S.Amdt. 3290

SA 3290. Mr. REED (for himself and Mr. Wicker) submitted an amendment
intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4638, to authorize
appropriations for fiscal year 2025 for military activities of the
Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense
activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel
strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end, add the following:

DIVISION E--ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

TITLE LI--PROCUREMENT

Subtitle E--Defense-wide, Joint, and Multiservice Matters

SEC. 5141. PROCUREMENT OF F-35 DEVELOPMENTAL TESTING
AIRCRAFT.

Section 225(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118-31; 137 Stat. 195) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``two'' each place it appears and inserting
``three''; and
(B) by striking ``2030'' and inserting ``2034''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) Developmental testing modifications.--Any
developmental testing modifications to aircraft designated
under paragraph (1) may be procured using funds made
available to the F-35 aircraft program for research,
development, test, and evaluation or procurement of
aircraft.''.

TITLE LII--RESEARCH, TEST, DEVELOPMENT, AND EVALUATION

Subtitle C--Plans, Reports, and Other Matters

SEC. 5231. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE-ENABLED WEAPON SYSTEMS
CENTER OF EXCELLENCE.

(a) Establishment of Center of Excellence.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall establish a
center of excellence to support the development and
maturation of artificial intelligence-enabled weapon systems
by organizations within the Department of Defense that--
(A) were in effect on the day before the date of the
enactment of this Act; and
(B) have appropriate core competencies relating to the
functions specified in subsection (b).
(2) Designation.--The center of excellence established
pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be known as the ``Artificial
Intelligence-Enabled Weapon Systems Center of Excellence''
(in this section referred to as the ``Center'').
(b) Functions.--The Center shall--
(1) capture, analyze, assess, and share lessons learned
across the Department of Defense regarding the latest
advancements in artificial intelligence-enabled weapon
systems, countermeasures, tactics, techniques and procedures,
and training methodologies;
(2) facilitate collaboration among the Department of
Defense and foreign partners, including Ukraine, to identify
and promulgate best practices, standards, and benchmarks;
(3) facilitate collaboration among the Department,
industry, and academia in the United States, including
industry with expertise in autonomous weapon systems and
other nontraditional weapon systems that utilize artificial
intelligence as determined by the Secretary;
(4) serve as a focal point for digital talent training and
upskilling for the Department, and as the Secretary considers
appropriate, provide enterprise-level tools and solutions
based on these best practices, standards, and benchmarks; and
(5) carry out such other responsibilities as the Secretary
determines appropriate.
(c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
(1) submit to the congressional defense committees a report
that includes a plan for the establishment of the Center; and
(2) provide the congressional defense committees a briefing
on the plan submitted under paragraph (1).
(d) Artificial Intelligence-enabled Weapon System
Defined.--In this section, the term ``artificial
intelligence-enabled weapon system'' includes autonomous
weapon systems, as determined by the Secretary of Defense.

SEC. 5232. REPORT ON STATUS OF REUSABLE HYPERSONIC TECHNOLOGY
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall submit to
Congress a report on the status of reusable hypersonic
technology development activities, including the High Mach
Turbine Engine.
(b) Contents.--The report submitted pursuant to subsection
(a) shall include the following:
(1) A proposed organizational structure for management of a
reusable hypersonic aircraft development program.
(2) An assessment of requirements and timeframe to
formalize a program office.
(3) A cost estimate and timeline for testing key enabling
technologies and programs.

SEC. 5233. PROHIBITION ON RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT OF CELL
CULTURE AND OTHER NOVEL METHODS USED FOR THE
PRODUCTION OF CULTIVATED MEAT.

(a) In General.--None of the funds authorized to be
appropriated by this Act may be used for the research or
development of cell culture or any other novel method used
for the production of cultivated meat for human consumption.
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall submit to
the congressional defense committees a report assessing the
state of research in artificially-produced, cell cultured
cultivated meat.
(2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1)
shall include the following elements:
(A) Articulation of the requirements, if any, from the
military services or combat support agencies for cultivated
meat for human consumption in the near-term (1-3 years) and
mid-term (4-5 years).
(B) Analysis of the state of maturity of the research in
the cultivated meat market, including the ability of current
research to satisfy any of the requirements articulated under
subparagraph (A), including an assessment of the research of
key allies and adversaries in cultivated meat production.
(C) Any other matters the Secretary determines to be
appropriate.

SEC. 5234. ADVANCED COMPUTING INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENABLE
ADVANCED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CAPABILITIES.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall establish
an advanced computing infrastructure program within the
Department of Defense.
(b) Development and Expansion of High-performance Computing
Infrastructure.--
(1) In general.--In carrying out subsection (a), the
Secretary shall expand upon the current infrastructure of the
Department for development and deployment of military
applications of high-performance computing and artificial
intelligence that are located on-premises at Department
installations or accessible via commercial classified cloud
providers.
(2) Artificial intelligence applications.--(A) The
Secretary shall ensure that some of the infrastructure
capacity developed pursuant to paragraph (1) is dedicated to
providing access to modern artificial intelligence
accelerators, configured consistently with industry best
practices, for training, fine-tuning, modifying, and
deploying large artificial intelligence systems.
(B) In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall
ensure, to the extent practical, that new artificial
intelligence system development is not performed using
infrastructure capacity described in such subparagraph that
is duplicative of readily available commercial or open source
solutions.
(c) High-performance Computing Roadmap.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop a high-
performance computing roadmap that describes the computing
infrastructure needed to research, test, develop, and
evaluate advanced artificial intelligence applications
projected over the period covered by the future-years defense
program.
(2) Assessment.--The roadmap developed pursuant to
paragraph (1) shall assess anticipated artificial
intelligence applications, including the computing needs
associated with their development, and the evaluation,
milestones, and resourcing needs to maintain and

[[Page S6228]]

expand the computing infrastructure necessary for those
computing needs.
(d) Artificial Intelligence System Development.--
(1) In general.--Using the infrastructure from the program
established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall develop
artificial intelligence systems that have general-purpose
military applications for language, image, audio, video, and
other data modalities.
(2) Training of systems.--The Secretary shall ensure that
systems developed pursuant to paragraph (1) are trained using
datasets curated by the Department using general, openly or
commercially available sources of such data, or data owned by
the Department, depending on the appropriate use case. Such
systems may use openly or commercially available artificial
intelligence systems, including those available via
classified cloud providers, as a base for additional
development such as fine-tuning.
(e) Coordination and Duplication.--In establishing the
program required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall
consult with the Secretary of Energy to ensure no duplication
of activities carried out under this section with the
activities of research entities of the Department of Energy,
including the following:
(1) The National Laboratories.
(2) The Advanced Scientific Computing Research program.
(3) The Advanced Simulation and Computing program.

TITLE LIII--OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

Subtitle C--Treatment of Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Polyfluoroalkyl
Substances

SEC. 5321. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE FOR ASSESSING PERFLUOROALKYL
AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES IN WATER SOURCES
AND PERFLUOROALKYL AND POLYFLUOROALKYL
SUBSTANCE REMEDIATION SOLUTIONS.

(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to dedicate
resources to advancing, and expanding access to,
perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance detection and
remediation science, research, and technologies through the
establishment of Centers of Excellence for Assessing
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Water
Sources and Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance
Remediation Solutions.
(b) Establishment of Centers.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall--
(A) select from among the applications submitted under
paragraph (2)(A) an eligible research university, an eligible
rural university, and a National Laboratory applying jointly
for the establishment of centers, to be known as the
``Centers of Excellence for Assessing Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Water Sources and
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Remediation
Solutions'', which shall be a tri-institutional collaboration
between the eligible research university, eligible rural
university, and National Laboratory co-applicants (in this
section referred to as the ``Centers''); and
(B) guide the eligible research university, eligible rural
university, and National Laboratory in the establishment of
the Centers.
(2) Applications.--
(A) In general.--An eligible research university, eligible
rural university, and National Laboratory desiring to
establish the Centers shall jointly submit to the
Administrator an application at such time, in such manner,
and containing such information as the Administrator may
require.
(B) Criteria.--In evaluating applications submitted under
subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall only consider
applications that--
(i) include evidence of an existing partnership between not
fewer than two of the co-applicants that is dedicated to
supporting and expanding shared scientific goals with a clear
pathway to collaborating on furthering science and research
relating to perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances;
(ii) demonstrate a history of collaboration between not
fewer than two of the co-applicants on the advancement of
shared research capabilities, including instrumentation and
research infrastructure relating to perfluoroalkyl or
polyfluoroalkyl substances;
(iii) indicate that the co-applicants have the capacity to
expand education and research opportunities for undergraduate
and graduate students to prepare a generation of experts in
sciences relating to perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl
substances;
(iv) demonstrate that the National Laboratory co-applicant
is equipped to scale up newly discovered materials and
methods for perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance
detection and perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance
removal processes for low-risk, cost-effective, and validated
commercialization; and
(v) identify one or more staff members of each co-applicant
who--

(I) have expertise in sciences relevant to perfluoroalkyl
or polyfluoroalkyl substance detection and remediation; and
(II) have been jointly selected, and will be jointly
appointed, by the co-applicants to lead and carry out the
purposes of the Centers.

(3) Timing.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the Centers
shall be established not later than one year after the date
of the enactment of this Act.
(B) Delay.--If the Administrator determines that a delay in
the establishment of the Centers is necessary, the
Administrator--
(i) not later than the date specified in subparagraph (A),
shall submit a notification to the appropriate committees of
Congress explaining the necessity of the delay; and
(ii) shall ensure that the Centers are established not
later than three years after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
(4) Coordination.--The Administrator shall carry out
paragraph (1) in coordination with other relevant officials
of the Federal Government as the Administrator determines
appropriate.
(c) Duties and Capabilities of the Centers.--
(1) In general.--The Centers shall develop and maintain--
(A) capabilities for measuring perfluoroalkyl or
polyfluoroalkyl substance contamination in drinking water,
ground water, and any other relevant environmental,
municipal, industrial, or residential water samples using
methods certified by the Environmental Protection Agency; and
(B) capabilities for--
(i) evaluating emerging perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl
substance removal and destruction technologies and methods;
and
(ii) benchmarking those technologies and methods relative
to existing technologies and methods.
(2) Requirements.--
(A) In general.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the Centers
shall, at a minimum--
(i) develop instruments and personnel capable of analyzing
perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance contamination in
water using--

(I) the method described by the Environmental Protection
Agency in the document entitled ``Method 533: Determination
of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Drinking Water by
Isotope Dilution Anion Exchange Solid Phase Extraction and
Liquid Chromatography/Tandem mass Spectrometry'' (commonly
known as ``EPA Method 533'');
(II) the method described by the Environmental Protection
Agency in the document entitled ``Method 537.1: Determination
of Selected Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances in
Drinking Water by Solid Phase Extraction and Liquid
Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS)''
(commonly known as ``EPA Method 537.1'');
(III) any updated or future method developed by the
Environmental Protection Agency; and
(IV) any other method the Administrator considers relevant;

(ii) develop and maintain capabilities for evaluating the
removal of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances from
water using newly developed adsorbents or membranes;
(iii) develop and maintain capabilities to evaluate the
degradation of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances
in water or other media;
(iv) make the capabilities and instruments developed under
clauses (i) through (iii) available to researchers throughout
the regions in which the Centers are located; and
(v) make reliable perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl
substance measurement capabilities and instruments available
to municipalities and individuals in the regions in which the
Centers are located at reasonable cost.
(B) Open-access research.--The Centers shall provide open
access to the research findings of the Centers.
(d) Coordination With Other Federal Agencies.--The
Administrator may, as the Administrator determines to be
necessary, use staff and other resources from other Federal
agencies in carrying out this section.
(e) Reports.--
(1) Report on establishment of centers.--Not later than one
year after the date of the establishment of the Centers under
subsection (b), the Administrator, in coordination with the
Centers, shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report describing--
(A) the establishment of the Centers; and
(B) the activities of the Centers since the date on which
the Centers were established.
(2) Annual reports.--Not later than one year after the date
on which the report under paragraph (1) is submitted, and
annually thereafter until the date on which the Centers are
terminated under subsection (f), the Administrator, in
coordination with the Centers, shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report describing--
(A) the activities of the Centers during the year covered
by the report; and
(B) any policy, research, or funding recommendations
relating to the purposes or activities of the Centers.
(f) Termination.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Centers
shall terminate on October 1, 2034.
(2) Extension.--If the Administrator, in consultation with
the Centers, determines that the continued operation of the
Centers beyond the date described in paragraph (1) is
necessary to advance science and technologies to address
perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance contamination--
(A) the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress--
(i) a notification of that determination; and
(ii) a description of the funding necessary for the Centers
to continue in operation and fulfill their purpose; and

[[Page S6229]]

(B) subject to the availability of funds, may extend the
duration of the Centers for such time as the Administrator
determines to be appropriate.
(g) Funding.--
(1) In general.--Of the amounts authorized to be
appropriated to the Department of Defense for fiscal year
2025 for the Strategic Environmental Research and Development
Program and the Environmental Security Technology
Certification Program of the Department of Defense,
$25,000,000 shall be made available to the Administrator to
carry out this section.
(2) Availability of amounts.--Amounts made available under
paragraph (1) shall remain available to the Administrator for
the purposes specified in that paragraph until September 30,
2033.
(3) Administrative costs.--Not more than four percent of
the amounts made available to the Administrator under
paragraph (1) shall be used for the administrative costs of
carrying out this section.
(h) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term the
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on
Environment and Public Works of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on
Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.
(2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(3) Eligible research university.--The term ``eligible
research university'' means an institution of higher
education that--
(A) has annual research expenditures of not less than
$750,000,000; and
(B) is located near a population center of not fewer than
5,000,000 individuals.
(4) Eligible rural university.--The term ``eligible rural
university'' means an institution of higher education that
is--
(A) located in one of the five States with the lowest
population density as determined by data from the most recent
census;
(B) a member of the National Security Innovation Network in
the Rocky Mountain Region; and
(C) in proximity to the geographic center of the United
States, as determined by the Administrator.
(5) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given
that term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
(6) National laboratory.--The term ``National Laboratory''
has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).

Subtitle F--Other Matters

SEC. 5351. IMPROVEMENTS TO FIREGUARD PROGRAM OF NATIONAL
GUARD.

(a) Interagency Partnership.--Section 510 of title 32,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting ``(a) In
General.--The Secretary''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(b) Contracts and Agreements.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense may enter into
a contract or cooperative agreement with a qualified
individual or entity to carry out the duties of the FireGuard
Program under subsection (a).
``(2) Qualified individual or entity defined.--In this
subsection, the term `qualified individual or entity' means--
``(A) any individual who possesses a requisite security
clearance for handling classified remote sensing data for the
purpose of wildfire detection and monitoring; or
``(B) any corporation, firm, partnership, company,
nonprofit, Federal agency or sub-agency, or State or local
government, with contractors or employees who possess a
requisite security clearance for handling such data.''.
(b) Transition of FireGuard Program to Civilian or
Commercial Capabilities.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in
coordination with other entities pursuant to a memorandum of
understanding under paragraph (3), shall develop a plan to
transition the operation of the FireGuard Program under
section 510 of title 32, United States Code, to a Federal
agency or subagency (other than the Department of Defense or
within the Department of Defense) or a State or local
government with civilian or commercial capabilities.
(2) Operation of civilian or commercial capabilities.--All
civilian or commercial capabilities under the FireGuard
Program pursuant to a transition conducted under paragraph
(1) shall be--
(A) performed by an individual who possesses a requisite
security clearance for handling classified remote sensing
data for the purpose of wildfire detection and monitoring,
including pursuant to a contract with a corporation, firm,
partnership, company, nonprofit, Federal agency or sub-
agency, or State or local government; and
(B) coordinated with the United States Geological Survey.
(3) Memorandum of understanding.--In developing the
transition plan required under paragraph (1), the Secretary
may enter into a memorandum of understanding with one or more
Federal agencies or subagencies or State or local governments
to identify and leverage shared or external civilian
resources from Federal, State, local, and tribal entities.
(c) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in
consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall submit
to Congress a report that evaluates the effectiveness of the
FireGuard Program under section 510 of title 32, United
States Code, and opportunities to further engage civilian
capacity within the program.
(2) Matters included.--The report under paragraph (1) shall
include the following:
(A) An assessment of the efficacy of the FireGuard Program
in detecting and monitoring wildfires, including the speed of
detection.
(B) A plan to facilitate production and dissemination of
unclassified remote sensing information for use by civilian
organizations, including Federal, State, and local government
organizations, in carrying out wildfire detection activities.
(C) A plan to contract with qualified civilian entities to
facilitate access to remote sensing information for the
purpose of wildfire detection and monitoring beginning
January 1, 2026.

SEC. 5352. IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPTROLLER GENERAL
RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO THE FOOD PROGRAM OF
THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.

Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall--
(1) implement the recommendations of the Comptroller
General of the United States contained in the report
published by the Comptroller General in June 2024 and titled
``DOD Food Program: Additional Actions Needed to Implement,
Oversee, and Evaluate Nutrition Efforts for Service Members''
(GAO-24-106155); or
(2) if the Secretary does not implement any such
recommendation, submit to the Committees on Armed Services of
the Senate and the House of Representatives a report
explaining why the Secretary has not implemented those
recommendations.

TITLE LV--MILITARY PERSONNEL POLICY

Subtitle C--General Service Authorities and Military Records

SEC. 5521. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PROCESS FOR SHARING MILITARY
SERVICE DATA WITH STATES.

(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the
``Military and Education Data Integration Act''.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational
agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 8101 of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7801).
(2) Secondary school.--The term ``secondary school'' has
the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(3) State educational agency.--The term ``State educational
agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 8101 of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7801).
(c) Data Sharing Process.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense, in consultation
with the Secretary of Education, State educational agencies,
local educational agencies, military leaders, and other
experts in student data and privacy shall, not later than 18
months after the date of enactment of this Act, develop and
implement a secure, data sharing process that enables State
educational agencies to, on a not less than annual basis--
(A) access data elements described in paragraph (2)
maintained by the Secretary of Defense related to each such
State's high school graduates; and
(B) integrate data elements described in paragraph (2)
maintained by the Secretary of Defense related to each such
State's high school graduates into--
(i) such State's statewide longitudinal data system; or
(ii) an alternate data system operated by such State.
(2) Data elements.--The data elements described in this
paragraph shall include information, updated not less than
annually, regarding the following:
(A) The military service of officers and enlisted
personnel, disaggregated by State of secondary school
graduation (or most recent secondary school attendance before
enlistment or accession), including the following:
(i) The highest level of education attained by the service
member.
(ii) The name and location of the school that provided the
education referenced in clause (i).
(iii) The name and location of the secondary school from
which the service member graduated (if different than the
information provided under clause (ii)) (or most recently
attended if the service member did not graduate).
(iv) The service member's score on the Armed Forces
Qualification Test.
(v) The date of accession into the Armed Forces by the
service member.
(vi) The military service of the service member.
(vii) The current rank of the service member.
(viii) The area of expertise or military occupational
specialty (MOS) of the service member.
(ix) The date of separation from the Armed Forces by the
service member.

[[Page S6230]]

(x) Any other information deemed relevant by the Secretary
of Defense.
(B) Information with respect to individuals who applied for
military service (as officers or enlisted personnel,
disaggregated by State of secondary school graduation (or
most recent secondary school attendance before enlistment or
accession)), including the following:
(i) The highest level of education attained by the
individual.
(ii) The name and location of the school that provided the
education referenced in clause (i).
(iii) The name and location of the secondary school from
which the individual graduated (if different than the
information provided under clause (ii)) (or most recently
attended if the individual did not graduate).
(iv) The individual's score on the Armed Forces
Qualification Test.
(3) Privacy.--The Secretary of Defense shall carry out the
secure data sharing process required under paragraph (1) in a
manner that protects individual privacy and data security, in
accordance with applicable Federal, State, and local privacy
laws. The data collected pursuant to this subsection shall be
collected and maintained in an anonymous format.

Subtitle D--Military Justice and Other Legal Matters

SEC. 5531. CLARIFYING AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 2 OF THE UNIFORM
CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE.

Section 802(a)(14) of title 10, United States Code (article
2(a)(14) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), is amended
by inserting ``20601 or'' before ``20603''.

Subtitle F--Military Family Readiness and Dependents' Education

SEC. 5571. ELIGIBILITY OF DEPENDENTS OF CERTAIN DECEASED
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES FOR ENROLLMENT IN
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DOMESTIC DEPENDENT
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

Section 2164(j) of title 10, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), in the first sentence, by striking
``an individual described in paragraph (2)'' and inserting
``a member of a foreign armed force residing on a military
installation in the United States (including territories,
commonwealths, and possessions of the United States)''; and
(2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2)(A) The Secretary may authorize the enrollment in a
Department of Defense education program provided by the
Secretary pursuant to subsection (a) of a dependent not
otherwise eligible for such enrollment who is the dependent
of a member of the armed forces who died in--
``(i) an international terrorist attack against the United
States or a foreign country friendly to the United States, as
determined by the Secretary;
``(ii) military operations while serving outside the United
States (including the commonwealths, territories, and
possessions of the United States) as part of a peacekeeping
force; or
``(iii) the line of duty in a combat-related operation, as
designated by the Secretary.
``(B)(i) Except as provided by clause (ii), enrollment of a
dependent described in subparagraph (A) in a Department of
Defense education program provided pursuant to subsection (a)
shall be on a tuition-free, space available basis.
``(ii) In the case of a dependent described in subparagraph
(A) residing on a military installation in the United States
(including territories, commonwealths, and possessions of the
United States), the Secretary may authorize enrollment of the
dependent in a Department of Defense education program
provided pursuant to subsection (a) on a tuition-free, space
required basis.''.

SEC. 5572. REVIEW OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROCESSES AND
PROCEDURES OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION
ACTIVITY.

(a) In General.--The Director of the Department of Defense
Education Activity (in this section referred to as ``DODEA'')
shall review the special education processes and procedures
in place within DODEA to locate, identify (through screening
or other evidence-based tools), evaluate, and refer children
with disabilities from birth to age 21 and provide evidence-
based interventions and supports for students with
disabilities.
(b) Consistency With Existing Law.--The review required by
subsection (a) shall be conducted consistent with child-find
requirements under Department of Defense Instruction 1342.12,
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C.
1400 et seq.), and part 300 of title 34, Code of Federal
Regulations.
(c) Provision of Special Education Materials and
Information to Congress.--As part of the review required by
subsection (a), the Director shall provide to the appropriate
congressional committees the following:
(1) A briefing on the special education processes and
procedures of DODEA, particularly those for locating,
identifying, evaluating, and referring for specific learning
disabilities, including dyslexia.
(2) Documents, including documents not publicly available,
related to subsection (d).
(d) Provision of Materials and Information to Congress.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, as part of the review required by
subsection (a), the Director shall provide to the appropriate
congressional committees the following information regarding
any screening programs of DODEA as that information pertains
to locating and identifying, including screening, for early
literacy skill development in children in DODEA schools:
(A) A description of the following:
(i) The extent to which DODEA ensures that it locates and
identifies, including by screening, children enrolled in an
elementary school operated by DODEA for deficiencies in early
literacy skill development.
(ii) The extent to which DODEA ensures that it locates,
identifies, and screens new enrollees in each such school
regardless of year, unless the new enrollee has already been
identified with a specific learning disability, including
dyslexia.
(iii) The extent to which DODEA ensures it provides
comprehensive literacy instruction (as defined in section
2221(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6641(b)(1))).
(iv) The extent to which DODEA provides high-quality
training for school personnel, particularly specialized
instructional support personnel (as defined in section
8101(47)(A)(ii) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801(47)(A)(ii))) related to early
literacy, reading, and specific learning disabilities,
including dyslexia.
(v) The extent to which DODEA ensures that each district of
schools operated by DODEA employs at least one specialized
instructional support personnel who specializes in early
literacy, reading, and specific learning disabilities,
including dyslexia.
(B) Information with respect to the following:
(i) The number of children at schools operated by DODEA
screened for deficiencies in early literacy skill
development, including dyslexia, each year and the grade in
which those children were screened.
(ii) The number and types of early literacy screening tools
used by DODEA each year.
(iii) The total number of children evaluated and identified
with specific learning disabilities, disaggregated by
dyslexia and other reading disabilities, as applicable, that
are served by DODEA.
(iv) The total number of such children described in
subparagraph (C), disaggregated by each subgroup of student
(as defined in section 1111(c)(2) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(c)(2))).
(v) The number of days, on average, from referral from the
screening program to evaluation for specific learning
disabilities, including dyslexia.
(vi) The type of professional conducting intervention
programs for children with early literacy challenges and
specific learning disabilities, particularly dyslexia.
(vii) A list of, and descriptions of materials related to,
early literacy and reading interventions used by DODEA to
provide special education and related services to children
with specific learning disabilities, particularly dyslexia.
(viii) The number of trainings per year provided by DODEA
to school personnel on screening for evaluating and providing
services to children with early literacy challenges and
specific learning disabilities, particularly dyslexia.
(ix) A list of organizations outside of DODEA, if
applicable, that are consulted with on such screening
programs and related reading intervention programs.
(2) Protection of personally identifiable information.--The
Director shall ensure that any information provided to the
appropriate congressional committees under paragraph (1) does
not reveal personally identifiable information.
(e) Assessment of Definitions Used by DODEA.--As part of
the review required by subsection (a), the Director shall
provide to the appropriate congressional committees a
description of how DODEA's definitions of the following terms
align with or differ from the following definitions:
(1) Comprehensive literacy instruction.--The term
``comprehensive literacy instruction'' has the meaning given
that term in section 2221(b)(1) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6641(b)(1)).
(2) Specific learning disabilities.--The term ``specific
learning disabilities'' has the meaning of that term under
section 300.309 of title 34, Code of Federal Regulations.
(3) Screening program.--The term ``screening program''
means a screening program that is--
(A) evidence-based and proven for validity and reliability
to measure early literacy and reading skills;
(B) efficient and low-cost; and
(C) readily available.
(4) Evidence-based.--The term ``evidence-based'' has the
meaning given that term in section 8101(21)(A)(i) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7801(21)(A)(i)).
(f) Dyslexia Definition Used by DODEA.--As part of the
review required by subsection (a), the Director shall provide
to the appropriate congressional committee the definition of
``dyslexia'' used by DODEA.
(g) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this
section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees''
means--
(1) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the
Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives.

[[Page S6231]]

Subtitle I--Enhanced Recruiting Efforts

SEC. 5591. PROGRAM OF MILITARY RECRUITMENT AND EDUCATION AT
THE NATIONAL SEPTEMBER 11 MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM.

(a) Authority.--Not later than September 30, 2025, the
Secretary of Defense shall seek to enter into an agreement
with the entity that operates the National September 11
Memorial and Museum (in this section referred to as ``the
Museum'') under which the Secretary and such entity shall
carry out a program at the Museum to promote military
recruitment and education.
(b) Program.--A program under subsection (a) shall include
the following:
(1) Provision by the Secretary to such entity of
informational materials to promote enlistment in the covered
Armed Forces for distribution at the Museum.
(2) Education and exhibits, developed jointly by the
Secretary and such entity, and provided to the public by
employees of the Museum, to--
(A) enhance understanding of the military response to the
attacks on September 11, 2001; and
(B) encourage enlistment and re-enlistment in the covered
Armed Forces.
(c) Covered Armed Forces Defined.--In this section, the
term ``covered Armed Forces'' means the Army, Navy, Marine
Corps, Air Force, and Space Force.

Subtitle K--Other Matters

SEC. 5595. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM TO PROMOTE PARTICIPATION
OF FOREIGN STUDENTS IN THE SENIOR RESERVE
OFFICERS' TRAINING CORPS.

(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--Not later than January 1, 2026, the
Secretary of Defense shall establish a program using the
authority provided under section 2103(b) of title 10, United
States Code, to promote the participation of foreign students
in the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (in this
section referred to as the ``Program'').
(2) Organization.--The Secretary of Defense, in
consultation with the Director of the Defense Security
Cooperation Agency, the Secretaries of the military
departments, the commanders of the combatant commands, the
participant institutions in the Senior Reserve Officers'
Training Corps program, and any other individual the
Secretary of Defense considers appropriate, shall be
responsible for, and shall oversee, the Program.
(b) Objective.--The objective of the Program is to promote
the readiness and interoperability of the United States Armed
Forces and the military forces of partner countries by
providing a high-quality, cost effective military-based
educational experience for foreign students in furtherance of
the military-to-military program objectives of the Department
of Defense and to enhance the educational experience and
preparation of future United States military leaders through
increased, extended interaction with highly qualified
potential foreign military leaders.
(c) Activities.--
(1) In general.--Under the Program, the Secretary of
Defense shall--
(A) identify to the military services' Senior Reserve
Officers' Training Corps program the foreign students who,
based on criteria established by the Secretary, the Secretary
recommends be considered for admission under the Program;
(B) coordinate with partner countries to evaluate interest
in and promote awareness of the Program;
(C) establish a mechanism for tracking an alumni network of
foreign students who participate in the Program; and
(D) to the extent practicable, work with the participant
institutions in the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
program and partner countries to identify academic
institutions and programs that--
(i) have specialized academic programs in areas of study of
interest to participating countries; or
(ii) have high participation from or significant diaspora
populations from participating countries.
(d) Strategy.--
(1) In general.--Not later than September 30, 2025, the
Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committee on Armed
Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of
the House of Representatives a strategy for the
implementation of the Program.
(2) Elements.--The strategy required by paragraph (1) shall
include the following elements:
(A) A governance structure for the Program, including--
(i) the officials tasked to oversee the Program;
(ii) the format of the governing body of the Program;
(iii) the functions and duties of such governing body with
respect to establishing and maintaining the Program; and
(iv) mechanisms for coordinating with partner countries
whose students are selected to participate in the Program.
(B) A list of additional authorities, appropriations, or
other congressional support necessary to ensure the success
of the Program.
(C) A description of targeted partner countries and
participant institutions in the Senior Reserve Officers'
Training Corps for the first three fiscal years of the
Program, including a rationale for selecting such initial
partners.
(D) A description of opportunities and potential timelines
for future Program expansion, as appropriate.
(E) A description of the mechanism for tracking the alumni
network of participants of the Program.
(F) Any other information the Secretary of Defense
considers appropriate.
(e) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than September 20, 2026, and
annually thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to
the congressional defense committees (as defined in section
101 of title 10, United States Code) a report on the Program.
(2) Elements.--Each report required by paragraph (1) shall
include the following elements:
(A) A narrative summary of activities conducted as part of
the Program during the preceding fiscal year.
(B) An overview of participant Senior Reserve Officers'
Training Corps programs, individuals, and countries, to
include a description of the areas of study entered into by
the students participating in the Program.
(C) A description of opportunities and potential timelines
for future Program expansion, as appropriate.
(D) Any other information the Secretary of Defense
considers appropriate.
(f) Limitation on Authority.--The Secretary of Defense may
not use the authority provided under this section to pay for
tuition or room and board for foreign students who
participate in the Program.
(g) Termination.--The Program shall terminate on December
31, 2030.

TITLE LVI--COMPENSATION AND OTHER MATTERS

Subtitle C--Other Matters

SEC. 5621. REIMBURSEMENT OF CERTAIN MEMBERS OF RESERVE
COMPONENTS FOR MILEAGE DRIVEN TO INACTIVE-DUTY
TRAINING.

The Secretary of Defense shall revise the Joint Travel
Regulations maintained under section 464 of title 37, United
States Code, to ensure that, if a member of a reserve
component drives a vehicle of the member to inactive-duty
training, the member may be paid a mileage allowance for the
mileage driven by the member.

TITLE LVII--HEALTH CARE

Subtitle E--REports and Other Matters

SEC. 5741. WAIVER WITH RESPECT TO EXPERIENCED NURSES AT
MILITARY MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITIES.

(a) In General.--The hiring manager of a military medical
treatment facility or other health care facility of the
Department of Defense may waive any General Schedule
qualification standard related to work experience established
by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management in the
case of any applicant for a nursing or practical nurse
position in a medical treatment facility or other health care
facility the Department of Defense who--
(1)(A) is a nurse or practical nurse in the Department of
Defense; or
(B) was a nurse or practical nurse in the Department of
Defense for at least 1 year; and
(2) after commencing work as a nurse or practical nurse in
the Department of Defense, obtained an associate's degree, a
bachelor's degree, or a graduate degree from an accredited
professional nursing educational program.
(b) Certification.--If, in the case of any applicant
described in subsection (a), a hiring manager waives a
qualification standard in accordance with such subsection,
such hiring manager shall submit to the Director of the
Office of Personnel Management a certification that such
applicant meets all remaining General Schedule qualification
standards established by the Director of the Office of
Personnel Management for the applicable position.

SEC. 5742. REPORT ON BIOLOGIC VASCULAR REPAIR.

Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a
report on the status of developing and integrating innovative
biologic vascular repair solutions as standard protocol in
military trauma care, including field-testing and assessment
of long-term benefits and performance of biologic solutions.

SEC. 5743. STUDY ON EFFECTIVENESS OF HEARING LOSS PREVENTION
PROGRAMS.

(a) Study.--The Secretary of Defense, in partnership with
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall conduct a study on
the effectiveness of hearing loss prevention programs of the
Department of Defense in reducing hearing loss and tinnitus
prevalence among members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the study
conducted under subsection (a).
(2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1)
shall include, at a minimum--
(A) the amount of funding used and types of programs
implemented to address hearing loss among members of the
Armed Forces;
(B) an identification of such programs that are effective;
and

[[Page S6232]]

(C) recommendations for legislative action to improve
hearing health outcomes among members of the Armed Forces and
veterans.
(3) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--In this
subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress''
means--
(A) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.

SEC. 5744. REVIEW ON USE OF MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES FOR THE
PREVENTION, TREATMENT, OR MITIGATION OF
SYMPTOMS RELATED TO MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT
OR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE.

(a) Findings; Sense of Congress.--
(1) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(A) There are multiple treatments for Alzheimer's disease
that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and are
shown to reduce the rate of disease progression and to slow
cognitive and functional decline.
(B) Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease affecting
almost 7,000,000 people in the United States, and approved
treatment options for such disease are most effective when
administered early in the disease course.
(C) Following traditional approval by the Food and Drug
Administration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
announced broader coverage of monoclonal antibodies directed
against amyloid for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and
the Department of Veterans Affairs has also established a
criteria for use of such treatments.
(D) The TRICARE program has a role in facilitating timely
and equitable beneficiary access to novel therapeutics,
including monoclonal antibodies approved by the Food and Drug
Administration for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
(2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
Congress encourages continued collaboration between the
Department of Defense, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, and other Federal agencies to reduce coverage gaps
and ensure that all people in the United States, including
members of the Armed Forces and their dependents, with
Alzheimer's disease and related dementias have access to
effective treatments.
(b) Review and Report.--Not later than 30 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense
shall review the policy manual for the TRICARE program
relating to the exclusion of the use of monoclonal antibodies
for the prevention, treatment, or mitigation of symptoms
related to mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease,
and submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate
and the House of Representatives a report that--
(1) outlines the review process of the Department of
Defense for including or excluding the use of monoclonal
antibodies;
(2) assesses whether the policy of the Department aligns
with current science;
(3) indicates whether the Secretary has or is currently
restricting access by beneficiaries under the TRICARE program
to therapies for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease that
are approved by the Food and Drug Administration; and
(4) indicates whether there are any disparities in
treatment for Alzheimer's disease under the TRICARE program
in different care delivery settings.
(c) TRICARE Program Defined.--In this section, the term
``TRICARE program'' has the meaning given that term in
section 1072 of title 10, United States Code.

TITLE LVIII--ACQUISITION POLICY

Subtitle D--Small Business Matters

SEC. 5861. AMENDMENTS TO CONTRACTING AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN
SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS.

(a) Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Small Business
Concerns.--Section 8(a)(1)(D)(i)(II) of the Small Business
Act (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(1)(D)(i)(II)) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(or $10,000,000, in the case of a
Department of Defense contract, as adjusted for inflation by
the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council under section
1.109 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation)'' after
``$7,000,000''; and
(2) by inserting ``(or $8,000,000, in the case of a
Department of Defense contract, as adjusted for inflation by
the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council under section
1.109 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation)'' after
``$3,000,000''.
(b) Certain Small Business Concerns Owned and Controlled by
Women.--Section 8(m) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
637(m)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (7)(B)--
(A) in clause (i), by inserting ``(or $10,000,000, in the
case of a Department of Defense contract, as adjusted for
inflation by the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council under
section 1.109 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation)'' after
``$7,000,000''; and
(B) in clause (ii), by inserting ``(or $8,000,000, in the
case of a Department of Defense contract, as adjusted for
inflation by the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council under
section 1.109 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation)'' after
``$4,000,000''; and
(2) in paragraph (8)(B)--
(A) in clause (i), by inserting ``(or $10,000,000, in the
case of a Department of Defense contract, as adjusted for
inflation by the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council under
section 1.109 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation)'' after
``$7,000,000''; and
(B) in clause (ii), by inserting ``(or $8,000,000, in the
case of a Department of Defense contract, as adjusted for
inflation by the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council under
section 1.109 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation)'' after
``$4,000,000''.
(c) Qualified HUBZone Small Business Concerns.--Section
31(c)(2)(A)(ii) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
657a(c)(2)(A)(ii)) is amended--
(1) in subclause (I), by inserting ``(or $10,000,000, in
the case of a Department of Defense contract, as adjusted for
inflation by the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council under
section 1.109 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation)'' after
``$7,000,000''; and
(2) in subclause (II), by inserting ``(or $8,000,000, in
the case of a Department of Defense contract, as adjusted for
inflation by the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council under
section 1.109 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation)'' after
``$3,000,000''.
(d) Small Business Concerns Owned and Controlled by
Service-disabled Veterans.--Section 36(c)(2) of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657f(c)(2)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``(or $10,000,000, in
the case of a Department of Defense contract, as adjusted for
inflation by the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council under
section 1.109 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation)'' after
``$7,000,000''; and
(2) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``(or $8,000,000, in
the case of a Department of Defense contract, as adjusted for
inflation by the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council under
section 1.109 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation)'' after
``$3,000,000''.

SEC. 5862. SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING IMPROVEMENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Small
Business Subcontractor Utilization Act of 2024''.
(b) Requirements to Ensure Subcontractors Are Utilized in
Accordance With the Subcontracting Plan.--
(1) In general.--Section 8(d) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 637(d)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) through (H) as
subparagraphs (D) through (I), respectively;
(ii) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
``(C) If a subcontracting plan is required with respect to
this contract under paragraph (4) or (5) of section 8(d) of
the Small Business Act--
``(i) at the same time as the contractor submits the
subcontracting report with respect to this contract, the
contractor shall provide to the contracting officer a
utilization report that identifies, for each covered small
business subcontractor for this contract--
``(I) the service or product that the covered small
business subcontractor is required to provide to the prime
contractor;
``(II) the total contract dollars that are to be paid to
the covered small business subcontractor;
``(III) the total contract dollars that have been paid to
the covered small business subcontractor, to date;
``(IV) the estimated date range for the performance of the
covered small business subcontractor on the contract; and
``(V) any change to the contract, including changes to the
services and products required or total contract dollars,
that impacts the ability of the prime contractor to utilize
the covered small business subcontractor as anticipated
during the bid and proposal process; and
``(ii) not later than 30 days after the deadline to submit
to the contracting officer the subcontracting report with
respect to this contract, the contractor shall provide to
each covered small business subcontractor for this contract a
utilization report that identifies, for that covered small
business subcontractor--
``(I) the service or product that the covered small
business subcontractor is required to provide to the prime
contractor;
``(II) the total contract dollars that are to be paid to
the covered small business subcontractor;
``(III) the total contract dollars that have been paid to
the covered small business subcontractor, to date;
``(IV) the estimated date range for the performance of the
covered small business subcontractor on the contract; and
``(V) any change to the contract, including changes to the
services and products required or total contract dollars,
that impacts the ability of the prime contractor to utilize
the covered small business subcontractor as anticipated
during the bid and proposal process.''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(J) In this contract, the term `covered small business
subcontractor' means a first-tier subcontractor that--
``(i) is a small business concern; and
``(ii)(I) was used in preparing the bid or proposal of the
prime contractor; or
``(II) provides goods or services to the prime contractor
in performance of the contract.''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(18) Noncompliance with subcontracting plan.--
``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph--
``(i) the term `covered small business subcontractor' means
a first-tier subcontractor that--

``(I) is a small business concern; and
``(II)(aa) was used in preparing the bid or proposal of the
prime contractor; or

[[Page S6233]]

``(bb) provides goods or services to the prime contractor
in performance of the contract; and

``(ii) the term `subcontracting plan' means a
subcontracting plan required under paragraph (4) or (5).
``(B) Review.--A covered small business subcontractor is
authorized to confidentially report to the contracting
officer that the covered small business subcontractor is not
being utilized in accordance with the subcontracting plan of
the prime contractor. If reported, the contracting officer
shall, in consultation with the Office of Small and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization or the Office of Small
Business Programs, determine whether the prime contractor
made a good faith effort to utilize the covered small
business subcontractor in accordance with the subcontracting
plan.
``(C) Action.--After the review required under subparagraph
(B), if the contracting officer determines that the prime
contractor failed to make a good faith effort to utilize the
covered small business subcontractor in accordance with the
subcontracting plan, the contracting officer shall assess
liquidated damages in accordance with paragraph (4)(F).''.
(2) Rulemaking.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Small
Business Administration shall promulgate regulations pursuant
to this Act.
(c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Small
Business Administration, in consultation with relevant
Federal agencies, including the General Services
Administration, shall submit to the Committee on Small
Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee
on Small Business of the House of Representatives a report on
the improvements that can be made to SAM.gov, the Electronic
Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS), the Federal Subaward
Reporting System (FSRS), and any other successor database
to--
(1) incorporate the reporting requirements under the
amendments made by subsection (b); and
(2) improve the ability of contracting officers to--
(A) evaluate whether prime contractors achieved their
subcontracting goals; and
(B) make evidence-based determinations regarding whether
small subcontractors are being utilized to the extent
outlined in subcontracting plans.

SEC. 5863. UNCONDITIONAL OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL REQUIREMENTS
FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYEE-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS
CONCERNS.

(a) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) the term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of
the Small Business Administration;
(2) the term ``budget justification materials'' has the
meaning given that term in section 3(b)(2) of the Federal
Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (31
U.S.C. 6101 note);
(3) the term ``eligible worker-owned cooperative'' has the
meaning given that term in section 1042(c) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986;
(4) the term ``employee stock ownership plan'' has the
meaning given that term in section 4975(e) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986; and
(5) the term ``small business concern owned and controlled
by women'' has the meaning given that term in section 8(m)(1)
of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(m)(1)).
(b) Report on Ownership and Control Through an Employee
Stock Ownership Plan or Eligible Worker-Owned Cooperative
Relating to Set-Aside Procurement.--
(1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(A) employee stock ownership plans and eligible worker-
owned cooperatives have unique ownership structures that
create barriers to accessing set-aside procurement programs
due to unconditional ownership and control requirements; and
(B) the ownership structures of an employee stock ownership
plan or an eligible worker-owned cooperative should not
prevent an otherwise eligible entity from accessing set-aside
procurement programs.
(2) Study and report.--
(A) Study.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in coordination
with stakeholders, including national certifying agencies
approved by the Administrator for certifying small business
concerns owned and controlled by women and relevant Federal
agencies, shall complete a study and recommend alternatives
to unconditional ownership and control requirements for
employee stock ownership plans and eligible worker-owned
cooperatives that would enable access to set-aside
procurement programs.
(B) Report.--The Administrator shall--
(i) not later than 5 days after the date on which the
Administrator completes the study required under subparagraph
(A), make that study, including the recommendations developed
under that subparagraph, publicly available on the website of
the Small Business Administration; and
(ii) not later than 30 days after the date on which the
Administrator completes the study required under subparagraph
(A), submit to Congress the recommendations developed under
that subparagraph and a plan to implement the recommendations
for all set-aside procurement programs.
(C) Necessary statutory changes.--In the first budget
justification materials submitted by the Administrator on or
after the date on which the Administrator submits the
recommendations and plan required under subparagraph (B)(ii),
the Administrator shall identify any applicable statutory
changes necessary to implement the recommendations.
(c) Definitions.--Section 3(q) of the Small Business Act
(15 U.S.C. 632(q)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(not including any
stock owned by an ESOP)'' each place it appears;
(2) by striking paragraph (6); and
(3) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (6).

SEC. 5864. REPEAL OF BONAFIDE OFFICE RULE FOR 8(A) CONTRACTS
WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.

Section 8(a)(11) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
637(a)(11)) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(A)'' before ``To the maximum''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to a
contract entered into under this subsection with the
Department of Defense.''.

SEC. 5865. TRAINING ON INCREASING CONTRACT AWARDS TO CERTAIN
SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS.

(a) Small Business Concerns Owned and Controlled by
Service-Disabled Veterans.--Section 36 of the Small Business
Act (15 U.S.C. 657f) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(j) Training on Increasing Contract Awards to Small
Business Concerns Owned and Controlled by Service-Disabled
Veterans.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator, in consultation with
the Office of Veterans Business Development and the Office of
Government Contracting, shall, with respect to each Federal
agency that did not meet the goal established under section
15(g)(1)(A)(ii) for the most recently completed fiscal year,
provide training to contracting officers of that Federal
agency on how to increase the number of contracts awarded to
small business concerns owned and controlled by service-
disabled veterans.
``(2) Guidance.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this subsection, the Administrator, in
consultation with the Office of Veterans Business Development
and the Office of Government Contracting, shall issue
guidance and best practices on increasing the number of
contracts awarded to small businesses owned and controlled by
service-disabled veterans for Federal agencies to which the
goal established under section 15(g)(1)(A)(ii) applies.
``(3) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this subsection, and annually thereafter, the
Administrator shall submit to Congress a report detailing--
``(A) for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year to
which the report applies, a list of each Federal agency that
failed to meet the goal established under section
15(g)(1)(A)(ii);
``(B) for the fiscal year to which the report applies, the
number of trainings provided to each Federal agency described
in subparagraph (A); and
``(C) an overview of the content included in the training
sessions described in subparagraph (B).''.
(b) Small Business Concerns Owned and Controlled by
Women.--Section 8(m) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
637(m)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(9) Training on increasing contract awards to small
business concerns owned and controlled by women.--
``(A) In general.--The Administrator, in consultation with
the Office of Women's Business Ownership and the Office of
Government Contracting, shall, with respect to each Federal
agency that did not meet the goal established under section
15(g)(1)(A)(v) for the most recently completed fiscal year,
provide training to contracting officers of that Federal
agency on how to increase the number of contracts awarded to
small business concerns owned and controlled by women.
``(B) Guidance.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this paragraph, the Administrator, in
consultation with the Office of Office of Women's Business
Ownership and the Office of Government Contracting, shall
issue guidance and best practices on increasing the number of
contracts awarded to small businesses owned and controlled by
women for Federal agencies to which the goal established
under section 15(g)(1)(A)(v) applies.
``(C) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this paragraph, and annually thereafter, the
Administrator shall submit to Congress a report detailing--
``(i) for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year to
which the report applies, a list of each Federal agency that
failed to meet the goal established under section
15(g)(1)(A)(v);
``(ii) for the fiscal year to which the report applies, the
number of trainings provided to each Federal agency described
in clause (i); and
``(iii) an overview of the content included in the training
sessions described in clause (ii).''.
(c) Qualified HUBZone Small Business Concerns.--Section 31
of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657a) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
``(f) Training on Increasing Contract Awards to Small
Business Concerns

[[Page S6234]]

Owned and Controlled by Qualified Hubzone Small Business
Concerns.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator, in consultation with
the Office of the HUBZone Program and the Office of
Government Contracting, shall, with respect to each Federal
agency that did not meet the goal established under section
15(g)(1)(A)(iii) for the most recently completed fiscal year,
provide training to contracting officers of that Federal
agency on how to increase the number of contracts awarded to
qualified HUBZone small business concerns.
``(2) Guidance.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this subsection, the Administrator, in
consultation with the Office of the HUBZone Program and the
Office of Government Contracting, shall issue guidance and
best practices on increasing the number of contracts awarded
to qualified HUBZone small business concern for Federal
agencies to which the goal established under section
15(g)(1)(A)(iii) applies.
``(3) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this subsection, and annually thereafter, the
Administrator shall submit to Congress a report detailing--
``(A) for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year to
which the report applies, a list of each Federal agency that
failed to meet the goal established under section
15(g)(1)(A)(iii);
``(B) for the fiscal year to which the report applies, the
number of trainings provided to each Federal agency described
in subparagraph (A); and
``(C) an overview of the content included in the training
sessions described in subparagraph (B).''.
(d) Small Business Concerns Owned and Controlled by
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals.--Section
8(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(a)) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
``(22) Training on increasing contract awards to small
business concerns owned and controlled by socially and
economically disadvantaged individuals.--
``(A) In general.--The Administrator, in consultation with
the Office of Government Contracting, shall, with respect to
each Federal agency that did not meet the goal established
under section 15(g)(1)(A)(iv) for the most recently completed
fiscal year, provide training to contracting officers of that
Federal agency on how to increase the number of contracts
awarded to small business concerns owned and controlled by
socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
``(B) Guidance.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this paragraph, the Administrator, in
consultation with the Office of Government Contracting, shall
issue guidance and best practices on increasing the number of
contracts awarded to small business concerns owned and
controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged
individuals for Federal agencies to which the goal
established under section 15(g)(1)(A)(iv) applies.
``(C) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this paragraph, and annually thereafter, the
Administrator shall submit to Congress a report detailing--
``(i) for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year to
which the report applies, a list of each Federal agency that
failed to meet the goal established under section
15(g)(1)(A)(iv);
``(ii) for the fiscal year to which the report applies, the
number of trainings provided to each Federal agency described
in clause (i); and
``(iii) an overview of the content included in the training
sessions described in clause (ii).''.
(e) No Authorization of Additional Appropriations.--No
additional amounts are authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this section or any of the amendments made by this
section.

SEC. 5866. SMALL BUSINESS PROCUREMENT.

Section 15 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (g)--
(A) by inserting after ``(g)'' the following: ``Goals for
Participation of Small Business Concerns in Procurement
Contracts.--''; and
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking the second
sentence; and
(ii) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) Requirement to increase the number of small business
concerns.--In meeting each of the goals under subparagraph
(A), the Government shall--
``(i) increase the number of small business concerns
awarded contracts; and
``(ii) ensure the participation of a broad spectrum of
small business concerns from a wide variety of industries.'';
and
(2) in subsection (y)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F);
and
(ii) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:
``(E) The number of new small business entrants, including
new small business entrants that are small business concerns
owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, qualified
HUBZone small business concerns, small business concerns
owned and controlled by socially and economically
disadvantaged individuals, and small business concerns owned
and controlled by women awarded prime contracts in each North
American Industry Classification System code during the
fiscal year, and a comparison to the number awarded prime
contracts during the prior fiscal year, if available.'';
(B) in paragraph (3)(B)--
(i) by striking ``(E)'' and inserting ``(F)'';
(ii) by striking ``award of'' and all that follows through
``owned and controlled by women'' and inserting the
following: ``award of--
``(i) prime contracts to an increasing number of small
business concerns, small business concerns owned and
controlled by service-disabled veterans, qualified HUBZone
small business concerns, small business concerns owned and
controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged
individuals, and small business concerns owned and controlled
by women, from a wide variety of industries; and
``(ii) subcontracts to small business concerns, small
business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled
veterans, qualified HUBZone small business concerns, small
business concerns owned and controlled by socially and
economically disadvantaged individuals, and small business
concerns owned and controlled by women''; and
(C) in paragraph (6)--
(i) by striking the heading and inserting ``Definitions.--
'';
(ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses
(i) and (ii), respectively; and
(iii) by striking ``subsection, the'' and inserting:
``subsection:
``(A) New small business entrant.--The term `new small
business entrant' means a small business concern that--
``(i) has been awarded a prime contract; and
``(ii) has not previously been awarded a prime contract.
``(B) Scorecard.--The''.

SEC. 5867. PLAIN LANGUAGE IN CONTRACTING.

(a) Accessibility and Clarity in Covered Notices for Small
Business Concerns.--
(1) In general.--Each covered notice shall be written--
(A) in a manner that is clear, concise, and accessible to a
small business concern; and
(B) in a manner consistent, to the extent practicable, with
the Federal plain language guidelines established pursuant to
the Plain Writing Act of 2010 (5 U.S.C. 301 note).
(2) Inclusion of key words in covered notices.--Each
covered notice shall, to the maximum extent practicable,
include key words in the description of the covered notice
such that a small business concern seeking contract
opportunities using the single governmentwide point of entry
described under section 1708 of title 41, United States Code,
can easily identify and understand such covered notice.
(3) Rulemaking.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this section, the Administrator of the Small
Business Administration shall issue rules to carry out this
subsection.
(4) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Covered notice.--The term ``covered notice'' means a
notice pertaining to small business concerns published by a
Federal agency on the single governmentwide point of entry
described under section 1708 of title 41, United States Code.
(B) Small business act definitions.--The terms ``Federal
agency'' and ``small business concern'' have the meanings
given those terms, respectively, in section 3 of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).

Subtitle E--Other Matters

SEC. 5871. REPORT ON ABILITY OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO
IDENTIFY PROHIBITED SEAFOOD IMPORTS IN SUPPLY
CHAIN FOR FOOD PROCUREMENT.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Defense
shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report
assessing whether the Department has policies and procedures
in place to verify that the food the Department procures does
not include seafood originating in the People's Republic of
China the importation of which is prohibited under section
307 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1307), including
pursuant to a presumption under--
(1) section 3 of the Act entitled ``An Act to ensure that
goods made with forced labor in the Xinjiang Autonomous
Region of the People's Republic of China do not enter the
United States market, and for other purposes'', approved
December 23, 2021 (Public Law 117-78; 22 U.S.C. 6901 note)
(commonly referred to as the ``Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention
Act''); or
(2) section 302A of the North Korea Sanctions and Policy
Enhancement Act of 2016 (22 U.S.C. 9241a).

TITLE LX--GENERAL PROVISIONS

Subtitle F--Studies and Reports

SEC. 6031. REPORT ON PORTABLE, DRONE-AGNOSTIC MUNITIONS.

(a) Report Required.--Not later than one year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense
shall, in consultation with the Secretaries of the military
departments, submit to the congressional defense committees a
report on the feasibility and cost of acquiring and fielding
portable, drone-agnostic droppable munitions.
(b) Elements.--The report submitted pursuant to subsection
(a) shall address the following:
(1) The potential use of portable, drone-agnostic droppable
munitions to augment small unit tactics and lethality in the
ground combat forces, including--
(A) trench warfare;
(B) countermine operations;
(C) anti-armor uses; and
(D) anti-personnel uses.
(2) The capability for portable, drone-agnostic droppable
munitions to have a dual

[[Page S6235]]

tactical capacity to explode in the air or on impact.
(3) The cost-effectiveness, affordability, and domestic
production capacity of portable, drone-agnostic droppable
munitions in comparison to one-way small uncrewed aerial
systems.
(4) The use of portable, drone-agnostic droppable munitions
in the Ukraine conflict and best practices learned.
(5) The potential use of portable, drone-agnostic droppable
munitions in the defense of Taiwan.
(6) Procurement challenges, legal restrictions, training
shortfalls, operational limitations, or other impediments to
fielding portable, drone-agnostic droppable munitions at the
platoon level.
(7) A plan to equip platoon-sized ground combat formations
in the close combat force with portable, drone-agnostic
droppable munitions at a basis of issue, as determined
appropriate by the Secretary of the military department
concerned, including a proposed timeline and fielding
strategy.
(8) A plan to equip such other ground combat units with
portable, drone-agnostic droppable munitions, as determined
appropriate by the Secretary of the military department
concerned.
(9) The capacity of the domestic defense industrial base to
produce portable, drone-agnostic droppable munitions.
(10) The capacity of the industrial bases of foreign
partners to produce portable, drone-agnostic droppable
munitions.
(11) The feasibility of fielding portable, drone-agnostic
droppable munitions in support of the findings of the report
required by section 1071 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118-31;
137 Stat. 407).

Subtitle H--Other Matters

SEC. 6041. ELIGIBILITY OF SPOUSES FOR SERVICES UNDER THE
DISABLED VETERANS' OUTREACH PROGRAM.

Section 4103A of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting
``and eligible persons'' after ``eligible veterans''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``, and eligible
persons,'' after ``Other eligible veterans'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and eligible persons''
after ``veterans'' each place it appears; and
(C) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by inserting ``or eligible person'' after ``veteran''
each place it appears; and
(ii) by inserting ``or eligible person's'' after
``veteran's'';
(2) in subsection (d)(1)--
(A) by inserting ``and eligible persons'' after ``eligible
veterans'' each place it appears; and
(B) by striking ``non-veteran-related''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(e) Eligible Person Defined.--In this section, the term
`eligible person' means--
``(1) any spouse described in section 4101(5) of this
title; or
``(2) the spouse of any person who died while a member of
the Armed Forces.''.

SEC. 6042. DISCLOSURES BY DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AND PRINCIPAL
STOCKHOLDERS.

(a) In General.--Section 16(a)(1) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78p(a)(1)) is amended by
inserting ``(including any such security of a foreign private
issuer, as that term is defined in section 240.3b-4 of title
17, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor
regulation)'' after ``pursuant to section 12''.
(b) Effect on Regulation.--If any provision of section
240.3a12-3(b) of title 17, Code of Federal Regulations, or
any successor regulation, is inconsistent with the amendment
made by subsection (a), that provision of such section
240.3a12-3(b) (or such successor) shall have no force or
effect.
(c) Issuance or Amendment of Regulations.--Not later than
90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Securities and Exchange Commission shall issue final
regulations (or amend existing regulations of the Commission)
to carry out the amendment made by subsection (a).

SEC. 6043. GAO STUDY AND REPORT ON INTENTIONAL DISRUPTION OF
THE NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM.

(a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States
(in this section referred to as the ``Comptroller General'')
shall conduct a study on the vulnerability of the National
Airspace System to potential disruptive operations by any
person, party, or entity (in this section referred to as
``adversaries'') exploiting the electromagnetic spectrum and
security vulnerabilities in the Aircraft Communications,
Reporting and Addressing System (ACARS) and Controller Pilot
Data Link Communications (CPDLC). Such study shall include an
analysis of--
(1) the extent to which adversaries can engage in denial of
service attacks and electromagnetic spectrum interference
against--
(A) the National Airspace System; and
(B) high-traffic international routes of economic and
strategic importance to the United States;
(2) the Federal Government's efforts, to date, to prevent
and prepare for such denial of service attacks and spectrum
disruptions;
(3) the feasibility of mitigating the vulnerabilities
through cybersecurity and other upgrades to the Aircraft
Communications, Reporting and Addressing System and
Controller Pilot Data Link Communications;
(4) whether the Federal Aviation Administration is
requiring sufficient cybersecurity and electromagnetic
spectrum defenses to address denial of service attacks and
other risks in new technologies it mandates be used on
aircraft; and
(5) any other item determined appropriate by the
Comptroller General.
(b) Report.--
(1) To congress.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit
to the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the Select
Committee on Intelligence of the Senate and the Committee on
Armed Services, the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, and the Permanent Select Committee on
Intelligence of the House of Representatives a report
containing the results of the study conducted under
subsection (a), together with recommendations for such
legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller
General determines appropriate.
(B) Unclassified form.--In preparing the report under
subparagraph (A), the Comptroller General shall ensure that
any classified information is only in an addendum to the
report and not in the main body of the report.
(2) Public availability.--The Comptroller General shall
post the report submitted under paragraph (1) on the public
internet website of the Government Accountability Office at
the time of such submission, but shall not include any
classified addendum included with such report.

SEC. 6044. NOMINATION IN EVENT OF DEATH, RESIGNATION, OR
EXPULSION FROM OFFICE OF MEMBER OF CONGRESS
OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED TO NOMINATE.

(a) In General.--Chapter 513 of title 46, United States
Code, is amended by inserting after section 51302 the
following new section:

``Sec. 51302a. Nomination in event of death, resignation, or
expulsion from office of Member of Congress otherwise
authorized to nominate

``(a) Senators.--In the event a Senator does not submit
nominations for cadets for an academic year in accordance
with section 51302(b)(1) of this title due to death,
resignation from office, or expulsion from office and the
date of the swearing-in of the Senator's successor as Senator
occurs after the date of the deadline for submittal of
nominations for cadets for the academic year, the nominations
for cadets otherwise authorized to be made by the Senator
pursuant to such section shall be made instead by the other
Senator from the State concerned.
``(b) Representatives.--In the event a Member of the House
of Representatives from a State does not submit nominations
for cadets for an academic year in accordance with section
51302(b)(2) of this title due to death, resignation from
office, or expulsion from office and the date of the
swearing-in of the Representative's successor as
Representative occurs after the date of the deadline for
submittal of nominations for cadets for the academic year,
the nominations for cadets otherwise authorized to be made by
the Representative pursuant to such section shall be made
instead by the Senators from the State of the congressional
district concerned, with such nominations divided equally
among such Senators and any remainder going to the senior
Senator from the State.
``(c) Construction of Authority.--Any nomination for cadets
made by a Member pursuant to this section is not a
reallocation of a nomination. Such nominations are made in
lieu of a Member not submitting nominations for cadets for an
academic year in accordance with section 51302 of this title
due to death, resignation from office, or expulsion from
office and the date of the swearing-in of the Member's
successor occurs after the date of the deadline for submittal
of nominations for cadets for the academic year.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 513 of such title is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 51302 the
following new item:

``51302a. Nomination in event of death, resignation, or expulsion from
office of Member of Congress otherwise authorized to
nominate''.

SEC. 6045. REPORT ON AIRBORNE HAZARDS AND OPEN BURN PIT
REGISTRY 2.0.

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to
Congress a report on the current status and timeline for when
the redesigned Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry
2.0 will be completed.

SEC. 6046. PREEMIE REAUTHORIZATION ACT.

(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the
``PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2024''.
(b) Research Relating to Preterm Labor and Delivery and the
Care, Treatment, and Outcomes of Preterm and Low Birthweight
Infants.--
(1) In general.--Section 3(e) of the Prematurity Research
Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early
Act (42 U.S.C. 247b-4f(e)) is amended by striking ``fiscal
years 2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2024
through 2028''.

[[Page S6236]]

(2) Technical correction.--Effective as if included in the
enactment of the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public
Law 115-328), section 2 of such Act is amended, in the matter
preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``Section 2'' and
inserting ``Section 3''.
(c) Interagency Working Group.--Section 5(a) of the PREEMIE
Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-328) is amended
by striking ``The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in
collaboration with other departments, as appropriate, may
establish'' and inserting ``Not later than 18 months after
the date of the enactment of the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act
of 2024, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in
collaboration with other departments, as appropriate, shall
establish''.
(d) Study on Preterm Births.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services
shall enter into appropriate arrangements with the National
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine under which
the National Academies shall--
(A) not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, convene a committee of experts in maternal health
to study premature births in the United States; and
(B) upon completion of the study under subparagraph (A)--
(i) approve by consensus a report on the results of such
study;
(ii) include in such report--

(I) an assessment of each of the topics listed in paragraph
(2);
(II) the analysis required by paragraph (3); and
(III) the raw data used to develop such report; and

(iii) not later than 24 months after the date of enactment
of this Act, transmit such report to--

(I) the Secretary of Health and Human Services;
(II) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives; and
(III) the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.

(2) Assessment topics.--The topics listed in this paragraph
are each of the following:
(A) The financial costs of premature birth to society,
including--
(i) an analysis of stays in neonatal intensive care units
and the cost of such stays;
(ii) long-term costs of stays in such units to society and
the family involved post-discharge; and
(iii) health care costs for families post-discharge from
such units (such as medications, therapeutic services, co-
payments for visits, and specialty equipment).
(B) The factors that impact preterm birth rates.
(C) Opportunities for earlier detection of premature birth
risk factors, including--
(i) opportunities to improve maternal and infant health;
and
(ii) opportunities for public health programs to provide
support and resources for parents in-hospital, in non-
hospital settings, and post-discharge.
(3) Analysis.--The analysis required by this paragraph is
an analysis of--
(A) targeted research strategies to develop effective
drugs, treatments, or interventions to bring at-risk
pregnancies to term;
(B) State and other programs' best practices with respect
to reducing premature birth rates; and
(C) precision medicine and preventative care approaches
starting early in the life course (including during
pregnancy) with a focus on behavioral and biological
influences on premature birth, child health, and the
trajectory of such approaches into adulthood.

SEC. 6047. BRIEFING ON A SECOND PILOT PROGRAM FOR ADVANCED
REACTORS.

(a) Briefing Required.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense
shall provide to the Committee on Armed Services of the
Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives a briefing describing the requirements for,
and components of, a pilot program to provide resilience for
critical national security infrastructure at Department of
Defense facilities with high energy intensity requirements by
contracting with a commercial entity to site, construct, and
operate at least one licensed reactor, capable of producing
at least 60 megawatts of power, at a facility selected for
purposes of the pilot program by December 31, 2029.
(b) Contents.--The briefing submitted pursuant to
subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) An assessment of how a public-private partnership for
the reactor could reduce ratepayer costs and avoid financial
risk to the mission of the Department of Defense.
(2) Identification of potential locations to site,
construct, and operate a reactor at either--
(A) a commercial site that serves critical mission
interests of the Department; or
(B) a Department facility that contains critical national
security infrastructure that the Secretary determines may not
be energy resilient.
(3) Assessments of different nuclear technologies,
including technologies capable of producing at least 60
megawatts of power, to provide energy resiliency for critical
national security infrastructure.
(4) A survey of potential commercial stakeholders with
which to enter into a contract under the pilot program to
construct and operate a licensed reactor and, if appropriate,
share offtake needs.
(5) A description of options to enter into long-term
contracting, including various financial mechanisms for such
purpose.
(6) Identification of requirements for reactors to provide
energy resilience to mission-critical functions at facilities
identified under paragraph (2).
(7) An estimate of the costs of the pilot program.
(8) A timeline with milestones for the pilot program.
(9) An analysis of the existing authority of the Secretary
to permit the siting, construction, and operation of a
reactor, if different than authorities for micro-reactors.
(10) Such recommendations for legislative or administrative
action as the Secretary determines necessary for the
Department to permit the siting, construction, or operation
of a reactor under the pilot program.
(11) A strategy for deploying additional reactors at other
sites to increase the order book for such reactors, including
through public-private partnerships.
(12) A plan for implementing the pilot program, to begin
implementation no later than three months after submission of
the report.
(c) Consultation.--In preparing the briefing required by
subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with the
following:
(1) The Secretary of Energy.
(2) The Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
(3) The Administrator of the General Services
Administration.

SEC. 6048. FEDERAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF PALAU.

During the period beginning on October 1, 2024, and ending
on the date on which a new Federal programs and services
agreement with the Government of the Republic of Palau enters
into force, any activities described in sections 132 and
221(a) of the Compact of Free Association between the
Government of the United States of America and the Government
of the Republic of Palau set forth in section 201 of Public
Law 99-658 (48 U.S.C. 1931 note) shall, with the mutual
consent of the Government of the Republic of Palau, continue
in the manner authorized and required for fiscal year 2024
under the amended agreements described in subsections (b) and
(f) of section 462 of that Compact.

SEC. 6049. REAUTHORIZATION OF UPPER COLORADO AND SAN JUAN
RIVER BASINS ENDANGERED FISH AND THREATENED
FISH RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMS.

(a) Purpose.--Section 1 of Public Law 106-392 (114 Stat.
1602) is amended by inserting ``and threatened'' after
``endangered''.
(b) Definitions.--Section 2 of Public Law 106-392 (114
Stat. 1602; 116 Stat. 3113) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``to implement the
Recovery Implementation Program for the Endangered Fish
Species in the Upper Colorado River dated September 29, 1987,
and extended by the Extension of the Cooperative Agreement
dated December 6, 2001, and the 1992 Cooperative Agreement to
implement the San Juan River Recovery Implementation Program
dated October 21, 1992, and as they may be amended'' and
inserting ``for the Recovery Implementation Program for
Endangered Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin dated
September 29, 1987, and the 1992 Cooperative Agreement for
the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program
dated October 21, 1992, as the agreements may be amended and
extended'';
(2) in paragraph (6)--
(A) by inserting ``or threatened'' after ``endangered'';
and
(B) by striking ``removal or translocation'' and inserting
``control'';
(3) in paragraph (7), by striking ``long-term'' each place
it appears;
(4) in paragraph (8), in the second sentence, by striking
``1988 Cooperative Agreement and the 1992 Cooperative
Agreement'' and inserting ``Recovery Implementation
Programs'';
(5) in paragraph (9)--
(A) by striking ``leases and agreements'' and inserting
``acquisitions'';
(B) by inserting ``or threatened'' after ``endangered'';
and
(C) by inserting ``, as approved under the Recovery
Implementation Programs'' after ``nonnative fishes''; and
(6) in paragraph (10), by inserting ``pursuant to the
Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Species in the
Upper Colorado River Basin'' after ``Service''.
(c) Authorization to Fund Recovery Programs.--Section 3 of
Public Law 106-392 (114 Stat. 1603; 116 Stat. 3113; 120 Stat.
290; 123 Stat 1310; 126 Stat. 2444; 133 Stat. 809; 136 Stat.
5572) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(1) There is hereby
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary, $88,000,000
to undertake capital projects to carry out the purposes of
this Act. Such funds'' and inserting the following:
``(1) Authorization.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), there is
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for use by the
Bureau of Reclamation to undertake capital projects to carry
out the purposes of this Act $50,000,000 for the period of
fiscal years 2024 through 2031.
``(B) Annual adjustment.--For each of fiscal years 2025
through 2031, the amount authorized to be appropriated under
subparagraph (A) shall be annually adjusted to reflect widely
available engineering cost indices applicable to relevant
construction activities.

[[Page S6237]]

``(C) Nonreimbursable funds.--Amounts made available
pursuant to subparagraph (A)'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``Program for Endangered
Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin shall expire
in fiscal year 2024'' and inserting ``Programs shall expire
in fiscal year 2031''; and
(C) by striking paragraph (3);
(2) by striking subsections (b) and (c) and inserting the
following:
``(b) Non-Federal Contributions to Capital Projects.--The
Secretary, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, may
accept contributed funds, interests in land and water, or
other contributions from the Upper Division States, political
subdivisions of the Upper Division States, or individuals,
entities, or organizations within the Upper Division States,
pursuant to agreements that provide for the contributions to
be used for capital projects costs.'';
(3) by redesignating subsections (d) through (j) as
subsections (c) through (i), respectively;
(4) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``$10,000,000 for each
of fiscal years 2020 through 2024'' and inserting
``$92,040,000 for the period of fiscal years 2024 through
2031'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in the first sentence, by striking ``$4,000,000 per
year'' and inserting ``$61,100,000 for the period of fiscal
years 2024 through 2031'';
(ii) in the second sentence--

(I) by inserting ``Basin'' after ``San Juan River''; and
(II) by striking ``$2,000,000 per year'' and inserting
``$30,940,000 for the period of fiscal years 2024 through
2031''; and

(iii) in the third sentence, by striking ``in fiscal years
commencing after the enactment of this Act'' and inserting
``for fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter''; and
(C) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
``(3) Federal contributions to annual base funding.--
``(A) In general.--For each of fiscal years 2024 through
2031, the Secretary, acting through the Bureau of
Reclamation, may accept funds from other Federal agencies,
including power revenues collected pursuant to the Act of
April 11, 1956 (commonly known as the ``Colorado River
Storage Project Act'') (43 U.S.C. 620 et seq.).
``(B) Availability of funds.--Funds made available under
subparagraph (A) shall be available for expenditure by the
Secretary, as determined by the contributing agency in
consultation with the Secretary.
``(C) Treatment of funds.--Funds made available under
subparagraph (A) shall be treated as nonreimbursable Federal
expenditures.
``(D) Treatment of power revenues.--Not more than $499,000
in power revenues over the period of fiscal years 2024
through 2031 shall be accepted under subparagraph (A) and
treated as having been repaid and returned to the general
fund of the Treasury.
``(4) Non-federal contributions to annual base funding.--
The Secretary, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, may
accept contributed funds from the Upper Division States,
political subdivisions of the Upper Division States, or
individuals, entities, or organizations within the Upper
Division States, pursuant to agreements that provide for the
contributions to be used for annual base funding.
``(5) Replacement power.--Contributions of funds made
pursuant to this subsection shall not include the cost of
replacement power purchased to offset modifications to the
operation of the Colorado River Storage Project to benefit
threatened or endangered fish species under the Recovery
Implementation Programs.'';
(5) in subsection (f) (as so redesignated), in the first
sentence, by inserting ``or threatened'' after
``endangered'';
(6) in subsection (g) (as so redesignated), by striking
``unless the time period for the respective Cooperative
Agreement is extended to conform with this Act'' and
inserting ``, as amended or extended'';
(7) in subsection (h) (as so redesignated), in the first
sentence, by striking ``Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish
Recovery Program or the San Juan River Basin Recovery
Implementation Program'' and inserting ``Recovery
Implementation Programs''; and
(8) in subsection (i)(1) (as so redesignated)--
(A) by striking ``2022'' each place it appears and
inserting ``2030'';
(B) by striking ``2024'' each place it appears and
inserting ``2031''; and
(C) in subparagraph (C)(ii)(III), by striking
``contributions by the States, power customers, Tribes, water
users, and environmental organizations'' and inserting ``non-
Federal contributions''.

SEC. 6050. RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS CONTINUING
SERVICE.

Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act
of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10101 et seq.) is amended by adding at the
end the following:

``PART PP--CIVIL LAW ENFORCEMENT TASK GRANTS

``SEC. 3061. DEFINITIONS.

``In this part:
``(1) Civilian law enforcement task.--The term `civilian
law enforcement task' includes--
``(A) assisting in homicide investigations;
``(B) assisting in carjacking investigations;
``(C) assisting in financial crimes investigations;
``(D) reviewing camera footage;
``(E) crime scene analysis;
``(F) forensics analysis; and
``(G) providing expertise in computers, computer networks,
information technology, or the internet.
``(2) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a
State, local, Tribal, or territorial law enforcement agency.

``SEC. 3062. GRANTS AUTHORIZED.

``The Attorney General may award grants to eligible
entities for the purpose of hiring retired personnel from law
enforcement agencies to--
``(1) train civilian employees of the eligible entity on
civilian law enforcement tasks that can be performed on
behalf of a law enforcement agency; and
``(2) perform civilian law enforcement tasks on behalf of
the eligible entity.

``SEC. 3063. ACCOUNTABILITY PROVISIONS.

``(a) In General.--A grant awarded under this part shall be
subject to the accountability requirements of this section.
``(b) Audit Requirement.--
``(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `unresolved
audit finding' means a finding in a final audit report of the
Inspector General of the Department of Justice that an
audited grantee has used grant funds for an unauthorized
expenditure or otherwise unallowable cost that is not closed
or resolved within 12 months from the date when the final
audit report is issued.
``(2) Audits.--Beginning in the first fiscal year beginning
after the date of enactment of the Retired Law Enforcement
Officers Continuing Service Act, and in each fiscal year
thereafter, the Inspector General of the Department of
Justice shall conduct audits of recipients of grants under
this part to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of funds by
grantees. The Inspector General of the Department of Justice
shall determine the appropriate number of grantees to be
audited each year.
``(3) Mandatory exclusion.--A recipient of grant funds
under this part that is found to have an unresolved audit
finding shall not be eligible to receive grant funds under
this part during the first 2 fiscal years beginning after the
end of the 12-month period described in paragraph (1).
``(4) Priority.--In awarding grants under this part, the
Attorney General shall give priority to eligible entities
that did not have an unresolved audit finding during the 3
fiscal years before submitting an application for a grant
under this part.
``(c) Annual Certification.--Beginning in the fiscal year
during which audits commence under subsection (b)(2), the
Attorney General shall submit to the Committee on the
Judiciary and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate
and the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives an annual
certification--
``(1) indicating whether--
``(A) all audits issued by the Office of the Inspector
General of the Department of Justice under subsection (b)
have been completed and reviewed by the appropriate Assistant
Attorney General or Director; and
``(B) all mandatory exclusions required under subsection
(b)(3) have been issued; and
``(2) that includes a list of any grant recipients excluded
under subsection (b)(3) from the previous year.
``(d) Preventing Duplicative Grants.--
``(1) In general.--Before the Attorney General awards a
grant to an eligible entity under this part, the Attorney
General shall compare potential grant awards with other
grants awarded by the Attorney General to determine if grant
awards are or have been awarded for a similar purpose.
``(2) Report.--If the Attorney General awards grants to the
same applicant for a similar purpose, the Attorney General
shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate
and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
Representatives a report that includes--
``(A) a list of all such grants awarded, including the
total dollar amount of any such grants awarded; and
``(B) the reason the Attorney General awarded multiple
grants to the same applicant for a similar purpose.''.

SEC. 6051. MODERNIZING LAW ENFORCEMENT NOTIFICATION.

(a) Verified Electronic Notification Defined.--Section
921(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(38) The term `verified electronic notification', with
respect to a communication to a chief law enforcement officer
required under section 922(c)(2), means a digital
communication--
``(A) sent to the electronic communication address that the
chief law enforcement officer voluntarily designates for the
purpose of receiving those communications; and
``(B) that includes a method for verifying--
``(i) the receipt of the communication; and
``(ii) the electronic communication address to which the
communication is sent.''.
(b) Verified Electronic Notification.--Section 922(c) of
title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking
paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) the transferor has--
``(A) prior to the shipment or delivery of the firearm,
forwarded a copy of the sworn statement, together with a
description of the

[[Page S6238]]

firearm, in a form prescribed by the Attorney General, to the
chief law enforcement officer of the transferee's place of
residence, by--
``(i) registered or certified mail (return receipt
requested); or
``(ii) verified electronic notification; and
``(B)(i) with respect to a delivery method described in
subparagraph (A)(i)--
``(I) received a return receipt evidencing delivery of the
statement; or
``(II) had the statement returned due to the refusal of the
named addressee to accept such letter in accordance with
United States Post Office Department regulations; or
``(ii) with respect to a delivery method described in
subparagraph (A)(ii), received a return receipt evidencing
delivery of the statement; and''.

SEC. 6052. RED HILL HEALTH REGISTRY.

(a) Registry for Impacted Individuals of the Red Hill
Incident.--
(1) Establishment of registry.--The Secretary of Defense,
in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human
Services, shall establish within the Department of Defense or
through an award of a grant or contract, as the Secretary
determines appropriate, a Red Hill Incident exposure registry
to collect data on health implications of petroleum-
contaminated water for impacted individuals and potentially
impacted individuals on a voluntary basis.
(2) Contracts.--The Secretary of Defense may contract with
independent research institutes or consultants, nonprofit or
public entities, laboratories, or medical schools, as the
Secretary considers appropriate, that are not part of the
Federal Government to assist with the registry established
under paragraph (1).
(3) Consultation.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
Secretary of Defense shall consult with non-Federal experts,
including individuals with certification in epidemiology,
toxicology, mental health, pediatrics, and environmental
health, and members of the impacted community.
(b) Use of Existing Funds.--The Secretary of Defense shall
carry out activities under this section using amounts
previously appropriated for the Defense Health Agency for
such activities.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Impacted individual.--The term ``impacted individual''
means an individual who, at the time of the Red Hill
Incident, lived or worked in a building or residence served
by the community water system at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-
Hickam, Oahu, Hawaii.
(2) Potentially impacted individual.--The term
``potentially impacted individual'' means an individual who,
after the Red Hill Incident, lived or worked in a building or
residence served by the community water system at Joint Base
Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Oahu, Hawaii, including an individual
who is not a beneficiary of the military health system.
(3) Red hill incident.--The term ``Red Hill Incident''
means the release of fuel from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage
Facility, Oahu, Hawaii, into the sole-source basal aquifer
located 100 feet below the facility, contaminating the
community water system at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on
November 20, 2021.

SEC. 6053. IMPROVE INITIATIVE.

