4)

Covered entity.— The term “covered entity” means—

(A)

a person, corporation, company, business association, partnership, society, trust, or any other nongovernmental entity, organization, or group; or

(B)

any governmental entity or instrumentality of a government.

(5)

Executive agency.— The term “Executive agency” has the meaning given the term in section 105 of title 5, United States Code.

(6)

Federal agency.— The term “Federal agency” means—

(A)

an Executive agency; and

(B)

any establishment in the legislative or judicial branch of the Federal Government.

(7)

Federal lessee.—

(A)

In general.— The term “Federal lessee” means—

(i)

the Administrator;

(ii)

the Architect of the Capitol; and

(iii)

the head of any other Federal agency that has independent statutory leasing authority.

(B)

Exclusions.— The term “Federal lessee” does not include—

(i)

the head of an element of the intelligence community; or

(ii)

the Secretary of Defense.

(8)

Federal tenant.—

(A)

In general.— The term “Federal tenant” means a Federal agency that is occupying or will occupy a high-security leased space for which a lease agreement has been secured on behalf of the Federal agency.

(B)

Exclusion.— The term “Federal tenant” does not include an element of the intelligence community.

(9)

Foreign entity.— The term “foreign entity” means—

(A)

a corporation, company, business association, partnership, society, trust, or any other nongovernmental entity, organization, or group that is headquartered in or organized under the laws of—

(i)

a country that is not the United States; or

(ii)

a State, unit of local government, or Indian Tribe that is not located within or a territory of the United States; or

(B)

a government or governmental instrumentality that is not—

(i)

the United States Government; or

(ii)

a State, unit of local government, or Indian Tribe that is located within or a territory of the United States.

(10)

Foreign person.— The term “foreign person” means an individual who is not a United States person.

(11)

High-security leased adjacent space.— The term “high-security leased adjacent space” means a building or office space that shares a boundary with or surrounds a high-security leased space.

(12)

High-security leased space.— The term “high-security leased space” means a space leased by a Federal lessee that—

(A)

will be occupied by Federal employees for nonmilitary activities; and

(B)

has a facility security level of III, IV, or V, as determined by the Federal tenant in consultation with the Interagency Security Committee, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Administrator.

(13)

Highest-level owner.— The term “highest-level owner” means an entity that owns or controls—

(A)

an immediate owner of the offeror of a lease for a high-security leased adjacent space; or

(B)

1 or more entities that control an immediate owner of the offeror of a lease described in subparagraph (A).

(14)

Immediate owner.— The term “immediate owner” means an entity, other than the offeror of a lease for a high-security leased adjacent space, that has direct control of that offeror, including—

(A)

ownership or interlocking management;

(B)

identity of interests among family members;

(C)

shared facilities and equipment; and

(D)

the common use of employees.

(15)

Intelligence community.— The term “intelligence community” has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003).

(16)

Substantial economic benefits.— The term “substantial economic benefits”, with respect to a natural person described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii), means having an entitlement to the funds or assets of a covered entity that, as a practical matter, enables the person, directly or indirectly, to control, manage, or direct the covered entity.

(17)

United states person.— The term “United States person” means an individual who—

(A)

is a citizen of the United States; or

(B)

is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.

SEC. 5603. Government-Wide Study.

(a)

Coordination Study.— The Administrator, in coordination with the Director of the Federal Protective Service, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and any other relevant entities, as determined by the Administrator, shall carry out a Government-wide study examining options to assist agencies (as defined in section 551 of title 5, United States Code) to produce a security assessment process for high-security leased adjacent space before entering into a lease or novation agreement with a covered entity for the purposes of accommodating a Federal tenant located in a high-security leased space.

(b)

Contents.— The study required under subsection (a)—

(1)

shall evaluate how to produce a security assessment process that includes a process for assessing the threat level of each occupancy of a high-security leased adjacent space, including through—

(A)

site-visits;

(B)

interviews; and

(C)

any other relevant activities determined necessary by the Director of the Federal Protective Service; and

(2)

may include a process for collecting and using information on each immediate owner, highest-level owner, or beneficial owner of a covered entity that seeks to enter into a lease with a Federal lessee for a high-security leased adjacent space, including—

(A)

name;

(B)

current residential or business street address; and

(C)

an identifying number or document that verifies identity as a United States person, a foreign person, or a foreign entity.

