[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2296 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 115
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2296
[Report No. 119-39]
To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 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 SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 15, 2025
Mr. Wicker, from the Committee on Armed Services, reported the
following original bill; which was read twice and placed on the
calendar
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2026 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 ``National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2026''.
SEC. 2. ORGANIZATION OF ACT INTO DIVISIONS; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Divisions.--This Act is organized into four divisions as
follows:
(1) Division A--Department of Defense Authorizations.
(2) Division B--Military Construction Authorizations.
(3) Division C--Department of Energy National Security
Authorizations and Other Authorizations.
(4) Division D--Funding Tables.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Organization of Act into divisions; table of contents.
Sec. 3. Congressional defense committees.
Sec. 4. Budgetary effects of this Act.
DIVISION A--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATIONS
TITLE I--PROCUREMENT
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations
Sec. 101. Authorization of appropriations.
Subtitle B--Army Programs
Sec. 111. Strategy for Army tactical wheeled vehicle program.
Subtitle C--Navy Programs
Sec. 121. Procurement authority for Columbia-class submarine program.
Sec. 122. Procurement authorities for Medium Landing Ships.
Sec. 123. Recapitalization of Navy waterborne security barriers;
modification of prohibition on availability
of funds for legacy waterborne security
barriers.
Sec. 124. Modification to limitations on Navy medium and large unmanned
surface vessels.
Sec. 125. Limitation on availability of funds for TAGOS ship program.
Sec. 126. Limitation on availability of funds relating to amphibious
warfare ship requirement.
Sec. 127. Temporary unavailability of amphibious warfare ships.
Subtitle D--Air Force Programs
Sec. 131. B-21 bomber aircraft program accountability matrices.
Sec. 132. Bomber aircraft force structure and transition roadmap.
Sec. 133. Requirement for an intelligence, surveillance, and
reconnaissance roadmap for the Air Force.
Sec. 134. Annual report on Department of Defense unified datalink
strategy.
Sec. 135. Plan for open mission systems of F-35 aircraft.
Sec. 136. Modification of prohibition on retirement of F-15E aircraft.
Sec. 137. Prohibition on retirement of A-10 aircraft.
Sec. 138. Extension of limitations and minimum inventory requirement
relating to RQ-4 aircraft.
Sec. 139. Expansion of air refueler fleet.
Sec. 140. Requirements relating to C-130 aircraft.
Sec. 141. Information on future large and oversized air cargo
transportation services.
TITLE II--RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations
Sec. 201. Authorization of appropriations.
Subtitle B--Program Requirements, Restrictions, and Limitations
Sec. 211. Modifications to defense research capacity building program.
Sec. 212. Program for the enhancement of the research, development,
test, and evaluation centers of the
Department of Defense.
Sec. 213. Extension of authority for assignment to Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency of private sector
personnel with critical research and
development expertise.
Sec. 214. Limitation on use of funds for certain Navy software.
Sec. 215. Limitation on availability of funds for Under Secretary of
Defense for Research and Engineering.
Sec. 216. Prohibition on contracts between certain foreign entities and
institutions of higher education conducting
Department of Defense-funded research.
Sec. 217. Western regional range complex demonstration.
Sec. 218. Modification of requirement for Department of Defense
policies for management and certification
of Link 16 military tactical data link
network.
Sec. 219. Advanced robotic automation for munitions manufacturing.
Sec. 220. Dual-use and defense advanced manufacturing innovation hubs.
Sec. 220A. Advanced manufacturing and additive manufacturing programs.
Sec. 220B. Improvements relating to advanced manufacturing.
Sec. 220C. Limitation on availability of funds for fundamental research
collaboration with certain academic
institutions.
Subtitle C--Plans, Reports, and Other Matters
Sec. 221. Catalyst Pathfinder Program.
Sec. 222. Extension of period for annual reports on critical technology
areas supportive of the National Defense
Strategy.
Sec. 223. Evaluation of additional test corridors for hypersonic and
long-range weapons.
Sec. 224. Technical correction.
Sec. 225. Congressionally directed programs for test and evaluation
oversight.
Sec. 226. Prohibition on modification of indirect cost rates for
institutions of higher education and
nonprofit organizations.
Sec. 227. Enhance international coordination for advanced manufacturing
techniques, technologies, and adoption.