Part B of title IV of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 284 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:

``SEC. 409K. IMPROVE INITIATIVE.

``(a) In General.--The Director of the National Institutes
of Health, in consultation with the Director the Eunice
Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development, shall establish a program to be known as the
Implementing a Maternal health and PRegnancy Outcomes Vision
for Everyone Initiative (referred to in this section as the
`Initiative').
``(b) Duties.--The Initiative shall--
``(1) advance research to--
``(A) reduce preventable causes of maternal mortality and
severe maternal morbidity;
``(B) reduce health disparities related to maternal health
outcomes, including such disparities associated with
medically underserved populations; and
``(C) improve health for pregnant and postpartum women
before, during, and after pregnancy;
``(2) use an integrated approach to understand the factors,
including biological, behavioral, and other factors, that
affect maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity by
building an evidence base for improved outcomes in specific
regions of the United States; and
``(3) target health disparities associated with maternal
mortality and severe maternal morbidity by--
``(A) implementing and evaluating community-based
interventions for disproportionately affected women; and
``(B) identifying risk factors and the underlying
biological mechanisms associated with leading causes of
maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity in the
United States.
``(c) Implementation.--The Director of the Institute may
award grants or enter into contracts, cooperative agreements,
or other transactions to carry out subsection (a).
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $53,400,000 for
each of fiscal years 2025 through 2031.''.

SEC. 6054. SECOND CHANCE REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2024.

(a) State and Local Reentry Demonstration Projects.--
Section 2976 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe
Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10631) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end;
and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(9) treating substance use disorders, including by
providing peer recovery services, case management, and access
to overdose education and overdose reversal medications; and
``(10) providing reentry housing services.''; and
(2) in subsection (o)(1), by striking ``2019 through 2023''
and inserting ``2025 through 2029''.
(b) Grants for Family-based Substance Abuse Treatment.--
Section 2926(a) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets
Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10595a(a)) is amended by striking
``2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``2025 through 2029''.
(c) Grant Program to Evaluate and Improve Educational
Methods at Prisons, Jails, and Juvenile Facilities.--Section
1001(a)(28) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act
of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10261(a)(28)) is amended by striking
``2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023'' and inserting ``2025
through 2029''.
(d) Careers Training Demonstration Grants.--Section 115(f)
of the Second Chance Act of 2007 (34 U.S.C. 60511(f)) is
amended by striking ``2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023'' and
inserting ``2025 through 2029''.
(e) Offender Reentry Substance Abuse and Criminal Justice
Collaboration Program.--Section 201(f)(1) of the Second
Chance Act of 2007 (34 U.S.C. 60521(f)(1)) is amended by
striking ``2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``2025 through
2029''.
(f) Community-based Mentoring and Transitional Service
Grants to Nonprofit Organizations.--Section 211(f) of the
Second Chance Act of 2007 (34 U.S.C. 60531(f)) is amended by
striking ``2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``2025 through
2029''.

SEC. 6055. MODIFICATION OF RULES FOR APPROVAL OF COMMERCIAL
DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR PURPOSES OF
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

(a) In General.--Section 3680A(e) of title 38, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as
subparagraphs (A) though (C), respectively;
(2) in the matter before subparagraph (A), as redesignated
by paragraph (1), by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The
Secretary'';
(3) in paragraph (1)(B), as redesignated by paragraph (1),
by inserting ``except as provided in paragraph (2),'' before
``the course''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph (2):
``(2)(A) Subject to this paragraph, a commercial driver
education program is exempt from paragraph (1)(B) for a
branch of an educational institution if the commercial driver
education program offered at the branch by the educational
institution--
``(i) is appropriately licensed; and
``(ii)(I) the branch is located in a State in which the
same commercial driver education program is offered by the
same educational institution at another branch of that
educational institution in the same State that is approved
for purposes of this chapter by a State approving agency or
the Secretary when acting in the role of a State approving
agency; or
``(II)(aa) the branch is located in a State in which the
same commercial driver education program is not offered at
another branch of the same educational institution in the
same State; and
``(bb) the branch has been operating for a period of at
least one year using the same curriculum as a commercial
driver education program offered by the educational
institution at another location that is approved for purposes
of this chapter by a State approving agency or the Secretary
when acting in the role of a State approving agency.
``(B)(i) In order for a commercial driver education program
of an educational institution offered at a branch described
in paragraph (1)(B) to be exempt under subparagraph (A) of
this paragraph, the educational institution shall submit to
the Secretary each year that paragraph (1)(B) would otherwise
apply a report that demonstrates that the curriculum at the
new branch is the same as the curriculum at the primary
location.
``(ii) Reporting under clause (i) shall be submitted in
accordance with such requirements as the Secretary shall
establish in consultation with the State approving agencies.
``(C)(i) The Secretary may withhold an exemption under
subparagraph (A) for any educational institution or branch of
an educational institution as the Secretary considers
appropriate.
``(ii) In making any determination under clause (i), the
Secretary may consult with the Secretary of Transportation on
the performance of a provider of a commercial driver program,
including the status of the provider within the Training
Provider Registry of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration when appropriate.
``(D) The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs

[[Page S6239]]

of the House of Representatives a notification not later than
30 days after the Secretary grants an exemption under this
paragraph. Such notification shall identify the educational
institution and branch of such educational institution
granted such exemption.''.
(b) Implementation.--
(1) Establishment of requirements.--Not later than 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall establish requirements under section
3680A(e)(2)(B)(ii) of such title, as added by subsection (a).
(2) Rulemaking.--In promulgating any rules to carry out
paragraph (2) of section 3680A(e) of title 38, United States
Code, as added by subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall consult with State approving agencies.
(3) Applicability.--The amendments made by subsection (a)
shall apply to commercial driver education programs on and
after the day that is 365 days after the date on which the
Secretary establishes the requirements under paragraph (1) of
this subsection.
(c) Comptroller General of the United States Study.--Not
later than 365 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall--
(1) conduct a study to--
(A) ascertain the effects of the amendments made by
subsection (a); and
(B) the feasibility and advisability of similarly amending
the rules for approval of programs of education for other
vocational programs of education; and
(2) submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives a report on the findings of the Comptroller
General with respect to such study.

SEC. 6056. ENSURING ONLY LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS
PERFORM MEDICAL DISABILITY EXAMINATIONS UNDER
CERTAIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PILOT
PROGRAM.

(a) Prohibition on Use of Certain Health Care
Professionals.--Section 504(c)(1) of the Veterans' Benefits
Improvements Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-275; 38 U.S.C. 5101
note) is amended by inserting ``only'' before ``a health care
professional''.
(b) Remedies.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall take
such actions as the Secretary considers appropriate to ensure
compliance with section 504(c) of the Veterans' Benefits
Improvements Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-275; 38 U.S.C. 5101
note), as amended by subsection (a).
(c) Annual Report.--Not later than one year after the date
of the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than
once each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives a report on--
(1) the conduct of the pilot program established under
section 504 of the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of
1996 (Public Law 104-275; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note); and
(2) the actions of the Secretary under subsection (b).
(d) Technical Corrections.--Section 504 of the Veterans'
Benefits Improvements Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-275; 38
U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended, in the section heading, by
striking ``physicians'' and inserting ``health care
professionals''.

SEC. 6057. REQUIREMENT TO INCLUDE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN IN
STRATEGY TO RESPOND TO UNMANNED AIRCRAFT
SYSTEMS INCURSIONS.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit a plan to
expedite the testing, demonstration and validation of
technologies that support the strategy required under
subparagraph (A) of section 1057(a)(1) to the appropriate
committees of Congress (as that term is defined in
subparagraph (C) of such section).

SEC. 6058. READMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR SERVICEMEMBERS.

Subsection (a) of section 484C of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1091c(a)) is amended to read as follows:
``(a) Definition of Service in the Uniformed Services.--In
this section, the term `service in the uniformed services'
means service (whether voluntary or involuntary) on active
duty in the Armed Forces, including such service by a member
of the National Guard or Reserve.''.

SEC. 6059. SICKLE CELL DISEASE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT.

(a) In General.--Section 1106(b) of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300b-5(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(A)(iii), by striking ``prevention and
treatment of sickle cell disease'' and inserting ``treatment
of sickle cell disease and the prevention and treatment of
complications of sickle cell disease'';
(2) in paragraph (2)(D), by striking ``prevention and
treatment of sickle cell disease'' and inserting ``treatment
of sickle cell disease and the prevention and treatment of
complications of sickle cell disease'';
(3) in paragraph (3)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``enter into a
contract with'' and inserting ``make a grant to, or enter
into a contract or cooperative agreement with,''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), in each of clauses (ii) and (iii),
by striking ``prevention and treatment of sickle cell
disease'' and inserting ``treatment of sickle cell disease
and the prevention and treatment of complications of sickle
cell disease''; and
(4) in paragraph (6), by striking ``$4,455,000 for each of
fiscal years 2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``$8,205,000
for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028''.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
further research should be undertaken to expand the
understanding of the causes of, and to find cures for,
heritable blood disorders, including sickle cell disease.

SEC. 6060. SHARING OF INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO SUSPECTED
VIOLATIONS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.

Section 628A of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1628a) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``suspects'' and inserting ``has a reasonable suspicion'';
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by inserting ``, packing materials, shipping
containers,'' after ``its packaging'' each place it appears;
and
(ii) by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon;
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking the period and inserting
``; and''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) may provide to the person nonpublic information about
the merchandise that was--
``(A) generated by an online marketplace or other similar
market platform, an express consignment operator, a freight
forwarder, or any other entity that plays a role in the sale
or importation of merchandise into the United States or the
facilitation of such sale or importation; and
``(B) provided to, shared with, or obtained by, U.S.
Customs and Border Protection.''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a
semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) any other party with an interest in the merchandise,
as determined appropriate by the Commissioner.''.

SEC. 6061. TREATMENT OF PRESCREENING REPORT REQUESTS.

Section 604(c) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C.
1681b(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Treatment of prescreening report requests.--
``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
``(i) Credit union.--The term `credit union' means a
Federal credit union or a State credit union, as those terms
are defined in section 101 of the Federal Credit Union Act
(12 U.S.C 1752).
``(ii) Insured depository institution.--The term `insured
depository institution' has the meaning given the term in
section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C.
1813(c)).
``(iii) Residential mortgage loan.--The term `residential
mortgage loan' has the meaning given the term in section 1503
of the S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (12 U.S.C.
5102).
``(iv) Servicer.--The term `servicer' has the meaning given
the term in section 6(i) of the Real Estate Settlement
Procedures Act of 1974 (12 U.S.C. 2605(i)).
``(B) Limitation.--If a person requests a consumer report
from a consumer reporting agency in connection with a credit
transaction involving a residential mortgage loan, that
agency may not, based in whole or in part on that request,
furnish a consumer report to another person under this
subsection unless that other person--
``(i) has submitted documentation to that agency certifying
that such other person has, pursuant to paragraph (1)(A), the
authorization of the consumer to whom the consumer report
relates; or
``(ii)(I) has originated a current residential mortgage
loan of the consumer to whom the consumer report relates;
``(II) is the servicer of a current residential mortgage
loan of the consumer to whom the consumer report relates; or
``(III)(aa) is an insured depository institution or credit
union; and
``(bb) holds a current account for the consumer to whom the
consumer report relates.''.

SEC. 6062. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE COAST
GUARD.

Section 4902 of title 14, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``fiscal years 2022 and 2023'' and inserting ``fiscal year
2024'';
(2) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``(1)(A) For the'' and all that follows
through ``2023.'' at the end of clause (ii) and inserting the
following:
``(1)(A) For the operation and maintenance of the Coast
Guard, not otherwise provided for, $10,054,000,000 for fiscal
year 2024.'';
(B) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) by striking ``subparagraph (A)(i)'' and inserting
``subparagraph (A)''; and
(ii) by striking ``$23,456,000'' and inserting
``$24,717,000''; and
(C) by striking subparagraph (C);
(3) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2) For the procurement, construction, renovation, and
improvement of aids to navigation, shore facilities, vessels,
aircraft, and systems, including equipment related thereto,
and for maintenance, rehabilitation, lease, and operation of
facilities and equipment, $1,413,950,000 for fiscal year
2024.'';

[[Page S6240]]

(4) in paragraph (3), by striking ``equipment--'' and all
that follows through the period at the end of subparagraph
(B) and inserting ``equipment, $7,476,000 for fiscal year
2024.''; and
(5) in paragraph (4), by striking ``Defense--'' and all
that follows through the period at the end and inserting
``Defense, $277,000,000 for fiscal year 2024.''.

SEC. 6063. MODIFICATION OF ACQUISITION OF ICEBREAKER.

Section 11223 of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization
Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-263; 136 Stat. 4021; 14 U.S.C.
561 note) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``Paragraphs'' and all
that follows through ``apply'' and inserting ``Paragraphs (1)
and (3) of subsection (a), and subsection (b), of section
1132 of title 14, United States Code, shall not apply''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) Applicability of other law.--
``(A) In general.--If the Commandant provides the briefing
described in subparagraph (B), paragraphs (4) and (5) of
subsection (a), and subsections (d) and (e), of section 1132
of title 14, United States Code, shall not apply to an
acquisition or procurement of an icebreaker under subsection
(a) until--
``(i) the first phase of the initial acquisition or
procurement is complete; and
``(ii) initial operating capacity is achieved.
``(B) Briefing described.--The briefing described in this
subparagraph is a briefing provided by the Commandant to the
appropriate congressional committees not later than 30 days
after the date of the enactment of this paragraph that
includes a detailed cost estimate for an icebreaker procured
or acquired under subsection (a), including--
``(i) expected upgrades and crewing needs; and
``(ii) for each year of the estimated service life of such
an icebreaker, the estimated costs for modification, shore
infrastructure, crewing, and maintenance.'';
(2) by redesignating subsections (g) through (j) as
subsection (h) through (k);
(3) by inserting after subsection (f) the following new
subsection (g):
``(g) Full Operating Capability.--
``(1) Briefing.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
the procurement or acquisition of an icebreaker under
subsection (a), the Commandant shall provide the appropriate
congressional committees with a briefing that includes a
detailed cost estimate for the icebreaker for each year of
the estimated service life of the icebreaker, including the
estimated costs for modification, shore infrastructure to
support the cutter and crew, crewing, maintenance, and any
other costs related to the icebreaker.
``(2) Limitation on use of funds.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B),
the Commandant shall not expend any funds to reconfigure an
icebreaker procured or acquired under subsection (a), beyond
the funds required to achieve initial operating capability of
the icebreaker, until the date that 7 days after the date on
which the Commandant provides the briefing required by
paragraph (1).
``(B) Planning and program management activities.--The
limitation on use of funds under subparagraph (A) shall not
apply to the expenditure of funds for planning and program
management activities relating to reconfiguration of an
icebreaker procured or acquired under subsection (a).''; and
(4) in subsection (k), as redesignated, by striking ``3
years'' and inserting ``5 years''.

SEC. 6064. AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL ASSETS SALE AND TRANSFER
ACT OF 2016.

(a) Purposes.--Section 2 of the Federal Assets Sale and
Transfer Act of 2016 (40 U.S.C. 1303 note; Public Law 114-
287) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (9), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (10), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(11) implementing innovative methods for the sale,
redevelopment, consolidation, or lease of Federal buildings
and facilities, including the use of no cost, nonappropriated
contracts for expert real estate services to obtain the
highest and best value for the taxpayer.''.
(b) Definitions.--Section 3(5)(B)(viii) of the Federal
Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 (40 U.S.C. 1303 note;
Public Law 114-287) is amended by inserting ``, other than
office buildings and warehouses,'' after ``Properties''.
(c) Board.--Section 4(c)(3) of the Federal Assets Sale and
Transfer Act of 2016 (40 U.S.C. 1303 note; Public Law 114-
287) is amended--
(1) by striking ``The term'' and inserting the following:
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the term'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Limitation.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the
term of a member of the Board shall continue beyond 6 years
until such time as the President appoints a replacement
member of the Board.''.
(d) Board Meetings.--Section 5(b) of the Federal Assets
Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 (40 U.S.C. 1303 note; Public
Law 114-287) is amended by striking ``Five Board members''
and inserting ``4 Board members''.
(e) Executive Director.--Section 7 of the Federal Assets
Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 (40 U.S.C. 1303 note; Public
Law 114-287) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Return to Civil Service.--An Executive Director
selected from the civil service (as defined in section 2101
of title 5, United States Code) shall be entitled to return
to the civil service (as so defined) after service to the
Board ends if the service of the Executive Director to the
Board ends for reasons other than misconduct, neglect of
duty, or malfeasance.''.
(f) Staff.--Section 8 of the Federal Assets Sale and
Transfer Act of 2016 (40 U.S.C. 1303 note; Public Law 114-
287) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``and the Director of OMB''; and
(B) by inserting ``for a period of not less than 1 year''
before ``to assist the Board'';
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
(3) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
``(c) Hiring of Term Employees.--The Executive Director,
with approval of the Board, may use the Office of Personnel
Management to hire employees for terms not to exceed 2 years
pursuant to the Office of Personnel Management guidance for
nonstatus appointments in the competitive service.''.
(g) Termination.--Section 10 of the Federal Assets Sale and
Transfer Act of 2016 (40 U.S.C. 1303 note; Public Law 114-
287) is amended by striking ``6 years after the date on which
the Board members are appointed pursuant to section 4'' and
inserting ``on December 31, 2026''.
(h) Development of Recommendations to Board.--Section 11 of
the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 (40 U.S.C.
1303 note; Public Law 114-287) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``the Administrator and the Director of OMB'' and inserting
``the Administrator, the Director of OMB, and the Board'';
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``and square'' and inserting ``number of
Federal employees physically reporting to the respective
property each work day, square''; and
(ii) by inserting ``, amount of acreage associated with the
respective property, and whether the respective property is
on a campus or larger facility, other than Federal civilian
real properties excluded for reasons of national security in
accordance with section 3(5)(B)(iii)'' before the period at
the end; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Consolidation plans.--Any Federal agency plans to
consolidate, reconfigure, or otherwise reduce the use of
owned and leased Federal civilian real property of the
Federal agency if those plans are estimated to further the
purposes of this Act as described in section 2.'';
(2) in subsection (b)(3)(J), by inserting ``, including
access by members of federally recognized Indian Tribes,''
after ``public access''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Disclosure of Information.--The Board may not
publicly disclose any information received under paragraph
(2) or (3) of subsection (a) until the Board, the
Administrator, and the Director of OMB enter into an
agreement describing what information is ready to be publicly
disclosed.''.
(i) Board Duties.--Section 12 of the Federal Assets Sale
and Transfer Act of 2016 (40 U.S.C. 1303 note; Public Law
114-287) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(2), by striking the second sentence
and inserting the following: ``In the case of a failure by a
Federal agency to comply with a request of the Board, the
Board shall notify the committees listed in section 5(c), the
relevant congressional committees of jurisdiction for the
Federal agency, and the inspector general of the Federal
agency of that failure.'';
(2) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, Tribal,'' after
``State''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, Tribal,'' after
``State'';
(3) by redesignating subsections (d) through (i) as
subsections (e) through (j), respectively;
(4) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
``(d) Preparation of Properties for Disposal.--At the
request of, and in coordination with, the Board, a Federal
agency may undertake any analyses and due diligence as
necessary, to supplement the independent analysis of the
Board under subsection (c), to prepare a property for
disposition so that the property may be included in the
recommendations of the Board under subsection (h), including
completion of the requirements of section 306108 of title 54,
United States Code, for historic preservation and
identification of the likely highest and best use of the
property subsequent to disposition.'';
(5) in subsection (h) (as so redesignated)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(ii) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);
and
(iii) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
``(B) the process to be followed by Federal agencies to
carry out the actions described in subparagraph (A),
including the use of no cost, nonappropriated contracts for
expert real estate services and other innovative methods, to
obtain the highest and best value for the taxpayer; and'';
and

[[Page S6241]]

(B) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following:
``(C) Third round.--During the period beginning on the day
after the transmittal of the second report and ending on the
day before the date on which the Board terminates under
section 10, the Board shall transmit to the Director of OMB a
third report required under paragraph (1).''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Community notification.--45 days before the date on
which the Board transmits the third report required under
paragraph (1), the Board shall notify--
``(A) any State or local government of any findings,
conclusions, or recommendations contained in that report that
relate to a Federal civilian real property located in the
State or locality, as applicable; and
``(B) any federally recognized Indian Tribe of any
findings, conclusions, or recommendations contained in that
report that relate to a Federal civilian real property that--
``(i) is in close geographic proximity to a property
described in section 3(5)(B)(v); or
``(ii) relates to a Federal civilian real property that is
known to be accessed at regular frequency by members of the
federally recognized Indian Tribe for other reasons.''; and
(6) by adding at the end the following:
``(k) Report to Congress.--The Board shall periodically
submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of
the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report
containing any recommendations on consolidations, exchanges,
sales, lease reductions, and redevelopments that are not
included in the transmissions submitted under subsection (h),
or approved by the Director of OMB under section 13, but that
the majority of the Board concludes meets the goals of this
Act.''.
(j) Review by OMB.--Section 13 of the Federal Assets Sale
and Transfer Act of 2016 (40 U.S.C. 1303 note; Public Law
114-287) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``subsections (b) and
(g)'' and inserting ``subsections (b) and (h)''; and
(2) in subsection (c)(4)--
(A) by inserting ``, in whole or in part,'' before
``received under paragraph (3)''; and
(B) by striking ``revised'' the second place it appears.
(k) Agency Retention of Records.--Section 20 of the Federal
Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 (40 U.S.C. 1303 note;
Public Law 114-287) is amended by striking subsection (b) and
inserting the following:
``(b) Effective Date.--The provisions of this section,
including the amendments made by this section, shall take
effect on the date on which the Board transmits the second
report under section 12(h)(2)(B) and shall apply to proceeds
from--
``(1) transactions contained in that report; and
``(2) any transactions conducted after the date on which
the Board terminates under section 10.''.
(l) Federal Real Property Database.--Section 21(b) of the
Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 (40 U.S.C. 1303
note; Public Law 114-287) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(9)(A) Whether the Federal real property is on a campus
or similar facility; and
``(B) if applicable, identification of the campus or
facility and related details, including total acreage of the
campus or facility.''.
(m) Access to Federal Real Property Council Meetings and
Reports.--
(1) In general.--The Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act
of 2016 (40 U.S.C. 1303 note; Public Law 114-287) is amended
by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 26. ACCESS TO FEDERAL REAL PROPERTY COUNCIL MEETINGS
AND REPORTS.

``The Federal Real Property Council established by
subsection (a) of section 623 of title 40, United States
Code, shall ensure that the Board has access to any meetings
of the Federal Real Property Council and any reports required
under that section, subject to the condition that the Board
enters into a memorandum of understanding relating to public
disclosure with the Administrator and the Federal Real
Property Council before the Board has access to those
meetings and reports.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016
(Public Law 114-287; 130 Stat. 1463) is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 25 the following:

``Sec. 26. Access to Federal Real Property Council meetings and
reports.''.
(n) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 3(9) of the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer
Act of 2016 (40 U.S.C. 1303 note; Public Law 114-287) is
amended by striking ``section 12(e)'' and inserting ``section
12(f)''.
(2) Section 14(g)(1)(A) of the Federal Assets Sale and
Transfer Act of 2016 (40 U.S.C. 1303 note; Public Law 114-
287) is amended by striking ``section 12(g)'' and inserting
``section 12(h)''.
(o) Technical Amendments.--
(1) Section 16(b)(1) of the Federal Assets Sale and
Transfer Act of 2016 (40 U.S.C. 1303 note; Public Law 114-
287) is amended, in the second sentence, by striking ``of
General Services''.
(2) Section 21(a) of the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer
Act of 2016 (40 U.S.C. 1303 note; Public Law 114-287) is
amended by striking ``of General Services''.
(3) Section 24 of the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act
of 2016 (40 U.S.C. 1303 note; Public Law 114-287) is amended,
in each of subsections (a), (b), and (c), by striking ``of
General Services''.
(4) Section 25(b) of the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer
Act of 2016 (40 U.S.C. 1303 note; Public Law 114-287) is
amended by striking ``of General Services''.

SEC. 6065. CHIP EQUIP ACT.

(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``The
Chip Equipment Quality, Usefulness, and Integrity Protection
Act of 2024'' or the ``Chip EQUIP Act''.
(b) Purchases of Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment.--
(1) Definitions.--Section 9901 of the William M. (Mac)
Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2021 (15 U.S.C. 4651) is amended by inserting after paragraph
(13) the following:
``(14) The term `completed, fully assembled' means the
state in which all (or substantially all) necessary parts,
chambers, subsystems, and subcomponents have been put
together, resulting in a ready-to-use or ready-to-install
item to be directly purchased from an entity.
``(15) The term `ineligible equipment'--
``(A) means completed, fully assembled semiconductor
manufacturing equipment that is manufactured or assembled by
a foreign entity of concern or subsidiary of a foreign entity
of concern and used in the fabrication, assembly, testing,
advanced packaging, production, or research and development
of semiconductors;
``(B) includes--
``(i) deposition equipment;
``(ii) etching equipment;
``(iii) lithography equipment;
``(iv) inspection and measuring equipment;
``(v) wafer slicing equipment;
``(vi) wafer dicing equipment;
``(vii) wire bonders;
``(viii) ion implantation equipment;
``(ix) chemical mechanical polishing; and
``(x) diffusion or oxidation furnaces; and
``(C) does not include any part, chamber, subsystem, or
subcomponent that enables or is incorporated into such
equipment.''.
(2) Ineligible use of funds.--Section 9902 of the William
M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2021 (15 U.S.C. 4652) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(j) Ineligible Use of Funds.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary
shall include in the terms of each agreement with a covered
entity for the award of Federal financial assistance under
this section prohibitions with respect to a project relating
to the procurement, installation, or use of ineligible
equipment, to be effective for the duration of the agreement.
``(2) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the prohibitions
described in paragraph (1) if--
``(A) the ineligible equipment to be purchased by the
applicable covered entity is not produced in the United
States or an allied or partner country in sufficient and
reasonably available quantities or of a satisfactory quality
to support established or expected production capabilities;
or
``(B)(i) the use of the ineligible equipment complies with
the requirements set forth in the Export Administration
Regulations, as defined in section 1742 of the Export Control
Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4801); and
``(ii) the Secretary, in consultation with the Director of
National Intelligence or the Secretary of Defense, determines
the waiver is in the national security interest of the United
States.
``(3) Foreign entities of concern.--Nothing in this
subsection shall be construed to waive the application of
section 9907.''.

SEC. 6066. TELEPHONE HELPLINE FOR ASSISTANCE FOR VETERANS AND
OTHER ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS.

(a) Maintenance of Helpline.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall maintain a toll-free
telephone helpline that a covered individual may use to
obtain information about, or through which a covered
individual may be directed to, any service or benefit
provided under a law administered by the Secretary.
(2) Contract for direction of calls authorized.--The
Secretary may enter into a contract with a third-party to
direct calls made to the toll-free helpline maintained
pursuant to paragraph (1) to the appropriate office regarding
a service or benefit described in that paragraph.
(3) Live individual required.--The Secretary shall ensure
that a covered individual using the telephone helpline
maintained pursuant to paragraph (1) has the option to speak
with a live individual.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered individual.--The term ``covered individual''
means--
(A) a veteran;
(B) an individual acting on behalf of a veteran; or
(C) an individual, other than a veteran, who is eligible to
receive a benefit or service under a law administered by the
Secretary.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs.
(3) Veteran.--The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given
the term in section 2002(b) of title 38, United States Code.

[[Page S6242]]

SEC. 6067. STUDY AND REPORT ON DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE USE OF
CHINESE-MADE UNMANNED GROUND VEHICLE SYSTEMS
AND PROHIBITION ON DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
PROCUREMENT AND OPERATION OF SUCH SYSTEMS.

(a) Study and Report on Use in Department of Defense
Systems of Chinese-made Unmanned Ground Vehicle Systems.--
(1) Study and report required.--Not later than 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Defense shall--
(A) conduct a study on the use in Department of Defense
systems of covered unmanned ground vehicle systems made by
covered foreign entities; and
(B) submit to the congressional defense committees a report
on the findings of the Secretary with respect to the study
conducted pursuant to subparagraph (A).
(2) Elements.--The study conducted pursuant to paragraph
(1)(A) shall cover the following:
(A) The extent to which covered unmanned ground vehicle
systems made by covered foreign entities are used by the
Department, including a list of all such covered unmanned
ground vehicle systems.
(B) The extent to which covered unmanned ground vehicle
systems made by covered foreign entities are used by
contractors of the Department.
(C) The nature of the use described in subparagraph (B).
(D) An assessment of the national security threats
associated with using covered unmanned ground vehicle systems
in applications of the Department. Such assessment shall
cover concerns relating to the following:
(i) Cybersecurity.
(ii) Technological maturity of the systems.
(iii) Technological vulnerabilities in the systems that may
be exploited by foreign adversaries of the United States.
(E) Actions taken by the Department to identify covered
foreign entities that--
(i) develop or manufacture covered unmanned ground vehicle
systems; and
(ii) have a military-civil nexus on the list maintained by
the Department under section 1260H(b) of the William M. (Mac)
Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2021 (Public Law 116-283; 10 U.S.C. 113 note).
(F) The feasibility and advisability of directing the
Defense Innovation Unit, or another entity in the Department
of Defense, to develop a list of United States manufacturers
of covered unmanned ground vehicle systems.
(G) A recommendation on whether a prohibition on the
procurement and operation of covered unmanned ground vehicle
systems is in the best interest of the Department.
(b) Prohibition on Procurement and Operation by Department
of Defense of Covered Unmanned Ground Vehicle Systems From
Covered Foreign Entities.--
(1) Prohibition.--
(A) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, except as provided in paragraph
(2), the Secretary of Defense may not procure or operate any
covered unmanned ground vehicle system that is manufactured
or assembled by a covered foreign entity.
(B) Applicability to contracted services.--The prohibition
under subparagraph (A) with respect to the operation of
covered unmanned ground vehicles systems applies to any such
system that is being used by the Department of Defense
through the method of contracting for the services of such
systems.
(2) Exception.--The Secretary of Defense is exempt from any
restrictions under subsection (a) in a case in which the
Secretary determines that the procurement or operation--
(A) is required in the national interest of the United
States; and
(B) is for the sole purposes of--
(i) research, evaluation, training, testing, or analysis
for electronic warfare, information warfare operations,
cybersecurity, or the development of unmanned ground vehicle
system or counter-unmanned ground vehicle system technology;
or
(ii) conducting counterterrorism or counterintelligence
activities, protective missions, Federal criminal or national
security investigations (including forensic examinations),
electronic warfare, information warfare operations,
cybersecurity activities, or the development of unmanned
ground vehicle system or counter-unmanned ground vehicle
system technology.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered foreign country.--The term ``covered foreign
country'' means any of the following:
(A) The People's Republic of China.
(B) The Russian Federation.
(C) The Islamic Republic of Iran.
(D) The Democratic People's Republic of Korea
(2) Covered foreign entity.--The term ``covered foreign
entity'' means an entity that is domiciled in a covered
foreign country or subject to influence or control by the
government of a covered foreign country, as determined by the
Secretary of Defense.
(3) Covered unmanned ground vehicle system.--The term
``covered unmanned ground vehicle system''--
(A) means a mechanical device that--
(i) is capable of locomotion, navigation, or movement on
the ground; and
(ii) operates at a distance from one or more operators or
supervisors based on commands or in response to sensor data,
or through any combination thereof; and
(B) includes--
(i) remote surveillance vehicles, autonomous patrol
technologies, mobile robotics, and humanoid robots; and
(ii) the vehicle, its payload, and any external device used
to control the vehicle.

SEC. 6068. EXPANDING COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
AGREEMENTS TO PARTNERSHIPS WITH UNITED STATES
TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENTS.

Section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation
Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking``State or local
government'' and inserting ``State, local, or territorial
government''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(h) Territorial Governments.--For the purposes of this
section, the government of a territory of the United States
shall be considered a non-Federal party.''.

SEC. 6069. PRESERVATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING RESOURCES.

(a) Facilitating Prepayment of Indebtedness for Certain
Properties.--In fiscal year 2024, the Secretary of Housing
and Urban Development (referred to in this section as the
``Secretary'') may waive or specify alternative requirements
for any provision of section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959
(12 U.S.C. 1701q) (as in effect before the date of enactment
of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42
U.S.C. 12701 et seq.)) and section 811 of the American
Homeownership and Economic Opportunity Act of 2010 (12 U.S.C.
1701q note; Public Law 106-569), except for requirements
relating to fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards,
and the environment, in order to facilitate prepayment of any
indebtedness relating to any remaining principal and interest
under a loan made under section 202 of the Housing Act of
1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q) (as in effect before the date of
enactment of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable
Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12701 et seq.)) for a property that
consists of not more than 15 units, is located in a
municipality with a population of not more than 15,000
individuals, is within 5 years of maturity, is no longer
effectively serving a need in the community, is functionally
obsolescent, and for which the Secretary has determined that
the property prepayment is part of a transaction, including a
transaction involving transfer or replacement contracts
described in subsection (b), that will provide rental housing
assistance for the elderly or persons with disabilities on
terms of at least equal duration and at least as advantageous
to existing and future tenants as the terms required by
current loan agreements entered into under any provisions of
law.
(b) Transfer or Replacement of Contract.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any contrary provision of
law, in order to preserve affordable housing resources, upon
a prepayment of a loan described in subsection (a), the
Secretary may transfer or replace the contract for assistance
at such prepaid property with a project-based subsidy
contract under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of
1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f) to 1 or more multifamily housing
projects located in the same State as the prepaid property,
for the benefit of the elderly or persons with disabilities
who are eligible to receive housing assistance under such
section 8, to assist the same number of units at the
receiving multifamily housing project or projects.
(2) Use of project-based rental assistance amounts.--The
Secretary may fund a transferred or replaced contract
described in paragraph (1) from amounts available to the
Secretary under the heading ``Project-Based Rental
Assistance''.

SEC. 6070. USE OF ROYALTY GAS AT MCALESTER ARMY AMMUNITION
PLANT.

Section 342 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
15902) is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(j) McAlester Army Ammunition Plant.--At the request of
the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary shall--
``(1) take in-kind royalty gas from any lease on the
McAlester Army Ammunition Plant in McAlester, Oklahoma; and
``(2) sell such royalty gas to the Department of Defense in
accordance with subsection (h)(1), for use only at that
plant, only for energy resilience purposes, and only to the
extent necessary to meet the natural gas needs of that
plant.''.

SEC. 6071. OUTBOUND INVESTMENT TRANSPARENCY.

(a) In General.--The Defense Production Act of 1950 (50
U.S.C. 4501 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:

``TITLE VIII--PROTECTION OF COVERED SECTORS

``SEC. 801. DEFINITIONS.

``In this title:
``(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
`appropriate congressional committees' means--
``(A) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
the Senate; and
``(B) the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee
on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.
``(2) Country of concern.--The term `country of concern'
means, subject to such regulations as may be prescribed in
accordance with section 806, a country specified in section
4872(d)(2) of title 10, United States Code.

[[Page S6243]]

``(3) Covered activity.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to such regulations as may be
prescribed in accordance with section 806, and except as
provided in subparagraph (B), the term `covered activity'
means any activity engaged in by a United States person in a
related covered sector that involves--
``(i) an acquisition by such United States person of an
equity interest or contingent equity interest, or monetary
capital contribution, in a covered foreign entity, directly
or indirectly, by contractual commitment or otherwise, with
the goal of generating income or gain;
``(ii) an arrangement for an interest held by such United
States person in the short- or long-term debt obligations of
a covered foreign entity that includes governance rights that
are characteristic of an equity investment, management, or
other important rights, as defined in regulations prescribed
in accordance with section 806;
``(iii) the establishment of a wholly owned subsidiary in a
country of concern, such as a greenfield investment, for the
purpose of production, design, testing, manufacturing,
fabrication, or development related to one or more covered
sectors;
``(iv) the establishment by such United States person of a
joint venture in a country of concern or with a covered
foreign entity for the purpose of production, design,
testing, manufacturing, fabrication, or research involving
one or more covered sectors, or other contractual or other
commitments involving a covered foreign entity to jointly
research and develop new innovation, including through the
transfer of capital or intellectual property or other
business proprietary information; or
``(v) the acquisition by a United States person with a
covered foreign entity of--

``(I) operational cooperation, such as through supply or
support arrangements;
``(II) the right to board representation (as an observer,
even if limited, or as a member) or an executive role (as may
be defined through regulation) in a covered foreign entity;
``(III) the ability to direct or influence such operational
decisions as may be defined through such regulations;
``(IV) formal governance representation in any operating
affiliate, like a portfolio company, of a covered foreign
entity; or
``(V) a new relationship to share or provide business
services, such as but not limited to financial services,
marketing services, maintenance, or assembly functions,
related to covered sectors.

``(B) Exceptions.--The term `covered activity' does not
include--
``(i) any transaction the value of which the Secretary of
the Treasury determines is de minimis, as defined in
regulations prescribed in accordance with section 806;
``(ii) any category of transactions that the Secretary
determines is in the national interest of the United States,
as may be defined in regulations prescribed in accordance
with section 806;
``(iii) any ordinary or administrative business transaction
as may be defined in such regulations;
``(iv) an investment by a United States person in--

``(I) any publicly traded security (as that term is defined
in section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(10)), denominated in any currency, that
trades on a securities exchange or through the method of
trading that is commonly referred to as `over-the-counter,'
in any jurisdiction; or
``(II) a security issued by--

``(aa) any investment company (as that term is defined in
section 3(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, at 15 U.S.C. 80a-3(a)(1)) that is registered with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as index funds,
mutual funds, or exchange traded funds;
``(bb) any company that has elected to be a business
development company pursuant to section 54 of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-53); or
``(cc) any derivative of item (aa) or (bb);
``(v) any ancillary transaction undertaken by a financial
institution (as that term is defined in defined in section
5312 of title 31, United States Code); or
``(vi) the creation, contribution to, or provision of
software distributed under open source licenses that permit
downstream users to use, reproduce, distribute, copy, create
derivative works of, and make modifications to the software.
``(C) Ancillary transaction defined.--In this paragraph,
the term `ancillary transaction' means the processing,
settling, clearing or sending of payments and cash
transactions, underwriting services, credit rating services,
and other services ordinarily incident to and part of the
provision of financial services, such as opening bank
accounts, direct custody services, foreign exchange services,
remittances services, and safe deposit services.
``(4) Covered foreign entity.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to regulations prescribed in
accordance with section 806, and except as provided in
subparagraph (B), the term `covered foreign entity' means--
``(i) any entity that is incorporated in, has a principal
place of business in, or is organized under the laws of a
country of concern;
``(ii) any entity the equity securities of which are
primarily traded in the ordinary course of business on one or
more exchanges in a country of concern;
``(iii) any entity in which any entity described in
subclause (i) or (ii) holds, individually or in the
aggregate, directly or indirectly, an ownership interest of
greater than 50 percent; or
``(iv) any other entity that is not a United States person
and that meets such criteria as may be specified by the
Secretary of the Treasury in such regulations.
``(B) Exception.--The term `covered foreign entity' does
not include any entity described in subparagraph (A) that can
demonstrate that a majority of the equity interest in the
entity is ultimately owned by--
``(i) nationals of the United States; or
``(ii) nationals of such countries (other than countries of
concern) as are identified for purposes of this subparagraph
pursuant to regulations prescribed in accordance with section
806.
``(5) Covered sectors.--Subject to regulations prescribed
in accordance with section 806, the term `covered sectors'
includes sectors within the following areas, as specified in
such regulations:
``(A) Advanced semiconductors and microelectronics.
``(B) Artificial intelligence.
``(C) Quantum information science and technology.
``(D) Hypersonics.
``(E) Satellite-based communications.
``(F) Networked laser scanning systems with dual-use
applications.
``(6) Party.--The term `party', with respect to an
activity, has the meaning given that term in regulations
prescribed in accordance with section 806.
``(7) United states.--The term `United States' means the
several States, the District of Columbia, and any territory
or possession of the United States.
``(8) United states person.--The term `United States
person' means--
``(A) an individual who is a citizen or national of the
United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent
residence in the United States; and
``(B) any corporation, partnership, or other entity
organized under the laws of the United States or the laws of
any jurisdiction within the United States.

``SEC. 802. ADMINISTRATION OF UNITED STATES INVESTMENT
NOTIFICATION.

``(a) In General.--The President shall delegate the
authorities and functions under this title to the Secretary
of the Treasury.
``(b) Coordination.--In carrying out the duties of the
Secretary under this title, the Secretary shall--
``(1) coordinate with the Secretary of Commerce; and
``(2) consult with the United States Trade Representative,
the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, and the
Director of National Intelligence.

``SEC. 803. MANDATORY NOTIFICATION OF COVERED ACTIVITIES.

``(a) Mandatory Notification.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to regulations prescribed in
accordance with section 806, beginning on the date that is 90
days after such regulations take effect, a United States
person that plans to engage in a covered activity shall--
``(A) if such covered activity is not a secured
transaction, submit to the Secretary of the Treasury a
complete written notification of the activity not later than
14 days before the anticipated completion date of the
activity; and
``(B) if such covered activity is a secured transaction,
submit to the Secretary of the Treasury a complete written
notification of the activity not later than 14 days after the
completion date of the activity.
``(2) Circulation of notification.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall, upon receipt of a
notification under paragraph (1), promptly inspect the
notification for completeness.
``(B) Incomplete notifications.--If a notification
submitted under paragraph (1) is incomplete, the Secretary
shall promptly inform the United States person that submits
the notification that the notification is not complete and
provide an explanation of relevant material respects in which
the notification is not complete.
``(3) Identification of non-notified activity.--The
Secretary shall establish a process to identify covered
activities for which--
``(A) a notification is not submitted to the Secretary
under paragraph (1); and
``(B) information is reasonably available.
``(b) Confidentiality of Information.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), any
information or documentary material filed with the Secretary
of the Treasury pursuant to this section shall be exempt from
disclosure under section 552 of title 5, United States Code,
and no such information or documentary material may be made
public by any government agency or Member of Congress.
``(2) Exceptions.--The exemption from disclosure provided
by paragraph (1) shall not prevent the disclosure of the
following:
``(A) Information relevant to any administrative or
judicial action or proceeding.
``(B) Information provided to Congress or any of the
appropriate congressional committees.
``(C) Information important to the national security
analysis or actions of the President to any domestic
governmental entity, or to any foreign governmental entity of
an ally or partner of the United States, under the direction
and authorization of the President or the Secretary, only to
the extent necessary for national security purposes, and
subject

[[Page S6244]]

to appropriate confidentiality and classification
requirements.
``(D) Information that the parties have consented to be
disclosed to third parties.

``SEC. 804. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

``(a) In General.--Not later than 360 days after the date
on which the regulations prescribed under section 806 take
effect, and not less frequently than annually thereafter, the
Secretary of the Treasury shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report that--
``(1) lists all notifications submitted under section
803(a) during the year preceding submission of the report and
includes, with respect to each such notification--
``(A) basic information on each party to the covered
activity with respect to which the notification was
submitted; and
``(B) the nature of the covered activity that was the
subject to the notification, including the elements of the
covered activity that necessitated a notification;
``(2) includes a summary of those notifications,
disaggregated by sector, by covered activity, and by country
of concern;
``(3) provides additional context and information regarding
trends in the sectors, the types of covered activities, and
the countries involved in those notifications;
``(4) includes a description of the national security risks
associated with--
``(A) the covered activities with respect to which those
notifications were submitted; or
``(B) categories of such activities; and
``(5) assesses the overall impact of those notifications,
including recommendations for--
``(A) expanding existing Federal programs to support the
production or supply of covered sectors in the United States,
including the potential of existing authorities to address
any related national security concerns;
``(B) investments needed to enhance covered sectors and
reduce dependence on countries of concern regarding those
sectors; and
``(C) the continuation, expansion, or modification of the
implementation and administration of this title, including
recommendations with respect to whether the definition of
`country of concern' under section 801(2) should be amended
to add or remove countries.
``(b) Form of Report.--Each report required by this section
shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a
classified annex.
``(c) Testimony Required.--Not later than one year after
the date of enactment of this title, and annually thereafter,
the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Commerce
shall each provide to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial
Services of the House of Representatives testimony with
respect to the national security threats relating to
investments by United States persons in countries of concern
and broader international capital flows.

``SEC. 805. PENALTIES AND ENFORCEMENT.

``(a) Penalties With Respect to Unlawful Acts.--Subject to
regulations prescribed in accordance with section 806, it
shall be unlawful--
``(1) to fail to submit a notification under subsection (a)
of section 803 with respect to a covered activity or to
submit other information as required by the Secretary of the
Treasury; or
``(2) to make a material misstatement or to omit a material
fact in any information submitted to the Secretary under this
title.
``(b) Enforcement.--The President may direct the Attorney
General to seek appropriate relief in the district courts of
the United States, in order to implement and enforce this
title.

``SEC. 806. REQUIREMENT FOR REGULATIONS.

``(a) In General.--Not later than 360 days after the date
of the enactment of this title, the Secretary of the Treasury
shall finalize regulations to carry out this title.
``(b) Elements.--Regulations prescribed to carry out this
title shall include specific examples of the types of--
``(1) activities that will be considered to be covered
activities; and
``(2) the specific sectors and subsectors that may be
considered to be covered sectors.
``(c) Requirements for Certain Regulations.--The Secretary
of the Treasury shall prescribe regulations further defining
the terms used in this title, including `covered activity',
`covered foreign entity', and `party', in accordance with
subchapter II of chapter 5 and chapter 7 of title 5 (commonly
known as the `Administrative Procedure Act').
``(d) Public Participation in Rulemaking.--The provisions
of section 709 shall apply to any regulations issued under
this title.
``(e) Low-Burden Regulations.--In prescribing regulations
under this section, the Secretary of the Treasury shall
structure the regulations--
``(1) to minimize the cost and complexity of compliance for
affected parties;
``(2) to ensure the benefits of the regulations outweigh
their costs;
``(3) to adopt the least burdensome alternative that
achieves regulatory objectives;
``(4) to prioritize transparency and stakeholder
involvement in the process of prescribing the regulations;
and
``(5) to regularly review and streamline existing
regulations to reduce redundancy and complexity.

``SEC. 807. MULTILATERAL ENGAGEMENT AND COORDINATION.

``(a) In General.--The President shall delegate the
authorities and functions under this section to the Secretary
of State.
``(b) Authorities.--The Secretary of State, in coordination
with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of
Commerce, the United States Trade Representative, and the
Director of National Intelligence, shall--
``(1) conduct bilateral and multilateral engagement with
the governments of countries that are allies and partners of
the United States to ensure coordination of protocols and
procedures with respect to covered activities with countries
of concern and covered foreign entities; and
``(2) upon adoption of protocols and procedures described
in paragraph (1), work with those governments to establish
mechanisms for sharing information, including trends, with
respect to such activities.
``(c) Strategy for Development of Outbound Investment
Screening Mechanisms.--The Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury and in
consultation with the Attorney General, shall--
``(1) develop a strategy to work with countries that are
allies and partners of the United States to develop
mechanisms comparable to this title for the notification of
covered activities; and
``(2) provide technical assistance to those countries with
respect to the development of those mechanisms.
``(d) Report.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the
development of the strategy required by subsection (b), and
annually thereafter for a period of 5 years, the Secretary of
State shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report that includes the strategy, the status of
implementing the strategy, and a description of any
impediments to the establishment of mechanisms comparable to
this title by allies and partners.
``(2) Appropriate congressional committees defined.--In
this subsection, the term `appropriate congressional
committees' means--
``(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
Finance, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of
the Senate; and
``(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Ways and Means, the Committee on Financial Services, the
Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives.

``SEC. 808. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated
such sums as may be necessary to carry out this title,
including to provide outreach to industry and persons
affected by this title.
``(b) Hiring Authority.--The head of any agency designated
as a lead agency under section 802(b) may appoint, without
regard to the provisions of sections 3309 through 3318 of
title 5, United States Code, not more than 25 candidates
directly to positions in the competitive service (as defined
in section 2102 of that title) in that agency. The primary
responsibility of individuals in positions authorized under
the preceding sentence shall be to administer this title.

``SEC. 809. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION WITH RESPECT TO FREE AND
FAIR COMMERCE.

``Nothing in this title may be construed to restrain or
deter foreign investment in the United States, United States
investment abroad, or trade in goods or services, if such
investment and trade do not pose a risk to the national
security of the United States.''.
(b) Sunset.--This section and the amendments made by this
section shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the
date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 6072. TREATMENT OF PAYMENTS FROM THE RAILROAD
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACCOUNT.

(a) Amendments.--Section 235 of the Continued Assistance to
Rail Workers Act of 2020 (subchapter III of title II of
division N of Public Law 116-260; 2 U.S.C. 906 note) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2); and
(B) by striking ``subsection (a)--'' and inserting
``subsection (a) shall take effect 7 days after the date of
enactment of the Continued Assistance to Rail Workers Act of
2020.''; and
(2) by striking subsection (c).
(b) Applicability.--The amendments made by subsection (a)
shall apply as if enacted on the day before the date on which
the national emergency concerning the novel coronavirus
disease (COVID-19) outbreak declared by the President on
March 13, 2020, under the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C.
1601 et seq.) terminates.
(c) Offset From Technology Modernization Fund.--Of the
unobligated balances of the amount made available under
section 4011 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (135
Stat. 80), $13,000,000 are rescinded.

SEC. 6073. RECORDS PRESERVATION PROCESSES FOR CERTAIN AT-RISK
AFGHAN ALLIES.

(a) Definition of Afghan Ally.--In this section and only
for the purpose of the Department of Defense records
preservation processes established by this section, the term
``Afghan ally'' means an alien who is a citizen or national
of Afghanistan, or in the case of an alien having no
nationality, an

[[Page S6245]]

alien who last habitually resided in Afghanistan, who--
(1) was--
(A) a member of--
(i) the special operations forces of the Afghanistan
National Defense and Security Forces;
(ii) the Afghanistan National Army Special Operations
Command;
(iii) the Afghan Air Force; or
(iv) the Special Mission Wing of Afghanistan;
(B) a female member of any other entity of the Afghanistan
National Defense and Security Forces, including--
(i) a cadet or instructor at the Afghanistan National
Defense University; and
(ii) a civilian employee of the Ministry of Defense or the
Ministry of Interior Affairs;
(C) an individual associated with former Afghan military
and police human intelligence activities, including operators
and Department of Defense sources;
(D) an individual associated with former Afghan military
counterintelligence, counterterrorism, or counternarcotics;
(E) an individual associated with the former Afghan
Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior Affairs, or court
system, and who was involved in the investigation,
prosecution or detention of combatants or members of the
Taliban or criminal networks affiliated with the Taliban;
(F) an individual employed in the former justice sector in
Afghanistan as a judge, prosecutor, or investigator who was
engaged in rule of law activities for which the United States
provided funding or training; or
(G) a senior military officer, senior enlisted personnel,
or civilian official who served on the staff of the former
Ministry of Defense or the former Ministry of Interior
Affairs of Afghanistan; and
(2) provided service to an entity or organization described
in paragraph (1) for not less than 1 year during the period
beginning on December 22, 2001, and ending on September 1,
2021, and did so in support of the United States mission in
Afghanistan.
(b) Inclusions.--For purposes of this section, the
Afghanistan National Defense and Security Forces includes
members of the security forces under the Ministry of Defense
and the Ministry of Interior Affairs of the Islamic Republic
of Afghanistan, including the Afghanistan National Army, the
Afghan Air Force, the Afghanistan National Police, and any
other entity designated by the Secretary of Defense as part
of the Afghanistan National Defense and Security Forces
during the relevant period of service of the applicant
concerned.
(c) Afghan Allies Records Preservation Program.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall
establish a process by which an individual may apply to the
Secretary of Defense for classification as an Afghan ally.
(2) Application system.--The process established under
paragraph (1) shall--
(A) include the development and maintenance of a secure
online portal through which applicants may provide
information verifying their status as Afghan allies and
upload supporting documentation; and
(B) allow--
(i) an applicant to submit his or her own application;
(ii) a designee of an applicant to submit an application on
behalf of the applicant; and
(iii) the submission of an application regardless of where
the applicant is located, provided that the applicant is
outside the United States.
(3) Review process.--As soon as practicable after receiving
a request for classification described in paragraph (1), the
Secretary of Defense shall--
(A) review--
(i) the service record of the applicant, if available;
(ii) if the applicant provides a service record or other
supporting documentation, any information within the internal
or contractor-held records of the Department of Defense that
helps verify the service record concerned, including
information or an attestation provided by any current or
former official of the Department of Defense who has personal
knowledge of the eligibility of the applicant for such
classification; and
(iii) available data holdings in the possession of the
Department of Defense or any contractor of the Department of
Defense, including as applicable biographic and biometric
records, iris scans, fingerprints, voice biometric
information, hand geometry biometrics, other identifiable
information, and any other information related to the
applicant, including relevant derogatory information; and
(B)(i) in a case in which the Secretary of Defense
determines that the applicant is an Afghan ally without
significant derogatory information, the Secretary shall
preserve a complete record of such application for potential
future use by the applicant or a designee of the applicant;
and
(ii) include with such preserved record--
(I) any service record concerned, if available;
(II) if the applicant provides a service record, any
information that helps verify the service record concerned;
and
(III) any biometrics for the applicant.
(4) Review process for denial of request for records
preservation.--
(A) In general.--In the case of an applicant with respect
to whom the Secretary of Defense denies a request for
classification and records preservation based on a
determination that the applicant is not an Afghan ally or
based on derogatory information--
(i) the Secretary shall provide the applicant with a
written notice of the denial that provides, to the maximum
extent practicable, a description of the basis for the
denial, including the facts and inferences, or evidentiary
gaps, underlying the individual determination; and
(ii) the applicant shall be provided an opportunity to
submit not more than 1 written appeal to the Secretary for
each such denial.
(B) Deadline for appeal.--An appeal under clause (ii) of
subparagraph (A) shall be submitted--
(i) not more than 120 days after the date on which the
applicant concerned receives notice under clause (i) of that
subparagraph; or
(ii) on any date thereafter, at the discretion of the
Secretary of Defense.
(C) Request to reopen.--
(i) In general.--An applicant who receives a denial under
subparagraph (A) may submit a request to reopen a request for
classification and records preservation under the process
established under paragraph (1) so that the applicant may
provide additional information, clarify existing information,
or explain any unfavorable information.
(ii) Limitation.--After considering 1 such request to
reopen from an applicant, the Secretary of Defense may deny
subsequent requests to reopen submitted by the same
applicant.
(5) Termination.--The application process under this
subsection shall terminate on the date that--
(A) is not earlier than ten years after the date of the
enactment of this Act; and
(B) on which the Secretary of Defense makes a determination
that such termination is in the national interest of the
United States.
(6) General provisions.--
(A) Prohibition on fees.--The Secretary of Defense may not
charge any fee in connection with a request for a
classification or records preservation under this section.
(B) Defense personnel.--Any limitation in law with respect
to the number of personnel within the Office of the Secretary
of Defense, the military departments, or a Defense Agency (as
defined in section 101(a) of title 10, United States Code)
shall not apply to personnel employed for the primary purpose
of carrying out this section.
(C) Representation.--An alien applying for records
preservation under this section may be represented during the
application process, including at relevant interviews and
examinations, by an attorney or other accredited
representative. Such representation shall not be at the
expense of the United States Government.

SEC. 6074. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Jens Stoltenberg served as the Prime Minister of Norway
from 2000 to 2001 and 2005 to 2013.
(2) Norway was a founding member of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (referred to in this Act as ``NATO'') on
April 4, 1949.
(3) As Prime Minister of Norway, Jens Stoltenberg oversaw
Norway's increased defense spending levels and the
modernization of the Norwegian Armed Forces.
(4) A primary objective of NATO is to provide security and
support to member nations and promote democratic values to
ensure stability and peace.
(5) Jens Stoltenberg assumed the position of Secretary
General of NATO in October 2014.
(6) The United States was the first NATO member to support
Jens Stoltenberg's appointment as Secretary General.
(7) Jens Stoltenberg has led NATO through significant new
investments, reinforced its capabilities and enhanced the
collective defense of the Alliance.
(8) Jens Stoltenberg has advocated for greater burden
sharing among members of the NATO Alliance, and under his
leadership the Alliance will see 23 member countries reach or
exceed the 2 percent defense spending commitment by 2024,
compared to 4 member countries in 2014.
(9) Jens Stoltenberg's commitment to better burden sharing
has resulted in a stronger and more sustainable Alliance than
at any other time in NATO history.
(10) Under Jens Stoltenberg's leadership, NATO has
successfully undergone multiple enlargement periods and has
extended membership to Finland, Montenegro, North Macedonia
and Sweden.
(11) In addition to bolstering the collective security of
the Alliance, NATO enlargement indicates that an increasing
number of countries are meeting key benchmarks on the
military, political and legal requirements needed for NATO
accession, enhancing interoperability, defense expenditure
and intelligence sharing among member countries.
(12) Jens Stoltenberg has increased NATO's partnerships
with Indo-Pacific countries to cooperate more closely to
address our shared global challenges including cyber defense,
emergency technologies, and the multitude of challenges posed
by the People's Republic of China.
(13) Jens Stoltenberg included Indo-Pacific leaders at NATO
summits and traveled to the region which further cemented
these important partnerships.
(14) Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in
February 2022, Jens Stoltenberg has led the Alliance in
maintaining unprecedented unity against Putin's unprovoked,
illegal actions.

[[Page S6246]]

(15) Since February 2022, NATO members have supplied
Ukraine with the equipment and resources it needs to defend
its democracy and its sovereignty.
(16) Jens Stoltenberg successfully marshaled political and
financial support from Indo-Pacific partners to support
Ukraine, including contributions of munitions and military
equipment and sizeable financial contributions to NATO's
Comprehensive Assistance Plan Action Trust Fund for Ukraine.
(17) Jens Stoltenberg's mandate was extended a total of 4
times with unanimous support by NATO allies, with 2
extensions agreed to following Russia's unprovoked invasion
of Ukraine.
(18) Jens Stoltenberg is the second longest-serving
Secretary General, serving over 9 years in this position.
(19) Jens Stoltenberg has re-committed that the NATO
Alliance will stand together against any threat posed to a
NATO member, ensuring continued peace and stability within
NATO territory and around the world.
(b) Award and Design.--
(1) Award authorized.--The Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate
shall make appropriate arrangements for the award, on behalf
of the Congress, of a single gold medal of appropriate design
to Jens Stoltenberg, in recognition of his contributions to
the security, unity, and defense of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization.
(2) Design and striking.--For purposes of the award
referred to in paragraph (1), the Secretary of the Treasury
(referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary'') shall strike a
gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions,
to be determined by the Secretary. The design shall bear a
image of, and inscription of the name of, Jens Stoltenberg.
(c) Duplicate Medals.--The Secretary may strike and sell
duplicates in bronze of the gold medal struck under
subsection (b), at a price sufficient to cover the costs
thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery,
and overhead expenses.
(d) Status of Medals.--
(1) National medals.--Medals struck under this Act are
national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31,
United States Code.
(2) Numismatic items.--For purposes of sections 5134 and
5136 of title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under
this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.
(e) Authority to Use Fund Amounts; Proceeds of Sale.--
(1) Authority to use fund amounts.--There is authorized to
be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise
Fund such amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs of
the medals struck under this Act.
(2) Proceeds of sales.--Amounts received from the sale of
duplicate bronze medals authorized under subsection (c) shall
be deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise
Fund.

SEC. 6075. TEMPORARY JUDGESHIPS IN THE DISTRICT COURTS.

(a) Existing Judgeships.--The existing judgeships for the
district of Hawaii, the district of Kansas, and the eastern
district of Missouri authorized by section 203(c) of the
Judicial Improvements Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-650; 28
U.S.C. 133 note) and the existing judgeships for the northern
district of Alabama, the district of Arizona, the central
district of California, the southern district of Florida, the
district of New Mexico, the western district of North
Carolina, and the eastern district of Texas authorized by
section 312(c) of the 21st Century Department of Justice
Appropriations Authorization Act (Public Law 107-273; 28
U.S.C. 133 note) shall, as of the effective date of this
section, be authorized under section 133 of title 28, United
States Code, and the incumbents in those offices shall hold
the office under section 133 of title 28, United States Code,
as amended by this section.
(b) Tables.--In order that the table contained in section
133 of title 28, United States Code, will, with respect to
each judicial district, reflect the changes in the total
number of permanent district judgeships authorized as a
result of subsection (a) of this section, such table is
amended--
(1) by striking the items relating to Alabama and inserting
the following:

``Alabama:
Northern...................................  8
Middle.....................................  3
Southern...................................  3'';

(2) by striking the item relating to Arizona and inserting
the following:

``Arizona..................................  13'';

(3) by striking the items relating to California and
inserting the following:

``California:
Northern...................................  14
Eastern....................................  6
Central....................................  28
Southern...................................  13'';

(4) by striking the items relating to Florida and inserting
the following:

``Florida:
Northern...................................  4
Middle.....................................  15
Southern...................................  18'';

(5) by striking the item relating to Hawaii and inserting
the following:

``Hawaii...................................  4'';

(6) by striking the item relating to Kansas and inserting
the following:

``Kansas...................................  6'';

(7) by striking the items relating to Missouri and
inserting the following:

``Missouri:
Eastern....................................  7
Western....................................  5
Eastern and Western........................  2'';

(8) by striking the item relating to New Mexico and
inserting the following:

``New Mexico...............................  7'';

(9) by striking the items relating to North Carolina and
inserting the following:

``North Carolina:
Eastern....................................  4
Middle.....................................  4
Western....................................  5''; and

(10) by striking the items relating to Texas and inserting
the following:

``Texas:
Northern...................................  12
Southern...................................  19
Eastern....................................  8
Western....................................  13''.

(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out
this section and the amendments made by this section.

SEC. 6076. TEMPORARY JUDGESHIPS IN THE DISTRICT COURTS.

(a) Existing Judgeships.--The existing judgeships for the
district of Hawaii, the district of Kansas, and the eastern
district of Missouri authorized by section 203(c) of the
Judicial Improvements Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-650; 28
U.S.C. 133 note) and the existing judgeships for the northern
district of Alabama, the district of Arizona, the central
district of California, the southern district of Florida, the
district of New Mexico, the western district of North
Carolina, and the eastern district of Texas authorized by
section 312(c) of the 21st Century Department of Justice
Appropriations Authorization Act (Public Law 107-273; 28
U.S.C. 133 note) shall, as of the effective date of this
section, be authorized under section 133 of title 28, United
States Code, and the incumbents in those offices shall hold
the office under section 133 of title 28, United States Code,
as amended by this section.
(b) Tables.--In order that the table contained in section
133 of title 28, United States Code, will, with respect to
each judicial district, reflect the changes in the total
number of permanent district judgeships authorized as a
result of subsection (a) of this section, such table is
amended--
(1) by striking the items relating to Alabama and inserting
the following:

``Alabama:
Northern...................................  8
Middle.....................................  3
Southern...................................  3'';

(2) by striking the item relating to Arizona and inserting
the following:

``Arizona..................................  13'';

(3) by striking the items relating to California and
inserting the following:

``California:
Northern...................................  14
Eastern....................................  6
Central....................................  28
Southern...................................  13'';

(4) by striking the items relating to Florida and inserting
the following:

``Florida:
Northern...................................  4
Middle.....................................  15
Southern...................................  18'';

(5) by striking the item relating to Hawaii and inserting
the following:

``Hawaii...................................  4'';

(6) by striking the item relating to Kansas and inserting
the following:

``Kansas...................................  6'';

(7) by striking the items relating to Missouri and
inserting the following:

``Missouri:
Eastern....................................  7
Western....................................  5
Eastern and Western........................  2'';

(8) by striking the item relating to New Mexico and
inserting the following:

``New Mexico...............................  7'';

(9) by striking the items relating to North Carolina and
inserting the following:

``North Carolina:
Eastern....................................  4
Middle.....................................  4
Western....................................  5''; and

(10) by striking the items relating to Texas and inserting
the following:

``Texas:
Northern...................................  12
Southern...................................  19
Eastern....................................  8
Western....................................  13''.

(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out
this section and the amendments made by this section.

[[Page S6247]]

Subtitle I--International Nuclear Energy Act of 2024

SEC. 6081. SHORT TITLE.

This subtitle may be cited as the ``International Nuclear
Energy Act of 2024''.

SEC. 6082. DEFINITIONS.

In this subtitle:
(1) Advanced nuclear reactor.--The term ``advanced nuclear
reactor'' means--
(A) a nuclear fission reactor, including a prototype plant
(as defined in sections 50.2 and 52.1 of title 10, Code of
Federal Regulations (or successor regulations)), with
significant improvements compared to reactors operating on
October 19, 2016, including improvements such as--
(i) additional inherent safety features;
(ii) lower waste yields;
(iii) improved fuel and material performance;
(iv) increased tolerance to loss of fuel cooling;
(v) enhanced reliability or improved resilience;
(vi) increased proliferation resistance;
(vii) increased thermal efficiency;
(viii) reduced consumption of cooling water and other
environmental impacts;
(ix) the ability to integrate into electric applications
and nonelectric applications;
(x) modular sizes to allow for deployment that corresponds
with the demand for electricity or process heat; and
(xi) operational flexibility to respond to changes in
demand for electricity or process heat and to complement
integration with intermittent renewable energy or energy
storage;
(B) a fusion reactor; and
(C) a radioisotope power system that utilizes heat from
radioactive decay to generate energy.
(2) Ally or partner nation.--The term ``ally or partner
nation'' means--
(A) the Government of any country that is a member of the
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development;
(B) the Government of the Republic of India; and
(C) the Government of any country designated as an ally or
partner nation by the Secretary of State for purposes of this
subtitle.
(3) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committees on Foreign Relations and Energy and
Natural Resources of the Senate; and
(B) the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Energy and
Commerce of the House of Representatives.
(4) Assistant.--The term ``Assistant'' means the Assistant
to the President and Director for International Nuclear
Energy Policy described in section 6083(a)(1)(D).
(5) Associated entity.--The term ``associated entity''
means an entity that--
(A) is owned, controlled, or operated by--
(i) an ally or partner nation; or
(ii) an associated individual; or
(B) is organized under the laws of, or otherwise subject to
the jurisdiction of, a country described in paragraph (2),
including a corporation that is incorporated in a country
described in that paragraph.
(6) Associated individual.--The term ``associated
individual'' means a foreign national who is a national of a
country described in paragraph (2).
(7) Civil nuclear.--The term ``civil nuclear'' means
activities relating to--
(A) nuclear plant construction;
(B) nuclear fuel services;
(C) nuclear energy financing;
(D) nuclear plant operations;
(E) nuclear plant regulation;
(F) nuclear medicine;
(G) nuclear safety;
(H) community engagement in areas in reasonable proximity
to nuclear sites;
(I) infrastructure support for nuclear energy;
(J) nuclear plant decommissioning;
(K) nuclear liability;
(L) safe storage and safe disposal of spent nuclear fuel;
(M) environmental safeguards;
(N) nuclear nonproliferation and security; and
(O) technology related to the matters described in
subparagraphs (A) through (N).
(8) Embarking civil nuclear nation.--
(A) In general.--The term ``embarking civil nuclear
nation'' means a country that--
(i) does not have a civil nuclear energy program;
(ii) is in the process of developing or expanding a civil
nuclear energy program, including safeguards and a legal and
regulatory framework, for--

(I) nuclear safety;
(II) nuclear security;
(III) radioactive waste management;
(IV) civil nuclear energy;
(V) environmental safeguards;
(VI) community engagement in areas in reasonable proximity
to nuclear sites;
(VII) nuclear liability; or
(VIII) advanced nuclear reactor licensing;

(iii) is in the process of selecting, developing,
constructing, or utilizing advanced light water reactors,
advanced nuclear reactors, or advanced civil nuclear
technologies; or
(iv) is eligible to receive development lending from the
World Bank.
(B) Exclusions.--The term ``embarking civil nuclear
nation'' does not include--
(i) the People's Republic of China;
(ii) the Russian Federation;
(iii) the Republic of Belarus;
(iv) the Islamic Republic of Iran;
(v) the Democratic People's Republic of Korea;
(vi) the Republic of Cuba;
(vii) the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela;
(viii) the Syrian Arab Republic;
(ix) Burma; or
(x) any other country--

(I) the property or interests in property of the government
of which are blocked pursuant to the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); or
(II) the government of which the Secretary of State has
determined has repeatedly provided support for acts of
international terrorism for purposes of--

(aa) section 620A(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
(22 U.S.C. 2371(a));
(bb) section 40(d) of the Arms Export Control Act (22
U.S.C. 2780(d));
(cc) section 1754(c)(1)(A)(i) of the Export Control Reform
Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4813(c)(1)(A)(i)); or
(dd) any other relevant provision of law.
(9) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Energy.
(10) Spent nuclear fuel.--The term ``spent nuclear fuel''
has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Nuclear
Waste Policy Act of 1982 (42 U.S.C. 10101).
(11) U.S. nuclear energy company.--The term ``U.S. nuclear
energy company'' means a company that--
(A) is organized under the laws of, or otherwise subject to
the jurisdiction of, the United States; and
(B) is involved in the nuclear energy industry.

SEC. 6083. CIVIL NUCLEAR COORDINATION AND STRATEGY.

(a) White House Focal Point on Civil Nuclear
Coordination.--
(1) Sense of congress.--Given the critical importance of
developing and implementing, with input from various agencies
throughout the executive branch, a cohesive policy with
respect to international efforts related to civil nuclear
energy, it is the sense of Congress that--
(A) there should be a focal point within the White House,
which may, if determined to be appropriate, report to the
National Security Council, for coordination on issues
relating to those efforts;
(B) to provide that focal point, the President should
establish, within the Executive Office of the President, an
office, to be known as the ``Office of the Assistant to the
President and Director for International Nuclear Energy
Policy'' (referred to in this subsection as the ``Office'');
(C) the Office should act as a coordinating office for--
(i) international civil nuclear cooperation; and
(ii) civil nuclear export strategy;
(D) the Office should be headed by an individual appointed
as an Assistant to the President with the title of ``Director
for International Nuclear Energy Policy''; and
(E) the Office should--
(i) coordinate civil nuclear export policies for the United
States;
(ii) develop, in coordination with the officials described
in paragraph (2), a cohesive Federal strategy for engagement
with foreign governments (including ally or partner nations
and the governments of embarking civil nuclear nations),
associated entities, and associated individuals with respect
to civil nuclear exports;
(iii) coordinate with the officials described in paragraph
(2) to ensure that necessary framework agreements and trade
controls relating to civil nuclear materials and technologies
are in place for key markets; and
(iv) develop--

(I) a whole-of-government coordinating strategy for civil
nuclear cooperation;
(II) a whole-of-government strategy for civil nuclear
exports; and
(III) a whole-of-government approach to support appropriate
foreign investment in civil nuclear energy projects supported
by the United States in embarking civil nuclear nations.

(2) Officials described.--The officials referred to in
paragraph (1)(E) are--
(A) appropriate officials of any Federal agency that the
President determines to be appropriate; and
(B) appropriate officials representing foreign countries
and governments, including--
(i) ally or partner nations;
(ii) embarking civil nuclear nations; and
(iii) any other country or government that the Assistant
(if appointed) and the officials described in subparagraph
(A) jointly determine to be appropriate.
(b) Nuclear Exports Working Group.--
(1) Establishment.--There is established a working group,
to be known as the ``Nuclear Exports Working Group''
(referred to in this subsection as the ``working group'').
(2) Composition.--The working group shall be composed of--
(A) senior-level Federal officials, selected internally by
the applicable Federal agency or organization, from any
Federal agency or organization that the President determines
to be appropriate; and
(B) other senior-level Federal officials, selected
internally by the applicable Federal agency or organization,
from any other Federal agency or organization that the
Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(3) Reporting.--The working group shall report to the
appropriate White House official, which may be the Assistant
(if appointed).

[[Page S6248]]

(4) Duties.--The working group shall coordinate, not less
frequently than quarterly, with the Civil Nuclear Trade
Advisory Committee of the Department of Commerce, the Nuclear
Energy Advisory Committee of the Department of Energy, and
other advisory or stakeholder groups, as necessary, to
maintain an accurate and up-to-date knowledge of the standing
of civil nuclear exports from the United States, including
with respect to meeting the targets established as part of
the 10-year civil nuclear trade strategy described in
paragraph (5)(A).
(5) Strategy.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the working group shall establish a
10-year civil nuclear trade strategy, including biennial
targets for the export of civil nuclear technologies,
including light water and non-light water reactors and
associated equipment and technologies, civil nuclear
materials, and nuclear fuel that align with meeting
international energy demand while seeking to avoid or reduce
emissions.
(B) Collaboration required.--In establishing the strategy
under subparagraph (A), the working group shall collaborate
with--
(i) any Federal agency that the President determines to be
appropriate; and
(ii) representatives of private industry.

SEC. 6084. ENGAGEMENT WITH ALLY OR PARTNER NATIONS.

(a) In General.--The President shall launch, in accordance
with applicable nuclear technology export laws (including
regulations), an international initiative to modernize the
civil nuclear outreach to embarking civil nuclear nations.
(b) Financing.--In carrying out the initiative described in
subsection (a), the President, acting through an appropriate
Federal official, who may be the Assistant (if appointed) or
the Chief Executive Officer of the International Development
Finance Corporation, if determined to be appropriate, and in
coordination with the officials described in section
6083(a)(2), may, if the President determines to be
appropriate, seek to establish cooperative financing
relationships for the export of civil nuclear technology,
components, materials, and infrastructure to embarking civil
nuclear nations.
(c) Activities.--In carrying out the initiative described
in subsection (a), the President shall--
(1) assist nongovernmental organizations and appropriate
offices, administrations, agencies, laboratories, and
programs of the Department of Energy and other relevant
Federal agencies and offices in providing education and
training to foreign governments in nuclear safety, security,
and safeguards--
(A) through engagement with the International Atomic Energy
Agency; or
(B) independently, if the applicable entity determines that
it would be more advantageous under the circumstances to
provide the applicable education and training independently;
(2) assist the efforts of the International Atomic Energy
Agency to expand the support provided by the International
Atomic Energy Agency to embarking civil nuclear nations for
nuclear safety, security, and safeguards;
(3) coordinate the work of the Chief Executive Officer of
the United States International Development Finance
Corporation and the Export-Import Bank of the United States
to expand outreach to the private investment community to
create public-private financing relationships to assist in
the adoption of civil nuclear technologies by embarking civil
nuclear nations, including through exports from the United
States;
(4) seek to better coordinate, to the maximum extent
practicable, the work carried out by any Federal agency that
the President determines to be appropriate; and
(5) coordinate the work of the Export-Import Bank of the
United States to improve the efficient and effective
exporting and importing of civil nuclear technologies and
materials.

SEC. 6085. COOPERATIVE FINANCING RELATIONSHIPS WITH ALLY OR
PARTNER NATIONS AND EMBARKING CIVIL NUCLEAR
NATIONS.

(a) In General.--The President shall designate an
appropriate White House official, who may be the Assistant
(if appointed), and the Chief Executive Officer of the United
States International Development Finance Corporation to
coordinate with the officials described in section 6083(a)(2)
to develop, as the President determines to be appropriate,
financing relationships with ally or partner nations to
assist in the adoption of civil nuclear technologies exported
from the United States or ally or partner nations to
embarking civil nuclear nations.
(b) United States Competitiveness Clauses.--
(1) Definition of united states competitiveness clause.--In
this subsection, the term ``United States competitiveness
clause'' means any United States competitiveness provision in
any agreement entered into by the Department of Energy,
including--
(A) a cooperative agreement;
(B) a cooperative research and development agreement; and
(C) a patent waiver.
(2) Consideration.--In carrying out subsection (a), the
relevant officials described in that subsection shall
consider the impact of United States competitiveness clauses
on any financing relationships entered into or proposed to be
entered into under that subsection.
(3) Waiver.--The Secretary shall facilitate waivers of
United States competitiveness clauses as necessary to
facilitate financing relationships with ally or partner
nations under subsection (a).

SEC. 6086. COOPERATION WITH ALLY OR PARTNER NATIONS ON
ADVANCED NUCLEAR REACTOR DEMONSTRATION AND
COOPERATIVE RESEARCH FACILITIES FOR CIVIL
NUCLEAR ENERGY.

(a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Secretary and the Secretary of
Commerce, shall conduct bilateral and multilateral meetings
with not fewer than 5 ally or partner nations, with the aim
of enhancing nuclear energy cooperation among those ally or
partner nations and the United States, for the purpose of
developing collaborative relationships with respect to
research, development, licensing, and deployment of advanced
nuclear reactor technologies for civil nuclear energy.
(b) Requirement.--The meetings described in subsection (a)
shall include--
(1) a focus on cooperation to demonstrate and deploy
advanced nuclear reactors, with an emphasis on U.S. nuclear
energy companies, during the 10-year period beginning on the
date of enactment of this Act to provide options for
addressing energy security and climate change; and
(2) a focus on developing a memorandum of understanding or
any other appropriate agreement between the United States and
ally or partner nations with respect to--
(A) the demonstration and deployment of advanced nuclear
reactors; and
(B) the development of cooperative research facilities.
(c) Financing Arrangements.--In conducting the meetings
described in subsection (a), the Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Secretary and the Secretary of
Commerce, shall seek to develop financing arrangements to
share the costs of the demonstration and deployment of
advanced nuclear reactors and the development of cooperative
research facilities with the ally or partner nations
participating in those meetings.
(d) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, the Secretary of State,
and the Secretary of Commerce shall jointly submit to
Congress a report highlighting potential partners--
(1) for the establishment of cost-share arrangements
described in subsection (c); or
(2) with which the United States may enter into agreements
with respect to--
(A) the demonstration of advanced nuclear reactors; or
(B) cooperative research facilities.

SEC. 6087. INTERNATIONAL CIVIL NUCLEAR ENERGY COOPERATION.

Section 959B of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
16279b) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``The Secretary'' and inserting the following:
``(a) In General.--The Secretary'';
(2) in subsection (a) (as so designated)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``financing,''; and
(ii) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end;
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``preparations for'';
and
(ii) in subparagraph (C)(v), by striking the period at the
end and inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) to support, with the concurrence of the Secretary of
State, the safe, secure, and peaceful use of civil nuclear
technology in countries developing nuclear energy programs,
with a focus on countries that have increased civil nuclear
cooperation with the Russian Federation or the People's
Republic of China; and
``(4) to promote the fullest utilization of the reactors,
fuel, equipment, services, and technology of U.S. nuclear
energy companies (as defined in section 6082 of the
International Nuclear Energy Act of 2024) in civil nuclear
energy programs outside the United States through--
``(A) bilateral and multilateral arrangements developed and
executed with the concurrence of the Secretary of State that
contain commitments for the utilization of the reactors,
fuel, equipment, services, and technology of U.S. nuclear
energy companies (as defined in that section);
``(B) the designation of 1 or more U.S. nuclear energy
companies (as defined in that section) to implement an
arrangement under subparagraph (A) if the Secretary
determines that the designation is necessary and appropriate
to achieve the objectives of this section; and
``(C) the waiver of any provision of law relating to
competition with respect to any activity related to an
arrangement under subparagraph (A) if the Secretary, in
consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of
Commerce, determines that a waiver is necessary and
appropriate to achieve the objectives of this section.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Requirements.--The program under subsection (a) shall
be supported in consultation with the Secretary of State and
implemented by the Secretary--

[[Page S6249]]

``(1) to facilitate, to the maximum extent practicable,
workshops and expert-based exchanges to engage industry,
stakeholders, and foreign governments with respect to
international civil nuclear issues, such as--
``(A) training;
``(B) financing;
``(C) safety;
``(D) security;
``(E) safeguards;
``(F) liability;
``(G) advanced fuels;
``(H) operations; and
``(I) options for multinational cooperation with respect to
the disposal of spent nuclear fuel (as defined in section 2
of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (42 U.S.C. 10101));
and
``(2) in coordination with any Federal agency that the
President determines to be appropriate.
``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out subsection
(a)(3) $15,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through
2028.''.

