[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5063 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 5063

 To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a joint task force to 
   improve the research and development of lighter weight body armor.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 15, 2010

  Ms. Tsongas (for herself and Mr. Kissell) introduced the following 
      bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a joint task force to 
   improve the research and development of lighter weight body armor.

    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 ``Light Weight Armor Research 
Requirements for Individual Operational Readiness Act'' or the ``LT 
WARRIOR Act''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF JOINT TASK FORCE ON LIGHTWEIGHT BODY ARMOR.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Defense shall establish a 
joint task force, to be known as ``Joint Task Force Light Weight Armor 
Research Requirements for Individual Operational Readiness'' or ``JTF-
LT WARRIOR'', to--
            (1) synchronize efforts among the military departments to 
        identify and examine the requirements for lighter weight body 
        armor; and
            (2) serve as the centralized body for determining and 
        coordinating issues regarding lightweight body armor and other 
        personal protective equipment, including the required 
        attributes of such armor and the development and procurement of 
        such armor and equipment.
    (b) Composition.--
            (1) Membership.--The task force shall consist of not more 
        than 20 members, to be appointed by the Secretary as follows:
                    (A) At least one member shall be appointed from 
                each of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
                    (B) At least one member shall represent the Natick 
                Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center of 
                the Army.
                    (C) At least one member shall represent the Defense 
                Logistics Agency.
                    (D) At least one member shall represent the United 
                States Special Operations Command.
                    (E) At least one member shall represent the Program 
                Executive Office Soldier.
                    (F) At least one member shall represent the Test 
                and Evaluation Command of the Army.
                    (G) At least one member shall represent the Defense 
                Standardization Program Office.
                    (H) Other members representing other entities 
                considered appropriate by the Secretary.
            (2) Private entities.--In appointing members to the task 
        force, the Secretary may consider including representatives 
        from industry, including developers, manufacturers, and testing 
        personnel.
            (3) Deadline.--The members of the task force shall be 
        appointed not later than 30 days after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act.
            (4) Chair.--Of a member appointed under paragraph (1) who 
        is a member of the Armed Forces, the Secretary shall designate 
        a chair of the task force.
    (c) Recommendations.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than six months after the date 
        on which all members of the task force have been appointed, and 
        each six month period thereafter for a period of 18 months, the 
        task force shall submit to the Secretary a report recommending 
        ways in which the Secretary and each Secretary of a military 
        department may more effectively address the research, 
        development, and procurement requirements regarding reducing 
        the weight of body armor.
            (2) Matters included.--The reports required under paragraph 
        (1) shall include an assessment of the following:
                    (A) The requirement for lighter weight body armor 
                and personal protective equipment.
                    (B) Innovative design ideas for more modular body 
                armor that allow for scalable protection levels for 
                various missions and threats.
                    (C) Research, development, acquisition, and funding 
                objectives specifically dedicated to reducing the 
                weight of body armor and other personal protective 
                equipment items.
                    (D) The efficiency and effectiveness of current 
                body armor funding procedures and processes.
                    (E) Industry concerns, capabilities, and 
                willingness to invest in the development and production 
                of lightweight body armor initiatives.
            (3) Methodology.--In submitting the reports under paragraph 
        (1), the task force shall consider as bases for making 
        assessments--
                    (A) the findings and recommendations of previous 
                reviews and the efforts of similar coordination boards;
                    (B) the views of operations, combat, and materiel 
                developers; and
                    (C) other factors the task force considers 
                appropriate.
    (d) Final Report.--
            (1) Requirement.--The task force shall submit to the 
        Secretary of Defense and each Secretary of a military 
        department a final report on the activities of the task force.
            (2) Matters included.--The report shall include the 
        following:
                    (A) An assessment of the ability of the Department 
                of Defense to support the requirement for lightweight 
                body armor.
                    (B) An assessment of any barriers preventing the 
                development of lighter weight body armor (including 
                such barriers with respect to technical, institutional, 
                or financial problems).
                    (C) The need for dedicated research and development 
                funding specifically for reducing the weight of body 
                armor.
                    (D) Other areas of concern not previously mentioned 
                or addressed by equipping boards, body armor producers, 
                or program managers.
                    (E) The final findings and conclusions of the task 
                force.
                    (F) Any recommendations for changes to procedures 
                and policy the task force considers appropriate.
            (3) Submission to congress.--Not later than 60 days after 
        the receipt of the report under paragraph (1), the Secretary of 
        Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees 
        the report, together with an evaluation of the report from the 
        Secretary of Defense and each Secretary of a military 
        department.
    (e) Administrative Support.--
            (1) Compensation.--
                    (A) Each member of the task force who is a member 
                of the Armed Forces or a civilian officer or employee 
                of the United States shall serve without compensation 
                (other than compensation to which entitled as a member 
                of the Armed Forces or an officer or employee of the 
                United States, as the case may be).
                    (B) Other members of the task force shall be 
                appointed in accordance with, and subject to, section 
                3161 of title 5, United States Code.
            (2) Oversight.--The Under Secretary of Defense for 
        Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, shall provide oversight 
        of the task force.
            (3) Logistics.--The Washington Headquarters Services of the 
        Department of Defense shall provide the task force with 
        personnel, facilities, and other administrative support as 
        necessary for the performance of the duties of the task force.
    (f) Termination.--The task force shall terminate 90 days after the 
date on which the final report is submitted under subsection (d).
                                 <all>