[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8070 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8070
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.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 18, 2024
Mr. Rogers of Alabama (for himself, Mr. Smith of Washington, Mr. Bacon,
Ms. Houlahan, Ms. Mace, Ms. Escobar, Mr. Luttrell, Ms. Jacobs, Mrs.
Kiggans of Virginia, Ms. Strickland, Mr. Moylan, Mr. Davis of North
Carolina, Mr. Alford, Mr. Kim of New Jersey, and Mr. Banks) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed
Services
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
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.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Servicemember Quality of Life
Improvement Act''.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
TITLE I--PAY AND COMPENSATION
Sec. 101. Reform of rates of monthly basic pay.
Sec. 102. Evaluation of the rates of the basic allowance for
subsistence.
Sec. 103. Basic needs allowance for members on active service in the
Armed Forces: expansion of eligibility;
increase of amount.
Sec. 104. Basic allowance for housing: authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 105. Expansion of authority of a commanding officer to authorize a
basic allowance for housing for a member
performing initial field or sea duty.
Sec. 106. Report regarding the calculation of cost-of-living
allowances.
TITLE II--CHILD CARE
Sec. 201. Competitive pay for Department of Defense child care
personnel.
Sec. 202. Parent fees at military child development centers for child
care employees.
Sec. 203. Child care services and youth program services for
dependents.
Sec. 204. Briefings on military child development centers.
TITLE III--MILITARY HOUSING
Sec. 301. Budget justification for certain Facilities Sustainment,
Restoration, and Modernization projects.
Sec. 302. Digital facilities management systems for military
departments.
Sec. 303. Strategy for use of existing leasing authorities to address
shortages of covered military unaccompanied
housing required.
Sec. 304. Independent assessment of estimated costs of certain
strategies to address shortages of covered
military unaccompanied housing.
TITLE IV--ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE
Sec. 401. TRICARE program: waiver of referral requirement under TRICARE
Prime for certain care in a military
medical treatment facility.
Sec. 402. Referral of a member of the Armed Forces to a TRICARE
provider for urgent behavioral health
services.
Sec. 403. Retention of health care providers: surveys; briefing;
reports.
TITLE V--SUPPORT FOR MILITARY SPOUSES
Sec. 501. Interstate compacts for portability of occupational licenses
of military spouses: permanent authority.
Sec. 502. Permanent Military Spouse Career Accelerator program.
Sec. 503. Child care services and youth program services for
dependents: period of services for a member
with a spouse seeking employment.
TITLE I--PAY AND COMPENSATION
SEC. 101. REFORM OF RATES OF MONTHLY BASIC PAY.
Effective on January 1, 2025, the rates of monthly basic pay for
members of the uniformed services within each pay grade and with years
of service computed under section 205 of title 37, United States Code
(and subject to adjustment under section 1009 of such title), are as
follows:
Years of Service
Commissioned Officers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pay Grade 2 or Fewer Over 2 Over 3 Over 4 Over 6
------------------------------------------------------------------------
O-8 $12,803.70 $13,223.70 $13,501.80 $13,579.20 $13,926.90
O-7 10,638.90 11,133.00 11,361.90 11,544.00 11,872.80
O-6 8,067.90 8,863.20 9,444.90 9,444.90 9,481.20
O-5 6,725.70 7,576.50 8,100.90 8,199.60 8,527.20
O-4 5,803.20 6,717.30 7,166.40 7,265.40 7,681.50
O-3 5,102.10 5,783.70 6,241.80 6,806.10 7,132.80
O-2 4,408.50 5,020.80 5,782.80 5,978.10 6,100.80
O-1 3,826.20 3,982.80 4,814.70 4,814.70 4,814.70
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over 8 Over 10 Over 12 Over 14 Over 16
------------------------------------------------------------------------
O-8 $14,506.50 $14,641.80 $15,192.60 $15,351.30 $15,825.90
