H.R. 4435: Howard P. "Buck" McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015

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H.R. 4435: Howard P. "Buck" McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015

113th Congress · introduced 2014-04-09 · Armed Forces and National Security · Latest: Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 425.

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Official title

Howard P. "Buck" McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015

Plain summary

Howard P. "Buck" McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 - Division A: Department of Defense Authorizations - Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for FY2015 for procurement for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, Air Force, and Defense-wide activities, as specified in the funding tables in Division D, Title XLI, of this Act. Subtitle B: Army Programs - (Sec. 111) Prohibits any funds authorized or made available for FY2015 for aircraft procurement, Army, for the modernization of the communications intelligence subsystem of airborne reconnaissance low aircraft from being obligated or expended until the Secretary of the Army submits to the House Committees on Appropriations and Armed Services and the Senate Committees on Appropriations and Armed Services (congressional defense committees) a report that: (1) specifies which such subsystem will be used to modernize such aircraft, (2) explains how such subsystem was selected, (3) identifies the alternatives to such subsystem that the Secretary considered during such selection, and (4) details how such subsystem will be integrated into the signals intelligence modernization plan of the Army. (Sec. 112) Requires the Secretary, not later than March 15, 2015, to submit to the congressional defense committees a prioritized plan for modernizing the entire fleet of UH-60A aircraft of the Army National Guard. Requires such plan to set forth: (1) a detailed time line for the modernization of the entire fleet of UH-60A aircraft; (2) the number of UH-60L, UH-60L Digital, and UH-60M aircraft that the Army National Guard will possess upon completion of such modernization plan; and (3) the yearly cost associated with such modernization plan. Subtitle C: Navy Programs - (Sec. 121) Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to enter into one or more multiyear contracts for not more than five years, beginning with FY2015, for the procurement of Tomahawk block IV missiles, pending submission to Congress of the written certification of the Secretary of Defense not later than 45 days prior to entering into the multiyear contract. (Sec. 122) Grants the Secretary incremental funding authority to enter into a contract, beginning in FY2015, for the procurement of one San Antonio class amphibious ship. (Sec. 123) Revises oversight requirements for the undersea mobility acquisition program of the U.S. Special Operations Command. Requires the Secretary of the Navy to review a transition plan for the undersea mobility capabilities developed by the Command and its acquisition strategy. (Sec. 124) Restricts funding in FY2015 for design, conversion, modification, or construction relating to the moored training ship program of the Navy until the Secretary of Defense certifies to the congressional defense committees that certain reviews and approvals have occurred. (Sec. 125) Prohibits funding in FY2015 for the procurement of additional mission modules for the Littoral Combat Ship program until the Secretary of the Navy submits to the congressional defense committees: (1) the Milestone B program goals for cost, schedule, and performance of each increment; and (2) certification by the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation with respect to the total number for each module type that is required to perform all necessary operational testing. (Sec. 126) Extends through FY2015 the limitation on the availability of funds for littoral combat ships. Subtitle D: Air Force Programs - (Sec. 131) Prohibits the use of funds authorized or made available in FY2015 for the Air Force to: (1) take any action to cancel or modify the avionics modernization program of record for C-130 aircraft; or (2) initiate an alternative communication, navigation, surveillance, and air traffic management program for C-130 aircraft that is designed or intended to replace the avionics modernization program. Restricts funding in FY2015 for operation and maintenance for the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force until the Secretary certifies to the congressional defense committees that funding has been obligated or otherwise made available for fiscal years prior to FY2015 for the avionics modernization program of record for C-130 aircraft. (Sec. 132) Prohibits the use of funds authorized or made available for FY2015 for the Department of Defense (DOD) to retire A-10 aircraft. Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to evaluate, and report on, the platforms of the Air Force used to conduct close air support missions. (Sec. 133) Prohibits the use of funds authorized or made available for DOD in FY2015 to make significant changes to retire, prepare to retire, or place in storage, U-2 aircraft. (Sec. 134) Prohibits the use of funds authorized or made available in FY2015 for the Air Force to divest or transfer, or prepare to divest or transfer, KC-10 aircraft. (Sec. 135) Prohibits the use of funds authorized or made available for FY2015 for DOD to divest more than 4 E-3 airborne warning and control system aircraft, or to disestablish any units of the active or reserve components associated with such aircraft, until the Secretary of the Air Force submits a report to the congressional defense committees with respect to such aircraft. Subtitle E: Defense-wide, Joint, and Multiservice Matters - (Sec. 141) Requires the Comptroller General, not later than April 15 of 2015 and each year thereafter, until the F-35 aircraft acquisition program enters into full-rate production, to submit a report to the congressional defense committees reviewing such program. (Sec. 142) Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to the strategic basing process for the F-35A aircraft. Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 201) Authorizes appropriations for FY2015 for DOD research, development, test, and evaluation, as specified in the funding table in Title XLII of Division D of this Act. Subtitle B: Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations - (Sec. 211) Requires the Secretary of the Air Force to complete a preliminary design review of the Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization Program prior to receiving a Milestone B approval from the Milestone Decision Authority. (Sec. 212) Restricts the obligation or expenditure of funds in FY2015 for research, development, test, and evaluation, Army, for the armored multi-purpose vehicle program until the Secretary submits a report (not later than March 1, 2015) to the congressional defense committees on such program. (Sec. 213) Prohibits the use of funds authorized or made available for FY2015 for the unmanned carrier-launched airborne surveillance and strike system to award a contract for the air vehicle segment development until the Secretary of Defense reports (not later than December 31, 2014) to the congressional defense committees on a review of system requirements. (Sec. 214) Restricts the availability of funds for imaging and targeting support of airborne reconnaissance systems until the Secretary of the Air Force submits to the congressional defense and intelligence committees a detailed plan for the use of such funds during FY2015 and a strategic plan for the funding of advanced airborne reconnaissance technologies supporting manned and unmanned systems. (Sec. 215) Directs the Secretary of the Air Force to: (1) place the last remaining satellite of the defense meteorological satellite program on the launch manifest for the evolved expendable launch vehicle program, and (2) establish an additional launch for acquisition during FY2015. Limits funding in FY2015 for the weather satellite follow-on system until the Secretary of the Air Force submits to the congressional defense committees a plan to meet the meteorological and oceanographic collection requirements of the Joint Requirements Oversight Council. (Sec. 216) Restricts funding in FY2015 for data exploitation under the space-based infrared systems until the Secretary of the Air Force makes required certifications to the congressional defense committees. (Sec. 217) Restricts funding in FY2015 for the hosted payload and wide field of view test bed of the space-based infrared systems program, and for the protected tactical demonstration and protected military satellite communications test bed of the advanced extremely high frequency program, until the completion of required analyses and reporting. Subtitle C: Other Matters - (Sec. 221) Modifies the service requirement under the Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Defense Education Program to allow a person not employed by DOD to accept employment with a public or private entity or organization outside DOD if the Secretary of Defense determines that such employment would provide a benefit to DOD. (Sec. 222) Eliminates requirements applicable to defense acquisition programs for maintaining a record of all issue papers from a defense research facility related to such acquisition programs. (Sec. 223) Amends the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 to revise the cost-sharing requirement for certain defense systems. Title III: Operation and Maintenance - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 301) Authorizes appropriations for FY2015 for the use of the Armed Forces and DOD agencies for operation and maintenance, as specified in the funding table in Division D, Title XLIII, of this Act. (Sec. 302) Increases funding for Civil Military Programs, with a corresponding offset in funding for the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Subtitle B: Energy and Environment - (Sec. 311) Eliminates the fiscal year limitation on the prohibition of payment of fines and penalties from the Environmental Restoration Account of DOD without prior congressional authorization. (Sec. 312) Requires combatant commanders engaged in a contingency operation to submit a biannual certification to the House and Senate Committees on Armed Services (armed services committees) that covered waste in open-air burn pits has not been disposed of in violation of applicable regulations. (Sec. 313) Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to add to the chemical substance exclusions any component of any pistol, revolver, other firearm, shell, or cartridge (including shot, bullets and other projectiles when manufactured for or used in such an article, and primers). Requires the Secretary of the Army to submit to the congressional defense committees not later than September 30, 2015, a report on an assessment of non-lead variants of ammunition for small arms and the total costs for the procurement and qualification of such alternatives . (Sec. 314) Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to exempt DOD from the requirements under such Act related to contracts for alternative or synthetic fuel. (Sec. 315) Requires the Secretary of Defense to notify the congressional defense committees 60 days before the bulk purchase of alternative fuels intended for operational use. (Sec. 316) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated or made available to DOD to purchase or produce biofuels until the earlier of either the date on which: (1) the cost of biofuel is equal to the cost of conventional fuels purchased by DOD, or (2) the Budget Control Act of 2011 and the sequestration in effect by reason of such Act are no longer in effect. Exempts from such prohibition biofuels purchased in limited quantities necessary to complete test and certification or for DOD biofuel research and development efforts. (Sec. 317) Prohibits the Secretary of Defense from entering into a contract for the planning, design, refurbishing, or construction of a biofuel refinery unless specifically authorized by law. (Sec. 318) Amends the Sikes Act, with respect to cooperative and interagency agreements for land management on military installations, to require that funds appropriated to cover the costs of such agreements be used only pursuant to an approved integrated natural resources management plan. (Sec. 319) Recommends that the Secretary of the Air Force take action on identified energy conservation measures in a comprehensive and timely manner. (Sec. 320) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to undertake an environmental restoration project in the area formerly known as Naval Air Station Chincoteague, Virginia. (Sec. 320A) Prohibits the use of funds to implement the U.S. Global Change Research Program National Climate Assessment, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Fifth Assessment Report, the United Nation's Agenda 21 sustainable development plan, or the May 2013 Technical Update of the Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis under Executive Order 12866. Subtitle C: Logistics and Sustainment - (Sec. 321) Modifies elements of the strategic policy on propositioned material and equipment to include consideration of support for crisis response elements in developing such policy. (Sec. 322) Extends the reporting requirement of the Comptroller General on DOD Propositioning Strategic Policy and Plan for Propositioned Stocks for three years after the initial report in 2014. (Sec. 323) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to establish a pilot program to provide logistic support for the conveyance of excess defense articles to allied forces participating in bilateral or multilateral training activities with U.S. Armed Forces. Limits the total value of such logistic support to $10 million in any fiscal year. Requires the Secretary to report on such pilot program to the congressional defense and foreign relations committees. Terminates the pilot program on September 30, 2106. Subtitle D: Reports - (Sec. 331) Repeals the reporting requirement on DOD operations and financial support for military museums. (Sec. 332) Requires the Secretary of Defense to submit to the congressional defense committees, concurrent with submission of the President's budget for FY2016, a list of enduring mission requirements, equipping, training, sustainment, and other operation and maintenance-related activities of each military department, combat support agency, and DOD, currently funded through the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) budget. (Sec. 333) Requires the Secretary of the Army, concurrent with submission of the President's budget for FY2016, to submit to the congressional defense committees an assessment of Army activities in the regionally aligned force in the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) area of responsibility. (Sec. 334) Requires the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) to report to the congressional defense committees on the readiness and immediate and long-term cost impacts for the military services, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Defense Agencies of the reductions in operation and maintenance funding required by this Act. Subtitle E: Limitations and Extensions of Authority - (Sec. 341) Prohibits the Secretary of the Air Force from entering into a contract for the sustainment, maintenance, repair, or overhaul of the F117 engine until the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics certifies to the congressional defense committees that the Secretary has structured the contract in a way that provides the Secretary required insight into all aspects of F117 component and subcomponent historical usage, cost, service-life, and supply chain management data sufficient to determine that the Secretary is paying a fair and reasonable price for F117 sustainment. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such prohibition in the interest of national security. (Sec. 342) Limits the authority of the Secretary of Defense to carry out a non-disciplinary furlough of a DOD civilian employee whose performance is charged to a working-capital fund. Subtitle F: Other Matters - (Sec. 352) Expresses the sense of Congress regarding access to training ranges within the U.S. Pacific Command's area of responsibility. (Sec. 353) Directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, in conjunction with the Secretaries of the Army, Air Force, and Navy, to issue DOD-wide guidance and designate an authoritative database on conventional ammunition and to notify the congressional defense committees on what database has been designated. (Sec. 354) Authorizes the Secretary concerned (i.e., Secretaries of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Homeland Security) to enter into a contract or agreement with a non-federal civil organization to conduct or support an air show or open house to feature any unit, aircraft, vessel, equipment, or member of the Armed Forces under the jurisdiction of a Secretary. (Sec. 355) Makes the acceptance of gifts for the use of a military musical unit mandatory. Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations - Subtitle A: Active Forces - (Sec. 401) Authorizes end strengths for active duty personnel of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force as of September 30, 2015. (Sec. 402) Establishes new minimum active duty end strengths in any fiscal year for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. Subtitle B: Reserve Forces - (Sec. 411) Establishes end strengths as of September 30, 2015, for: (1) Selected Reserve personnel of the reserve components, (2) Reserves on active duty in support of the reserve components, and (3) military technicians (dual status). (Sec. 414) Establishes the maximum end strengths for the Reserve Components of the Army and Air Force for non-dual status technicians and for members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who may be serving at any time on full-time operational support duty. Subtitle C: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 421) Authorizes appropriations for FY2015 for expenses for military personnel not otherwise provided for, as specified in the funding table in Division D, Title XLIV, of this Act. Title V: Military Personnel Policy - Subtitle A: Officer Personnel Generally - (Sec. 501) Authorizes the Secretary of a military department (i.e., Secretary of the Army, the Navy. or the Air Force) to establish alternative criteria for selection of warrant officers for involuntary retirement based upon the particular year group or specialty of an officer. (Sec. 502) Eliminates the requirement that the number of military officers recommended for discharge cannot exceed 70% of the number discharged from active duty in the preceding fiscal year. (Sec. 503) Repeals the annual reporting requirement for the DOD Joint Officer Management Program. (Sec. 504) Authorizes a senior service-level course of at least 10 months in duration designated and certified by the Secretary of Defense to award Joint Professional Military Education Level II credit. (Sec. 505) Modifies the limitation on the number of enlisted aides authorized for general and flag officers to allow the lesser of 300 or the number of enlisted aides calculated based on two times the number of generals or admirals and the number of lieutenant generals or vice admirals on active duty in the preceding fiscal year. Requires the Secretary of Defense to submit an annual report to the congressional armed services committees on the total number of enlisted aides assigned and authorized as aides for general and flag officers. (Sec. 506) Requires the Secretary of a military department to ensure that the performance appraisal of a commanding officer under the jurisdiction of the Secretary indicates the extent to which the commanding officer has established a command climate in which: (1) allegations of sexual assault are properly managed and fairly evaluated; and (2) a victim of criminal activity, including sexual assault, can report the criminal activity without fear of retaliation or ostracism. (Sec. 507) Authorizes the Secretary of a military department to defer the retirement of a military chaplain, but not beyond age 68. Authorizes the Secretary to extend a deferment if necessary for the needs of the military department. (Sec. 508) Requires the Secretary of Defense, not later than December 31, 2015, to ensure that the number of flag officers and generals is reduced to comply with the DOD efficiencies directive dated March 14, 2011. Subtitle B: Reserve Component Personnel Management - (Sec. 511) Allows the retention of first lieutenants of the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps and lieutenants (junior grade) of the Navy who have twice failed for selection for promotion to the next higher grade to be considered for continuation on the reserve active-status list. Requires the Secretaries of the military departments to retain health care professionals who have twice failed for promotion to the next higher grade, but who have not completed any service commitment incurred as a result of their participation in a health professions stipend program. (Sec. 512) Includes the Chief of the National Guard Bureau in the selection and nomination process for the Director and Deputy Director of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard. (Sec. 513) Authorizes the use of the National Guard to provide assistance to support firefighting operations, missions, or activities, including aerial firefighting employment of the Modular Airborne Firefighting System. (Sec. 514) Requires the Secretary of Defense to establish an electronic means by which members of the Ready Reserve can track their operational active-duty service performed after January 28, 2008. (Sec. 515) Requires the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the progress made by the Army National Guard to establish 10 Cyber Protection Teams to prepare for, and respond to, emergencies involving an attack or natural disaster impacting a computer, electronic, or cyber network. Subtitle C: General Service Authorities - (Sec. 521) Establishes procedures for judicial review for any final decision regarding correction of personnel records by requiring a service member to exhaust administrative relief procedures before seeking judicial review. Requires notification to service members of their right to judicial review and of the statutory time limits associated with a request for judicial review of corrections. (Sec. 522) Requires that any member of the Armed Services who plans to use educational assistance entitlements to receive instruction providing an overview of those entitlements, courses of post-secondary education appropriate for the member and compatible with the member's goals, and instruction on how to finance the member's education. Requires implementation of this requirement by April 1, 2016. (Sec. 523) Extends