(c)

Working Group.—

(1)

In general.— Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in coordination with the Director of Federal Protective Service, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and any other relevant entities, as determined by the Administrator, shall establish a working group to assist in the carrying out of the study required under subsection (a).

(2)

No compensation.— A member of the working group established under paragraph (1) shall receive no compensation as a result of serving on the working group.

(3)

Sunset.— The working group established under paragraph (1) shall terminate on the date on which the report required under subsection (f) is submitted.

(d)

Protection of Information.— The Administrator shall ensure that any information collected pursuant to the study required under subsection (a) shall not be made available to the public.

(e)

Limitation.— Nothing in this section requires an entity located in the United States to provide information requested pursuant to the study required under subsection (a).

(f)

Report.— Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in coordination with the Director of Federal Protective Service, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and any other relevant entities, as determined by the Administrator, shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report describing—

(1)

the results of the study required under subsection (a); and

(2)

how all applicable privacy laws and rights relating to the First and Fourth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States would be upheld and followed in—

(A)

the security assessment process described in paragraph (1) of subsection (b); and

(B)

the information collection process described in paragraph (2) of that subsection.

(g)

Limitation.— Nothing in this section authorizes a Federal entity to mandate information gathering unless specifically authorized by law.

(h)

Prohibition.— No information collected pursuant the security assessment process described in subsection (b)(1) may be used for law enforcement purposes.

(i)

No Additional Funding.— No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section.

Subtitle B Other Matters

SEC. 5611. Department of Homeland Security Northern Border Mission Center.

(a)

Establishment.— Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish the Department of Homeland Security Northern Border Mission Center.

(b)

Purpose.— The purpose of the Center shall be to serve as the Department’s forward deployed centralized operations support center for domain awareness, information sharing, intelligence, training, and stakeholder engagement with Federal, State, tribal, local, and international government partners along the northern border of the United States.

(c)

Location.— The Center shall be placed along the northern border at a location that is collocated with an existing U.S. Border Patrol sector headquarters, an Air and Marine Operations branch, and a United States Coast Guard air station, and other existing Department activities.

(d)

Components.—

(1)

In general.— The Center shall collocate personnel and activities of—

(A)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection;

(B)

the United States Coast Guard;

(C)

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; and

(D)

other components and offices of the Department that the Secretary determines to be necessary, including to support the training, technology testing, and development described in subsection (e).

(2)

Additional personnel.— Additional Federal, State, tribal, local, and international government partners may be collocated as the Secretary determines to be necessary and appropriate to support the operations described in this section.

(e)

Functions.—

(1)

In general.— The Center shall perform the functions described in this subsection in addition to any other functions assigned by the Secretary. In carrying out these functions, the Center shall support the Department’s northern border security operations.

(2)

Northern border strategy.— The Center, in collaboration with relevant offices and components of the Department, shall—

(A)

serve as a coordination mechanism for operational components for the implementation of the Department of Homeland Security Northern Border Strategy and any successor strategy and support appropriate offices of the Department in the evaluation and updating of the Department of Homeland Security Northern Border Strategy and any successor strategy; and

(B)

support the development of best practices and policies for personnel at the northern border to support such implementation.

(3)

Training.— The Center shall serve as a training location to support the delivery of training or exercises for Department personnel and Federal, State, tribal, local, and international government partners.

(4)

Resource and technological needs and challenges.— The Center, in collaboration with relevant offices and components of the Department, shall—

(A)

identify resource and technological needs or challenges affecting security along the northern border; and

(B)

serve as a testing ground and demonstration location for the testing of border security technology, including determining such technology’s suitability and performance in the northern border and maritime environments.

(5)

Air and marine operations.—

(A)

Quick reaction capabilities.— In support of the Center, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations shall establish and maintain capability that is collocated with the Center and available for quick deployment in support of the northern border missions, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Department, including missions in the Great Lakes region.