O-7 12,198.30 12,574.20 12,948.90 13,325.40 14,506.50
O-6 9,887.40 9,941.40 9,941.40 10,506.30 11,505.00
O-5 8,722.50 9,153.00 9,469.80 9,878.10 10,501.80
O-4 8,127.90 8,684.10 9,116.10 9,416.70 9,589.50
O-3 7,490.70 7,721.70 8,102.10 8,301.00 8,301.00
O-2 6,100.80 6,100.80 6,100.80 6,100.80 6,100.80
O-1 4,814.70 4,814.70 4,814.70 4,814.70 4,814.70
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over 18 Over 20 Over 22 Over 24 Over 26
------------------------------------------------------------------------
O-10 $0.00 $18,491.70 $18,491.70 $18,491.70 $18,491.70
O-9 0.00 18,096.00 18,357.30 18,491.70 18,491.70
O-8 16,512.90 17,145.60 17,568.60 17,568.60 17,568.60
O-7 15,504.30 15,504.30 15,504.30 15,504.30 15,584.10
O-6 12,091.20 12,677.10 13,010.70 13,348.50 14,002.80
O-5 10,799.10 11,093.10 11,426.70 11,426.70 11,426.70
O-4 9,689.10 9,689.10 9,689.10 9,689.10 9,689.10
O-3 8,301.00 8,301.00 8,301.00 8,301.00 8,301.00
O-2 6,100.80 6,100.80 6,100.80 6,100.80 6,100.80
O-1 4,814.70 4,814.70 4,814.70 4,814.70 4,814.70
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over 28 Over 30 Over 32 Over 34 Over 36
------------------------------------------------------------------------
O-10 $18,491.70 $18,491.70 $18,491.70 $18,491.70 $18,491.70
O-9 18,491.70 18,491.70 18,491.70 18,491.70 18,491.70
O-8 17,568.60 18,008.40 18,008.40 18,458.10 18,458.10
O-7 15,584.10 15,895.80 15,895.80 15,895.80 15,895.80
O-6 14,002.80 14,282.40 14,282.40 14,282.40 14,282.40
O-5 11,426.70 11,426.70 11,426.70 11,426.70 11,426.70
O-4 9,689.10 9,689.10 9,689.10 9,689.10 9,689.10
O-3 8,301.00 8,301.00 8,301.00 8,301.00 8,301.00
O-2 6,100.80 6,100.80 6,100.80 6,100.80 6,100.80
O-1 4,814.70 4,814.70 4,814.70 4,814.70 4,814.70
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over 38 Over 40 .......... .......... ..........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
O-10 $18,491.70 $18,491.70 .......... .......... ..........
O-9 18,491.70 18,491.70 .......... .......... ..........
O-8 18,458.10 18,458.10 .......... .......... ..........
O-7 15,895.80 15,895.80 .......... .......... ..........
O-6 14,282.40 14,282.40 .......... .......... ..........
O-5 11,426.70 11,426.70 .......... .......... ..........
O-4 9,689.10 9,689.10 .......... .......... ..........
O-3 8,301.00 8,301.00 .......... .......... ..........
O-2 6,100.80 6,100.80 .......... .......... ..........
O-1 4,814.70 4,814.70 .......... .......... ..........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commissioned Officers With Over 4 Years of Active Duty Service As An
Enlisted Member or Warrant Officer
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pay Grade 2 or Fewer Over 2 Over 3 Over 4 Over 6
------------------------------------------------------------------------
O-3E $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $6,806.10 $7,132.80
O-2E 0.00 0.00 0.00 5,978.10 6,100.80
O-1E 0.00 0.00 0.00 4,814.70 5,141.10
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over 8 Over 10 Over 12 Over 14 Over 16
------------------------------------------------------------------------
O-3E $7,490.70 $7,721.70 $8,102.10 $8,423.40 $8,607.90
O-2E 6,294.90 6,622.80 6,876.60 7,065.00 7,065.00
O-1E 5,331.30 5,525.70 5,716.50 5,978.10 5,978.10
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over 18 Over 20 Over 22 Over 24 Over 26
------------------------------------------------------------------------
O-3E $8,859.00 $8,859.00 $8,859.00 $8,859.00 $8,859.00
O-2E 7,065.00 7,065.00 7,065.00 7,065.00 7,065.00
O-1E 5,978.10 5,978.10 5,978.10 5,978.10 5,978.10
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over 28 Over 30 Over 32 Over 34 Over 36
------------------------------------------------------------------------
O-3E $8,859.00 $8,859.00 $8,859.00 $8,859.00 $8,859.00
O-2E 7,065.00 7,065.00 7,065.00 7,065.00 7,065.00
O-1E 5,978.10 5,978.10 5,978.10 5,978.10 5,978.10
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over 38 Over 40 .......... .......... ..........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
O-3E $8,859.00 $8,859.00 .......... .......... ..........
O-2E 7,065.00 7,065.00 .......... .......... ..........
