To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize space-available travel on military aircraft for members of the reserve components, a member or former member of a reserve component who is eligible for retired pay but for age, widows and widowers of retired members, and dependents.

1. Adds SEC. 346. ELIGIBILITY OF ACTIVE AND RESERVE MEMBERS, RETIREES, GRAY AREA RETIREES, AND DEPENDENTS FOR SPACE-AVAILABLE TRAVEL ON MILITARY AIRCRAFT at the end of subtitle E of title III

   Adds a section

   In S. 1867 · Placed on Calendar Senate

   (c) Comptroller General Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall review the actions taken pursuant to this section and submit to Congress a report on the guidance developed pursuant to subsection (a), the plans developed pursuant to subsection (b), and any additional measures that may be needed to minimize the effects of an unplanned disruption of services by utilities as described in subsection (a).

   Inserted: SEC. 346. ELIGIBILITY OF ACTIVE AND RESERVE MEMBERS, RETIREES, GRAY AREA RETIREES, AND DEPENDENTS FOR SPACE-AVAILABLE TRAVEL ON MILITARY AIRCRAFT.

   Inserted: (a) In General.--Chapter 157 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2641b the following new section:

   Inserted: "Sec. 2641c. Space-available travel on department of defense aircraft: eligibility

   Inserted: "(a) Authority to Establish Benefit Program.--The Secretary of Defense may establish a program to provide transportation on Department of Defense aircraft on a space-available basis. The program shall be conducted in a budget neutral manner.

   Inserted: "(b) Benefit.--If the Secretary establishes such a program, the Secretary shall, subject to section (c), provide the benefit equally to the following individuals:

   Inserted: "(1) Active duty members and members of the Selected Reserve holding a valid Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card.

   Inserted: "(2) A retired member of an active or reserve component, including retired members of reserve components, who, but for being under the eligibility age applicable to the member under section 12731 of this title, would be eligible for retired pay under chapter 1223 of this title.

   Inserted: "(3) An unremarried widow or widower of an active or reserve component member of the armed forces.

   Inserted: "(4) A dependent that--

   Inserted: "(A)(i) is the child of an active or reserve component member or former member described in paragraph (1) or (2); or

   Inserted: "(ii) is the child of a deceased member entitled to retired pay holding a valid Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card and a surviving unremarried spouse; and

   Inserted: "(B) is accompanying the member or, in the case of a deceased member, is the surviving unremarried spouse of the deceased member or is a dependent accompanying the surviving unremarried spouse of the deceased member.

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   Inserted: "(5) The surviving dependent of a deceased member or former member described in paragraph (2) holding a valid Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card, if the dependent is accompanying the member or, in the case of a deceased member, is the surviving unremarried spouse of the deceased member or is a dependent accompanying the surviving unremarried spouse of the deceased member.

   Inserted: "(6) Other such individuals as determined by the Secretary in the Secretary's discretion.

   Inserted: "(c) Discretion to Establish Priority Order.--The Secretary, in establishing a program under this section, may establish an order of priority that is based on considerations of military needs and military readiness.".

   Inserted: (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2641b the following new item:

   Inserted: "2641c. Space-available travel on Department of Defense aircraft: eligibility.".

   Inserted: (c) Requirement for Comptroller General Review.--

   Inserted: (1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a review of the Department of Defense system for space-available travel. The review shall determine the capacity of the system presently and as projected in the future and shall examine the efficiency and usage of space-available travel.

   Inserted: (2) Elements.--The review required under paragraph (1) shall include the following elements:

   Inserted: (A) A discussion of the efficiency of the system and data regarding usage of available space by category of passengers under existing regulations.

   Inserted: (B) Estimates of the effect on availability based on future projections.

   Inserted: (C) A discussion of the logistical and managements problems, including congestion at terminals, waiting times, lodging availability, and personal hardships currently experienced by travelers.

   Inserted: (D) An evaluation of the cost of the system and whether space-available travel is and can remain cost-neutral.

   Inserted: (E) Other factors relating to the efficiency and cost effectiveness of space available travel.

   Original wording

   At the end of subtitle E of title III, add the following:

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As printed