(B)

Northern border domain awareness.— In order to coordinate with the Center and support its operations, the Air and Marine Operations Center shall collocate personnel and resources with the Center to enhance the Department’s capabilities to—

(i)

support air and maritime domain awareness and information sharing efforts along the northern border;

(ii)

provide dedicated monitoring of northern border systems; and

(iii)

lead, in coordination with other U.S. Customs and Border Protection components, Federal, State, tribal, local, and international governments, and private sector partners, the Center’s efforts to track and monitor legitimate cross-border traffic involving unmanned aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems.

(6)

Counter-unmanned aircraft systems.—

(A)

In general.— Pursuant to policies established by the Secretary, consistent with section 210G of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 124n), the Center shall support counter-unmanned aircraft systems operations along the northern border to respond to the increased use of unmanned aircraft systems.

(B)

Rule of construction.— Nothing in this section may be construed to provide additional authority related to detection, mitigation, research, development, or testing of unmanned aircraft systems or counter-unmanned aircraft systems.

(7)

Privacy and civil rights.— The Center, in collaboration with the Chief Privacy Officer and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of the Department, shall ensure that operations and practices of the Center comply with the privacy and civil rights policies of the Department and its components, and as necessary, ensure there are resources or personnel available to support the Center’s mission onsite.

(8)

Noncontiguous northern border.— The Center, in collaboration with relevant offices and components of the Department, shall identify the specific challenges that exist along the noncontiguous international land border with Canada and the maritime border with Russia, including resource, technological challenges, and domain awareness.

(f)

Annual Reporting.— Not later than 180 days after the establishment of the Center, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report, that may include a classified annex or a sensitive but unclassified annex, to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives that describes the activities of the Center during the most recently concluded fiscal year, including—

(1)

personnel levels;

(2)

additional resources that are needed to support the operations of the Center and northern border operations of the Department; and

(3)

any additional assets or authorities that are needed to increase security and domain awareness along the northern border.

(g)

Temporary Duty Assignments.— The Secretary shall submit a quarterly report to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives regarding temporary duty assignments of U.S. Border Patrol agents during the reporting period, including—

(1)

the number of agents on temporary duty assignment;

(2)

the duration of the temporary duty assignment;

(3)

the sectors from which the agents were assigned; and

(4)

the sectors to which the agents were assigned.

(h)

Report on Large Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations.— Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit a report to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on the Department’s operation of large unmanned aircraft systems. The report shall include information on existing large unmanned aircraft systems, as well as recommendations on how to enable the operations of large unmanned aircraft systems based at the Center established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.

(i)

Rules of Construction.—

(1)

Authority to establish center.— The Center established pursuant to subsection (a) shall be established separate and distinct from the Secretary’s authorities under section 708 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 348).

(2)

Commandant authority.— Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect, impinge, or alter any authority of the Commandant of the Coast Guard under title 14 or title 46, United States Code, or limit the Commandant’s discretion and ability to deploy Coast Guard assets and personnel.

(j)

Sunset.— This section shall cease to be effective beginning on October 1, 2027.

(k)

No Additional Funds.— No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of carrying out this section.

(l)

Definitions.— In this section:

(1)

Center.— The term “Center” means the Department of Homeland Security Northern Border Mission Center established pursuant to subsection (a).

(2)

Department.— The term “Department” means the Department of Homeland Security.

(3)

Northern border.— The term “northern border” means—

(A)

the international border between the United States and Canada; and

(B)

the maritime border between Alaska and the Russian Federation.

(4)

Secretary.— The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Homeland Security.

SEC. 5612. Comptroller General Report on the Homeland Security Information Network.

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives a report that includes the following:

(1)

An examination of how the Homeland Security Information Network is used to share information with the following:

(A)

Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement and governmental partners.

(B)

Private sector partners and nonprofit partners from across a variety of sectors, communities, and geographic locations.

(2)

A comparison of the use, by such law enforcement partners, on both desktops and mobile applications of the Homeland Security Information Network to the use of other tools, including JusticeConnect of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which facilitate real-time exchanges of intelligence among such law enforcement partners.

(3)

An assessment of the cost, effectiveness, and efficacy of the Homeland Security Information Network.

(4)

An assessment of the current policies of the Homeland Security Information Network, and the efficacy of such policies in protecting the civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy of individuals.

(5)

An analysis of any other information the Comptroller General determines appropriate.