Subtitle D--Biotechnology
Sec. 231. Biotechnology Management Office.
Sec. 232. Department of Defense biotechnology strategy.
Sec. 233. Defining guidelines and policies on the use of biotechnology
for the Armed Forces.
Sec. 234. Enhancement of international biodefense capacity.
TITLE III--OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations
Sec. 301. Authorization of appropriations.
Subtitle B--Energy and Environment
Sec. 311. Department of Defense guidelines regarding implementation of
the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969.
Sec. 312. Requirement to support training on wildfire prevention and
response.
Sec. 313. Use of solid waste disposal systems by Department of Defense.
Sec. 314. Modification of availability and use of energy cost savings.
Sec. 315. Authority of Department of Defense to destroy or dispose of
perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl
substances.
Sec. 316. Modification to restriction on procurement or purchasing of
personal protective equipment for
firefighters containing perfluoroalkyl
substances or polyfluoroalkyl substances.
Sec. 317. Provision of bottled water to communities with private
drinking water contaminated with
perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl
substances from activities of Department of
Defense.
Sec. 318. Repeal of prohibition on procurement by Department of Defense
of certain items containing perfluorooctane
sulfonate or perfluorooctanoic acid.
Sec. 319. Repeal of temporary moratorium on incineration by Department
of Defense of perfluoroalkyl substances,
polyfluoroalkyl substances, and aqueous
film forming foam.
Sec. 320. Interim responses to address releases or threatened releases
of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl
substances.
Subtitle C--Logistics and Sustainment
Sec. 321. Surface ship sustainment and readiness.
Sec. 322. Technology enhancement for surface ship maintenance.
Sec. 323. Delegation to United States Transportation Command of
mitigating vulnerabilities and risks
associated with contested logistics for
Department of Defense.
Sec. 324. Requirements for Department of Defense aircraft operations
near commercial airports.
Sec. 325. Extension and modification of semiannual briefings on
operational status of amphibious warship
fleet.
Sec. 326. Prohibition on closure of Army organic industrial base sites.
Sec. 327. Establishment of Defense Personal Property Management Office
under Office of the Under Secretary of
Defense for Personnel and Readiness.
Sec. 328. Integration of commercially available artificial intelligence
capabilities into logistics operations.
Sec. 329. Pilot program on arsenal workload sustainment.
Subtitle D--Reports
Sec. 331. Modification of report on improved oversight for
implementation of Shipyard Infrastructure
Optimization Program of the Navy.
Sec. 332. Modification of readiness report to include summary count of
certain mishaps.
Sec. 333. Annual report on funding and status of interim remedial
actions of Department of Defense relating
to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl
substances.
Subtitle E--Other Matters
Sec. 341. Provision of sports foods and third-party certified dietary
supplements to members of the United States
Special Operations Command.
Sec. 342. Limitation on use of funds to establish or expand Space Force
Special Operations Component Command.
Sec. 343. Requirements for contracts relating to permanent change of
station moving process.
Sec. 344. Limitation on transformation by the Army of primary
helicopter training program at Fort Rucker,
Alabama.
Sec. 345. Conveyance of certain aircraft from Air Force to Arizona
Aviation Historical Group, Phoenix,
Arizona.
Sec. 346. Limitation on use of funds by the Army until submittal of
plan to integrate Joint Munitions Command
and Army Sustainment Command.
Sec. 347. Limitation on use of certain funds of the Air Force until
acquisition strategy submitted to maintain
Airborne Command Post capability.
Sec. 348. Pilot program for contracted amphibious air resources for the
area of responsibility of the United States
Indo-Pacific Command.
Sec. 349. Naming of certain assets of the Department of Defense in the
Commonwealth of Virginia.
TITLE IV--MILITARY PERSONNEL AUTHORIZATIONS
Subtitle A--Active Forces
Sec. 401. End strengths for active forces.
Subtitle B--Reserve Forces
Sec. 411. End strengths for selected reserve.
Sec. 412. End strengths for reserves on active duty in support of the
reserves.
Sec. 413. End strengths for military technicians (dual status).
Sec. 414. Maximum number of reserve personnel authorized to be on
active duty for operational support.
Subtitle C--Authorization of Appropriations
Sec. 421. Military personnel.
TITLE V--MILITARY PERSONNEL POLICY
Subtitle A--Officer Personnel Policy
Sec. 501. Statutory adjustment to reflect transfer of certain general
officer billets from the Air Force to the
Space Force.