SEC. 6088. INTERNATIONAL CIVIL NUCLEAR PROGRAM SUPPORT.

(a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Secretary and the Assistant (if
appointed), shall launch an international initiative
(referred to in this section as the ``initiative'') to
provide financial assistance to, and facilitate the building
of technical capacities by, in accordance with this section,
embarking civil nuclear nations for activities relating to
the development of civil nuclear energy programs.
(b) Financial Assistance.--
(1) In general.--In carrying out the initiative, the
Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary and
the Assistant (if appointed), may award grants of financial
assistance to embarking civil nuclear nations in accordance
with this subsection--
(A) for activities relating to the development of civil
nuclear energy programs; and
(B) to facilitate the building of technical capacities for
those activities.
(2) Amount.--The amount of a grant of financial assistance
under paragraph (1) shall be not more than $5,500,000.
(3) Limitations.--The Secretary of State, in coordination
with the Secretary and the Assistant (if appointed), may
award--
(A) not more than 1 grant of financial assistance under
paragraph (1) to any 1 embarking civil nuclear nation each
fiscal year; and
(B) not more than a total of 5 grants of financial
assistance under paragraph (1) to any 1 embarking civil
nuclear nation.
(c) Senior Advisors.--
(1) In general.--In carrying out the initiative, the
Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary and
the Assistant (if appointed), may provide financial
assistance to an embarking civil nuclear nation for the
purpose of contracting with a U.S. nuclear energy company to
hire 1 or more senior advisors to assist the embarking civil
nuclear nation in establishing a civil nuclear program.
(2) Requirement.--A senior advisor described in paragraph
(1) shall have relevant experience and qualifications to
advise the embarking civil nuclear nation on, and facilitate
on behalf of the embarking civil nuclear nation, 1 or more of
the following activities:
(A) The development of financing relationships.
(B) The development of a standardized financing and project
management framework for the construction of nuclear power
plants.
(C) The development of a standardized licensing framework
for--
(i) light water civil nuclear technologies; and
(ii) non-light water civil nuclear technologies and
advanced nuclear reactors.
(D) The identification of qualified organizations and
service providers.
(E) The identification of funds to support payment for
services required to develop a civil nuclear program.
(F) Market analysis.
(G) The identification of the safety, security, safeguards,
and nuclear governance required for a civil nuclear program.
(H) Risk allocation, risk management, and nuclear
liability.
(I) Technical assessments of nuclear reactors and
technologies.
(J) The identification of actions necessary to participate
in a global nuclear liability regime based on the Convention
on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage, with Annex,
done at Vienna September 12, 1997 (TIAS 15-415).
(K) Stakeholder engagement.
(L) Management of spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste.
(M) Any other major activities to support the establishment
of a civil nuclear program, such as the establishment of
export, financing, construction, training, operations, and
education requirements.
(3) Clarification.--Financial assistance under this
subsection may be provided to an embarking civil nuclear
nation in addition to any financial assistance provided to
that embarking civil nuclear nation under subsection (b).
(d) Limitation on Assistance to Embarking Civil Nuclear
Nations.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Offices of the Inspectors General for the
Department of State and the Department of Energy shall
coordinate--
(1) to establish and submit to the appropriate committees
of Congress a joint strategic plan to conduct comprehensive
oversight of activities authorized under this section to
prevent fraud, waste, and abuse; and
(2) to engage in independent and effective oversight of
activities authorized under this section through joint or
individual audits, inspections, investigations, or
evaluations.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary of State to carry out the
initiative $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through
2028.

SEC. 6089. BIENNIAL CABINET-LEVEL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON
NUCLEAR SAFETY, SECURITY, SAFEGUARDS, AND
SUSTAINABILITY.

(a) In General.--The President, in coordination with
international partners, as determined by the President, and
industry, shall hold a biennial conference on civil nuclear
safety, security, safeguards, and sustainability (referred to
in this section as a ``conference'').
(b) Conference Functions.--It is the sense of Congress that
each conference should--
(1) be a forum in which ally or partner nations may engage
with each other for the purpose of reinforcing the commitment
to--
(A) nuclear safety, security, safeguards, and
sustainability;
(B) environmental safeguards; and
(C) local community engagement in areas in reasonable
proximity to nuclear sites; and
(2) facilitate--
(A) the development of--
(i) joint commitments and goals to improve--

(I) nuclear safety, security, safeguards, and
sustainability;
(II) environmental safeguards; and
(III) local community engagement in areas in reasonable
proximity to nuclear sites;

(ii) stronger international institutions that support
nuclear safety, security, safeguards, and sustainability;
(iii) cooperative financing relationships to promote
competitive alternatives to Chinese and Russian financing;
(iv) a standardized financing and project management
framework for the construction of civil nuclear power plants;
(v) a standardized licensing framework for civil nuclear
technologies;
(vi) a strategy to change internal policies of
multinational development banks, such as the World Bank, to
support the financing of civil nuclear projects;
(vii) a document containing any lessons learned from
countries that have partnered with the Russian Federation or
the People's Republic of China with respect to civil nuclear
power, including any detrimental outcomes resulting from that
partnership; and
(viii) a global civil nuclear liability regime;
(B) cooperation for enhancing the overall aspects of civil
nuclear power, such as--
(i) nuclear safety, security, safeguards, and
sustainability;
(ii) nuclear laws (including regulations);
(iii) waste management;
(iv) quality management systems;
(v) technology transfer;
(vi) human resources development;
(vii) localization;
(viii) reactor operations;
(ix) nuclear liability; and
(x) decommissioning; and
(C) the development and determination of the mechanisms
described in paragraphs (7) and (8) of section 6089A(a), if
the President intends to establish an Advanced Reactor
Coordination and Resource Center as described in that
section.
(c) Input From Industry and Government.--It is the sense of
Congress that each conference should include a meeting that
convenes nuclear industry leaders and leaders of government
agencies with expertise relating to nuclear safety, security,
safeguards, or sustainability to discuss best practices
relating to--
(1) the safe and secure use, storage, and transport of
nuclear and radiological materials;
(2) managing the evolving cyber threat to nuclear and
radiological security; and
(3) the role that the nuclear industry should play in
nuclear and radiological safety, security, and safeguards,
including with respect to the safe and secure use, storage,
and transport of nuclear and radiological materials,
including spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste.

SEC. 6089A. ADVANCED REACTOR COORDINATION AND RESOURCE
CENTER.

(a) In General.--The President shall consider the
feasibility of leveraging existing activities or frameworks
or, as necessary, establishing a center, to be known as the
``Advanced Reactor Coordination and Resource Center''
(referred to in this section as the ``Center''), for the
purposes of--
(1) identifying qualified organizations and service
providers--
(A) for embarking civil nuclear nations;
(B) to develop and assemble documents, contracts, and
related items required to establish a civil nuclear program;
and
(C) to develop a standardized model for the establishment
of a civil nuclear program that can be used by the
International Atomic Energy Agency;
(2) coordinating with countries participating in the Center
and with the Nuclear Exports Working Group established under
section 6083(b)--
(A) to identify funds to support payment for services
required to develop a civil nuclear program;

[[Page S6250]]

(B) to provide market analysis; and
(C) to create--
(i) project structure models;
(ii) models for electricity market analysis;
(iii) models for nonelectric applications market analysis;
and
(iv) financial models;
(3) identifying and developing the safety, security,
safeguards, and nuclear governance required for a civil
nuclear program;
(4) supporting multinational regulatory standards to be
developed by countries with civil nuclear programs and
experience;
(5) developing and strengthening communications,
engagement, and consensus-building;
(6) carrying out any other major activities to support
export, financing, education, construction, training, and
education requirements relating to the establishment of a
civil nuclear program;
(7) developing mechanisms for how to fund and staff the
Center; and
(8) determining mechanisms for the selection of the
location or locations of the Center.
(b) Objective.--The President shall carry out subsection
(a) with the objective of establishing the Center if the
President determines that it is feasible to do so.

SEC. 6089B. STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE FUND WORKING GROUP.

(a) Establishment.--There is established a working group,
to be known as the ``Strategic Infrastructure Fund Working
Group'' (referred to in this section as the ``working
group'') to provide input on the feasibility of establishing
a program to support strategically important capital-
intensive infrastructure projects.
(b) Composition.--The working group shall be--
(1) led by a White House official, who may be the Assistant
(if appointed), who shall serve as the White House focal
point with respect to matters relating to the working group;
and
(2) composed of--
(A) senior-level Federal officials, selected by the head of
the applicable Federal agency or organization, from any
Federal agency or organization that the President determines
to be appropriate;
(B) other senior-level Federal officials, selected by the
head of the applicable Federal agency or organization, from
any other Federal agency or organization that the Secretary
determines to be appropriate; and
(C) any senior-level Federal official selected by the White
House official described in paragraph (1) from any Federal
agency or organization.
(c) Reporting.--The working group shall report to the
National Security Council.
(d) Duties.--The working group shall--
(1) provide direction and advice to the officials described
in section 6083(a)(2)(A) and appropriate Federal agencies, as
determined by the working group, with respect to the
establishment of a Strategic Infrastructure Fund (referred to
in this subsection as the ``Fund'') to be used--
(A) to support those aspects of projects relating to--
(i) civil nuclear technologies; and
(ii) microprocessors; and
(B) for strategic investments identified by the working
group; and
(2) address critical areas in determining the appropriate
design for the Fund, including--
(A) transfer of assets to the Fund;
(B) transfer of assets from the Fund;
(C) how assets in the Fund should be invested; and
(D) governance and implementation of the Fund.
(e) Report Required.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the working group shall submit to
the committees described in paragraph (2) a report on the
findings of the working group that includes suggested
legislative text for how to establish and structure a
Strategic Infrastructure Fund.
(2) Committees described.--The committees referred to in
paragraph (1) are--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee on Armed
Services, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, the
Committee on Environment and Public Works, and the Committee
on Finance of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Energy and Commerce, the Committee on Armed Services, the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and the
Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives.
(3) Administration of the fund.--The report submitted under
paragraph (1) shall include suggested legislative language
requiring all expenditures from a Strategic Infrastructure
Fund established in accordance with this section to be
administered by the Secretary of State (or a designee of the
Secretary of State).

SEC. 6089C. JOINT ASSESSMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND
INDIA ON NUCLEAR LIABILITY RULES.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in consultation
with the heads of other relevant Federal departments and
agencies, shall establish and maintain within the U.S.-India
Strategic Security Dialogue a joint consultative mechanism
with the Government of the Republic of India that convenes on
a recurring basis--
(1) to assess the implementation of the Agreement for
Cooperation between the Government of the United States of
America and the Government of India Concerning Peaceful Uses
of Nuclear Energy, signed at Washington October 10, 2008
(TIAS 08-1206);
(2) to discuss opportunities for the Republic of India to
align domestic nuclear liability rules with international
norms; and
(3) to develop a strategy for the United States and the
Republic of India to pursue bilateral and multilateral
diplomatic engagements related to analyzing and implementing
those opportunities.
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 5 years,
the Secretary of State, in consultation with the heads of
other relevant Federal departments and agencies, shall submit
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that
describes the joint assessment developed pursuant to
subsection (a)(1).

SEC. 6089D. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this subtitle may be construed to alter or
otherwise affect the interpretation or implementation of
section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C.
2153).

Subtitle J--Law Enforcement and Victim Support Act of 2024

SEC. 6091. SHORT TITLE.

This subtitle may be cited as the ``Law Enforcement and
Victim Support Act of 2024''.

SEC. 6092. PREVENTING CHILD TRAFFICKING ACT OF 2024.

(a) Defined Term.--In this section, the term ``anti-
trafficking recommendations'' means the recommendations set
forth in the report of the Government Accountability Office
entitled ``Child Trafficking: Addressing Challenges to Public
Awareness and Survivor Support'', which was published on
December 11, 2023.
(b) Implementation of Anti-trafficking Programs for
Children.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Office for Victims of Crime of the
Department of Justice, in coordination with the Office on
Trafficking in Persons of the Administration for Children and
Families, shall implement the anti-trafficking
recommendations.
(c) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date on which
the Office for Victims of Crime implements the anti-
trafficking recommendations pursuant to subsection (c), the
Director of the Office for Victims of Crime shall submit a
report to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and
Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives
that explicitly describes the steps taken by the Office to
complete such implementation.

SEC. 6093. PROJECT SAFE CHILDHOOD ACT.

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

``SEC. 143. PROJECT SAFE CHILDHOOD.

``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Child sexual abuse material.--The term `child sexual
abuse material' has the meaning given the term `child
pornography' in section 2256 of title 18, United States Code.
``(2) Child sexual exploitation offense.--The term `child
sexual exploitation offense' means--
``(A)(i) an offense involving a minor under section 1591 or
chapter 117 of title 18, United States Code;
``(ii) an offense under subsection (a), (b), or (c) of
section 2251 of title 18, United States Code;
``(iii) an offense under section 2251A or 2252A(g) of title
18, United States Code; or
``(iv) any attempt or conspiracy to commit an offense
described in clause (i) or (ii); or
``(B) an offense involving a minor under a State or Tribal
statute that is similar to a provision described in
subparagraph (A).
``(3) Circle of trust offender.--The term `circle of trust
offender' means an offender who is related to, or in a
position of trust, authority, or supervisory control with
respect to, a child.
``(4) Computer.--The term `computer' has the meaning given
the term in section 1030 of title 18, United States Code.
``(5) Contact sexual offense.--The term `contact sexual
offense' means--
``(A) an offense involving a minor under chapter 109A of
title 18, United States Code, or any attempt or conspiracy to
commit such an offense; or
``(B) an offense involving a minor under a State or Tribal
statute that is similar to a provision described in
subparagraph (A).
``(6) Dual offender.--The term `dual offender' means--
``(A) a person who commits--
``(i) a technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation
offense or an offense involving child sexual abuse material;
and
``(ii) a contact sexual offense; and
``(B) without regard to whether the offenses described in
clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A)--
``(i) are committed as part of the same course of conduct;
or
``(ii) involve the same victim.
``(7) Facilitator.--The term `facilitator' means an
individual who facilitates the commission by another
individual of--
``(A) a technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation
offense or an offense involving child sexual abuse material;
or
``(B) a contact sexual offense.
``(8) ICAC affiliate partner.--The term `ICAC affiliate
partner' means a law enforcement agency that has entered into
a formal operating agreement with the ICAC Task Force
Program.

[[Page S6251]]

``(9) ICAC task force.--The term `ICAC task force' means a
task force that is part of the ICAC Task Force Program.
``(10) ICAC task force program.--The term `ICAC Task Force
Program' means the National Internet Crimes Against Children
Task Force Program established under section 102 of the
PROTECT Our Children Act of 2008 (34 U.S.C. 21112).
``(11) Offense involving child sexual abuse material.--The
term `offense involving child sexual abuse material' means--
``(A) an offense under section 2251(d), section 2252, or
paragraphs (1) through (6) of section 2252A(a) of title 18,
United States Code, or any attempt or conspiracy to commit
such an offense; or
``(B) an offense under a State or Tribal statute that is
similar to a provision described in subparagraph (A).
``(12) Serious offender.--The term `serious offender'
means--
``(A) an offender who has committed a contact sexual
offense or child sexual exploitation offense;
``(B) a dual offender, circle of trust offender, or
facilitator; or
``(C) an offender with a prior conviction for a contact
sexual offense, a child sexual exploitation offense, or an
offense involving child sexual abuse material.
``(13) State.--The term `State' means a State of the United
States, the District of Columbia, and any commonwealth,
territory, or possession of the United States.
``(14) Technology-facilitated.--The term `technology-
facilitated', with respect to an offense, means an offense
that is committed through the use of a computer, even if the
use of a computer is not an element of the offense.
``(b) Establishment of Program.--The Attorney General shall
create and maintain a nationwide initiative to align Federal,
State, and local entities to combat the growing epidemic of
online child sexual exploitation and abuse, to be known as
the `Project Safe Childhood program', in accordance with this
section.
``(c) Best Practices.--The Attorney General, in
coordination with the Child Exploitation and Obscenity
Section of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice
and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
of the Department of Justice, and in consultation with
training and technical assistance providers under the ICAC
Task Force Program who are funded by the Attorney General and
with appropriate nongovernmental organizations, shall--
``(1) develop best practices to adopt a balanced approach
to the investigation of suspect leads involving contact
sexual offenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, and
offenses involving child sexual abuse material, and the
prosecution of those offenses, prioritizing when feasible the
identification of a child victim or a serious offender, which
approach shall incorporate the use of--
``(A) proactively generated leads, including leads
generated by current and emerging technology;
``(B) in-district investigative referrals; and
``(C) CyberTipline reports from the National Center for
Missing and Exploited Children;
``(2) develop best practices to be used by each United
States Attorney and ICAC task force to assess the likelihood
that an individual could be a serious offender or that a
child victim may be identified;
``(3) develop and implement a tracking and communication
system for Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies
and prosecutor's offices to report successful cases of victim
identification and child rescue to the Department of Justice
and the public; and
``(4) encourage the submission of all lawfully seized
visual depictions to the Child Victim Identification Program
of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
``(d) Implementation.--Except as authorized under
subsection (e), funds authorized under this section may only
be used for the following 4 purposes:
``(1) Integrated Federal, State, and local efforts to
investigate and prosecute contact sexual offenses, child
sexual exploitation offenses, and offenses involving child
sexual abuse material, including--
``(A) the partnership by each United States Attorney with
each Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force within the
district of such attorney;
``(B) training of Federal, State, and local law enforcement
officers and prosecutors through--
``(i) programs facilitated by the ICAC Task Force Program;
``(ii) ICAC training programs supported by the Office of
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department
of Justice;
``(iii) programs facilitated by appropriate nongovernmental
organizations with subject matter expertise, technical skill,
or technological tools to assist in the identification of and
response to serious offenders, contact sexual offenses, child
sexual exploitation offenses, or offenses involving child
sexual abuse material; and
``(iv) any other program that provides training--

``(I) on the investigation and identification of serious
offenders or victims of contact sexual offenses, child sexual
exploitation offenses, or offenses involving child sexual
abuse material; or
``(II) that specifically addresses the use of existing and
emerging technologies to commit or facilitate contact sexual
offenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, or offenses
involving child sexual abuse material;

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

``(I) the use of the best practices developed under
paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c);
``(II) the development of plans and protocols to target and
rapidly investigate cases involving potential serious
offenders or the identification and rescue of a victim of a
contact sexual offense, a child sexual exploitation offense,
or an offense involving child sexual abuse material;
``(III) the use of training and technical assistance
programs to incorporate victim-centered, trauma-informed
practices in cases involving victims of contact sexual
offenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, and offenses
involving child sexual abuse material, which may include the
use of child protective services, children's advocacy
centers, victim support specialists, or other supportive
services;
``(IV) the development of plans to track, report, and
clearly communicate successful cases of victim identification
and child rescue to the Department of Justice and the public;
``(V) an analysis of the investigative and forensic
capacity of law enforcement agencies and prosecutor's offices
within the district, and goals for improving capacity and
effectiveness;
``(VI) a written policy describing the criteria for
referrals for prosecution from Federal, State, or local law
enforcement agencies, particularly when the investigation may
involve a potential serious offender or the identification or
rescue of a child victim;
``(VII) plans and budgets for training of relevant
personnel on contact sexual offenses, child sexual
exploitation offenses, and offenses involving child sexual
abuse material;
``(VIII) plans for coordination and cooperation with State,
local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies and prosecutorial
offices; and
``(IX) evidence-based programs that educate the public
about and increase awareness of such offenses; and

``(ii) shall be developed in consultation, as appropriate,
with--

``(I) the local ICAC task force;
``(II) the United States Marshals Service Sex Offender
Targeting Center;
``(III) training and technical assistance providers under
the ICAC Task Force Program who are funded by the Attorney
General;
``(IV) nongovernmental organizations with subject matter
expertise, technical skill, or technological tools to assist
in the identification of and response to contact sexual
offenses, child sexual exploitation offenses, or offenses
involving child sexual abuse material;
``(V) any relevant component of Homeland Security
Investigations;
``(VI) any relevant component of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation;
``(VII) the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention of the Department of Justice;
``(VIII) the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of
the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice;
``(IX) the United States Postal Inspection Service;
``(X) the United States Secret Service; and
``(XI) each military criminal investigation organization of
the Department of Defense; and

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

``(I) the variety of sources for leads;
``(II) the proportion of work involving proactive or
undercover law enforcement investigations;
``(III) the number of serious offenders identified and
prosecuted; and
``(IV) the number of children identified or rescued; and

``(ii) information from which may be used by the United
States Attorney, as appropriate, to revise the plan described
in subparagraph (C).
``(2) Major case coordination by the Department of Justice
(or other Federal agencies as appropriate), including
specific cooperation, as appropriate, with--
``(A) the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the
Criminal Division of the Department of Justice;
``(B) any relevant component of Homeland Security
Investigations;
``(C) any relevant component of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation;
``(D) the ICAC task forces and ICAC affiliate partners;
``(E) the United States Marshals Service, including the Sex
Offender Targeting Center;
``(F) the United States Postal Inspection Service;
``(G) the United States Secret Service;

[[Page S6252]]

``(H) each Military Criminal Investigation Organization of
the Department of Defense; and
``(I) any task forces established in connection with the
Project Safe Childhood program set forth under subsection
(b).
``(3) Increased Federal involvement in, and commitment to,
the prevention and prosecution of technology-facilitated
child sexual exploitation offenses or offenses involving
child sexual abuse material by--
``(A) using technology to identify victims and serious
offenders;
``(B) developing processes and tools to identify victims
and offenders; and
``(C) taking measures to improve information sharing among
Federal law enforcement agencies, including for the purposes
of implementing the plans and protocols described in
paragraph (1)(C)(i)(II) to identify and rescue--
``(i) victims of contact sexual offenses, child sexual
exploitation offenses, and offenses involving child sexual
abuse material; or
``(ii) victims of serious offenders.
``(4) The establishment, development, and implementation of
a nationally coordinated `Safer Internet Day' every year
developed in collaboration with the Department of Education,
national and local internet safety organizations, parent
organizations, social media companies, and schools to
provide--
``(A) national public awareness and evidence-based
educational programs about the threats posed by circle of
trust offenders and the threat of contact sexual offenses,
child sexual exploitation offenses, or offenses involving
child sexual abuse material, and the use of technology to
facilitate those offenses;
``(B) information to parents and children about how to
avoid or prevent technology-facilitated child sexual
exploitation offenses; and
``(C) information about how to report possible technology-
facilitated child sexual exploitation offenses or offenses
involving child sexual abuse material through--
``(i) the National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children;
``(ii) the ICAC Task Force Program; and
``(iii) any other program that--

``(I) raises national awareness about the threat of
technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation offenses or
offenses involving child sexual abuse material; and
``(II) provides information to parents and children seeking
to report possible violations of technology-facilitated child
sexual exploitation offenses or offenses involving child
sexual abuse material.

``(e) Expansion of Project Safe Childhood.--Notwithstanding
subsection (d), funds authorized under this section may be
also be used for the following purposes:
``(1) The addition of not less than 20 Assistant United
States Attorneys at the Department of Justice, relative to
the number of such positions as of the day before the date of
enactment of the Law Enforcement and Victim Support Act of
2024, who shall be--
``(A) dedicated to the prosecution of cases in connection
with the Project Safe Childhood program set forth under
subsection (b); and
``(B) responsible for assisting and coordinating the plans
and protocols of each district under subsection
(d)(1)(C)(i)(II).
``(2) Such other additional and related purposes as the
Attorney General determines appropriate.
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
``(1) In general.--For the purpose of carrying out this
section, there are authorized to be appropriated--
``(A) for the activities described under paragraphs (1),
(2), and (3) of subsection (d), $28,550,000 for each of
fiscal years 2023 through 2028;
``(B) for the activities described under subsection (d)(4),
$4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2028; and
``(C) for the activities described under subsection (e),
$29,100,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2028.
``(2) Supplement, not supplant.--Amounts made available to
State and local agencies, programs, and services under this
section shall supplement, and not supplant, other Federal,
State, or local funds made available for those agencies,
programs, and services.''.

SEC. 6094. STRONG COMMUNITIES ACT OF 2023.

Section 1701 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and
Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10381) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(q) COPS Strong Communities Program.--
``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
``(i) an institution of higher education, as defined in
section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001), that, in coordination or through an agreement with a
local law enforcement agency, offers a law enforcement
training program; or
``(ii) a local law enforcement agency that offers a law
enforcement training program.
``(B) Local law enforcement agency.--The term `local law
enforcement agency' means an agency of a State, unit of local
government, or Indian Tribe that is authorized by law or by a
government agency to engage in or supervise the prevention,
detection, investigation, or prosecution of any violation of
criminal law.
``(2) Grants.--The Attorney General may use amounts
otherwise appropriated to carry out this section for a fiscal
year (beginning with fiscal year 2024) to make competitive
grants to local law enforcement agencies to be used for
officers and recruits to attend law enforcement training
programs at eligible entities if the officers and recruits
agree to serve in law enforcement agencies in their
communities.
``(3) Eligibility.--To be eligible for a grant through a
local law enforcement agency under this subsection, each
officer or recruit described in paragraph (2) shall--
``(A) serve as a full-time law enforcement officer for a
total of not fewer than 4 years during the 8-year period
beginning on the date on which the officer or recruit
completes a law enforcement training program for which the
officer or recruit receives benefits;
``(B) complete the service described in subparagraph (A) in
a local law enforcement agency located within--
``(i) 7 miles of the residence of the officer or recruit
where the officer or recruit has resided for not fewer than 5
years; or
``(ii) if the officer or recruit resides in a county with
fewer than 150,000 residents, within 20 miles of the
residence of the officer or recruit where the officer or
recruit has resided for not fewer than 5 years; and
``(C) submit to the eligible entity providing a law
enforcement training program to the officer or recruit
evidence of employment of the officer or recruit in the form
of a certification by the chief administrative officer of the
local law enforcement agency where the officer or recruit is
employed.
``(4) Repayment.--
``(A) In general.--If an officer or recruit does not
complete the service described in paragraph (3), the officer
or recruit shall submit to the local law enforcement agency
an amount equal to any benefits the officer or recruit
received through the local law enforcement agency under this
subsection.
``(B) Regulations.--The Attorney General shall promulgate
regulations that establish categories of extenuating
circumstances under which an officer or recruit may be
excused from repayment under subparagraph (A).''.

SEC. 6095. FIGHTING POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER ACT OF
2023.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Public safety officers serve their communities with
bravery and distinction in order to keep their communities
safe.
(2) Public safety officers, including police officers,
firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and 911
dispatchers, are on the front lines of dealing with
situations that are stressful, graphic, harrowing, and life-
threatening.
(3) The work of public safety officers puts them at risk
for developing post-traumatic stress disorder and acute
stress disorder.
(4) It is estimated that 30 percent of public safety
officers develop behavioral health conditions at some point
in their lifetimes, including depression and post-traumatic
stress disorder, in comparison to 20 percent of the general
population that develops such conditions.
(5) Victims of post-traumatic stress disorder and acute
stress disorder are at a higher risk of dying by suicide.
(6) Firefighters have been reported to have higher suicide
attempt and ideation rates than the general population.
(7) It is estimated that between 125 and 300 police
officers die by suicide every year.
(8) In 2019, pursuant to section 2(b) of the Law
Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act of 2017 (Public
Law 115-113; 131 Stat. 2276), the Director of the Office of
Community Oriented Policing Services of the Department of
Justice developed a report (referred to in this section as
the ``LEMHWA report'') that expressed that many law
enforcement agencies do not have the capacity or local access
to the mental health professionals necessary for treating
their law enforcement officers.
(9) The LEMHWA report recommended methods for establishing
remote access or regional mental health check programs at the
State or Federal level.
(10) Individual police and fire departments generally do
not have the resources to employ full-time mental health
experts who are able to treat public safety officers with
state-of-the-art techniques for the purpose of treating job-
related post-traumatic stress disorder and acute stress
disorder.
(b) Programming for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Public safety officer.--The term ``public safety
officer''--
(i) has the meaning given the term in section 1204 of the
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C.
10284); and
(ii) includes Tribal public safety officers.
(B) Public safety telecommunicator.--The term ``public
safety telecommunicator'' means an individual who--
(i) operates telephone, radio, or other communication
systems to receive and communicate requests for emergency
assistance at 911 public safety answering points and
emergency operations centers;
(ii) takes information from the public and other sources
relating to crimes, threats, disturbances, acts of terrorism,
fires, medical emergencies, and other public safety matters;
and
(iii) coordinates and provides information to law
enforcement and emergency response personnel.
(2) Report.--Not later than 150 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Attorney General, acting through
the Director of

[[Page S6253]]

the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services of the
Department of Justice, shall submit to the Committee on the
Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of
the House of Representatives a report on--
(A) not fewer than 1 proposed program, if the Attorney
General determines it appropriate and feasible to do so, to
be administered by the Department of Justice for making
state-of-the-art treatments or preventative care available to
public safety officers and public safety telecommunicators
with regard to job-related post-traumatic stress disorder or
acute stress disorder by providing public safety officers and
public safety telecommunicators access to evidence-based
trauma-informed care, peer support, counselor services, and
family supports for the purpose of treating or preventing
post-traumatic stress disorder or acute stress disorder;
(B) a draft of any necessary grant conditions required to
ensure that confidentiality is afforded to public safety
officers on account of seeking the care or services described
in paragraph (1) under the proposed program;
(C) how each proposed program described in subparagraph (A)
could be most efficiently administered throughout the United
States at the State, Tribal, territorial, and local levels,
taking into account in-person and telehealth capabilities;
(D) a draft of legislative language necessary to authorize
each proposed program described in subparagraph (A); and
(E) an estimate of the amount of annual appropriations
necessary for administering each proposed program described
in subparagraph (A).
(3) Development.--In developing the report required under
paragraph (2), the Attorney General shall consult relevant
stakeholders, including--
(A) Federal, State, Tribal, territorial, and local agencies
employing public safety officers and public safety
telecommunicators; and
(B) non-governmental organizations, international
organizations, academies, or other entities, including
organizations that support the interests of public safety
officers and public safety telecommunicators and the
interests of family members of public safety officers and
public safety telecommunicators.

SEC. 6096. ADMINISTRATIVE FALSE CLAIMS ACT OF 2023.

(a) Change in Short Title.--
(1) In general.--Subtitle B of title VI of the Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-509; 100
Stat. 1934) is amended--
(A) in the subtitle heading, by striking ``Program Fraud
Civil Remedies'' and inserting ``Administrative False
Claims''; and
(B) in section 6101 (31 U.S.C. 3801 note), by striking
``Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act of 1986'' and inserting
``Administrative False Claims Act''.
(2) References.--Any reference to the Program Fraud Civil
Remedies Act of 1986 in any provision of law, regulation,
map, document, record, or other paper of the United States
shall be deemed a reference to the Administrative False
Claims Act.
(b) Reverse False Claims.--Chapter 38 of title 31, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 3801(a)(3), by amending subparagraph (C) to
read as follows:
``(C) made to an authority which has the effect of
concealing or improperly avoiding or decreasing an obligation
to pay or transmit property, services, or money to the
authority,''; and
(2) in section 3802(a)(3)--
(A) by striking ``An assessment'' and inserting ``(A)
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), an assessment''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) In the case of a claim described in section
3801(a)(3)(C), an assessment shall not be made under the
second sentence of paragraph (1) in an amount that is more
than double the value of the property, services, or money
that was wrongfully withheld from the authority.''.
(c) Increasing Dollar Amount of Claims.--Section 3803(c) of
title 31, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$150,000'' each place
that term appears and inserting ``$1,000,000''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Adjustment for Inflation.--The maximum amount in
paragraph (1) shall be adjusted for inflation in the same
manner and to the same extent as civil monetary penalties
under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act
(28 U.S.C. 2461 note).''.
(d) Recovery of Costs.--Section 3806(g)(1) of title 31,
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(1)(A) Except as provided in paragraph (2)--
``(i) any amount collected under this chapter shall be
credited first to reimburse the authority or other Federal
entity that expended costs in support of the investigation or
prosecution of the action, including any court or hearing
costs; and
``(ii) amounts reimbursed under clause (i) shall--
``(I) be deposited in--
``(aa) the appropriations account of the authority or other
Federal entity from which the costs described in subparagraph
(A) were obligated;
``(bb) a similar appropriations account of the authority or
other Federal entity; or
``(cc) if the authority or other Federal entity expended
nonappropriated funds, another appropriate account; and
``(II) remain available until expended.
``(B) Any amount remaining after reimbursements described
in subparagraph (A) shall be deposited as miscellaneous
receipts in the Treasury of the United States.''.
(e) Semiannual Reporting.--Section 405(c) of title 5,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
``(5) information relating to cases under chapter 38 of
title 31, including--
``(A) the number of reports submitted by investigating
officials to reviewing officials under section 3803(a)(1) of
such title;
``(B) actions taken in response to reports described in
subparagraph (A), which shall include statistical tables
showing--
``(i) pending cases;
``(ii) resolved cases;
``(iii) the average length of time to resolve each case;
``(iv) the number of final agency decisions that were
appealed to a district court of the United States or a higher
court; and
``(v) if the total number of cases in a report is greater
than 2--

``(I) the number of cases that were settled; and
``(II) the total penalty or assessment amount recovered in
each case, including through a settlement or compromise; and

``(C) instances in which the reviewing official declined to
proceed on a case reported by an investigating official;
and''.
(f) Increasing Efficiency of DOJ Processing.--Section
3803(j) of title 31, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The reviewing''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) A reviewing official shall notify the Attorney
General in writing not later than 30 days before entering
into any agreement to compromise or settle allegations of
liability under section 3802 and before the date on which the
reviewing official is permitted to refer allegations of
liability to a presiding officer under subsection (b).''.
(g) Revision of Definition of Hearing Officials.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 38 of title 31, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) in section 3801(a)(7)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(ii) in subparagraph (B)(vii), by adding ``or'' at the end;
and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) a member of the board of contract appeals pursuant to
section 7105 of title 41, if the authority does not employ an
available presiding officer under subparagraph (A);''; and
(B) in section 3803(d)(2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(ii) in subparagraph (B)--

(I) by striking ``the presiding'' and inserting ``(i) in
the case of a referral to a presiding officer described in
subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 3801(a)(7), the
presiding'';
(II) in clause (i), as so designated, by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and
(III) by adding at the end the following:

``(ii) in the case of a referral to a presiding officer
described in subparagraph (C) of section 3801(a)(7)--
``(I) the reviewing official shall submit a copy of the
notice required by under paragraph (1) and of the response of
the person receiving such notice requesting a hearing--

``(aa) to the board of contract appeals that has
jurisdiction over matters arising from the agency of the
reviewing official pursuant to section 7105(e)(1) of title
41; or
``(bb) if the Chair of the board of contract appeals
declines to accept the referral, to any other board of
contract appeals; and

``(II) the reviewing official shall simultaneously mail, by
registered or certified mail, or shall deliver, notice to the
person alleged to be liable under section 3802 that the
referral has been made to an agency board of contract appeals
with an explanation as to where the person may obtain the
relevant rules of procedure promulgated by the board; and'';
and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) in the case of a hearing conducted by a presiding
officer described in subparagraph (C) of section 3801(a)(7)--
``(i) the presiding officer shall conduct the hearing
according to the rules and procedures promulgated by the
board of contract appeals; and
``(ii) the hearing shall not be subject to the provisions
in subsection (g)(2), (h), or (i).''.
(2) Agency boards.--Section 7105(e) of title 41, United
States Code, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following:
``(E) Administrative false claims act.--
``(i) In general.--The boards described in subparagraphs
(B), (C), and (D) shall have jurisdiction to hear any case
referred to a board of contract appeals under section 3803(d)
of title 31.
``(ii) Declining referral.--If the Chair of a board
described in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) determines that
accepting a case under clause (i) would prevent adequate
consideration of other cases being handled by the board, the
Chair may decline to accept the referral.''; and

[[Page S6254]]

(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``or, in the event that
a case is filed under chapter 38 of title 31, any relief that
would be available to a litigant under that chapter'' before
the period at the end.
(3) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, each authority head, as defined in
section 3801 of title 31, United States Code, and each board
of contract appeals of a board described in subparagraph (B),
(C), or (D) of section 7105(e) of title 41, United States
Code, shall amend procedures regarding proceedings as
necessary to implement the amendments made by this
subsection.
(h) Revision of Limitations.--Section 3808 of title 31,
United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (a) and
inserting the following:
``(a) A notice to the person alleged to be liable with
respect to a claim or statement shall be mailed or delivered
in accordance with section 3803(d)(1) not later than the
later of--
``(1) 6 years after the date on which the violation of
section 3802 is committed; or
``(2) 3 years after the date on which facts material to the
action are known or reasonably should have been known by the
authority head, but in no event more than 10 years after the
date on which the violation is committed.''.
(i) Definitions.--Section 3801 of title 31, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (8), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(10) `material' has the meaning given the term in section
3729(b) of this title; and
``(11) `obligation' has the meaning given the term in
section 3729(b) of this title.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(d) For purposes of subsection (a)(10), materiality shall
be determined in the same manner as under section 3729 of
this title.''.
(j) Promulgation of Regulations.--Not later than 180 days
after the date of enactment of this Act, each authority head,
as defined in section 3801 of title 31, United States Code,
shall--
(1) promulgate regulations and procedures to carry out this
Act and the amendments made by this Act; and
(2) review and update existing regulations and procedures
of the authority to ensure compliance with this Act and the
amendments made by this Act.

SEC. 6097. JUSTICE FOR MURDER VICTIMS ACT.

(a) In General.--Chapter 51 of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``Sec. 1123. No maximum time period between act or omission
and death of victim

``(a) In General.--A prosecution may be instituted for any
homicide offense under this title without regard to the time
that elapsed between--
``(1) the act or omission that caused the death of the
victim; and
``(2) the death of the victim.
``(b) Relation to Statute of Limitations.--Nothing in
subsection (a) shall be construed to supersede the
limitations period under section 3282(a), to the extent
applicable.
``(c) Maximum Time Period Applicable if Death Penalty
Imposed.--A sentence of death may not be imposed for a
homicide offense under this title unless the Government
proves beyond a reasonable doubt that not more than 1 year
and 1 day elapsed between--
``(1) the act or omission that caused the death of the
victim; and
``(2) the death of the victim.''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of sections for chapter
51 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at
the end the following:

``1123. No maximum time period between act or omission and death of
victim.''.
(c) Applicability.--Section 1123(a) of title 18, United
States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with
respect to an act or omission described in that section that
occurs after the date of enactment of this Act.
(d) Maximum Penalty for First-degree Murder Based on Time
Period Between Act or Omission and Death of Victim.--Section
1111(b) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after ``imprisonment for life'' the following: ``,
unless the death of the victim occurred more than 1 year and
1 day after the act or omission that caused the death of the
victim, in which case the punishment shall be imprisonment
for any term of years or for life''.

SEC. 6098. PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF
2023.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Launched in 2001, the Project Safe Neighborhoods
program is a nationwide initiative that brings together
Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement officials,
prosecutors, community leaders, and other stakeholders to
identify the most pressing crime problems in a community and
work collaboratively to address those problems.
(2) The Project Safe Neighborhoods program--
(A) operates in all 94 Federal judicial districts
throughout the 50 States and territories of the United
States; and
(B) implements 4 key components to successfully reduce
violent crime in communities, including community engagement,
prevention and intervention, focused and strategic
enforcement, and accountability.
(b) Reauthorization.--
(1) Definitions.--Section 2 of the Project Safe
Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act of 2018 ( 34
U.S.C. 60701) is amended--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) as
paragraphs (2), (4), and (5), respectively;
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2), as so redesignated,
the following:
``(1) the term crime analyst means an individual employed
by a law enforcement agency for the purpose of separating
information into key components and contributing to plans of
action to understand, mitigate, and neutralize criminal
threats;''; and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (2), as so redesignated,
the following:
``(3) the term law enforcement assistant means an
individual employed by a law enforcement agency or a
prosecuting agency for the purpose of aiding law enforcement
officers in investigative or administrative duties;''.
(2) Use of funds.--Section 4(b) of the Project Safe
Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act of 2018 ( 34
U.S.C. 60703(b)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking or at the end;
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) hiring crime analysts to assist with violent crime
reduction efforts;
``(6) the cost of overtime for law enforcement officers,
prosecutors, and law enforcement assistants that assist with
the Program; and
``(7) purchasing, implementing, and using technology to
assist with violent crime reduction efforts.''.
(3) Authorization of appropriations.--Section 6 of the
Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act of
2018 ( 34 U.S.C. 60705) is amended by striking ``fiscal years
2019 through 2021'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2023 through
2028''.
(c) Task Force Support.--
(1) Short title.--This subsection may be cited as the
Officer Ella Grace French and Sergeant Jim Smith Task Force
Support Act of 2023.
(2) Amendment.--Section 4(b) of the Project Safe
Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act of 2018 ( 34
U.S.C. 60703(b)), as amended by subsection (c)(2), is
amended--
(A) in paragraph (6), by striking and at the end;
(B) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ; and; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) support for multi-jurisdictional task forces.''.
(d) Transparency.--Not less frequently than annually, the
Attorney General shall submit to the Committee on the
Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of
the House of Representatives a report that details, for each
area in which the Project Safe Neighborhoods Block Grant
Program operates and with respect to the 1-year period
preceding the date of the report--
(1) how the area spent funds under the Project Safe
Neighborhoods Block Grant Program;
(2) the community outreach efforts performed in the area;
and
(3) the number and a description of the violent crime
offenses committed in the area, including murder, non-
negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated
assault.

SEC. 6099. FEDERAL JUDICIARY STABILIZATION ACT OF 2024.

(a) Existing Judgeships.--The existing judgeships for the
district of Hawaii, the district of Kansas, and the eastern
district of Missouri authorized by section 203(c) of the
Judicial Improvements Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-650; 28
U.S.C. 133 note) and the existing judgeships for the northern
district of Alabama, the district of Arizona, the central
district of California, the southern district of Florida, the
district of New Mexico, the western district of North
Carolina, and the eastern district of Texas authorized by
section 312(c) of the 21st Century Department of Justice
Appropriations Authorization Act (Public Law 107-273; 28
U.S.C. 133 note) shall, as of the effective date of this Act,
be authorized under section 133 of title 28, United States
Code, and the incumbents in those offices shall hold the
office under section 133 of title 28, United States Code, as
amended by this Act.
(b) Tables.--In order that the table contained in section
133 of title 28, United States Code, will, with respect to
each judicial district, reflect the changes in the total
number of permanent district judgeships authorized as a
result of subsection (a) of this section, such table is
amended--
(1) by striking the items relating to Alabama and inserting
the following:

``Alabama:
Northern...................................  8
Middle.....................................  3
Southern...................................  3'';

(2) by striking the item relating to Arizona and inserting
the following:

``Arizona..................................  13'';

(3) by striking the items relating to California and
inserting the following:

[[Page S6255]]

``California:
Northern...................................  14
Eastern....................................  6
Central....................................  28
Southern...................................  13'';

(4) by striking the items relating to Florida and inserting
the following:

``Florida:
Northern...................................  4
Middle.....................................  15
Southern...................................  18'';

(5) by striking the item relating to Hawaii and inserting
the following:

``Hawaii...................................  4'';

(6) by striking the item relating to Kansas and inserting
the following:

``Kansas...................................  6'';

(7) by striking the items relating to Missouri and
inserting the following:

``Missouri:
Eastern....................................  7
Western....................................  5
Eastern and Western........................  2'';

(8) by striking the item relating to New Mexico and
inserting the following:

``New Mexico...............................  7'';

(9) by striking the items relating to North Carolina and
inserting the following:

``North Carolina:
Eastern....................................  4
Middle.....................................  4
Western....................................  5''; and

(10) by striking the items relating to Texas and inserting
the following:

``Texas:
Northern...................................  12
Southern...................................  19
Eastern....................................  8
Western....................................  13''.

(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out
this section and the amendments made by this section.

SEC. 6099A. AMERICAN LAW ENFORCEMENT SUSTAINING AID AND VITAL
EMERGENCY RESOURCES ACT.

Section 521 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and
Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10202) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(d) Trauma Kits.--
``(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `trauma
kit' means a first aid response kit that--
``(A) includes, at a minimum, a bleeding control kit that
can be used for controlling life-threatening hemorrhage,
which shall include--
``(i) a tourniquet recommended by the Committee on Tactical
Combat Casualty Care;
``(ii) a bleeding control bandage;
``(iii) a pair of nonlatex protective gloves and a pen-type
marker;
``(iv) a pair of blunt-ended scissors;
``(v) instructional documents developed--

``(I) under the STOP THE BLEED national awareness campaign
of the Department of Homeland Security, or any successor
thereto;
``(II) by the American College of Surgeons Committee on
Trauma;
``(III) by the American Red Cross; or
``(IV) by any partner of the Department of Defense; and

``(vi) a bag or other container adequately designed to hold
the contents of the kit; and
``(B) may include any additional trauma kit supplies that--
``(i) are approved by a State, local, or Tribal law
enforcement agency or first responders;
``(ii) can adequately treat a traumatic injury; and
``(iii) can be stored in a readily available kit.
``(2) Requirement for trauma kits.--
``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, a grantee may only purchase a trauma kit using funds
made available under this part if the trauma kit meets the
performance standards established by the Director of the
Bureau of Justice Assistance under paragraph (3)(A).
``(B) Authority to separately acquire.--Nothing in
subparagraph (A) shall prohibit a grantee from separately
acquiring the components of a trauma kit and assembling
complete trauma kits that meet the performance standards.
``(3) Performance standards and optional agency best
practices.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this subsection, the Director of the Bureau of
Justice Assistance, in consultation with organizations
representing trauma surgeons, emergency medical response
professionals, emergency physicians, and other medical
professionals, relevant law enforcement agencies of States
and units of local government, professional law enforcement
organizations, local law enforcement labor or representative
organizations, and law enforcement trade associations,
shall--
``(A) develop and publish performance standards for trauma
kits that are eligible for purchase using funds made
available under this part; and
``(B) develop and publish optional best practices for law
enforcement agencies regarding--
``(i) training law enforcement officers in the use of
trauma kits;
``(ii) the deployment and maintenance of trauma kits in law
enforcement vehicles; and
``(iii) the deployment, location, and maintenance of trauma
kits in law enforcement agency or other government
facilities.''.

SEC. 6099B. GRANTS FOR STATE, COUNTY, AND TRIBAL VETERANS'
CEMETERIES THAT ALLOW INTERMENT OF CERTAIN
PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR INTERMENT IN NATIONAL
CEMETERIES.

Section 2408 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (l); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (j) the following new
subsection (k):
``(k)(1) The Secretary may not establish a condition for a
grant under this section that restricts the ability of a
State, county, or tribal organization receiving such a grant
to allow the interment of any person described in paragraph
(8) or (10) of section 2402(a) of this title in a veterans'
cemetery owned by that State or county or on trust land owned
by, or held in trust for, that tribal organization.
``(2) The Secretary may not deny an application for a grant
under this section solely on the basis that the State,
county, or tribal organization receiving such grant may use
funds from such grant to expand, improve, operate, or
maintain a veterans' cemetery in which interment of persons
described in paragraph (8) or (10) of section 2402(a) of this
title is allowed.
``(3)(A) When requested by a State, county, or tribal
organization in receipt of a grant made under this section,
the Secretary shall--
``(i) determine whether a person is eligible for burial in
a national cemetery under paragraph (8) or (10) of section
2402(a) of this title; and
``(ii) advise the grant recipient of the determination.
``(B) A grant recipient described in subparagraph (A) may
use a determination of the Secretary under such subparagraph
as a determination of the eligibility of the person concerned
for burial in the cemetery for which the grant was made.''.

TITLE LXI--CIVILIAN PERSONNEL MATTERS

SEC. 6101. EXTENSION OF DEMONSTRATION PROJECT ON ACQUISITION
PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT.

Section 1762(g) of title 10, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``2026'' and inserting ``2031''.

TITLE LXII--MATTERS RELATING TO FOREIGN NATIONS

Subtitle A--Assistance and Training

SECTION 6201. MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION CANDIDATE
COUNTRY REFORM.

(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the
``Millennium Challenge Corporation Candidate Country Reform
Act''.
(b) Modifications of Requirements to Become a Candidate
Country.--Section 606 of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003
(22 U.S.C. 7705) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 606. CANDIDATE COUNTRIES.

``(a) In General.--A country shall be a candidate country
for purposes of eligibility to receive assistance under
section 605 if--
``(1) the per capita income of the country in a fiscal year
is equal to or less than the World Bank threshold for
initiating the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development graduation process for the fiscal year; and
``(2) subject to subsection (b), the country is not
ineligible to receive United States economic assistance under
part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151
et seq.) by reason of the application of any provision of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or any other provision of law.
``(b) Rule of Construction.--For the purposes of
determining whether a country is eligible, pursuant to
subsection (a)(2), to receive assistance under section 605,
the exercise by the President, the Secretary of State, or any
other officer or employee of the United States Government of
any waiver or suspension of any provision of law referred to
in subsection (a)(2), and notification to the appropriate
congressional committees in accordance with such provision of
law, shall be construed as satisfying the requirements under
subsection (a).
``(c) Determination by the Board.--The Board shall
determine whether a country is a candidate country for
purposes of this section.''.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Amendment to report identifying candidate countries.--
Section 608(a)(1) of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 (22
U.S.C. 7707(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``section
606(a)(1)(B)'' and inserting ``section 606(a)(2)''.
(2) Amendment to millennium challenge compact authority.--
Section 609(b)(2) of such Act (22 U.S.C. 7708(b)(2)) is
amended--
(A) by amending the paragraph heading to read as follows:
``Country contributions''; and
(B) by striking ``with respect to a lower middle income
country described in section 606(b),''.
(3) Amendment to authorization to provide assistance for
candidate countries.--Section 616(b)(1) of such Act (22
U.S.C. 7715(b)(1)) is amended by striking ``subsection (a) or
(b) of section 606'' and inserting ``section 606(a)''.
(d) Modification to Factors in Determining Eligibility.--
Section 607(c)(2) of the

[[Page S6256]]

Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 (22 U.S.C. 7706(c)(2)) is
amended in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by striking
``consider'' and inserting ``prioritize need and impact by
considering''.
(e) Reporting Alignment.--Section 613(a) of the Millennium
Challenge Act of 2003 (22 U.S.C. 7712(a)) is amended to read
as follows:
``(a) Report.--Not later than the third Friday of December
of each year, the Chief Executive Officer shall submit a
report to Congress describing the assistance provided
pursuant to section 605 during the most recently concluded
fiscal year.''.
(f) Report on Efforts to Undermine Programs of the
Millennium Challenge Corporation.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Chief Executive Officer of the
Millennium Challenge Corporation shall submit a report to the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the
Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives
that details any efforts targeted towards undermining
Millennium Challenge Corporation programs, particularly
efforts conducted by the People's Republic of China.
(2) Form.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall be
submitted in an unclassified form, but may include a
classified annex.

SEC. 6202. MODIFICATION OF REGIONAL CENTERS FOR SECURITY
STUDIES TO PROVIDE AUTHORITY SPECIFIC TO TED
STEVENS CENTER FOR ARCTIC SECURITY STUDIES.

Section 342(i) of title 10, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Inouye
Center'' and inserting ``Inouye and Stevens Centers'';
(2) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and the Ted Stevens
Center for Arctic Security Studies'' after ``Daniel K. Inouye
Center for Security Studies''; and
(3) in paragraph (2), by striking ``the Center'' and
inserting ``such Centers''.

SEC. 6203. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT
CENTER.

(a) Funding Availability and Limitations.--Paragraph (2) of
subsection (f) of section 1287 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328;
22 U.S.C. 2656 note) is amended to read as follows:
``(2) Funding availability and limitations.--
``(A) Certification.--The Secretary of State shall only
provide funds under paragraph (1) to an entity described in
that paragraph if the Secretary certifies to the appropriate
congressional committees that the entity receiving such
funds--
``(i) has been selected in accordance with relevant
existing regulations;
``(ii) has the capability and experience necessary to
fulfill the purposes described in that paragraph;
``(iii) is nonpartisan; and
``(iv) is compatible with United States national security
and foreign policy interests and objectives.
``(B) Partisan political activity.--The Secretary of State
shall not knowingly provide funds under this subsection to
any entity engaged in partisan political activity within the
United States, including by carrying out activities that--
``(i) are directed toward the success or failure of a
political party, a candidate for partisan political office,
or a partisan political group; or
``(ii) result in unlawful partisan censorship of speech
protected under the First Amendment to the Constitution of
the United States.''.
(b) Extension.--Subsection (j) of such section is amended
by striking ``on the date that is 8 years after the date of
the enactment of this Act'' and inserting ``on September 30,
2031''.
(c) Severability.--If any provision of this section, an
amendment made by this section, or the application of such
provision or amendment to any person or circumstance is held
to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this section and the
amendments made by this section, and the application of the
provision or amendment to any other person or circumstance,
shall not be affected.

Subtitle C--Matters Relating to Europe and the Russian Federation

SEC. 6231. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF LEND-LEASE AUTHORITY
TO UKRAINE.

Section 2 of the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act
of 2022 (Public Law 117-118; 136 Stat. 1184) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``fiscal years 2022
and 2023'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2022 through 2026'';
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
(3) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new
subsection (c):
``(c) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the use of the
authority under subsection (a), the Secretary of State, in
consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to
Congress a report that includes--
``(1) a description of the defense articles loaned or
leased to the Government of Ukraine, or to the government of
an Eastern European country impacted by the Russian
Federation's invasion of Ukraine, under such authority; and
``(2) a strategy and timeline for recovery and return of
such defense articles.''.

Subtitle D--Matters Relating to the Indo-Pacific Region

SEC. 6241. IMPROVING MULTILATERAL COOPERATION TO IMPROVE THE
SECURITY OF TAIWAN.

(a) Short Titles.--This section may be cited as the
``Building Options for the Lasting Security of Taiwan through
European Resolve Act'' or the ``BOLSTER Act''.
(b) Consultations With European Governments Regarding
Sanctions Against the PRC Under Certain Circumstances.--The
head of the Office of Sanctions Coordination at the
Department of State, in consultation with the Director of the
Office of Foreign Assets Control at the Department of the
Treasury, shall engage in regular consultations with the
International Special Envoy for the Implementation of
European Union Sanctions and appropriate government officials
of European countries, including the United Kingdom, to
develop coordinated plans and share information on
independent plans to impose sanctions and other economic
measures against the PRC, as appropriate, if the PRC is found
to be involved in--
(1) overthrowing or dismantling the governing institutions
in Taiwan;
(2) occupying any territory controlled or administered by
Taiwan as of the date of the enactment of this Act;
(3) taking significant action against Taiwan, including--
(A) creating a naval blockade or other quarantine of
Taiwan;
(B) seizing the outer lying islands of Taiwan; or
(C) initiating a cyberattack that threatens civilian or
military infrastructure in Taiwan; or
(4) providing assistance that helps the security forces of
the Russian Federation in executing Russia's unprovoked,
illegal war against Ukraine.
(c) Report on the Economic Impacts of PRC Military Action
Against Taiwan.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the President shall submit a report to
the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the
Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives
that contains an independent assessment of the expected
economic impact of--
(1) a 30-day blockade or quarantine of Taiwan by the PLA;
and
(2) a 180-day blockade or quarantine of Taiwan by the PLA.
(d) Sense of Congress Regarding Consultations With the
European Union and European Governments Regarding Increasing
Political and Economic Relations With Taiwan.--It is the
sense of Congress that--
(1) the United States, Europe, and Taiwan are like-minded
partners that--
(A) share common values, such as democracy, the rule of law
and human rights; and
(B) enjoy a close trade and economic partnership;
(2) bolstering political, economic, and people-to-people
relations with Taiwan would benefit the European Union,
individual European countries, and the United States;
(3) the European Union can play an important role in
helping Taiwan resist the economic coercion of the PRC by
negotiating with Taiwan regarding new economic, commercial,
and investment agreements;
(4) the United States and European countries should
coordinate and increase diplomatic efforts to facilitate
Taiwan's meaningful participation in international
organizations;
(5) the United States and European countries should--
(A) publicly and repeatedly emphasize the differences
between their respective ``One China'' policies and the PRC's
``One China'' principle;
(B) counter the PRC's propaganda and false narratives about
United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 (XXVI), which
claim the resolution recognizes PRC territorial claims to
Taiwan;
(C) increase public statements of support for Taiwan's
democracy and its meaningful participation in international
organizations;
(D) facilitate unofficial diplomatic visits to and from
Taiwan by high-ranking government officials and
parliamentarians;
(E) establish parliamentary caucuses or groups that promote
strong relations with Taiwan;
(F) strengthen subnational diplomacy, including diplomatic
and trade-related visits to and from Taiwan by local
government officials;
(G) strengthen coordination between United States and
European business chambers, universities, think tanks, and
other civil society groups with similar groups in Taiwan;
(H) promote direct flights to and from Taiwan;
(I) facilitate visits by civil society leaders to Taiwan;
and
(J) increase economic engagement and trade relations; and
(6) Taiwan's inclusion in the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology
Council's Secure Supply Chain working group would bring
valuable expertise and enhance transatlantic cooperation in
the semiconductor sector.
(e) Sense of Congress Regarding Consultations With European
Governments on Supporting Taiwan's Self-defense.--It is the
sense of Congress that--
(1) preserving peace and security in the Taiwan Strait is a
shared interest of the United States and Europe;
(2) European countries, particularly countries with
experience combating Russian aggression and malign
activities, can provide Taiwan with lessons learned from
their

[[Page S6257]]

``total defense'' programs to mobilize the military and
civilians in a time of crisis;
(3) the United States and Europe should increase
coordination to strengthen Taiwan's cybersecurity, especially
for critical infrastructure and network defense operations;
(4) the United States and Europe should work with Taiwan--
(A) to improve its energy resiliency;
(B) to strengthen its food security;
(C) to combat misinformation, disinformation, digital
authoritarianism, offensive cyber operations, and foreign
interference;
(D) to provide expertise on how to improve defense
infrastructure;
(E) to increase public statements of support for Taiwan's
security;
(F) to facilitate arms transfers or arms sales,
particularly of weapons consistent with an asymmetric defense
strategy;
(G) to facilitate transfers or sales of dual-use items and
technology;
(H) to facilitate transfers or sales of critical
nonmilitary supplies, such as food and medicine;
(I) to increase the military presence of such countries in
the Indo-Pacific region;
(J) to engage in joint training and military exercises that
may be necessary for Taiwan to maintain credible defense, in
accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act (22 U.S.C. 3301 et
seq.);
(5) European naval powers, in coordination with the United
States, should increase freedom of navigation transits
through the Taiwan Strait; and
(6) European naval powers, the United States, and Taiwan
should establish exchanges and partnerships among their coast
guards to counter coercion by the PRC.

SEC. 6242. ELIGIBILITY OF TAIWAN FOR THE STRATEGIC TRADE
AUTHORIZATION EXCEPTION TO CERTAIN EXPORT
CONTROL LICENSING REQUIREMENTS.

(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Taiwan has adopted high standards in the field of
export controls.
(2) Taiwan has declared its unilateral adherence to the
Missile Technology Control Regime, the Wassenaar Arrangement,
the Australia Group, and the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
(3) At the request of President George W. Bush, section
1206 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year
2003 (Public Law 107-228; 22 U.S.C. 2321k note) required that
Taiwan be treated as if it were designated as a major non-
NATO ally (as defined in section 644(q) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2403(q)).
(b) Eligibility for Strategic Trade Authorization.--The
President, consistent with the commitments of the United
States under international arrangements, shall take steps so
that Taiwan may be treated as if it were included in the list
of countries eligible for the strategic trade authorization
exception under section 740.20(c)(1) of the Export
Administration Regulations to the requirement for a license
for the export, re-export, or in-country transfer of an item
subject to controls under the Export Administration
Regulations.
(c) Criteria.--Before the President may treat Taiwan as
eligible for the exception described in subsection (b), the
President shall ensure that Taiwan satisfies any applicable
criteria normally required for inclusion in the Country Group
A:5 list set forth in Supplement No. 1 to part 740 of the
Export Administration Regulations, particularly with respect
to alignment of export control policies with such policies of
the United States.
(d) Export Administration Regulations Defined.--In this
section, the term ``Export Administration Regulations'' has
the meaning given that term in section 1742 of the Export
Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4801).

SEC. 6243. PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS FOR WUHAN INSTITUTE OF
VIROLOGY OR ECOHEALTH ALLIANCE.

None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act
or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2025 for the
Department of Defense may be made available--
(1) for the Wuhan Institute of Virology for any purpose; or
(2) to fund any work to be conducted in the People's
Republic of China by EcoHealth Alliance, Inc., including--
(A) work to be conducted by--
(i) any subsidiary of EcoHealth Alliance, Inc.;
(ii) any organization directly controlled by EcoHealth
Alliance, Inc.; or
(iii) any individual or organization that is a subgrantee
or subcontractor of EcoHealth Alliance, Inc.; and
(B) any grant for the conduct of any such work.

Subtitle F--Other Matters

SEC. 6261. EXTENSION OF FENTANYL SANCTIONS ACT.

(a) In General.--Section 7234 of the Fentanyl Sanctions Act
(21 U.S.C. 2334) is amended by striking ``the date that is 7
years after the date of the enactment of this Act'' and
inserting ``December 31, 2030''.
(b) Reporting Requirement.--Section 7211(c) of the Fentanyl
Sanctions Act (22 U.S.C. 2311(c)) is amended by striking
``the date that is 5 years after such date of enactment'' and
inserting ``December 31, 2030''.
(c) Briefing Requirement.--Section 7216 of the Fentanyl
Sanctions Act (22 U.S.C. 2316) is amended by striking ``the
date that is 5 years after such date of enactment'' and
inserting ``December 31, 2030''.

SEC. 6262. AMENDMENTS TO THE 21ST CENTURY PEACE THROUGH
STRENGTH ACT.

The 21st Century Peace through Strength Act (division D of
Public Law 118-50) is amended--
(1) in division G--
(A) in section 1(a)--
(i) by inserting ``and the Committee on Financial
Services'' after ``the Committee on Foreign Affairs''; and
(ii) by inserting ``and the Committee on Banking, Housing,
and Urban Affairs'' after ``the Committee on Foreign
Relations''; and
(B) in section 2(c), by striking paragraphs (1) through (4)
and inserting the following:
``(1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Armed Services, and the Committee on Financial Services of
the House of Representatives; and
``(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
Armed Services, and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs of the Senate.''; and
(2) in division O, in section 6(f)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, the Committee on
Financial Services,'' after ``the Committee on Foreign
Affairs''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs,'' after ``the Committee
on Foreign Relations''.

Subtitle G--Western Hemisphere Partnership Act

SEC. 6271. SHORT TITLE.

This subtitle may be cited as the ``Western Hemisphere
Partnership Act''.

SEC. 6272. UNITED STATES POLICY IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.

It is the policy of the United States to promote economic
competitiveness, democratic governance, and security in the
Western Hemisphere by--
(1) encouraging stronger economic relations, respect for
property rights, the rule of law, and enforceable investment
rules and labor and environmental standards;
(2) advancing the principles and practices expressed in the
Charter of the Organization of American States, the American
Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Man, and the Inter-
American Democratic Charter; and
(3) enhancing the capacity and technical capabilities of
democratic partner nation government institutions, including
civilian law enforcement, the judiciary, attorneys general,
and security forces.

SEC. 6273. PROMOTING SECURITY AND THE RULE OF LAW IN THE
WESTERN HEMISPHERE.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in coordination
with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, should
support the improvement of security conditions and the rule
of law in the Western Hemisphere through collaborative
efforts with democratic partners that--
(1) enhance the institutional capacity and technical
capabilities of defense and security institutions in
democratic partner nations to conduct national or regional
security missions, including through regular bilateral and
multilateral engagements, foreign military sales and
financing, international military education and training
programs, expanding the National Guard State Partnership
Programs, and other means;
(2) provide technical assistance and material support
(including, as appropriate, radars, vessels, and
communications equipment) to relevant security forces to
disrupt, degrade, and dismantle organizations involved in the
illicit trafficking of narcotics and precursor chemicals,
transnational criminal activities, illicit mining, and
illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and other
illicit activities;
(3) enhance the institutional capacity, legitimacy, and
technical capabilities of relevant civilian law enforcement,
attorneys general, and judicial institutions to--
(A) strengthen the rule of law and transparent governance;
(B) combat corruption and kleptocracy in the region; and
(C) improve regional cooperation to disrupt, degrade, and
dismantle transnational organized criminal networks and
terrorist organizations, including through training,
anticorruption initiatives, anti-money laundering programs,
and strengthening cyber capabilities and resources;
(4) enhance port management and maritime security
partnerships and airport management and aviation security
partnerships to disrupt, degrade, and dismantle transnational
criminal networks and facilitate the legitimate flow of
people, goods, and services;
(5) strengthen cooperation to improve border security
across the Western Hemisphere, dismantle human smuggling and
trafficking networks, and increase cooperation to
demonstrably strengthen migration management systems;
(6) counter the malign influence of state and non-state
actors and disinformation campaigns;
(7) disrupt illicit domestic and transnational financial
networks;
(8) foster mechanisms for cooperation on emergency
preparedness and rapid recovery from natural disasters,
including by--
(A) supporting regional preparedness, recovery, and
emergency management centers to facilitate rapid response to
survey and help maintain planning on regional disaster
anticipated needs and possible resources;
(B) training disaster recovery officials on latest
techniques and lessons learned from United States
experiences;

[[Page S6258]]

(C) making available, preparing, and transferring on-hand
nonlethal supplies, and providing training on the use of such
supplies, for humanitarian or health purposes to respond to
unforeseen emergencies; and
(D) conducting medical support operations and medical
humanitarian missions, such as hospital ship deployments and
base-operating services, to the extent required by the
operation;
(9) foster regional mechanisms for early warning and
response to pandemics in the Western Hemisphere, including
through--
(A) improved cooperation with and research by the United
States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through
regional pandemic response centers;
(B) personnel exchanges for technology transfer and skills
development; and
(C) surveying and mapping of health networks to build local
health capacity;
(10) promote the meaningful participation of women across
all political processes, including conflict prevention and
conflict resolution and post-conflict relief and recovery
efforts; and
(11) hold accountable actors that violate political and
civil rights.
(b) Limitations on Use of Technologies.--Operational
technologies transferred pursuant to subsection (a) to
partner governments for intelligence, defense, or law
enforcement purposes shall be used solely for the purposes
for which the technology was intended. The United States
shall take steps to ensure that the use of such operational
technologies is consistent with United States law, including
protections of freedom of expression, freedom of movement,
and freedom of association.
(c) Strategy.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
coordination with the heads of other relevant Federal
agencies, shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations
of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the
House of Representatives a 5-year strategy to promote
security and the rule of law in the Western Hemisphere in
accordance to this section.
(2) Elements.--The strategy required under paragraph (1)
shall include the following elements:
(A) A detailed assessment of the resources required to
carry out such collaborative efforts.
(B) Annual benchmarks to track progress and obstacles in
undertaking such collaborative efforts.
(C) A public diplomacy component to engage the people of
the Western Hemisphere with the purpose of demonstrating that
the security of their countries is enhanced to a greater
extent through alignment with the United States and
democratic values rather than with authoritarian countries
such as the People's Republic of China, the Russian
Federation, and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
(3) Briefing.--Not later than 1 year after submission of
the strategy required under paragraph (1), and annually
thereafter, the Secretary of State shall provide to the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the
Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives
a briefing on the implementation of the strategy.

SEC. 6274. PROMOTING DIGITALIZATION AND CYBERSECURITY IN THE
WESTERN HEMISPHERE.

The Secretary of State, in coordination with the heads of
other relevant Federal agencies, should promote
digitalization and cybersecurity in the Western Hemisphere
through collaborative efforts with democratic partners that--
(1) promote digital connectivity and facilitate e-commerce
by expanding access to information and communications
technology (ICT) supply chains that adhere to high-quality
security and reliability standards, including--
(A) to open market access on a national treatment,
nondiscriminatory basis; and
(B) to strengthen the cybersecurity and cyber resilience of
partner countries;
(2) advance the provision of digital government services
(e-government) that, to the greatest extent possible, promote
transparency, lower business costs, and expand citizens'
access to public services and public information; and
(3) develop robust cybersecurity partnerships to--
(A) promote the inclusion of components and architectures
in information and communications technology (ICT) supply
chains from participants in initiatives that adhere to high-
quality security and reliability standards;
(B) share best practices to mitigate cyber threats to
critical infrastructure from ICT architectures from foreign
countries of concern as defined in section 10612(a)(1) of the
Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42
U.S.C. 19221(a)(1)), foreign entities of concern as defined
in section 10612(a)(2) of the Research and Development,
Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19221(a)(2)), and
by technology providers that supply equipment and services
covered under section 2 of the Secure and Trusted
Communications Networks Act of 2019 (47 U.S.C. 1601);
(C) effectively respond to cybersecurity threats, including
state-sponsored threats; and
(D) to strengthen resilience against cyberattacks and
cybercrime.

SEC. 6275. PROMOTING ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL PARTNERSHIPS IN
THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.

The Secretary of State, in consultation with the heads of
other relevant Federal agencies, should support the
improvement of economic conditions in the Western Hemisphere
through collaborative efforts with democratic partners that--
(1) facilitate a more open, transparent, and competitive
environment for United States businesses and promote robust
and comprehensive trade capacity-building and trade
facilitation by--
(A) reducing trade and nontariff barriers between the
countries in the region, establishing a mechanism for
pursuing Mutual Recognition Agreements and Formalized
Regulatory Cooperation Agreements in priority sectors of the
economy;
(B) building relationships and exchanges between relevant
regulatory bodies in the United States and democratic
partners in the Western Hemisphere to promote best practices
and transparency in rulemaking, implementation, and
enforcement, and provide training and assistance to help
improve supply chain management in the Western Hemisphere;
(C) establishing regional fora for identifying, raising,
and addressing supply chain management issues, including
infrastructure needs and strengthening of investment rules
and regulatory frameworks;
(D) establishing a dedicated program of trade missions and
reverse trade missions to increase commercial contacts and
ties between the United States and Western Hemisphere partner
countries; and
(E) strengthening labor and environmental standards in the
region;
(2) establish frameworks or mechanisms to review and
address the long-term financial sustainability and national
security implications of foreign investments in strategic
sectors or services;
(3) establish competitive and transparent infrastructure
project selection and procurement processes that promote
transparency, open competition, financial sustainability, and
robust adherence to global standards and norms;
(4) advance robust and comprehensive energy production and
integration, including through a more open, transparent, and
competitive environment for United States companies competing
in the Western Hemisphere; and
(5) explore opportunities to partner with the private
sector and multilateral institutions, such as the World Bank
and the Inter-American Development Bank, to promote universal
access to reliable and affordable electricity in the Western
Hemisphere.

SEC. 6276. PROMOTING TRANSPARENCY AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE
IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.

The Secretary of State, in coordination with the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development and heads of other relevant Federal agencies,
should support transparent, accountable, and democratic
governance in the Western Hemisphere through collaborative
efforts with democratic partners that--
(1) strengthen the capacity of national electoral
institutions to ensure free, fair, and transparent electoral
processes, including through pre-election assessment
missions, technical assistance, and independent local and
international election monitoring and observation missions;
(2) enhance the capabilities of democratically elected
national legislatures, parliamentary bodies, and autonomous
regulatory institutions to conduct oversight;
(3) strengthen the capacity of subnational government
institutions to govern in a transparent, accountable, and
democratic manner, including through training and technical
assistance;
(4) combat corruption at local and national levels,
including through trainings, cooperation agreements,
initiatives aimed at dismantling corrupt networks, and
political support for bilateral or multilateral
anticorruption mechanisms that strengthen attorneys general
and prosecutors' offices;
(5) strengthen the capacity of civil society to conduct
oversight of government institutions, build the capacity of
independent professional journalism, facilitate substantive
dialogue with government and the private sector to generate
issue-based policies, and mobilize local resources to carry
out such activities;
(6) promote the meaningful and significant participation of
women in democratic processes, including in national and
subnational government and civil society; and
(7) support the creation of procedures for the Organization
of American States (OAS) to create an annual forum for
democratically elected national legislatures from OAS member
States to discuss issues of hemispheric importance, as
expressed in section 4 of the Organization of American States
Legislative Engagement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-343).

SEC. 6277. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON PRIORITIZING NOMINATION AND
CONFIRMATION OF QUALIFIED AMBASSADORS.

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

SEC. 6278. WESTERN HEMISPHERE DEFINED.

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

[[Page S6259]]

SEC. 6279. REPORT ON EFFORTS TO CAPTURE AND DETAIN UNITED
STATES CITIZENS AS HOSTAGES.

(a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall
submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate
and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives a report on efforts by the Maduro regime of
Venezuela to detain United States citizens and lawful
permanent residents.
(b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall
include, regarding the arrest, capture, detainment, and
imprisonment of United States citizens and lawful permanent
residents--
(1) the names, positions, and institutional affiliation of
Venezuelan individuals, or those acting on their behalf, who
have engaged in such activities;
(2) a description of any role played by transnational
criminal organizations, and an identification of such
organizations; and
(3) where relevant, an assessment of whether and how United
States citizens and lawful permanent residents have been
lured to Venezuela.
(c) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) shall
be submitted in unclassified form, but shall include a
classified annex, which shall include a list of the total
number of United States citizens and lawful permanent
residents detained or imprisoned in Venezuela as of the date
on which the report is submitted.

Subtitle H--Asset Seizure for Ukraine Reconstruction Act

SEC. 6281. SHORT TITLE.

This subtitle may be cited as the ``Asset Seizure for
Ukraine Reconstruction Act''.

SEC. 6282. NATIONAL EMERGENCY DECLARATION RELATING TO HARMFUL
ACTIVITIES OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION RELATING TO
UKRAINE.

The procedures under section 6283 shall apply if the
President--
(1) declares a national emergency under section 201 of the
National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1621) with respect to
actions of the Government of the Russian Federation or
nationals of the Russian Federation that threaten the peace,
security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of
Ukraine; and
(2) declares that the use of the procedures under section
6283 are necessary as a response to the national emergency.

SEC. 6283. PROCEDURES.

(a) Nonjudicial Forfeiture.--Property may be forfeited
through nonjudicial civil forfeiture under section 609 of the
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1609), without regard to
limitation under section 607(a)(1) of that Act (19 U.S.C.
1607(a)(1)), if--
(1) the President makes the declaration described in
section 6282; and
(2) the Attorney General, or a designee, makes the
certification described in subsection (b) with respect to the
property.
(b) Certification.--After seizure of property and prior to
forfeiture of the property under subsection (a), the Attorney
General, or a designee, shall certify that, upon forfeiture,
the property will be covered forfeited property (as defined
in section 1708(c) of the Additional Ukraine Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2023 (division M of Public Law 117-328;
136 Stat. 5200), as amended by this subtitle).

SEC. 6284. EXPANSION OF FORFEITED PROPERTY AVAILABLE TO
REMEDIATE HARMS TO UKRAINE FROM RUSSIAN
AGGRESSION.

(a) In General.--Section 1708(c) of the Additional Ukraine
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 (division M of Public
Law 117-328; 136 Stat. 5200) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``which property
belonged'' and all that follows and inserting the following:
``which property--
``(A) belonged to, was possessed by, or was controlled by a
person the property or interests in property of which were
blocked pursuant to any license, order, regulation, or
prohibition imposed by the United States under the authority
provided by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act
(50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) or any other provision of law, with
respect to--
``(i) the Russian Federation; or
``(ii) actions or policies that undermine the democratic
processes and institutions in Ukraine or threaten the peace,
security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of
Ukraine;
``(B) was involved in an act in violation of or a
conspiracy or scheme to violate--
``(i) any license, order, regulation, or prohibition
described in subparagraph (A); or
``(ii) any restriction on the export, reexport, or in-
country transfer of items imposed by the United States under
the Export Administration Regulations, or any restriction on
the export, reexport, or retransfer of defense articles under
the International Traffic in Arms Regulations under
subchapter M of chapter I of title 22, Code of Federal
Regulations, with respect to--

``(I) the Russian Federation, Belarus, the Crimea region of
Ukraine, or the so-called `Donetsk People's Republic' or
`Luhansk People's Republic' regions of Ukraine;
``(II) any person in any such country or region on a
restricted parties list; or
``(III) any person located in any other country that has
been added to a restricted parties list in connection with
the malign conduct of the Russian Federation in Ukraine,
including the annexation of the Crimea region of Ukraine in
March 2014 and the invasion beginning in February 2022 of
Ukraine, as substantially enabled by Belarus; or

``(C) was involved in any related conspiracy, scheme, or
other Federal offense arising from the actions of, or doing
business with or acting on behalf of, the Russian Federation,
Belarus, the Crimea region of Ukraine, or the so-called
`Donetsk People's Republic' or `Luhansk People's Republic'
regions of Ukraine.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) The term `Export Administration Regulations' has the
meaning given that term in section 1742 of the Export Control
Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4801).
``(4) The term `restricted parties list' means any of the
following lists maintained by the Bureau of Industry and
Security:
``(A) The Entity List set forth in Supplement No. 4 to part
744 of the Export Administration Regulations.
``(B) The Denied Persons List maintained pursuant to
section 764.3(a)(2) of the Export Administration Regulations.
``(C) The Unverified List set forth in Supplement No. 6 to
part 744 of the Export Administration Regulations.''.
(b) Extension of Authority.--Section 1708(d) of the
Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 is
amended by striking ``May 1, 2025'' and inserting ``the date
that is 3 years after the date of the enactment of the Asset
Seizure for Ukraine Reconstruction Act''.

SEC. 6285. RULEMAKING.

The Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury may
prescribe regulations to carry out this subtitle without
regard to the requirements of section 553 of title 5, United
States Code.

SEC. 6286. TERMINATION.

(a) In General.--The provisions of this subtitle shall
terminate on the date that is 3 years after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(b) Savings Provision.--The termination of this subtitle
under subsection (a) shall not--
(1) terminate the applicability of the procedures under
this subtitle to any property seized prior to the date of the
termination under subsection (a); or
(2) moot any legal action taken or pending legal proceeding
not finally concluded or determined on that date.

Subtitle I--United States Foundation for International Conservation

SEC. 6291. SHORT TITLE.

This subtitle may be cited as the ``United States
Foundation for International Conservation Act of 2024''.

SEC. 6292. DEFINITIONS.

In this subtitle:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Board.--The term ``Board'' means the Board of Directors
established pursuant to section 1294(a).
(3) Eligible country.--The term ``eligible country'' means
any country described in section 1297(b).
(4) Eligible project.--The term ``eligible project'' means
any project described in section 1297(a)(2).
(5) Executive director.--The term ``Executive Director''
means the Executive Director of the Foundation hired pursuant
to section 1294(b).
(6) Foundation.--The term ``Foundation'' means the United
States Foundation for International Conservation established
pursuant to section 1293(a).
(7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of State.

SEC. 6293. UNITED STATES FOUNDATION FOR INTERNATIONAL
CONSERVATION.