O-1E 5,978.10 5,978.10 .......... .......... ..........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warrant Officers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pay Grade 2 or Fewer Over 2 Over 3 Over 4 Over 6
------------------------------------------------------------------------
W-4 $5,273.10 $5,671.50 $5,834.40 $5,994.60 $6,270.60
W-3 4,815.60 5,015.70 5,222.10 5,289.00 5,504.40
W-2 4,260.90 4,663.80 4,787.70 4,873.20 5,149.20
W-1 3,739.80 4,143.00 4,250.70 4,479.60 4,749.90
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over 8 Over 10 Over 12 Over 14 Over 16
------------------------------------------------------------------------
W-4 $6,543.60 $6,820.20 $7,235.40 $7,599.90 $7,946.70
W-3 5,928.90 6,370.80 6,579.00 6,819.90 7,067.40
W-2 5,578.50 5,791.80 6,001.20 6,257.40 6,457.80
W-1 5,148.30 5,334.30 5,595.30 5,850.90 6,052.20
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over 18 Over 20 Over 22 Over 24 Over 26
------------------------------------------------------------------------
W-5 $9,375.60 $9,375.60 $9,851.10 $10,205.70 $10,597.20
W-4 8,231.10 8,508.30 8,914.50 9,248.70 9,629.70
W-3 7,513.80 7,814.70 7,994.70 8,186.10 8,447.10
W-2 6,639.00 6,856.20 6,998.70 7,111.80 7,111.80
W-1 6,237.60 6,462.90 6,462.90 6,462.90 6,462.90
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over 28 Over 30 Over 32 Over 34 Over 36
------------------------------------------------------------------------
W-5 $10,597.20 $11,128.20 $11,128.20 $11,683.50 $11,683.50
W-4 9,629.70 9,821.70 9,821.70 9,821.70 9,821.70
W-3 8,447.10 8,447.10 8,447.10 8,447.10 8,447.10
W-2 7,111.80 7,111.80 7,111.80 7,111.80 7,111.80
W-1 6,462.90 6,462.90 6,462.90 6,462.90 6,462.90
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over 38 Over 40 .......... .......... ..........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
W-5 $12,269.10 $12,269.10 .......... .......... ..........
W-4 9,821.70 9,821.70 .......... .......... ..........
W-3 8,447.10 8,447.10 .......... .......... ..........
W-2 7,111.80 7,111.80 .......... .......... ..........
W-1 6,462.90 6,462.90 .......... .......... ..........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enlisted Members
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pay Grade 2 or Fewer Over 2 Over 3 Over 4 Over 6
------------------------------------------------------------------------
E-7 $3,624.90 $3,956.40 $4,108.20 $4,308.30 $4,465.50
E-6 3,135.60 3,450.60 3,603.00 3,750.90 3,904.80
E-5 3,082.20 3,317.10 3,479.40 3,638.70 3,790.80
E-4 3,028.80 3,183.60 3,356.10 3,526.20 3,677.10
E-3 2,733.90 2,906.10 3,082.20 3,082.20 3,082.20
E-2 2,600.10 2,600.10 2,600.10 2,600.10 2,600.10
E-1 2,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over 8 Over 10 Over 12 Over 14 Over 16
------------------------------------------------------------------------
E-9 $0.00 $6,370.50 $6,514.80 $6,696.60 $6,910.50
E-8 5,214.90 5,445.60 5,588.40 5,759.40 5,944.50
E-7 4,734.60 4,886.40 5,155.20 5,379.30 5,532.30
E-6 4,252.50 4,387.80 4,649.70 4,729.80 4,788.00
E-5 3,964.80 4,052.10 4,076.40 4,076.40 4,076.40
E-4 3,677.10 3,677.10 3,677.10 3,677.10 3,677.10
E-3 3,082.20 3,082.20 3,082.20 3,082.20 3,082.20
E-2 2,600.10 2,600.10 2,600.10 2,600.10 2,600.10
E-1 2,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over 18 Over 20 Over 22 Over 24 Over 26
------------------------------------------------------------------------
E-9 $7,127.10 $7,472.10 $7,765.20 $8,072.70 $8,544.00
E-8 6,279.30 6,449.10 6,737.40 6,897.30 7,291.20
E-7 5,694.90 5,757.90 5,969.70 6,083.10 6,515.70
E-6 4,856.40 4,856.40 4,856.40 4,856.40 4,856.40
E-5 4,076.40 4,076.40 4,076.40 4,076.40 4,076.40
E-4 3,677.10 3,677.10 3,677.10 3,677.10 3,677.10
E-3 3,082.20 3,082.20 3,082.20 3,082.20 3,082.20
E-2 2,600.10 2,600.10 2,600.10 2,600.10 2,600.10
E-1 2,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over 28 Over 30 Over 32 Over 34 Over 36
------------------------------------------------------------------------
E-9 $8,544.00 $8,970.30 $8,970.30 $9,419.40 $9,419.40
E-8 7,291.20 7,437.30 7,437.30 7,437.30 7,437.30
E-7 6,515.70 6,515.70 6,515.70 6,515.70 6,515.70
E-6 4,856.40 4,856.40 4,856.40 4,856.40 4,856.40
E-5 4,076.40 4,076.40 4,076.40 4,076.40 4,076.40
E-4 3,677.10 3,677.10 3,677.10 3,677.10 3,677.10
E-3 3,082.20 3,082.20 3,082.20 3,082.20 3,082.20
E-2 2,600.10 2,600.10 2,600.10 2,600.10 2,600.10
E-1 2,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90 2,319.90
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over 38 Over 40 .......... .......... ..........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
E-9 $9,891.30 $9,891.30 .......... .......... ..........