TITLE LVII Miscellaneous

SEC. 5701. Treatment of Payments from the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Account.

(a)

Amendments.— Section 235 of the Continued Assistance to Rail Workers Act of 2020 (subchapter III of title II of division N of Public Law 116–260; 2 U.S.C. 906 note) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (b)—

(A)

by striking paragraphs (1) and (2); and

(B)

by striking “ subsection (a)—” and inserting “ subsection (a) shall take effect 7 days after the date of enactment of the Continued Assistance to Rail Workers Act of 2020.”; and

(2)

by striking subsection (c).

(b)

Applicability.— The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply as if enacted on the day before the date on which the national emergency concerning the novel coronavirus disease (COVID–19) outbreak declared by the President on March 13, 2020, under the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) terminates.

(c)

Offset From Technology Modernization Fund.— Of the unobligated balances of the amount made available under section 4011 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (135 Stat. 80), $13,000,000 are rescinded.

SEC. 5702. Extension of Learning Period for Certain Safety Regulations Relating to Space Flight Participants.

Title 51, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in section 50905(c)(9), by striking “ January 1, 2025” and inserting “ January 1, 2028”;

(2)

in section 50914—

(A)

in subsection (a)(5), by striking “ September 30, 2025” and inserting “ September 30, 2028”; and

(B)

in subsection (b)(1)(C), by striking “ September 30, 2025” and inserting “ September 30, 2028”; and

(3)

in section 50915—

(A)

in subsection (a)(3)(B), by striking “ September 30, 2025” and inserting “ September 30, 2028”; and

(B)

in subsection (f), in the first sentence, by striking “ September 30, 2025” and inserting “ September 30, 2028”.

SEC. 5703. Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal.

(a)

Findings.— Congress finds the following:

(1)

On April 6, 1917, the United States declared war against Germany. As a historically neutral nation, the United States was unprepared to fight a technologically modern conflict overseas. The United States called upon American Telephone and Telegraph (referred to in this section as “AT&T”) to provide equipment and trained personnel for the Army Signal Corps in France. AT&T executives in Army uniform served at home under the provisions of the Act entitled “An Act for making further and more effectual provision for the national defense, and for other purposes.”, approved June 3, 1916 (referred to in this section as the “National Defense Act of 1916”), which allowed for the induction of individuals with specialized skills into a reserve force.

(2)

When General John Pershing sailed for Europe in May of 1917, as head of the American Expeditionary Forces (referred to in this section as the “AEF”), he took telephone operating equipment with him in recognition of the inadequacy of European circuitry and with the understanding that telephones would play a key role in battlefield communications for the first time in the history of war.

(3)

From May to November of 1917, the AEF struggled to develop the telephone service necessary for the Army to function under battlefield conditions. Monolingual infantrymen from the United States were unable to connect calls rapidly or communicate effectively with their French counterparts to put calls through over toll lines that linked one region of the country with another. The Army found that the average male operator required 60 seconds to make a connection. That rate was unacceptably slow, especially for operational calls between command outposts and the front lines.

(4)

During this time, in the United States, telephone operating was largely sex-segregated. Hired for their speed in connecting calls, women filled 85 percent of the telephone operating positions in the United States. It took the average female operator 10 seconds to make a connection.

(5)

On November 8, 1917, General Pershing cabled the War Department and wrote, “On account of the great difficulty of obtaining properly qualified men, request organization and dispatch to France a force of women telephone operators all speaking French and English equally well.”. To begin, General Pershing requested 100 women under the command of a commissioned captain, writing that “All should have allowances of Army nurses and should be uniformed.”.

(6)

The War Department sent press releases to newspapers across the United States to recruit women willing to serve for the duration of the war and face the hazards of submarine warfare and aerial bombardment. These articles emphasized that patriotic women would be “full-fledged soldier[s] under the articles of war” and would “do as much to help win the war as the men in khaki who go ‘over the top.’ ”. All women selected would take the Army oath.

(7)

More than 7,600 women volunteered for the 100 positions described in paragraph (5) and the first recruits took the Army oath on January 15, 1918.

(8)

Like nurses and doctors at the time, female Signal Corps members had relative rather than traditional ranks and were ranked as Operator, Supervisor, or Chief Operator. When promoted, the women were required to swear the Army oath again.