until December 31, 2019, the authority of the Secretary of a military department to carry out pilot programs under which officers and enlisted members of the Regular Component, under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned, may be inactivated from active duty in order to meet personal or professional needs and returned to active duty at the end of the period of inactivation. (Sec. 524) Requires the Secretaries of the military departments to ensure that privacy information relating to the receipt of mental health services is provided to each officer candidate during initial training, to each recruit during basic training, and to other members of the Armed Forces at such times as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate. (Sec. 525) Authorizes a military chaplain, if called upon to lead a prayer outside of a religious service, to close the prayer according to the traditions, expressions, and religious exercises of the endorsing faith group. (Sec. 526) Requires: (1) Secretary of Defense to communicate with the congressional armed services committees on the mission, goals, and metrics for the Senior Advisor on Professionalism; (2) the Senior Advisor to conduct a preliminary review of the current programs and controls on professionalism of DOD and the military departments; and (3) the Senior Advisor to submit, by September 1, 2015, recommendations to the congressional armed services committees to strengthen DOD professionalism programs. (Sec. 527) Requires the Secretary of Defense to direct the Secretary of each military department to: (1) validate the gender-neutral occupational standards used by the Armed Forces, working with an independent research entity; and (2) take immediate steps to ensure that properly designed and fitted combat equipment is available and distributed to female members of the Armed Forces. Requires the Secretary of the Navy to brief the congressional armed services committees on the Marine Corps research involving female Marines who volunteer for the infantry. Requires the Comptroller General to conduct a review of, and report on, Services' Outreach and Recruitment Efforts gauged toward women representation in the officer corps. (Sec. 528) Directs the Secretary of Defense to issue a revised instruction to replace Department of Defense Instruction 1300.17 (protecting religious expression of members of the Armed Forces). Directs the Secretary of the Air Force to issue a revised instruction to replace Air Force Instruction 1-1 (protecting religious expression). (Sec. 529) Requires: (1) any medical advisory opinion issued to a civilian board for correction of military records relating to a former member of the Armed Forces diagnosed with a mental health disorder to include the opinion of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist, and (2) the inclusion of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist on such a board for the review of the discharge or dismissal of a former member of the Armed Forces diagnosed with a mental health disorder. (Sec. 530) Requires a mental health assessment of any individual who enlists in an armed force or is commissioned as an officer. Requires the National Institute of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to submit to Congress and the Secretary of Defense a report, with recommendations, on preliminary mental health assessments of members of the Armed Forces (Sec. 530A) Allows a member of the Armed Forces who gives birth to a child to receive up to 42 days of additional convalescent leave. Subtitle D: Military Justice, Including Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Prevention and Response - (Sec. 531) Directs the Secretary of Defense to develop a comprehensive management plan to address the deficiencies in reporting domestic violence involving members of the Armed Forces. (Sec. 532) Directs the judicial proceedings panel established by the Secretary of Defense to conduct a review and assessment of: (1) the impact of the use of mental health records by the defense during a preliminary hearing and during court-martial proceedings, and (2) the use of mental health records in civilian criminal proceedings. (Sec. 533) Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned to ensure the provisions of title XVII of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Sexual Assault & Prevention Response) apply to the U.S. Military Academy, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, and the Coast Guard Academy. (Sec. 534) Requires the Secretary concerned to establish a procedure to ensure that a victim of a sex-related offense is consulted as to the victim's preference for prosecuting such offense by court-martial or in a civilian court. (Sec. 535) Authorizes a victim of a criminal offense to petition the Court of Criminal Appeals for a writ of mandamus to require the court-martial to comply with the Military Rules of Evidence. (Sec. 536) Requires a minimum confinement of two years and dismissal or dishonorable discharge under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) for sex-related offenses committed by members of the Armed Forces. (Sec. 537) Directs the Secretary of Defense to modify the Military Rules of Evidence to confirm that the general military character of an accused is not admissible to show probability of innocence, except when evidence of a trait of the military character of the accused is relevant to an element of an offense for which the accused has been charged. Specifies those offenses for which evidence of general military character is admissible. (Sec. 538) Directs the Secretaries of the military departments to each establish a confidential process for appeal by a victim of a sex-related offense of the terms or characterization of such victim's discharge or separation from the Armed Forces on the grounds that such terms or characterization were adversely affected by the individual being a victim of such an offense. (Sec. 539) Eliminates the exception under the Military Rules of Evidence afforded to the patient of a psychotherapist to refuse to disclose, and to prevent any other person from disclosing, a confidential communication made between the patient and the psychotherapist. (Sec. 540) Authorizes personal property retained as evidence in connection with an incident of sexual assault to be returned to the rightful owner after the conclusion of all legal, adverse action, and administration proceedings related to such incident. (Sec. 540A) Requires the Secretary concerned to develop and implement a phone service for anonymous reports of incidents of hazing in a military department. Subtitle E: Military Family Readiness - (Sec. 545) Provides that a determination of whether a child is a dependent child of a member of the Armed Forces who is separated from active duty for dependent abuse shall be made at the time a separation action is initiated by a military commander. (Currently such determination is made as of the date the member is actually separated.) (Sec. 546) Directs the Secretary of Defense to prescribe a policy for the development of a standard method for collecting, reporting, and assessing suicide data and suicide-attempt data involving members of the Armed Forces and reserve components and to submit such policy to the congressional armed services committees. (Sec. 547) Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, with respect to child custody orders involving active duty members of the Armed Forces, to: (1) require a court that issued a temporary custody order based solely on the deployment or anticipated deployment of a service member to reinstate the custody order that was in effect immediately preceding the temporary order upon the return of the servicemember from deployment, unless the court finds that reinstatement is not in the best interest of the child; and (2) prohibit a court from using deployment or the possibility of deployment as the sole factor when determining the best interest of a child. (Sec. 548) Directs the Secretary of Defense to: (1) collect data to evaluate the effectiveness of military spouse employment programs in addressing the underemployment of military spouses and in closing the wage gap between military spouses and their civilian counterparts, and (2) report to the congressional defense committees on the progress of military spouse employment programs. Subtitle F: Education and Training Opportunities - (Sec. 551) Extends from two to four weeks the period during which foreign exchange personnel may attend the U.S. Military Academy, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy. (Sec. 552) Requires the Secretary of Defense to conduct and report on a pilot program to enhance DOD efforts to provide job placement and related employment services to members of the Armed Forces who are being separated or released from active duty. Terminates such program on September 30, 2018. (Sec. 553) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to carry out, until September 30, 2018, and to report on a pilot program to enhance DOD efforts to provide job placement assistance and related employment service directly to members in the National Guard and Reserve. (Sec. 554) Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to accept donations to support the athletic programs of the Air Force Academy. (Sec. 555) Directs the Secretary of the Army to report to the congressional armed services committees on tuition assistance for members of the Army. Subtitle G: Defense Dependents' Education - (Sec. 561) Allocates funds in FY2015 to provide assistance to local educational agencies that serve dependents of members of the Armed Forces and DOD civilian employees. (Sec. 562) Amends the Defense Department Overseas Teachers Pay and Personnel Practices Act to permit the employment of a non-U.S. citizen to teach the host-nation language in an overseas school when a U.S. citizen is not reasonably available to provide such instruction. (Sec. 563) Expands the functions of the DOD Advisory Council of Dependents' Education to include providing recommendations and information for domestic dependent elementary and secondary schools. (Sec. 564) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to make grants to nonprofit organizations that provide services to improve the academic achievement of military dependent students. (Sec. 565) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 to: (1) extend by three years the effective date of the Impact Aid Improvement Act of 2012, and (2) include a method to calculate the taxable value of federal property that is within the boundaries of two or more local educational agencies. Subtitle H: Decorations and Awards - (Sec. 571) Allows the award (retroactive to September 11, 2001) of the Purple Heart to a member of the Armed Forces killed or wounded in an attack inspired or motivated by a foreign terrorist organization. Directs the Secretary concerned to: (1) review incidents involving the death or wounding of a member of the Armed Forces between September 11, 2001, and the enactment of this Act to determine whether such death or wounding qualifies for an award of the Purple Heart; and (2) review the incident at Fort Hood, Texas, on September 5, 2009, for purposes of awarding the Secretary of Defense Medal for the Defense of Freedom. (Sec. 572) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to make a retroactive award of the Army Combat Action Badge. (Sec. 573) Directs the Secretary of the Navy to report to the congressional armed services committees on the review of the Medal of Honor nomination of