E-8 7,437.30 7,437.30 .......... .......... ..........
E-7 6,515.70 6,515.70 .......... .......... ..........
E-6 4,856.40 4,856.40 .......... .......... ..........
E-5 4,076.40 4,076.40 .......... .......... ..........
E-4 3,677.10 3,677.10 .......... .......... ..........
E-3 3,082.20 3,082.20 .......... .......... ..........
E-2 2,600.10 2,600.10 .......... .......... ..........
E-1 2,319.90 2,319.90 .......... .......... ..........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEC. 102. EVALUATION OF THE RATES OF THE BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR
SUBSISTENCE.
Not later than April 1, 2025, the Secretary of Defense shall submit
to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of
Representatives a report containing the evaluation of the Secretary of
the rates of the basic allowance for subsistence under section 402 of
title 37, United States Code. Elements of such report shall include the
following:
(1) The determination of the Secretary whether such rates
are sufficient.
(2) Other factors that could be used to determine such
rates, including--
(A) the number of dependents a member of the
uniformed services has;
(B) whether the member has access to fresh fruits,
vegetables, dairy products, and meat;
(C) whether the member has access to healthy food;
and
(D) the local costs of food, including at
commissaries operated by the Secretary under chapter
147 of title 10, United States Code.
(3) The recommendations of the Secretary whether, and how,
such rates may be improved.
SEC. 103. BASIC NEEDS ALLOWANCE FOR MEMBERS ON ACTIVE SERVICE IN THE
ARMED FORCES: EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY; INCREASE OF
AMOUNT.
(a) Eligibility.--Section 402b of title 37, United States Code, is
amended, in subsection (b)(2)--
(1) in subparagraph (A)--
(A) by striking ``(A)'';
(B) by striking ``150 percent'' and inserting ``200
percent''; and
(C) by striking ``; or'' and inserting ``; and'';
and
(2) by striking subparagraph (B).
(b) Amount.--Such section is further amended, in subsection
(c)(1)(A), by striking ``150 percent (or, in the case of a member
described in subsection (b)(2)(B), 200 percent)'' and inserting ``200
percent''.
SEC. 104. BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING: AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
For fiscal year 2025, there is authorized to be appropriated
$1,200,000,000 for the purpose of fully funding the basic allowance for
housing for members of the uniformed services under section 403 of
title 37, United States Code.
SEC. 105. EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY OF A COMMANDING OFFICER TO AUTHORIZE A
BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING FOR A MEMBER PERFORMING
INITIAL FIELD OR SEA DUTY.
Subsection (f) of section 403 of title 37, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``certifies that the member was
necessarily required to procure quarters at the
member's expense.'' and inserting an em dash; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraphs:
``(A) certifies that the member was required to procure
housing at the member's expense; or
``(B) determines that quarters at the duty station or in
the field environment are inadequate or an impediment to
morale, good order, or discipline.''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)(B)--
(A) by striking ``the Secretary may authorize'' and
inserting ``a commanding officer may authorize'';
(B) by striking ``who is serving in pay grade E-4
or E-5'' and inserting ``who is serving in a pay grade
below E-6''; and
(C) by striking ``members serving in pay grades E-4
and E-5'' and inserting ``such members. In authorizing
an allowance under this subparagraph, the commanding
officer shall consider the availability of quarters for
the member and whether such quarters are inadequate or
an impediment to morale, good order, or discipline''.
SEC. 106. REPORT REGARDING THE CALCULATION OF COST-OF-LIVING
ALLOWANCES.
(a) Report Required.--Not later than April 1, 2025, the Secretary
of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the
Senate and House of Representatives a report regarding the CONUS COLA
and OCONUS COLA. Such report shall include the following elements:
(1) The factors used to calculate the CONUS COLA and OCONUS
COLA.
(2) An explanation of how the factors described in
paragraph (1) are determined.
(3) An explanation of how the CONUS COLA and OCONUS COLA
may be adjusted, including--
(A) timelines for such an adjustment;
(B) bases for such an adjustment; and
(C) the relationship between CONUS COLA and OCONUS
COLA.