(9)

Telephone operators were the first women to serve as soldiers in non-medical classifications and the job of the operators was to help win the war, not to mitigate the harms of the war. In popular parlance, they were known as the “Hello Girls”.

(10)

Signal Corps Operators wore Army uniforms and Army insignia always, as well as standard-issue identity disks in case of death, and were subject to court martial for infractions of the military code.

(11)

Unbeknownst to the women operators and their immediate officers, the legal counsel of the Army ruled internally on March 20, 1918, that the women were not actually soldiers but contract employees, even though the women had not seen or signed any contracts. Military code allowed only for the induction of men and the code remained unchanged despite the orders of General Pershing. Nevertheless, legal counsel also recognized that the National Defense Act of 1916, which allowed for the induction of members of the telephone industry of the United States into the Armed Forces, imposed no gender restrictions.

(12)

Four days later, on March 24, 1918, the first contingent of operators began their official duties in France. The operators arrived before most infantrymen of the Armed Forces in order to facilitate logistics and deployment and spent their first night in Paris under German bombardment.

(13)

After the arrival of the operators, telephone service in France improved immediately, as calls tripled from 13,000 to 36,000 per day.

(14)

The Army quickly recruited, trained, and deployed 5 additional contingents of female Signal Corps operators. With these personnel, calls increased to 150,000 per day.

(15)

In addition to standard telephone operating, bilingual Signal Corps members provided simultaneous translation between officers from France and officers from the United States, who were communicating by telephone.

(16)

The AEF fought their first major battles in the last 2 months of the war. By that point, the Signal Corps considered the contributions of women to be so essential that, in telephone exchanges closest to the front line, the Army exclusively used women, in rotating 12-hour shifts. In the rear, the Army established rotating 8-hour shifts and gave male soldiers the overnight shift when telephone traffic was slower.

(17)

Seven bilingual operators—

(A)

served at the Battles of St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne under the immediate command of General Pershing;

(B)

staffed the Operations Boards through which orders to advance, fire, and retreat were delivered to soldiers in the trenches, to artillery units on alert, and to pilots awaiting orders at French airfields; and

(C)

were awarded a “Defensive Sector Clasp” for the Meuse-Argonne operation.

(18)

The Chief Operator supervising the Hello Girls, Grace Banker of Passaic, New Jersey, was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. Out of 16,000 eligible Signal Corps officers, Banker was one of only 18 individuals so honored.

(19)

Thirty additional operators received special commendations, many signed by General Pershing himself, for “exceptionally meritorious and conspicuous services” in “Advance Sections” of the conflict.

(20)

The war ended on November 11, 1918. As of that date, 223 female operators served in France and had connected 26,000,000 calls for the AEF.

(21)

The Chief Signal Officer of the Army Signal Corps wrote in his official report 2 days after the date on which the war ended that “a large part of the success of the communications of this Army is due to . . . a competent staff of women operators.”.

(22)

After the war ended, some women were ordered to Coblenz in Germany for the occupation of that country and to Paris for the Paris Peace Treaty of 1919 to continue telephone operations, sometimes in direct support of President Woodrow Wilson.

(23)

Two operators, Corah Bartlett and Inez Crittenden, died in France in the service of the United States and were buried there in military cemeteries with military ceremonies. Those operators died of the same influenza pandemic that killed more soldiers of the Armed Forces than combat operations.

(24)

Women of the Army Signal Corps were ineligible for discharge until formal release. Because of their role in logistics, those women were among the last soldiers to come home to the United States. The last Signal Corps operators returned from France in January of 1920.

(25)

Upon arrival in the United States, the Army informed female veterans that they had performed as civilians, not soldiers, even though operators had served in Army uniform in a theater of war surrounded by men who were similarly engaged.

(26)

Despite the objections of General George Squier, the top-ranking officer in the Signal Corps, the Army denied Signal Corps women the veterans’ benefits granted to male soldiers and female nurses, such as—

(A)

hospitalization for disabilities incurred in the line of duty;

(B)

cash bonuses;

(C)

soldiers’ pensions;

(D)

flags on their coffins; and

(E)

the Victory Medals promised them in France.