Sec. 502. Notice of removal of Judge Advocates General.
Sec. 503. Qualifications for judge advocates.
Sec. 504. Modification of waiver authority related to joint qualified
officer requirement prior to promotion to
general or flag grade.
Sec. 505. Notification of removal of officers from selection board
reports and promotion lists.
Sec. 506. Space Force general officer management.
Sec. 507. Temporary increase in fiscal year percentage limitation for
reduction or waiver of service-in-grade
requirement for general and flag officers
to be retired in pay grades O-7 and O-8.
Subtitle B--Reserve Component Management
Sec. 511. Expansion of authority to waive limitations on release of
reserves from active duty within two years
of retirement eligibility.
Sec. 512. Disestablishment of Navy Reserve Center system.
Sec. 513. National Guard personnel authorities.
Sec. 514. National Guard personnel disaster response duty.
Subtitle C--General Service Authorities and Military Records
Sec. 521. Chief of Naval Personnel.
Sec. 522. Enhanced efficiency and service discretion for Disability
Evaluation System reviews.
Sec. 523. Technical correction related to convalescent leave for
academy cadets and midshipmen.
Sec. 524. Recognition of remotely piloted aircraft crew.
Subtitle D--Military Justice and Other Legal Matters
Sec. 531. Notification of military sex offenders at military
installations.
Sec. 532. Quarterly reports on sexual assault prevention and response
efforts.
Subtitle E--Member Education, Training, and Transition
Sec. 541. Military service academy nominations.
Sec. 542. Asynchronous instruction in distance education option for
professional military education.
Sec. 543. Army University.
Sec. 544. Integration of the Secretary of Defense Strategic Thinkers
Program.
Sec. 545. Improvements to information-sharing to support individuals
retiring or separating from the Armed
Forces.
Sec. 546. Mandatory training on government ethics and national security
law.
Sec. 547. Prohibition on consideration of race, sex, color, ethnicity,
national origin, or religion in service
academy admissions decisions.
Sec. 548. Prohibition on participation of males in athletic programs or
activities at the military service
academies that are designated for women or
girls.
Sec. 549. Pathway for cadets and midshipmen to play professional
sports.
Subtitle F--Military Family Readiness and Dependents' Education
PART I--Dependents' Education
Sec. 551. Certain assistance to local educational agencies that benefit
dependents of military and civilian
personnel.
Sec. 552. Management of special education in schools operated by
Department of Defense Education Activity.
Sec. 553. Enrollment of children of certain American Red Cross
employees in defense dependents' education
system.
Sec. 554. Regulations on the use of portable electronic mobile devices
in Department of Defense Education Activity
schools.
Sec. 555. Administration of college admissions tests by the Department
of Defense Education Activity.
Sec. 556. Support for expanding early child care options for members of
the Armed Forces and their families.
Sec. 557. Improved counseling and access to information relating to
foster care for military families.
Sec. 558. Pilot program on recruitment and retention of employees for
child development programs.
Sec. 559. Report on unmet need for child care in areas with significant
populations of members of the Armed Forces.
PART II--Other Matters
Sec. 561. Legal assistance for guardianship transfers.
Subtitle G--Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
Sec. 571. Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps instructor
qualifications.
Sec. 572. Temporary authority to provide bonuses to Junior Reserve
Officers' Training Corps instructors.
Sec. 573. Number of Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps units.
Subtitle H--Decorations and Other Awards, Miscellaneous Reports, and
Other Matters
Sec. 581. Honorary promotions on the initiative of the Department of
Defense.
Sec. 582. National Week of Military Recruitment.
Sec. 583. Clarifying the calculation of enlistments for persons whose
score on the Armed Forces Qualification
Test is below a prescribed level for the
future servicemember preparatory course.
Sec. 584. Recruiter access to secondary schools.
Sec. 585. Compliance with travel charge card deactivation requirements.
TITLE VI--COMPENSATION AND OTHER PERSONNEL BENEFITS
Subtitle A--Pay and Allowances
Sec. 601. Modifications to calculation of basic allowance for
subsistence for enlisted members.
Sec. 602. Inclusion of descriptions of types of pay on pay statements.
Sec. 603. Increased awareness and improved calculation of rates for
basic allowance for housing.
Sec. 604. Military compensat