(4) The evaluation of the Secretary whether the surveys
used to collect data from members to calculate the CONUS COLA
and OCONUS COLA are effective.
(5) The evaluation of the Secretary whether the calculation
of the CONUS COLA and OCONUS COLA is effective.
(6) The assessment of the Secretary whether the calculation
of the CONUS COLA or OCONUS COLA should include additional
factors, including--
(A) the number of dependents a member has;
(B) vicinity and commissary costs;
(C) the reimbursement of expenses (including tolls
and taxes) incurred by a member based on the duty
station of such member;
(D) remoteness;
(E) hardship;
(F) loss of spousal income;
(G) the unavailability of goods or services in the
vicinity of a duty station; and
(H) any other factor that the Secretary determines
appropriate.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``CONUS COLA'' means the cost-of-living
allowance paid to a member of the uniformed services under
section 403b of title 37, United States Code.
(2) The term ``OCONUS COLA'' means a cost-of-living
allowance paid to a member of the uniformed services on the
basis that--
(A) the member is assigned to a permanent duty
station located outside the continental United States;
or
(B) the dependents of such member reside outside
the continental United States but not in the vicinity
of the permanent duty station of such member.
TITLE II--CHILD CARE
SEC. 201. COMPETITIVE PAY FOR DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CHILD CARE
PERSONNEL.
(a) In General.--Section 1792(c) of title 10, United States Code,
is amended to read as follows:
``(c) Competitive Rates of Pay.--(1) For the purpose of providing
military child development centers with a qualified and stable civilian
workforce, employees at a military installation who are directly
involved in providing child care and who are paid from nonappropriated
funds--
``(A) in the case of entry-level employees, shall be paid a
rate of pay competitive with the rates of pay paid to other
equivalent non-Federal positions within the metropolitan
statistical area or non-metropolitan statistical area (as the
case may be) in which such Department employee's position is
located; and
``(B) in the case of any employee not covered by
subparagraph (A), shall be paid a rate of pay competitive with
the rates of pay paid to other employees with similar training,
seniority, and experience within the metropolitan statistical
area or non-metropolitan statistical area (as the case may be)
in which such Department employee's position is located.
``(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), no employee shall receive a
rate of pay under this subsection that is lower than the minimum hourly
rate of pay applicable to civilian employees of the Department of
Defense.
``(3) For purposes of determining the rates of pay under paragraph
(1), the Secretary shall use the metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area
occupational employment and wage estimates published monthly by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics.''.
(b) Application.--
(1) In general.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
take effect on the first day of the first pay period beginning
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) Rates of pay.--
(A) Current employee pay rate not reduced.--The
rate of pay for any individual who is an employee
covered by subsection (c) of section 1792 of title 10,
United States Code, as amended by subsection (a) of
this section, on the date of the enactment of this Act
shall not be reduced by operation of such amendment.
(B) Pay band minimum.--Any employee whose rate of
pay is fixed under such subsection (c), as so amended,
and who is within any pay band shall receive a rate of
pay not less than the minimum rate of pay applicable to
such pay band.
SEC. 202. PARENT FEES AT MILITARY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS FOR CHILD
CARE EMPLOYEES.
Section 1793 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by
striking subsection (d) and inserting the following new subsections:
``(d) Child Care Employee Discount.--In order to support
recruitment and retention initiatives, the Secretary of Defense shall
charge reduced fees for the attendance, at a military child development
center, of the children of a child care employee as follows:
``(1) For the first child, no fee.
``(2) For each other child, a fee equal to or less than a
fee discounted under subsection (c).
``(e) Prohibition of Concurrent Discounts.--A family may not
receive discounts under subsections (c) and (d) concurrently.''.
SEC. 203. CHILD CARE SERVICES AND YOUTH PROGRAM SERVICES FOR
DEPENDENTS.
(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations, the
Secretary of Defense shall fully fund requests for financial assistance
to eligible civilian providers of child care services or youth program
services under section 1798 of title 10, United States Code.
(b) Rule of Construction.--This section shall not be construed to
limit the authority of the Secretary under subsection (a) of section
1798 of such title to determine whether to provide such financial
assistance to an eligible provider.
SEC. 204. BRIEFINGS ON MILITARY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS.
(a) Briefings Required.--The Secretary of Defense, in coordination
with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall submit to the
Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives
briefings regarding child care services at military child development
centers according to the following schedule:
(1) Once every three months beginning on March 1, 2025, and
ending on March 1, 2026.
(2) On March 1 of each year thereafter through 2030.
(b) Elements.--Each briefing shall include, with regard to the
period covered by the briefing, the following elements:
(1) Waiting lists for such services, disaggregated by
military installation.
(2) Shortages of child care employees at military child
development centers, disaggregated by military installation.