(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish the
United States Foundation for International Conservation,
which shall be operated as a charitable, nonprofit
corporation.
(2) Independence.--The Foundation is not an agency or
instrumentality of the United States Government.
(3) Tax-exempt status.--The Board shall take all necessary
and appropriate steps to ensure that the Foundation is an
organization described in subsection (c) of section 501 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, which exempt the
organization from taxation under subsection (a) of such
section.
(4) Termination of operations.--The Foundation shall
terminate operations on the date that is 10 years after the
date on which the Foundation becomes operational, in
accordance with--
(A) a plan for winding down the activities of the
Foundation that the Board shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees not later than 180 days before such
termination date; and
(B) the bylaws established pursuant to section 6294(b)(13).
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Foundation are--
(1) to provide grants for the responsible management of
designated priority primarily protected and conserved areas
in eligible countries that have a high degree of

[[Page S6260]]

biodiversity or species and ecosystems of significant
ecological value;
(2) to promote responsible, long-term management of
primarily protected and conserved areas and their contiguous
buffer zones;
(3) to incentivize, leverage, accept, and effectively
administer governmental and nongovernmental funds, including
donations from the private sector, to increase the
availability and predictability of financing for responsible,
long-term management of primarily protected and conserved
areas in eligible countries;
(4) to help close critical gaps in public international
conservation efforts in eligible countries by--
(A) increasing private sector investment, including
investments from philanthropic entities; and
(B) collaborating with partners providing bilateral and
multilateral financing to support enhanced coordination,
including public and private funders, partner governments,
local protected areas authorities, and private and
nongovernmental organization partners;
(5) to identify and financially support viable projects
that--
(A) promote responsible, long-term management of primarily
protected and conserved areas and their contiguous buffer
zones in eligible countries, including support for the
management of terrestrial, coastal, freshwater, and marine
protected areas, parks, community conservancies, Indigenous
reserves, conservation easements, and biological reserves;
and
(B) provide effective area-based conservation measures,
consistent with best practices and standards for
environmental and social safeguards; and
(6) to coordinate with, consult, and otherwise support and
assist, governments, private sector entities, local
communities, Indigenous Peoples, and other stakeholders in
eligible countries in undertaking biodiversity conservation
activities--
(A) to achieve measurable and enduring biodiversity
conservation outcomes; and
(B) to improve local security, governance, food security,
and economic opportunities.
(c) Plan of Action.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the
establishment of the Foundation, the Executive Director shall
submit for approval from the Board an initial 3-year Plan of
Action to implement the purposes of this subtitle,
including--
(A) a description of the priority actions to be undertaken
by the Foundation over the proceeding 3-year period,
including a timeline for implementation of such priority
actions;
(B) descriptions of the processes and criteria by which--
(i) eligible countries, in which eligible projects may be
selected to receive assistance under this subtitle, will be
identified;
(ii) grant proposals for Foundation activities in eligible
countries will be developed, evaluated, and selected; and
(iii) grant implementation will be monitored and evaluated;
(C) the projected staffing and budgetary requirements of
the Foundation during the proceeding 3-year period.
(D) a plan to maximize commitments from private sector
entities to fund the Foundation.
(2) Submission.--The Executive Director shall submit the
initial Plan of Action to the appropriate congressional
committees not later than 5 days after the Plan of Action is
approved by the Board.
(3) Updates.--The Executive Director shall annually update
the Plan of Action and submit each such updated plan to the
appropriate congressional committees not later that 5 days
after the update plan is approved by the Board.

SEC. 6294. GOVERNANCE OF THE FOUNDATION.

(a) Executive Director.--There shall be in the Foundation
an Executive Director, who shall--
(1) manage the Foundation; and
(2) report to, and be under the direct authority, of the
Board.
(b) Board of Directors.--
(1) Governance.--The Foundation shall be governed by a
Board of Directors, which--
(A) shall perform the functions specified to be carried out
by the Board under this subtitle; and
(B) may prescribe, amend, and repeal bylaws, rules,
regulations, and procedures governing the manner in which the
business of the Foundation may be conducted and in which the
powers granted to it by law may be exercised.
(2) Membership.--The Board shall be composed of--
(A) the Secretary, the Administrator of the United States
Agency for International Development, the Secretary of the
Interior, the Chief of the United States Forest Service, and
the head of one other relevant Federal department or agency,
as determined by the Secretary, or the Senate-confirmed
designees of such officials; and
(B) 8 other individuals, who shall be appointed by the
Secretary, in consultation with the members of the Board
described in subparagraph (A), the Speaker and Minority
Leader of the House of Representatives, and the President Pro
Tempore and Minority Leader of the Senate, of whom--
(i) 4 members shall be private-sector donors making
financial contributions to the Foundation; and
(ii) 4 members shall be independent experts who, in
addition to meeting the qualification requirements described
in paragraph (3), represent diverse points of view and
diverse geographies, to the maximum extent practicable.
(3) Qualifications.--Each member of the Board appointed
pursuant to paragraph (2)(B) shall be knowledgeable and
experienced in matters relating to--
(A) international development;
(B) protected area management and the conservation of
global biodiversity, fish and wildlife, ecosystem
restoration, adaptation, and resilience; and
(C) grantmaking in support of international conservation.
(4) Political affiliation.--Not more than 5 of the members
appointed to the Board pursuant to paragraph (2)(B) may be
affiliated with the same political party.
(5) Conflicts of interest.--Any individual with business
interests, financial holdings, or controlling interests in
any entity that has sought support, or is receiving support,
from the Foundation may not be appointed to the Board during
the 5-year period immediately preceding such appointment.
(6) Chairperson.--The Board shall elect, from among its
members, a Chairperson, who shall serve for a 2-year term.
(7) Terms; vacancies.--
(A) Terms.--
(i) In general.--The term of service of each member of the
Board appointed pursuant to paragraph (2)(B) shall be not
more than 5 years.
(ii) Initial appointed directors.--Of the initial members
of the Board appointed pursuant to paragraph (2)(B)--

(I) 4 members, including at least 2 private-sector donors
making financial contributions to the Foundation, shall serve
for 4 years; and
(II) 4 members shall serve for 5 years, as determined by
the Chairperson of the Board.

(B) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Board--
(i) shall be filled in the manner in which the original
appointment was made; and
(ii) shall not affect the power of the remaining appointed
members of the Board to execute the duties of the Board.
(8) Quorum.--A majority of the current membership of the
Board, including the Secretary or the Secretary's designee,
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of Foundation
business.
(9) Meetings.--
(A) In general.--The Board shall meet not less frequently
than annually at the call of the Chairperson. Such meetings
may be in person, virtual, or hybrid.
(B) Initial meeting.--Not later than 60 days after the
Board is established pursuant to section 1293(a), the
Secretary of State shall convene a meeting of the ex-officio
members of the Board and the appointed members of the Board
to incorporate the Foundation.
(C) Removal.--Any member of the Board appointed pursuant to
paragraph (2)(B) who misses 3 consecutive regularly scheduled
meetings may be removed by a majority vote of the Board.
(10) Reimbursement of expenses.--
(A) In general.--Members of the Board shall serve without
pay, but may be reimbursed for the actual and necessary
traveling and subsistence expenses incurred in the
performance of the duties of the Foundation.
(B) Limitation.--Expenses incurred outside the United
States may be reimbursed under this paragraph if at least 2
members of the Board concurrently incurred such expenses.
Such reimbursements--
(i) shall be available exclusively for actual costs
incurred by members of the Board up to the published daily
per diem rate for lodging, meals, and incidentals; and
(ii) shall not include first-class, business-class, or
travel in any class other than economy class or coach class.
(C) Other expenses.--All other expenses, including salaries
for officers and staff of the Foundation, shall be
established by a majority vote of the Board, as proposed by
the Executive Director on no less than an annual basis.
(11) Not federal employees.--Appointment as a member of the
Board and employment by the Foundation does not constitute
employment by, or the holding of an office of, the United
States for purposes of any Federal law.
(12) Duties.--The Board shall--
(A) establish bylaws for the Foundation in accordance with
paragraph (13);
(B) provide overall direction for the activities of the
Foundation and establish priority activities;
(C) carry out any other necessary activities of the
Foundation;
(D) evaluate the performance of the Executive Director;
(E) take steps to limit the administrative expenses of the
Foundation; and
(F) not less frequently than annually, consult and
coordinate with stakeholders qualified to provide advice,
assistance, and information regarding effective protected and
conserved area management.
(13) Bylaws.--
(A) In general.--The bylaws required to be established
under paragraph (12)(A) shall include--
(i) the specific duties of the Executive Director;
(ii) policies and procedures for the selection of members
of the Board and officers, employees, agents, and contractors
of the Foundation;
(iii) policies, including ethical standards, for--

[[Page S6261]]

(I) the acceptance, solicitation, and disposition of
donations and grants to the Foundation; and
(II) the disposition of assets of the Foundation upon the
dissolution of the Foundation;

(iv) policies that subject all implementing partners,
employees, fellows, trainees, and other agents of the
Foundation (including ex-officio members of the Board and
appointed members of the Board) to stringent ethical and
conflict of interest standards;
(v) removal and exclusion procedures for implementing
partners, employees, fellows, trainees, and other agents of
the Foundation (including ex-officio members of the Board and
appointed members of the Board) who fail to uphold the
ethical and conflict of interest standards established
pursuant to clause (iii);
(vi) policies for winding down the activities of the
Foundation upon its dissolution, including a plan--

(I) to return unspent appropriations to the Treasury of the
United States; and
(II) to donate unspent private and philanthropic
contributions to projects that align with the goals and
requirements described in section 6297;

(vii) policies for vetting implementing partners and
grantees to ensure the Foundation does not provide grants to
for profit entities whose primary objective is activities
other than conservation activities; and
(viii) clawback policies and procedures to be incorporated
into grant agreements to ensure compliance with the policies
referred to in clause (vii).
(B) Requirements.--The Board shall ensure that the bylaws
of the Foundation and the activities carried out under such
bylaws do not--
(i) reflect unfavorably on the ability of the Foundation to
carry out activities in a fair and objective manner; or
(ii) compromise, or appear to compromise, the integrity of
any governmental agency or program, or any officer or
employee employed by, or involved in, a governmental agency
or program.
(c) Foundation Staff.--Officers and employees of the
Foundation--
(1) may not be employees of, or hold any office in, the
United States Government;
(2) may not serve in the employ of any nongovernmental
organization, project, or person related to or affiliated
with any grantee of the Foundation while employed by the
Foundation;
(3) may not receive compensation from any other source for
work performed in carrying out the duties of the Foundation
while employed by the Foundation; and
(4) should not receive a salary at a rate that is greater
than the maximum rate of basic pay authorized for positions
at level I of the Executive Schedule under section 5312 of
title 5, United States Code.
(d) Limitation and Conflicts of Interests.--
(1) Political participation.--The Foundation may not--
(A) lobby for political or policy issues; or
(B) participate or intervene in any political campaign in
any country.
(2) Financial interests.--As determined by the Board and
set forth in the bylaws established pursuant to subsection
(b)(13), and consistent with best practices, any member of
the Board or officer or employee of the Foundation shall be
prohibited from participating, directly or indirectly, in the
consideration or determination of any question before the
Foundation affecting--
(A) the financial interests of such member of the Board, or
officer or employee of the Foundation, not including such
member's Foundation expenses and compensation; and
(B) the interests of any corporation, partnership, entity,
or organization in which such member of the Board, officer,
or employee has any fiduciary obligation or direct or
indirect financial interest.
(3) Recusals.--Any member of the Board that has a business,
financial, or familial interest in an organization or
community seeking support from the Foundation shall recuse
himself or herself from all deliberations, meetings, and
decisions concerning the consideration and decision relating
to such support.
(4) Project ineligibility.--The Foundation may not provide
support to individuals or entities with business, financial,
or familial ties to--
(A) a current member of the Board; or
(B) a former member of the Board during the 5-year period
immediately following the last day of the former member's
term on the Board.

SEC. 6295. CORPORATE POWERS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE
FOUNDATION.

(a) General Authority.--
(1) In general.--The Foundation--
(A) may conduct business in foreign countries;
(B) shall have its principal offices in the Washington,
D.C. metropolitan area; and
(C) shall continuously maintain a designated agent in
Washington, D.C. who is authorized to accept notice or
service of process on behalf of the Foundation.
(2) Notice and service of process.--The serving of notice
to, or service of process upon, the agent referred to in
paragraph (1)(C), or mailed to the business address of such
agent, shall be deemed as service upon, or notice to, the
Foundation.
(3) Audits.--The Foundation shall be subject to the general
audit authority of the Comptroller General of the United
States under section 3523 of title 31, United States Code.
(b) Authorities.--In addition to powers explicitly
authorized under this subtitle, the Foundation, in order to
carry out the purposes described in section 6293(b), shall
have the usual powers of a corporation headquartered in
Washington, D.C., including the authority--
(1) to accept, receive, solicit, hold, administer, and use
any gift, devise, or bequest, either absolutely or in trust,
or real or personal property or any income derived from such
gift or property, or other interest in such gift or property
located in the United States;
(2) to acquire by donation, gift, devise, purchase, or
exchange any real or personal property or interest in such
property located in the United States;
(3) unless otherwise required by the instrument of
transfer, to sell, donate, lease, invest, reinvest, retain,
or otherwise dispose of any property or income derived from
such property located in the United States;
(4) to complain and defend itself in any court of competent
jurisdiction (except that the members of the Board shall not
be personally liable, except for gross negligence);
(5) to enter into contracts or other arrangements with
public agencies, private organizations, and persons and to
make such payments as may be necessary to carry out the
purposes of such contracts or arrangements; and
(6) to award grants for eligible projects, in accordance
with section 6297.
(c) Limitation of Public Liability.--The United States
shall not be liable for any debts, defaults, acts, or
omissions of the Foundation. The Federal Government shall be
held harmless from any damages or awards ordered by a court
against the Foundation.

SEC. 6296. SAFEGUARDS AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

(a) Safeguards.--The Foundation shall develop, and
incorporate into any agreement for support provided by the
Foundation, appropriate safeguards, policies, and guidelines,
consistent with United States law and best practices and
standards for environmental and social safeguards.
(b) Independent Accountability Mechanism.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary, or the Secretary's
designee, shall establish a transparent and independent
accountability mechanism, consistent with best practices,
which shall provide--
(A) a compliance review function that assesses whether
Foundation-supported projects adhere to the requirements
developed pursuant to subsection (a);
(B) a dispute resolution function for resolving and
remedying concerns between complainants and project
implementers regarding the impacts of specific Foundation-
supported projects with respect to such standards; and
(C) an advisory function that reports to the Board on
projects, policies, and practices.
(2) Duties.--The accountability mechanism shall--
(A) report annually to the Board and the appropriate
congressional committees regarding the Foundation's
compliance with best practices and standards in accordance
with paragraph (1)(A) and the nature and resolution of any
complaint;
(B)(i) have permanent staff, led by an independent
accountability official, to conduct compliance reviews and
dispute resolutions and perform advisory functions; and
(ii) maintain a roster of experts to serve such roles, to
the extent needed; and
(C) hold a public comment period lasting not fewer than 60
days regarding the initial design of the accountability
mechanism.
(c) Internal Accountability.--The Foundation shall
establish an ombudsman position at a senior level of
executive staff as a confidential, neutral source of
information and assistance to anyone affected by the
activities of the Foundation.
(d) Annual Review.--The Secretary shall, periodically, but
not less frequent than annually, review assistance provided
by the Foundation for the purpose of implementing section
6293(b) to ensure consistency with the provisions under
section 620M of Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.
2378d).

SEC. 6297. PROJECTS AND GRANTS.

(a) Project Funding Requirements.--
(1) In general.--The Foundation shall--
(A) provide grants to support eligible projects described
in paragraph (3) that advance its mission to enable effective
management of primarily protected and conserved areas and
their contiguous buffer zones in eligible countries;
(B) advance effective landscape or seascape approaches to
conservation that include buffer zones, wildlife dispersal
and corridor areas, and other effective area-based
conservation measures; and
(C) not purchase, own, or lease land, including
conservation easements, in eligible countries.
(2) Eligible entities.--Eligible entities shall include--
(A) not-for-profit organizations with demonstrated
expertise in protected and conserved area management and
economic development;
(B) governments of eligible partner countries, as
determined by subsection (b), with the exception of
governments and government entities that are prohibited from
receiving grants from the Foundation pursuant to section
6298; and

[[Page S6262]]

(C) Indigenous and local communities in such eligible
countries.
(3) Eligible projects.--Eligible projects shall include
projects that--
(A) focus on supporting--
(i) transparent and effective long-term management of
primarily protected or conserved areas and their contiguous
buffer zones in countries described in subsection (b),
including terrestrial, coastal, and marine protected or
conserved areas, parks, community conservancies, Indigenous
reserves, conservation easements, and biological reserves;
and
(ii) other effective area-based conservation measures;
(B) are cost-matched at a ratio of not less than $2 from
sources other than the United States for every $1 made
available under this subtitle;
(C) are subject to long-term binding memoranda of
understanding with the governments of eligible countries and
local communities--
(i) to ensure that local populations have access, resource
management responsibilities, and the ability to pursue
permissible, sustainable economic activity on affected lands;
and
(ii) that may be signed by governments in such eligible
countries to ensure free, prior, and informed consent of
affected communities;
(D) incorporate a set of key performance and impact
indicators;
(E) demonstrate robust local community engagement, with the
completion of appropriate environmental and social due
diligence, including--
(i) free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples
and relevant local communities;
(ii) inclusive governance structures; and
(iii) effective grievance mechanisms;
(F) create economic opportunities for local communities,
including through--
(i) equity and profit-sharing;
(ii) cooperative management of natural resources;
(iii) employment activities; and
(iv) other related economic growth activities;
(G) leverage stable baseline funding for the effective
management of the primarily protected or conserved area
project; and
(H) to the extent possible--
(i) are viable and prepared for implementation; and
(ii) demonstrate a plan to strengthen the capacity of, and
transfer skills to, local institutions to manage the
primarily protected or conserved area before or after grant
funding is exhausted.
(b) Eligible Countries.--
(1) In general.--Pursuant to the Plan of Action required
under section 6293(c), and before awarding any grants or
entering into any project agreements for any fiscal year, the
Board shall conduct a review to identify eligible countries
in which the Foundation may fund projects. Such review shall
consider countries that--
(A) are low-income, lower middle-income, or upper-middle-
income economies (as defined by the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development and the International
Development Association);
(B) have--
(i) a high degree of threatened or at-risk biological
diversity; or
(ii) species or ecosystems of significant importance,
including threatened or endangered species or ecosystems at
risk of degradation or destruction;
(C) have demonstrated a commitment to conservation through
verifiable actions, such as protecting lands and waters
through the gazettement of national parks, community
conservancies, marine reserves and protected areas, forest
reserves, or other legally recognized forms of place-based
conservation; and
(D) are not ineligible to receive United States foreign
assistance pursuant to any other provision of law, including
laws identified in section 6298.
(2) Identification of eligible countries.--Not later than 5
days after the date on which the Board determines which
countries are eligible to receive assistance under this
subtitle for a fiscal year, the Executive Director shall--
(A) submit a report to the appropriate congressional
committees that includes--
(i) a list of all such eligible countries, as determined
through the review process described in paragraph (1); and
(ii) a detailed justification for each such eligibility
determination, including--

(I) an analysis of why the eligible country would be
suitable for partnership;
(II) an evaluation of the eligible partner country's
interest in and ability to participate meaningfully in
proposed Foundation activities, including an evaluation of
such eligible country's prospects to substantially benefit
from Foundation assistance;
(III) an estimation of each such eligible partner country's
commitment to conservation; and
(IV) an assessment of the capacity and willingness of the
eligible country to enact or implement reforms that might be
necessary to maximize the impact and effectiveness of
Foundation support; and

(B) publish the information contained in the report
described in subparagraph (A) in the Federal Register.
(c) Grantmaking.--
(1) In general.--In order to maximize program
effectiveness, the Foundation shall--
(A) coordinate with other international public and private
donors to the greatest extent practicable and appropriate;
(B) seek additional financial and nonfinancial
contributions and commitments for its projects from
governments in eligible countries;
(C) strive to generate a partnership mentality among all
participants, including public and private funders, host
governments, local protected areas authorities, and private
and nongovernmental organization partners;
(D) prioritize investments in communities with low levels
of economic development to the greatest extent practicable
and appropriate; and
(E) consider the eligible partner country's planned and
dedicated resources to the proposed project and the eligible
entity's ability to successfully implement the project.
(2) Grant criteria.--Foundation grants--
(A) shall fund eligible projects that enhance the
management of well-defined primarily protected or conserved
areas and the systems of such conservation areas in eligible
countries;
(B) should support adequate baseline funding for eligible
projects in eligible countries to be sustained for not less
than 10 years;
(C) should, during the grant period, demonstrate progress
in achieving clearly defined key performance indicators (as
defined in the grant agreement), which may include--
(i) the protection of biological diversity;
(ii) the protection of native flora and habitats, such as
trees, forests, wetlands, grasslands, mangroves, coral reefs,
and sea grass;
(iii) community-based economic growth indicators, such as
improved land tenure, increases in beneficiaries
participating in related economic growth activities, and
sufficient income from conservation activities being directed
to communities in project areas;
(iv) improved management of the primarily protected or
conserved area covered by the project, as documented through
the submission of strategic plans or annual reports to the
Foundation; and
(v) the identification of additional revenue sources or
sustainable financing mechanisms to meet the recurring costs
of management of the primarily protected or conserved areas;
and
(D) shall be terminated if the Board determines that the
project is not--
(i) meeting applicable requirements under this subtitle; or
(ii) making progress in achieving the key performance
indicators defined in the grant agreement.

SEC. 6298. PROHIBITION OF SUPPORT FOR CERTAIN GOVERNMENTS.

(a) In General.--The Foundation may not provide support for
any government, or any entity owned or controlled by a
government, if the Secretary has determined that such
government--
(1) has repeatedly provided support for acts of
international terrorism, as determined under--
(A) section 1754(c)(1)(A)(i) of the Export Control Reform
Act of 2018 (22 U.S.C. 4813(c)(1)(A)(i));
(B) section 620A(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
(22 U.S.C. 2371(a));
(C) section 40(d) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C.
2780(d)); or
(D) any other relevant provision of law;
(2) has been identified pursuant to section 116(a) or
502B(a)(2) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.
2151n(a) and 2304(a)(2)) or any other relevant provision of
law; or
(3) has failed the ``control of corruption'' indicator, as
determined by the Millennium Challenge Corporation, within
any of the preceding 3 years of the intended grant;
(b) Prohibition of Support for Sanctioned Persons.--The
Foundation may not engage in any dealing prohibited under
United States sanctions laws or regulations, including
dealings with persons on the list of specially designated
persons and blocked persons maintained by the Office of
Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury,
except to the extent otherwise authorized by the Secretary or
by the Secretary of the Treasury.
(c) Prohibition of Support for Activities Subject to
Sanctions.--The Foundation shall require any person receiving
support to certify that such person, and any entity owned or
controlled by such person, is in compliance with all United
States sanctions laws and regulations.

SEC. 6299. ANNUAL REPORT.

Not later than 360 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, and annually thereafter while the Foundation
continues to operate, the Executive Director of the
Foundation shall submit a report to the appropriate
congressional committees that describes--
(1) the goals of the Foundation;
(2) the programs, projects, and activities supported by the
Foundation;
(3) private and governmental contributions to the
Foundation; and
(4) the standardized criteria utilized to determine the
programs and activities supported by the Foundation,
including baselines, targets, desired outcomes, measurable
goals, and extent to which those goals are being achieved for
each project.

SEC. 6299A. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) Authorization.--In addition to amounts authorized to be
appropriated to carry out international conservation and
biodiversity programs under part I and chapter 4 of part II
of the Foreign Assistance Act

[[Page S6263]]

of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.), and subject to the
limitations set forth in subsections (b) and (c), there is
authorized to be appropriated to the Foundation to carry out
the purposes of this subtitle--
(1) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
(2) not more than $100,000,000 for each of the fiscal years
2026 through 2034.
(b) Cost Matching Requirement.--Amounts appropriated
pursuant to subsection (a) may only be made available to
grantees to the extent the Foundation or such grantees secure
funding for an eligible project from sources other than the
United States Government in an amount that is not less than
twice the amount received in grants for such project pursuant
to section 6297.
(c) Administrative Costs.--The administrative costs of the
Foundation shall come from sources other than the United
States Government.
(d) Prohibition on Use of Grant Amounts for Lobbying
Expenses.--Amounts provided as a grant by the Foundation
pursuant to section 6297 may not be used for any activity
intended to influence legislation pending before the Congress
of the United States.

Subtitle J--Coordinating AUKUS Engagement With Japan

SEC. 6299D. DEFINITIONS.

In this subtitle:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on
Armed Services of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on
Armed Services of the House of Representatives.
(2) AUKUS official.--The term ``AUKUS official'' means a
government official with responsibilities related to the
implementation of the AUKUS partnership.
(3) AUKUS partnership.--The term ``AUKUS partnership'' has
the meaning given that term in section 1321 of the National
Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2024 (22 U.S.C.
10401).
(4) State aukus coordinator.--The term ``State AUKUS
Coordinator'' means the senior advisor at the Department of
State designated under section 1331(a)(1) of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (22 U.S.C.
10411(a)(1)).
(5) Defense aukus coordinator.--The term ``Defense AUKUS
Coordinator'' means the senior civilian official of the
Department of Defense designated under section 1332(a) of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (22
U.S.C. 10412(a)).
(6) Pillar two.--The term ``Pillar Two'' has the meaning
given that term in section 1321(2)(B) of the National Defense
Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2024 (22 U.S.C.
10401(2)(B)).
(7) United states munitions list.--The term ``United States
Munitions List'' means the list set forth in part 121 of
title 22, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor
regulations).

SEC. 6299E. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the United States should continue to strengthen
relationships and cooperation with allies in order to
effectively counter the People's Republic of China;
(2) the United States should capitalize on the
technological advancements allies have made in order to
deliver more advanced capabilities at speed and at scale to
the United States military and the militaries of partner
countries;
(3) the historic announcement of the AUKUS partnership laid
out a vision for future defense cooperation in the Indo-
Pacific among Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United
States;
(4) Pillar Two of the AUKUS partnership envisions
cooperation on advanced technologies, including hypersonic
capabilities, electronic warfare capabilities, cyber
capabilities, quantum technologies, undersea capabilities,
and space capabilities;
(5) trusted partners of the United States, the United
Kingdom, and Australia, such as Japan, could benefit from and
offer significant contributions to a range of projects
related to Pillar Two of the AUKUS partnership;
(6) Japan is a treaty ally of the United States and a
technologically advanced country with the world's third-
largest economy;
(7) in 2022, Australia signed a Reciprocal Access Agreement
with Japan to facilitate reciprocal access and cooperation
between the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and the Australian
Defence Force;
(8) in 2023, the United Kingdom signed a Reciprocal Access
Agreement with Japan to facilitate reciprocal access and
cooperation between the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and the
Armed Forces of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland;
(9) in 2014, Japan relaxed its post-war constraints on the
export of non-lethal defense equipment, and in March 2024,
Japan further refined that policy to allow for the export of
weapons to countries with which it has an agreement in place
on defense equipment and technology transfers;
(10) in 2013, Japan passed a secrecy law obligating
government officials to protect diplomatic and defense
information, and in February 2024, the Cabinet approved a
bill creating a new security clearance system covering
economic secrets; and
(11) in April 2024, the United States, Australia, and the
United Kingdom announced they would consider cooperating with
Japan on advanced capability projects under Pillar Two of the
AUKUS partnership.

SEC. 6299F. ENGAGEMENT WITH JAPAN ON AUKUS PILLAR TWO
COOPERATION.

(a) Engagement Required.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the State AUKUS Coordinator and
the Defense AUKUS Coordinator shall jointly engage directly,
at a technical level, with the relevant stakeholders in the
Government of Japan--
(A) to better understand the export control system of Japan
and the effects of the reforms the Government of Japan has
made to that system since 2014;
(B) to determine overlapping areas of interest and the
potential for cooperation with Australia, the United Kingdom,
and the United States on projects related to the AUKUS
partnership and other projects; and
(C) to identify areas in which the Government of Japan
might need to adjust the export control system of Japan in
order to guard against export control violations or other
related issues in order to be a successful potential partner
in Pillar Two of the AUKUS partnership.
(2) Consultation with aukus officials.--In carrying out the
engagement required by paragraph (1), the State AUKUS
Coordinator and the Defense AUKUS Coordinator shall consult
with relevant AUKUS officials from the United Kingdom and
Australia.
(b) Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 30 days after the
date of the engagement required by subsection (a), the State
AUKUS Coordinator and the Defense AUKUS Coordinator shall
jointly brief the appropriate congressional committees on the
following:
(1) The findings of that engagement.
(2) A strategy for follow-on engagement.

SEC. 6299G. ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL FOR COOPERATION WITH
JAPAN ON AUKUS PILLAR TWO.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the
Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report assessing the potential for
cooperation with Japan on Pillar Two of the AUKUS
partnership, detailing the following:
(1) Projects the Government of Japan is engaged in related
to the development of advanced defense capabilities under
Pillar Two of the AUKUS partnership.
(2) Areas of potential cooperation with Japan on advanced
defense capabilities within and outside the scope of Pillar
Two of the AUKUS partnership.
(3) The Secretaries' assessment of the current export
control system of Japan, including--
(A) the procedures under that system for protecting
classified and sensitive defense, diplomatic, and economic
information;
(B) the effectiveness of that system in protecting such
information; and
(C) such other matters as the Secretaries consider
appropriate.
(4) Any reforms by Japan that the Secretary of State
considers necessary before considering including Japan in the
privileges provided under Pillar Two of the AUKUS
partnership.
(5) Any recommendations regarding the scope and conditions
of potential cooperation with Japan under Pillar Two of the
AUKUS partnership.
(6) A strategy and forum for communicating the potential
benefits of and requirements for engaging in projects related
to Pillar Two of the AUKUS partnership with the Government of
Japan.
(7) Any views provided by AUKUS officials from the United
Kingdom and Australia on issues relevant to the report, and a
plan for cooperation with such officials on future engagement
with the Government of Japan related to Pillar Two of the
AUKUS partnership.

TITLE LXV--SPACE ACTIVITIES, STRATEGIC PROGRAMS, AND INTELLIGENCE
MATTERS

Subtitle A--Space Activities

SEC. 6501. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
AGREEMENTS WITH PRIVATE AND COMMERCIAL ENTITIES
AND STATE GOVERNMENTS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN
SUPPLIES, SUPPORT, AND SERVICES.

Section 20113 of title 51, United States Code, is amended
by adding at the end the following:
``(o) Agreements With Commercial Entities and State
Governments.--The Administration--
``(1) may enter into an agreement with a private or
commercial entity or a State government to provide the entity
or State government with supplies, support, and services
related to private, commercial, or State government space
activities carried on at a property owned or operated by the
Administration; and
``(2) on request by such an entity or State government, may
include such supplies, support, and services in the
requirements of the Administration if--
``(A) the Administrator determines that the inclusion of
such supplies, support, or services in such requirements--
``(i) is in the best interest of the Federal Government;
``(ii) does not interfere with the requirements of the
Administration; and
``(iii) does not compete with the commercial space
activities of other such entities or State governments; and

[[Page S6264]]

``(B) the Administration has full reimbursable funding from
the entity or State government that requested such supplies,
support, and services before making any obligation for the
delivery of the supplies, support, or services under an
Administration procurement contract or any other
agreement.''.

SEC. 6502. EXTENSION OF LEARNING PERIOD FOR CERTAIN SAFETY
REGULATIONS RELATING TO SPACE FLIGHT
PARTICIPANTS.

Title 51, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 50905(c)(9), by striking ``January 1, 2025''
and inserting ``January 1, 2028'';
(2) in section 50914--
(A) in subsection (a)(5), by striking ``September 30,
2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2028''; and
(B) in subsection (b)(1)(C), by striking ``September 30,
2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2028''; and
(3) in section 50915--
(A) in subsection (a)(3)(B), by striking ``September 30,
2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2028''; and
(B) in subsection (f), in the first sentence, by striking
``September 30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2028''.

Subtitle D--Other Matters

SEC. 6541. AUTHORITY OF ARMY COUNTERINTELLIGENCE AGENTS.

(a) Authority to Execute Warrants and Make Arrests.--
Section 7377 of title 10, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by inserting ``and Army
Counterintelligence Command'' before the colon; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``who is a special agent'' and inserting
the following: ``who is--
``(1) a special agent'';
(B) in paragraph (1) (as so designated) by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2) a special agent of the Army Counterintelligence
Command (or a successor to that command) whose duties include
conducting, supervising, or coordinating counterintelligence
investigations in programs and operations of the Department
of the Army.''.
(b) Annual Report and Briefing.--Not later than one year
after the date of the enactment of this Act and not less
frequently than once each year thereafter until the date that
is four years after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional
defense committees, the Committee on the Judiciary of the
Senate, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
Representatives an annual report and provide to such
committees an annual briefing on the administration of
section 7377 of title 10, United States Code, as amended by
subsection (a).
(c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 747 of such title is amended by striking
the item relating to section 7377 and inserting the following
new item:

``7377. Civilian special agents of the Criminal Investigation Command
and Army Counterintelligence Command: authority to
execute warrants and make arrests.''.
(d) Sunset and Snapback.--On the date that is four years
after the date of the enactment of this Act--
(1) subsection (b) of section 7377 of title 10, United
States Code, is amended to read as it read on the day before
the date of the enactment of this Act;
(2) the section heading for such section is amended to read
as it read on the day before the date of the enactment of
this Act; and
(3) the item for such section in the table of sections at
the beginning of chapter 747 of such title is amended to read
as it read on the day before the date of the enactment of
this Act.

TITLE LXXVIII--MILITARY CONSTRUCTION GENERAL PROVISIONS

Subtitle B--Military Housing

SEC. 7823. MODIFICATION OF ANNUAL REPORT ON PRIVATIZED
MILITARY HOUSING.

(a) In General.--Subsection (c) of section 2884 of title
10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraphs:
``(15) An overview of the housing data being used by the
Department and the housing data being sought from management
companies.
``(16) An assessment of how the Secretary of each military
department is using such data to inform the on-base housing
decisions for such military department.
``(17) An explanation of the limitations of any customer
satisfaction data collected, including with respect to
available survey data, the process for determining resident
satisfaction, and reasons for missing data.''.
(b) Public Reporting.--Such subsection is further amended--
(1) in paragraph (14), by redesignating subparagraphs (A)
through (D) as clauses (i) through (iv), respectively;
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (17) as
subparagraphs (A) through (Q), respectively;
(3) in subparagraph (E), as redesignated by paragraph (2),
by striking ``paragraphs (1) through (4)'' and inserting
``subparagraphs (A) through (D)'';
(4) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), as so
redesignated, by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting
``(1) The Secretary''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2) Not later than 30 days after submitting a report
under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Defense shall publish
the report on a publicly available website of the Department
of Defense.''.
(c) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (d)(1) of such
section is amended by striking ``paragraphs (1) through (14)
of subsection (c)'' and inserting ``subparagraphs (A) through
(Q) of subsection (c)(1)''.

TITLE LXXXI--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMS

Subtitle B--Program Authorizations, Restrictions, and Limitations

SEC. 8111. APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF
GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND FOR
COOPERATION ON THE USES OF ATOMIC ENERGY FOR
MUTUAL DEFENSE PURPOSES.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the United States and the United Kingdom share a
special relationship;
(2) the Agreement Between the Government of the United
States of America and the Government of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland for Cooperation on the
Uses of Atomic Energy for Mutual Defense Purposes, done at
Washington July 3, 1958 (in this section referred to as the
``Agreement'') provides one of the bases for such special
relationship;
(3) the Agreement has served the national security interest
of the United States for more than 65 years; and
(4) Congress expects to receive transmittal of proposed
amendments to the Agreement.
(b) In General.--Notwithstanding the provisions for
congressional consideration of a proposed agreement for
cooperation in subsection d. of section 123 of the Atomic
Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2153), any amendment to the
Agreement (in this section referred to as the ``Amendment''),
transmitted to Congress before January 3, 2025, may be
brought into effect on or after the date of the enactment of
this Act, as if all the requirements in such section 123 for
consideration of the Amendment had been satisfied, subject to
subsection (c) of this section.
(c) Applicability of Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and Other
Provisions of Law.--Upon coming into effect, the Amendment
shall be subject to applicable provisions of the Atomic
Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) and any other
applicable United States law as if the Amendment had come
into effect in accordance with the requirements of section
123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.
(d) Adherence in the Event of Timely Submission.--If the
Amendment is completed and transmitted to Congress before
October 1, 2024, thereby allowing for adherence to the
provisions for congressional consideration of the Amendment
as outlined in subsection d. of section 123 of the Atomic
Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2153), subsection (b) of this
section shall not take effect.

SEC. 8112. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON GROUND-BASED LEG OF NUCLEAR
TRIAD.

It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the modernization of the ground-based leg of the
nuclear triad of the United States is vital to the security
of the homeland and a core component of the homeland defense
mission;
(2) extending the lifecycle of the current Minuteman III
platform is both costly and an unsustainable long-term option
for maintaining a ready and capable ground-based leg of the
nuclear triad;
(3) the breach of chapter 325 of title 10, United States
Code (commonly known as the ``Nunn-McCurdy Act'') by the
program to modernize the ground-based leg of the nuclear
triad should be addressed in a way that balances the national
security need with fiscally responsible modifications to the
program that prevent future unanticipated cost overruns;
(4) that breach does not alter the fundamental national
security need for the modernization program; and
(5) the modernization program should remain funded and
active.

DIVISION F--ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2024

SEC. 5001. SHORT TITLE.

This division may be cited as the ``Economic Development
Reauthorization Act of 2024''.

TITLE LI--PUBLIC WORKS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

SEC. 5101. FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS.

Section 2 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act
of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS.

``(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
``(1) there continue to be areas of the United States--
``(A) experiencing chronic high unemployment,
underemployment, outmigration, and low per capita incomes;
and
``(B) facing sudden and severe economic dislocations
because of structural economic changes, changing trade
patterns, certain Federal actions (including environmental
requirements that result in the removal of economic
activities from a locality), impacts from natural disasters,
and transitioning industries, including energy generation,
steel production, and mining;
``(2) economic growth in the States, cities, and rural
areas of the United States is produced by expanding economic
opportunities,

[[Page S6265]]

expanding free enterprise through trade, promoting resilience
in public infrastructure, creating conditions for job
creation, job retention, and business development, and by
capturing the opportunities to lead the industries of the
future, including advanced technologies, clean energy
production, and advanced manufacturing technologies;
``(3) the goal of Federal economic development programs is
to raise the standard of living for all citizens and increase
the wealth and overall rate of growth of the economy by
encouraging communities to develop a more competitive and
diversified economic base by--
``(A) creating an environment that promotes economic
activity by improving and expanding modern public
infrastructure;
``(B) promoting job creation, retention, and workforce
readiness through increased innovation, productivity, and
entrepreneurship; and
``(C) empowering local and regional communities
experiencing chronic high unemployment, underemployment, low
labor force participation, and low per capita income to
develop private sector business and attract increased private
sector capital investment;
``(4) while economic development is an inherently local
process, the Federal Government should work in partnership
with public and private State, regional, Tribal, and local
organizations to maximize the impact of existing resources
and enable regions, communities, and citizens to participate
more fully in the American dream and national prosperity;
``(5) in order to avoid duplication of effort and achieve
meaningful, long-lasting results, Federal, State, Tribal, and
local economic development activities should have a clear
focus, improved coordination, a comprehensive approach, and
simplified and consistent requirements;
``(6) Federal economic development efforts will be more
effective if the efforts are coordinated with, and build on,
the trade, workforce investment, scientific research,
environmental protection, transportation, and technology
programs of the United States, including through the
consolidation and alignment of plans and strategies to
promote effective economic development;
``(7) rural communities face unique challenges in
addressing infrastructure needs, sometimes lacking the
necessary tax base for required upgrades, and often encounter
limited financing options and capacity, which can impede new
development and long-term economic growth; and
``(8) assisting communities and regions in becoming more
resilient to the effects of extreme weather threats and
events will promote economic development and job creation.
``(b) Declarations.--In order to promote a strong, growing,
resilient, competitive, and secure economy throughout the
United States, the opportunity to pursue, and be employed in,
high-quality jobs with family-sustaining wages, and to live
in communities that enable business creation and wealth,
Congress declares that--
``(1) assistance under this Act should be made available to
both rural- and urban-distressed communities;
``(2) local communities should work in partnership with
neighboring communities, States, Indian tribes, and the
Federal Government to increase the capacity of the local
communities to develop and implement comprehensive economic
development strategies to alleviate economic distress and
enhance competitiveness in the global economy;
``(3) whether suffering from long-term distress or a sudden
dislocation, distressed communities should be encouraged to
support entrepreneurship to take advantage of the development
opportunities afforded by technological innovation and
expanding newly opened global markets; and
``(4) assistance under this Act should be made available to
modernize and promote recycling, promote the productive reuse
of abandoned industrial facilities and the redevelopment of
brownfields, and invest in public assets that support travel
and tourism and outdoor recreation.''.

SEC. 5102. DEFINITIONS.

(a) In General.--Section 3 of the Public Works and Economic
Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3122) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (12) as
paragraphs (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (12), (13),
(14), (16), and (17), respectively;
(2) by inserting before paragraph (3) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(1) Blue economy.--The term `blue economy' means the
sustainable use of marine, lake, or other aquatic resources
in support of economic development objectives.
``(2) Capacity building.--The term `capacity building'
includes all activities associated with early stage
community-based project formation and conceptualization,
prior to project predevelopment activity, including grants to
local community organizations for planning participation,
community outreach and engagement activities, research, and
mentorship support to move projects from formation and
conceptualization to project predevelopment.'';
(3) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated), in subparagraph
(A)(i), by striking ``to the extent appropriate'' and
inserting ``to the extent determined appropriate by the
Secretary'';
(4) in paragraph (6) (as so redesignated), in subparagraph
(A)--
(A) in clause (v), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(B) in clause (vi), by striking the period at end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(vii) an economic development organization; or
``(viii) a public-private partnership for public
infrastructure.'';
(5) by inserting after paragraph (9) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(10) Outdoor recreation.--The term `outdoor recreation'
means all recreational activities, and the economic drivers
of those activities, that occur in nature-based environments
outdoors.
``(11) Project predevelopment.--The term `project
predevelopment' means a measure required to be completed
before the initiation of a project, including--
``(A) planning and community asset mapping;
``(B) training;
``(C) technical assistance and organizational development;
``(D) feasibility and market studies;
``(E) demonstration projects; and
``(F) other predevelopment activities determined by the
Secretary to be appropriate.'';
(6) by striking paragraph (12) (as so redesignated) and
inserting the following:
``(12) Regional commission.--The term `Regional Commission'
means any of the following:
``(A) The Appalachian Regional Commission established by
section 14301(a) of title 40, United States Code.
``(B) The Delta Regional Authority established by section
382B(a)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(7 U.S.C. 2009aa-1(a)(1)).
``(C) The Denali Commission established by section 303(a)
of the Denali Commission Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 3121 note;
Public Law 105-277).
``(D) The Great Lakes Authority established by section
15301(a)(4) of title 40, United States Code.
``(E) The Mid-Atlantic Regional Commission established by
section 15301(a)(5) of title 40, United States Code.
``(F) The Northern Border Regional Commission established
by section 15301(a)(3) of title 40, United States Code.
``(G) The Northern Great Plains Regional Authority
established by section 383B(a)(1) of the Consolidated Farm
and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009bb-1(a)(1)).
``(H) The Southeast Crescent Regional Commission
established by section 15301(a)(1) of title 40, United States
Code.
``(I) The Southern New England Regional Commission
established by section 15301(a)(6) of title 40, United States
Code.
``(J) The Southwest Border Regional Commission established
by section 15301(a)(2) of title 40, United States Code.'';
(7) by inserting after paragraph (14) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(15) Travel and tourism.--The term `travel and tourism'
means any economic activity that primarily serves to
encourage recreational or business travel in or to the United
States.''; and
(8) in paragraph (17) (as so redesignated), by striking
``established as a University Center for Economic Development
under section 207(a)(2)(D)'' and inserting ``established
under section 207(c)(1)''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 207(a)(3) of the Public
Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C.
3147(a)(3)) is amended by striking ``section 3(4)(A)(vi)''
and inserting ``section 3(6)(A)(vi)''.

SEC. 5103. INCREASED COORDINATION.

Section 103 of the Public Works and Economic Development
Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3133) is amended by striking
subsection (b) and inserting the following:
``(b) Meetings.--
``(1) In general.--To carry out subsection (a), or for any
other purpose relating to economic development activities,
the Secretary may convene meetings with Federal agencies,
State and local governments, economic development districts,
Indian tribes, and other appropriate planning and development
organizations.
``(2) Regional commissions.--
``(A) In general.--In addition to meetings described in
paragraph (1), not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of the Economic Development Reauthorization Act of
2024, and not less frequently than every 2 years thereafter,
the Secretary shall convene a meeting with the Regional
Commissions in furtherance of subsection (a).
``(B) Attendees.--The attendees for a meeting convened
under this paragraph shall consist of--
``(i) the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary
of Commerce for Economic Development, serving as Chair;
``(ii) the Federal Cochairpersons of the Regional
Commissions, or their designees; and
``(iii) the State Cochairpersons of the Regional
Commissions, or their designees.
``(C) Purpose.--The purposes of a meeting convened under
this paragraph shall include--
``(i) to enhance coordination between the Economic
Development Administration and the Regional Commissions in
carrying out economic development programs;
``(ii) to reduce duplication of efforts by the Economic
Development Administration and the Regional Commissions in
carrying out economic development programs;
``(iii) to develop best practices and strategies for
fostering regional economic development; and
``(iv) any other purposes as determined appropriate by the
Secretary.

[[Page S6266]]

``(D) Report.--Where applicable and pursuant to
subparagraph (C), not later than 1 year after a meeting under
this paragraph, the Secretary shall prepare and make publicly
available a report detailing, at a minimum--
``(i) the planned actions by the Economic Development
Administration and the Regional Commissions to enhance
coordination or reduce duplication of efforts and a timeline
for implementing those actions; and
``(ii) any best practices and strategies developed.''.

SEC. 5104. GRANTS FOR PUBLIC WORKS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

(a) In General.--Section 201 of the Public Works and
Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3141) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``or for the improvement
of waste management and recycling systems'' after
``development facility''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``increasing the
resilience'' after ``expansion,'';
(2) in subsection (b)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``successful
establishment or expansion'' and inserting ``successful
establishment, expansion, or retention,''; and
(B) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``and underemployed''
after ``unemployed'';
(3) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
(4) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
``(c) Additional Considerations.--In awarding grants under
subsection (a) and subject to the criteria in subsection (b),
the Secretary may also consider the extent to which a project
would--
``(1) lead to economic diversification in the area, or a
part of the area, in which the project is or will be located;
``(2) address and mitigate impacts from extreme weather
events, including development of resilient infrastructure,
products, and processes;
``(3) benefit highly rural communities without adequate tax
revenues to invest in long-term or costly infrastructure;
``(4) increase access to high-speed broadband;
``(5) support outdoor recreation to spur economic
development, with a focus on rural communities;
``(6) promote job creation or retention relative to the
population of the impacted region with outsized significance;
``(7) promote travel and tourism; or
``(8) promote blue economy activities.''.

SEC. 5105. GRANTS FOR PLANNING AND GRANTS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE
EXPENSES.

Section 203 of the Public Works and Economic Development
Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3143) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e);
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
``(d) Administrative Expenses.--Administrative expenses
that may be paid with a grant under this section include--
``(1) expenses related to carrying out the planning process
described in subsection (b);
``(2) expenses related to project predevelopment;
``(3) expenses related to updating economic development
plans to align with other applicable State, regional, or
local planning efforts; and
``(4) expenses related to hiring professional staff to
assist communities in--
``(A) project predevelopment and implementing projects and
priorities included in--
``(i) a comprehensive economic development strategy; or
``(ii) an economic development planning grant;
``(B) identifying and using other Federal, State, and
Tribal economic development programs;
``(C) leveraging private and philanthropic investment;
``(D) preparing disaster coordination and preparation
plans; and
``(E) carrying out economic development and predevelopment
activities in accordance with professional economic
development best practices.''; and
(3) in subsection (e) (as so redesignated), in paragraph
(4)--
(A) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting ``(including broadband);'';
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (G);
and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following:
``(F) address and mitigate impacts of extreme weather;
and''.

SEC. 5106. COST SHARING.

(a) In General.--Section 204 of the Public Works and
Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3144) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``50'' and inserting
``60'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``In determining'' and inserting the
following:
``(1) In general.--In determining''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Regional commission funds.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, any funds contributed by a Regional
Commission for a project under this title may be considered
to be part of the non-Federal share of the costs of the
project.''; and
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``or can otherwise
document that no local matching funds are reasonably
obtainable'' after ``or political subdivision'';
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by striking ``section 207'' and inserting ``section 203
or 207''; and
(ii) by striking ``project if'' and all that follows
through the period at the end and inserting ``project.''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Disaster assistance.--In the case of a grant provided
under section 209 for a project for economic recovery in
response to a major disaster or emergency declared under the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance
Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), the Secretary may increase the
Federal share under paragraph (1) up to 100 percent of the
total cost of the project.
``(5) Small communities.--In the case of a grant to a
political subdivision of a State (as described in section
3(6)(A)(iv)) that has a population of fewer than 10,000
residents and meets 1 or more of the eligibility criteria
described in section 301(a), the Secretary may increase the
Federal share under paragraph (1) up to 100 percent of the
total cost of the project.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 703 of the Public Works
and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3233) is
amended--
(1) by striking subsection (b); and
(2) by striking the section designation and heading and all
that follows through ``In addition'' in subsection (a) and
inserting the following:

``SEC. 703. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR DISASTER
ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACTIVITIES.

``In addition''.

SEC. 5107. REGULATIONS ON RELATIVE NEEDS AND ALLOCATIONS.

Section 206 of the Public Works and Economic Development
Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3146) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraph (B) and
inserting the following:
``(B) the per capita income levels, the labor force
participation rate, and the extent of underemployment in
eligible areas; and''; and
(2) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``and retention'' after
``creation''.

SEC. 5108. RESEARCH AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE; UNIVERSITY
CENTERS.

Section 207 of the Public Works and Economic Development
Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3147) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2)(A), by inserting ``, project
predevelopment,'' after ``planning''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) University Centers.--
``(1) Establishment.--In accordance with subsection
(a)(2)(D), the Secretary may make grants to institutions of
higher education to serve as university centers.
``(2) Geographic coverage.--The Secretary shall ensure that
the network of university centers established under this
subsection provides services in each State.
``(3) Duties.--To the maximum extent practicable, a
university center established under this subsection shall--
``(A) collaborate with other university centers;
``(B) collaborate with economic development districts and
other relevant Federal economic development technical
assistance and service providers to provide expertise and
technical assistance to develop, implement, and support
comprehensive economic development strategies and other
economic development planning at the local, regional, and
State levels, with a focus on innovation, entrepreneurship,
workforce development, and regional economic development;
``(C) provide technical assistance, business development,
and technology transfer services to businesses in the area
served by the university center;
``(D) establish partnerships with 1 or more
commercialization intermediaries that are public or nonprofit
technology transfer organizations eligible to receive a grant
under section 602 of the American Innovation and
Competitiveness Act (42 U.S.C. 1862s-9);
``(E) promote local and regional capacity building; and
``(F) provide to communities and regions assistance
relating to data collection and analysis and other research
relating to economic conditions and vulnerabilities that can
inform economic development and adjustment strategies.
``(4) Consideration.--In making grants under this
subsection, the Secretary shall consider the significant role
of regional public universities in supporting economic
development in distressed communities through the planning
and the implementation of economic development projects and
initiatives.''.

SEC. 5109. INVESTMENT PRIORITIES.

Title II of the Public Works and Economic Development Act
of 1965 is amended by inserting after section 207 (42 U.S.C.
3147) the following:

``SEC. 208. INVESTMENT PRIORITIES.

``(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), for a project
to be eligible for assistance under this title, the project
shall be consistent with 1 or more of the following
investment priorities:
``(1) Critical infrastructure.--Economic development
planning or implementation projects that support development
of public facilities, including basic public infrastructure,
transportation infrastructure, or telecommunications
infrastructure.
``(2) Workforce.--Economic development planning or
implementation projects that--

[[Page S6267]]

``(A) support job skills training to meet the hiring needs
of the area in which the project is to be carried out and
that result in well-paying jobs; or
``(B) otherwise promote labor force participation.
``(3) Innovation and entrepreneurship.--Economic
development planning or implementation projects that--
``(A) support the development of innovation and
entrepreneurship-related infrastructure;
``(B) promote business development and lending; or
``(C) foster the commercialization of new technologies that
are creating technology-driven businesses and high-skilled,
well-paying jobs of the future.
``(4) Economic recovery resilience.--Economic development
planning or implementation projects that enhance the ability
of an area to withstand and recover from adverse short-term
or long-term changes in economic conditions, including
effects from industry contractions or impacts from natural
disasters.
``(5) Manufacturing.--Economic development planning or
implementation projects that encourage job creation, business
expansion, technology and capital upgrades, and productivity
growth in manufacturing, including efforts that contribute to
the competitiveness and growth of domestic suppliers or the
domestic production of innovative, high-value products and
production technologies.
``(b) Conditions.--If the Secretary plans to use an
investment priority that is not described in subsection (a),
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment
and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a written notification that explains the
basis for using that investment priority.
``(c) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section waives any
other requirement of this Act.''.

SEC. 5110. GRANTS FOR ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT.

Section 209 of the Public Works and Economic Development
Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3149) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(B) in paragraph (5)--
(i) by inserting ``, travel and tourism, natural resource-
based, blue economy, or agricultural'' after
``manufacturing''; and
(ii) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``;
or''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) economic dislocation in the steel industry due to the
closure of a steel plant, primary steel economy contraction
events (including temporary layoffs and shifts to part-time
work), or job losses in the steel industry or associated with
the departure or contraction of the steel industry, for help
in economic restructuring of the communities.'';
(2) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections
(f) and (g), respectively; and
(3) by inserting after section (c) the following:
``(d) Assistance to Coal Communities.--
``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Coal economy.--The term `coal economy' means the
complete supply chain of coal-reliant industries, including--
``(i) coal mining;
``(ii) coal-fired power plants;
``(iii) transportation or logistics; and
``(iv) manufacturing.
``(B) Contraction event.--The term `contraction event'
means the closure of a facility or a reduction in activity
relating to a coal-reliant industry, including an industry
described in any of clauses (i) through (iv) of subparagraph
(A).
``(2) Authorization.--On the application of an eligible
recipient, the Secretary may make grants for projects in
areas adversely impacted by a contraction event in the coal
economy.
``(3) Eligibility.--
``(A) In general.--In carrying out this subsection, the
Secretary shall determine the eligibility of an area based on
whether the eligible recipient can reasonably demonstrate
that the area--
``(i) has been adversely impacted by a contraction event in
the coal economy within the previous 25 years; or
``(ii) will be adversely impacted by a contraction event in
the coal economy.
``(B) Prohibition.--No regulation or other policy of the
Secretary may limit the eligibility of an eligible recipient
for a grant under this subsection based on the date of a
contraction event except as provided in subparagraph (A)(i).
``(C) Demonstrating adverse impact.--For the purposes of
this paragraph, an eligible recipient may demonstrate an
adverse impact by demonstrating--
``(i) a loss in employment;
``(ii) a reduction in tax revenue; or
``(iii) any other factor, as determined to be appropriate
by the Secretary.
``(e) Assistance to Nuclear Host Communities.--
``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Commission.--The term `Commission' means the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission.
``(B) Community advisory board.--The term `community
advisory board' means a community committee or other advisory
organization that aims to foster communication and
information exchange between a licensee planning for and
involved in decommissioning activities and members of the
community that decommissioning activities may affect.
``(C) Decommission.--The term `decommission' has the
meaning given the term in section 50.2 of title 10, Code of
Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).
``(D) Licensee.--The term `licensee' has the meaning given
the term in section 50.2 of title 10, Code of Federal
Regulations (or successor regulations).
``(E) Nuclear host community.--The term `nuclear host
community' means an eligible recipient that has been
impacted, or reasonably demonstrates to the satisfaction of
the Secretary that it will be impacted, by a nuclear power
plant licensed by the Commission that--
``(i) is not co-located with an operating nuclear power
plant;
``(ii) is at a site with spent nuclear fuel; and
``(iii) as of the date of enactment of the Economic
Development Reauthorization Act of 2024--

``(I) has ceased operations; or
``(II) has provided a written notification to the
Commission that it will cease operations.

``(2) Authorization.--On the application of an eligible
recipient, the Secretary may make grants--
``(A) to assist with economic development in nuclear host
communities; and
``(B) to fund community advisory boards in nuclear host
communities.
``(3) Requirement.--In carrying out this subsection, to the
maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall implement the
recommendations described in the report submitted to Congress
under section 108 of the Nuclear Energy Innovation and
Modernization Act (Public Law 115-439; 132 Stat. 5577)
entitled `Best Practices for Establishment and Operation of
Local Community Advisory Boards Associated with
Decommissioning Activities at Nuclear Power Plants'.
``(4) Distribution of funds.--The Secretary shall establish
a methodology to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable,
geographic diversity among grant recipients under this
subsection.''.

SEC. 5111. RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAM.

Section 218 of the Public Works and Economic Development
Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3154d) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``brightfields
demonstration'' and inserting ``renewable energy'';
(2) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
``(a) Definition of Renewable Energy Site.--In this
section, the term `renewable energy site' means a brownfield
site that is redeveloped through the incorporation of 1 or
more renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind,
geothermal, ocean, and emerging, but proven, renewable energy
technologies.'';
(3) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Demonstration
Program'' and inserting ``Establishment'';
(B) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``brightfield'' and inserting ``renewable energy''; and
(C) in paragraph (1), by striking ``solar energy
technologies'' and inserting ``renewable energy technologies
described in subsection (a),''; and
(4) by striking subsection (d).

SEC. 5112. WORKFORCE TRAINING GRANTS.

Title II of the Public Works and Economic Development Act
of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3141 et seq.) is amended by adding at the
end the following:

``SEC. 219. WORKFORCE TRAINING GRANTS.

``(a) In General.--On the application of an eligible
recipient, the Secretary may make grants to support the
development and expansion of innovative workforce training
programs through sectoral partnerships leading to quality
jobs and the acquisition of equipment or construction of
facilities to support workforce development activities.
``(b) Eligible Uses.--Funds from a grant under this section
may be used for--
``(1) acquisition or development of land and improvements
to house workforce training activities;
``(2) acquisition, design and engineering, construction,
rehabilitation, alteration, expansion, or improvement of such
a facility, including related equipment and machinery;
``(3) acquisition of machinery or equipment to support
workforce training activities;
``(4) planning, technical assistance, and training;
``(5) sector partnerships development, program design, and
program implementation; and
``(6) in the case of an eligible recipient that is a State,
subject to subsection (c), a State program to award career
scholarships to train individuals for employment in critical
industries with high demand and vacancies necessary for
further economic development of the applicable State that--
``(A) requires significant post-secondary training; but
``(B) does not require a post-secondary degree.
``(c) Career Scholarships State Grant Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may award grants to States
for the purpose described in subsection (b)(6).
``(2) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this subsection, the Chief Executive of a State shall submit
to the Secretary an application at such time, in such

[[Page S6268]]

manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may
require, which shall include, at a minimum, the following:
``(A) A method for identifying critical industry sectors
driving in-State economic growth that face staffing
challenges for in-demand jobs and careers.
``(B) A governance structure for the implementation of the
program established by the State, including defined roles for
the consortia of agencies of such State, at a minimum, to
include the State departments of economic development, labor,
and education, or the State departments or agencies with
jurisdiction over those matters.
``(C) A strategy for recruiting participants from at least
1 community that meets 1 or more of the criteria described in
section 301(a).
``(D) A plan for how the State will develop a tracking
system for eligible programs, participant enrollment,
participant outcomes, and an application portal for
individual participants.
``(3) Selection.--The Secretary shall award not more than 1
grant under this subsection to any State.
``(4) Eligible uses.--A grant under this subsection may be
used for--
``(A) necessary costs to carry out the matters described in
this subsection, including tuition and stipends for
individuals that receive a career scholarship grant, subject
to the requirements described in paragraph (6); and
``(B) program implementation, planning, technical
assistance, or training.
``(5) Federal share.--Notwithstanding section 204, the
Federal share of the cost of any award carried out with a
grant made under this subsection shall not exceed 70 percent.
``(6) Participant amounts.--A State shall ensure that grant
funds provided under this subsection to each individual that
receives a career scholarship grant under the program
established by the applicable State is the lesser of the
following amounts:
``(A) In a case in which the individual is also eligible
for a Federal Pell Grant under section 401 of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a) for enrollment at the
applicable training program for any award year of the
training program, $11,000 minus the amount of the awarded
Federal Pell Grant.
``(B) For an individual not described in paragraph (1), the
lesser of--
``(i) $11,000; and
``(ii) the total cost of the training program in which the
individual is enrolled, including tuition, fees, career
navigation services, textbook costs, expenses related to
assessments and exams for certification or licensure,
equipment costs, and wage stipends (in the case of a training
program that is an earn-and-learn program).
``(d) Coordination.--The Secretary shall coordinate the
development of new workforce development models with the
Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education.''.

SEC. 5113. CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.

Title II of the Public Works and Economic Development Act
of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3141 et seq.) (as amended by section 5112)
is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 220. CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.

``(a) In General.--In the case of a project described in
subsection (b), the Secretary shall provide to the Committee
on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House
of Representatives notice, in accordance with subsection (c),
of the award of a grant for the project not less than 3
business days before notifying an eligible recipient of their
selection for that award.
``(b) Projects Described.--A project referred to in
subsection (a) is a project that the Secretary has selected
to receive a grant administered by the Economic Development
Administration in an amount not less than $100,000.
``(c) Requirements.--A notification under subsection (a)
shall include--
``(1) the name of the project;
``(2) the name of the applicant;
``(3) the region in which the project is to be carried out;
``(4) the State in which the project is to be carried out;
``(5) the amount of the grant awarded;
``(6) a description of the project; and
``(7) any additional information, as determined to be
appropriate by the Secretary.
``(d) Public Availability.--The Secretary shall make a
notification under subsection (a) publicly available not
later than 60 days after the date on which the Secretary
provides the notice.''.

SEC. 5114. SPECIFIC FLEXIBILITIES RELATED TO DEPLOYMENT OF
HIGH-SPEED BROADBAND.

Title II of the Public Works and Economic Development Act
of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3141 et seq.) (as amended by section 5113)
is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 221. HIGH-SPEED BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT INITIATIVE.

``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Broadband project.--The term `broadband project'
means, for the purposes of providing, extending, expanding,
or improving high-speed broadband service to further the
goals of this Act--
``(A) planning, technical assistance, or training;
``(B) the acquisition or development of land; or
``(C) the acquisition, design and engineering,
construction, rehabilitation, alteration, expansion, or
improvement of facilities, including related machinery,
equipment, contractual rights, and intangible property.
``(2) Eligible recipient.--The term `eligible recipient'
includes--
``(A) a public-private partnership; and
``(B) a consortium formed for the purpose of providing,
extending, expanding, or improving high-speed broadband
service between 1 or more eligible recipients and 1 or more
for-profit organizations.
``(3) High-speed broadband.--The term `high-speed
broadband' means the provision of 2-way data transmission
with sufficient downstream and upstream speeds to end users
to permit effective participation in the economy and to
support economic growth, as determined by the Secretary.
``(b) Broadband Projects.--
``(1) In general.--On the application of an eligible
recipient, the Secretary may make grants under this title for
broadband projects, which shall be subject to the provisions
of this section.
``(2) Considerations.--In reviewing applications submitted
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall take into
consideration geographic diversity of grants provided,
including consideration of underserved markets, in addition
to data requested in paragraph (3).
``(3) Data requested.--In reviewing an application
submitted under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall request
from the Federal Communications Commission, the Administrator
of the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the
Appalachian Regional Commission data on--
``(A) the level and extent of broadband service that exists
in the area proposed to be served; and
``(B) the level and extent of broadband service that will
be deployed in the area proposed to be served pursuant to
another Federal program.
``(4) Interest in real or personal property.--For any
broadband project carried out by an eligible recipient that
is a public-private partnership or consortium, the Secretary
shall require that title to any real or personal property
acquired or improved with grant funds, or if the recipient
will not acquire title, another possessory interest
acceptable to the Secretary, be vested in a public partner or
eligible nonprofit organization or association for the useful
life of the project, after which title may be transferred to
any member of the public-private partnership or consortium in
accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary.
``(5) Procurement.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, no person or entity shall be disqualified from competing
to provide goods or services related to a broadband project
on the basis that the person or entity participated in the
development of the broadband project or in the drafting of
specifications, requirements, statements of work, or similar
documents related to the goods or services to be provided.
``(6) Broadband project property.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary may permit a recipient of
a grant for a broadband project to grant an option to acquire
real or personal property (including contractual rights and
intangible property) related to that project to a third party
on such terms as the Secretary determines to be appropriate,
subject to the condition that the option may only be
exercised after the Secretary releases the Federal interest
in the property.
``(B) Treatment.--The grant or exercise of an option
described in subparagraph (A) shall not constitute a
redistribution of grant funds under section 217.
``(c) Non-Federal Share.--In determining the amount of the
non-Federal share of the cost of a broadband project, the
Secretary may provide credit toward the non-Federal share for
the present value of allowable contributions over the useful
life of the broadband project, subject to the condition that
the Secretary may require such assurances of the value of the
rights and of the commitment of the rights as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate.''.

SEC. 5115. CRITICAL SUPPLY CHAIN SITE DEVELOPMENT GRANT
PROGRAM.

Title II of the Public Works and Economic Development Act
of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3141 et seq.) (as amended by section 5114)
is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 222. CRITICAL SUPPLY CHAIN SITE DEVELOPMENT GRANT
PROGRAM.

``(a) In General.--On the application of an eligible
recipient, the Secretary may make grants under the `Critical
Supply Chain Site Development grant program' (referred to in
this section as the `grant program') to carry out site
development or expansion projects for the purpose of making
the site ready for manufacturing projects.
``(b) Considerations.--In providing a grant to an eligible
recipient under the grant program, the Secretary may consider
whether--
``(1) the proposed improvements to the site will improve
economic conditions for rural areas, Tribal communities, or
areas that meet 1 or more of the criteria described in
section 301(a);
``(2) the project is consistent with regional economic
development plans, which may include a comprehensive economic
development strategy;
``(3) the eligible recipient has initiatives to prioritize
job training and workforce development; and

[[Page S6269]]

``(4) the project supports industries determined by the
Secretary to be of strategic importance to the national or
economic security of the United States.
``(c) Priority.--In awarding grants to eligible recipients
under the grant program, the Secretary shall give priority to
eligible recipients that propose to carry out a project
that--
``(1) has State, local, private, or nonprofit funds being
contributed to assist with site development efforts; and
``(2) if the site development or expansion project is
carried out, will result in a demonstrated interest in the
site by commercial entities or other entities.
``(d) Use of Funds.--A grant provided under the grant
program may be used for the following activities relating to
the development or expansion of a site:
``(1) Investments in site utility readiness, including--
``(A) construction of on-site utility infrastructure;
``(B) construction of last-mile infrastructure, including
road infrastructure, water infrastructure, power
infrastructure, broadband infrastructure, and other physical
last-mile infrastructure;
``(C) site grading; and
``(D) other activities to extend public utilities or
services to a site, as determined appropriate by the
Secretary.
``(2) Investments in site readiness, including--
``(A) land assembly;
``(B) environmental reviews;
``(C) zoning;
``(D) design;
``(E) engineering; and
``(F) permitting.
``(3) Investments in workforce development and
sustainability programs, including job training and
retraining programs.
``(4) Investments to ensure that disadvantaged communities
have access to on-site jobs.
``(e) Prohibition.--In awarding grants under the grant
program, the Secretary shall not require an eligible
recipient to demonstrate that a private company or investment
has selected the site for development or expansion.''.

SEC. 5116. UPDATED DISTRESS CRITERIA AND GRANT RATES.

Section 301(a) of the Public Works and Economic Development
Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3161(a)) is amended by striking
paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
``(3) Unemployment, underemployment, or economic adjustment
problems.--The area is an area that the Secretary determines
has experienced or is about to experience a special need
arising from actual or threatened severe unemployment,
underemployment, or economic adjustment problems resulting
from severe short-term or long-term changes in economic
conditions.
``(4) Low median household income.--The area has a median
household income of 80 percent or less of the national
average.
``(5) Workforce participation.--The area has--
``(A) a labor force participation rate of 90 percent or
less of the national average; or
``(B) a prime-age employment gap of 5 percent or more.
``(6) Expected economic dislocation and distress from
energy industry transitions.--The area is an area that is
expected to experience actual or threatened severe
unemployment or economic adjustment problems resulting from
severe short-term or long-term changes in economic conditions
from energy industries that are experiencing accelerated
contraction.''.

SEC. 5117. COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES.

Section 302 of the Public Works and Economic Development
Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3162) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(3)(A), by inserting ``including to
mitigate and adapt to extreme weather,'' after ``enhances and
protects the environment,''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Exception.--This section shall not apply to grants
awarded under section 207 or grants awarded under section
209(c)(2) that are regional in scope.''.

SEC. 5118. OFFICE OF TRIBAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Title V of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of
1965 (42 U.S.C. 3191 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following:

``SEC. 508. OFFICE OF TRIBAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

``(a) Establishment.--There is established within the
Economic Development Administration an Office of Tribal
Economic Development (referred to in this section as the
`Office').
``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Office shall be--
``(1) to coordinate all Tribal economic development
activities carried out by the Secretary;
``(2) to help Tribal communities access economic
development assistance programs, including the assistance
provided under this Act;
``(3) to coordinate Tribal economic development strategies
and efforts with other Federal agencies; and
``(4) to be a participant in any negotiated rulemakings or
consultations relating to, or having an impact on, projects,
programs, or funding that benefit Tribal communities.
``(c) Tribal Economic Development Strategy.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of the Economic Development Reauthorization Act of
2024, the Office shall initiate a Tribal consultation process
to develop, and not less frequently than every 3 years
thereafter, update, a strategic plan for Tribal economic
development for the Economic Development Administration.
``(2) Submission to congress.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of the Economic Development
Reauthorization Act of 2024 and not less frequently than
every 3 years thereafter, the Office shall submit to Congress
the strategic plan for Tribal economic development developed
under paragraph (1).
``(d) Outreach.--The Secretary shall establish a publicly
facing website to help provide a comprehensive, single source
of information for Indian tribes, Tribal leaders, Tribal
businesses, and citizens in Tribal communities to better
understand and access programs that support economic
development in Tribal communities, including the economic
development programs administered by Federal agencies or
departments other than the Department.
``(e) Dedicated Staff.--The Secretary shall ensure that the
Office has sufficient staff to carry out all outreach
activities under this section.''.

SEC. 5119. OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE.

Title V of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of
1965 (42 U.S.C. 3191 et seq.) (as amended by section 5118) is
amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 509. OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE.

``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish an
Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience--
``(1) to direct and implement the post-disaster economic
recovery responsibilities of the Economic Development
Administration pursuant to subsections (c)(2) and (e) of
section 209 and section 703;
``(2) to direct and implement economic recovery and
enhanced resilience support function activities as directed
under the National Disaster Recovery Framework; and
``(3) support long-term economic recovery in communities in
which a major disaster or emergency has been declared under
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), or otherwise
impacted by an event of national significance, as determined
by the Secretary, through--
``(A) convening and deploying an economic development
assessment team;
``(B) hosting or attending convenings related to
identification of additional Federal, State, local, and
philanthropic entities and resources;
``(C) exploring potential flexibilities related to existing
awards;
``(D) provision of technical assistance through staff or
contractual resources; and
``(E) other activities determined by the Secretary to be
appropriate.
``(b) Appointment and Compensation Authorities.--
``(1) Appointment.--The Secretary is authorized to appoint
such temporary personnel as may be necessary to carry out the
responsibilities of the Office of Disaster Recovery and
Resilience, without regard to the provisions of subchapter I
of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, governing
appointments in the competitive service and compensation of
personnel.
``(2) Conversion of employees.--Notwithstanding chapter 33
of title 5, United States Code, or any other provision of law
relating to the examination, certification, and appointment
of individuals in the competitive service, the Secretary is
authorized to convert a temporary employee appointed under
this subsection to a permanent appointment in the competitive
service in the Economic Development Administration under
merit promotion procedures if--
``(A) the employee has served continuously for at least 2
years under 1 or more appointments under this subsection; and
``(B) the employee's performance has been at an acceptable
level of performance throughout the period or periods
referred to in subparagraph (A).
``(3) Compensation.--An individual converted under this
subsection shall become a career-conditional employee, unless
the employee has already completed the service requirements
for career tenure.
``(c) Disaster Team.--
``(1) Establishment.--As soon as practicable after the date
of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a
disaster team (referred to in this section as the `disaster
team') for the deployment of individuals to carry out
responsibilities of the Office of Disaster Recovery and
Resilience after a major disaster or emergency has been
declared under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) and the
Department has been activated by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency.
``(2) Membership.--
``(A) Designation of staff.--As soon as practicable after
the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall
designate to serve on the disaster team--
``(i) employees of the Office of Disaster Recovery and
Resilience;
``(ii) employees of the Department who are not employees of
the Economic Development Administration; and

[[Page S6270]]

``(iii) in consultation with the heads of other Federal
agencies, employees of those agencies, as appropriate.
``(B) Capabilities.--In designating individuals under
subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall ensure that the
disaster team includes a sufficient quantity of--
``(i) individuals who are capable of deploying rapidly and
efficiently to respond to major disasters and emergencies;
and
``(ii) highly trained full-time employees who will lead and
manage the disaster team.
``(3) Training.--The Secretary shall ensure that
appropriate and ongoing training is provided to members of
the disaster team to ensure that the members are adequately
trained regarding the programs and policies of the Economic
Development Administration relating to post-disaster economic
recovery efforts.
``(4) Expenses.--In carrying out this section, the
Secretary may--
``(A) use, with or without reimbursement, any service,
equipment, personnel, or facility of any Federal agency with
the explicit support of that agency, to the extent such use
does not impair or conflict with the authority of the
President or the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.)
to direct Federal agencies in any major disaster or emergency
declared under that Act; and
``(B) provide members of the disaster team with travel
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates
authorized for an employee of an agency under subchapter I of
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from
the home or regular place of business of the member in the
performance of services for, or relating to, the disaster
team.''.

SEC. 5120. ESTABLISHMENT OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE LIAISONS.

Title V of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of
1965 (42 U.S.C. 3191 et seq.) (as amended by section 5119) is
amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 510. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE LIAISONS.

``(a) In General.--A Regional Director of a regional office
of the Economic Development Administration may designate a
staff member to act as a `Technical Assistance Liaison' for
any State served by the regional office.
``(b) Role.--A Technical Assistance Liaison shall--
``(1) work in coordination with an Economic Development
Representative to provide technical assistance, in addition
to technical assistance under section 207, to eligible
recipients that are underresourced communities, as determined
by the Technical Assistance Liaison, that submit applications
for assistance under title II; and
``(2) at the request of an eligible recipient that
submitted an application for assistance under title II,
provide technical feedback on unsuccessful grant
applications.
``(c) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may enter into a
contract or cooperative agreement with an eligible recipient
for the purpose of providing technical assistance to eligible
recipients that are underresourced communities that have
submitted or may submit an application for assistance under
this Act.''.

SEC. 5121. ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS.

Section 603(b) of the Public Works and Economic Development
Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3213(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``areas'' after
``rural''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(4)(A) include a list of all of the grants provided by
the Economic Development Administration for projects located
in, or that primarily benefit, rural areas;
``(B) an explanation of the process used to determine how
each project referred to in subparagraph (A) would benefit a
rural area; and
``(C) a certification that each project referred to in
subparagraph (A)--
``(i) is located in a rural area; or
``(ii) will primarily benefit a rural area.''.

SEC. 5122. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTATIVES.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
the Economic Development Administration should continue to
promote access to economic development assistance programs of
that agency through the use of Economic Development
Representatives in underresourced communities, particularly
coal communities.
(b) Economic Development Representatives.--
(1) In general.--In accordance with paragraph (2), the
Secretary of Commerce shall maintain, or restore, as
necessary, State-level Economic Development Representative
positions occupied as of October 1, 2023.
(2) Continuation.--For each State in which there is an
Economic Development Representative position as of October 1,
2023, the Secretary of Commerce shall ensure that--
(A) that State continues to have that coverage from an
Economic Development Representative who is located within
that State; and
(B) the Economic Development Representative position
located within that State is dedicated solely to addressing
the economic needs of that State.
(c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall submit
to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives a report that describes the
implementation of this section by the Economic Development
Administration.

SEC. 5123. MODERNIZATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS.

(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce (referred to
in this section as the ``Secretary'') shall submit to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the
House of Representatives a report on the efforts of the
Secretary to facilitate efficient, timely, and predictable
environmental reviews of projects funded by the Public Works
and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121 et
seq.), including through expanded use of categorical
exclusions, environmental assessments, or programmatic
environmental impact statements.
(b) Requirements.--In completing the report under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
(1) describe the actions the Secretary will take to
implement the amendments to the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) made by section 321 of
the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (Public Law 118-5; 137
Stat. 38);
(2) describe the existing categorical exclusions most
frequently used by the Secretary to streamline the
environmental review of projects funded by the Public Works
and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121 et
seq.); and
(3) consider--
(A) the adoption of additional categorical exclusions,
including those used by other Federal agencies, that would
facilitate the environmental review of projects funded by the
Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C.
3121 et seq.);
(B) the adoption of new programmatic environmental impact
statements that would facilitate the environmental review of
projects funded by the Public Works and Economic Development
Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.); and
(C) agreements with other Federal agencies that would
facilitate a more efficient process for the environmental
review of projects funded by the Public Works and Economic
Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.).
(c) Rulemaking.--Not later than 2 years after the
submission of the report under subsection (a), the Secretary
shall promulgate a final rule implementing, to the maximum
extent practicable, measures considered by the Secretary
under subsection (b) that are necessary to streamline the
environmental review of projects funded by the Public Works
and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121 et
seq.).

SEC. 5124. GAO REPORT ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Comptroller general.--The term ``Comptroller General''
means the Comptroller General of the United States.
(2) Regional commission.--The term ``Regional Commission''
has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Public
Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3122).
(b) Report.--Not later than September 30, 2026, the
Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on
Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a report that evaluates economic development
programs administered by the Economic Development
Administration and the Regional Commissions.
(c) Contents.--In carrying out the report under subsection
(b), the Comptroller General shall--
(1) evaluate the impact of programs described in that
subsection on economic outcomes, including job creation and
retention, the rate of unemployment and underemployment,
labor force participation, and private investment leveraged;
(2) describe efforts by the Economic Development
Administration and the Regional Commissions to document the
impact of programs described in that subsection on economic
outcomes described in paragraph (1);
(3) describe efforts by the Economic Development
Administration and the Regional Commissions to carry out
coordination activities described in section 103 of the
Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C.
3133);
(4) consider other factors, as determined to be appropriate
by the Comptroller General of the United States, to assess
the effectiveness of programs described in subsection (b);
and
(5) make legislative recommendations for improvements to
programs described in subsection (b) as applicable.

SEC. 5125. GAO REPORT ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
REGULATIONS AND POLICIES.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Comptroller general.--The term ``Comptroller General''
means the Comptroller General of the United States.
(2) Small community.--The term ``small community'' means a
community of less than 10,000 year-round residents.
(b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit
to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of

[[Page S6271]]

the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that
evaluates economic development regulations and policies
administered by the Economic Development Administration that
have hindered the ability of communities to apply for and
administer Economic Development Administration grants.
(c) Contents.--In carrying out the report under subsection
(b), the Comptroller General shall--
(1) review regulations and grant application processes
promulgated by the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for
Economic Development;
(2) evaluate the technical capacity of eligible recipients
(as defined in section 3 of the Public Works and Economic
Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3122)) to apply for
Economic Development Administration grants;
(3) provide recommendations for improving the
administration and timely disbursement of grants awarded by
the Economic Development Administration, including for
improving the communication with grantees regarding timelines
for disbursement of funds;
(4) identify barriers to small communities applying for
Economic Development Administration grants, in consultation
with--
(A) State economic development representatives;
(B) secretaries of State departments of economic
development;
(C) representatives for small communities that have
received Economic Development Administration grants; and
(D) representatives for small communities that have never
applied for Economic Development Administration grants; and
(5) provide recommendations for simplifying and easing the
ability for grant applicants to navigate the Economic
Development Administration grant application process,
including through a review of regulations, including
environmental regulations, not in the jurisdiction of the
Economic Development Administration to identify possible
grant application process improvements.

SEC. 5126. GAO STUDY ON RURAL COMMUNITIES.

(a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United
States (referred to in this section as the ``Comptroller
General'') shall conduct a study to evaluate the impacts of
funding provided by the Economic Development Administration
to distressed communities (as described in section 301(a) of
the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42
U.S.C. 3161(a))) located in rural areas.
(b) Contents.--In carrying out the study under subsection
(a), the Comptroller General shall--
(1) identify not less than 5 geographically diverse
distressed communities in rural areas; and
(2) for each distressed community identified under
paragraph (1), examine the impacts of funding provided by the
Economic Development Administration on--
(A) the local jobs and unemployment of the community; and
(B) the availability of affordable housing in the
community.
(c) Report.--On completion of the study under subsection
(a), the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on
Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a report on the findings of the study and any
recommendations that result from the study.

SEC. 5127. GENERAL AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) In General.--Section 701 of the Public Works and
Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3231) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (k); and
(2) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
``(a) Grants for Public Works and Economic Development.--
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out section
201, to remain available until expended--
``(1) $170,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
``(2) $195,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;
``(3) $220,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
``(4) $245,000,000 for fiscal year 2028; and
``(5) $270,000,000 for fiscal year 2029.
``(b) Grants for Planning and Grants for Administrative
Expenses.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry
out section 203, to remain available until expended--
``(1) $90,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
``(2) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;
``(3) $110,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
``(4) $120,000,000 for fiscal year 2028; and
``(5) $130,000,000 for fiscal year 2029.
``(c) Grants for Training, Research, and Technical
Assistance.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry
out section 207, to remain available until expended--
``(1) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
``(2) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;
``(3) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
``(4) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2028; and
``(5) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2029.
``(d) Grants for Economic Adjustment.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to carry out section 209 (other than
subsections (d) and (e)), to remain available until
expended--
``(1) $65,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
``(2) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;
``(3) $85,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
``(4) $95,000,000 for fiscal year 2028; and
``(5) $105,000,000 for fiscal year 2029.
``(e) Assistance to Coal Communities.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out section 209(d) $75,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029, to remain
available until expended.
``(f) Assistance to Nuclear Host Communities.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 209(e), to
remain available until expended--
``(1) to carry out paragraph (2)(A), $35,000,000 for each
of fiscal years 2025 through 2029; and
``(2) to carry out paragraph (2)(B), $5,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2025 through 2027.
``(g) Renewable Energy Program.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out section 218 $5,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2025 through 2029, to remain available until
expended.
``(h) Workforce Training Grants.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out section 219 $50,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2025 through 2029, to remain available until
expended, of which $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025
through 2029 shall be used to carry out subsection (c) of
that section.
``(i) Critical Supply Chain Site Development Grant
Program.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out
section 222 $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through
2029, to remain available until expended.
``(j) Technical Assistance Liaisons.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out section 510 $5,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029, to remain available
until expended.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Title VII of the Public Works
and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3231 et seq.)
is amended by striking section 704.

SEC. 5128. TECHNICAL CORRECTION.

Section 1 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act
of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121 note; Public Law 89-136) is amended
by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
``(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this
Act is as follows:

``Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
``Sec. 2. Findings and declarations.
``Sec. 3. Definitions.

``TITLE I--ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPS COOPERATION AND
COORDINATION

``Sec. 101. Establishment of economic development partnerships.
``Sec. 102. Cooperation of Federal agencies.
``Sec. 103. Coordination.

``TITLE II--GRANTS FOR PUBLIC WORKS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

``Sec. 201. Grants for public works and economic development.
``Sec. 202. Base closings and realignments.
``Sec. 203. Grants for planning and grants for administrative expenses.
``Sec. 204. Cost sharing.
``Sec. 205. Supplementary grants.
``Sec. 206. Regulations on relative needs and allocations.
``Sec. 207. Research and technical assistance; university centers.
``Sec. 208. Investment priorities.
``Sec. 209. Grants for economic adjustment.
``Sec. 210. Changed project circumstances.
``Sec. 211. Use of funds in projects constructed under projected cost.
``Sec. 212. Reports by recipients.
``Sec. 213. Prohibition on use of funds for attorney's and consultant's
fees.
``Sec. 214. Special impact areas.
``Sec. 215. Performance awards.
``Sec. 216. Planning performance awards.
``Sec. 217. Direct expenditure or redistribution by recipient.
``Sec. 218. Renewable energy program.
``Sec. 219. Workforce training grants.
``Sec. 220. Congressional notification requirements.
``Sec. 221. High-Speed Broadband Deployment Initiative.
``Sec. 222. Critical supply chain site development grant program.

``TITLE III--ELIGIBILITY; COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

``Sec. 301. Eligibility of areas.
``Sec. 302. Comprehensive economic development strategies.

``TITLE IV--ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS

``Sec. 401. Designation of economic development districts.
``Sec. 402. Termination or modification of economic development
districts.
``Sec. 404. Provision of comprehensive economic development strategies
to Regional Commissions.
``Sec. 405. Assistance to parts of economic development districts not
in eligible areas.

``TITLE V--ADMINISTRATION

``Sec. 501. Assistant Secretary for Economic Development.
``Sec. 502. Economic development information clearinghouse.
``Sec. 503. Consultation with other persons and agencies.
``Sec. 504. Administration, operation, and maintenance.
``Sec. 506. Performance evaluations of grant recipients.
``Sec. 507. Notification of reorganization.
``Sec. 508. Office of Tribal Economic Development.

[[Page S6272]]

``Sec. 509. Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience.
``Sec. 510. Technical Assistance Liaisons.

``TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS

``Sec. 601. Powers of Secretary.
``Sec. 602. Maintenance of standards.
``Sec. 603. Annual report to Congress.
``Sec. 604. Delegation of functions and transfer of funds among Federal
agencies.
``Sec. 605. Penalties.
``Sec. 606. Employment of expediters and administrative employees.
``Sec. 607. Maintenance and public inspection of list of approved
applications for financial assistance.
``Sec. 608. Records and audits.
``Sec. 609. Relationship to assistance under other law.
``Sec. 610. Acceptance of certifications by applicants.
``Sec. 611. Brownfields redevelopment reports.
``Sec. 612. Savings clause.

``TITLE VII--FUNDING

``Sec. 701. General authorization of appropriations.
``Sec. 702. Authorization of appropriations for defense conversation
activities.
``Sec. 703. Authorization of appropriations for disaster economic
recovery activities.''.

TITLE LII--REGIONAL ECONOMIC AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

SEC. 5201. REGIONAL COMMISSION AUTHORIZATIONS.

Section 15751 of title 40, United States Code, is amended
by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
``(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated
to each Commission to carry out this subtitle $40,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029.''.

SEC. 5202. REGIONAL COMMISSION MODIFICATIONS.

(a) Membership of Commissions.--Section 15301 of title 40,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(2)(C)--
(A) by striking ``An alternate member'' and inserting the
following:
``(i) In general.--An alternate member''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(ii) State alternates.--If the alternate State member is
unable to vote in accordance with clause (i), the alternate
State member may delegate voting authority to a designee,
subject to the condition that the executive director shall be
notified, in writing, of the designation not less than 1 week
before the applicable vote is to take place.''; and
(2) in subsection (f), by striking ``a Federal employee''
and inserting ``an employee''.
(b) Decisions of Commissions.--Section 15302 of title 40,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``or alternate State
members, including designees'' after ``State members''; and
(2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
``(c) Quorums.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), a Commission
shall determine what constitutes a quorum for meetings of the
Commission.
``(2) Requirements.--Any quorum for meetings of a
Commission shall include--
``(A) the Federal Cochairperson or the alternate Federal
Cochairperson; and
``(B) a majority of State members or alternate State
members, including designees (exclusive of members
representing States delinquent under section
15304(c)(3)(C)).''.
(c) Administrative Powers and Expenses of Commissions.--
Section 15304(a) of title 40, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``, which may be done
without a requirement for the Commission to reimburse the
agency or local government'' after ``status'';
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (8) and (9) as paragraphs
(9) and (10), respectively;
(3) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:
``(8) collect fees for services provided and retain and
expend such fees;'';
(4) in paragraph (9) (as so redesignated), by inserting
``leases (including the lease of office space for any
term),'' after ``cooperative agreements,''; and
(5) in paragraph (10) (as so redesignated), by striking
``maintain a government relations office in the District of
Columbia and''.
(d) Meetings of Commissions.--Section 15305(b) of title 40,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``with the Federal
Cochairperson'' and all that follows through the period at
the end and inserting the following: ``with--
``(1) the Federal Cochairperson; and
``(2) at least a majority of the State members or alternate
State members (including designees) present in-person or via
electronic means.''.
(e) Annual Reports.--Section 15308(a) of title 40, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``90'' and inserting
``180''.

SEC. 5203. TRANSFER OF FUNDS AMONG FEDERAL AGENCIES.

(a) In General.--Chapter 153 of subtitle V of title 40,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating section 15308 as section 15309; and
(2) by inserting after section 15307 the following:

``Sec. 15308. Transfer of funds among Federal agencies

``(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (c), for purposes
of this subtitle, each Commission may transfer funds to and
accept transfers of funds from other Federal agencies.
``(b) Transfer of Funds to Other Federal Agencies.--Funds
made available to a Commission may be transferred to other
Federal agencies if the funds are used consistently with the
purposes for which the funds were specifically authorized and
appropriated.
``(c) Transfer of Funds From Other Federal Agencies.--Funds
may be transferred to any Commission under this section if--
``(1) the statutory authority for the funds provided by the
Federal agency does not expressly prohibit use of funds for
authorities being carried out by a Commission; and
``(2) the Federal agency that provides the funds determines
that the activities for which the funds are to be used are
otherwise eligible for funding under such a statutory
authority.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 153 of
subtitle V of title 40, United States Code, is amended by
striking the item relating to section 15308 and inserting the
following:

``15308. Transfer of funds among Federal agencies.
``15309. Annual reports.''.

SEC. 5204. ECONOMIC AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.

Section 15501 of title 40, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (9) as
paragraphs (6) through (11), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
``(4) in coordination with relevant Federal agencies, to
design, build, implement, or update infrastructure to support
resilience to extreme weather events;
``(5) to promote the production of housing to meet economic
development and workforce needs;''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``(7)'' and inserting
``(9)''.

SEC. 5205. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

(a) In General.--Chapter 155 of subtitle V of title 40,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:

``Sec. 15507. Payment of non-Federal share for certain
Federal grant programs

``Amounts made available to carry out this subtitle shall
be available for the payment of the non-Federal share for any
project carried out under another Federal grant program--
``(1) for which a Commission is not the sole or primary
funding source; and
``(2) that is consistent with the authorities of the
applicable Commission.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 155 of
subtitle V of title 40, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:

``15507. Payment of non-Federal share for certain Federal grant
programs.''.

SEC. 5206. NORTHERN BORDER REGIONAL COMMISSION AREA.

Section 15733 of title 40, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``Lincoln,'' after
``Knox,'';
(2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``Merrimack,'' after
``Grafton,''; and
(3) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``Wyoming,'' after
``Wayne,''.

SEC. 5207. SOUTHWEST BORDER REGIONAL COMMISSION AREA.

Section 15732 of title 40, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3)--
(A) by inserting ``Bernalillo,'' before ``Catron,'';
(B) by inserting ``Cibola, Curry, De Baca,'' after
``Chaves,'';
(C) by inserting ``Guadalupe,'' after ``Grant,'';
(D) by inserting ``Lea,'' after ``Hidalgo,'';
(E) by inserting ``Roosevelt,'' after ``Otero,''; and
(F) by striking ``and Socorro'' and inserting ``Socorro,
Torrance, and Valencia''; and
(2) in paragraph (4)--
(A) by inserting ``Guadalupe,'' after ``Glasscock,''; and
(B) by striking ``Tom Green Upton,'' and inserting ``Tom
Green, Upton,''.

SEC. 5208. GREAT LAKES AUTHORITY AREA.

Section 15734 of title 40, United States Code, is amended,
in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting ``the
counties which contain, in part or in whole, the'' after
``consist of''.

SEC. 5209. ADDITIONAL REGIONAL COMMISSION PROGRAMS.

(a) In General.--Subtitle V of title 40, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``CHAPTER 159--ADDITIONAL REGIONAL COMMISSION PROGRAMS

``Sec.
``15901. State capacity building grant program.
``15902. Demonstration health projects.

``Sec. 15901. State capacity building grant program

``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Commission state.--The term `Commission State' means
a State that contains 1 or more eligible counties.
``(2) Eligible county.--The term `eligible county' means a
county described in subchapter II of chapter 157.

[[Page S6273]]

``(3) Program.--The term `program' means a State capacity
building grant program established by a Commission under
subsection (b).
``(b) Establishment.--Each Commission shall establish a
State capacity building grant program to provide grants to
Commission States in the area served by the Commission for
the purposes described in subsection (c).
``(c) Purposes.--The purposes of a program are to support
the efforts of the Commission--
``(1) to better support business retention and expansion in
eligible counties;
``(2) to create programs to encourage job creation and
workforce development in eligible counties, including
projects and activities, in coordination with other relevant
Federal agencies, to strengthen the water sector workforce
and facilitate the sharing of best practices;
``(3) to partner with universities in distressed counties
(as designated under section 15702(a)(1))--
``(A) to strengthen the capacity to train new professionals
in fields for which there is a shortage of workers;
``(B) to increase local capacity for project management,
project execution, and financial management; and
``(C) to leverage funding sources;
``(4) to prepare economic and infrastructure plans for
eligible counties;
``(5) to expand access to high-speed broadband in eligible
counties;
``(6) to provide technical assistance that results in
Commission investments in transportation, water, wastewater,
and other critical infrastructure;
``(7) to promote workforce development to support resilient
infrastructure projects;
``(8) to develop initiatives to increase the effectiveness
of local development districts in eligible counties;
``(9) to implement new or innovative economic development
practices that will better position eligible counties to
compete in the global economy; and
``(10) to identify and address important regional
impediments to prosperity and to leverage unique regional
advantages to create economic opportunities for the region
served by the Commission.
``(d) Use of Funds.--
``(1) In general.--Funds from a grant under a program may
be used to support a project, program, or related expense of
the Commission State in an eligible county.
``(2) Limitation.--Funds from a grant under a program shall
not be used for--
``(A) the purchase of furniture, fixtures, or equipment;
``(B) the compensation of--
``(i) any State member of the Commission (as described in
section 15301(b)(1)(B)); or
``(ii) any State alternate member of the Commission (as
described in section 15301(b)(2)(B)); or
``(C) the cost of supplanting existing State programs.
``(e) Annual Work Plan.--
``(1) In general.--For each fiscal year, before providing a
grant under a program, each Commission State shall provide to
the Commission an annual work plan that includes the proposed
use of the grant.
``(2) Approval.--No grant under a program shall be provided
to a Commission State unless the Commission has approved the
annual work plan of the State.
``(f) Amount of Grant.--
``(1) In general.--The amount of a grant provided to a
Commission State under a program for a fiscal year shall be
based on the proportion that--
``(A) the amount paid by the Commission State (including
any amounts paid on behalf of the Commission State by a
nonprofit organization) for administrative expenses for the
applicable fiscal year (as determined under section
15304(c)); bears to
``(B) the amount paid by all Commission States served by
the Commission (including any amounts paid on behalf of a
Commission State by a nonprofit organization) for
administrative expenses for that fiscal year (as determined
under that section).
``(2) Requirement.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
a program for a fiscal year, a Commission State (or a
nonprofit organization on behalf of the Commission State)
shall pay the amount of administrative expenses of the
Commission State for the applicable fiscal year (as
determined under section 15304(c)).
``(3) Approval.--For each fiscal year, a grant provided
under a program shall be approved and made available as part
of the approval of the annual budget of the Commission.
``(g) Grant Availability.--Funds from a grant under a
program shall be available only during the fiscal year for
which the grant is provided.
``(h) Report.--Each fiscal year, each Commission State
shall submit to the relevant Commission and make publicly
available a report that describes the use of the grant funds
and the impact of the program in the Commission State.
``(i) Continuation of Program Authority for Northern Border
Regional Commission.--With respect to the Northern Border
Regional Commission, the program shall be a continuation of
the program under section 6304(c) of the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018 (40 U.S.C. 15501 note; Public Law
115-334) (as in effect on the day before the date of
enactment of this section).

``Sec. 15902. Demonstration health projects

``(a) Purpose.--To demonstrate the value of adequate health
facilities and services to the economic development of the
region, a Commission may make grants for the planning,
construction, equipment, and operation of demonstration
health, nutrition, and child care projects (referred to in
this section as a `demonstration health project'), including
hospitals, regional health diagnostic and treatment centers,
and other facilities and services necessary for the purposes
of this section.
``(b) Eligible Entities.--An entity eligible to receive a
grant under this section is--
``(1) an entity described in section 15501(a);
``(2) an institution of higher education (as defined in
section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001(a)));
``(3) a hospital (as defined in section 1861 of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x)); or
``(4) a critical access hospital (as defined in that
section).
``(c) Planning Grants.--
``(1) In general.--A Commission may make grants for
planning expenses necessary for the development and operation
of demonstration health projects for the region served by the
Commission.
``(2) Maximum commission contribution.--The maximum
Commission contribution for a demonstration health project
that receives a grant under paragraph (1) shall be made in
accordance with section 15501(d).
``(3) Sources of assistance.--A grant under paragraph (1)
may be provided entirely from amounts made available to carry
out this section or in combination with amounts provided
under other Federal grant programs.
``(4) Federal share for grants under other federal grant
programs.--Notwithstanding any provision of law limiting the
Federal share in other Federal grant programs, amounts made
available to carry out this subsection may be used to
increase the Federal share of another Federal grant up to the
maximum contribution described in paragraph (2).
``(d) Construction and Equipment Grants.--
``(1) In general.--A grant under this section for
construction or equipment of a demonstration health project
may be used for--
``(A) costs of construction;
``(B) the acquisition of privately owned facilities--
``(i) not operated for profit; or
``(ii) previously operated for profit if the Commission
finds that health services would not otherwise be provided in
the area served by the facility if the acquisition is not
made; and
``(C) the acquisition of initial equipment.
``(2) Standards for making grants.--A grant under paragraph
(1)--
``(A) shall be approved in accordance with section 15503;
and
``(B) shall not be incompatible with the applicable
provisions of title VI of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 291 et seq.), the Developmental Disabilities
Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15001 et
seq.), and other laws authorizing grants for the construction
of health-related facilities, without regard to any
provisions in those laws relating to appropriation
authorization ceilings or to allotments among the States.
``(3) Maximum commission contribution.--The maximum
Commission contribution for a demonstration health project
that receives a grant under paragraph (1) shall be made in
accordance with section 15501(d).
``(4) Sources of assistance.--A grant under paragraph (1)
may be provided entirely from amounts made available to carry
out this section or in combination with amounts provided
under other Federal grant programs.
``(5) Contribution to increased federal share for other
federal grants.--Notwithstanding any provision of law
limiting the Federal share in another Federal grant program
for the construction or equipment of a demonstration health
project, amounts made available to carry out this subsection
may be used to increase Federal grants for component
facilities of a demonstration health project to a maximum of
90 percent of the cost of the facilities.
``(e) Operation Grants.--
``(1) In general.--A grant under this section for the
operation of a demonstration health project may be used for--
``(A) the costs of operation of the facility; and
``(B) initial operating costs, including the costs of
attracting, training, and retaining qualified personnel.
``(2) Standards for making grants.--A grant for the
operation of a demonstration health project shall not be made
unless the facility funded by the grant is--
``(A) publicly owned;
``(B) owned by a public or private nonprofit organization;
``(C) a private hospital described in section 501(c)(3) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation
under section 501(a) of that Code; or
``(D) a private hospital that provides a certain amount of
uncompensated care, as determined by the Commission, and
applies for the grant in partnership with a State, local
government, or Indian Tribe.
``(3) Maximum commission contribution.--The maximum
Commission contribution for a demonstration health project
that receives a grant under paragraph (1) shall be made in
accordance with section 15501(d).
``(4) Sources of assistance.--A grant under paragraph (1)
may be provided entirely from amounts made available to carry
out

[[Page S6274]]

this section or in combination with amounts provided under
other Federal grant programs for the operation of health-
related facilities or the provision of health and child
development services, including parts A and B of title IV and
title XX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.,
621 et seq., 1397 et seq.).
``(5) Federal share.--Notwithstanding any provision of law
limiting the Federal share in the other Federal programs
described in paragraph (4), amounts made available to carry
out this subsection may be used to increase the Federal share
of a grant under those programs up to the maximum
contribution described in paragraph (3).
``(f) Priority Health Programs.--If a Commission elects to
make grants under this section, the Commission shall
establish specific regional health priorities for such grants
that address--
``(1) addiction treatment and access to resources helping
individuals in recovery;
``(2) workforce shortages in the healthcare industry; or
``(3) access to services for screening and diagnosing
chronic health issues.''.
(b) Repeal.--Section 6304(c) of the Agriculture Improvement
Act of 2018 (40 U.S.C. 15501 note; Public Law 115-334) is
repealed.
(c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of chapters for subtitle
V of title 40, United States Code, is amended by inserting
after the item relating to chapter 157 the following:

``159.  Additional Regional Commission Programs............15901''.....

SEC. 5210. TRIBAL AND COLONIA PARTICIPATION IN SOUTHWEST
BORDER REGION.

(a) In General.--Chapter 155 of subtitle V of title 40,
United States Code (as amended by section 5205(a)), is
amended by adding at the end the following:

``Sec. 15508. Waiver of matching requirement for Indian
tribes and colonias in Southwest Border Regional Commission
programs

``(a) Definition of Colonia.--
``(1) In general.--In this section, the term `colonia'
means a community--
``(A) that is located--
``(i) in the State of Arizona, California, New Mexico, or
Texas;
``(ii) not more than 150 miles from the border between the
United States and Mexico; and
``(iii) outside a standard metropolitan statistical area
that has a population exceeding 1,000,000;
``(B) that--
``(i) lacks a potable water supply;
``(ii) lacks an adequate sewage system; or
``(iii) lacks decent, safe, and sanitary housing; and
``(C) that has been treated or designated as a colonia by a
Federal or State program.
``(b) Waiver.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
in the case of assistance provided to a colonia or an Indian
tribe under this subtitle by the Southwest Border Regional
Commission, the Federal share of the cost of the project
carried out with that assistance may be up to 100 percent, as
determined by the selection official, the State Cochairperson
(or an alternate), and the Federal Cochairperson (or an
alternate).''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 155 of
subtitle V of title 40, United States Code (as amended by
section 5205(b)), is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 15507 the following:

``15508. Waiver of matching requirement for Indian tribes and colonias
in Southwest Border Regional Commission programs.''.

SEC. 5211. ESTABLISHMENT OF MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL COMMISSION.

(a) Establishment.--Section 15301(a) of title 40, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(5) The Mid-Atlantic Regional Commission.''.
(b) Designation of Region.--
(1) In general.--Subchapter II of chapter 157 of title 40,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:

``Sec. 15735. Mid-Atlantic Regional Commission.

``The region of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Commission shall
include the following counties:
``(1) Delaware.--Each county in the State of Delaware.
``(2) Maryland.--Each county in the State of Maryland that
is not already served by the Appalachian Regional Commission.
``(3) Pennsylvania.--Each county in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania that is not already served by the Appalachian
Regional Commission.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for subchapter II of
chapter 157 of title 40, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:

``15735. Mid-Atlantic Regional Commission.''.
(c) Application.--Section 15702(c) of title 40, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) Application.--Paragraph (2) shall not apply to a
county described in paragraph (2) or (3) of section 15735.''.

SEC. 5212. ESTABLISHMENT OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL
COMMISSION.

(a) Establishment.--Section 15301(a) of title 40, United
States Code (as amended by section 5211(a)), is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(6) The Southern New England Regional Commission.''.
(b) Designation of Region.--
(1) In general.--Subchapter II of chapter 157 of title 40,
United States Code (as amended by section 5211(b)(1)), is
amended by adding at the end the following:

``Sec. 15736. Southern New England Regional Commission

``The region of the Southern New England Regional
Commission shall include the following counties:
``(1) Rhode island.--Each county in the State of Rhode
Island.
``(2) Connecticut.--The counties of Hartford, Middlesex,
New Haven, New London, Tolland, and Windham in the State of
Connecticut.
``(3) Massachusetts.--Each county in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for subchapter II of
chapter 157 of title 40, United States Code (as amended by
section 5211(b)(2)), is amended by adding at the end the
following:

``15736. Southern New England Regional Commission.''.
(c) Application.--Section 15702(c)(3) of title 40, United
States Code (as amended by section 5211(c)), is amended--
(1) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``;
or'';
(2) by striking ``to a county'' and inserting the
following: ``to--
``(A) a county''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) the Southern New England Regional Commission.''.

SEC. 5213. DENALI COMMISSION REAUTHORIZATION.

(a) Reauthorization.--Section 312(a) of the Denali
Commission Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 3121 note; Public Law 105-
277) is amended by striking ``$15,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2017 through 2021'' and inserting ``$35,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029''.
(b) Powers of the Commission.--Section 305 of the Denali
Commission Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 3121 note; Public Law 105-
277) is amended--
(1) in subsection (d), in the first sentence, by inserting
``enter into leases (including the lease of office space for
any term),'' after ``award grants,''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Use of Funds Toward Non-Federal Share of Certain
Projects.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law
regarding payment of a non-Federal share in connection with a
grant-in-aid program, the Commission may use amounts made
available to the Commission for the payment of such a non-
Federal share for programs undertaken to carry out the
purposes of the Commission.''.
(c) Special Functions of the Commission.--Section 307 of
the Denali Commission Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 4321 note;
Public Law 105-277) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (a);
(2) by redesignating subsections (b) through (e) as
subsections (a) through (d), respectively; and
(3) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated), by inserting
``, including interagency transfers,'' after ``payments''.
(d) Conforming Amendment.--Section 309(c)(1) of the Denali
Commission Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 4321 note; Public Law 105-
277) is amended by inserting ``of Transportation'' after
``Secretary''.

SEC. 5214. DENALI HOUSING FUND.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) a nonprofit organization;
(B) a limited dividend organization;
(C) a cooperative organization;
(D) an Indian Tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
5304)); and
(E) a public entity, such as a municipality, county,
district, authority, or other political subdivision of a
State.
(2) Federal cochair.--The term ``Federal Cochair'' means
the Federal Cochairperson of the Denali Commission.
(3) Fund.--The term ``Fund'' means the Denali Housing Fund
established under subsection (b)(1).
(4) Low-income.--The term ``low-income'', with respect to a
household means that the household income is less than 150
percent of the Federal poverty level for the State of Alaska.
(5) Moderate-income.--The term ``moderate-income'', with
respect to a household, means that the household income is
less than 250 percent of the Federal poverty level for the
State of Alaska.
(6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture.
(b) Denali Housing Fund.--
(1) Establishment.--There shall be established in the
Treasury of the United States the Denali Housing Fund, to be
administered by the Federal Cochair.
(2) Source and use of amounts in fund.--
(A) In general.--Amounts allocated to the Federal Cochair
for the purpose of carrying out this section shall be
deposited in the Fund.
(B) Uses.--The Federal Cochair shall use the Fund as a
revolving fund to carry out the purposes of this section.
(C) Investment.--The Federal Cochair may invest amounts in
the Fund that are not necessary for operational expenses in
bonds or other obligations, the principal and interest

[[Page S6275]]

of which are guaranteed by the Federal Government.
(D) General expenses.--The Federal Cochair may charge the
general expenses of carrying out this section to the Fund.
(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Fund $5,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2025 through 2029.
(c) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--
(1) to encourage and facilitate the construction or
rehabilitation of housing to meet the needs of low-income
households and moderate-income households; and
(2) to provide housing for public employees.
(d) Loans and Grants.--
(1) In general.--The Federal Cochair may provide grants and
loans from the Fund to eligible entities under such terms and
conditions the Federal Cochair may prescribe.
(2) Purpose.--The purpose of a grant or loan under
paragraph (1) shall be for planning and obtaining federally
insured mortgage financing or other financial assistance for
housing construction or rehabilitation projects for low-
income and moderate-income households in rural Alaska
villages.
(e) Providing Amounts to States for Grants and Loans.--The
Federal Cochair may provide amounts to the State of Alaska,
or political subdivisions thereof, for making the grants and
loans described in subsection (d).
(f) Loans.--
(1) Limitation on available amounts.--A loan under
subsection (d) for the cost of planning and obtaining
financing (including the cost of preliminary surveys and
analyses of market needs, preliminary site engineering and
architectural fees, site options, application and mortgage
commitment fees, legal fees, and construction loan fees and
discounts) of a project described in that subsection may be
for not more than 90 percent of that cost.
(2) Interest.--A loan under subsection (d) shall be made
without interest, except that a loan made to an eligible
entity established for profit shall bear interest at the
prevailing market rate authorized for an insured or
guaranteed loan for that type of project.
(3) Payment.--
(A) In general.--The Federal Cochair shall require payment
of a loan made under this section under terms and conditions
the Secretary may require by not later than the date of
completion of the project.
(B) Cancellation.--For a loan other than a loan to an
eligible entity established for profit, the Secretary may
cancel any part of the debt with respect to a loan made under
subsection (d) if the Secretary determines that a permanent
loan to finance the project cannot be obtained in an amount
adequate for repayment of a loan made under subsection (d).
(g) Grants.--
(1) In general.--A grant under this section for expenses
incidental to planning and obtaining financing for a project
described in this section that the Federal Cochair considers
unrecoverable from the proceeds of a permanent loan made to
finance the project--
(A) may not be made to an eligible entity established for
profit; and
(B) may not exceed 90 percent of those expenses.
(2) Site development costs and offsite improvements.--
(A) In general.--The Federal Cochair may make grants and
commitments for grants under terms and conditions the Federal
Cochair may require to eligible entities for reasonable site
development costs and necessary offsite improvements, such as
sewer and water line extensions, if the grant or commitment--
(i) is essential to ensuring that housing is constructed on
the site in the future; and
(ii) otherwise meets the requirements for assistance under
this section.
(B) Maximum amounts.--The amount of a grant under this
paragraph may not--
(i) with respect to the construction of housing, exceed 40
percent of the cost of the construction; and
(ii) with respect to the rehabilitation of housing, exceed
10 percent of the reasonable value of the rehabilitation, as
determined by the Federal Cochair.
(h) Information, Advice, and Technical Assistance.--The
Federal Cochair may provide, or contract with public or
private organizations to provide, information, advice, and
technical assistance with respect to the construction,
rehabilitation, and operation by nonprofit organizations of
housing for low-income or moderate-income households, or for
public employees, in rural Alaska villages under this
section.

SEC. 5215. DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY REAUTHORIZATION.

(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 382M(a) of
the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.
2009aa-12(a)) is amended by striking ``$30,000,000 for each
of fiscal years 2019 through 2023'' and inserting
``$40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029''.
(b) Termination of Authority.--Section 382N of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009aa-
13) is repealed.
(c) Fees.--Section 382B(e) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009aa-1(e)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (9)(C), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (10), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(11) collect fees for the Delta Doctors program of the
Authority and retain and expend those fees.''.
(d) Succession.--Section 382B(h)(5)(B) of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009aa-1(h)(5)(B))
is amended--
(1) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (iv); and
(3) by inserting after clause (ii) the following:
``(iii) assuming the duties of the Federal cochairperson
and the alternate Federal cochairperson for purposes of
continuation of normal operations in the event that both
positions are vacant; and''.
(e) Indian Tribes.--Section 382C(a) of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009aa-2(a)) is
amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting ``,
Indian Tribes,'' after ``States''; and
(2) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, Tribal,'' after
``State''.

SEC. 5216. NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS REGIONAL AUTHORITY
REAUTHORIZATION.

(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 383N(a) of
the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.
2009bb-12(a)) is amended by striking ``$30,000,000 for each
of fiscal years 2008 through 2018'' and inserting
``$40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029''.
(b) Termination of Authority.--Section 383O of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009bb-
13) is repealed.

DIVISION G--STATE TRADE EXPANSION PROGRAM

SEC. 6001. SHORT TITLE.

This division may be cited as the ``State Trade Expansion
Program Modernization Act of 2024''.

SEC. 6002. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) The State Trade Expansion Program established under
section 22(l) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649(l))
(in this section referred to as ``STEP'') was created by
Congress in 2010 to grow the number of small business
concerns (as defined under section 3 of such Act (15 U.S.C.
632) and in this section referred to as a ``small business
concern'') that export, increase the value of goods exported
by the small business sector, and help businesses identify
new markets.
(2) Helping small firms in the United States begin to
export or build upon their existing export capacity generates
investment in local economies and spurs employment.
(3) Despite 95 percent of global consumers living outside
of the United States, less than 4 percent of small business
concerns in the United States export their products or
services.
(4) Many small business concerns in the United States that
could grow by exporting lack the dedicated staff, required
technical skills, and necessary budgetary resources for
international expansion.
(5) STEP provides vital assistance to small business
concerns, particularly to those that have never had the
opportunity to sell their products or services abroad.
(6) According to data of the Bureau of the Census, there
were approximately 5,900,000 employer firms in the United
States as of 2021, of which more than 1,200,000, or
approximately 22 percent, were women-owned. However,
according to the data, of the 128,460 exporting small firms,
only 21,626, or 17 percent, were women-owned firms, meaning
that, of small firms, 5 times as many male-owned firms export
as women-owned firms. The data show that the overall
disparity in business ownership between men and women is even
greater among exporting businesses.
(7) According to research conducted by the Small Business
Administration, smaller firms tend to produce fewer outputs
and are less likely to export than larger firms. Data of the
Bureau of the Census show that women-owned firms employ 33
percent fewer workers on average than male-owned firms and
are less likely to enjoy the benefits of international trade.
(8) Exporting is a highly effective way for businesses to
expand their markets and increase their productivity. As
States expand export-enhancing activities through STEP,
additional small firms will benefit from the higher demand
for their goods and services and increased profits associated
with international trade.
(9) During the first 10 years of operation, STEP enabled
more than 12,000 small business concerns to explore export
opportunities, helping them reach markets in 141 countries.
(10) Congress recognizes that STEP can be improved to
reduce the administrative burden for grantees, streamline
reporting and compliance requirements, give grantees more
flexibility, make grant awards more transparent and
consistent, and set more predictable application deadlines.
(11) Congress also recognizes that making awards under STEP
more consistent and transparent will simplify the program and
incentivize more States to participate so that small business
concerns are supported in all States.

[[Page S6276]]

SEC. 6003. STREAMLINING APPLICATION, REPORTING, AND
COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS.

(a) Requirement for Funding Information To Be Kept
Current.--Section 22(l)(3) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 649(l)(3)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(E) Requirement for funding information to be kept
current.--The Associate Administrator shall--
``(i) maintain on the website of the Administration a
publicly accessible list of links to documents containing the
most up-to-date information about program requirements and
application procedures, including the latest notice of
funding opportunity, all active Director's Memos, and any
determination made related to eligible expenditures or the
classification of expenditures as direct or indirect; and
``(ii) update the list described in clause (i) before any
new clarification, instruction, directive, requirement,
determination, or classification relating to the program
takes effect.''.
(b) Timing of Funding Information Release.--Section
22(l)(3)(D) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
649(l)(3)(D)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(iii) Timing.--The Associate Administrator shall--

``(I) publish information on how to apply for a grant under
this subsection, including specific calculations and other
determinations used to award such a grant, not later than
March 31 of each year;
``(II) establish a deadline for the submission of
applications that is--

``(aa) not earlier than 60 days after the date on which the
information is published under subclause (I); and
``(bb) not later than--
``(AA) May 31 of each year; or
``(BB) in the event that full-year appropriations for the
program for a fiscal year have not been enacted as of
February 1 of such fiscal year, 120 days after full-year
appropriations are enacted; and

``(III) announce grant recipients not later than--

``(aa) September 30 of each year; or
``(bb) in the event that full-year appropriations for the
program for a fiscal year have not been enacted as of
February 1 of such fiscal year, 210 days after full-year
appropriations are enacted.''.
(c) Application Streamlining.--Section 22(l)(3)(D) of the
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649(l)(3)(D)), as amended by
subsection (b) of this section, is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(iv) Application streamlining.--

``(I) In general.--The Associate Administrator shall
establish a concise application for grants under the program
that shall encompass all necessary information, including--

``(aa) the proposal of the State, territory, or
commonwealth to manage the program;
``(bb) an overview of the trade office and staff of the
State, territory, or commonwealth;
``(cc) a description of the key mission and objective, key
activities planned, and estimated key performance indicators;
``(dd) a detailed budget, which, for a State, shall include
a description of the cash, indirect costs, and in-kind
contributions the State has committed to provide for the non-
Federal share of the cost of the trade expansion program of
the State to be carried out using a grant under the program;
and
``(ee) for a State, whether the State is requesting to
receive additional funds allocated under paragraph (5)(F), if
applicable.

``(II) Scope.--The application established under subclause
(I) shall--

``(aa) include all the information required for the
technical proposal;
``(bb) eliminate any unnecessary or duplicative materials,
except to the extent the duplication is due to the use of
standard forms or documents that are not specific to the
Administration and are used by other Federal grant programs;
and
``(cc) to the extent feasible, use forms common to other
Federal trade and export programs.''.
(d) Ability to Review Applications After Award.--Section
22(l)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649(l)(3)), as
amended by subsection (a) of this section, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(F) Application information.--The Associate Administrator
shall clearly communicate to applicants and grant recipients
information about award decisions under this subsection,
including--
``(i) for each unsuccessful applicant for a grant awarded
under this subsection, providing recommendations to improve a
subsequent application for such a grant;
``(ii) for each successful applicant for such a grant,
providing an explanation for the amount awarded, if different
from the amount requested in the application; and
``(iii) upon request, offering to have the program manager
who reviewed the application discuss with the applicant how
to improve a subsequent application for such a grant.''.
(e) Budget Plan Submission and Revisions.--Section 22(l)(3)
of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649(l)(3)), as amended
by subsection (d) of this section, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (D)(i), by inserting ``, including a
budget plan for use of funds awarded under this subsection''
before the period at the end; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) Budget plan revisions.--
``(i) In general.--A State, territory, or commonwealth
receiving a grant under this subsection may revise the budget
plan of the State, territory, or commonwealth submitted under
subparagraph (D) after the disbursal of grant funds if--

``(I) the revision complies with allowable uses of grant
funds under this subsection; and
``(II) such State, territory, or commonwealth submits
notification of the revision to the Associate Administrator.

``(ii) Exception.--If a revision under clause (i)
reallocates 10 percent or more of the amounts described in
the budget plan of the State, territory, or commonwealth
submitted under subparagraph (D), the State, territory, or
commonwealth may not implement the revised budget plan
without the approval of the Associate Administrator, unless
the Associate Administrator fails to approve or deny the
revised plan within 20 days after receipt of such revised
plan.''.
(f) Reporting by Recipients; Processing of
Reimbursements.--Section 22(l)(7) of the Small Business Act
(15 U.S.C. 649(l)(7)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(C) Reporting by recipients; processing of
reimbursements.--
``(i) In general.--The Associate Administrator shall
establish for recipients of grants under the program a
streamlined reporting process, template, or spreadsheet
format to report information regarding the program and key
performance indicators required by an Act of Congress that--

``(I) a State, territory, or commonwealth may use to upload
required compliance reports relating to the grants;
``(II) minimizes the manual entry of specific data
regarding eligible small business concerns, including
performance data;
``(III) eliminates any duplicative or unnecessary reporting
requirements that are not required for the Associate
Administrator to--

``(aa) report the information specified in subparagraph
(B);
``(bb) make allocations under paragraph (5)(B); or
``(cc) conduct necessary oversight of the program;

``(IV) to the extent feasible, accommodates the use and
uploading of spreadsheets or templates generated from
customer relationship management or spreadsheet software; and
``(V) may not require a State, territory, or commonwealth
to submit information more frequently than twice per year.

``(ii) Processing of reimbursement requests.--The Associate
Administrator shall--

``(I) process information submitted by a State, territory,
or commonwealth for purposes of obtaining reimbursement for
eligible activities in a timely manner, without regard to
whether the information is submitted semiannually, as
described in clause (i)(V), or quarterly, if the State,
territory, or commonwealth elects to submit information
quarterly;
``(II) notify a State, territory, or commonwealth if such
information is not processed on or before the date that is 21
days after the date such information is submitted; and
``(III) provide an estimated completion timeline with any
notification under subclause (II).

``(iii) Rule of construction.--Nothing in clause (i) shall
be construed to prohibit a State, territory, or commonwealth
from submitting information for purposes of obtaining
reimbursement for eligible activities on a quarterly basis,
at the election of the State, territory, or commonwealth,
respectively.''.
(g) Requirements Related to State Employees.--Section
22(l)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649(l)(3)), as
amended by subsection (e) of this section, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(H) Limitation on collection of state official and
employee information.--
``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), the Associate
Administrator--

``(I) may only require that a State, territory, or
commonwealth include with an application for a grant under
the program detailed information, such as a position
description and resume, for the State, territory, or
commonwealth official or employee that would manage the
grant;
``(II) may only require that a State, territory, or
commonwealth receiving a grant under the program report the
salary of a State, territory, or commonwealth official or
employee to the extent that the State, territory, or
commonwealth--

``(aa) includes such salary as part of the non-Federal
share of the cost of the trade expansion program; or
``(bb) uses amounts received under the grant for the cost
of such salary, in whole or in part; and

``(III) with respect to a State, territory, or commonwealth
official or employee who is not directly managing a grant
under the program, may only require the State, territory, or
commonwealth to report the name, position, and contact
information of the official or employee.

``(ii) Exceptions.--The Associate Administrator may require
a State, territory, or commonwealth to provide information
about a State, territory, or commonwealth official or
employee that is relevant to any investigation into suspected
mismanagement, fraud, or malfeasance or that is necessary to
comply with Federal grant requirements.''.

[[Page S6277]]

(h) Limitation on Compliance Audits.--Section 22(l) of the
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649(l)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (7), (8), and (9) as
paragraphs (10), (11), and (12), respectively;
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as paragraphs
(6) and (7), respectively; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (7), as so redesignated,
the following:
``(8) Compliance audits.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B),
the Associate Administrator may not conduct an audit of a
State, territory, or commonwealth to evaluate compliance with
this subsection more than once every 3 years.
``(B) Exceptions.--The Associate Administrator may conduct
an audit of a State, territory, or commonwealth to evaluate
compliance with this subsection more than once every 3 years
if--
``(i) the amount allocated to the State, territory, or
commonwealth under a grant under this subsection for a fiscal
year is an increase of not less than 15 percent from the
allocation for the State, territory, or commonwealth for the
prior fiscal year;
``(ii) the Associate Administrator believes that amounts
received by the State, territory, or commonwealth under a
grant under this subsection are being used for ineligible
activities or as part of fraudulent activity; or
``(iii) the most recent audit report shows evidence of
material noncompliance with program requirements, in which
case the Associate Administrator may conduct an audit
annually until compliance is reestablished.''.

SEC. 6004. FUNDING TRANSPARENCY AND PREDICTABILITY.

(a) Cap on Reductions in Grants.--Section 22(l) of the
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649(l)) is amended by striking
paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
``(4) Limitations.--
``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph--
``(i) the term `current fiscal year' means the fiscal year
for which the Administrator is determining the amount of a
grant to be awarded to a State, territory, or commonwealth
under the program; and
``(ii) the term `prior fiscal year' means the most recent
fiscal year before the current fiscal year for which a State,
territory, or commonwealth received a grant under the
program.
``(B) General limitation on reductions in grants.--Subject
to subparagraphs (C) and (D), the Administrator may not award
a grant to a State, territory, or commonwealth under the
program for the current fiscal year in an amount that is less
than 80 percent of the amount received by the State,
territory, or commonwealth under a grant under the program
for the prior fiscal year.
``(C) Potential additional adjustments.--
``(i) Exception for reduction in appropriations.--Subject
to subparagraph (D), if the total amount appropriated for the
program for the current fiscal year is less than the amount
appropriated for the program for the prior fiscal year, for
purposes of applying subparagraph (B), the Administrator
shall substitute for `the amount received by the State,
territory, or commonwealth under a grant under the program
for the prior fiscal year' the product obtained by
multiplying--

``(I) subject to clause (ii) of this subparagraph, the
amount received by the State, territory, or commonwealth
under a grant under the program for the prior fiscal year; by
``(II) the ratio of the appropriation for the current
fiscal year to the appropriation for the prior fiscal year.

``(ii) Exception for grantees that use less than 80 percent
of the amount of a grant.--Subject to subparagraph (D), if a
State, territory, or commonwealth expends less than 80
percent of the amount of a grant under the program for the
prior fiscal year before the end of the period of the grant
for the prior fiscal year established under paragraph
(3)(C)(iii)(I), for purposes of applying subparagraph (B) of
this paragraph, if appropriations are not reduced, or
applying clause (i) of this subparagraph, if appropriations
are reduced, the Administrator shall substitute for `the
amount received by the State, territory, or commonwealth
under a grant under the program for the prior fiscal year'
the difference obtained by subtracting--

``(I) the amount equal to 50 percent of the amount
remaining available under the grant under the program to the
State, territory, or commonwealth for the prior fiscal year,
as of the last day of such period; from
``(II) the amount of the grant under the program to the
State, territory, or commonwealth for the prior fiscal year.

``(iii) Exception for increase in grantees resulting in
insufficient funding.--If the number of States, territories,
or commonwealths participating in the program has increased
from the prior fiscal year to such an extent that funding is
not sufficient to provide each grantee the minimum amount
required under this paragraph (including any reductions under
clause (i) or (ii) of this subparagraph, if applicable) the
Administrator may make pro rata reductions to the minimum
grant amount otherwise required under this paragraph on a
one-time basis to ensure that all qualified applicants may
receive grants.
``(D) Violations.--The amount of a grant to a State,
territory, or commonwealth may be less than the minimum
amount determined under subparagraph (B) (including any
substitution of amounts under clauses (i) and (ii) of
subparagraph (C), as applicable), if the State, territory, or
commonwealth has been found to have committed a significant
violation of the rules or policies of the program.''.
(b) Permitting Carryover of Unused Grant Funds.--Section
22(l)(3)(C) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
649(l)(3)(C)) is amended--
(1) in clause (ii), by striking ``40 percent'' and
inserting ``30 percent''; and
(2) in clause (iii)--
(A) by striking ``The Associate Administrator'' and
inserting the following:

``(I) In general.--The Associate Administrator''; and

(B) by adding at the end the following:

``(II) Grantees that use less than the full amount of a
grant.--

``(aa) In general.--Subject to item (bb), for a State,
territory, or commonwealth that does not expend the entire
amount of a grant under the program before the end of the
period of the grant established under subclause (I), the
State, territory, or commonwealth may expend amounts
remaining available under the grant as of the last day of
such period during the first fiscal year after such period,
in an amount not to exceed 20 percent of the amount
originally made available under such grant.
``(bb) Forfeited grants.--Item (aa) shall not apply to a
grant under the program to a State, territory, or
commonwealth that was forfeited due to a significant program
violation by the State, territory, or commonwealth.
``(cc) Return of grant funds.--A State, territory, or
commonwealth shall return to the Treasury--
``(AA) any amounts remaining available under a grant under
the program at the end of the period of the grant established
under subclause (I) that are not available for expenditure
under item (aa) of this subclause; and
``(BB) any amounts that are available for expenditure under
item (aa) and are not expended on or before the date that is
1 year after the last day of the original period of the grant
established under subclause (I).''.
(c) Funding Formula.--Section 22(l) of the Small Business
Act (15 U.S.C. 649(l)) is amended by inserting after
paragraph (4), as amended by subsection (a) of this section,
the following:
``(5) Funding formula.--
``(A) Minimum allocation.--Subject to paragraph (4), and
except as provided otherwise in this paragraph, the minimum
amount of a grant under the program for a fiscal year--
``(i) for a territory or commonwealth, shall be the amount
equal to 0.5 percent of the total amount appropriated for the
program for the fiscal year; and
``(ii) for a State, shall be the amount equal to 0.75
percent of the total amount appropriated for the program for
the fiscal year.
``(B) Additional funds.--
``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), amounts
remaining for grants under the program for a fiscal year
after the minimum allocation under subparagraph (A) shall be
allocated among States receiving a grant under the program in
accordance with the following metrics:

``(I) 20 percent of amounts remaining shall be
proportionally allocated based on the ratio, for the most
recently completed grant cycle for which complete reporting
data is available, of the dollar value of export sales
reported by a State that were initiated as a result of
program activities undertaken by eligible small business
concerns that are located in the State to the amount of the
grant received by the State.
``(II) 20 percent of amounts remaining shall be
proportionally allocated based on the ratio, for the most
recently completed grant cycle for which complete reporting
data is available, of the total number of activities
described in paragraph (2) undertaken by eligible small
business concerns participating in the program that are
located in the State to the amount of the grant received by
the State.
``(III) 15 percent of amounts remaining shall be
proportionally allocated based on the ratio, for the most
recently completed grant cycle for which complete reporting
data is available, of the number of eligible small business
concerns participating in the program for the first time that
are located in the State to the amount of the grant received
by the State.
``(IV) 15 percent of amounts remaining shall be
proportionally allocated based on the ratio, for the most
recently completed grant cycle for which complete reporting
data is available, of the number of eligible small business
concerns participating in the program that are located in the
State and that engaged in trade outside the United States for
the first time to the amount of the grant received by the
State.
``(V) 15 percent of amounts remaining shall be
proportionally allocated based on the ratio, for the most
recently completed grant cycle for which complete reporting
data is available, of the total number of new markets reached
by eligible small business concerns participating in the
program that are located in the State to the amount of the
grant received by the State.
``(VI) 15 percent of amounts remaining shall be
proportionally allocated based on the ratio, for the most
recently completed grant cycle, of the total number of
eligible small business concerns participating in the program
that are located in the State to the number of eligible small
business concerns

[[Page S6278]]

participating in the program that are located in the State
and that meet 1 or more of the following criteria:

``(aa) Located in a low-income or moderate-income area.
``(bb) Located in a rural area.
``(cc) Located in an HUBZone, as that term is defined in
section 31(b).
``(dd) Located in a community that has been designated as
an empowerment zone or enterprise community under section
1391 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
``(ee) Located in a community that has been designated as a
promise zone by the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development.
``(ff) Located in a community that has been designated as a
qualified opportunity zone under section 1400Z-1 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
``(gg) Being owned by women.
``(ii) Limitation.--In allocating funds under each of
subclauses (I) through (VI) of clause (i), the amount of
funds allocated under such subclause to the State with the
highest ratio for a metric may not be more than 10 times the
amount of funds allocated under such subclause to the State
with the lowest ratio that is greater than zero for that
metric.
``(C) Limit on reduction below grant before enactment.--In
addition to the limitations under paragraph (4), and except
to the extent a State elects to return funds under
subparagraph (E), the amount of a grant to the State under
the program for any fiscal year may not be less than the
amount of the grant to the State under the program for the
most recent full fiscal year before the date of enactment of
the State Trade Expansion Program Modernization Act of 2024
for which the State received such a grant.
``(D) Matching requirement for formula funds.--The
Associate Administrator shall provide to each State receiving
a grant under the program an award in the amount calculated
in accordance with the funding formula under subparagraphs
(A), (B), and (C) if the State has committed to provide the
necessary cash, indirect costs, and in-kind contributions for
the non-Federal share of the cost of the trade expansion
program of the State, as required under paragraph (6).
``(E) Return of grants.--Not later than 15 days after the
date on which the Associate Administrator notifies a State of
the amount to be awarded to the State under a grant under the
program for a fiscal year, the State may decline or return to
the Associate Administrator, in whole or in part, such
amounts.
``(F) Distribution of returned and remaining amounts.--
``(i) Remaining amounts.--In this subparagraph, the term
`remaining amounts' means--

``(I) amounts declined or returned under subparagraph (E)
for a fiscal year; or
``(II) amounts remaining for grants under the program for a
fiscal year after allocating funds in accordance with
subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) due to reductions in the
amount of grants because of the amount committed by States
for the non-Federal share of the cost of the trade expansion
program of the States.

``(ii) Distribution.--The Associate Administrator shall
distribute any remaining amounts for a fiscal year among the
States receiving a grant under the program that requested to
receive such remaining amounts, in an amount that is
proportional to the allocations under subparagraphs (A), (B),
and (C).
``(G) Limitation on basis for reducing amounts.--The
Associate Administrator may not reduce the amount determined
to be allocated or distributed to a State under any
subparagraph of this paragraph based on the proposed use of
such amount by the State, except to the extent that such use
is not an eligible use of funds for a grant under the
program.
``(H) Rounding.--The total amount of a grant to a State,
territory, or commonwealth under the program, as determined
under this paragraph, shall be rounded to the nearest
increment of $1,000.
``(I) Application.--
``(i) In general.--The Associate Administrator shall award
grants under this subsection based on the formula described
in this paragraph, and without regard to paragraph (3)(B)--

``(I) for the second consecutive fiscal year for which the
amount made available for the program is not less than
$30,000,000; and
``(II) for each fiscal year after the fiscal year described
in subclause (I) for which the amount made available for the
program is not less than $30,000,000.

``(ii) Award when not based on formula.--For any fiscal
year for which grants are not awarded based on the formula
described in this paragraph, the Associate Administrator
shall award grants under this subsection on a competitive
basis, taking into account the considerations described in
paragraph (3)(B).
``(J) Transition plan.--
``(i) Initial plan.--

``(I) In general.--If the amount made available for the
program for a fiscal year is not less than $30,000,000, the
Associate Administrator shall develop a transition plan
describing how the Administration intends to begin awarding
grants based on the formula described in this paragraph, to
ensure the Administration is prepared to award grants based
on the formula described in this paragraph if the amount made
available for the program for the next fiscal year is not
less than $30,000,000.
``(II) One-time requirement.--Subclause (I) shall not apply
on and after the first day of the first fiscal year for which
the Associate Administrator awards grants based on the
formula described in this paragraph.
``(III) Requirement to use formula.--The Associate
Administrator shall award grants based on the formula
described in this paragraph in accordance with the
requirements under subparagraph (I), without regard to
whether the Associate Administrator develops the transition
plan required under subclause (I) of this clause.

``(ii) Updates.--If, for any fiscal year after the first
fiscal year for which the Associate Administrator awards
grants based on the formula described in this paragraph, the
amount made available for the program for the fiscal year is
less than $30,000,000, the Associate Administrator shall
update the plan to award grants based on the formula
described in this paragraph, to ensure the Administration is
prepared to award grants based on the formula described in
this paragraph if the amount made available for the program
for the next fiscal year is not less than $30,000,000.
``(K) Reporting.--Not later than 180 days after the end of
each fiscal year for which the amount of grants under this
subsection is determined under the formula described in this
paragraph, the Associate Administrator shall submit to the
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the
Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of
Representatives a report that provides the information used
by the Associate Administrator to determine the amounts of
grants under the formula, which shall include for the
applicable fiscal year--
``(i) the number of States that applied for a grant under
the program;
``(ii) the number of States that received a grant under the
program;
``(iii) the raw data for each factor used to calculate
award amounts in accordance with subparagraph (B), broken out
by State;
``(iv) the utilization rates of each grantee, broken out by
grantee;
``(v) the amount carried over by a grantee under paragraph
(3)(C)(iii)(II)(aa), broken out by grantee;
``(vi) the amount returned to Treasury due to a failure to
use the amounts under paragraph (3)(C)(iii)(II)(cc), broken
out by grantee; and
``(vii) the amount returned to the Associate Administrator
during the period described in subparagraph (E).''.

SEC. 6005. EXPANSION OF DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE SMALL BUSINESS
CONCERN; CHANGE TO SET ASIDE; CONFORMING
CHANGES.

(a) Expansion of Definition of Eligible Small Business
Concern.--
(1) In general.--Section 22(l)(1)(A) of the Small Business
Act (15 U.S.C. 649(l)(1)(A)) is amended--
(A) in clause (iii)(II), by adding ``and'' at the end;
(B) by striking clause (iv); and
(C) by redesignating clause (v) as clause (iv).
(2) Limitation on use of funds for participation in foreign
trade missions.--Section 22(l)(2)(A) of the Small Business
Act (15 U.S.C. 649(l)(2)(A)) is amended by inserting ``by
eligible small business concerns that have been in operation
for not less than 1 year'' after ``trade missions''.
(b) Change to Definitions and Federal Share Requirements.--
Section 22(l) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649(l)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (E) as
subparagraphs (B) through (F), respectively;
(B) by inserting before subparagraph (B), as so
redesignated, the following:
``(A) the term `commonwealth' means the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands;'';
(C) in subparagraph (E), as so redesignated, by striking
``and'' at the end;
(D) in subparagraph (F), as so redesignated, by striking
``States, the District'' and all that follows and inserting
``States and the District of Columbia; and''; and
(E) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) the term `territory' means the United States Virgin
Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.'';
(2) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by inserting ``, territories, and commonwealths'' after
``States'';
(3) in paragraph (3)--
(A) by inserting ``, territory, or commonwealth'' after
``State'' each place it appears, except in--
(i) subclause (II) of subparagraph (C)(iii), as added by
section 6004(b) of this division;
(ii) clause (iv) of subparagraph (D), as added by section
6003(c) of this division;
(iii) subparagraph (G), as added by section 6003(e) of this
division; and
(iv) subparagraph (H), as added by section 6003(g) of this
division; and
(B) by inserting ``, territories, or commonwealths'' after
``States'' each place it appears;
(4) in paragraph (6), as so redesignated by section 6003(h)
of this division--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) for a territory or commonwealth, 100 percent.''; and

[[Page S6279]]

(5) in paragraph (10), as so redesignated by section
6003(h) of this division--
(A) by inserting ``, territory, or commonwealth'' after
``State'' each place it appears, except in subparagraph (C),
as added by section 6003(f) of this division; and
(B) by inserting ``, territories, or commonwealths'' after
``States'' each place it appears.

SEC. 6006. SURVEY AND ANNUAL REPORT.

(a) Survey.--Section 22(l) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 649(l)) is amended by inserting after paragraph (8),
as added by section 6003(h) of this division, the following:
``(9) Survey.--The Associate Administrator shall conduct an
annual survey of each State, territory, or commonwealth that
received a grant under this subsection during the preceding
year to solicit feedback on the program and develop best
practices for grantees.''.
(b) Report.--Paragraph (10)(B) of section 22(l) of the
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649(l)), as so redesignated by
section 6003(h) of this division, is amended--
(1) in clause (i)--
(A) in subclause (III), by inserting ``, including the
total number of eligible small business concerns assisted by
the program (disaggregated by small business concerns located
in a low-income or moderate-income community, small business
concerns owned and controlled by women, and rural small
business concerns)'' before the semicolon at the end;
(B) in subclause (IV), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(C) in subclause (V)--
(i) by striking ``description of best practices'' and
inserting ``detailed description of best practices''; and
(ii) by striking the period at the end and inserting a
semicolon; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:

``(VI) an analysis of the performance metrics described in
clause (iii), including a determination of whether or not any
goals relating to such performance metrics were met, and an
analysis of the survey described in paragraph (9); and
``(VII) a description of lessons learned by grant
recipients under this subsection that may apply to other
assistance provided by the Administration.''; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(iii) Performance metrics.--Annually, the Associate
Administrator shall collect data on eligible small business
concerns assisted by the program for the following
performance metrics:

``(I) Total number of such concerns, disaggregated by
eligible small business concerns that meet 1 or more of the
following criteria:

``(aa) Located in a low-income or moderate-income area.
``(bb) Located in a rural area.
``(cc) Located in an HUBZone, as that term is defined in
section 31(b).
``(dd) Located in a community that has been designated as
an empowerment zone or enterprise community under section
1391 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
``(ee) Located in a community that has been designated as a
promise zone by the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development.
``(ff) Located in a community that has been designated as a
qualified opportunity zone under section 1400Z-1 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
``(gg) Being owned by women.

``(II) Total dollar amount of export sales by eligible
small business concerns assisted by the program.
``(III) Number of such concerns that have not previously
participated in an activity described in paragraph (2).
``(IV) Number of such concerns that, because of
participation in the program, have become a first-time
exporter.
``(V) Number of such concerns that, because of
participation in the program, have accessed a new market.
``(VI) Number of such concerns that have begun exporting to
each new market.''.

SEC. 6007. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

Paragraph (12) of section 22(l) of the Small Business Act
(15 U.S.C. 649(l)), as so redesignated by section 6003(h) of
this division, is amended by striking ``fiscal years 2016
through 2020'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2025 through
2029''.

SEC. 6008. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Associate Administrator for International Trade of
the Small Business Administration shall submit to Congress a
report on the State Trade Expansion Program established under
section 22(l) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649(l)),
as amended by this division, that includes a description of--
(1) the process developed for review of revised budget
plans submitted under subparagraph (G) of section 22(l)(3) of
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649(l)(3)), as added by
section 6003(e) of this division;
(2) any changes made to streamline the application process
under the State Trade Expansion Program to remove duplicative
requirements and create a more transparent process;
(3) the process developed to share best practices by
States, territories, and commonwealths described in paragraph
(10)(B)(i)(V) of section 22(l) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 649(l)), as so redesignated by section 6003(h) of this
division, particularly for first-time grant recipients under
the State Trade Expansion Program or grant recipients that
are facing problems using grant funds; and
(4) the process developed to communicate, both verbally and
in writing, relevant information about the State Trade
Expansion Program to all grant recipients in a timely manner.

SEC. 6009. SEVERABILITY.

If any provision of this division, an amendment made by
this division, or the application of such provision or
amendment to any person or circumstance is held to be
unconstitutional, the remainder of this division and the
amendments made by this division, and the application of the
provision or amendment to any other person or circumstance,
shall not be affected.

DIVISION H--DEPARTMENT OF STATE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025

SEC. 9001. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This division may be cited as the
``Department of State Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2025''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this
division is as follows:

DIVISION F--DEPARTMENT OF STATE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025

Sec. 9001. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 9002. Definitions.

TITLE I--WORKFORCE MATTERS

Sec. 9101. Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Rogers Act;
creation of the Department of State.
Sec. 9102. Workforce modernization efforts.
Sec. 9103. Training float of the Department of State for Civil and
Foreign Service personnel.
Sec. 9104. Competitive local compensation plan.
Sec. 9105. Language incentive pay for civil service employees.
Sec. 9106. Strategy for targeted recruitment of civil servants.
Sec. 9107. Electronic medical records.
Sec. 9108. Options for comprehensive evaluations.
Sec. 9109. Portability of professional licenses.
Sec. 9110. Expanding opportunities for Department-paid student
internship program.
Sec. 9111. Career intermission program adjustment to enhance retention.
Sec. 9112. Professional counseling services.
Sec. 9113. Assignment process modernization.
Sec. 9114. Report on modifying consular tour and first tours
requirements.
Sec. 9115. Comprehensive policy on vetting and transparency.
Sec. 9116. Efficiency in employee survey creation and consolidation.
Sec. 9117. Per diem allowance for newly hired members of the Foreign
Service.
Sec. 9118. Termination of residential or motor vehicle leases and
telephone service contracts for members of the Foreign
Service.
Sec. 9119. Needs-based childcare subsidies enrollment period.
Sec. 9120. Comptroller General report on Department traveler
experience.
Sec. 9121. Quarterly report on global footprint.
Sec. 9122. Report on former Federal employees advising foreign
governments.
Sec. 9123. Job share and part-time employment opportunities.
Sec. 9124. Expansion of special rules for certain monthly workers'
compensation payments and other payments for personnel
under chief of mission authority.
Sec. 9125. Authority to provide or reimburse for certain security
services.

TITLE II--ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS

Sec. 9201. State-of-the-art building facilities.
Sec. 9202. Presence of chiefs of mission at diplomatic posts.
Sec. 9203. Periodic Inspector General reviews of chiefs of mission.
Sec. 9204. Special Envoy for Sudan.
Sec. 9205. Special Envoy for Belarus.
Sec. 9206. National Museum of American Diplomacy.
Sec. 9207. Authority to establish Negotiations Support Unit within
Department of State.
Sec. 9208. Restrictions on the use of funds for solar panels.
Sec. 9209. Responsiveness to Congressional Research Service inquiries.
Sec. 9210. Mission in a box.
Sec. 9211. Report on United States Consulate in Chengdu, People's
Republic of China.
Sec. 9212. Personnel reporting.
Sec. 9213. Support co-location with allied partner nations.
Sec. 9214. Streamline qualification of construction contract bidders.

TITLE III--INFORMATION SECURITY AND CYBER DIPLOMACY

Sec. 9301. Supporting Department of State data analytics.
Sec. 9302. Realigning the Regional Technology Officer Program.
Sec. 9303. Measures to protect Department devices from the
proliferation and use of foreign commercial spyware.

[[Page S6280]]

Sec. 9304. Report on cloud computing in Bureau of Consular Affairs.
Sec. 9305. Information technology pilot projects.
Sec. 9306. Leveraging approved technology for administrative
efficiencies.
Sec. 9307. Office of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging
Technology.

TITLE IV--PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Sec. 9401. Africa broadcasting networks.
Sec. 9402. United States Agency for Global Media.
Sec. 9403. Extension of authorizations to support United States
participation in international fairs and expos.
Sec. 9404. Research and scholar exchange partnerships.
Sec. 9405. Waiver of United States residency requirement for children
of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty employees.

TITLE V--DIPLOMATIC SECURITY

Sec. 9501. Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act
requirements.
Sec. 9502. Congressional notification for Serious Security Incidents.
Sec. 9503. Notifications regarding security decisions at diplomatic
posts.
Sec. 9504. Security clearance suspension pay flexibilities.
Sec. 9505. Modification to notification requirement for security
clearance suspensions and revocations.

TITLE VI--UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Sec. 9601. Personal service agreement authority for the United States
Agency for International Development.
Sec. 9602. Crisis operations and disaster surge staffing.
Sec. 9603. Education allowance while on military leave.
Sec. 9604. Inclusion in the pet transportation exception to the Fly
America Act.

TITLE VII--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 9701. Authorization of appropriations to promote United States
citizen employment at the United Nations and
international organizations.
Sec. 9702. Amendment to Rewards for Justice program.
Sec. 9703. Passport automation modernization.
Sec. 9704. Extension of certain payment in connection with the
International Space Station.
Sec. 9705. Support for congressional delegations.
Sec. 9706. Electronic communication with visa applicants.
Sec. 9707. Electronic transmission of visa information.
Sec. 9708. Inclusion of cost associated with producing reports.
Sec. 9709. Extensions.

SEC. 9002. DEFINITIONS.

In this division:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development.
(2) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee
on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
(3) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the
Department of State.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of State.
(5) USAID.--The term ``USAID'' means the United States
Agency for International Development.

TITLE I--WORKFORCE MATTERS

SEC. 9101. COMMEMORATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROGERS
ACT; CREATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

Congress recognizes and honors those who have served, or
are presently serving, in the diplomatic corps of the United
States, in commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Act
entitled, ``An Act for the reorganization and improvement of
the Foreign Service of the United States, and for other
purposes'' (43 stat. 140, chapter 182), commonly known as the
``Rogers Act of 1924'', which on May 24, 1924, established
what has come to be known as the Foreign Service. Today, the
Department of State includes more than 13,000 Foreign Service
personnel working alongside more than 11,000 civil service
personnel and 45,000 locally engaged staff at more than 270
embassies and consulates.

SEC. 9102. WORKFORCE MODERNIZATION EFFORTS.

The Secretary should prioritize efforts to further
modernize the Department, including--
(1) making workforce investments, including increasing
wages for locally employed staff and providing other non-cash
benefits, and hiring up to 100 new members of the Foreign
Service above projected attrition to reduce overseas
vacancies and mid-level staffing gaps;
(2) utilizing authorities that allow the Department to
acquire or build and open new embassy compounds quicker and
at significantly less cost to get diplomats on the front
lines of strategic competition; and
(3) modernizing legacy systems and human resource
processes.

SEC. 9103. TRAINING FLOAT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE FOR
CIVIL AND FOREIGN SERVICE PERSONNEL.

(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop and
submit to the appropriate congressional committees and the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee
on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a strategy
to establish and maintain a ``training float'' by January 1,
2027, to allow for a minimum of 8 percent and up to 10
percent of members of the Civil and Foreign Service to
participate in long-term training at any given time. The
strategy shall include--
(1) a proposal to ensure that personnel in the training
float remain dedicated to training or professional
development activities;
(2) recommendations to maintain, and an assessment of the
feasibility of maintaining, a minimum of 8 percent of
personnel in the float at any given time; and
(3) any additional resources and authorities needed to
maintain a training float contemplated by this section.
(b) Monitoring.--For any established training float, not
later than 120 days after enactment of this Act, the
Secretary shall ensure that personnel in such training float
remain dedicated to training or professional development
activities.

SEC. 9104. COMPETITIVE LOCAL COMPENSATION PLAN.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the effectiveness and stability of United States
foreign missions are linked to the dedication and expertise
of locally employed staff; and
(2) ensuring competitive compensation packages benchmarked
against the local market is essential not only to retain
valuable talent but also to reflect a commitment to
employment practices abroad.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated $47,500,000 for fiscal year 2025 to
support implementation of a global baseline for prevailing
wage rate goal for Local Compensation Plan positions at the
75th percentile.

SEC. 9105. LANGUAGE INCENTIVE PAY FOR CIVIL SERVICE
EMPLOYEES.

The Secretary and Administrator may provide special
monetary incentives to acquire or retain proficiency in
foreign languages to civil service employees who serve in
domestic positions that require critical language skills. The
amounts of such incentives should be similar to the language
incentive pay provided to members of the Foreign Service
under the Foreign Service pursuant to section 704(b)(3) of
the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4024(b)(3)).

SEC. 9106. STRATEGY FOR TARGETED RECRUITMENT OF CIVIL
SERVANTS.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees and the Committee on Appropriations
of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives a strategy for targeted and
proactive recruitment to fill open civil service positions,
focusing on recruiting from schools or organizations, and on
platforms targeting those with relevant expertise related to
such positions.

SEC. 9107. ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) Foreign Service personnel at the Department serve with
distinction in austere places and under challenging
conditions around the world with limited healthcare
availability;
(2) the use of paper medical records, which require Foreign
Service personnel to carry files containing protected health
information from post to post, limits the availability of
their health information to Department medical personnel
during critical health incidents;
(3) electronic medical records are necessary, particularly
as the Department opens new embassies in the South Pacific,
thousands of miles from the nearest Department medical
officer, who may not have access to up-to-date personnel
medical files;
(4) the lack of electronic medical records is even more
important for mental health records, as the Department only
has a small number of regional medical officer psychiatrists
and relies heavily on telehealth for most Foreign Service
personnel; and
(5) due to the critical need for electronic medical
records, it is imperative that the Department address the
situation quickly and focus on secure commercially available
or other successful systems utilized by public and private
sector organizations with a track record of successfully
implementing large-scale projects of this type.
(b) Electronic Medical Records Requirement.--Not later than
December 31, 2027, the Secretary shall have fully implemented
an electronic medical records process or system for all
Foreign Service personnel and their Eligible Family Members
that eliminates reliance on paper medical records and
includes appropriate safeguards to protect personal privacy.
(c) Report on Implementation.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter, the
Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate
and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of

[[Page S6281]]

Representatives a report on the progress made towards meeting
the requirement under subsection (b).
(2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1)
shall include the following elements:
(A) An updated timeline for implementation.
(B) An estimated completion date.
(C) The amounts expended to date on the required electronic
medical records system.
(D) The estimated amount needed to complete the system.
(3) Termination of requirement.--The reporting requirement
under paragraph (1) shall cease upon notification to the
appropriate congressional committees that electronic medical
records have been completely implemented for all Foreign
Service personnel.

SEC. 9108. OPTIONS FOR COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATIONS.

(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report on options for
integrating 360-degree reviews in personnel files for
promotion panel consideration.
(b) Evaluation Systems.--The report required by subsection
(a) shall include--
(1) one or more options to integrate confidential 360-
degree reviews, references, or evaluations by superiors,
peers, and subordinates, including consideration of automated
reference requests; and
(2) other modifications or systems the Secretary considers
relevant.
(c) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall
describe, with respect to each evaluation system included in
the report--
(1) any legal constraints or considerations;
(2) the timeline required for implementation;
(3) any starting and recurring costs in comparison to
current processes;
(4) the likely or potential implications for promotion
decisions and trends; and
(5) the impact on meeting the personnel needs of the
Foreign Service.

SEC. 9109. PORTABILITY OF PROFESSIONAL LICENSES.

(a) In General.--Chapter 9 of the Foreign Service Act of
1980 (22 U.S.C. 4081 et seq.) is amended by adding after
section 908 (22 U.S.C. 4088) the following new section:

``SEC. 909. PORTABILITY OF PROFESSIONAL LICENSES.

``(a) In General.--In any case in which a member of the
Foreign Service or the spouse of a member of the Foreign
Service has a covered United States license and such member
of the Foreign Service or spouse relocates his or her
residency because of an assignment or detail to a location
that is not in the jurisdiction of the licensing authority
that issued the covered license, such covered license shall
be considered valid at a similar scope of practice and in the
discipline applied for in the jurisdiction of such new
residency for the duration of such an assignment or detail if
such member of the Foreign Service or spouse--
``(1) provides a copy of the member's notification of
assignment to the licensing authority in the jurisdiction in
which the new residency is located;
``(2) remains in good standing with--
``(A) the licensing authority that issued the covered
license; and
``(B) every other licensing authority that has issued to
the member of the Foreign Service or spouse a license valid
at a similar scope of practice and in the discipline applied
in the jurisdiction of such licensing authority; and
``(3) submits to the authority of the licensing authority
in the new jurisdiction for the purposes of standards of
practice, discipline, and fulfillment of any continuing
education requirements.
``(b) Interstate Licensure Compacts.--If a member of the
Foreign Service or spouse of a member of the Foreign Service
is licensed and able to operate in multiple jurisdictions
through an interstate licensure compact, with respect to
services provided in the jurisdiction of the interstate
licensure compact by a licensee covered by such compact, the
member of the Foreign Service or spouse of a member of the
Foreign Service shall be subject to the requirements of the
compact or the applicable provisions of law of the applicable
State and not this section.
``(c) Covered License Defined.--In this section, the term
`covered license' means a professional license or
certificate--
``(1) that is in good standing with the licensing authority
that issued such professional license or certificate;
``(2) that the member of the Foreign Service or spouse of a
member of the Foreign Service has actively used during the
two years immediately preceding the relocation described in
subsection (a); and
``(3) that is not a license to practice law.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 2
of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 908 the following new
item:

``Sec. 909. Portability of professional licenses.''.

SEC. 9110. EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEPARTMENT-PAID
STUDENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--Section 9201 of the Department of State
Authorization Act of 2022 (22 U.S. 2737) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(2)(A), by inserting ``or have
graduated from such an institution within the six months
preceding application to the Program'' after ``paragraph
(1)'';
(2) in subsection (c), by inserting ``and gives preference
to individuals who have not previously completed internships
within the Department of State and the United States Agency
for International Development'' after ``career in foreign
affairs''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following subsections:
``(k) Work Hours Flexibility.--Students participating in
the Program may work fewer than 40 hours per week and a
minimum of 24 hours per week to accommodate their academic
schedules, provided that the total duration of the internship
remains consistent with program requirements.
``(l) Mentorship Program.--The Secretary and Administrator
are authorized to establish a mentoring and coaching program
that pairs Foreign Service or Civil Service employees with
interns who choose to participate throughout the duration of
their internship.''.

SEC. 9111. CAREER INTERMISSION PROGRAM ADJUSTMENT TO ENHANCE
RETENTION.

(a) Authority to Extend Federal Employee Health Benefit
Coverage.--The Secretary and Administrator are authorized to
offer employees the option of extending Federal Employee
Health Benefit coverage during pre-approved leave without pay
for up to 3 years.
(b) Responsibility for Premium Payments.--If an employee
elects to continue coverage pursuant to subsection (a) for
longer than 365 days, the employee shall be responsible for
100 percent of the premium (employee share and government
share) during such longer period.

SEC. 9112. PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING SERVICES.

(a) In General.--The Secretary shall seek to increase the
number of professional counselors, including licensed
clinical social workers, providing services for employees
under chief of mission authority. These positions may be
filled under Limited Non-Career Appointment terms.
(b) Employment Targets.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this division, the Secretary shall
seek to employ not fewer than 4 additional professional
counselors, including licensed clinical social workers, in
the Bureau of Medical Services to work out of regional
medical centers abroad.

SEC. 9113. ASSIGNMENT PROCESS MODERNIZATION.

(a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall modernize the
Foreign Service bidding process, and specifically implement
the following elements:
(1) A stable-pair matching, preference-ranking system for
non-directed Foreign Service employees and hiring bureaus,
allowing for a more strategic alignment of workforce and
resources.
(2) Incorporation of lessons learned from the previous
stable-pair matching bidding pilot framework referred to as
``iMatch'', but applied more expansively to include non-
directed assignments up through FS-01 positions, taking
advantage of efficiency benefits such as tandem assignment
functionalities.
(3) Mechanisms to ensure transparency, efficiency,
effectiveness, accountability, and flexibility in the
assignment process, while maintaining equal opportunities for
all officers.
(4) An independent auditing process to ensure adherence to
established rules, effectiveness in meeting the Department's
needs, and prevention of bias or manipulation, including
through the use of protected categories in making assignment
decisions.
(b) Consideration of Certain Promotion Issues.--In parallel
with assignment process modernization efforts, the Secretary
shall--
(1) assess whether any point systems tied to promotion
incentives should consider service in hard-to-fill or
critical positions; and
(2) assess whether the practice of dividing the assignment
process into winter and summer cycles is necessary or
efficient compared to stable matching processes.
(c) Reporting and Oversight.--Not later than 18 months
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
shall provide the appropriate congressional committees a
report on the implementation of the assignment process under
this section, including--
(1) data on match rates, including in filling critical or
priority positions, officer and hiring office satisfaction,
and the impact on tandem placements;
(2) recommendations for further modifications to the
bidding process;
(3) an overview of the strategy used to communicate any
changes to the workforce; and
(4) results of analysis into additional transparency
efforts, including those described in subsection (a)(3).

SEC. 9114. REPORT ON MODIFYING CONSULAR TOUR AND FIRST TOURS
REQUIREMENTS.

(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report that evaluates
the feasibility of--
(1) reducing, removing, and adding flexibility to the
directed consular tours requirements for non-consular-coned
generalist members of the Foreign Service; and

[[Page S6282]]

(2) requiring that first tours for members of the Foreign
Service be assigned in the National Capital Region.
(b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a)
shall include a description of resources required to
implement the changes described in such subsection, a
timeline for implementation, and an assessment of the
benefits and consequences of such changes, including any
obstacles.

SEC. 9115. COMPREHENSIVE POLICY ON VETTING AND TRANSPARENCY.

(a) Comprehensive Policy on Vetting and Transparency.--Not
later than one year after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Secretary shall develop a consistent and enhanced
vetting process to ensure that individuals with substantiated
claims of discrimination or harassment against them, to
include when administrative or disciplinary actions are
taken, are not considered for assignments to senior positions
or promotions to senior grades within the Foreign Service.
(b) Elements of Comprehensive Vetting Policy.--Following
the conclusion of any investigation into an allegation of
discrimination or harassment, the Office of Civil Rights,
Office of Global Talent Management, and other offices with
responsibilities related to the investigation reporting
directly to the Secretary shall jointly or individually
submit a written summary of any findings of substantiated
allegations, along with a summary of findings to the
committee responsible for assignments to senior positions
prior to such committee rendering a recommendation for
assignment.
(c) Response.--The Secretary shall develop a process for
candidates to respond to any allegations that are
substantiated and presented to the committee responsible for
assignments to senior positions.
(d) Annual Reports.--Not later than one year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 5
years, the Secretary shall submit to the Department workforce
and the appropriate congressional committees a report on the
number of candidates confirmed for senior diplomatic posts
against whom there were substantiated allegations described
in subsection (a).
(e) Senior Positions Defined.--In this section, the term
``senior positions'' means Chief of Mission, Under Secretary,
Assistant Secretary, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Deputy Chief
of Mission, and Principal Officer (i.e., Consuls General)
positions.

SEC. 9116. EFFICIENCY IN EMPLOYEE SURVEY CREATION AND
CONSOLIDATION.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
employee surveys are crucial for understanding the needs and
concerns of the workforce, and are most effective when they
are strategically designed, collected, and the results
transparent where possible.
(b) Consolidated Resource Requirement.--The Department
shall provide a consolidated resource of survey methods, best
practices, and a repository of survey data to avoid survey
fatigue, minimize duplicating surveys, increase confidence in
survey data, and facilitate data-informed decision-making.
(c) Timing.--The Secretary should determine the overall
timing and administration of mandated surveys to ensure
maximum participation and robust data sets.

SEC. 9117. PER DIEM ALLOWANCE FOR NEWLY HIRED MEMBERS OF THE
FOREIGN SERVICE.

(a) Per Diem Allowance.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), any
newly hired Foreign Service employee who is in initial
orientation training, or any other training expected to last
less than 6 months in the Washington, D.C. area before
transferring to the employee's first assignment overseas or
domestically outside the Washington, D.C. area shall, for the
duration of such training, receive a per diem allowance at
the levels prescribed under subchapter I of chapter 57 of
title 5, United States Code.
(2) Limitation on lodging expenses.--A newly hired Foreign
Service employee may not receive any lodging expenses under
the applicable per diem allowance pursuant to paragraph (1)
if that employee--
(A) has a permanent residence in the Washington, D.C., area
(not including government-supplied housing during such
orientation training or other training); and
(B) does not vacate such residence during such orientation
training or other training.
(b) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) the term ``per diem allowance'' has the meaning given
such term in section 5701 of title 5, United States Code; and
(2) the term ``Washington, D.C., area'' means the
geographic area within a 50-mile radius of the Washington
Monument.

SEC. 9118. TERMINATION OF RESIDENTIAL OR MOTOR VEHICLE LEASES
AND TELEPHONE SERVICE CONTRACTS FOR MEMBERS OF
THE FOREIGN SERVICE.

Section 907 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 ( 22 U.S.C.
4087) is amended by striking ``Service who are posted abroad
at a Foreign Service post'' and inserting ``Foreign Service
who are posted in the United States or posted abroad''.

SEC. 9119. NEEDS-BASED CHILDCARE SUBSIDIES ENROLLMENT PERIOD.

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Department and USAID shall--
(1) issue and maintain guidance on how to apply for any
program authorized under section 630 of the Treasury and
General Government Appropriations Act, 2002 (Public Law 107-
67; 115 Stat. 552); and
(2) consider using maximum flexibilities to accept
applications throughout the year or in accordance with
Qualifying Life Event changes (as defined by the Federal
Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB)).

SEC. 9120. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON DEPARTMENT TRAVELER
EXPERIENCE.

(a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall conduct a review and submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report on the effect
of section 40118 of title 49, United States Code (commonly
referred to as the ``Fly America Act'') on Department
travelers.
(b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a)
shall include an analysis of the extent to which the Fly
America Act--
(1) disproportionately impacts Department personnel;
(2) impacts travelers, including their ability to find
suitable flights and the ability to complete their travel in
a timely and effective manner;
(3) increases or decreases costs to the United States
Government;
(4) produces overly burdensome restrictions in times of
urgent travel such as Emergency Visitation Travel and
Ordered/Authorized Departure; and
(5) a description of other relevant issues the Comptroller
General determines appropriate.

SEC. 9121. QUARTERLY REPORT ON GLOBAL FOOTPRINT.

(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter for 5
years, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees and the Committee on Appropriations
of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives a report on the global footprint of
the Department.
(b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a)
shall include, for each diplomatic post--
(1) the number and type of Department employees assigned to
the post; and
(2) the number of allocated positions that remain unfilled.
(c) Form.--The report required under subsection (a) shall
be submitted in classified form.

SEC. 9122. REPORT ON FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ADVISING
FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS.

(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 3
years, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees, the Select Committee on
Intelligence and the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate, and the Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on Homeland
Security of the House of Representatives a report that
identifies former United States Government senior officials
who have been approved by the Secretary to advise foreign
governments.
(b) Form.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall be
submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified
annex.

SEC. 9123. JOB SHARE AND PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish and publish
a Department policy on job share and part-time employment
opportunities. The policy shall include a template for job
sharing arrangements, a database of job share and part-time
employment opportunities, and a point of contact in the
Bureau of Global Talent Management.
(b) Workplace Flexibility Training.--The Secretary shall
incorporate training on workplace flexibility, including the
availability of job share and part-time employment
opportunities, into employee onboarding and every level of
supervisory training.
(c) Annual Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the
following 5 years, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report on workplace
flexibility at the Department, including data on the number
of employees utilizing job share or part-time employment
arrangements.

SEC. 9124. EXPANSION OF SPECIAL RULES FOR CERTAIN MONTHLY
WORKERS' COMPENSATION PAYMENTS AND OTHER
PAYMENTS FOR PERSONNEL UNDER CHIEF OF MISSION
AUTHORITY.

Section 901 of title IX of division J of the Further
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (22 U.S.C. 2680b) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (e)--
(A) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A)--
(i) by striking ``of a'' and inserting ``of an''; and
(ii) by striking ``January 1, 2016'' and inserting
``September 11, 2001'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``January 1, 2016'' and
inserting ``September 11, 2001''; and
(C) in paragraph (3), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``January 1, 2016'' and inserting
``September 11, 2001''; and
(2) in subsection (h)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``January 1, 2016''
and inserting ``September 11, 2001''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``January 1, 2016''
and inserting ``September 11, 2001''.

[[Page S6283]]

SEC. 9125. AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE OR REIMBURSE FOR CERTAIN
SECURITY SERVICES.

(a) In General.--The Secretary and the Administrator are
authorized to provide or reimburse for appropriate security
services to mitigate risks to certain employees or members of
their households resulting from or related to the employee's
official duties or affiliation with the Department or USAID.
These security equipment or services may include security
cameras and services to de-prioritize or remove internet
search results revealing personally identifiable information.
(b) Required Policy.--Prior to providing or reimbursing
services pursuant to subsection (a), the Department shall
establish a policy that--
(1) outlines the requirements for qualifying for provision
or reimbursement of services;
(2) identifies the office responsible for vetting requests
for provision or reimbursement of services; and
(3) mandates expeditious consideration of such requests.
(c) Protection of Personal Information.--The Secretary and
the Administrator shall not collect personally identifiable
information on any United States citizens while undertaking
the activities described in subsection (a) unless the
collection is authorized by a court as part of a criminal
investigation.

TITLE II--ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS

SEC. 9201. STATE-OF-THE-ART BUILDING FACILITIES.

The Secretary should use existing waiver authorities to
expedite upgrades and critical maintenance for the Harry S.
Truman Federal Building, with the goal of having at least 85
percent of construction and upgrades completed by December
31, 2027.

SEC. 9202. PRESENCE OF CHIEFS OF MISSION AT DIPLOMATIC POSTS.

(a) Requirement for Arrival at Diplomatic Post Within 60
Days.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall require that to be
eligible for payment of travel expenses for initial arrival
at the assigned post, a chief of mission must arrive at the
post not later than 60 days after the date on which the chief
of mission was confirmed by the Senate.
(2) Exceptions.--The restriction under paragraph (1) shall
not apply to a chief of mission who arrives later than 60
days after confirmation by the Senate if the delay was caused
by one or more of the following:
(A) A flight delay that was outside of the control of the
chief of mission or the Department.
(B) A natural disaster, global health emergency, or other
naturally occurring event that prevented the chief of mission
from entering the country of the assigned post.
(C) Delay or refusal by the government of the host country
to accept diplomatic accreditation.
(D) Family or medical emergency.
(E) Extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the
chief of mission.
(3) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the requirement under
paragraph (1) upon a determination that extenuating
circumstances warrant such a waiver and upon submission of a
brief description of the determination to the appropriate
congressional committees.
(4) Notification required.--Not later than 90 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, and in each case that
a chief of mission arrives at an assigned post more than 60
days after confirmation, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report identifying any
chief of mission who arrived at the assigned post more than
60 days after confirmation by the Senate, and includes a
description of the justification.
(b) Notifications on Departures of Chiefs of Mission.--
Beginning on April 1, 2025, for 5 years, the Secretary shall
notify the appropriate congressional committees of any chief
of mission who has permanently departed from the assigned
post within 90 days of the departure.

SEC. 9203. PERIODIC INSPECTOR GENERAL REVIEWS OF CHIEFS OF
MISSION.

(a) In General.--Beginning on April 1, 2025, and for a 3-
year period thereafter, the Inspector General of the
Department of State shall conduct management reviews of
chiefs of mission, charge d'affaires, and other principal
officers assigned overseas during inspection visits, when
those officers have been at post more than 180 days.
(b) Disposition.--Reviews conducted pursuant to subsection
(a) shall be provided to the rating officer for formal
discussion as part of the performance evaluation process. The
management review shall remain in the employee's personnel
file unless otherwise required by law. The subject of a
review conducted pursuant to subsection (a) shall have the
opportunity to respond to and comment on the review, and the
response shall be included in the employee's file for
promotion panel review.
(c) Notification Requirement in Case of Serious Management
Concerns.--The Inspector General of the Department of State
shall notify the Secretary, the Deputy Secretary, and the
appropriate congressional committees within 30 days of any
review in which serious management concerns are raised and
substantiated, and which is not otherwise submitted as part
of the periodic inspection or report.

SEC. 9204. SPECIAL ENVOY FOR SUDAN.

(a) Establishment.--The President shall, with the advice
and consent of the Senate, appoint a Special Envoy for Sudan
at the Department (in this section referred to as the
``Special Envoy''). The Special Envoy shall report directly
to the Secretary and should not hold another position in the
Department while holding the position of Special Envoy.
(b) Duties.--The Special Envoy shall--
(1) lead United States diplomatic efforts to support
negotiations and humanitarian response efforts related to
alleviating the crisis in Sudan;
(2) be responsible for coordinating policy development and
execution related to ending the conflict and a future path to
national recovery and democratic transition in Sudan across
all bureaus in the Department and coordinating with
interagency partners; and
(3) consult regularly with the appropriate congressional
committees, and keep such committees fully and currently
informed on the status of diplomatic efforts and
negotiations.
(c) Staffing.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that the
Special Envoy is staffed with personnel approved by the
envoy, including through reassignment of positions
responsible for issues related to Sudan that currently exist
within the Department, encouraging details or assignment of
employees of the Department from regional and functional
bureaus with expertise relevant to Sudan, or through request
for interagency details of individuals with relevant
experience from other United States Government departments or
agencies, including the Department of Treasury.
(2) Briefing requirements.--Not later than 90 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Department should
brief the appropriate congressional committees on the number
of full-time equivalent positions supporting the Special
Envoy and the relevant expertise and duties of any employees
of the Department serving as detailees.
(d) Sunset.--The position of the Special Envoy for Sudan
shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of
the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 9205. SPECIAL ENVOY FOR BELARUS.

Section 6406(d) of the Department of State Authorization
Act of 2023 (division F of Public Law 118-31; 22 U.S.C. 5811
note) is amended to read as follows:
``(d) Role.--The position of Special Envoy--
``(1) shall only exist while United States diplomatic
operations in Belarus at the United States Embassy in Minsk,
Belarus are suspended; and
``(2) shall oversee the operations and personnel of the
Belarus Affairs Unit.''.

SEC. 9206. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN DIPLOMACY.

Title I of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of
1956 is amended by adding after section 64 (22 U.S.C. 2735a)
the following:

``SEC. 65. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN DIPLOMACY.

``(a) Activities.--
``(1) Support authorized.--The Secretary is authorized to
provide, by contract, grant, or otherwise, for the
performance of appropriate museum visitor and educational
outreach services and related events, including--
``(A) organizing programs and conference activities;
``(B) creating, designing, and installing exhibits; and
``(C) conducting museum shop services and food services in
the public exhibition and related physical and virtual space
utilized by the National Museum of American Diplomacy.
``(2) Recovery of costs.--The Secretary of State is
authorized to retain the proceeds obtained from customary and
appropriate fees charged for the use of facilities, including
venue rental for events consistent with the activities
described in subsection (a)(1) and museum shop services and
food services at the National Museum of American Diplomacy.
Such proceeds shall be retained as a recovery of the costs of
operating the Museum, credited to a designated Department
account that exists for the purpose of funding the Museum and
its programs and activities, and shall remain available until
expended.
``(b) Disposition of Documents, Artifacts, and Other
Articles.--
``(1) Property.--All historic documents, artifacts, or
other articles acquired by the Department of State for the
permanent museum collection and determined by the Secretary
of State to be suitable for display by the National Museum of
American Diplomacy shall be considered to be the property of
the United States Government and shall be subject to
disposition solely in accordance with this subsection.
``(2) Sale, trade, or transfer.--Whenever the Secretary of
State makes a determination described in paragraph (3) with
respect to a document, artifact, or other article described
in paragraph (1), taking into account considerations such as
the Museum's collections management policy and best
professional museum practice, the Secretary may sell at fair
market value, trade, or transfer such document, artifact, or
other article without regard to the requirements of subtitle
I of title 40, United States Code. The proceeds of any such
sale may be used solely for the advancement of the activities
described in subsection (a)(1) of the National Museum of
American Diplomacy and may

[[Page S6284]]

not be used for any purpose other than the acquisition and
direct care of the collections of the Museum.
``(3) Determinations prior to sale, trade, or transfer.--
The determination described in this paragraph with respect to
a document, artifact, or other article described in paragraph
(1) is a determination that--
``(A) the document, artifact, or other article no longer
serves to further the mission of the National Museum of
American Diplomacy as set forth in the collections management
policy of the Museum;
``(B) the sale at a fair market price based on an
independent appraisal or trade or transfer of the document,
artifact, or other article would serve to maintain or enhance
the Museum collection; and
``(C) the sale, trade, or transfer of the document,
artifact, or other article would be in the best interests of
the United States.
``(4) Loans.--In addition to the authorization under
paragraph (2) relating to the sale, trade, or transfer of
documents, artifacts, or other articles described in
paragraph (1), the Secretary of State may--
``(A) loan the documents, artifacts, or other articles to
other institutions, both foreign and domestic, for repair,
study, or exhibition when not needed for use or display by
the National Museum of American Diplomacy; and
``(B) borrow documents, artifacts, or other articles from
other institutions or individuals, both foreign and domestic,
for activities consistent with subsection (a)(1).''.

SEC. 9207. AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH NEGOTIATIONS SUPPORT UNIT
WITHIN DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) there is a need for the United States Government to
maintain a permanent institutional hub for technical
expertise, strategic advice, and knowledge management in
negotiations, mediation, and peace processes in order to
prioritize and invest in diplomacy;
(2) the United States plays a role in enabling and
supporting peace processes and complex political
negotiations, the success of which is essential to stability
and democracy around the world;
(3) the meaningful engagement of conflict-affected
communities, particularly women, youth, and other impacted
populations, is vital to durable, implementable, and
sustainable peace;
(4) negotiation requires a specific technical and
functional skillset, and thus institutional expertise in this
practice area should include trained practitioners and
subject matter experts;
(5) such skills should continue to be employed as the
United States Government advises and contributes to peace
processes, including those where the United States plays a
supporting role or is led by multilateral and international
partners; and
(6) training programs for United States diplomats should
draw upon this expertise and United States lessons learned to
help equip diplomats with skills to respond to peace
processes and complex political negotiations, and how to
request support.
(b) Negotiations Support Unit.--Section 1 of the State
Department Basic Authorities Act (22 U.S.C. 2651a) is amended
by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(p) Negotiations Support Unit.--
``(1) Authority to establish.--The Secretary of State may
establish within the Department of State a unit to be known
as the `Negotiations Support Unit' responsible for carrying
out the functions described in paragraph (2), as appropriate.
``(2) Functions.--The functions described in this paragraph
are the following:
``(A) Serving as a permanent institutional hub and resource
for negotiations and peace process expertise and knowledge
management.
``(B) Advising the Secretary of State, other relevant
senior officials, members of the Foreign Service, and
employees of the Department of State on the substance,
process, and strategy of negotiations, mediation, peace
processes, and other complex political negotiations from
strategy and planning to implementation.
``(C) Supporting the development and implementation of
United States policy related to complex political
negotiations and peace processes, including those led by
multilateral and international partners.
``(D) Advising on mediation and negotiations programs to
implement United States policy.
``(E) Supporting training for Foreign Services Officers and
civil servants on tailored negotiation and mediation skills.
``(F) Working with other governments, international
organizations, and nongovernmental organizations, as
appropriate, to support the development and implementation of
United States policy on peace processes and complex political
negotiations.
``(G) Any additional duties the Secretary of State may
prescribe.
``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2025 for the
establishment of the Negotiations Support Unit under
paragraph (1).''.

SEC. 9208. RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF FUNDS FOR SOLAR PANELS.

The Department may not use Federal funds to procure any
solar energy products that were manufactured in the Xinjiang
Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China or
other regions in the country, which are known to be produced
with forced labor.

SEC. 9209. RESPONSIVENESS TO CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
INQUIRIES.

(a) Findings.-- The Congressional Research Service is
charged with rendering effective and efficient service to
Congress and responding expeditiously, effectively, and
efficiently to the needs of Congress.
(b) Responses.--The Secretary and Administrator shall
ensure that for any inquiry or request from the Congressional
Research Service related to its support of Members of
Congress and congressional staff--
(1) an initial answer responsive to the request is sent
within 14 days of receipt of the inquiry;
(2) a complete answer responsive to the request is sent
within 90 days of receipt of the inquiry, together with an
explanation as to why the request was delayed; and
(3) Congressional Research Service staff shall be treated
as congressional staff for any informal discussions or
briefings.

SEC. 9210. MISSION IN A BOX.

(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Increasing the United States' global diplomatic
footprint is imperative to advance United States' national
security interests, particularly in the face of a massive
diplomatic expansion of our strategic competitors.
(2) Opening or re-opening diplomatic missions, often in
small island nations where there is no United States
Government presence, but one is needed to advance United
States strategic objectives.
(3) Diplomatic missions should be resourced and equipped
for success upon opening to allow diplomats to focus on
advancing United States national interests in-country.
(4) The United States can and should move more swiftly to
open new diplomatic missions and provide United States
diplomats and locally employed staff with a workplace that
meets locally appropriate quality, safety, and security
standards.
(5) To do this, the Department must streamline and support
the process of opening new posts to identify efficiencies and
removing obstacles that are unduly complicating the opening
of new diplomatic missions, particularly in small island
states and similarly situated locations.
(b) Report to Congress.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report on how the
Department is creating a ``mission in a box'' concept to
provide new such diplomatic missions the needed resources and
authorities to quickly and efficiently stand up and operate a
mission from the moment United States personnel arrive, or
even before the opening of a new mission, particularly in
small island nations.
(2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1)
shall include--
(A) a list of authorities and processes related to the
opening of new diplomatic missions;
(B) a list of authorities and processes related to the
opening of new diplomatic missions that the Department can
waive to expediently stand up new diplomatic missions;
(C) essential functions that each new diplomatic mission
should be able to carry out independently upon opening;
(D) a description of functions that another post or support
center will need to carry out to support the new mission;
(E) a list of essential equipment and access to facilities,
including to support secure communications, that should be
provided to each new diplomatic mission, the approval of
which should be handled prior to or shortly after the opening
of the new diplomatic mission, including arrangements for
basic office equipment, vehicles, and housing;
(F) the number of recommended locally engaged staff and
United States direct hires resident in-country;
(G) the number of non-resident support staff who are
assigned to the new diplomatic mission, such as from another
post or regional support center;
(H) a description of how medical and consular support
services could be provided;
(I) procedures for requesting an expansion of the post's
functions or physical platform after opening, should that be
needed;
(J) any other authorities or processes that may be required
to successfully and quickly stand up a new diplomatic
mission, including any new authorities the Department may
need;
(K) a list of incentives, in addition to pay differentials,
being considered for such posts; and
(L) a description of any specialized training, including
for management and security personnel supporting the
establishment of such new embassies that may be required.
(c) Senior Official to Lead New Embassy Expansion.--
(1) Designation.--The Secretary shall designate an
assistant secretary-level senior official to expedite and
make recommendations for the reform of procedures for opening
new diplomatic missions abroad, particularly in small island
states.
(2) Responsibilities.--The senior official designated
pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be responsible for proposing
policy and procedural changes to the Secretary to--
(A) expediting the resourcing of new diplomatic missions by
waiving or reducing when possible mandatory processes
required to open new diplomatic missions, taking into

[[Page S6285]]

account the threat environment and circumstances in the host
country;
(B) when necessary, quickly adjudicating within the
Department any decision points that arise during the planning
and execution phases of the establishment of a new mission;
(C) ensuring new missions receive the management and
operational support needed, including by designating such
support be undertaken by another post, regional support
center, or Department entities based in the United States;
and
(D) ensuring that the authorities provided in the Secure
Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act of 1999 (title
VI of division A of appendix G of Public Law 106-113), as
amended by the Secure Embassy Construction and
Counterterrorism Act of 2022 (section 9301 of Public Law 117-
263; 136 Stat. 3879), are fully utilized in the planning for
all new diplomatic missions.
(d) New Diplomatic Mission Defined.--In this section, the
term ``new diplomatic mission'' means any bilateral
diplomatic mission opened since January 1, 2020, in a country
where there had not been a bilateral diplomatic mission since
the date that is 20 years before the date of the enactment of
this Act.
(e) Sunset.--The authorities and requirements of this
section shall terminate 5 years after the date of the
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 9211. REPORT ON UNITED STATES CONSULATE IN CHENGDU,
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report on the effect of the
suspension of operations at of the United States Consulate
General in Chengdu, People's Republic of China, on July 27,
2020, on diplomatic and consular activities of the United
States in Southwestern China, including the provision of
consular services to United States citizens, and on relations
with the people of Southwestern China, including in areas
designated by the Government of the People's Republic of
China as autonomous.

SEC. 9212. PERSONNEL REPORTING.

Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, and at least every 120 days thereafter for 5 years,
the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report--
(1) describing the on-board personnel levels, hiring, and
attrition of the Civil Service, Foreign Service, eligible
family members, locally employed staff, and contractor
workforce of the Department, on an operating unit-by-
operating unit basis; and
(2) including a status update on progress toward fiscal
year hiring plans for Foreign Service and Civil Service.

SEC. 9213. SUPPORT CO-LOCATION WITH ALLIED PARTNER NATIONS.

The Secretary, following consultation with the appropriate
congressional committees, may alter, repair, and furnish
United States Government-owned and leased space for use by
the government of a foreign country to facilitate co-location
of such government in such space, on such terms and
conditions as the Secretary may determine, including with
respect to reimbursement of all or part of the costs of such
alteration, repair, or furnishing. Reimbursements or advances
of funds pursuant to this section may be credited to the
currently applicable appropriation and shall be available for
the purposes for which such appropriation is authorized.

SEC. 9214. STREAMLINE QUALIFICATION OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT
BIDDERS.

Section 402 of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and
Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4852) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by inserting ``be awarded'' after ``joint venture
persons may'';
(B) by striking ``bid on'' both places it appears; and
(C) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$10,000,000'' and
inserting ``$25,000,000''; and
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph 1, by striking ``two'' and inserting
``three''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``at a United States
diplomatic or consular establishment abroad'' and inserting
``on a Federal contract abroad'';
(ii) by striking subparagraphs (E) and (G);
(iii) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph
(E); and
(iv) in subparagraph (E), as redesignated by clause (iii),
by striking ``80'' [both places it appears] and inserting
``65''.

TITLE III--INFORMATION SECURITY AND CYBER DIPLOMACY

SEC. 9301. SUPPORTING DEPARTMENT OF STATE DATA ANALYTICS.

There is authorized to be appropriated for the Department
of State for fiscal year 2025 $3,000,000 for bureaus to hire
Chief Data Officers through the ``Bureau Chief Data Officer
Program'', consistent with section 6302 of the Department of
State Authorization Act of 2023 (division F of Public Law
118-31; 22 U.S.C. 2651a note).

SEC. 9302. REALIGNING THE REGIONAL TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
PROGRAM.

Section 9508(a)(1) of the Department of State
Authorizations Act of 2022 (division I of Public Law 117-263;
22 U.S.C. 10305(a)(1)) is amended by inserting ``, and shall
be administered by the Bureau for Cyberspace and Digital
Policy'' before the period at the end.

SEC. 9303. MEASURES TO PROTECT DEPARTMENT DEVICES FROM THE
PROLIFERATION AND USE OF FOREIGN COMMERCIAL
SPYWARE.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Select
Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on Homeland
Security of the House of Representatives.
(1) Covered device.--The term ``covered device'' means any
electronic mobile device, including smartphones, tablet
computing devices, or laptop computing device, that is issued
by the Department for official use.
(2) Foreign commercial spyware; spyware.--The terms
``foreign commercial spyware'' and ``spyware'' have the
meanings given those terms in section 1102A of the National
Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3232a).
(b) Protection of Covered Devices.--
(1) Requirement.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, in
consultation with the relevant agencies--
(A) issue standards, guidance, best practices, and policies
for Department and USAID personnel to protect covered devices
from being compromised by foreign commercial spyware;
(B) survey the processes used by the Department and USAID
to identify and catalog instances where a covered device was
compromised by foreign commercial spyware over the prior 2
years and it is reasonably expected to have resulted in an
unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information; and
(C) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a
report on the measures in place to identify and catalog
instances of such compromises for covered devices by foreign
commercial spyware, which may be submitted in classified
form.
(2) Notifications.--Not later than 60 days after the date
on which the Department becomes aware that a covered device
was seriously compromised by foreign commercial spyware, the
Secretary, in coordination with relevant agencies, shall
notify the appropriate committees of Congress of the facts
concerning such targeting or compromise, including--
(A) the location of the personnel whose covered device was
compromised;
(B) the number of covered devices compromised;
(C) an assessment by the Secretary of the damage to the
national security of the United States resulting from any
loss of data or sensitive information; and
(D) an assessment by the Secretary of any foreign
government or foreign organization or entity, and, to the
extent possible, the foreign individuals, who directed and
benefitted from any information acquired from the compromise.
(3) Annual report.--Not later than one year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 5
years, the Secretary, in coordination with relevant agencies,
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a
report regarding any covered device that was compromised by
foreign commercial spyware, including the information
described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (2).

SEC. 9304. REPORT ON CLOUD COMPUTING IN BUREAU OF CONSULAR
AFFAIRS.

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report on the status of the Bureau
of Consular Affairs adoption of cloud-based products and
services as well as options to require enterprise-wide
adoption of cloud computing, including for all consular
operations.

SEC. 9305. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PILOT PROJECTS.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Chief Information Officer of the Department of
State should, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary of
the Bureau of Consular Affairs, prioritize information
technology systems with high potential to accelerate the
passport renewal processes, reduce processing times, and
reduce dependency on legacy systems.

SEC. 9306. LEVERAGING APPROVED TECHNOLOGY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE
EFFICIENCIES.

The Secretary and Administrator shall ensure appropriate
and secure technological solutions are authorized and
available for employee use, where feasible, to promote
technological fluency in the workforce, including the
integration of secure tools in the evaluation process to
ensure performance management standards while maximizing
efficiency.

SEC. 9307. OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL ENVOY FOR CRITICAL AND
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY.

(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish an Office
of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology
(referred to in this section as the ``Office''), which may be
located within the Bureau for Cyberspace and Digital Policy.
(b) Leadership.--
(1) Special envoy.--The Office shall be headed by a Special
Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, who shall--
(A) be appointed by the President, by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate; and
(B) have the rank and status of ambassador; and

[[Page S6286]]

(C) report to the Ambassador-at-Large for Cyberspace and
Digital Policy.
(c) Membership.--The Office may include representatives or
expert detailees from other key Federal agencies or research
and technology-focused fellowship programs, as determined by
the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology and
with the consent of the Ambassador-at-Large for Cyberspace
and Digital Policy, in coordination with appropriate senior
officials of the Department and such agencies.
(d) Purposes.--The purposes of the Office shall include--
(1) establishing, in coordination with relevant bureaus,
offices and other Federal agencies, an interagency security
review process for proposals regarding United States
Government-funded international collaboration on certain
critical and emerging technologies and associated research;
(2) establishing and coordinating an interagency strategy
to facilitate international cooperation with United States
allies and partners regarding the development, use, and
deployment of critical and emerging technologies and
associated standards and safeguards for research security,
intellectual property protection, and illicit knowledge
transfer;
(3) facilitating technology partnerships with countries and
relevant political and economic unions that are committed
to--
(A) the rule of law and respect for human rights, including
freedom of speech, and expression;
(B) the safe and responsible development and use of certain
critical and emerging technologies and the establishment of
related norms and standards, including for research security
and the protection of sensitive data and technology;
(C) a secure internet architecture governed by a multi-
stakeholder model instead of centralized government control;
(D) robust international cooperation to promote open and
interoperable technological products and services that are
necessary to freedom, innovation, transparency, and privacy;
and
(E) multilateral coordination, including through diplomatic
initiatives, information sharing, and other activities, to
defend the principles described in subparagraphs (A) through
(D) against efforts by state and non-state actors to
undermine them;
(4) supporting efforts to harmonize technology governance
regimes with partners, coordinating on basic and pre-
competitive research and development initiatives, and
collaborating to pursue such opportunities in certain
critical and emerging technologies;
(5) coordinating with other technology partners on export
control policies for certain critical and emerging
technologies, including countering illicit knowledge and data
transfer related to certain critical and emerging technology
research;
(6) conducting diplomatic engagement, in coordination with
other bureaus, offices, and relevant Federal departments and
agencies, with allies and partners to develop standards and
coordinate policies designed to counter illicit knowledge and
data transfer in academia related to certain critical and
emerging technology research;
(7) coordinating with allies, partners, and other relevant
Federal agencies to prevent the exploitation of research
partnerships related to certain critical and emerging
technologies;
(8) sharing information regarding the threat posed by the
transfer of certain critical and emerging technologies to
authoritarian governments, including the People's Republic of
China and the Russian Federation, and the ways in which
autocratic regimes are utilizing technology, including for
military and security purposes, to erode individual freedoms
and other foundations of open, democratic societies; and
(9) collaborating with private companies, trade
associations, and think tanks to realize the purposes
described in paragraphs (1) through (8).
(e) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the
following 5 years, the Secretary, in coordination with the
Director of National Intelligence and the heads of other
relevant Federal agencies, as appropriate, shall submit to
the appropriate committees of Congress an unclassified
report, with a classified index, if necessary, regarding--
(1) the activities of the Office related to paragraphs (1)
through (9) of subsection (d), including any cooperative
initiatives and partnerships pursued with United States
allies and partners, and the results of such activities,
initiatives, and partnerships;
(2) the activities of the Government of the People's
Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party, and the
Russian Federation in sectors related to certain critical and
emerging technologies and the threats they pose to the United
States; and
(3) an inventory of all international research and
development programs for certain critical and emerging
technologies funded by the Department or USAID that include
participation by institutions or organizations that are
affiliated with, or receive support from, the Government of
the People's Republic of China or the Government of the
Russian Federation.
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Select
Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations
of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on Homeland
Security, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Certain critical and emerging technologies.--The term
``certain critical and emerging technologies'' means the
technologies determined by the Secretary, in consultation
with other Federal agencies, from the critical and emerging
technologies list published by the National Science and
Technology Council (NSTC) at the Office of Science and
Technology Policy, as amended by subsequent updates to the
list issued by the NSTC.

TITLE IV--PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

SEC. 9401. AFRICA BROADCASTING NETWORKS.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Chief Executive Officer of the United States
Agency for Global Media shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees and the Committee on Appropriations
of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives a report on the resources and
timeline needed to establish within the Agency an
organization the mission of which shall be to promote
democratic values and institutions in Africa by providing
objective, accurate, and relevant news and information to the
people of Africa and counter disinformation from malign
actors, especially in countries in which a free press is
banned by the government or not fully established, about the
region, the world, and the United States through uncensored
news, responsible discussion, and open debate.

SEC. 9402. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR GLOBAL MEDIA.

Section 306 of the United States International Broadcasting
Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 6205) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsection
(g) and (h), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new
subsection:
``(f) Suspension and Debarment of Grantees.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), a
grantee may not be debarred or suspended without consultation
with the Chief Executive Officer and a three-fourths majority
vote of the Advisory Board in support of such action.
``(2) Suspension.--
``(A) Criteria for suspension.--A grantee may not be
suspended unless the Advisory Board determines that the
criteria described in section 513.405 of title 22, Code of
Federal Regulations, have been met.
``(B) Suspending official.--The Advisory Board shall
collectively serve as the suspending official (as described
in section 513.105 of title 22, Code of Federal Regulations).
``(3) Debarment.--
``(A) Criteria for debarment.--A grantee may not be
debarred unless the Advisory Board determines that one or
more of the causes described in section 513.305 of title 22,
Code of Federal Regulations, has been established.
``(B) Debarring official.--The Advisory Board shall
collectively serve as the debarring official (as described in
section 513.105 of title 22, Code of Federal Regulations).''.

SEC. 9403. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATIONS TO SUPPORT UNITED
STATES PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL FAIRS AND
EXPOS.

Section 9601 of the Department of State Authorizations Act
of 2022 (division I of Public Law 117-263; 136 Stat. 3909) is
amended in subsection (b), by striking ``fiscal years 2023
and 2024'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2023, 2024, 2025,
2026, and 2027''.

SEC. 9404. RESEARCH AND SCHOLAR EXCHANGE PARTNERSHIPS.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) it is in the strategic interest of the United States to
strengthen relations with Sub-Saharan African states to
promote shared interests in the areas of--
(A) democracy and good governance;
(B) education and human capital;
(C) trade and economic development;
(D) science and technology;
(E) biodiversity, food, and agriculture; and
(F) the preservation and management of natural resources,
including critical minerals; and
(2) historically Black colleges and universities (referred
to in this section as ``HBCUs'') have a long history of--
(A) cultivating diaspora relations with Sub-Saharan African
states; and
(B) developing innovative solutions to some of the world's
most pressing challenges.
(b) Strengthened Partnerships.--The Secretary and the
Administrator should seek to strengthen and expand
partnerships and educational exchange opportunities,
including by working with HBCUs, which build the capacity and
expertise of students, scholars, and experts from Sub-Saharan
Africa in key development sectors.
(d) Technical Assistance.--The Administrator is authorized
to--
(1) provide technical assistance to HBCUs to assist in
fulfilling the goals of this section, including in developing
contracts, operating agreements, legal documents, and related
infrastructure; and

[[Page S6287]]

(2) upon request, provide feedback to HBCUs, to the maximum
extent practicable, after a grant rejection from relevant
Federal programs in order to improve future grant
applications, as appropriate.

SEC. 9405. WAIVER OF UNITED STATES RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT FOR
CHILDREN OF RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY
EMPLOYEES.

Section 320(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1431(a)(1)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (1)(B), by striking ``; or'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; or''; and
(2) by adding at the end of the following new paragraph:
``(3) the child residing in the legal and physical custody
of a citizen parent who is residing abroad as a result of
employment with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.''.

TITLE V--DIPLOMATIC SECURITY

SEC. 9501. SECURE EMBASSY CONSTRUCTION AND COUNTERTERRORISM
ACT REQUIREMENTS.

(a) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribe new
guidance and requirements consistent with the Secure Embassy
Construction and Counterterrorism Act of 1999 (title VI of
division A of appendix G of Public Law 106-113), as amended
by the Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act
of 2022 (section 9301 of Public Law 117-263; 136 Stat. 3879)
and submit to the appropriate congressional committees a
report detailing such guidance and requirements, including
the impact of implementation on United States diplomatic
facilities and construction projects.
(b) Consequence for Noncompliance.--If the Secretary fails
to meet the requirement under subsection (a) no Federal funds
appropriated to the Department shall be used for official
travel by senior staff in the executive office of the
Diplomatic Security Service, including the Assistant
Secretary for Diplomatic Security, until such time as the
Secretary meets the requirement.
(c) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the restriction in
subsection (b) to meet urgent and critical needs if the
Secretary provides written notification to the appropriate
congressional committees in advance of travel.

SEC. 9502. CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION FOR SERIOUS SECURITY
INCIDENTS.

Section 301(a) of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and
Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4833(a)), is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs
(3) and (4), respectively;
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new
paragraph:
``(2) Initial congressional notification.--The Secretary
shall notify the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate, the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives, the majority and minority leaders of the
Senate, and the Speaker and minority leader of the House of
Representatives not later than 8 days after a possible
Serious Security Incident has taken place. Such notification
shall include a preliminary description of the incident, of
an incident described in paragraph (1), including any known
individuals involved, when and where the incident took place,
and the next steps in the investigation.''; and
(3) in paragraph (4), as redesignated by paragraph (1) of
this section, by striking ``paragraph (2)'' and inserting
``paragraph (3)''.

SEC. 9503. NOTIFICATIONS REGARDING SECURITY DECISIONS AT
DIPLOMATIC POSTS.

Section 103(c) of section 103 of the Omnibus Diplomatic
Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4802(c)) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as
subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively;
(2) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting ``(1) The
Secretary''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2) The Secretary of State shall notify the appropriate
congressional committees within 10 days of any decision to
retain authority over or approve decisions at an overseas
post, including the movement of personnel.''.

SEC. 9504. SECURITY CLEARANCE SUSPENSION PAY FLEXIBILITIES.

Section 610(c)(6) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22
U.S.C. 4010(c)(6)) is amended by striking ``paragraph 1(B)''
and inserting ``this subsection''.

SEC. 9505. MODIFICATION TO NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT FOR
SECURITY CLEARANCE SUSPENSIONS AND REVOCATIONS.

Section 6710(a) of the Department of State Authorization
Act of 2023 (division F of Public Law 118-31; 22 U.S.C. 2651a
note) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as
subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and moving such
subparagraphs, as so redesignated, 2 ems to the right;
(2) by striking ``In General.--With respect'' and inserting
the following: ``Notification.--
``(1) In general.--With respect'';
(3) in subparagraph (B), as redesignated by paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``revocation on'' and all that follows
through ``or revocation'' and inserting ``revocation on--
``(A) the present employment status of the covered official
and whether the job duties of the covered official have
changed since such suspension or revocation;
``(B) the reason for such suspension or revocation;
``(C) the investigation of the covered official and the
results of such investigation; and
``(D) any negative fallout or impacts for the Department of
State, the United States Government, or national security of
the United States as a result of the actions for which the
security clearance was suspended or revoked.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2) Submission to intelligence communities.--To the
extent the basis for any suspension or revocation of a
security clearance is premised on the unauthorized release of
intelligence (as defined by section 3(1) of the National
Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(1)), the Select
Committee on Intelligence of the Senate and the Permanent
Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of
Representatives shall be an appropriate congressional
committee for the purposes of this section.''.

TITLE VI--UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

SEC. 9601. PERSONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT AUTHORITY FOR THE
UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT.

Section 636(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22
U.S.C. 2396(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following
new paragraph:
``(17) employing individuals or organizations, by contract,
for services abroad for purposes of this Act and title II of
the Food for Peace Act, and individuals employed by contract
to perform such services shall not by virtue of such
employment be considered to be employees of the United States
Government (except that the Administrator of the United
States Agency for International Development may determine the
applicability to such individuals of section 5 of the State
Department Basic Authorities Act of 1965 (22 U.S.C. 2672)
regarding tort claims when such claims arise in foreign
countries in connection with United States operations abroad,
and of any other law administered by the Administrator
concerning the employment of such individuals abroad), and
such contracts are authorized to be negotiated, the terms of
the contracts to be prescribed, and the work to be performed,
where necessary, without regard to such statutory provisions
as relate to the negotiation, making, and performance of
contracts and performance of work in the United States.''.

SEC. 9602. CRISIS OPERATIONS AND DISASTER SURGE STAFFING.

Section 625 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22
U.S.C. 2385) is amended by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
``(k) Crisis Operations and Disaster Surge Staffing.--(1)
The United States Agency for International Development is
authorized to appoint personnel in the excepted service using
funds authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made
available under the heading `Transition Initiatives' in an
Act making appropriations for the Department of State,
Foreign Operations, and Related Programs to carry out the
provisions of part I and chapter 4 of part II of this Act of
and section 509(b) of the Global Fragility Act of 2019 (title
V of division J of Public Law 116-94) to prevent or respond
to foreign crises;
``(2) Funds authorized to carry out such purposes may be
made available for the operating expenses and administrative
costs of such personnel and may remain attributed to any
minimum funding requirement for which they were originally
made available.
``(3) The Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development shall coordinate with the Office of
Personnel Management on implementation of the appointment
authority under paragraph (1).''.

SEC. 9603. EDUCATION ALLOWANCE WHILE ON MILITARY LEAVE.

Section 908 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C.
4088) is amended by inserting ``or United States Agency for
International Development'' after ``A Department''.

SEC. 9604. INCLUSION IN THE PET TRANSPORTATION EXCEPTION TO
THE FLY AMERICA ACT.

Section 6224(a)(1) of the Department of State Authorization
Act of 2023 (division F of Public Law 118-31; 22 U.S.C.
4081a) is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--
(1) by striking ``the Department is'' and inserting ``the
Department and the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID), and other United States Government
employees under chief of mission authority are''; and
(2) by striking ``Department personnel'' and inserting
``Department and USAID personnel, and other United States
Government employees under chief of mission authority''.

TITLE VII--OTHER MATTERS

SEC. 9701. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS TO PROMOTE UNITED
STATES CITIZEN EMPLOYMENT AT THE UNITED NATIONS
AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS.

(a) In General.--The President should direct United States
departments and agencies to, in coordination with the
Secretary --
(1) fund and recruit Junior Professional Officers for
positions at the United Nations and related specialized and
technical organizations; and
(2) facilitate secondments, details, and transfers to
agencies and specialized and technical bodies of the United
Nations.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated an additional $20,000,000 for each of the
fiscal

[[Page S6288]]

years 2025 through 2031 for the Secretary to support Junior
Professional Officers, details, transfers, and interns that
advance United States interests at multilateral institutions
and international organizations, including to recruit, train,
and host events related to such positions, and to promote
United States citizen candidates for employment and
leadership positions at multilateral institutions and
international organizations.
(c) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to
subsection (a) shall remain available until expended.
(d) Congressional Notification.--Not later than 15 days
prior to the obligation of funds authorized to be
appropriated under this section, the Secretary shall submit
to the appropriate congressional committees and the Committee
on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives a notification
outlining the amount and proposed use of such funds.

SEC. 9702. AMENDMENT TO REWARDS FOR JUSTICE PROGRAM.

Section 36(b) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act
of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2708(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (13), by striking ``; or'' and inserting a
semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (14), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(15) the restraining, seizing, forfeiting, or
repatriating of stolen assets linked to foreign government
corruption and the proceeds of such corruption.''.

SEC. 9703. PASSPORT AUTOMATION MODERNIZATION.

The Act entitled ``An Act to regulate the issue and
validity of passports, and for other purposes'', approved
July 3, 1926 (44 Stat. 887, 22 U.S.C. 211a), is amended--
(1) by inserting ``and through the use of Department of
State electronic systems,'' after ``the insular possessions
of the United States,''; and
(2) by striking ``person'' and inserting ``entity''.

SEC. 9704. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN PAYMENT IN CONNECTION WITH
THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION.

Section 7(1) of Public Law 106-178 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is
amended, in the undesignated matter following subparagraph
(B), by striking ``December 31, 2025'' and inserting
``December 31, 2030''.

SEC. 9705. SUPPORT FOR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATIONS.

(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) congressional travel is essential to fostering
international relations, understanding global issues first-
hand, and jointly advancing United States interests abroad;
and
(2) only in close coordination and thanks to the dedication
of personnel at United States embassies, consulates, and
other missions abroad can the success of these vital trips be
possible.
(b) In General.--The Secretary shall reaffirm to all
diplomatic posts the importance of Congressional travel and
shall require all such posts to support congressional travel
by members and staff of the appropriate congressional
committees fully, by making such support available on any day
of the week, including Federal and local holidays and, to the
extent practical, requiring the direct involvement of mid-
level or senior officers.
(c) Exception for Simultaneous High-level Visits.--The
requirement under subsection (a) does not apply in the case
of a simultaneous visit from the President, the First Lady or
First Gentleman, the Vice President, the Secretary of State,
or the Secretary of Defense.
(d) Training.--The Secretary shall require all designated
control officers to have been trained on supporting
congressional travel at posts abroad prior to the assigned
congressional visit.

SEC. 9706. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION WITH VISA APPLICANTS.

Section 833(a)(5)(A) of the International Marriage Broker
Regulation Act of 2005 (8 U.S.C. 1375a(a)(5)(A)) is amended
by adding at the end the following new clause:
``(vi) Mailings under this subsection may be transmitted by
electronic means, including electronic mail. The Secretary of
State may communicate with visa applicants using personal
contact information provided to them or to the Secretary of
Homeland Security by the applicant, petitioner, or designated
agent or attorney.''.

SEC. 9707. ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF VISA INFORMATION.

Section 222 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1202) is amended by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
``(i) Electronic Transmission.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of the immigration laws (as such term is defined in
section 101(a)(17) of this Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(17)), all
requirements in the immigration laws for communications with
visa applicants shall be deemed satisfied if electronic
communications are sent to the applicant using personal
contact information at an address for such communications
provided by the applicant, petitioner, or designated agent or
attorney. The Secretary of State shall take appropriate
actions to allow applicants to update their personal contact
information and to ensure that electronic communications can
be securely transmitted to applicants.''.

SEC. 9708. INCLUSION OF COST ASSOCIATED WITH PRODUCING
REPORTS.

(a) Estimated Cost of Reports.--Beginning on October 1,
2026, and for the next three fiscal years, the Secretary
shall require that any report produced for external
distribution, including for distribution to Congress, include
the total estimated cost of producing such report and the
estimated number of personnel hours.
(b) Annual Total Cost of Reports.--Not later than 90 days
after the end of each fiscal year, beginning with fiscal year
2025, and for the next three fiscal years, the Secretary
shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees and
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives
an annual report listing the reports issued for the prior
fiscal year, the frequency of each report, the total
estimated cost associated with producing such report, and the
estimated number of personnel hours.

SEC. 9709. EXTENSIONS.

(a) USAID Civil Service Annuitant Waiver.--Section
625(j)(1)(B) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.
2385(j)(1)(B)) shall be applied by striking ``October 1,
2010'' and inserting ``September 30, 2026''.
(b) Overseas Pay Comparability and Limitation.--
(1) In general.--The authority provided under section 1113
of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111-
32; 123 Stat. 1904) shall remain in effect through September
30, 2026.
(2) Limitation.--The authority described in paragraph (1)
may not be used to pay an eligible member of the Foreign
Service (as defined in section 1113(b) of the Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111-32; 123 Stat. 1904))
a locality-based comparability payment (stated as a
percentage) that exceeds two-thirds of the amount of the
locality-based comparability payment (stated as a percentage)
that would be payable to such member under section 5304 of
title 5, United States Code, if such member's official duty
station were in the District of Columbia.
(c) Inspector General Annuitant Waiver.--The authorities
provided under section 1015(b) of the Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111-212; 124 Stat.
2332)--
(1) shall remain in effect through September 30, 2026; and
(2) may be used to facilitate the assignment of persons for
oversight of programs in Somalia, South Sudan, Syria,
Venezuela, and Yemen.
(d) Security Review Committees.--The authority provided
under section 301(a)(3) of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security
and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4831(a)(3)) shall
remain in effect for facilities in Afghanistan and shall
apply to facilities in Ukraine through September 30, 2026,
except that the notification and reporting requirements
contained in such section shall include the appropriate
congressional committees, the Committee on Appropriations of
the Senate, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House
of Representatives.

DIVISION I--INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025

SEC. 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This division may be cited as the
``Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this
division is as follows:

DIVISION I--INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.

TITLE I--INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES

Sec. 101. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 102. Classified Schedule of Authorizations.
Sec. 103. Intelligence Community Management Account.
Sec. 104. Increase in employee compensation and benefits authorized by
law.

TITLE II--CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY RETIREMENT AND DISABILITY SYSTEM

Sec. 201. Authorization of appropriations.

TITLE III--INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY MATTERS

Sec. 301. Improvements relating to conflicts of interest in the
Intelligence Innovation Board.
Sec. 302. National Threat Identification and Prioritization Assessment
and National Counterintelligence Strategy.
Sec. 303. Open Source Intelligence Division of Office of Intelligence
and Analysis personnel.
Sec. 304. Improvements to advisory board of National Reconnaissance
Office.
Sec. 305. National Intelligence University acceptance of grants.
Sec. 306. Limitation on availability of funds for new controlled access
programs.
Sec. 307. Limitation on transfers from controlled access programs.
Sec. 308. Expenditure of funds for certain intelligence and
counterintelligence activities of the Coast Guard.
Sec. 309. Strengthening of Office of Intelligence and Analysis.
Sec. 310. Report on collection of United States location information.

TITLE IV--COUNTERING FOREIGN THREATS

Subtitle A--People's Republic of China

Sec. 401. Assessment of current status of biotechnology of People's
Republic of China.

[[Page S6289]]

Sec. 402. Intelligence sharing with law enforcement agencies on
synthetic opioid precursor chemicals originating in
People's Republic of China.
Sec. 403. Report on efforts of the People's Republic of China to evade
United States transparency and national security
regulations.
Sec. 404. Plan for recruitment of Mandarin speakers.

Subtitle B--The Russian Federation

Sec. 411. Report on Russian Federation sponsorship of acts of
international terrorism.
Sec. 412. Assessment of likely course of war in Ukraine.

Subtitle C--International Terrorism

Sec. 421. Assessment and report on the threat of ISIS-Khorasan to the
United States.

Subtitle D--Other Foreign Threats

Sec. 431. Assessment of visa-free travel to and within Western
Hemisphere by nationals of countries of concern.
Sec. 432. Assessment of threat posed by citizenship-by-investment
programs.
Sec. 433. Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence review of
visitors and assignees.
Sec. 434. Assessment of the lessons learned by the intelligence
community with respect to the Israel-Hamas war.
Sec. 435. Central Intelligence Agency intelligence assessment on Tren
de Aragua.
Sec. 436. Assessment of Maduro regime's economic and security
relationships with state sponsors of terrorism and
foreign terrorist organizations.
Sec. 437. Continued congressional oversight of Iranian expenditures
supporting foreign military and terrorist activities.

TITLE V--EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

Sec. 501. Strategy to counter foreign adversary efforts to utilize
biotechnologies in ways that threaten United States
national security.
Sec. 502. Improvements to the roles, missions, and objectives of the
National Counterproliferation and Biosecurity Center.
Sec. 503. Enhancing capabilities to detect foreign adversary threats
relating to biological data.
Sec. 504. National security procedures to address certain risks and
threats relating to artificial intelligence.
Sec. 505. Establishment of Artificial Intelligence Security Center.
Sec. 506. Sense of Congress encouraging intelligence community to
increase private sector capital partnerships and
partnership with Office of Strategic Capital of
Department of Defense to secure enduring technological
advantages.
Sec. 507. Intelligence Community Technology Bridge Program.
Sec. 508. Enhancement of authority for intelligence community public-
private talent exchanges.
Sec. 509. Enhancing intelligence community ability to acquire emerging
technology that fulfills intelligence community needs.
Sec. 510. Sense of Congress on hostile foreign cyber actors.
Sec. 511. Deeming ransomware threats to critical infrastructure a
national intelligence priority.
Sec. 512. Enhancing public-private sharing on manipulative adversary
practices in critical mineral projects.

TITLE VI--CLASSIFICATION REFORM

Sec. 601. Classification and declassification of information.
Sec. 602. Minimum standards for Executive agency insider threat
programs.

TITLE VII--SECURITY CLEARANCES AND INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY WORKFORCE
IMPROVEMENTS

Sec. 701. Security clearances held by certain former employees of
intelligence community.
Sec. 702. Policy for authorizing intelligence community program of
contractor-owned and contractor-operated sensitive
compartmented information facilities.
Sec. 703. Enabling intelligence community integration.
Sec. 704. Appointment of spouses of certain Federal employees.
Sec. 705. Plan for staffing the intelligence collection positions of
the Central Intelligence Agency.
Sec. 706. Sense of Congress on Government personnel support for foreign
terrorist organizations.

TITLE VIII--WHISTLEBLOWERS

Sec. 801. Improvements regarding urgent concerns submitted to
Inspectors General of the intelligence community.
Sec. 802. Prohibition against disclosure of whistleblower identity as
act of reprisal.
Sec. 803. Protection for individuals making authorized disclosures to
Inspectors General of elements of the intelligence
community.
Sec. 804. Clarification of authority of certain Inspectors General to
receive protected disclosures.
Sec. 805. Whistleblower protections relating to psychiatric testing or
examination.
Sec. 806. Establishing process parity for adverse security clearance
and access determinations.
Sec. 807. Elimination of cap on compensatory damages for retaliatory
revocation of security clearances and access
determinations.

TITLE IX--ANOMALOUS HEALTH INCIDENTS

Sec. 901. Modification of authority for Secretary of State and heads of
other Federal agencies to pay costs of treating
qualifying injuries and make payments for qualifying
injuries to the brain.

TITLE X--UNIDENTIFIED ANOMALOUS PHENOMENA

Sec. 1001. Comptroller General of the United States review of All-
domain Anomaly Resolution Office.
Sec. 1002. Sunset of requirements relating to audits of unidentified
anomalous phenomena historical record report.
Sec. 1003. Funding limitations relating to unidentified anomalous
phenomena.

TITLE XI--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 1101. Limitation on directives under Foreign Intelligence
Surveillance Act of 1978 relating to certain electronic
communication service providers.
Sec. 1102. Strengthening Election Cybersecurity to Uphold Respect for
Elections through Independent Testing Act of 2024.
Sec. 1103. Parity in pay for staff of the Privacy and Civil Liberties
Oversight Board and the intelligence community.
Sec. 1104. Modification and repeal of reporting requirements.
Sec. 1105. Technical amendments.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Congressional intelligence committees.--The term
``congressional intelligence committees'' has the meaning
given such term in section 3 of the National Security Act of
1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003).
(2) Intelligence community.--The term ``intelligence
community'' has the meaning given such term in such section.

TITLE I--INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES

SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal
year 2025 for the conduct of the intelligence and
intelligence-related activities of the Federal Government.

SEC. 102. CLASSIFIED SCHEDULE OF AUTHORIZATIONS.

(a) Specifications of Amounts.--The amounts authorized to
be appropriated under section 101 for the conduct of the
intelligence activities of the Federal Government are those
specified in the classified Schedule of Authorizations
prepared to accompany this division.
(b) Availability of Classified Schedule of
Authorizations.--
(1) Availability.--The classified Schedule of
Authorizations referred to in subsection (a) shall be made
available to the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate,
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives, and to the President.
(2) Distribution by the president.--Subject to paragraph
(3), the President shall provide for suitable distribution of
the classified Schedule of Authorizations referred to in
subsection (a), or of appropriate portions of such Schedule,
within the executive branch of the Federal Government.
(3) Limits on disclosure.--The President shall not publicly
disclose the classified Schedule of Authorizations or any
portion of such Schedule except--
(A) as provided in section 601(a) of the Implementing
Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (50 U.S.C.
3306(a));
(B) to the extent necessary to implement the budget; or
(C) as otherwise required by law.

SEC. 103. INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT.

(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated for the Intelligence Community Management
Account of the Director of National Intelligence for fiscal
year 2025 the sum of $656,573,000.
(b) Classified Authorization of Appropriations.--In
addition to amounts authorized to be appropriated for the
Intelligence Community Management Account by subsection (a),
there are authorized to be appropriated for the Intelligence
Community Management Account for fiscal year 2025 such
additional amounts as are specified in the classified
Schedule of Authorizations referred to in section 102(a).

SEC. 104. INCREASE IN EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
AUTHORIZED BY LAW.

Appropriations authorized by this division for salary, pay,
retirement, and other benefits for Federal employees may be
increased by such additional or supplemental amounts as may
be necessary for increases in such compensation or benefits
authorized by law.

[[Page S6290]]

TITLE II--CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY RETIREMENT AND DISABILITY SYSTEM

SEC. 201. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There is authorized to be appropriated for the Central
Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability Fund
$514,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.

TITLE III--INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY MATTERS

SEC. 301. IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IN
THE INTELLIGENCE INNOVATION BOARD.

Section 7506(g) of the Intelligence Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118-31) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``active and'' before
``potential'';
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``the Inspector
General of the Intelligence Community'' and inserting ``the
designated agency ethics official'';
(C) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D);
and
(D) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
``(C) Authority for the designated agency ethics official
to grant a waiver for a conflict of interest, except that--
``(i) no waiver may be granted for an active conflict of
interest identified with respect to the Chair of the Board;
``(ii) every waiver for a potential conflict of interest
requires review and approval by the Director of National
Intelligence; and
``(iii) for every waiver granted, the designated agency
ethics official shall submit to the congressional
intelligence committees notice of the waiver.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Definition of designated agency ethics official.--In
this subsection, the term `designated agency ethics official'
means the designated agency ethics official (as defined in
section 13101 of title 5, United States Code) in the Office
of the Director of National Intelligence.''.

SEC. 302. NATIONAL THREAT IDENTIFICATION AND PRIORITIZATION
ASSESSMENT AND NATIONAL COUNTERINTELLIGENCE
STRATEGY.

Section 904(f)(3) of the Counterintelligence Enhancement
Act of 2002 (50 U.S.C. 3383(f)(3)) is amended by striking
``National Counterintelligence Executive'' and inserting
``Director of the National Counterintelligence and Security
Center''.

SEC. 303. OPEN SOURCE INTELLIGENCE DIVISION OF OFFICE OF
INTELLIGENCE AND ANALYSIS PERSONNEL.

None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this
division for the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the
Department of Homeland Security may be obligated or expended
by the Office to increase, above the staffing level in effect
on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, the
number of personnel assigned to the Open Source Intelligence
Division who work exclusively or predominantly on domestic
terrorism issues.

SEC. 304. IMPROVEMENTS TO ADVISORY BOARD OF NATIONAL
RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE.

Section 106A(d) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50
U.S.C. 3041a(d)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3)(A)--
(A) in clause (i)--
(i) by striking ``five members appointed by the Director''
and inserting ``up to 8 members appointed by the Director'';
and
(ii) by inserting ``, and who do not present any actual or
potential conflict of interest'' before the period at the
end;
(B) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii); and
(C) by inserting after clause (i) the following:
``(ii) Membership structure.--The Director shall ensure
that no more than 2 concurrently serving members of the Board
qualify for membership on the Board based predominantly on a
single qualification set forth under clause (i).'';
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (7) as
paragraphs (6) through (8), respectively;
(3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
``(5) Charter.--The Director shall establish a charter for
the Board that includes the following:
``(A) Mandatory processes for identifying potential
conflicts of interest, including the submission of initial
and periodic financial disclosures by Board members.
``(B) The vetting of potential conflicts of interest by the
designated agency ethics official, except that no individual
waiver may be granted for a conflict of interest identified
with respect to the Chair of the Board.
``(C) The establishment of a process and associated
protections for any whistleblower alleging a violation of
applicable conflict of interest law, Federal contracting law,
or other provision of law.''; and
(4) in paragraph (8), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by
striking ``September 30, 2024'' and inserting ``August 31,
2027''.

SEC. 305. NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE UNIVERSITY ACCEPTANCE OF
GRANTS.

(a) In General.--Subtitle D of title X of the National
Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3227 et seq.) is amended by
adding at the end the following:

``Sec. 1035. National Intelligence University acceptance of
grants

``(a) Authority.--The Director of National Intelligence may
authorize the President of the National Intelligence
University to accept qualifying research grants.
``(b) Qualifying Grants.--A qualifying research grant under
this section is a grant that is awarded on a competitive
basis by an entity referred to in subsection (c) for a
research project with a scientific, literary, or educational
purpose.
``(c) Entities From Which Grants May Be Accepted.--A
qualifying research grant may be accepted under this section
only from a Federal agency or from a corporation, fund,
foundation, educational institution, or similar entity that
is organized and operated primarily for scientific, literary,
or educational purposes.
``(d) Administration of Grant Funds.--
``(1) Establishment of account.--The Director shall
establish an account for administering funds received as
qualifying research grants under this section.
``(2) Use of funds.--The President of the University shall
use the funds in the account established pursuant to
paragraph (1) in accordance with applicable provisions of the
regulations and the terms and conditions of the grants
received.
``(e) Related Expenses.--Subject to such limitations as may
be provided in appropriations Acts, appropriations available
for the National Intelligence University may be used to pay
expenses incurred by the University in applying for, and
otherwise pursuing, the award of qualifying research grants.
``(f) Regulations.--The Director of National Intelligence
shall prescribe regulations for the administration of this
section.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents preceding
section 2 of such Act is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 1034 the following new item:

``Sec. 1035. National Intelligence University acceptance of grants.''.

SEC. 306. LIMITATION ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR NEW
CONTROLLED ACCESS PROGRAMS.

None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this
division for the National Intelligence Program (as defined in
section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C.
3003)) may be obligated or expended for any controlled access
program (as defined in section 501A(d) of the National
Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3091a(d))), or a compartment
or subcompartment therein, that is established on or after
the date of the enactment of this Act, until the head of the
element of the intelligence community responsible for the
establishment of such program, compartment, or
subcompartment, submits the notification required by section
501A(b) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C.
3091a(b)).

SEC. 307. LIMITATION ON TRANSFERS FROM CONTROLLED ACCESS
PROGRAMS.

Section 501A(b) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50
U.S.C. 3091a(b)) is amended--
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Limitation on
Establishment'' and inserting ``Limitations'';
(2) by striking ``A head'' and inserting the following:
``(1) Establishment.--A head''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Transfers.--A head of an element of the intelligence
community may not transfer a capability from a controlled
access program, including from a compartment or
subcompartment therein to a compartment or subcompartment of
another controlled access program, to a special access
program (as defined in section 1152(g) of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 (50 U.S.C.
3348(g))), or to anything else outside the controlled access
program, until the head submits to the appropriate
congressional committees and congressional leadership notice
of the intent of the head to make such transfer.''.

SEC. 308. EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR CERTAIN INTELLIGENCE AND
COUNTERINTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES OF THE COAST
GUARD.

The Commandant of the Coast Guard may use up to 1 percent
of the amounts made available for the National Intelligence
Program (as such term is defined in section 3 of the National
Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003)) for each fiscal year
for intelligence and counterintelligence activities of the
Coast Guard relating to objects of a confidential,
extraordinary, or emergency nature, which amounts may be
accounted for solely on the certification of the Commandant
and each such certification shall be considered to be a
sufficient voucher for the amount contained in the
certification.

SEC. 309. STRENGTHENING OF OFFICE OF INTELLIGENCE AND
ANALYSIS.

(a) Improvements.--
(1) In general.--Section 311 of title 31, United States
Code, is amended to read as follows:

``Sec. 311. Office of Economic Intelligence and Security

``(a) Definitions.--In this section, the terms
`counterintelligence', `foreign intelligence', and
`intelligence community' have the meanings given such terms
in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C.
3003).
``(b) Establishment.--There is established within the
Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence of the
Department of the Treasury, the Office of Economic
Intelligence and Security (in this section referred to as the
`Office'), which, subject to the availability of
appropriations, shall--

[[Page S6291]]

``(1) be responsible for the receipt, analysis, collation,
and dissemination of foreign intelligence and foreign
counterintelligence information relating to the operation and
responsibilities of the Department of the Treasury and other
Federal agencies executing economic statecraft tools that do
not include any elements that are elements of the
intelligence community;
``(2) provide intelligence support and economic analysis to
Federal agencies implementing United States economic policy,
including for purposes of global strategic competition; and
``(3) have such other related duties and authorities as may
be assigned by the Secretary for purposes of the
responsibilities described in paragraph (1), subject to the
authority, direction, and control of the Secretary, in
consultation with the Director of National Intelligence.
``(c) Assistant Secretary for Economic Intelligence and
Security.--The Office shall be headed by an Assistant
Secretary, who shall be appointed by the President, by and
with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Assistant
Secretary shall report directly to the Undersecretary for
Terrorism and Financial Crimes.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 3 of such title is amended by striking
the item relating to section 311 and inserting the following:

``311. Office of Economic Intelligence and Security.''.
(3) Conforming amendment.--Section 3(4)(J) of the National
Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4)(J)) is amended by
striking ``Office of Intelligence and Analysis'' and
inserting ``Office of Economic Intelligence and Security''.
(4) References.--Any reference in a law, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of the
Treasury shall be deemed a reference to the Office of
Economic Intelligence and Security of the Department of the
Treasury.
(b) Strategic Plan and Effective Date.--
(1) Definition of appropriate committees of congress.--In
this subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of
Congress'' means--
(A) the congressional intelligence committees;
(B) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
(C) the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee
on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(2) In general.--Subsection (a) shall take effect on the
date that is 180 days after the date on which the Secretary
of the Treasury submits to the appropriate committees of
Congress a 3-year strategic plan detailing the resources
required by the Department of the Treasury.
(3) Contents.--The strategic plan submitted pursuant to
paragraph (2) shall include the following:
(A) Staffing and administrative expenses planned for the
Department for the 3-year period beginning on the date of the
submittal of the plan, including resourcing requirements for
each office and division in the Department during such
period.
(B) Stuctural changes and resources, including leadership
structure and staffing, required to implement subsection (a)
during the period described in subparagraph (A).
(c) Limitation.--None of the amounts appropriated or
otherwise made available before the date of the enactment of
this Act for the Office of Foreign Asset Control, the
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, the Office of
International Affairs, the Office of Tax Policy, or the
Office of Domestic Finance may be transferred or reprogrammed
to support the Office of Economic Intelligence and Security
established by section 311 of title 31, United States Code,
as added by subsection (a).

SEC. 310. REPORT ON COLLECTION OF UNITED STATES LOCATION
INFORMATION.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the congressional intelligence committees;
(B) the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and
(C) the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on
Homeland Security, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce
of the House of Representatives.
(2) United states location information.--The term ``United
States location information'' means information derived or
otherwise calculated from the use of technology, including
global positioning systems-level latitude and longitude
coordinates or other mechanisms, that reveals the past or
present approximate or specific location of a customer,
subscriber, user, or device in the United States, or, if the
customer, subscriber, or user is known to be a United States
person, outside the United States.
(3) United states person.--The term ``United States
person'' has the meaning given that term in section 101 of
the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C.
1801).
(b) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Director of National
Intelligence, in coordination with the Attorney General,
shall issue a report on the collection of United States
location information by the intelligence community.
(c) Content.--The report required by subsection (a) shall
address the filtering, segregation, use, dissemination,
masking, and retention of United States location information
by the intelligence community.
(d) Form; Public Availability.--The report required by
subsection (a)--
(1) shall be issued in unclassified form and made available
to the public; and
(2) may include a classified annex, which the Director of
National Intelligence shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress.
(e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed as authorizing--
(1) any rulemaking; or
(2) the collection or access of United States location
information.

TITLE IV--COUNTERING FOREIGN THREATS

Subtitle A--People's Republic of China

SEC. 401. ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT STATUS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY OF
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.

(a) Assessment.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Director of National
Intelligence shall, in consultation with the Director of the
National Counterproliferation and Biosecurity Center and such
heads of elements of the intelligence community as the
Director of National Intelligence considers appropriate,
conduct an assessment of the current status of the
biotechnology of the People's Republic of China, which shall
include an assessment of how the People's Republic of China
is supporting the biotechnology sector through both licit and
illicit means, such as foreign direct investment, subsidies,
talent recruitment, or other efforts.
(b) Report.--
(1) Definition of appropriate committees of congress.--In
this subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of
Congress'' means--
(A) the congressional intelligence committees;
(B) the Committee on Finance, the Committee on Foreign
Relations, the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Committee
on Appropriations of the Senate; and
(C) the Committee on Ways and Means, the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, the Committee on the Judiciary, the
Committee on Financial Services, the Committee on Homeland
Security, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(2) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date on
which the Direct of National Intelligence completes the
assessment required by subsection (a), the Director shall
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on
the findings of the Director with respect to the assessment.
(3) Form.--The report submitted pursuant to paragraph (2)
shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a
classified annex.

SEC. 402. INTELLIGENCE SHARING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
ON SYNTHETIC OPIOID PRECURSOR CHEMICALS
ORIGINATING IN PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.

(a) Strategy Required.--The Director of National
Intelligence shall, in coordination with the Attorney
General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of
State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the heads of such
other departments and agencies as the Director considers
appropriate, develop a strategy to ensure robust intelligence
sharing relating to the illicit trafficking of synthetic
opioid precursor chemicals from the People's Republic of
China and other source countries.
(b) Elements.--The strategy developed pursuant to
subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) An assessment of existing intelligence sharing between
the intelligence community, the Department of Justice, the
Department of Homeland Security, any other relevant Federal
departments, and State, local, territorial and tribal law
enforcement entities, including any mechanisms that allow
subject matter experts with and without security clearances
to share and receive information and any gaps identified.
(2) A plan to ensure robust intelligence sharing, including
by addressing gaps identified pursuant to subparagraph (1)
and identifying additional capabilities and resources needed;
(3) A detailed description of the measures used to ensure
the protection of civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy
rights in carrying out this strategy.

SEC. 403. REPORT ON EFFORTS OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
TO EVADE UNITED STATES TRANSPARENCY AND
NATIONAL SECURITY REGULATIONS.

(a) Definition of Appropriate Committees of Congress.--In
this section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress''
means--
(1) the congressional intelligence committees;
(2) the Committee on Finance, the Committee on Foreign
Relations, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation, the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee
on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Committee on
Homeland Security

[[Page S6292]]

and Governmental Affairs, and the Committee on Armed Services
of the Senate; and
(3) the Committee on Ways and Means, the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the
Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Financial
Services, the Committee on Homeland Security, and the
Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives.
(b) Report Required.--The Director of National Intelligence
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a
report on efforts of the People's Republic of China to evade
the following:
(1) Identification under section 1260H of the William M.
(Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283; 10 U.S.C. 113 note).
(2) Restrictions or limitations imposed by any of the
following:
(A) Section 805 of the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118-31).
(B) Section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232;
41 U.S.C. 3901 note prec.).
(C) The list of specially designated nationals and blocked
persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of
the Department of the Treasury (commonly known as the ``SDN
list'').
(D) The Entity List maintained by the Bureau of Industry
and Security of the Department of Commerce and set forth in
Supplement No. 4 to part 744 of title 15, Code of Federal
Regulations.
(E) Commercial or dual-use export controls under the Export
Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4801 et seq.) and the
Export Administration Regulations.
(F) Executive Order 14105 (88 Fed. Reg. 54867; relating to
addressing United States investments in certain national
security technologies and products in countries of concern),
or successor order.
(G) Import restrictions on products made with forced labor
implemented by U.S. Customs and Border Protection pursuant to
Public Law 117-78 (22 U.S.C. 6901 note).
(c) Form.--The report submitted pursuant to subsection (b)
shall be submitted in unclassified form.

SEC. 404. PLAN FOR RECRUITMENT OF MANDARIN SPEAKERS.

(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Director of National
Intelligence shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a comprehensive plan to prioritize the recruitment
and training of individuals who speak Mandarin Chinese for
each element of the intelligence community.
(b) Appropriate Congressional Committees.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(1) the congressional intelligence committees;
(2) the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate; and
(3) the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

Subtitle B--The Russian Federation

SEC. 411. REPORT ON RUSSIAN FEDERATION SPONSORSHIP OF ACTS OF
INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM.

(a) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the congressional intelligence committees;
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
Armed Services, the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the Committee
on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate; and
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Armed Services, the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee
on Homeland Security, the Committee on Financial Services,
and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Foreign terrorist organization.--The term ``foreign
terrorist organization'' means an organization that has been
designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the
Secretary of State, pursuant to section 219 of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189).
(3) Specially designated global terrorist organization.--
The term ``specially designated global terrorist
organization'' means an organization that has been designated
as a specially designated global terrorist by the Secretary
of State or the Secretary, pursuant to Executive Order 13224
(50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to blocking property and
prohibiting transactions with persons who commit, threaten to
commit, or support terrorism).
(4) State sponsor of terrorism.--The term ``state sponsor
of terrorism'' means a country the government of which the
Secretary of State has determined has repeatedly provided
support for acts of international terrorism, for purposes
of--
(A) section 1754(c)(1)(A)(i) of the Export Control Reform
Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4813(c)(1)(A)(i));
(B) section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22
U.S.C. 2371);
(C) section 40(d) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C.
2780(d)); or
(D) any other provision of law.
(b) Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of National
Intelligence shall, in concurrence with the Secretary of
State, conduct and submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report that includes the following:
(1) A list of all instances in which the Russian
Federation, or an official of the Russian Federation, has
provided financial, material, technical, or lethal support to
foreign terrorist organizations, specially designated global
terrorist organizations, state sponsors of terrorism, or for
acts of international terrorism.
(2) A list of all instances in which the Russian
Federation, or an official of the Russian Federation, has
willfully aided or abetted--
(A) the international proliferation of nuclear explosive
devices to persons;
(B) a person in acquiring unsafeguarded special nuclear
material; or
(C) the efforts of a person to use, develop, produce,
stockpile, or otherwise acquire chemical, biological, or
radiological weapons.
(3) An assessment of threats to the homeland as a result of
Russian government assistance to the Russian Imperial
Movement.
(c) Form.--The report required by subsection (b) shall be
submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified
annex.
(d) Briefings.--Not later than 30 days after submittal of
the report required by subsection (b), the Director of
National Intelligence shall provide a classified briefing to
the appropriate congressional committees on the methodology
and findings of the report.

SEC. 412. ASSESSMENT OF LIKELY COURSE OF WAR IN UKRAINE.

(a) Definition of Appropriate Committees of Congress.--In
this section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress''
means--
(1) the congressional intelligence committees;
(2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on
Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the
Senate; and
(3) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on
Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives.
(b) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Director of National
Intelligence, in collaboration with the Director of the
Defense Intelligence Agency and the Director of the Central
Intelligence Agency, shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress an assessment of the likely course of
the war in Ukraine through December 31, 2025.
(c) Elements.--The assessment required by subsection (b)
shall include an assessment of each of the following:
(1) The ability of the military of Ukraine to defend
against Russian aggression if the United States does, or does
not, continue to provide military and economic assistance to
Ukraine and does, or does not, maintain policy restrictions
on the use of United States weapons during the period
described in such subsection.
(2) The likely course of the war during such period if the
United States does, or does not, continue to provide military
and economic assistance to Ukraine.
(3) The ability and willingness of countries in Europe and
outside of Europe to continue to provide military and
economic assistance to Ukraine if the United States does, or
does not, do so, including the ability of such countries to
make up for any shortfall in United States assistance.
(4) The effects of a potential defeat of Ukraine by the
Russian Federation on United States national security and
foreign policy interests, including the potential for further
aggression from the Russian Federation, the People's Republic
of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea.
(d) Form.--The assessment required by subsection (b) shall
be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a
classified annex.

Subtitle C--International Terrorism

SEC. 421. ASSESSMENT AND REPORT ON THE THREAT OF ISIS-
KHORASAN TO THE UNITED STATES.

(a) Definition of Appropriate Committees of Congress.--In
this section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress''
means--
(1) the congressional intelligence committees;
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee on the
Judiciary, the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations of
the Senate; and
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure, the Committee on the
Judiciary, the Committee on Homeland Security, and the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(b) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National
Counterterrorism Center, in coordination with such elements
of the intelligence community as the Director considers
relevant, shall--
(1) conduct an assessment of the threats to the United
States and United States citizens posed by ISIS-Khorasan; and
(2) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a
written report on the findings of the assessment.
(c) Report Elements.--The report required by subsection (b)
shall include the following:

[[Page S6293]]

(1) A description of the historical evolution of ISIS-
Khorasan, beginning with Al-Qaeda and the attacks on the
United States on September 11, 2001.
(2) A description of the ideology and stated intentions of
ISIS-Khorasan as related to the United States and the
interests of the United States, including the homeland.
(3) A list of all terrorist attacks worldwide attributable
to ISIS-Khorasan or for which ISIS-Khorasan claimed credit,
beginning on January 1, 2015.
(4) A description of the involvement of ISIS-Khorasan in
Afghanistan before, during, and after the withdrawal of
United States military and civilian personnel and resources
in August 2021.
(5) The recruiting and training strategy of ISIS-Khorasan
following the withdrawal described in paragraph (4),
including--
(A) the geographic regions in which ISIS-Khorasan is
physically present;
(B) regions from which ISIS-Khorasan is recruiting; and
(C) its ambitions for individual actors worldwide and in
the United States.
(6) A description of the relationship between ISIS-Khorasan
and ISIS core, the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and other terrorist
groups, as appropriate.
(7) A description of the association of members of ISIS-
Khorasan with individuals formerly detained at United States
Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
(8) A description of ISIS-Khorasan's development of, and
relationships with, travel facilitation networks in Europe,
Central Asia, Eurasia, and Latin America.
(9) An assessment of ISIS-Khorasan's understanding of the
border and immigration policies of the United States.
(10) An assessment of the known travel of members of ISIS-
Khorasan within the Western Hemisphere and specifically
across the southern border of the United States.
(11) As assessment of ISIS-Khorasan's intentions and
capabilities within the United States.
(d) Form.--The report required by subsection (b) shall be
submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified
annex.

Subtitle D--Other Foreign Threats

SEC. 431. ASSESSMENT OF VISA-FREE TRAVEL TO AND WITHIN
WESTERN HEMISPHERE BY NATIONALS OF COUNTRIES OF
CONCERN.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the congressional intelligence committees;
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
the Judiciary, the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations of
the Senate; and
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on the
Judiciary, the Committee on Homeland Security, and the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(2) Countries of concern.--The term ``countries of
concern'' means--
(A) the Russian Federation;
(B) the People's Republic of China;
(C) the Islamic Republic of Iran;
(D) the Syrian Arab Republic;
(E) the Democratic People's Republic of Korea;
(F) the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; and
(G) the Republic of Cuba.
(b) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Director of National
Intelligence shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a written assessment of the impacts to national
security caused by travel without a visa to and within
countries in the Western Hemisphere by nationals of countries
of concern.
(c) Form.--The assessment required by subsection (b) shall
be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a
classified annex.

SEC. 432. ASSESSMENT OF THREAT POSED BY CITIZENSHIP-BY-
INVESTMENT PROGRAMS.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Select Committee on
Intelligence, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, the
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on
the Judiciary, and the Committee on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives.
(2) Assistant secretary.--The term ``Assistant Secretary''
means the Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis
of the Department of the Treasury.
(3) Citizenship-by-investment program.--The term
``citizenship-by-investment program'' means an immigration,
investment, or other program of a foreign country that, in
exchange for a covered contribution, authorizes the
individual making the covered contribution to acquire
citizenship in such country, including temporary or permanent
residence that may serve as the basis for subsequent
naturalization.
(4) Covered contribution.--The term ``covered
contribution'' means--
(A) an investment in, or a monetary donation or any other
form of direct or indirect capital transfer to, including
through the purchase or rental of real estate--
(i) the government of a foreign country; or
(ii) any person, business, or entity in such a foreign
country; and
(B) a donation to, or endowment of, any activity
contributing to the public good in such a foreign country.
(5) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
National Intelligence.
(b) Assessment of Threat Posed by Citizenship-by-investment
Programs.--
(1) Assessment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Director and the Assistant
Secretary, in coordination with the heads of the other
elements of the intelligence community and the head of any
appropriate Federal agency, shall complete an assessment of
the threat posed to the United States by citizenship-by-
investment programs.
(2) Elements.--The assessment required by paragraph (1)
shall include the following:
(A) An identification of each citizenship-by-investment
program, including an identification of the foreign country
that operates each such program.
(B) With respect to each citizenship-by-investment program
identified under subparagraph (A)--
(i) a description of the types of investments required
under the program; and
(ii) an identification of the sectors to which an
individual may make a covered contribution under the program.
(C) An assessment of the threats posed to the national
security of the United States by malign actors that use
citizenship-by-investment programs--
(i) to evade sanctions or taxes;
(ii) to facilitate or finance--

(I) crimes relating to national security, including
terrorism, weapons trafficking or proliferation, cybercrime,
drug trafficking, human trafficking, and espionage; or
(II) any other activity that furthers the interests of a
foreign adversary or undermines the integrity of the
immigration laws or security of the United States; or

(iii) to undermine the United States and its interests
through any other means identified by the Director and the
Assistant Secretary.
(D) An identification of the foreign countries the
citizenship-by-investment programs of which pose the greatest
threat to the national security of the United States.
(3) Report and briefing.--
(A) Report.--
(i) In general.--Not later than 180 days after completing
the assessment required by paragraph (1), the Director and
the Assistant Secretary shall jointly submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the findings
of the Director and the Assistant Secretary with respect to
the assessment.
(ii) Elements.--The report required by clause (i) shall
include the following:

(I) A detailed description of the threats posed to the
national security of the United States by citizenship-by-
investment programs.
(II) Recommendations for additional resources or
authorities necessary to counter such threats.
(III) A description of opportunities to counter such
threats.

(iii) Form.--The report required by clause (i) shall be
submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified
annex, as appropriate.
(B) Briefing.--Not later than 90 days after the date on
which the report required by subparagraph (A) is submitted,
the Director and Assistant Secretary shall provide the
appropriate committees of Congress with a briefing on the
report.

SEC. 433. OFFICE OF INTELLIGENCE AND COUNTERINTELLIGENCE
REVIEW OF VISITORS AND ASSIGNEES.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the congressional intelligence committees;
(B) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources, the Committee on Foreign
Relations, the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Committee
on Appropriations of the Senate; and
(C) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on
Energy and Commerce, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the
Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Homeland
Security, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Country of risk.--The term ``country of risk'' means a
country identified in the report submitted to Congress by the
Director of National Intelligence in 2024 pursuant to section
108B of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3043b)
(commonly referred to as the ``Annual Threat Assessment'').
(3)  Covered assignee; covered visitor.--The terms
``covered assignee'' and ``covered visitor'' mean a foreign
national from a country of risk that is ``engaging in
competitive behavior that directly threatens U.S. national
security'', who is not an employee of either the Department
of Energy or the management and operations contractor
operating a National Laboratory on behalf of the

[[Page S6294]]

Department of Energy, and has requested access to the
premises, information, or technology of a National
Laboratory.
(4) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence of the
Department of Energy (or their designee).
(5) Foreign national.--The term ``foreign national'' has
the meaning given the term ``alien'' in section 101(a) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)).
(6) National laboratory.--The term ``National Laboratory''
has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
(7) Nontraditional collection threat.--The term
``nontraditional collection threat'' means a threat posed by
an individual not employed by a foreign intelligence service,
who is seeking access to information about a capability,
research, or organizational dynamics of the United States to
inform a foreign adversary or non-state actor.
(b) Findings.--The Senate finds the following:
(1) The National Laboratories conduct critical, cutting-
edge research across a range of scientific disciplines that
provide the United States with a technological edge over
other countries.
(2) The technologies developed in the National Laboratories
contribute to the national security of the United States,
including classified and sensitive military technology and
dual-use commercial technology.
(3) International cooperation in the field of science is
critical to the United States maintaining its leading
technological edge.
(4) The research enterprise of the Department of Energy,
including the National Laboratories, is increasingly targeted
by adversarial nations to exploit military and dual-use
technologies for military or economic gain.
(5) Approximately 40,000 citizens of foreign countries,
including more than 8,000 citizens from China and Russia,
were granted access to the premises, information, or
technology of National Laboratories in fiscal year 2023.
(6) The Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence of
the Department of Energy is responsible for identifying
counterintelligence risks to the Department, including the
National Laboratories, and providing direction for the
mitigation of such risks.
(c) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate
that--
(1) before being granted access to the premises,
information, or technology of a National Laboratory, citizens
of foreign countries identified in the 2024 Annual Threat
Assessment of the intelligence community as ``engaging in
competitive behavior that directly threatens U.S. national
security'' should be appropriately screened by the National
Laboratory to which they seek access, and by the Office of
Intelligence and Counterintelligence of the Department, to
identify risks associated with granting the requested access
to sensitive military, or dual-use technologies; and
(2) identified risks should be mitigated.
(d) Review of Country of Risk Covered Visitor and Covered
Assignee Access Requests.--The Director shall, in
consultation with the applicable Under Secretary of the
Department of Energy that oversees the National Laboratory,
or their designee, promulgate a policy to assess the
counterintelligence risk that covered visitors or covered
assignees pose to the research or activities undertaken at a
National Laboratory.
(e) Advice With Respect to Covered Visitors or Covered
Assignees.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall provide advice to a
National Laboratory on covered visitors and covered assignees
when 1 or more of the following conditions are present:
(A) The Director has reason to believe that a covered
visitor or covered assignee is a nontraditional intelligence
collection threat.
(B) The Director is in receipt of information indicating
that a covered visitor or covered assignee constitutes a
counterintelligence risk to a National Laboratory.
(2) Advice described.--Advice provided to a National
Laboratory in accordance with paragraph (1) shall include a
description of the assessed risk.
(3) Risk mitigation.--When appropriate, the Director shall,
in consultation with the applicable Under Secretary of the
Department of Energy that oversees the National Laboratory,
or their designee, provide recommendations to mitigate the
risk as part of the advice provided in accordance with
paragraph (1).
(f) Reports to Congress.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, and quarterly thereafter,
the Secretary of Energy shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report, which shall include--
(1) the number of covered visitors or covered assignees
permitted to access the premises, information, or technology
of each National Laboratory;
(2) the number of instances in which the Director provided
advice to a National Laboratory in accordance with subsection
(e); and
(3) the number of instances in which a National Laboratory
took action inconsistent with advice provided by the Director
in accordance with subsection (e).
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out
this section for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2032.

SEC. 434. ASSESSMENT OF THE LESSONS LEARNED BY THE
INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY WITH RESPECT TO THE
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR.

(a) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this
section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress''
means--
(1) the congressional intelligence committees;
(2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on
Foreign Relations, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation, and the Committee on Appropriations of the
Senate; and
(3) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, and the Committee on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives.
(b) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Director of National
Intelligence, in consultation with such other heads of
elements of the intelligence community as the Director
considers appropriate, shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a written assessment of the lessons
learned from the Israel-Hamas war.
(c) Elements.--The assessment required by subsection (b)
shall include the following:
(1) Lessons learned from the timing and scope of the
October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas against Israel, including
lessons related to United States intelligence cooperation
with Israel and other regional partners.
(2) Lessons learned from advances in warfare, including the
use by adversaries of a complex tunnel network.
(3) Lessons learned from attacks by adversaries against
maritime shipping routes in the Red Sea.
(4) Lessons learned from the use by adversaries of rockets,
missiles, and unmanned aerial systems, including attacks by
Iran.
(5) Analysis of the impact of the Israel-Hamas war on the
global security environment, including the war in Ukraine.
(d) Form.--The assessment required by subsection (b) shall
be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a
classified annex.

SEC. 435. CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY INTELLIGENCE ASSESSMENT
ON TREN DE ARAGUA.

(a) Definition of Appropriate Committees of Congress.--In
this section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress''
means--
(1) the congressional intelligence committees;
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Committee on the
Judiciary, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
and
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Homeland Security, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(b) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Central
Intelligence Agency, in consultation with such other heads of
elements of the intelligence community as the Director
considers appropriate, shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress an intelligence assessment on the gang
known as ``Tren de Aragua''.
(c) Elements.--The intelligence assessment required by
subsection (b) shall include the following:
(1) A description of the key leaders, organizational
structure, subgroups, presence in countries in the Western
Hemisphere, and cross-border illicit drug smuggling routes of
Tren de Aragua.
(2) A description of the practices used by Tren de Aragua
to generate revenue.
(3) A description of the level at which Tren de Aragua
receives support from the regime of Nicolas Maduro in
Venezuela.
(4) A description of the manner in which Tren de Aragua is
exploiting heightened migratory flows out of Venezuela and
throughout the Western Hemisphere to expand its operations.
(5) A description of the degree to which Tren de Aragua
cooperates or competes with other criminal organizations in
the Western Hemisphere.
(6) An estimate of the annual revenue received by Tren de
Aragua from the sale of illicit drugs, kidnapping, and human
trafficking, disaggregated by activity.
(7) Any other information the Director of the Central
Intelligence Agency considers relevant.
(d) Form.--The intelligence assessment required by
subsection (b) may be submitted in classified form.

SEC. 436. ASSESSMENT OF MADURO REGIME'S ECONOMIC AND SECURITY
RELATIONSHIPS WITH STATE SPONSORS OF TERRORISM
AND FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS.

(a) Definition of Appropriate Committees of Congress.--In
this section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress''
means--
(1) the congressional intelligence committees;
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the Committee on the
Judiciary of the Senate; and
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Financial Services, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the
House of Representatives.
(b) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Director of National
Intelligence shall submit to the appropriate committees of

[[Page S6295]]

Congress a written assessment of the economic and security
relationships of the regime of Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela
with the countries and organizations described in subsection
(c), including formal and informal support to and from such
countries and organizations.
(c) Countries and Organizations Described.--The countries
and organizations described in this subsection are the
following:
(1) The following countries designated by the United States
as state sponsors of terrorism:
(A) The Republic of Cuba.
(B) The Islamic Republic of Iran.
(2) The following organizations designated by the United
States as foreign terrorist organizations:
(A) The National Liberation Army (ELN).
(B) The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's
Army (FARC-EP).
(C) The Segunda Marquetalia.
(d) Form.--The assessment required by subsection (b) shall
be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a
classified annex.

SEC. 437. CONTINUED CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT OF IRANIAN
EXPENDITURES SUPPORTING FOREIGN MILITARY AND
TERRORIST ACTIVITIES.

(a) Definition of Appropriate Committees of Congress.--In
this section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress''
means--
(1) the congressional intelligence committees;
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on
the Judiciary of the Senate; and
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on
the Judiciary of the House of Representatives.
(b) Update Required.--Not later than 90 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Director of National
Intelligence shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress an update to the report submitted under section 6705
of the Damon Paul Nelson and Matthew Young Pollard
Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2018, 2019,
and 2020 (22 U.S.C. 9412) to reflect current occurrences,
circumstances, and expenditures.
(c) Form.--The update submitted pursuant to subsection (b)
shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a
classified annex.

TITLE V--EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

SEC. 501. STRATEGY TO COUNTER FOREIGN ADVERSARY EFFORTS TO
UTILIZE BIOTECHNOLOGIES IN WAYS THAT THREATEN
UNITED STATES NATIONAL SECURITY.

(a) Definition of Appropriate Committees of Congress.--In
this section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress''
means--
(1) the congressional intelligence committees;
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate; and
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Homeland Security, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that as
biotechnologies become increasingly important with regard to
the national security interests of the United States, and
with the addition of biotechnologies to the biosecurity
mission of the National Counterproliferation and Biosecurity
Center, the intelligence community must articulate and
implement a strategy to identify and assess threats relating
to biotechnologies.
(c) Strategy for Biotechnologies Critical to National
Security.--
(1) Strategy required.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of National
Intelligence shall, acting through the Director of the
National Counterproliferation and Biosecurity Center and in
coordination with the heads of such other elements of the
intelligence community as the Director of National
Intelligence considers appropriate, develop and submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a whole-of-government
strategy to address concerns relating to biotechnologies.
(2) Elements.--The strategy developed and submitted
pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(A) Identification and assessment of threats associated
with biotechnologies critical to the national security of the
United States, including materials that involve a dependency
on foreign adversary nations.
(B) A determination of how best to counter foreign
adversary efforts to utilize biotechnologies that threaten
the national security of the United States, including threats
identified pursuant to paragraph (1).
(C) A plan to support efforts of other Federal departments
and agencies to secure United States supply chains of the
biotechnologies critical to the national security of the
United States, by coordinating--
(i) across the intelligence community;
(ii) the support provided by the intelligence community to
other relevant Federal departments and agencies and
policymakers;
(iii) the engagement of the intelligence community with
private sector entities, in coordination with other relevant
Federal departments and agencies, as may be applicable; and
(iv) how the intelligence community, in coordination with
other relevant Federal departments and agencies, can support
such efforts to secure United States supply chains for and
use of biotechnologies.
(D) Proposals for such legislative or administrative action
as the Directors consider necessary to support the strategy.

SEC. 502. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ROLES, MISSIONS, AND OBJECTIVES
OF THE NATIONAL COUNTERPROLIFERATION AND
BIOSECURITY CENTER.

Section 119A of the National Security Act of 1947 (50
U.S.C. 3057) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(4), by striking ``biosecurity and''
and inserting ``counterproliferation, biosecurity, and''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``analyzing and'';
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``Establishing'' and
inserting ``Coordinating the establishment of'';
(iii) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``Disseminating''
and inserting ``Overseeing the dissemination of'';
(iv) in subparagraph (E), by inserting ``and coordinating''
after ``Conducting''; and
(v) in subparagraph (G), by striking ``Conducting'' and
inserting ``Coordinating and advancing''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and analysis'';
(ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) through (E) as
subparagraphs (D) through (F), respectively;
(iii) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
``(C) Overseeing and coordinating the analysis of
intelligence on biosecurity and foreign biological threats in
support of the intelligence needs of Federal departments and
agencies responsible for public health, including by
providing analytic priorities to elements of the intelligence
community and by conducting and coordinating net
assessments.'';
(iv) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated by clause (ii),
by inserting ``on matters relating to biosecurity and foreign
biological threats'' after ``public health'';
(v) in subparagraph (F), as redesignated by clause (ii), by
inserting ``and authorities'' after ``capabilities''; and
(vi) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) Enhancing coordination between elements of the
intelligence community and private sector entities on
information relevant to biosecurity, biotechnology, and
foreign biological threats, and coordinating such information
with relevant Federal departments and agencies, as
applicable.''.

SEC. 503. ENHANCING CAPABILITIES TO DETECT FOREIGN ADVERSARY
THREATS RELATING TO BIOLOGICAL DATA.

(a) Definition of Biological Data.--The term ``biological
data'' means information, including associated descriptors,
derived from the structure, function, or process of a
biological system that is either measured, collected, or
aggregated for analysis.
(b) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Director of National
Intelligence shall, in consultation with relevant heads of
Federal departments and agencies, take the following steps to
standardize the use by the intelligence community of
biological data and the ability of the intelligence community
to detect foreign adversary threats relating to biological
data:
(1) Standardize the processes and procedures for the
collection, analysis, and dissemination of information
relating to foreign adversary use of biological data,
particularly in ways that threaten or could threaten the
national security of the United States.
(2) Issue policy guidance within the intelligence
community--
(A) to standardize the data security practices for
biological data maintained by the intelligence community,
including security practices for the handling and processing
of biological data, including with respect to protecting the
civil rights, liberties, and privacy of United States
persons;
(B) to standardize intelligence engagements with foreign
allies and partners with respect to biological data; and
(C) to standardize the creation of metadata relating to
biological data maintained by the intelligence community.
(3) Ensure coordination with such Federal departments and
agencies and entities in the private sector as the Director
considers appropriate to understand how foreign adversaries
are accessing and using biological data stored within the
United States.

SEC. 504. NATIONAL SECURITY PROCEDURES TO ADDRESS CERTAIN
RISKS AND THREATS RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE.

(a) Definition of Artificial Intelligence.--In this
section, the term ``artificial intelligence''--
(1) has the meaning given that term in section 5002 of the
National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 (15
U.S.C. 9401); and
(2) includes the artificial systems and techniques
described in paragraphs (1) through (5) of section 238(g) of
the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232; 10 U.S.C. 4061 note
prec.)
(b) Findings.--Congress finds the following:

[[Page S6296]]

(1) Artificial intelligence systems demonstrate increased
capabilities in the generation of synthetic media and
computer programming code, as well as areas such as object
recognition, natural language processing, and workflow
orchestration.
(2) The growing capabilities of artificial intelligence
systems in the areas described in paragraph (1), as well as
the greater accessibility of large-scale artificial
intelligence models and advanced computation capabilities to
individuals, businesses, and governments, have dramatically
increased the adoption of artificial intelligence products in
the United States and globally.
(3) The advanced capabilities of the systems described in
paragraph (1), and their accessibility to a wide-range of
users, have increased the likelihood and effect of foreign
misuse or malfunction of these systems, such as to assist
foreign actors to generate synthetic media for disinformation
campaigns, develop or refine malware for computer network
exploitation activity by foreign actors, enhance foreign
surveillance capabilities in ways that undermine the privacy
of citizens of the United States, and increase the risk of
foreign exploitation or malfunction of information technology
systems incorporating artificial intelligence systems in
mission-critical fields such as health care, critical
infrastructure, and transportation.
(c) Procedures Required.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall
develop and issue procedures to facilitate and promote
mechanisms by which--
(1) vendors of advanced computation capabilities, vendors
and commercial users of artificial intelligence systems, as
well as independent researchers and other third parties, may
effectively notify appropriate elements of the United States
Government of--
(A) information security risks emanating from artificial
intelligence systems, such as the use of an artificial
intelligence system by foreign actors to develop or refine
malicious software;
(B) information security risks such as indications of
compromise or other threat information indicating a
compromise to the confidentiality, integrity, or availability
of an artificial intelligence system, or to the supply chain
of an artificial intelligence system, including training or
test data, frameworks, computing environments, or other
components necessary for the training, management, or
maintenance of an artificial intelligence system posed by
foreign actors;
(C) biosecurity risks emanating from artificial
intelligence systems, such as the use of an artificial
intelligence system by foreign actors to design, develop, or
acquire dual-use biological entities such as putatively toxic
small molecules, proteins, or pathogenic organisms;
(D) suspected foreign malign influence (as defined by
section 119C of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C.
3059(f))) activity that appears to be facilitated by an
artificial intelligence system;
(E) chemical security risks emanating from artificial
intelligence systems, such as the use of an artificial
intelligence system to design, develop, or acquire chemical
weapons or their analogues, or other hazardous chemical
compounds; and
(F) any other unlawful activity by foreign actors
facilitated by, or directed at, an artificial intelligence
system;
(2) elements of the Federal Government may provide threat
briefings to vendors of advanced computation capabilities and
vendors of artificial intelligence systems, alerting them, as
may be appropriate, to potential or confirmed foreign
exploitation of their systems, as well as malign foreign
plans and intentions; and
(3) an inter-agency process is convened to identify
appropriate Federal agencies to assist in the private sector
engagement described in this subsection and to coordinate
with respect to risks that implicate multiple sectors and
Federal agencies, including leveraging Sector Risk Management
Agencies (as defined in section 2200 of the Homeland Security
Act of 20002 (6 U.S.C. 650)) where appropriate.
(d) Briefing Required.--
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--In this
subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress''
means--
(A) the congressional intelligence committees;
(B) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, the Committee on the
Judiciary, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation, and the Committee on Appropriations of the
Senate; and
(C) the Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, the Committee on the Judiciary, the
Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(2) In general.--The President shall provide the
appropriate committees of Congress a briefing on procedures
developed and issued pursuant to subsection (c).
(3) Elements.--The briefing provided pursuant to paragraph
(2) shall include the following:
(A) A clear specification of which Federal agencies are
responsible for leading outreach to affected industry and the
public with respect to the matters described in subparagraphs
(A) through (E) of paragraph (1) of subsection (c) and
paragraph (2) of such subsection.
(B) An outline of a plan for industry outreach and public
education regarding risks posed by, and directed at,
artificial intelligence systems associated with foreign
actors.
(C) Use of research and development, stakeholder outreach,
and risk management frameworks established pursuant to--
(i) provisions of law in effect on the day before the date
of the enactment of this Act; or
(ii) Federal agency guidelines.

SEC. 505. ESTABLISHMENT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SECURITY
CENTER.

(a) Definition of Counter-artificial Intelligence.--In this
section, the term ``counter-artificial intelligence'' means
techniques or procedures to extract information about the
behavior or characteristics of an artificial intelligence
system, or to learn how to manipulate an artificial
intelligence system, in order to subvert the confidentiality,
integrity, or availability of an artificial intelligence
system or adjacent system.
(b) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National
Security Agency shall establish an Artificial Intelligence
Security Center within the Cybersecurity Collaboration Center
of the National Security Agency.
(c) Functions.--The functions of the Artificial
Intelligence Security Center shall be as follows:
(1) Developing guidance to prevent or mitigate counter-
artificial intelligence techniques.
(2) Promoting secure artificial intelligence adoption
practices for managers of national security systems (as
defined in section 3552 of title 44, United States Code) and
elements of the defense industrial base.
(3) Such other functions as the Director considers
appropriate.

SEC. 506. SENSE OF CONGRESS ENCOURAGING INTELLIGENCE
COMMUNITY TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR CAPITAL
PARTNERSHIPS AND PARTNERSHIP WITH OFFICE OF
STRATEGIC CAPITAL OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO
SECURE ENDURING TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANTAGES.

It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) acquisition leaders in the intelligence community
should further explore the strategic use of private capital
partnerships to secure enduring technological advantages for
the intelligence community, including through the
identification, development, and transfer of promising
technologies to full-scale programs capable of meeting
intelligence community requirements; and
(2) the intelligence community should undertake regular
consultation with Federal partners, such as the Office of
Strategic Capital of the Office of the Secretary of Defense,
on best practices and lessons learned from their experiences
integrating these resources so as to accelerate attainment of
national security objectives.

SEC. 507. INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY BRIDGE PROGRAM.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Nonprofit organization.--The term ``nonprofit
organization'' means an organization that is described in
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and
that is exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code.
(2) Work program.--The term ``work program'' means any
agreement between In-Q-Tel and a third-party company, where
such third-party company furnishes or is furnishing a product
or service for use by any of In-Q-Tel's government customers
to address those customers' technology needs or requirements.
(b) Establishment of Program.--
(1) In general.--The Director of National Intelligence
shall establish within the Office of the Director of National
Intelligence a program to assist in the transitioning of
products or services from the research and development phase
to the contracting and production phase, subject to the
extent and in such amounts as specifically provided in
advance in appropriations Acts for such purposes.
(2) Designation.--The program established pursuant to
paragraph (1) shall be known as the ``Intelligence Community
Technology Bridge Program'' (in this subsection referred to
as the ``Program'').
(c) Provision of Assistance.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3), the Director
shall, in consultation with In-Q-Tel, carry out the Program
by providing assistance to businesses or nonprofit
organizations that are transitioning products or services.
(2) Types of assistance.--Assistance provided under
paragraph (1) may be provided in the form of a grant or a
payment for a product or service.
(3) Requirements for assistance.--Assistance may be
provided under paragraph (1) to a business or nonprofit
organization that is transitioning a product or service only
if--
(A) the business or nonprofit organization--
(i) has participated or is participating in a work program;
or
(ii) is engaged with an element of the intelligence
community or Department of Defense for research and
development; and
(B) the Director or the head of an element of the
intelligence community attests that the product or service
will be utilized by an element of the intelligence community
for a mission need, such as because it would be valuable in
addressing a needed capability,

[[Page S6297]]

fill or complement a technology gap, or increase the supplier
base or price-competitiveness for the Federal Government.
(4) Priority for small business concerns and nontraditional
defense contractors.--In providing assistance under paragraph
(1), the Director shall prioritize the provision of
assistance to small business concerns (as defined under
section 3(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(a)))
and nontraditional defense contractors (as defined in section
3014 of title 10, United States Code).
(d) Administration of Program.--
(1) In general.--The Program shall be administered by the
Director.
(2) Consultation.--In administering the Program, the
Director--
(A) shall consult with the heads of the elements of the
intelligence community; and
(B) may consult with In-Q-Tel, the Defense Advanced
Research Project Agency, the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization Investment Fund, and the Defense Innovation
Unit.
(e) Semiannual Reports.--
(1) In general.--Not later than September 30, 2025, and not
less frequently than twice each fiscal year thereafter in
which amounts are available for the provision of assistance
under the Program, the Director shall submit to the
congressional intelligence committees a semiannual report on
the Program.
(2) Contents.--Each report submitted pursuant to paragraph
(1) shall include, for the period covered by the report,
information about the following:
(A) How much was expended or obligated by the Program in
the provision of assistance under subsection (c).
(B) For what the amounts were expended or obligated.
(C) The effects of such expenditures and obligations,
including a timeline for expected milestones for operational
use.
(D) A summary of annual transition activities and outcomes
of such activities for the intelligence community.
(E) A description of why products and services were chosen
for transition, including a description of milestones
achieved.
(3) Form.--Each report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1)
shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a
classified annex.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Office of the Director of National
Intelligence to carry out the Program $75,000,000 for fiscal
year 2025.

SEC. 508. ENHANCEMENT OF AUTHORITY FOR INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY
PUBLIC-PRIVATE TALENT EXCHANGES.

(a) Focus Areas.--Subsection (a) of section 5306 of the
Damon Paul Nelson and Matthew Young Pollard Intelligence
Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2018, 2019, and 2020 (50
U.S.C. 3334) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Not later than'' and inserting the
following:
``(1) In general.--Not later than''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Focus areas.--The Director shall ensure that the
policies, processes, and procedures developed pursuant to
paragraph (1) require exchanges under this section relate to
intelligence or counterintelligence with a focus on rotations
described in such paragraph with private-sector organizations
in the following fields:
``(A) Finance.
``(B) Acquisition.
``(C) Biotechnology.
``(D) Computing.
``(E) Artificial intelligence.
``(F) Business process innovation and entrepreneurship.
``(G) Cybersecurity.
``(H) Materials and manufacturing.
``(I) Any other technology or research field the Director
determines relevant to meet evolving national security
threats in technology sectors.''.
(b) Duration of Temporary Details.--Subsection (e) of
section 5306 of the Damon Paul Nelson and Matthew Young
Pollard Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2018,
2019, and 2020 (50 U.S.C. 3334) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``3 years'' and inserting
``5 years''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``3 years'' and inserting
``5 years''.
(c) Treatment of Private-sector Employees.--Subsection (g)
of such section is amended--
(1) in paragraph (5), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a
semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) shall not be considered to have a conflict of
interest with an element of the intelligence community solely
because of being detailed to an element of the intelligence
community under this section.''.
(d) Hiring Authority.--Such section is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (k); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (i) the following:
``(j) Hiring Authority.--
``(1) In general.--The Director may hire, under section
213.3102(r) of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, or
successor regulations, an individual who is an employee of a
private-sector organization who is detailed to an element of
the intelligence community under this section.
``(2) No personnel billet required.--Hiring an individual
under paragraph (1) shall not require a personnel billet.''.
(e) Annual Reports.--
(1) Definition of appropriate committees of congress.--In
this subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of
Congress'' means--
(A) the congressional intelligence committees;
(B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
(C) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(2) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for 2 more
years, the Director of National Intelligence shall submit to
the appropriate committees of Congress an annual report on--
(A) the implementation of the policies, processes, and
procedures developed pursuant to subsection (a) of such
section 5306 (50 U.S.C. 3334) and the administration of such
section;
(B) how the heads of the elements of the intelligence
community are using or plan to use the authorities provided
under such section; and
(C) recommendations for legislative or administrative
action to increase use of the authorities provided under such
section.

SEC. 509. ENHANCING INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY ABILITY TO ACQUIRE
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY THAT FULFILLS INTELLIGENCE
COMMUNITY NEEDS.

(a) Definition of Work Program.--The term ``work program''
means any agreement between In-Q-Tel and a third-party
company, where such third-party company furnishes or is
furnishing a property, product, or service for use by any of
In-Q-Tel's government customers to address those customers'
technology needs or requirements.
(b) In General.--In addition to the exceptions listed under
section 3304(a) of title 41, United States Code, and under
section 3204(a) of title 10, United States Code, for the use
of competitive procedures, the Director of National
Intelligence or the head of an element of the intelligence
community may use procedures other than competitive
procedures to acquire a property, product, or service if--
(1) the property, product, or service is a work program;
and
(2) the Director of National Intelligence or the head of an
element of the intelligence community certifies that such
property, product, or service has been shown to meet an
identified need of the intelligence community.
(c) Justification for Use of Procedures Other Than
Competitive Procedures.--
(1) In general.--A property, product, or service may not be
acquired by the Director or the head of an element of the
intelligence community under subsection (b) using procedures
other than competitive procedures unless the acquiring
officer for the acquisition justifies, at the directorate
level, the use of such procedures in writing.
(2) Contents.--A justification in writing described in
paragraph (1) for an acquisition using procedures other than
competitive procedures shall include the following:
(A) A description of the need of the element of the
intelligence community that the property, product, or service
satisfies.
(B) A certification that the anticipated costs will be fair
and reasonable.
(C) A description of the market survey conducted or a
statement of the reasons a market survey was not conducted.
(D) Such other matters as the Director or the head, as the
case may be, determines appropriate.

SEC. 510. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON HOSTILE FOREIGN CYBER ACTORS.

It is the sense of Congress that foreign ransomware
organizations, and foreign affiliates associated with them,
constitute hostile foreign cyber actors, that covered nations
abet and benefit from the activities of these actors, and
that such actors should be treated as hostile foreign cyber
actors by the United States. Such actors include the
following:
(1) DarkSide.
(2) Conti.
(3) REvil.
(4) BlackCat, also known as ``ALPHV''.
(5) LockBit.
(6) Rhysida, also known as ``Vice Society''.
(7) Royal.
(8) Phobos, also known as ``Eight'' and also known as
``Joanta''.
(9) C10p.
(10) Hackers associated with the SamSam ransomware
campaigns.
(11) Play.
(12) BianLian.
(13) Killnet.
(14) Akira.
(15) Ragnar Locker, also known as ``Dark Angels''.
(16) Blacksuit.
(17) INC.
(18) Black Basta.

SEC. 511. DEEMING RANSOMWARE THREATS TO CRITICAL
INFRASTRUCTURE A NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
PRIORITY.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the congressional intelligence committees;
(B) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate; and

[[Page S6298]]

(C) the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on
the Judiciary, the Committee on Homeland Security, and the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(2) Critical infrastructure.--The term ``critical
infrastructure'' has the meaning given such term in
subsection (e) of the Critical Infrastructures Protection Act
of 2001 (42 U.S.C. 5195c(e)).
(b) Ransomware Threats to Critical Infrastructure as
National Intelligence Priority.--The Director of National
Intelligence, pursuant to the provisions of the National
Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.), the
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004
(Public Law 108-458), section 1.3(b)(17) of Executive Order
12333 (50 U.S.C. 3001 note; relating to United States
intelligence activities), as in effect on the day before the
date of the enactment of this Act, and National Security
Presidential Directive-26 (February 24, 2003; relating to
intelligence priorities), as in effect on the day before the
date of the enactment of this Act, shall deem ransomware
threats to critical infrastructure a national intelligence
priority component to the National Intelligence Priorities
Framework.
(c) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Director of National
Intelligence shall, in consultation with the Director of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation, submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report on the implications of the
ransomware threat to United States national security.
(2) Contents.--The report submitted under paragraph (1)
shall address the following:
(A) Identification of individuals, groups, and entities who
pose the most significant threat, including attribution to
individual ransomware attacks whenever possible.
(B) Locations from which individuals, groups, and entities
conduct ransomware attacks.
(C) The infrastructure, tactics, and techniques ransomware
actors commonly use.
(D) Any relationships between the individuals, groups, and
entities that conduct ransomware attacks and their
governments or countries of origin that could impede the
ability to counter ransomware threats.
(E) Intelligence gaps that have impeded, or currently are
impeding, the ability to counter ransomware threats.
(3) Form.--The report submitted under paragraph (1) shall
be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a
classified annex.

SEC. 512. ENHANCING PUBLIC-PRIVATE SHARING ON MANIPULATIVE
ADVERSARY PRACTICES IN CRITICAL MINERAL
PROJECTS.

(a) Strategy Required.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of National
Intelligence shall, in consultation with the heads of such
Federal agencies as the Director considers appropriate,
develop a strategy to improve the sharing between the Federal
Government and private entities of information and
intelligence to mitigate the threat that foreign adversary
illicit activities and tactics pose to United States persons
in foreign jurisdictions on projects relating to energy
generation and storage, including with respect to critical
minerals inputs.
(b) Elements.--The strategy required by subsection (a)
shall cover--
(1) how best to assemble and transmit information to United
States persons--
(A) to protect against foreign adversary illicit tactics
and activities relating to critical mineral projects abroad,
including foreign adversary efforts to undermine such
projects abroad;
(B) to mitigate the risk that foreign adversary government
involvement in the ownership and control of entities engaging
in deceptive or illicit activities targeting critical mineral
supply chains pose to the interests of the United States; and
(C) to inform on economic espionage and other threats from
foreign adversaries to the rights of owners of intellectual
property, including owners of patents, trademarks,
copyrights, and trade secrets, and other sensitive
information, with respect to such property that is dependent
on critical mineral inputs; and
(2) how best to receive information from United States
persons on threats to United States interests in the critical
mineral supply chains, resources, mines, and products,
including disinformation campaigns abroad or other suspicious
malicious activity.
(c) Implementation Plan Required.--
(1) Definition of appropriate committees of congress.--In
this subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of
Congress'' means--
(A) the congressional intelligence committees;
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate; and
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(2) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date on
which the Director completes developing the strategy pursuant
to subsection (a), the Director shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress, or provide such
committees a briefing on, a plan for implementing the
strategy.

TITLE VI--CLASSIFICATION REFORM

SEC. 601. CLASSIFICATION AND DECLASSIFICATION OF INFORMATION.

(a) In General.--The President may, in accordance with this
section, protect from unauthorized disclosure any information
owned by, produced by or for, or under the control of the
executive branch of the Federal Government when there is a
demonstrable need to do so to protect the national security
of the United States.
(b) Establishment of Standards, Categories, and Procedures
for Classification and Declassification.--
(1) Governmentwide procedures.--
(A) Classification.--The President shall, to the extent
necessary, establish categories of information that may be
classified and procedures for classifying information under
subsection (a).
(B) Declassification.--At the same time the President
establishes categories and procedures under subparagraph (A),
the President shall establish procedures for declassifying
information that was previously classified.
(C) Minimum requirements.--The procedures established
pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall--
(i) be the exclusive means for classifying information on
or after the effective date established by subsection (c),
except with respect to information classified pursuant to the
Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.);
(ii) ensure that no information is classified unless there
is a demonstrable need to do so to protect the national
security and there is a reasonable basis to believe that
means other than classification will not provide sufficient
protection;
(iii) ensure that no information may remain classified
indefinitely;
(iv) ensure that no information shall be classified,
continue to be maintained as classified, or fail to be
declassified in order--

(I) to conceal violations of law, inefficiency, or
administrative error;
(II) to prevent embarrassment to a person, organization, or
agency;
(III) to restrain competition; or
(IV) to prevent or delay the release of information that
does not require protection in the interest of the national
security;

(v) ensure that basic scientific research information not
clearly related to the national security shall not be
classified;
(vi) ensure that information may not be reclassified after
being declassified and released to the public under proper
authority unless personally approved by the President based
on a determination that such reclassification is required to
prevent significant and demonstrable damage to the national
security;
(vii) establish standards and criteria for the
classification of information;
(viii) establish standards, criteria, and timelines for the
declassification of information classified under this
section;
(ix) provide for the automatic declassification of
classified records with permanent historical value;
(x) provide for the timely review of materials submitted
for pre-publication;
(xi) ensure that due regard is given for the public
interest in disclosure of information;
(xii) ensure that due regard is given for the interests of
departments and agencies in sharing information at the lowest
possible level of classification;
(D) Submittal to congress.--The President shall submit to
Congress the categories and procedures established under
subsection (b)(1)(A) and the procedures established under
subsection (b)(1)(B) at least 60 days prior to their
effective date.
(2) Agency standards and procedures.--
(A) In general.--The head of each Federal agency shall
establish a single set of consolidated standards and
procedures to permit such agency to classify and declassify
information created by such agency in accordance with the
categories and procedures established by the President under
this section and otherwise to carry out this section.
(B) Submittal to congress.--Each agency head shall submit
to Congress the standards and procedures established by such
agency head under subparagraph (A).
(c) Effective Date.--
(1) In general.--Subsections (a) and (b) shall take effect
on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act.
(2) Relation to presidential directives.--Presidential
directives regarding classifying, safeguarding, and
declassifying national security information, including
Executive Order 13526 (50 U.S.C. 3161 note; relating to
classified national security information), in effect on the
day before the date of the enactment of this Act, as well as
procedures issued pursuant to such Presidential directives,
shall remain in effect until superseded by procedures issued
pursuant to subsection (b).
(d) Conforming Amendment.--Section 805(2) of the National
Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3164(2)) is amended by
inserting ``section 603 of the Intelligence Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2025,'' before ``Executive Order''.

SEC. 602. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR EXECUTIVE AGENCY INSIDER
THREAT PROGRAMS.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Agency.--The term ``agency'' means any Executive agency
as defined in section 105 of title 5, United States Code, any
military department as defined in section 102 of such title,
and any other entity in the executive branch of the Federal
Government that comes into the possession of classified
information.
(2) Classified information.--The term ``classified
information'' means information

[[Page S6299]]

that has been determined to require protection from
unauthorized disclosure pursuant to Executive Order 13526 (50
U.S.C. 3161 note; relating to classified national security
information), or predecessor or successor order, to protect
the national security of the United States.
(b) Establishment of Insider Threat Programs.--Each head of
an agency with access to classified information shall
establish an insider threat program to protect classified
information from unauthorized disclosure.
(c) Minimum Standards.--In carrying out an insider threat
program established by the head of an agency pursuant to
subsection (b), the head of the agency shall--
(1) designate a senior official of the agency who shall be
responsible for management of the program;
(2) monitor user activity on all classified networks to
detect activity indicative of insider threat behavior;
(3) build and maintain an insider threat analytic and
response capability to review, assess, and respond to
information obtained pursuant to paragraph (2); and
(4) provide insider threat awareness training to all
cleared employees within 30 days of entry-on-duty or granting
of access to classified information and annually thereafter.
(d) Annual Reports.--Not less frequently than once each
year, the Director of National Intelligence shall, serving as
the Security Executive Agent under section 803 of the
National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3162a), submit to
Congress an annual report on the compliance of agencies with
respect to the requirements of this section.
(e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to revoke or diminish any right of an individual
provided by section 2303 or 7211 of title 5, United States
Code, or under any other applicable protections for
whistleblowers provided by law.

TITLE VII--SECURITY CLEARANCES AND INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY WORKFORCE
IMPROVEMENTS

SEC. 701. SECURITY CLEARANCES HELD BY CERTAIN FORMER
EMPLOYEES OF INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY.

(a) Issuance of Guidelines and Instructions Required.--
Section 803(c) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50
U.S.C. 3162a(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a
semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) issue guidelines and instructions to the heads of
Federal agencies to ensure that any individual who was
appointed by the President to a position in an element of the
intelligence community but is no longer employed by the
Federal Government shall maintain a security clearance only
in accordance with Executive Order 12968 (50 U.S.C. 3161
note; relating to access to classified information), or
successor order.''.
(b) Submittal of Guidelines and Instructions to Congress
Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Director of National Intelligence
shall, in the Director's capacity as the Security Executive
Agent pursuant to subsection (a) of section 803 of the
National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3162a), submit to
the congressional intelligence committees and the
congressional defense committees the guidelines and
instructions required by subsection (c)(5) of such Act, as
added by subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Annual Report Required.--
(1) Definition of appropriate committees of congress.--In
this subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of
Congress'' means--
(A) the congressional intelligence committees;
(B) the congressional defense committees;
(C) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs of the Senate; and
(D) the Committee on Oversight and Accountability of the
House of Representatives.
(2) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than once
each year thereafter, the Director of National Intelligence
shall, in the Director's capacity as the Security Executive
Agent pursuant to section 803(a) of the National Security Act
of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3162a(a)), submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress an annual report on the eligibility
status of former senior employees of the intelligence
community to access classified information.
(3) Contents.--Each report submitted pursuant to paragraph
(2) shall include, for the period covered by the report, the
following:
(A) A list of individuals who were appointed by the
President to a position in an element of the intelligence
community who currently hold security clearances.
(B) The number of such former employees who still hold
security clearances.
(C) For each former employee described in subparagraph
(B)--
(i) the position in the intelligence community held by the
former employee;
(ii) the years of service in such position; and
(iii) the individual's current employment position and
employer.
(D) The Federal entity authorizing and adjudicating the
former employees' need to know classified information.

SEC. 702. POLICY FOR AUTHORIZING INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY
PROGRAM OF CONTRACTOR-OWNED AND CONTRACTOR-
OPERATED SENSITIVE COMPARTMENTED INFORMATION
FACILITIES.

(a) Policy.--The Director of National Intelligence shall
establish a standardized policy for the intelligence
community that authorizes a program of contractor-owned and
contractor-operated sensitive compartmented information
facilities as a service to the national security and
intelligence enterprises.
(b) Requirements.--The policy established pursuant to
subsection (a) shall--
(1) authorize the head of an element of the intelligence
community to approve and accredit contractor-owned and
contractor-operated sensitive compartmented information
facilities; and
(2) designate an element of the intelligence community as a
service of common concern (as defined in Intelligence
Community Directive 122, or successor directive) to serve as
an accrediting authority (in accordance with Intelligence
Community Directive 705, or successor directive) on behalf of
other elements of the intelligence community for contractor-
owned and contractor-operated sensitive compartmented
information facilities.
(c) Cost Considerations.--In establishing the policy
required by subsection (a), the Director shall consider
existing demonstrated models where a contractor acquires,
outfits, and manages a facility pursuant to an agreement with
the Federal Government such that no funding from the Federal
Government is required to carry out the agreement.
(d) Briefing Required.--
(1) Definition of appropriate committees of congress.--In
this subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of
Congress'' means--
(A) the congressional intelligence committees;
(B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
(C) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(2) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date on
which the Director establishes the policy pursuant to
subsection (a), the Director shall brief the appropriate
committees of Congress on--
(A) additional opportunities to leverage contractor-owned
and contractor-operated sensitive compartmented information
facilities; and
(B) recommendations to address barriers, including
resources or authorities needed.

SEC. 703. ENABLING INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY INTEGRATION.

(a) In General.--The National Security Act of 1947 (50
U.S.C. 3001 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section
113B the following new section:

``SEC. 113C. ENABLING INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY INTEGRATION.

``(a) Provision of Goods or Services.--Subject to and in
accordance with any guidance and requirements developed by
the Director of National Intelligence, the head of an element
of the intelligence community may provide goods or services
to another element of the intelligence community without
reimbursement or transfer of funds for hoteling initiatives
for intelligence community employees and affiliates defined
in any such guidance and requirements issued by the Director
of National Intelligence.
``(b) Approval.--Prior to the provision of goods or
services pursuant to subsection (a), the head of the element
of the intelligence community providing such goods or
services and the head of the element of the intelligence
community receiving such goods or services shall approve such
provision.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of the
National Security Act of 1947 is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 113B the following:

``Sec. 113C. Enabling intelligence community integration.''.

SEC. 704. APPOINTMENT OF SPOUSES OF CERTAIN FEDERAL
EMPLOYEES.

(a) In General.--Section 3330d of title 5, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``military and
Department of Defense civilian spouses'' and inserting
``military and Department of Defense, Department of State,
and intelligence community spouses'';
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) by redesignating the second paragraph (4) (relating to
a spouse of an employee of the Department of Defense) as
paragraph (7);
(B) by striking paragraph (5);
(C) by redesignating paragraph (4) (relating to the spouse
of a disabled or deceased member of the Armed Forces) as
paragraph (6);
(D) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
``(3) The term `covered spouse' means an individual who is
married to an individual who--
``(A)(i) is an employee of the Department of State or an
element of the intelligence community; or
``(ii) is a member of the Armed Forces who is assigned to
an element of the intelligence community; and
``(B) is transferred in the interest of the Government from
one official station within the applicable agency to another
within the agency (that is outside of normal commuting
distance) for permanent duty.
``(4) The term `intelligence community' has the meaning
given the term in section 3 of the National Security Act of
1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003).
``(5) The term `remote work' refers to a work flexibility
arrangement under which an employee--
``(A) is not expected to physically report to the location
from which the employee would

[[Page S6300]]

otherwise work, considering the position of the employee; and
``(B) performs the duties and responsibilities of such
employee's position, and other authorized activities, from an
approved worksite--
``(i) other than the location from which the employee would
otherwise work;
``(ii) that may be inside or outside the local commuting
area of the location from which the employee would otherwise
work; and
``(iii) that is typically the residence of the employee.'';
and
(E) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) The term `telework' has the meaning given the term in
section 6501.''; and
(3) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(B) in the first paragraph (3) (relating to a spouse of a
member of the Armed Forces on active duty), by striking the
period at the end and inserting a semicolon;
(C) by redesignating the second paragraph (3) (relating to
a spouse of an employee of the Department of Defense) as
paragraph (4);
(D) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated--
(i) by inserting ``, including to a position in which the
spouse will engage in remote work'' after ``Department of
Defense''; and
(ii) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``;
or''; and
(E) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) a covered spouse to a position in which the covered
spouse will engage in remote work.''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of
sections for subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, United
States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to
section 3330d and inserting the following:

``3330d. Appointment of military and Department of Defense, Department
of State, and intelligence community civilian spouses.''.
(c) Report.--
(1) Definition of appropriation committees of congress.--In
this subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of
Congress'' means--
(A) the congressional intelligence committees;
(B) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Committee
on Appropriations of the Senate; and
(C) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on
Homeland Security, and the Committee on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives.
(2) In general.--Not later than 5 years after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report
detailing the use of the authority provided pursuant to the
amendments made by subsection (a) and the impacts on
recruitment, retention, and job opportunities created by such
amendments.
(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section or an
amendment made by this section shall be construed to revoke
or diminish any right of an individual provided by title 5,
United States Code.
(e) Sunset and Snapback.--On the date that is 5 years after
the date of the enactment of this Act--
(1) section 3330d of title 5, United States Code, as
amended by subsection (a), is amended to read as it read on
the day before the date of the enactment of this Act; and
(2) the item for such section in the table of sections for
subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, as
amended by subsection (b), is amended to read as it read on
the day before the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 705. PLAN FOR STAFFING THE INTELLIGENCE COLLECTION
POSITIONS OF THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY.

(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Central
Intelligence Agency shall submit to the congressional
intelligence committees a plan for ensuring that the
Directorate of Operations of the Agency has staffed every
civilian full-time equivalent position authorized for that
Directorate under the Intelligence Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2024 (division G of Public Law 118-31).
(b) Elements.--The plan required by subsection (a) shall
include the following:
(1) Specific benchmarks and timelines for accomplishing the
goal described in such subsection by September 30, 2025.
(2) An assessment of the appropriate balance of staffing
between the Directorate of Operations and the Directorate of
Analysis consistent with the responsibilities of the Director
of the Central Intelligence Agency under section 104A(d) of
the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3036(d)).

SEC. 706. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL SUPPORT
FOR FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS.

It is the sense of Congress that for the purposes of
adjudicating the eligibility of an individual for access to
classified information, renewal of a prior determination of
eligibility for such access, or continuous vetting of an
individual for eligibility for such access, including on form
SF-86 or any successor form, each of the following should be
considered an action advocating for an act of terrorism:
(1) Advocating for violence by an organization designated
as a foreign terrorist organization under section 219 of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189).
(2) Soliciting funds for or contributing funds to an
organization described in paragraph (1).

TITLE VIII--WHISTLEBLOWERS

SEC. 801. IMPROVEMENTS REGARDING URGENT CONCERNS SUBMITTED TO
INSPECTORS GENERAL OF THE INTELLIGENCE
COMMUNITY.

(a) Inspector General of the Intelligence Community.--
Section 103H(k)(5) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50
U.S.C. 3033(k)(5)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A)--
(A) by inserting ``(i)'' before ``An employee of'';
(B) by inserting ``in writing'' before ``to the Inspector
General''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(ii) The Inspector General shall provide any support
necessary to ensure that an employee can submit a complaint
or information under this subparagraph in writing and, if
such submission is not feasible, shall create a written
record of the employee's verbal complaint or information and
treat such written record as a written submission.'';
(2) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the
following:
``(B)(i)(I) Not later than the end of the period specified
in subclause (II), the Inspector General shall determine
whether the written complaint or information submitted under
subparagraph (A) appears credible. Upon making such a
determination, the Inspector General shall transmit to the
Director notice of that determination, together with the
complaint or information.
``(II) The period specified in this subclause is the 14-
calendar-day period beginning on the date on which an
employee who has submitted an initial written complaint or
information under subparagraph (A) confirms that the employee
has submitted to the Inspector General the material the
employee intends to submit to Congress under such
subparagraph.
``(ii) The Inspector General may transmit a complaint or
information submitted under subparagraph (A) directly to the
congressional intelligence committees--
``(I) without transmittal to the Director if the Inspector
General determines that transmittal to the Director could
compromise the anonymity of the employee or result in the
complaint or information being transmitted to a subject of
the complaint or information; or
``(II) following transmittal to the Director if the
Director does not transmit the complaint or information to
the congressional intelligence committees within the time
period specified in subparagraph (C).'';
(3) in subparagraph (D)--
(A) in clause (i), by striking ``or does not transmit the
complaint or information to the Director in accurate form
under subparagraph (B),'' and inserting ``does not transmit
the complaint or information to the Director in accurate form
under subparagraph (B)(i)(I), or makes a determination
pursuant to subparagraph (B)(ii)(I) but does not transmit the
complaint or information to the congressional intelligence
committees within 21 calendar days of receipt,''; and
(B) by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following:
``(ii) An employee may contact the congressional
intelligence committees directly as described in clause (i)
only if--
``(I) the employee, before making such a contact--
``(aa) transmits to the Director, through the Inspector
General, a statement of the employee's complaint or
information and notice of the employee's intent to contact
the congressional intelligence committees directly; and
``(bb) obtains and follows from the Director, through the
Inspector General, direction on how to contact the
congressional intelligence committees in accordance with
appropriate security practices; or
``(II) the Inspector General--
``(aa) determines that--

``(AA) a transmittal under subclause (I) could compromise
the anonymity of the employee or result in the complaint or
information being transmitted to a subject of the complaint
or information; or
``(BB) the Director has failed to provide adequate
direction pursuant to item (bb) of subclause (I) within 7
calendar days of a transmittal under such subclause; and

``(bb) provides the employee direction on how to contact
the congressional intelligence committees in accordance with
appropriate security practices.''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(J) In this paragraph, the term `employee', with respect
to an employee of an element of the intelligence community,
an employee assigned or detailed to an element of the
intelligence community, or an employee of a contractor to the
intelligence community who may submit a complaint or
information to the Inspector General under subparagraph (A),
means--
``(i) a current employee at the time of such submission; or
``(ii) a former employee at the time of such submission, if
such complaint or information arises from and relates to the
period of employment as such an employee.''.
(b) Inspector General of the Central Intelligence Agency.--
Section 17(d)(5) of the Central Intelligence Agency Act of
1949 (50 U.S.C. 3517(d)(5)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A)--
(A) by inserting (i) before ``An employee'';
(B) by inserting ``in writing'' before ``to the Inspector
General''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:

[[Page S6301]]

``(ii) The Inspector General shall provide any support
necessary to ensure that an employee can submit a complaint
or information under this subparagraph in writing and, if
such submission is not feasible, shall create a written
record of the employee's verbal complaint or information and
treat such written record as a written submission.'';
(2) in subparagraph (B)--
(A) by striking clause (i) and inserting the following:
``(i)(I) Not later than the end of the period specified in
subclause (II), the Inspector General shall determine whether
the written complaint or information submitted under
subparagraph (A) appears credible. Upon making such a
determination, the Inspector General shall transmit to the
Director notice of that determination, together with the
complaint or information.
``(II) The period specified in this subclause is the 14-
calendar-day period beginning on the date on which an
employee who has submitted an initial written complaint or
information under subparagraph (A) confirms that the employee
has submitted to the Inspector General the material the
employee intends to submit to Congress under such
subparagraph.''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(iii) The Inspector General may transmit a complaint or
information submitted under subparagraph (A) directly to the
congressional intelligence committees--
``(I) without transmittal to the Director if the Inspector
General determines that transmittal to the Director could
compromise the anonymity of the employee or result in the
complaint or information being transmitted to a subject of
the complaint or information;
``(II) following transmittal to the Director if the
Director does not transmit the complaint or information to
the congressional intelligence committees within the time
period specified in subparagraph (C) and has not made a
determination regarding a conflict of interest pursuant to
clause (ii); or
``(III) following transmittal to the Director and a
determination by the Director that a conflict of interest
exists pursuant to clause (ii) if the Inspector General
determines that--
``(aa) transmittal to the Director of National Intelligence
could compromise the anonymity of the employee or result in
the complaint or information being transmitted to a subject
of the complaint or information; or
``(bb) the Director of National Intelligence has not
transmitted the complaint or information to the congressional
intelligence committees within the time period specified in
subparagraph (C).'';
(3) in subparagraph (D)--
(A) in clause (i), by striking ``or does not transmit the
complaint or information to the Director in accurate form
under subparagraph (B),'' and inserting ``does not transmit
the complaint or information to the Director in accurate form
under subparagraph (B)(i)(I), or makes a determination
pursuant to subparagraph (B)(iii)(I) but does not transmit
the complaint or information to the congressional
intelligence committees within 21 calendar days of
receipt,''; and
(B) by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following:
``(ii) An employee may contact the congressional
intelligence committees directly as described in clause (i)
only if--
``(I) the employee, before making such a contact--
``(aa) transmits to the Director, through the Inspector
General, a statement of the employee's complaint or
information and notice of the employee's intent to contact
the congressional intelligence committees directly; and
``(bb) obtains and follows from the Director, through the
Inspector General, direction on how to contact the
congressional intelligence committees in accordance with
appropriate security practices; or
``(II) the Inspector General--
``(aa) determines that--
``(AA) the transmittal under subclause (I) could compromise
the anonymity of the employee or result in the complaint or
information being transmitted to a subject of the complaint
or information; or
``(BB) the Director has failed to provide adequate
direction pursuant to item (bb) of subclause (I) within 7
calendar days of a transmittal under such subclause; and
``(bb) provides the employee direction on how to contact
the congressional intelligence committees in accordance with
appropriate security practices.''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(I) In this paragraph, the term `employee', with respect
to an employee of the Agency, or of a contractor to the
Agency, who may submit a complaint or information to the
Inspector General under subparagraph (A), means--
``(i) a current employee at the time of such submission; or
``(ii) a former employee at the time of such submission, if
such complaint or information arises from and relates to the
period of employment as such an employee.''.
(c) Other Inspectors General of Elements of the
Intelligence Community.--Section 416 of title 5, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs
(2) and (3), respectively; and
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2), as redesignated by
paragraph (1), the following:
``(1) Employee.--The term `employee', with respect to an
employee of an element of the Federal Government covered by
subsection (b), or of a contractor to such an element, who
may submit a complaint or information to an Inspector General
under such subsection, means--
``(A) a current employee at the time of such submission; or
``(B) a former employee at the time of such submission, if
such complaint or information arises from and relates to the
period of employment as such an employee.'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ``; support for
written submission''; after ``made'';
(ii) by inserting ``in writing'' after ``may report the
complaint or information'' each place it appears; and
(iii) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``in writing''
after ``such complaint or information''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(E) Support for written submission.--The Inspector
General shall provide any support necessary to ensure that an
employee can submit a complaint or information under this
paragraph in writing and, if such submission is not feasible,
shall create a written record of the employee's verbal
complaint or information and treat such written record as a
written submission.'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(1) Credibility.--
``(A) Determination.--Not later than the end of the period
specified in subparagraph (B), the Inspector General shall
determine whether the written complaint or information
submitted under subsection (b) appears credible. Upon making
such a determination, the Inspector General shall transmit to
the head of the establishment notice of that determination,
together with the complaint or information.
``(B) Period specified.--The period specified in this
subparagraph is the 14-calendar-day period beginning on the
date on which an employee who has submitted an initial
written complaint or information under subsection (b)
confirms that the employee has submitted to the Inspector
General the material the employee intends to submit to
Congress under such subsection.''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Transmittal directly to intelligence committees.--The
Inspector General may transmit the complaint or information
directly to the intelligence committees--
``(A) without transmittal to the head of the establishment
if the Inspector General determines that transmittal to the
head of the establishment could compromise the anonymity of
the employee or result in the complaint or information being
transmitted to a subject of the complaint or information;
``(B) following transmittal to the head of the
establishment if the head of the establishment does not
transmit the complaint or information to the intelligence
committees within the time period specified in subsection (d)
and has not made a determination regarding a conflict of
interest pursuant to paragraph (2); or
``(C) following transmittal to the head of the
establishment and a determination by the head of the
establishment that a conflict of interest exists pursuant to
paragraph (2) if the Inspector General determines that--
``(i) transmittal to the Director of National Intelligence
or the Secretary of Defense could compromise the anonymity of
the employee or result in the complaint or information being
transmitted to a subject of the complaint or information; or
``(ii) the Director of National Intelligence or the
Secretary of Defense has not transmitted the complaint or
information to the intelligence committees within the time
period specified in subsection (d).'';
(4) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ``or does not
transmit the complaint or information to the head of the
establishment in accurate form under subsection (c),'' and
inserting ``does not transmit the complaint or information to
the head of the establishment in accurate form under
subsection (c)(1)(A), or makes a determination pursuant to
subsection (c)(3)(A) but does not transmit the complaint or
information to the intelligence committees within 21 calendar
days of receipt,''; and
(5) in subsection (e), by striking paragraph (2) and
inserting the following:
``(2) Limitation.--An employee may contact the intelligence
committees directly as described in paragraph (1) only if--
``(A) the employee, before making such a contact--
``(i) transmits to the head of the establishment, through
the Inspector General, a statement of the employee's
complaint or information and notice of the employee's intent
to contact the intelligence committees directly; and
``(ii) obtains and follows from the head of the
establishment, through the Inspector General, direction on
how to contact the intelligence committees in accordance with
appropriate security practices; or
``(B) the Inspector General--
``(i) determines that the transmittal under subparagraph
(A) could compromise the anonymity of the employee or result
in the complaint or information being transmitted to a
subject of the complaint or information; or
``(ii) determines that the head of the establishment has
failed to provide adequate direction pursuant to clause (ii)
of subparagraph (A) within 7 calendar days of a transmittal
under such subparagraph; and

[[Page S6302]]

``(iii) provides the employee direction on how to contact
the intelligence committees in accordance with appropriate
security practices.''.
(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section or an
amendment made by this section shall be construed to revoke
or diminish any right of an individual provided by section
2303 or 7211 of title 5, United States Code, to make a
protected disclosure to any congressional committee.

SEC. 802. PROHIBITION AGAINST DISCLOSURE OF WHISTLEBLOWER
IDENTITY AS ACT OF REPRISAL.

(a) In General.--Section 1104(a) of the National Security
Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3234(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3)--
(A) in subparagraph (I), by striking ``; or'' and inserting
a semicolon;
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (J) as subparagraph (K);
and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (I) the following:
``(J) an unauthorized whistleblower identity disclosure;'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Unauthorized whistleblower identity disclosure.--The
term `unauthorized whistleblower identity disclosure' means,
with respect to an employee or a contractor employee
described in paragraph (3), a knowing and willful disclosure
revealing the identity or other personally identifiable
information of the employee or contractor employee so as to
identify the employee or contractor employee as an employee
or contractor employee who has made a lawful disclosure
described in subsection (b) or (c), but does not include such
a knowing and willful disclosure that meets any of the
following criteria:
``(A) Such disclosure was made with the express consent of
the employee or contractor employee.
``(B) Such disclosure was made during the course of
reporting or remedying the subject of the lawful disclosure
of the whistleblower through management, legal, or oversight
processes, including such processes relating to human
resources, equal opportunity, security, or an Inspector
General.
``(C) An Inspector General with oversight responsibility
for the relevant covered intelligence community element
determines that such disclosure--
``(i) was unavoidable under section 103H of this Act (50
U.S.C. 3033), section 17 of the Central Intelligence Agency
Act of 1949 (50 U.S.C. 3517), section 407 of title 5, United
States Code, or section 420(b)(2)(B) of such title;
``(ii) was made to an official of the Department of Justice
responsible for determining whether a prosecution should be
undertaken; or
``(iii) was required by statute or an order from a court of
competent jurisdiction.''.
(b) Harmonization of Enforcement.--Subsection (f) of such
section is amended to read as follows:
``(f) Enforcement.--
``(1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this
subsection, the President shall provide for the enforcement
of this section.
``(2) Harmonization with other enforcement.--To the fullest
extent possible, the President shall provide for enforcement
of this section in a manner that is consistent with the
enforcement of section 2302(b)(8) of title 5, United States
Code, especially with respect to policies and procedures used
to adjudicate alleged violations of such section.''.

SEC. 803. PROTECTION FOR INDIVIDUALS MAKING AUTHORIZED
DISCLOSURES TO INSPECTORS GENERAL OF ELEMENTS
OF THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY.

(a) Inspector General of the Intelligence Community.--
Section 103H(g)(3) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50
U.S.C. 3033(g)(3)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses
(i) and (ii), respectively;
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(B) An individual may disclose classified information to
the Inspector General in accordance with the applicable
security standards and procedures established under Executive
Order 13526 (50 U.S.C. 3161 note; relating to classified
national security information), section 102A or section 803,
chapter 12 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2161
et seq.), or any applicable provision of law. Such a
disclosure of classified information that is made by an
individual who at the time of the disclosure does not hold
the appropriate clearance or authority to access such
classified information, but that is otherwise made in
accordance with such security standards and procedures, shall
be treated as an authorized disclosure and does not violate--
``(i) any otherwise applicable nondisclosure agreement;
``(ii) any otherwise applicable regulation or order issued
under the authority of Executive Order 13526 (50 U.S.C. 3161
note; relating to classified national security information)
or chapter 18 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C.
2271 et seq.); or
``(iii) section 798 of title 18, United States Code, or any
other provision of law relating to the unauthorized
disclosure of national security information.''; and
(3) in the paragraph enumerator, by striking ``(3) '' and
inserting ``(3)(A)''.
(b) Inspector General of the Central Intelligence Agency.--
Section 17(e)(3) of the Central Intelligence Agency Act of
1949 (50 U.S.C. 3517(e)(3)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses
(i) and (ii), respectively;
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(B) An individual may disclose classified information to
the Inspector General in accordance with the applicable
security standards and procedures established under Executive
Order 13526 (50 U.S.C. 3161 note; relating to classified
national security information), section 102A or 803 of the
National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3024; 3162a), or
chapter 12 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2161
et seq.). Such a disclosure of classified information that is
made by an individual who at the time of the disclosure does
not hold the appropriate clearance or authority to access
such classified information, but that is otherwise made in
accordance with such security standards and procedures, shall
be treated as an authorized disclosure and does not violate--
``(i) any otherwise applicable nondisclosure agreement;
``(ii) any otherwise applicable regulation or order issued
under the authority of Executive Order 13526 or chapter 18 of
the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2271 et seq.); or
``(iii) section 798 of title 18, United States Code, or any
other provision of law relating to the unauthorized
disclosure of national security information.''; and
(3) in the paragraph enumerator, by striking ``(3) '' and
inserting ``(3)(A)''.
(c) Other Inspectors General of Elements of the
Intelligence Community.--Section 416 of title 5, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
``(i) Protection for Individuals Making Authorized
Disclosures.--An individual may disclose classified
information to an Inspector General of an element of the
intelligence community in accordance with the applicable
security standards and procedures established under Executive
Order 13526 (50 U.S.C. 3161 note; relating to classified
national security information), section 102A or 803 of the
National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3024; 3162a), or
chapter 12 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2161
et seq.). Such a disclosure of classified information that is
made by an individual who at the time of the disclosure does
not hold the appropriate clearance or authority to access
such classified information, but that is otherwise made in
accordance with such security standards and procedures, shall
be treated as an authorized disclosure and does not violate--
``(1) any otherwise applicable nondisclosure agreement;
``(2) any otherwise applicable regulation or order issued
under the authority of Executive Order 13526 or chapter 18 of
the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2271 et seq.); or
``(3) section 798 of title 18, or any other provision of
law relating to the unauthorized disclosure of national
security information.''.

SEC. 804. CLARIFICATION OF AUTHORITY OF CERTAIN INSPECTORS
GENERAL TO RECEIVE PROTECTED DISCLOSURES.

Section 1104 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50
U.S.C. 3234) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ``or covered
intelligence community element'' after ``the appropriate
inspector general of the employing agency''; and
(2) in subsection (c)(1)(A), by inserting ``or covered
intelligence community element'' after ``the appropriate
inspector general of the employing or contracting agency''.

SEC. 805. WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS RELATING TO PSYCHIATRIC
TESTING OR EXAMINATION.

(a) Prohibited Personnel Practices.--Section 1104(a)(3) of
the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3234(a)(3)) is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (I), by striking ``; or'' and inserting
a semicolon;
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (J) as subparagraph (K);
and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (I) the following new
subparagraph:
``(J) a decision to order psychiatric testing or
examination; or''.
(b) Application.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply with respect to matters arising under section 1104 of
the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3234) on or
after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 806. ESTABLISHING PROCESS PARITY FOR ADVERSE SECURITY
CLEARANCE AND ACCESS DETERMINATIONS.

Subparagraph (C) of section 3001(j)(4) of the Intelligence
Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (50 U.S.C.
3341(j)(4)) is amended to read as follows:
``(C) Contributing factor.--
``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (iii), in determining
whether the adverse security clearance or access
determination violated paragraph (1), the agency shall find
that paragraph (1) was violated if the individual has
demonstrated that a disclosure described in paragraph (1) was
a contributing factor in the adverse security clearance or
access determination taken against the individual.
``(ii) Circumstantial evidence.--An individual under clause
(i) may demonstrate that the disclosure was a contributing
factor in the adverse security clearance or access
determination taken against the individual through
circumstantial evidence, such as evidence that--

``(I) the official making the determination knew of the
disclosure; and
``(II) the determination occurred within a period such that
a reasonable person could conclude that the disclosure was a
contributing factor in the determination.

[[Page S6303]]

``(iii) Defense.--In determining whether the adverse
security clearance or access determination violated paragraph
(1), the agency shall not find that paragraph (1) was
violated if, after a finding that a disclosure was a
contributing factor, the agency demonstrates by clear and
convincing evidence that it would have made the same security
clearance or access determination in the absence of such
disclosure.''.

SEC. 807. ELIMINATION OF CAP ON COMPENSATORY DAMAGES FOR
RETALIATORY REVOCATION OF SECURITY CLEARANCES
AND ACCESS DETERMINATIONS.

Section 3001(j)(4)(B) of the Intelligence Reform and
Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (50 U.S.C. 3341(j)(4)(B)) is
amended, in the second sentence, by striking ``not to exceed
$300,000''.

TITLE IX--ANOMALOUS HEALTH INCIDENTS

SEC. 901. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY FOR SECRETARY OF STATE
AND HEADS OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES TO PAY
COSTS OF TREATING QUALIFYING INJURIES AND MAKE
PAYMENTS FOR QUALIFYING INJURIES TO THE BRAIN.

Section 901(e) of division J of the Further Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2020 (22 U.S.C. 2680b(e)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in the matter before subparagraph (A), by striking ``a
employee who, on or after January 1, 2016'' and inserting
``an employee who, on or after September 11, 2001''; and
(B) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``, or duty station
in the United States'' before the semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``January 1, 2016'' and inserting
``September 11, 2001''; and
(B) by inserting ``, or duty station in the United
States,'' after ``pursuant to subsection (f)'';
(3) in paragraph (3)--
(A) in the matter before subparagraph (A), by striking
``January 1, 2016'' and inserting ``September 11, 2001''; and
(B) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``, or duty station
in the United States'' before the semicolon; and
(4) in paragraph (4)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)(i), by inserting ``, or duty
station in the United States'' before the semicolon; and
(B) in subparagraph (B)(i), by inserting ``, or duty
station in the United States'' before the semicolon.

TITLE X--UNIDENTIFIED ANOMALOUS PHENOMENA

SEC. 1001. COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES REVIEW OF
ALL-DOMAIN ANOMALY RESOLUTION OFFICE.

(a) Definitions.--In this section, the terms
``congressional defense committees'', ``congressional
leadership'', and ``unidentified anomalous phenomena'' have
the meanings given such terms in section 1683(n) of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (50
U.S.C. 3373(n)).
(b) Review Required.--The Comptroller General of the United
States shall conduct a review of the All-domain Anomaly
Resolution Office (in this section referred to as the
``Office'').
(c) Elements.--The review conducted pursuant to subsection
(b) shall include the following:
(1) A review of the implementation by the Office of the
duties and requirements of the Office under section 1683 of
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022
(50 U.S.C. 3373), such as the process for operational
unidentified anomalous phenomena reporting and coordination
with the Department of Defense, the intelligence community,
and other departments and agencies of the Federal Government
and non-Government entities.
(2) A review of such other matters relating to the
activities of the Office that pertain to unidentified
anomalous phenomena as the Comptroller General considers
appropriate.
(d) Report.--Following the review required by subsection
(b), in a timeframe mutually agreed upon by the congressional
intelligence committees, the congressional defense
committees, congressional leadership, and the Comptroller
General, the Comptroller General shall submit to such
committees and congressional leadership a report on the
findings of the Comptroller General with respect to the
review conducted under subsection (b).

SEC. 1002. SUNSET OF REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO AUDITS OF
UNIDENTIFIED ANOMALOUS PHENOMENA HISTORICAL
RECORD REPORT.

Section 6001 of the Intelligence Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2023 (50 U.S.C. 3373 note) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(2), by inserting ``until April 1,
2025'' after ``quarterly basis''; and
(2) in subsection (c), by inserting ``until June 30, 2025''
after ``semiannually thereafter''.

SEC. 1003. FUNDING LIMITATIONS RELATING TO UNIDENTIFIED
ANOMALOUS PHENOMENA.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on
Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
(B) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the
Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, the Committee on Homeland Security, and the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(2) Congressional leadership.--The term ``congressional
leadership'' means--
(A) the majority leader of the Senate;
(B) the minority leader of the Senate;
(C) the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
(D) the minority leader of the House of Representatives.
(3) National intelligence program.--The term ``National
Intelligence Program'' has the meaning given such term in
section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C.
3003).
(4) Unidentified anomalous phenomena.--The term
``unidentified anomalous phenomena'' has the meaning given
such term in section 1683(n) of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (50 U.S.C. 3373(n)).
(b) Limitations.--None of the funds authorized to be
appropriated by this division for the National Intelligence
Program may be obligated or expended in support of any
activity involving unidentified anomalous phenomena protected
under any form of special access or restricted access
limitation unless the Director of National Intelligence has
provided the details of the activity to the appropriate
committees of Congress and congressional leadership,
including for any activities described in a report released
by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office in fiscal year
2024.
(c) Limitation Regarding Independent Research and
Development.--Independent research and development funding
relating to unidentified anomalous phenomena shall not be
allowable as indirect expenses for purposes of contracts
covered by such instruction, unless such material and
information is made available to the appropriate
congressional committees and leadership.

TITLE XI--OTHER MATTERS

SEC. 1101. LIMITATION ON DIRECTIVES UNDER FOREIGN
INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE ACT OF 1978 RELATING
TO CERTAIN ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION SERVICE
PROVIDERS.

Section 702(i) of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1881a(i)) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(7) Limitation relating to certain electronic
communication service providers.--
``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
``(i) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
`appropriate committees of Congress' means--

``(I) the congressional intelligence committees;
``(II) the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate; and
``(III) the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

``(ii) Covered electronic communication service provider.--

``(I) In general.--Subject to subclause (II), the term
`covered electronic communication service provider' means--

``(aa) a service provider described in section
701(b)(4)(E);
``(bb) a custodian of an entity as defined in section
701(b)(4)(F); or
``(cc) an officer, employee, or agent of a service provider
described in section 701(b)(4)(E).

``(II) Exclusion.--The term `covered electronic
communication service provider' does not include--

``(aa) an electronic communication service provider
described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of section
701(b)(4); or
``(bb) an officer, employee, or agent of an electronic
communication service provider described in subparagraph (A),
(B), (C), or (D) of section 701(b)(4).
``(iii) Covered opinions.--The term `covered opinions'
means the opinions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance
Court and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of
Review authorized for public release on August 23, 2023
(Opinion and Order, In re Petition to Set Aside or Modify
Directive Issued to [REDACTED], No. [REDACTED], (FISA Ct.
[REDACTED] 2022) (Contreras J.); Opinion, In re Petition to
Set Aside or Modify Directive Issued to [REDACTED], No.
[REDACTED], (FISA Ct. Rev. [REDACTED] 2023) (Sentelle, J.;
Higginson, J.; Miller J.)).
``(B) Limitation.--A directive may not be issued under
paragraph (1) to a covered electronic communication service
provider unless the covered electronic communication service
provider is a provider of the type of service at issue in the
covered opinions.
``(C) Requirements for directives to covered electronic
communication service providers.--
``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), any directive
issued under paragraph (1) on or after the date of the
enactment of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2025 to a covered electronic communication service
provider that is not prohibited by subparagraph (B) of this
paragraph shall include a summary description of the services
at issue in the covered opinions.
``(ii) Duplicate summaries not required.--A directive need
not include a summary description of the services at issue in
the covered opinions if such summary was included in a prior
directive issued to the covered electronic communication
service provider and the summary has not materially changed.

[[Page S6304]]

``(D) Foreign intelligence surveillance court notification
and review.--
``(i) Notification.--

``(I) In general.--Subject to subclause (II), on or after
the date of the enactment of the Intelligence Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2025, each time the Attorney General and
the Director of National Intelligence serve a directive under
paragraph (1) to a covered electronic communication service
provider that is not prohibited by subparagraph (B) and each
time the Attorney General and the Director materially change
a directive under paragraph (1) served on a covered
electronic communication service provider that is not
prohibited by subparagraph (B), the Attorney General shall
provide the directive to the Foreign Intelligence
Surveillance Court on or before the date that is 7 days after
the date on which the Attorney General and the Director
served the directive, along with a description of the covered
electronic communication service provider to whom the
directive is issued and the services at issue.
``(II) Duplication not required.--The Attorney General does
not need to provide a directive or description to the Foreign
Intelligence Surveillance Court under subclause (I) if a
directive and description concerning the covered electronic
communication service provider was previously provided to the
Court and the directive or description has not materially
changed.

``(ii) Additional information.--As soon as feasible and not
later than the initiation of collection, the Attorney General
shall, for each directive described in subparagraph (i),
provide the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court a summary
description of the type of equipment to be accessed, the
nature of the access, and the form of assistance required
pursuant to the directive.
``(iii) Review.--

``(I) In general.--The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance
Court may review a directive received by the Court under
clause (i) to determine whether the directive is consistent
with subparagraph (B) and affirm, modify, or set aside the
directive.
``(II) Notice of intent to review.--Not later than 10 days
after the date on which the Court receives information under
clause (ii) with respect to a directive, the Court shall
provide notice to the Attorney General and cleared counsel
for the covered electronic communication service provider
indicating whether the Court intends to undertake a review
under subclause (I) of this clause.
``(III) Completion of reviews.--In a case in which the
Court provides notice under subclause (II) indicating that
the Court intends to review a directive under subclause (I),
the Court shall, not later than 30 days after the date on
which the Court provides notice under subclause (II) with
respect to the directive, complete the review.

``(E) Congressional oversight.--
``(i) Notification.--

``(I) In general.--Subject to subclause (II), on or after
the date of the enactment of the Intelligence Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2025, each time the Attorney General and
the Director of National Intelligence serve a directive under
paragraph (1) on a covered electronic communication service
provider that is not prohibited by subparagraph (B) and each
time the Attorney General and the Director materially change
a directive under paragraph (1) served on a covered
electronic communication service provider that is not
prohibited by subparagraph (B), the Attorney General shall
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress the
directive on or before the date that is 7 days after the date
on which the Attorney General and the Director serve the
directive, along with a description of the covered electronic
communication service provider to whom the directive is
issued and the services at issue.
``(II) Duplication not required.--The Attorney General does
not need to submit a directive or description to the
appropriate committees of Congress under subclause (I) if a
directive and description concerning the covered electronic
communication service provider was previously submitted to
the appropriate committees of Congress and the directive or
description has not materially changed.

``(ii) Additional information.--As soon as feasible and not
later than the initiation of collection, the Attorney General
shall, for each directive described in subparagraph (i),
provide the appropriate committees of Congress a summary
description of the type of equipment to be accessed, the
nature of the access, and the form of assistance required
pursuant to the directive.
``(iii) Reporting.--

``(I) Quarterly reports.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of the enactment of the Intelligence Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2025 and not less frequently than once each
quarter thereafter, the Attorney General shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report on the number of
directives served, during the period covered by the report,
under paragraph (1) to a covered electronic communication
service provider and the number of directives provided during
the same period to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance
Court under subparagraph (D)(i).
``(II) Form of reports.--Each report submitted pursuant to
subclause (I) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but
may include a classified annex.
``(III) Submittal of court opinions.--Not later than 45
days after the date on which the Foreign Intelligence
Surveillance Court or the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance
Court of Review issues an opinion relating to a directive
issued to a covered electronic communication service provider
under paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a copy of the opinion.''.

SEC. 1102. STRENGTHENING ELECTION CYBERSECURITY TO UPHOLD
RESPECT FOR ELECTIONS THROUGH INDEPENDENT
TESTING ACT OF 2024.

(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the
``Strengthening Election Cybersecurity to Uphold Respect for
Elections through Independent Testing Act of 2024'' or the
``SECURE IT Act of 2024''.
(b) Requiring Penetration Testing as Part of the Testing
and Certification of Voting Systems.--Section 231 of the Help
America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20971) is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(e) Required Penetration Testing.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this subsection, the Commission shall
provide for the conduct of penetration testing as part of the
testing, certification, decertification, and recertification
of voting system hardware and software by the Commission
based on accredited laboratories under this section.
``(2) Accreditation.--The Commission shall develop a
program for the acceptance of the results of penetration
testing on election systems. The penetration testing required
by this subsection shall be required for Commission
certification. The Commission shall vote on the selection of
any entity identified. The requirements for such selection
shall be based on consideration of an entity's competence to
conduct penetration testing under this subsection. The
Commission may consult with the National Institute of
Standards and Technology or any other appropriate Federal
agency on lab selection criteria and other aspects of this
program.''.
(c) Independent Security Testing and Coordinated
Cybersecurity Vulnerability Disclosure Program for Election
Systems.--
(1) In general.--Subtitle D of title II of the Help America
Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15401 et seq.) is amended by
adding at the end the following new part:

``PART 7--INDEPENDENT SECURITY TESTING AND COORDINATED CYBERSECURITY
VULNERABILITY DISCLOSURE PILOT PROGRAM FOR ELECTION SYSTEMS

``SEC. 297. INDEPENDENT SECURITY TESTING AND COORDINATED
CYBERSECURITY VULNERABILITY DISCLOSURE PILOT
PROGRAM FOR ELECTION SYSTEMS.

``(a) In General.--
``(1) Establishment.--The Commission, in consultation with
the Secretary, shall establish an Independent Security
Testing and Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure Pilot
Program for Election Systems (VDP-E) (in this section
referred to as the `program') to test for and disclose
cybersecurity vulnerabilities in election systems.
``(2) Duration.--The program shall be conducted for a
period of 5 years.
``(3) Requirements.--In carrying out the program, the
Commission, in consultation with the Secretary, shall--
``(A) establish a mechanism by which an election systems
vendor may make their election system (including voting
machines and source code) available to cybersecurity
researchers participating in the program;
``(B) provide for the vetting of cybersecurity researchers
prior to their participation in the program, including the
conduct of background checks;
``(C) establish terms of participation that--
``(i) describe the scope of testing permitted under the
program;
``(ii) require researchers to--

``(I) notify the vendor, the Commission, and the Secretary
of any cybersecurity vulnerability they identify with respect
to an election system; and
``(II) otherwise keep such vulnerability confidential for
180 days after such notification;

``(iii) require the good faith participation of all
participants in the program;
``(iv) require an election system vendor, within 180 days
after validating notification of a critical or high
vulnerability (as defined by the National Institute of
Standards and Technology) in an election system of the
vendor, to--

``(I) send a patch or propound some other fix or mitigation
for such vulnerability to the appropriate State and local
election officials, in consultation with the researcher who
discovered it; and
``(II) notify the Commission and the Secretary that such
patch has been sent to such officials;

``(D) in the case where a patch or fix to address a
vulnerability disclosed under subparagraph (C)(ii)(I) is
intended to be applied to a system certified by the
Commission, provide--
``(i) for the expedited review of such patch or fix within
90 days after receipt by the Commission; and
``(ii) if such review is not completed by the last day of
such 90-day period, that such patch or fix shall be deemed to
be certified by the Commission, subject to any subsequent
review of such determination by the Commission; and
``(E) 180 days after the disclosure of a vulnerability
under subparagraph (C)(ii)(I), notify the Director of the
Cybersecurity and

[[Page S6305]]

Infrastructure Security Agency of the vulnerability for
inclusion in the database of Common Vulnerabilities and
Exposures.
``(4) Voluntary participation; safe harbor.--
``(A) Voluntary participation.--Participation in the
program shall be voluntary for election systems vendors and
researchers.
``(B) Safe harbor.--When conducting research under this
program, such research and subsequent publication shall be--
``(i) authorized in accordance with section 1030 of title
18, United States Code (commonly known as the `Computer Fraud
and Abuse Act'), (and similar State laws), and the election
system vendor will not initiate or support legal action
against the researcher for accidental, good faith violations
of the program; and
``(ii) exempt from the anti-circumvention rule of section
1201 of title 17, United States Code (commonly known as the
`Digital Millennium Copyright Act'), and the election system
vendor will not bring a claim against a researcher for
circumvention of technology controls.
``(C) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this paragraph may
be construed to limit or otherwise affect any exception to
the general prohibition against the circumvention of
technological measures under subparagraph (A) of section
1201(a)(1) of title 17, United States Code, including with
respect to any use that is excepted from that general
prohibition by the Librarian of Congress under subparagraphs
(B) through (D) of such section 1201(a)(1).
``(5) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Cybersecurity vulnerability.--The term `cybersecurity
vulnerability' means, with respect to an election system, any
security vulnerability that affects the election system.
``(B) Election infrastructure.--The term `election
infrastructure' means--
``(i) storage facilities, polling places, and centralized
vote tabulation locations used to support the administration
of elections for public office; and
``(ii) related information and communications technology,
including--

``(I) voter registration databases;
``(II) election management systems;
``(III) voting machines;
``(IV) electronic mail and other communications systems
(including electronic mail and other systems of vendors who
have entered into contracts with election agencies to support
the administration of elections, manage the election process,
and report and display election results); and
``(V) other systems used to manage the election process and
to report and display election results on behalf of an
election agency.

``(C) Election system.--The term `election system' means
any information system that is part of an election
infrastructure, including any related information and
communications technology described in subparagraph (B)(ii).
``(D) Election system vendor.--The term `election system
vendor' means any person providing, supporting, or
maintaining an election system on behalf of a State or local
election official.
``(E) Information system.--The term `information system'
has the meaning given the term in section 3502 of title 44,
United States Code.
``(F) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary
of Homeland Security.
``(G) Security vulnerability.--The term `security
vulnerability' has the meaning given the term in section 102
of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 (6
U.S.C. 1501).''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents of such Act
is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to
subtitle D of title II the following:

``PART 7--Independent Security Testing and Coordinated Cybersecurity
Vulnerability Disclosure Program for Election Systems

``Sec. 297. Independent security testing and coordinated cybersecurity
vulnerability disclosure program for election systems.''.

SEC. 1103. PARITY IN PAY FOR STAFF OF THE PRIVACY AND CIVIL
LIBERTIES OVERSIGHT BOARD AND THE INTELLIGENCE
COMMUNITY.

Section 1061(j)(1) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism
Prevention Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 2000ee(j)(1)) is amended by
striking ``except that'' and all that follows through the
period at the end and inserting ``except that no rate of pay
fixed under this subsection may exceed the highest amount
paid by any element of the intelligence community for a
comparable position, based on salary information provided to
the chairman of the Board by the Director of National
Intelligence.''.

SEC. 1104. MODIFICATION AND REPEAL OF REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

(a) Briefing on Iranian Expenditures Supporting Foreign
Military and Terrorist Activities.--Section 6705(a)(1) of the
Damon Paul Nelson and Matthew Young Pollard Intelligence
Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2018, 2019, and 2020 (22
U.S.C. 9412(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``, and not less
frequently than once each year thereafter provide a briefing
to Congress,''.
(b) Reports and Briefings on National Security Effects of
Global Water Insecurity and Emerging Infectious Diseases and
Pandemics.--Section 6722(b) of the Damon Paul Nelson and
Matthew Young Pollard Intelligence Authorization Act for
Fiscal Years 2018, 2019, and 2020 (50 U.S.C. 3024 note;
division E of Public Law 116-92) is amended by--
(1) striking paragraph (2); and
(2) redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (2)
and (3), respectively.
(c) Repeal of Report on Removal of Satellites and Related
Items From the United States Munitions List.--Section 1261(e)
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2013 (22 U.S.C. 2778 note; Public Law 112-239) is repealed.
(d) Briefing on Review of Intelligence Community Analytic
Production.--Section 1019(c) of the Intelligence Reform and
Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (50 U.S.C. 3364(c)) is
amended by striking ``December 1'' and inserting ``February
1''.
(e) Repeal of Report on Oversight of Foreign Influence in
Academia.--Section 5713 of the Damon Paul Nelson and Matthew
Young Pollard Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years
2018, 2019, and 2020 (50 U.S.C. 3369b) is repealed.
(f) Repeal of Briefing on Iranian Expenditures Supporting
Foreign Military and Terrorist Activities.--Section 6705 of
the Damon Paul Nelson and Matthew Young Pollard Intelligence
Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2018, 2019, and 2020 (22
U.S.C. 9412) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (b);
(2) by striking the enumerator and heading for subsection
(a);
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subsections
(a) and (b), respectively, and moving such subsections, as so
redesignated, 2 ems to the left;
(4) in subsection (a), as so redesignated, by redesignating
subparagraphs (A) and (B) as paragraphs (1) and (2),
respectively, and moving such paragraphs, as so redesignated,
2 ems to the left; and
(5) in paragraph (1), as so redesignated, by redesignating
clauses (i) through (v) as subparagraphs (A) through (E),
respectively, and moving such subparagraphs, as so
redesignated, 2 ems to the left.
(g) Repeal of Report on Foreign Investment Risks.--Section
6716 of the Damon Paul Nelson and Matthew Young Pollard
Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2018, 2019,
and 2020 (50 U.S.C. 3370a) is repealed.
(h) Repeal of Report on Intelligence Community Loan
Repayment Programs.--Section 6725(c) of the Damon Paul Nelson
and Matthew Young Pollard Intelligence Authorization Act for
Fiscal Years 2018, 2019, and 2020 (50 U.S.C. 3334g(c)) is
repealed.
(i) Repeal of Report on Data Collection on Attrition in
Intelligence Community.--Section 306(c) of the Intelligence
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (50 U.S.C. 3334h(c))
is repealed.

SEC. 1105. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.

(a) Requirements Relating to Construction of Facilities to
Be Used Primarily by Intelligence Community.--Section 602(a)
of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995
(50 U.S.C. 3304(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$6,000,000'' and
inserting ``$9,000,000''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``$2,000,000'' each place it appears and
inserting ``$4,000,000''; and
(B) by striking ``$6,000,000'' and inserting
``$9,000,000''.
(b) Copyright Protection for Civilian Faculty of Certain
Accredited Institutions.--Section 105 of title 17, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:

``Sec. 105. Subject matter of copyright: United States
Government works

``(a) In General.--Copyright protection under this title is
not available for any work of the United States Government,
but the United States Government is not precluded from
receiving and holding copyrights transferred to it by
assignment, bequest, or otherwise.
``(b) Copyright Protection of Certain Works.--Subject to
subsection (c), the covered author of a covered work owns the
copyright to that covered work.
``(c) Use by Federal Government.--
``(1) Secretary of defense authority.--With respect to a
covered author who produces a covered work in the course of
employment at a covered institution described in
subparagraphs (A) through (K) of subsection (d)(2), the
Secretary of Defense may direct the covered author to provide
the Federal Government with an irrevocable, royalty-free,
worldwide, nonexclusive license to reproduce, distribute,
perform, or display such covered work for purposes of the
United States Government.
``(2) Secretary of homeland security authority.--With
respect to a covered author who produces a covered work in
the course of employment at the covered institution described
in subsection (d)(2)(L), the Secretary of Homeland Security
may direct the covered author to provide the Federal
Government with an irrevocable, royalty-free, worldwide,
nonexclusive license to reproduce, distribute, perform, or
display such covered work for purposes of the United States
Government.
``(3) Director of national intelligence authority.--With
respect to a covered author who produces a covered work in
the course of employment at the covered institution described
in subsection (d)(2)(M), the Director of National
Intelligence may direct the covered author to provide the
Federal Government with an irrevocable, royalty-free,
worldwide, nonexclusive license to reproduce, distribute,
perform, or display such

[[Page S6306]]

covered work for purposes of the United States Government.
``(4) Secretary of transportation authority.--With respect
to a covered author who produces a covered work in the course
of employment at the covered institution described in
subsection (d)(2)(N), the Secretary of Transportation may
direct the covered author to provide the Federal Government
with an irrevocable, royalty-free, worldwide, nonexclusive
license to reproduce, distribute, perform, or display such
covered work for purposes of the United States Government.
``(d) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Covered author.--The term `covered author' means a
civilian member of the faculty of a covered institution.
``(2) Covered institution.--The term `covered institution'
means the following:
``(A) National Defense University.
``(B) United States Military Academy.
``(C) Army War College.
``(D) United States Army Command and General Staff College.
``(E) United States Naval Academy.
``(F) Naval War College.
``(G) Naval Postgraduate School.
``(H) Marine Corps University.
``(I) United States Air Force Academy.
``(J) Air University.
``(K) Defense Language Institute.
``(L) United States Coast Guard Academy.
``(M) National Intelligence University.
``(N) United States Merchant Marine Academy.
``(3) Covered work.--The term `covered work' means a
literary work produced by a covered author in the course of
employment at a covered institution for publication by a
scholarly press or journal.''.

DIVISION J--JUDICIAL UNDERSTAFFING DELAYS GETTING EMERGENCIES SOLVED

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This division may be cited as the ``Judicial Understaffing
Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act of 2024'' or the
``JUDGES Act of 2024''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) Article III of the Constitution of the United States
gives Congress the power to establish judgeships in the
district courts of the United States.
(2) Congress has not created a new district court judgeship
since 2003 and has not enacted comprehensive judgeship
legislation since 1990.
(3) This represents the longest period of time since
district courts of the United States were established in 1789
that Congress has not authorized any new permanent district
court judgeships.
(4) By the end of fiscal year 2022, filings in the district
courts of the United States had increased by 30 percent since
the last comprehensive judgeship legislation.
(5) As of March 31, 2023, there were 686,797 pending cases
in the district courts of the United States, with an average
of 491 weighted case filings per judgeship over a 12-month
period.
(6) To deal with increased filings in the district courts
of the United States, the Judicial Conference of the United
States requested the creation of 66 new district court
judgeships in its 2023 report.

SEC. 3. ADDITIONAL DISTRICT JUDGES FOR THE DISTRICT COURTS.

(a) Additional Judgeships.--
(1) 2025.--
(A) In general.--The President shall appoint, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate--
(i) 1 additional district judge for the central district of
California;
(ii) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district
of California;
(iii) 1 additional district judge for the northern district
of California;
(iv) 1 additional district judge for the district of
Delaware;
(v) 1 additional district judge for the middle district of
Florida;
(vi) 1 additional district judge for the southern district
of Indiana;
(vii) 1 additional district judge for the northern district
of Iowa;
(viii) 1 additional district judge for the district of New
Jersey;
(ix) 1 additional district judge for the southern district
of New York;
(x) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district of
Texas; and
(xi) 1 additional district judge for the southern district
of Texas.
(B) Tables.--The table contained in section 133(a) of title
28, United States Code, is amended--
(i) by striking the items relating to California and
inserting the following:

``California:
Northern...................................  15
Eastern....................................  7
Central....................................  28
Southern...................................  13'';

(ii) by striking the item relating to Delaware and
inserting the following:

``Delaware.................................  5'';

(iii) by striking the items relating to Florida and
inserting the following:

``Florida:
Northern...................................  4
Middle.....................................  16
Southern...................................  17'';

(iv) by striking the items relating to Indiana and
inserting the following:

``Indiana:
Northern...................................  5
Southern...................................  6'';

(v) by striking the items relating to Iowa and inserting
the following:

``Iowa:
Northern...................................  3
Southern...................................  3'';

(vi) by striking the item relating to New Jersey and
inserting the following:

``New Jersey...............................  18'';

(vii) by striking the items relating to New York and
inserting the following:

``New York:
Northern...................................  5
Southern...................................  29
Eastern....................................  15
Western....................................  4''; and

(viii) by striking the items relating to Texas and
inserting the following:

``Texas:
Northern...................................  12
Southern...................................  20
Eastern....................................  8
Western....................................  13''.

(C) Effective date.--This paragraph shall take effect on
January 21, 2025.
(2) 2027.--
(A) In general.--The President shall appoint, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate--
(i) 1 additional district judge for the district of
Arizona;
(ii) 2 additional district judges for the central district
of California;
(iii) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district
of California;
(iv) 1 additional district judge for the northern district
of California;
(v) 1 additional district judge for the middle district of
Florida;
(vi) 1 additional district judge for the southern district
of Florida;
(vii) 1 additional district judge for the northern district
of Georgia;
(viii) 1 additional district judge for the district of
Idaho;
(ix) 1 additional district judge for the northern district
of Texas; and
(x) 1 additional district judge for the southern district
of Texas.
(B) Tables.--The table contained in section 133(a) of title
28, United States Code, as amended by paragraph (1) of this
subsection, is amended--
(i) by striking the item relating to Arizona and inserting
the following:

``Arizona..................................  13'';

(ii) by striking the items relating to California and
inserting the following:

``California:
Northern...................................  16
Eastern....................................  8
Central....................................  30
Southern...................................  13'';

(iii) by striking the items relating to Florida and
inserting the following:

``Florida:
Northern...................................  4
Middle.....................................  17
Southern...................................  18'';

(iv) by striking the items relating to Georgia and
inserting the following:

``Georgia:
Northern...................................  12
Middle.....................................  4
Southern...................................  3'';

(v) by striking the item relating to Idaho and inserting
the following:

``Idaho....................................  3''; and

(vi) by striking the items relating to Texas and inserting
the following:

``Texas:
Northern...................................  13
Southern...................................  21
Eastern....................................  8
Western....................................  13''.

(C) Effective date.--This paragraph shall take effect on
January 21, 2027.
(3) 2029.--
(A) In general.--The President shall appoint, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate--
(i) 1 additional district judge for the central district of
California;
(ii) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district
of California;
(iii) 1 additional district judge for the northern district
of California;
(iv) 1 additional district judge for the district of
Colorado;
(v) 1 additional district judge for the district of
Delaware;
(vi) 1 additional district judge for the district of
Nebraska;
(vii) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district
of New York;
(viii) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district
of Texas;
(ix) 1 additional district judge for the southern district
of Texas; and
(x) 1 additional district judge for the western district of
Texas.
(B) Tables.--The table contained in section 133(a) of title
28, United States Code, as amended by paragraph (2) of this
subsection, is amended--
(i) by striking the items relating to California and
inserting the following:

[[Page S6307]]

``California:
Northern...................................  17
Eastern....................................  9
Central....................................  31
Southern...................................  13'';

(ii) by striking the item relating to Colorado and
inserting the following:

``Colorado.................................  8'';

(iii) by striking the item relating to Delaware and
inserting the following:

``Delaware.................................  6'';

(iv) by striking the item relating to Nebraska and
inserting the following:

``Nebraska.................................  4'';

(v) by striking the items relating to New York and
inserting the following:

``New York:
Northern...................................  5
Southern...................................  29
Eastern....................................  16
Western....................................  4''; and

(vi) by striking the items relating to Texas and inserting
the following:

``Texas:
Northern...................................  13
Southern...................................  22
Eastern....................................  9
Western....................................  14''.

(C) Effective date.--This paragraph shall take effect on
January 21, 2029.
(4) 2031.--
(A) In general.--The President shall appoint, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate--
(i) 1 additional district judge for the district of
Arizona;
(ii) 1 additional district judge for the central district
of California;
(iii) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district
of California;
(iv) 1 additional district judge for the northern district
of California;
(v) 1 additional district judge for the southern district
of California;
(vi) 1 additional district judge for the middle district of
Florida;
(vii) 1 additional district judge for the southern district
of Florida;
(viii) 1 additional district judge for the district of New
Jersey;
(ix) 1 additional district judge for the western district
of New York; and
(x) 2 additional district judges for the western district
of Texas.
(B) Tables.--The table contained in section 133(a) of title
28, United States Code, as amended by paragraph (3) of this
subsection, is amended--
(i) by striking the item relating to Arizona and inserting
the following:

``Arizona..................................  14'';

(ii) by striking the items relating to California and
inserting the following:

``California:
Northern...................................  18
Eastern....................................  10
Central....................................  32
Southern...................................  14'';

(iii) by striking the items relating to Florida and
inserting the following:

``Florida:
Northern...................................  4
Middle.....................................  18
Southern...................................  19'';

(iv) by striking the item relating to New Jersey and
inserting the following:

``New Jersey...............................  19'';

(v) by striking the items relating to New York and
inserting the following:

``New York:
Northern...................................  5
Southern...................................  29
Eastern....................................  16
Western....................................  5''; and

(vi) by striking the items relating to Texas and inserting
the following:

``Texas:
Northern...................................  13
Southern...................................  22
Eastern....................................  9
Western....................................  16''.

(C) Effective date.--This paragraph shall take effect on
January 21, 2031.
(5) 2033.--
(A) In general.--The President shall appoint, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate--
(i) 2 additional district judges for the central district
of California;
(ii) 1 additional district judge for the northern district
of California;
(iii) 1 additional district judge for the district of
Colorado;
(iv) 1 additional district judge for the middle district of
Florida;
(v) 1 additional district judge for the northern district
of Florida;
(vi) 1 additional district judge for the northern district
of Georgia;
(vii) 1 additional district judge for the southern district
of New York;
(viii) 1 additional district judge for the southern
district of Texas; and
(ix) 1 additional district judge for the western district
of Texas.
(B) Tables.--The table contained in section 133(a) of title
28, United States Code, as amended by paragraph (4) of this
subsection, is amended--
(i) by striking the items relating to California and
inserting the following:

``California:
Northern...................................  19
Eastern....................................  10
Central....................................  34
Southern...................................  14'';

(ii) by striking the item relating to Colorado and
inserting the following:

``Colorado.................................  9'';

(iii) by striking the items relating to Florida and
inserting the following:

``Florida:
Northern...................................  5
Middle.....................................  19
Southern...................................  19'';

(iv) by striking the items relating to Georgia and
inserting the following:

``Georgia:
Northern...................................  13
Middle.....................................  4
Southern...................................  3'';

(v) by striking the items relating to New York and
inserting the following:

``New York:
Northern...................................  5
Southern...................................  30
Eastern....................................  16
Western....................................  5''; and

(vi) by striking the items relating to Texas and inserting
the following:

``Texas:
Northern...................................  13
Southern...................................  23
Eastern....................................  9
Western....................................  17''.

(C) Effective date.--This paragraph shall take effect on
January 21, 2033.
(6) 2035.--
(A) In general.--The President shall appoint, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate--
(i) 2 additional district judges for the central district
of California;
(ii) 1 additional district judge for the northern district
of California;
(iii) 1 additional district judge for the southern district
of California;
(iv) 1 additional district judge for the middle district of
Florida;
(v) 1 additional district judge for the southern district
of Florida;
(vi) 1 additional district judge for the district of New
Jersey;
(vii) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district
of New York;
(viii) 2 additional district judges for the western
district of Texas.
(B) Tables.--The table contained in section 133(a) of title
28, United States Code, as amended by paragraph (5) of this
subsection, is amended--
(i) by striking the items relating to California and
inserting the following:

``California:
Northern...................................  20
Eastern....................................  10
Central....................................  36
Southern...................................  15'';

(ii) by striking the items relating to Florida and
inserting the following:

``Florida:
Northern...................................  5
Middle.....................................  20
Southern...................................  20'';

(iii) by striking the item relating to New Jersey and
inserting the following:

``New Jersey...............................  20'';

(iv) by striking the items relating to New York and
inserting the following:

``New York:
Northern...................................  5
Southern...................................  30
Eastern....................................  17
Western....................................  5''; and

(v) by striking the items relating to Texas and inserting
the following:

``Texas:
Northern...................................  13
Southern...................................  23
Eastern....................................  9
Western....................................  19''.

(C) Effective date.--This paragraph shall take effect on
January 21, 2035.
(b) Temporary Judgeships.--
(1) In general.--The President shall appoint, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate--
(A) 2 additional district judges for the eastern district
of Oklahoma; and
(B) 1 additional district judge for the northern district
of Oklahoma.
(2) Vacancies not filled.--The first vacancy in the office
of district judge in each of the offices of district judge
authorized by this subsection, occurring 5 years or more
after the confirmation date of the judge named to fill the
temporary district judgeship created in the applicable
district by this subsection, shall not be filled.
(3) Effective date.--This subsection shall take effect on
January 21, 2025.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
carry out this section and the amendments made by this
section--
(A) for each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026, $12,965,330;

[[Page S6308]]

(B) for each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028, $23,152,375;
(C) for each of fiscal years 2029 and 2030, $32,413,325;
(D) for each of fiscal years 2031 and 2032, $42,600,370;
(E) for each of fiscal years 2033 and 2034, $51,861,320;
and
(F) for fiscal year 2035 and each fiscal year thereafter,
$61,122,270.
(2) Inflation adjustment.--For each fiscal year described
in paragraph (1), the amount authorized to be appropriated
for such fiscal year shall be increased by the percentage by
which--
(A) the Consumer Price Index for the previous fiscal year,
exceeds
(B) the Consumer Price Index for the fiscal year preceding
the fiscal year described in subparagraph (A).
(3) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``Consumer
Price Index'' means the Consumer Price Index for All Urban
Consumers (all items, United States city average), published
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor.

SEC. 4. ORGANIZATION OF UTAH DISTRICT COURTS.

Section 125(2) of title 28, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``and St. George'' and inserting ``St. George,
Moab, and Monticello''.

SEC. 5. ORGANIZATION OF TEXAS DISTRICT COURTS.

Section 124(b)(2) of title 28, United States Code, is
amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (3), by inserting
``and College Station'' before the period at the end.

SEC. 6. ORGANIZATION OF CALIFORNIA DISTRICT COURTS.

Section 84(d) of title 28, United States Code, is amended
by inserting ``and El Centro'' after ``at San Diego''.

SEC. 7. GAO REPORTS.

(a) Judicial Caseloads.--Not later than 2 years after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary
of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House
of Representatives and make publicly available reports--
(1) evaluating--
(A) the accuracy and objectiveness of case-related workload
measures and methodologies used by the Administrative Office
of the United States Courts for district courts of the United
States and courts of appeals of the United States;
(B) the impact of non-case-related activities of judges of
the district courts of the United States and courts of
appeals of the United States on judicial caseloads; and
(C) the effectiveness and efficiency of the policies of the
Administrative Office of the United States Courts regarding
senior judges; and
(2) providing any recommendations of the Comptroller
General with respect to the matters described in paragraph
(1).
(b) Detention Space.--The Comptroller General of the United
States shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the
Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
Representatives a report on an assessment of--
(1) a determination of the needs of Federal agencies for
detention space;
(2) efforts by Federal agencies to acquire detention space;
and
(3) any challenges in determining and acquiring detention
space.

SEC. 8. PUBLIC ACCESSIBILITY OF THE ARTICLE III JUDGESHIP
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE JUDICIAL CONFERENCE OF
THE UNITED STATES REPORT.

(a) In General.--The Administrative Office of the United
States Courts, in consultation with the Judicial Conference
of the United States, shall make publicly available on their
website, free of charge, the biennial report entitled
``Article III Judgeship Recommendations of the Judicial
Conference of the United States''.
(b) Contents.--The report described in subsection (a)
should be released not less frequently than biennially and
contain the summaries and all related appendixes supporting
the judgeship recommendations of the Judicial Conference of
the United States, including--
(1) the process used by the Judicial Conference in
developing the recommendations;
(2) any caseload and methodology changes;
(3) judgeship surveys with recommendations; and
(4) specific information about each court for which the
Judicial Conference recommends additional judgeships.
(c) Submission to Congress.--The Administrative Office of
the United States Courts shall submit to the Committee on the
Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of
the House of Representatives copies of the report described
in subsection (a).

DIVISION K--GOOD SAMARITAN REMEDIATION OF ABANDONED HARDROCK MINES ACT
OF 2024

SEC. 5001. SHORT TITLE.

This division may be cited as the ``Good Samaritan
Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024''.

SEC. 5002. DEFINITIONS.

In this division:
(1) Abandoned hardrock mine site.--
(A) In general.--The term ``abandoned hardrock mine site''
means an abandoned or inactive hardrock mine site and any
facility associated with an abandoned or inactive hardrock
mine site--
(i) that was used for the production of a mineral other
than coal conducted on Federal land under sections 2319
through 2352 of the Revised Statutes (commonly known as the
``Mining Law of 1872''; 30 U.S.C. 22 et seq.) or on non-
Federal land; and
(ii) for which, based on information supplied by the Good
Samaritan after review of publicly available data and after
review of other information in the possession of the
Administrator, the Administrator or, in the case of a site on
land owned by the United States, the Federal land management
agency, determines that no responsible owner or operator has
been identified--

(I) who is potentially liable for, or has been required to
perform or pay for, environmental remediation activities
under applicable law; and
(II) other than, in the case of a mine site located on land
owned by the United States, a Federal land management agency
that has not been involved in mining activity on that land,
except that the approval of a plan of operations under the
hardrock mining regulations of the applicable Federal land
management agency shall not be considered involvement in the
mining activity.

(B) Inclusion.--The term ``abandoned hardrock mine site''
includes a hardrock mine site (including associated
facilities) that was previously the subject of a completed
response action under the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C.
9601 et seq.) or a similar Federal and State reclamation or
cleanup program, including the remediation of mine-scarred
land under the brownfields revitalization program under
section 104(k) of that Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(k)).
(C) Exclusions.--The term ``abandoned hardrock mine site''
does not include a mine site (including associated
facilities)--
(i) in a temporary shutdown or cessation;
(ii) included on the National Priorities List developed by
the President in accordance with section 105(a)(8)(B) of the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9605(a)(8)(B)) or proposed
for inclusion on that list;
(iii) that is the subject of a planned or ongoing response
action under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et
seq.) or a similar Federal and State reclamation or cleanup
program;
(iv) that has a responsible owner or operator; or
(v) that actively mined or processed minerals after
December 11, 1980.
(2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(3) Applicable water quality standards.--The term
``applicable water quality standards'' means the water
quality standards promulgated by the Administrator or adopted
by a State or Indian tribe and approved by the Administrator
pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33
U.S.C. 1251 et seq.).
(4) Baseline conditions.--The term ``baseline conditions''
means the concentrations, locations, and releases of any
hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants, as
described in the Good Samaritan permit, present at an
abandoned hardrock mine site prior to undertaking any action
under this division.
(5) Cooperating person.--
(A) In general.--The term ``cooperating person'' means any
person that is named by the Good Samaritan in the permit
application as a cooperating entity.
(B) Exclusions.--The term ``cooperating person'' does not
include--
(i) a responsible owner or operator with respect to the
abandoned hardrock mine site described in the permit
application;
(ii) a person that had a role in the creation of historic
mine residue at the abandoned hardrock mine site described in
the permit application; or
(iii) a Federal agency.
(6) Covered permit.--The term ``covered permit'' means--
(A) a Good Samaritan permit; and
(B) an investigative sampling permit.
(7) Federal land management agency.--The term ``Federal
land management agency'' means any Federal agency authorized
by law or executive order to exercise jurisdiction, custody,
or control over land owned by the United States.
(8) Good samaritan.--The term ``Good Samaritan'' means a
person that, with respect to historic mine residue, as
determined by the Administrator--
(A) is not a past or current owner or operator of--
(i) the abandoned hardrock mine site at which the historic
mine residue is located; or
(ii) a portion of that abandoned hardrock mine site;
(B) had no role in the creation of the historic mine
residue; and
(C) is not potentially liable under any Federal, State,
Tribal, or local law for the remediation, treatment, or
control of the historic mine residue.
(9) Good samaritan permit.--The term ``Good Samaritan
permit'' means a permit granted by the Administrator under
section 5004(a)(1).
(10) Historic mine residue.--
(A) In general.--The term ``historic mine residue'' means
mine residue or any condition at an abandoned hardrock mine
site resulting from hardrock mining activities.
(B) Inclusions.--The term ``historic mine residue''
includes--

[[Page S6309]]

(i) previously mined ores and minerals other than coal that
contribute to acid mine drainage or other pollution;
(ii) equipment (including materials in equipment);
(iii) any tailings facilities, heap leach piles, dump leach
piles, waste rock, overburden, slag piles, or other waste or
material resulting from any extraction, beneficiation, or
other processing activity that occurred during the active
operation of an abandoned hardrock mine site;
(iv) any acidic or otherwise polluted flow in surface water
or groundwater that originates from, or is pooled and
contained in, an inactive or abandoned hardrock mine site,
such as underground workings, open pits, in-situ leaching
operations, ponds, or impoundments;
(v) any hazardous substance (as defined in section 101 of
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601));
(vi) any pollutant or contaminant (as defined in section
101 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601));
and
(vii) any pollutant (as defined in section 502 of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1362)).
(11) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the
meaning given the term in--
(A) section 518(h) of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act (33 U.S.C. 1377(h)); or
(B) section 101 of the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C.
9601).
(12) Investigative sampling permit.--The term
``investigative sampling permit'' means a permit granted by
the Administrator under section 5004(d)(1).
(13) Person.--The term ``person'' means any entity
described in--
(A) section 502(5) of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act (33 U.S.C. 1362(5)); or
(B) section 101(21) of the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C.
9601(21)).
(14) Remediation.--
(A) In general.--The term ``remediation'' means any action
taken to investigate, characterize, or cleanup, in whole or
in part, a discharge, release, or threat of release of a
hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant into the
environment at or from an abandoned hardrock mine site, or to
otherwise protect and improve human health and the
environment.
(B) Inclusion.--The term ``remediation'' includes any
action to remove, treat, or contain historic mine residue to
prevent, minimize, or reduce--
(i) the release or threat of release of a hazardous
substance, pollutant, or contaminant that would harm human
health or the environment; or
(ii) a migration or discharge of a hazardous substance,
pollutant, or contaminant that would harm human health or the
environment.
(C) Exclusion.--The term ``remediation'' does not include
any action that requires plugging, opening, or otherwise
altering the portal or adit of the abandoned hardrock mine
site.
(15) Reservation.--The term ``reservation'' has the meaning
given the term ``Indian country'' in section 1151 of title
18, United States Code.
(16) Responsible owner or operator.--The term ``responsible
owner or operator'' means a person that is--
(A)(i) legally responsible under section 301 of the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1311) for a discharge
that originates from an abandoned hardrock mine site; and
(ii) financially able to comply with each requirement
described in that section; or
(B)(i) a present or past owner or operator or other person
that is liable with respect to a release or threat of release
of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant
associated with the historic mine residue at or from an
abandoned hardrock mine site under section 104, 106, 107, or
113 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9604,
9606, 9607, 9613); and
(ii) financially able to comply with each requirement
described in those sections, as applicable.

SEC. 5003. SCOPE.

Nothing in this division--
(1) except as provided in section 5004(n), reduces any
existing liability under Federal, State, or local law;
(2) except as provided in section 5004(n), releases any
person from liability under Federal, State, or local law,
except in compliance with this division;
(3) authorizes the conduct of any mining or processing
other than the conduct of any processing of previously mined
ores, minerals, wastes, or other materials that is authorized
by a Good Samaritan permit;
(4) imposes liability on the United States or a Federal
land management agency pursuant to section 107 of the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9607) or section 301 of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1311); or
(5) relieves the United States or any Federal land
management agency from any liability under section 107 of the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9607) or section 301 of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1311) that
exists apart from any action undertaken pursuant to this
division.

SEC. 5004. ABANDONED HARDROCK MINE SITE GOOD SAMARITAN PILOT
PROJECT AUTHORIZATION.

(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall establish a pilot
program under which the Administrator shall grant not more
than 15 Good Samaritan permits to carry out projects to
remediate historic mine residue at any portions of abandoned
hardrock mine sites in accordance with this division.
(2) Oversight of permits.--The Administrator may oversee
the remediation project under paragraph (1), and any action
taken by the applicable Good Samaritan or any cooperating
person under the applicable Good Samaritan permit, for the
duration of the Good Samaritan permit, as the Administrator
determines to be necessary to review the status of the
project.
(3) Sunset.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B),
the pilot program described in paragraph (1) shall terminate
on the date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of
this Act.
(B) Exception.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the
Administrator may grant a Good Samaritan permit pursuant to
this division after the date identified in subparagraph (A)
if the application for the Good Samaritan permit--
(i) was submitted not later than 180 days before that date;
and
(ii) was completed in accordance with subsection (c) by not
later than 7 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
(C) Effect on certain permits.--Any Good Samaritan permit
granted by the deadline prescribed in subparagraph (A) or
(B), as applicable, that is in effect on the date that is 7
years after the date of enactment of this Act shall remain in
effect after that date in accordance with--
(i) the terms and conditions of the Good Samaritan permit;
and
(ii) this division.
(b) Good Samaritan Permit Eligibility.--
(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a Good Samaritan
permit to carry out a project to remediate an abandoned
hardrock mine site, a person shall demonstrate that, as
determined by the Administrator--
(A) the abandoned hardrock mine site that is the subject of
the application for a Good Samaritan permit is located in the
United States;
(B) the purpose of the proposed project is the remediation
at that abandoned hardrock mine site of historic mine
residue;
(C) the proposed activities are designed to result in the
partial or complete remediation of historic mine residue at
the abandoned hardrock mine site within the term of the Good
Samaritan permit;
(D) the proposed project poses a low risk to the
environment, as determined by the Administrator;
(E) to the satisfaction of the Administrator, the person--
(i) possesses, or has the ability to secure, the financial
and other resources necessary--

(I) to complete the permitted work, as determined by the
Administrator; and
(II) to address any contingencies identified in the Good
Samaritan permit application described in subsection (c);

(ii) possesses the proper and appropriate experience and
capacity to complete the permitted work; and
(iii) will complete the permitted work; and
(F) the person is a Good Samaritan with respect to the
historic mine residue proposed to be covered by the Good
Samaritan permit.
(2) Identification of all responsible owners or
operators.--
(A) In general.--A Good Samaritan shall make reasonable and
diligent efforts to identify, from a review of publicly
available information in land records or on internet websites
of Federal, State, and local regulatory authorities, all
responsible owners or operators of an abandoned hardrock mine
site proposed to be remediated by the Good Samaritan under
this section.
(B) Existing responsible owner or operator.--If the
Administrator determines, based on information provided by a
Good Samaritan or otherwise, that a responsible owner or
operator exists for an abandoned hardrock mine site proposed
to be remediated by the Good Samaritan, the Administrator
shall deny the application for a Good Samaritan permit.
(c) Application for Permits.--To obtain a Good Samaritan
permit, a person shall submit to the Administrator an
application, signed by the person and any cooperating person,
that provides, to the extent known or reasonably discoverable
by the person on the date on which the application is
submitted--
(1) a description of the abandoned hardrock mine site
(including the boundaries of the abandoned hardrock mine
site) proposed to be covered by the Good Samaritan permit;
(2) a description of all parties proposed to be involved in
the remediation project, including any cooperating person and
each member of an applicable corporation, association,
partnership, consortium, joint venture, commercial entity, or
nonprofit association;
(3) evidence that the person has or will acquire all legal
rights or the authority necessary to enter the relevant
abandoned hardrock mine site and perform the remediation
described in the application;
(4) a detailed description of the historic mine residue to
be remediated;

[[Page S6310]]

(5) a detailed description of the expertise and experience
of the person and the resources available to the person to
successfully implement and complete the remediation plan
under paragraph (7);
(6) to the satisfaction of the Administrator and subject to
subsection (d), a description of the baseline conditions
caused by the historic mine residue to be remediated that
includes--
(A) the nature and extent of any adverse impact on the
water quality of any body of water caused by the drainage of
historic mine residue or other discharges from the abandoned
hardrock mine site;
(B) the flow rate and concentration of any drainage of
historic mine residue or other discharge from the abandoned
hardrock mine site in any body of water that has resulted in
an adverse impact described in subparagraph (A); and
(C) any other release or threat of release of historic mine
residue that has resulted in an adverse impact to human
health or the environment;
(7) subject to subsection (d), a remediation plan for the
abandoned hardrock mine site that describes--
(A) the nature and scope of the proposed remediation
activities, including--
(i) any historic mine residue to be addressed by the
remediation plan; and
(ii) a description of the goals of the remediation
including, if applicable, with respect to--

(I) the reduction or prevention of a release, threat of
release, or discharge to surface waters; or
(II) other appropriate goals relating to water or soil;

(B) each activity that the person proposes to take that
is--
(i) designed to--

(I) improve or enhance water quality or site-specific soil
or sediment quality relevant to the historic mine residue
addressed by the remediation plan, including making
measurable progress toward achieving applicable water quality
standards; or
(II) otherwise protect human health and the environment
(including through the prevention of a release, discharge, or
threat of release to water, sediment, or soil); and

(ii) otherwise necessary to carry out an activity described
in subclause (I) or (II) of clause (i);
(C) a plan describing the monitoring or other forms of
assessment that will be undertaken by the person to evaluate
the success of the activities described in subparagraph (A)
during and after the remediation, with respect to the
baseline conditions, as described in paragraph (6);
(D) to the satisfaction of the Administrator, detailed
engineering plans for the project;
(E) detailed plans for any proposed recycling or
reprocessing of historic mine residue to be conducted by the
person (including a description of how all proposed recycling
or reprocessing activities contribute to the remediation of
the abandoned hardrock mine site); and
(F) identification of any proposed contractor that will
perform any remediation activity;
(8) subject to subsection (d), a schedule for the work to
be carried out under the project, including a schedule for
periodic reporting by the person on the remediation of the
abandoned hardrock mine site;
(9) a health and safety plan that is specifically designed
for mining remediation work;
(10) a specific contingency plan that--
(A) includes provisions on response and notification to
Federal, State, Tribal, and local authorities with
jurisdiction over downstream waters that have the potential
to be impacted by an unplanned release or discharge of
hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants; and
(B) is designed to respond to unplanned adverse events
(such as adverse weather events or a potential fluid release
that may result from addressing pooled water or hydraulic
pressure situations), including the sudden release of
historic mine residue;
(11) subject to subsection (d), a project budget and
description of financial resources that demonstrate that the
permitted work, including any operation and maintenance, will
be completed;
(12) subject to subsection (d), information demonstrating
that the applicant has the financial resources to carry out
the remediation (including any long-term monitoring that may
be required by the Good Samaritan permit) or the ability to
secure an appropriate third-party financial assurance, as
determined by the Administrator, to ensure completion of the
permitted work, including any long-term operations and
maintenance of remediation activities that may be--
(A) proposed in the application for the Good Samaritan
permit; or
(B) required by the Administrator as a condition of
granting the permit;
(13) subject to subsection (d), a detailed plan for any
required operation and maintenance of any remediation,
including a timeline, if necessary;
(14) subject to subsection (d), a description of any
planned post-remediation monitoring, if necessary; and
(15) subject to subsection (d), any other appropriate
information, as determined by the Administrator or the
applicant.
(d) Investigative Sampling.--
(1) Investigative sampling permits.--The Administrator may
grant an investigative sampling permit for a period
determined by the Administrator to authorize a Good Samaritan
to conduct investigative sampling of historic mine residue,
soil, sediment, or water to determine--
(A) baseline conditions; and
(B) whether the Good Samaritan--
(i) is willing to perform further remediation to address
the historic mine residue; and
(ii) will proceed with a permit conversion under subsection
(e)(1).
(2) Number of permits.--
(A) Limitation.-- Subject to subparagraph (B), the
Administrator may grant not more than 15 investigative
sampling permits.
(B) Applicability to converted permits.--An investigative
sampling permit that is not converted to a Good Samaritan
permit pursuant to paragraph (5) may be eligible for
reissuance by the Administrator subject to the overall total
of not more than 15 investigative sampling permits allowed at
any 1 time described in subparagraph (A).
(3) Application.--If a Good Samaritan proposes to conduct
investigative sampling, the Good Samaritan shall submit to
the Administrator an investigative sampling permit
application that contains, to the satisfaction of the
Administrator--
(A) each description required under paragraphs (1), (2),
and (5) of subsection (c);
(B) to the extent reasonably known to the applicant, any
previously documented water quality data describing
conditions at the abandoned hardrock mine site;
(C) the evidence required under subsection (c)(3);
(D) each plan required under paragraphs (9) and (10) of
subsection (c); and
(E) a detailed plan of the investigative sampling.
(4) Requirements.--
(A) In general.--If a person submits an application that
proposes only investigative sampling of historic mine
residue, soil, sediment, or water that only includes the
requirements described in paragraph (1), the Administrator
may grant an investigative sampling permit that authorizes
the person only to carry out the plan of investigative
sampling of historic mine residue, soil, sediment, or water,
as described in the investigative sampling permit application
under paragraph (3).
(B) Reprocessing.--An investigative sampling permit--
(i) shall not authorize a Good Samaritan or cooperating
person to conduct any reprocessing of material; and
(ii) may authorize metallurgical testing of historic mine
residue to determine whether reprocessing under subsection
(f)(4)(B) is feasible.
(C) Requirements relating to samples.--In conducting
investigative sampling of historic mine residue, soil,
sediment, or water, a Good Samaritan shall--
(i) collect samples that are representative of the
conditions present at the abandoned hardrock mine site that
is the subject of the investigative sampling permit; and
(ii) retain publicly available records of all sampling
events for a period of not less than 3 years.
(5) Permit conversion.--Not later than 1 year after the
date on which the investigative sampling under the
investigative sampling permit concludes, a Good Samaritan to
whom an investigative sampling permit is granted under
paragraph (1) may apply to convert an investigative sampling
permit into a Good Samaritan permit under subsection (e)(1).
(6) Permit not converted.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B)(ii)(I), a Good
Samaritan who obtains an investigative sampling permit may
decline--
(i) to apply to convert the investigative sampling permit
into a Good Samaritan permit under paragraph (5); and
(ii) to undertake remediation activities on the site where
investigative sampling was conducted on conclusion of
investigative sampling.
(B) Effect of lack of conversion.--
(i) In general.--Notwithstanding a refusal by a Good
Samaritan to convert an investigative sampling permit into a
Good Samaritan permit under subparagraph (A), but subject to
clause (ii), the provisions of paragraphs (1) through (4) of
subsection (n) shall continue to apply to the Good Samaritan
and any cooperating persons after the refusal to convert.
(ii) Degradation of surface water quality.--

(I) Opportunity to correct.--If, before the date on which a
Good Samaritan refuses to convert an investigative sampling
permit under subparagraph (A), actions by the Good Samaritan
or any cooperating person have caused conditions at the
abandoned hardrock mine site to be measurably worse, as
determined by the Administrator, when compared to conditions
described pursuant to paragraph (3)(B), if applicable, the
Administrator shall provide the Good Samaritan or cooperating
person, as applicable, the opportunity to return the
conditions at the abandoned hardrock mine site to those
conditions.
(II) Effect.--If, pursuant to subclause (I), the applicable
Good Samaritan or cooperating person does not return the
surface water quality at the abandoned hardrock mine site to
conditions described pursuant to paragraph (3)(B), if
applicable, as determined by the Administrator, clause (i)
shall not apply to the Good Samaritan or any cooperating
persons.

(e) Investigative Sampling Conversion.--
(1) In general.--A person to which an investigative
sampling permit was granted

[[Page S6311]]

may submit to the Administrator an application in accordance
with paragraph (2) to convert the investigative sampling
permit into a Good Samaritan permit.
(2) Application.--
(A) Investigative sampling.--An application for the
conversion of an investigative sampling permit under
paragraph (1) shall include any requirement described in
subsection (c) that was not included in full in the
application submitted under subsection (d)(3).
(B) Public notice and comment.--An application for permit
conversion under this paragraph shall be subject to--
(i) environmental review and public comment procedures
required by subsection (l); and
(ii) a public hearing, if requested.
(f) Content of Permits.--
(1) In general.--A Good Samaritan permit shall contain--
(A) the information described in subsection (c), including
any modification required by the Administrator;
(B)(i) a provision that states that the Good Samaritan is
responsible for securing, for all activities authorized under
the Good Samaritan permit, all authorizations, licenses, and
permits that are required under applicable law except for--
(I) section 301, 302, 306, 307, 402, or 404 of the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1311, 1312, 1316,
1317, 1342, 1344); and
(II) authorizations, licenses, and permits that would not
need to be obtained if the remediation was conducted pursuant
to section 121 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9621); or
(ii) in the case of an abandoned hardrock mine site in a
State that is authorized to implement State law pursuant to
section 402 or 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
(33 U.S.C. 1342, 1344) or on land of an Indian tribe that is
authorized to implement Tribal law pursuant to that section,
a provision that states that the Good Samaritan is
responsible for securing, for all activities authorized under
the Good Samaritan permit, all authorizations, licenses, and
permits that are required under applicable law, except for--
(I) the State or Tribal law, as applicable; and
(II) authorizations, licenses, and permits that would not
need to be obtained if the remediation was conducted pursuant
to section 121 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9621);
(C) specific public notification requirements, including
the contact information for all appropriate response centers
in accordance with subsection (o);
(D) in the case of a project on land owned by the United
States, a notice that the Good Samaritan permit serves as an
agreement for use and occupancy of Federal land that is
enforceable by the applicable Federal land management agency;
and
(E) any other terms and conditions determined to be
appropriate by the Administrator or the Federal land
management agency, as applicable.
(2) Force majeure.--A Good Samaritan permit may include, at
the request of the Good Samaritan, a provision that a Good
Samaritan may assert a claim of force majeure for any
violation of the Good Samaritan permit caused solely by--
(A) an act of God;
(B) an act of war;
(C) negligence on the part of the United States;
(D) an act or omission of a third party, if the Good
Samaritan--
(i) exercises due care with respect to the actions of the
Good Samaritan under the Good Samaritan permit, as determined
by the Administrator;
(ii) took precautions against foreseeable acts or omissions
of the third party, as determined by the Administrator; and
(iii) uses reasonable efforts--

(I) to anticipate any potential force majeure; and
(II) to address the effects of any potential force majeure;
or

(E) a public health emergency declared by the Federal
Government or a global government, such as a pandemic or an
epidemic.
(3) Monitoring.--
(A) In general.--The Good Samaritan shall take such actions
as the Good Samaritan permit requires to ensure appropriate
baseline conditions monitoring, monitoring during the
remediation project, and post-remediation monitoring of the
environment under paragraphs (7) and (14) of subsection (c).
(B) Multiparty monitoring.--The Administrator may approve
in a Good Samaritan permit the monitoring by multiple
cooperating persons if, as determined by the Administrator--
(i) the multiparty monitoring will effectively accomplish
the goals of this section; and
(ii) the Good Samaritan remains responsible for compliance
with the terms of the Good Samaritan permit.
(4) Other development.--
(A) No authorization of mining activities.--No mineral
exploration, processing, beneficiation, or mining shall be--
(i) authorized by this division; or
(ii) covered by any waiver of liability provided by this
division from applicable law.
(B) Reprocessing of materials.--A Good Samaritan may
reprocess materials recovered during the implementation of a
remediation plan only if--
(i) the project under the Good Samaritan permit is on land
owned by the United States;
(ii) the applicable Federal land management agency has
signed a decision document under subsection (l)(2)(G)
approving reprocessing as part of a remediation plan;
(iii) the proceeds from the sale or use of the materials
are used--

(I) to defray the costs of the remediation; and
(II) to the extent required by the Good Samaritan permit,
to reimburse the Administrator or the head of a Federal land
management agency for the purpose of carrying out this
division;

(iv) any remaining proceeds are deposited into the
appropriate Good Samaritan Mine Remediation Fund established
by section 5005(a); and
(v) the materials only include historic mine residue.
(C) Connection with other activities.--The commingling or
association of any other discharge of water or historic mine
residue or any activity, project, or operation conducted on
or after the date of enactment of this Act with any aspect of
a project subject to a Good Samaritan permit shall not limit
or reduce the liability of any person associated with the
other discharge of water or historic mine residue or
activity, project, or operation.
(g) Additional Work.--A Good Samaritan permit may (subject
to subsection (r)(5) in the case of a project located on
Federal land) allow the Good Samaritan to return to the
abandoned hardrock mine site after the completion of the
remediation to perform operations and maintenance or other
work--
(1) to ensure the functionality of completed remediation
activities at the abandoned hardrock mine site; or
(2) to protect public health and the environment.
(h) Timing.--Work authorized under a Good Samaritan
permit--
(1) shall commence, as applicable--
(A) not later than the date that is 18 months after the
date on which the Administrator granted the Good Samaritan
permit, unless the Administrator grants an extension under
subsection (r)(2)(A); or
(B) if the grant of the Good Samaritan permit is the
subject of a petition for judicial review, not later than the
date that is 18 months after the date on which the judicial
review, including any appeals, has concluded; and
(2) shall continue until completed, with temporary
suspensions permitted during adverse weather or other
conditions specified in the Good Samaritan permit.
(i) Transfer of Permits.--A Good Samaritan permit may be
transferred to another person only if--
(1) the Administrator determines that the transferee
qualifies as a Good Samaritan;
(2) the transferee signs, and agrees to be bound by the
terms of, the permit;
(3) the Administrator includes in the transferred permit
any additional conditions necessary to meet the goals of this
section; and
(4) in the case of a project under the Good Samaritan
permit on land owned by the United States, the head of the
applicable Federal land management agency approves the
transfer.
(j) Role of Administrator and Federal Land Management
Agencies.--In carrying out this section--
(1) the Administrator shall--
(A) consult with prospective applicants;
(B) convene, coordinate, and lead the application review
process;
(C) maintain all records relating to the Good Samaritan
permit and the permit process;
(D) in the case of a proposed project on State, Tribal, or
private land, provide an opportunity for cooperating persons
and the public to participate in the Good Samaritan permit
process, including--
(i) carrying out environmental review and public comment
procedures pursuant to subsection (l); and
(ii) a public hearing, if requested; and
(E) enforce and otherwise carry out this section; and
(2) the head of an applicable Federal land management
agency shall--
(A) in the case of a proposed project on land owned by the
United States, provide an opportunity for cooperating persons
and the public to participate in the Good Samaritan permit
process, including--
(i) carrying out environmental review and public comment
procedures pursuant to subsection (l); and
(ii) a public hearing, if requested; and
(B) in coordination with the Administrator, enforce Good
Samaritan permits issued under this section for projects on
land owned by the United States.
(k) State, Local, and Tribal Governments.--As soon as
practicable, but not later than 14 days after the date on
which the Administrator receives an application for the
remediation of an abandoned hardrock mine site under this
section that, as determined by the Administrator, is complete
and meets all applicable requirements of subsection (c), the
Administrator shall provide notice and a copy of the
application to--
(1) each local government with jurisdiction over a drinking
water utility, and each Indian tribe with reservation or off-
reservation

[[Page S6312]]

treaty rights to land or water, located downstream from or
otherwise near a proposed remediation project that is
reasonably anticipated to be impacted by the remediation
project or a potential release of contaminants from the
abandoned hardrock mine site, as determined by the
Administrator;
(2) each Federal, State, and Tribal agency that may have an
interest in the application; and
(3) in the case of an abandoned hardrock mine site that is
located partially or entirely on land owned by the United
States, the Federal land management agency with jurisdiction
over that land.
(l) Environmental Review and Public Comment.--
(1) In general.--Before the issuance of a Good Samaritan
permit to carry out a project for the remediation of an
abandoned hardrock mine site, the Administrator shall ensure
that environmental review and public comment procedures are
carried out with respect to the proposed project.
(2) Relation to nepa.--
(A) Major federal action.--Subject to subparagraph (F), the
issuance or modification of a Good Samaritan permit by the
Administrator shall be considered a major Federal action for
purposes of section 102 of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332).
(B) Lead agency.--The lead agency for purposes of an
environmental assessment and public comment under this
subsection shall be--
(i) in the case of a proposed project on land owned by the
United States that is managed by only 1 Federal land
management agency, the applicable Federal land management
agency;
(ii) in the case of a proposed project entirely on State,
Tribal, or private land, the Administrator;
(iii) in the case of a proposed project partially on land
owned by the United States and partially on State, Tribal, or
private land, the applicable Federal land management agency;
and
(iv) in the case of a proposed project on land owned by the
United States that is managed by more than 1 Federal land
management agency, the Federal land management agency
selected by the Administrator to be the lead agency, after
consultation with the applicable Federal land management
agencies.
(C) Coordination.--To the maximum extent practicable, the
lead agency described in subparagraph (B) shall coordinate
procedures under the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with State, Tribal, and Federal
cooperating agencies, as applicable.
(D) Cooperating agency.--In the case of a proposed project
on land owned by the United States, the Administrator shall
be a cooperating agency for purposes of an environmental
assessment and public comment under this subsection.
(E) Single nepa document.--The lead agency described in
subparagraph (B) may conduct a single environmental
assessment for--
(i) the issuance of a Good Samaritan permit;
(ii) any activities authorized by a Good Samaritan permit;
and
(iii) any applicable permits required by the Secretary of
the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture.
(F) No significant impact.--
(i) In general.--A Good Samaritan permit may only be issued
if, after an environmental assessment, the head of the lead
agency issues a finding of no significant impact (as defined
in section 111 of the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4336e)).
(ii) Significant impact.--If the head of the lead agency is
unable to issue a finding of no significant impact (as so
defined), the head of the lead agency shall not issue a Good
Samaritan permit for the proposed project.
(G) Decision document.--An approval or denial of a Good
Samaritan permit may be issued as a single decision document
that is signed by--
(i) the Administrator; and
(ii) in the case of a project on land owned by the United
States, the head of the applicable Federal land management
agency.
(H) Limitation.--Nothing in this paragraph exempts the
Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior, as
applicable, from any other requirements of section 102 of the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332).
(m) Permit Grant.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator may grant a Good
Samaritan permit to carry out a project for the remediation
of an abandoned hardrock mine site only if--
(A) the Administrator determines that--
(i) the person seeking the permit is a Good Samaritan;
(ii) the application described in subsection (c) is
complete;
(iii) the project is designed to remediate historic mine
residue at the abandoned hardrock mine site to protect human
health and the environment;
(iv) the proposed project is designed to meet all other
goals, as determined by the Administrator, including any
goals set forth in the application for the Good Samaritan
permit that are accepted by the Administrator;
(v) the proposed activities, as compared to the baseline
conditions described in the permit, will make measurable
progress toward achieving--

(I) applicable water quality standards;
(II) improved soil quality;
(III) improved sediment quality;
(IV) other improved environmental or safety conditions; or
(V) reductions in threats to soil, sediment, or water
quality or other environmental or safety conditions;

(vi) the applicant has--

(I) demonstrated that the applicant has the proper and
appropriate experience and capacity to complete the permitted
work;
(II) demonstrated that the applicant will complete the
permitted work;
(III) the financial and other resources to address any
contingencies identified in the Good Samaritan permit
application described in subsections (b) and (c);
(IV) granted access and provided the authority to review
the records of the applicant relevant to compliance with the
requirements of the Good Samaritan permit; and
(V) demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the Administrator,
that--

(aa) the applicant has, or has access to, the financial
resources to complete the project described in the Good
Samaritan permit application, including any long-term
monitoring and operations and maintenance that the
Administrator may require the applicant to perform in the
Good Samaritan permit; or
(bb) the applicant has established a third-party financial
assurance mechanism, such as a corporate guarantee from a
parent or other corporate affiliate, letter of credit, trust,
surety bond, or insurance to assure that funds are available
to complete the permitted work, including for operations and
maintenance and to address potential contingencies, that--
(AA) establishes the Administrator or the head of the
Federal land management agency as the beneficiary of the
third-party financial assurance mechanism; and
(BB) allows the Administrator to retain and use the funds
from the financial assurance mechanism in the event the Good
Samaritan does not complete the remediation under the Good
Samaritan permit; and
(vii) the project meets the requirements of this division;
(B) the State or Indian tribe with jurisdiction over land
on which the abandoned hardrock mine site is located has been
given an opportunity to review and, if necessary, comment on
the grant of the Good Samaritan permit;
(C) in the case of a project proposed to be carried out
under the Good Samaritan permit partially or entirely on land
owned by the United States, pursuant to subsection (l), the
head of the applicable Federal land management agency has
signed a decision document approving the proposed project;
and
(D) the Administrator or head of the Federal land
management agency, as applicable, has provided--
(i) environmental review and public comment procedures
required by subsection (l); and
(ii) a public hearing under that subsection, if requested.
(2) Deadline.--
(A) In general.--The Administrator shall grant or deny a
Good Samaritan permit by not later than--
(i) the date that is 180 days after the date of receipt by
the Administrator of an application for the Good Samaritan
permit that, as determined by the Administrator, is complete
and meets all applicable requirements of subsection (c); or
(ii) such later date as may be determined by the
Administrator with notification provided to the applicant.
(B) Constructive denial.--If the Administrator fails to
grant or deny a Good Samaritan permit by the applicable
deadline described in subparagraph (A), the application shall
be considered to be denied.
(3) Discretionary action.--The issuance of a permit by the
Administrator and the approval of a project by the head of an
applicable Federal land management agency shall be considered
to be discretionary actions taken in the public interest.
(n) Effect of Permits.--
(1) In general.--A Good Samaritan and any cooperating
person undertaking remediation activities identified in,
carried out pursuant to, and in compliance with, a covered
permit--
(A) shall be considered to be in compliance with all
requirements (including permitting requirements) under the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.)
(including any law or regulation implemented by a State or
Indian tribe under section 402 or 404 of that Act (33 U.S.C.
1342, 1344)) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et
seq.) during the term of the covered permit, after the
termination of the Good Samaritan permit, and after declining
to convert an investigative sampling permit into a Good
Samaritan permit, as applicable;
(B) shall not be required to obtain a permit under, or to
comply with, section 301, 302, 306, 307, 402, or 404 of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1311, 1312,
1316, 1317, 1342, 1344), or any State or Tribal standards or
regulations approved by the Administrator under those
sections of that Act, during the term of the covered permit,
after the termination of the Good Samaritan permit, and after
declining to convert an investigative sampling permit into a
Good Samaritan permit, as applicable; and
(C) shall not be required to obtain any authorizations,
licenses, or permits that would

[[Page S6313]]

otherwise not need to be obtained if the remediation was
conducted pursuant to section 121 of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of
1980 (42 U.S.C. 9621).
(2) Unauthorized activities.--
(A) In general.--Any person (including a Good Samaritan or
any cooperating person) that carries out any activity,
including activities relating to mineral exploration,
processing, beneficiation, or mining, including development,
that is not authorized by the applicable covered permit shall
be subject to all applicable law.
(B) Liability.--Any activity not authorized by a covered
permit, as determined by the Administrator, may be subject to
liability and enforcement under all applicable law,
including--
(i) the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251
et seq.); and
(ii) the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et
seq.).
(3) No enforcement or liability for good samaritans.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraphs (D) and (E), a
Good Samaritan or cooperating person that is conducting a
remediation activity identified in, pursuant to, and in
compliance with a covered permit shall not be subject to
enforcement or liability described in subparagraph (B) for--
(i) any actions undertaken that are authorized by the
covered permit; or
(ii) any past, present, or future releases, threats of
releases, or discharges of hazardous substances, pollutants,
or contaminants at or from the abandoned hardrock mine site
that is the subject of the covered permit (including any
releases, threats of releases, or discharges that occurred
prior to the grant of the covered permit).
(B) Enforcement or liability described.--Enforcement or
liability referred to in subparagraph (A) is enforcement,
civil or criminal penalties, citizen suits and any
liabilities for response costs, natural resource damage, or
contribution under--
(i) the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251
et seq.) (including under any law or regulation administered
by a State or Indian tribe under that Act); or
(ii) the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et
seq.).
(C) Duration of applicability.--Subparagraph (A) shall
apply during the term of the covered permit, after the
termination of the Good Samaritan permit, and after declining
to convert an investigative sampling permit into a Good
Samaritan permit, as applicable.
(D) Other parties.--Nothing in subparagraph (A) limits the
liability of any person that is not described in that
subparagraph.
(E) Decline in environmental conditions.--Notwithstanding
subparagraph (A), if a Good Samaritan or cooperating person
fails to comply with any term, condition, or limitation of a
covered permit and that failure results in surface water
quality or other environmental conditions that the
Administrator determines are measurably worse than the
baseline conditions as described in the permit (in the case
of a Good Samaritan permit) or the conditions as described
pursuant to subsection (d)(3)(B), if applicable (in the case
of an investigative sampling permit), at the abandoned
hardrock mine site, the Administrator shall--
(i) notify the Good Samaritan or cooperating person, as
applicable, of the failure to comply; and
(ii) require the Good Samaritan or the cooperating person,
as applicable, to undertake reasonable measures, as
determined by the Administrator, to return surface water
quality or other environmental conditions to those
conditions.
(F) Failure to correct.--Subparagraph (A) shall not apply
to a Good Samaritan or cooperating person that fails to take
any actions required under subparagraph (E)(ii) within a
reasonable period of time, as established by the
Administrator.
(G) Minor or corrected permit violations.--For purposes of
this paragraph, the failure to comply with a term, condition,
or limitation of a Good Samaritan permit or investigative
sampling permit shall not be considered a permit violation or
noncompliance with that permit if--
(i) that failure or noncompliance does not result in a
measurable adverse impact, as determined by the
Administrator, on water quality or other environmental
conditions; or
(ii) the Good Samaritan or cooperating person complies with
subparagraph (E)(ii).
(o) Public Notification of Adverse Event.--A Good Samaritan
shall notify all appropriate Federal, State, Tribal, and
local entities of any unplanned or previously unknown release
of historic mine residue caused by the actions of the Good
Samaritan or any cooperating person in accordance with--
(1) section 103 of the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C.
9603);
(2) section 304 of the Emergency Planning and Community
Right-To-Know Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 11004);
(3) the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251
et seq.);
(4) any other applicable provision of Federal law; and
(5) any other applicable provision of State, Tribal, or
local law.
(p) Grant Eligibility.--A remediation project conducted
under a Good Samaritan permit shall be eligible for funding
pursuant to--
(1) section 319 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
(33 U.S.C. 1329), for activities that are eligible for
funding under that section; and
(2) section 104(k) of the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C.
9604(k)), subject to the condition that the recipient of the
funding is otherwise eligible under that section to receive a
grant to assess or remediate contamination at the site
covered by the Good Samaritan permit.
(q) Emergency Authority and Liability.--
(1) Emergency authority.--Nothing in this section affects
the authority of--
(A) the Administrator to take any responsive action
authorized by law; or
(B) a Federal, State, Tribal, or local agency to carry out
any emergency authority, including an emergency authority
provided under Federal, State, Tribal, or local law.
(2) Liability.--Except as specifically provided in this
division, nothing in this division, a Good Samaritan permit,
or an investigative sampling permit limits the liability of
any person (including a Good Samaritan or any cooperating
person) under any provision of law.
(r) Termination of Good Samaritan Permit.--
(1) In general.--A Good Samaritan permit shall terminate,
as applicable--
(A) on inspection and notice from the Administrator to the
recipient of the Good Samaritan permit that the permitted
work has been completed in accordance with the terms of the
Good Samaritan permit, as determined by the Administrator;
(B) if the Administrator terminates a permit under
paragraph (4)(B); or
(C) except as provided in paragraph (2)--
(i) on the date that is 18 months after the date on which
the Administrator granted the Good Samaritan permit, if the
permitted work has not commenced by that date; or
(ii) if the grant of the Good Samaritan permit was the
subject of a petition for judicial review, on the date that
is 18 months after the date on which the judicial review,
including any appeals, has concluded, if the permitted work
has not commenced by that date.
(2) Extension.--
(A) In general.--If the Administrator is otherwise required
to terminate a Good Samaritan permit under paragraph (1)(C),
the Administrator may grant an extension of the Good
Samaritan permit.
(B) Limitation.--Any extension granted under subparagraph
(A) shall be not more than 180 days for each extension.
(3) Effect of termination.--
(A) In general.--Notwithstanding the termination of a Good
Samaritan permit under paragraph (1), but subject to
subparagraph (B), the provisions of paragraphs (1) through
(4) of subsection (n) shall continue to apply to the Good
Samaritan and any cooperating persons after the termination,
including to any long-term operations and maintenance
pursuant to the agreement under paragraph (5).
(B) Degradation of surface water quality.--
(i) Opportunity to return to baseline conditions.--If, at
the time that 1 or more of the conditions described in
paragraph (1) are met but before the Good Samaritan permit is
terminated, actions by the Good Samaritan or cooperating
person have caused surface water quality at the abandoned
hardrock mine site to be measurably worse, as determined by
the Administrator, when compared to baseline conditions
described in the permit, the Administrator shall, before
terminating the Good Samaritan permit, provide the Good
Samaritan or cooperating person, as applicable, the
opportunity to return surface water quality to those baseline
conditions.
(ii) Effect.--If, pursuant to clause (i), the applicable
Good Samaritan or cooperating person does not return the
surface water quality at the abandoned hardrock mine site to
the baseline conditions described in the permit, as
determined by the Administrator, subparagraph (A) shall not
apply to the Good Samaritan or any cooperating persons.
(4) Unforeseen circumstances.--
(A) In general.--The recipient of a Good Samaritan permit
may seek to modify or terminate the Good Samaritan permit to
take into account any event or condition that--
(i) significantly reduces the feasibility or significantly
increases the cost of completing the remediation project that
is the subject of the Good Samaritan permit;
(ii) was not--

(I) reasonably contemplated by the recipient of the Good
Samaritan permit; or
(II) taken into account in the remediation plan of the
recipient of the Good Samaritan permit; and

(iii) is beyond the control of the recipient of the Good
Samaritan permit, as determined by the Administrator.
(B) Termination.--The Administrator shall terminate a Good
Samaritan permit if--
(i) the recipient of the Good Samaritan permit seeks
termination of the permit under subparagraph (A);
(ii) the factors described in subparagraph (A) are
satisfied; and
(iii) the Administrator determines that remediation
activities conducted by the Good Samaritan or cooperating
person pursuant to the Good Samaritan permit may result in
surface water quality conditions, or any

[[Page S6314]]

other environmental conditions, that will be worse than the
baseline conditions, as described in the Good Samaritan
permit, as applicable.
(5) Long-term operations and maintenance.--In the case of a
project that involves long-term operations and maintenance at
an abandoned hardrock mine site located on land owned by the
United States, the project may be considered complete and the
Administrator, in coordination with the applicable Federal
land management agency, may terminate the Good Samaritan
permit under this subsection if the applicable Good Samaritan
has entered into an agreement with the applicable Federal
land management agency or a cooperating person for the long-
term operations and maintenance that includes sufficient
funding for the long-term operations and maintenance.
(s) Regulations.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the
Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of the
Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, and appropriate
State, Tribal, and local officials, may promulgate any
regulations that the Administrator determines to be necessary
to carry out this division.
(2) Guidance if no regulations promulgated.--
(A) In general.--If the Administrator does not initiate a
regulatory process to promulgate regulations under paragraph
(1) within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of the
Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, and appropriate
State, Tribal, and local officials, shall issue guidance
establishing specific requirements that the Administrator
determines would facilitate the implementation of this
section.
(B) Public comments.--Before finalizing any guidance issued
under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall hold a 30-day
public comment period.

SEC. 5005. SPECIAL ACCOUNTS.

(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of
the United States a Good Samaritan Mine Remediation Fund
(referred to in this section as a ``Fund'') for--
(1) each Federal land management agency that authorizes a
Good Samaritan to conduct a project on Federal land under the
jurisdiction of that Federal land management agency under a
Good Samaritan permit; and
(2) the Environmental Protection Agency.
(b) Deposits.--Each Fund shall consist of--
(1) amounts provided in appropriation Acts;
(2) any proceeds from reprocessing deposited under section
5004(f)(4)(B)(iv);
(3) any financial assurance funds collected from an
agreement described in section 5004(m)(1)(A)(vi)(V)(bb);
(4) any funds collected for long-term operations and
maintenance under an agreement under section 5004(r)(5); and
(5) any amounts donated to the Fund by any person.
(c) Unused Funds.--Amounts in each Fund not currently
needed to carry out this division shall be maintained as
readily available or on deposit.
(d) Retain and Use Authority.--The Administrator and each
head of a Federal land management agency, as appropriate,
may, notwithstanding any other provision of law, retain and
use money deposited in the applicable Fund without fiscal
year limitation for the purpose of carrying out this
division.

SEC. 5006. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

(a) In General.--Not later than 8 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation
with the heads of Federal land management agencies, shall
submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of
the Senate and the Committees on Transportation and
Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Natural Resources of
the House of Representatives a report evaluating the Good
Samaritan pilot program under this division.
(b) Inclusions.--The report under subsection (a) shall
include--
(1) a description of--
(A) the number, types, and objectives of Good Samaritan
permits granted pursuant to this division; and
(B) each remediation project authorized by those Good
Samaritan permits;
(2) interim or final qualitative and quantitative data on
the results achieved under the Good Samaritan permits before
the date of issuance of the report;
(3) a description of--
(A) any problems encountered in administering this
division; and
(B) whether the problems have been or can be remedied by
administrative action (including amendments to existing law);
(4) a description of progress made in achieving the
purposes of this division; and
(5) recommendations on whether the Good Samaritan pilot
program under this division should be continued, including a
description of any modifications (including amendments to
existing law) required to continue administering this
division.

DIVISION L--COMBATING CARTELS ON SOCIAL MEDIA ACT OF 2024

SEC. 5001. SHORT TITLE.

This division may be cited as the ``Combating Cartels on
Social Media Act of 2024''.

SEC. 5002. DEFINITIONS.

In this division:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on
Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on
the Judiciary, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the
House of Representatives.
(2) Covered operator.--The term ``covered operator'' means
the operator, developer, or publisher of a covered service.
(3) Covered service.--The term ``covered service'' means--
(A) a social media platform;
(B) a mobile or desktop service with direct or group
messaging capabilities, but not including text messaging
services without other substantial social functionalities or
electronic mail services, that the Secretary of Homeland
Security determines is being or has been used by
transnational criminal organizations in connection with
matters described in section 5003; and
(C) a digital platform, or an electronic application
utilizing the digital platform, involving real-time
interactive communication between multiple individuals,
including multi-player gaming services and immersive
technology platforms or applications, that the Secretary of
Homeland Security determines is being or has been used by
transnational criminal organizations in connection with
matters described in section 5003.
(4) Criminal enterprise.--The term ``criminal enterprise''
has the meaning given the term ``continuing criminal
enterprise'' in section 408 of the Controlled Substances Act
(21 U.S.C. 848).
(5) Illicit activities.--The term ``illicit activities''
means the following criminal activities that transcend
national borders:
(A) A violation of section 401 of the Controlled Substances
Act (21 U.S.C. 841).
(B) Narcotics trafficking, as defined in section 808 of the
Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (21 U.S.C. 1907).
(C) Trafficking of weapons, as defined in section 922 of
title 18, United States Code.
(D) Migrant smuggling, defined as a violation of section
274(a)(1)(A)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1324(a)(1)(A)(ii)).
(E) Human trafficking, defined as--
(i) a violation of section 1590, 1591, or 1592 of title 18,
United States Code; or
(ii) engaging in severe forms of trafficking in persons, as
defined in section 103 of the Victims of Trafficking and
Violence Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102).
(F) Cyber crime, defined as a violation of section 1030 of
title 18, United States Code.
(G) A violation of any provision that is subject to
intellectual property enforcement, as defined in section 302
of the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for
Intellectual Property Act of 2008 (15 U.S.C. 8112).
(H) Bulk cash smuggling of currency, defined as a violation
of section 5332 of title 31, United States Code.
(I) Laundering the proceeds of the criminal activities
described in subparagraphs (A) through (H).
(6) Transnational criminal organization.--The term
``transnational criminal organization'' means a group or
network, and associated individuals, that operate
transnationally for the purposes of obtaining power,
influence, or monetary or commercial gain, wholly or in part
by certain illegal means, while advancing their activities
through a pattern of crime, corruption, or violence, and
while protecting their illegal activities through a
transnational organizational structure and the exploitation
of public corruption or transnational logistics, financial,
or communication mechanisms.

SEC. 5003. ASSESSMENT OF ILLICIT USAGE.

Not later than July 1, 2025, the Secretary of Homeland
Security, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State
shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a
joint assessment describing--
(1) the use of covered services by transnational criminal
organizations, or criminal enterprises acting on behalf of
transnational criminal organizations, to engage in
recruitment efforts, including the recruitment of
individuals, including individuals under 18 years of age,
located in the United States to engage in or provide support
with respect to illicit activities occurring in the United
States, Mexico, or otherwise in proximity to an international
boundary of the United States;
(2) the use of covered services by transnational criminal
organizations to engage in illicit activities or conduct in
support of illicit activities, including--
(A) smuggling or trafficking involving narcotics, other
controlled substances, precursors thereof, or other items
prohibited under the laws of the United States, Mexico, or
another relevant jurisdiction, including firearms;
(B) human smuggling or trafficking, including the
exploitation of children; and
(C) transportation of bulk currency or monetary instruments
in furtherance of smuggling activity; and
(3) the existing efforts of the Secretary of Homeland
Security, the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, and
relevant government and law enforcement entities to counter,
monitor, or otherwise respond to the usage of covered
services described in paragraphs (1) and (2).

SEC. 5004. STRATEGY TO COMBAT CARTEL RECRUITMENT ON SOCIAL
MEDIA AND ONLINE PLATFORMS.

(a) In General.--Not later than January 1, 2026, the
Secretary of Homeland Security,

[[Page S6315]]

the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State shall submit
to the appropriate congressional committees a joint strategy,
to be known as the National Strategy to Combat Illicit
Recruitment Activity by Transnational Criminal Organizations
on Social Media and Online Platforms, to combat the use of
covered services by transnational criminal organizations, or
criminal enterprises acting on behalf of transnational
criminal organizations, to recruit individuals located in the
United States to engage in or provide support with respect to
illicit activities occurring in the United States, Mexico, or
otherwise in proximity to an international boundary of the
United States.
(b) Elements.--
(1) In general.--The strategy required under subsection (a)
shall, at a minimum, include the following:
(A) A proposal to improve cooperation and thereafter
maintain cooperation between the Secretary of Homeland
Security, the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, and
relevant law enforcement entities with respect to the matters
described in subsection (a).
(B) Recommendations to implement a process for the
voluntary reporting of information regarding the recruitment
efforts of transnational criminal organizations in the United
States involving covered services.
(C) A proposal to improve intragovernmental coordination
with respect to the matters described in subsection (a),
including between the Department of Homeland Security, the
Department of Justice, the Department of State, and State,
Tribal, and local governments.
(D) A proposal to improve coordination within the
Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice,
and the Department of State and between the components of
those Departments with respect to the matters described in
subsection (a).
(E) Activities to facilitate increased intelligence
analysis for law enforcement purposes of efforts of
transnational criminal organizations to utilize covered
services for recruitment to engage in or provide support with
respect to illicit activities.
(F) Activities to foster international partnerships and
enhance collaboration with foreign governments and, as
applicable, multilateral institutions with respect to the
matters described in subsection (a).
(G) Activities to specifically increase engagement and
outreach with youth in border communities, including
regarding the recruitment tactics of transnational criminal
organizations and the consequences of participation in
illicit activities.
(H) A detailed description of the measures used to ensure--
(i) law enforcement and intelligence activities focus on
the recruitment activities of transitional criminal
organizations not individuals the transnational criminal
organizations attempt to or successfully recruit; and
(ii) the protection of privacy rights, civil rights, and
civil liberties in carrying out the activities described in
clause (i), with a particular focus on the protections in
place to protect minors and constitutionally protected
activities.
(2) Limitation.--The strategy required under subsection (a)
shall not include legislative recommendations or elements
predicated on the passage of legislation that is not enacted
as of the date on which the strategy is submitted under
subsection (a).
(c) Consultation.--In drafting and implementing the
strategy required under subsection (a), the Secretary of
Homeland Security, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of
State shall, at a minimum, consult and engage with--
(1) the heads of relevant components of the Department of
Homeland Security, including--
(A) the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis;
(B) the Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans;
(C) the Under Secretary for Science and Technology;
(D) the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection;
(E) the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement;
(F) the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties;
(G) the Privacy Officer; and
(H) the Assistant Secretary of the Office for State and
Local Law Enforcement;
(2) the heads of relevant components of the Department of
Justice, including--
(A) the Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal
Division;
(B) the Assistant Attorney General for National Security;
(C) the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights
Division;
(D) the Chief Privacy and Civil Liberties Officer;
(E) the Director of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement
Task Forces;
(F) the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
and
(G) the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms, and Explosives;
(3) the heads of relevant components of the Department of
State, including--
(A) the Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and
Law Enforcement Affairs;
(B) the Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs;
and
(C) the Coordinator of the Global Engagement Center;
(4) the Secretary of Health and Human Services;
(5) the Secretary of Education; and
(6) as selected by the Secretary of Homeland Security, or
his or her designee in the Office of Public Engagement,
representatives of border communities, including
representatives of--
(A) State, Tribal, and local governments, including school
districts and local law enforcement; and
(B) nongovernmental experts in the fields of--
(i) civil rights and civil liberties;
(ii) online privacy;
(iii) humanitarian assistance for migrants; and
(iv) youth outreach and rehabilitation.
(d) Implementation.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date on
which the strategy required under subsection (a) is submitted
to the appropriate congressional committees, the Secretary of
Homeland Security, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of
State shall commence implementation of the strategy.
(2) Report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date on
which the strategy required under subsection (a) is
implemented under paragraph (1), and semiannually thereafter
for 5 years, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Attorney
General, and the Secretary of State shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a joint report
describing the efforts of the Secretary of Homeland Security,
the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State to implement
the strategy required under subsection (a) and the progress
of those efforts, which shall include a description of--
(i) the recommendations, and corresponding implementation
of those recommendations, with respect to the matters
described in subsection (b)(1)(B);
(ii) the interagency posture with respect to the matters
covered by the strategy required under subsection (a), which
shall include a description of collaboration between the
Secretary of Homeland Security, the Attorney General, the
Secretary of State, other Federal entities, State, local, and
Tribal entities, and foreign governments; and
(iii) the threat landscape, including new developments
related to the United States recruitment efforts of
transnational criminal organizations and the use by those
organizations of new or emergent covered services and
recruitment methods.
(B) Form.--Each report required under subparagraph (A)
shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a
classified annex.
(3) Civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy
assessment.--Not later than 2 years after the date on which
the strategy required under subsection (a) is implemented
under paragraph (1), the Office for Civil Rights and Civil
Liberties and the Privacy Office of the Department of
Homeland Security shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a joint report that includes--
(A) a detailed assessment of the measures used to ensure
the protection of civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy
rights in carrying out this section; and
(B) recommendations to improve the implementation of the
strategy required under subsection (a).
(4) Rulemaking.--Prior to implementation of the strategy
required under subsection (a) at the Department of Homeland
Security, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall issue
rules to carry out this section in accordance with section
553 of title 5, United States Code.

SEC. 5005. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this division shall be construed to expand the
statutory law enforcement or regulatory authority of the
Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice,
or the Department of State.

SEC. 5006. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS.

No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated for
the purpose of carrying out this division.
______