Marine Corps Sergeant Rafael Peralta. (Sec. 574) Recognizes the dedication and sacrifice of the African-American soldiers of the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion of the U.S. Army who were massacred in Wereth, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge on December 17, 1944. (Sec. 575) Directs the Secretary of the Army to review and report on the Medal of Honor nomination of Captain William L. Albracht. Subtitle I: Miscellaneous Reporting Requirements - (Sec. 581) Directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict to conduct a review of, and report on, DOD efforts for the prevention of suicide among members of the U.S. Special Operations Forces and their dependents. (Sec. 582) Directs the DOD Inspector General to conduct a review to: (1) identify all members of the Armed Forces who, since January 1, 2002, were separated from the Armed Forces after making an unrestricted report of sexual assault; and (2) determine the circumstances of, and grounds for, each such separation. Requires a report on such review to the congressional armed services committees. (Sec. 583) Directs the Comptroller General to submit to the congressional armed services committees by April 1, 2015, a report on the management of personnel records of members of the National Guard. (Sec. 584) Directs the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to conduct and report on a study on the integration of gender into the planning and execution of foreign operations of the Armed Forces at all levels. (Sec. 585) Directs the Secretary of Defense to submit to the congressional armed services committees, not later than June 1, 2015, a report on the review of the role of the Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity in sexual harassment cases. (Sec. 586) Directs the Comptroller General to report on policies to prevent and track hazing in the Armed Forces. (Sec. 587) Requires the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health to conduct a study of the risk and resiliency of the U.S. Special Operations Forces and the effectiveness of the Preservation of the Force and Families Program. Subtitle J: Other Matters - (Sec. 591) Amends the Wounded Warrior Act to change from annually to biennially the inspection schedule for residential facilities occupied by recovering members of the Armed Forces. (Sec. 592) Establishes in the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee a Working Group to evaluate and reform the Integrated Disability System of DOD and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Directs the Working Group to carry out and report on a pilot program for the improvement of the Integrated Disability Evaluation System. (Sec. 593) Expresses the sense of Congress that no member of the Armed Forces shall be left behind or unaccounted for in Afghanistan. (Sec. 594) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to allow the removal and transfer to another cemetery of the remains of a member of the Armed Forces who has no known next of kin and is buried in an Army National Military Cemetery. (Sec. 595) Provides that caseworkers in congressional offices shall have access to information about VA casework brokered to another VA office. (Sec. 596) Directs the Secretary of Defense to carry out and report on a pilot program for providing contact information to state veterans' agencies for facilitating the transition of members of the Armed Forces from military service to civilian life. (Sec. 597) Reaffirms the support of of Congress for the recovery and return of the bodies of all members of the Armed Forces. Encourages DOD to undertake all feasible efforts to recover, identify, and return the remains of members of the Armed Forces known as the "George 1 crew" who were killed on Thurston Island, Antarctica, in 1947. (Sec. 598) Designates a DOD and VA joint outpatient clinic to be constructed in Marina, California, as the Major General William H. Gourley VA-DOD Outpatient Clinic. (Sec. 599) Expresses the sense of Congress that active duty military personnel who are stationed or residing in the District of Columbia should be allowed to exercise their Second Amendment rights and be exempt from restrictions in that jurisdiction on the possession of firearms. Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits - Subtitle A: Pay and Allowances - (Sec. 601) Extends through December 31, 2015, the authority to increase the rate of the basic allowance for housing for members of the Uniformed Services. (Sec. 602) Directs that the rate of basic pay for commissioned officers of the Uniformed Services in pay grades O-7 through O-10 during 2015 shall be determined by using the rate of pay for level II of the Executive Schedule in effect for 2014 (thus imposing a freeze on such rates of pay in 2015). Subtitle B: Bonuses and Special and Incentive Pays - (Sec. 611) Extends through December 31, 2015, bonus and special pay authorities for: (1) the Reserve Forces, (2) military health care professionals, (3) nuclear-qualified officers, and (4) other members of the Uniformed Services. Subtitle C: Travel and Transportation - (Sec. 621) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to authorize the commander of a military base to enter into a contract for relocation services for members of the Armed Forces. (Sec. 622) Authorizes transportation on military aircraft on a space-available basis for disabled veterans with a service-connected, permanent disability rated as total. Subtitle D: Commissary and Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentality Benefits and Operations - (Sec. 631) Extends the authority of DOD entities supporting the operation of the exchange system to provide or obtain food services beneficial to the efficient management and operation of dining facilities on military installations offering food services to members of the Armed Forces (Sec. 632) Requires the Secretary of Defense to: (1) utilize the services of an independent organization experienced in grocery retail analysis to conduct a review of the defense commissary system, and (2) submit the results of such review to the congressional armed services committees by February 1, 2015. (Sec. 633) Prohibits the Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of the military departments from implementing any new policy that limits, restricts, or bans the sale of any legal consumer product category sold in exchanges or commissaries, or on any DOD vessel at sea, as of January 1, 2014. (Sec. 634) Prohibits the use of funds authorized or made available by this Act to close any commissary store. Subtitle E: Other Matters - (Sec. 641) Requires the Secretary of Defense to carry out and report on an anonymous survey of random members of the Armed Forces on pay and benefits, including the relative value that members place on forms of compensation, including basic pay, housing allowances, bonuses and special pay, health care benefits, and retirement pay. (Sec 642) Requires the VA Secretary to make available for purchase a memorial headstone or marker for the grave of any individual who: (1) as a member of the National Guard or Reserve component performed inactive duty training or active duty for training for at least six years but did not serve on active duty, and (2) is not otherwise ineligible for a headstone or marker. Title VII: Health Care Provisions - Subtitle A: TRICARE and Other Health Care Benefits - (Sec. 701) Requires the Secretary of Defense to provide mental health assessments for members of the Armed Forces once during each 180-day period in which a member of the Armed Forces is deployed in support of a contingency operation. (Sec. 702) Extends the authority of the Secretary of Defense to provide free food and beverages to members of the Uniformed Services and their dependents receiving care at a military medical facility to include former members of the Uniformed Services and their dependents who are: (1) receiving outpatient medical care at such a facility, or (2) who are family members of, and providing care for, an infant receiving inpatient medical care at such a facility. (Sec. 703) Provides for breast-feeding support, supplies, and counseling under the TRICARE Program. (Sec. 704) Provides behavioral health treatment of developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder, under the TRICARE Program. Expresses the sense of Congress that amounts should be appropriated for behavioral health treatment of TRICARE beneficiaries. Subtitle B: Health Care Administration - (Sec. 711) Authorizes the Secretary concerned and the Secretary of Defense to establish cooperative health care agreements between military installations and local and regional non-military health care entities. (Sec. 712) Changes the frequency of the reports of the reviews submitted to Congress by the Comptroller General on DOD procedures to determine the adequacy of the number of health care providers who accept TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra. (Sec. 713) Prohibits the Secretary of Defense from transferring or eliminating a graduate medical education billet (lodging) from a military medical treatment facility unless the Secretary: (1) conducts a DOD-wide review of at least two years of the implementation of the reform of the administration of the Military Health System, (2) conducts an examination of the most successful incentives for recruiting and retaining medical professionals to participate in the graduate medical education programs, (3) determines the assignment of such billets, and (4) certifies to the congressional defense committees that any proposed transfer of a billet meets the needs of the military departments and patients. (Sec. 714) Requires: (1) the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the congressional defense committees on the military medical treatment facility modernization study directed by the Resource Management Decision of DOD; and (2) the Comptroller General to submit a report to the congressional defense committees on the Secretary's report, including an assessment of the study methodology and data used. Prohibits the Secretary from realigning or restructuring a military medical treatment facility until 120 days after the Comptroller General is required to report. (Sec. 715) Requires the Secretary of Defense to give written notice to TRICARE beneficiaries of any significant changes in benefits (i.e., a system-wide change in policy or services under TRICARE or a change in payment rates of more than 20%). Subtitle C: Reports and Other Matters - (Sec. 721) Extends until September 30, 2016, the authority for the Joint Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund. (Sec. 722) Designates the Deputy Director of the Defense Health Agency to be the senior medical advisor for the Armed Services Retirement Home. (Sec. 723) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to conduct research on Alzheimer's disease. (Sec. 724) Requires the Secretary of Defense to develop, implement, and report (not later than April 1, 2015) on an acquisition strategy for contracting for the services of health care professional staff at military medical treatment facilities. (Sec. 725) Directs the Secretary of Defense to carry out and report to the congressional defense committees on a two-year pilot program at not less than three locations to evaluate the feasibility and desirability of including medication therapy management as part of the TRICARE Program. (Sec. 726) Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to the congressional defense committees on the status of the reduction