(3) Insufficient capacity of military child development
centers, disaggregated by military installation.
(4) Efforts of the Secretary of Defense to mitigate such
shortages or insufficiencies in order to shorten such waiting
lists.
(c) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``military child
development center'' and ``child care employee'' have the meanings
given such terms in section 1800 of title 10, United States Code.
TITLE III--MILITARY HOUSING
SEC. 301. BUDGET JUSTIFICATION FOR CERTAIN FACILITIES SUSTAINMENT,
RESTORATION, AND MODERNIZATION PROJECTS.
Chapter 9 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting
after section 226 the following new section:
``Sec. 227. Budget justification for covered military unaccompanied
housing Facilities Sustainment, Restoration, and
Modernization projects
``(a) In General.--Along with the budget for each fiscal year
submitted by the President pursuant to section 1105(a) of title 31,
United States Code, each Secretary of a military department shall
include a consolidated budget justification display that individually
identifies--
``(1) for the fiscal year covered by the budget, the total
requested expenditure for Facilities Sustainment, Restoration,
and Modernization projects for covered military unaccompanied
housing, disaggregated by military department; and
``(2) the total expenditure for Facilities Sustainment,
Restoration, and Modernization projects made during the fiscal
year beginning two years before the fiscal year covered by the
budget, disagggregated by--
``(A) military installation;
``(B) the type of facility repaired or restored
under such projects;
``(C) the number of such projects that were for
sustainment or repair of a facility; and
``(D) the number of such projects that were for
restoration or modernization of a facility.
``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `covered military unaccompanied housing' has
the meaning given in section 2856 of this title.
``(2) The terms `facility' and `military installation' have
the meanings given, respectively, in section 2801 of this
title.''.
SEC. 302. DIGITAL FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR MILITARY
DEPARTMENTS.
(a) Digital Facilities Management Systems for Military
Departments.--
(1) Criteria.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary of Defense
for Energy, Installations, and Environment, in coordination
with each covered Assistant Secretary, shall develop criteria
for a new or established digital facilities management system
for each military department. Each such system shall have the
capability to, with respect to each military installation--
(A) track conditions of individual facilities,
applying the uniform index developed under section 2838
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2024 (Public Law 118-31), for each military
installation under the jurisdiction of each such
covered Assistant Secretary;
(B) plan for maintenance actions for each facility;
and
(C) generate reports that include data on--
(i) the type and function of each facility;
(ii) the overall condition of each
facility;
(iii) planned maintenance for each facility
during a 5-year period following the date of
submission of the criteria;
(iv) conditions that may lead to a failure
to maintain minimum physical security or
configuration standards for members of the
Armed Forces during the 12-month period
following the date of submission of the
criteria; and
(v) the date on which the facility will
have been in use for 40 years.
(2) Briefing.--Not later than 30 days after the date on
which the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy,
Installations, and Environment develops the criteria required
under paragraph (1), the Assistant Secretary shall provide to
Congress a briefing on such criteria.
(3) Implementation.--Not later than one year after the date
on which the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy,
Installations, and Environment develops the criteria required
under paragraph (1), each covered Assistant Secretary shall
implement a digital facilities management system for the
military department under the jurisdiction of that meets the
criteria described in paragraph (1).
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``covered Assistant Secretary'' means--
(A) the Assistant Secretary of the Army for
Installations, Energy, and Environment;
(B) the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy,
Installations, and Environment; and
(C) the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for
Installations, Environment, and Energy.
(2) The term ``facility'' has the meaning given in section
2801 of title 10, United States Code.
(3) The term ``military department'' has the meaning given
in section 101 of such title.
(4) The term ``military installation'' has the meaning
given in section 2801 of such title.
SEC. 303. STRATEGY FOR USE OF EXISTING LEASING AUTHORITIES TO ADDRESS
SHORTAGES OF COVERED MILITARY UNACCOMPANIED HOUSING
REQUIRED.
(a) Strategy Required.--
(1) In general.--Each Secretary of a military department
shall develop a strategy to use the authorities of such
Secretary, in effect as of such date, to lease real property to
address shortages of covered military unaccompanied housing.
(2) Elements.--Each strategy required by paragraph (1)
shall include, with respect to military installations under the
jurisdiction of the Secretary of the military department
concerned--
(A) an identification of military installations
with the largest shortages of covered military
unaccompanied housing;
(B) an identification of military installations
where existing facilities of covered military
unaccompanied housing are in poor or failing condition
under the uniform index for evaluating the condition of
covered military unaccompanied housing required by
section 2838 of the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118-31; 10 U.S.C. note
prec. 2851);
(C) plans of such Secretary in effect as of the
date of the enactment of this Act to address shortages
of covered military unaccompanied housing or the
condition of facilities of covered military
unaccompanied housing using--
(i) military construction projects; or
(ii) facility sustainment, restoration, or
modernization funds; and
(D) an assessment of whether the leasing authority
under section 2661 of title 10, United States Code, or
intergovernmental support agreements under section 2679
of such title would be suitable for use by such
Secretary to address--
(i) shortages of covered military
unaccompanied housing; or
(ii) the poor or failing condition of a
facility of covered military unaccompanied
housing.
(3) Deadline.--Each Secretary of a military department
shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report
that includes the strategy required by subsection (a) by not
later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--The following amounts are
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Defense to carry out
actions that may be taken pursuant to a strategy required by subsection
(a):
(1) $15,000,000 for Operations and Maintenance, Army.
(2) $9,000,000 for Operations and Maintenance, Navy.
(3) $6,000,000 for Operations and Maintenance, Marine
Corps.
(4) $15,000,000 for Operations and Maintenance, Air Force.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``congressional defense committees'' has the
meaning given such term in section 101(a)(16) of title 10,
United States Code.
(2) The term ``covered military unaccompanied housing'' has
the meaning given such term in section 2856 of such title.
(3) The terms ``facility'' and ``military construction
project'' have the meanings given such terms in section 2801 of
such title.
SEC. 304. INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF ESTIMATED COSTS OF CERTAIN
STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS SHORTAGES OF COVERED MILITARY
UNACCOMPANIED HOUSING.
(a) Agreement.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall seek to enter
into an agreement with an FFRDC for an assessment that compares the
estimated total cost to the United States during the 20-year period
beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act of--
(1) the construction and maintenance of facilities of
covered military unaccompanied housing to address shortages in
covered military unaccompanied housing; and
(2) the modification of policies of the Department of
Defense and each military department to permit a greater number
of members of the Armed Forces to reside in housing facilities
other than covered military unaccompanied housing (including
such policies relating to the payment of basic allowance for
housing under section 403 of title 37, United States Code).
(b) Report on Assessment.--An FFRDC that enters into an agreement
under subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary of Defense a report
on such assessment. Such report shall include--
(1) a comprehensive review of--
(A) the total lifecycle costs, disaggregated by
each military department, of the construction,
sustainment, and modernization of facilities of covered
unaccompanied housing to meet--
(i) the needs for housing for members of
the Armed Forces as of the date of the
enactment of this Act; and
(ii) the projected needs for such housing
during the 20-year period beginning on the date
of the enactment of this Act, as determined by
each Secretary concerned;
(B) the applicable policies of each military
department with respect to which members of the Armed
Forces are required to reside in covered military
unaccompanied housing; and
(C) for each military department, the expected
expenditure for basic allowance for housing under
section 403 of title 37, United States Code, during the
20-year period beginning on the date of the enactment
of this Act compared to such total lifecycle costs;
(2) a summary of the research and other activities carried
out as part of such comprehensive review; and
(3) recommendations of the FFRDC with respect to
requirements and policies of the Department of Defense and each
military department for covered military unaccompanied housing.
(c) Submission to Congress.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date on
which the Secretary of Defense receives the report under
subsection (b), such Secretary shall submit to the Committees
on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the
Senate a report that includes--
(A) an unaltered copy of the report of the FFRDC
submitted to the Secretary of Defense pursuant to
subsection (b); and
(B) the written responses of the Secretary of the
Defense and the Secretaries concerned with respect to
the results of such report.
(2) Form.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall be
submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified
annex.
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``covered military unaccompanied housing'' has
the meaning given such term in section 2856 of title 10, United
States Code.
(2) The term ``facility'' has the meaning given such term
in section 2801 of such title.
(3) The term ``FFRDC'' means a federally funded research
and development center.
TITLE IV--ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE
SEC. 401. TRICARE PROGRAM: WAIVER OF REFERRAL REQUIREMENT UNDER TRICARE
PRIME FOR CERTAIN CARE IN A MILITARY MEDICAL TREATMENT
FACILITY.
Section 1095f(a)(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(A)'' before ``The Secretary''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(B) The Secretary shall waive the referral requirement in
paragraph (1) in the case of a member of the Armed Forces serving on
active duty who seeks to obtain any of the following kinds of care in a
military medical treatment facility:
``(i) Physical therapy.
``(ii) Nutritional.
``(iii) Audiological.
``(iv) Optometric.
``(v) Podiatric.
``(vi) Primary and preventive health care services for
women (as such term is defined in section 1074d of this
title).''.
SEC. 402. REFERRAL OF A MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES TO A TRICARE
PROVIDER FOR URGENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES.
Section 722 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2020 (Public Law 116-92; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended--
(1) by striking ``If'' and inserting ``(a) In General.--
Subject to subsection (b), if''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(b) Urgent Behavioral Health Services.--
``(1) In general.--If the Secretary of Defense is unable to
provide urgent behavioral health services in a military medical
treatment facility to a covered individual during the three-day
period following the date on which such services are first
requested by the covered individual, the Secretary shall refer
the covered individual to a provider under the TRICARE program
to receive such services.
``(2) Covered individual defined.--In this subsection, the
term `covered individual' means--
``(A) a member of the Armed Forces on active duty;
``(B) a retired member of the Armed Forces;
``(C) a dependent of a member described in
paragraph (1); or
``(D) a dependent of a former member described in
paragraph (2).''.
SEC. 403. RETENTION OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS: SURVEYS; BRIEFING;
REPORTS.
(a) Surveys.--The Secretary of a military department shall conduct
an annual survey of health care providers under the jurisdiction of
such Secretary to determine why such providers remain on, or separate
from, active duty in such military department.
(b) Briefing.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of a military department shall
provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of
Representatives a briefing regarding the plan of such Secretary to
carry out the survey under this section.
(c) Reports.--Not later than September 30 of each year, beginning
in 2025, the Secretary of a military department shall submit to the
Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives
a report regarding the most recent survey under this section.
(1) Elements.--Each report shall include the following
elements:
(A) Demographic data regarding the providers,
disaggregated under paragraph (2).
(B) Reasons providers gave for remaining.
(C) Reasons providers gave for separating.
(D) The determination of the Secretary whether
there is a trend regarding retention or such reasons.
(E) Efforts of the Secretary to reverse a negative
trend or encourage a positive trend.
(F) Legislative recommendations of the Secretary
regarding how to reverse a negative trend or encourage
a positive trend.
(2) Demographic data.--In each report, the Secretary of a
military department shall disaggregate demographic data
regarding providers who participated in the most recent survey
on the bases of the following categories:
(A) Medical specialty.
(B) Rank.
(C) Gender.
(D) Years of service in such military department.
(E) Whether the provider became an officer on
active duty in such military department--
(i) pursuant to the Armed Forces Health
Professions Scholarship and Financial
Assistance program under subchapter I of
chapter 105 of title 10, United States Code;
(ii) after graduating from the Uniformed
Services University of the Health Sciences
established under section 2112 of such title;
or
(iii) otherwise.
(d) Termination.--This section shall cease to have effect on
September 30, 2030.
TITLE V--SUPPORT FOR MILITARY SPOUSES
SEC. 501. INTERSTATE COMPACTS FOR PORTABILITY OF OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES
OF MILITARY SPOUSES: PERMANENT AUTHORITY.
(a) In General.--Section 1784(h) of title 10, United States Code,
is amended by striking paragraph (5).
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
take effect as if enacted immediately following the enactment of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law
116-92), to which such amendment relates.
SEC. 502. PERMANENT MILITARY SPOUSE CAREER ACCELERATOR PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--Section 1784 of title 10, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(i) Employment Fellowship Opportunities.--The Secretary of
Defense shall carry out a program to provide spouses of members of the
Armed Forces with paid fellowships with employers in various
industries. To carry out such program, the Secretary shall take the
following steps:
``(1) Enter into an agreement with an entity to conduct
such program.
``(2) Determine the appropriate capacity for the program
based on the availability of appropriations for such purpose.
``(3) Establish criteria to evaluate the effectiveness and
cost-effectiveness of the program in supporting the employment
of such spouses.''.
(b) Effective Date.--Subsection (i) of such section shall take
effect on January 1, 2026.
(c) Conforming Amendment.--The pilot program under section 564 of
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Public Law
117-81; 10 U.S.C. 1784 note) shall terminate on January 1, 2026.
SEC. 503. CHILD CARE SERVICES AND YOUTH PROGRAM SERVICES FOR
DEPENDENTS: PERIOD OF SERVICES FOR A MEMBER WITH A SPOUSE
SEEKING EMPLOYMENT.
(a) Period.--The Secretary of a military department may provide a
covered member with covered services for a period of at least 180 days.
(b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to--
(1) entitle a covered member to covered services; or
(2) give priority to a covered member for purposes of a
determination regarding who shall receive covered services.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``covered member'' means a member of the Armed
Forces--
(A) who has a dependent child; and
(B) whose spouse is seeking employment.
(2) The term ``covered services'' means child care services
or youth program services provided or paid for by the Secretary
of Defense under subchapter II of chapter 88 of title 10,
United States Code.
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