(27)

For the next 60 years, female veterans, led by Merle Egan from Montana, petitioned Congress more than 50 times for their recognition. In 1977, under the sponsorship of Senator Barry Goldwater, Congress passed legislation to retroactively acknowledge the military service of the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (referred to in this section as “WASPs”) of World War II and “the service of any person in any other similarly situated group the members of which rendered service to the Armed Forces of the United States in a capacity considered civilian employment or contractual service at the time such service was rendered”.

(28)

On November 23, 1977, President Jimmy Carter signed the legislation described in paragraph (27) into law as the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977 (Public Law 95–202; 91 Stat. 1433).

(29)

The Signal Corps telephone operators applied for, and were granted, status as veterans in 1979.

(30)

Only 33 of the operators who had returned home after the war were still alive to receive their Victory Medals and official discharge papers, which were finally awarded in 1979.

(31)

One of the women, Olive Shaw from Massachusetts, returned to the United States after the war, where she worked on the professional staff of Congresswoman Edith Nourse Rogers. Shaw lived to receive her honorable discharge and was the first burial when the Massachusetts National Cemetery opened on October 11, 1980. Shaw’s uniform is on display at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri.

(32)

Upon receipt of her honorable discharge at a ceremony in her home in Marine City, Michigan, “Hello Girl” Oleda Joure Christides raised the paper to her lips and kissed it. The only thing Christides ever wanted from the Federal Government was a flag on her coffin.

(33)

On July 1, 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law Public Law 111–40 (123 Stat. 1958), which awarded the WASPs the Congressional Gold Medal for their service to the United States.

(34)

For their role as pioneers who paved the way for all women in uniform, and for service that was essential to victory in World War I, the “Hello Girls” merit similar recognition.

(b)

Congressional Gold Medal.—

(1)

Award authorized.— The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate arrangements for the award, on behalf of Congress, of a single gold medal of appropriate design in honor of the female telephone operators of the Army Signal Corps (commonly known as the “Hello Girls”), in recognition of those operators’—

(A)

pioneering military service;

(B)

devotion to duty; and

(C)

60-year struggle for—

(i)

recognition as soldiers; and

(ii)

veterans’ benefits.

(2)

Design and striking.— For the purposes of the award described in paragraph (1), the Secretary of the Treasury (referred to in this Act as the “Secretary”) shall strike the gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.

(3)

Smithsonian institution.—

(A)

In general.— After the award of the gold medal under paragraph (1), the medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution, where the medal shall be available for display, as appropriate, and made available for research.

(B)

Sense of congress.— It is the sense of Congress that the Smithsonian Institution should make the gold medal received under subparagraph (A) available elsewhere, particularly at—

(i)

appropriate locations associated with—

(I)

the Army Signal Corps;

(II)

the Women in Military Service for America Memorial;

(III)

the U.S. Army Women’s Museum; and

(IV)

the National World War I Museum and Memorial; and

(ii)

any other location determined appropriate by the Smithsonian Institution.

(c)

Duplicate Medals.— Under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal struck under subsection (b) at a price sufficient to cover the costs of the medals, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses.

(d)

National Medals.—

(1)

National medals.— Medals struck under this section are national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.

(2)

Numismatic items.— For purposes of section 5134 of title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.

(e)

Authority to Use Fund Amounts; Proceeds of Sale.—

(1)

Authority to use fund amounts.— There is authorized to be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund such amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs of the medals struck under this Act.

(2)

Proceeds of sale.— Amounts received from the sale of duplicate bronze medals authorized under subsection (c) shall be deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

SEC. 5704. Extension of Competitive Service Status Authority for Employees of a Lead Inspector General for Overseas Contingency Operation.

Subparagraph (B) of section 419(d)(5) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking “ 5 years” and inserting “ 10 years”.

SEC. 5705. Readmission Requirements for Servicemembers.

Subsection (a) of section 484C of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1091c(a)) is amended to read as follows:

“(a) Definition of Service in the Uniformed Services.—In this section, the term ‘service in the uniformed services’ means service (whether voluntary or involuntary) on active duty in the Armed Forces, including such service by a member of the National Guard or Reserve.”