of the availability of TRICARE Prime in certain regions of the United States. (Sec. 727) Requires the Comptroller General to report to the congressional defense and veterans affairs committees by April 1, 2015, on an assessment of the transition of care for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. (Sec. 728) Requires the Secretary of Defense to: (1) brief the congressional armed services committees on the process used by the Defense Health Agency to collect payments from hospitals outside DOD, and (2) provide a list of each hospital that is more than 90 days in arrears in payments. (Sec. 729) Directs the Secretary of Defense, in carrying out research, development, test, and evaluation activities with respect to breast cancer, to implement the recommendations of the Interagency Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Coordinating Committee to prioritize prevention and increase the study of chemical and physical factors in breast cancer. (Sec. 730) Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to access to mental health services by members of the Armed Forces. (Sec. 731) Directs the Secretary of Defense to contract with a private organization to evaluate the DOD Wounded Warrior Care and Transition Program. Increases funding for the Defense Health Program with an offset of funding for Navy shipbuilding programs and weapons activities. (Sec. 732) Directs the Secretary concerned to contract with a third party unaffiliated with DOD or VA to conduct an evaluation of the mental health care and suicide prevention programs in such Departments. (Sec. 733) Directs the Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Research Program to conduct a study on blast injury mechanics, covering injury conditions including traumatic brain injury. (Sec. 734) Directs the Secretary of Defense to report to the congressional defense committees on ensuring access to members of the Armed Forces and their dependents to reproductive counseling and infertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization. (Sec. 735) Expresses the sense of Congress on the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. Title VIII: Acquisition Policy, Acquisition Management, and Related Matters - Subtitle A: Amendments to General Contracting Authorities, Procedures, and Limitations - (Sec. 801) Includes the U.S. Transportation Command in the list of commands that are prohibited from entering into contracts with governments hostile to the United States. (Sec. 802) Extends until: (1) September 30, 2019, the contract authority of DOD for advanced component development or prototype units, and (2) March 1, 2018, the reporting date of the Secretary of Defense on the use of such contract authority. (Sec. 803) Expands the scope of prototype projects conducted by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and other defense agencies to include projects for enhancing the mission effectiveness of military personnel and systems acquired or developed by DOD. (Sec. 804) Extends through FY2015 the limitation on the aggregate annual amount available for contract services. (Sec. 805) Modifies the procedure for awarding design and construction contracts for federal buildings and facilities to require: (1) a contracting officer to provide a written justification to the head of an agency for requiring more than five finalists in the bidding process; (2) agency approval of such justification; and (3) the use of the two-phase selection process (i.e., submission of qualifications and then the submission of price and technical proposals in response to a request for proposal) for contracts having a value of $1 million or more. (Sec. 806) Makes permanent the authority for use of simplified acquisition procedures for the purchase of goods and services in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold. Subtitle B: Industrial Base Matters - (Sec. 811) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 to extend through 2017 the test program for the negotiation of comprehensive small business subcontracting plans. Imposes new reporting requirements for such test program relating to awards of first-tier subcontract dollars and costs incurred and avoided by the adoption of a subcontracting plan. Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to the congressional armed services and small business committees on such program by September 30, 2015. (Sec. 812) Amends the Small Business Act to revise the definition of "small business concern owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans." Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) specifying the manner in which the Secretary shall notify the Administrator as to an individual's status as a veteran or a veteran with a service-connected disability. (Sec. 813) Requires: (1) the SBA Administrator to work with other agencies to develop a plan to improve the quality of data reported on bundled and consolidated contracts in the federal procurement data system; and (2) the Comptroller General to study and report on the effectiveness of the plan. (Sec. 814) Amends the Small Business Act to: (1) require grant applicants under the small business development center program to assist small businesses by providing education on requirements of the Arms Export Control Act, and (2) prohibit the use of reverse auctions for procurement of goods and services. Expands the Procurement Technical Assistance Program to include educating small business concerns on requirements relating to export controls. (Sec. 816) Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to raise the guarantee rate on the SBA's preferred security bond program from 70% to 90%. Requires the Comptroller General to study and report on the issuance of surety bonds. (Sec. 817) Amends the Small Business Act to require that the justification for consolidation of contract requirements in the federal procurement process be published prior to the issuance of a solicitation. (Sec. 818) Amends the Small Business Act to increase the goal for participation of small business concerns in procurement contracts to 25% (currently, 23%) of the total value of federal prime contract awards for a fiscal year. Establishes the goal for participation by small business concerns in subcontract awards at not less than 40% of the total value of all subcontract awards. (Sec. 819) Directs the Secretary of Defense to promote an outreach and education program to assist small businesses contracted by DOD to: (1) understand the gravity and scope of cyber threats, and (2)develop plans to protect intellectual property and the networks of such businesses. Subtitle C: Other Matters - (Sec. 821) Requires the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to review the Air Force Network-Centric Solutions II (NETCENTS II) contract and certify to the congressional armed services committees that it is effective in delivering information technology capabilities for the joint force. (Sec. 822) Requires transportation of passenger or property by Civil Reserve Air Fleet-eligible aircraft obtained by the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of a military department through a contract for airlift service to be provided only by a covered air carrier (i.e., an air carrier that has aircraft in the Civil Reserve Air Fleet or that offers to place CRAF-eligible aircraft in such Fleet and that holds a certificate of public convenience). Authorizes a waiver of such requirement. (Sec. 823) Requires: (1) the Secretary of Defense to designate a DOD official to ensure compliance with requirements for senior DOD officials seeking employment with defense contractors, and (2) such designated official to submit to the congressional defense committees a report on DOD compliance efforts. (Sec. 824) Requires the Secretary of Defense to use best value trade-off source selection methods to the maximum extent practicable when procuring an item of personal protective equipment (e.g., body armor and combat helmets) or critical safety items. (Sec. 825) Prohibits the use of DOD funds to enter into any contract with an entity if such contract would violate Executive Order No. 11246 (relating to non-retaliation for disclosure of compensation information), as amended by the announcement of the President on April 8, 2014. (Sec. 826) Requires: (1) the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness to implement a standard checklist to be used for new contract approval for services or for exercising an option under an existing contract for services, and (2) the Comptroller General to submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the implementation of the standard procurement checklist for FY2015-FY2017. (Sec. 827) Amends the Small Business Act to: (1) allow the award of sole source contracts in certain amounts for small business concerns owned and controlled by women that have been determined to be responsible contractors, and (2) accelerate the reporting date on substantially underrepresented industries to two years after the enactment of such Act. (Sec. 828) Requires debarment from the procurement process of persons convicted of fraudulent use of Made in America labels, subject to the authority of the Secretary of Defense to waive a debarment in the interests of national security. (Sec. 829) Amends the Small Business Act to require each federal agency required to establish a Small Business Technology Transfer Program to carry out a grant program to support innovative approaches to technology transfer at institutions of higher education, nonprofit research institutions, and federal laboratories to improve or accelerate the commercialization of federally-funded research and technology by small business concerns, including new businesses. (Sec. 830) Requires DOD to purchase flags of the United States from U.S. domestic sources. Title IX: Department of Defense Organization and Management - Subtitle A: Department of Defense Management - (Sec. 901) Redesignates the Department of the Navy as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps, to be headed by a Secretary of the Navy and Marine Corps. Redesignates other statutory offices of the Department of the Navy. (Sec. 902) Requires the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation to: (1) consider the potential for increases in program cost estimates or delays in schedule estimates in the implementation of policies, procedures, and activities related to operational test and evaluation; and (2) take appropriate action to ensure that the operational test and evaluation activities do not unnecessarily impede program schedules or increase program costs. (Sec. 903) Establishes the position of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Installations and Environment to provide leadership for military construction and environmental activities of DOD and the military departments, coordinate and oversee planning and programming activities of the military departments, and establish policies in guidance regarding installation assets and services that are required to support defense missions. (Sec. 904) Prohibits the transfer of financial management functions out of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) until the Secretary of Defense provides a briefing to the congressional defense committees on a transfer plan and certifies that the transfer would reduce costs, increase efficiencies, maintain the time line for auditability of financial statements, and maintain the roles and missions of DFAS. (Sec. 905) Requires the Secretary of Defense to develop and report on a plan to combine the back office functions of the headquarters of two or more combatant commands, including the subordinate component commands. Limits DOD funding in FY2015 for operations and maintenance until the Secretary provides a required briefing to the armed services committees on combatant command headquarters personnel and resources. (Sec. 906) Requires the Secretary of Defense to: (1) develop a plan to reduce the number of geographic combatant commands to no more than four by the end of FY2020; and (2) report to Congress on the plan, the feasibility and risks of the plan, and any recommendations to implement the plan. (Sec. 907) Establishes the Office of Net Assessment in the Office of the Secretary of Defense to develop and coordinate net assessments with respect to the standing, trends, and future prospects of U.S. military capabilities and potential in comparison with the capabilities and potential of other countries or groups of countries to identify emerging or future threats or opportunities for the United States. (Sec. 908) Revises or provides new duties for positions in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, including: (1) the Deputy Chief Management Officer, (2) the Chief Information Officer, (3) the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Materiel Readiness, (4) the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, and (5) the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs. Repeals the authority for the Defense Business System Management Committee. (Sec. 909) Requires the Secretary of Defense to develop and report on a plan for implementing a periodic review and analysis of DOD personnel requirements for management headquarters. (Sec. 910) Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to the congressional defense committees on how DOD will manage its mission with respect to issues related to nuclear forces, deterrence, nonproliferation, and terrorism. Subtitle B: Total Force Management - (Sec. 911) Modifies the reporting requirement for the biennial DOD strategic workforce plan to require a separate chapter to address the shaping and improvement of the senior management workforce of DOD. (Sec. 912) Repeals, after 2013, the reporting requirement of the Comptroller General on DOD efforts to compile an inventory of contract services. (Sec. 913) Requires new DOD assignments of work requirements to military or civilian personnel to be made based upon a determination of which workforce can perform the work in the most cost-efficient manner, except in cases where the new requirement is inherently governmental, closely associated with inherently governmental functions, critical, or required by law to be performed by military personnel or civilian personnel. Allows a waiver of such requirement if it would result in a gap in service that would significantly undermine performance of the DOD mission. (Sec. 914) Prohibits the transfer of functions performed by civilian personnel or contractors to military personnel, unless: (1) there is a direct link between the functions to be performed and a military occupational specialty, and (2) the conversion to performance by military personnel is cost-effective. Exempts functions required by law or regulation to be performed by military personnel and other specified functions. (Sec. 915) Requires: (1) the Secretary of Defense to ensure compliance with procurement requirements and provide written notification of such compliance to the congressional defense committees by March 1, 2015, and (2) the Comptroller General to review the notification of compliance and report any findings or recommendations to the congressional defense committees 120 days after such notification is provided. Subtitle C: Other Matters - (Sec. 921) Extends through FY2019 the authority of the Secretary of Defense to waive the reimbursement of costs for certain nongovernmental personnel at the DOD Regional Centers for Security Studies. (Sec. 922) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to require DOD employees or members of the Uniformed Services performing duty on official travel to occupy adequate quarters on a rental basis when available. (Sec. 923) Establishes as the reimbursement rate for privately-owned automobiles used by federal employees and members of the Uniformed Services on official business the single standard mileage rate established by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). (Sec. 924) Requires the release to the public of reports by the Inspectors General of DOD, the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force of administrative investigations that confirm misconduct of a member of the Senior Executive Service, a political appointee, or commissioned officer. (Sec. 925) Requires the Secretary of Defense to designate a single DOD organization to have responsibility for DOD matters relating to missing persons, including accounting for missing persons and persons whose remains have not been recovered from the conflict in which they were lost. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into public-private partnerships to facilitate the activities of the designated organization in accounting for missing persons. Requires the Secretary to: (1) assign a full-time senior medical examiner to identify remains of missing persons, and (2) establish and maintain a centralized database and case management system containing information on missing persons. Title X: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Financial Matters - (Sec. 1001) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to make transfers between any amounts of authorizations for FY2015 in Division A of this Act, limited to $4 billion. Requires the Secretary to promptly notify Congress of each transfer made. (Sec. 1002) Repeals the limitation imposed on the number of auditors available to provide independent reviews of DOD audit practices. (Sec. 1003) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to transfer to the Secretary of Energy funds authorized to be appropriated to DOD in FY2015 for naval reactors or weapons activities of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). (Sec. 1004) Sets forth conditions for the obligation of funds for Covered Defense Information Technology System Programs similar to the existing conditions for Covered Defense Business System Programs. (Sec. 1005) Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to the congressional defense committees on the progress of all military departments and defense agencies in achieving auditable financial statements as required by law. (Sec. 1006) Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on barriers to implementing audit reporting requirements, with recommendations to ensure reporting deadlines are met. Subtitle B: Counter-Drug Activities - (Sec. 1011) Extends through FY2015 the authority for the Unified Counterdrug and Counterterrorism Campaign in Colombia. (Sec. 1012) Extends through FY2017 the authority of DOD to provide additional support for counter-drug activities of other governmental agencies. (Sec. 1013) Requires the submission of the biannual report on drug interdiction and counter-drug activities to the congressional foreign affairs committees. (Sec. 1014) Permits funds provided by the Secretary of Defense to the governor of a state who submits a drug interdiction and counter-drug activities plan to be used for the operation of regionally-located National Guard Counterdrug Training Centers. (Sec. 1015) Expresses the sense of Congress, with respect to criminal networks originating in Mexico and Central America, that: (1) DOD should continue to focus on combating illicit networking routes in Mexico and Central America; (2) the U.S. Northern and Southern Command should continue to work together to combat the transnational nature of these threats; and (3) DOD should increase its maritime, aerial and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets to reduce the flow of criminal activities into the United States. Subtitle C: Naval Vessels and Shipyards - (Sec. 1021) Defines "combatant and support vessel" for purposes of the annual plan and certification for budgeting for construction of naval vessels. (Sec. 1022) Establishes in the Treasury the National Sea-Based Deterrence Fund for the advanced procurement or construction of nuclear-powered strategic ballistic missile submarines. (Sec. 1023) Allows a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to be commanded by a non-aviation officer during an inactivation period that leads to the permanent decommissioning and disposal of such aircraft carrier. (Sec. 1024) Limits to 50% the amount of funds available to the Office of the Secretary of Defense in FY2015 until the Secretary obligates funds to commence the planning and long lead time material procurement for the refueling and complex overhaul of the U.S.S. George Washington (CVN-73). (Sec. 1025) Recognizes the 51st anniversary of the sinking of the U.S.S. Thresher and the loss of its crew and sailors on April 10, 1963. (Sec. 1026) Prohibits the use of DOD funds in FY2015 to retire, prepare to retire, inactivate, or place in storage a cruiser or dock landing ship. Requires the Secretary of the Navy to begin the upgrade of two cruisers during FY2015, including hull, mechanical, and electrical upgrades and combat systems modernizations. (Sec. 1027) Prohibits the use of DOD funds for issuing permits authorizing a person to engage in otherwise prohibited activities under the Sunken Military Craft Act. Subtitle D: Counterterrorism - (Sec. 1031) Extends through FY2015 the authority to make awards for combating terrorism. (Sec. 1032) Prohibits, through the end of 2015, the use of DOD funds to: (1) construct or modify any facility in the United States, its territories, or possessions to house any individual detained or imprisoned at U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, unless authorized by Congress; or (2) transfer or release into the United States, its territories, or possessions Khalid Sheikh Mohammed or any other detainee who is not a U.S. citizen or member of the U.S. Armed Forces and is or was held on or after January 20, 2009, at Guantanamo Bay. (Sec. 1034) Prohibits the use of DOD funding to provide additional or upgraded recreational facilities for individuals detained at U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Subtitle E: Miscellaneous Authorities and Limitations - (Sec. 1041) Requires the annual report of the Secretary of Defense on humanitarian and civic assistance activities to include information about insufficient funding for humanitarian demining assistance (detection and clearance of land mines and other explosive remnants of war) or stockpiled conventional munitions assistance programs. (Sec. 1042) Authorizes the Secretaries of the military departments to institute unpaid internships and externship programs for law students who are under the supervision of an attorney. (Sec. 1043) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to use the DOD reimbursement rate for transportation services provided to certain non-DOD entities. (Sec. 1044) Repeals the authority for the use of Air Force installations by commercial air carriers doing business with DOD. (Sec. 1045) Limits funding and other authorities for the aviation foreign internal defense program until the Secretary of Defense submits a certification to the congressional defense committees that includes an overall description of the program, program goals, and a comprehensive strategy outlining and justifying contributing command and units for program execution. (Sec. 1046) Limits to 75% the amount of DOD funding that may be obligated or expended in FY 2015 until the Secretary of Defense submits to the congressional defense committees procedures for notification about sensitive military operations and a report on targeting of individuals outside the United States and Afghanistan for the use of lethal force. (Sec. 1047) Prohibits the use of Russian-flagged aircraft to support airlift movement requirements of the U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) until the Commander, U.S. Transportation Command, certifies to the congressional armed services committees that utilizing such aircraft is the only means available to TRANSCOM to execute airlift movement requirements. (Sec. 1048) Prohibits the Secretary of the Air Force from reducing force structure at Lajes Air Force Base, Azores, Portugal, until the Secretary of Defense concludes and briefs the congressional defense committees on the European Infrastructure Consolidation Assessment. (Sec. 1049) Prohibits the Secretary of the Air Force from removing a C-130 aircraft from a unit of the regular or reserve components of the Air Force that is tasked with the modular airborne firefighting system mission, or from a unit that is formally associated with a unit that is tasked with such mission, until the Secretary of the Air Force certifies to the congressional defense committees that such mission will not be negatively affected by the removal of such aircraft. (Sec. 1050) Prohibits the Secretaries of Defense and the Army, during FY2015, from; (1) reducing the end strength for active duty personnel of the Army below 490,000, (2) reducing the end strength for Selected Reserve personnel of the Army National Guard below 350,000, or (3) or transferring AH-64 attack helicopters from the Army National Guard to the regular Army. Requires the Comptroller General to: (1) assess and validate the methods the Army and the Department of Defense Office of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation used to determine the future force structure of the Army, and (2) submit a report to the congressional defense committees by March 1, 2015. (Sec. 1051) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to implement engineering change proposals on OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters. (Sec. 1052) Prohibits any DOD officer, employee, or contractor from using a drone to kill a citizen of the United States unless such individual is actively engaged in combat against the United States. Subtitle F: Studies and Reports - (Sec. 1061) Requires the Secretary of Defense to certify to the congressional defense committees by June 1, 2015, that defense mission-critical infrastructure requiring electromagnetic pulse protection that receives power supply from commercial or other non-military sources is protected from the adverse effects of man-made or naturally occurring electromagnetic pulse and high-powered microwave weapons. (Sec. 1062) Requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to the congressional defense committees on actions taken by the Secretary regarding significant compromises of classified information and to provide an update to such report on a semiannual basis during calendar years 2015 through 2018. (Sec. 1063) Expresses the sense of Congress that DOD civilian employees should be provided all reasonable protection while working in hostile foreign areas, including adequate armored commercial passenger-carrying vehicle transportation. Requires the Secretary of Defense to report to the congressional defense committees on DOD policies and procedures for procuring and inspecting armored vehicles for transporting civilian employees. (Sec. 1064) Directs the Secretary of Defense to commission an independent assessment of the joint analytic capabilities of DOD to support strategy, plans, and force development and their link to resource decisions. (Sec. 1065) Directs the Secretary of the Air Force to conduct and report on a business case analysis of the creation of a 4-PAA (Personnel-Only) KC-135R active association with 168th Air Refueling Wing. (Sec. 1066) Directs the President to report to Congress on an estimate of the previous costs of Operation New Dawn (the successor contingency operation to Operation Iraqi Freedom) and the long-term cost of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Sec. 1067) Directs the Secretary of the Air Force to report to the congressional defense committees on the five-year plan of the Secretary for the force structure laydown of the tactical airlift and to brief the committees prior to implementing any movements. (Sec. 1068) Directs the Director of the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center to report to the congressional defense committees on thermal injury prevention. Subtitle G: Other Matters - (Sec. 1072) Expands the authority of the Secretary of Defense to transfer excess DOD personal property, including small arms and ammunition, for law enforcement activities to include DHS border security activities. (Sec. 1073) Revises requirements for filing aviation insurance claims to require: (1) a claimant to present a claim to the Secretary of Transportation and have it denied before instituting a civil action against the United States; (2) presentation of an insurance claim in writing within two years of the loss; or (3) presentation of a claim by a person with whom the insured has no privity of contract, not later than the earlier of either 60 days after final judgment by a court or 6 years after the date of the loss. (Sec. 1074) Directs the Secretary of the Army to carry out until September 30, 2016, a pilot program using the Human Terrain System assets in the Pacific Command Areas of responsibility to support phase 0 shaping operations and the theater security cooperation plans of the Commander of the Pacific Command. Requires the Secretary to provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on the program within 60 days after the enactment date of this Act, an initial status report within one year after such date, and a final report by December 1, 2016. (Sec. 1075) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to enter into a memorandum of understanding with a non-DOD entity that is engaged in the test range program authorized under the Federal Aviation Administration Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 or that is participating in the Robotic Aircraft for Public Safety Program or other DHS activities. (Sec. 1076) Honors the life and achievements of the late Dr. James R. Schlesinger, former Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Energy, and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). (Sec. 1077) Revises requirements relating to the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) by modifying the review and reporting elements and the role of the National Defense Panel (NPD) and requiring a new Quadrennial National Security Threats and Trends Report. (Sec. 1078) Requires the Secretary of Defense to resubmit a report on QDR 2014 that was previously submitted to the congressional armed services committees. (Sec. 1079) Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to counter-improvised explosive devices. (Sec. 1080) Directs the Secretary of Defense to submit to the congressional defense committees a plan that: (1) identifies the capabilities and capacities required by the U.S. Armed Forces to counter or mitigate subversive activities of the Russian Federation within the area of responsibility of the U.S. European Command, (2) identify the capabilities and capacities needed by the U.S. Armed Forces to meet operations plan requirements for a response under the North Atlantic Treaty, and (3) identify any deficiencies in the readiness of U.S. Armed Forces in the area of responsibility of the U.S. European Command. (Sec. 1081) Directs the Secretary of Defense to determine the cost of transportation provided to Members, officers, or employees of the House of Representatives or the Senate in carrying out official duties outside the United States and provide to such Members, officers, or employees a written statement of such costs. Exempts from such requirement the costs for a trip the sole purpose of which is to visit one or more U.S. military installations or U.S. military personnel in a war zone. (Sec. 1082) Directs the Secretary of Defense to develop and implement a training program to increase and improve financial literacy for incoming and outgoing military personnel. (Sec. 1083) Directs the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence to each submit to the congressional defense and intelligence committees a notification of each instance in which such officials determine that an information technology or telecommunications component from a company suspected of being influenced by a foreign country, or a suspected affiliate of such a company, is competing for or has been awarded a contract to include the technology of such company or affiliate into a covered network. Defines a "covered network" to include: (1) DOD or intelligence community information technology or telecommunications networks, and (2) information technology or telecommunications networks of network operators supporting systems in proximity to DOD or intelligence community facilities. (Sec. 1084) Requires the annual report of the VA Secretary to Congress to include information on the performance of any regional VA office that fails to meet its administrative goals. (Sec. 1085) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense should make every reasonable effort to transfer used or excess military equipment to federal, state, and local agencies, giving preference to agencies that plan to use such equipment to strengthen security along the international border between the United States and Mexico. (Sec. 1086) Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to accept additional documentation for verifying that an individual performed honorable service as a coastwise merchant seaman during the period beginning on December 7, 1941, and ending on December 31, 1946, for purposes of eligibility for veterans' benefits under the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977. Requires such documentation to include Social Security Administration (SSA) records and validated testimony in the case of the absence of Coast Guard shipping or discharge forms, ship logbooks, documents, or other official employment records. Requires the Secretary, when determining whether to recognize service allegedly performed during such period, to recognize masters of seagoing vessels or other command officers who were authorized to document an individual for purposes of hiring for or discharging from the Merchant Marine. Considers any service so recognized as active-duty service for purposes of eligibility for veterans' burial benefits. Makes such veterans eligible for appropriate military medals, ribbons, and decorations. Requires the Secretary to verify that an individual performed such services under honorable conditions without regard to their sex, age, or disability during the service period. (Sec. 1087) Directs the Secretary of Defense to post on the DOD public website the costs to the taxpayer of each of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. (Sec. 1088) Sets forth times for the observance of Veterans Day. (Sec. 1089) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense should order that the names of the 74 military personnel lost aboard the U.S.S. Frank E. Evans on June 3, 1969, be added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. (Sec. 1090) Directs the Secretary of Defense to review the logs of each ship under the authority of the Secretary of the Navy that is known to have operated in the waters near Vietnam during the Vietnam Era (beginning on February 28, 1961, and ending on May 7, 1975). (Sec. 1090A) Recognizes the 70th anniversary of the Allied Amphibious Landing on D-Day, June 6, 1944, at Normandy, France, during World War II. (Sec. 1090B) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense, subject to specified limitations, to transport to any country, without charge, supplies that have been furnished by a nonprofit organization and that are intended for distribution to members of the Armed Forces. (Sec. 1090C) Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to using contractor-owned and operated very light jet aircraft for interim flight instruction. (Sec. 1090D) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should establish an Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health. (Sec. 1090E) Requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to maintain control of Internet domain name system functions until the Comptroller General submits a report on the role of NTIA with respect to the domain name system. Subtitle H: World War I Memorials - World War I Memorial Act of 2014 - (Sec. 1092) Designates the Liberty Memorial of Kansas City, Missouri, as the National World War I Museum and Memorial. (Sec. 1093) Redesignates Pershing Park in the District of Columbia as the National World War I Memorial. (Sec. 1094) Makes additional amendments to the World War I Centennial Commission Act relating to powers of the Commission, ex officio members, and pay rates for staff. Prohibits any federal funds for the designation, establishment, or enhancement of a memorial or commemorative work by the Commission. Subtitle I: National Commission on the Future of the Army - (Sec. 1095) Establishes the National Commission on the Future of the Army to study and report on the structure of the Army and the policy assumptions related to the size and force mixture of the Army. Title XI: Civilian Personnel Matters - (Sec. 1101) Extends through 2015 the authority to waive the limitations on the amount of premium pay for a federal civilian employee who performs work: (1) in an overseas location that falls under the responsibility of the U.S. Central Command; (2) in an overseas location that falls under the responsibility of AFRICOM, in support of a military operation; or (3) in response to an emergency declared by the President. (Sec. 1102) Extends through FY2016 the authority of a federal agency to grant allowances, benefits, and guarantees comparable to those provided to members of the foreign service to the agency's civilian employees on official duty in a combat zone. (Sec. 1103) Includes within the list of Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratories the Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Social Sciences and the Missile Defense Command Technical Center. (Sec. 1104) Makes permanent the authority for the experimental personnel program for scientific and technical personnel and eliminates the annual reporting requirement for such program. (Sec. 1105) Provides direct hiring authority to any director of the Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratory to employ undergraduate and certain graduate students enrolled in the scientific, technical, engineering, or mathematics programs at institutions of higher education on a temporary or term basis. (Sec. 1106) Extends for three years the authority under Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act to allow whistleblowers to appeal cases from the Merit Systems Protection Board to any circuit court of appeals with jurisdiction (currently, an appeal may be filed only in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit). (Sec. 1107) Requires equal locality pay for DOD employees employed at joint military installations. (Sec. 1108) Extends for one year the authority for overtime pay for Department of Navy employees performing work abroad or dockside in direct support of the nuclear aircraft carrier forward deployed in Japan. (Sec. 1109) Extends from 5 to 10 years the authority for part-time reemployment of military personnel. Title XII: Matters Relating to Foreign Nations - Subtitle A: Assistance and Training - (Sec. 1201) Modifies the authority for the Global Security Contingency Fund to allow assistance from such Fund for small-scale construction not exceeding $750,000 on a per project basis and to extend the authorization for such Fund through FY2016. (Sec. 1202) Includes the congressional foreign relations committees in the requirement to notify Congress as to the capability of foreign countries to respond to incidents involving weapons of mass destruction. (Sec. 1203) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to provide administrative and support services for liaison officers of a foreign country while such officers are assigned temporarily to the headquarters of a combatant command, component command, or subordinate operation command of the United States. Limits the authorized number of liaison officers and the amount of unreimbursed support for travel, subsistence, and medical care expenses per fiscal year for any such liaison officer. Requires the Secretary to submit to the congressional defense committees on January 31 of 2016, 2017, and 2018 a report on the summary of expenses incurred by the United States for liaison officers of a developing country, as defined by DOD. (Sec. 1204) Requires the Secretary of Defense to submit to the congressional defense and foreign relations committees, for each of FY2015-FY2019, a report on DOD human rights vetting and verification procedures. Subtitle B: Matters Relating to Afghanistan and Pakistan - (Sec. 1211) Extends through FY2015: (1) the Commanders' Emergency Response Program in Afghanistan, and (2) the authority for reimbursement of coalition nations for military operations. Prohibits reimbursements to Pakistan until the Secretary of Defense certifies to the congressional defense committees that Pakistan: (1) is maintaining security and is cooperating in the transhipment of equipment and supplies in support of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan, and (2) is not using its military or funds or equipment provided by the Untied States to persecute minority groups on political or religious grounds. (Sec. 1213) Extends through FY2015 authorities for providing support to coalition forces supporting U.S. military and stabilization operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Sec. 1214) Requires the Secretary of Defense, not later than April 1, 2015, and every 180 days thereafter, to submit to the congressional defense and foreign relations committees a report on progress toward security and stability in Afghanistan under NATO's Operation Resolute Support. (Sec. 1215) Requires 150% of the total taxes assessed during FY2014 by the Government of Afghanistan on all DOD assistance in violation of the status of forces agreement between the United States and Afghanistan to be withheld by the Secretary of Defense from assistance to Afghanistan in FY2015 until the Secretary certifies and reports in writing to the congressional foreign relations committees that such taxes have not been reimbursed by the Government of Afghanistan to DOD or the grantee, contractor, or subcontractor concerned. Allows the Secretary to waive such requirement to achieve U.S. goals in Afghanistan. Requires the Secretary to report to the congressional foreign relations committees on the total taxes assessed in FY2014 by Afghanistan on any DOD assistance. (Sec. 1216) Requires the Secretary of Defense to submit to the congressional defense and foreign relations committees a detailed plan for sustaining the Afghanistan National Army and the Afghanistan National Police of the Afghanistan National Security Forces through the end of FY2018. (Sec. 1217) Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to the U.S. military commitment to Afghanistan. (Sec. 1218) Authorizes a certain number of visas for principal aliens who may be provided special immigrant visa status in accordance with the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009. Extends: (1) to December 31, 2015, the period during which the principal alien must be employed by or on behalf of the U.S. Government in Afghanistan, and (2) to September 30, 2015, the period in which the principal alien must apply to the Chief of Mission in Afghanistan. Terminates such authorities on September 30, 2016. (Sec. 1219) Requires the Secretary of Defense to: (1) provide for an independent assessment of U.S. efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al-Qaeda and its affiliated groups since May 2, 2011; and (2) report to the congressional defense, foreign relations, and intelligence committees on such assessment. (Sec. 1220) Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to the inclusion of women in the Afghan National Security Forces. (Sec. 1220A) Prohibits funds authorized by this Act from being obligated or expended to establish any military installation or base for the permanent stationing of U.S. Armed Forces in Afghanistan. (Sec. 1220B) Prohibits funding for any construction project in Afghanistan in excess of $500,000 that cannot be audited and physically inspected by authorized U.S. Government civilian personnel. Allows a waiver of such prohibition under specified conditions. (Sec. 1220C) Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to the human rights and security of women and girls in Afghanistan. Directs the Secretaries of Defense and State ... [summary shortened here: the full Congressional Research Service summary is 170,659 characters; read it at congress.gov]

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

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Sponsor: Rep. McKeon, Howard P. "Buck" [R-CA-25] · 1 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Adam Smith (D-WA)

Recorded votes

• House roll call 225 (2014): On Agreeing to the Amendment, HR4435 (2014-05-21): Failed
• House roll call 226 (2014): On Agreeing to the Amendment, HR4435 (2014-05-21): Failed
• House roll call 227 (2014): On Agreeing to the Amendment, HR4435 (2014-05-21): Agreed to
• House roll call 231 (2014): On Agreeing to the Amendment, HR4435 (2014-05-22): Agreed to
• House roll call 232 (2014): On Agreeing to the Amendment, HR4435 (2014-05-22): Agreed to
• House roll call 233 (2014): On Agreeing to the Amendment, HR4435 (2014-05-22): Failed
• House roll call 234 (2014): On Agreeing to the Amendment, HR4435 (2014-05-22): Failed
• House roll call 235 (2014): On Agreeing to the Amendment, HR4435 (2014-05-22): Failed
• House roll call 236 (2014): On Agreeing to the Amendment, HR4435 (2014-05-22): Agreed to
• House roll call 237 (2014): On Agreeing to the Amendment, HR4435 (2014-05-22): Failed
• House roll call 238 (2014): On Agreeing to the Amendment, HR4435 (2014-05-22): Agreed to
• House roll call 239 (2014): On Motion to Recommit with Instructions, HR4435 (2014-05-22): Failed
• House roll call 240 (2014): On Passage, HR4435 (2014-05-22): Passed

Sources

• Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended)
• Congress.gov
• Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-113hr4435.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/113/hr>

Record fed-us-cong113-hr4435 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong113 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong113