[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 184 (Thursday, December 17, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H10161-H10470]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page H10161]]

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                        House of Representatives

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT SUBMITTED BY MR. ROGERS OF KENTUCKY, CHAIRMAN OF 
 THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS REGARDING HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1 
            TO THE SENATE AMENDMENT ON H.R. 2029--Continued

CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2016
                                  ____


  DIVISION F--DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2016

       Funding provided in this Act not only sustains existing 
     programs that protect the nation from all manner of threats, 
     it ensures the ability of the Department of Homeland Security 
     (DHS) to address evolving challenges like those witnessed in 
     recent events around the world. To that end, additional 
     resources have been identified to improve preparedness at the 
     state and local levels, to prevent and respond to terrorist 
     attacks, and to hire, train, and equip DHS frontline forces 
     protecting the homeland.
       The following is an explanation of the effects of Division 
     F, which makes appropriations for DHS for fiscal year 2016. 
     Unless otherwise noted, references to the House and Senate 
     reports are to House Report 114-215 and Senate Report 114-68, 
     respectively. The language and allocations contained in the 
     House and Senate reports warrant full compliance and carry 
     the same weight as language included in this explanatory 
     statement, unless specifically addressed to the contrary in 
     the bill or this explanatory statement. While repeating some 
     language from the House or Senate report for emphasis, this 
     explanatory statement does not intend to negate the language 
     referred to above unless expressly provided herein. When this 
     explanatory statement refers to the Committees or the 
     Committees on Appropriations, this reference is to the House 
     Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security and the 
     Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Department of 
     Homeland Security. It is assumed that any cost of living 
     adjustment for federal employees directed by the President 
     for fiscal year 2016 will be funded from within the amounts 
     provided in this Act.NOTICE

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By order of the Joint Committee on Printing.
                                                                
GREGG HARPER, Chairman.

[[Page H10162]]

  

       This explanatory statement refers to certain laws and 
     organizations as follows: the Implementing Recommendations of 
     the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, Public Law 110-53, is 
     referenced as the 9/11 Act; the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
     Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Public Law 93-288, is 
     referenced as the Stafford Act; the Department of Homeland 
     Security is referenced as DHS or the Department; the 
     Government Accountability Office is referenced as GAO; and 
     the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Homeland 
     Security is referenced as OIG. In addition, ``full-time 
     equivalents'' are referred to as FTE; ``full-time positions'' 
     are referred to as FTP; ``Information Technology'' is 
     referred to as IT; the DHS ``Working Capital Fund'' is 
     referred to as WCF; ``program, project, and activity'' is 
     referred to as PPA; and any reference to ``the Secretary'' 
     should be interpreted to mean the Secretary of the Department 
     of Homeland Security.


                          Classified Programs

       Recommended adjustments to classified programs are 
     addressed in a classified annex to this explanatory 
     statement.

            TITLE I--DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS

            Office of the Secretary and Executive Management

       A total of $137,466,000 is provided for the Office of the 
     Secretary and Executive Management (OSEM), including not more 
     than $45,000 for official reception and representation 
     expenses. The House report directive to cap expenses for the 
     Office of Policy's Visa Waiver Program is no longer required.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Immediate Office of the Secretary.............................               $8,932,000               $8,922,000
Immediate Office of the Deputy Secretary......................                1,758,000                1,748,000
Office of the Chief of Staff..................................                2,716,000                2,696,000
Executive Secretary...........................................                5,640,000                5,601,000
Office of Policy..............................................               39,339,000               39,077,000
Office of Public Affairs......................................                5,510,000                5,472,000
Office of Legislative Affairs.................................                5,405,000                5,363,000
Office of Partnership and Engagement..........................               10,025,000               13,074,000
Office of General Counsel.....................................               19,625,000               19,472,000
Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties...................               20,954,000               21,800,000
Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman................                6,312,000                6,272,000
Privacy Officer...............................................                8,031,000                7,969,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total, Office of the Secretary and Executive Management...             $134,247,000             $137,466,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Immediate Office of the Secretary Excessive Use of Administrative Leave

       In October 2014, GAO issued report GAO-15-79, which 
     highlighted federal agencies' excessive use of paid 
     administrative leave related to personnel matters such as 
     discipline, fitness for duty, and security clearances. 
     Following that report, DHS released statistics showing 109 
     employees had been on paid administrative leave for more than 
     one year during the period of fiscal years 2011 through 2015. 
     Since the report, DHS issued a new policy to address the 
     problem, including requiring reporting and executive approval 
     at certain thresholds. The Department shall update the 
     Committees monthly on its statistics regarding the use of 
     paid administrative leave for all periods beyond one month. 
     DHS is expected to ensure that due process required by law is 
     provided to all employees, including timely investigation and 
     resolution of allegations and issues.


                       Joint Requirements Council

       With regard to direction in the House and Senate reports, 
     the Department shall provide quarterly briefings, beginning 
     not later than January 30, 2016, on results achieved through 
     the Joint Requirements Council (JRC) to improve and leverage 
     joint requirements across DHS components.


          Integrated Product Teams and Technology Assessments

       The Department lacks a mechanism for capturing and 
     understanding research and development (R&D) activities 
     conducted across DHS, as well as coordinating R&D to reflect 
     departmental priorities. As part of the Unity of Effort 
     initiative and in order to address the above concerns, DHS is 
     establishing Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) to assist the 
     Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) with requirements 
     gathering, validation, and alignment of budgetary resources. 
     IPTs, comprised of personnel from across DHS, will be tasked 
     with identifying and prioritizing technological capability 
     gaps and coordinating departmental R&D to close those gaps. 
     The overall IPT effort will be led by the Under Secretary for 
     S&T, but individual IPTs will be led by senior 
     representatives from the operational components, and will 
     have representation from the JRC Portfolio Teams and S&T.
       S&T will also play a critical role in helping DHS-wide 
     acquisition programs by conducting independent technical 
     assessments of acquisitions, including participation in 
     developmental test and evaluation activities, to ensure DHS 
     acquisitions effectively fill identified capability gaps. S&T 
     is directed to brief the Committees not later than January 
     15, 2016, on the results of the first IPTs and technology 
     assessments.


                Southern Border and Approaches Campaign

       The Southern Border and Approaches Campaign is the first 
     concerted effort at DHS to leverage the Department's assets 
     and capabilities in a unified manner to achieve specific 
     goals through the creation of Joint Task Forces (JTFs). At 
     the same time, the campaign is still in its nascent phase, 
     and has yet to document significant results from the JTFs. 
     The Department shall brief the Committees quarterly on 
     campaign metrics, the activities of the JTFs, and the cost, 
     including personnel, of operating them.


                          Wildlife Trafficking

       Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Secretary is directed to update the report required 
     by Senate Report 113-198 regarding DHS activities related to 
     wildlife trafficking and the illegal natural resources trade.


                       Universal Complaint System

       In lieu of the Senate reporting requirement, DHS is 
     reminded of the fiscal year 2015 reporting requirement on a 
     universal complaint system and shall brief the Committees 
     expeditiously on this overdue report.


                   Support of State Police Crime Labs

       The Department of Homeland Security's enforcement, 
     investigation, and security agencies lead many of the federal 
     government's counter-narcotics and law enforcement efforts. 
     The collective work of U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
     (CBP), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the 
     Coast Guard, and the United States Secret Service includes 
     investigations and operations in communities large and small 
     across our nation. As a result, the Department often works 
     closely with and shares capabilities among state, local, 
     tribal, and foreign law enforcement agencies, including state 
     police crime labs. These labs provide the Department with a 
     number of critical capabilities, including fingerprint, drug, 
     and cell phone analysis. Likewise, agencies of the Department 
     provide many of the same services to state, local, tribal, 
     and foreign law enforcement agencies.
       Coordination among federal and state law enforcement 
     agencies not only ensures efficient use of resources, it also 
     improves public safety outcomes. To that end, the Department 
     should continue to work with state crime labs where 
     available, particularly in areas not served by DHS labs or 
     other similar federal facilities. The Department should also 
     continue to provide whatever assistance appropriate to state 
     police crime labs to ensure federal requirements do not 
     burden state resources. Moreover, for areas where the 
     Department frequently relies on state crime labs, additional 
     support may be appropriate to prevent the accumulation of 
     backlogs that can slow federal and state investigations. DHS 
     shall report annually on its use of and partnerships with 
     state crime labs, including the funds associated with such 
     partnerships, and should fully reimburse state crime labs it 
     uses.


         Responding to Emergent Threats from Violent Extremism

       A general provision in title V of this Act provides 
     $50,000,000 for emergent threats from violent extremism and 
     from complex, coordinated terrorist attacks, and allows the 
     Secretary to transfer such funds between appropriations after 
     notifying the Committees 15 days in advance. Within these 
     funds, not more than $10,000,000 is for a countering violent 
     extremism (CVE) initiative to help states and local 
     communities prepare for, prevent, and respond to emergent 
     threats from violent extremism; not less than $39,000,000 is 
     for an initiative to help states and local governments 
     prepare for, prevent, and respond to complex, coordinated 
     terrorist attacks with the potential for mass casualties and 
     infrastructure damage; and not less than $1,000,000 shall be 
     for expanding or enhancing the Joint Counterterrorism 
     Awareness Workshop Series, which brings together federal, 
     state, and local governments, and the private sector to help 
     regions improve their counterterrorism preparedness posture, 
     including the ability to address the threat of complex 
     terrorist attacks.
       All funds under the CVE initiative shall be provided on a 
     competitive basis directly to states, local governments, 
     tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, or institutions 
     of higher education. Eligible activities for the CVE 
     initiative shall include, but not be limited to, planning, 
     developing, implementing, or expanding educational outreach, 
     community engagement, social service programs, training, and 
     exercises, as well as other activities as the Secretary 
     determines appropriate. Existing programs should be utilized 
     wherever practical. Eligible activities for the initiative 
     related to complex coordinated terrorist attacks shall 
     include, but

[[Page H10163]]

     not be limited to, planning, training and exercises to 
     support plans, and other activities the Secretary determines 
     appropriate, consistent with this statement.
       Not later than 45 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Department shall brief the Committees on plans for 
     execution of the initiatives, to include timelines, goals, 
     metrics, and how the Whole of Community will be included.


                            Office of Policy

                            Political Travel

       The House directive to report on travel by political 
     employees is no longer required.


                         Immigration Statistics

       The Office of Policy is directed to continue developing and 
     overseeing the implementation of a plan to collect, analyze, 
     and report appropriate data on the Department's immigration 
     enforcement activities. The plan should include steps to 
     ensure the completeness and accuracy of data on the full 
     scope of immigration enforcement activities, from encounter 
     to final disposition, including the use of prosecutorial 
     discretion. All data necessary to support a better picture of 
     this lifecycle and the Department's effectiveness in 
     enforcing immigration laws shall be considered and 
     prioritized, including appropriate data collected by the 
     Executive Office for Immigration Review at the Department of 
     Justice and the Office of Refugee Resettlement at the 
     Department of Health and Human Services. The plan should 
     result in a consistent set of outcome-based metrics related 
     to immigration enforcement, beyond only apprehensions and 
     removals, which can be regularly and publicly released. Not 
     later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
     the Office of Policy, with all the relevant components, is 
     directed to brief the Committees on this plan and a schedule 
     for implementation. The Department is also directed to brief 
     the Committees quarterly on progress in implementing the 
     plan.


                        Border Security Metrics

       The Office of Policy is directed to coordinate with 
     relevant components to finalize metrics that inform an 
     outcome-based approach to border security performance 
     management and domain awareness. These metrics shall 
     contribute to more analytically-sound decision making across 
     the Department, including decisions on resource allocations 
     and mission management; measuring the flow and level of 
     illegal entry of people and goods, delineated by threat 
     level; and utilizing all situational awareness capabilities 
     to form a measured operational picture. Specific metrics 
     shall include but not be limited to those detailed in the 
     House report, as well as survey and historical data, and be 
     assessed against operations and strategic requirements for 
     improving border and pathway awareness. DHS shall brief the 
     Committees on this initiative not later than 90 days after 
     the date of enactment of this Act.


                                REAL ID

       As stated in the Senate report, the Department should 
     continue efforts to implement the REAL ID program, and to use 
     the law's extension provision, which gives the Secretary 
     discretion to grant states additional time to meet the 
     required minimum standards if the state provides adequate 
     justification for noncompliance and plans for implementing 
     unmet requirements. States should have the opportunity to 
     consider and debate methods of compliance consistent with 
     their individual values and traditions, without sanction.


                  Office of Partnership and Engagement

       A total of $13,074,000 is provided for the Office of 
     Partnership and Engagement, which includes an increase of 
     $3,108,000 for the Office for Community Partnerships (OCP). 
     OCP, created to support the mission of countering violent 
     extremism and to build community partnerships necessary to 
     support CVE efforts, is directed to provide a detailed 
     description of department-wide CVE programs and initiatives 
     not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, as detailed in the House report.

              Office of the Under Secretary for Management

       A total of $196,810,000 is provided for the Office of the 
     Under Secretary for Management (USM). Of this amount, $2,000 
     is for official reception and representation expenses, and 
     $7,778,000 is for the Human Resources Information Technology 
     program. The bill includes $215,679,000 for the Department's 
     headquarters consolidation at St. Elizabeths, including funds 
     for reconfiguring space in the Munro Building to accommodate 
     other DHS components. As directed in the bill, DHS is to 
     submit a plan of expenditure for these funds to the 
     Committees not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
     of this Act.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Immediate Office of the Under Secretary for Management........               $3,411,000               $3,393,000
Office of the Chief Security Officer..........................               66,538,000               69,120,000
Office of the Chief Procurement Officer.......................               58,989,000               60,630,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal..............................................              128,938,000              133,143,000
Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer:
    Salaries and Expenses.....................................               24,390,000               24,198,000
    Human Resources Information Technology....................                9,578,000                7,778,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal..............................................               33,968,000               31,976,000
Office of the Chief Readiness Support Officer:
    Salaries and Expenses.....................................               27,350,000               27,235,000
    Nebraska Avenue Complex...................................                2,931,000                4,456,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal..............................................               30,281,000               31,691,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Total, Office of the Under Secretary for                       $193,187,000             $196,810,000
             Management.......................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                Comprehensive Acquisition Status Report

       As directed by the Senate, the Comprehensive Acquisition 
     Status Report (CASR) shall be submitted with justification 
     documents accompanying the President's budget proposal for 
     fiscal year 2017, and shall meet the requirements delineated 
     in House Report 112-331. In accordance with the House report, 
     programs shall be displayed by appropriation and PPA. 
     Guidance in the House report requiring the USM, who also 
     serves as the DHS Chief Acquisition Officer, to brief the 
     Committees on Level 1, 2, and 3 programs is modified to 
     require briefings on only Level 1, Level 2, and special 
     interest projects within 30 days of delivery of the CASR. 
     Component Acquisition Executives are directed to brief the 
     Committees on Level 3 projects within 30 days of delivery of 
     the CASR.


          Office of Program Accountability and Risk Management

       In lieu of direction in the House report, the Executive 
     Director of the Office of Program Accountability and Risk 
     Management (PARM) shall brief the Committees on every major 
     acquisition program by component on a quarterly basis, 
     beginning not later than April 15, 2016.


                      Interoperable Communications

       For years, the Department has known of serious gaps in its 
     interoperable communications capabilities as a result of OIG 
     reports in November 2012 and May 2015, as well as its own 
     internal assessments and direction from Congress. However, 
     DHS has made little progress in addressing those concerns, 
     allowing proposed changes to policies, plans, and governance 
     to languish in bureaucratic review processes. Therefore, the 
     USM is directed to brief the Committees within 90 days after 
     the date of enactment of this Act on the plan and timeline to 
     remedy the operational communications shortfalls with 
     existing communications capabilities. The briefing shall also 
     specifically address how the Department will manage joint 
     communications requirements and procurements to ensure 
     interoperability across the components is sustained.


                         Weapons and Ammunition

       The Department shall adhere to statutory weapons and 
     ammunition reporting requirements made permanent in Public 
     Laws 113-76 and 114-4.


                    Personnel and Hiring Challenges

       The Department continues to struggle to achieve hiring 
     targets and manage attrition, particularly for law 
     enforcement positions. Consistent with direction in both the 
     House and Senate reports, the USM shall complete an analysis 
     of the root causes for DHS's lengthy hiring processes, and 
     utilize its results to develop a corrective action plan to 
     reduce the number of days it takes to hire personnel at each 
     component. Concurrent with this effort, each DHS component, 
     in coordination with the USM, shall develop hiring metrics. 
     In lieu of reporting requirements in the House report, the 
     USM shall provide an update on the corrective action plan and 
     initial hiring metrics to the Committees beginning on January 
     15, 2016, and provide updated metrics on a monthly basis 
     thereafter until further notice. This requirement is in 
     addition to quarterly execution data discussed under the 
     heading of Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO). 
     Further, as directed in the House report, the Chief Financial 
     Officer (CFO) shall conduct a department-wide force structure 
     analysis to inform component-level staffing and budget 
     requirements not later than the fiscal year 2019 budget 
     request.


                  Office of the Chief Security Officer

       A total of $69,120,000 is provided for the Office of the 
     Chief Security Officer. The amount includes an increase of 
     $2,000,000 for Continuous Evaluation, which monitors an 
     individual's continued eligibility to access classified 
     information or to hold a sensitive position, and $4,456,000 
     to address security enhancements at the Nebraska Avenue 
     Complex. In lieu of funds included in the House

[[Page H10164]]

     and Senate bills for security at the St. Elizabeths campus, 
     $3,376,000 is moved to the Headquarters Consolidation 
     appropriation in title V for mission support related to 
     security services performed by the Federal Protective 
     Service.


                Office of the Chief Procurement Officer

       A total of $60,630,000 is made available for the Office of 
     the Chief Procurement Officer, including an increase of 
     $2,000,000 for critical personnel needed by PARM.


               Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer

       A total of $31,976,000 is provided for the Office of the 
     Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO). Of the funds provided, 
     $2,500,000 is for the CyberSkills Initiative, and $2,500,000 
     is to increase assistance to DHS components in managing and 
     improving their hiring processes, including not more than 
     $350,000 for the DHS Leader Development Program.

                 Office of the Chief Financial Officer

       A total of $56,420,000 is provided for OCFO, of which 
     $3,000,000 shall be used to improve financial management 
     processes and cost estimation capabilities. A general 
     provision included in title V of this Act appropriates 
     $52,977,000 for Financial Systems Modernization (FSM) 
     activities, enabling the Secretary to allocate resources 
     across the Department according to the FSM program execution 
     plan. By not later than the fiscal year 2018 budget 
     submission, OCFO is directed to deploy across the Department 
     a cost estimating tool that enables each component to 
     accurately calculate the costs of its employees.


                    Common Appropriations Structure

       Currently, DHS receives funding through nearly 70 
     appropriations organized into more than 100 PPAs. The 
     Department has asserted that its Unity of Effort initiative 
     could be strengthened with a more congruent budget structure 
     based on common appropriations categories across components 
     and a reduced overall number of appropriations and PPAs. A 
     general provision proposed in the House bill authorizing DHS 
     to submit the fiscal year 2017 budget request using a common 
     appropriations account structure is included but modified in 
     title V of this Act.
       Pursuant to this general provision and in lieu of direction 
     in the House report requiring a Financial Management 
     Regulation, OCFO is directed to enhance the existing 
     Financial Management Policy Manual to reflect the new 
     appropriations structure, and to strengthen department-wide 
     rules for and oversight of financial management policies, 
     procedures, internal controls, financial systems, and 
     activities necessary to develop budget requests and prepare 
     for audits. Although a thorough and complete update to the 
     manual will take time, OCFO is encouraged to complete the 
     effort by February 2017, so that the fiscal year 2019 budget 
     process is shaped by its rules and its improved planning, 
     programming, budgeting, and execution processes. In addition, 
     OCFO is strongly encouraged to establish a professional 
     development program for DHS-wide financial management and 
     budget formulation staff. Such a program should provide 
     training on financial management policies and processes as 
     well as support the Department in maintaining capable budget 
     analysts and financial managers. OCFO shall provide periodic 
     progress updates on both of these efforts at the request of 
     the Committees.


                 Annual Budget Justification Materials

       DHS materials and exhibits that justify the President's 
     budget request are woefully inadequate and undermine the 
     ability of the Committees to conduct routine analysis and 
     oversight of the cost drivers and assumptions underlying the 
     budget request. For fiscal year 2017 and future budget 
     submissions, the CFO shall present budget justification 
     material in a format that adheres to the directives in the 
     Senate report. Justification tables shall compare prior year 
     actual appropriations and obligations, estimates of current 
     year appropriations and obligations, and the projected budget 
     year appropriations and obligations for all PPAs, 
     subprograms, and FTE, as directed in the House report. 
     Justification material for investment items shall be 
     presented in the format directed in the House report.
       Any significant new activity that has not been explicitly 
     justified to Congress or for which funds have not been 
     provided in appropriations Acts requires the submission of a 
     reprogramming or transfer request during a fiscal year.


                       Component Obligation Plans

       Obligation plans from each DHS component shall be provided 
     to the Committees within 45 days of the date of enactment of 
     this Act, with updates provided not later than 30 days after 
     the end of each quarter. The CFO shall develop a template for 
     these plans that utilizes comparisons of actual prior year 
     obligations with actual current year-to-date and planned 
     current year obligations by PPA. Using this format, the data 
     in the plans shall include: 1) below-threshold 
     reprogrammings, above-threshold reprogrammings, transfers, 
     and any proposed allocation of undistributed appropriations 
     made available in title V of this Act; 2) carryover from the 
     prior year and planned carryover into future years; 3) the 
     actual number of FTE compared to enacted levels by month or 
     pay period along with end of year projections; 4) the actual 
     amount obligated for FTE compared to enacted levels by month 
     or pay period along with end of year projections; 5) the 
     actual number of FTP compared to budget assumptions by month 
     or pay period, along with end of year projections; 6) a 
     summary chart by PPA showing hiring and payroll projections 
     for the fiscal year, to include both numbers of FTE and 
     associated salary and benefit amounts, as well as planned 
     contract conversions, hiring surges, or other factors that 
     may contribute to uncertainty and lead to revised estimates; 
     and 7) program schedules and major milestones for all major 
     expenditures, including specific technologies and contract 
     service support.
       For multi-year appropriations, the template shall also 
     include the status of each appropriation by source year, 
     including anticipated unobligated balances at the close of 
     the fiscal year and the planned obligation of carryover in 
     future years, by quarter, until all funds are obligated. 
     Although this requirement is intended to cover all components 
     and accounts in a standard manner, the Coast Guard, CBP, and 
     other components may have additional requirements related to 
     investment activities as specified by component in this 
     statement. For fiscal year 2017 and future years, obligation 
     plans should be connected to the budget justification 
     materials, indicating all changes from requested amounts to 
     enacted appropriations to actual obligations.

                Office of the Chief Information Officer

       A total of $309,976,000 is provided for the Office of the 
     Chief Information Officer (OCIO), of which $200,019,000 is 
     available until September 30, 2017.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salaries and Expenses.........................................             $105,307,000             $109,957,000
Information Technology Services...............................              106,270,000               91,000,000
Infrastructure and Security Activities........................               54,087,000               54,087,000
Homeland Secure Data Network..................................               54,932,000               54,932,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total, Office of the Chief Information Officer............             $320,596,000             $309,976,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       In lieu of House and Senate report language, up to 
     $10,000,000 of the amount for Salaries and Expenses may be 
     used for Digital Services. The amount provided for 
     Information Technology Services shall be used to support 
     requested initiatives, including the DHS Data Framework, 
     Single Sign-on, security initiatives, the Federal Risk and 
     Authorization Management Program, the Trusted Tester Program, 
     and the Infrastructure Transformation Program.


                       DHS Cybersecurity Posture

       A general provision in title V of this Act provides 
     $100,000,000 to safeguard and enhance DHS IT systems and 
     improve cybersecurity capabilities. This funding is in 
     addition to base funding made available to the CIO and the 
     components, and is intended to help the Department more 
     quickly address known vulnerabilities and technology gaps 
     through enhancements to the DHS network and perimeter 
     security, better access controls, stronger authentication, 
     equipment upgrades, data loss and theft prevention, and 
     incident response and assessments, among other cybersecurity 
     priorities. Given the Department's role through the National 
     Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) for protection of 
     the ``.gov'' environment, DHS must lead government agencies 
     in protecting its own data and systems. Therefore, the CIO 
     shall utilize a risk-based approach, using threat 
     intelligence, to optimize the Department's cybersecurity 
     investments and operations. The CIO shall brief the 
     Committees not later than 45 days after the date of enactment 
     of this Act on cybersecurity spending across the Department, 
     the obligation plan associated with this appropriation, and 
     the metrics by which the Department's progress in improving 
     its cybersecurity posture will be measured.

                        Analysis and Operations

       A total of $264,714,000 is provided for Analysis and 
     Operations, of which $111,021,000 shall remain available 
     until September 30, 2017. The funds provided reflect the 
     realignment of $135,000 to the Office for Community 
     Partnerships under OSEM. Other funding details are included 
     within the classified annex to this explanatory statement.

                      Office of Inspector General

       A total of $161,488,000 is provided for the OIG, including 
     $137,488,000 in direct appropriations and $24,000,000 
     transferred from the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
     (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) for audits and 
     investigations related to the DRF. Recognizing that the OIG 
     has failed to hire the enacted workforce level over the past 
     few years, the increase provided in this Act above the fiscal 
     year 2015 appropriation level is sufficient to support a 
     robust and capable

[[Page H10165]]

     workforce and provide resources for the requested initiatives 
     outlined in the fiscal year 2016 request.


                                Big Data

       The Department, led by the CIO, is developing a strategy 
     for big data to help guide the efforts components have 
     undertaken to more effectively utilize data in support of 
     analytic activities and decision-making. The OIG is directed 
     to review the strategy, inventory component investments in 
     this area, develop recommendations to ensure these 
     investments are coordinated and effective, and update the 
     Committees on its findings not later than 270 days after the 
     date of enactment of this Act.


                        Protective Mission Panel

       Within 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
     OIG is directed to conduct a review of the status of the 
     Secret Service's response to the United States Secret Service 
     Protective Mission Panel recommendations, including but not 
     limited to: concurrence with Panel recommendations and 
     subsequent action or implementation; non-concurrence with 
     Panel recommendations and the associated rationale; and any 
     related organizational changes executed after the Panel 
     released its findings.

          TITLE II--SECURITY, ENFORCEMENT, AND INVESTIGATIONS

                   U.S. Customs and Border Protection


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       A total of $8,628,902,000 is provided for Salaries and 
     Expenses. For the last several years, CBP has failed to hire 
     to the enacted workforce level, resulting in tens of millions 
     of dollars appropriated for personnel compensation and 
     benefits being diverted to unbudgeted activities. Therefore, 
     the President's budget request is decreased by $298,969,000 
     to fund a realistic and achievable number of FTE. Of the 
     total, $30,000,000 is made available as two-year funds to 
     provide the flexibility necessary to improve retention and 
     hiring of law enforcement officers and Border Patrol agents. 
     Further, $30,000,000 carried over from fiscal year 2015 
     should be used for the same activities.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Headquarters, Management, and Administration:
    Commissioner..............................................              $30,950,000              $30,139,000
    Chief Counsel.............................................               49,786,000               48,239,000
    Congressional Affairs.....................................                2,978,000                2,444,000
    Internal Affairs..........................................              170,024,000              165,223,000
    Public Affairs............................................               14,464,000               14,644,000
    Training and Development..................................               80,466,000               73,939,000
    Technology, Innovation, and Acquisition...................               29,658,000               24,933,000
    Intelligence/Investigative Liaison........................               78,402,000               72,038,000
    Administration............................................              420,238,000              381,369,000
    Rent......................................................              629,046,000              629,046,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Headquarters, Management, and Administration            1,506,012,000            1,442,014,000
Border Security Inspections and Trade Facilitation:
    Inspections, Trade, and Travel Facilitation at Ports of               3,077,568,000            2,981,606,000
     Entry....................................................
    Harbor Maintenance Fee Collection (trust fund)............                3,274,000                3,274,000
    International Cargo Screening.............................               69,851,000               59,709,000
    Other International Programs..............................               24,935,000               25,087,000
    Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)......               41,420,000               36,593,000
    Trusted Traveler Programs.................................                5,811,000                5,811,000
    Inspection and Detection Technology Investments...........              209,273,000              209,273,000
    National Targeting Center.................................               79,514,000               75,890,000
    Training..................................................               48,714,000               38,258,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Border Security Inspections and Trade                   3,560,360,000            3,435,501,000
         Facilitation.........................................
Border Security and Control between Ports of Entry:
    Border Security and Control...............................            3,921,393,000            3,696,450,000
    UAC Contingency Fund......................................               79,000,000                    - - -
    Training..................................................               57,505,000               54,937,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Border Security and Control between POEs....            4,057,898,000            3,751,387,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Total, Salaries and Expenses......................           $9,124,270,000           $8,628,902,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

              Headquarters, Management, and Administration

       A total of $1,442,014,000 is provided for Headquarters, 
     Management, and Administration. In addition to reductions for 
     a realistic hiring profile and prior year carryover that 
     remains available, a reduction of $17,455,000 is due to 
     unused separation pay, and an increase of $5,000,000 is 
     included for the Office of Administration to accelerate the 
     hiring process. To address personnel shortfalls and hiring, 
     CBP shall work with the Department to complete a root cause 
     analysis and develop a corrective action plan, consistent 
     with direction under title I of this statement. With respect 
     to CBP, this plan shall identify and utilize incentives, 
     working with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to 
     improve retention and recruitment in locations along the 
     northern and southern borders that are challenging to staff, 
     as well as incentivize personnel to choose those locations. 
     Moreover, CBP is directed to increase its efforts to recruit 
     veterans, and to work with the Department of Defense (DoD) 
     and OPM to facilitate the onboarding of veterans as they 
     leave military service.
       In addition to the briefing and metrics requirements 
     outlined in title I of this statement, CBP shall brief the 
     Committees on actions taken and progress made in reducing 
     hiring timelines and provide staffing numbers, including 
     gains and losses by pay period, as detailed in the House and 
     Senate reports, not later than five days after the end of 
     each fiscal quarter. Additionally, CBP shall brief the 
     Committees, not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, on the Border Patrol staffing 
     allocation model and how it is utilized to inform resource 
     allocation decisions at the headquarters and sector levels. 
     CBP shall continue to work on outcome-based border metrics, 
     as directed in title I of this statement.
       As specified in the House report, CBP is expected to ensure 
     that ports of entry (POEs) and short-term custody facilities 
     holding unaccompanied alien children have appropriately 
     trained staff, and follow all legal requirements and policy 
     directives for conveying information to unaccompanied alien 
     children regarding their legal rights. Also as described in 
     the House report, CBP is directed to provide a briefing to 
     the Committees on its policies related to compliance with the 
     Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (Public 
     Law 110-457) and regarding the Juvenile Referral Process. The 
     briefing should specifically address the status of CBP's 
     response to the recommendations in GAO-15-421.
       CBP and the USM are directed to review the CBP acquisition 
     process, procedures, and organizational structure and brief 
     the Committees on the findings not later than 120 days after 
     the date of enactment of this Act.
       CBP is also directed to brief the Committees, within 90 
     days of the date of enactment of this Act, on a plan to 
     address staffing needs identified by the Agriculture Resource 
     Allocation Model.
       Within 120 days of the date of enactment of this Act, CBP 
     is directed to brief the Committees on its efforts to work 
     with the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board; other 
     federal, state, and local stakeholders; and the Government of 
     Mexico on efforts to control carrizo cane and other invasive 
     species along the Rio Grande River that impede CBP's border 
     security mission. The briefing shall include a description of 
     related resource requirements and any efforts pertaining to 
     the approval of new biological control agents.
       As directed in both the House and Senate reports, CBP shall 
     improve its automated measurement and public posting of wait 
     times at land border crossings, and also incorporate trade 
     facilitation measures into its public-facing performance 
     metrics. CBP shall brief the Committees quarterly on these 
     efforts until an automated wait time solution benefitting 
     both travelers and commercial traffic is fully deployed.
       As directed in both the House and Senate reports, CBP is 
     expected to continue to improve land border integration by 
     procuring and implementing the latest, most effective 
     technologies available to monitor vehicles crossing our 
     borders.
       CBP must ensure that appropriate precautions and processes 
     are in place to prevent smuggling and ensure officer safety 
     at the new West Rail Bypass International Bridge between 
     Brownsville, Texas, and Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Within 90 days 
     of the date of enactment of this Act, CBP shall brief the 
     Committees on its screening and inspection procedures at the 
     West Rail facility; data related to the seizure of contraband 
     and human smuggling; a plan to improve security, 
     effectiveness, and efficiency of inspections; and officer 
     safety measures, including appropriate lighting along railcar 
     inspection areas.
       Counter-network operations activities are funded at the 
     request level, although some of

[[Page H10166]]

     the information system improvements included in the request 
     have been subsequently funded through a July 2015 
     reprogramming of funds approved by the Committees. Within 90 
     days of the date of enactment of this Act, CBP is directed to 
     brief the Committees on its implementation of the counter-
     network strategy, a revised plan for the use of the funding 
     provided, and its collaboration with ICE in these efforts. As 
     CBP continues to hire, it is directed to move open positions 
     previously dedicated to current targeting activities to 
     positions dedicated to counter-network operations, as 
     appropriate.
       CBP is directed to ensure that independent Capabilities Gap 
     Analysis Processes and staffing requirement modeling carried 
     out by individual CBP components are coordinated and 
     leveraged in a manner that will benefit both the agency's and 
     the Department's analyses of border security and performance 
     management, as detailed in title I of this statement.
       A provision from the Senate bill is not included related to 
     Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act (CDSOA) payments. 
     However, the issue remains a concern because CBP continues to 
     disburse the majority of proceeds from antidumping claims in 
     the form of interest to the Treasury, rather than making 
     payments to injured domestic producers, as prescribed in the 
     CDSOA. CBP shall work to issue the rulemaking changes 
     outlined in the Senate report and brief the Committees on its 
     progress every 60 days until the rulemaking is completed. In 
     addition, CBP shall make available to the Committees and the 
     public a reasonably detailed inventory, including 
     disposition, of single-entry customs bonds received by CBP as 
     security on entries subject to any antidumping duty orders on 
     imports of honey, fresh garlic, crawfish tail meat, and 
     certain preserved mushrooms from October 1, 1998, through 
     September 30, 2007. The inventory shall include details on 
     each bond for which summary materials were previously 
     provided to Congress, including the date of the bond, the 
     orders against which the bonds were posted, and whether it is 
     in litigation, pending collection, or not collectible.
       According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease 
     Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, 
     heroin overdose deaths nearly doubled between 2011 and 2013, 
     and continue to climb. Although no single entity or solution 
     can fully address this complex problem, CBP is instrumental 
     in stopping the flow of heroin from transnational criminal 
     organizations before it crosses our borders. CBP is also 
     playing a role in more directly protecting the public from 
     drug overdoses through a pilot program at seven POEs through 
     which naloxone--a medication that can reverse the effects of 
     heroin overdose and help restore breathing--is administered 
     to individuals presenting themselves for entry at POEs who 
     have symptoms of a heroin overdose. Many lives have been 
     saved by local law enforcement agencies carrying and 
     administering this important medication, and CBP is 
     encouraged to continue this pilot program and, based on the 
     results, to consider expanding it to other POEs.
       CBP is directed to provide quarterly briefings for its 
     major acquisitions using the same format and providing the 
     same level of information required for Coast Guard major 
     acquisitions, as described in the House and Senate reports. 
     The briefings shall be provided concurrently with the 
     briefings on obligation plans directed in title I of this 
     statement.


           Border Security Inspections and Trade Facilitation

       A total of $3,435,501,000 is provided for Border Security 
     Inspections and Trade Facilitation. In addition to reductions 
     for a realistic hiring profile and prior year carryover that 
     remains available, this amount reflects a reduction of 
     $10,000,000 for unjustified program growth and a reduction 
     reflecting CBP's full access to Colombia Free Trade Agreement 
     fee revenue, as authorized by a general provision in title V 
     of this Act.
       The bill provides $19,445,000 for the Electronic Visa 
     Information Update System, a reduction of $6,200,000 below 
     the request. This reduction is equivalent to the amount made 
     available for this system through a reprogramming of funds 
     approved by the Committees in July 2015.
       An additional $86,462,000 is provided for recapitalization 
     of Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) equipment, as requested. 
     CBP is expected to use contracts negotiated by the General 
     Services Administration (GSA) when possible to accelerate 
     procurements of NII equipment. CBP shall submit to the 
     Committees, with the fiscal year 2017 budget request, a 
     multi-year investment and management plan for inspection and 
     detection technology that: (1) inventories such equipment by 
     location, type, age, and date of deployment; (2) outlines 
     existing equipment acquisition plans by type, number, 
     schedule, and total cost of operations and maintenance; and 
     (3) forecasts a recapitalization plan supported by a current 
     acquisition program baseline (APB). The APB shall: (a) align 
     the acquisition of each technology to mission requirements; 
     (b) define the life-cycle costs for each technology; (c) 
     detail an equipment decommissioning schedule; and (d) compare 
     actual versus planned obligations. A version of the multi-
     year investment and management plan shall be made available 
     to the public at the same time.
       The Senate report contained guidance on efforts to improve 
     trade enforcement related to single transaction bonds and 
     collection processes, as well as on timely posting of 
     information pertaining to antidumping and countervailing 
     duties. The Senate report also directed CBP, in coordination 
     with other federal agencies, to advance methods to better 
     investigate foreign imports suspected of evading or 
     circumventing antidumping and countervailing duty orders 
     including, but not limited to, lightweight thermal paper and 
     seafood. CBP shall adhere to these directives.
       In addition to the direction provided in the Senate report, 
     CBP is urged to levy penalties, as appropriate, for 
     previously documented violations of the Jones Act; establish 
     specific timeframes for internal review and actions; continue 
     working with the Offshore Marine Service Association to 
     investigate potential violations; and dedicate adequate 
     resources to vigorously enforce the Jones Acton the Outer 
     Continental Shelf.


           Border Security and Control between Ports of Entry

       A total of $3,751,387,000 is provided for Border Security 
     and Control between POEs. Base resources dedicated to caring 
     for and transporting unaccompanied alien children have 
     increased and should be sufficient to meet anticipated needs. 
     Should there be a surge during fiscal year 2016 requiring 
     resources beyond those necessary for the family units and the 
     58,000 unaccompanied alien children assumed in the base 
     budget request and provided in this Act, CBP shall notify the 
     Committees and seek a reprogramming or transfer of funds to 
     address that need.
       Per direction in the House report, CBP shall ensure that 
     its holding facilities are in full compliance with the 
     Department's Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to 
     Sexual Abuse and Assault in Confinement Facilities; include 
     funding estimates for such compliance activities in the 
     fiscal year 2017 budget justification; report to the 
     Committees regarding the death of any individual in CBP 
     custody or following CBP use of force; and report annually on 
     investigations related to such deaths. Also as described in 
     the House report, CBP shall brief the Committees, within 60 
     days of the date of enactment of this Act, on its search and 
     rescue efforts during the prior fiscal year and, within 30 
     days after the date of enactment of this Act, on the use of 
     roving patrol stops and tactical and permanent checkpoints 
     for immigration enforcement near the border. Lastly, the 
     Department is expected to repatriate removable individuals in 
     a manner that ensures their safety, as detailed in the House 
     report.


                        AUTOMATION MODERNIZATION

       A total of $829,460,000 is provided for Automation 
     Modernization, including $10,000,000 for revenue 
     modernization enhancements. For the last several years, CBP 
     has failed to hire to the enacted workforce level, resulting 
     in tens of millions of dollars appropriated for personnel 
     compensation and benefits being diverted to unbudgeted 
     activities. Therefore, the President's budget request is 
     decreased by $33,799,000 to fund a realistic and achievable 
     number of FTE. CBP is expected to continue to dedicate 
     current base resources, including carryover funding, to 
     efforts to eliminate the need for cash transactions at POEs 
     by 2020.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Information Technology........................................             $399,027,000             $363,728,000
Automated Targeting Systems...................................              122,669,000              122,669,000
Automated Commercial Environment/International Trade Data                   153,736,000              151,184,000
 System (ITDS)................................................
Current Operations Protection and Processing Support (COPPS)..              191,879,000              191,879,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total.....................................................             $867,311,000             $829,460,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        BORDER SECURITY FENCING, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND TECHNOLOGY

       A total of $447,461,000 is provided for Border Security 
     Fencing, Infrastructure, and Technology (BSFIT). The amount 
     includes an additional $19,000,000 for Development and 
     Deployment for one additional Integrated Fixed Tower (IFT) 
     location; $25,000,000 for necessary repairs to border fencing 
     and border roads; $10,000,000 for additional maritime radars; 
     and $20,000,000 for relocatable tower surveillance systems. 
     CBP plans to fully fund one additional IFT and fully fund the 
     cost for continued DoD-repurposed aerostat coverage in the 
     Rio Grande Valley and areas of Arizona during fiscal year 
     2016 using prior year unobligated funds, reducing the need 
     for the House bill's proposed increases for these activities. 
     In lieu of the weekly notifications

[[Page H10167]]

     required in the House report, CBP shall provide monthly 
     notifications to the Committees on procurement actions 
     related to all BSFIT technology investments until all initial 
     contract awards have been completed.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations and Maintenance....................................             $273,931,000             $273,931,000
Development and Deployment....................................               99,530,000              173,530,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total.....................................................             $373,461,000             $447,461,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                               DoD Reuse

       As directed in the Senate report, CBP shall continue to 
     analyze the application of unused DoD equipment to its border 
     security mission and deploy available equipment to the extent 
     practicable.


                       AIR AND MARINE OPERATIONS

       A total of $802,298,000 is provided for Air and Marine 
     Operations. The President's budget request for Salaries and 
     Expenses is decreased by $5,824,000 to fund a realistic and 
     achievable number of FTE.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salaries and Expenses.........................................             $306,253,000             $300,429,000
Operations and Maintenance....................................              395,169,000              409,969,000
Procurement...................................................               46,000,000               91,900,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total.....................................................             $747,422,000             $802,298,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       The amount provided for the Operations and Maintenance PPA 
     is increased by $1,800,000 for enhancements to the Air and 
     Marine Operations Center (AMOC) and for continuity of 
     operations requirements; $2,000,000 for Vehicle and Dismount 
     Exploitation Radar operations; $2,500,000 for P-3 aircraft 
     maintenance; $4,500,000 for patrol aircraft mission upgrades; 
     and $4,000,000 for unmanned aerial system (UAS) ground 
     control stations and power systems. In addition, the 
     Procurement PPA is increased by $10,300,000 for aircraft 
     sensors; $11,000,000 for a replacement UAS; $5,000,000 for 
     mission systems software and computers; $8,000,000 for UAS 
     radars; $2,300,000 for fixed-wing and rotary-wing radars; 
     $6,000,000 for AMOC building upgrades; and $5,600,000 for 
     improved communications capabilities. As requested, 
     $44,000,000 is provided for procurement of two Multirole-
     Enforcement Aircraft.


                      Effective Use of Air Assets

       Congress has consistently supported air and marine 
     operations essential to border security, and has routinely 
     appropriated above the requested amount for procurement and 
     operation of airframes, sensors, and cameras. These assets 
     are critical to enhancing situational awareness and 
     communications capabilities necessary to transmit data 
     collected for both strategic planning and operational 
     response. Making the most efficient use of these resources, 
     however, requires more than relating resource hours to 
     interdictions, which has historically been used as a measure 
     for success.
       The Office of Air and Marine (OAM) reports that it is 
     working to develop agency-wide performance measures to more 
     optimally integrate air assets and sensors in a way that 
     improves both operational and strategic awareness. This 
     process must be based on identifying relevant key measures to 
     inform future acquisition decisions and operational tasking 
     and must be determined in coordination with the JTFs and 
     OAM's customers. Such measures should include, at a minimum: 
     operational cost per resource hour; resource hours per 
     mission type; and resource availability rate. These key 
     measures identify performance gaps and help leaders steer 
     resource hours to meet the agency's targeted performance 
     outcomes.
       Once relevant performance measures are found to be valid 
     and reliable, OAM must effectively measure its resource 
     performance, compare this performance to baseline targets, 
     and then explain how resources were managed to satisfy 
     mission needs, including minimizing fuel costs and maximizing 
     mission availability. These measurements should inform 
     strategic planning at OAM, and the resulting plan shall be 
     briefed to the Committees within 90 days of the date of 
     enactment of this Act.


                               UAS Pilots

       The bill provides the additional funding requested for UAS 
     pilots, crew, and training. Within 60 days of the date of 
     enactment of this Act, CBP shall provide the Committees a 
     report on UAS pilots and training requirements, as detailed 
     in the Senate report.


                 CONSTRUCTION AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

       A total of $340,128,000 is provided for Construction and 
     Facilities Management. For the last several years, CBP has 
     failed to hire to the enacted workforce level, resulting in 
     tens of millions of dollars appropriated for personnel 
     compensation and benefits being diverted to unbudgeted 
     activities. Therefore, the President's budget request for 
     Program Oversight and Management is decreased by $1,415,000 
     to fund a realistic and achievable number of FTE.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Facilities Construction and Sustainment.......................             $255,378,000             $255,378,000
Program Oversight and Management..............................               86,165,000               84,750,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total.....................................................             $341,543,000             $340,128,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       A total of $5,779,041,000 is provided for Salaries and 
     Expenses. For the last several years, ICE has failed to 
     manage attrition and new hiring to meet its targeted 
     workforce level, resulting in tens of millions of dollars 
     appropriated for personnel compensation and benefits being 
     diverted to unbudgeted activities elsewhere in the 
     Department. Based on updated estimates from ICE, this 
     agreement appropriates funding for a realistic and achievable 
     number of FTE. Of the total amount provided, $100,000,000 is 
     withheld pending a mid-year review of the agency's hiring 
     progress. ICE is directed to brief the Committees on its 
     obligation plans, as specified under title I of this 
     statement.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Headquarters Management and Administration:
    Personnel Compensation and Benefits, Services, and Other               $195,950,000             $190,880,000
     Costs....................................................
    Headquarters Managed IT Investment........................              146,046,000              148,957,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Headquarters Management and Administration..              341,996,000              339,837,000
Legal Proceedings.............................................              248,096,000              239,894,000
Investigations:
    Domestic Investigations...................................            1,766,654,000            1,761,829,000
    International Investigations:
        International Operations..............................              107,931,000              107,210,000
        Visa Security Program.................................               30,749,000               32,561,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, International Investigations............              138,680,000              139,771,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Investigations..........................            1,905,334,000            1,901,600,000
Intelligence..................................................               80,041,000               79,768,000
Enforcement and Removal Operations:
    Custody Operations........................................            2,406,744,000            2,316,744,000
    Fugitive Operations.......................................              129,438,000              156,572,000
    Criminal Alien Program....................................              320,267,000              317,177,000
    Alternatives to Detention.................................              122,481,000              114,275,000
    Transportation and Removal Program........................              324,152,000              313,174,000

[[Page H10168]]

 
    UAC Contingency Fund......................................                8,000,000                    - - -
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Enforcement and Removal Operations..........            3,311,082,000            3,217,942,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Total, Salaries and Expenses......................           $5,886,549,000           $5,779,041,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      Immigration Enforcement Data

       ICE's inability to provide basic, accurate data on 
     immigration enforcement, including the number of aliens 
     released from custody, is unacceptable. As directed in title 
     I of this statement, the Office of Policy shall develop and 
     implement a plan that results in the complete and accurate 
     collection and reporting of immigration enforcement data from 
     encounter through final disposition and including data on the 
     use of prosecutorial discretion. ICE is directed to improve 
     its collection of data and coordination with the Office of 
     Immigration Statistics in support of this requirement.
       As ICE has not requested resources to improve its systems, 
     despite its inability to meet reporting requirements, the 
     bill includes an additional $3,000,000 for ICE to 
     operationalize data architecture improvements, including 
     those recommended as a result of the Immigration Enterprise 
     Data Management review. Per the Senate report, ICE shall 
     brief the Committees quarterly on its progress and publish 
     non-law enforcement sensitive statistics on its website.


                           Legal Proceedings

       A total of $239,894,000 is provided for Legal Proceedings, 
     including funds to hire additional attorneys in field 
     offices. The Department is directed to allocate these new 
     attorneys to field offices in a manner that will expedite the 
     immigration court docket, and to brief the Committees on the 
     methodology used to allocate the new staff within 90 days 
     after the date of enactment of this Act.


                        Domestic Investigations

       A total of $1,761,829,000 is provided for Domestic 
     Investigations to support investigations in high-priority 
     mission areas, to include: human trafficking and smuggling; 
     child exploitation, including the Child Exploitation Unit at 
     the Cyber Crime Center and Operation Angel Watch; commercial 
     fraud and intellectual property rights enforcement; 
     proliferation; gangs; cybercrimes; and terrorism. ICE is 
     directed to maintain its relationship with the National 
     Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in regard 
     to its ongoing support for investigations and other 
     activities to counter child exploitation.
       Of the total amount provided, $10,000,000 is for expanding 
     overstay enforcement investigations and investigative 
     support. ICE is expected to target such investigations on 
     individuals who pose a risk to the community, and shall brief 
     the Committees on the proposed use of these funds within 60 
     days after the date of enactment of this Act.
       In addition, not less than $10,000,000 is for expanding 
     investigations into severe forms of human trafficking and 
     against suspected human traffickers, and $5,000,000 is for 
     expanding investigations against child exploitation. Finally, 
     $1,000,000 in dedicated program funding and 1 permanent FTE 
     are provided for the Human Exploitation Rescue Operative 
     (HERO) Child-Rescue Corps program. ICE is directed to train 
     at least two classes of veterans during fiscal year 2016 
     through the HERO program to support child exploitation 
     investigations, and to continue efforts to hire HERO 
     graduates or to help place them with other federal, state, or 
     local agencies with related missions.


                      International Investigations

       A total of $139,771,000 is provided for International 
     Investigations. Within the total, an additional $2,000,000 is 
     provided to annualize the costs of the previously funded 
     expansion of the Visa Security Program. ICE is directed to 
     use the risk-based methodologies and enforcement metrics 
     outlined in the Senate report to continue to plan and budget 
     for Visa Security Program expansion to at least two high-
     threat locations per year in future budget requests.


                       War Crimes Investigations

       Of the amount provided for Salaries and Expenses, not less 
     than $5,300,000 is for ICE's investigative and legal efforts 
     to combat crimes against humanity, human rights abuses, and 
     war crimes.


                              Intelligence

       A total of $79,768,000 is provided for Intelligence. Within 
     the total, not less than $5,000,000 is included to enhance 
     investigations of human smuggling and trafficking.


                   Enforcement and Removal Operations

       A total of $3,217,942,000 is provided for Enforcement and 
     Removal Operations. Base resources dedicated to caring for 
     and transporting unaccompanied alien children and family 
     units should be sufficient to meet anticipated needs. Should 
     there be a surge during fiscal year 2016 requiring resources 
     beyond those necessary for the family units and the 58,000 
     unaccompanied alien children included in the base budget 
     request and provided in this agreement, ICE shall notify the 
     Committees and seek a reprogramming or transfer of funds to 
     address that need.


                           Custody Operations

       A total of $2,316,744,000 is provided for Custody 
     Operations, including funding necessary to maintain the 
     requested number of detention beds. ICE is directed to brief 
     the Committees semi-annually on savings realized as a result 
     of the multi-year funding provided in this and prior 
     appropriations Acts.
       ICE is expected to strengthen its engagement with local law 
     enforcement officials to detain criminal aliens prior to 
     their release from local law enforcement custody. To further 
     that effort, the bill includes a proviso withholding 
     $5,000,000 from obligation until the Director of ICE briefs 
     the Committees on the details of ICE's outreach through the 
     Priority Enforcement Program and the level of participation 
     in the Program. ICE should particularly focus on criminal 
     aliens: (1) engaged in or suspected of terrorism or 
     espionage, or who otherwise pose a danger to national 
     security; (2) convicted of an offense for which an element 
     was active participation in a criminal street gang, as 
     defined in section 521(a) of title 18, United States Code, or 
     aliens not younger than 16 years of age who intentionally 
     participated in an organized criminal gang to further the 
     illegal activity of that gang; or (3) convicted of an 
     aggravated felony, as defined in section 101(a)(43) of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(43)) at the 
     time of conviction, and detain them in accordance with the 
     law and due process until they can be removed.


                          Fugitive Operations

       A total of $156,572,000 is provided for Fugitive 
     Operations, of which $10,000,000 is for new Mobile Criminal 
     Alien Teams (MCAT) that will target individuals who pose a 
     threat to the community, as described in the Senate report. 
     ICE shall include information on the MCAT program in future 
     obligation plan briefings.


                         Criminal Alien Program

       A total of $317,177,000 is provided for the Criminal Alien 
     Program, including full funding to support all 287(g) 
     memoranda of agreement and $34,500,000 for resources and 
     full-time law enforcement personnel at the Law Enforcement 
     Support Center.


                       Alternatives to Detention

       A total of $114,275,000 is provided for the Alternatives to 
     Detention (ATD) program. This funding, when coupled with 
     $12,393,000 the agency used to forward fund ATD contracts 
     with fiscal year 2015 funds, fully addresses the 
     Administration's plan for 53,000 average daily participants 
     in ATD in 2016.


                        AUTOMATION MODERNIZATION

       A total of $53,000,000 is provided for Automation 
     Modernization. ICE shall brief the Committees on the progress 
     of the Consolidated ICE Financial Solution, as described in 
     the Senate report, and shall brief the Committees on tactical 
     communications, as described in the House report.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Automation Modernization......................................              $73,500,000                    - - -
Consolidated ICE Financial Solution...........................                    - - -               $5,000,000
TECS Modernization............................................                    - - -               21,500,000
IT Refresh....................................................                    - - -                4,000,000
Tactical Communications.......................................                    - - -               18,500,000
ICE Operational Data Store....................................                    - - -                4,000,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total, Automation Modernization...........................              $73,500,000              $53,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 Transportation Security Administration


                           AVIATION SECURITY

       A total of $5,719,437,000 is provided for Aviation 
     Security. In addition to this discretionary appropriation for 
     Aviation Security, a mandatory appropriation totaling 
     $250,000,000 is available through the Aviation Security 
     Capital Fund and $2,130,000,000 from aviation security fees 
     are credited to this appropriation as offsetting collections, 
     as authorized. For several years, TSA has been reducing 
     funding for FTE as it further leverages various expedited 
     screening programs. Unfortunately, some of those programs did 
     not provide a commensurate security gain and were 
     consequently scaled back in the wake of multiple OIG reports 
     and troublesome findings from covert testing.

[[Page H10169]]

     TSA has also struggled in recent years to hire to enacted 
     levels outside the screener workforce. While the overall 
     level for Aviation Security is above the President's budget 
     request, the bill includes targeted reductions totaling 
     $16,296,000 to reflect this reality.
       The table below fully funds TSA's needs to enhance aviation 
     security, including revised FTE requirements, support for 
     additional training and revised standard operating 
     procedures, and additional funding to explore technology 
     solutions and resolution measures at the checkpoint.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Screening Partnership Program.................................            $166,928,000             $166,928,000
Screener Personnel, Compensation, and Benefits................           2,872,070,000            2,973,839,000
Screener Training and Other...................................             226,551,000              239,025,000
Checkpoint Support............................................              97,265,000              111,201,000
EDS Procurement/Installation..................................              83,380,000               82,168,000
Screening Technology Maintenance..............................             280,509,000              280,509,000
Aviation Regulation and Other Enforcement.....................             349,013,000              337,345,000
Airport Management and Support................................             596,233,000              597,899,000
Federal Flight Deck Officer and Flight Crew Training..........              20,095,000               20,758,000
Air Cargo.....................................................             105,978,000              104,689,000
Federal Air Marshals..........................................             816,745,000              805,076,000
Aviation Security Capital Fund (Mandatory)....................            (250,000,000)            (250,000,000)
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total, Aviation Security..................................          $5,614,767,000           $5,719,437,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       Tiger Team Recommendations

       In June 2015, information was leaked concerning the 
     classified results of covert testing conducted by the OIG at 
     TSA checkpoints. While this specific report was focused on 
     checkpoint security, it was the latest in a string of reports 
     calling into question the agency's capabilities and 
     effectiveness related to the use of risk assessment rules, 
     known traveler programs, checked baggage screening, access 
     controls, and workforce vetting. The findings not only 
     renewed concerns regarding TSA's screening procedures and 
     equipment, but also underscored the need for a comprehensive 
     assessment of the way TSA performs its aviation security 
     mission.
       The covert testing identified a number of deficiencies in 
     checkpoint security centered on personnel, processes, and 
     technology. In response, the Department developed and began 
     implementation of a 10-point plan to address these findings. 
     To date, this has included briefing test results to TSA's 
     Federal Security Directors, retraining the screener 
     workforce, and reassessing the policies and procedures that 
     guide that workforce. Checkpoint technology is also being 
     reexamined not only to study additional solutions and 
     resolution measures, but to understand how technology 
     efficacy may change from the controlled laboratory to the 
     stressful environment of an airport checkpoint.
       Given the actions taken by DHS to date and the 
     acknowledgement by the IG that TSA has begun the process of 
     critical self-evaluation, the bill provides funding requested 
     by the Department to address certain gaps, including:
       --The retention of 602 FTE to staff checkpoints. These 
     personnel will support the increased workload resulting from 
     changes made to TSA screening procedures in response to the 
     covert testing, and help to keep airport wait times short. 
     The President's budget proposed to eliminate these FTE.
       --The centralized and consistent training of a professional 
     workforce through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center 
     (FLETC). The Administrator has stated that a consistently 
     trained core curriculum conducted at a centralized location 
     is critical to a high-performing workforce.
       --Platform modifications, IT testing and validation, and 
     initial operating costs in support of the TSA PreCheck 
     Application Expansion initiative whereby TSA will leverage 
     private sector expertise to grow the population of travelers 
     enrolled in special vetting programs.
       --Exploration of new technologies and resolution methods 
     that may fill gaps identified by the covert testing, as well 
     as make improvements to existing technology and associated 
     processes and procedures to better utilize what is currently 
     available.
       TSA is to provide quarterly Tiger Team updates to the 
     Committees, beginning not later than 30 days after the date 
     of enactment of this Act. In addition, as a part of the 
     fiscal year 2016 obligation plan directed in title I of this 
     statement, TSA shall include specific details on the 
     increased funding provided to address the covert testing 
     results.


             Screener Personnel, Compensation, and Benefits

       A total of $2,973,839,000 is provided for Screener 
     Personnel, Compensation, and Benefits. This amount supports 
     the 42,525 FTE requirement identified by TSA to address OIG 
     findings on aviation security vulnerabilities while 
     maintaining reasonable wait times.


                      Screener Training and Other

       A total of $239,025,000 is provided for Screener Training 
     and Other. Within the total, an additional $12,500,000 above 
     the request is included to begin implementation of improved, 
     standardized training for Transportation Security Officers, 
     developed in response to the OIG covert testing findings.


                           Checkpoint Support

       A total of $111,201,000 is provided for Checkpoint Support. 
     Within the total is an increase of $15,000,000 for technology 
     initiatives to improve detection capabilities and enhance 
     passenger screening processes.


       Reimbursement Claims for In-Line Baggage Screening Systems

       As described in the House and Senate reports, TSA is 
     directed to develop a process to review and validate 
     reimbursement claims from airports for in-line baggage 
     screening systems installed prior to 2008, and to submit a 
     plan, not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, for reimbursement of validated claims.


               Aviation Regulation and Other Enforcement

       A total of $337,345,000 is provided for Aviation Regulation 
     and Other Enforcement, including sufficient funds to enable 
     TSA to continue to certify, train, and equip the additional 
     canine teams funded in fiscal year 2015.


          Federal Flight Deck Officer and Flight Crew Training

       A total of $20,758,000 is provided for the Federal Flight 
     Deck Officer (FFDO) and Flight Crew Training Program. Within 
     the total is an increase of $1,700,000 to expand FLETC 
     training capacity for FFDOs, as recommended by the House.


                      Federal Air Marshal Service

       A total of $805,076,000 is provided for the Federal Air 
     Marshal Service (FAMS). While the threats to aviation 
     security have evolved since 9/11, it is unclear whether FAMS 
     has adapted to appropriately address these emerging threats. 
     TSA should conduct an analysis of FAMS staffing needs and 
     resource requirements in light of evolving threats and TSA's 
     risk mitigation strategy to ensure the funds requested for 
     FAMS match the need.


                    SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY

       A total of $110,798,000 is provided for Surface 
     Transportation Security. Within the total is a reduction of 
     $13,030,000 below the President's budget request to reflect a 
     realistic and achievable number of FTE.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Staffing and Operations.......................................              $28,510,000              $28,148,000
Surface Inspectors and VIPR...................................               95,318,000               82,650,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total, Surface Transportation Security....................             $123,828,000             $110,798,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        INTELLIGENCE AND VETTING

       A total of $236,693,000 is provided for Intelligence and 
     Vetting. While the overall level for Intelligence and Vetting 
     is above the President's budget request, the bill includes 
     targeted reductions within that amount totaling $10,345,000 
     to reflect a realistic and achievable number of FTE.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Direct Appropriations:
    Intelligence..............................................              $51,977,000              $52,003,000
    Secure Flight.............................................              105,637,000              105,651,000

[[Page H10170]]

 
    Other Vetting Programs....................................               70,084,000               79,039,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Direct Appropriations.......................              227,698,000              236,693,000
Fee Collections:
    TWIC Fee..................................................               82,267,000               82,267,000
    Hazardous Material Fee....................................               21,083,000               21,083,000
    General Aviation at DCA Fee...............................                  400,000                  400,000
    Commercial Aviation and Airport Fee.......................                6,500,000                6,500,000
    Other Security Threat Assessments Fee.....................                   50,000                   50,000
    Air Cargo/Certified Cargo Screening Program Fee...........                3,500,000                3,500,000
    TSA Pre-Check Application Program Fee.....................               80,153,000               80,153,000
    Alien Flight School Fees..................................                5,200,000                5,200,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Fee Collections.............................              199,153,000              199,153,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Total, Intelligence and Vetting...................             $426,851,000             $435,846,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              Intelligence

       A total of $52,003,000 is provided for Intelligence, 
     including an increase of $1,140,000 to accelerate TSA's plans 
     to increase intelligence sharing with the field organization 
     by expanding the Field Intelligence Officer program.


                         Other Vetting Programs

       A total of $79,039,000 is provided for Other Vetting 
     Programs, including an increase of $11,700,000 for the TSA 
     PreCheck Application Expansion initiative to broaden 
     enrollment opportunities and increase the population of 
     passengers enrolled in special vetting programs. As a part of 
     the fiscal year 2016 obligation plan directed in title I of 
     this statement, TSA shall include specific details on the use 
     of this increase for TSA PreCheck expansion activities.
       As described in the House report and in lieu of language in 
     the Senate bill, TSA is directed to provide semiannual 
     updates on its expedited passenger screening efforts, 
     including a strategy to increase the population of passengers 
     enrolled in special vetting programs and the associated 
     resource implications.
       Due to the continued delays in the Technology 
     Infrastructure Modernization (TIM) program and projected 
     personnel under execution, Other Vetting Programs is reduced 
     by an additional $500,000 below the President's budget 
     request. As directed in the House and Senate reports, TSA 
     shall brief the Committees on TIM not later than 15 days 
     after its review by the DHS Acquisition Review Board.


                    TRANSPORTATION SECURITY SUPPORT

       A total of $924,015,000 is provided for Transportation 
     Security Support. Within the total is a reduction of 
     $7,464,000 below the President's budget request to reflect a 
     realistic and achievable number of FTE.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Headquarters Administration...................................             $276,930,000             $273,259,000
Information Technology........................................              452,385,000              449,160,000
Human Capital Services........................................              202,164,000              201,596,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Total, Transportation Security Support............             $931,479,000             $924,015,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                             Covert Testing

       As directed in the Senate report, TSA shall provide 
     quarterly briefings on covert testing activities.

                              Coast Guard


                           OPERATING EXPENSES

       A total of $7,061,490,000 is provided for Operating 
     Expenses, including $500,002,000 for defense activities, of 
     which $160,002,000 is designated for overseas contingency 
     operations (OCO) and the global war on terrorism (GWOT). 
     Funds provided in support of OCO/GWOT under this heading may 
     be allocated without regard to section 503 in title V of this 
     Act. Pending submission of the Capital Investment Plan (CIP) 
     with the President's fiscal year 2017 budget, the agreement 
     withholds from obligation $85,000,000 of the appropriation. 
     Not more than $23,000 is for official reception and 
     representation expenses.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Military Pay and Allowances...................................           $3,466,088,000           $3,488,617,000
Civilian Pay and Benefits.....................................              799,816,000              792,229,000
Training and Recruiting.......................................              205,825,000              206,498,000
Operating Funds and Unit Level Maintenance....................            1,010,317,000            1,027,780,000
Centrally Managed Accounts....................................              329,684,000              329,906,000
Intermediate and Depot Level Maintenance......................            1,009,773,000            1,056,458,000
Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism.......                    - - -              160,002,000
Tricare (leg. proposal).......................................                1,000,000                    - - -
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total, Operating Expenses.................................           $6,822,503,000           $7,061,490,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism Funding

       Funding for Coast Guard OCO/GWOT activities is provided 
     directly through the Operating Expenses appropriation instead 
     of through a DoD account. The Coast Guard is directed to 
     brief the Committees not later than 30 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act on any changes expected in the funding 
     requirement for OCO/GWOT activities during fiscal year 2016. 
     Further, the Coast Guard is directed to include details of 
     its current and future support to Central Command in the 
     classified annex of the fiscal year 2017 budget request.


                         Operational Readiness

       The fiscal year 2016 budget request insufficiently 
     addressed, once again, the critical needs of the Coast Guard. 
     The final agreement provides funding above the request to 
     improve readiness and meet operational needs. The 
     appropriated amount includes the following increases to the 
     budget request: $41,795,000 to reduce the backlog in critical 
     depot level maintenance; $8,406,000 to restore operational 
     hours; $14,000,000 to restore unjustified cuts to military 
     special pays and bonuses; $2,200,000 to restore a ``Bravo-0'' 
     response capability; and $899,000 to ensure proper personnel 
     levels at Aids to Navigation sites. The Coast Guard, as part 
     of the fiscal year 2016 obligation plan directed in title I 
     of this statement, shall provide the Committees an 
     expenditure plan for these funds.


                             Air Facilities

       Within the total amount, $12,172,000 is provided to meet 
     the obligations specified in section 225 of the Howard Coble 
     Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 
     throughout fiscal year 2016.


                          Bering Sea Coverage

       Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Commandant is required to submit to Congress a 
     report on the plans of the Coast Guard to ensure at least one 
     mission-capable cutter maintains a presence in the Bering Sea 
     and Arctic Region at all times during the 10-year period 
     beginning on the date of such submittal, as described in the 
     Senate report.


                              Small Boats

       Within the total for Operating Expenses, $20,458,000 is 
     provided for the procurement of small response boats in 
     fiscal year 2016, an increase of $7,100,000 above the amount 
     requested. The bill also includes long-standing language to 
     allow funds from the Operating Expenses appropriation to be 
     used for the limited purchase or lease of small boats for 
     contingent and emergent requirements and end-of-service-life 
     replacements.
       Unlike funding for major procurements requested through the 
     Acquisition, Construction, and Improvements (AC&I) 
     appropriation, the Coast Guard's annual request for the 
     Operating Expenses appropriation includes minimal information 
     about the budget for small boat activities. In order to gain 
     more clarity on these matters, the Coast Guard shall provide 
     a briefing to the Committees not later than 30 days after the 
     date of enactment of this Act detailing planned small boat 
     purchases, leases, repairs, and service life replacements for 
     fiscal year 2016. For fiscal year 2017, such information 
     shall be included in the congressional budget justification 
     material.


                            Coast Guard Yard

       The Coast Guard Yard located at Curtis Bay, Maryland, has 
     been a vital part of the

[[Page H10171]]

     Coast Guard's readiness and infrastructure for more than 100 
     years and is recognized as a critical component of the Coast 
     Guard's core logistics capability that directly supports 
     fleet readiness. Sufficient industrial work should be 
     assigned to the Yard to maintain this capability.


                ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND RESTORATION

       A total of $13,221,000 is provided for Environmental 
     Compliance and Restoration.


                            RESERVE TRAINING

       A total of $110,614,000 is provided for Reserve Training.


              ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

       A total of $1,945,169,000 is provided for AC&I, a 
     significant increase above the request that reflects the 
     pressing need for recapitalization of the Coast Guard's shore 
     infrastructure and its fleets of aircraft and vessels. 
     Although the Coast Guard continues to communicate publicly 
     that its fleets are in desperate need of recapitalization, 
     and many vessels are decades beyond their expected service 
     life, the budget request failed to adequately address that 
     requirement. The Department and the Administration are 
     expected to provide more realistic AC&I budget requests in 
     the future.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vessels:
    Survey and Design--Vessel and Boats.......................               $9,000,000              $15,000,000
    In-Service Vessel Sustainment.............................               68,000,000               68,000,000
    National Security Cutter..................................               91,400,000              743,400,000
    Offshore Patrol Cutter....................................               18,500,000               89,000,000
    Fast Response Cutter......................................              340,000,000              340,000,000
    Cutter Boats..............................................                3,000,000                3,000,000
    Polar Ice Breaking Vessel.................................                4,000,000                6,000,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Vessels.....................................              533,900,000            1,264,400,000
Aircraft:
    HC-144 Conversion/Sustainment.............................                3,000,000                3,000,000
    HC-27J Conversion/Sustainment.............................              102,000,000              102,000,000
    HC-130J Acquisition/Conversion/Sustainment................               55,000,000              150,000,000
    HH-65 Conversion/Sustainment..............................               40,000,000               40,000,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Aircraft....................................              200,000,000              295,000,000
Other Acquisition Programs:
    Program Oversight and Management..........................               20,000,000               20,000,000
    C4ISR.....................................................               36,600,000               36,600,000
    CG--Logistics Information Management System...............                8,500,000                8,500,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Other Acquisition Programs..................               65,100,000               65,100,000
Shore Facilities and Aids to Navigation:
    Major Construction: Housing; ATON; and Survey & Design....               41,900,000              124,600,000
    Major Acquisition Systems Infrastructure..................               54,500,000               52,000,000
    Minor Shore...............................................                5,000,000                5,000,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Shore Facilities and Aids to Navigation.....              101,400,000              181,600,000
    Military Housing..........................................                    - - -               21,000,000
    Direct Personnel Costs....................................              116,869,000              118,069,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Total, Acquisition, Construction, and Improvements           $1,017,269,000           $1,945,169,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Survey and Design

       As detailed in the Senate report, an additional $6,000,000 
     is included above the request for survey and design work 
     associated with reactivation of the Polar Sea.


                        National Security Cutter

       A total of $743,400,000 is provided for the National 
     Security Cutter (NSC) program. The total includes 
     $640,000,000 for award and production costs associated with a 
     ninth National Security Cutter, notwithstanding future costs 
     for post-delivery activities. In addition, $12,000,000 is 
     included for the necessary top-side engineering design work 
     to support the deployment of small UAS equipment on NSCs.


                         Offshore Patrol Cutter

       A total of $89,000,000 is provided for the Offshore Patrol 
     Cutter (OPC) program. Within that amount, $70,500,000 is 
     included to exercise the option for Detail Design and 
     commence Phase II of the OPC acquisition.


                          Fast Response Cutter

       A total of $340,000,000 is provided for the Fast Response 
     Cutter program. This amount is for the acquisition of six 
     cutters.


                            Polar Icebreaker

       The growth of global commerce, scientific research, 
     tourism, and other activity in the Arctic region requires a 
     multi-mission icebreaker to sustain a U.S. presence, maintain 
     domain awareness, and furnish critical search and rescue 
     capabilities. Unfortunately, the Coast Guard's current fleet 
     of heavy icebreakers is not adequate to meet this expanding 
     mission. Although the Administration has now proposed 
     accelerating the acquisition of the first replacement heavy 
     icebreaker, the funding proposed for the Coast Guard's 
     icebreaker program in fiscal year 2016 inadequately supports 
     this plan. In addition, the Capital Investment Plan, which 
     informs Congress about planned future asset acquisitions, 
     projected funding levels, and program timelines, is devoid of 
     any useful detail. In order for the Coast Guard to address 
     this requirement in the coming year and preclude falling 
     further behind, an additional $3,200,000 above the request is 
     provided to accelerate the acquisition of the next 
     icebreaker.


                          Full Funding Policy

       The Administration policy requiring the Coast Guard to 
     attain appropriations for the total acquisition cost for a 
     vessel, including long lead time materials, production costs, 
     and post-production costs, before a production contract can 
     be awarded has the potential to create shipbuilding 
     inefficiencies, force delays in the obligation of production 
     funds, and require post-production funds far in advance of 
     when they will be used. The Administration is expected to 
     give the Coast Guard the flexibility to acquire vessels, 
     including the OPC, in the most efficient manner within the 
     guidelines of strict governance measures.


                            HC-130J Aircraft

       An additional $95,000,000 above the request is provided for 
     one fully missionized HC-130J aircraft.


                               Rescue 21

       Within the total for AC&I, not more than $1,500,000 is 
     available under Program Oversight Management for the 
     management of Rescue 21, the Coast Guard's advanced command, 
     control, and direction-finding communications system, which 
     locates mariners in distress and saves lives and property at 
     sea and on navigable rivers. This funding may be used for 
     project oversight and management, travel, activities 
     associated with the transition from acquisition to 
     operations, activities associated with program closeout, and 
     other activities related to the management of the program. 
     Details on the planned and actual use of this funding, 
     including amounts obligated, shall be included in the Coast 
     Guard's quarterly acquisition briefings.


                            Shore Facilities

       Within the AC&I total, $181,600,000 is for construction of 
     shore facilities, including $31,000,000 for the relocation of 
     aviation facilities and $26,000,000 for activities at the 
     Coast Guard Yard associated with demolition of the floating 
     dry-dock Oakridge and construction of additional ship 
     capacity at the Yard. The Coast Guard, as a part of the 
     fiscal year 2016 obligation plan directed in title I of this 
     statement, shall provide the Committees an expenditure plan 
     for these funds.


                            Military Housing

       A total of $21,000,000 is provided for the 
     recapitalization, improvement, and acquisition of housing to 
     support military families. The Coast Guard, as a part of the 
     fiscal year 2016 obligation plan directed in title I of this 
     statement, shall provide to the Committees an expenditure 
     plan for these funds.


              RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION

       A total of $18,019,000 is provided for Research, 
     Development, Test, and Evaluation.


                              RETIRED PAY

       A total of $1,604,000,000 is provided for Retired Pay. The 
     Coast Guard's Retired Pay appropriation is a mandatory budget 
     activity.

                      United States Secret Service


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       A total of $1,854,526,000 is provided for Salaries and 
     Expenses. For the last several years, the Secret Service has 
     failed to hire to the enacted workforce level, resulting in 
     tens of millions of dollars appropriated for personnel 
     compensation and benefits being diverted to unbudgeted 
     activities. Therefore, based on updated estimates from the 
     Secret Service, the agreement realigns funds among PPAs to 
     fund FTE in the appropriate PPAs and decreases the 
     President's budget request by $49,394,000 to fund a realistic 
     and achievable number of FTE. Increases above the request are 
     included for the following:

[[Page H10172]]

     $4,500,000 for operational training; $15,300,000 for 
     classified programs; $4,000,000 for the increased requirement 
     for overtime due to the under execution in hiring personnel; 
     $3,000,000 for reassignment costs; $12,000,000 for electronic 
     crimes special agent training program; and $1,600,000 for 
     electronic security clearance needs.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Protection:
    Protection of Persons and Facilities......................           $1,009,246,000             $911,480,000
    Protective Intelligence Activities........................               72,806,000               70,967,000
    National Special Security Event Fund......................                4,500,000                4,500,000
    Presidential Candidate Nominee Protection.................              203,687,000              203,687,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Protection..................................            1,290,239,000            1,190,634,000
Investigations:
    Domestic Field Operations.................................              291,139,000              336,911,000
    International Field Office Administration, Operations and                34,168,000               31,378,000
     Training.................................................
    Support for Missing and Exploited Children................                    - - -                8,366,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Investigations..............................              325,307,000              376,655,000
    Headquarters, Management and Administration...............              194,680,000              231,706,000
    Rowley Training Center....................................               56,170,000               54,474,000
    Information Integration and Technology Transformation.....                1,057,000                1,057,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Total, Salaries and Expenses......................           $1,867,453,000           $1,854,526,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    National Special Security Events

       As requested, $4,500,000 is provided to defray costs 
     specific to Secret Service execution of its statutory 
     responsibilities to direct the planning and coordination of 
     National Special Security Events (NSSE). A general provision 
     is included in title V of the Act prohibiting the use of 
     funds to reimburse any federal department or agency for its 
     participation in an NSSE. As described in the House report, 
     the Secret Service is directed to provide periodic updates on 
     NSSE planned for fiscal year 2016 prior to and following each 
     event.


       Strategic Human Capital Plan and Workforce Staffing Model

       In lieu of direction in the House and Senate reports, the 
     Secret Service shall provide relevant hiring, attrition, and 
     force structure analysis figures as required in title I of 
     this statement.


        Implementation of the Protective Mission Panel Findings

  The bill provides $84,500,000 for enhancements associated with 
findings of the United States Secret Service Protective Mission Panel, 
including $4,400,000 for the Uniformed Division retention bonus and not 
less than $8,200,000, available for two years, for the Crown fence 
replacement. Given this large increase in funding, as well as the 
complexity and critical nature of these enhancements, the Secret 
Service is directed to report on the use of these funds in its 
quarterly obligation plans as directed in title I of this statement.


     ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENTS, AND RELATED EXPENSES

       A total of $79,019,000 is provided for Acquisition, 
     Construction, Improvements, and Related Expenses, including 
     $24,282,000 for facilities and $43,737,000 for investments in 
     Information Integration and Technology Transformation 
     programs. A total of $11,000,000 is provided for the next 
     generation limousine.


                               Facilities

       Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Secret Service shall provide to the Committees a 
     revised master plan for the James J. Rowley Training Center, 
     as described in the Senate report, and a capital 
     infrastructure investment plan for fiscal year 2016 through 
     fiscal year 2020, as described in the House report. 
     Unobligated prior year funding is available to defray the 
     costs of deferred maintenance.


                     White House Training Facility

       A total of $750,000 is provided to complete a feasibility 
     study and design plan for the proposed White House Training 
     Facility. Future funding will be considered after completion 
     of a full cost estimate by the agency and an independent cost 
     estimate to be completed by the DHS CFO or a third party.

      TITLE III--PROTECTION, PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE, AND RECOVERY

              National Protection and Programs Directorate


                     MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

       A total of $62,132,000 is provided for Management and 
     Administration of the National Protection and Programs 
     Directorate (NPPD), which includes funding for current hiring 
     projections. NPPD is directed to target new hiring to 
     activities that support its core mission and provide hiring 
     updates and obligation plans as outlined in title I of this 
     statement. The total does not include $4,000,000 for support 
     of the DHS OCHCO CyberSkills Support Initiative as described 
     in the Senate report, as this requirement is addressed in 
     title I of this statement.


           INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION AND INFORMATION SECURITY

       A total of $1,291,000,000 is provided for Infrastructure 
     Protection and Information Security (IPIS), which includes 
     funding for current hiring projections.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Infrastructure Protection:
    Infrastructure Analysis and Planning......................              $75,969,000              $75,010,000
    Sector Management and Governance..........................               71,311,000               70,848,000
    Regional Field Operations.................................               52,755,000               49,151,000
    Infrastructure Security Compliance........................               94,877,000               78,400,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Infrastructure Protection...................              294,912,000              273,409,000
Cybersecurity and Communications:
    Cybersecurity:
        Cybersecurity Coordination............................                4,318,000                4,434,000
        US Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT)                       98,642,000               94,485,000
         Operations...........................................
        Federal Network Security..............................              131,202,000              136,055,000
        Network Security Deployment...........................              479,760,000              475,822,000
        Global Cybersecurity Management.......................               20,321,000               26,702,000
        Critical Infrastructure Cyber Protection and Awareness               77,584,000               74,229,000
        Business Operations...................................                6,516,000                7,022,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Cybersecurity...........................              818,343,000              818,749,000
    Communications:
        Office of Emergency Communications....................               33,025,000               34,205,000
        Priority Telecommunications Services..................               63,649,000               63,095,000
        Next Generation Networks..............................               80,102,000               80,384,000
        Programs to Study and Enhance Telecommunications......               10,418,000               10,334,000
        Critical Infrastructure Protection Programs...........               11,240,000               10,824,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Communications..........................              198,434,000              198,842,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal, Cybersecurity and Communications................            1,016,777,000            1,017,591,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
Total, Infrastructure Protection and Information Security.....           $1,311,689,000           $1,291,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       Infrastructure Protection

       A total of $273,409,000 is provided for Infrastructure 
     Protection. No funding is provided for the requested climate 
     change assessments.
       Of the total provided, $75,010,000 is for Infrastructure 
     Analysis and Planning (IAP), which includes $18,650,000 for 
     the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center 
     (NISAC) and is available for two years. The $5,657,000 
     provided above the request for NISAC is for research on high-
     risk infrastructure vulnerabilities.
       As described in the Senate report, $1,500,000 is provided 
     above the request for the Office

[[Page H10173]]

     of Infrastructure Protection and the Office of Cyber 
     Infrastructure and Analysis to develop and submit a three-
     year strategic plan to guide vulnerability assessments, 
     analytic assessments, and the Regional Resiliency Assessment 
     Program. The plan will guide this suite of programs with a 
     focus on comprehensive assessments of critical lifeline 
     infrastructure dependencies and interdependencies, assisting 
     FEMA in risk assessments that support grant allocation 
     decisions, and enhancing state and local preparedness and 
     resiliency. Included shall be a set of performance metrics 
     against which effectiveness can be measured and reported to 
     Congress on an annual basis.
       Of the total provided, $70,848,000 is for Sector Management 
     and Governance, including $2,000,000 to define agency needs, 
     identify requirements for community-level critical 
     infrastructure protection and resiliency, and rapidly 
     develop, test, and transition to use technologies that 
     address needs and requirements. An additional $4,219,000 
     above the request is provided to expedite development of the 
     IP Gateway, a comprehensive critical infrastructure 
     information database.
       Of the total provided, $49,151,000 is for Regional Field 
     Operations, including full funding for the National 
     Infrastructure Coordinating Center.
       Of the total provided, $78,400,000 is for Infrastructure 
     Security Compliance. Due to continued delays in implementing 
     the final rule on ammonium nitrate, no funds are included for 
     implementation but $4,500,000 is provided to allow NPPD to 
     employ additional measures to secure ammonium nitrate and 
     other IED precursors while continuing the rulemaking process.


                             Cybersecurity

       A total of $818,749,000 is provided for Cybersecurity of 
     which $94,485,000 is for US-CERT operations. Within the total 
     amount provided for Cybersecurity are increases above the 
     request of: $3,705,000 for improvements to reporting under 
     the Federal Information Security Management Act; $3,460,000 
     to support the deployment of cyber-engineers to agency 
     locations to assist in securing high-value IT systems; and 
     $534,000 for Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency 
     Response Team workforce development.
       Of the total provided, $136,055,000 is for Federal Network 
     Security, of which $98,509,000 is for Continuous Diagnostics 
     and Mitigation, as requested.
       Network Security Deployment is funded at $475,822,000. NPPD 
     is directed to brief the Committees within 30 days of the 
     date of enactment of this Act on its plans to address the 
     recommendations in GAO's comprehensive review of the National 
     Cybersecurity Protection System (GAO-16-43SU).
       A total of $26,702,000 is provided for Global Cybersecurity 
     Management, of which $1,679,000 is to fund the software 
     assurance program and $15,810,000 is for cybersecurity 
     education.


                Notification of Cybersecurity Incidents

       As stated in the Senate report, NPPD must improve the 
     process by which it notifies the Committees of cyber-
     incidents. NPPD shall develop a systematic process, in 
     coordination with other potentially impacted departments and 
     agencies, to notify the Committees of major cybersecurity 
     incidents, including any event involving another federal 
     agency.


                 Cybersecurity Information Coordination

       Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
     NPPD is directed to brief the Committees on efforts to 
     include metrics in the National Cybersecurity and 
     Communications Integration Center's (NCCIC) programs, as 
     directed in the Senate report. As part of its fiscal year 
     2016 obligation plan and fiscal year 2017 budget 
     justification, NPPD shall provide the actual funding levels 
     for each PPA for all NCCIC activities.


                 State and Local Cybersecurity Support

       The fiscal year 2016 request proposed to reduce funding for 
     the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-
     ISAC). Although the proposed reduction was premised on an 
     expectation that MS-ISAC's customers would begin sharing 
     costs of services they receive, the budget request provided 
     almost no information to justify the proposed reduction. An 
     additional $500,000 is made available in the Critical 
     Infrastructure Cyber Protection and Awareness PPA to help 
     ensure the continuation of current levels of state and local 
     cybersecurity services and information sharing.As part of its 
     fiscal year 2016 obligation plan, NPPD shall report the 
     actual funding level for MS-ISAC including a detailed 
     justification for that amount. NPPD should also ensure that 
     budget materials clearly justify the amount being proposed to 
     support MS-ISAC. NPPD is expected to coordinate with MS-ISAC 
     and its customers on the rationale and timeline for 
     establishing the cost-sharing plan.


                  Cybersecurity Strategy and Planning

       As detailed in the Senate report, NPPD is directed to brief 
     the Committees upon the release of the National Cybersecurity 
     Review and to utilize the review in developing a strategic 
     plan on how best to work with state and local leaders on 
     cybersecurity. The strategic plan should address how federal, 
     state, and local partners work together, as well as include 
     an assessment of the role of other stakeholders such as the 
     National Guard. In addition, NPPD shall brief the Committees 
     within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act on the 
     timeline for updating the National Cyber Incident Response 
     Plan. The briefing shall include a plan for engaging with 
     state and local governments and private sector stakeholders 
     in the development of the framework. In developing both the 
     strategic plan and the update to the National Cyber Incident 
     Response Plan, NPPD should consider the role of the MS-ISAC 
     with regard to outreach to and engagement with state and 
     local governments.


                             Communications

       A total of $198,842,000 is provided for Communications. Of 
     the total provided, $34,205,000 is for the Office of 
     Emergency Communications (OEC), of which $2,000,000 is to 
     establish a demonstration project to aid in developing the 
     National Emergency Communications Plan. The demonstration 
     project shall leverage existing technologies and engage non-
     medical professionals to help establish or sustain statewide 
     medical communications systems and utilize existing 
     infrastructures to improve the delivery of rural medical 
     care. OEC shall submit a plan for establishing this 
     demonstration project to the Committees within 90 days of the 
     date of enactment of this Act.
       In addition, $80,384,000 is provided for Next Generation 
     Networks, including $26,668,000 to implement priority Voice 
     over Internet Protocol communication capability.


                       FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE

       A total of $1,443,449,000 is made available for the Federal 
     Protective Service (FPS), as requested. This funding is 
     generated by collections of security fees from federal 
     agencies based on security services provided by FPS. A 
     provision is included requiring that a strategic human 
     capital plan be submitted with the President's fiscal year 
     2017 budget proposal.


                OFFICE OF BIOMETRIC IDENTITY MANAGEMENT

       A total of $282,473,000 is provided for the Office of 
     Biometric Identity Management (OBIM), of which not less than 
     $65,800,000 is for Increment 1 of the successor system to the 
     IDENT automated biometric identification system. This funding 
     is provided with the understanding that current estimates for 
     follow-on increments include $52,800,000 for Increment 2, 
     $40,000,000 for Increment 3, and $46,700,000 for Increment 4. 
     OBIM is directed to find cost savings wherever possible and 
     brief the Committees on any anticipated cost changes.
       The Department has again been entertaining proposals to 
     transfer OBIM out of NPPD. Discussion of such proposals, 
     which would require authorization to implement, should not be 
     allowed to detract from OBIM's focus on carrying out its 
     important departmental mission.

                        Office of Health Affairs

       A total of $125,369,000 is provided for the Office of 
     Health Affairs (OHA). Of the total amount, $82,078,000 is for 
     BioWatch; $10,500,000 is for the National Biosurveillance 
     Integration Center; $824,000 is for the Chemical Defense 
     Program; $4,957,000 is for Planning and Coordination; and 
     $27,010,000 is for Salaries and Expenses.


                       Biosurveillance Activities

       Of the total provided, $1,000,000 is for replacement and 
     recapitalization of current BioWatch equipment. OHA is 
     directed to brief the Committees not later than 30 days after 
     the date of enactment of this Act on its response to the 
     recent GAO report (GAO-16-99) on the BioWatch program, which 
     found that DHS lacks reliable information about the current 
     system's technical capabilities to detect a biological 
     attack.

                  Federal Emergency Management Agency


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       A total of $960,754,000 is provided for Salaries and 
     Expenses. Within the total, not less than: $2,000,000 is for 
     the Emergency Management Assistance Compact; $2,470,515 is 
     for the National Hurricane Program; $8,500,000 is for the 
     National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program; and $9,100,000 
     is for the National Dam Safety Program. In lieu of direction 
     provided in the House and Senate reports, new obligation plan 
     and budget justification requirements are outlined in title I 
     of this statement.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Budget Request             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Administrative and Regional Offices...........................            $243,323,000             $236,802,000
Office of National Capital Region Coordination................              (3,422,000)              (3,422,000)
Preparedness and Protection...................................             190,928,000              189,581,000
Response......................................................             168,466,000              174,124,000
Urban Search and Rescue Response System.......................             (27,513,000)             (35,180,000)
Recovery......................................................              51,472,000               49,763,000
Mitigation....................................................              25,753,000               27,957,000
Mission Support...............................................             168,437,000              181,610,000
Centrally Managed Accounts....................................             100,917,000              100,917,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------

[[Page H10174]]

 
    Total, Salaries and Expenses..............................            $949,296,000             $960,754,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                             DRS Budgeting

       The House report directs FEMA to implement reforms to 
     budgeting for Disaster Readiness Support (DRS). In lieu of 
     the direction that the reforms be implemented in the fiscal 
     year 2017 budget proposal, FEMA shall incorporate as many of 
     the outlined reforms as possible within the fiscal year 2017 
     budget proposal and fully implement the reforms with the 
     submission of the fiscal year 2018 budget proposal. Further, 
     FEMA is directed to present future budget proposals and 
     obligation reports, as applicable, in the following PPA and 
     sub-activity structure for the DRS:
       PPA: Cadre Operational Readiness and Deployability
        Disaster Employee Staffing
        Disaster Training
        Disaster Employee Equipping
       PPA: Readiness Support Contracts, Supplies Readiness 
     Support Contracts and Interagency Agreements Stockpiling 
     (supplies, commodities and temporary housing units)
       PPA: Information Technology Support (non-enterprise 
     disaster IT systems)
       PPA: Working Capital Fund (activities directly related to 
     declared disasters)


          Information Technology Modernization and Resiliency

       The bill provides $6,200,000 for the Financial Management 
     System to expedite implementation; $10,000,000 for the Grants 
     Management Modernization Strategy; $5,917,000 for the IT 
     Resiliency Review; and $17,000,000 to expedite cybersecurity 
     measures such as network access control, switches and 
     routers, installation of equipment, and IT personnel to 
     address critical emergent needs identified by FEMA. All 
     projects shall be completed in consultation with the DHS CIO. 
     Furthermore, details on modernization, security, and 
     resiliency projects shall be reported to the Committees 
     consistent with the obligation guidance in title I, and FEMA 
     shall continue to provide updates on the IT Resiliency 
     Review, as directed in the Senate report.


               Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center

       Of the total provided for Salaries and Expenses, 
     $27,500,000 is for capital improvements to the Mount Weather 
     Emergency Operations Center. In lieu of direction in the 
     House report, FEMA shall address the use of these and any 
     other funds available for Mount Weather Emergency Operations 
     Center capital projects when FEMA briefs the Committees on 
     its obligation plans as directed in title I of this 
     statement.


                 Capital Infrastructure Investment Plan

       As directed in the House report, FEMA shall provide a 
     capital infrastructure investment plan for fiscal year 2016 
     through fiscal year 2020.


                         Ensuring Rail Security

       As outlined in the Senate report, NPPD and FEMA shall brief 
     the Committees on the management of crude oil movements, 
     including those actions being taken to address gaps in 
     capabilities at the state and local levels (including through 
     grant awards), any unmet needs in coordinating with other 
     departments and agencies, and the unique needs of first 
     responders.


                        STATE AND LOCAL PROGRAMS

       A total of $1,500,000,000 is provided for State and Local 
     Programs, to be distributed by PPA as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Homeland Security Grant Program.........................                    - - -             $467,000,000
    Operation Stonegarden.....................................                    - - -             (55,000,000)
Urban Area Security Initiative................................                    - - -              600,000,000
    Nonprofit Security Grants.................................                    - - -             (20,000,000)
Public Transportation Security Assistance and Railroad                            - - -              100,000,000
 Security Assistance..........................................
    Amtrak Security...........................................                    - - -             (10,000,000)
    Over-the-Road Bus Security................................                    - - -              (3,000,000)
Port Security Grants..........................................                    - - -              100,000,000
Education, Training, and Exercises............................             $168,224,000              233,000,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Emergency Management Institute............................             (19,523,000)             (20,569,000)
    Center for Domestic Preparedness..........................             (62,860,000)             (64,991,000)
    National Domestic Preparedness Consortium.................             (42,000,000)             (98,000,000)
    National Exercise Program.................................             (25,841,000)             (19,919,000)
    Continuing Training.......................................             (18,000,000)             (29,521,000)
National Preparedness Grant Program...........................            1,043,200,000                    - - -
First Responder Assistance Program:
    Emergency Management Performance Grants \1\...............              350,000,000                    - - -
    Fire Grants \1\...........................................              335,000,000                    - - -
    Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER)               335,000,000                    - - -
     Act Grants \1\...........................................
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Total, State and Local Programs.......................           $2,231,424,000           $1,500,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Funds for these programs are appropriated in separate accounts.

       Provisions are included specifying timeframes for grant 
     awards, limiting grantee administrative costs to five percent 
     of the total amount of each grant, permitting the 
     construction of communication towers under certain 
     conditions, requiring reports from grantees as necessary, and 
     permitting the use of certain funds for security buffer zones 
     at FEMA facilities.
       In addition to the items included in the House and Senate 
     reports related to uses of grant funding, FEMA is encouraged 
     to consider applications which will enhance physical security 
     at large venues and for early warning systems, such as for 
     severe weather, earthquakes, and siren alerts. FEMA is 
     directed to review eligible grant activities, in conjunction 
     with the Department of Justice and its grant programs, to 
     determine how emergent and cross-cutting national security 
     challenges, such as the heroin epidemic, international 
     smuggling, and public health threats, can be better addressed 
     at state and local levels.
       Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
     and after consultation with stakeholders, FEMA shall brief 
     the Committees on the feasibility of expanding eligibility 
     for non-profit security grants, based on risk, to 
     organizations located outside of urban areas receiving Urban 
     Area Security Initiative (UASI) grants.


                     Urban Area Security Initiative

       Consistent with the 9/11 Act, FEMA shall conduct risk 
     assessments for the 100 most populous metropolitan 
     statistical areas prior to making UASI grant awards. Because 
     most of the cumulative national terrorism risk to urban areas 
     is focused on a relatively small number of cities, it is 
     expected that UASI funding will be limited to urban areas 
     representing up to 85 percent of such risk and that resources 
     will continue to be allocated in proportion to risk.


                   Education, Training, and Exercises

       A total of $233,000,000 is provided for Education, 
     Training, and Exercises. Within the total, $29,521,000 is for 
     Continuing Training, including $3,500,000 for rural first 
     responder training, not less than $2,000,000 for hazardous 
     materials training, and $18,000,000 for the Center for 
     Homeland Defense and Security.


                     FIREFIGHTER ASSISTANCE GRANTS

       A total of $690,000,000 is provided for Firefighter 
     Assistance Grants, including $345,000,000 in grants for 
     firefighter equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, 
     training and other resources, and $345,000,000 for 
     firefighter staffing grants.


                EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE GRANTS

       A total of $350,000,000 is provided for Emergency 
     Management Performance Grants.


              RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM

       Statutory language is included providing for the receipt 
     and expenditure of fees collected, as authorized by Public 
     Law 105-276.


                   UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION

       A total of $44,000,000 is provided for the United States 
     Fire Administration.


                          DISASTER RELIEF FUND

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       A total of $7,374,693,000 is provided for the Disaster 
     Relief Fund (DRF), of which $6,712,953,000 is designated as 
     being for disaster relief for major disasters pursuant to 
     section 251(b)(2)(D) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
     Deficit Control Act of 1985. A provision is included 
     transferring $24,000,000 to the OIG for audits and 
     investigations related to all disasters.
       A general provision is included in title V of this Act 
     rescinding amounts provided for non-major disaster response 
     in prior years due to the significant balances carried over 
     from fiscal year 2015 and amounts recovered from previous 
     disasters during project closeouts. The remaining balances, 
     combined with the amount appropriated in this bill, fully 
     fund all known requirements, to include recovery from 
     Hurricane Sandy, the Colorado wildfires, the Oklahoma 
     tornadoes, the South Carolina flooding, and other previous 
     disasters, as well as estimated costs of response and relief 
     efforts for future disasters.

[[Page H10175]]

       As directed in title I of this statement, FEMA shall 
     include with the fiscal year 2017 budget justification 
     materials a detailed justification for all categories funded 
     with base discretionary funding, including a detailed 
     obligation plan for the DRS program. Additionally, as 
     directed in title I, FEMA shall provide briefings on the 
     obligation of DRS funding.
       As directed in the House report, FEMA shall continue the 
     practice of posting Preliminary Disaster Assessments, Public 
     Assistance Grants, and mission assignments to the Agency's 
     website in the same manner as directed in Public Law 114-4.
       As noted in the explanatory statement accompanying Public 
     Law 114-4, FEMA shall continue to implement the appeals 
     process for improper payments efficiently and pay diligent 
     attention to overpayments made due to FEMA's error. If the 
     improper payment cannot be forgiven, FEMA shall work with 
     individuals based on ability to make the repayment.


             FLOOD HAZARD MAPPING AND RISK ANALYSIS PROGRAM

       A total of $190,000,000 is provided for Flood Hazard 
     Mapping and Risk Analysis. With an additional $155,899,000 
     available for flood mapping activities through the National 
     Flood Insurance Fund, FEMA's fiscal year 2016 resources for 
     flood plain mapping total $345,899,000. This amount will 
     enable FEMA to make significant progress toward its goal of 
     maintaining 80 percent of its mapping inventory as maps with 
     new, validated, or updated engineering. As directed in the 
     Senate report, FEMA shall ensure mapping updates are done in 
     coordination with ongoing state and local flood mitigation 
     efforts.


                     NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE FUND

       A total of $181,198,000 is provided for the National Flood 
     Insurance Fund, for which administrative costs shall not 
     exceed four percent.


                  NATIONAL PREDISASTER MITIGATION FUND

       A total of $100,000,000 is provided for the National 
     Predisaster Mitigation Fund, to remain available until 
     expended. FEMA is directed to brief the Committees on the 
     plan for award and distribution prior to execution of the 
     funds, ensure projects meet the national need, and focus on 
     actual hazards and not causation.


                       EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER

       A total of $120,000,000 is provided for the Emergency Food 
     and Shelter Program (EFSP), of which administrative costs 
     shall not exceed 3.5 percent. A provision authorizing the 
     FEMA Administrator to transfer the funding and administrative 
     responsibility for EFSP to the Department of Housing and 
     Urban Development (HUD) is not included. While the proposal 
     to transfer EFSP to HUD has merits, any proposal to transfer 
     the program in a future budget request must be directly 
     proposed as part of the HUD budget. Further, in order to 
     ensure a successful transition, any future transfer proposal 
     should be premised on outreach to appropriate stakeholders, 
     including congressional committees of jurisdiction. It is 
     expected that FEMA and HUD will include a comprehensive 
     outreach strategy, as well as a full transition plan, as part 
     of any such proposal in the future.

        TITLE IV--RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, AND SERVICES

           United States Citizenship and Immigration Services


                                E-Verify

       A total of $119,671,000 is provided in discretionary 
     appropriations for E-Verify.


             Official Reception and Representation Expenses

       No more than $10,000 of the fees collected shall be used 
     for official reception and representation expenses.


                            GAO USCIS Review

       In Senate Report 113-198, GAO was directed to perform a 
     review of fraud in the asylum process. Not later than 60 days 
     after GAO issues the report, the Department is directed to 
     brief the Committees on actions taken to implement each of 
     GAO's recommendations. The Department shall provide progress 
     updates every 60 days thereafter until all of the 
     recommendations have been implemented for all types of 
     benefits. In addition, GAO is directed to perform a similarly 
     scoped review of fraud in the refugee screening process.


                             E-Verify Usage

       As directed in the Senate report, USCIS is to include on 
     its website, in both graphic and downloadable formats, E-
     Verify usage statistics, including basic analytics functions, 
     not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act.


                             Advance Parole

       As directed in the Senate report, USCIS is to report not 
     later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act on 
     the use of advance parole.


                               Fee Study

       As directed in the Senate report, USCIS is to report not 
     later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act on 
     the results of its fee study.


                     Change of Address Notification

       Under 8 U.S.C. 1305, most non-United States citizens 
     lawfully present in the United States must report to USCIS, 
     as a condition of stay, a change of address within 10 days of 
     moving within the United States or its territories. USCIS is 
     directed to brief the Committees within 120 days of the date 
     of enactment of this Act on compliance with this address 
     change notification requirement, including: how the 
     requirement is communicated to the affected population; how 
     many change of address notifications have been submitted each 
     of the last three fiscal years broken down by visa categories 
     or status; what actions USCIS or other agencies take in 
     validating or making use of the address change submissions; 
     and the number of non-United States citizens since fiscal 
     year 2012 who have been penalized for failing to update their 
     address.

                Federal Law Enforcement Training Center


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       A total of $217,485,000 is provided for Salaries and 
     Expenses. The amount available for official reception and 
     representation expenses, $7,180, reflects historic 
     expenditures for this purpose. FLETC is directed to brief the 
     Committees quarterly on a plan for the obligation of funds, 
     as specified under title I of this statement. Within the 
     funds provided for Law Enforcement Training, $1,303,000 shall 
     be for the FLETC Accreditation Board, of which $300,000 may 
     be distributed to federal law enforcement agencies for 
     expenses incurred participating in training and 
     accreditation.
       Because the fiscal year 2015 DHS Appropriations Act did not 
     fund a proposed 2,000 new CBP officers, the bill includes a 
     reduction to the fiscal year 2016 request of $26,406,000 
     associated with the training of those officers. However, an 
     increase of $4,750,000 is included to fund an additional 38 
     FTE for other training requirements.
       FLETC shall conduct a review of its workforce benefits, per 
     direction in the House report, and make any appropriate 
     legislative recommendations to the Committees, the House 
     Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and the Senate 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.


     ACQUISITIONS, CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENTS, AND RELATED EXPENSES

       A total of $27,553,000 is provided for Acquisitions, 
     Construction, Improvements, and Related Expenses.

                         Science and Technology


                     MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

       A total of $131,531,000 is provided for Management and 
     Administration.


           RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, ACQUISITION, AND OPERATIONS

       A total of $655,407,000 is provided for Research, 
     Development, Acquisition, and Operations.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Research, Development, and Innovation.........................             $434,850,000             $434,850,000
Acquisition and Operations Support............................               47,102,000               47,102,000
Laboratory Facilities.........................................              133,921,000              133,731,000
University Programs...........................................               31,000,000               39,724,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total, Research, Development, Acquisition, and Operations.             $646,873,000             $655,407,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                   Domestic Nuclear Detection Office


                     MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

       A total of $38,109,000 is provided for Management and 
     Administration.


                 RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND OPERATIONS

       A total of $196,000,000 is provided for Research, 
     Development, and Operations.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Systems Engineering and Architecture..........................              $17,000,000              $17,000,000
Systems Development...........................................               22,000,000               22,000,000
Transformational Research and Development.....................               68,000,000               68,000,000
Assessments...................................................               38,000,000               38,000,000
Operations Support............................................               31,000,000               31,000,000
National Technical Nuclear Forensics Center...................               20,000,000               20,000,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------

[[Page H10176]]

 
    Total, Research, Development, and Operations..............             $196,000,000             $196,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Systems Acquisition

       The bill provides a total of $113,011,000 for Systems 
     Acquisition.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Radiological and Nuclear Detection Equipment Acquisition......             $101,011,000              $91,011,000
Securing the Cities...........................................               22,000,000               22,000,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total, Systems Acquisition................................             $123,011,000             $113,011,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Radiological and Nuclear Detection Equipment Acquisition

       A total of $91,011,000 is provided for the Radiological and 
     Nuclear Detection Equipment Acquisition, including 
     $37,539,000 for the Radiation Portal Monitor Program as 
     requested.
       TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS
       Section 501. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued that no part of any appropriation shall remain 
     available for obligation beyond the current year unless 
     expressly provided.
       Section 502. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued that unexpended balances of prior appropriations 
     may be merged with new appropriation accounts and used for 
     the same purpose, subject to reprogramming guidelines.
       Section 503. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued and modified that requires 15-day advance 
     notification for the reprogramming and transfer of funds; 
     limits authority to reprogram funds within an appropriations 
     account; and provides authority to transfer up to five 
     percent out of appropriations accounts. In order to give the 
     Department flexibility in addressing emerging threats and 
     challenges, language from prior years limiting the amount of 
     funds that could be transferred into an appropriation is not 
     included.
       For purposes of reprogramming notifications, ``program, 
     project, or activity'' is defined as an amount identified in 
     the detailed funding table located at the end of this 
     statement or an amount directed for a specific purpose in 
     this statement. Also for purposes of reprogramming 
     notifications, the creation of a new program, project, or 
     activity is defined as any significant new activity that has 
     not been explicitly justified to the Congress in budget 
     justification material and for which funds have not been 
     appropriated by the Congress. For further guidance when 
     determining which movements of funds are subject to section 
     503, the Department is reminded to follow GAO's definition of 
     ``program, project, or activity'' as detailed in GAO's A 
     Glossary of Terms Used in the Federal Budget Process. Within 
     30 days of the date of enactment of this Act, the Department 
     shall submit to the Committees a table delineating PPAs 
     subject to section 503 notification requirements, as defined 
     in this paragraph.
       These reprogramming guidelines shall be complied with by 
     all agencies funded by this Act. The Department shall submit 
     reprogramming requests on a timely basis and provide complete 
     explanations of the reallocations proposed, including 
     detailed justifications of the increases and offsets, and any 
     specific impact the proposed changes will have on the budget 
     request for the following fiscal year and future-year 
     appropriations requirements. Each request submitted to the 
     Committees should include a detailed table showing the 
     proposed revisions at the account, program, project, and 
     activity level to the funding and staffing (full-time 
     equivalent position) levels for the current fiscal year and 
     to the levels requested in the President's budget for the 
     following fiscal year.
       The Department shall manage its programs, projects, and 
     activities within the levels appropriated. The Department 
     should only submit reprogramming or transfer requests in the 
     case of an unforeseeable emergency or situation that could 
     not have been predicted when formulating the budget request 
     for the current fiscal year. When the Department submits a 
     reprogramming or transfer request to the Committees and does 
     not receive identical responses from the House and Senate, it 
     is the responsibility of the Department to reconcile the 
     House and Senate differences before proceeding and, if 
     reconciliation is not possible, to consider the reprogramming 
     or transfer request not approved.
       Unless an initial notification has already been provided, 
     the Department is not to submit a reprogramming or transfer 
     request after June 30 except in extraordinary circumstances 
     that imminently threaten the safety of human life or the 
     protection of property. If a reprogramming or transfer is 
     needed after June 30, the submittal should contain sufficient 
     documentation as to why it meets this statutory exception.
       Section 504. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued and modified that prohibits funds appropriated 
     or otherwise made available to the Department to make payment 
     to the Working Capital Fund (WCF), except for activities and 
     amounts allowed in the President's fiscal year 2016 budget 
     request. Funds provided to the WCF are available until 
     expended. The Department can only charge components for 
     direct usage of the WCF and these funds may be used only for 
     the purposes consistent with the contributing component. Any 
     funds paid in advance or reimbursed must reflect the full 
     cost of each service. The Department shall submit a 
     notification for the addition or removal of any activity to 
     the fund and shall submit quarterly execution reports with 
     activity level detail. A new proviso is included requiring 
     the Department to identify the source of funds by PPA.
       Section 505. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued that not to exceed 50 percent of unobligated 
     balances remaining at the end of fiscal year 2016 from 
     appropriations made for salaries and expenses shall remain 
     available through fiscal year 2017 subject to section 503 
     reprogramming guidelines.
       Section 506. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued that funds for intelligence activities are 
     deemed to be specifically authorized during fiscal year 2016 
     until the enactment of an Act authorizing intelligence 
     activities for fiscal year 2016.
       Section 507. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued requiring notification of the Committees three 
     days before grant allocations, grant awards, contract awards, 
     other transactional agreements, letters of intent, a task or 
     delivery order on a multiple contract award totaling 
     $1,000,000 or more, a task or delivery order greater than 
     $10,000,000 from multi-year funds, or sole-source grant 
     awards, are announced by the Department, including contracts 
     covered by the Federal Acquisition Regulation. The Department 
     is required to brief the Committees five full business days 
     prior to announcing the intention to make a grant under State 
     and Local Programs. Notification shall include a description 
     of the project or projects to be funded, including city, 
     county, and state.
       Section 508. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued and modified that no agency shall purchase, 
     construct, or lease additional facilities for Federal law 
     enforcement training without advance notification to the 
     Committees.
       Section 509. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued that none of the funds may be used for any 
     construction, repair, alteration, or acquisition project for 
     which a prospectus, if required under chapter 33 of title 40, 
     United States Code, has not been approved.
       Section 510. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued and modified that includes and consolidates by 
     reference prior year statutory provisions related to 
     contracting officer's technical representative training; 
     sensitive security information; and the use of funds in 
     conformance with section 303 of the Energy Policy Act of 
     1992. A modified provision is included to permanently 
     discontinue certain prior reporting requirements.
       Section 511. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued that none of the funds may be used in 
     contravention of the Buy American Act.
       Section 512. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued regarding the oath of allegiance required by 
     section 337 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
       Section 513. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued and modified requiring the Chief Financial 
     Officer to submit monthly budget execution and staffing 
     reports within 30 days after the close of each month.
       Section 514. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued directing that any funds appropriated or 
     transferred to TSA's Aviation Security, Administration, and 
     Transportation Security Support appropriations in fiscal 
     years 2004 and 2005 that are recovered or deobligated shall 
     be available only for procurement and installation of 
     explosives detection systems, air cargo, baggage, and 
     checkpoint screening systems, subject to notification. Semi-
     annual reports must be submitted identifying any funds that 
     are recovered or deobligated.
       Section 515. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued and modified regarding competitive sourcing for 
     USCIS.
       Section 516. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued for fiscal year 2016 requiring that any funds 
     appropriated to the Coast Guard's 110-123 foot patrol boat 
     conversion that are recovered, collected, or otherwise 
     received as a result of negotiation, mediation, or litigation 
     shall be available

[[Page H10177]]

     until expended for the Fast Response Cutter program.
       Section 517. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued classifying the functions of the instructor 
     staff at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center as 
     inherently governmental for purposes of the Federal 
     Activities Inventory Reform Act.
       Section 518. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued and modified regarding grants or contracts 
     awarded by any means other than full and open competition. 
     The Inspector General is required to review departmental 
     contracts awarded noncompetitively and report on the results 
     to the Committees.
       Section 519. A provision proposed by the House is continued 
     that prohibits funding pertaining to the Principal Federal 
     Official during a Stafford Act declared disaster or 
     emergency, with certain exceptions. The Senate proposed no 
     similar provision.
       Section 520. A provision proposed by the House is continued 
     that precludes DHS from using funds in this Act to carry out 
     reorganization authority. This prohibition is not intended to 
     prevent the Department from carrying out routine or small 
     reallocations of personnel or functions within components, 
     subject to section 503 of this Act. This language prevents 
     large-scale reorganization of the Department, which should be 
     acted on legislatively by the relevant congressional 
     committees of jurisdiction. While the Department has 
     developed plans for a large-scale reorganization of NPPD, 
     such reorganization has not yet been authorized by Congress 
     and would be precluded by this language. The Department may 
     propose minor changes under section 503 of this Act to the 
     Committees on Appropriations.
       Section 521. A new provision is included that prohibits the 
     creation of a proposed Office of Chemical, Biological, 
     Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives Defense without 
     explicit authorization by Congress, and facilitates funding 
     realignments related to the creation of the office if so 
     authorized.
       Section 522. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued that prohibits funding to grant an immigration 
     benefit to any individual unless the results of the 
     background checks required in statute, to be completed prior 
     to the grant of the benefit, have been received by DHS.
       Section 523. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued extending other transactional authority for DHS 
     through fiscal year 2016.
       Section 524. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued requiring the Secretary to link all contracts 
     that provide award fees to successful acquisition outcomes.
       Section 525. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued and modified regarding waivers of the Jones Act.
       Section 526. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued and modified related to prescription drugs.
       Section 527. A provision proposed by the Senate is 
     continued prohibiting funds from being used to reduce the 
     Coast Guard's Operations Systems Center mission or its 
     government-employed or contract staff. The House proposed no 
     similar provision.
       Section 528. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued requiring the Secretary, in conjunction with the 
     Secretary of the Treasury, to notify the Committees of any 
     proposed transfers from the Department of Treasury Forfeiture 
     Fund to any agency within DHS. No funds may be obligated 
     until the Committees approve the proposed transfers.
       Section 529. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued prohibiting funds for planning, testing, 
     piloting, or developing a national identification card.
       Section 530. A provision proposed by the Senate is 
     continued prohibiting funds to be used to conduct or 
     implement the results of a competition under Office of 
     Management and Budget Circular A-76 with respect to the Coast 
     Guard National Vessel Documentation Center. The House 
     proposed no similar provision.
       Section 531. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued directing that any official required by this Act 
     to report or to certify to the Committees on Appropriations 
     may not delegate any such authority unless expressly 
     authorized to do so in this Act.
       Section 532. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued prohibiting the use of funds for the transfer or 
     release of individuals detained at United States Naval 
     Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba into or within the United 
     States.
       Section 533. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued prohibiting funds in this Act to be used for 
     first-class travel.
       Section 534. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued prohibiting funds to be used to employ illegal 
     workers as described in Section 274A(h)(3) of the Immigration 
     and Nationality Act.
       Section 535. A provision proposed by the Senate is 
     continued prohibiting the Secretary from reducing operations 
     within the Coast Guard's Civil Engineering Program except as 
     specifically authorized by a statute enacted after the date 
     of enactment of this Act. The House proposed no similar 
     provision.
       Section 536. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued prohibiting funds appropriated or otherwise made 
     available by this Act to pay for award or incentive fees for 
     contractors with below satisfactory performance or 
     performance that fails to meet the basic requirements of the 
     contract.
       Section 537. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued that requires any new processes developed to 
     screen aviation passengers and crews for transportation or 
     national security to consider privacy and civil liberties, 
     consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and guidance.
       Section 538. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued and modified that permits the allocation of 
     USCIS fees for an immigrant integration grants program. The 
     grants shall be used to provide services to individuals who 
     have been lawfully admitted into the U.S. for permanent 
     residence.
       Section 539. A provision proposed by the House and the 
     Senate is included and modified providing a total of 
     $215,679,000 for the DHS headquarters consolidation at St. 
     Elizabeths and for related mission support activities, of 
     which $3,376,000 is additional funding for security services. 
     As specified in the bill, DHS shall submit an expenditure 
     plan detailing the allocation of these funds.
       Section 540. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued prohibiting funds appropriated or otherwise made 
     available by this Act for DHS to enter into a federal 
     contract unless the contract meets requirements of the 
     Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 or 
     chapter 137 of title 10 U.S.C., and the Federal Acquisition 
     Regulation, unless the contract is otherwise authorized by 
     statute without regard to this section.
       Section 541. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is included and modified providing $52,977,000 for financial 
     systems modernization activities, which the Secretary may 
     transfer between appropriations for the same purpose after 
     notifying the Committees 15 days in advance. Funding is 
     available for two years.
       Section 542. A new provision is included providing 
     $100,000,000 for cybersecurity to safeguard and enhance DHS 
     systems and capabilities, which the Secretary may transfer 
     between appropriations for the same purpose after notifying 
     the Committees 15 days in advance.
       Section 543. A new provision is included providing 
     $50,000,000 for emergent threats from violent extremism and 
     from complex coordinated terrorist attacks, which the 
     Secretary may transfer between appropriations for the same 
     purpose after notifying the Committees 15 days in advance.
       Section 544. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued and modified providing flexibility to the 
     Department in responding to an immigration emergency, subject 
     to notification.
       Section 545. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued stating that the Secretary shall ensure 
     enforcement of all immigration laws.
       Section 546. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued requiring DHS computer systems to block 
     electronic access to pornography, except for law enforcement 
     purposes.
       Section 547. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued regarding the transfer of firearms by Federal 
     law enforcement personnel.
       Section 548. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued prohibiting any funds from this or any other Act 
     to be used for creation of the National Preparedness Grant 
     Program or any successor grant programs unless explicitly 
     authorized by Congress.
       Section 549. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued prohibiting funds for the position of Public 
     Advocate or a successor position within ICE.
       Section 550. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued and modified amending Public Law 113-76 
     regarding reimbursable public-private partnerships and 
     donation authority related to CBP port of entry operations.
       Section 551. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued and modified regarding funding restrictions and 
     reporting requirements related to conferences occurring 
     outside of the United States.
       Section 552. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued that prohibits funds made available by this Act 
     to reimburse any federal department or agency for its 
     participation in a NSSE.
       Section 553. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued and modified requiring certification to Congress 
     for new air preclearance operations.
       Section 554. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued prohibiting any funds from this or any other Act 
     to be used to require airport operators to provide airport-
     financed staffing to monitor exit points from the sterile 
     area of any airport at which TSA provided such monitoring as 
     of December 1, 2013.
       Section 555. A provision proposed by the House is continued 
     pertaining to the temporary reemployment of administrative 
     law judges for arbitration dispute resolution. The Senate 
     proposed no similar provision.
       Section 556. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued that clarifies that fees collected pursuant to 
     the Colombia Free Trade Agreement are available until 
     expended.
       Section 557. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued requiring a notification, including 
     justification materials, prior to implementing any structural 
     pay reform that affects more than 100 FTE positions or costs 
     more than $5,000,000.
       Section 558. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is continued directing the

[[Page H10178]]

     Department to post on a public website reports required by 
     the Committees on Appropriations unless public posting 
     compromises homeland or national security or contains 
     proprietary information.
       Section 559. A provision proposed by the Senate is 
     continued that prohibits the collection of new land border 
     fees or the study of the imposition of such fees. The House 
     proposed no similar provision.
       Section 560. A provision proposed by the House is continued 
     and modified that allows the costs of providing humanitarian 
     relief to unaccompanied alien children and to alien adults 
     and their minor children to be an eligible use for certain 
     Homeland Security grants. The Senate proposed no similar 
     provision.
       Section 561. A provision proposed by the House is included 
     and modified directing that all DHS acquisition programs meet 
     established acquisition documentation requirements. The 
     Senate proposed no similar provision.
       Section 562. A provision proposed by the Senate is 
     continued prohibiting the use of funds for personnel who 
     prepare or submit appropriations language that assumes 
     revenue not enacted into law at the time of the budget 
     submission. The House proposed no similar provision.
       Section 563. A provision proposed by the House is included 
     and modified to allow the DHS fiscal year 2017 budget request 
     and accompanying justification material to be submitted in a 
     common appropriation structure. The Senate proposed no 
     similar provision.
       Section 564. A provision proposed by the Senate is included 
     related to the Arms Trade Treaty. The House proposed no 
     similar provision.
       Section 565. A provision proposed by the House is included 
     amending 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(9)(A), related to H-2B visas. The 
     Senate proposed no similar provision.
       Section 566. A new provision is included that allows CBP 
     access to certain reimbursements for preclearance activities.
       Section 567. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is included and modified rescinding unobligated balances from 
     specified programs.
       Section 568. A provision is included rescinding unobligated 
     balances made available to the Department when it was created 
     in 2003.
       Section 569. A new provision is included rescinding lapsed 
     balances made available pursuant to section 505 of this Act.
       Section 570. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is included and modified rescinding specified funds from the 
     Treasury Forfeiture Fund.
       Section 571. A provision proposed by the House and Senate 
     is included and modified rescinding unobligated balances from 
     FEMA DRF.
       Section 572. A new provision is included extending the 
     authorization of USCIS' E-Verify Program until September 30, 
     2016.
       Section 573. A new provision is included extending the non-
     minister religious worker immigrant authorization until 
     September 30, 2016.
       Section 574. A new provision is included extending until 
     September 30, 2016, the authority to waive the two-year home-
     country physical presence requirement for foreign doctors 
     with expiring J-1 visas who apply to remain in the United 
     States and commit to working in medically underserved areas.
       Section 575. A new provision is included extending the 
     Regional Center program within the ``EB-5'' immigrant 
     investor program authorization until September 30, 2016.

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[[Page H10211]]

  


   DIVISION G--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED 
                   AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2016

       The following statement is an explanation of the effects of 
     Division G, which makes appropriations for the Department of 
     the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 
     Forest Service, the Indian Health Service, and related 
     agencies for fiscal year 2016. Report language contained in 
     House Report 114-170 and Senate Report 114-70 providing 
     specific guidance to agencies regarding the administration of 
     appropriated funds and any corresponding reporting 
     requirements carries the same emphasis as the language 
     included in this explanatory statement and should be complied 
     with unless specifically addressed to the contrary herein. 
     This explanatory statement, while repeating some language for 
     emphasis, is not intended to negate the language referred to 
     above unless expressly provided herein.
       In cases where the House report, Senate report, or this 
     explanatory statement directs the submission of a report, 
     such report is to be submitted to both the House and Senate 
     Committees on Appropriations. Where this explanatory 
     statement refers to the Committees or the Committees on 
     Appropriations, unless otherwise noted, this reference is to 
     the House Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related 
     Agencies and the Senate Subcommittee on Interior, 
     Environment, and Related Agencies.
       The Committees direct each department and agency funded in 
     this Act to follow the directions set forth in this Act and 
     the accompanying statement, and not reallocate resources or 
     reorganize activities except as provided herein or otherwise 
     approved by the Committees through the reprogramming process 
     as described in this explanatory statement. This explanatory 
     statement addresses only those agencies and accounts for 
     which there is a need for greater explanation than provided 
     in the Act itself. Funding levels for appropriations by 
     account, program, and activity, with comparisons to the 
     fiscal year 2015 enacted level and the fiscal year 2016 
     budget request, can be found in the table at the end of this 
     division.
       Unless expressly stated otherwise, any reference to ``this 
     Act'' or ``at the end of this statement'' shall be treated as 
     referring only to the provisions of this division.
       Drought, Forests and Wildfires.--Severe and prolonged 
     drought can increase the rate at which trees die and 
     devastating wildfires occur. In light of the number of dead 
     and downed trees on public lands in the West, the Forest 
     Service, National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management 
     are directed to work with State and local governments in 
     drought-stricken regions to facilitate the prompt removal of 
     dead and downed trees on these lands and to prioritize 
     funding to reduce the threat of devastating wildfire threats 
     to communities, drinking water supplies, utilities, and 
     groves of ancient trees.
       Making Litigation Costs Transparent.--The Department of the 
     Interior, EPA, and the Forest Service are directed to provide 
     to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, and to 
     make publicly available no later than 60 days after enactment 
     of this Act, detailed Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) fee 
     information as specified in the Consolidated and Further 
     Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015.
       State Wildlife Data.--The Department of the Interior and 
     the Forest Service are expected to prioritize continued 
     coordination with other Federal agencies and State fish and 
     wildlife agencies to recognize and fully utilize State fish 
     and wildlife data and analyses as a primary source to inform 
     land use, planning, and related natural resource decisions. 
     Federal agencies should not unnecessarily duplicate raw data, 
     and when appropriate, should evaluate existing analysis of 
     data prepared by the States, and reciprocally share data with 
     State wildlife managers, to ensure that the most complete 
     data set is available for decision support systems.
       Land Grants, Acequias and Community Ditches.--The 
     Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture are urged to 
     recognize the traditional use of State-recognized community 
     land grants, acequias, and community ditches in the American 
     Southwest during the land use planning process.
       Multi-Agency Transparency.--In order to increase 
     transparency, the Department of the Interior, Forest Service, 
     and Environmental Protection Agency are encouraged to 
     disclose costs associated with analyses required by the 
     National Environmental Policy Act.
       Greater Sage-Grouse.--The agreement provides a total of 
     $63,250,000 for sage-grouse conservation, including 
     $60,000,000 for the Bureau of Land Management and $3,250,000 
     for the Fish and Wildlife Service. The agencies are directed 
     to focus this funding toward on-the-ground conservation 
     measures to improve and preserve sage-grouse habitat and the 
     sagebrush ecosystem. The Bureau is reminded of the concerns 
     outlined in the House and Senate reports as Congress 
     continues to hear complaints about the effect of the sage-
     grouse land use plan amendments, which are not limited to 
     activities within Bureau controlled sage-grouse habitat. In 
     order for the sage-grouse, communities, and States to thrive, 
     all partners must work in good faith. As such, the Bureau and 
     the Forest Service are directed to closely work with each of 
     the 11 States and the affected communities to address the 
     issues unique to each State and seek to collaboratively 
     resolve all issues. The Bureau is directed to provide 
     guidance to its State offices and partners on how it will 
     update sage-grouse habitat maps, adopt new scientific 
     information, as appropriate, and engage State, local, 
     nongovernmental, and private partners.
       Land and Water Conservation Fund.--The agreement includes 
     $450,000,000 derived from the Land and Water Conservation 
     Fund for programs consistent with chapter 2003 of title 54 of 
     the United States Code, as identified in the table below. 
     This one-time increase of $143,859,000 above the fiscal year 
     2015 enacted level is intended for worthy projects at the 
     local, State, and Federal levels. The Department of the 
     Interior and the Forest Service are directed to include a 
     table in future budget requests, separating State and local 
     programs from Federal land acquisition, as displayed below.

 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Budget Request
                                           FY 2015 Enacted          (Discretionary)             This Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land and Water Conservation Fund.....             $306,141,000             $400,000,000             $450,000,000
    State and Local Programs.........               87,503,000              112,147,000              160,800,000
        National Park Service State                 48,117,000               53,161,000              110,000,000
         Assistance..................
        Coop. Endangered Species                    27,400,000               50,000,000               30,800,000
         Conservation Fund...........
        American Battlefield                         8,986,000                8,986,000               10,000,000
         Protection Act..............
        Highlands Conservation Act...                3,000,000                        0               10,000,000
    Forest Legacy Program............               53,000,000               61,000,000               62,347,000
    Federal Land Acquisition.........              165,638,000              226,853,000              226,853,000
        Forest Service...............               47,500,000               63,000,000               63,435,000
        Fish and Wildlife Service....               44,535,000               58,500,000               58,500,000
        National Park Service........               41,857,000               55,353,000               53,670,000
        Bureau of Land Management....               19,746,000               38,000,000               38,630,000
        Department of the Interior                  12,000,000               12,000,000               12,618,000
         Valuation Services..........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Federal projects are funded in priority order by agency 
     according to the budget request, with amounts adjusted 
     downward as necessary due to updated project information and 
     support. Many of the requested projects lacked sufficient 
     information for the Committees to determine with a high 
     degree of confidence that funds appropriated could be 
     obligated in this fiscal year. Ideally, requested projects 
     should have: identified properties, willing sellers, updated 
     appraisals or market information, and the support of Federal, 
     State, and local officials. Agencies should include the 
     feasibility of phasing projects as well as a description of 
     which parcels are being considered for conservation easements 
     or fee simple acquisition in any supplemental information 
     sent to the Committees. The agencies are also urged to 
     increase the transparency of the project selection and 
     prioritization processes in annual budget requests, 
     particularly in regard to collaborative landscape projects.
       The Department of the Interior did not consult the 
     Committees on a decision to reprogram $995,000 from one 
     project to acquire a property in another project identified 
     in the fiscal year 2016 budget request. Therefore, the 
     agreement includes a new reprogramming limitation of not to 
     exceed $1,000,000 or 10 percent from any project, whichever 
     amount is less, as detailed under the Reprogramming 
     Guidelines heading later in this statement.
       The Committees believe increasing access to public lands 
     for hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities is 
     important. This agreement includes new funding for these 
     activities for the National Park Service and Fish and 
     Wildlife Service while increasing funds for the Bureau of 
     Land Management and Forest Service. The Committees expect the 
     agencies to report within 30 days of enactment of this Act on 
     how this funding will be spent, and the agencies should 
     include a description and explanation of the use of funds in 
     future budget requests. The agencies are also directed to 
     include in future budget requests a description and 
     explanation on the use of funds within their inholdings line 
     items.
       Paper Reduction Efforts.--The Committees urge each agency 
     funded by this Act to work with the Office of Management and 
     Budget (OMB) to reduce printing and reproduction costs and 
     direct each agency to report to the Committees within 60 days 
     of enactment of this Act on what steps have been taken to 
     achieve this goal. The report should specifically identify 
     how much money each agency expects to save by implementing 
     these measures.

[[Page H10212]]

       Public Access.--The Department of the Interior and the 
     Forest Service are directed to notify the House and Senate 
     Committees on Appropriations in advance of any proposed 
     project specifically intending to close an area to 
     recreational shooting, hunting, or fishing on a non-emergency 
     basis of more than 30 days.
       National Ocean Policy.--The President's budget submission 
     for fiscal year 2017 shall identify by agency and account all 
     funding and associated actions proposed for the 
     implementation of the coastal and marine spatial planning and 
     ecosystem-based management components of the National Ocean 
     Policy developed under Executive Order 13547.

                        REPROGRAMMING GUIDELINES

       The following are the procedures governing reprogramming 
     actions for programs and activities funded in the Department 
     of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies 
     Appropriations Act. The Committees remind the agencies funded 
     in this Act that these reprogramming guidelines are in 
     effect, and must be complied with, until such time as the 
     Committees modify them through bill or report language.
       Definitions.--``Reprogramming,'' as defined in these 
     procedures, includes the reallocation of funds from one 
     budget activity, budget line-item, or program area, to 
     another within any appropriation funded in this Act. In cases 
     where either the House or Senate Committee report displays an 
     allocation of an appropriation below that level, that more 
     detailed level shall be the basis for reprogramming.
       For construction, land acquisition, and forest legacy 
     accounts, a reprogramming constitutes the reallocation of 
     funds, including unobligated balances, from one construction, 
     land acquisition, or forest legacy project to another such 
     project.
       A reprogramming shall also consist of any significant 
     departure from the program described in the agency's budget 
     justifications. This includes proposed reorganizations, 
     especially those of significant national or regional 
     importance, even without a change in funding. Any change to 
     the organization table presented in the budget justification 
     shall be subject to this requirement.
       General Guidelines for Reprogramming.--
       (a) A reprogramming should be made only when an unforeseen 
     situation arises, and then only if postponement of the 
     project or the activity until the next appropriation year 
     would result in actual loss or damage.
       (b) Any project or activity, which may be deferred through 
     reprogramming, shall not later be accomplished by means of 
     further reprogramming, but instead, funds should again be 
     sought for the deferred project or activity through the 
     regular appropriations process.
       (c) Except under the most urgent situations, reprogramming 
     should not be employed to initiate new programs or increase 
     allocations specifically denied or limited by Congress, or to 
     decrease allocations specifically increased by the Congress.
       (d) Reprogramming proposals submitted to the House and 
     Senate Committees on Appropriations for approval shall be 
     considered approved 30 calendar days after receipt if the 
     Committees have posed no objection. However, agencies will be 
     expected to extend the approval deadline if specifically 
     requested by either Committee.
       Criteria and Exceptions.--A reprogramming must be submitted 
     to the Committees in writing prior to implementation if it 
     exceeds $1,000,000 annually or results in an increase or 
     decrease of more than 10 percent annually in affected 
     programs or projects, whichever amount is less, with the 
     following exceptions:
       (a) With regard to the tribal priority allocations of the 
     Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, 
     there is no restriction on reprogrammings among these 
     programs. However, the Bureaus shall report on all 
     reprogrammings made during a given fiscal year no later than 
     60 days after the end of the fiscal year.
       (b) With regard to the EPA, the Committees do not require 
     reprogramming requests associated with the States and Tribes 
     Partnership Grants, or up to a cumulative total of 
     $30,000,000 from carryover balances among the individual 
     program areas delineated in the Environmental Programs and 
     Management account. No funds, however, shall be reallocated 
     from individual Geographic Programs.
       Assessments.--``Assessment'' as defined in these procedures 
     shall refer to any charges, reserves, or holdbacks applied to 
     a budget activity or budget line item for costs associated 
     with general agency administrative costs, overhead costs, 
     working capital expenses, or contingencies.
       (a) No assessment shall be levied against any program, 
     budget activity, subactivity, budget line item, or project 
     funded by the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies 
     Appropriations Act unless such assessment and the basis 
     therefor are presented to the Committees on Appropriations in 
     the budget justifications and are subsequently approved by 
     the Committees. The explanation for any assessment in the 
     budget justification shall show the amount of the assessment, 
     the activities assessed, and the purpose of the funds.
       (b) Proposed changes to estimated assessments, as such 
     estimates were presented in annual budget justifications, 
     shall be submitted through the reprogramming process and 
     shall be subject to the same dollar and reporting criteria as 
     any other reprogramming.
       (c) The Committees direct that each agency or bureau which 
     utilizes assessments shall submit an annual report to the 
     Committees which provides details on the use of all funds 
     assessed from any other budget activity, line item, 
     subactivity, or project.
       (d) In no case shall contingency funds or assessments be 
     used to finance projects and activities disapproved or 
     limited by Congress, or to finance programs or activities 
     that could be foreseen and included in the normal budget 
     review process.
       (e) New programs requested in the budget should not be 
     initiated before enactment of the bill without notification 
     to, and the approval of, the Committees on Appropriations. 
     This restriction applies to all such actions regardless of 
     whether a formal reprogramming of funds is required to begin 
     the program.
       Quarterly Reports.--All reprogrammings between budget 
     activities, budget line-items, program areas, or the more 
     detailed activity levels shown in this agreement, including 
     those below the monetary thresholds established above, shall 
     be reported to the Committees within 60 days of the end of 
     each quarter and shall include cumulative totals for each 
     budget activity, budget line item, or construction, land 
     acquisition, or forest legacy project.
       Land Acquisitions, Easements, and Forest Legacy.--Lands 
     shall not be acquired for more than the approved appraised 
     value (as addressed in section 301(3) of Public Law 91-646), 
     unless such acquisitions are submitted to the Committees on 
     Appropriations for approval in compliance with these 
     procedures.


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  December 17, 2015, on page H10212, the following appeared: 
Public Law 91-6646), unless such acquisitions are submitted
  
  The online version should be corrected to read: Public Law 91-
646), unless such acquisitions are submitted


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 

       Land Exchanges.--Land exchanges, wherein the estimated 
     value of the Federal lands to be exchanged is greater than 
     $1,000,000, shall not be consummated until the Committees 
     have had a 30-day period in which to examine the proposed 
     exchange. In addition, the Committees shall be provided 
     advance notification of exchanges valued between $500,000 and 
     $1,000,000.
       Budget Structure.--The budget activity or line item 
     structure for any agency appropriation account shall not be 
     altered without advance approval of the House and Senate 
     Committees on Appropriations.

                  TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR


                       BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

                   MANAGEMENT OF LANDS AND RESOURCES

       The agreement provides $1,072,675,000 for Management of 
     Lands and Resources. In addition to the funding allocation 
     table at the end of this explanatory statement, the agreement 
     includes the following instructions:
       Wild Horses and Burros.--The Bureau is encouraged to 
     continue to implement the reforms recommended by the 2013 
     National Academy of Sciences' report, reduce the number of 
     horses and burros in long-term holding, appropriately manage 
     herds affected by drought, and address the effects of herds 
     on rangeland, riparian areas, and sage-grouse habitat.
       Rangeland Management.--The Bureau is directed, to the 
     greatest extent practicable, to make vacant grazing 
     allotments available to a holder of a grazing permit or lease 
     when lands covered by the holder of the permit or lease are 
     unusable because of drought or wildfire. The Bureau also is 
     directed to follow the directive herein for the Forest 
     Service regarding bighorn sheep conservation.
       Recreation Management.--The Bureau is encouraged to 
     continue its collaborative efforts with non-Federal partners 
     to teach outdoor ethics and stewardship to staff and 
     visitors.
       Law Enforcement.--The Bureau is encouraged to focus on 
     visitor safety and archaeological resource protection and 
     work with the Department of Justice and the Department of 
     Homeland Security on other matters of Federal law not unique 
     to Bureau lands or property. Within the funds provided, the 
     Bureau is expected to increase its efforts regarding illegal 
     marijuana cultivation on public lands.
       Cooperative Efforts in Alaska.--The Bureau, as the largest 
     Federal landowner in the State of Alaska's Arctic region, is 
     directed to work cooperatively with local stakeholders to 
     enhance economic opportunities for the people who live and 
     work in the region. The Bureau also is reminded of the 
     directions contained in the Senate report regarding Placer 
     Mining Reclamation Activities, contaminated Alaska Native 
     lands in need of remediation, and cooperation with the Alaska 
     State Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and other 
     stakeholders on measurement of production in the National 
     Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.


                            LAND ACQUISITION

       The bill provides $38,630,000 for Land Acquisition. The 
     amounts recommended by this bill compared with the budget 
     estimates by activity and project are shown in the table 
     below, listed in priority order pursuant to the budget 
     request for fiscal year 2016. Further instructions are 
     contained under the Land and Water Conservation Fund heading 
     in the front of this explanatory statement.

[[Page H10213]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               State                       Project--Unit             Budget Request             This Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CO................................  Upper Rio Grande--Blanca                 $6,346,000               $6,346,000
                                     Wetlands ACEC/SRMA.
NM................................  Upper Rio Grande--Rio                     2,900,000                2,900,000
                                     Grande del Norte National
                                     Monument.
WY................................  North Platte River SRMA...                1,310,000                1,310,000
OR................................  Sandy River ACEC/Oregon                     750,000                  750,000
                                     National Historic Trail.
ID................................  High Divide--Lewis and                      740,000                  740,000
                                     Clark National Historic
                                     Trail.
ID................................  High Divide--Sands Desert                 3,500,000                3,500,000
                                     Habitat Management Area/
                                     Teton River.
ID................................  High Divide--Thousand                       250,000                  250,000
                                     Springs ACEC.
ID................................  High Divide--Oregon NHT/                  1,315,000                1,315,000
                                     Craters of the Moon NP.
CA................................  Panoche-Coalinga ACEC.....                  900,000                  900,000
CA................................  Carrizo Plain National                      300,000                  300,000
                                     Monument.
VA................................  Rivers of the Chesapeake--                2,400,000                2,400,000
                                     Meadowood SRMA.
MD................................  Rivers of the Chesapeake--                  191,000                  191,000
                                     Nanjemoy NRMA.
OR................................  Cascade-Siskiyou National                 2,600,000                  230,000
                                     Monument.
NM................................  National Trails System--                  2,300,000                2,300,000
                                     Continental Divide
                                     National Scenic Trail.
CA................................  California Wilderness.....                  482,000                  482,000
OR................................  North Umpqua National Wild                2,000,000                2,000,000
                                     and Scenic River.
UT................................  Colorado Riverway SRMA....                1,100,000                1,100,000
                                    Additional Project                        1,000,000                        0
                                     Requests.
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
                                      Subtotal, Line Item                    30,384,000               27,014,000
                                     Projects.
                                    Recreational Access.......                4,000,000                8,000,000
                                    Emergencies, Hardships,                   1,616,000                1,616,000
                                     and Inholdings.
                                    Acquisition Management....                2,000,000                2,000,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
                                      Total, BLM Land                        38,000,000               38,630,000
                                     Acquisition.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                   OREGON AND CALIFORNIA GRANT LANDS

       The agreement provides $107,734,000 for Oregon and 
     California Grant Lands, to be distributed as displayed in the 
     funding allocation table at the end of this explanatory 
     statement.


                           RANGE IMPROVEMENTS

       The agreement provides $10,000,000 to be derived from 
     public lands receipts and Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act 
     lands grazing receipts.


               SERVICE CHARGES, DEPOSITS, AND FORFEITURES

       The agreement provides an indefinite appropriation 
     estimated to be $31,050,000 for Service Charges, Deposits, 
     and Forfeitures.


                       MISCELLANEOUS TRUST FUNDS

       The agreement provides an indefinite appropriation 
     estimated to be $24,000,000 for Miscellaneous Trust Funds.


                UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

                          RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

       The bill provides $1,238,771,000 for Resource Management. 
     In addition to the funding allocation table at the end of 
     this explanatory statement, the agreement includes the 
     following instructions and changes to the fiscal year 2015 
     enacted levels:
       Reprogrammings.--The agreement does not include exceptions 
     to the reprogramming guidelines contained in the House 
     report. The Service is directed to comply with the 
     reprogramming guidelines contained in the front of this 
     explanatory statement.
       Ecological Services.--The agreement includes the proposed 
     new budget structure as modified in the House report. The 
     Committees will monitor the budget structure and make changes 
     in future years, if necessary, to ensure a continued high 
     level of transparency. The Service must improve its ability 
     to account for budget estimates and expenditures to implement 
     specific laws by more closely aligning the presentation of 
     authorizing statutes and budget subactivities in annual 
     budget submissions, and by including crosscut tables where 
     necessary, such as for implementation of the Endangered 
     Species Act. The Service is further directed to display in 
     annual budget submissions an estimate of requested 
     appropriations and prior year expenditures for listings 
     versus delistings.
       Listing.--The agreement includes legislative caps on 
     processing petitions, listing international species, and 
     designating critical habitat, as requested.
       The agreement does not contain the directive in Senate 
     Report 114-70 requiring advance notice when endangered 
     species settlement agreements are finalized. In its place, 
     the Service is directed to provide the Committees a report 
     detailing: (1) the feasibility of providing notice to the 
     Governor of each State where a species exists when the 
     Service enters into multi-species settlement negotiations; 
     (2) the feasibility of providing notice to the Governor of 
     each state where a species exists at least 30 days prior to 
     finalizing a settlement agreement; and (3) the feasibility of 
     providing public notice when the Service enters into multi-
     species settlement negotiations so that other impacted 
     stakeholders may take part in those negotiations.
       Planning and Consultation.--The agreement includes 
     $81,094,000 for General Program Activities. The request to 
     handle the Service's increased permitting workload in the 
     Gulf as a result of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill is 
     funded at $1,000,000.
       Conservation and Restoration.--The agreement includes 
     $3,250,000 for the sagebrush steppe ecosystem, which shall be 
     used for working with States and private landowners to 
     implement science-based, flexible approaches to conserve the 
     sage-grouse.
       Recovery.--The agreement includes $1,373,000 for 
     Cooperative Recovery; $1,659,000 as requested for ecosystem 
     restoration of the Bay Delta; $1,000,000 to continue the 
     wolf-livestock demonstration program as authorized by Public 
     Law 111-11; $2,000,000 to reduce the backlog of delistings 
     and downlistings; and $500,000 for multi-partner recovery 
     actions. The Service is directed to prioritize the recovery 
     of the California condor and northern aplomado falcon and 
     provide the necessary funding to enable the longstanding 
     public-private partnerships to continue to support the wild 
     populations through captive propagation, releases, and 
     management, as the Service and the States work to address the 
     continued environmental threats to these species.
       Within available resources, the Service is urged to develop 
     recovery plans for all listed species as required by law; to 
     include in each recovery plan measurable goals that the 
     Service, the States, and their partners can strive for; and 
     to report to the Congress on any species for which the 
     Secretary finds that a recovery plan will not promote the 
     conservation of the species, including the justification for 
     such finding. The Service is urged to complete all status 
     reviews within the five-year period required by law, and, for 
     any determination on the basis of such review whether a 
     species should be delisted, downlisted, or uplisted, 
     promulgate an associated regulation prior to initiating the 
     next status review for such species. The Service is directed 
     to submit annually with its budget request a complete list of 
     all species with completed 5-year reviews recommending a 
     change in listing status upon which the Service has not 
     acted.
       National Wildlife Refuge System.--The agreement includes 
     $2,500,000 for urban wildlife conservation. It also includes 
     $2,092,000 for volunteer partnerships, an increase of 
     $500,000 over the fiscal year 2015 enacted level, for costs 
     related to ensuring that volunteers maintain a robust 
     presence at wildlife refuges. No funds are provided for land 
     protection planning. The agreement includes the requested 
     increases for maintenance support and deferred maintenance.
       The Fish and Wildlife Service and the Forest Service are 
     expected to enter into a long-term memorandum of 
     understanding, as contemplated in the Senate report, within 
     90 days of enactment of this Act, to continue the research 
     activities conducted by the Forest Service on the Sharkey 
     Restoration Research and Demonstration Site. The Committees 
     understand the agencies are working toward that goal and the 
     agencies are expected to ensure that not less than 950 acres 
     of the total parcel acreage is available for research and not 
     considered appropriate for future land swaps or exchanges.
       Migratory Bird Management.--The agreement includes 
     $1,000,000 for aviation management in order to address 
     critical safety issues, and $250,000 to address bird-
     livestock conflicts.
       Law Enforcement.--The agreement includes program increases 
     of $4,000,000 as requested to combat wildlife trafficking, 
     and $4,000,000 as requested for direct interdiction of 
     illegal commercial exploitation by organized criminal 
     elements, as authorized by the Lacey Act and other statutes.
       The Fish and Wildlife Service is directed to conduct an 
     analysis to determine whether it is appropriate to include 
     Echinoderms in the exemption to clearance requirements for 
     import and export of fishery products. The Service should 
     provide the analysis to the Committees on Appropriations 
     within 180 days of enactment of the Act. Additionally, the 
     Service should provide reports to the Committees on 
     Appropriations on a semiannual basis during fiscal years 2016 
     and 2017 that detail for each processor of echinoderms, the 
     time and date an inspection request is made and the 
     corresponding time and date that the Service conducts the 
     inspection. The Service is expected to complete the 
     inspections promptly so that product spoilage does not occur.
       International Affairs.--As the Service works to finalize 
     the rule published on July 29, 2015, the Service is 
     encouraged to consider all feedback received during the 
     public comment period, and to consider a final rule that 
     includes a de minimis exemption, consideration for antiques 
     and museums, and allowances for sport hunters.
       Fish and Aquatic Conservation.--The agreement provides 
     $53,418,000 for National Fish Hatchery System Operations, 
     including not less than $400,000 for the Aquatic Animal

[[Page H10214]]

     Drug Approval Partnership, as requested. None of the funds 
     may be used to terminate operations or to close any facility 
     of the National Fish Hatchery System. None of the production 
     programs listed in the March, 2013, National Fish Hatchery 
     System Strategic Hatchery and Workforce Planning Report may 
     be reduced or terminated without advance, informal 
     consultation with affected States and Indian tribes.
       The agreement includes the directive in the Senate report 
     related to the continued operation of mitigation hatcheries. 
     The agreement requires that future budget requests ensure 
     Federal partners have committed to sufficiently reimbursing 
     the Service for mitigation hatcheries before the Service 
     proposes to eliminate funding for mitigation hatcheries.
       The agreement includes $19,920,000 as requested for 
     maintenance. The Service is encouraged to re-evaluate its 
     allocation methodology so that increases are fairly directed 
     to facilities with the most severe health and safety 
     deficiencies across the National Fish Hatchery System as a 
     whole, rather than by region.
       The agreement includes $13,248,000 for the National Fish 
     Passage Program. The Service is directed to determine whether 
     unintentional barriers to fish passage are being installed 
     faster than this program is removing them, and to determine 
     whether program funding is more effective if focused on 
     prevention instead of restoration.
       The agreement includes $3,000,000 for work related to 
     implementation of the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement and 
     related settlement agreements, equal to the fiscal year 2015 
     enacted level; and $7,900,000 to control invasive Asian carp, 
     as requested. An additional $1,000,000 is provided above the 
     fiscal year 2015 enacted level for the implementation of 
     State and inter-State invasive species plans.
       Cooperative Landscape Conservation.--The agreement includes 
     $700,000 for Gulf Coast ecosystem restoration, as requested.
       Science Support.--The agreement includes $2,500,000 for 
     white-nose syndrome research.
       General Operations.--The agreement includes the proposed 
     reductions for Service-wide bill paying; the proposed 
     transfer of the tribal liaison office, which is funded at 
     $1,803,000; and a partial increase for annual maintenance of 
     the National Conservation Training Center.


                              CONSTRUCTION

       The bill provides $23,687,000 for Construction. The 
     detailed allocation of funding by activity is included in the 
     table at the end of this statement. The Service is expected 
     to follow the construction project priority list included in 
     the President's fiscal year 2016 budget request, and as shown 
     in the table below.

 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Refuge, Hatchery, or
                State                         Other Unit             Budget Request             This Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         National Wildlife Refuge System
 
IL...................................  Crab Orchard NWR.......                 $962,000                 $962,000
CA...................................  San Pablo Bay NWR......                1,125,000                1,125,000
NM...................................  Valle de Oro NWR.......                3,458,000                3,458,000
OR...................................  Julia Butler Hansen                      842,000                  842,000
                                        Refuge.
                                       Other previously                               0                3,000,000
                                        authorized refuge
                                        projects.
 
                                          National Fish Hatchery System
 
OR...................................  Warm Springs NFH.......                  736,000                  736,000
GA...................................  Warm Springs NFH.......                1,800,000                1,800,000
KY...................................  Wolf Creek NFH.........                1,168,000                1,168,000
SD...................................  Gavins Point NFH.......                  600,000                  600,000
OK...................................  Tishomingo NFH.........                   60,000                   60,000
AZ...................................  Williams Creek NFH.....                  138,000                  138,000
 
                                                      Other
 
OR...................................  Clark R. Bavin National                  450,000                  450,000
                                        Fish and Wildlife
                                        Forensics Lab.
N/A..................................  Service Wide Seismic                     215,000                  215,000
                                        Safety.
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
                                       Total, Line Item                      11,554,000               14,554,000
                                        Construction.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            LAND ACQUISITION

       The bill provides $68,500,000 for Land Acquisition. The 
     amounts recommended by this bill compared with the budget 
     estimates by activity are shown in the table below, listed in 
     priority order pursuant to the budget request for fiscal year 
     2016. Further instructions are contained under the Land and 
     Water Conservation Fund heading in the front of this 
     explanatory statement.

 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                State                       Project--Unit            Budget Request             This Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HI...................................  Island Forests at Risk--              $8,589,000               $8,589,000
                                        Hakalau Forest NWR.
ND/SD................................  Dakota Grassland                       6,500,000                6,500,000
                                        Conservation Area.
CO/NM................................  Upper Rio Grande--                     1,000,000                1,000,000
                                        Sangre de Cristo
                                        Conservation Area.
ND/SD................................  Dakota Tallgrass                       3,000,000                3,000,000
                                        Prairie WMA.
ID...................................  High Divide--Camas                       280,000                  280,000
                                        National Wildlife
                                        Refuge.
MT...................................  High Divide--Red Rocks                 1,000,000                1,000,000
                                        Lake National Wildlife
                                        Refuge.
FL...................................  Everglades Headwaters                  2,091,000                2,091,000
                                        Conservation Area.
VA...................................  Rivers of the                          1,600,000                1,600,000
                                        Chesapeake--Rappahanno
                                        ck NWR.
MD...................................  Rivers of the                          1,511,000                1,511,000
                                        Chesapeake--Blackwater
                                        NWR.
FL...................................  Everglades Headwaters                  2,500,000                2,500,000
                                        Conservation Area.
ID...................................  National Trails System--               2,500,000                2,500,000
                                        Gray's Lake NWR.
MN/IA................................  Northern Tallgrass                       500,000                  500,000
                                        Prairie NWR.
Multi................................  Silvio O. Conte NFWR...                2,000,000                2,000,000
Multi................................  Bear River Watershed                   2,000,000                2,000,000
                                        Conservation Area.
KS...................................  Flint Hills                              840,000                  840,000
                                        Conservation Area.
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
                                       Subtotal, Line Item                   35,911,000               35,911,000
                                        Projects.
                                       Recreational Access....                2,500,000                2,500,000
                                       Emergencies, Hardships,                5,351,000                5,351,000
                                        and Inholdings.
                                       Exchanges..............                1,500,000                1,500,000
                                       Acquisition Management.               12,773,000               12,773,000
                                       Land Protection                          465,000                  465,000
                                        Planning.
                                       Highlands Conservation                         0               10,000,000
                                        Act Grants.
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
                                       Total, FWS Land                       58,500,000               68,500,000
                                        Acquisition.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

            COOPERATIVE ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND

       The bill provides $53,495,000 for the Cooperative 
     Endangered Species Conservation Fund, of which $22,695,000 is 
     to be derived from the Cooperative Endangered Species 
     Conservation Fund, and $30,800,000 is to be derived from the 
     Land and Water Conservation Fund. The detailed allocation of 
     funding by activity is included in the table at the end of 
     this statement.


                     NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE FUND

       The bill provides $13,228,000 for payments to counties 
     authorized by the National Wildlife Refuge Fund.


               NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION FUND

       The bill provides $35,145,000 for the North American 
     Wetlands Conservation Fund.


              NEOTROPICAL MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION FUND

       The bill provides $3,910,000 for the Neotropical Migratory 
     Bird Conservation Fund.


                MULTINATIONAL SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND

       The bill provides $11,061,000 for the Multinational Species 
     Conservation Fund. The detailed allocation of funding by 
     activity is included in the table at the end of this 
     statement.


                    STATE AND TRIBAL WILDLIFE GRANTS

       The bill provides $60,571,000 for State and Tribal Wildlife 
     Grants. The detailed allocation of funding by activity is 
     included in the table at the end of this statement.

                         National Park Service


                 OPERATION OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM

       The agreement provides $2,369,596,000 for the Operation of 
     the National Park System. The detailed allocation of funding 
     by program area and activity is included in the table at the 
     end of this division.
       Operation of the National Park System.--The agreement 
     provides $93,823,000 in new discretionary funding within the 
     Operation of the

[[Page H10215]]

     National Park System (ONPS) account to support the Centennial 
     Initiative and related efforts. Specifically, the agreement 
     includes $16,000,000 in new funds within the Park Support 
     line item to support the Centennial, which fully funds the 
     budget request to support new areas and critical 
     responsibilities across the System including, but not limited 
     to, operations at sites associated with the Civil Rights 
     Movement; Flight 93 National Memorial; and the Manhattan 
     Project National Historical Park. Funds are also provided to 
     support new park units including the Pullman and Honouliuli 
     units as well as critical operating needs as described in 
     further detail below. An additional $1,500,000 is provided to 
     complete landscape restoration projects at newly established 
     park units. The agreement also includes $8,000,000 as 
     requested to restore seasonal ranger staff and enhance 
     education and interpretive services; $6,000,000 as requested 
     to support the Service's Civil Rights initiative; and 
     $2,000,000 as requested to support increased volunteer 
     capacity through partner organizations. Lastly, the agreement 
     provides new discretionary funding to address deferred 
     maintenance needs including a $17,500,000 increase for repair 
     and rehabilitation projects and a $17,500,000 increase to 
     address cyclic maintenance needs. These funds are 
     supplemented by $15,000,000 provided within the Centennial 
     Challenge matching grant program account dedicated to funding 
     joint public-private investments in parks. The final 
     allocation of funds supporting the Centennial Initiative, 
     including the detailed allocation of new areas and critical 
     responsibilities funding described above, shall be provided 
     to the Committees as part of the Service's annual operating 
     plan for the ONPS account not later than 60 days after 
     enactment of this Act. Such plan shall be subject to the 
     reprogramming guidelines contained in this explanatory 
     statement.
       Marijuana Eradication.--Within the amounts provided, the 
     Committees expect the Service to continue its marijuana 
     eradication programs at no less than the fiscal year 2015 
     enacted level.
       Quagga and Zebra Mussel Control.--The Committees remain 
     concerned about the spread of quagga and zebra mussels in the 
     West and, consistent with fiscal year 2015, have provided 
     $2,000,000 for continued containment, prevention, and 
     enforcement efforts. Further, the Committees direct the 
     Service to provide, not later than 90 days after enactment of 
     this Act, a progress report on steps taken in recent years to 
     address this pervasive threat to western watersheds.
       National Capital Area Performing Arts Program.--Within the 
     amounts provided, the Service is directed to maintain funding 
     for the National Capital Area Performing Arts Program, 
     including the summer concert series staged on the U.S. 
     Capitol grounds, at the fiscal year 2015 enacted level.
       White-Nose Syndrome in Bats.--The Committees provide funds 
     as requested to support monitoring and surveillance 
     activities associated with white-nose syndrome in bats.
       Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.--The 
     Service is directed to undertake a study for the development 
     of a permanent headquarters and visitor use facility at the 
     Mississippi National River and Recreation Area in close 
     proximity to the existing temporary headquarters and the 
     river.
       Eastern Legacy Study (Lewis and Clark Trail Study).--The 
     Eastern Legacy Study, authorized to determine the feasibility 
     of extending the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, is 
     now two years overdue. The Committees direct the Service to 
     complete the study expeditiously.
       Ste. Genevieve Special Resource Study.--The Committees urge 
     the Service to complete in a timely fashion the Ste. 
     Genevieve Special Resource Study which has been ongoing since 
     2010.
       Ozark National Scenic Riverways.--The Service is directed 
     to work collaboratively with affected parties to ensure that 
     implementation of the General Management Plan for the Ozark 
     National Scenic Riverways addresses the concerns of affected 
     stakeholders including, but not limited, to local communities 
     and businesses.
       National Mall and Memorial Parks Concessions.--The 
     Committees reiterate their direction from the Consolidated 
     and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, that the 
     Service provide the report on National Mall and Memorial 
     Parks Concessions to the House and Senate Committees on 
     Appropriations not later than 30 days after enactment of this 
     Act.
       Sewall-Belmont House and Museum.--Within funds provided for 
     new areas and critical responsibilities, the Service is 
     directed to implement the recommendations of the Service's 
     reconnaissance study on the Sewall-Belmont House and Museum. 
     The Committees are pleased that the study affirmed the House 
     is suitable for inclusion in the national park system, and 
     expects the Service to use funds provided to assume 
     additional management responsibilities until a long-term 
     management solution for the House is reached.
       Valles Caldera National Preserve.--The recommendation 
     supports the requested transfer of the Valles Caldera 
     National Preserve to the Service to reflect its status as a 
     new park unit. The Committees direct the Service to use funds 
     for new areas and critical responsibilities to maintain 
     funding for the Preserve at no less than the fiscal year 2015 
     program operating level.
       Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park.--The 
     recommendation also supports funding for the Blackstone River 
     Valley National Historical Park as requested with the 
     expectation that the Service will continue to make funds 
     available to the local coordinating entity to maintain 
     staffing and capacity to assist in management of the park, as 
     authorized in Public Law 113-291. The Committees expect 
     future budget requests to provide funding for operating and 
     partnership needs.
       Yosemite National Park.--The Committees direct the Service 
     to work with its concessioners at Yosemite National Park to 
     ensure there is no interruption to visitor and recreational 
     services as the park implements the Merced River Plan.
       Park Partnerships.--In recent years, the Committees have 
     expressed support for ongoing public-private partnerships and 
     strongly encouraged the Service to expand their use. The 
     Committees encourage the Service to find ways to further 
     engage partners to facilitate the accomplishment of park 
     projects consistent with the applicable laws and regulations 
     that govern use of Federal appropriations.
       Roosevelt-Campobello International Park Commission.--
     Funding for Roosevelt-Campobello International Park 
     Commission (The Commission) on the Maine-Canada border is 
     jointly and equally supported by the U.S. and Canadian 
     governments pursuant to the 1964 Agreement between the two 
     nations, which was recognized and codified by Congress in 
     1964 (Public Law 88-363). While the Administration has a 
     responsibility to consider priorities within overall budget 
     constraints and submit an annual budget request to Congress, 
     the Committees are concerned with recent requests for the 
     Park from the Service. Congress observed in 1986 the 
     following: ``The managers agree that hereafter the Service 
     should use its internal reprogramming authority so that there 
     will be no diminution of the amount provided for the 
     Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission, unless 
     reduced by the House or Senate in a report accompanying the 
     appropriations bill.'' (CR-H10497, October 15, 1986). 
     Therefore, the Committees direct that the budget request 
     prepared by the Roosevelt Campobello International Park 
     Commission shall be submitted by the Administration directly 
     to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations without 
     any changes. The Administration, in its National Park Service 
     budget justification, may comment on the Commission's budget 
     request and make such additions and subtractions that it may 
     propose. However, the amounts requested by the National Park 
     Service shall be consistent with its obligations under 
     international agreements. The Committees will consider the 
     proposal from the Commission and the Administration will 
     allocate the overall appropriation as specified in the report 
     accompanying the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies 
     Appropriations Act.
       Sales of Bottled Water at Park Units.--The Committees are 
     aware of concerns raised about Director's Policy Memorandum 
     11-03 relating to disposable plastic water bottle recycling 
     and reduction, which provided park units the option to 
     eliminate the sale of bottled water on a park-by-park basis. 
     The Committees understand that 19 parks have eliminated the 
     sale of disposable water bottles as a result of this policy 
     and direct the Service to provide, not later than 60 days 
     after enactment of this Act, a report that details the data 
     the Service reviewed and the justification for making the 
     determination to ban bottled water at each affected park 
     unit.


                  NATIONAL RECREATION AND PRESERVATION

       The agreement provides $62,632,000 for National Recreation 
     and Preservation with the following specific directives:
       Chesapeake Gateways and Trails Program.--As requested, the 
     agreement includes $2,014,000 for the Chesapeake Gateways and 
     Trails Program.
       Heritage Partnership Program.--The agreement provides 
     $19,821,000 for the Heritage Partnership Program. In order to 
     provide stable funding sources for all areas, the agreement 
     provides funding for longstanding areas at fiscal year 2015 
     funding levels; provides a total of $300,000 to national 
     heritage areas with recently approved management plans, known 
     as tier 2 areas; and provides $150,000 to each tier 1 area 
     that has been authorized and is still in the process of 
     having its management plan approved. The Committees direct 
     the Service to submit a plan that provides alternatives to 
     implement proposed funding allocation changes in future 
     fiscal years that minimize impacts on existing heritage 
     areas.


                       HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND

       The agreement provides $65,410,000 for the Historic 
     Preservation Fund. Within this amount, $46,925,000 is 
     provided for grants to States and $9,985,000 is provided to 
     tribes, consistent with the request. The recommendation also 
     includes $8,500,000 for competitive grants of which $500,000 
     is for grants to underserved communities and $8,000,000 is 
     for competitive grants to document, interpret, and preserve 
     historical sites associated with the Civil Rights Movement. 
     Prior to execution of these funds, the Service shall submit a 
     spend plan to the Committees on Appropriations of the House 
     and Senate.


                              CONSTRUCTION

       The agreement provides $192,937,000 for Construction with 
     the following specific directive:
       Line Item Construction.--The agreement provides 
     $116,276,000 for line item construction projects in the 
     fiscal year 2016 budget

[[Page H10216]]

     request and as shown in the table below. Requests for 
     reprogramming will be considered pursuant to the guidelines 
     in the front of this explanatory statement.

 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             State                         Park Unit                 Budget Request             This Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FL............................  Dry Tortugas National Park....               $6,618,000               $6,618,000
NY............................  Gateway National Recreation                   5,594,000                5,594,000
                                 Area.
OH............................  Perry's Victory and                           8,561,000                8,561,000
                                 International Peace Memorial.
NY............................  Vanderbilt Mansion National                   5,275,000                5,275,000
                                 Historic Site.
WY............................  Yellowstone National Park.....                8,668,000                8,668,000
PR............................  San Juan National Historic                    1,947,000                1,947,000
                                 Site.
DC............................  Chesapeake and Ohio Canal                     4,235,000                4,235,000
                                 National Historical Park.
MT............................  Glacier National Park.........                7,156,000                7,156,000
CA............................  Golden Gate National                          9,954,000                9,954,000
                                 Recreation Area.
CA............................  Yosemite National Park........                4,886,000                4,886,000
AK............................  Katmai National Park and                      2,235,000                2,235,000
                                 Preserve.
WY............................  Grand Teton National Park.....               13,948,000               13,948,000
DC............................  National Mall and Memorial                   11,183,000               11,183,000
                                 Parks.
CA............................  Yosemite National Park........                1,720,000                1,720,000
MS............................  Vicksburg National Military                   1,502,000                1,502,000
                                 Park.
CO............................  Mesa Verde National Park......                2,456,000                2,456,000
NM............................  Bandelier National Monument...                5,138,000                5,138,000
NC............................  Cape Hatteras National                        6,824,000                6,824,000
                                 Seashore.
AR............................  Buffalo National River........                1,697,000                1,697,000
CO............................  Curecanti National Recreation                 1,958,000                1,958,000
                                 Area.
AL............................  Horseshoe Bend National                       1,105,000                1,105,000
                                 Military Park.
AK............................  Denali National Park and                      3,616,000                3,616,000
                                 Preserve.
                                Additional Project Requests...               37,068,000                        0
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
                                Total, Line Item Construction.              153,344,000              116,276,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND

                              (RESCISSION)

       The agreement includes a rescission of $28,000,000 in 
     annual contract authority. This authority has not been used 
     in recent years and there are no plans to use this authority 
     in fiscal year 2016.


                 LAND ACQUISITION AND STATE ASSISTANCE

       The bill provides $173,670,000 for Land Acquisition and 
     State Assistance. The amounts recommended by this bill 
     compared with the budget estimates by activity are shown in 
     the table below, listed in priority order pursuant to the 
     budget request for fiscal year 2016. Further instructions are 
     contained under the Land and Water Conservation Fund heading 
     in the front of this explanatory statement.
       The Committees understand that P.L. 91-660, as amended, 
     contains authority that would allow for the exchange of 
     National Park Service lands for State owned uplands at Cat 
     Island within the Gulf Islands National Seashore, and 
     encourage the Service and State to continue this exchange 
     effort.

 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             State                       Project--Unit               Budget Request             This Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HI............................  Island Forests at Risk--Hawaii               $6,000,000               $6,000,000
                                 Volcanoes NP.
TN............................  Obed Wild and Scenic River....                1,204,000                1,204,000
NY............................  Saratoga National Historical                    740,000                  740,000
                                 Park.
AL............................  Little River Canyon National                    625,000                  625,000
                                 Preserve.
CO............................  Upper Rio Grande--Great Sand                  6,852,000                6,852,000
                                 Dunes NP.
WA............................  Ebey's Landing National                       1,450,000                1,450,000
                                 Historical Reserve.
AK............................  Lake Clark National Park and                    943,000                  943,000
                                 Preserve.
FL............................  Timucuan Ecological and                         110,000                  110,000
                                 Historic Preserve.
MT............................  High Divide--Big Hole National                  300,000                  300,000
                                 Battlefield.
GA............................  Chattahoochee River National                  2,123,000                2,123,000
                                 Recreation Area.
FL............................  Fort Caroline National                          324,000                  324,000
                                 Monument.
WI............................  Saint Croix National Scenic                     223,000                  223,000
                                 Riverway.
Multi.........................  Rivers of the Chesapeake--                    2,237,000                2,237,000
                                 Captain John Smith NHT.
NM............................  Pecos National Historical Park                  386,000                  386,000
AZ............................  Saguaro National Park.........                1,348,000                1,348,000
MD............................  Piscataway Park...............                  571,000                  571,000
PA............................  Gettysburg National Military                    285,000                  285,000
                                 Park.
WA............................  Olympic National Park.........                1,581,000                1,581,000
WV............................  Gauley River National                         2,617,000                2,617,000
                                 Recreation Area.
NY............................  Saratoga National Historical                    749,000                  749,000
                                 Park.
ME............................  Acadia National Park..........                2,467,000                2,467,000
                                Additional Project Requests...                1,685,000                        0
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
                                Subtotal, Line Item Projects..               34,818,000               33,135,000
                                American Battlefield                          8,986,000               10,000,000
                                 Protection Program.
                                Emergencies, Hardships,                       3,928,000                3,928,000
                                 Relocations and Deficiencies.
                                Acquisition Management........                9,679,000                9,679,000
                                Inholdings, Donations and                     4,928,000                4,928,000
                                 Exchanges.
                                Recreational Access...........                2,000,000                2,000,000
                                                               =================================================
                                Total, NPS Land Acquisition...               64,339,000               63,670,000
Assistance to States:
                                State conservation grants                    45,000,000               94,839,000
                                 (formula).
                                State conservation grants                     5,000,000               12,000,000
                                 (competitive).
                                Administrative expenses.......                3,161,000                3,161,000
                                                               =================================================
                                Total, Assistance to States...               53,161,000              110,000,000
                                Total, NPS Land Acquisition                 117,500,000              173,670,000
                                 and State Assistance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE

       The agreement provides $15,000,000 for the Centennial 
     Challenge matching grant program, a key component of the 
     Service's Centennial Initiative. The program provides 
     dedicated Federal funding to leverage partnerships for 
     signature projects and programs for the national park system, 
     including critical infrastructure investments. The amount 
     provided for the Centennial Challenge is intended to 
     complement funding for core operations provided in the 
     Operation of the National Park System account to enhance the 
     visitor experience and to protect cultural and natural 
     resources at national park system units in anticipation of 
     the Service's Centennial celebration. A one-to-one matching 
     requirement is required for projects to qualify for these 
     funds. The Service is urged to give preference to projects 
     that demonstrate additional leveraging capacity from its 
     partners.


                    UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

                 SURVEYS, INVESTIGATIONS, AND RESEARCH

       The agreement provides $1,062,000,000 for Surveys, 
     Investigations, and Research of the U.S. Geological Survey 
     (USGS). In addition to the funding allocation table at the 
     end of this explanatory statement, the agreement includes the 
     following instructions:
       Ecosystems.--The bill provides $158,041,000, which includes 
     an increase of $500,000 to address white-nose syndrome in 
     bats and $500,000 for new and emerging species research. The 
     Committees want to ensure that the Survey is taking a 
     balanced approach towards its program areas and direct the 
     Survey to report to the Committees within 180 days of 
     enactment of this Act on what new studies and projects over 
     $1,000,000 have been initiated within the last three fiscal 
     years under the various program areas. The Committees also 
     encourage the Survey to work with the Department to include a 
     cross cut for high priority species and critical landscapes 
     under the ecosystem mission in future budget submissions.
       Climate and Land Use Change.--The bill provides 
     $139,975,000, which includes an increase of $4,300,000 for 
     Landsat science activities for Landsat 9 and no funding for 
     the free flying thermal infrared instrument. The

[[Page H10217]]

     Survey is expected to focus on drought impacts and adaptive 
     management with the funding provided within this activity.
       Energy, Minerals, and Environmental Health.--The bill 
     provides $94,511,000, which includes the requested increase 
     of $2,440,000 for the critical minerals program. The proposed 
     decrease of $2,000,000 for mapping activities is rejected and 
     the Committees expect the Survey to continue with geologic 
     mapping activities in areas of the country where high quality 
     mineral and energy resources remain unmapped at a useable 
     scale.
       Natural Hazards.--Funding for the Natural Hazards program 
     includes $60,503,000 for earthquake hazards, of which 
     $8,200,000 is provided to transition the earthquake early 
     warning demonstration project into an operational capability 
     for the West Coast. The Survey is directed to conduct a cost-
     benefit analysis and spending plan for the adoption of any 
     remaining seismic stations, including any stations in final 
     deployment, if included as part of the Survey's Advanced 
     National Seismic System for research. The bill also provides 
     $26,121,000 for volcano hazards, including an additional 
     $1,000,000, for repairing and upgrading current systems with 
     a focus on high-threat volcanoes. The Volcano Hazard Program 
     is expected to continue to work on the deferred network 
     maintenance of volcano hazard monitoring stations that are 
     currently inoperable.
       Water Resources.--The bill provides $213,052,000 for Water 
     Resources under a new requested budget structure. From within 
     this new structure, the activities associated with the 
     Cooperative Water Program will receive $57,710,000, equal to 
     the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. Further, the bill 
     provides $42,226,000 for Water Availability and Use Science 
     programs, including an increase of $301,000 for drought 
     forecasting activities and $2,000,000 for groundwater 
     resource studies to assess transboundary aquifers as 
     authorized by Public Law 109-488 and regions within the 
     Mississippi River Alluvial Plain which are experiencing 
     variability in groundwater systems; $71,535,000 for 
     Groundwater and Streamflow Information programs including 
     increases of $1,000,000 for the groundwater network and 
     $928,000 for streamgages; $92,791,000 for National Water 
     Quality Programs; and $6,500,000 for the Water Resources 
     Research Institutes.


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  December 17, 2015, on page H10217, the following appeared: 
Public Law 109 488 and regions
  
  The online version should be corrected to read: Public Law 109-
488 and regions


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 

       Core Science Systems.--The bill provides $111,550,000, 
     which includes a $3,000,000 increase for 3D Elevation: 
     National Enhancement, and the requested increase of 
     $1,322,000 to fund the Alaska mapping program.


                   BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT

                        OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT

       The bill provides $170,857,000 for Ocean Energy Management 
     to be partially offset with the collection of rental receipts 
     and cost recovery fees totaling $96,622,000, for a net 
     discretionary appropriation of $74,235,000. The request did 
     not include any funds for coastal marine spatial planning and 
     accordingly the bill provides no funds for such activities. 
     The agreement includes the following additional guidance:
       Renewable Energy.--The Bureau should continue to work with 
     the Department of Energy to identify and permit a national 
     offshore wind test site that incorporates new technology 
     related to the structural material of transitional depth and 
     floating wind turbines. The Bureau is also expected to 
     continue working with coastal States and other stakeholders 
     to study new wind energy areas, including those in shallow, 
     transitional, and deep (over 200 feet) waters.
       Bill language.--The agreement does not continue the 
     provision authorizing minimum rates of basic pay that was 
     included in both the Senate and House bills. The Office of 
     Personnel Management has approved special salary rate tables 
     covering employees eligible under the provision and therefore 
     it is no longer necessary.


             BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT

             OFFSHORE SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT

       The bill provides $189,772,000 for Offshore Safety and 
     Environmental Enforcement to be partially offset with the 
     collection of rental receipts, cost recovery fees and 
     inspection fees totaling $116,207,000 for a net discretionary 
     appropriation of $73,565,000. While the Committees realigned 
     general support service costs consistent with the budget 
     request, concerns remain with respect to further budget 
     consolidations. The Bureau should continue to provide greater 
     clarity in its Congressional Justification for mission 
     specific program areas within the budget line for Operations, 
     Safety, and Regulation.


                           OIL SPILL RESEARCH

       The bill provides $14,899,000 for Oil Spill Research.


          OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

                       REGULATION AND TECHNOLOGY

       The bill provides $123,253,000 for Regulation and 
     Technology. Within this amount, the bill funds regulatory 
     grants at $68,590,000, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
     level. The Committees find that the budget proposal to reduce 
     regulatory grants would undermine the State-based regulatory 
     system. It is imperative that States continue to operate 
     protective regulatory programs as delegation of authority to 
     the States is the cornerstone of the surface mining 
     regulatory program. Further, the agreement does not provide 
     funds to expand and enhance Federal oversight activities of 
     State programs.
       Stream Buffer Zone Rule.--The Committees are concerned 
     about the work at OSMRE on the Stream Buffer Zone rule and 
     note that more than half of the States who agreed to work as 
     participating agencies have withdrawn from the process. The 
     Committees are concerned that OSMRE is not working with 
     important State partners in an effective manner and believe 
     that OSMRE should reengage State partners in a meaningful 
     manner before finalizing the Stream Buffer Zone rule. To 
     achieve the best outcome possible, OSMRE is directed to 
     provide the States with all technical reports, data, 
     analyses, comments received, and drafts relative to the 
     environmental reviews, draft and final environmental impact 
     statements, and meet with any State with primacy during such 
     process at the request of the State.


                    ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION FUND

       The bill provides $117,303,000 for the Abandoned Mine 
     Reclamation Fund. Of the funds provided, $27,303,000 shall be 
     derived from the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund and 
     $90,000,000 shall be derived from the General Fund. The 
     agreement provides $90,000,000 for grants to States for the 
     reclamation of abandoned mine lands in conjunction with 
     economic and community development and reuse goals. Such 
     grants shall be distributed to States in accordance with the 
     goals, intent and direction provided under this heading in 
     House Report 114-170.


        BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS AND BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION

                      OPERATION OF INDIAN PROGRAMS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The bill provides $2,267,924,000 for Operation of Indian 
     Programs. Fixed costs and transfers are included along with 
     additional details in the funding allocation table at the end 
     of this explanatory statement. The agreement includes the 
     following instructions and program changes to the fiscal year 
     2015 enacted level:
       Contract Support.--The agreement moves Contract Support and 
     the Indian Self-Determination Fund to a new account, as 
     described in further detail below.
       Social Services.--The agreement includes a $4,000,000 
     program increase in Social Services for implementation of the 
     Tiwahe initiative.
       Trust.--Natural Resources Management.--The agreement 
     provides $191,846,000 for Trust--Natural Resources 
     Management. Program increases include $2,000,000 for rights 
     protection implementation; and $4,000,000 for forestry 
     projects, of which $2,000,000 is for forest thinning, and 
     $2,000,000 is for fire recovery.
       Bureau of Indian Education.--The agreement provides 
     $852,367,000 for the Bureau of Indian Education. Program 
     increases include $10,881,000 to fully fund estimated tribal 
     grant support costs; $7,000,000 for facilities operations; 
     $7,000,000 for facilities maintenance; $500,000 to restore 
     juvenile detention education program grants; $2,550,000 for 
     education program management; and $2,000,000 for information 
     technology. Tribal Education Departments (TEDs) are fully 
     funded at $2,000,000 as requested.
       Johnson O'Malley assistance grants are funded at 
     $14,778,000. The Committees remain concerned about the 
     accuracy of student counts. The Bureau is directed to consult 
     with tribes and Congress before proposing any changes in the 
     distribution of future funds or in the frequency or method of 
     future counts.
       Education program enhancements are funded at the fiscal 
     year 2015 enacted level. The Bureau should consider 
     transferring this line item to education program management 
     in the fiscal year 2017 budget request to more accurately 
     account for personnel.
       Within the funding provided for the Early Child and Family 
     Development Program, the Bureau shall not reduce funding for 
     currently operating Family and Child Education programs. The 
     Bureau is directed to publish its report on the 2013-14 
     school year internal review of early child and family 
     development programs in order to improve program direction 
     and transparency.
       The agreement continues bill language providing the 
     Secretary with the authority to approve satellite locations 
     of existing BIE schools consistent with the guidance 
     contained in the explanatory statement accompanying the 
     Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015.
       Post-Secondary Program forward funding is increased by 
     $5,100,000 to forward fund tribal technical colleges. This 
     one-time increase provides a transition to forward funding, 
     consistent with funding practices for most other tribal 
     colleges. The Bureau is encouraged to include a proposal in 
     the fiscal year 2017 budget request to transition the 
     remaining tribal colleges and universities to forward 
     funding.
       The Committees remain concerned about recent Government 
     Accountability Office (GAO) reports detailing problems within 
     the K-12 Indian education system at the Department of the 
     Interior, in particular as they pertain to organizational 
     structure, accountability, finance, health and safety, and 
     ultimately student performance. As the Department takes steps 
     to reform the system, the Secretary is reminded that future 
     support from Congress will continue to be based in large part 
     upon successful implementation of GAO report recommendations. 
     In particular, consistent with GAO report 13-774, the 
     Secretary is urged to reorganize Indian Affairs so that 
     control and accountability of the BIE system is consolidated 
     within the BIE, to present such reorganization proposal in 
     the

[[Page H10218]]

     fiscal year 2017 budget request, and to submit to the 
     Committees a corresponding updated workforce plan. Consistent 
     with GAO testimonies 15-389T, 15-539T, 15-597T, and any 
     subsequent reports, the Secretary is urged to personally 
     oversee immediate actions necessary to ensure the continued 
     health and safety of students and employees at BIE schools 
     and facilities.
       Public Safety and Justice.--The agreement provides 
     $377,423,000 for public safety and justice. Program increases 
     include $3,000,000 for criminal investigations and police 
     services. The Committees encourage BIA to continue to look 
     for opportunities to improve public safety resources, 
     especially child foster care services, on Spirit Lake 
     Reservation. Other program increases include $3,000,000 in 
     law enforcement special initiatives and $5,000,000 for tribal 
     courts for the Tiwahe initiative; $11,000,000 for the Office 
     of Tribal Justice Support, of which $1,000,000 is to help 
     implement the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 
     2013, and of which $10,000,000 is to work with Indian tribes 
     and tribal organizations to assess needs, consider options, 
     and design, develop, and pilot tribal court systems for 
     tribal communities including those communities subject to 
     full or partial State jurisdiction under Public Law 83-280.
       Community and Economic Development.--The agreement includes 
     $4,500,000 for the Indian Energy Service Center, as 
     requested. Energy development holds much promise for Indian 
     communities and it is the Committees' expectation that the 
     new center will reduce much of the bureaucracy so that tribes 
     may begin energy development without delay.
       Tribal Recognition.--The Committees acknowledge concerns 
     expressed by certain tribes, States, and bipartisan members 
     of Congress regarding effects of recent changes in tribal 
     recognition policy on standards that have been applied to new 
     applicants since 1978. Federal acknowledgement of a tribe 
     impacts the Federal budget, other tribes, State and local 
     jurisdictions, and individual rights. The Committees expect 
     the Administration to maintain rigorous recognition standards 
     while implementing a more transparent, efficient, and 
     workable process.


                         CONTRACT SUPPORT COSTS

       The agreement includes new language establishing an 
     indefinite appropriation for contract support costs estimated 
     to be $277,000,000, which is an increase of $26,000,000 above 
     the fiscal year 2015 level. The budget request proposed to 
     fund these costs within the ``Operation of Indian Programs''' 
     account through Contract Support and the Indian Self-
     Determination Fund budget lines. Under the new budget 
     structure, the full amount tribes are entitled to will be 
     paid and other programs will not be reduced in cases where 
     the agency may have underestimated these payments when 
     submitting its budget. Additional funds may be provided by 
     the agency if its budget estimate proves to be lower than 
     necessary to meet the legal obligation to pay the full amount 
     due to tribes, but this account is solely for the purposes of 
     paying contract support costs and no transfers from this 
     account are permitted for other purposes. Similar to the 
     President's request for calculating contract support costs, 
     this provision also applies to new and expanded Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act agreements funded 
     through the Indian Self-Determination Fund activity.


                              CONSTRUCTION

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The bill provides $193,973,000 for Construction. In 
     addition to the funding allocation table at the end of this 
     explanatory statement, the agreement includes the following 
     instructions:
       Education.--This appropriation completes the 2004 
     replacement school construction list and provides $8,000,000 
     towards planning and design of schools on the next list, as 
     requested. The Committees encourage the Administration to 
     continue to work with tribal leaders in a transparent manner 
     to complete the next list in time for fiscal year 2017 budget 
     consideration.
       This appropriation also restores the replacement facilities 
     construction line item, as requested. Serious health and 
     safety hazards exist at BIE facilities across the country, 
     including the Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School of the Leech Lake Band 
     of Ojibwe. The Secretary is directed to develop a 
     comprehensive plan to work with tribes to repair and replace 
     all substandard educational facilities, especially facilities 
     being used for purposes other than those for which they were 
     built.
       Combined, these appropriations begin to restore the 
     education construction budget which has declined 
     significantly in recent years. Regardless of whether tribes 
     choose to exercise their self-determination rights to run 
     schools in the BIE system, the Federal government retains 
     ownership of the schools and the responsibility to ensure 
     that the schools are properly maintained, repaired, improved, 
     and ultimately replaced at the end of their lifespan, 
     according to best practices across education systems 
     nationwide. That is why the Committees are concerned about 
     the current approach to construction, which focuses on a 
     subset of schools in the worst condition and requires those 
     schools to submit applications and compete for the funding. 
     Going forward, the Committees believe that the Bureau should 
     conduct comprehensive, long-term facilities planning and 
     expect the Bureau to model its efforts on the process used by 
     the Department of Defense (DOD) to produce its 2009 report to 
     Congress on modernizing and improving all DOD schools.
       The Committees strongly support efforts to identify 
     innovative alternative financing options to accelerate the 
     pace of repair and replacement for the Bureau of Indian 
     Education schools, including the use of bonding authority. 
     The Committees urge the Department to explore, in 
     consultation with the Department of the Treasury, the best 
     available approach to meet repayment obligations and to fund 
     the construction, rehabilitation, and repair of Bureau of 
     Indian Education schools.
       The agreement includes a one-time funding amount of 
     $5,000,000 above the President's request for BIE facilities 
     and improvement repair projects that can be completed 
     promptly and to address the backlog of critical deferred 
     maintenance projects.


INDIAN LAND AND WATER CLAIMS SETTLEMENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS PAYMENTS TO 
                                INDIANS

       The bill provides $49,475,000 for Indian Land and Water 
     Claims Settlements and Miscellaneous Payments to Indians. The 
     Committees appreciate the importance of settling the numerous 
     land and water settlements, and direct the Department to 
     submit a spending plan to the Committees within 90 days of 
     enactment of this Act for how it plans to allocate the funds 
     provided by this bill for the specific settlements.


                 INDIAN GUARANTEED LOAN PROGRAM ACCOUNT

       The bill provides $7,748,000 for the Indian Guaranteed Loan 
     Program Account.

                          Departmental Offices


                        OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

                        DEPARTMENTAL OPERATIONS

       The agreement provides $721,769,000 for Departmental 
     Offices, Office of the Secretary, Departmental Operations. 
     The detailed allocation of funding by program area and 
     activity is included in the table at the end of the 
     statement. The agreement provides $12,618,000 for the Office 
     of Valuation Services.
       Increases above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level include 
     $1,288,000 to support the Office of Natural Resources Revenue 
     (ONRR) Onshore Production Verification pilot and $2,600,000 
     as requested for ONRR to help with certain Trust 
     responsibilities for the Osage Nation consistent with the 
     services ONRR already provides to every other tribe. The 
     agreement also includes $452,000,000 to fully fund the 
     Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program for fiscal year 
     2016. The agreement does not provide requested funds for the 
     Coastal Resilience Fund.
       The Secretary is reminded that Congress supports the use of 
     Federal land for energy corridors where appropriate, and that 
     nothing in P.L. 113-135 limits or otherwise alters the 
     Secretary's authority to issue and administer right-of-way 
     grants or right-of-use authorizations for transmission lines 
     within the Section 368 West-Wide Energy Corridor 39-231 on 
     the Federal land described in P.L. 113-135.
       Experienced Services Program.--The agreement does not 
     include language authorizing the establishment of the 
     Department of the Interior Experienced Services Program as 
     proposed by the Senate. While the Committees support the 
     Department's goal of utilizing the skills of older workers to 
     help it accomplish its mission, the Committees urge the 
     Department to work closely with the authorizing committees of 
     jurisdiction in the House and Senate to achieve this goal 
     within the context of reauthorizing the Older Americans Act.
       National Monument Designations.--The Department is directed 
     to collaboratively work with interested parties, including 
     Congress, States, local communities, tribal governments, and 
     others, before making national monument designations.
       Royalty Rate Study.--The Committees request a Government 
     Accountability Office (GAO) study of the relationship between 
     increasing royalty rates on oil, gas, and coal production on 
     Federal lands and the relative competitiveness of Federal 
     lands for exploration and production versus State and private 
     lands, as well as any resulting effect on the Federal 
     treasury. GAO shall report the results to the Committees no 
     later than one year after enactment of this Act.


                            INSULAR AFFAIRS

                       ASSISTANCE TO TERRITORIES

       The agreement provides $86,976,000 for Assistance to 
     Territories. In addition to the funding allocation table at 
     the end of this explanatory statement, the agreement includes 
     the following instructions:
       The agreement recognizes that the Office of Insular 
     Affairs' most impactful spending is through the Technical 
     Assistance Program to fund projects to improve drinking 
     water, sanitation, health, safety, and economic opportunity 
     and sustainability. The agreement directs these funds to be 
     awarded accordingly and does not provide funding for new 
     initiatives proposed in the budget request. Additionally, the 
     Office of Insular Affairs is directed to continue to award 
     non-competitive technical assistance funds to support 
     investments in civic education programs for Insular Area 
     students.


                      COMPACT OF FREE ASSOCIATION

       The agreement provides $3,318,000 for Compact of Free 
     Association. The detailed allocation of funding is included 
     in the table at the end of this explanatory statement.

[[Page H10219]]

  



                        OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $65,800,000 for the Office of the 
     Solicitor. The detailed allocation of funding is included in 
     the table at the end of this explanatory statement.


                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $50,047,000 for the Office of 
     Inspector General. The detailed allocation of funding is 
     included in the table at the end of this explanatory 
     statement.


           OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL TRUSTEE FOR AMERICAN INDIANS

                         FEDERAL TRUST PROGRAMS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $139,029,000 for the Office of the 
     Special Trustee for American Indians. The detailed allocation 
     of funding by activity is included in the table at the end of 
     this explanatory statement.


                        DEPARTMENT-WIDE PROGRAMS

                        WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $816,745,000 for Department of the 
     Interior Wildland Fire Management, which is $11,966,000 above 
     the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. Of the funds provided, 
     $291,673,000 is for suppression operations, which combined 
     with $177,000,000 in the FLAME Wildfire Suppression Reserve 
     Fund, provides a total of $468,673,000 for Department of the 
     Interior fire suppression activities. This amount exceeds the 
     ten-year average for suppression by $85,000,000 to provide 
     additional resources, as requested, based upon up-to-date 
     forecasting models. The detailed allocation of funding for 
     these accounts is included in the table at the end of this 
     explanatory statement.
       Hazardous Fuels Management.--The agreement provides 
     $170,000,000 for hazardous fuels management activities, which 
     is $6,000,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level.


                FLAME WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION RESERVE FUND

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $177,000,000 for the FLAME Wildfire 
     Suppression Reserve Fund.


                    CENTRAL HAZARDOUS MATERIALS FUND

       The agreement provides $10,010,000 for the Central 
     Hazardous Materials Fund.


           NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT AND RESTORATION

                NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT FUND

       The agreement provides $7,767,000 for the Natural Resource 
     Damage Assessment Fund. The detailed allocation of funding by 
     activity is included in the table at the end of this 
     explanatory statement.


                          WORKING CAPITAL FUND

       The agreement provides $67,100,000 for the Department of 
     the Interior, Working Capital Fund. The increase above the 
     fiscal year 2015 enacted level is to improve cybersecurity 
     throughout the Department and its bureaus.


             GENERAL PROVISIONS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The agreement includes various legislative provisions 
     affecting the Department in Title I of the bill, ``General 
     Provisions, Department of the Interior.'' The provisions are:
       Section 101 provides Secretarial authority for the intra-
     bureau transfer of program funds for expenditures in cases of 
     emergencies when all other emergency funds are exhausted.
       Section 102 provides for the Department-wide expenditure or 
     transfer of funds by the Secretary in the event of actual or 
     potential emergencies including forest fires, range fires, 
     earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, storms, oil spills, 
     grasshopper and Mormon cricket outbreaks, and surface mine 
     reclamation emergencies.
       Section 103 provides for the use of appropriated funds by 
     the Secretary for contracts, rental cars and aircraft, 
     telephone expenses, and other certain services.
       Section 104 provides for the transfer of funds from the 
     Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, and 
     Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians.
       Section 105 permits the redistribution of tribal priority 
     allocation and tribal base funds to alleviate funding 
     inequities.
       Section 106 authorizes the acquisition of lands for the 
     purpose of operating and maintaining facilities that support 
     visitors to Ellis, Governors, and Liberty Islands.
       Section 107 continues Outer Continental Shelf inspection 
     fees to be collected by the Secretary of the Interior.
       Section 108 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to 
     continue the reorganization of the Bureau of Ocean Energy 
     Management, Regulation, and Enforcement in conformance with 
     Committee reprogramming guidelines.
       Section 109 provides the Secretary of the Interior with 
     authority to enter into multi-year cooperative agreements 
     with non-profit organizations for long-term care of wild 
     horses and burros.
       Section 110 addresses the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's 
     responsibilities for mass marking of salmonid stocks.
       Section 111 modifies a provision addressing Bureau of Land 
     Management actions regarding grazing on public lands.
       Section 112 continues a provision prohibiting funds to 
     implement, administer, or enforce Secretarial Order 3310 
     issued by the Secretary of the Interior on December 22, 2010.
       Section 113 extends a provision allowing the Bureau of 
     Indian Education authority to rent or lease land and 
     facilities and retain the receipts.
       Section 114 addresses the National Park Service's ability 
     to implement the Volunteers in Parks program in anticipation 
     of increased volunteer activity related to the Service's 
     Centennial in 2016.
       Section 115 allows the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau 
     of Indian Education to more efficiently and effectively 
     perform reimbursable work.
       Section 116 addresses National Heritage Areas.
       Section 117 addresses the issuance of rules for sage-
     grouse.
       Section 118 continues a provision providing the Secretary 
     of the Interior certain onshore pay authority.
       Section 119 extends authorization for certain payments to 
     the Republic of Palau for fiscal year 2016.
       Section 120 allows certain funds to be used for waterfowl 
     conservation.
       Section 121 continues a provision which directs the 
     Secretary of the Interior to make certain certifications with 
     respect to existing rights of way. The section also retains a 
     provision limiting funding for a proposal to approve 
     specified rights-of-way on the Mojave National Preserve or 
     lands managed by the Needles Field Office of the Bureau of 
     Land Management.

               TITLE II--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

       The bill provides $8,139,887,000 for the Environmental 
     Protection Agency (EPA).
       Congressional Budget Justification.--The Agency is directed 
     to continue to include the information requested in House 
     Report 112-331 and any proposals to change State allocation 
     formulas that affect the distribution of appropriated funds 
     in future budget justifications.
       Reprogramming.--The Agency is held to the reprogramming 
     limitation of $1,000,000 and should continue to follow the 
     reprogramming directives as provided in the front of this 
     explanatory statement. Further, the Agency may not use any 
     amount of deobligated funds to initiate a new program, 
     office, or initiative, without the prior approval of the 
     Committees.
       Within 30 days of enactment of this Act, the Agency is 
     directed to submit to the House and Senate Committees on 
     Appropriations its annual operating plan for fiscal year 
     2016, which shall detail how the Agency plans to allocate 
     funds at the program project level.


                         SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

       The bill provides $734,648,000 for Science and Technology 
     programs and transfers $18,850,000 from the Hazardous 
     Substance Superfund account to this account. The bill 
     provides the following specific funding levels and direction:
       Homeland Security.--The agreement includes $37,122,000 and 
     the Agency shall allocate funds to programs under this 
     heading consistent with fiscal year 2015 levels.
       Indoor Air and Radiation.--The agreement includes 
     $5,997,000 and the proposed elimination of radon activities 
     has been rejected.
       Research: National Priorities.--The bill provides 
     $4,100,000 which shall be used for extramural research 
     grants, independent of the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) 
     grant program, to fund high-priority water quality and 
     availability research by not-for-profit organizations who 
     often partner with the Agency. Because these grants are 
     independent of the STAR grant program, the Agency should 
     strive to award grants in as large an amount as is possible 
     to achieve the most scientifically significant research. 
     Funds shall be awarded competitively with priority given to 
     partners proposing research of national scope and who provide 
     a 25 percent match. The Agency is directed to allocate funds 
     to grantees within 180 days of enactment of this Act. 
     Further, the bill provides $3,000,000 as directed in House 
     Report 114-170. In addition, the bill provides $7,000,000 for 
     certification and compliance activities related to vehicle 
     and engine emissions, of which the Agency is directed to 
     provide at least $5,000,000 in extramural resources.
       Research: Safe and Sustainable Water Resources.--The 
     agreement includes $107,434,000 and the Agency shall follow 
     the direction under this heading in Senate Report 114-70.
       Additional Guidance.--The agreement includes the following 
     additional guidance:
       Validation of Scientifically Significant Studies.--The 
     Agency shall follow the direction under this heading in 
     Senate Report 114-70.


                 ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS AND MANAGEMENT

       The bill provides $2,613,679,000 for Environmental Programs 
     and Management and includes the following specific funding 
     levels and direction:
       Clean Air and Climate.--The Agency shall allocate funds 
     consistent with fiscal year 2015.
       Environmental Protection: National Priorities.--The bill 
     provides $12,700,000 for a competitive grant program to 
     provide technical assistance for improved water quality or 
     safe drinking water to rural and urban communities or 
     individual private well owners. The Agency is directed to 
     provide $11,000,000 for grants to qualified not-for-profit 
     organizations, on a national or multi-State regional basis, 
     for the sole purpose of providing on-site training and 
     technical assistance for water systems in rural or urban 
     communities. The Agency is also directed to provide

[[Page H10220]]

     $1,700,000 for grants to qualified not-for-profit 
     organizations for technical assistance for individual private 
     well owners, with priority given to organizations that 
     currently provide technical and educational assistance to 
     individual private well owners. The Agency shall require each 
     grantee to provide a minimum 10 percent match, including in-
     kind contributions. The Agency is directed to allocate funds 
     to grantees within 180 days of enactment of this Act.
       Geographic Programs.--The bill provides $427,737,000, as 
     distributed in the table at the end of this division, and 
     includes the following direction:
       Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI).--The bill 
     provides $300,000,000 and the Agency shall continue to follow 
     the direction as provided in House Report 112-589.
       Chesapeake Bay.--The bill provides $73,000,000 and the 
     Agency shall allocate funds consistent with the direction 
     under this heading in Senate Report 114-70.
       Indoor Air and Radiation.--The agreement includes 
     $27,637,000. The Agency shall follow the rulemaking direction 
     under this heading in Senate Report 114-70. The proposed 
     elimination of the radon program has been rejected and the 
     Agency shall allocate funds consistent with fiscal year 2015.
       Toxics Risk Review and Prevention.--The agreement includes 
     $92,521,000 and the Agency shall maintain funding for the 
     Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics and for the 
     endocrine disruptor program at not less than the fiscal year 
     2015 level.
       Water: Ecosystems.--The agreement includes $47,788,000 and 
     the Agency shall allocate funds consistent with fiscal year 
     2015. In addition, the Committees direct EPA to use the funds 
     provided to accelerate the processing of mining permits with 
     the Corps of Engineers. Further, the Committees direct EPA, 
     in consultation with the Corps of Engineers, to continue to 
     report monthly on the number of Section 404 permits under 
     EPA's review, consistent with the direction under this 
     heading in House Report 114-170. Additionally, the Agency is 
     directed to provide $600,000 to each National Estuary Program 
     (NEP) funded under Section 320 of the Clean Water Act.
       Water: Human Health Protection.--The agreement includes 
     $98,507,000. The proposed elimination of the beach program 
     has been rejected and funding is maintained at the fiscal 
     year 2015 level.
       Water Quality Protection.--The agreement includes 
     $210,417,000 and the Agency shall allocate funds consistent 
     with fiscal year 2015.
       Additional Guidance.--The agreement includes the following 
     additional guidance:
       Combined Sewer Overflows.--The agreement includes bill 
     language related to sewage discharges into the Great Lakes 
     and no further directives. The Committees urge the Agency to 
     expeditiously complete the study required by P.L. 113-235.
       Conflicts of Interest.--The Agency has not yet resolved 
     long-standing questions regarding conflicts of interest that 
     have spanned multiple Administrations. For fiscal year 2016, 
     the Administrator shall develop a policy statement on science 
     quality and integrity that shall be adhered to by the Science 
     Advisory Board (SAB) and all Board members. Such policy 
     statement shall be consistent with the Federal Advisory 
     Committee Act, the Ethics in Government Act, and all other 
     applicable Federal laws and regulations. EPA's policy 
     statement should include goals on increasing membership from 
     States and tribes who are often underrepresented, as noted in 
     the May 2014 National Academy of Sciences review of EPA's 
     IRIS program. Should the Administrator decide that financial-
     related metrics are appropriate to identify conflicts-of-
     interest or bias, then EPA's policy shall also include an 
     evaluation of potential bias based on a variety of factors 
     including receipt of former and current Federal grants or 
     public statements or positions as well as other appropriate 
     safeguards to ensure balance amongst SAB and other advisory 
     board experts. In addition, the policy statement shall 
     include direction on the treatment of public comments and 
     responses to such comments.
       When complete, the Committees direct EPA to submit the 
     draft policy statement to the U.S. Government Accountability 
     Office (GAO) for review of the updated conflict of interest 
     policy, policy for committee composition and balance, and 
     eligibility requirements for service on the SAB that will 
     ensure fairness and objectivity. GAO shall determine if the 
     updated policies meet the intent of the directives above and, 
     if so, shall certify to the Committees on Appropriations that 
     EPA's conflict of interest policies offer a balanced 
     framework. The Agency is directed to submit these required 
     documents to GAO for review no later than 90 days from the 
     date of enactment of this Act.
       Gold King Mine.--The Committees are concerned about the 
     impacts following the Gold King Mine Spill on August 5, 2015 
     and believe long-term monitoring efforts are an important 
     need following this event. Further, the Committees are 
     concerned that EPA's monitoring plan does not have the full 
     support from impacted States and tribes. Therefore, EPA is 
     directed to coordinate with impacted States and tribes on 
     development of a robust, long-term plan for independent 
     monitoring. With existing funds, the Agency is directed to 
     continue to seek ways to provide States and tribes with 
     support for their contribution to monitoring efforts.


            HAZARDOUS WASTE ELECTRONIC MANIFEST SYSTEM FUND

       The bill provides $3,674,000 for the Hazardous Waste 
     Electronic Manifest System Fund. The Committees continue to 
     support the expeditious development of a system that would 
     allow for the electronic tracking of hazardous waste 
     shipments pursuant to P.L. 112-195. As anticipated costs 
     continue to exceed authorized levels, the Committees direct 
     EPA to work with appropriate Committees to extend the 
     authorization for appropriations beyond fiscal year 2015 and 
     provide estimates of costs to operate the system once built.


                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

       The bill provides $41,489,000 for the Office of Inspector 
     General.


                        BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

       The bill provides $42,317,000 for Buildings and Facilities.


                     HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE SUPERFUND

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The bill provides $1,088,769,000 for the Hazardous 
     Substance Superfund account and includes bill language to 
     transfer $9,939,000 to the Office of Inspector General 
     account and $18,850,000 to the Science and Technology 
     account. The bill provides the following additional 
     direction:
       Superfund Cleanup.--The Committees understand the funding 
     is insufficient to eliminate the backlog of unfunded new 
     starts but the Committees expect the Agency will use funds 
     provided to initiate remediation at highly contaminated, 
     orphan sites and support remedial pipeline activities that 
     are critical prior to construction.
       Financial Assurance.--Prior to proposing any rule pursuant 
     to section 108(b) of the Comprehensive Environmental 
     Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 
     9608(b)), the Administrator is directed to collect and 
     analyze information from the commercial insurance and 
     financial industries regarding the use and availability of 
     necessary instruments (including surety bonds, letters of 
     credit and insurance) for meeting any new financial 
     responsibility requirements and to make that analysis 
     available to the House and Senate Committees on 
     Appropriations and to the general public on the Agency 
     website 90 days prior to a proposed rulemaking. In addition, 
     the analysis shall include the Agency's plan to avoid 
     requiring financial assurances that are duplicative of those 
     already required by other Federal agencies.
       Lead at Superfund Sites.--The agreement includes the 
     directive in the House and Senate Reports that the Agency 
     contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a 
     study of lead at Superfund sites. The agreement narrows the 
     scope of the study to Superfund sites within, adjacent or 
     proximal to the nation's largest lead mining districts. The 
     Agency's authority shall not be impacted during the pendency 
     of the study.


          LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK TRUST FUND PROGRAM

       The bill provides $91,941,000 for the Leaking Underground 
     Storage Tank Trust Fund Program.


                       INLAND OIL SPILL PROGRAMS

       The bill provides $18,209,000 for Inland Oil Spill 
     Programs.


                   STATE AND TRIBAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS

       The bill provides $3,518,161,000 for the State and Tribal 
     Assistance Grants (STAG) program and includes the following 
     specific funding levels and direction:
       Diesel Emissions Reductions Grants (DERA).--The bill 
     provides $50,000,000 for DERA grants. The Agency shall 
     continue to make at least 70 percent of DERA grants available 
     to improve air quality in non-attainment areas. The 
     Committees encourage EPA to provide a third report to 
     Congress prior to January 1, 2016, that includes the analysis 
     requested in Public Law 111-364.
       Targeted Airshed Grants.--The bill provides $20,000,000 for 
     targeted airshed grants to reduce air pollution in non-
     attainment areas. These grants shall be distributed on a 
     competitive basis to non-attainment areas that EPA determines 
     are ranked as the top five most polluted areas relative to 
     annual ozone or particulate matter 2.5 standards as well as 
     the top five areas based on the 24-hour particulate matter 
     2.5 standard where the design values exceed the 35 
     g/m3 standard. To determine these areas, the Agency 
     shall use the most recent design values calculated from 
     validated air quality data. The Committees note that these 
     funds are available for emission reduction activities deemed 
     necessary for compliance with national ambient air quality 
     standards and included in a State Implementation Plan 
     submitted to EPA. Not later than the end of fiscal year 2016, 
     EPA should provide a report to the Committees on 
     Appropriations that includes a table showing how fiscal year 
     2015 and 2016 funds were allocated. The table should also 
     include grant recipients and metrics for anticipated or 
     actual results.
       Categorical Grants.--The bill provides $1,081,041,000 for 
     Categorical Grants and funding levels are specified in the 
     table at the end of this division. The Agency shall allocate 
     radon grants in fiscal year 2016 following the direction in 
     House Report 114-170. The amount also includes $228,219,000 
     for the State and Local Air Quality Management grant program, 
     and the Agency is directed to allocate funds following the 
     direction for this program in Senate Report 114-70.
       Multipurpose Grants to States and Tribes.--The bill 
     provides $21,000,000 for grants to States and tribes to 
     assist with the implementation of environmental programs.

[[Page H10221]]

     Funds allow States and tribes to have the flexibility to 
     direct resources for the implementation of high priority 
     activities, including the processing of permits, which 
     complement programs under established environmental statutes. 
     EPA is directed to allocate these funds by formula to States 
     and tribes no later than 180 days from the date of enactment 
     of this Act.
       Use of Iron and Steel.--The bill includes language in Title 
     IV General Provisions that stipulates requirements for the 
     use of iron and steel in State Revolving Fund projects. The 
     agreement includes only the following guidance. The 
     Committees acknowledge that EPA may issue a waiver of said 
     requirements for de minimis amounts of iron and steel 
     building materials. The Committees emphasize that any coating 
     processes that are applied to the external surface of iron 
     and steel components that otherwise qualify under the 
     procurement preference shall not render such products 
     ineligible for the procurement preference regardless of where 
     the coating processes occur, provided that final assembly of 
     the products occurs in the United States.


       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

             (INCLUDING TRANSFERS AND RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

       The bill includes language that addresses the collection 
     and expenditure of pesticide fees, allows cooperative 
     agreements to tribes, allows transfer of funds for the Great 
     Lakes Restoration Initiative, and authorizes amounts for one-
     time facility repairs.
       Cybersecurity.--The bill provides $27,000,000 to be used to 
     meet Federal requirements for cybersecurity implementation.
       Rescission.--The bill rescinds $40,000,000 of unobligated 
     balances from the State and Tribal Assistance Grants account. 
     The Agency is directed to rescind $8,000,000 in unobligated 
     balances from prior year administrative set asides and 
     $32,000,000 shall be derived from new obligational authority 
     provided in the State and Tribal Assistance Grants 
     appropriation account. The Agency shall calculate the 
     requisite percent reduction necessary to rescind $32,000,000 
     of new obligational authority and apply it across program 
     areas by formula. Thirty days prior to executing the 
     rescission, the Agency shall submit a report to the 
     Committees on Appropriations detailing the amount of 
     rescission by program project.
       Restrictions on Certain Communications.--The agreement does 
     not include revised language contained in Section 401 of the 
     Senate bill regarding the use of appropriations by agencies 
     for publicity or propaganda in support or opposition to 
     proposed regulations or administrative actions. On December 
     14, 2015, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) 
     concluded that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 
     association with its Waters of the United States rulemaking, 
     violated existing prohibitions against publicity or 
     propaganda and grassroots lobbying contained in prior 
     appropriations acts. Because EPA expended funds in violation 
     of these prohibitions, the GAO further concluded that EPA 
     violated the Antideficiency Act. In addition to the reporting 
     requirements that are required as a result of this 
     Antideficiency Act violation, EPA is directed to coordinate 
     with the Office of Management and Budget to ensure that GAO's 
     findings are disseminated to communications offices 
     throughout the government.

                      TITLE III--RELATED AGENCIES


                       DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

                             FOREST SERVICE

       Forest Service Directives.--The Forest Service is reminded 
     of the importance of the directives included in House Report 
     114-170 and Senate Report 114-70 not addressed herein, as 
     well as the new directives in this statement, including the 
     Front Matter.


                     FOREST AND RANGELAND RESEARCH

       The agreement provides $291,000,000 for Forest and 
     Rangeland Research. This includes $75,000,000 for Forest 
     Inventory and Analysis (FIA), which is sufficient to expand 
     FIA to interior Alaska.
       The Service is directed to continue to prioritize research 
     on white-nose syndrome in bats. The Service also is directed 
     to provide a report, such as is prepared each year by the 
     Agricultural Research Service, to the House and Senate 
     Committees on Appropriations in conjunction with the 
     transmission of the fiscal year 2017 budget request, that 
     describes its research program in detail. The report should 
     include information on each research laboratory, including 
     their relationship to the research stations, their goals and 
     purpose, the funding provided for each of the previous five 
     fiscal years, the funding proposed to be provided in fiscal 
     year 2017, the allocation of funding between research and 
     administrative costs, the allocation of funding and projects 
     between in-house and extramural research, the number of 
     scientists and support staff, and major accomplishments. The 
     report also should include similar information for each 
     research station.


                       STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY

       The agreement provides $237,023,000 for State and Private 
     Forestry. The following directions are also provided:
       Forest Legacy.--The bill provides $62,347,000 for the 
     Forest Legacy program. This includes $6,400,000 for program 
     administration and $55,947,000 for projects. The Service 
     should fund projects in priority order according to the 
     competitively selected national priority list submitted by 
     the Forest Service as part of its fiscal year 2016 budget 
     request.


                         NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $1,509,364,000 for the National 
     Forest System. The following directions are also provided:
       Integrated Resource Restoration (IRR).--The agreement 
     continues the IRR pilot in Regions 1, 3, and 4. As previously 
     noted in the House and Senate reports, there remains concern 
     about the lack of tangible accomplishments produced by IRR 
     projects to date, and as such, the agreement rejects the 
     proposal to expand IRR to the entire Forest Service. Absent 
     tangible accomplishments, an expansion of the IRR program is 
     unlikely to be accepted in the future.
       Rangeland Management.--The Service is directed, to the 
     greatest extent practicable, to make vacant grazing 
     allotments available to a holder of a grazing permit or lease 
     when lands covered by the holder of the permit or lease are 
     unusable because of drought or wildfire.
       Recreation, Heritage and Wilderness.--The agreement 
     provides $261,719,000 for recreation, heritage and 
     wilderness.
       Vegetation and Watershed Management.--The agreement 
     provides $184,716,000 for vegetation and watershed management 
     activities, of which no less than $5,400,000 is to implement 
     authorities granted by section 8204 of the Agricultural Act 
     of 2014.
       Law Enforcement Operations.--The Service is expected to 
     increase its efforts regarding illegal marijuana cultivation 
     on public lands within the funds provided.
       Bighorn Sheep Conservation.--In order to ensure the Nation 
     does not lose its domestic sheep industry or bighorn sheep 
     conservation legacy, the Service and the Bureau of Land 
     Management shall implement a variety of solutions, including 
     the following directives: The agencies are directed to 
     complete risk of contact analyses using appropriate data 
     sources, such as from the Western Association of Fish and 
     Wildlife Agencies, and to share the findings with the public. 
     The Service is expected to engage the Agricultural Research 
     Service to ensure the best scientific understanding of where 
     disease transmission occurs and the degree of that risk and 
     to assist the Forest Service with identifying all allotments 
     that are suitable for sheep grazing. The Service and Bureau 
     of Land Management also are directed to identify and 
     implement actions to resolve issues on allotments with a high 
     risk of disease transmission, including, if agreeable to the 
     directly affected stakeholders, the relocation of domestic 
     sheep to allotments with a low risk, pending any site-
     specific environmental analysis. Together, the agencies are 
     encouraged to convene a meeting of stakeholders interested in 
     collaborating on strategies and solutions to address the risk 
     of disease transmission and to report to the Committees on 
     implementation of these directives within 60 days of 
     enactment of this Act.
       The Service is reminded of the guidance provided in Senate 
     Report 114-70 regarding the Mark Twain National Forest, the 
     Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund, and the 
     Tongass National Forest young growth inventory and other 
     Region 10 activities.


                  CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $364,164,000 for Capital Improvement 
     and Maintenance programs offset by a $16,000,000 scoring 
     credit related to the road and trail fund.


                            LAND ACQUISITION

       The agreement provides $63,435,000 for Land Acquisition. 
     The amounts recommended by this bill compared with the budget 
     estimates by activity are shown in the table below, listed in 
     priority order pursuant to the budget request for fiscal year 
     2016. Prior to proceeding with any Pacific Crest National 
     Scenic Trail acquisitions, the Service is directed to submit 
     to the Committees a list of specific parcels for Committee 
     approval. The Service is expected to use the Critical 
     Inholdings/Wilderness account to acquire high priority lands, 
     such as wilderness and lands of significant value in 
     designated conservation units, to consolidate Federal 
     ownership. Further instructions are contained under the Land 
     and Water Conservation Fund heading in the front of this 
     explanatory statement.

 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 State                           Project                  Forest Units               Budget Request                   This Bill
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CO....................................  Upper Rio Grande.........  Rio Grande...............                    $5,000,000                    $5,000,000
CA....................................  Hurdygurdy...............  Six Rivers...............                       700,000                       700,000
UT....................................  Wasatch Watersheds--       Uinta-Wasatch-Cache......                     2,320,000                     2,320,000
                                         Bonneville Shoreline
                                         Trail.
NC....................................  North Carolina's           Pisgah...................                     1,250,000                     1,250,000
                                         Threatened Treasures.
NC....................................  North Carolina's           Uwharrie.................                       450,000                       440,000
                                         Threatened Treasures.
MT....................................  High Divide..............  Beaverhead-Deerlodge.....                     1,525,000                     1,525,000

[[Page H10222]]

 
ID....................................  High Divide..............  Caribou-Targhee..........                     1,625,000                     1,625,000
ID....................................  High Divide..............  Frank Church River of No                        425,000                       425,000
                                                                    Return Wilderness.
ID....................................  High Divide..............  Sawtooth.................                     2,500,000                     2,500,000
CA....................................  Sierra Nevada              Eldorado.................                     1,400,000                     1,100,000
                                         Checkerboard.
CO....................................  Toll Properties..........  Roosevelt................                       800,000                       800,000
TN....................................  Tennessee Mountains......  Cherokee.................                     1,635,000                     1,635,000
MO....................................  Current River............  Mark Twain...............                     2,070,000                     2,070,000
VA/WV.................................  Rivers of the Chesapeake.  George Washington and                         1,990,000                     1,990,000
                                                                    Jefferson.
AZ....................................  Fossil Creek.............  Coconino.................                     1,000,000                     1,000,000
MN....................................  Minnesota Northwoods.....  Chippewa.................                     2,175,000                     2,175,000
MN....................................  Minnesota Northwoods.....  Superior.................                       515,000                       515,000
FL....................................  Florida Longleaf           Osceola..................                     3,900,000                     3,900,000
                                         Initiative.
WA....................................  National Trails..........  Pacific Crest NST........                     3,000,000                     3,000,000
CA....................................  National Trails..........  Pacific Crest NST........                       200,000                       200,000
WY....................................  Upper Gros Ventre........  Bridger-Teton............                     1,000,000                     1,000,000
OR....................................  Pacific Northwest Streams  Umatilla.................                       840,000                       840,000
OR....................................  Pacific Northwest Streams  Wallowa-Whitman..........                       550,000                       550,000
WY....................................  Greater Yellowstone Area.  Bridger-Teton............                     1,025,000                     1,025,000
CA....................................  Castle Crags.............  Shasta-Trinity...........                     2,800,000                     2,800,000
ID....................................  High Divide..............  Sawtooth.................                     2,300,000                     2,300,000
MT....................................  High Divide..............  Beaverhead-Deerlodge.....                       200,000                       200,000
MI....................................  Great Lakes--Northwoods..  Ottawa...................                     1,800,000                     1,800,000
                                        Additional Project         .........................                     2,255,000                             0
                                         Requests.
                                                                                             -----------------------------------------------------------
                                        Subtotal, Acquisitions...  .........................                    47,250,000                    44,685,000
                                        Acquisition Management...  .........................                     8,500,000                     8,500,000
                                        Cash Equalization........  .........................                       250,000                       250,000
                                        Recreational Access......  .........................                     5,000,000                     8,000,000
                                        Critical Inholdings/       .........................                     2,000,000                     2,000,000
                                         Wilderness.
                                                                                             -----------------------------------------------------------
                                        Total, FS Land             .........................                    63,000,000                    63,435,000
                                         Acquisition.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         ACQUISITION OF LANDS FOR NATIONAL FORESTS SPECIAL ACTS

       The agreement provides $950,000 for the Acquisition of 
     Lands for National Forests Special Acts.


            ACQUISITION OF LANDS TO COMPLETE LAND EXCHANGES

       The agreement provides $216,000 for the Acquisition of 
     Lands to Complete Land Exchanges.


                         RANGE BETTERMENT FUND

       The agreement provides $2,320,000 for the Range Betterment 
     Fund.


    GIFTS, DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS FOR FOREST AND RANGELAND RESEARCH

       The agreement provides $45,000 for Gifts, Donations and 
     Bequests for Forest and Rangeland Research.


        MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL FOREST LANDS FOR SUBSISTENCE USES

       The agreement provides $2,500,000 for the Management of 
     National Forest Lands for Subsistence Uses.


                        WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $2,386,329,000 for Forest Service 
     Wildland Fire Management, which is $53,031,000 above the 
     fiscal year 2015 enacted level. Of the funds provided, 
     $811,000,000 is for suppression operations, which combined 
     with $823,000,000 in the FLAME Wildfire Suppression Reserve 
     Fund provides a total of $1,634,000,000 for Forest Service 
     fire suppression activities. This amount exceeds the ten-year 
     average by $508,000,000 to provide additional resources, as 
     requested, based on up-to-date forecasting models.
       Hazardous Fuels Management.--The agreement provides 
     $375,000,000 for hazardous fuels management activities, which 
     is $13,251,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. 
     Within this amount, $15,000,000 is for biomass utilization 
     grants, which the Service is expected to use for the 
     development of products that will expand commercial markets 
     for low-value wood to facilitate increased removal of biomass 
     beyond traditional fuel treatments.
       Fire Suppression Aviation.--The Service is directed to 
     evaluate and provide the House and Senate Committees on 
     Appropriations evidence of the cost savings expected to 
     result from the acquisition of Federal aircraft. The 
     evaluation should include costs charged to the Forest Service 
     as well as those charged to other Federal agencies so that 
     the Committees have an accurate accounting of the actual cost 
     of Federal ownership compared with the utilization of private 
     contractors.


                FLAME WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION RESERVE FUND

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $823,000,000 for the FLAME Wildfire 
     Suppression Reserve Fund.


                DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

                         INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE

                         INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES

       The agreement provides $3,566,387,000 for Indian Health 
     Services. In addition to the table at the end of this 
     explanatory statement, the agreement includes the following 
     instructions:
       The agreement includes a $12,916,000 increase for the 
     staffing of newly opened health facilities. This includes 
     full funding of the Southern California Youth Treatment 
     Center and the Choctaw Alternative Rural Healthcare Center 
     (JV) as requested. Funds for the staffing of new facilities 
     are limited to facilities funded through the Health Care 
     Facilities Construction Priority System or the Joint Venture 
     Construction Program that have opened in fiscal year 2015 or 
     will open in fiscal year 2016. None of these funds may be 
     allocated to a facility until such facility has achieved 
     beneficial occupancy status.
       The agreement includes requested pay costs along with a 
     $10,000,000 program increase for the alcohol and substance 
     abuse program to focus on tribal youth, a $1,400,000 program 
     increase for Dental Health, and $2,000,000 for operating 
     shortfalls at community health clinics.
       The agreement includes a $1,137,000 program increase for 
     Urban Indian Health. The agency is directed to include 
     current services estimates for Urban Indian Health in future 
     budget requests. The Committees note the agency's failure to 
     report the results of the needs assessment directed by House 
     Report 111-180. Therefore, the recommendation includes bill 
     language requiring a program strategic plan developed in 
     consultation with urban Indians and the National Academy of 
     Public Administration.
       The Committees are concerned about loss and potential loss 
     of CMS accreditation status at multiple IHS-operated 
     facilities. These facilities are all located within the same 
     Service Area, suggesting that the problems are systemic. 
     Whatever the causes, the Committees consider the loss of 
     accreditation to be an emergency. The agreement therefore 
     includes $2,000,000 in new, flexible funding so that the 
     Director may take actions necessary to ensure that CMS 
     accreditation status is reinstated and retained, and, once 
     accreditation has been reinstated, to restore third-party 
     insurance reimbursement shortfalls.


                         CONTRACT SUPPORT COSTS

       The agreement provides an indefinite appropriation for 
     contract support costs estimated to be $717,970,000, which is 
     an increase of $55,000,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
     level. The budget request proposed to fund this program 
     within the ``Indian Health Services'' account. Under this 
     heading the Committees have provided the full amount of the 
     request for contract support costs. By virtue of the 
     indefinite appropriation, additional funds may be provided by 
     the agency if its budget estimate proves to be lower than 
     necessary to meet the legal obligation to pay the full amount 
     due to tribes. This account is solely for the purposes of 
     paying contract support costs and no transfers from this 
     account are permitted for other purposes.


                        INDIAN HEALTH FACILITIES

       The agreement provides $523,232,000 for Indian Health 
     Facilities. In addition to the table at the end of this 
     explanatory statement, the agreement includes the following 
     instructions:
       The agreement includes a $1,241,000 increase for the 
     staffing of the newly opened health facilities noted under 
     the previous heading. The stipulations included in the 
     ``Indian Health Services'' account regarding the allocation 
     of funds pertain to this account as well.


                     NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

          NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES

       The agreement provides $77,349,000 for the National 
     Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.


            AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND DISEASE REGISTRY

            TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH

       The agreement provides $74,691,000 for the Agency for Toxic 
     Substances and Disease Registry.

[[Page H10223]]

  



                         OTHER RELATED AGENCIES

                   EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

  COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

       The agreement provides $3,000,000 for the Council on 
     Environmental Quality and Office of Environmental Quality.


             CHEMICAL SAFETY AND HAZARD INVESTIGATION BOARD

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $11,000,000 for the Chemical Safety 
     and Hazard Investigation Board.


              OFFICE OF NAVAJO AND HOPI INDIAN RELOCATION

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $15,000,000 for the Office of Navajo 
     and Hopi Indian Relocation. The increase above the budget 
     request is to reduce the backlog of certified applicants 
     awaiting relocation benefits.


    INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE CULTURE AND ARTS 
                              DEVELOPMENT

                        PAYMENT TO THE INSTITUTE

       The agreement provides $11,619,000 for the Institute of 
     American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts 
     Development, as requested.


                        SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides a total of $840,243,000 for all 
     Smithsonian Institution accounts, of which $696,045,000 is 
     provided for salaries and expenses. The recommendation 
     provides sufficient funds for staffing and maintenance needs 
     to ensure the timely completion and opening of the National 
     Museum of African American History and Culture in 2016. The 
     Committees understand the importance of collaboration and 
     encourage the National Zoological Park to form partnerships 
     with external sources to augment research and training needs. 
     The Committees maintain their longstanding commitment to the 
     preservation of priceless, irreplaceable Smithsonian 
     collections and have provided funds, as requested, for 
     collections care and preservation. The Committees provide 
     funds as requested for the Institution's Latino initiatives 
     and support the Smithsonian Latino Center's goal of promoting 
     the inclusion of Latino contributions in Smithsonian 
     Institution programs, exhibitions, collections, and public 
     outreach. The Committees continue to urge collaboration 
     between the Smithsonian Latino Center and appropriate Federal 
     and local organizations in order to advance these goals and 
     expand the American Latino presence at the Institution. 
     Further, the Committees provide funds as requested for the 
     Institution's Asian Pacific American initiatives and continue 
     to support the Institution's efforts of developing programs 
     and expanding outreach to promote a better understanding of 
     the Asian Pacific American experience.


                           FACILITIES CAPITAL

       The agreement provides $144,198,000 for the Facilities 
     Capital account. The Committees continue to encourage the 
     Institution to invest in innovative energy saving 
     technologies and design features for new construction, 
     renovation, and maintenance plans. The Institution is 
     directed to submit to the House and Senate Committees on 
     Appropriations, within 60 days of enactment of this Act, a 
     detailed list and description of projects funded within the 
     Facilities Capital account.


                        NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $124,988,000 for the Salaries and 
     Expenses account of the National Gallery of Art, of which not 
     to exceed $3,578,000 is for the special exhibition program. 
     This funding will allow the entire National Gallery to be 
     open to the public for its 75th anniversary.


            REPAIR, RESTORATION AND RENOVATION OF BUILDINGS

       The agreement provides $22,564,000 for the Repair, 
     Restoration, and Renovation of Buildings account, which will 
     allow critical fire protection and life safety improvements 
     to continue.


             JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

                       OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

       The agreement provides $21,660,000 for the Operations and 
     Maintenance account.


                     CAPITAL REPAIR AND RESTORATION

       The agreement provides $14,740,000 for the Capital Repair 
     and Restoration account.


            WOODROW WILSON INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR SCHOLARS

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $10,500,000 for the Woodrow Wilson 
     International Center for Scholars.


           NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES

                    NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS

                       GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATION

       The agreement provides $147,949,000 for the National 
     Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Within funds provided, the 
     Committees urge the NEA to support programs presently funded 
     including arts therapy and engagement treatment programs for 
     service members. The Committees commend the NEA for its work 
     through its Healing Arts Partnership program with Walter Reed 
     National Military Medical Center and Fort Belvoir Community 
     Hospital to incorporate arts therapy into the treatment of 
     active-duty military patients and their families. The 
     Committees urge State arts agencies, which have a 
     longstanding collaborative relationship with the NEA, to 
     explore providing arts therapy programs to service members 
     and their families at the local level. The Committees direct 
     that priority be given to providing services and grant 
     funding for projects, productions, or programs that encourage 
     public knowledge, education, understanding, and appreciation 
     of the arts. The Committees maintain support for the 40 
     percent allocation for State arts agencies as proposed in the 
     NEA's budget. Any reduction in support to the States for arts 
     education should be no more than proportional to other 
     funding decreases taken in other NEA programs.


                 NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES

                       GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATION

       The agreement provides $147,942,000 for the National 
     Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). The Committees commend 
     the NEH for its support of grant programs to benefit Wounded 
     Warriors and to ensure educational opportunities for American 
     heroes transitioning to civilian life. The Committees commend 
     the NEH Federal/State partnership for its ongoing, successful 
     collaboration with State humanities councils in each of the 
     50 States as well as Washington, DC, the Commonwealth of 
     Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth 
     of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. The 
     Committees urge the NEH to provide program funding to support 
     the critical work of State humanities councils consistent 
     with guidance provided in the Consolidated and Further 
     Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (P.L. 113-235).


                        COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $2,653,000 for the Commission of 
     Fine Arts.


               NATIONAL CAPITAL ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS

       The agreement provides $2,000,000 for the National Capital 
     Arts and Cultural Affairs program.


               ADVISORY COUNCIL ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $6,080,000 for the Advisory Council 
     on Historic Preservation.


                  NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $8,348,000 for the National Capital 
     Planning Commission.


                UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM

                       Holocaust memorial museum

       The agreement provides $54,000,000 for the United States 
     Holocaust Memorial Museum.


                DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER MEMORIAL COMMISSION

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $1,000,000 for the Salaries and 
     Expenses account, with only the following guidance: The 
     Committees strongly support the construction of a permanent 
     memorial to Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Committees recognize 
     the memorial has obtained the required approvals for the 
     design and construction; however, concerns raised by Congress 
     and the Eisenhower family regarding the memorial design still 
     remain. The Committees believe expeditious resolution of 
     these issues between interested stakeholders to achieve 
     consensus on the memorial design is critical. No funds have 
     been appropriated to the Capital Construction account for 
     fiscal year 2016. The agreement includes in Section 419 of 
     Title IV General Provisions bill language contained in the 
     Continuing Appropriations Act, 2016 (P.L. 114-53). This 
     language extends the memorial's site authority and prevents 
     commencement of memorial construction until all necessary 
     construction funds have been appropriated.

                      TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The agreement includes various legislative provisions in 
     Title IV of the bill. The provisions are:
       Section 401 continues a provision providing that 
     appropriations available in the bill shall not be used to 
     produce literature or otherwise promote public support of a 
     legislative proposal on which legislative action is not 
     complete.
       Section 402 continues a provision providing for annual 
     appropriations unless expressly provided otherwise in this 
     Act.
       Section 403 continues a provision providing restrictions on 
     departmental assessments unless approved by the Committees on 
     Appropriations.
       Section 404 continues a limitation on accepting and 
     processing applications for patents and on the patenting of 
     Federal lands.
       Section 405 continues a provision regarding the payment of 
     contract support costs.
       Section 406 addresses the payment of contract support costs 
     for fiscal year 2016.
       Section 407 continues a provision providing that the 
     Secretary of Agriculture shall not be considered in violation 
     of certain provisions of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable 
     Resources Planning Act solely because more than 15 years have 
     passed without revision of a forest plan, provided that the 
     Secretary is working in good faith to complete the plan 
     revision.
       Section 408 continues a provision limiting preleasing, 
     leasing, and related activities within the boundaries of 
     National Monuments.
       Section 409 restricts funding appropriated for acquisition 
     of land or interests in land from being used for declarations 
     of taking or complaints in condemnation.

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       Section 410 continues a provision addressing timber sales 
     involving Alaska western red and yellow cedar.
       Section 411 continues a provision which prohibits no-bid 
     contracts.
       Section 412 continues a provision which requires public 
     disclosure of certain reports.
       Section 413 continues a provision which delineates the 
     grant guidelines for the National Endowment for the Arts.
       Section 414 continues a provision which delineates the 
     program priorities for the programs managed by the National 
     Endowment for the Arts.
       Section 415 requires the Department of the Interior, 
     Environmental Protection Agency, Forest Service and Indian 
     Health Service to provide the Committees on Appropriations 
     quarterly reports on the status of balances of 
     appropriations.
       Section 416 requires the President to submit a report to 
     the Committees on Appropriations no later than 120 days after 
     submission of the fiscal year 2017 budget request describing 
     Federal agency obligations and expenditures for climate 
     change programs in fiscal years 2015 and 2016.
       Section 417 continues a provision prohibiting the use of 
     funds to promulgate or implement any regulation requiring the 
     issuance of permits under Title V of the Clean Air Act for 
     carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, water vapor, or methane 
     emissions.
       Section 418 continues a provision prohibiting the use of 
     funds to implement any provision in a rule if that provision 
     requires mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from 
     manure management systems.
       Section 419 continues a provision modifying authorities 
     relating to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission.
       Section 420 prohibits the use of funds to regulate the lead 
     content of ammunition or fishing tackle.
       Section 421 continues a provision through fiscal year 2017 
     authorizing the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary 
     of Agriculture to consider local contractors when awarding 
     contracts for certain activities on public lands.
       Section 422 extends the authorization for the Chesapeake 
     Bay Initiative.
       Section 423 extends certain authorities through fiscal year 
     2016 allowing the Forest Service to renew grazing permits.
       Section 424 sets requirements for the use of American iron 
     and steel for certain loans and grants.
       Section 425 establishes notification requirements for the 
     Great Lakes.
       Section 426 reauthorizes for one year the Great Lakes 
     Restoration Initiative.
       Section 427 reauthorizes funding for one year for the John 
     F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

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   DIVISION H--DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND 
        EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2016

       In implementing this agreement, the Departments and 
     agencies should be guided by the language and instructions 
     set forth in House Report 114-195 accompanying the House 
     bill, H.R. 3020, and Senate Report 114-74 accompanying the 
     Senate bill, S. 1695.
       Where the explanatory statement speaks to an issue that was 
     addressed in the House or Senate reports, the explanatory 
     statement should supersede the language in the House or 
     Senate reports. In cases where the House Report and the 
     Senate Report address a particular issue not specifically 
     cited in the explanatory statement, the House Report and the 
     Senate Report should be complied with and carry the same 
     emphasis as the language included in the explanatory 
     statement.
       Each department and agency funded in this Act shall follow 
     the directions set forth in this Act and the accompanying 
     statement, and shall not reallocate resources or reorganize 
     activities except as provided herein. Funds for individual 
     programs and activities are displayed in the detailed table 
     at the end of the explanatory statement for this division. 
     Funding levels that are not displayed in the detailed table 
     are identified within this explanatory statement. Any action 
     to eliminate or consolidate programs, projects, and 
     activities should be pursued through a proposal in the 
     President's Budget so it can be considered by the Committees 
     on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 
     Senate.
       Congressional Reports.--Each Department and agency is 
     directed to provide the Committee on Appropriations of the 
     House of Representatives and the Senate, within 30 days of 
     enactment of this Act and quarterly thereafter, a summary 
     describing each requested report to the Committees on 
     Appropriations along with its status.

                      TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

                 Employment and Training Administration


                    Training and Employment services

       State Grants.--Governors are expected to utilize the 
     reserve for innovative, cost-effective programs consistent 
     with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to 
     meet unique or pressing workforce needs in their states, to 
     foster constructive partnerships to the benefit of job-
     seekers and employers, to effectively respond to unforeseen 
     dislocations or local shortfalls, and to improve overall 
     program performance as measured by the new uniform 
     performance measurement system established by WIOA.
       Dislocated Worker National Reserve.--The funding provided 
     may be used for National Dislocated Worker Grants, technical 
     assistance, demonstrations, and other activities as 
     authorized by WIOA. The agreement provides $19,000,000 
     requested in the fiscal year 2016 budget for grants under the 
     authority of WIOA to provide job training and services for 
     workers dislocated from the coal industry.
       Reintegration of Ex-Offenders.--Within funds to provide 
     services for young ex-offenders and school dropouts in high-
     poverty communities with high crime rates, the Department is 
     also directed to consider the needs of communities that have 
     recently experienced significant unrest.
       Apprenticeship.--The agreement includes $90,000,000 for 
     Registered Apprenticeship grants and capacity building as 
     requested in the fiscal year 2016 budget.

                               Job Corps

       In light of recent events, significant concerns remain 
     regarding the safety of students on Job Corps campuses. 
     Efforts on the part of the Employment and Training 
     Administration (ETA) to review and address these concerns are 
     appreciated. ETA is directed to work with center operators 
     and other appropriate entities to identify and implement 
     improvements across the Job Corps system to improve the 
     safety of students and maintain safe and effective learning 
     environments.

     State Unemployment Insurance and Employment Service Operations

       The agreement includes $67,653,000 for the One-Stop Career 
     Centers and Labor Market Information activity, including 
     $7,500,000 for the new occupational licensing State 
     consortium initiative as described in Senate Report 114-74.

                  Office of Labor Management Standards

       The agreement does not provide funding for the proposed 
     Electronic Labor Organization Reporting System Modernization 
     project.

             Occupational Safety and Health Administration

       Significant concerns remain about the Occupational Safety 
     and Health Administration's (OSHA) use of guidance documents 
     to change longstanding OSHA policy. In June and July of 2015, 
     OSHA issued three guidance documents related to Executive 
     Order 13650, ``Improving Chemical Facility Safety and 
     Security.'' They are Process Safety Management of Highly 
     Hazardous Chemicals and Covered Concentrations of Listed 
     Appendix A Chemicals, RAGAGEP in Safety Process Management 
     Enforcement, and PSM Retail Exemption Interim Enforcement 
     Policy. These along with other OSHA ``letters of 
     interpretation'' attempt to change prevailing agency policies 
     without proposing regulatory changes under the requirements 
     of the Administrative Procedures Act (5 U.S.C. 551 et. seq.). 
     OSHA has issued letters of interpretation on substantive 
     policy matters that leave the agency open to liability that 
     can be avoided by going through the proper rulemaking 
     process, including notice and period of public comment. OSHA 
     is expected to implement agency policy changes through the 
     formal regulatory process. As such, the agreement directs 
     that the revised enforcement policy relating to the exemption 
     of retail facilities from coverage of the Process Safety 
     Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals standard (29 CFR 191 
     0.119(a)(2)(i)) issued by the Occupational Safety and Health 
     Administration on July 22, 2015, shall not be enforced nor 
     deemed by the Department of Labor to be in effect in fiscal 
     year 2016 until: the Bureau of the Census establishes a new 
     North American Industry Classification System code under 
     Sector 44-45 Retail Trade for Farm Supply Retailers, and the 
     Secretary of Labor, acting through the Assistant Secretary of 
     Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, has carried out all 
     notice and comment rulemaking procedures and invited 
     meaningful public participation in the rulemaking.
       OSHA is directed to continue to provide notification to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives 
     and the Senate 10 days prior to the announcement of any new 
     National, Regional or Local Emphasis Program including the 
     circumstances and data used to determine the need for the 
     launch of a new Program.

                 Mine Safety and Health Administration

       The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
     directed to provide assistance and data necessary for the 
     National Academy of Sciences study provided in the Centers 
     for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of 
     Occupational Safety and Health account. MSHA is directed to 
     report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate and authorizing committees of 
     jurisdiction within 72 hours of determining that compliance 
     rates under the new sampling protocols taking effect in 2016 
     fall below 95 percent, and to provide such committees with 
     quarterly reports on actual compliance rates under the new 
     coal dust rule.

                       Bureau of Labor Statistics

       The Bureau of Labor Statistics shall submit a report to 
     Congress within one year of enactment of this Act on the 
     Bureau's efforts to account for and report on all forms of 
     employment in the current economy, including those working in 
     small businesses, part-time or temporary workers, those with 
     fluctuating schedules, and the self-employed.

                 Office of Disability Employment Policy

       The agreement does not incorporate the Office of Disability 
     Employment Policy (ODEP) into its partner agency, the 
     Employment and Training Administration. The Department is 
     directed to evaluate and report to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate 
     within 150 days of enactment of this Act on the capacity of 
     ETA to continue providing leadership, effective policy 
     development and grant programs, and subject matter expertise 
     in carrying out the mission of ODEP as proposed in the Senate 
     bill. The report should also consider the potential 
     synergies, efficiencies, and other benefits of unifying ODEP 
     into the direct leadership of ETA along with the broader 
     workforce training system it oversees. Any potential 
     organizational challenges, programmatic concerns, or other 
     issues such an integration might create should also be 
     discussed. Finally, the report should discuss the 
     Department's current utilization of the specialized policy 
     development and analysis resources available from the 
     National Council on Disability.

                        Departmental Management

       For the Office of the Chief Evaluation Officer, the 
     agreement includes a direct appropriation of $8,040,000. The 
     agreement contains language, as proposed by the 
     Administration, allowing the Office of the Chief Evaluation 
     Officer to administer grants for the purposes of conducting 
     evaluations. The authority will allow preeminent research 
     institutions to qualify and apply for contracts to conduct 
     rigorous and scientific evaluations of the Department's 
     programs, projects, and activities. It is hoped that these 
     evaluations will inform decision-making and lead to improved 
     program performance and taxpayer value. Language is also 
     included ensuring that grant competitions for evaluation 
     contracts are fair and open. Finally, the transfer authority 
     for the Office of the Chief Evaluation Officer is increased 
     from 0.5 percent to 0.75 percent.
       The administration requested $2,620,000 and 15 full time 
     staff to initiate an Office of Labor Compliance. This request 
     is denied by the agreement; no funds in the bill have been 
     provided for this purpose.


                            IT Modernization

       The agreement includes significant new resources for 
     information technology (IT) modernization, including a total 
     of $24,880,000 for IT infrastructure modernization and 
     $4,898,000 for Departmental Support Systems. The new Digital 
     Government Integration Platform Initiative is not funded.

                           General Provisions

       Funds requested for a temporary surge capacity to clear the 
     backlog of permanent labor certification program applications 
     are available through authority to utilize H-1B fees as 
     proposed by the Senate. Although funds are available through 
     September 30, 2017, to accommodate a potential contract

[[Page H10282]]

     performance period extending beyond the end of fiscal year 
     2016, ETA is directed to obligate the funds as expeditiously 
     as practicable to resolve the backlog.
       The bill includes a new provision related to the 
     competitive award of contracts to operate a Jobs Corps 
     Civilian Conservation Center.
       The agreement includes a new provision related to seasonal 
     employees offering recreational services on federal lands.
       The agreement includes new provisions related to the H-2B 
     program.

           TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

       The Department is directed to include in its fiscal year 
     2017 congressional budget justification the amount of expired 
     unobligated balances available for transfer to the 
     Nonrecurring Expenses Fund (NEF) and the amount of any such 
     balances transferred to the NEF. This should include actual 
     or estimated amounts for the prior, current, and budget 
     years. The description should include specific projects, 
     costs, project total cost, and years expected to complete as 
     well as the specific projects supported in the current year.

              Health Resources and Services Administration


                            HEALTH WORKFORCE

       Oral Health Training.--The agreement includes not less than 
     $10,000,000 for General Dentistry programs and not less than 
     $10,000,000 for Pediatric Dentistry programs. The agreement 
     provides $875,000 for section 748 authority for the Dental 
     Faculty Loan Repayment Program. The Health Resources and 
     Services Administration (HRSA) is directed to publish a new 
     funding opportunity and then award grants in fiscal year 2016 
     from the funding provided.
       Geriatric Education.--The agreement provides $38,737,000 
     for Geriatric Education programs. In fiscal year 2015, HRSA 
     combined the Geriatrics Education Centers program, Geriatric 
     Training for Physicians, Dentists, and Behavioral/Mental 
     Health Professionals program, and the Geriatric Academic 
     Career Awards programs authorized under the Public Health 
     Service (PHS) Act section 753 with the Comprehensive 
     Geriatric Education Program authorized under PHS Act section 
     865 into one competition, the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement 
     Program. HRSA stated the combined competition would, 
     ``improve health outcomes for older adults by integrating 
     geriatrics with primary care, maximizing patient and family 
     engagement, and transforming the healthcare system.'' 
     Therefore, the agreement has consolidated the PHS Act Title 
     VII Geriatric Program with the PHS Act Title VIII 
     Comprehensive Geriatric Education program.


                       MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH

       Maternal and Child Health Block Grant.--The agreement 
     includes language setting aside $77,093,000 for Special 
     Projects of Regional and National Significance (SPRANS). The 
     agreement provides the following amounts within SPRANS:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            FY 2016
                   Budget Activity                         Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Set-aside for oral health............................         $5,000,000
Set-aside for epilepsy...............................          3,642,000
Set-aside for sickle cell disease....................          2,961,000
Set-aside for fetal alcohol syndrome demo............            477,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Autism and Other Developmental Disorders.--The agreement 
     provides $47,099,000 for the Autism and Other Developmental 
     Disorders program and directs that HRSA provide no less than 
     $28,990,000 for the Leadership Education in 
     Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program. 
     The increased funding should be used to initiate LEND 
     programs in States that do not currently have an established 
     program, yet have a high incidence rate of Autism spectrum 
     disorders.
       Traumatic Brain Injury.--The agreement includes bill 
     language transferring the Traumatic Brain Injury program from 
     HRSA to the Administration for Community Living (ACL).
       Heritable Disorders Program.--The agreement provides 
     $13,883,000 for the Heritable Disorders Program, of which 
     $2,000,000 is provided for newborn screening for Severe 
     Combined Immune Deficiency and related disorders.


                      RYAN WHITE HIV/AIDS PROGRAM

       Children, Youth, Women, and Families.--The agreement does 
     not consolidate this program with the Early Intervention 
     Services program.


                          HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS

       340B Drug Program.--HRSA is requested to provide a briefing 
     to update the Committees on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate on the status of 340B 
     guidance, the secure website, and covered entities in the 
     340B drug program.


                              RURAL HEALTH

       Rural Health Outreach.--The agreement provides $63,500,000 
     for the Rural Health Outreach program, an increase of 
     $4,500,000 above the fiscal year 2015 level. This program 
     supports projects that demonstrate new and innovative modes 
     of outreach in rural areas, such as integration and 
     coordination of health services. The agreement provides not 
     more than $12,514,000 for Outreach Service Grants; not more 
     than $19,412,000 for Rural Network Development Grants; not 
     less than $10,000,000 for Delta States Network Grant Program; 
     not more than $2,400,000 for Network Planning Grants; and not 
     less than $4,148,000 for Small Healthcare Provider Quality 
     Improvement Grants.
       Rural Access to Emergency Devices.--As requested by the 
     Administration, the agreement does not provide funding for 
     the Rural Access to Emergency Devices program.

               Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

       The agreement includes a program level of $7,233,403,000, 
     which includes $6,326,103,000 in appropriated funds for the 
     Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 
     addition, it provides $892,300,000 in transfers from the 
     Prevention and Public Health (PPH) Fund and $15,000,000 in 
     Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (PHSSEF) 
     unobligated balances from pandemic influenza supplemental 
     appropriations.


                 IMMUNIZATION AND RESPIRATORY DISEASES

       The agreement includes a total of $798,405,000 for 
     Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, which includes 
     $459,055,000 in discretionary appropriations, $324,350,000 in 
     transfers from the PPH Fund and $15,000,000 in transfers from 
     PHSSEF unobligated balances. Within this total, the agreement 
     includes the following amounts:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            FY 2016
                   Budget Activity                         Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 317 Immunization Program.....................       $610,847,000
Influenza Planning and Response......................        187,558,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Immunizations.--The agreement reiterates the requests for 
     an updated Section 317 Immunization Program report in the 
     fiscal year 2017 budget request as noted by the House Report 
     114-195 and Senate Report 114-74. The agreement includes the 
     requested $8,000,000 to support the capacity of public health 
     departments to bill health insurers for immunization 
     services. Further, the increase above the request is intended 
     to continue providing a comprehensive program to educate and 
     inform the public, monitor vaccine effectiveness, account for 
     the use of Federal and State dollars, decrease ethnic and 
     racial disparities, build strong outbreak investigation 
     capacity, improve tracking systems, provide the necessary 
     support to providers, and support an appropriate level of 
     vaccine purchases.
       Influenza.--The agreement directs the Department to use 
     $15,000,000 in pandemic influenza supplemental balances to 
     support CDC's global influenza activity. CDC and the 
     Department are expected to clearly identify in budget 
     documents when and how prior year supplemental appropriations 
     are used.


     HIV/AIDS, VIRAL HEPATITIS, SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES AND 
                        TUBERCULOSIS PREVENTION

       The agreement includes $1,122,278,000 for HIV/AIDS, Viral 
     Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Tuberculosis 
     Prevention. Within this total, the agreement includes the 
     following amounts:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            FY 2016
                   Budget Activity                         Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic HIV/AIDS Prevention and Research............       $788,712,000
    HIV Prevention by Health Departments.............        397,161,000
    HIV Surveillance.................................        119,861,000
    Activities to Improve Program Effectiveness......        103,208,000
    National, Regional, Local, Community and Other           135,401,000
     Organizations...................................
    School Health....................................         33,081,000
Viral Hepatitis......................................         34,000,000
Sexually Transmitted Infections......................        157,310,000
Tuberculosis.........................................        142,256,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

               EMERGING AND ZOONOTIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES

       The agreement includes $579,885,000 for Emerging and 
     Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, which includes $527,885,000 in 
     discretionary appropriations and $52,000,000 made available 
     from amounts in the PPH Fund. Within this total, the 
     agreement includes the following amounts:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            FY 2016
                   Budget Activity                         Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Antibiotic Resistance Initiative.....................       $160,000,000
Lab Safety and Quality...............................          8,000,000
Emerging and Zoonotic Core Activities................         29,840,000
Vector-borne Diseases................................         26,410,000
Lyme Disease.........................................         10,663,000
Prion Disease........................................          6,000,000
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.............................          5,400,000
Emerging Infectious Diseases.........................        147,000,000
Food Safety..........................................         52,000,000
National Healthcare Safety Network...................         21,000,000
Quarantine...........................................         31,572,000
Advanced Molecular Detection.........................         30,000,000
Epidemiology and Lab Capacity program................         40,000,000
Healthcare-Associated Infections.....................         12,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Antimicrobial Resistance.--The agreement expects a 
     significant level of support for State and regional lab 
     capacity and intends for the funds provided to support 
     programs with measurable goals and objectives which should be 
     reported annually in the budget request for this program. 
     Further, CDC is directed to support States in the use of 
     evidence-based approaches to stop the spread of drug-
     resistant bacteria and preserve existing antibiotics. The 
     agreement directs CDC to coordinate with the Biomedical 
     Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), the 
     National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases 
     (NIAID), and other government agencies and support 
     collaborations between entities such as academic medical 
     centers, veterinary schools, schools of public health, State 
     public health departments, and other academic institutions 
     whose activities are in line with the Federal strategy for 
     addressing antibiotic resistant bacteria. CDC shall provide a 
     detailed spend plan to the Committees on Appropriations of 
     the House of Representatives and the Senate within 60 days 
     after enactment of this Act.

[[Page H10283]]

  



            CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION

       The agreement includes $1,177,096,000 for Chronic Disease 
     Prevention and Health Promotion, which includes $838,146,000 
     in discretionary appropriations, and $338,950,000 made 
     available from amounts in the PPH Fund. Within this total, 
     the agreement includes the following amounts:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            FY 2016
                   Budget Activity                         Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tobacco..............................................       $210,000,000
Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity............         49,920,000
    High Obesity Rate Counties.......................         10,000,000
School Health........................................         15,400,000
Health Promotion.....................................         14,025,000
    Glaucoma.........................................          3,300,000
    Visual Screening Education.......................            525,000
    Alzheimer's Disease..............................          3,500,000
    Inflammatory Bowel Disease.......................            750,000
    Interstitial Cystitis............................            850,000
    Excessive Alcohol Use............................          3,000,000
    Chronic Kidney Disease...........................          2,100,000
Prevention Research Centers..........................         25,461,000
Heart Disease and Stroke.............................        160,037,000
Diabetes.............................................        170,129,000
National Diabetes Prevention Program.................         20,000,000
Cancer Prevention and Control........................        356,174,000
    Breast and Cervical Cancer.......................        210,000,000
        WISEWOMAN....................................         21,120,000
    Breast Cancer Awareness for Young Women..........          4,960,000
    Cancer Registries................................         49,440,000
    Colorectal Cancer................................         43,294,000
    Comprehensive Cancer.............................         19,675,000
    Johanna's Law....................................          5,500,000
    Ovarian Cancer...................................          7,500,000
    Prostate Cancer..................................         13,205,000
    Skin Cancer......................................          2,125,000
    Cancer Survivorship Resource Center..............            475,000
Oral Health..........................................         18,000,000
Safe Motherhood/Infant Health........................         46,000,000
    Preterm Birth....................................          2,000,000
Arthritis............................................         11,000,000
Epilepsy.............................................          8,000,000
National Lupus Patient Registry......................          6,000,000
Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health              50,950,000
 (REACH).............................................
Million Hearts.......................................          4,000,000
National Early Child Care Collaboratives.............          4,000,000
Hospitals Promoting Breastfeeding....................          8,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Burden of Disease.--The agreement directs the CDC Director 
     to implement a population-adjusted burden of disease criteria 
     as a significant factor for new competitive awards within the 
     Chronic Disease portfolio for Heart Disease, Stroke, and 
     Diabetes.
       Diabetes, Heart Disease and Stroke.--The agreement provides 
     a significant increase to support Diabetes, Heart Disease and 
     Stroke prevention. The agreement expects funding to support 
     communities with the highest burden of disease, as adjusted 
     for population, and to use risk factor reduction measures. 
     The agreement requests a report in the fiscal year 2017 
     budget request on how funds will be provided to address the 
     highest burden.
       Glaucoma.--The agreement continues to support telemedicine 
     efforts to identify, detect, treat, and manage people with 
     glaucoma in order to build on successful research, screening, 
     and treatment for populations at greatest risk for diseases 
     such as glaucoma.
       Interstitial Cystitis.--The agreement directs the increase 
     in funding for Interstitial Cystitis to be allocated to 
     support education, outreach, and public awareness activities.
       Obesity.--The agreement requests an update in the fiscal 
     year 2017 budget request on the evidence-based practices CDC 
     is undertaking to reduce obesity, which should include 
     education and outreach related to the role of fruit and 
     vegetable consumption in reducing obesity in at-risk 
     populations, including both adult and pediatric populations.
       Partnerships to Improve Community Health (PICH).--To lessen 
     the disruption during PICH close out, the agreement directs 
     CDC to shift fiscal year 2016 continuation costs to specific 
     chronic disease budget lines for current activities of 
     grantees, such as cities, counties, tribal grantees, and 
     nongovernmental organizations.
       Tobacco Prevention.--The agreement provides support for 
     CDC's comprehensive efforts to reduce tobacco use. The 
     agreement requests an update in the fiscal year 2017 budget 
     request identifying all CDC programs that provide support for 
     tobacco control or prevention activities and requests that 
     CDC explore ways to reduce duplication with tobacco 
     prevention programs and activities not funded in the specific 
     tobacco-funding line. The CDC is urged to coordinate with the 
     National Institutes of Health (NIH) to identify meritorious 
     tobacco research opportunities for NIH to consider through 
     its peer-reviewed process and its existing portfolio funding 
     level.


              BIRTH DEFECTS AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

       The agreement includes $135,610,000 for Birth Defects and 
     Developmental Disabilities. Within the total for Birth 
     Defects and Developmental Disabilities, the agreement 
     includes the following amounts:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            FY 2016
                   Budget Activity                         Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Child Health and Development.........................        $65,800,000
    Birth Defects....................................         19,000,000
    Fetal Death......................................            900,000
    Fetal Alcohol Syndrome...........................         11,000,000
    Folic Acid.......................................          3,150,000
    Infant Health....................................          8,650,000
    Autism...........................................         23,100,000
Health and Development for People with Disabilities..         54,710,000
    Disability & Health..............................         22,050,000
    Tourette Syndrome................................          2,000,000
    Early Hearing Detection and Intervention.........         10,760,000
    Muscular Dystrophy...............................          6,000,000
    Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.........          1,900,000
    Fragile X........................................          2,000,000
    Spina Bifida.....................................          6,000,000
    Congenital Heart Failure.........................          4,000,000
Public Health Approach to Blood Disorders............          4,500,000
Hemophilia CDC Activities............................          3,500,000
Hemophilia Treatment Centers.........................          5,000,000
Thalassemia..........................................          2,100,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Improving the Health of People with Intellectual 
     Disabilities.--The CDC Healthy Athletes Initiative was 
     established in 2002 to support efforts to address the unmet 
     health care needs of people with intellectual disabilities. 
     The agreement includes an additional $2,000,000 above the 
     fiscal year 2015 level to maintain and expand support for 
     this important initiative.


                   PUBLIC HEALTH SCIENTIFIC SERVICES

       The agreement includes a total of $491,597,000 for Public 
     Health Scientific Services in discretionary appropriations. 
     Within the total for Public Health Scientific Services, the 
     agreement includes the following amounts:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            FY 2016
                   Budget Activity                         Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Health Statistics....................................       $160,397,000
Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Informatics..........        279,000,000
    Lab Training.....................................          5,000,000
Public Health Workforce..............................         52,200,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

       The agreement includes $182,303,000 for Environmental 
     Health programs, which includes $165,303,000 in discretionary 
     appropriations, and $17,000,000 that is made available from 
     amounts in the PPH Fund. The agreement provides support for 
     CDC's environmental health research, evaluation, and 
     surveillance activities. These activities are intended to be 
     complementary to the biomedical research conducted at the 
     National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Within 
     this total, the agreement includes the following amounts:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            FY 2016
                   Budget Activity                         Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Environmental Health Laboratory......................        $56,000,000
    Newborn Screening Quality Assurance Program......          8,300,000
    Newborn Screening/Severe Combined Immuno-                  1,200,000
     deficiency Diseases.............................
Environmental Health Activities......................         46,303,000
    Environmental Health Activities..................         17,703,000
    Safe Water.......................................          8,600,000
    Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Registry...........         10,000,000
    Climate Change...................................         10,000,000
Environmental and Health Outcome Tracking Network....         34,000,000
Asthma...............................................         29,000,000
Childhood Lead Poisoning.............................         17,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     INJURY PREVENTION AND CONTROL

       The agreement includes $236,059,000 for Injury Prevention 
     and Control activities. Within this total, the agreement 
     includes the following amounts:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            FY 2016
                   Budget Activity                         Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intentional Injury...................................        $97,730,000
    Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence............         32,700,000
    Child Maltreatment...............................          7,250,000
    Youth Violence Prevention........................         15,100,000
    Domestic Violence Community Projects.............          5,500,000
    Rape Prevention..................................         44,430,000
National Violent Death Reporting System..............         16,000,000
Unintentional Injury.................................          8,800,000
    Traumatic Brain Injury...........................          6,750,000
    Elderly Falls....................................          2,050,000
Injury Prevention Activities.........................         28,950,000
Opioid Prescription Drug Overdose....................         70,000,000
Illicit Opioid Use Risk Factors......................          5,579,000
Injury Control Research Centers......................          9,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Opioid Prescription Drug Overdose (PDO) Prevention 
     Activity.--The agreement commends CDC for its leadership in 
     expanding efforts combatting prescription and opioid drug 
     overdoses. The agreement directs the CDC Director to 
     implement these activities based on population-adjusted 
     burden of disease criteria, including mortality data (age 
     adjusted rate), as significant criteria when distributing 
     funds for the State PDO Prevention activities. The CDC is 
     expected to adhere to the conditions identified in the fiscal 
     year 2015 Appropriations Act and explanatory statement as CDC 
     expands beyond prescription drugs and into the broader 
     category of opioids. The agreement assumes these funds will 
     be distributed via a competitive mechanism and not merely a 
     mathematical formula or standard allocation to each State.
       Surveillance of Heroin.--The agreement directs CDC to 
     expand surveillance of heroin-related deaths beyond CDC's 
     current work in HHS's Region 1 and to require applicants for 
     the PDO Prevention for States Programs to collaborate with 
     the State's substance abuse agency or agency managing the 
     State's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.
       Violence Data Collection.--The agreement notes that CDC 
     should continue its current National Vital Statistics System 
     and National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) data 
     collections activities and ensure the activities continue to 
     comply with funding restrictions. The agreement provides an 
     increase for NVDRS to support States not previously funded.


         NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH

       The agreement includes a total of $339,121,000 for the 
     National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 
     in discretionary appropriations. Within the total for NIOSH, 
     the agreement includes the following amounts:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            FY 2016
                   Budget Activity                         Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Occupational Research Agenda................       $115,500,000
    Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing...................         25,000,000
Education and Research Centers.......................         28,500,000
Personal Protective Technology.......................         20,000,000
Mining Research......................................         61,300,000
Other Occupational Safety and Health Research........        112,721,000
National Mesothelioma Registry and Tissue Bank.......          1,100,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Review.--The agreement 
     provides $1,800,000 within the Mining Research funding line 
     and directs the NIOSH Director to charter a NAS review within 
     90 days of enactment of this

[[Page H10284]]

     Act. Specifically the NAS effort should examine and describe: 
     current monitoring and sampling protocols and requirements to 
     understand miners' occupational exposure to respirable coal 
     mine dust in the United States and other industrialized 
     countries; coal mine dust composition and application 
     procedures, including the impact of new rock dust mixtures 
     and regulatory requirements; monitoring and sampling 
     technologies, and sampling protocols and frequency; and the 
     efficacy of those technologies and protocols in aiding 
     decisions regarding the control of respirable coal mine dust 
     and mine worker exposure. The NAS study will develop science-
     based conclusions regarding optimal monitoring and sampling 
     strategies that support mine operational decision making as 
     it relates to reducing miner respirable coal mine dust 
     exposure. It is expected the report will be completed within 
     12 months after enactment of this Act.
       Total Worker Health.--The agreement provides funding in the 
     Other Occupational Safety and Health Research line to 
     continue to support the Total Worker Health program at no 
     less than the fiscal year 2015 level.


       ENERGY EMPLOYEES OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESS COMPENSATION PROGRAM

       The agreement includes $55,358,000 in mandatory funding for 
     CDC's responsibilities with respect to the Energy Employee 
     Occupational Illness Compensation Program.


                             GLOBAL HEALTH

       The agreement includes $427,121,000 for Global Health 
     activities. Within this total, the agreement includes the 
     following amounts:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            FY 2016
                   Budget Activity                         Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global AIDS Program..................................       $128,421,000
Global Immunization Program..........................        219,000,000
    Polio Eradication................................        169,000,000
    Measles and Other Vaccine Preventable Diseases...         50,000,000
Parasitic Diseases/Malaria...........................         24,500,000
Global Public Health Protection......................         55,200,000
    Global Disease Detection and Emergency Response..         45,400,000
    Global Public Health Capacity....................          9,800,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Global Public Health Capacity.--The agreement understands 
     the importance of CDC's global work to protect Americans at 
     home and abroad, including collaborating with other nations 
     to identify, prepare for, investigate and respond to public 
     health threats. The agreement requests a report, within 90 
     days after enactment of this Act, for all international 
     activities funded through this CDC activity to the Committees 
     on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 
     Senate.


                PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE

       The agreement includes $1,405,000,000 for public health 
     preparedness and response activities. Within the total for 
     Public Health Preparedness and Response, the agreement 
     includes the following amounts:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            FY 2016
                   Budget Activity                         Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Health Emergency Preparedness Cooperative            $660,000,000
 Agreements..........................................
Academic Centers for Public Health Preparedness......          8,200,000
CDC Preparedness and Response........................        161,800,000
    BioSense.........................................         23,000,000
    All Other CDC Preparedness.......................        138,800,000
Strategic National Stockpile.........................        575,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Technical Assistance.--Within the Public Health Emergency 
     Preparedness (PHEP) activity, the agreement provides no less 
     than the fiscal year 2015 level for technical assistance and 
     directs CDC to use the balance of the increase for the PHEP 
     cooperative agreements.
       Select Agent Program.--The agreement provides a $5,000,000 
     increase for CDC's Select Agent Program and expects a report 
     within 120 days after enactment of this Act providing an 
     update on these efforts.
       Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Replenishment of Medical 
     Countermeasures.--The agreement notes certain assets in the 
     SNS will begin to expire soon. The agreement directs the CDC 
     Director to conduct a review of the current SNS antivirals 
     supply. The review should include: the current stockpile; 
     product expiration and/or extension of dating; cost of 
     replenishment; contract requirements; manufacturing 
     capability (including capacity and lead production time), and 
     distribution methods. The CDC is to provide the report within 
     120 days after the date of enactment of this Act to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives 
     and the Senate. Further, the agreement requests the inclusion 
     of additional detail pertaining to SNS data in its annual 
     budget request beginning in fiscal year 2017, including the 
     total projected costs of expired or expiring SNS assets. 
     Specifically, the request should identify the projected 
     percentage allocation of the current and budget request 
     resources expected to support expiring asset replacement, new 
     asset purchases, and other operational costs.


                        BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

       The agreement includes $10,000,000 for Buildings and 
     Facilities. In addition, the agreement directs unobligated 
     funds in the Individual Learning Accounts from prior 
     employees' closed accounts to be used to support the 
     replacement of the underground and surface coal mine safety 
     and health research capacity facility.
       Demolition.--The agreement provides demolition authority 
     for fiscal year 2016 to allow CDC to eliminate structures 
     that are no longer used and have gone beyond their intended 
     lifespan, such as small modular trailers and storage 
     facilities. Due to the age and condition of some of the 
     structures, they pose a significant danger if left in their 
     current state. By eliminating these structures, the Federal 
     government will save almost $90,000 per year in maintenance 
     costs. If this authority is necessary beyond fiscal year 
     2016, CDC shall request such authority as part of their 
     annual congressional justification.


                          CDC WIDE ACTIVITIES

       The agreement includes $273,570,000 for CDC-wide 
     activities, which includes $113,570,000 in discretionary 
     appropriations and $160,000,000 made available through the 
     PPH Fund. Within this total, the agreement includes the 
     following amounts:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            FY 2016
                   Budget Activity                         Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preventative Health and Health Services Block Grant..       $160,000,000
Public Health Leadership and Support.................        113,570,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Burden of Disease Review.--The agreement urges CDC and 
     Center Directors to explore ways to review its programs and 
     public health activities, where population adjusted burden of 
     disease is not already being used as a significant factor to 
     award funds, in order to determine how the programs can use 
     or increase the use of burden of disease as significant 
     criteria for awarding, tracking, and evaluating CDC supported 
     activities.
       CDC Budget Policy.--The agreement expects that, unless 
     provided for differently through this agreement, CDC will 
     provide advance notification to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate 
     if it does not follow the policy, funding source, and levels 
     described in its budget request.
       CDC Director's Discretionary Fund.--The CDC Director shall 
     provide timely semi-annual reports on all obligations made 
     with the CDC Director's Discretionary Fund to the Committees 
     on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 
     Senate and post the end of the year report online within 30 
     days after it is submitted to such Committees.
       CDC Laboratory Safety and Training.--The agreement notes 
     that CDC established a Laboratory Safety Review Board (LSRB) 
     to conduct safety reviews of laboratory protocols for work in 
     biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) and biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) 
     laboratories. CDC is directed to provide an annual report 
     beginning in April 2016 that identifies the total number of 
     CDC laboratories operated or maintained by CDC with a 
     breakout for all labs, BSL-3 labs, and BSL-4 labs. For each 
     category, it should identify the number of employees in each 
     category of laboratory, the number of Standard Operating 
     Procedures (SOPs), the number of employees who attended the 
     new biological risk assessments training in the past year, 
     and the number of SOPs reviewed annually by the LSRB. In 
     addition, the fiscal year 2017 budget request shall provide a 
     detailed update on activities that enhance and support CDC 
     laboratory safety and training.
       Cross-cutting Coordination with NIH.--CDC is expected to 
     provide an update in the fiscal year 2017 budget request on 
     how CDC's programs coordinate with NIH Institutes and Centers 
     to share scientific gaps related to activities supported in 
     NIH research portfolios, reduce duplication of effort, and 
     prevent overlapping core mission focus area.
       Individual Learning Accounts (ILA).--The agreement directs 
     CDC to allow current employees to continue to expend the 
     remainder of their ILA balances for employee training. In 
     addition, the agreement directs each program to use available 
     resources to provide employee training for all employees, in 
     lieu of the previously congressionally directed ILA program. 
     The CDC Director shall provide an annual report, no later 
     than 60 days after the end of the fiscal year, on the 
     cumulative dollar amount spent on CDC employee training 
     activities for the recently closed fiscal year and prior 
     three fiscal years.
       Laboratories.--The CDC is directed to provide a specific 
     CDC-wide consolidated laboratory funding table in the fiscal 
     year 2017 budget and future budget requests. The single 
     consolidated table shall (at a minimum) identify for each 
     Center and its specific program activities that fund 
     laboratory activity, funding levels provided to State, 
     Regional, and other laboratory activity requested, for the 
     current, and prior three budget years. It should include a 
     narrative section describing CDC's process to coordinate the 
     various laboratory funding activities across the Centers to 
     support laboratory capabilities, upgrades, and other related 
     initiatives that are linked to measurable laboratory goals 
     and objectives across CDC. The agreement urges CDC to work 
     with its State and Regional laboratory partners to explore 
     ways to consolidate, streamline, and improve the ability for 
     laboratories to most effectively utilize CDC provided funds.
       Respirator Certification Program.--CDC has been operating 
     the Respirator Certification Program since 1972. Under 
     Federal law, this program must be self-sustaining, and CDC 
     must recover the entire costs of services provided for the 
     examination, inspection, and testing of respirators. The 
     agreement includes language allowing CDC to have an 
     additional fiscal year to spend user fees collected late in 
     the year through the Respirator Certification program.
       Reoccurring Reports.--The agreement notes the scope of the 
     reoccurring reports language in Senate Report 114-74 is 
     limited to free standing reports requested prior to fiscal 
     year 2012 but not information requested for inclusion in the 
     annual budget request.

[[Page H10285]]

       Sodium Consumption.--The agreement notes that a growing 
     body of evidence suggests low sodium consumption can lead to 
     health problems in healthy individuals. The U.S. and Canadian 
     governments each established Federal Dietary Reference Intake 
     (DRI) Committees that work to identify DRI needs and 
     coordinate government sponsorship of DRI reviews. The DRI's 
     reflect nutrient reference values, and are based on 
     significant, new, and relevant data. In August 2014, four 
     nutrient areas for updated DRIs were selected, including 
     sodium. The agreement requests an update in the fiscal year 
     2017 budget request on the timeline and plan for the update 
     of the DRI for sodium.
       Public Health Leadership and Supporting Details.--The 
     agreement reiterates the request from last year and directs 
     the CDC Director to include in the fiscal year 2017 and 
     future budget requests specific details of each budget 
     activity supported with these funds, including functions, 
     mission, full time employees, bonus, travel costs, and other 
     typical object class data and information for each separate 
     activity supported through the Public Health Leadership and 
     Support funding line.

                     National Institutes of Health

       The agreement provides $32,084,000,000 for NIH activities 
     within the jurisdiction of this bill, an increase of 
     $2,000,000,000. The agreement also includes the budget 
     request of $200,000,000 for the new Precision Medicine 
     Initiative (PMI); an increase of $350,000,000 for Alzheimer's 
     disease research; an increase of $85,000,000 for the Brain 
     Research through Application of Innovative Neurotechnologies 
     (BRAIN) Initiative; an increase of $100,000,000 for research 
     to combat Antimicrobial Resistance; and an increase to every 
     Institute and Center (IC) to continue investments in 
     innovative research that will advance fundamental knowledge 
     and speed the development of new therapies, diagnostics, and 
     preventive measures to improve the health of all Americans.
       The agreement expects NIH to support the number of Ruth L. 
     Kirschstein National Research Service Awards and other 
     training grants in proportion to at least the general IC 
     level funding increase. The agreement expects NIH to provide 
     a stipend level and inflationary increases to grantees that 
     is at least consistent with any fiscal year 2016 Federal 
     employee pay raise.
       The agreement continues to support the Clinical and 
     Translational Science Awards program, the Institutional 
     Development Award program, and the follow-on to the National 
     Children's Study in bill language.
       The Common Fund is supported as a set-aside within the 
     Office of the Director at $675,639,000, which includes 
     $130,000,000 for PMI and $12,600,000 to support pediatric 
     research as authorized by the Gabriella Miller Kids First 
     Research Act.


                    NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE (NCI)

       Kidney Cancer.--The agreement encourages support of 
     meritorious scientific research on kidney cancer, 
     specifically early detection of the disease. The agreement 
     encourages the NCI to support a Specialized Program of 
     Research Excellence in kidney cancer and other research 
     programs for subtypes of kidney cancer, such as papillary and 
     chromophobe. NCI should provide an update on these efforts in 
     the fiscal year 2017 budget request.


    NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE (NINDS)

       Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC).--The agreement 
     notes AHC is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterized 
     by repeated episodes of weakness or paralysis that may affect 
     one side of the body or the other. It is one of several 
     diseases caused by mutations in the gene ATP1A3. Recently NIH 
     participated in the 4th Symposium on ATP1A3 in Disease. The 
     agreement encourages NINDS to support promising research on 
     AHC and the gene mutation ATP1A3 and to provide a summary of 
     the recent symposium and associated recommendations in the 
     fiscal year 2017 budget request.
       Hydrocephalus Research.--In June 2014, NINDS held a 
     conference ``Hydrocephalus: Myths, New Facts, Clear 
     Directions''' that in part updated the 2005 state of the 
     science on hydrocephalus research. The agreement requests 
     NINDS provide a summary of the conference workshop and 
     associated recommendations in the fiscal year 2017 budget 
     request.


     NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES (NIAID)

       Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).--The agreement provides the 
     requested increase of $100,000,000 for AMR research. The 
     NIAID is directed to work with the Biomedical Advanced 
     Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to develop a joint 
     plan to address the serious threat of antimicrobial 
     resistance. NIAID is also directed to work with the Assistant 
     Secretary for Preparedness and Response on the five-year 
     spending plan for the medical countermeasure (MCM) 
     enterprise, which should provide additional detail on NIAID's 
     biodefense activities, including priorities for MCM 
     candidates in its portfolio and efforts to transition these 
     projects to advanced research at BARDA. The agreement also 
     directs the Department of Health and Human Services to work 
     with the Departments of Defense, Agriculture, Veterans 
     Affairs, and the Food and Drug Administration to both track 
     and store AMR genes and the mobile genetic elements from AMR 
     bacteria. The Secretary is directed to include an update in 
     the fiscal year 2017 budget request on the Administration's 
     progress in implementing the National Strategy for Combating 
     Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria.


         NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES (NIGMS)

       Institutional Development Award (IDeA).--The agreement 
     provides a significant increase to the IDeA program in 
     recognition of its success. The agreement anticipates NIH 
     will maintain at least this percentage in subsequent budget 
     requests. It also reflects the disappointment of the 
     Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives 
     and the Senate that NIH ignored Congressional language in 
     last year's explanatory statement to provide a legislative 
     plan to update eligibility criteria for the IDeA program. The 
     agreement restates the direction in last year's explanatory 
     statement to report to the Committees on Appropriations of 
     the House of Representatives and the Senate within 60 days 
     after enactment of this Act legislative language to update 
     eligibility criteria that specifically incorporates the 
     Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research 
     qualifying States into IDeA's criteria.


                   NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING (NIA)

       Alzheimer's Disease.--The agreement includes $936,000,000, 
     an increase of $350,000,000 above fiscal year 2015, for high 
     quality research on Alzheimer's disease, subject to the 
     scientific opportunity presented in the peer review process. 
     In 2012, the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease was 
     released to address the major challenges Alzheimer's disease 
     will pose by 2025. Since then, although Alzheimer's research 
     has received annual increases for federally funded research, 
     it is still funded significantly below the annual level 
     needed to accomplish the goal of the National Plan. NIA is 
     encouraged to continue addressing the research goals set 
     forth in the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease, as 
     well as the recommendations from the Alzheimer's Disease 
     Research Summit in 2015.


  NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON MINORITY HEALTH AND HEALTH DISPARITIES (NIMHD)

       Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMIs).--The 
     agreement continues to support RCMIs and expects the RCMIs to 
     receive no less than $56,758,601, which is the fiscal year 
     2015 level plus the proportional share of the general 
     increase provided to NIMHD.


      NATIONAL CENTER FOR ADVANCING TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCES (NCATS)

       Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA).--The 
     agreement provides $500,000,000 for the CTSA program, an 
     increase of $25,254,000 above fiscal year 2015, to implement 
     the recommendations from the 2013 Institute of Medicine 
     report on CTSA. In particular, the agreement supports the 
     goal of using CTSA to build networking capacity and support 
     for innovative collaborative projects. Additional funding is 
     included to allow the program to retain its merit-based CTSA 
     funding to institutions while expanding the network capacity 
     to conduct multi-site clinical studies and collaborative 
     projects.


                      OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR (OD)

       The agreement provides, to the extent practicable, to all 
     the offices and functions within the OD an increase equal to 
     the general increase provided to the ICs of approximately 4 
     percent. The agreement maintains the NIH Director's 
     Discretionary Fund, Challenge Fund and NIH Foundation level 
     at the fiscal year 2015 levels.
       Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act.--The agreement 
     continues bill language for specific funds authorized by the 
     Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act within the Common 
     Fund to support the second year of the 10-year Pediatric 
     Research Initiative. The agreement encourages NIH to 
     prioritize research relating to childhood cancer within the 
     program and requests an update in the fiscal year 2017 budget 
     request on the 10-year program, planned activities, and on-
     going research.
       Capstone Awards.--NIH is exploring the establishment of new 
     grants, called Capstone Awards that could promote partnership 
     between a senior and junior investigator or provide 
     opportunities for acquiring skills needed for transitioning 
     to a new role. The agreement requests an update in the fiscal 
     year 2017 budget request on these efforts, including NIH's 
     consultations with internal and external constituencies with 
     a stake in this potential endeavor.
       Common Fund.--The agreement notes continued support for the 
     Common Fund High Risk High Reward (HRHR) programs, such as 
     the Pioneer, New Innovator, and the Transformative R01 
     awards. The HRHR awards have shown great success over the 
     years. The agreement requests an update in the fiscal year 
     2017 budget request on how HRHR awards are supported through 
     the Common Fund and across the NIH ICs.
       Director's Discretionary Fund (DDF).--The NIH Director 
     shall provide timely semi-annual reports on all obligations 
     made with the NIH DDF to the Committees on Appropriations of 
     the House of Representatives and the Senate and post the end 
     of the year report online within 30 days after it is 
     submitted to such Committees.
     Multi-institute Research Issues
       Anhydramnios.--To augment knowledge about anhydramnios and 
     related conditions, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National 
     Institute for Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) is 
     planning a science workshop on the biology, pathophysiology, 
     and clinical aspects of amniotic fluid abnormalities. It is 
     expected to focus on mechanisms of

[[Page H10286]]

     production and regulation of amniotic fluid, possible causes 
     of anhydramnios, neonatal outcomes, and early diagnostic and 
     treatment approaches, identifying knowledge gaps for future 
     research. The agreement requests an update in the fiscal year 
     2017 budget request on the timeline for the workshop and its 
     relationship to Human Placenta Project.
       BRAIN Initiative.--The agreement continues to strongly 
     support the BRAIN Initiative. The bill provides $150,000,000, 
     an increase of $85,000,000 above fiscal year 2015, to be 
     pooled from various ICs.
       Coordination with CDC.--NIH is expected to provide an 
     update in the fiscal year 2017 budget request on how NIH's 
     ICs and programs coordinate with the CDC Centers and programs 
     on cross-cutting initiatives, ensuring they avoid duplication 
     of effort.
       Basic Biomedical Research.--The agreement urges the NIH 
     Director to continue the traditional focus on basic 
     biomedical research. The purpose of NIH basic research is to 
     discover the nature and mechanics of disease, and identify 
     potential therapeutic avenues likely to lead to its 
     prevention and treatment. Without this early scientific 
     investigation, future development of treatments and cures 
     would be impossible. Basic biomedical research must remain a 
     key component of both the intramural and extramural research 
     portfolio at the NIH. The agreement requests NIH provide an 
     update in the fiscal year 2017 budget request on steps NIH 
     plans to take to ensure the traditional focus on basic 
     science is preserved.
       Child Abuse and Neglect.--The agreement commends the NIH 
     and NICHD Pediatric Trauma and Critical Illness Branch's new 
     initiative to form CAPSTONE Centers for Multidisciplinary 
     Research and Training in Child Abuse and Neglect. The 
     agreement encourages all relevant ICs to ensure reviewers 
     with knowledge and expertise of the subject are included on 
     appropriate peer review committees.
       Enhanced NIH Reporting on Research Spending by Disease and 
     Affected Populations.--The agreement reiterates the direction 
     identified in the fiscal year 2015 explanatory statement for 
     NIH to make public, on an annual basis, enhanced Research, 
     Condition, and Disease Categorization (RCDC) spending data 
     with the number of Americans affected by each category of 
     disease according to CDC or other federally-sourced data. The 
     agreement directs NIH to include this data as a column for 
     each category row on the RCDC table page that is available 
     online and not in a separate file linked to the web page. The 
     agreement expects available data to be uploaded within 60 
     days after enactment of this Act. In the rare circumstance, 
     if data is not readily available, NIH shall provide a plan to 
     the Committees on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate within 60 days of enactment of 
     this Act to populate the category before the end of fiscal 
     year 2016. Further, the agreement encourages NIH to add 
     pediatric cardiomyopathy as a RCDC category.
       Grant Review.--The fiscal year 2017 budget request shall 
     provide an update on NIH policies and procedures to ensure 
     appropriate review and approval for grants awarded through 
     the ICs.
       National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).--The 
     agreement includes funding directly to the National Library 
     of Medicine (NLM) for NCBI to meet the challenge of 
     collecting, organizing, analyzing, and disseminating the 
     increasing amounts of data related to research in molecular 
     biology and genomics and to support the deposit of 
     manuscripts in PubMed Central under the NIH Public Access 
     Policy. Providing the increase specifically to NLM, as 
     opposed to previous years where NLM received funding from 
     individual ICs for these activities, should improve funding 
     transparency and enhance NCBI's ability to provide an 
     integrated, genomic resource for biomedical researchers at 
     NIH and around the globe.
       National Children's Study Follow-on.--The agreement 
     commends the efforts of NIH to work with the community to 
     begin to address concerns related to the follow-on to the 
     National Children's Study. The agreement provides funding in 
     the OD and expects NIH to continue to move forward based on 
     the directions provided by the Committees on Appropriations 
     of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
       New Initiatives.--The agreement requests NIH provide a 
     table in the fiscal year 2017 and future budget requests 
     reflecting the current year plus five-year planned funding 
     levels for each of the following initiatives: Building 
     Infrastructure Leading to Diversity, BRAIN, Big Data, PMI, 
     CTSA, AMR, Accelerating Medicines Partnership, Human 
     Microbiome, HRHR, Cures Acceleration Network, Biomedical 
     Workforce, and new initiatives proposed in fiscal year 2017. 
     For each initiative, the table should identify, at a minimum, 
     the planned budget level; a list of participating ICs; 
     linkage to the NIH-wide strategic plan, and percentage of the 
     funds focused on basic science.
       Precision Medicine Initiative (PMI).--The agreement 
     supports the new PMI and provides $70,000,000 to NCI and 
     $130,000,000 in the Common Fund to fund activities in fiscal 
     year 2016.
       Prioritization of Funding.--The agreement expects NIH to 
     consider burden of disease when setting priorities and 
     developing strategic plans across its ICs to address 
     conditions (such as Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, heart 
     disease, and cancer) with significant opportunity to improve 
     the current or future health of the American population by 
     targeting funding toward cures and better treatments. 
     Further, the agreement expects NIH to prioritize funds on 
     medical research discovery over outreach and education. The 
     agreement expects NIH to continue policies to distribute 
     funding based on the merit of researchers' ideas and 
     productivity, and to ensure consistent application of 
     scientific policies between extramural and intramural 
     researchers. The agreement requests NIH provide an update in 
     the fiscal year 2017 budget request on how it plans to use 
     the NIH 5-year scientific strategic plan as part of its 
     resource allocation process to improve the health of the 
     American population.
       Reproducibility of Scientific Methods.--The agreement notes 
     that the gold standard of science is the ability to reproduce 
     a method and finding. There continues to be concern with 
     reports that some published biomedical research cannot be 
     easily reproduced. The agreement expects NIH to continue to 
     stress the importance of experimental rigor and transparency 
     of reporting of research findings to enhance the ability of 
     others to replicate them. To the extent practicable, the 
     agreement requests an update in the fiscal year 2017 budget 
     request on how NIH is measuring the effectiveness of each 
     step NIH has taken to develop and implement best practice 
     guidelines to better facilitate the conduct of replicable 
     research and research transparency in the reporting of 
     methods and findings.
       Science Education.--The Science Education Partnership 
     Awards (SEPA) fosters important connections between 
     biomedical researchers and K-12 teachers and their students. 
     These connections establish an education pipeline to careers 
     in biomedical sciences, which is one of the most important 
     areas of workforce development for the U.S. economy. 
     Therefore, NIH is directed to continue funding the SEPA 
     program at no less than last year's level.
       Trisomy.--The agreement encourages the NIH to explore the 
     molecular, cellular, and physiological mechanisms that 
     predestine individuals born with a third copy of human 
     chromosome 21 (trisomy 21) to either live with--or be 
     protected from--a range of diseases that cause nearly 60 
     percent of deaths today in the U.S. The agreement requests 
     that NIH submit a report within one year of enactment of this 
     Act to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate on the feasibility of a multi-
     year study of children and adults with trisomy 21.
       Undiagnosed Disease Program (UDP).--The agreement continues 
     support for the Undiagnosed Disease Network within the UDP, 
     and requests an update in the fiscal year 2017 budget request 
     on steps NIH has taken to accelerate discovery and innovation 
     in the way we diagnose and treat patients with previously 
     undiagnosed diseases, including its efforts to support data 
     collection and sharing within the research community. 
     Further, NIH is encouraged to explore public/private 
     partnership opportunities and other ways to expand the impact 
     of the program.

       Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

       The agreement continues bill language directing the 
     Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health 
     Services Administration (SAMHSA) to exempt the Mental Health 
     Block Grant and the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment 
     (SAPT) Block Grant from being used as a source for the PHS 
     evaluation set-aside in fiscal year 2016, as was done prior 
     to fiscal year 2012.


                             MENTAL HEALTH

       Within the total provided for Mental Health Programs of 
     Regional and National Significance (PRNS), the agreement 
     includes the following amounts:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            FY 2016
                   Budget Activity                         Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity:
    Seclusion & Restraint............................         $1,147,000
    Youth Violence Prevention........................         23,099,000
    Project Aware State Grants.......................         49,902,000
    Mental Health First Aid..........................         14,963,000
    Healthy Transitions..............................         19,951,000
    National Traumatic Stress Network................         46,887,000
    Children and Family Programs.....................          6,458,000
    Consumer and Family Network Grants...............          4,954,000
    Mental Health System Transformation and Health             3,779,000
     Reform..........................................
    Project LAUNCH...................................         34,555,000
    Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration...         49,877,000
    National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.........          2,000,000
    Suicide Lifeline.................................          7,198,000
    Garrett Lee Smith--Youth Suicide Prevention--             35,427,000
     States..........................................
    Garrett Lee Smith--Youth Suicide Prevention--              6,488,000
     Campus..........................................
    American Indian and Alaskan Native Suicide                 2,931,000
     Prevention Initiative...........................
    Homelessness Prevention Programs.................         30,696,000
    Tribal Behavioral Grants.........................         15,000,000
    Minority AIDS....................................          9,224,000
    Criminal and Juvenile Justice Programs...........          4,269,000
    Assisted Outpatient Treatment....................         15,000,000
Science and Service:
    Garrett Lee Smith--Suicide Prevention Resource             5,988,000
     Center..........................................
    Practice Improvement and Training................          7,828,000
    Primary/Behavioral Health Integration T.A........          1,991,000
    Consumer & Consumer Support T.A. Centers.........          1,918,000
    Minority Fellowship Program......................          8,059,000
    Disaster Response................................          1,953,000
    Homelessness.....................................          2,296,000
    HIV/AIDS Education...............................            771,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Mental Health Programs.--SAMHSA is directed to work with 
     the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in implementing 
     the recommendations provided in GAO report GAO-15-113 and 
     GAO-15-405 issued in February and May of 2015, respectively. 
     The agreement directs SAMHSA to provide a detailed update and 
     timeline on the progress of these recommendations 90 days 
     after enactment of this Act. Furthermore, the agreement 
     directs SAMHSA to develop a grants

[[Page H10287]]

     compliance plan that will ensure that SAMHSA's grants process 
     is in accordance with the Department's grants manual. The 
     compliance plan shall include periodic, and random, internal 
     audits of grant files to confirm all the necessary 
     documentation is accounted for and that the compliance plan 
     is meeting its objectives. SAMHSA shall provide any 
     additional grants training necessary to prevent these issues 
     from arising in the future.
       Mental Health Block Grants.--The agreement includes a 
     $50,000,000 increase over fiscal year 2015 for the Mental 
     Health Block Grant program and increases the set-aside to 10 
     percent for evidence-based programs that address the needs of 
     individuals with early serious mental illness, including 
     psychotic disorders. The increase to the set-aside for 
     serious mental illness is fully offset by the additional 
     funds provided to the Mental Health Block Grant program. 
     Furthermore, after taking into account the offset funds for 
     serious mental illness activities, the balance of the 
     increase to the block grants will provide over $20,000,000 in 
     additional funds to States and territories through their 
     traditional formula grants. The agreement directs SAMHSA to 
     continue its collaboration with NIMH to ensure that funds 
     from the set-aside are only used for programs showing strong 
     evidence of effectiveness and targets the first episode of 
     psychosis. SAMHSA shall not expand the use of the set-aside 
     to programs outside of those that address first episode 
     psychosis. Within six months after enactment of this Act, the 
     agreement directs SAMHSA to provide a detailed table showing 
     at a minimum each State's allotment, name of the program 
     being implemented, and a short description of the program.
       Project AWARE.--The agreement supports the continuation of 
     Project AWARE which increases awareness of mental health 
     issues and connects young people with behavioral health 
     issues and their families with needed services. Of the amount 
     provided for Project AWARE, the agreement provides an 
     additional $10,000,000 for discretionary grants to 
     communities that have recently faced civil unrest. These 
     grants should focus on high risk youth and family populations 
     in these communities and surrounding areas that have 
     experienced significant exposure to trauma and can benefit 
     from additional evidence-based violence prevention and 
     community youth engagement programs as well as linkages to 
     trauma-informed behavioral health services. SAMHSA should 
     prioritize funding grants from communities that have formed 
     partnerships between key stakeholders including State and 
     local governments (including multiple cities and counties if 
     impacted); public or private universities and colleges; and 
     non-profit community- and faith-based organizations. The 
     agreement includes related funding in the Department of 
     Education. The Department of Education and SAMHSA should 
     coordinate extensively in the administration of these 
     resources.
       Childhood Trauma.--The agreement appreciates SAMHSA's 
     ongoing support of the National Child Traumatic Stress 
     Network. A recent report, Childhood Adversity Narratives, 
     makes clear that childhood trauma is an all-encompassing and 
     costly national public health problem contributing directly 
     to serious mental and medical conditions. The agreement 
     encourages SAMHSA to more broadly disseminate information 
     regarding evidence-based interventions for the prevention and 
     treatment of childhood trauma so more children can benefit 
     from proven practices.
       Assisted Outpatient Treatment.--The agreement includes 
     $15,000,000 to implement section 224 of the Protecting Access 
     to Medicare Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-93), the Assisted 
     Outpatient Treatment Grant Program for Individuals with 
     Serious Mental Illness (AOT). The agreement recognizes that 
     nearly half of individuals with schizophrenia or bipolar 
     disorder do not recognize they have a mental illness, making 
     it exceedingly difficult for them to follow through on a 
     treatment regimen. The AOT program will work with families 
     and courts to allow these individuals to obtain treatment 
     while continuing to live in their communities and homes. AOT 
     has been proven to reduce the imprisonment, homelessness and 
     emergency room visit rate among this population by 70 
     percent. The agreement requests a report in the fiscal year 
     2017 budget request on the planned uses of this $15,000,000.


                       SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT

       Within the total provided for Substance Abuse Treatment 
     Programs of Regional and National Significance, the agreement 
     includes the following amounts:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            FY 2016
                   Budget Activity                         Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity:
    Opioid Treatment Programs/Regulatory Activities..         $8,724,000
    Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral, and              44,889,000
     Treatment.......................................
        PHS Evaluation Funds.........................          2,000,000
    Targeted Capacity Expansion--General.............         36,303,000
    Pregnant and Postpartum Women....................         15,931,000
    Recovery Community Services Program..............          2,434,000
    Children and Families............................         29,605,000
    Treatment Systems for Homeless...................         41,304,000
    Minority AIDS....................................         65,570,000
    Criminal Justice Activities......................         78,000,000
Science and Service:
    Addiction Technology Transfer Centers............          9,046,000
    Minority Fellowship Program......................          3,539,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Targeted Capacity Expansion.--The agreement provides 
     $36,303,000 for Targeted Capacity Expansion activities. The 
     agreement provides $25,000,000, an increase of $13,000,000, 
     to expand services that address prescription drug abuse and 
     heroin use in high-risk communities. The funding provided 
     will increase the number of States that receive funding from 
     11 to 22, and SAMHSA should target States with the highest 
     rates of admissions and that have demonstrated a dramatic 
     increase in admissions for the treatment of opioid use 
     disorders. The United States has seen a 500 percent increase 
     in admissions for treatment for prescription drug abuse since 
     2000. Moreover, according to a recent study, 28 States saw an 
     increase in admissions for treatment for heroin dependence 
     during the past two years. The Center for Substance Abuse 
     Treatment is directed to include as an allowable use 
     medication-assisted treatment and other clinically 
     appropriate services to achieve and maintain abstinence from 
     all opioids and heroin and prioritize treatment regimens that 
     are less susceptible to diversion for illicit purposes.
       Since the passage of the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 
     2000, SAMHSA has led the nation in educating physicians, 
     patients and treatment systems on the use of medication-
     assisted treatment. To keep pace with advancements in science 
     and research, the agreement directs SAMHSA to update all of 
     its public-facing information and treatment locators such 
     that all evidence-based innovations in counseling, recovery 
     support, and abstinence-based relapse prevention medication-
     assisted treatments are fully incorporated.
       Criminal Justice Activities.--The agreement provides 
     $78,000,000 for Criminal Justice Activities and directs that 
     no less than $60,000,000 will be used exclusively for Drug 
     Court activities. SAMHSA is directed to ensure that all Drug 
     Treatment Court funding is allocated to serve people 
     diagnosed with a substance use disorder as their primary 
     condition. SAMHSA is further directed to ensure that all drug 
     treatment court grant recipients work directly with the 
     corresponding State substance abuse agency in the planning, 
     implementation, and evaluation of the grant. SAMHSA is 
     further directed to expand training and technical assistance 
     to drug treatment court grant recipients to ensure evidence-
     based practices are fully implemented.


                       SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION

       Within the total provided for Substance Abuse Prevention 
     Programs of Regional and National Significance, the agreement 
     includes the following amounts:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            FY 2016
                   Budget Activity                         Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capacity:
    Strategic Prevention Framework/Partnerships for         $109,484,000
     Success.........................................
    Strategic Prevention Framework Rx................         10,000,000
    Grants to Prevent Prescription Drug/Opioid                12,000,000
     Overdose........................................
    Mandatory Drug Testing...........................          4,894,000
    Minority AIDS....................................         41,205,000
    Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking (STOP          7,000,000
     Act)............................................
        National Adult-Oriented Media Public Service           1,000,000
         Campaign....................................
        Community-based Coalition Enhancement Grants.          5,000,000
        Intergovernmental Coordinating Committee on            1,000,000
         the Prevention of Underage Drinking.........
    Tribal Behavioral Health Grants..................         15,000,000
Science and Service:
    Center for the Application of Prevention                   7,493,000
     Technologies....................................
    Science and Service Program Coordination.........          4,072,000
    Minority Fellowship Program......................             71,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       The agreement directs that all of the funding appropriated 
     explicitly for substance abuse prevention purposes both in 
     the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention's PRNS lines as 
     well as the funding from the 20 percent prevention set-aside 
     in the SAPT Block Grant be used only for bona fide substance 
     abuse prevention programs and not for any other purpose.
       Combating Opioid Abuse.--The agreement provides $12,000,000 
     for discretionary grants to States to prevent opioid 
     overdose-related deaths. This program will help States equip 
     and train first responders with the use of devices that 
     rapidly reverse the effects of opioids. SAMHSA is directed to 
     ensure applicants outline how proposed activities in the 
     grant would work with treatment and recovery communities in 
     addition to first responders. Furthermore, the agreement 
     provides $10,000,000 for the Strategic Prevention Framework 
     Rx program to increase awareness of opioid abuse and misuse 
     in communities. SAMHSA shall collaborate with CDC to 
     implement the most effective outreach strategy and to reduce 
     duplication of activities.
       Overdose Fatality Prevention.--The agreement reflects 
     strong concerns about the increasing number of unintentional 
     overdose deaths attributable to prescription and 
     nonprescription opioids. SAMHSA is urged to take steps to 
     encourage and support the use of Substance Abuse and 
     Prevention Block Grant funds for opioid safety education and 
     training, including initiatives that improve access for 
     licensed healthcare professionals, including paramedics, to 
     emergency devices used to rapidly reverse the effects of 
     opioid overdoses. Such initiatives should incorporate robust 
     evidence-based intervention training, and facilitate linkage 
     to treatment and recovery services.


                HEALTH SURVEILLANCE AND PROGRAM SUPPORT

       Within the total provided for health surveillance and 
     program support, the agreement includes the following 
     amounts:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            FY 2016
                   Budget Activity                         Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Health Surveillance..................................        $16,830,000
    PHS Evaluation Fund..............................         30,428,000
Program Management...................................         79,559,000

[[Page H10288]]

 
Performance and Quality Info. Systems................         12,918,000
Public Awareness and Support.........................         15,571,000
Behavioral Health Workforce..........................         50,000,000
Behavioral Health Workforce Data.....................                  0
    PHS Evaluation Fund..............................          1,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training.--
     Eligible entities for this program shall include accredited 
     programs that train Master's level social workers, 
     psychologists, counselors, marriage and family therapists, 
     psychology doctoral interns, as well as behavioral health 
     paraprofessionals. The agreement directs SAMHSA to share 
     information concerning pending grant opportunity 
     announcements with State licensing organizations and all the 
     relevant professional associations. Furthermore, SAMHSA is 
     directed to ensure that funding is distributed relatively 
     equally among the participating health professions and to 
     consider strategies such as issuing separate funding 
     opportunity announcements for each participating health 
     profession. In addition, the agreement directs SAMHSA to 
     include doctoral psychology schools in the funding 
     opportunities to support doctoral level students completing 
     their practicums, which are necessary to move on to 
     internships. Awards shall be given to meritorious 
     applications for doctoral psychology interns first, before 
     doctoral psychology schools applying to support practicums.

               Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality


                    HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AND QUALITY

       The agreement provides $334,000,000 for the Agency for 
     Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Within the total for 
     Health Costs, Quality, and Outcomes, the agreement includes 
     the following amounts:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            FY 2016
                   Budget Activity                         Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Patient-Centered Health Research.....................                 $0
Prevention/Care Management...........................         11,649,000
Health Information Technology (IT)...................         21,500,000
    Health IT to Improve Quality.....................         19,000,000
Patient Safety Research..............................         74,253,000
    Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Prevention         37,253,000
    Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria..........         10,000,000
    Healthcare Delivery Systems......................         10,000,000
Crosscutting Activities Related to Quality,                   89,398,000
 Effectiveness and Efficiency Research...............
    Health Services Contract/IAA Research............         14,000,000
    Health Services Research Grants (Non Investigator-         6,000,000
     Initiated)......................................
    Investigator-Initiated Research Grants...........         47,398,000
Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.....................         66,000,000
Program Management...................................         71,200,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       The agreement expects AHRQ to focus its research on its 
     traditional mission, such as improving patient safety and 
     preventing healthcare associated infections.
       Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (CARB).--The 
     agreement recognizes the importance of developing scientific 
     based approaches related to CARB. The AHRQ is directed to 
     work closely with BARDA, CDC, and NIAID and coordinate with 
     other government-wide agencies like the Departments of 
     Defense, Agriculture, and Veterans Affairs, to leverage 
     resources toward this end. These activities should have 
     coordinated goals and measurable objectives to best leverage 
     the funds provided. The agreement requests an update in the 
     fiscal year 2017 budget request on the planned activity.
       Investigator-Initiated Research.--The agreement provides 
     increased support for investigator-initiated research. 
     Investigator-initiated research should not be targeted to any 
     specific area of health services research so as to generate 
     the best unsolicited ideas from the research community about 
     a wide variety of topics.
       Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT).--The agreement 
     requests an update in the fiscal year 2017 budget request on 
     activity AHRQ supports related to MAT.

               Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services


                           PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

       The agreement includes $3,669,744,000 for the Program 
     Management account to support a broad range of activities 
     including claims processing and program safeguard activities 
     performed by Medicare contractors.
       Critical Access Hospitals (CAH).--The agreement continues 
     to note concerns about the proposal to eliminate CAH status 
     from facilities located less than 10 miles from another 
     hospital and reducing the reimbursement rate from 101 to 100 
     percent on the hospitals to properly provide care to local 
     residents. The agreement directs the Centers for Medicare & 
     Medicaid Services (CMS) to engage with CAH facilities to 
     assess the impact of the proposed reimbursement reduction and 
     provide a report within 180 days of enactment of this Act to 
     the appropriate Committees of the House of Representatives 
     and the Senate on the impact of the proposed rate reduction 
     from the perspective of the CAH ability to fully operate if 
     the reduction is implemented.
       Health Insurance Exchange Transparency.--The agreement 
     continues to include bill language in section 223 that 
     requires CMS to provide cost information for the following 
     categories: Federal Payroll and Other Administrative Costs; 
     Exchange-related Information Technology (IT); Non-IT Program 
     Costs, including Health Plan Benefit and Rate Review, 
     Exchange Oversight, Payment and Financial Management, 
     Eligibility and Enrollment; Consumer Information and 
     Outreach, including the Call Center, Navigator Grants and 
     Consumer Education and Outreach; Exchange Quality Review; 
     Small Business Health Options Program and Employer 
     Activities; and Other Exchange Activities. Cost information 
     should be provided for each fiscal year since the enactment 
     of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 
     111-148). CMS is also required to include the estimated costs 
     for fiscal year 2017.
       Medicare Advantage in the Territories.--The agreement is 
     concerned with the lack of availability of data to accurately 
     calculate Medicare Advantage payments in the territories. The 
     Secretary is directed to examine the unique costs associated 
     with delivering care in the territories and submit a report 
     to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate within 120 days on 
     availability of data for determining Medicare Advantage 
     payments in the territories.
       Prescription Drug Report.--The agreement directs the 
     Secretary of HHS in consultation with the Secretary of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs, to submit a report to the 
     Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives 
     and the Senate, using data only available under current law 
     that is not proprietary, not later than 180 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act to which this explanatory 
     statement pertains regarding the following topics, as 
     described further below: price changes of prescription drugs 
     (net of rebates) since 2003; access to prescription drugs by 
     patients in the four programs listed below; health outcomes 
     and patient satisfaction with care in the four programs 
     listed below; and an analysis of the current cost and length 
     of time necessary to bring new drugs to market.
       The report should include prescription drug prices (net of 
     rebates) paid by Federal programs for the 10 most frequently 
     prescribed drugs and the 10 highest-cost drugs under the 
     following programs:
       1. The Medicare program under part B of title XVIII of the 
     Social Security Act.
       2. The Medicare prescription drug program under part D of 
     title XVIII of the Social Security Act.
       3. The Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social 
     Security Act.
       4. The Department of Veterans Affairs.
       In addition, the report should include total annual 
     prescription drug costs (net of rebates) to the Medicare 
     program under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security 
     Act, the Medicare prescription drug program under part D of 
     title XVIII of such Act, the Medicaid program under title XIX 
     of such Act, and the Department of Veterans Affairs as a 
     percentage of total health care program expenditures. The 
     report shall make note that the total annual prescription 
     drugs costs do not adjust for biomedical inflation. The 
     Secretary of HHS shall review how the Federal Government has 
     achieved cost reductions for drugs since 2001.
       The report should also include an evaluation of access to 
     prescription drugs by the four programs listed above, 
     measured consistently across each program using one or more 
     metrics that are generally accepted by healthcare 
     professionals and health policy experts as reliable and 
     appropriate measures of patient access to prescription drugs. 
     The evaluation of patient access shall take into account the 
     extent to which each program uses: formularies (including the 
     breadth and adequacy of such formularies); utilization 
     management techniques; and the average interval between the 
     time a patient attempts to fill a prescription and receipt of 
     the prescription drug, as applicable.
       The report should also include an evaluation of patient 
     satisfaction with care (based on a survey with statistically 
     significant results) and of patient outcomes in the four 
     programs listed above, measured consistently across these 
     programs using one or more metrics that are generally 
     accepted by healthcare professionals and health policy 
     experts as reliable and appropriate measures of patient 
     health outcomes and patient satisfaction with care, 
     respectively.
       Finally, the report should include an analysis of the 
     current cost and length of time necessary to bring new drugs 
     to market including the impact of biomedical inflation.
       Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs).--The agreement 
     reiterates the fiscal year 2015 explanatory statement 
     language directing HHS to take steps to improve consistency, 
     transparency, and processing of appeals. CMS is encouraged, 
     within the existing authorities, to use offsetting 
     collections it maintains from the RAC program to further 
     educate health care providers on how to reduce errors and 
     take other actions aimed at reducing the backlog of appeals 
     at the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals. The agreement 
     expects audits to be conducted in a manner that is valid and 
     statistically sound and requests CMS to continue to monitor 
     the return on investment for compensating auditors on a 
     contingency fee basis, review contractor audit practices, and 
     provide an update on actions related to these items in the 
     fiscal year 2017 budget request. The agreement reiterates its 
     request for CMS's actuarial data to be included in the annual 
     budget request as noted in the fiscal year 2015 explanatory 
     statement. Finally, CMS is expected to provide the Committees 
     on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 
     Senate a quarterly update from the inter-agency working group 
     actions taken or planned to address the various issues 
     related to the RAC process.
       Risk Corridor Program.--The agreement continues bill 
     language to prevent the CMS Program Management appropriation 
     account from being used to support risk corridor payments. 
     The agreement directs CMS to provide a report starting with 
     plan year 2014 and

[[Page H10289]]

     continuing through the duration of the program to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives 
     and the Senate detailing the receipts and transfer of 
     payments for the Risk Corridor Program.
       State-Based Exchanges (SBEs).--CMS shall ensure that SBEs 
     are not using section 1311 funds for operational expenses 
     which is specifically prohibited by law. SBEs were expected 
     to be self-sustaining by 2015 and were specifically 
     prohibited from using these funds for operational costs after 
     January 1, 2015. The agreement directs CMS to implement the 
     recommendations put forth by the HHS Office of Inspector 
     General (OIG) in their Early Alert Memorandum (A-01-14-02509) 
     issued on April 27, 2015, and expects a detailed report 
     providing an update on these efforts 120 days after enactment 
     of this Act. CMS and the OIG shall immediately notify the 
     Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives 
     and the Senate of any unauthorized use of section 1311 funds 
     along with a detailed report, which shall include how CMS 
     plans to recoup those funds from the State.
       Third Party Premium Assistance.--The agreement is concerned 
     about the CMS Interim Final Rule: Patient Protection and 
     Affordable Care Act; Third Party Payment of Qualified Health 
     Plan Premiums, which allows marketplace insurance plans to 
     prohibit the acceptance of health insurance premium 
     assistance from non-profit organizations. CMS is directed to 
     submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of the 
     House of Representatives and the Senate within 90 days 
     explaining the rationale for excluding non-profit 
     organizations.


              HEALTH CARE FRAUD AND ABUSE CONTROL ACCOUNT

       The agreement includes $681,000,000, to be transferred from 
     the Medicare trust funds, for Health Care Fraud and Abuse 
     Control activities. This includes a base amount of 
     $311,000,000 and an additional $370,000,000 through a budget 
     cap adjustment authorized by section 251(b) of the Balanced 
     Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
       Senior Medicare Patrol Program.--The bill includes language 
     to fully fund the Senior Medicare Patrol Program administered 
     through the Administration for Community Living from the 
     level provided in this account.

                Administration for Children and Families


                     Refugee and Entrant Assistance

       Victims of Trafficking.--The agreement includes $13,000,000 
     for services for foreign national victims, and $5,755,000 to 
     improve services available for U.S. citizens and legal 
     permanent residents. Within the total for Victims of 
     Trafficking, the Department is directed to increase funding 
     for the national human trafficking hotline to help respond to 
     increased call volume and overall need for services.


                CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICES PROGRAMS

       Head Start.--The agreement includes an increase of 
     $294,000,000 in quality improvement funds to support grantees 
     in expanding to full-school-day and full-school-year 
     services. While early childhood research shows that expanded 
     services are associated with better cognitive outcomes, the 
     agreement notes that communities will face logistical and 
     financial challenges moving toward this model. Since the 
     recommendation is less than the amount requested to move all 
     programs to full day/full year services, the Department is 
     expected to prioritize grantees that volunteer for this 
     expansion and can do so in a way that limits disruption to 
     existing programs and services. The Department is directed to 
     provide technical assistance to grantees and carefully 
     monitor issues that arise as grantees implement the expanded 
     service model.
       Early Head Start Expansion/Child Care Partnerships.--The 
     agreement includes a $135,000,000 increase for expanding 
     Early Head Start (EHS), including through EHS-Child Care 
     Partnerships. The agreement reflects support for EHS-Child 
     Care Partnerships, which is a promising model that 
     significantly expands on what many high-quality providers 
     were already doing in their communities. However, EHS-Child 
     Care Partnerships will not be viable in every community. 
     Prioritizing this one model will limit the pool of 
     competitive applicants, particularly in rural communities, 
     and discourage the expansion of Early Head Start programs 
     designed to meet the needs of their local communities. This 
     new fiscal year 2016 funding, whether for expansion, 
     conversion, or partnerships, should give equal priority to 
     each model and be awarded based on how effectively the model 
     design fits the needs of the local community.
       Runaway and Homeless Youth Program.--The agreement does not 
     include funding for the ``Prevalence, Needs and 
     Characteristics of Homeless Youth'' study.
       Child Abuse and Neglect.--The agreement is aware of the 
     recommendations contained within the Institute of Medicine's 
     (IOM) New Directions in Child Abuse and Neglect Research 
     report as well as other federally supported research. The 
     agreement encourages the Administration for Children and 
     Families (ACF), in conjunction with other relevant agencies 
     in HHS, such as NIH or SAMHSA, to synthesize research done by 
     IOM and other federal partners to identify gaps in this area 
     and to develop a peer reviewed approach to address research 
     gaps related to child abuse and neglect.
       Child Welfare Research, Training and Demonstration.--The 
     agreement includes funding within this program to continue 
     the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being.
       Social Services and Income Maintenance Research.--The 
     agreement includes $750,000 for the Secretary to enter into 
     an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to provide 
     an evidence-based, non-partisan analysis of the 
     macroeconomic, health, and crime/social costs of child 
     poverty, to study current efforts aimed at reducing poverty, 
     and to propose recommendations with the goal of reducing the 
     number of children living in poverty in the United States by 
     half in 10 years.
       Native American Programs.--The agreement includes 
     $3,000,000 for the Generation Indigenous initiative focused 
     on improving Native American language instruction across the 
     education continuum.
       Domestic Violence Hotline.--The agreement includes an 
     increase of $3,750,000 for the Hotline. These funds shall be 
     used to develop a tribal hotline, provide additional phone 
     advocates to ensure the Hotline can answer all contacts, and 
     help make the Love Is Respect website a complete resource for 
     teens and youth seeking to prevent and end abusive 
     relationships.
       Faith-Based Center.--The agreement transfers the Center for 
     Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships to the General 
     Departmental Management account under the Office of the 
     Secretary.

                  Administration for Community Living


                 AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES PROGRAMS

       Aging Network Support Activities.--The agreement provides 
     $9,961,000 for Aging Network Support Activities. The 
     agreement includes $2,500,000 to help provide supportive 
     services for aging Holocaust survivors living in the United 
     States.
       Senior Medicare Patrol Program.--The agreement includes 
     bill language fully funding the Senior Medicare Patrol 
     Program from the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account 
     in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
       Elder Rights Support Activities.--The agreement includes 
     $11,874,000 for Elder Rights Support Activities, of which 
     $8,000,000 is included for the Elder Justice and Adult 
     Protective Services program to provide competitive grants to 
     States to test and evaluate innovative approaches to 
     preventing and responding to elder abuse.
       Traumatic Brain Injury.--The agreement includes bill 
     language transferring the Traumatic Brain Injury program from 
     HRSA to ACL.
       Developmental Disabilities Projects of National 
     Significance.--The agreement includes $643,000 for technical 
     assistance and training for the State Councils on 
     Developmental Disabilities and $1,000,000 to fund 
     transportation assistance activities for older adults and 
     persons with disabilities. The transportation activities 
     should focus on the most cost-effective and sustainable 
     strategies that can be replicated to other communities.
       University Centers for Excellence in Developmental 
     Disabilities.--Within the amount appropriated for the 
     University Centers for Excellence in Developmental 
     Disabilities (UCEDD), the agreement provides no less than the 
     fiscal year 2015 level for technical assistance for the UCEDD 
     network.
       Medicaid-Licensed Intermediate Care Facilities.--There is a 
     nationwide trend towards deinstitutionalization of patients 
     with intellectual or developmental disabilities in favor of 
     community-based settings. The Department is strongly urged to 
     continue to factor the needs and desire of patients, their 
     families, caregivers, and other stakeholders, as well as the 
     need to provide proper settings for care, into its 
     enforcement of the Developmental Disabilities Act. The 
     agreement includes bill language requiring notification of 
     affected individuals of their legal rights in this regard.
       Independent Living.--The agreement provides $101,183,000 
     for the Independent Living program, of which $22,878,000 is 
     for the Independent Living State Grants program and 
     $78,305,000 is for the Centers for Independent Living 
     program.
       Assistive Technology.--The agreement includes $2,000,000 
     for competitive grants as specified in House Report 114-195 
     to accompany H.R. 3020.

                        Office of the Secretary


                    GENERAL DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT

       Breast Cancer Patient Education Campaign.--The agreement 
     directs the Secretary to plan and implement the breast cancer 
     patient education campaign and the annual update in the 
     congressional justification as described in the Senate fiscal 
     year 2016 report (114-74) accompanying S. 1695.
       Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.--To 
     complete the realignment of the Center for Faith-Based and 
     Neighborhood Partnerships from ACF to the Secretary's Office 
     of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, the agreement 
     transfers the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood 
     Partnerships' budget of $1,299,000 from ACF to the General 
     Departmental Management account as requested in the 
     Administration's budget.
       Healthcare and Education Costs of Illegal Immigration.--The 
     agreement directs the Department of Health and Human Services 
     to provide a report to the Committees on Appropriations of 
     the House of Representatives and the Senate on available 
     information regarding the costs borne by State and local 
     governments for providing services to individuals without 
     legal immigration status, including the federal resources 
     from the Department of Health and Human Services that

[[Page H10290]]

     are being used to assist States in fiscal year 2016 to cover 
     these expenses.
       Seafood Sustainability.--The agreement prohibits the 
     Department from using or recommending third party, 
     nongovernmental certification for seafood sustainability.
       Severe Wounds.--The agreement directs the Secretary to 
     conduct the study on the treatment needs of individuals 
     requiring specialized wound care as described in the Senate 
     fiscal year 2016 report (114-74) accompanying S. 1695.
       Lupus Initiative.--The agreement continues to provide 
     $2,000,000 for Lupus activities at the Office of Minority 
     Health (OMH). Within this funding, the agreement includes 
     $1,000,000 to complete the implementation of the health 
     education program in fiscal year 2016 to transition to 
     another priority in the Lupus community. Clinical trial 
     education and successful recruitment of minorities into 
     trials is a significant challenge in the drug development for 
     Lupus. Therefore, OMH shall initiate a program to develop a 
     clinical trial education action plan for Lupus and begin 
     preliminary steps towards implementation of the action plan. 
     OMH shall work with the relevant Lupus stakeholders in this 
     effort. The agreement includes the remaining $1,000,000 for 
     this new initiative, and it should focus on developing 
     public-private and community partnerships, evaluate current 
     minority clinical trial education and participation programs, 
     and development of a research plan for creating new clinical 
     trial education models in lupus. OMH shall provide an update 
     to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate on the progress of this new 
     initiative 120 days after enactment of this Act.
       Office of Women's Health.--The agreement includes 
     $3,100,000 to continue the State partnership initiative to 
     reduce violence against women, which provides funding to 
     State-level public and private health programs to improve 
     healthcare providers' ability to help victims of violence and 
     improve prevention programs.
       Idea lab and Digital Services.--The agreement does not 
     include funding for either the proposed ``Idea lab'' or the 
     Digital Services team.
       Overhead costs.--The agreement continues to direct the 
     Department to include the amount and percentage of 
     administrative and overhead costs spent by the Department for 
     every program, project and activity in the fiscal year 2017 
     justification and each year thereafter.
       Health Reform Oversight.--The agreement directs GAO to 
     conduct a comprehensive review of the process and 
     coordination between HHS and the Department of the Treasury 
     functions with respect to health care subsidies and to make 
     recommendations to prevent improper payments, as outlined in 
     House Report 114-195 to accompany H.R. 3020.
       Quick Health Data.--The agreement directs the Secretary to 
     continue the operation of the Quick Health Data Online 
     system. The Secretary is directed to submit a report to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives 
     and the Senate on the feasibility of moving the online system 
     to another HHS agency.
       Children with Disabilities.--The agreement recognizes the 
     importance of accurate, complete, confidential, and 
     transportable health records, especially for those children 
     most in need of care, such as children with disabilities. The 
     agreement urges the Office of the Assistant Secretary for 
     Health to support a demonstration project to test new and 
     improved methods of providing a patient-centered electronic 
     medical record that is complete and interoperable, secure, 
     and cost effective for children with disabilities.


                OFFICE OF MEDICARE HEARINGS AND APPEALS

       Appeals Backlog.--The substantial backlog in the number of 
     cases pending before the administrative law judges at the 
     Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA) is a serious 
     concern. Specifically, the number of appeals related to RACs 
     has risen dramatically in the past years. The agreement 
     directs OMHA to use the additional funds provided to address 
     the current backlog and requests a spend plan within 45 days 
     after enactment of this Act. OMHA should focus on reducing 
     the backlog of appeals without undermining the accuracy and 
     quality of their decisions. Furthermore, in collaboration 
     with the intra-agency working group focusing on RACs, OMHA 
     shall provide semi-annual updates to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate 
     reflecting the total number of appeals filed, appeals 
     pending, and appeals disposed of for all four levels of the 
     appeal process.


  OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL COORDINATOR FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

       Precision Medicine.--The agreement encourages the 
     coordination and development of data standards necessary to 
     advance the Precision Medicine Initiative.


                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

       The agreement includes $75,000,000 for the HHS Office of 
     Inspector General (OIG) account. The agreement expects the 
     OIG to continue to improve its annual budget request with 
     more details and performance measures related to 
     discretionary oversight.


            PUBLIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES EMERGENCY FUND

       The agreement provides $1,532,958,000 for the Public Health 
     and Social Services Emergency Fund to support a comprehensive 
     program to prepare for and respond to the health and medical 
     consequences of all public health emergencies, including 
     bioterrorism, and support the cybersecurity efforts of HHS.
       Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority 
     (BARDA).--The agreement increases funding for BARDA to 
     support its work on combatting antibiotic resistance (CARB) 
     and other priorities that address chemical, biological, 
     radiological, and nuclear threats. BARDA is directed to work 
     closely with CDC, AHRQ, and NIAID on CARB and coordinate with 
     other government agencies such as the Departments of Defense, 
     Agriculture, and Veterans Affairs, to leverage resources to 
     develop therapeutics. The agreement provides increased 
     support to NIAID and CDC and directs these organizations to 
     jointly work with BARDA on coordinated goals, measurable 
     objectives, and funding plans that will spur research and 
     development on CARB and build laboratory capacity in States. 
     The agreement requests an update in the fiscal year 2017 
     budget request on the joint BARDA, NIAID, and CDC goals and 
     measurable objectives to ensure the best leveraging of the 
     funds provided.
       Centers for Innovation in Advanced Development and 
     Manufacturing (ADM).--The agreement notes BARDA has partnered 
     with private sector entities in recent years to develop 
     centers to improve access to ADM capabilities. To further 
     enhance the Nation's preparedness and response capabilities, 
     BARDA is encouraged to review the ADM network's current 
     access to advanced technological platforms. The review should 
     determine if the existing network includes the necessary mix 
     of technological capabilities to address potential gaps in 
     the medical countermeasure enterprise and to ensure rapid 
     deployment of medical countermeasures.
       Drug Delivery Devices.--The agreement commends the 
     Department's efforts to develop and procure additional 
     medical countermeasures (MCM) on top of the twelve MCMs 
     procured since 2004. However, these MCM's require readily 
     available drug delivery devices. The Department is urged, as 
     practicable, to secure enough injection devices necessary to 
     ensure that these MCMs that require such devices can be 
     delivered to patients in real time.
       Pandemic Influenza Response Activities.--The agreement 
     directs the Department to use available no-year carry over 
     funding along with the resources provided to support the 
     fiscal year 2016 budget request level of requirements to 
     support pandemic influenza activity.
       Treatment Capacity.--There is concern about the 
     sustainability of the highly-pathogenic infectious disease 
     treatment capacity supported by the FY 2015 Ebola emergency 
     appropriations. Without affecting funding set aside for 
     Project BioShield, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness 
     and Response should allocate a portion of the unobligated 
     emergency funds to partially reimburse facilities for 
     renovation and alteration undertaken in preparation for, or 
     in response to, the need to improve preparedness and response 
     capability at the State and local level--as authorized by the 
     FY 2015 Ebola emergency appropriations--to help ensure that 
     such treatment capacity is maintained.

                           General Provisions


              PREVENTION AND PUBLIC HEALTH TRANSFER TABLE

       The agreement includes a provision that directs the 
     transfer of the Prevention and Public Health (PPH) Fund. In 
     fiscal year 2016, the level appropriated for the fund is 
     $932,000,000 after accounting for sequestration. The 
     agreement includes bill language in section 221 of this Act 
     that requires that funds be transferred within 45 days of 
     enactment of this Act to the following accounts, for the 
     following activities, and in the following amounts:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            FY 2016
             Agency                 Budget Activity        Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACL.............................  Alzheimer's Disease        $14,700,000
                                   Prevention
                                   Education and
                                   Outreach.
ACL.............................  Chronic Disease              8,000,000
                                   Self-Management.
ACL.............................  Falls Prevention...          5,000,000
CDC.............................  Breast Feeding               8,000,000
                                   Grants (Hospitals
                                   Promoting
                                   Breastfeeding).
CDC.............................  Diabetes...........         73,000,000
CDC.............................  Epidemiology and            40,000,000
                                   Laboratory
                                   Capacity Grants.
CDC.............................  Healthcare                  12,000,000
                                   Associated
                                   Infections.
CDC.............................  Heart Disease &             73,000,000
                                   Stroke Prevention
                                   Program.
CDC.............................  Million Hearts               4,000,000
                                   Program.
CDC.............................  Office of Smoking          126,000,000
                                   and Health.
CDC.............................  Preventative Health        160,000,000
                                   and Health
                                   Services Block
                                   Grants.
CDC.............................  REACH..............         50,950,000
CDC.............................  Section 317                324,350,000
                                   Immunization
                                   Grants.
CDC.............................  Lead Poisoning              17,000,000
                                   Prevention.
CDC.............................  Early Care                   4,000,000
                                   Collaboratives.
SAMHSA..........................  Suicide Prevention          12,000,000
                                   (Garrett Lee
                                   Smith).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       The agreement modifies a provision requiring advanced 
     Congressional notification of certain public reports.
       The agreement includes a new provision related to expiring 
     HRSA balances.
       The agreement restates a requirement for HHS to conduct an 
     analysis of the ACA's impact on eligibility for certain 
     discretionary programs.
       The agreement includes a new provision related to breast 
     cancer screening recommendations.
       The agreement modifies a provision extending the Temporary 
     Assistance for Needy Families program.
       The agreement includes a new provision related to rural 
     long-term care hospitals.

                   TITLE III--DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

                    Education for the Disadvantaged

       Striving Readers.--Not later than 30 days prior to the 
     announcement or publication of

[[Page H10291]]

     any notice of proposed priorities or inviting applications 
     for the Comprehensive Striving Readers Literacy program, the 
     Department shall brief the Committees on Appropriations of 
     the House of Representatives and the Senate, Committee on 
     Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives, 
     and Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions of the 
     Senate on its plans for this grant competition and related 
     evaluation and technical assistance.

                      School Improvement Programs

       Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) Grants.--
     The agreement includes funding within the SEED set-aside for 
     competitive grants to non-profit organizations with 
     demonstrated effectiveness in the development and 
     implementation of civic learning programs. Priority should be 
     given to applicants that demonstrate innovation, scalability, 
     and a focus on underserved populations, including rural 
     schools and students. The agreement also includes funding 
     within the SEED set-aside for non-profit organizations with 
     effective programs to enhance primary source utilization in 
     the classroom.
       Expanded Learning Time.--The agreement prohibits funds made 
     available for 21st Century Community Learning Centers from 
     being used to support expanded learning time unless those 
     activities are consistent with the requirements in section 
     4204(a)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
     (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
       Alaska Native Educational Equity.--In awarding funds under 
     the Alaska Native Educational Equity program, the Department 
     shall: ensure the maximum participation of Alaska Native 
     organizations and other required Alaska Native partners, 
     guarantee that all grantees have meaningful plans for 
     consultation with Alaska Native leaders, and make every 
     effort to ensure that Alaska Natives and Alaskans represent a 
     significant proportion of peer reviewers for grant 
     applications.
       Comprehensive Centers.--The agreement includes $1,500,000 
     to establish a new comprehensive center on students at risk 
     of not attaining full literacy skills due to a disability, in 
     accordance with section 2244 of the ESEA, as reauthorized by 
     the ESSA.

                            Indian Education

       Native Youth Community Projects.--Within the total for 
     Special Programs for Indian Children, the agreement includes 
     $22,890,000 for Native Youth Community Projects. This program 
     makes competitive awards to support culturally-relevant 
     coordinated strategies to improve the college- and career-
     readiness of Native American youth.

                       Innovation and Improvement

       Javits Gifted and Talented.--Within the funds provided for 
     the Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education program, 
     the Department is directed to continue supporting a National 
     Research Center on the Gifted and Talented.
       Arts in Education.--The agreement includes an increase in 
     the Arts in Education program to support new competitive 
     awards to national non-profit organizations engaged in arts 
     education, professional development activities and model arts 
     education programs that address the arts access gap.
       Innovative Approaches to Literacy.--The agreement includes 
     $27,000,000 for Innovative Approaches to Literacy competitive 
     awards to national non-profit organizations or school 
     libraries for providing books and childhood literacy 
     activities to children and families living in high-need 
     communities.
       Fund for the Improvement of Education (FIE).--Within FIE, 
     the agreement includes funding for the following activities 
     in the following amounts:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            FY 2016
                   Budget Activity                         Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arts in Education....................................        $27,000,000
Non-Cognitive Skills Initiative......................          3,000,000
Full Service Community Schools.......................         10,000,000
Preschool Development Grants.........................        250,000,000
Innovative Approaches to Literacy....................         27,000,000
Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program         12,000,000
Presidential and Congressional History Teaching                1,815,000
 Academies...........................................
                                                      ------------------
    Total............................................        330,815,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 Safe Schools and Citizenship Education

       Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities National 
     Activities.--The agreement includes $5,000,000 for 
     competitive grants to eligible entities, including community-
     based organizations, Local Educational Agencies, and 
     partnerships thereof, in communities that have experienced 
     significant episodes of civil unrest. This funding is to 
     support establishing school-based programs in such 
     communities to address, including through counseling 
     services, the comprehensive educational, behavioral, and 
     mental health needs of youth who have experienced significant 
     trauma related to recent events in their communities. The 
     agreement includes related funding in the Substance Abuse and 
     Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The 
     Department of Education and SAMHSA should coordinate 
     extensively in the administration of these resources.
       Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program.--The 
     agreement includes $49,561,000 for the Elementary and 
     Secondary School Counseling program. School counselors help 
     to create a safe school environment. However, too few 
     students have access to these benefits. This program 
     recognizes the importance of addressing student mental health 
     issues and the critical role that school counselors play in 
     this area.
       Carol M. White Physical Education Program.--The agreement 
     includes $47,000,000 for the Carol M. White Physical 
     Education program to pay the Federal share of the costs of 
     initiating, expanding and improving school-based physical 
     education programs. According to the CDC, the prevalence of 
     unhealthy body weights among children has more than doubled 
     over the past 30 years. This program underscores the 
     importance of supporting students' access to physical 
     education.

                           Special Education

       The Department should consider ways to support paperwork 
     reduction and administrative streamlining under the 
     Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
       Within Technical Assistance and Dissemination, the 
     agreement includes $10,083,000 for education activities 
     authorized under Public Law 108-406.
       Education Technology, Media, and Materials Program.--
     Progress has been made with tools and services provided under 
     the Education Technology, Media and Materials program that 
     have allowed more than 320,000 students free access to more 
     than 280,000 books in multiple digitally accessible formats. 
     Understanding the obligation to serve all K-12 students, the 
     agreement includes an additional $2,000,000 for the purpose 
     of expanding the program's reach to 120,000 K-12 students 
     with a focus in underserved areas.

           Special Institutions for Persons With Disabilities

       American Printing House for the Blind (APH).--The agreement 
     continues to recognize that students who are blind or have a 
     vision loss must have equal access to the same education 
     content and should receive that information at the same time 
     as their sighted peers if they are to achieve academically. 
     Accordingly, the agreement continues to support 
     implementation of APH's Resources with Enhanced Accessibility 
     for Learning (REAL) plan, and includes no less than $475,000 
     for such activities. The REAL plan supports new advances in 
     software and hardware technology to ensure that students with 
     vision loss receive high-quality educational material in a 
     timely manner and in the appropriate formats required to meet 
     individual student learning needs.
       National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID).--The 
     agreement includes $2,000,000 to establish a formal regional 
     partnership, via subcontract, with at least one organization 
     to expand the geographic reach of activities and services 
     supported by NTID, consistent with its mission and strategic 
     plan. The partnership activities should include a focus on 
     promoting training and postsecondary participation in STEM 
     fields; working with NTID faculty to develop postsecondary 
     preparation for students; providing professional development 
     for teachers and developing partnerships with business and 
     industry to promote employment opportunities.

                      Student Financial Assistance

       Work Colleges.--The agreement includes $8,390,000 for the 
     Work Colleges program authorized under section 448 of the 
     Higher Education Act from the Federal Work Study 
     appropriation.

                       Student Aid Administration

       Federal Student Loan Servicing.--The first goal of the 
     Federal student loan servicing process should be ensuring 
     high-quality servicing to borrowers and safeguarding taxpayer 
     dollars. The Department recently established a common set of 
     performance metrics by which to measure all student loan 
     servicers to ensure consistency and accountability toward 
     that goal. However, in allocating new student loan volume, 
     the Department does not apply these metrics among all 
     servicers but only within defined subsets of servicers, 
     contradicting the intention of common metrics. The agreement 
     includes new bill language requiring the Department to 
     allocate new student loan accounts based on performance 
     compared against all servicers. The Department shall adjust 
     allocations based on the capacity of servicers to handle all 
     new and current volume, provided that information about 
     servicer capacity is made publicly available. Further, in 
     developing the framework for a new student loan servicing 
     process, with contracts expected to be awarded in 2016, the 
     Department should ensure the participation of a sufficient 
     number of servicers, including in servicing consolidated 
     student loans, to help promote high quality customer service 
     for student loan borrowers. The agreement does not intend in 
     any way to constrain the Department from pursuing efforts to 
     improve the servicing process to best serve the interests of 
     student loan borrowers and taxpayers.
       The Department shall brief the Committees on Appropriations 
     of the House of Representatives and the Senate, Committee on 
     Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives, 
     and Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions of the 
     Senate within 30 days of enactment of this Act on how it 
     plans to carry out these directives. Further, the Secretary 
     shall, no later than March 1, 2016, publish a common policies 
     and procedures manual for servicing that applies to all 
     Direct Loan servicers.

                            Higher Education

       TRIO.--The agreement provides funding for a new competition 
     for the Talent Search and Educational Opportunity Centers 
     programs as well as an increase in funding for existing 
     grantees. The Department is strongly encouraged to publish 
     the notice inviting applications as soon as possible and 
     issue award notices for these programs no later than July 31, 
     2016. The agreement does not

[[Page H10292]]

     include funding requested in the budget for a new TRIO 
     Demonstration Initiative.
       There is concern that the draft competitive preference 
     priorities proposed by the Department for the Talent Search 
     competition could exclude proven successful grantees, 
     particularly those at under-resourced institutions and small 
     community agencies, by awarding additional points for certain 
     activities with varying levels of methodological rigor.
       The agreement strongly urges the Secretary to give fair 
     consideration to prior experience when making awards under 
     the Talent Search and Educational Opportunity Center 
     competitions.

                    Institute of Education Sciences

       Teachers-in-Training.--The National Center for Education 
     Statistics shall submit a report by December 31, 2016 to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives 
     and the Senate, Committee on Education and the Workforce of 
     the House of Representatives, and Committee on Health, 
     Education, Labor and Pensions of the Senate, using and 
     reporting data from the most recent school year by State and 
     each local educational agency, regarding the extent at the 
     school-level to which students in the following categories 
     are taught by teachers who have not yet obtained full State 
     certification: students with disabilities, English Learners, 
     students in rural areas, students from low-income families, 
     and minority students. ``Full State certification'' means 
     that a teacher has met all teacher preparation requirements 
     applicable to their years of experience; that the teacher is 
     not authorized to teach on an emergency, temporary, 
     provisional or waiver basis; that certification may be 
     obtained through traditional or alternative routes; and, 
     except that when used with respect to any teacher teaching in 
     a public charter school, the term means that the teacher 
     meets the requirements set forth in the State's public 
     charter school law.
       Applied Research on Infant and Toddler Education.--The 
     foundation for success begins early in a child's life. 
     Research shows that the achievement gap begins to emerge 
     among children as young as nine months of age. However, there 
     are few funding sources available to support applied research 
     related to infant and toddler care and education. Given the 
     demand for high-quality and enriching infant and toddler care 
     by families at all income levels, expanded research would 
     help inform best practices and improve the quality of care 
     and education for infants and toddlers. The Institute is 
     encouraged to make grant funding available for research on 
     typically-developing infants and toddlers, as well as infants 
     and toddlers with special needs, to help fill the existing 
     gaps in the literature and answer the questions posed by 
     program developers and policy makers. The Institute should 
     collaborate with the Department of Health and Human Services 
     in identifying research gaps and the needs of program 
     developers and practitioners as it develops future funding 
     opportunities in this area.
       Geographic Disparities in Education Research.--The 
     Department is encouraged to evaluate the geographic 
     distribution of Institute of Education Sciences-funded 
     research, and pursue efforts to expand, in particular, 
     research on early learning programs and policies in rural and 
     other parts of the country facing unique challenges where 
     there is a shortage of current research.

                        Departmental Management

       College Ratings System.--There is concern about the 
     Department's proposal to develop a College Ratings System, as 
     described in the framework published for public comment on 
     December 19, 2014. The Department has since significantly 
     changed its plan for a College Rating System and the 
     agreement supports the Department moving away from its 
     originally proposed plan.
       Education Costs of Illegal Immigration.--The agreement 
     directs the Department to provide a report to the Committees 
     on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 
     Senate on available information regarding the costs borne by 
     State and local governments for providing services to 
     individuals without legal immigration status, including the 
     Federal resources from the Department that are being used to 
     assist States in fiscal year 2016 to cover these expenses.

                           General Provisions

       The agreement includes bill language extending 
     authorization of the National Advisory Committee on 
     Institutional Quality and Integrity through 2016.
       The agreement includes a new general provision extending 
     authority through 2016 to provide account maintenance fees to 
     guaranty agencies for Federal student loans.
       The agreement includes a new general provision requiring 
     the Department to provide reinsurance at 100 percent of the 
     defaulted loan claim amount for guaranty agencies.
       The agreement directs the Department to submit a report to 
     the Committees on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate, Committee on Education and 
     the Workforce of the House of Representatives, and Committee 
     on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions of the Senate, 
     within 180 days of enactment of this Act on a plan to assist 
     guaranty agencies, lenders and borrowers in the wind down of 
     the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program as the 
     outstanding loan portfolio continues to decline. That plan 
     shall specifically address guaranty agencies and their 
     subsidies, the current status of the wind down, the financial 
     stability of guaranty agencies, and an assessment of any 
     authority necessary for purposes of the wind down. The 
     agreement also directs the Department to conduct outreach to 
     current FFEL borrowers who may be eligible for income-driven 
     repayment plans and other repayment options.
       The agreement includes a general provision clarifying that 
     funds provided in this Act for ESEA formula grant programs 
     for academic year 2016-2017 are to be administered under the 
     provisions of the ESEA in effect prior to the reauthorization 
     of the ESEA by the ESSA. The transition provisions in ESSA 
     generally call for implementation of the new law starting 
     with the 2017-2018 school year. The general provision and the 
     funding levels and directives included in this agreement are 
     consistent with that intent.
       The agreement includes a new general provision modifying 
     the changes made in division G of Public Law 113-235 
     concerning career pathways programs.

                       TITLE IV--RELATED AGENCIES

 Committee For Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled

       Committee For Purchase From People Who Are Blind or 
     Severely Disabled--Written Agreement Elements.--The agreement 
     directs the Committee For Purchase From People Who Are Blind 
     or Severely Disabled (``the Commission,'' also known as the 
     AbilityOne Commission) to enter into a written agreement with 
     its central nonprofit agencies (CNA). The agreement shall 
     establish key expectations for each CNA and mechanisms for 
     the Commission to oversee their implementation. The agreement 
     shall include the following:
       1. Roles and responsibilities on the part of the Commission 
     and the CNA in project assignment procedures, including 
     decision-making processes,
       2. Expenditures of funds, including policy governing 
     reserve levels,
       3. Performance goals and targets,
       4. Governance standards and other internal controls to 
     prevent fraud, waste, and abuse, including conflict of 
     interest disclosures (such as the names of CNA board members 
     who have an affiliation with nonprofits receiving contracts) 
     and reports of alleged misconduct,
       5. Access to data and records,
       6. Consequences for not meeting expectations,
       7. Periodic evaluations and audits on affiliates,
       8. Periodic review and updates on pricing information, and
       9. Provisions for updating the agreement.
       Committee For Purchase From People Who Are Blind or 
     Severely Disabled-Requested Reports.--The Committee for 
     Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled shall 
     submit in an electronic format quarterly reports, due at the 
     end of each calendar month after the end of the fiscal year 
     quarter, to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform 
     and Education and the Workforce of the House of 
     Representatives, Committees on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs and Health, Education, Labor, and 
     Pensions of the Senate, and Committees on Appropriations of 
     the House of Representatives and the Senate. The first report 
     (Report 1) will include information on CNA Fees. The report 
     shall include the following:
       1. Each fee charged pursuant to section 51-3.5 of title 41, 
     Code of Federal Regulations
       2. Each organization charged a fee pursuant to section 51-
     3.5 of title 41, Code of Federal Regulations
       3. For each fee charged, for each Government order, please 
     include the following information:
       a. name of the nonprofit agency,
       b. description of product or service ordered,
       c. ordering government agency,
       d. order price (total), and
       e. contract award ID associated with any order, where 
     applicable.
       The second report (Report 2) will include information on 
     CNA Expenditures. Each CNA designated pursuant to section 
     8503(c) of title 41, United States Code shall submit, in an 
     electronic format, a report on expenditures, due at the end 
     of each calendar month after the end of the fiscal year 
     quarter, to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform 
     and Education and the Workforce of the House of 
     Representatives, Committees on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs and Health, Education, Labor, and 
     Pensions of the Senate, and Committees on Appropriations of 
     the House of Representatives and the Senate. The report shall 
     include the total amount obligated by the CNA in the previous 
     quarter for each of the following:
       1. Employee salaries (total), including executive salaries,
       2. Employee benefits, including executive benefits,
       3. Executive salaries,
       4. Executive benefits,
       5. Total travel expenses,
       6. Executive travel,
       7. Lobbying,
       8. Advertising and promotion,
       9. CNA reserve level, and
       10. Funds spent to support the efforts of the Committee For 
     Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, 
     including a description of the activities, services, and 
     products supplied to the Committee For Purchase From People 
     Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled.
       Office of Inspector General.--The agreement also 
     establishes an Office of Inspector General to improve 
     oversight and transparency

[[Page H10293]]

     in the program. The agreement includes no less than $750,000 
     for the establishment and associated administrative costs for 
     the Office of Inspector General.

             Corporation for National and Community Service

       AmeriCorps Grants.--The agreement includes an increase in 
     funding for both AmeriCorps formula and competitive grant 
     programs, to be allocated consistent with the National and 
     Community Service Act of 1990, as amended.
       Training and Technical Assistance.--The agreement modifies 
     bill language to allow the Corporation for National and 
     Community Service (Corporation) to use existing set-asides in 
     statute to provide training and technical assistance to 
     AmeriCorps and other national and community service programs. 
     The Corporation is expected to use this authority to provide 
     additional resources directly to State Commissions to help 
     build the capacity of State Commissions and local AmeriCorps 
     programs in their States.
       Communities Experiencing Civil Unrest.--AmeriCorps programs 
     are uniquely situated to respond to sudden crises and 
     episodes of civil unrest in communities, and address the 
     longer-term challenges underlying them. The Corporation is 
     expected to continue to support AmeriCorps program in such 
     communities.
       Professional Corps Operating Expenses.--The Corporation is 
     directed to provide guidance on what specifically 
     Professional Corps programs must demonstrate to receive 
     operating funds as part of their AmeriCorps grant. The 
     Corporation should provide programs flexibility in 
     demonstrating this need to ensure the viability of such 
     programs in all communities.

                  Corporation for Public Broadcasting

       The agreement includes an additional $40,000,000 in fiscal 
     year 2016 funds for the replacement of the public 
     broadcasting interconnection system. The satellite leases for 
     the current public television interconnection system expire 
     in 2016, and the public radio interconnection satellite 
     leases expire in 2018. Improved technology may enable the 
     public television and radio stations to share certain 
     elements of the planned interconnection system, leading to 
     greater efficiencies.

               Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

       The agreement provides $48,748,000 for the Federal 
     Mediation and Conciliation Service. The increase of 
     $3,082,000 is intended to be a one-time provision for 
     necessary relocation costs to be incurred in fiscal year 
     2016.

                Institute of Museum and Library Services

       Within the total for IMLS, the bill includes funds for the 
     following activities in the following amounts:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            FY 2016
                   Budget Activity                         Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Library Services Technology Act:
    Grants to States.................................       $155,789,000
    Native American Library Services.................          4,063,000
    National Leadership: Libraries...................         13,092,000
    Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian................         10,000,000
Museum Services Act:
    Museums for America..............................         21,149,000
    Native American/Hawaiian Museum Services.........            972,000
    National Leadership: Museums.....................          7,741,000
African American History and Culture Act:
    Museum Grants for African American History &               1,481,000
     Culture.........................................
Program Administration...............................         15,713,000
                                                      ------------------
    Total............................................        230,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     Social Security Administration


                      SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME

       Functional Assessment Battery.--The agreement directs the 
     Social Security Administration (SSA) to provide a report to 
     the Committees on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate, Committee on Finance of the 
     Senate, and Committee on Ways and Means of the House of 
     Representatives on how the SSA might use the National 
     Institutes of Health's Functional Assessment Battery (FAB) as 
     part of the disability determination process; how it would 
     ensure the validity and accuracy of the FAB before using it 
     for this purpose; and how it would obtain public comment and 
     ensure transparency if the FAB is incorporated into the 
     determination process.


                 LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

       Continuing Disability Reviews and Supplemental Security 
     Income Redeterminations of Eligibility.--The agreement 
     includes a total of $1,542,000,000 for SSA to conduct 
     Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) under the Disability 
     Insurance and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs, 
     and redeterminations of eligibility under the SSI program. 
     This includes $1,426,000,000 specified for the base and cap 
     adjustment amounts included in the Budget Control Act of 
     2011, and $116,000,000 in additional funding provided under 
     SSA's Limitation on Administrative Expenses (LAE) account. 
     The Commissioner may allocate more or less than $116,000,000 
     from SSA's regular LAE account for CDRs and redeterminations 
     but only for reconciling estimated and actual unit costs for 
     conducting such activities, and after notifying the 
     Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives 
     and the Senate at least 15 days prior to any such 
     reallocation. If less funding is allocated for such 
     activities, the funding will be available for regular 
     activities within the LAE account.
       Representative Payee Reviews.--The agreement includes 
     funding for SSA to continue efforts to improve oversight of 
     the representative payee process. In the acquisition of 
     services to conduct and manage representative payee reviews, 
     an eligible entity shall include, but not be limited to, any 
     national organization with significant and demonstrable 
     experience monitoring representative payees, identifying and 
     preventing fraud and abuse, and addressing problems found 
     among individuals with different types of disabilities and 
     among different types of service providers.

                      TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS

       The agreement includes a provision requiring agencies to 
     disclose on advertising materials that such communication is 
     produced at U.S. taxpayer expense.
       The agreement includes a provision relating to computation 
     of pay for certain employees activated by HHS for an 
     emergency.
       The agreement modifies a provision relating to needle 
     exchange programs.
       The agreement modifies a provision relating to performance 
     partnerships.

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[[Page H10363]]

  


        DIVISION I--LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2016

       The following is an explanation of the effects of Division 
     I, which makes appropriations for the Legislative Branch for 
     fiscal year 2016. Unless otherwise noted, reference to the 
     House and Senate reports are to House Report 114-110 and 
     Senate Report 114-64. The language included in these reports 
     should be complied with and carry the same emphasis as the 
     language included in the explanatory statement, unless 
     specifically addressed to the contrary in this explanatory 
     statement. While repeating some report language for emphasis, 
     this explanatory statement does not intend to negate the 
     language referred to above unless expressly provided herein.
       Reprogramming Guidelines.--It is expected that all agencies 
     notify the Committees on Appropriations of the House and the 
     Senate of any significant departures from budget plans 
     presented to the Committees in any agency's budget 
     justifications. In particular, agencies funded through this 
     bill are required to notify the Committees prior to each 
     reprogramming of funds in excess of the lesser of 10 percent 
     or $750,000 between programs, projects or activities, or in 
     excess of $750,000 between object classifications (except for 
     shifts within the pay categories, object class 11, 12, and 13 
     or as further specified in each agency's respective section). 
     This includes cumulative reprogrammings that together total 
     at least $750,000 from or to a particular program, activity, 
     or object classification as well as reprogramming FTEs or 
     funds to create new organizational entities within the Agency 
     or to restructure entities which already exist. The 
     Committees desire to be notified of reprogramming actions 
     which involve less than the above-mentioned amounts if such 
     actions would have the effect of changing an agency's funding 
     requirements in future years or if programs or projects 
     specifically cited in the Committee's reports are affected.

                                TITLE I

                                 Senate

       The agreement includes $870,158,501 for Senate operations. 
     This item relates solely to the Senate, and is in accordance 
     with long practice under which each body determines its own 
     housekeeping requirements and the other concurs without 
     intervention.


                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

       The agreement provides for unspent amounts remaining in 
     Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account to be 
     used for deficit or debt reduction and a technical correction 
     regarding funding for the Office of the Chaplain.

                        House of Representatives

       The agreement includes $1,180,736,000 for House operations. 
     This item relates solely to the House, and is in accordance 
     with long practice under which each body determines its own 
     housekeeping requirements and the other concurs without 
     intervention.


                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

       The agreement provides for unspent amounts remaining in 
     Members' Representational Allowances account to be used for 
     deficit or debt reduction, prohibits the delivery of bills 
     and resolutions, prohibits the delivery of printed copies of 
     the Congressional record, places a limitation on amount 
     available to lease vehicles, places a limitation on print 
     copies of the U.S. Code, prohibits delivery of reports of 
     disbursements, daily calendars, and printed copies of the 
     Congressional Pictorial Directory.

                              JOINT ITEMS

                        Joint Economic Committee

       The agreement includes $4,203,000 for salaries and 
     expenses.

     Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies of 2017

       The agreement includes $1,250,000 for salaries and 
     expenses.

                      Joint Committee on Taxation

       The agreement includes $10,095,000 for salaries and 
     expenses.

                   Office of the Attending Physician

       The agreement includes $3,784,000.

             Office of Congressional Accessibility Services


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement includes $1,400,000.

                             Capitol Police

       Threat Vulnerabilities.--The Congress finds that it is 
     critical to ensure that the Capitol Police is taking every 
     step to protect the Capitol now and also to prepare to 
     implement emerging technology and operational capabilities 
     that will decrease our potential vulnerability to threats in 
     the future. The Capitol Police is directed to keep the 
     Congress immediately and fully apprised of resource and 
     operational needs as emerging threats to the Capitol complex 
     evolve and to robustly engage with leaders in Federal and 
     commercial research and development on technology to counter 
     potential emerging threats.


                                SALARIES

       The agreement includes $309,000,000 for salaries of the 
     Capitol Police.
       Of the funds provided, $4,000,000 shall not be made 
     available until the Capitol Police Board has provided a plan 
     to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate 
     for its use in enhancing security within the Capitol campus.


                            GENERAL EXPENSES

       The agreement includes $66,000,000 for general expenses of 
     the Capitol Police.


                        ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION

       The agreement provides for deposit of reimbursements for 
     law enforcement assistance in connection with an activity 
     that was not sponsored by Congress.

                          Office of Compliance


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement includes $3,959,000.

                      Congressional Budget Office


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement includes $46,500,000 for salaries and 
     expenses.

                        Architect of the Capitol

       The Architect of the Capitol is currently engaged in rather 
     large construction projects on the Capitol campus. Those 
     projects include the Restoration and Renovation Cannon House 
     Office Building and the Capitol Power Plant West 
     Refrigeration Plant Chiller System Replacement. In order to 
     ensure these projects remain on track, stay within the 
     approved scope, and on budget the Congress directs the 
     Architect of the Capitol to not obligate any funding provided 
     in the Act until the Architect submits to the Architect of 
     the Capitol's Office of the Inspector General a plan 
     confirming each project was developed and prioritized 
     according to established project management process using 
     industry best practices to include scope, budget, schedule, 
     and cost schedule risk assessments to ensure that the project 
     will be carried out in a timely and cost-effective manner; 
     and the Architect of the Capitol's Inspector General provides 
     notification of such plan to the Committees on 
     Appropriations.
       The Architect of the Capitol's Inspector General shall 
     provide quarterly status updates on Cannon House Office 
     Building to the House Committee on Appropriations.
       The Architect of the Capitol's Inspector General shall 
     provide quarterly status updates on the Capitol Power Plant 
     to the Committees on Appropriations.

                  Capital Construction and Operations

       The agreement includes $91,589,000 for Capital Construction 
     and Operations.

                            Capitol Building

       The agreement includes $46,737,000, for maintenance, care, 
     and operation of the Capitol, of which $22,737,000 shall 
     remain available until September 30, 2020.
       With respect to operations and projects, the following is 
     agreed to:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Budget.....................................        $24,000,000
Project Budget:
    1. FY 2017 Presidential Inaugural Stands.........          4,950,000
    2. Exterior Stone & Metal Preservation, South             14,287,000
     Extension, Phase IIB............................
    3. Minor Construction............................          3,500,000
                                                      ------------------
                                                              22,737,000
        Total, Capitol Building......................        $46,737,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            Capitol Grounds

       The agreement includes $11,880,000 for the care and 
     improvements of the grounds surrounding the Capitol, House 
     and Senate office buildings, and the Capitol Power Plant, of 
     which $2,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 
     2020.
       With respect to operations and projects, the following was 
     agreed to:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Budget.....................................         $9,880,000
Project Budget:
    1. Minor Construction............................          2,000,000
                                                      ------------------
        Total, Capitol Grounds.......................        $11,880,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        Senate Office Buildings

       The agreement includes $84,221,000 for the maintenance, 
     care and operation of the Senate office buildings, of which 
     $26,283,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2020.
       This item relates solely to the Senate and is in accordance 
     with long practice under which each body determines its own 
     housekeeping requirements, and the other concurs without 
     intervention.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Budget.....................................        $57,938,000
Project Budget:
    1. Senate Underground Garage Renovations &                 8,200,000
     Landscape Restoration, Phase IB.................
    2. Exterior Envelope Repair & Restoration, Phase          10,182,000
     III West Facade, RSOB...........................
    3. Kitchen Exhaust System Upgrade, Phase III,              1,732,000
     DSOB, RSOB......................................
    4. Exterior Envelope Rehabilitation, HSOB........          1,169,000
    5. Minor Construction............................          5,000,000
                                                      ------------------
                                                              26,283,000
        Total, Senate Office Buildings...............        $84,221,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         House Office Buildings

       The agreement includes $174,962,000 for the basic and 
     recurring needs of the House within the House Office 
     Buildings account, of which $48,885,000 shall remain 
     available until September 30, 2020 and $62,000,000 shall 
     remain available until expended.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Budget.....................................        $64,077,000
Project Budget:
    1. Garage Rehabilitation, Phase I, RHOB..........         17,825,000
    2. House Office Building Security Improvements,           20,400,000
     Phase I.........................................
    3. House CAO Projects............................          3,660,000
    4. Restoration & Renovation, CHOB................         62,000,000
    5. Minor Construction............................          7,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page H10364]]

 
                                                             110,885,000
        Total, House Office Buildings (base program).       $174,962,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       House Historic Buildings Revitalization Trust Fund.-- In 
     addition to funding for core facility needs, the agreement 
     includes $10,000,000 for the Historic Buildings 
     Revitalization Trust Fund, to remain available until 
     expended.
       As these funds relate solely to the House, and is in 
     accordance with long practice under which each body 
     determines its own housekeeping requirements and the other 
     concurs without intervention.

                          Capitol Power Plant

       In addition to the $9,000,000 made available from receipts 
     credited as reimbursements to this appropriation, the 
     agreement includes $94,722,499 for maintenance, care and 
     operation of the Capitol Power Plant, of which $17,581,499 
     shall remain available until September 30, 2020.
       With respect to operations and projects, the following is 
     agreed to:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Budget.....................................       $86,141,000
Project Budget:
    1. WRP Chiller System Replacement, RPR, Phase            11,956,499
     IIIS, CPP.......................................
    2. Cogeneration Management Program...............         1,625,000
    3. Minor Construction............................         4,000,000
                                                      ------------------
                                                             17,581,499
        Subtotal, Capitol Power Plant................      $103,722,499
Offsetting Collections...............................        (9,000,000)
                                                      ------------------
        Total, Capitol Power Plant...................       $94,722,499
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     Library Buildings and Grounds

       The agreement includes $40,689,000 for Library of Congress 
     buildings and grounds, of which $15,746,000 shall remain 
     available until September 30, 2020.
       With respect to operations and projects, the following is 
     agreed to:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Budget.....................................        $24,943,000
Project Budget:
    1. Emergency Lightning System Upgrade, JAB.......          3,331,000
    2. Collection Storage Modules Design Modules 6 &           1,994,000
     7, Ft. Meade....................................
    3. Direct Digital Controls Upgrade, Phase III,             4,321,000
     JMMB............................................
    4. East and West Pavilion Roof Replacement, TJB..          4,100,000
    5. Minor Construction............................          2,000,000
                                                      ------------------
                                                              15,746,000
        Total, Library Buildings and Grounds.........        $40,689,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

            Capitol Police Buildings, Grounds, and Security

       The agreement includes $25,434,000 for Capitol Police 
     Buildings, Grounds, and Security, of which $7,901,000 shall 
     remain available until September 30, 2020.
       With respect to operations and projects, the following is 
     agreed to:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Budget.....................................        $17,533,000
Project Budget:
    1. Power Switchgear Replacement, USCP HQ.........          3,525,000
    2. Critical Electrical Infrastructure Upgrade,             3,376,000
     ACF.............................................
    3. Minor Construction............................          1,000,000
                                                      ------------------
                                                               7,901,000
        Total, Capitol Police Buildings, Grounds, and        $25,434,000
         Security....................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                             Botanic Garden

       The agreement includes $12,113,000 for salaries and 
     expenses for the Botanic Garden, of which $2,100,000 shall 
     remain available until September 30, 2020.
       With respect to operations and projects, the following is 
     agreed to:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Budget.....................................        $10,013,000
Project Budget:
    1. Minor Construction............................          2,100,000
                                                      ------------------
        Total, Botanic Garden........................        $12,113,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         Capitol Visitor Center

       The agreement includes $20,557,000 for the Capitol Visitor 
     Center.


                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

       The agreement prohibits payments of bonuses to contractors 
     behind schedule or over budget, prohibits expenditure of 
     funds for scrims for projects performed by the Architect of 
     the Capitol, and authorizes acquisition of certain acreage at 
     Fort George Meade from the Maryland State Highway 
     Administration.

                          Library of Congress


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement includes $419,621,000 in direct 
     appropriations and authority to spend receipts of $6,350,000. 
     The amount includes $1,300,000 to begin the financial 
     management system software upgrade, $500,000 financial system 
     study, $4,800,000 for the national collection stewardship 
     program, and $8,231,000 for the digital collections and 
     education curricula program.
       Library Procurement.--In the fiscal year 2013 House Report 
     112-511 the Committee expressed its concern with the findings 
     in a recently issued Office of Inspector General (OIG) report 
     concerning the Library Wide Acquisition Function. The OIG 
     report contained many findings, some that were reported 
     either in previous OIG audits or memoranda, as far back as 
     ten years, that needed immediate Library management 
     attention. There are concerns about continued weaknesses 
     within the Library's procurement process, as demonstrated 
     when the Committee received a reprogramming request on the 
     next to the last day of fiscal year 2015. These weaknesses 
     threaten the ability of the Library to make timely purchases 
     of necessary goods and services, provide the best value for 
     the taxpayer, and preserve funds for other mission-critical 
     activities.
       The Library is directed to follow the recommendations of 
     the Library's OIG and federal agency best practices related 
     to procurement, tracking and prioritizing unobligated 
     balances throughout the fiscal year. Furthermore, the Library 
     is directed to develop and submit any reprogramming requests 
     of such unobligated balances no later than August 1st of each 
     fiscal year.

                            Copyright Office


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement includes $23,098,000 in direct appropriations 
     to the Copyright Office. An additional $35,777,000 is made 
     available from receipts for salaries and expenses.
       The resources provided are in recognition that the current 
     Copyright system is not serving creators and industry to the 
     standard necessary to promote creative and commercial 
     exchange. With the limited resources available in the 
     Legislative Branch, it is imperative that these additional 
     resources provided in this agreement and in fiscal year 2015 
     are used in a manner that achieves the universal goal of 
     improving the Nation's Copyright system. In fiscal year 2015, 
     the Committee required an expenditure plan for the use of 
     funds and received two plans for use of funds within two 
     months. The multiple submissions have raised concerns that 
     there is not a comprehensive plan in which to bring the 
     Copyright system into the modern age. House Report 114-110 
     requires the Register of Copyrights to submit a detailed plan 
     on necessary IT upgrades, a cost estimate for the full 
     modernization effort, and a funding strategy with a time 
     frame for completion. The expectation is that the 
     requirements set forth in House Report 114-110 will formalize 
     a plan that all stakeholders can work from to ensure that 
     funds are being used effectively.
       In addition, the appropriated dollars above fiscal year 
     2015, $2,300,000, is not available for obligation until the 
     Committees receive the IT plans and cost estimates required 
     in House Report 114-110. After submission of the IT plan and 
     cost estimate, the Register is directed to provide quarterly 
     reports on its expenditure of funds and milestones achieved 
     to implement the IT upgrades to modernize the Copyright 
     system.

                     Congressional Research Service


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement includes $106,945,000 for salaries and 
     expenses.

             Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement includes $50,248,000 for salaries and 
     expenses.


                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

       The agreement authorizes obligational authority for 
     reimbursable and revolving funds, and designates Dr. James H. 
     Billington as Librarian of Congress Emeritus.

                      Government Publishing Office


                        CONGRESSIONAL PUBLISHING

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement includes $79,736,000 for authorized 
     publishing, printing and binding for the Congress.

     Public Information Programs of the Superintendent of Documents


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement includes $30,500,000.


    GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE BUSINESS OPERATIONS REVOLVING FUND

       The agreement includes $6,832,000.

                    Government Accountability Office


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement includes $531,000,000 in direct 
     appropriations for salaries and expenses of the Government 
     Accountability Office. In addition, $25,450,000 is available 
     from offsetting collections.
       Funding for GAO is provided at a level that will maintain 
     staffing levels achievable with the fiscal year 2015 funding 
     level.


                        ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION

       The agreement authorizes details of personnel to the 
     Government Accountability Office.

                Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund

       The agreement includes $5,600,000 for payment to the Open 
     World Leadership Center Trust Fund.
       The Congress appreciates the role that the Open World 
     Leadership Center has played in linking Members of the House 
     and Senate to rising legislative and civic leaders in 
     countries critical to American interest. However, the 
     Congress believes that the Centers' mission and role should 
     be directly relevant to the role of the legislative branch of 
     Congress. As such, the Center's board of trustees is directed 
     to provide the relevant authorization and appropriations 
     committees with a report on how the Center can serve the 
     Congress in a more effective and relevant manner.

[[Page H10365]]

       This report shall: 1) provide a strategic plan for the 
     Center's efforts to enhance engagement and cooperation 
     between the Congress and legislatures abroad; 2) provide an 
     analysis on how the Center could support and collaborate with 
     other legislative branch agencies such as the House Office of 
     Inter-parliamentary Affairs and the House Democracy 
     Partnership; and 3) propose any statutory changes required 
     for the Center to focus its mission on supporting 
     Congressional engagement with legislatures in emerging 
     democracies abroad. The report is to be provided to the 
     relevant committees no later than March 31, 2016.

   John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development

       The agreement includes $430,000.

                      TITLE II--GENERAL PROVISIONS

       The agreement continues provisions related to maintenance 
     and care of private vehicles, fiscal year limitations, rates 
     of compensation and designation, consulting services, costs 
     of the LBFMC, landscape maintenance, limitation on transfers, 
     guided tours of the Capitol, battery recharging stations, and 
     self-certification of performance appraisal systems for 
     senior-level employees.

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   DIVISION J--MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED 
                   AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2016

       The following is an explanation of the effects of Division 
     J, which makes appropriations for Military Construction, 
     Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies for fiscal year 2016. 
     Unless otherwise noted, reference to the House and Senate 
     reports are to House Report 114-92 and Senate Report 114-57. 
     The language set forth in House Report 114-92 and Senate 
     Report 114-57 should be complied with and carry the same 
     emphasis as the language included in the explanatory 
     statement, unless specifically addressed to the contrary in 
     this explanatory statement. While repeating some report 
     language for emphasis, this explanatory statement does not 
     intend to negate the language referred to above unless 
     expressly provided herein. In cases in which the House or the 
     Senate has directed the submission of a report, such report 
     is to be submitted to both Houses of Congress. House or 
     Senate reporting requirements with deadlines prior to, or 
     within 15 days after, enactment of this Act shall be 
     submitted not later than 60 days after enactment of this Act. 
     All other reporting deadlines not specifically directed by 
     this explanatory statement are to be met.
       Construction Contracting Outreach.--Department of Defense 
     (DOD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) construction 
     projects funded in this Act are, in general, executed by the 
     U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Naval Facilities Command, 
     and the VA Office of Construction. Effective communication 
     between Federal procurement officials and the construction 
     industry is essential to improve opportunities for local 
     contractors to compete for local DOD and VA construction 
     projects. But despite the efforts of the Office of Federal 
     Procurement Policy to increase communication between 
     procurement officers and industry, local contractors continue 
     to report that they often do not know about nor have the 
     opportunity to compete for contracts for federally funded 
     construction projects. Therefore, the Secretaries of the Army 
     and the Navy, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs are 
     directed to ensure that their respective regional/district 
     offices responsible for construction projects inform and 
     engage local construction industry contractors, especially 
     small businesses, minority-owned businesses, and women-owned 
     businesses, about Federal procurement opportunities and the 
     bidding process. Each Secretary is further directed to 
     provide to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
     Congress (``the Committees''') not later than 90 days after 
     enactment of this Act a comprehensive outreach plan for 
     regional and district offices that includes targeted 
     outreach, Web-based technologies, social media and other 
     proactive strategies to reach a broader group of local 
     contractors.

                                TITLE I

                         DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

       Bid Savings.--It has been ascertained from cost variation 
     notices required by 10 U.S.C. 2853 that the Department of 
     Defense continues to have bid savings on previously 
     appropriated military construction projects. Therefore, the 
     agreement includes rescissions to the Army, Air Force, and 
     Defense-Wide construction accounts. The Secretary of Defense 
     is directed to continue to submit 1002 reports on military 
     construction bid savings at the end of each fiscal quarter to 
     the Committees.
       The Secretary of Defense is further directed to assess the 
     backlog of projects identified by the services and the 
     defense agencies and report the expected costs and timeline 
     for completion of the backlog to the congressional defense 
     committees not later than 90 days after enactment of this 
     Act.
       Pacific Realignment.--U.S. economic and security interests 
     are inextricably linked to developments in the arc extending 
     from the Western Pacific and East Asia into the Indian Ocean 
     and South Asia, creating a mix of evolving challenges and 
     opportunities. The Department of Defense has stated that it 
     would tailor its global presence and posture by rebalancing 
     toward the Asia-Pacific region, emphasizing existing 
     alliances and expanding networks of cooperation with emerging 
     partners throughout the region to ensure collective 
     capability and capacity for securing common interests. As 
     part of this rebalance, the U.S. Pacific Command currently 
     has programmed $775,000,000 over the next five years for 
     military construction in the region.
       Approximately 39,000 U.S. military personnel, 43,000 
     dependents, and 5,000 DOD civilian employees are currently 
     stationed on Japan, and the majority of this presence resides 
     in Okinawa. Okinawa hosts over 25 percent of the U.S. bases 
     in Japan, and Okinawa's bases house approximately 8,000 Air 
     Force personnel and up to 19,000 Marine Corps personnel on 
     any given day. Attempts to realign, consolidate, and increase 
     the sustainability of this presence have been ongoing for 
     nearly two decades. Early plans were to move approximately 
     8,000 Marines and 9,000 dependents from Okinawa to Guam; 
     however, in 2012 representatives from the U.S. and Japanese 
     governments announced a revised plan that would relocate over 
     9,000 Marines from Okinawa and realign Marine forces 
     throughout the Pacific: 4,800 to Guam, 2,700 to Hawaii, and 
     2,500 rotational troops to Australia.
       The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has been 
     reporting on Asia Posture plans and costs since 2011. Based 
     on GAO's reports, it is not clear if sufficient existing 
     military infrastructure is available in any of the receiving 
     locations to support the relocation or if DOD has developed 
     adequate cost estimates of infrastructure development that 
     will be needed to ensure mission capability. In addition, the 
     U.S. Government is still negotiating certain Host Nation and 
     land use agreements that are key to executing the 
     construction plan.
       As a result, The Comptroller General of the United States 
     is directed to conduct a study and report the results of the 
     study to the congressional defense committees by February 1, 
     2017. At a minimum, The Comptroller General's study should 
     address the status of progress being made on the various 
     realignment initiatives, the costs associated with these 
     plans, whether any alternatives to this plan are being 
     considered, and should answer the following questions:
       (1) What is the status of the realignment initiatives, have 
     alternatives been considered, and to what extent has DOD 
     identified a plan that lays out the appropriate sequencing of 
     projects supporting the realignment of Marines and the 
     interdependent projects on Okinawa, including associated time 
     frames and costs for the projects?
       (2) Can the Okinawa realignment timeframe be accelerated?
       (3) What is the status of development of DOD's master plan 
     to support the relocation of Marines to Guam?
       (4) To what extent does sufficient, usable excess capacity 
     exist on bases in Hawaii to support the Marines' relocation 
     there?
       (5) To what extent do sufficient facilities in Australia 
     exist to support the planned force rotations there?
       (6) What estimated costs has DOD identified it will need to 
     develop new, or redevelop existing, infrastructure in Guam, 
     Hawaii, Australia, or other locations it may be considering 
     for the realignment?
       (7) What is the status of relevant Host Nation and land use 
     agreements required to execute the plan? Which agreements are 
     most likely to be challenged in court and result in further 
     delays to the plan?
       (8) Are there any suitable locations other than the Futenma 
     Relocation Facility on or near the island of Okinawa to host 
     Marine Corps aviation assets? If so, would there be any 
     efficiencies or cost savings associated with a different 
     location?
       Missile Defense.--Rapid implementation of the European 
     Phased Adaptive Approach remains a high priority. The first 
     Aegis Ashore missile defense site in Deveselu, Romania, is 
     expected to be fully operational by the end of 2015. 
     Construction in Romania has not been without difficulty, 
     including delays and additional costs associated with the 
     high-altitude electromagnetic pulse shields. This agreement 
     fully funds the request to build the second Aegis Ashore site 
     in Redzikowo, Poland, and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is 
     expected to apply the lessons learned from construction in 
     Romania to expedite the project in Poland. As Iranian 
     ballistic missiles become increasingly advanced, the 
     activation of the Aegis Ashore sites is essential to the 
     protection of U.S. and allied interests in Eastern and 
     Central Europe. The European Reassurance Initiative has 
     increased the number of U.S. and NATO rotational forces in 
     Europe, and the MDA is directed to accelerate activation of 
     the Aegis Ashore systems wherever possible.
       Expansion of U.S. Africa Command Operations in Africa.--
     Increased activity by violent extremist groups in Africa, 
     including the November 20, 2015, terrorist attack in Mali 
     which claimed the lives of 20 victims, including one 
     American, underscores the growing importance of the anti-
     terrorism mission of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) on the 
     continent. As a result, AFRICOM has steadily increased its 
     intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations and 
     its network of contingency and Cooperative Security Locations 
     (CSLs) for the temporary staging of crisis response forces. 
     These contingency locations include an airbase in Niger, for 
     which $50,000,000 is provided in this Act for infrastructure 
     and airfield improvements, and an expeditionary post in 
     Cameroon to accommodate the recently announced deployment of 
     up to 300 U.S. military personnel to aid in the fight against 
     Boko Haram and other terrorist organizations in West Africa. 
     U.S. forces generally rely on existing Host Nation 
     infrastructure to support their operations, but as with the 
     Niger base, Department of Defense funding may be required for 
     infrastructure improvements to accommodate U.S. personnel and 
     operations. CSLs and expeditionary bases represent an 
     expedient and cost-effective means for U.S. forces to support 
     African national efforts to combat terrorism and to protect 
     U.S. security interests, but it is important for the 
     Department to ensure that any required infrastructure 
     improvements at these locations are undertaken within 
     appropriate congressional funding authorities. The Department 
     is therefore directed to provide to the Committees quarterly 
     reports, beginning after the first quarter of fiscal year 
     2016, on any infrastructure investment required to support 
     U.S. forces and operations at CSLs or other expeditionary 
     bases in Africa, the funding source for these investments, 
     and the justification for using Operation and Maintenance or 
     other DOD funding sources versus Military Construction 
     authorities to fund these investments. These reports shall be 
     provided in the appropriate classified and unclassified 
     formats.

                      MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY

       The agreement provides $663,245,000 for Military 
     Construction, Army. Within this

[[Page H10379]]

     amount, the agreement provides $109,245,000 for study, 
     planning, design, architect and engineer services, and host 
     nation support.
       Instruction Building.--The agreement does not include 
     funding for the Instruction Building located at Joint Base 
     Myer-Henderson Hall. There is concern that the initial design 
     of this facility failed to incorporate the Fife and Drum 
     Corps needs. As a result, formal design on this project did 
     not start due to concerns regarding the scope of this 
     project. While concerns remain, the replacement facility is 
     necessary due to the current condition of the existing 
     facility. Therefore, the Secretary of the Army is directed to 
     take the necessary steps to create a concept plan that meets 
     the needs of both the Army Band and the Fife and Drum Corps 
     at one site. This plan shall be submitted to the 
     congressional defense committees not later than 120 days 
     after enactment of this Act.

              MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS

       The agreement provides $1,669,239,000 for Military 
     Construction, Navy and Marine Corps. Within this amount, the 
     agreement provides $91,649,000 for study, planning, design, 
     architect and engineer services.
       Live-Fire Training Range Complex (NW Field).--The agreement 
     fully supports the efforts of the Marine Corps to establish 
     the appropriate training ranges on Guam in support of the 
     movement of Marines from Okinawa. However, there is concern 
     that the projected cost of the supporting facilities for the 
     live-fire training ranges, in general, tend to be 
     considerably higher in cost than the range itself. Therefore, 
     the Secretary of the Navy is directed to submit a report to 
     the congressional defense committees not later than 90 days 
     after enactment of this Act detailing how support facilities 
     are determined for each range.
       Townsend Bombing Range.--The agreement includes full 
     funding for the construction of the Townsend Bombing Range 
     Expansion, Phase 2. However, there are concerns that the Navy 
     has failed to consider the impact that the range expansion 
     would have on the local timber economy and therefore funding 
     of this project is fenced until an agreement between all 
     stakeholders can be met.

                    MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE

       The agreement provides $1,389,185,000 for Military 
     Construction, Air Force. Within this amount, the agreement 
     provides $89,164,000 for study, planning, design, architect 
     and engineer services.
       Lajes Field, Azores.--The agreement does not contain House 
     section 130 due to the inclusion of Section 2310 of P.L. 114-
     92, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2016 which addresses potential operations at Lajes Field as 
     well as the Joint Intelligence Analysis Center. Section 2310 
     requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a determination 
     of the operational viability of use for Lajes Field by March 
     1, 2016. Additionally, Section 2310 prohibits obligation of 
     the fiscal year 2016 funds for the Joint Intelligence 
     Analysis Center, phase II pending a certification by the 
     Secretary of Defense of the optimal location for the Joint 
     Intelligence Analysis Center to the congressional defense 
     committees.

                  MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, DEFENSE-WIDE


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $2,242,867,000 for Military 
     Construction, Defense-Wide. Within this amount, the agreement 
     provides $175,404,000 for study, planning, design, architect 
     and engineer services. Within this amount, an additional 
     $15,000,000 is provided for the Missile Defense Agency 
     planning and design account. The additional funding is to 
     expedite the construction and deployment of urgently needed 
     missile defense assets in various locations within the 
     Continental United States, including Alaska and Hawaii.

               MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

       The agreement provides $197,237,000 for Military 
     Construction, Army National Guard. Within this amount, the 
     agreement provides $20,337,000 for study, planning, design, 
     architect and engineer services.

               MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR NATIONAL GUARD

       The agreement provides $138,738,000 for Military 
     Construction, Air National Guard. Within this amount, the 
     agreement provides $5,104,000 for study, planning, design, 
     architect and engineer services.

                  MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY RESERVE

       The agreement provides $113,595,000 for Military 
     Construction, Army Reserve. Within this amount, the agreement 
     provides $9,318,000 for study, planning, design, architect 
     and engineer services.

                  MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY RESERVE

       The agreement provides $36,078,000 for Military 
     Construction, Navy Reserve. Within this amount, the agreement 
     provides $2,208,000 for study, planning, design, architect 
     and engineer services.

                MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE RESERVE

       The agreement provides $65,021,000 for Military 
     Construction, Air Force Reserve. Within this amount, the 
     agreement provides $13,400,000 for study, planning, design, 
     architect and engineer services.

     NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION SECURITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM

       The agreement provides $135,000,000 for the North Atlantic 
     Treaty Organization Security Investment Program which is 
     $15,000,000 above the budget request. The additional funding 
     will support responses to the challenges posed by Russia and 
     to the risks and threats emanating from the Middle East and 
     North Africa.

                        Family Housing Overview

       Homeowners Assistance Program--Delayed Expression or 
     Delayed Identification of Injured Beneficiaries.--As the 
     Executive Agent for the Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) 
     across the Department of Defense, the Army mistakenly 
     administered approximately 76 applicants whose injuries were 
     incurred during a military deployment, while they owned a 
     home, and experienced delayed expression or delayed 
     identification of the injury. The applicants were paid in 
     good faith and in accordance with guidance from Congress and 
     the Department of Defense to err in favor of wounded, ill, 
     and injured HAP applicants. If these beneficiaries had 
     suffered from an obvious physical injury--which the HAP 
     statute envisioned--their injury would have been clearly 
     documented at the time they owned their home, and they would 
     have qualified for HAP benefits. Therefore, no funds from 
     this Act shall be used to collect overpayments for any 
     wounded, ill, or injured HAP beneficiary with delayed 
     expression or delayed identification, or send notice letters, 
     while the Department further develops permanent legislative 
     solutions with Congress.

                   FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, ARMY

       The agreement provides $108,695,000 for Family Housing 
     Construction, Army. This is an increase of $9,000,000 above 
     the budget request.
       Army Family Housing Construction Increase.--The agreement 
     includes a $9,000,000 increase to the family housing 
     construction project located at Rock Island Arsenal, at the 
     request of the Army. The increase is required because bids 
     the Army received for a corresponding fiscal year 2015 
     project were 139 percent of the programmed amount, and the 
     Army subsequently revised its cost estimate for the fiscal 
     year 2016 project to reflect this bid climate. The source of 
     the additional funding is from a rebalancing of the Army 
     Family Housing, Operation and Maintenance account to reflect 
     updated estimates. Both the construction project cost 
     increase, and the corresponding rebalancing of the Army 
     Family Housing, Operation and Maintenance account are 
     consistent with the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2016.

             FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, ARMY

       The agreement provides $375,611,000 for Family Housing 
     Operation and Maintenance, Army. This is a decrease of 
     $17,900,000 below the budget request and reflects the Army's 
     updated estimates for this account.

           FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS

       The agreement provides $16,541,000 for Family Housing 
     Construction, Navy and Marine Corps.

    FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS

       The agreement provides $353,036,000 for Family Housing 
     Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps.

                 FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE

       The agreement provides $160,498,000 for Family Housing 
     Construction, Air Force.

          FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, AIR FORCE

       The agreement provides $331,232,000 for Family Housing 
     Operation and Maintenance, Air Force.

         FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, DEFENSE-WIDE

       The agreement provides $58,668,000 for Family Housing 
     Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide.

               DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BASE CLOSURE ACCOUNT

       The agreement provides $266,334,000 for the Department of 
     Defense Base Closure Account, which is $15,000,000 above the 
     request. The additional funding is for the Army and the Navy 
     to accelerate environmental remediation at installations 
     closed under previous Base Closure and Realignment rounds.
       Infrastructure Inventory and Assessment of Infrastructure 
     Necessary to Support Ongoing Defense Activities.--Language in 
     House Report 114-92 requiring the Secretary of Defense to 
     conduct an inventory and assessment of infrastructure 
     necessary to support ongoing Defense activities is modified 
     to conform to a similar requirement in Sec. 2815 of P.L. 114-
     92, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2016.

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS


             (Including Transfers and Rescissions of Funds)

       The agreement includes section 101 limiting the use of 
     funds under a cost-plus-a-fixed-fee contract.
       The agreement includes section 102 allowing the use of 
     construction funds in this title for hire of passenger motor 
     vehicles.
       The agreement includes section 103 allowing the use of 
     construction funds in this title for advances to the Federal 
     Highway Administration for the construction of access roads.

[[Page H10380]]

       The agreement includes section 104 prohibiting construction 
     of new bases in the United States without a specific 
     appropriation.
       The agreement includes section 105 limiting the use of 
     funds for the purchase of land or land easements that exceed 
     100 percent of the value.
       The agreement includes section 106 prohibiting the use of 
     funds, except funds appropriated in this title for that 
     purpose, for family housing.
       The agreement includes section 107 limiting the use of 
     minor construction funds to transfer or relocate activities.
       The agreement includes section 108 prohibiting the 
     procurement of steel unless American producers, fabricators, 
     and manufacturers have been allowed to compete.
       The agreement includes section 109 prohibiting the use of 
     construction or family housing funds to pay real property 
     taxes in any foreign nation.
       The agreement includes section 110 prohibiting the use of 
     funds to initiate a new installation overseas without prior 
     notification.
       The agreement includes section 111 establishing a 
     preference for American architectural and engineering 
     services for overseas projects.
       The agreement includes section 112 establishing a 
     preference for American contractors in United States 
     territories and possessions in the Pacific and on Kwajalein 
     Atoll and in countries bordering the Arabian Gulf.
       The agreement includes section 113 requiring congressional 
     notification of military exercises when construction costs 
     exceed $100,000.
       The agreement includes section 114 allowing funds 
     appropriated in prior years for new projects authorized 
     during the current session of Congress.
       The agreement includes section 115 allowing the use of 
     expired or lapsed funds to pay the cost of supervision for 
     any project being completed with lapsed funds.
       The agreement includes section 116 allowing military 
     construction funds to be available for five years.
       The agreement includes section 117 allowing the transfer of 
     funds from Family Housing Construction accounts to the Family 
     Housing Improvement Fund.
       The agreement includes section 118 allowing transfers to 
     the Homeowners Assistance Fund.
       The agreement includes section 119 limiting the source of 
     operation and maintenance funds for flag and general officer 
     quarters and allowing for notification by electronic medium.
       The agreement includes section 120 extending the 
     availability of funds in the Ford Island Improvement Account.
       The agreement includes section 121 allowing the transfer of 
     expired funds to the Foreign Currency Fluctuations, 
     Construction, Defense account.
       The agreement includes section 122 restricting the 
     obligation of funds for relocating an Army unit that performs 
     a testing mission.
       The agreement includes section 123 allowing for the 
     reprogramming of construction funds among projects and 
     activities subject to certain criteria.
       The agreement includes section 124 prohibiting the 
     obligation or expenditure of funds provided to the Department 
     of Defense for military construction for projects at 
     Arlington National Cemetery.
       The agreement includes section 125 rescinding unobligated 
     balances from the Military Construction, Army and Family 
     Housing Construction, Army accounts.
       The agreement includes section 126 rescinding unobligated 
     balances from the Military Construction, Air Force account.
       The agreement includes section 127 rescinding unobligated 
     balances from the Military Construction, Defense-Wide 
     account.
       The agreement includes section 128 providing additional 
     funds for Military Construction, Army.
       The agreement includes section 129 providing additional 
     funds for Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps.
       The agreement includes section 130 providing additional 
     funds for Military Construction, Army National Guard.
       The agreement includes section 131 providing additional 
     funds for Military Construction, Army Reserve.
       The agreement includes section 132 providing additional 
     funds for Defense Access Roads.
       The agreement includes section 133 providing additional 
     funds for Military Construction, Air Force.
       The agreement includes section 134 providing additional 
     funds for Military Construction, Air National Guard.
       The agreement includes section 135 defining the 
     congressional defense committees.
       The agreement includes section 136 rescinding unobligated 
     balances from the fund established by Sec. 1013(d) of 42 
     U.S.C. 3374.
       The agreement includes section 137 providing additional 
     funds for Military Construction, Air Force Reserve.
       The agreement includes section 138 restricting funds in the 
     Act to be used to consolidate or relocate any element of Air 
     Force Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair 
     Squadron Engineer until certain conditions are met.
       The agreement includes section 139 (House section 515) 
     prohibiting the use of funds in this Act to close or realign 
     Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The provision is intended 
     to prevent the closure or transfer of the installation out of 
     the possession of the United States, and maintain the Naval 
     Station's long-standing regional security and migrant 
     operations missions.

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[[Page H10394]]

  


                                TITLE II

                     DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

 


                    VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION

                       COMPENSATION AND PENSIONS


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $76,865,545,000 for Compensation and 
     Pensions for fiscal year 2016, reflecting new estimates 
     provided in the Administration's mid-session review. Of the 
     amount provided, not more than $15,562,000 is to be 
     transferred to General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits 
     Administration (VBA) and Information Technology Systems for 
     reimbursement of necessary expenses in implementing 
     provisions of title 38. The agreement also provides in 
     advance $86,083,128,000 for Compensation and Pensions for 
     fiscal year 2017, of which not to exceed $16,021,000 shall be 
     transferred to the two accounts listed above. This is the 
     first year advance appropriations have been authorized and 
     provided for this account.

                         READJUSTMENT BENEFITS

       The agreement provides $14,313,357,000 for Readjustment 
     Benefits, reflecting new estimates provided in the 
     Administration's mid-session review. In addition, 
     $16,340,828,000 is provided in advance for Readjustment 
     Benefits in fiscal year 2017. This is the first year advance 
     appropriations have been authorized and provided for this 
     account.

                   VETERANS INSURANCE AND INDEMNITIES

       The agreement provides $77,160,000 for Veterans Insurance 
     and Indemnities for fiscal year 2016, as well as advance 
     appropriations for fiscal year 2017 totaling $91,920,000. 
     This is the first year advance appropriations have been 
     authorized and provided for this account.

                 VETERANS HOUSING BENEFIT PROGRAM FUND

       The agreement provides such sums as may be necessary for 
     costs associated with direct and guaranteed loans for the 
     Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund. The agreement limits 
     obligations for direct loans to not more than $500,000 and 
     provides that $164,558,000 shall be available for 
     administrative expenses.

            VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

       The agreement provides $31,000 for the cost of direct loans 
     from the Vocational Rehabilitation Loans Program Account, 
     plus $367,000 to be paid to the appropriation for General 
     Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration. The 
     agreement provides for a direct loan limitation of 
     $2,952,000.

          NATIVE AMERICAN VETERAN HOUSING LOAN PROGRAM ACCOUNT

       The agreement provides $1,134,000 for administrative 
     expenses of the Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program 
     Account.

                     VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

                            MEDICAL SERVICES

       The agreement provides $51,673,000,000 in advance for 
     fiscal year 2017 for Medical Services and makes 
     $1,400,000,000 of the advance available through fiscal year 
     2018. The agreement also provides $2,369,158,000 for fiscal 
     year 2016 in addition to the advance appropriation provided 
     last year.
       Choice Program.--The Choice program, created in the 
     Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (VACAA) of 
     2014, was designed to provide needed care outside the VA 
     system for veterans who lived far from VA medical facilities 
     or who were unable to receive an appointment within a 
     reasonable time period at a VA clinic or hospital. VACAA 
     included $15,000,000,000 in emergency, mandatory funding to 
     finance the new program as well as investments in building VA 
     capacity. The first year of the program was fraught with 
     uncertainty. Usage of the Choice program was well below 
     expectations. Yet, the information about the existence of the 
     program generated demand for the existing VA program that was 
     well beyond projections or capacity. The resulting strain on 
     care provided through VA appropriated funds reached a crisis 
     level last August when Congress was forced to transfer Choice 
     program funding to the discretionary accounts to keep VA 
     hospitals operating. That crisis generated the requirement 
     from Congress that VA develop a comprehensive plan to 
     restructure the Choice program and consolidate it with the 
     myriad other non-VA care programs operated by the Department. 
     As this new plan is developed and implemented by Congress, 
     great uncertainty still exists about the demand for 
     traditional VA care versus care provided by outside entities 
     but funded by VA. The funding provided through VACAA will be 
     exhausted sometime in fiscal year 2016 or 2017, creating 
     unprecedented demands on the discretionary account. The 
     Department is directed to provide to the Committees its cost 
     projections for Medical Care for fiscal year 2016 and 2017 
     not later than 60 days after enactment of this Act and every 
     subsequent quarter thereafter. In the absence of reasonable 
     projections of usage of VA care, the agreement provides a 
     total of nearly $2,500,000,000 for fiscal year 2016 Medical 
     Care in addition to the $58,662,202,000 provided in advance 
     last year. The bill provides the original advance funding 
     request for fiscal year 2017 of $63,271,000,000, with the 
     expectation that the Department will submit a request for 
     additional funding in the 2017 budget.
       Given that there may be significant unfunded liabilities 
     created by VACAA, the agreement includes bill language 
     permitting the transfer of funding from multiple VA 
     appropriations accounts to Medical Services to address 
     unfunded needs.
       Expansions of the Choice Program.--Subsequent eligibility 
     expansions of the Choice program by VA and by legislation 
     have been welcome developments. These expansions, 
     particularly those regarding environmental factors, have 
     opened the aperture for the Choice program and will allow 
     more veterans to utilize non-VA care options. The Department 
     is encouraged to implement these eligibility changes to the 
     Choice program in an expedited manner and to consider 
     including travel time and total distance to a VA medical 
     facility, which can address the veteran's specific healthcare 
     needs, when determining eligibility for the Choice program.
       Evaluation of the Implementation of the Choice Act.--GAO is 
     directed to submit to the Committees a report evaluating the 
     implementation by the Department of section 101 of VACAA, as 
     described in Senate bill section 250.
       Interim Results Regarding Changes to Access to Care for 
     Veterans.--VA is directed to submit a report to the 
     Committees not later than February 1, 2016, detailing the 
     changes in the delivery of care to Alaskan veterans 
     subsequent to passage of the Choice Act, as described in the 
     Senate bill section 251.
       Impact of the Choice Program on Rural Areas.--The 
     Department is instructed to submit a report to the Committees 
     not later than 180 days after enactment of this Act on the 
     implementation of the Choice Act in rural areas, as described 
     in Senate bill section 254.
       Oversight of VA Patient Access to Care.--To ensure that the 
     Veterans Health Administration's Veterans Integrated Service 
     Networks (VISNs) are complying with all legal and policy 
     standards with respect to veterans' timely access to medical 
     care, the agreement directs GAO to conduct a random audit of 
     at least three VISNs, and, to the extent practical, three 
     individual medical facilities within those VISNs. The audit 
     should assess whether the VISNs and facilities have assurance 
     programs in place to confirm compliance with all standards 
     imposed under law or any policy guidance issued by the 
     Department regarding access to hospital care, or other 
     healthcare provided by the Veterans Health Administration, or 
     provided through a contractual agreement with a non-VA 
     provider.
       Despite the Department's efforts to decrease patient wait 
     times, progress is uneven, and distressing reports abound 
     from certain areas of the country about veterans' inability 
     to get timely care. To better understand why these geographic 
     services gaps exist, the Department is directed to submit a 
     report to the Committees not later than 90 days after 
     enactment of this Act, with respect to the South Texas 
     Veterans Health Care System, the Central Alabama Veterans 
     Health Care System, the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans 
     Health System, the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System, 
     and the VA Montana Health Care System, including: (1) a 
     description of the current baseline and the nature and scope 
     of any foreseeable increase in wait times for medical 
     appointments; (2) an assessment of whether a shortage of 
     healthcare providers is the primary cause of any such 
     increase in wait times; (3) an identification of any other 
     causes of an increase in wait times; (4) a description of any 
     action taken by the Department to correct any such increase 
     in wait times; (5) an assessment of any issues relating to 
     access to care; and (6) a plan for how the Secretary will 
     remedy any such increase in wait times, including a detailed 
     description of steps to be taken and a timeline for 
     completion.
       Curing Hepatitis C within the Veteran Population.--The 
     Department is to be commended for robustly treating veterans 
     with Hepatitis C (HCV), which is a particular concern because 
     the veteran population is twice as likely to have the virus 
     as the general population. VA has developed a Hepatitis C 
     projection model, which is able to project both the 
     prevalence of HCV infections within the enrolled veteran 
     population and the number of treatments needed from 2014 
     through 2023. Available HCV drugs have a cure rate of 96 
     percent, and early, preventative treatments avoid tens of 
     thousands of dollars in future spending on transplants and 
     chemotherapy. To that end, the agreement includes bill 
     language funding the treatment of Hepatitis C within the VA 
     system at no less than $1,500,000,000 in fiscal year 2016, 
     which is $810,000,000 above the President's request.
       To assist in congressional oversight, VA is directed to 
     report to the Committees in quarterly briefings the number of 
     veterans treated to date, the number of veterans treated each 
     week, the number of veterans pronounced cured to date, the 
     projected number of new cases, and the estimate of veterans 
     likely to be cured during the next quarter. In addition, VA 
     should indicate in a report sent to the Committees not later 
     than 90 days after enactment of this Act the Department's 
     volume capacity for treatment and the Department's strategic 
     plan for addressing the veteran Hepatitis C caseload over the 
     next five years. VA is also directed to report quarterly to 
     the Committees obligations for funding Hepatitis C treatments 
     as part of the larger crosscutting VA quarterly financial 
     report required in section 219.
       Caregivers.--The agreement provides $605,000,000 for the 
     Caregiver Program, which is $50,000,000 above the budget 
     request. The funding will support stipends paid directly to

[[Page H10395]]

     family caregivers of post-9/11 veterans seriously injured in 
     the line of duty, as well as the national caregiver support 
     line and increased support for caregiver support 
     coordinators.
       Vet Centers.--The agreement provides $258,000,000 for 
     readjustment counseling at Vet Centers, which is $15,000,000 
     above the budget request. The increased funds are to be used 
     for Vet Centers, including mobile Vet Centers, to address the 
     unmet mental health needs of veterans in rural and highly 
     rural areas.
       Rural Healthcare.--The agreement includes $270,000,000 for 
     the Office of Rural Health. This funding continues the Rural 
     Health Initiative established by Congress in fiscal year 2009 
     to ensure that VA dedicates sufficient resources to reach 
     veterans residing in rural and highly rural areas who do not 
     have immediate access to a veterans medical center or 
     community-based outpatient clinic. VA is strongly encouraged 
     to continue to improve the accessibility, efficiency, and 
     effectiveness of care for rural veterans. Section 211 of the 
     bill permits the transfer of up to $20,000,000 from the 
     Office of Rural Health to the Grants to States for 
     Construction of Extended Care Facilities in order to ensure 
     the needs of rural and highly rural areas are taken into 
     account in the allocation of these construction funds.
       Ending Veteran Homelessness.--The most recent ``Point in 
     Time Count'' prepared by the Department of Housing and Urban 
     Development estimates the overall national number of homeless 
     veterans in January 2015 was 47,725, down 35 percent since 
     2009. It is expected that this reduction will continue and 
     will be reflected in next year's ``Point in Time Count''. 
     Congress has provided more than $7,200,000,000 for homeless 
     program activities during this time period to support the 
     Department's efforts. The Department is to be commended for 
     the continued reduction in homelessness among veterans, but 
     there is concern that its Agency Priority Goal of ending 
     homelessness in 2015 may not be realized. The goal is 
     important, and the Department is directed to continue 
     prioritizing resources and efforts to end veterans 
     homelessness. Therefore, the agreement provides the full 
     fiscal year 2016 and 2017 budget requests for VA homelessness 
     assistance programs and homeless veteran treatment costs. The 
     agreement directs the Department to fund the Supportive 
     Services for Veteran Families and the Grant and Per Diem 
     Program at the fully authorized level.
       Concern remains about the Department's efforts to combat 
     homelessness among female veterans and female veterans with 
     minor children. The agreement directs VA to report the 
     actions it is taking to reduce homelessness among this 
     population, as directed in the House report.
       The Secretary is directed to assess the feasibility and 
     advisability of conducting a pilot program to award grants to 
     veterans service agencies, Veteran Service Organizations 
     (VSOs), and nongovernmental organizations to provide 
     furniture, household items, and other assistance to formerly 
     homeless veterans who have transitioned to permanent housing.
       Mental Health.--The agreement provides the full budget 
     request for all VA mental health services and programs, which 
     totals $7,455,017,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $7,715,357,000 
     in fiscal year 2017. Within these amounts, the agreement 
     emphasizes the importance of investing in programs addressing 
     post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, and suicide 
     prevention.
       The Department is encouraged to seek out public-private 
     partnerships, particularly with research universities, those 
     with and without medical schools, to expand its efforts 
     related to suicide prevention, post-traumatic stress 
     disorder, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse 
     disorders.
       The Department is urged to implement a program that would 
     designate a VA liaison to work with local law enforcement to 
     ensure that the subsequent needs of veterans who are 
     considered an immediate threat to themselves and others are 
     addressed.
       The Department is urged to strengthen its relationships 
     with the VSOs that are working closely with veterans 
     suffering mental health issues.
       VA must be better poised to identify veterans suffering 
     from combat-related mental health issues and pinpoint those 
     at risk of committing suicide. In an effort to assist this 
     effort, the Department is encouraged, after consultation with 
     the Secretary of Defense, to enter into a contract with an 
     independent third party to carry out a study on the impact 
     combat service has had on suicide rates and serious mental 
     health issues among veterans. To the extent practical, the 
     study should compare the rate and method of suicides among 
     those veterans who have sought and received care from the 
     Veterans Health Administration, and those who have not. The 
     Secretary should report to the Committees not later than 30 
     days after enactment of this Act regarding the feasibility of 
     such a study.
       There is concern that the Department is reluctant to permit 
     the hiring of mental health counselors and marriage and 
     family therapists who meet all educational, licensing, and 
     examination requirements to practice in their States, but 
     whose degree is from an institution not accredited by the 
     particular organizations VA recognizes. The Department is 
     urged to pilot the hiring of therapists who meet all the 
     requirements to practice in their States and report to the 
     Committees not later than 180 days after enactment of this 
     Act about its hiring plans for this group of practitioners.
       The agreement includes $19,000,000 for the National Centers 
     for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, as outlined in the budget 
     request.
       Women Veterans.--VA must make better progress in addressing 
     the needs of women veterans. Toward this end, the agreement 
     fully funds gender-specific healthcare for both fiscal year 
     2016 and fiscal year 2017. Access to, and utilization of, VA 
     benefits and services by women veterans remain low, with 
     women often encountering cultural roadblocks in a system that 
     was largely designed to meet the needs of male veterans. 
     Therefore, the Department is directed to ensure that 
     providers within VA who interact with women veterans in a 
     clinical setting are trained to treat and address the unique 
     health issues facing women veterans. Moreover, the agreement 
     directs the Secretary to conduct an internal analysis to 
     ensure that each VISN is integrating the unique needs of 
     female veterans into each component of the healthcare system. 
     VA is directed to submit this analysis to the Committees not 
     later than 180 days after enactment of this Act.
       In an effort to leverage VA's existing local community 
     partnerships, VA should establish support networks for women 
     veterans to assist in accessing healthcare, employment 
     services, financial counseling, and housing. Furthermore, the 
     Department is directed to maximize the availability of mental 
     health services available to veterans who were victims of 
     military sexual trauma and shall report to the Committees 
     semi-annually on these efforts. The agreement also directs VA 
     to continue the Women Veterans Call Center.
       Opioid Safety.--To respond to the urgency of the opioid 
     overdose epidemic, the Department is directed to follow the 
     guidance from the Senate report in the following areas: (1) 
     adoption of the safe opioid prescribing practices for 
     chronic, non-cancer pain in outpatient settings developed by 
     the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; (2) 
     development of mechanisms for including real-time patient 
     information on existing opioid prescriptions within VA as 
     well as information in the State Prescription Drug Monitoring 
     Program; (3) establishment, in consultation with DOD, within 
     the DOD-VA Joint Executive Council of a working group focused 
     on patient pain management and opioid therapy; and (4) 
     provision of the necessary equipment and supplies to make 
     certain that all VA medical facilities are equipped with 
     approved opioid receptor antagonists. Additionally, the 
     Department is directed to report to the Committees not later 
     than 90 days after enactment of this Act on alternative 
     treatments to prescribing opioids, which may include an 
     evidence-based analysis as to which complementary and 
     integrative health therapies may be effective for the 
     treatment of pain, as well as how VA can better facilitate 
     the use of safe and effective complementary and integrative 
     health therapies for pain management.VA is also instructed to 
     comply with the Executive Memorandum issued by the President 
     on October 21, 2015, requiring Federal agencies to provide 
     training on prescribing opioids to Federal healthcare 
     professionals who prescribe controlled substances as part of 
     their Federal responsibilities. The Department should report 
     to the Committees not later than 90 days after enactment of 
     this Act the type of training it intends to provide, the 
     number and position of recipients of the training, and the 
     time frame for providing the training. Lastly, GAO, as 
     directed in the Senate report, should report to the 
     Committees on the effectiveness of the VA Opioid Safety 
     Initiative.
       Consolidated Mail Order Pharmacy.--VA Consolidated Mail 
     Order Pharmacy (CMOP) ranked highest among mail order 
     pharmacies for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power and 
     Associates 2014 National Pharmacy Study. This marked the 
     fifth consecutive year CMOP scored highest in this survey. 
     Notwithstanding past success, the program, which has been 
     recompeted, is now the subject of an Office of Inspector 
     General (OIG) audit. OIG is directed to keep the Committees 
     apprised of the ongoing and final results of the audit. The 
     Department is directed to submit a report to the Committees 
     not later than 30 days after the OIG audit results are 
     published detailing a timeline for implementation of any 
     recommendations which may arise as a result of the OIG audit.
       Recruitment and Retention of Healthcare Providers.--GAO is 
     directed to submit to the Committees a report on the 
     recruitment and retention of healthcare providers by the 
     Department, as described in Senate bill section 253.
       Locum Tenens Physicians.--The Committees had expressed 
     concern earlier this year about Drug Enforcement 
     Administration (DEA) regulations that denied VA locum tenens 
     physicians prescribing privileges unless they had a license 
     in the State of practice, even though VA policy permits them 
     to practice in any VA facility as long as they have a license 
     in at least one State. It is understood that the DEA has 
     modified its policies and has granted waivers to VA locum 
     tenens physicians, alleviating a problem that would have 
     created physician shortages in some VA facilities.
       Medical Residency Positions.--VACAA directed the Department 
     to increase the number of graduate medical education 
     residency positions by 1,500 over a five year period. On 
     September 17, 2014, VA's Office of Academic Affiliations 
     issued a Request for Proposals to VA healthcare facilities 
     and received significant interest in the residency positions. 
     As a

[[Page H10396]]

     result, the Interim Under Secretary for Health approved the 
     allocation of 200 residency positions. By July 2015, 163 of 
     the allocated positions had been filled. VA's residency 
     program depends on close coordination with program sponsors 
     and coordination with the Department of Health and Human 
     Services (HHS) Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. To 
     better understand limitations within the program and to 
     better leverage VA's graduate medical education residency 
     program, the agreement directs the Secretary, in consultation 
     with the Secretary of HHS, to provide a report to the 
     Committees not later than 90 days after enactment of this 
     Act, which details current coordination with the Direct 
     Graduate Medical Education Program, limitations that may 
     restrict VA's program and ability to expand to underserved 
     areas, and a plan to more effectively carry out VA's graduate 
     medical education program within constraints that exist in 
     the Direct Graduate Medical Education program.
       Antimicrobial Resistance.--The Department is directed to 
     carry out antimicrobial stewardship programs in accordance 
     with VHA Directive 1031, as described in the House and Senate 
     reports.
       Pain Management Boards.--The Department is directed to 
     report on the feasibility of establishing Pain Management 
     Boards within each VISN, as described in the Senate report.
       Transportation Pilot Program.--To take advantage of 
     innovations in on-demand transportation made possible through 
     mobile application technology, the Department is encouraged 
     to conduct a pilot program of this method as a means for 
     transporting veterans to VA facilities and private providers. 
     The pilot program would use transportation network companies 
     to transport veterans for medical care in at least three 
     metropolitan areas in three different VISNs. The pilot would 
     take advantage of existing flexibility in current Federal 
     procurement law, including 41 U.S.C. 1902, to enable 
     transportation network companies to fully participate in the 
     pilot program in a manner consistent with their standard 
     business model. Each trip would be considered a unique 
     transaction for the purposes of compliance with micro-
     purchase procedures. The Secretary shall evaluate the 
     effectiveness of the pilot and determine: (1) how 
     transportation network companies can meet gaps in 
     transportation services; (2) the extent to which veterans' 
     transportation needs are being met in a cost-effective 
     manner; and (3) satisfaction from veterans with the quality 
     of the transportation service and ease of use.
       Nurse Call Center.--The Secretary is directed to assess the 
     feasibility and advisability of implementing a nurse advice 
     line, including in rural areas and highly rural areas with a 
     large percentage of veterans, to furnish to veterans medical 
     advice, appointment and cancellation services, and 
     information on the availability of benefits from VA. The 
     pilot should be based on and improve upon the nurse advice 
     line implemented by DOD for beneficiaries under the TRICARE 
     program.

                     MEDICAL SUPPORT AND COMPLIANCE

       The agreement provides $6,524,000,000 in advance for fiscal 
     year 2017 for Medical Support and Compliance and makes 
     $100,000,000 of the advance funding available through fiscal 
     year 2018.

                           MEDICAL FACILITIES

       The agreement provides $5,074,000,000 in advance for fiscal 
     year 2017 for Medical Facilities, as well as $105,132,000 in 
     fiscal year 2016 funding, which is in addition to the advance 
     funding provided last year. Of the advance funding, 
     $250,000,000 is made available through fiscal year 2018.
       Joint Healthcare Facilities.--The Department and DOD have 
     developed an innovative approach to delivering healthcare by 
     developing a combined VA/DOD clinic, from the ground-up with 
     compatibility and integration by design. The agreement 
     encourages the further development and utilization of 
     innovative ideas that combine duplicative efforts and 
     restrain redundant costs while also better serving active 
     duty personnel, their families, retirees, and the veteran 
     community. The agreement recognizes the need for such 
     integrated facilities and supports the underlying mission of 
     these joint ventures. As noted, both Departments consider 
     these collaborations to be the future in providing medical 
     services for both communities. Understanding the subsequent 
     complications that may arise during integration efforts 
     between these Departments, the agreement encourages both VA 
     and DOD to provide innovative solutions to overcome these 
     challenges. The agreement further recognizes that in the 
     instance of clinics currently under construction, there are 
     possible cost and schedule overruns due to interagency 
     funding disputes. Therefore, the Department and DOD are 
     directed to resolve these issues to preserve the existing 
     delivery timeline of these clinics and report to the 
     Committees any outstanding issues related to joint VA/DOD 
     clinics not later than 30 days after enactment of this Act.
       Community-Based Outpatient Clinic Site Selection and 
     Construction.--Concerns continue to be raised about the 
     Department's oversight and management of the community-based 
     outpatient clinic (CBOC) site selection and construction 
     process. The current VA process does not always provide due 
     consideration of the interests of the patients who are to be 
     served by these facilities, as evidenced by sites which are 
     selected that are located outside areas where the majority of 
     local veterans live or sites without proximity to public 
     transportation. Additionally, there is concern regarding VA's 
     use of multi-phase construction, which can result in 
     unnecessary delays and added construction costs, in addition 
     to separate facilities for services that could be delivered 
     more effectively at one site. Several planned CBOCs, such as 
     facilities in Lorain, Ohio; Columbus, Georgia; and Rochester, 
     New York, face these problems. VA must dramatically improve 
     its long term planning for CBOC site selection and 
     construction to avoid costly mistakes and ensure veterans' 
     needs are fully considered and are made a priority in the 
     overall process. The Department is directed to review the 
     current CBOC planning process, particularly project design, 
     site selection, and cost effectiveness evaluations, and to 
     develop a plan to improve veteran access. VA should report on 
     the status of each planned CBOC nationwide not later than 30 
     days after enactment of this Act.

                    MEDICAL AND PROSTHETIC RESEARCH

       The agreement provides $630,735,000 for Medical and 
     Prosthetic Research, available until September 30, 2017. Bill 
     language is included to ensure that the Secretary allocates 
     adequate funding for research on gender appropriate 
     prosthetics and toxic exposures.
       Colorectal Cancer.--Given that colorectal cancer is the 
     second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. and VA will 
     incur substantial costs associated with its treatment, the 
     Department is encouraged to support research and development 
     in diagnostic tests, including a less costly blood test and 
     stool-based screening tests.

                    NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION

       The agreement provides $271,220,000 for the National 
     Cemetery Administration (NCA). Of the amount provided, 
     $26,600,000 is available until September 30, 2017.
       NCA Oversight Data.--NCA is instructed to provide the 
     following performance data to the Committees on a quarterly 
     basis: the percentage of graves marked within 60 days; the 
     percentage of veterans served within 75 miles of residence; 
     and the percentage of headstone and marker applications 
     processed within 20 days of request. The report should also 
     include the following workload measures, comparing planned 
     versus actual for each: the number of interments; the number 
     of graves maintained; and the applications processed.

                      DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION

                         GENERAL ADMINISTRATION


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $336,659,000 for General 
     Administration. Of the amount provided, $10,000,000 is 
     available for obligation until September 30, 2017. The 
     agreement continues to include language permitting the 
     transfer of funds from this account to General Operating 
     Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration.
       The agreement includes the following funding levels:

                                            (in thousands of dollars)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Office                                        2015                  Agreement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office of the Secretary.......................................                   10,022                   10,498
Office of General Counsel.....................................                   80,243                   92,178
Office of Management..........................................                   44,052                   44,535
Office of Human Resources and Administration..................                   61,939                   63,555
Office of Policy and Planning.................................                   24,990                   24,743
Office of Operations, Security and Preparedness...............                   17,884                   18,907
Office of Public Affairs......................................                   20,253                   21,026
Office of Intergovernmental Affairs...........................                    2,011                    1,927
Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs...............                    5,962                    5,962
Office of Acquisition, Logistics and Construction.............                   53,789                   53,328
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total.....................................................                 $321,145                 $336,659
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       The agreement recognizes the particular importance of the 
     mission of the Office of Accountability Review, the security 
     and safety activities of the Office of Operations, Security, 
     and Preparedness to protect VA facilities, and the National 
     Veterans Sports Programs, and supports these programs at the 
     budget request level.
       Whistleblower Protection.--It is unacceptable that 
     retaliation continues against whistleblowers within the 
     Department. While VA continues to assert it is doing all 
     within its

[[Page H10397]]

     power to protect whistleblowers and encourage VA employees to 
     report cases of wrongdoing, there continue to be reports that 
     in multiple cases when whistleblowers do bring problems to 
     light, the whistleblowers themselves are attacked in official 
     and unofficial ways. Such actions are reprehensible, and the 
     Department is directed to send a clear and unequivocal 
     message throughout the VA system that retaliation against 
     whistleblowers will not stand, and that those in leadership 
     who condone or ignore such retaliation will be held 
     accountable. The Department is directed to ensure that all VA 
     employees understand the rights and protections afforded to 
     them under the law. Further direction on this topic is 
     included in the Senate report.
       Third Party Fee Collection.--The Committees have urged VA 
     for several years to improve its systems for collection of 
     third party payments that are owed to VA for non-service-
     connected care for veterans at both VA and non-VA facilities. 
     With exponential increases in non-VA care, it is all the more 
     important for VA to increase collections of payments it is 
     rightfully owed. The Department is instructed to conduct a 
     pilot similar to the one described in the Senate report. 
     Emphasis should be placed on automated solutions, as 
     recommended in the September Independent Assessment, but also 
     on the use of private sector revenue cycle management 
     techniques and small balance recovery and appeals processes. 
     The pilot should test these approaches with claims resulting 
     from both VA and non-VA facility care.
       Financial Management Systems.--The Department has had an 
     abysmal record over the past decade attempting to install a 
     modern financial management system. After investing hundreds 
     of millions of dollars, VA has pulled the plug on two 
     different systems development efforts. Rather than trying to 
     move forward with another modernization plan, VA has hobbled 
     along with an antiquated system dating back to the 1980s. The 
     consequences of this misjudgment became clear earlier this 
     year when VA was unaware that medical care obligations were 
     outstripping resources so fast that hospitals were in danger 
     of closing in August. The Department has asserted that 
     acquiring a modern financial system does not compete well 
     against other IT requirements, and therefore, continues to 
     fall low on the Department's priority list. After the 
     accounting crisis the Department experienced this summer that 
     explanation is inexcusable. VA is directed to make the 
     development of a financial management system, whether 
     acquired or created, a top priority for 2016.
       Equitable Relief.--It is understood that VA is working to 
     implement new systems and protocols to eliminate instances of 
     administrative error. However, as VA enacts system-wide 
     reforms, ending equitable relief for veterans who were deemed 
     eligible for benefits in error would place an unfair burden 
     on veterans and their families. The Secretary is directed to 
     continue to grant or extend equitable relief to eligible 
     veterans initially deemed eligible in instances of 
     administrative error. Not later than April 1, 2016, the 
     Secretary shall submit to the Committees a report containing 
     a statement as to the disposition of each case recommended to 
     the Secretary for equitable relief under 38 U.S.C. 503 during 
     the preceding calendar year.
       Reduction in VA Use of Social Security Numbers.--There has 
     long been concern about the overuse of Social Security 
     numbers by VA as primary identifiers for veterans. To better 
     understand the steps being taken by VA to reduce the use of 
     Social Security numbers as the Department's primary 
     identifier, the agreement directs the Secretary to submit not 
     later than 120 days after enactment of this Act a 
     comprehensive strategic plan to reduce the unnecessary use of 
     Social Security numbers and VA's reliance on them.
       Department Unresponsiveness.--The Department's lack of 
     timely responses to congressionally directed reporting 
     requirements is extremely frustrating and directly affects 
     the ability of the Committees to conduct oversight. All too 
     often the Department fails to meet the deadlines set forth by 
     the Committees. As one example of this intransigence, a 
     report requested in Title II of the fiscal year 2015 House 
     Report 113-416 titled ``Alternative Financing'', which was 
     due on September 30, 2014, has yet to be received by the 
     Committees. In addition, there are currently 25 outstanding 
     Committee reports the Department has failed to submit on 
     time. Furthermore, even if the deadlines are met, the 
     material provided by the Department often lacks substance and 
     is of little use to the Committees. This frequently forces 
     the Committees to act on incomplete information and to 
     request the report again in subsequent Committee reports. The 
     Secretary is urged to address this issue, extending the 
     priority given to providing prompt and accurate services for 
     veterans to other important partners in this effort.
       Tribal Officer Certification.--The Department is urged to 
     revise its current regulations to permit the certification of 
     Tribal Veterans Service Officers in the same manner as State 
     and Regional Veterans Officers.
       VA Response to Oversight Reports.--The Department is 
     directed, as indicated in the Senate report, to provide 
     quarterly progress reports on VA's actions to address 
     outstanding GAO findings and recommendations, with each 
     report to be submitted not later than 30 days after the end 
     of the quarter.
       Quarterly Report.--In section 219 of the agreement, VA is 
     directed to provide on a quarterly basis, not later than 30 
     days after the end of each quarter, a quarterly financial 
     status report to include, at a minimum, the information 
     identified in this paragraph. Such information shall include:
       1. VHA obligations and collections for the three Medical 
     Care accounts, Nonrecurring Maintenance [as a non-add], 
     Medical Research, the VA-DOD Facility Demonstration Fund, and 
     MCCF collections--actual to date versus plan;
       2. Updated `VA Medical Care Obligations by Program' chart 
     displayed in the fiscal year 2016 budget justification;
       3.  Choice Act obligations for sections 801 and 802--actual 
     to date versus plan;
       4. Hepatitis C obligations, amounts funded through 
     appropriations versus Choice Act, both sources actual to date 
     versus plan;
       5. Cumulative tracking of each transfer within the Medical 
     Care appropriations accounts and between all VA 
     appropriations accounts;
       6. General Administration obligations--personal services 
     versus all other--actual to date versus plan;
       7. Board of Veterans Appeals obligations--personal services 
     versus all other--actual to date versus plan;
       8. VBA, GOE obligations--personal services versus all 
     other--actual to date versus plan;
       9. Compensation and Pensions, Readjustment Benefits, and 
     Veterans Insurance and Indemnities--obligations year-to-date 
     versus plan;
       10. NCA obligations--personal services versus all other--
     actual to date versus plan;
       11. Information Technology Systems obligations--personal 
     services versus all other--actual to date versus plan;
       12. Major and Minor Construction obligations--actual to 
     date versus plan;
       13. Obligations to date for each Major Construction 
     project, broken into design versus construction; and
       14. Status of VA full-time equivalent employment--by 
     Administration/IT and revolving funds--by quarter, actual 
     versus plan.
       Response to Security Threats.--Given the increasing threats 
     of violence in the U.S., as well as worldwide, the VA Office 
     of Security and Law Enforcement is directed to provide to the 
     Committees not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act 
     a report assessing the physical security at VA hospitals 
     nationwide, with its recommendations to improve the safety of 
     patients and staff who use these facilities. Among other 
     issues, the report should assess how intelligent policing 
     solutions could enhance the security of the hospital 
     facilities.
       Travel Restrictions.--While it is understood that VA is 
     working to reduce costs associated with travel in an effort 
     to perform more efficiently, the Secretary is directed to 
     ensure that any reduction in travel does not impact clinical 
     training or training in the field necessary to provide 
     veterans with access to healthcare and benefits.
       Gender-specific Data.--Last year, the Department was 
     directed through the Women's Health Service and the Center 
     for Women Veterans to begin to collect and analyze gender-
     specific data and to develop programs and funding 
     recommendations based on this data. VA was also encouraged, 
     in consultation with the DOD, to establish a women's working 
     group within the VA/DOD Joint Executive Committee. The 
     Department is directed to report to the Committees not later 
     than 60 days after enactment of this Act on the status of 
     these efforts.

                       BOARD OF VETERANS APPEALS

       The agreement provides $109,884,000 for the Board of 
     Veterans Appeals, of which not to exceed $10,788,000 shall 
     remain available until September 30, 2017. Bill language is 
     included in section 235 permitting VA to transfer funding 
     between this account and the General Operating Expenses, 
     Veterans Benefits Administration account if needed to align 
     funding with the appropriate account to hire staff to address 
     the appeals backlog.

      GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES, VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION

       The agreement provides $2,707,734,000 for General Operating 
     Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration and makes 
     available not to exceed $160,000,000 of this funding until 
     the end of fiscal year 2017. The agreement provides funding 
     to support the 770 additional full-time equivalent staff 
     requested in the budget--200 new appeals processors, 320 non-
     rating claims processors, 85 fiduciary field examiners, and 
     165 support personnel. The full request for the Veterans 
     Benefits Management System is provided in the agreement, 
     which includes $36,800,000 from this account and $253,000,000 
     from the Information Technology Systems account. The 
     agreement also includes the full budget request of 
     $26,300,000 for the centralized mail initiative and 
     $140,800,000 for the Veteran Claim Intake Program (VCIP).
       Disability Claims Processing.--Members of Congress have 
     been deeply concerned over the years as the backlog of 
     veterans compensation claims for service-connected 
     disabilities reached a peak, and hundreds of thousands of 
     veterans waited months or years to receive their benefits. 
     Using the resources Congress has provided, VA has chipped 
     away at the backlog and is now on a course within months to 
     clear the backlog. While encouraged by this progress, 
     Congress will remain vigilant to ensure that VA has put the 
     necessary processes and manpower in place to avoid slipping 
     back into a backlog. In addition, the resolution of 
     increasing numbers of claims has produced a significant 
     increase in appeals of claims, which creates increased 
     workload at both the regional offices and at the Board of 
     Veterans Appeals.

[[Page H10398]]

     In expectation of this second wave of an appeals backlog, the 
     agreement provides funding above the budget request for both 
     the Veterans Benefits Administration and the Board of 
     Veterans Appeals. The Department is instructed not later than 
     90 days after enactment of this Act to provide an integrated 
     master plan for the appeals process modernization, including 
     plans to ensure interoperability with the Veterans Benefits 
     Management System.
       To continue the oversight instituted by the Committees in 
     response to the backlog, the agreement:
       --Continues the requirement to provide rigorous, publicly 
     available Web-based monthly reports to the Committees on 
     performance measures for each regional office, including the 
     number of backlogged claims, the average number of days to 
     complete a claim, and error rates.
       --Continues the requirement to submit quarterly reports 
     that include the number of claims personnel in each regional 
     office, corrective action taken to remedy any problems at 
     poorly performing offices, training programs undertaken by 
     regional offices, and quality review team audits performed 
     during the quarter.
       --Requires VA to submit a report not later than 90 days 
     after enactment of this Act on current and future staffing 
     levels for each regional office.
       Military OneSource.--The Military OneSource program 
     provides important services during service members' careers, 
     offering information, referrals, non-medical counseling, 
     specialty consultations, educational materials, and many 
     other services and support worldwide 24 hours a day, seven 
     days a week, at no cost to the user. Transition out of active 
     service is a period of great flux for service members and 
     their families, and Military OneSource is of great benefit to 
     them during this turbulent time.
       VA also provides extensive services for exiting service 
     members through training, employment services, post-secondary 
     education and health services. To be certain the services of 
     the Military OneSource program and VA are not duplicative, 
     the Secretary is directed, in consultation with the Secretary 
     of Defense, to submit a report to the Committees not later 
     than 120 days after enactment of this Act detailing the 
     services provided by both programs and identifying areas 
     where the Departments need to coordinate or reprioritize.
       Fast Letter Guidance.--The Department issued Fast Letter 
     13-10, Guidance on Date of Claim Issues, on May 20, 2013, and 
     subsequently terminated the guidance effective June 27, 2014. 
     The Department is directed not to reissue such guidance 
     during fiscal year 2016.
       Post-9/11 GI Bill Overpayments.--The October, 2015 GAO 
     report that identified over $400,000,000 in post-9/11 GI bill 
     overpayments--funding that must be collected from both 
     students and higher education institutions--is of great 
     concern to the Committees. VA is urged to adopt the 
     recommendations that GAO identified, particularly updating 
     the methods by which VA notifies students and institutions of 
     debts owed (to include e-mail notification) and developing a 
     system to identify students' enrollment status each month. VA 
     is also encouraged to pursue the delayed disbursement system 
     used by the Department of Education in order to reduce the 
     amount of benefits that must be collected if a student's 
     enrollment status changes. The Department is also encouraged 
     to conduct targeted outreach and training to those schools 
     with a record of repeated benefit processing errors, and to 
     post on its website all of its policy directives, guidance, 
     and training on processing student post-9/11 GI bill 
     benefits. The Department is directed to report to the 
     Committees not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act 
     on its response to the GAO recommendations and its 
     consideration of delayed disbursement.
       Plan to Improve Vocational Rehabilitation and Education.--
     The Department is directed to develop and publish an action 
     plan not later than 270 days after enactment of this Act 
     regarding ways to improve services and assistance provided 
     under chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code, as 
     described in Senate bill section 260.

                     INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $4,133,363,000 for Information 
     Technology (IT) Systems. The agreement identifies separately 
     in bill language the funding available for pay 
     ($1,115,757,000); operations and maintenance 
     ($2,512,863,000); and systems development, modernization, and 
     enhancement ($504,743,000). The agreement makes $34,800,000 
     of pay funding available until the end of fiscal year 2017; 
     $175,000,000 of operations and maintenance funding available 
     until the end of fiscal year 2017; and all IT systems 
     development, modernization and enhancement funding available 
     until the end of fiscal year 2017.
       The agreement includes $182,600,000 for VistA Evolution, 
     the modernization of the interoperable electronic health 
     record (EHR); $50,000,000 for interoperability and Virtual 
     Lifetime Electronic Record (VLER) Health; $253,000,000 in 
     information technology funding for the Veterans Benefits 
     Management System which processes disability claims; 
     $19,100,000 for the claims appeals modernization effort; 
     $15,000,000 for Section 508 compliance efforts; $17,000,000 
     for the Medical Care Collection Fund Electronic Data Exchange 
     for providers; and $10,000,000 for the Electronic Data 
     Exchange for payers.
       As with the fiscal year 2013, 2014, and 2015 appropriations 
     Acts, the fiscal year 2016 agreement includes a prohibition 
     on obligation or expenditure of more than 25 percent of 
     fiscal year 2016 funds provided for development, 
     modernization, and enhancement of VistA EHR until the 
     Department meets reporting and accountability requirements 
     contained in the agreement.
       The agreement includes language prohibiting the obligation 
     of IT development, modernization, and enhancement funding 
     until VA submits a certification of the amounts to be 
     obligated, in part or in full, for each development project.
       The agreement includes language permitting funding to be 
     transferred among the three IT subaccounts, subject to 
     approval from the Committees.
       The agreement includes language providing that funding may 
     be transferred among development projects or to new projects 
     subject to the Committees' approval.
       The agreement provides funding for IT development, 
     modernization, and enhancement for the projects and in the 
     amounts specified in the following table:

               INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
                        (in thousands of dollars)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Project                             Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Access to Healthcare.................................            $28,970
Healthcare Efficiency IT Development.................              6,660
Electronic Health Record Interoperability/VLER Health             25,000
VistA Evolution......................................             81,900
New Models of Care...................................             25,430
Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS)...........             86,000
Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record (VLER)............             10,000
Veterans Relationship Management (VRM)...............             73,333
VHA Research IT Support Development..................             12,250
Other IT Systems Development.........................            155,200
                                                      ------------------
    Total, All Development...........................           $504,743
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       This table is intended to serve as the Department's 
     approved list of development projects; any requested changes 
     are subject to reprogramming requirements.
       Interoperability.--Within the VistA modernization plan, 
     interoperability of electronic health records between DOD and 
     VA remains a paramount concern. Although DOD's recently 
     awarded EHR acquisition contract and VA's VistA Evolution 
     program will result in two separate and distinct electronic 
     health records, the Departments are directed to ensure that 
     the two systems are interoperable with each other and with 
     the necessary entities outside their own health systems. To 
     this end, VA is directed to make progress in achieving the 
     recommendations from the GAO Report (GAO-15-530) for 
     establishing outcome-oriented metrics and goals to achieving 
     interoperability with DOD.
       Appointment Scheduling Software.--In 2014, now 
     substantiated reports began to emerge of the long delays that 
     many veterans faced when trying to schedule medical 
     appointments. Rightfully, much of the focus over the past 
     year and a half has been on reforming the system to ensure 
     that deliberate manipulation of wait time data is not 
     tolerated and that better access is created for veterans 
     seeking care. To that end, Congress passed VACAA, which among 
     other things, provides funding for additional healthcare 
     providers and infrastructure improvements, and made reforms 
     to ensure accountability at the highest levels within VA. 
     While these efforts are critical to reforming VA, it is noted 
     that VA continues to struggle with modernizing its antiquated 
     scheduling system. For more than a decade, VA has spent 
     millions in an attempt to replace its current automated 
     scheduling system, yet the Department has little to show for 
     the effort. In several hearings over the past year and a 
     half, testimony has been provided that highlights the 
     critical need to develop and update the system, yet the 
     Department has not provided a clear path forward with regard 
     to this endeavor. In fact, it is disheartening that while 
     wait times continue to plague VHA, the plan put forward to 
     replace the system continues to change and decisions continue 
     to be put off. Therefore, the agreement directs the Secretary 
     to submit to the Committees not later than 30 days after 
     enactment of this Act a report that clearly defines the plan 
     of the Department to replace or modernize the legacy 
     scheduling system, including the cost and schedule of the 
     effort.
       Expenditure Plan.--The agreement directs the Department to 
     continue to provide an IT expenditure plan to the Committees 
     not later than 30 days after enactment of this Act and on a 
     monthly basis thereafter, as indicated in both the House and 
     Senate reports. This plan should be in the same format as the 
     table entitled ``Information Technology Development 
     Projects.''
       Periodic Briefings.--The agreement requires VA to provide 
     quarterly briefings to the Committees regarding schedule, 
     milestones, obligations for VistA Evolution, and the six-
     month Project Management Accountability System delivery 
     schedule, as directed in the Senate report. It also requires 
     quarterly briefings from the DOD/VA Interagency Program 
     Office on the EHR interoperability project and monthly 
     updates to the Federal Chief Information Officer of the 
     United States, as directed in the Senate report.
       Data Dictionary.--The agreement directs the two Departments 
     to make rapid progress

[[Page H10399]]

     on the congressionally-mandated requirement to use a data 
     dictionary (unless or until a national standard exists) and 
     commit funds from available resources to support the 
     implementation of such a system.
       Information Technology Procurement.--Concerns remain over 
     VA's lack of response to previous expressions of interest and 
     concern regarding the pending Transformation Twenty-One Total 
     Technology Next Generation (T4NG) procurement vehicle. As 
     Committee reports have previously stated, this contract is of 
     critical importance to VA's mission, especially as VA moves 
     to implement new initiatives provided in VACAA. Therefore, VA 
     is urged to increase the number of contract awards on T4NG to 
     a minimum of 24, distributed equally between small and large 
     vendors.
       Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Cards.--The Department 
     is encouraged to participate in the government-wide effort to 
     enhance security, including cybersecurity, through increasing 
     the use of PIV cards by its employees. Funding is available 
     in the Information Technology Systems account for this 
     effort.

                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

       The agreement provides $136,766,000 for the Office of 
     Inspector General (OIG). Of the amount provided, not to 
     exceed $12,676,000 is available for obligation until 
     September 30, 2017. The agreement includes section 239 which 
     requires the OIG to provide work products to requesting 
     Members and congressional committees and to post all final 
     work products not later than three days after they are 
     presented to the Secretary.
       VA Antimicrobial Stewardship.--The OIG is directed to 
     conduct a review not later than September 30, 2016, of 
     efforts to implement Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs at 
     VHA facilities, as described in the Senate report.

                      CONSTRUCTION, MAJOR PROJECTS

       The agreement provides $1,243,800,000 for Construction, 
     Major Projects, which is $100,000,000 above the budget 
     request. The agreement makes this funding available for five 
     years, except that $80,000,000 is made available until 
     expended.
       Outside Project Management.--To ensure the Department will 
     never again mishandle public funds on a construction project 
     in the manner and to the degree the Denver VA Medical Center 
     in Aurora, CO, was mismanaged, the agreement directs that 
     $649,000,000 for Veterans Health Administration major 
     construction projects shall not be available until the 
     Department enters into an agreement with a non-Department of 
     Veterans Affairs Federal entity to serve as the design and/or 
     construction agent for each major construction project with a 
     total estimated cost of $100,000,000 or above. The agreement 
     makes the funding available for obligation for each project 
     only after VA certifies that the agreement with the non-
     Department Federal entity is in effect for that project. The 
     seven VHA projects affected by the fencing provision are in 
     Alameda, CA; American Lake, WA; Livermore, CA; Long Beach, 
     CA; Louisville, KY; San Francisco, CA; and West Los Angeles, 
     CA.
       The requirement to contract with an outside agent for major 
     construction projects was also mandated in Section 502 of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 
     2015 (Public Law 114-58), enacted on September 30, 2015. The 
     law contemplates that the non-Department Federal entity will 
     provide management over all or part of the project design, 
     acquisition, construction, and appropriate contract changes, 
     and the Department will reimburse the entity for all 
     appropriate costs associated with the provision of such 
     services. Given the timing of the fiscal year 2016 budget 
     request, the Department did not have the opportunity to 
     request the necessary resources to support these costs. 
     Recognizing that the Department does not have the resources 
     for the cost of an outside manager of its large projects, the 
     agreement includes a line item of $100,000,000 in order to 
     make this expert outside oversight possible. For future 
     budgets, VA is directed to establish a line item in the Major 
     Construction account for such costs for all impacted 
     projects.
       The agreement funds the following items as requested in the 
     budget submission:

                      CONSTRUCTION, MAJOR PROJECTS
                        (in thousands of dollars)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Location and description                    Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Veterans Health Admin. (VHA):
    St. Louis, MO medical facility improvements and              $90,100
     cemetery expansion..............................
    Louisville, KY new medical facility..............             75,000
    American Lake, WA seismic corrections, renovation             11,000
     of two buildings and construction of a new
     specialty care building.........................
    San Francisco, CA seismic retrofits and                      158,000
     replacement of four buildings...................
    West Los Angeles, CA seismic corrections of 12                35,000
     buildings.......................................
    Long Beach, CA seismic corrections for mental                161,000
     health and community living center..............
    Alameda, CA new outpatient clinic and national                70,000
     cemetery........................................
    Livermore, CA realignment and closure of                     139,000
     Livermore campus................................
    Perry Point, MD replacement community living                  83,700
     center..........................................
    Advance Planning Fund--various locations.........             92,736
    Abestos--various stations........................             15,000
    Major Construction Staff--various locations......             24,000
    Claims Analysis--various locations...............              5,000
    Hazardous Waste--various locations...............             15,000
    Judgment Fund--various stations..................              9,000
    Non-VA Management Fees...........................            100,000
                                                      ------------------
        Total VHA....................................          1,083,536
National Cemetery Admin. (NCA):
    Bayamon, PR--gravesite expansion.................             45,000
    Portland, OR--Willamette cemetery gravesite                   35,000
     expansion.......................................
    Riverside, CA--gravesite expansion and                        40,000
     improvements....................................
    Pensacola, FL--Barrancas cemetery gravesite                   27,500
     expansion.......................................
    Advance Planning Fund--various locations.........              8,264
                                                      ------------------
        Total NCA....................................            155,764
General Admin.:
    Staff Offices Advance Planning Fund..............              4,500
        Major Construction total.....................         $1,243,800
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Budget Justification Documents.--With the involvement of an 
     outside non-VA government entity managing VA's large-scale 
     construction projects, there is an opportunity to develop 
     improved information for the Committees about future 
     projects. To further enhance the ability to conduct proper 
     oversight of VA's major construction efforts, the Department 
     is instructed to include additional information in its future 
     budget requests. The format for this information should be 
     developed with the input of the future managing agent, but it 
     should resemble the format of the DOD Form 1391 and include 
     all information from that form that is relevant to a VA 
     project. Among the budget items that should be included are: 
     total cost and a detailed description of any incremental 
     funding or phasing of the project, including any 
     severability; complete schedule of budget authority already 
     received and needed in future years; detailed justification 
     for any change between the prior year and current budget 
     submission for the project; description of design versus 
     construction costs for the project and identification of 
     primary facility versus supporting facilities in the project; 
     and the schedule for start of design, the point at which the 
     design is 35 percent complete, the date that design is fully 
     complete, and the date for start of construction.
       Defense Health Agency Construction.--The Defense Health 
     Agency (DHA) employs a comprehensive approach to hospital 
     construction, working closely with the military services and 
     monitoring the process as military hospitals are planned, 
     built, maintained, and replaced. Military hospital 
     construction projects are managed by the United States Army 
     Corps of Engineers (USACE) or the Naval Facilities 
     Engineering Command (NAVFAC), both of which have extensive 
     experience and expertise in managing large construction 
     projects. DHA consults with USACE and NAVFAC throughout the 
     planning, design, and construction phases of a project to 
     help manage project execution and change orders. Notably, DHA 
     also accepts input from clinicians early on in the design 
     process, but maintains control of the project after that 
     point, which serves as a limiting factor on costly and time-
     consuming change orders. The close coordination among DHA, 
     USACE, and NAVFAC enables DHA to more efficiently manage the 
     design and construction of large-scale medical facilities, 
     while containing cost and schedule overruns. Given the 
     massive cost overruns and lengthy delays in recent VA 
     hospital construction projects, the Department is directed to 
     consult with DHA on best practices in hospital design and 
     construction. Further, VA is directed to submit a report to 
     the Committees not later than 180 days after enactment of 
     this Act regarding steps taken to fulfill this directive.
       Alternative Sources of Construction Funding.--For two 
     years, the Committees have directed VA to work 
     collaboratively with other executive branch agencies that 
     have substantial construction portfolios, private

[[Page H10400]]

     sector contractors, and other non-governmental experts to 
     explore the feasibility of new funding mechanisms for VA 
     construction, such as private development lease-backs, and 
     report to the Committees on these alternative mechanisms. The 
     executive branch clearance process has apparently prevented 
     the submission of this report. Therefore, the Department is 
     directed to provide directly to the Committees not later than 
     10 days after enactment of this Act the draft report 
     submitted to the Office of Management and Budget.
       Medical Facilities Realignment.--Concern remains that VA 
     medical care realignments are being approached in an ad hoc 
     manner by each individual VISN rather than on a comprehensive 
     basis by VA Central Office. Moreover, such an approach may 
     lead to inequitable and inefficient distribution of medical 
     resources throughout the nation. Before VA makes any decision 
     to relocate, close, or diminish services at an existing 
     facility, or proceeds with any such realignment already 
     underway, consideration must be given to the impact such 
     action would have on veterans, especially tribal veterans or 
     veterans in rural or highly rural areas, Post-traumatic 
     Stress Disorder Treatment Programs, and other Residential 
     Rehabilitation Treatment Programs. VA must adhere to a clear 
     and transparent process that engages all parties from the 
     onset and is consistent with a national realignment strategy. 
     In title II of division I of the Consolidated and Further 
     Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (P.L.
     113-235), the Committees suspended the proposed realignment 
     of services in VISN 23 until such a report with a national 
     strategy was transmitted to the Committees. To date, that 
     report has not been received. The Department is again 
     directed to comply with the request for the report on the 
     VISN 23 proposed realignment.

                      CONSTRUCTION, MINOR PROJECTS

       The agreement provides $406,200,000 for Construction, Minor 
     Projects. The agreement makes this funding available for five 
     years.
       Expenditure Plan.--The agreement includes the directive for 
     the Department to provide an expenditure plan not later than 
     30 days after enactment of this Act, as provided in the 
     Senate report. This expenditure plan shall include a complete 
     list of minor construction projects to be supported in fiscal 
     year 2016. The plan shall be updated six months and twelve 
     months after enactment.
       Mobile Surgical Units.--The Department is directed to 
     launch a pilot project to test the cost efficiency of leasing 
     or purchasing mobile surgical units, as described in the 
     Senate report.

       GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF STATE EXTENDED CARE FACILITIES

       The agreement provides $120,000,000 for Grants for 
     Construction of State Extended Care Facilities, to remain 
     available until expended. In addition, section 211 permits 
     the transfer of up to $20,000,000 from Medical Services to 
     this account for the purposes described in the Senate report.
       The Department is urged to calculate the maximum bed 
     numbers necessary to support peak veteran populations and 
     develop contingency plans to address spikes and declines over 
     the next ten years. The Department is also directed to keep 
     the Committees apprised of its timeline to revise the 
     regulation setting the maximum bed number for State homes in 
     each State. The Office of Rural Health is directed to partner 
     with State agencies to study the need for long-term care for 
     veterans in rural or highly rural areas.

             GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF VETERANS CEMETERIES

       The agreement provides $46,000,000 for Grants for 
     Construction of Veterans Cemeteries, to remain available 
     until expended.

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS


             (Including Transfers and Rescissions of Funds)

       The agreement includes section 201 allowing for transfer of 
     funds among the three mandatory accounts.
       The agreement includes section 202 allowing for the 
     transfer of funds among the three medical accounts.
       The agreement includes section 203 allowing salaries and 
     expenses funds to be used for related authorized purposes.
       The agreement includes section 204 restricting the accounts 
     that may be used for the acquisition of land or the 
     construction of any new hospital or home.
       The agreement includes section 205 limiting the use of 
     funds in the Medical Services account only for entitled 
     beneficiaries unless reimbursement is made to the Department.
       The agreement includes section 206 allowing for the use of 
     certain mandatory appropriations accounts for payment of 
     prior year accrued obligations for those accounts.
       The agreement includes section 207 allowing the use of 
     appropriations available in this title to pay prior year 
     obligations.
       The agreement includes section 208 allowing the Department 
     to use surplus earnings from the National Service Life 
     Insurance Fund, the Veterans' Special Life Insurance Fund, 
     and the United States Government Life Insurance Fund to 
     administer these programs.
       The agreement includes section 209 allowing the Department 
     to cover the administrative expenses of enhanced-use leases 
     and provides authority to obligate these reimbursements in 
     the year in which the proceeds are received.
       The agreement includes section 210 limiting the amount of 
     reimbursement the Office of Resolution Management and the 
     Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication 
     can charge other offices of the Department for services 
     provided.
       The agreement includes section 211 permitting the transfer 
     of up to $20,000,000 from the Office of Rural Health to 
     Grants for Construction of State Extended Care Facilities.
       The agreement includes section 212 requiring the Department 
     to collect third-party payer information for persons treated 
     for a non-service connected disability.
       The agreement includes section 213 allowing for the use of 
     enhanced-use leasing revenues for Construction, Major 
     Projects and Construction, Minor Projects.
       The agreement includes section 214 outlining authorized 
     uses for Medical Services funds.
       The agreement includes section 215 allowing for funds 
     deposited into the Medical Care Collections Fund to be 
     transferred to the Medical Services account.
       The agreement includes section 216 which allows Alaskan 
     veterans to use medical facilities of the Indian Health 
     Service or tribal organizations.
       The agreement includes section 217 permitting the transfer 
     of funds from the Department of Veterans Affairs Capital 
     Asset Fund to the Construction, Major Projects and 
     Construction, Minor Projects accounts and makes those funds 
     available until expended.
       The agreement includes section 218 prohibiting the use of 
     funds for any policy prohibiting the use of outreach or 
     marketing to enroll new veterans.
       The agreement includes section 219 requiring the Secretary 
     to submit financial status quarterly reports for each of the 
     Administrations in the Department. The specific data 
     requested is listed in the explanatory statement for the 
     General Administration account.
       The agreement includes section 220 requiring the Department 
     to notify and receive approval from the Committees of any 
     proposed transfer of funding to or from the Information 
     Technology Systems account and limits the aggregate annual 
     increase in the account to no more than ten percent of the 
     funding appropriated to the account in this Act.
       The agreement includes section 221 prohibiting any funds 
     from being used in a manner that is inconsistent with 
     statutory limitations on outsourcing.
       The agreement includes section 222 providing up to 
     $267,521,000 of fiscal year 2016 funds for transfer to the 
     Joint DOD-VA Medical Facility Demonstration Fund.
       The agreement includes section 223 which permits 
     $265,675,000 of fiscal year 2017 medical care funding 
     provided in advance to be transferred to the Joint DOD-VA 
     Medical Facility Demonstration Fund.
       The agreement includes section 224 which authorizes 
     transfers from the Medical Care Collections Fund to the Joint 
     DOD-VA Medical Facility Demonstration Fund.
       The agreement includes section 225 which transfers at least 
     $15,000,000 from VA medical accounts to the DOD-VA Health 
     Care Sharing Incentive Fund.
       The agreement includes section 226 which rescinds fiscal 
     year 2016 medical account funding and re-appropriates it to 
     be available for two years. The provision rescinds and re-
     appropriates $1,400,000,000 for Medical Services, rescinds 
     and re-appropriates $100,000,000 for Medical Support and 
     Compliance, and rescinds and re-appropriates $250,000,000 for 
     Medical Facilities.
       The agreement includes section 227 requiring that the 
     Department notify the Committees of bid savings in a major 
     construction project of at least $5,000,000, or five percent, 
     whichever is less, 14 days prior to the obligation of the bid 
     savings and their anticipated use.
       The agreement includes section 228 which prohibits VA from 
     increasing the scope of work for a major construction project 
     above the scope specified in the original budget request 
     unless the Secretary receives approval from the Committees.
       The agreement includes section 229 requiring a quarterly 
     report from each VBA regional office on pending disability 
     claims, both initial and supplemental; error rates; the 
     number of claims processing personnel; corrective actions 
     taken; training programs; and review team audit results.
       The agreement includes section 230 limiting the funding 
     from the Medical Services and Medical Support and Compliance 
     accounts for the VistA Evolution and electronic health record 
     interoperability projects.
       The agreement includes section 231 requiring VA to notify 
     the Committees 15 days prior to any staff office relocations 
     within VA of 25 or more FTE.
       The agreement includes section 232 requiring the Secretary 
     to report to the Committees each quarter about any single 
     national outreach and awareness marketing campaign exceeding 
     $2,000,000.
       The agreement includes section 233 prohibiting funds 
     available to the Department in this or any other Act from 
     being used to replace the current system by which VISNs 
     select and contract for diabetes monitoring supplies and 
     equipment.
       The agreement includes section 234 permitting the transfer 
     to the Medical Services account of fiscal year discretionary 
     2016 funds appropriated in this Act or available from advance 
     fiscal year 2016 funds already appropriated, except for funds 
     appropriated to

[[Page H10401]]

     General Operating Expenses, VBA, to address possible unmet, 
     high priority needs in Medical Services. Such unanticipated 
     demands may result from circumstances such as a greater than 
     projected number of enrollees or higher intensity of use of 
     benefits. Any such transfer requires the approval of the 
     Committees.
       The agreement includes section 235 permitting the transfer 
     of funding between the General Operating Expenses, Veterans 
     Benefits Administration account and the Board of Veterans 
     Appeals account if necessary to permit the hiring of staffing 
     at the appropriate stage of the appeals process to address 
     mounting claims appeals workload. Any such transfer requires 
     the approval of the Committees.
       The agreement includes section 236 rescinding $30,000,000 
     in unobligated balances in the DOD-VA Health Care Sharing 
     Incentive Fund.
       The agreement includes section 237 prohibiting the 
     Secretary from reprogramming funds in excess of $5,000,000 
     among major construction projects or programs unless the 
     reprogramming is approved by the Committees.
       The agreement includes section 238 amending the 
     Whistleblower Protection Act to ensure that title 38 medical 
     staff are fully covered under the Act.
       The agreement includes section 239 amending title 38 of the 
     U.S.C. to require the VA Inspector General to make public all 
     work products that make recommendations or otherwise suggest 
     corrective action and to post them on-line.
       The agreement includes section 240 prohibiting the payment 
     of the salary of any individual who was the executive 
     director of the Office of Acquisition, Logistics and 
     Construction, and who retired in the midst of an 
     investigation of delays and cost overruns associated with the 
     design and construction of the new medical center in Aurora, 
     CO.
       The agreement includes section 241 which prohibits funds 
     from being used to transfer funding from the Filipino 
     Veterans Equity Compensation Fund to any other VA account.
       The agreement includes section 242 which prohibits funds 
     from being used to carry out the Appraisal Value Offer 
     Program or the Home Marketing Incentive Program, with a 
     waiver for situations in which the recruitment of qualified 
     personnel would be difficult without these incentives. The 
     Secretary is required to report to the Committees each use of 
     this waiver authority.
       The agreement includes section 243 which creates a 
     recurring expenses fund for the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs, generated by the transfer of expired funds before 
     cancellation. The fund can be used for facilities 
     infrastructure improvements, including nonrecurring 
     maintenance, and for information technology improvements and 
     sustainment. The Department is not authorized to obligate 
     money from the fund without approval of the Committees.

                               TITLE III

                            RELATED AGENCIES

                  American Battle Monuments Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement includes $105,100,000 for Salaries and 
     Expenses of the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC). 
     The agreement provides an additional $30,000,000 above the 
     budget request to support large, planned projects such as the 
     Manila Visitor Center, significant repairs and refurbishing 
     at the Normandy American Cemetery and other locations, and 
     interpretive work supporting the World War I centennial. In 
     addition, the funds are to be used to provide ABMC sites with 
     adequate and appropriate security, including, but not limited 
     to, safe havens, gates, lighting, and closed-circuit cameras 
     with remote access. Such projects should be subject to a 
     risk-based analysis, and meet or exceed the requirements set 
     by the Regional Security Office in each country. The funds 
     provided over the budget request are not intended for regular 
     operations and maintenance needs. Not later than 30 days 
     after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
     submit a spend plan detailing the use of these funds to the 
     Committees.

                 Foreign Currency Fluctuations Account

       The agreement includes such sums as necessary, estimated at 
     $2,000,000, for the Foreign Currency Fluctuations Account.

           United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement includes $32,141,000 for Salaries and 
     Expenses for the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans 
     Claims, as requested.

                      DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE--CIVIL

                       Cemeterial Expenses, Army


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       Theagreement provides $79,516,000 for Salaries and 
     Expenses, including an additional $8,716,000 over the request 
     to address deferred maintenance and infrastructure repairs at 
     Arlington National Cemetery. Not later than 30 days after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Executive Director shall 
     submit a spend plan detailing the use of these funds to the 
     Committees.

                      Armed Forces Retirement Home


                               TRUST FUND

       The agreement includes $64,300,000 for the Armed Forces 
     Retirement Home (AFRH). The Trust Fund was established to 
     support the operations and expenses of the AFRH, and is 
     replenished from a variety of sources, including fines and 
     forfeitures and Active Duty Withholding. However, the largest 
     source of funds, which is derived from fines and forfeitures, 
     is diminishing. Annual outlays for the Fund have exceeded 
     revenues since 2011, and in November 2015 DOD informed the 
     Committees that, counter to the assumptions in the fiscal 
     year 2016 budget request, the Trust Fund balances are not 
     sufficient to support the expenses of AFRH; therefore, the 
     Fund was projected to be insolvent by April 2016. As an 
     emergency measure to assure solvency for AFRH, the agreement 
     directs that, of the $64,300,000 total, $44,300,000 is to be 
     derived from the Trust Fund and $20,000,000 provided from the 
     General Fund. However, the use of the General Fund is a not a 
     long-term solution, and AFRH is directed to work with DOD to 
     develop an approach that will replenish the Trust Fund in a 
     sustainable, reliable manner and to present that approach to 
     the Committees in the fiscal year 2017 budget request along 
     with legislative proposals. In addition, AFRH is directed to 
     regularly report to the Committees on efforts to stabilize 
     the Trust Fund and to lease property at the Washington, D.C. 
     facility.
       AFRH Operations Improvements.--With the removal of the 
     Administrator and the Chief of Healthcare Services at the 
     Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, Mississippi (AFRH-
     G), it is expected replacements for these positions will be 
     chosen thoughtfully and expeditiously, and the Committees 
     will continue to monitor DOD's actions to remedy the problems 
     that led to the removal of these individuals. Therefore, the 
     Chief Operating Officer of the AFRH is directed to submit to 
     the Committees not later than 90 days after enactment of this 
     Act a report detailing the improvements made to AFRH-G 
     operations to address these problems, to include, but not be 
     limited to, actions taken to enhance healthcare staffing at 
     the facility through improved human resources management and 
     staff performance oversight.

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

       The agreement includes section 301 permitting funds to be 
     provided to Arlington County, Virginia, for the relocation of 
     a water main located on the Arlington National Cemetery 
     property.
       The agreement includes section 302 allowing Arlington 
     National Cemetery to deposit and use funds derived from 
     concessions.

            OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS (HOUSE TITLE IV)

       The agreement does not include House Title IV, Overseas 
     Contingency Operations. Funding for those projects is 
     included in Title I.

                                TITLE IV

                           GENERAL PROVISIONS

       The agreement includes section 401 prohibiting the 
     obligation of funds in this Act beyond the current fiscal 
     year unless expressly so provided.
       The agreement includes section 402 prohibiting the use of 
     the funds in this Act for programs, projects or activities 
     not in compliance with Federal law relating to risk 
     assessment, the protection of private property rights, or 
     unfunded mandates.
       The agreement includes section 403 encouraging all 
     Departments to expand their use of ``E-Commerce.''
       The agreement includes section 404 specifying the 
     congressional committees that are to receive all reports and 
     notifications.
       The agreement includes section 405 prohibiting the transfer 
     of funds to any instrumentality of the United States 
     Government without authority from an appropriations Act.
       The agreement includes section 406 prohibiting the use of 
     funds for a project or program named for a serving Member, 
     Delegate, or Resident Commissioner of the United States House 
     of Representatives.
       The agreement includes section 407 requiring all reports 
     submitted to Congress to be posted on official Web sites of 
     the submitting agency.
       The agreement includes section 408 prohibiting the use of 
     funds to establish or maintain a computer network unless such 
     network blocks the viewing, downloading, and exchanging of 
     pornography, except for law enforcement investigation, 
     prosecution, or adjudication activities.
       The agreement includes section 409 prohibiting the use of 
     funds for the payment of first-class travel by an employee of 
     the executive branch.
       The agreement includes section 410 prohibiting the use of 
     funds in this Act for any contract where the contractor has 
     not complied with E-Verify requirements.
       The agreement includes section 411 prohibiting the use of 
     funds in this Act by the Department of Defense or the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs for the purchase or lease of a 
     new vehicle except in accordance with Presidential 
     Memorandum--Federal Fleet Performance, dated May 24, 2011.
       The agreement includes section 412 prohibiting the use of 
     funds in this Act for the renovation, expansion, or 
     construction of any facility in the continental United States 
     for the purpose of housing any individual who has been 
     detained at the United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, 
     Cuba.

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[[Page H10412]]

  


   DIVISION K--DEPARTMENT OF STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED 
                   PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2016

       In implementing this agreement, Federal departments, 
     agencies, commissions, and other entities are directed to 
     comply with the directives, reporting requirements, and 
     instructions contained in H. Rept. 114-154 (House report) 
     accompanying H.R. 2772 (House bill) and S. Rept. 114-79 
     (Senate report) accompanying S. 1725 (Senate bill) as though 
     stated in this explanatory statement, unless specifically 
     directed to the contrary. This explanatory statement, while 
     repeating some House and Senate report language for emphasis 
     or clarification, does not negate such language unless 
     expressly provided herein. In cases in which the House and 
     Senate reports provide contradictory directives or 
     instructions that are not addressed in this explanatory 
     statement, such directives or instructions are negated. In 
     lieu of the tables contained in the House and Senate reports, 
     the tables contained in this explanatory statement shall 
     guide departments, agencies, commissions, and other entities 
     when allocating funds.
       The Act modifies section 7019 of the House and Senate bills 
     and requires that amounts designated in the respective tables 
     referenced in this explanatory statement for funds 
     appropriated in titles III through V shall be made available 
     in such designated amounts and shall be the basis of the 
     report required by section 653(a) of the Foreign Assistance 
     Act of 1961 (FAA) (the 653(a) report), where applicable. 
     Section 7019 also includes limited authority to deviate from 
     such specified amounts. In addition, the Act modifies section 
     7015 of the House and Senate bills to clarify reprogramming 
     and notification requirements for funds made available by 
     this Act. Proposed deviations from tables in title I of this 
     explanatory statement are subject to section 7015.
       For the purposes of this Act, the term ``regular 
     notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations'' 
     shall mean such Committees must be notified not less than 15 
     days in advance of the initial obligation of funds, and the 
     term ``reporting procedures of the Committees on 
     Appropriations'' shall mean a report must be provided to such 
     Committees not more than 90 days after the conclusion of 
     fiscal year 2016.
       Section 7076(e) of this Act directs the Department of State 
     and the United States Agency for International Development 
     (USAID) to submit congressional budget justifications (CBJs) 
     concurrent with the date of submission of the President's 
     budget for fiscal year 2017, and the appendices of such CBJs 
     shall be provided not later than 10 calendar days thereafter. 
     Such CBJs shall include justifications for multi-year 
     availability for funds requested under Diplomatic and 
     Consular Programs and Operating Expenses. The Department of 
     State, USAID, and other agencies are directed to include in 
     CBJs the information included in the Introduction of the 
     Senate report under Congressional Budget Request and 
     Justifications on reimbursement agreements, the Economy Act, 
     working capital funds, office closures, and representation 
     expenses, as applicable.
       The Department of State, USAID, and other agencies funded 
     by this Act are directed to notify the Committees on 
     Appropriations of:
       (1) reprogrammings of funds, as required by sections 7015 
     and 7019 of this Act, at the most detailed level of the CBJ, 
     this Act, or explanatory statement;
       (2) significant departures in funding from the CBJ or the 
     653(a) report to be submitted 30 days after enactment of this 
     Act; and
       (3) commitments requiring significant funding and staffing 
     in future fiscal years.
       When submitting notifications for funds made available in 
     title III of this Act pursuant to the requirements of this 
     Act or the FAA, the Secretary of State and the USAID 
     Administrator, as appropriate, are directed to indicate when 
     funds will be provided to a trust fund of an international 
     financial institution, as defined in section 7034(r)(3) of 
     this Act. The Secretary of State and USAID Administrator are 
     further directed to follow the guidance contained in the 
     Senate report regarding notifications required for internal 
     reorganizations. In addition, CBJ documents, and operating 
     and spend plans, shall not suffice for purposes of satisfying 
     special notification requirements contained in this Act.
       In lieu of the directives to the Government Accountability 
     Office (GAO) contained in the House and Senate reports, this 
     explanatory statement addresses matters on which the House 
     and Senate concur and action by the GAO is requested. The Act 
     includes directives for GAO under Millennium Challenge 
     Corporation and under sections 7039(e), 7043(b)(4), and 
     7077(c)(3).
       The Chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), 
     the Director of the Peace Corps, the Chief Executive Officer 
     (CEO) of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the 
     President of the Export-Import Bank, and the President and 
     CEO of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) are 
     directed to comply with the records management directives in 
     section 7077(c) of this Act, where appropriate, including the 
     report required by paragraph (2), with the exception of 
     clauses (iii) and (vi) of subparagraph (B).
       As in prior fiscal years, additional funding designated as 
     Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism (OCO/
     GWOT) pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
     Control Act of 1985 (BBEDCA) is contained in title VIII of 
     this Act. Such funds are intended to address the 
     extraordinary costs of operations and assistance overseas, 
     particularly in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa; 
     security, stabilization, and peacekeeping programs; 
     humanitarian activities; and counterterrorism and 
     counterinsurgency efforts.

            TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND RELATED AGENCY

                          DEPARTMENT OF STATE

                   Administration of Foreign Affairs

       The Act provides $8,062,975,000 for Administration of 
     Foreign Affairs, and an additional $3,376,259,000 in title 
     VIII under this heading is designated for OCO/GWOT pursuant 
     to BBEDCA. The Act includes a total of $5,616,847,000 for 
     embassy security, an increase of $1,850,000 above the 
     request, as contained in the table below:

                            EMBASSY SECURITY
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Program/Activity                     Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Security Protection........................          3,395,100
Embassy Security, Construction, and Maintenance......          2,221,747
                                                      ------------------
    Total, Embassy Security..........................          5,616,847
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR PROGRAMS

       The Act provides $5,622,913,000 for Diplomatic and Consular 
     Programs, and an additional $2,561,808,000 in title VIII 
     under this heading is designated for OCO/GWOT pursuant to 
     BBEDCA.
       Within the total provided under this heading in this title, 
     up to $1,428,468,000 is for Worldwide Security Protection 
     (WSP) and may remain available until expended; $4,193,702,000 
     is for operations, of which $629,055,000 may remain available 
     until September 30, 2017; and $743,000 is for the 
     International Chancery Center. Not later than September 1, 
     2016, the Secretary of State is directed to report to the 
     Committees on Appropriations on projected amounts available 
     for operations beyond fiscal year 2016 by category and 
     bureau. Funds for embassy operations in Afghanistan, 
     Pakistan, and Iraq are included in title VIII of this Act.
       Funds for activities, bureaus, and offices under this 
     heading in this title are allocated according to the 
     following table:

                    DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR PROGRAMS
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Category                         Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Human Resources......................................         2,181,622
    Worldwide Security Protection....................         [358,833]
Overseas Programs....................................         1,561,840
Diplomatic Policy and Support........................           791,121
Security Programs....................................         1,087,587
    Worldwide Security Protection....................       [1,069,635]
                                                      ------------------
        Subtotal, Diplomatic and Consular Programs            5,622,170
         Appropriated Funds..........................
International Chancery Center........................               743
                                                      ------------------
        Total, Diplomatic and Consular Programs......         5,622,913
------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
                    Bureau/Office
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau of Administration:
    Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)................           [29,000]
Conflict Stabilization Operations....................             12,000
    Overseas Response................................            [1,000]
Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation...........              5,750
Cultural Antiquities Task Force......................              1,000
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.........             33,516
    Human Rights Vetting.............................            [7,000]
    Office of International Religious Freedom........            [5,000]
Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of                    [1,000]
 Religious Minorities in the Near East and South
 Central Asia........................................
Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs:
    Office of Terrorism Financing and Economic                   [5,100]
     Sanctions Policy................................
Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons..             12,000
Legal Advisor:
    Document Review Unit.............................            [2,400]
Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and              34,588
 Scientific Affairs..................................
    Office of Oceans and Polar Affairs...............            [4,290]
Office of the Secretary:
    Office of the Special Coordinator for Tibetan                [1,000]
     Issues..........................................
    Office of the Coordinator for Cyber Issues.......            [4,025]
    Office of Global Women's Issues..................            [5,086]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       The Department of State has an existing contract with a 
     professional services firm to perform a cost-benefit analysis 
     (CBA) of three different locations as options for locating 
     the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC). 
     Completion and submission of the ongoing CBA would meet the 
     requirement in paragraph (6)(E)(i).
       The notification required by paragraph (6)(E)(ii) under 
     this heading shall include a justification for any decision 
     made by the Department of State to obligate funds for FASTC, 
     including a plan for maintaining training at existing sites 
     until FASTC becomes operational. Such justification shall 
     also contain the reason for the site selected, including how 
     the selected location is expected to improve training 
     capacity and effectiveness commensurate with the estimated 
     cost of constructing, operating, maintaining, and sustaining 
     FASTC at such location, the projected cost of construction, 
     and the timeline for completion. The Secretary of State, in 
     coordination with other Department and agency heads, as 
     appropriate, is directed to pursue options to reduce the 
     impact of any job losses that may result at existing training 
     sites when FASTC becomes operational.
       The agreement does not include the funds requested in the 
     fiscal year 2016 CBJ for new non-security positions, unless 
     specifically noted herein.
       As the current chair of the Arctic Council, the United 
     States will serve as the host for the 2017 Arctic Ministerial 
     Meeting. The Secretary of State is directed to ensure that 
     such meeting is held as close to the United States Arctic 
     region as possible and shall consult with the Congress on the 
     selection of

[[Page H10413]]

     an appropriate location. The Act continues the authority in 
     section 504 of Public Law 95-426 related to the Arctic region 
     and supports the participation of American indigenous 
     communities in the Arctic Council, as recommended in the 
     Senate report.
       The agreement includes $12,000,000 for the Office to 
     Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons for support of 
     activities and directives described in the House and Senate 
     reports, including for additional staff to reduce the country 
     workload of regional analysts and improve the expertise of 
     in-country personnel. Prior to the submission of the 
     operating plan required by section 7076(a) of this Act, the 
     Secretary of State is directed to consult with the 
     appropriate congressional committees on the planned 
     allocation of funds and new positions provided to such office 
     for fiscal year 2016.
       The agreement includes sufficient funds for an additional 
     two positions for the Bureau of Intelligence and Research 
     above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level, if authorized in 
     fiscal year 2016.
       The Secretary of State is directed to include projected 
     funding levels for public diplomacy in the operating plan 
     required by section 7076(a) of this Act.
       Section 7034(k)(1) of this Act extends for one year the 
     Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative surcharge authority, 
     which is the same extension of authority included in prior 
     years.
       Section 7034(k)(7) of this Act continues the Foreign 
     Service overseas pay comparability authority, but, as in 
     prior years, prohibits implementation of the third phase of 
     the authority.
       Section 7034(l) of this Act provides limitations on the 
     uses of the Department of State Working Capital Fund. The 
     Secretary of State is directed to continue to include 
     information on the Working Capital Fund in the operating plan 
     required by section 7076(a) of this Act and reprogramming 
     notifications for funds made available under this heading.
       The agreement designates $12,000,000 for Conflict 
     Stabilization Operations (CSO) under this heading in this 
     title, of which up to $1,000,000 may be for overseas 
     response. Funds above the designated amount may only be made 
     available for CSO if necessary to meet the salary and benefit 
     costs for CSO staff employed on the date of enactment of this 
     Act, subject to the regular notification procedures of the 
     Committees on Appropriations. In addition, the Act allows up 
     to $15,000,000 of the funds appropriated under this heading 
     in title VIII to be made available for CSO for overseas 
     reconstruction and stabilization assistance.
       The Act does not include a prohibition on the use of funds 
     appropriated under this heading for the Ambassadors Fund for 
     Cultural Preservation that was included in the House bill. 
     Instead, paragraph (6)(F) continues a limitation on the use 
     of funds for the preservation of religious sites, as included 
     in prior years.
       Not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary of State is directed to submit a report to the 
     Committees on Appropriations describing the actions taken by 
     the Department of State to address the findings detailed in 
     the Office of Inspector General's report ISP-1-15-35A.


                        CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND

       The Act provides $66,400,000 for Capital Investment Fund.


                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

       The Act provides $72,700,000 for Office of Inspector 
     General, of which $10,905,000 may remain available until 
     September 30, 2017, and an additional $66,600,000 in title 
     VIII under this heading is designated for OCO/GWOT pursuant 
     to BBEDCA. The Act waives the requirement of section 
     209(a)(1) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as included in 
     the Senate bill and in prior years.


               EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS

       The Act provides $590,900,000 for Educational and Cultural 
     Exchange Programs, of which not less than $236,000,000 is for 
     the Fulbright Program and $102,000,000 shall be for the 
     Citizen Exchange Program, of which not less than $4,000,000 
     is for the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange.
       The operating plan for Educational and Cultural Exchange 
     Programs required in section 7076(a) of this Act shall 
     include an update of the ``Funds by Program Activity'' table 
     under this heading in the fiscal year 2016 CBJ.
       The agreement does not include funds for a new Exchanges 
     Rapid Response program.
       Funds under this heading are allocated according to the 
     following table:

               EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Program/Activity                     Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Academic Programs:
    Fulbright Program................................            236,000
    Global Academic Exchanges........................             58,651
    Special Academic Exchanges.......................             14,800
                                                      ------------------
        Subtotal, Academic Programs..................            309,451
Professional and Cultural Exchanges:
    International Visitor Program....................             89,665
    Citizen Exchange Programs........................            102,000
        Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange............            [4,000]
Special Professional and Cultural Exchanges..........              5,575
                                                      ------------------
    Subtotal, Professional and Cultural Exchanges....            197,240
Young Leaders Initiatives............................             19,000
Program and Performance..............................              5,493
Exchanges Rapid Response.............................              - - -
Exchanges Support....................................             59,716
                                                      ------------------
    Total, Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs            590,900
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Before issuing a Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility 
     for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status) to place student 
     participants in seafood product preparation and packaging 
     positions in the Summer Work Travel program in fiscal year 
     2016, the Department of State-designated sponsor shall meet 
     specific requirements including verifying that the placement 
     fully complies with part 62 of title 22 of the Code of 
     Federal Regulations. In addition, the sponsor shall confirm 
     that a host employer-employee relations specialist and a 
     sponsor local coordinator are provided; that the host 
     employer will pay the participant's screening and placement 
     fees, as well as required equipment and uniform costs; and 
     that participant work hours will not be less than 32 hours 
     per week.


                        REPRESENTATION EXPENSES

       The Act provides $8,030,000 for Representation Expenses, 
     subject to section 7020 of this Act.


              PROTECTION OF FOREIGN MISSIONS AND OFFICIALS

       The Act provides $30,036,000 for Protection of Foreign 
     Missions and Officials.
       Section 7034(i) of this Act includes authority for the 
     Secretary of State to transfer expired, unobligated balances 
     from funds made available under Diplomatic and Consular 
     Programs to this heading, which is the same as the authority 
     provided in the House and Senate bills and in fiscal year 
     2015.


            EMBASSY SECURITY, CONSTRUCTION, AND MAINTENANCE

       The Act provides $1,473,896,000 for Embassy Security, 
     Construction, and Maintenance, of which $688,799,000 is for 
     Worldwide Security Upgrades (WSU) and $785,097,000 is for 
     other construction, operations, and maintenance. An 
     additional $747,851,000 is provided in title VIII under this 
     heading that is designated for OCO/GWOT pursuant to BBEDCA, 
     of which $735,201,000 is available for WSU.
       Subsections (d) and (e) of section 7004 of this Act 
     continue and expand the conditions and consultation, 
     notification, and reporting requirements concerning new 
     embassy construction, similar to language contained in the 
     House and Senate bills.
       Section 7004(f) of this Act continues, in modified form, 
     the directives concerning interim and temporary diplomatic 
     facilities abroad. The agreement provides an additional 
     $1,850,000 for such facilities, which when combined with 
     $23,150,000 appropriated under this heading in prior Acts, 
     ensures that $25,000,000 remains available in fiscal year 
     2016 to address security vulnerabilities at interim and 
     temporary facilities abroad.


           EMERGENCIES IN THE DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR SERVICE

       The Act provides $7,900,000 for Emergencies in the 
     Diplomatic and Consular Service.


                   REPATRIATION LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

       The Act provides $1,300,000 for Repatriation Loans Program 
     Account.


              PAYMENT TO THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE IN TAIWAN

       The Act provides $30,000,000 for Payment to the American 
     Institute in Taiwan.


     PAYMENT TO THE FOREIGN SERVICE RETIREMENT AND DISABILITY FUND

       The Act provides $158,900,000 for Payment to the Foreign 
     Service Retirement and Disability Fund.

                      International Organizations


              CONTRIBUTIONS TO INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

       The Act provides $1,344,458,000 for Contributions to 
     International Organizations, and an additional $101,728,000 
     in title VIII under this heading is designated for OCO/GWOT 
     pursuant to BBEDCA.
       The agreement does not include funds for the United Nations 
     (UN) Capital Master Plan (CMP) or any other major capital 
     projects, for which no funds were requested in fiscal year 
     2016. GAO Report 15-414 identified concerns and 
     recommendations regarding the UN's efforts to ensure that 
     lessons learned from the CMP are used to develop documented 
     guidance for other projects, such as those currently under 
     discussion for Geneva, Switzerland, and that assumptions for 
     estimating office space requirements for UN employees are 
     clearly justified, including by documenting the underlying 
     factors, data, and analysis. The Secretary of State is 
     directed to include information on progress made to address 
     the GAO recommendations in the report required on the CMP 
     described in the House report under this heading. In 
     addition, such report shall include a description of efforts 
     by the Department of State to work with the UN to downsize 
     operations in areas with high costs of living and 
     construction costs.
       The agreement does not include funds for an assessed 
     contribution to the United Nations Educational, Scientific 
     and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which is prohibited due 
     to the application of the Foreign Relations Authorization 
     Act, Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 (Public Law 101-246) and the 
     Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 
     1995 (Public Law 103-236).
       The Secretary of State is directed to include the source of 
     funds (including each Federal agency and account) and a 
     concise description of the purpose of such funds in the 
     report on United States financial contributions to 
     international organizations required by section 405(b) of the 
     Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003. Such 
     report shall be posted on the Department of State Web site in 
     a timely manner.

[[Page H10414]]

  



        CONTRIBUTIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING ACTIVITIES

       The Act provides $666,574,000 for Contributions for 
     International Peacekeeping Activities, and an additional 
     $1,794,088,000 in title VIII under this heading is designated 
     for OCO/GWOT pursuant to BBEDCA. The agreement provides 
     funding for the United States share of UN operations in 
     Somalia under Peacekeeping Operations in title VIII, instead 
     of under this heading as requested.
       The Secretary of State is directed to submit the reports 
     required by the Senate report under this heading in the 
     manner described.

                       International Commissions


 INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION, UNITED STATES AND MEXICO

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The Act provides $45,307,000 for Salaries and Expenses. The 
     agreement includes funding for the Heavy Equipment 
     Replacement Program under this heading, as requested, and as 
     described in the House report. The Commissioner of the 
     International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) is 
     directed to comply with the directive included in the Senate 
     report under this heading.


                              CONSTRUCTION

       The Act provides $28,400,000 for Construction. The IBWC 
     Commissioner is directed to comply with the directives 
     included in the House report under this heading.


              AMERICAN SECTIONS, INTERNATIONAL COMMISSIONS

       The Act provides $12,330,000 for American Sections, 
     International Commissions to support the International 
     Boundary Commission, International Joint Commission, and 
     Border Environment Cooperation Commission, at the levels 
     requested.


                  INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES COMMISSIONS

       The Act provides $36,681,000 for International Fisheries 
     Commissions. Funds under this heading are allocated according 
     to the following table:

                   INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES COMMISSIONS
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Commission/Activity                    Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Great Lakes Fishery Commission.......................             24,627
    Lake Champlain Basin.............................            [3,450]
Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission..............              1,750
Pacific Salmon Commission............................              3,050
International Pacific Halibut Commission.............              4,150
Other Marine Conservation Organizations..............              3,104
                                                      ------------------
    Total, International Fisheries Commissions.......             36,681
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                             RELATED AGENCY

                    Broadcasting Board of Governors


                 INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING OPERATIONS

       The Act provides $734,087,000 for International 
     Broadcasting Operations, and an additional $10,700,000 in 
     title VIII under this heading is designated for OCO/GWOT 
     pursuant to BBEDCA.
       Of the funds made available under this heading, up to 
     $31,135,000 may remain available until expended for satellite 
     transmissions and Internet freedom programs, of which not 
     less than $15,000,000 is for Internet freedom and 
     circumvention programs. BBG is directed to include amounts 
     planned for Internet freedom in fiscal year 2016 as part of 
     the operating plan required by section 7076(a) of this Act 
     and to describe the planned activities in the Internet 
     freedom spend plan required by section 7078(c) of this Act.
       The Act includes a one-year extension of the personal 
     services contract authority of BBG, as included in prior 
     years.
       The agreement includes neither the authority nor the funds 
     requested for the merger of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting 
     and the Latin America Division of Voice of America (VOA) by 
     establishing an independent grantee organization, as a 
     private nonprofit organization, to carry out broadcasting and 
     related programs to the Latin America and Caribbean region.
       The agreement provides $9,639,000 to support the expansion 
     of the BBG Countering Russian Media initiative, as follows: 
     $6,544,000 for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL); 
     $2,905,000 for VOA; and $190,000 for research and affiliate 
     placement. The BBG Chairman is directed to reallocate the 
     projected savings from reduced RFE/RL personnel costs to 
     support the expansion of the Countering Russian Media 
     initiative in fiscal year 2016. The BBG Chairman is directed 
     to include a detailed description of such initiative, which 
     was launched in fiscal year 2015, including the costs for 
     both program and personnel for fiscal year 2015 and the 
     expansion for fiscal year 2016, in the operating plan 
     required by section 7076(a) of this Act.
       Prior to the submission of the fiscal year 2016 operating 
     plan, BBG is directed to consult with the Committees on 
     Appropriations on the program increases and reductions 
     recommended under this heading in the House and Senate 
     reports, including for countering the narrative of the 
     Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). BBG is directed 
     to include in such operating plan detailed information on the 
     proposed increases and reductions to implement in fiscal year 
     2016, including the timeframe for implementation and the 
     costs or savings for each program in fiscal years 2016 and 
     2017.
       Title VIII of the agreement provides $4,400,000 for VOA and 
     RFE/RL broadcasts to Afghanistan and Pakistan and $6,300,000 
     for increases to VOA and Middle East Broadcasting Networks 
     (MBN) broadcasts to Iraq and Syria. BBG is directed to 
     include a proposal for the use of such funds in the operating 
     plan required by section 7076(a) of this Act.
       Funds in this Act under this heading are allocated 
     according to the following table:

                  INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING OPERATIONS
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Federal Entities                     Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Broadcasting Bureau....................             61,200
    Countering Russian Media.........................              [190]
Voice of America:                                                213,650
    Countering Russian Media.........................            [2,905]
    Afghanistan/Pakistan--OCO/GWOT...................              2,200
    Countering ISIL--OCO/GWOT........................              2,600
                                                      ------------------
        Subtotal, VOA Program Level..................            218,450
Office of Cuba Broadcasting..........................             27,140
Office of Technology, Services and Innovation........            181,483
    Internet Freedom and Circumvention Activities....           [15,000]
                                                      ------------------
        Subtotal, Federal Entities...................            483,473
                                                      ------------------
        Subtotal, Federal Entities with OCO/GWOT.....            488,273
Independent Grantee Organizations:
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty......................            106,214
    Countering Russian Media.........................            [6,544]
    Afghanistan/Pakistan--OCO/GWOT...................              2,200
                                                      ------------------
        Subtotal, RFE/RL Program Level...............            108,414
Radio Free Asia......................................             38,500
Middle East Broadcasting Networks....................            105,900
    Countering ISIL--OCO/GWOT........................              3,700
        Subtotal, MBN Program Level..................            109,600
        Subtotal, Independent Grantees...............            250,614
        Subtotal, Grantees with OCO/GWOT.............            256,514
            Total, International Broadcasting                    734,087
             Operations..............................
        Subtotal, International Broadcasting                     744,787
         Operations Program Level with OCO/GWOT......
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                   BROADCASTING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

       The Act provides $4,800,000 for Broadcasting Capital 
     Improvements.

                            RELATED PROGRAMS

                          The Asia Foundation

       The Act provides $17,000,000 for The Asia Foundation.

                    United States Institute of Peace

       The Act provides $35,300,000 for United States Institute of 
     Peace. The United States Institute of Peace is directed to 
     submit the operating plan required by section 7076(a) of this 
     Act.

         Center for Middle Eastern-Western Dialogue Trust Fund

       The Act provides $96,000 from interest and earnings from 
     the Center for Middle Eastern-Western Dialogue Trust Fund.

                 Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Program

       The Act provides $400,000 from interest and earnings from 
     the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Program Trust Fund.

                    Israeli Arab Scholarship Program

       The Act provides $13,000 from interest and earnings from 
     the Israeli Arab Scholarship Endowment Fund.

                            East-West Center

       The Act provides $16,700,000 for East-West Center.

                    National Endowment for Democracy

       The Act provides $170,000,000 for National Endowment for 
     Democracy, of which $117,500,000 shall be allocated in the 
     traditional and customary manner, including for the core 
     institutes, and $52,500,000 shall be for democracy programs. 
     The President of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) 
     shall follow the reporting directive under this heading in 
     the House report in the manner described.
       Funding provided above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 
     shall be for programs to address medium- and long-term 
     threats to the promotion of democracy abroad and to respond 
     to immediate, unanticipated challenges or opportunities 
     abroad. The President of NED, in consultation with the heads 
     of the core institutes, is directed to submit a report to the 
     Committees on Appropriations on the uses of such funds in a 
     timely manner. The core institutes shall be eligible to 
     compete for additional funds for such purposes.

                           OTHER COMMISSIONS

      Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The Act provides $676,000 for Commission for the 
     Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad.

      United States Commission on International Religious Freedom


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The Act provides $3,500,000 for United States Commission on 
     International Religious Freedom.

            Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The Act provides $2,579,000 for Commission on Security and 
     Cooperation in Europe.

  Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's Republic of China


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The Act provides $2,000,000 for Congressional-Executive 
     Commission on the People's Republic of China.

      United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The Act provides $3,500,000 for United States-China 
     Economic and Security Review Commission.

      TITLE II--UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

                  Funds Appropriated to the President


                           OPERATING EXPENSES

       The Act provides $1,143,614,000 for Operating Expenses, of 
     which $171,542,000 may remain available until September 30, 
     2017, and

[[Page H10415]]

     an additional $139,262,000 in title VIII under this heading 
     is designated for OCO/GWOT pursuant to BBEDCA.
       The operating plan required in section 7076(a) of this Act 
     shall be at the level of program, project, or activity 
     presented for USAID Operating Expenses in the fiscal year 
     2016 CBJ.
       Section 7057(f) of this Act continues the authority for 
     USAID to use program funds for the costs of staff 
     implementing programs in response to significant natural or 
     man-made disasters. Consistent with past practice, the USAID 
     Administrator is directed to use such authority only when 
     necessary to address the consequences of humanitarian 
     emergencies. Such authority shall not be used to fund 
     permanent headquarters staff for management and 
     administrative support.
       Not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act and 
     after consultation with the Committees on Appropriations, the 
     USAID Administrator is directed to submit to such Committees 
     a report including the following information for each of the 
     past five fiscal years: (1) the number of U.S. direct hire 
     (USDH) staff in the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance 
     (OFDA); (2) the number of disasters to which OFDA responded 
     using the authority of section 7057(f) of this Act; and (3) 
     the total amount of funds OFDA managed. Such report shall 
     include a determination and explanation of whether the number 
     of USDH staff in OFDA is adequate and, if a shortage is 
     identified, the number of additional USDH positions needed 
     and options for addressing such shortage, including 
     reallocating existing vacancies to OFDA.
       No funds are provided under this heading for the new 
     positions included in the fiscal year 2016 request.
       USAID has not complied with the reporting requirement in H. 
     Rept. 113-499 on acquisition and assistance instruments and 
     is directed to transmit such report within 15 days of 
     enactment of this Act.


                        CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND

       The Act provides $168,300,000 for Capital Investment Fund.


                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

       The Act provides $66,000,000 for Office of Inspector 
     General, of which $9,900,000 may remain available until 
     September 30, 2017.

                TITLE III--BILATERAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE

                  Funds Appropriated to the President


                         GLOBAL HEALTH PROGRAMS

       The Act provides $8,503,450,000 for Global Health Programs. 
     Funds under this heading are allocated according to the 
     following table:

                         GLOBAL HEALTH PROGRAMS
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Program/Activity                     Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maternal and Child Health............................            750,000
    Polio............................................           [51,500]
    The GAVI Alliance................................          [235,000]
Nutrition (USAID)....................................            125,000
    Micronutrients...................................           [33,000]
    [of which, Vitamin A]............................           [22,500]
    Iodine Deficiency Disorder.......................            [2,500]
Vulnerable Children (USAID)..........................             22,000
    Blind Children...................................            [2,500]
HIV/AIDS (USAID).....................................            330,000
    Microbicides.....................................           [45,000]
HIV/AIDS (Department of State).......................          5,670,000
    The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and          [1,350,000]
     Malaria.........................................
    UNAIDS...........................................           [45,000]
Family Planning/Reproductive Health (USAID)..........            523,950
Other Infectious Diseases (USAID)....................          1,082,500
    Pandemic Influenza and Other Emerging Threats....           [72,500]
    Malaria..........................................          [674,000]
    Tuberculosis.....................................          [236,000]
    [of which, Global TB Drug Facility]..............           [15,000]
    Neglected Tropical Diseases......................          [100,000]
                                                      ------------------
        Total, Global Health Programs................          8,503,450
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Laos.--The agreement provides $2,750,000 under this heading 
     for programs to address malnutrition among children in Laos.
       In making transfers of funds appropriated under this 
     heading to USAID and the Department of Health and Human 
     Services (HHS), the Office of the United States Global AIDS 
     Coordinator (OGAC) is directed to include sufficient funding 
     for the Inspectors General(IG) for such agencies for the cost 
     of auditing programs implemented by the respective agency. 
     The agreement provides not less than $2,500,000 for the USAID 
     IG and $1,500,000 for the HHS IG for such purposes.
       Children in Adversity.--The agreement endorses language in 
     the House and Senate reports with respect to programs for 
     orphans and other vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS.


                         DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

       The Act provides $2,780,971,000 for Development Assistance. 
     Funds under this heading are allocated according to the 
     following table:

                         DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Country/Program                      Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Africa:
    Power Africa.....................................             76,700
    Sierra Leone democracy programs..................                500
East Asia and the Pacific:
    Cambodia democracy programs......................             19,750
    Vietnam..........................................             37,500
        Health/disability programs...................            [7,000]
South and Central Asia:
    Bangladesh labor programs........................              3,000
Global Programs:
    Child marriage...................................             10,000
    Global Crop Diversity Trust......................             15,000
    Leahy War Victims Fund...........................             13,500
    Reconciliation programs..........................             16,000
    Trade capacity building..........................             10,000
    Victims of torture...............................             11,750
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                PROGRAMS

       Basic Education.--USAID is directed to continue regular 
     consultations with the Committees on Appropriations on 
     efforts to manage basic education programming and reduce 
     unexpended balances, including through the reprogramming of 
     funds between countries. USAID is directed to ensure that 
     programs supported with funds appropriated for basic 
     education in this Act and prior Acts making appropriations 
     for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related 
     programs are integrated, as appropriate, with health, 
     agriculture, governance, and economic and social development 
     activities to address the broader needs of target 
     populations. The USAID Administrator is directed to work to 
     achieve quality universal basic education by: (1) assisting 
     foreign governments, nongovernmental, and multilateral 
     organizations working in developing countries to provide 
     children with a quality basic education, including through 
     strengthening host country educational systems; and (2) 
     promoting basic education as the foundation for comprehensive 
     community development programs.
       Feed the Future.--The Secretary of State is directed to 
     include funding levels for the Feed the Future Innovation 
     Labs in the fiscal year 2017 CBJ.
       Higher Education.--Funds made available for new 
     partnerships between higher education institutions in the 
     United States and developing countries shall be for 
     institutional capacity building and awarded on an open and 
     competitive basis.
       Latrines.--The agreement provides $14,000,000 for latrines 
     in Africa and Asia, and such funds are directed to be 
     prioritized for programs that provide women and girls access 
     to safe, public latrines. Not later than 60 days after 
     enactment of this Act and after consultation with the 
     Committees on Appropriations, the USAID Administrator is 
     directed to submit a report to such Committees on the use of 
     funds made available in the Department of State, Foreign 
     Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2015, 
     (division J of Public Law 113-235) for such purposes, as well 
     as the intended use of such funds in fiscal year 2016.
       Wheelchairs.--The USAID Administrator is directed to 
     support wheelchair programs at not less than the fiscal year 
     2015 level and in the manner described in the Senate report 
     under this heading.


                   INTERNATIONAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE

       The Act provides $874,763,000 for International Disaster 
     Assistance, and an additional $1,919,421,000 in title VIII 
     under this heading is designated for OCO/GWOT pursuant to 
     BBEDCA.


                         TRANSITION INITIATIVES

       The Act provides $30,000,000 for Transition Initiatives, 
     and an additional $37,000,000 in title VIII under this 
     heading is designated for OCO/GWOT pursuant to BBEDCA.


                          COMPLEX CRISES FUND

       The Act provides $10,000,000 for Complex Crises Fund, and 
     an additional $20,000,000 in title VIII under this heading is 
     designated for OCO/GWOT pursuant to BBEDCA.
       Consistent with previous practice, the USAID Administrator 
     shall have responsibility for the use of funds appropriated 
     under this heading in this title, in consultation with the 
     Secretary of State, and the Secretary of State shall have the 
     responsibility for the use of funds appropriated under this 
     heading in title VIII.


                      DEVELOPMENT CREDIT AUTHORITY

       The Act includes a $40,000,000 limitation on funds that may 
     be transferred from other programs in this title to 
     Development Credit Authority. In addition, $8,120,000 is 
     provided for administrative expenses, which may be 
     transferred to, and merged with, Operating Expenses, and a 
     limitation of $1,500,000,000 is included on total loan 
     principal.


                         ECONOMIC SUPPORT FUND

       The Act provides $1,896,315,000 for Economic Support Fund, 
     and an additional $2,422,673,000 in title VIII under this 
     heading is designated for OCO/GWOT pursuant to BBEDCA. Funds 
     requested for countries in Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia 
     under this heading are included under Assistance for Europe, 
     Eurasia and Central Asia, which is reestablished in this Act. 
     Funds in this Act under this heading are allocated according 
     to the following table:

                          ECONOMIC SUPPORT FUND
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Country/Program                      Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Africa:
    Anti-slavery programs in Africa..................             1,500
    Counter-Lord's Resistance Army...................            10,000
    Democratic Republic of the Congo.................            70,568
East Asia and the Pacific:
    Cambodia.........................................             2,000
    People's Republic of China (democracy, rule of               15,000
     law, and environment)...........................
    Tibet............................................             8,000
    Tibetan exile communities........................             6,000
    Vietnam..........................................            30,000
Near East:
    Lebanon..........................................           110,000
        Lebanon scholarships.........................          [12,000]
    Middle East Partnership Initiative...............            70,000
        Scholarships.................................          [12,000]
    Middle East Regional Cooperation Program.........             5,000
    Near East Regional Democracy.....................            32,000
    Reconciliation programs..........................            10,000
    Syria............................................           100,000
South and Central Asia:
    Civilian victims of war, Afghanistan.............            10,000
    Civilian victims of war, Pakistan................             7,500
    Nepal............................................            43,038
    Sri Lanka........................................            40,000
Western Hemisphere:
    Caribbean Basin Security Initiative..............            25,000
    Caribbean Energy Security Initiative.............             2,000

[[Page H10416]]

 
    Colombia.........................................           133,000
        Transfer to Migration and Refugee Assistance.           [7,000]
        Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities....          [15,000]
        Human rights.................................           [6,500]
        Biodiversity.................................           [3,500]
    Cuba.............................................            20,000
    Mexico...........................................            39,000
    Venezuela........................................             6,500
Global Programs:
    Disability programs..............................             7,500
    House Democracy Partnership......................             1,900
    Polio............................................             7,500
    Protection of religious minorities...............            10,000
    Trade capacity building..........................            10,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Cuba.--In lieu of the directives in the House and Senate 
     bills and reports, the agreement includes funds for democracy 
     programs in Cuba.
       Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).--The Government of 
     the DRC is strongly encouraged to resume issuing exit permits 
     for children legally adopted by foreign parents, to 
     expeditiously implement new laws and regulations, as 
     appropriate, in order to resume international adoptions, and 
     to grandfather all adoption cases currently affected by the 
     exit permit freeze into any new adoption laws or regulations 
     it promulgates. It is in the interest of United States and 
     DRC bilateral relations that these stalled adoption cases be 
     resolved expeditiously.


                             DEMOCRACY FUND

       The Act provides $150,500,000 for Democracy Fund, of which 
     $88,500,000 is for the Department of State Human Rights and 
     Democracy Fund and $62,000,000 is for the USAID Center of 
     Excellence for Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance.
       Section 7033(b)(1) of this Act provides not less than 
     $10,000,000 for international religious freedom programs 
     under this heading.


            ASSISTANCE FOR EUROPE, EURASIA AND CENTRAL ASIA

       The Act provides $491,119,000 for Assistance for Europe, 
     Eurasia and Central Asia, and an additional $438,569,000 in 
     title VIII under this heading is designated for OCO/GWOT 
     pursuant to BBEDCA.
       The Act reestablishes the Assistance for Europe, Eurasia 
     and Central Asia account, as included in the Senate bill.
       Funds requested for countries in Europe, Eurasia and 
     Central Asia under Economic Support Fund are included in this 
     account, and funds for such countries requested and provided 
     under International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement 
     shall be transferred to, and merged with, funds made 
     available under this heading and shall be used for the same 
     purposes as funds provided under International Narcotics 
     Control and Law Enforcement. Assistance requested for such 
     countries under Global Health Programs is not included in 
     this account, but shall be administered by the Coordinator 
     for United States Assistance to Europe and Eurasia, 
     consistent with prior years.
       The agreement provides $15,000,000 above the request (under 
     Economic Support Fund) for Central Asia Regional programs to 
     support partnership and cooperation in the new format agreed 
     to among the five countries of Central Asia and the United 
     States. Such funds are provided in addition to amounts 
     appropriated for bilateral and regional programs for Central 
     Asia and shall be made available only following consultation 
     with the Committees on Appropriations.

                          Department of State


                    MIGRATION AND REFUGEE ASSISTANCE

       The Act provides $931,886,000 for Migration and Refugee 
     Assistance, and an additional $2,127,114,000 in title VIII 
     under this heading is designated for OCO/GWOT pursuant to 
     BBEDCA.


     UNITED STATES EMERGENCY REFUGEE AND MIGRATION ASSISTANCE FUND

       The Act provides $50,000,000 for United States Emergency 
     Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund.

                          Independent Agencies


                              PEACE CORPS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The Act provides $410,000,000 for Peace Corps.


                    MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION

       The Act provides $901,000,000 for Millennium Challenge 
     Corporation, including up to $105,000,000 for administrative 
     expenses.
       In lieu of the report required under this heading in the 
     Senate report, the Secretary of State, the USAID 
     Administrator, and the MCC CEO are directed to jointly assess 
     and submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations for 
     each compact MCC intends to sign during fiscal year 2016, on 
     the extent to which each such compact is aligned with United 
     States interests and other assistance programs, as well as 
     the ability of the host country government to sustain MCC's 
     investment. Such assessment and report shall be provided to 
     the Committees on Appropriations not later than 15 days prior 
     to the signing of any such compact.
       Not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, the MCC 
     CEO shall further report to such Committees on progress made 
     to strengthen the application of the Control of Corruption 
     indicator.
       Not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, GAO is 
     directed to submit the review required under this heading. 
     GAO shall include the following in such review: (1) existing 
     legal authorities to use prior year, unobligated funds for a 
     compact for a country that becomes ineligible during the 
     current fiscal year for MCC assistance due to graduation from 
     lower-middle income status to upper-middle income status; (2) 
     recommended changes, if any, to existing legal authorities to 
     clarify MCC eligibility requirements and the use of funds 
     appropriated by this Act and prior Acts making appropriations 
     for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related 
     programs; and (3) recommendations, if any, for modifying the 
     availability of funds provided under this heading.


                       INTER-AMERICAN FOUNDATION

       The Act provides $22,500,000 for Inter-American Foundation.


              UNITED STATES AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

       The Act provides $30,000,000 for United States African 
     Development Foundation.
       Not later than 45 days after enactment of this Act and 
     every six months until September 30, 2017, the President of 
     the United States African Development Foundation is directed 
     to report to the Committees on Appropriations on all bank 
     accounts held outside of the United States, the balance of 
     funds in such accounts, and the interest earned on such 
     accounts during the previous six months.

                       Department of the Treasury


               INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

       The Act provides $23,500,000 for International Affairs 
     Technical Assistance.

              TITLE IV--INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE

                          Department of State


          INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

       The Act provides $894,821,000 for International Narcotics 
     Control and Law Enforcement, and an additional $371,650,000 
     in title VIII under this heading is designated for OCO/GWOT 
     pursuant to BBEDCA. The Act provides not less than 
     $54,975,000 to be transferred to, and merged with, Assistance 
     for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia for the same purposes as 
     funds provided under this heading.
       Funds in this Act under this heading are allocated 
     according to the following table:

           INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Country/Program                      Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Caribbean Basin Regional Security Initiative.........            25,221
Colombia.............................................           135,195
    Office of the Attorney General, Human Rights Unit          [10,000]
Demand Reduction.....................................            12,500
International Law Enforcement Academies..............            27,000
Mexico...............................................           100,000
Morocco..............................................             3,000
Philippines..........................................             9,000
    Combat Online Exploitation of Children...........           [3,000]
Western Hemisphere Regional Security Cooperation.....            10,000
Wildlife Poaching and Trafficking....................            40,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Funds made available under this heading for programs in 
     Africa should address the fundamental capability gaps that 
     exist throughout law enforcement and criminal justice systems 
     on the continent, including to improve the transparency, 
     accountability, and capacity of such systems. Not later than 
     120 days after enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State 
     is directed to submit a report to the Committees on 
     Appropriations on the intended level of funding and proposed 
     uses of such funds for such purposes, including how such 
     funds will be used to improve capabilities to address 
     wildlife trafficking, counternarcotics, border security, and 
     other transnational crime. The Secretary should also continue 
     to consider the utility of establishing an aviation program 
     in Africa.
       The agreement includes funding to support border security 
     along Mexico's southern border with Guatemala and Belize.


    NONPROLIFERATION, ANTI-TERRORISM, DEMINING AND RELATED PROGRAMS

       The Act provides $506,381,000 for Nonproliferation, Anti-
     terrorism, Demining and Related Programs, and an additional 
     $379,091,000 in title VIII under this heading is designated 
     for OCO/GWOT pursuant to BBEDCA. Funds in this Act under this 
     heading are allocated according to the following table:

     NONPROLIFERATION, ANTI-TERRORISM, DEMINING AND RELATED PROGRAMS
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Program/Activity                     Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nonproliferation Programs............................           292,150
    Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund............          [30,000]
    Export Control and Related Border Security.......          [65,000]
    Global Threat Reduction..........................          [70,000]
Anti-terrorism Programs..............................           408,322
    Anti-terrorism Assistance........................         [186,138]
    Terrorist Interdiction Program...................          [26,184]
    Counterterrorism Financing.......................          [15,000]
    Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund...............         [175,000]
Conventional Weapons Destruction.....................           185,000
    Humanitarian Demining............................         [145,000]
    of which, Laos...................................          [19,500]
    of which, Vietnam................................          [10,500]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total, Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism,                885,472
         Demining and Related Programs...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    of which, OCO....................................         [379,091]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       The agreement supports counterterrorism law enforcement 
     training for critical partner countries, including crisis 
     response, explosives incident management, aviation security, 
     and document verification and screening.
       The agreement includes $175,000,000 for the 
     Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund, which

[[Page H10417]]

     is subject to the regular notification procedures of the 
     Committees on Appropriations and section 7076(b) of this Act. 
     Funds are intended for programs to prevent and counter 
     terrorist safe havens, stem the flow of foreign fighters 
     joining terrorist groups such as ISIL, and counter terrorist 
     groups sponsored by the Government of Iran. Funds may also be 
     used to counter violent extremism. The Act provides further 
     guidance on these matters in section 7073.
       The agreement provides not less than the fiscal year 2015 
     level to continue support for a strategy for unexploded 
     ordnance clearance in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.


                        PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS

       The Act provides $131,361,000 for Peacekeeping Operations, 
     and an additional $469,269,000 in title VIII under this 
     heading is designated for OCO/GWOT pursuant to BBEDCA. Funds 
     in this Act under this heading are allocated according to the 
     following table:

                         PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Program/Activity                     Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Africa...............................................           410,680
    Central African Republic.........................          [10,000]
    Democratic Republic of the Congo.................          [14,000]
    Liberia..........................................           [7,000]
    Somalia..........................................         [273,380]
    South Sudan......................................          [30,000]
    Africa Regional..................................          [76,300]
    of which, African Peacekeeping Rapid Response              [55,000]
     Partnership.....................................
    of which, Partnership for Regional East Africa             [10,000]
     Counterterrorism................................
    of which, Africa Conflict Stabilization and                 [6,300]
     Border Security.................................
    of which, Africa Military Education Program......           [3,000]
    of which, Africa Maritime Security Initiative....           [2,000]
Near East............................................           100,000
    Syria............................................          [65,000]
    Multinational Force and Observers................          [35,000]
Political-Military Affairs...........................            89,950
    Security Governance Initiative...................          [16,850]
    Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership........          [19,100]
    Global Peacekeeping Operations Initiative........          [54,000]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total, Peacekeeping Operations...............           600,630
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    of which, OCO....................................         [469,269]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       In lieu of the additional notification requirements under 
     the Introduction of the Senate report, congressional 
     notifications submitted for funds made available under 
     Peacekeeping Operations shall include, for each program 
     notified, a description of the type of equipment, training, 
     or other assistance to be provided, and the total amount 
     obligated for each such program in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 
     at the time of submission of such notification, on a country-
     by-country basis to the extent practicable.

                  Funds Appropriated to the President


             INTERNATIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION AND TRAINING

       The Act provides $108,115,000 for International Military 
     Education and Training.
       In lieu of the reporting requirements included in the House 
     and Senate reports under this heading, the Secretary of State 
     is directed to submit a report to the Committees on 
     Appropriations on changes made in the current fiscal year to 
     enhance International Military Education and Training (IMET) 
     and Expanded IMET effectiveness and recommendations for the 
     following fiscal year. Such report shall be submitted 
     concurrently with the report required by section 7034(b)(7) 
     of this Act.


                   FOREIGN MILITARY FINANCING PROGRAM

       The Act provides $4,737,522,000 for Foreign Military 
     Financing Program, and an additional $1,288,176,000 in title 
     VIII under this heading is designated for OCO/GWOT pursuant 
     to BBEDCA. Funds in this Act under this heading are allocated 
     according to the following table:

                   FOREIGN MILITARY FINANCING PROGRAM
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Country/Program                      Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colombia.............................................            27,000
Europe and Eurasia Regional..........................            50,000
Egypt................................................         1,300,000
Georgia..............................................            30,000
Israel...............................................         3,100,000
Jordan...............................................           450,000
Mexico...............................................             7,000
Moldova..............................................            12,750
Morocco..............................................            10,000
Nepal................................................            18,000
Philippines..........................................            50,000
Poland...............................................             9,000
State Western Hemisphere Regional....................            20,500
    Caribbean Basin Security Initiative..............           [7,500]
    Central America..................................          [13,000]
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Not later than September 30, 2016, GAO is directed to 
     submit the report required by the House report under this 
     heading in the manner described. The report should also 
     include a review of the resources committed by the 
     Departments of State and Defense to manage and implement the 
     Foreign Military Financing and Foreign Military Sales 
     programs, including staffing, and the impact of such 
     resources on the implementation timelines of such programs.
       The agreement supports assistance to enhance the search and 
     rescue capabilities of the Government of Nepal to respond to 
     natural disasters, subject to prior consultation with the 
     Committees on Appropriations.
       The agreement provides $50,000,000 to support partners and 
     allies in Europe and Eurasia to counter Russian territorial 
     aggression and influence and provides the authority in 
     section 8003 of this Act to transfer up to $15,000,000 of 
     such funds to the Global Security Contingency Fund for 
     countries in the region, including Ukraine.

                    TITLE V--MULTILATERAL ASSISTANCE

                  Funds Appropriated to the President


                INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND PROGRAMS

       The Act provides $339,000,000 for International 
     Organizations and Programs.
       The agreement does not include funds for a voluntary 
     contribution to UNESCO, which is prohibited due to the 
     application of Public Law 101-246 and Public Law 103-236.
       Funds under this heading are allocated according to the 
     following table:

                INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND PROGRAMS
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Programs                         Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Civil Aviation Organization............               800
International Conservation Programs..................             7,750
International Development Law Organization...........               550
International Maritime Organization..................               350
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change/UN                     10,000
 Framework Convention on Climate Change..............
International Chemicals and Toxins Programs..........             3,300
Monitoring and Evaluation............................               500
Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund..................            25,500
Organization of American States Development                       2,300
 Assistance Programs.................................
Organization of American States Fund for                          4,100
 Strengthening Democracy.............................
    Inter-American Commission on Human Rights........           [2,000]
Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy                   50
 and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia.............
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian                    2,700
 Affairs.............................................
UN Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation in the                1,100
 Field of Human Rights...............................
UN Women.............................................             7,700
UN Human Settlements Program.........................               700
UN Capital Development Fund..........................               750
UN Democracy Fund....................................             4,000
UN Development Program...............................            80,000
UN Environment Program...............................             7,000
UN Population Fund...................................            32,500
UN Children's Fund...................................           132,500
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights................             6,500
UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture.............             6,550
World Meteorological Organization....................             1,200
World Trade Organization Technical Assistance........               600
                                                      ------------------
    Total, International Organizations and Programs..           339,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  International Financial Institutions


                      GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY

       The Act provides $168,263,000 for Global Environment 
     Facility.


       CONTRIBUTION TO THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

       The Act provides $1,197,128,000 for Contribution to the 
     International Development Association.


     CONTRIBUTION TO THE INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND 
                              DEVELOPMENT

       The Act provides $186,957,000 for Contribution to the 
     International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.


              LIMITATION ON CALLABLE CAPITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

       The Act provides $2,928,990,899 for Limitation on Callable 
     Capital Subscriptions.


               CONTRIBUTION TO THE CLEAN TECHNOLOGY FUND

       The Act provides $170,680,000 for Contribution to the Clean 
     Technology Fund.


               CONTRIBUTION TO THE STRATEGIC CLIMATE FUND

       The Act provides $49,900,000 for Contribution to the 
     Strategic Climate Fund. An additional $9,720,000 is made 
     available by transfer pursuant to section 7060(c) of this 
     Act.


          CONTRIBUTION TO THE INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

       The Act provides $102,020,448 for Contribution to the 
     Inter-American Development Bank.


              LIMITATION ON CALLABLE CAPITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

       The Act provides $4,098,794,833 for Limitation on Callable 
     Capital Subscriptions.


               CONTRIBUTION TO THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

       The Act provides $5,608,435 for Contribution to the Asian 
     Development Bank.


               CONTRIBUTION TO THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT FUND

       The Act provides $104,977,000 for Contribution to the Asian 
     Development Fund.


              CONTRIBUTION TO THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

       The Act provides $34,118,027 for Contribution to the 
     African Development Bank.


              LIMITATION ON CALLABLE CAPITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

       The Act provides $507,860,808 for Limitation on Callable 
     Capital Subscriptions.


              CONTRIBUTION TO THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT FUND

       The Act provides $175,668,000 for Contribution to the 
     African Development Fund.


  CONTRIBUTION TO THE INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

       The Act provides $31,930,000 for Contribution to the 
     International Fund for Agricultural Development.


              GLOBAL AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY PROGRAM

       The Act provides $43,000,000 for Global Agriculture and 
     Food Security Program.


          CONTRIBUTION TO THE NORTH AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

       The Act provides $10,000,000 for Contribution to the North 
     American Development Bank. The Act does not include the 
     authority contained in section 7082 of the Senate bill.


              LIMITATION ON CALLABLE CAPITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

       The Act provides $255,000,000 for Limitation on Callable 
     Capital Subscriptions.

               TITLE VI--EXPORT AND INVESTMENT ASSISTANCE

                Export-Import Bank of the United States


                           INSPECTOR GENERAL

       The Act provides $6,000,000 for Inspector General for the 
     Export-Import Bank of the United States.

[[Page H10418]]

  



                        ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

       The Act provides $106,250,000 for Administrative Expenses 
     for the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

                Overseas Private Investment Corporation


                           NONCREDIT ACCOUNT

       The Act provides $62,787,000 for Noncredit Account of the 
     Overseas Private Investment Corporation.


                            PROGRAM ACCOUNT

       The Act provides $20,000,000 for Program Account of the 
     Overseas Private Investment Corporation.


                      TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

       The Act provides $60,000,000 for Trade and Development 
     Agency.

                               TITLE VII

                           GENERAL PROVISIONS

       The following general provisions are continued in this Act 
     substantively unchanged from the fiscal year 2015 Act 
     (division J of Public Law 113-235):
       Sec. 7001. Allowances and Differentials
       Sec. 7002. Unobligated Balances Report
       Sec. 7003. Consulting Services
       Sec. 7005. Personnel Actions
       Sec. 7007. Prohibition Against Direct Funding for Certain 
     Countries
       Sec. 7008. Coups d'Etat
       Sec. 7010. Prohibition on First-Class Travel
       Sec. 7011. Availability of Funds
       Sec. 7012. Limitation on Assistance to Countries in Default
       Sec. 7013. Prohibition on Taxation of United States 
     Assistance
       Sec. 7014. Reservations of Funds
       Sec. 7016. Notification on Excess Defense Equipment
       Sec. 7017. Limitation on Availability of Funds for 
     International Organizations and Programs
       Sec. 7018. Prohibition on Funding for Abortions and 
     Involuntary Sterilization
       Sec. 7020. Representation and Entertainment Expenses
       Sec. 7021. Prohibition on Assistance to Governments 
     Supporting International Terrorism
       Sec. 7022. Authorization Requirements
       Sec. 7023. Definition of Program, Project, and Activity
       Sec. 7024. Authorities for the Peace Corps, Inter-American 
     Foundation and United States African Development Foundation
       Sec. 7025. Commerce, Trade and Surplus Commodities
       Sec. 7026. Separate Accounts
       Sec. 7027. Eligibility for Assistance
       Sec. 7030. Debt-for-Development
       Sec. 7035. Arab League Boycott of Israel
       Sec. 7036. Palestinian Statehood
       Sec. 7037. Restrictions Concerning the Palestinian 
     Authority
       Sec. 7038. Prohibition on Assistance to the Palestinian 
     Broadcasting Corporation
       Sec. 7039. Assistance for the West Bank and Gaza
       Sec. 7040. Limitation on Assistance for the Palestinian 
     Authority
       Sec. 7046. Prohibition of Payments to United Nations 
     Members
       Sec. 7047. War Crimes Tribunals
       Sec. 7049. Community-Based Police Assistance
       Sec. 7050. Prohibition on Promotion of Tobacco
       Sec. 7051. International Conferences
       Sec. 7052. Aircraft Transfer and Coordination
       Sec. 7053. Parking Fines and Real Property Taxes Owed by 
     Foreign Governments
       Sec. 7054 Landmines and Cluster Munitions
       Sec. 7055. Prohibition on Publicity or Propaganda
       Sec. 7059. Gender Equality
       Sec. 7061. Overseas Private Investment Corporation
       Sec. 7062. Arms Trade Treaty
       Sec. 7064. Reporting Requirements Concerning Individuals 
     Detained at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
       Sec. 7065. Multi-year Pledges
       Sec. 7066. Prohibition on Use of Torture
       Sec. 7067. Extradition
       Sec. 7068. Commercial Leasing of Defense Articles
       Sec. 7074. Enterprise Funds
       Sec. 7075. Use of Funds in Contravention of this Act
       Sec. 7079. Disability Programs
       Sec. 7080. Impact on Jobs in the United States
       The Act includes a provision to allow support by the 
     Export-Import Bank of the United States and OPIC for coal-
     fired and other power generation projects in International 
     Development Association (IDA) and IDA-blend eligible 
     countries. This provision is expected to increase affordable 
     electricity, especially to those without current access to 
     electricity, as well as to support increased exports from the 
     United States and prevent the loss of United States jobs.
       The following general provisions are new or substantively 
     modified from the fiscal year 2015 Act (division J of Public 
     Law 113-235):
       Sec. 7004. Diplomatic Facilities (Modified)
       The Act does not include the limitation and reporting 
     requirement regarding the relocation project for the United 
     States Embassy to the Holy See that was included in the House 
     bill. The project met the conditions in prior Acts and was 
     completed at the end of fiscal year 2015. Not later than 45 
     days after enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State is 
     directed to submit to the Committees on Appropriations a 
     final report on the project, including the cost, security 
     improvements, and current staffing levels.
       Sec. 7006. Local Guard Contracts (Modified)
       The Act modifies the expanded one-year authority in the 
     Senate bill to require notification of the appropriate 
     congressional committees each time the Secretary of State 
     exercises the authority for a United States diplomatic 
     facility not deemed high threat and high risk. The 
     notification required by this section shall include a 
     justification for covered awards, an explanation of why the 
     use of Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) basis award 
     is not appropriate, and an estimated cost comparison between 
     awarding such contract on a best value basis as determined by 
     a cost-technical tradeoff analysis instead of on the basis of 
     LPTA.
       Sec. 7009. Transfer Authority (Modified)
       Sec. 7015. Notification Requirements (Modified)
       The Act modifies subsection (a) to require notification 
     when specified changes occur in programs, projects, and 
     activities. Paragraph (4) applies to domestic and overseas 
     bureaus, centers, and offices, and paragraph (5) is not 
     intended to require a notification for duties performed by 
     personal services contractors. The term ``previously 
     notified'' includes changes that have been specifically noted 
     in a CBJ.
       Subsection (b) is modified to require notification of any 
     reprogramming of funds that results from changes specified in 
     this subsection.
       Subsection (c) is modified by deleting the reference to 
     Conflict Stabilization Operations, which is subject to the 
     notification requirements in subsection (a) and (b), and by 
     including Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia.
       Sec. 7019. Allocations (Modified)
       The agreement modifies language in section 7019 of the 
     House and Senate bills. Amounts specifically designated in 
     tables in this explanatory statement for funds appropriated 
     in titles III through V that are applicable to the 653(a) 
     report shall be included in such report. The revised section 
     7019 also provides that funds appropriated in the Act under 
     titles III through V shall be made available to meet 
     specifically designated amounts in such tables and may only 
     be deviated from by 5 percent. Deviations from specifically 
     designated amounts in excess of 5 percent are only authorized 
     for specific circumstances enumerated in the Act and are 
     subject to prior consultation and notification.
       For specifically designated amounts in tables that are also 
     included in the 653(a) report, any deviation from such 
     specifically designated amounts are not authorized until 
     submission of such report. For example, a specifically 
     designated amount of $4,500,000 in the Economic Support Fund 
     table in this explanatory statement for assistance for a 
     country must be contained in the 653(a) report. However, 
     after submission of such report, a deviation of up to 5 
     percent from $4,500,000 is authorized. A deviation in excess 
     of 5 percent may only take place to respond to specific 
     circumstances enumerated in the Act and is subject to prior 
     consultation and notification. For a specifically designated 
     amount, such as $7,000,000 for a program in the Development 
     Assistance table, which would not be reflected in the 653(a) 
     report, deviations authorized by subsection (b) may take 
     place prior to submission of such report. Nothing in the 
     revised section 7019 may be construed to authorize a 
     deviation from a designated funding level in the Act 
     containing a ``shall''.
       Sec. 7028. Local Competition (Modified)
       Sec. 7029. International Financial Institutions (Modified)
       Sec. 7031. Financial Management and Budget Transparency 
     (Modified)
       Subsection (d) does not include the reference contained in 
     the Senate bill to section 1504 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street 
     Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Public Law 111-203; 124 
     Stat. 2220) because the Securities and Exchange Commission 
     has not yet published final regulations under such law.
       Sec. 7032. Democracy Programs (Modified)
       The Act provides $2,308,517,000 for democracy programs, of 
     which $312,963,000 is directed for Africa. The Act modifies 
     language proposed in the Senate bill regarding appropriate 
     mechanisms for democracy promotion.
       To clarify and standardize the use of such mechanisms, 
     subsection (f)(1) requires the development of guidelines for 
     the use of contracts versus grants and cooperative agreements 
     for the unique objectives of democracy programs. The 
     Secretary of State and the USAID Administrator are directed 
     to consider funds appropriated for democracy programs under 
     the following headings: Development Assistance; Transition 
     Initiatives; Complex Crises Fund; Economic Support Fund; 
     Democracy Fund; Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central 
     Asia; and International Narcotics Control and Law 
     Enforcement. This subsection excludes NED and its core 
     institutes.
       The development of such guidelines is intended to assist 
     democracy officers worldwide with designing programs that 
     properly reflect the objectives of democracy programs and the 
     purposes to be achieved, as well as assist contracting and 
     agreement officers in selecting the most appropriate 
     mechanism for democracy programs, consistent with sections 
     6303 through 6305 of title 31, United States Code. In 
     preparing such guidelines, the Department of State and USAID 
     should consider the roles and responsibilities of each agency 
     in promoting democracy abroad, in accordance with the 
     explanatory statement accompanying division J of Public Law 
     113-235.
       Subsection (f)(2) requires USAID to continue to implement 
     programs that recognize the unique benefits of using grants 
     and cooperative agreements in the civil society and political 
     competition and consensus building

[[Page H10419]]

     sectors, which include the following subsectors: civic 
     participation; media freedom and information; political 
     parties; consensus building processes; and election and 
     political processes.
       The Secretary of State is directed to submit the report 
     required by subsection (g)(2) of the Senate bill (regarding 
     training) in the manner described.
       Not less than 30 days after enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary of State is directed to submit the report required 
     under the explanatory statement accompanying division J of 
     Public Law 113-235, regarding the coordination of democracy 
     programs.
       The agreement endorses the directive in the Senate report 
     that NED, Department of State, and USAID regularly consult 
     with one another regarding their democracy and human rights 
     activities.
       Sec. 7033. International Religious Freedom (New)
       The agreement endorses language in the Senate report 
     regarding programs to combat anti-Semitism abroad.
       Sec. 7034. Special Provisions (Modified)
       The Secretary of State is directed to include the 
     appropriate congressional committees in the consultation 
     requirement incorporated by reference in subsection (b)(3).
       Subsection (b)(4) includes funding directives for forensic 
     assistance. Not later than 90 days after enactment of this 
     Act, the Secretary of State is directed to consult with the 
     Committees on Appropriations on the use of such funds.
       For the purposes of the report required by subsection 
     (b)(7), the Secretary of State is directed to include the 
     specific countries and military services that received 
     assistance and the amounts and purposes of such assistance.
       Subsection (d)(6) includes new, limited authority for the 
     provision of innovation incentive awards, similar to that 
     proposed in the Senate bill. The USAID Administrator is 
     directed to report to the Committees on Appropriations every 
     six months on the use of such authority.
       In carrying out the PVS pilot program required by 
     subsection (e), the Department of State and USAID are 
     directed to include a direct vetting option that does not 
     require prime awardees to collect, verify, or submit sub-
     awardee data. The Department of State and USAID should ensure 
     that all individuals vetted through such pilot are able to 
     obtain information on how data is used by the United States 
     Government. The report following the completion of the PVS 
     pilot program shall include recommendations for standardizing 
     and streamlining vetting processes; consideration of 
     exemptions for humanitarian and democracy assistance; 
     analysis of privacy and data protection concerns; a 
     description of consultations with governmental and 
     nongovernmental stakeholders affected by the pilot program; 
     and responses to concerns raised during such consultations. 
     Prior to the completion of the evaluation and consultation 
     with the Committees on Appropriations, USAID and the 
     Department of State are directed to refrain from implementing 
     similar vetting systems in countries outside the designated 
     PVS pilot program unless required to respond to existing 
     security threats. The Committees on Appropriations shall be 
     consulted prior to beginning new vetting programs or 
     implementing changes to the existing vetting programs.
       Subsection (q) provides $45,000,000 for the Small Grants 
     Program and makes certain modifications to such program, 
     including providing authority for additional administrative 
     and oversight costs that may include increases in the number 
     of Locally Employed Staff. The USAID Administrator is 
     directed to continue the consultation and reporting 
     requirements for the Small Grants Program in section 7080 of 
     division J of Public Law 113-235 for fiscal year 2016.
       Subsection (r) does not include the definition proposed in 
     the Senate bill for the term ``best practices''' for the 
     protection of whistleblowers. For purposes of sections 7029, 
     7048, and 7058 of this Act, such term shall mean practices 
     that are implemented consistent with terms specified in 
     international conventions or adopted by international 
     organizations such as the Organization for Economic 
     Cooperation and Development and the Organization of American 
     States.
       Sec. 7041. Middle East and North Africa (Modified)
       Egypt.--Not later than 90 days after the enactment of this 
     Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the USAID 
     Administrator, is directed to submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees a report on the hepatitis C pilot 
     program initiated in fiscal year 2015, including the goals 
     and benchmarks established in consultation with the 
     Government of Egypt, the anticipated number of recipients, 
     efforts to coordinate such program with other United States 
     Government agencies, and the annual expenditure of the 
     Government of Egypt on programs to combat hepatitis C.
       The Secretary of State is directed to support programs 
     funded under Economic Support Fund that promote policy 
     reforms that create an enabling environment for economic 
     growth.
       Funds in the Act for assistance for Egypt are allocated 
     according to the following table:

                                  EGYPT
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Account                          Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Economic Support Fund................................           150,000
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement..             2,000
Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and                    2,500
 Related Programs....................................
International Military Education and Training........             1,800
Foreign Military Financing Program...................         1,300,000
                                                      ------------------
    Total............................................         1,456,300
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Iran.--The submission of the reports required by subsection 
     (b)(3) shall satisfy the reporting directives on Iran in the 
     Senate report.
       For the purposes of the report required by subsection 
     (b)(3)(B), the term ``international community'' shall mean 
     the United Nations, China, France, Germany, the Russian 
     Federation, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
       Iraq.--USAID and the Department of State are directed to 
     support programs in Iraq that address sectarianism, assist 
     vulnerable populations, and strengthen governance, including 
     by promoting civil society. Programs should advance peace and 
     reconciliation goals and build a strong foundation for the 
     long-term stability of Iraq.
       Funds in the Act for assistance for Iraq are allocated 
     according to the following table:

                                  IRAQ
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Account                          Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Economic Support Fund................................            72,500
    Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund.............           [7,500]
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement..            11,000
Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and                   20,860
 Related Programs....................................
International Military Education and Training........             1,000
Foreign Military Financing Program...................           250,000
                                                      ------------------
    Total............................................           355,360
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Funds are provided for the continuation of the Marla 
     Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund, subject to prior consultation 
     with the Committees on Appropriations, to assist Iraqi 
     civilians who have suffered losses due to military 
     operations, terrorism, or other sectarian violence. Prior to 
     any decision to reassign management and oversight 
     responsibility for such fund from USAID to DRL, the 
     Department of State and USAID are directed to consult with 
     the Committees on Appropriations.
       Jordan.--Funds in this Act for assistance for Jordan are 
     allocated according to the following table:

                                 JORDAN
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Account                          Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Economic Support Fund................................            812,350
Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and                     8,850
 Related Programs....................................
International Military Education and Training........              3,800
Foreign Military Financing Program...................            450,000
                                                      ------------------
    Total............................................          1,275,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       The agreement includes $100,000,000 for water sector 
     support for Jordan, which is intended to support the Red Sea-
     Dead Sea water project, pending completion of relevant 
     studies and assessments.
       Lebanon.--The agreement supports scholarships awarded on a 
     competitive basis for students in Lebanon with high financial 
     need at not-for-profit institutions in Lebanon that meet 
     standards comparable to those required for United States 
     accreditation, as recommended in the House and Senate 
     reports. Not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, 
     the USAID Administrator is directed to consult with the 
     Committees on Appropriations on the criteria for 
     participation in scholarship programs for institutions in the 
     Middle East, including to address the needs of individuals 
     displaced by conflict.
       Libya.-- Funds in this Act for assistance for Libya are 
     allocated according to the following table:

                                  LIBYA
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Account                          Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Economic Support Fund................................             10,000
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement..              2,000
Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and                     6,500
 Related Programs....................................
International Military Education and Training........              1,500
                                                      ------------------
    Total............................................             20,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       In submitting the certification required by subsection 
     (f)(3), the Secretary of State is directed to include a 
     description of how regular oversight will be provided by the 
     Department of State and USAID.
       Syria.--The Act includes language in subsection (h)(2), 
     similar to that proposed in the Senate bill, regarding 
     assistance to build the capacity of Syrian civil society 
     organizations to address the immediate and long-term needs of 
     people inside Syria in a manner that supports the 
     sustainability of such organizations and the goals and 
     objectives of the strategy required in section 7041(i)(3) of 
     the Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related 
     Programs Appropriations Act, 2014 (division K of Public Law 
     113-76). The provision is intended to empower such 
     organizations by establishing a more direct relationship with 
     the Department of State and USAID.
       In addition to the directives in the House and Senate 
     reports, assistance to vulnerable populations within Syria 
     and those fleeing the Syrian conflict should include medical, 
     rehabilitation, and vocational assistance for those who have 
     suffered physical disabilities as a result of the ongoing 
     conflict.
       The agreement endorses language contained in the House 
     report under Foreign

[[Page H10420]]

     Military Financing Program regarding expediting Foreign 
     Military Financing and Foreign Military Sales cases and 
     related licenses to partners in the coalition in the fight 
     against ISIL and, not later than 60 days after enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the 
     Secretary of Defense, is directed to submit to the Committees 
     on Appropriations a report on the feasibility and actions 
     required to furnish armed and unarmed unmanned aerial systems 
     and associated technologies to such partners. The report 
     should include a summary of actions taken to approve such 
     systems since the initiation of military operations against 
     ISIL, and efforts to expedite the approval of such systems, 
     consistent with United States law and policy.
       Tunisia.--Funds in this Act for assistance for Tunisia are 
     allocated according to the following table:

                                 TUNISIA
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Account                          Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Economic Support Fund................................             60,000
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement..             12,000
Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and                     2,600
 Related Programs....................................
International Military Education and Training........              2,300
Foreign Military Financing Program...................             65,000
                                                      ------------------
    Total............................................            141,900
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       West Bank and Gaza.--The report required in subsection 
     (j)(3) shall also include a description of steps taken by the 
     Department of State to discourage such payments.
       Sec. 7042. Africa (Modified)
       South Sudan.--The Secretary of State is directed to ensure 
     that funds made available in this Act for South Sudan will 
     support adherence to, and implementation of, the peace 
     agreement reached in South Sudan in August 2015.
       Sec. 7043. East Asia and the Pacific (Modified)
       The Act includes language regarding assistance for East 
     Asia and the Pacific in a manner similar to that proposed by 
     the House and Senate.
       Burma.--Assistance for Burma shall be prioritized to 
     underserved and rural areas, and support basic education, 
     civic education, and livelihoods programs. In addition, funds 
     should be made available to counter narcotics abuse among 
     youth throughout the country. The Secretary of State is 
     directed to consult with the Committees on Appropriations on 
     additional requirements should a peaceful transfer of power 
     occur in Burma following the election held on November 8, 
     2015.
       The Act prohibits funding to any organization or individual 
     in Burma that the Secretary of State determines and reports 
     to the appropriate congressional committees advocates 
     violence against ethnic or religious groups. When considering 
     such determination, the Secretary should review the actions 
     of Ashin Wirathu.
       Hong Kong.--The Secretary of State is directed to submit 
     the report required by subsection (e)(6) of the Senate bill 
     in the manner described.
       People's Republic of China.--The agreement provides 
     $15,000,000 to continue democracy and environment programs in 
     the People's Republic of China (PRC), to be administered by 
     the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Department 
     of State, to promote and strengthen civic advocacy and the 
     rule of law. The Secretary of State and USAID Administrator 
     are directed to provide no assistance to the central 
     government of the PRC under Global Health Programs, 
     Development Assistance, and Economic Support Fund, except for 
     assistance to detect, prevent, and treat infectious diseases.
       Thailand.--The agreement does not include assistance for 
     Thailand under International Military Education and Training 
     and Foreign Military Financing Program due to the application 
     of section 7008 of this Act.
       Vietnam.--The agreement supports funds under Economic 
     Support Fund to continue the DNA forensic technology program 
     to identify Vietnamese persons missing-in-action. The 
     agreement provides funds under Economic Support Fund to 
     support the environmental remediation of dioxin contamination 
     at the Bien Hoa Airport. The Department of Defense is 
     strongly encouraged to contribute funds for this project, 
     which is expected to further United States-Vietnam relations.
       Sec. 7044. South and Central Asia (Modified)
       Afghanistan.--The Secretary of State is directed to include 
     in the operating plan for Diplomatic and Consular Programs 
     the information enumerated in the second paragraph under this 
     section in the House report.
       The Secretary of State is directed to include in the 
     certification on corruption required by subsection (a)(2)(B) 
     a description of steps taken by the Government of Afghanistan 
     to combat corruption and prosecute individuals alleged to be 
     involved in illegal activities in Afghanistan. The Department 
     of State and USAID should continue to ensure that projects 
     implemented by organizations requiring security in 
     Afghanistan have security personnel who are properly trained 
     and equipped and are cost effective.
       Subsection (a)(4) makes funds available for an endowment to 
     empower women and girls in Afghanistan. The Secretary of 
     State and USAID Administrator, as appropriate, are directed 
     to consult with the appropriate congressional committees 
     prior to obligating funds for such purposes.
       Nepal.--The agreement provides $43,038,000 under Economic 
     Support Fund for assistance for Nepal, including to support 
     ongoing earthquake recovery and reconstruction efforts, 
     environmental conservation, conflict resolution, and 
     activities to protect the rights and address the needs of 
     Dalits and other marginalized groups.
       Pakistan.--The agreement provides funds under International 
     Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement for assistance for 
     Pakistan for implementation of programs described in the CBJ, 
     the intent of which is to assist in building an independent 
     civilian justice system capable of conducting 
     counterterrorism investigations and prosecutions.
       The Act provides funds under Economic Support Fund, 
     Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia, and 
     International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement to 
     enhance the recruitment, professionalism, and retention of 
     women in the judiciary, police, and other security forces in 
     South and Central Asia. The agreement provides not less than 
     the fiscal year 2015 level for such purposes in Pakistan, 
     which shall be made available through an open and competitive 
     process.
       Sec. 7045. Western Hemisphere (Modified)
       United States Engagement in Central America.--Subsection 
     (a) provides a framework for United States assistance to 
     implement the United States Strategy for Engagement in 
     Central America (the Strategy) in support of the Plan of the 
     Alliance for Prosperity in the Northern Triangle of Central 
     America (the Plan). The Act provides up to $750,000,000 for 
     the Strategy, which is allocated according to the following 
     table:

        UNITED STATES STRATEGY FOR ENGAGEMENT IN CENTRAL AMERICA
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Country/Program                      Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Development Assistance:
    El Salvador......................................            65,000
    Guatemala........................................           112,000
    Honduras.........................................            93,000
    Nicaragua........................................            10,000
    USAID Central America Regional...................            19,410
                                                      ------------------
        Subtotal.....................................           299,410
Economic Support Fund:
    Central America Regional Security Initiative.....           126,500
    Other Regional--Economic Opportunity.............             7,000
    Other Regional--Prosperity and Governance........            50,000
                                                      ------------------
        Subtotal.....................................           183,500
Foreign Military Financing Program:
    Belize...........................................             1,000
    Costa Rica.......................................             1,400
    El Salvador......................................             1,900
    Guatemala........................................             1,740
    Honduras.........................................             4,500
    Panama...........................................             2,125
    State Western Hemisphere Regional................            13,000
                                                      ------------------
        Subtotal.....................................            25,665
International Military Education and Training:
    Belize...........................................               250
    Costa Rica.......................................               425
    El Salvador......................................             1,000
    Guatemala........................................               775
    Honduras.........................................               750
    Panama...........................................               725
                                                      ------------------
        Subtotal.....................................             3,925
Global Health Programs--USAID:
    Guatemala........................................            13,000
                                                      ------------------
        Subtotal.....................................            13,000
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement:
    Central America Regional Security Initiative.....           222,000
    DNA Forensic Technology..........................           [4,000]
    Guatemala Police Sexual Assault Units............           [3,000]
    International Commission Against Impunity in                [7,500]
     Guatemala.......................................
                                                      ------------------
        Subtotal.....................................           222,000
Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and
 Related Programs:
    Panama...........................................               500
                                                      ------------------
        Subtotal.....................................               500
Overseas Private Investment Corporation:
    Regional.........................................             2,000
                                                      ------------------
        Subtotal.....................................             2,000
                                                      ------------------
            Total, United States Strategy for                   750,000
             Engagement in Central America...........
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       The agreement does not include funds for cash transfer 
     assistance or major infrastructure projects. It is expected 
     that, if supported as part of the Plan, such projects would 
     be financed by El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and other 
     donors, including international development banks.
       The Act withholds from obligation 75 percent of assistance 
     made available for each of the central governments of El 
     Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras unless the Secretary of 
     State certifies and reports that such government is taking 
     effective steps to meet certain requirements, and requires 
     the Secretary to suspend assistance for such central 
     government that has not made sufficient progress in meeting 
     such requirements. Such withholding and any suspension of 
     funds should apply to each country individually, so that the 
     failure of one country to meet the requirements does not 
     adversely affect another.
       The agreement provides $7,500,000 for a United States 
     contribution to the International Commission Against Impunity 
     in Guatemala (CICIG), and provides the authority to obligate 
     funds made available for the Central America Regional 
     Security Initiative after consultation with, and subject to 
     the regular notification procedures of, the Committees on 
     Appropriations to support international commissions against 
     impunity in Honduras and El Salvador, if such commissions are 
     established. To receive funds appropriated by this Act or 
     prior Acts making appropriations for the Department of State, 
     foreign operations, and related programs, such commissions 
     should have investigatory and prosecutorial independence and 
     authorities comparable to CICIG.

[[Page H10421]]

       The agreement endorses the recommendation in the House and 
     Senate reports to transfer up to $15,000,000 from Development 
     Assistance to the Inter-American Foundation.
       The Secretary of State, in coordination with the USAID 
     Administrator, is directed to develop a plan for monitoring 
     and evaluation of programs funded by this Act and prior Acts 
     making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign 
     operations, and related programs, to implement the Strategy. 
     Not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, the 
     Department of State and USAID are directed to consult with 
     the appropriate congressional committees on such plan and 
     provide a progress report and initial results not later than 
     September 30, 2016.
       The Secretary of State is directed to include in the report 
     required by subparagraph (3)(B) (relating to clause (xii)) an 
     assessment of the economic investment conditions in El 
     Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, and a description of 
     outstanding commercial disputes, including the confiscation 
     of real property, between United States entities and the 
     governments of such countries.
       In addition to the reporting requirement regarding lessons 
     learned from the Merida Initiative and Plan Colombia included 
     in the Introduction of the Senate report, the Secretary of 
     State is directed to include lessons learned with regard to 
     law enforcement and counternarcotics activities.
       Colombia.--In accordance with subsection (b), 19 percent of 
     the funds appropriated under Foreign Military Financing 
     Program that are made available for assistance for Colombia 
     may be obligated only if the Secretary of State certifies and 
     reports to the Committees on Appropriations that: (1) cases 
     involving members of the Colombian military who have been 
     credibly alleged to have violated human rights, including 
     those in positions with command authority who ordered or 
     covered up such crimes, are subject only to civilian 
     jurisdiction, the Colombian military is cooperating with 
     civilian authorities in such cases, and military officers 
     credibly alleged to have committed gross violations of human 
     rights are removed from positions with command authority 
     until the completion of judicial proceedings and 
     appropriately punished if convicted; (2) the Government of 
     Colombia is upholding its international obligations by 
     holding accountable persons responsible for crimes against 
     humanity, war crimes, and other gross violations of human 
     rights, and is not offering amnesty to such persons; and (3) 
     the Government of Colombia is continuing to dismantle illegal 
     armed groups, taking effective steps to protect the rights of 
     human rights defenders, journalists, trade unionists, and 
     other social activists, and respecting the rights and 
     territory of indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities.
       The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Attorney 
     General, is expected to continue to work with the Government 
     of Colombia to extradite fugitives wanted by the United 
     States, in accordance with applicable agreements between the 
     two countries.
       Prior to the obligation of funds made available by this Act 
     for counternarcotics programs and law enforcement activities 
     in Colombia, and after consultation with the Government of 
     Colombia, the Secretary of State is directed to submit a 
     report to the appropriate congressional committees describing 
     the Government of Colombia's revised counternarcotics 
     strategy, the costs associated with such strategy and the 
     winding down of the aerial eradication program, and a 
     description of the support to be provided by the Department 
     of State for counternarcotics and law enforcement activities 
     during fiscal year 2016 and subsequent fiscal years. Such 
     funds shall be made available on a cost-matching basis to the 
     maximum extent practicable in order to sustain the commitment 
     of the Government of Colombia to counternarcotics programs 
     and are subject to the regular notification procedures of the 
     Committees on Appropriations.
       Haiti.--The agreement does not include language in the 
     Senate bill regarding assistance provided to the Haitian 
     National Police. The Secretary of State and the USAID 
     Administrator, as appropriate, are directed to take 
     appropriate steps to ensure that such assistance made 
     available by this Act for the Government of Haiti is not 
     controlled by, or otherwise under the influence of, any 
     private organization or individual.
       Sec. 7048. United Nations (Modified)
       The Secretary of State, in coordination with the United 
     States Mission to the UN, should seek United States 
     assessment rates for the UN regular budget and international 
     peacekeeping activities that are favorable to the United 
     States.
       Not later than 180 days after enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary of State is directed to submit a report to the 
     Committees on Appropriations on UN policies and processes to 
     combat corruption and eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse at 
     the UN and affiliated agencies, including recent actions 
     taken by the Office of Internal Oversight Services. The 
     Secretary of State is encouraged to use existing authorities, 
     including the withholding of bilateral economic assistance, 
     as appropriate, to further accountability, transparency, and 
     other reforms at the United Nations.
       Sec. 7056. Consular Immunity (New)
       Sec. 7057. United States Agency for International 
     Development Management (Modified)
       Sec. 7058. Global Health Activities (Modified)
       Sec. 7060. Sector Allocations (Modified)
       Funds for certain sectors are allocated according to the 
     following table:

                           SECTOR ALLOCATIONS
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Program                          Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic Education......................................            800,000
Higher Education.....................................            225,000
Biodiversity Conservation............................            265,000
Wildlife Trafficking.................................             80,000
Food Security and Agricultural Development...........          1,000,600
Microenterprise and Microfinance.....................            265,000
Trafficking in Persons...............................             60,000
Reconciliation Programs..............................             26,000
Water and Sanitation.................................            400,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Funds for certain bilateral environment programs are 
     allocated according to the following table:

                          ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMS
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Program/Activity                     Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andean Amazon........................................             20,000
Brazilian Amazon.....................................             10,500
Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment..             39,400
    USAID............................................           [21,900]
    United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)..           [17,500]
Lacey Act............................................              2,000
Mayan Biosphere--Department of Interior..............              1,000
Toxic Chemicals......................................              5,000
USFWS................................................              5,500
    Migratory Bird Conservation......................              [500]
United States Forest Service.........................              5,000
Waste Recycling......................................              5,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       The Act includes not less than $80,000,000 to combat 
     wildlife poaching and trafficking, of which not less than 
     $10,000,000 shall be made available for programs to combat 
     rhinoceros poaching and shall be used primarily for site-
     based anti-poaching activities to address immediate 
     requirements. Funds are provided to support regional wildlife 
     enforcement networks, including $1,000,000 to support the 
     Wildlife Enforcement Network Southern Africa; address 
     consumer demand, including in Asia; strengthen law 
     enforcement, including to address significant needs for 
     training and equipment; and enhance regional cooperation and 
     anti-trafficking networks. These programs shall include 
     monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure funds are used 
     for the intended purposes, and to measure the outcomes of 
     such assistance, including the number and type of 
     prosecutions, trends in wildlife population sizes, and the 
     effectiveness of demand reduction campaigns. Not later than 
     45 days after enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, 
     USAID Administrator, and Director of the USFWS are directed 
     to consult with the Committees on Appropriations on the uses 
     of funds for these purposes. The Secretary of State is 
     further directed to update the report required in the joint 
     explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 113-76, 
     including how funds are being used to implement the National 
     Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking. The Secretary of 
     State is directed to include country and program funding 
     levels for combating wildlife poaching and trafficking in the 
     fiscal year 2017 CBJ.
       The agreement includes $5,000,000 for the United States 
     Forest Service (USFS) in addition to funds otherwise made 
     available by USAID for USFS biodiversity conservation 
     activities, which shall be in amounts not less than fiscal 
     year 2014.
       The agreement provides not less than $72,000,000 for 
     programs and activities to combat trafficking in persons 
     internationally, including funds for assistance, as allocated 
     according to the following table:

                         TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Account                          Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Development Assistance...............................              9,800
Economic Support Fund................................             11,200
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement..             39,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       The agreement includes $12,000,000 under Diplomatic and 
     Consular Programs for the Office to Monitor and Combat 
     Trafficking in Persons, Department of State. The agreement 
     provides $5,000,000 to support a multi-faceted approach to 
     combat human trafficking in Guatemala pursuant to section 
     7060(f) of this Act. Pursuant to the Trafficking Victims 
     Protection Act of 2000, as amended by Public Law 113-4, 
     $5,000,000 of the funds made available under International 
     Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement shall be made available 
     for child protection compacts.
       Not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary of State, in consultation with the USAID 
     Administrator, is directed to submit a report to the 
     Committees on Appropriations on obligations and expenditures 
     of all fiscal year 2015 funds managed by the Department of 
     State and USAID to combat human trafficking and forced labor. 
     The report shall include funding by program, project, and 
     activity and describe the management structure at the 
     Department of State and USAID used to program such funds.
       Sec. 7063. Countries Impacted by Significant Refugee 
     Populations or Internally Displaced Persons (New)
       The agreement includes language in section 7063 modified 
     from that proposed in section 7081 of the Senate bill, except 
     the Secretary of State is directed to submit the report 
     required in section 7081(b) in the manner described in such 
     section. In lieu of the information required in section 
     7081(b)(3), the Secretary of the Treasury is directed to 
     submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations, not 
     later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, on the 
     implications for country access to World Bank and other

[[Page H10422]]

     concessional lending and grants if the World Bank were to 
     modify its per capita income categories to reflect the impact 
     of significant refugee populations and internally displaced 
     persons on host communities.
       Not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, the CEO 
     of the MCC is directed to submit a report to the Committees 
     on Appropriations on the number of middle income countries 
     that would become eligible for MCC compacts, and any other 
     implications for MCC operations and programs of such updated 
     World Bank per capita income categories.
       Sec. 7069. Independent States of the Former Soviet Union 
     (Modified)
       Ukraine.--The agreement provides not less than $658,185,000 
     for assistance for Ukraine, and authority for loan guarantees 
     is provided under section 7034(o) of this Act.
       Funds in this Act for assistance for Ukraine are allocated 
     according to the following table:

                                 UKRAINE
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Account                          Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Health Programs--USAID........................              6,100
Global Health Programs--State........................             25,515
Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia......            525,000
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement..             10,000
Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining, and                    3,670
 Related Programs....................................
International Military Education and Training........              2,900
Foreign Military Financing Program...................             85,000
                                                      ------------------
    Total............................................            658,185
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Sec. 7070. Russia (Modified)
       Sec. 7071. International Monetary Fund (Modified)
       Sec. 7072. Special Defense Acquisition Fund (Modified)
       Sec. 7073. Countering Foreign Fighters and Violent 
     Extremist Organizations (New)
       The Act includes language similar to that contained in the 
     House and Senate bills regarding security threats and 
     challenges posed by foreign fighters, violent extremists, and 
     violent extremist organizations.
       For the purposes of this section, the term ``violent 
     extremist organization'' means a foreign organization that, 
     pursuant to United States law, is determined to be an 
     organization that engages in terrorist activity (as defined 
     in section 212(a)(3)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality 
     Act), including an organization that is designated by the 
     Secretary of State as a foreign terrorist organization under 
     section 219 of such Act.
       For the purposes of subsection (a)(2) the term ``de-
     radicalization'' includes rehabilitation and reintegration 
     programs.
       Not later than 90 days after the enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary of State, in consultation with the heads of other 
     relevant Federal agencies, as appropriate, is directed to 
     submit to the appropriate congressional committees an 
     assistance and cooperation strategy for programs to implement 
     the objective described in subsection (a), in classified form 
     if necessary, which shall include a description of: (1) the 
     specific goals and objectives for such programs, and an 
     explanation of the methodology to be used in determining such 
     goals and objectives, on a country-by-country and 
     programmatic basis, and in establishing baselines for 
     determining programmatic success; (2) the coordinating 
     mechanisms between agencies to improve program efficiency and 
     effectiveness; (3) the coordinating mechanisms for programs 
     to counter terrorism and violent extremism; and (4) the 
     procedures and mechanism for end-use monitoring, vetting 
     procedures, and oversight of security sector and civilian 
     assistance made available to implement the strategy.
       The Secretary of State shall submit the proposed funding 
     levels for programs described under paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) 
     concurrently with the 653(a) report.
       Congressional notifications submitted pursuant to 
     subsection (c)(3) shall indicate the specific goals and 
     objectives to be supported through the proposed obligation of 
     funds.
       Sec. 7076. Budget Documents (Modified)
       The Act modifies subsection (a) to clarify that certain 
     funding level changes to programs, projects, and activities 
     that are included in operating plans are subject to 
     notification requirements.
       The regional security initiatives to be addressed in the 
     spend plans required by subsection (b)(1)(B) shall include: 
     the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative; the Central America 
     Regional Security Initiative; the Trans-Sahara 
     Counterterrorism Partnership; the Partnership for Regional 
     East Africa Counterterrorism; the West Africa Regional 
     Security Initiative; the Global Peace Operations Initiative, 
     including Africa Contingency Operations Training and 
     Assistance; the African Peacekeeping Rapid Response 
     Partnership; the Africa Conflict Stabilization and Border 
     Security program; the African Military Education Program; the 
     Africa Maritime Security Initiative; the Security Governance 
     Initiative; the Africa Regional Counter-Terrorism Fund; the 
     Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund; the Regional Security 
     Initiative; the Africa Capacity for Immediate Response to 
     Crisis; and the Southeast Asia Maritime Security Law 
     Enforcement Initiative.
       Sec. 7077. Reports and Records Management (New)
       The Act does not include language in the Senate bill 
     regarding the termination of reports. The Department of State 
     and USAID are directed to provide a list of obsolete reports 
     proposed to be terminated during fiscal year 2017, and such 
     list should be limited to reports under the jurisdiction of 
     the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related 
     Programs or reports required by prior appropriations Acts.
       Subsection (c)(1)(A) is not intended to prohibit the 
     funding of Department of State or USAID cloud server 
     capabilities.
       The GAO shall submit the completed assessment required 
     under subsection (c)(3) to the Secretary of State, the USAID 
     Administrator, and the Committees on Appropriations.
       Sec. 7078. Global Internet Freedom (Modified)
       The Secretary of State should prioritize Internet freedom 
     programs that seek to counter restrictive Internet laws and 
     policies, including working with local civil society 
     organizations to support policies to promote Internet 
     freedom, in countries with governments that have adopted, or 
     are considering, laws or policies that restrict Internet 
     access and content.
       Funds in the Act for Internet freedom programs are 
     allocated according to the following table:

                            INTERNET FREEDOM
               [Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Account                          Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Democracy Fund (Department of State).................            13,000
Economic Support Fund................................            14,275
    Near East Regional Democracy.....................           [9,000]
Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia......             4,725
Democracy Fund (USAID)...............................             3,500
International Broadcasting Operations................            15,000
                                                      ------------------
    Total, Internet Freedom..........................            50,500
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Sec. 7081. Country Focus and Selectivity (New)
       The Act includes language modified from the Senate bill 
     regarding country focus and selectivity. The intent of this 
     provision is to decrease country dependency on United States 
     foreign assistance and to encourage self-sufficiency through 
     programs to strengthen economic development, security, and 
     stability. However, bilateral and security assistance to 
     certain countries serve abiding strategic purposes, and a 
     transition plan for such a country should acknowledge this 
     interest.
       Subsection (a) requires a transition plan in any country 
     assistance strategy developed after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, and such plan should identify end goals and options 
     for winding down bilateral economic and security assistance. 
     The Secretary of State, in consultation with the USAID 
     Administrator, is directed to develop and distribute 
     guidelines to appropriate personnel for implementation of 
     this subsection.
       The Secretary is directed to consult with the Committees on 
     Appropriations prior to initiating a targeted transition on 
     the country selection process, the proposed period of 
     transition, and the percentage reduction in new obligations.
       Sec. 7082. United Nations Population Fund (Modified)
       The Act does not include the following general provisions 
     from the fiscal year 2015 Act (division J of Public Law 113-
     235), which have been discontinued or combined with other 
     sections: sections 7010, 7056, 7061, 7064, 7065, 7072, 7080, 
     7083, 7084, 7085.

           TITLE VIII--OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS/GLOBAL

                            WAR ON TERRORISM

                          DEPARTMENT OF STATE

                   Administration of Foreign Affairs


                    DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR PROGRAMS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The Act provides an additional $2,561,808,000 for 
     Diplomatic and Consular Programs, of which $1,966,632,000 is 
     for WSP, for the extraordinary costs of operations and 
     security in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, areas of unrest, and 
     high threat and high risk posts, which is designated for OCO/
     GWOT pursuant to BBEDCA.
       Within the total, up to $595,176,000 is for operations, of 
     which up to $15,000,000 may be made available for Conflict 
     Stabilization Operations for overseas response related to 
     reconstruction and stabilization assistance, and up to 
     $10,000,000 may be transferred to other agencies to support 
     operations in, and assistance for, Afghanistan. The Secretary 
     of State is directed to include in the operating plan 
     required by section 7076(a) of this Act a description of any 
     funds transferred to other agencies in support of Afghanistan 
     operations, including projected transfer amounts and the 
     number of staff supported by each agency, and operating 
     levels for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq.


                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

       The Act provides an additional $66,600,000 for Office of 
     Inspector General at the Department of State, of which 
     $56,900,000 is for the Special Inspector General for 
     Afghanistan Reconstruction, and is designated for OCO/GWOT 
     pursuant to BBEDCA.


            EMBASSY SECURITY, CONSTRUCTION, AND MAINTENANCE

       The Act provides an additional $747,851,000 for Embassy 
     Security, Construction, and Maintenance, of which 
     $735,201,000 is for WSU, which is designated for OCO/GWOT 
     pursuant to BBEDCA.

                      International Organizations


              CONTRIBUTIONS TO INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

       The Act provides an additional $101,728,000 for 
     Contributions to International Organizations for the 
     extraordinary costs of UN missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, 
     Libya, and Somalia, which is designated for OCO/GWOT pursuant 
     to BBEDCA.

[[Page H10423]]

  



        CONTRIBUTIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING ACTIVITIES

       The Act provides an additional $1,794,088,000 for 
     Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities for 
     international peacekeeping activities in Africa and the Near 
     East, which is designated for OCO/GWOT pursuant to BBEDCA.

                             RELATED AGENCY

                    Broadcasting Board of Governors


                 INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING OPERATIONS

       The Act provides an additional $10,700,000 for 
     International Broadcasting Operations for the extraordinary 
     costs of United States international broadcasting to 
     Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, and Iraq, which is designated 
     for OCO/GWOT pursuant to BBEDCA.

           UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

                  Funds Appropriated to the President


                           OPERATING EXPENSES

       The Act provides an additional $139,262,000 for Operating 
     Expenses for the extraordinary costs of operations in 
     Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq, which is designated for OCO/
     GWOT pursuant to BBEDCA.

                     BILATERAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE

                  Funds Appropriated to the President


                   INTERNATIONAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE

       The Act provides an additional $1,919,421,000 for 
     International Disaster Assistance for the extraordinary costs 
     of the United States response to international disasters and 
     crises, including those resulting from conflict, which is 
     designated for OCO/GWOT pursuant to BBEDCA.


                         TRANSITION INITIATIVES

       The Act provides an additional $37,000,000 for Transition 
     Initiatives for the extraordinary costs of assistance for 
     conflict countries and countries emerging from conflict, 
     which is designated for OCO/GWOT pursuant to BBEDCA. Funds 
     under this heading may be used in a similar manner to funds 
     made available under title III.


                          COMPLEX CRISES FUND

       The Act provides an additional $20,000,000 for Complex 
     Crises Fund for the extraordinary costs of addressing 
     security and stabilization requirements in conflict 
     countries, which is designated for OCO/GWOT pursuant to 
     BBEDCA.
       The Department of State and USAID are directed to ensure 
     proper implementation of such funds, consistent with prior 
     fiscal years.


                         ECONOMIC SUPPORT FUND

       The Act provides an additional $2,422,673,000 for Economic 
     Support Fund for the extraordinary costs of assistance for 
     countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq, which 
     is designated for OCO/GWOT pursuant to BBEDCA.


            ASSISTANCE FOR EUROPE, EURASIA AND CENTRAL ASIA

       The Act provides an additional $438,569,000 for Assistance 
     for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia, which is designated for 
     OCO/GWOT pursuant to BBEDCA.

                          Department of State


                    MIGRATION AND REFUGEE ASSISTANCE

       The Act provides an additional $2,127,114,000 for Migration 
     and Refugee Assistance for the extraordinary costs to respond 
     to refugee crises overseas, which is designated for OCO/GWOT 
     pursuant to BBEDCA.

                   INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE

                          Department of State


          INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

       The Act provides an additional $371,650,000 for 
     International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement for the 
     extraordinary costs of assistance for countries, including 
     Afghanistan and Pakistan, which is designated for OCO/GWOT 
     pursuant to BBEDCA.


    NONPROLIFERATION, ANTI-TERRORISM, DEMINING AND RELATED PROGRAMS

       The Act provides an additional $379,091,000 for 
     Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related 
     Programs for the extraordinary costs of anti-terrorism 
     programs, which is designated for OCO/GWOT pursuant to 
     BBEDCA.


                        PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS

       The Act provides an additional $469,269,000 for 
     Peacekeeping Operations for the extraordinary cost of 
     peacekeeping requirements, including the United States share 
     of assessed contributions of UN Operations in Somalia, which 
     is designated for OCO/GWOT pursuant to BBEDCA.

                  Funds Appropriated to the President


                   FOREIGN MILITARY FINANCING PROGRAM

       The Act provides an additional $1,288,176,000 for Foreign 
     Military Financing Program for the extraordinary costs of 
     assistance for countries, including to counter Russian 
     Federation aggression and influence, which is designated for 
     OCO/GWOT pursuant to BBEDCA.

                           GENERAL PROVISIONS

       Sec. 8001. Additional Appropriations
       This section clarifies that amounts appropriated by this 
     title are in addition to amounts appropriated or otherwise 
     made available in this Act for fiscal year 2016.
       Sec. 8002. Extension of Authorities and Conditions
       This section requires that the authorities and conditions 
     applicable to funding elsewhere in this Act are applicable to 
     funds in this title.
       Sec. 8003. Transfer Authority
       Subsection (a)(1) provides authority for the Secretary of 
     State to transfer funds appropriated by this title in this 
     Act under Transition Initiatives, Complex Crises Fund, 
     Economic Support Fund, and Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and 
     Central Asia between such headings. Subsection (a)(2) 
     provides authority for the Secretary of State to transfer 
     funds appropriated by this title in this Act under 
     International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement, 
     Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related 
     Programs, Peacekeeping Operations, and Foreign Military 
     Financing Program between such headings. Subsection (a)(3) 
     includes transfer authorities related to International 
     Disaster Assistance and Migration and Refugee Assistance.
       Subsection (b) provides authority for the Secretary of 
     State to transfer funds appropriated by this title in this 
     Act under Foreign Military Financing Program in an amount 
     that shall not exceed $15,000,000 to the Global Security 
     Contingency Fund for programs in the Europe and Eurasia 
     region.
       Subsection (c) requires that any transfers pursuant to 
     subsection (a) may only be exercised to address 
     contingencies.
       Subsection (d) requires that the transfer authority 
     provided by subsections (a) and (b) is subject to prior 
     consultation with, and the regular notification procedures 
     of, the Committees on Appropriations.

                        TITLE IX--OTHER MATTERS

                        MULTILATERAL ASSISTANCE

                    International Monetary Programs


            UNITED STATES QUOTA, INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND

                      DIRECT LOAN PROGRAM ACCOUNT

       The Act provides an increase in the United States quota in 
     the International Monetary Fund in the amount that is the 
     dollar equivalent of 40,871,800,000 Special Drawing Rights. 
     Funds are designated by the Congress as an emergency 
     requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of BBEDCA and 
     shall only be available if the President designates such 
     amount and the amount rescinded from the New Arrangements to 
     Borrow as an emergency requirement and transmits such 
     designation to the Congress.


                LOANS TO THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND

                      DIRECT LOAN PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                    (INCLUDING RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

       The Act permanently rescinds the dollar equivalent of 
     40,871,800,000 Special Drawing Rights. Funds are designated 
     by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to 
     section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of BBEDCA and shall only be rescinded 
     if the President designates such amount as an emergency 
     requirement and transmits such designation to the Congress.

                           GENERAL PROVISIONS

       Sec. 9001. Limitations on and Expiration of Authority with 
     Respect to the New Arrangements to Borrow.
       Sec. 9002. Acceptance of Amendments to Articles of 
     Agreement; Quota Increase.
       Sec. 9003. Report on Methodology Used for Congressional 
     Budget Office Cost Estimates.
       Sec. 9004. Required Consultations with Congress in Advance 
     of Consideration of Exceptional Access Lending.
       Sec. 9005. Repeal of Systemic Risk Exemption to Limitations 
     to Access Policy of the International Monetary Fund.
       Sec. 9006. Annual Report on Lending, Surveillance, or 
     Technical Assistance Policies of the International Monetary 
     Fund.
       Sec. 9007. Report on Improving United States Participation 
     in the International Monetary Fund.

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DIVISION L--TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED 
                   AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2016

                        Congressional Directives

       The language and allocations set forth in the House report 
     (House Report 114-129) and the Senate report (Senate Report 
     114-75) should be complied with unless specifically addressed 
     to the contrary in this division or explanatory statement. 
     Report language included by the House, which is not changed 
     by this explanatory statement, and the Senate report 
     language, which is not changed by this explanatory statement, 
     is a result of the 2016 appropriations agreement. The 
     explanatory statement, while repeating some report language 
     for emphasis, does not intend to negate the language referred 
     to above unless expressly provided herein. In cases where the 
     House or the Senate has directed the submission of a report, 
     such report is to be submitted to both the House and Senate 
     Committees on Appropriations. The Department of 
     Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban 
     Development are directed to notify the House and Senate 
     Committees on Appropriations seven days prior to the 
     announcement of a new program or authority. Any reprogramming 
     requests must be submitted to the House and Senate Committees 
     on Appropriations no later than June 30, 2016.

                 TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

                        Office of the Secretary


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $108,750,000 for the salaries and 
     expenses of the Office of the Secretary. The agreement 
     includes funding by office as specified below, and offices 
     are to manage staffing levels within the amounts provided. 
     Funds are available for transfer between all offices under 
     certain conditions.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Immediate Office of the Secretary.......................      $2,734,000
Immediate Office of the Deputy Secretary................       1,025,000
Office of the General Counsel...........................      20,609,000
Office of the Under Secretary for Transportation Policy.       9,941,000
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Budget and              13,697,000
 Programs...............................................
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Government Affairs       2,546,000
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration....      25,925,000
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs....       2,029,000
Office of the Executive Secretariat.....................       1,737,000
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization..       1,434,000
Office of Intelligence, Security, and Emergency Response      10,793,000
Office of the Chief Information Officer.................      16,280,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Comprehensive truck size and weight limits study.--The 
     agreement includes a provision that requires the Secretary to 
     transmit to Congress the final Comprehensive Truck Size and 
     Weight Limits Study, as mandated by MAP-21, within 60 days of 
     enactment of this Act. The Department of Transportation 
     released a Technical Report in June which examined six 
     alternate truck configurations. The Transportation Research 
     Board (TRB) has acknowledged that the Department's efforts to 
     conduct the study are hampered by data limitations; however, 
     according to the TRB peer-review committee, the technical 
     report lacks a consistent and complete quantitative summary 
     of the evaluations of the alternative configuration scenarios 
     and presents impact estimates using inconsistent units of 
     measure which prevents the reader from weighing costs, 
     benefits, and trade-offs. The TRB committee notes possible 
     instances of bias, assumptions, and possible 
     misinterpretation of data in the report. The Committees view 
     the Technical Report, particularly the Department's 
     misrepresentation of the data limitations, as an 
     unsatisfactory document that makes no progress on meeting the 
     Department's responsibilities under the MAP-21 mandate.


                        RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY

       The agreement provides $13,000,000 for the Office of the 
     Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology.


                  NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS

       The agreement provides $500,000,000 for capital investments 
     in surface transportation infrastructure, commonly known as 
     the ``TIGER'' program. Funds are available for highway and 
     bridge projects; transit projects; passenger and freight rail 
     projects; and port, inland port, and land ports of entry 
     projects. The Secretary is reminded to consider worthy 
     transportation projects in suburban areas when meeting 
     geographical requirements. The agreement does not include 
     funds for planning activities.


                      FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT CAPITAL

       The agreement provides $5,000,000 for the financial 
     management capital program.


                       CYBER SECURITY INITIATIVES

       The agreement provides $8,000,000 for departmental cyber 
     security initiatives.


                         OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS

       The agreement provides $9,678,000 for the Office of Civil 
     Rights.


           TRANSPORTATION PLANNING, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

       The agreement provides $8,500,000 for planning, research 
     and development activities, of which $2,500,000 is for the 
     establishment of an Interagency Infrastructure Permitting 
     Improvement Center (IIPIC). Bill language is included to 
     allow for the transfer of funds to this account from other 
     Federal agencies utilizing the services of the IIPIC.


                          WORKING CAPITAL FUND

       The agreement limits expenditures for working capital fund 
     activities to $190,039,000.


               MINORITY BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER PROGRAM

       The agreement provides a total appropriation of $933,000 
     for the minority business center program: $336,000 for the 
     cost of guaranteed loans and $597,000 for the administrative 
     expenses of the program. The bill limits loans to 
     $18,367,000.


                       MINORITY BUSINESS OUTREACH

       The agreement provides $3,084,000 for minority business 
     outreach.


                        PAYMENTS TO AIR CARRIERS

                    (AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND)

       The agreement provides $175,000,000 for payments to air 
     carriers. In addition to these funds, the program will 
     receive approximately $108,000,000 in overflight fees 
     pursuant to the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012.
       The agreement includes a provision that allows amounts 
     authorized for the essential air service program to be 
     immediately available from resources of the Federal Aviation 
     Administration and allows such resources to be reimbursed 
     from collected overflight fees.


  ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION

       Section 101 prohibits funds available to the Department of 
     Transportation from being obligated for the Office of the 
     Secretary of Transportation to approve assessments or 
     reimbursable agreements pertaining to funds appropriated to 
     the modal administrations, except for activities underway on 
     the date of enactment of his Act, unless such assessments or 
     agreements have completed the normal reprogramming process 
     for Congressional notification.
       Section 102 allows the Department of Transportation Working 
     Capital Fund to provide payments in advance to vendors for 
     the Federal transit pass fringe benefit program.
       Section 103 requires the Secretary of Transportation to 
     post on the Web a schedule of all Credit Council meetings, 
     agendas, and meeting minutes.
       Section 104 allows the Department of Transportation Working 
     Capital Fund to provide full or partial payments in advance 
     and accept reimbursements from Federal agencies for transit 
     benefit distribution services.

                    Federal Aviation Administration


                               OPERATIONS

                    (AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND)

       The agreement includes $9,909,724,000 for the operations of 
     the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Of the total 
     amount provided, $7,922,000,000 is to be derived from the 
     airport and airway trust fund. Funds are distributed in the 
     bill by budget activity.
       The following table compares the agreement to the levels 
     proposed in the budget request by activity:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Budget Request             Agreement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Traffic Organization......................................           $7,505,293,000           $7,505,293,000
Aviation Safety...............................................            1,258,411,000            1,258,411,000
Commercial Space Transportation...............................               18,144,000               17,800,000
Finance and management........................................              764,621,000              760,500,000
NextGen and operations planning...............................               60,582,000               60,089,000
Staff offices.................................................              207,099,000              206,751,000
Security and Hazardous Materials Safety.......................              100,880,000              100,880,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total.....................................................           $9,915,000,000           $9,909,724,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Operations funding.--The agreement includes the full budget 
     request for the air traffic organization, aviation safety, 
     and security and hazardous materials safety. The agreement 
     includes reductions of less than two percent from commercial 
     space activities, and less than one percent from finance and 
     management, NextGen planning, and staff offices. These 
     reductions are taken without prejudice. The agreement funds 
     overall FAA operations at 99.95 percent of the budget request 
     to ensure the highest possible level of air traffic services, 
     for both general and commercial aviation. The agreement also 
     fully supports FAA's efforts to hire over 1,500 controllers 
     in fiscal year 2016, and the FAA is directed to make the 
     investments necessary to enhance its controller hiring 
     capabilities to meet its fiscal year 2016 hiring goals.
       Contract towers.--The agreement provides $154,400,000 for 
     the contract tower program.
       Aviation noise impacts.--During floor consideration of H.R. 
     2577, a variety of amendments were offered in both chambers 
     related to FAA air traffic procedures and, in particular, the 
     noise that those procedures create in neighborhood 
     communities. FAA must

[[Page H10441]]

     take a more proactive role in engaging communities that are 
     impacted by these new departure and arrival procedures, 
     especially when the agency chooses to utilize a categorical 
     exclusion as part of the environmental review process. The 
     agreement does not include provisions related to specific 
     communities, but rather includes broad language requiring FAA 
     to update its community involvement manual and implementation 
     plan. Improved community outreach is one part of the 
     solution. Investments in new technologies that will reduce 
     noise and other environmental impacts caused by aircraft are 
     equally important. In that regard, the agreement continues to 
     include robust funding for the Continuous Lower Energy, 
     Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) program.
       Organization delegation authorization.--The FAA is directed 
     to continue its efforts to more fully utilize organization 
     designation authorization (ODA) for aircraft certification 
     processes, while improving ODA risk-based oversight and 
     workforce training. FAA is directed to provide a progress 
     report on its improvements to ODA processes no later than 180 
     days after enactment.
       Pathfinder program/commercial airports.--The agreement 
     supports FAA's Pathfinder program and encourages the FAA to 
     expand the program to include a commercial airport, in 
     conjunction with the UAS center for excellence as evaluator. 
     A letter report is requested on findings related to such 
     expansion no later than 180 days after enactment.
       Pathfinder program/electric utilities.--The agreement 
     encourages FAA to consider including electric utility 
     companies in the Pathfinder program to increase the 
     understanding of the role unmanned aerial systems can play in 
     supporting disaster recovery and ensuring the resiliency of 
     the electric grid.


                        FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

                    (AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND)

       The agreement includes $2,855,000,000 for FAA facilities 
     and equipment. Of the total amount available, $470,049,000 is 
     available until September 30, 2016 and $2,384,951,000 is 
     available until September 30, 2018. The agreement includes 
     language directing FAA to transmit a five-year capital 
     investment plan to Congress no later than March 31, 2016, and 
     reduces funding by $100,000 for each day the capital 
     investment plan is late.
       The following table provides a breakdown of the agreement 
     by program:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Program                                     Request                 Agreement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Activity 1--Engineering, Development, Test and Evaluation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advanced Technology Development and Prototyping...............               21,300,000               21,300,000
NAS Improvement of System Support Laboratory..................                1,000,000                1,000,000
William J. Hughes Technical Center Facilities.................               19,050,000               19,050,000
William J. Hughes Technical Center Infrastructure Sustainment.               12,200,000               12,200,000
Separation Management Portfolio...............................               26,500,000               31,500,000
Improved Surface/TFDM Portfolio...............................               17,000,000               17,000,000
On Demand NAS Portfolio.......................................               11,000,000               11,000,000
Environment Portfolio.........................................                1,000,000                1,000,000
Improved Multiple Runway Operations Portfolio.................                8,000,000                8,000,000
NAS Infrastructure Portfolio..................................               11,000,000               11,000,000
NextGen Support Portfolio.....................................               10,000,000               10,000,000
Performance Based Navigation & Metroplex Portfolio............               13,000,000               13,000,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total Activity 1..........................................              151,050,000              156,050,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Activity 2--Air Traffic Control Facilities and Equipment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
a. En Route Programs:
En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM)--System Enhancements                79,400,000               79,400,000
 and Tech Refresh.............................................
En Route Communications Gateway (ECG).........................                2,650,000                2,650,000
Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD)--Provide...............                6,500,000                6,500,000
Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) & Combined Control                  74,200,000               74,200,000
 Facility (CCF) Building Improvements.........................
Air Traffic Management (ATM)..................................               13,700,000               13,700,000
Air/Ground Communications Infrastructure......................                9,750,000               11,750,000
Air Traffic Control En Route Radar Facilities Improvements....                5,810,000                5,810,000
Voice Switching and Control System (VSCS).....................                9,900,000                9,900,000
Oceanic Automation System.....................................               20,000,000               20,000,000
Next Generation Very High Frequency Air/Ground Communications                43,600,000               43,600,000
 (NEXCOM).....................................................
System-Wide Information Management............................               37,400,000               37,400,000
ADS-B NAS Wide Implementation.................................               45,200,000              184,600,000
Windshear Detection Service...................................                5,200,000                5,200,000
Collaborative Air Traffic Management Technologies WP2 & WP3...                9,800,000               14,770,000
Time Based Flow Management Portfolio..........................               42,600,000               42,600,000
ATC Beacon Interrogator (ATCBI)--Sustainment..................                1,000,000                1,000,000
NextGen Weather Processors....................................                7,000,000                7,000,000
Airborne Collision Avoidance System X (ACASX).................               10,800,000               10,800,000
Data Communications in Support of NG Air Transportation System              234,900,000              234,900,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal En Route Programs................................              659,410,000              805,780,000
b. Terminal Programs:
Airport Surface Detection Equipment--Model X (ASDE-X).........               13,500,000               13,500,000
Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR)--Provide................                4,900,000                4,900,000
Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) (TAMR                81,100,000               81,100,000
 Phase 1).....................................................
Terminal Automation Modernization/Replacement Program (TAMR                 159,350,000              159,350,000
 Phase 3).....................................................
Terminal Automation Program...................................                7,700,000                7,700,000
Terminal Air Traffic Control Facilities--Replace..............               45,500,000               45,500,000
ATCT/Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) Facilities--                   58,990,000               58,990,000
 Improve......................................................
Terminal Voice Switch Replacement (TVSR)......................                6,000,000                6,000,000
NAS Facilities OSHA and Environmental Standards Compliance....               39,600,000               39,600,000
Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR-9)............................                3,800,000                3,800,000
Terminal Digital Radar (ASR-11) Technology Refresh and Mobile                 9,900,000                9,900,000
 Airport Surveillance Radar (MASR)............................
Runway Status Lights..........................................               24,170,000               24,170,000
National Airspace System Voice System (NVS)...................               53,550,000               53,550,000
Integrated Display System (IDS)...............................               23,300,000               23,300,000
Remote Monitoring and Logging System (RMLS)...................                4,700,000                4,700,000
Mode S Service Life Extension Program (SLEP)..................               16,300,000               16,300,000
Surveillance Interface Modernization..........................               23,000,000               23,000,000
National Air Space (NAS) Voice Recorder Program (NVRP)........                3,000,000                3,000,000
Integrated Terminal Weather System (ITWS).....................                5,400,000                5,400,000
Flight and Interfacility ATC Data Interface Modernization                     9,000,000                9,000,000
 (FIADIM).....................................................
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal Terminal Programs................................              592,760,000              592,760,000
c. Flight Service Programs:
Aviation Surface Observation System (ASOS)....................                8,000,000                8,000,000
Future Flight Services Program................................                3,000,000                3,000,000
Alaska Flight Service Facility Modernization (AFSFM)..........                2,650,000                2,650,000
Weather Camera Program........................................                1,000,000                1,000,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal Flight Service Programs..........................               14,650,000               14,650,000
d. Landing and Navigational Aids Program:
VHF Omnidirectional Radio Range (VOR) with Distance Measuring                 4,500,000                4,500,000
 Equipment (DME)..............................................
Instrument Landing System (ILS)--Establish....................                7,000,000                7,000,000
Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) for GPS..................               80,600,000              107,200,000
Runway Visual Range (RVR) and Enhanced Low Visibility                         6,000,000                6,000,000
 Operations (ELVO)............................................
Approach Lighting System Improvement Program (ALSIP)..........                3,000,000                3,000,000
Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)............................                3,000,000                3,000,000
Visual NAVAIDS--Establish/Expand..............................                2,000,000                2,000,000
Instrument Flight Procedures Automation (IFPA)................                3,371,000                3,371,000
Navigation and Landing Aids--Service Life Extension Program                   3,000,000                3,000,000
 (SLEP).......................................................
VASI Replacement--Replace with Precision Approach Path                        5,000,000                5,000,000
 Indicator....................................................
GPS Civil Requirements........................................               27,000,000               15,000,000
Runway Safety Areas--Navigational Mitigation..................               30,000,000               30,000,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal Landing and Navigational Aids Programs...........              174,471,000              189,071,000
e. Other ATC Facilities Programs:
Fuel Storage Tank Replacement and Management..................               18,700,000               18,700,000

[[Page H10442]]

 
Unstaffed Infrastructure Sustainment..........................               39,640,000               39,640,000
Aircraft Related Equipment Program............................                9,000,000                9,000,000
Airport Cable Loop Systems--Sustained Support.................               12,000,000               12,000,000
Alaskan Satellite Telecommunications Infrastructure (ASTI)....               12,500,000               12,500,000
Facilities Decommissioning....................................                6,000,000                6,000,000
Electrical Power Systems--Sustain/Support.....................              124,970,000              125,000,000
FAA Employee Housing and Life Safety Shelter System Service...                2,500,000                2,500,000
Energy Management and Compliance (EMC)........................                2,000,000                2,000,000
Child Care Center Sustainment.................................                1,600,000                1,600,000
FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure.........................                1,000,000                1,000,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal Other ATC Facilities Programs....................              229,910,000              229,940,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Total Activity 2......................................            1,671,201,000            1,832,201,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Activity 3--Non-Air Traffic Control Facilities and Equipment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
a. Support Equipment:
Hazardous Materials Management................................               26,400,000               26,400,000
Aviation Safety Analysis System (ASAS)........................               20,200,000               20,200,000
Logistics Support Systems and Facilities (LSSF)...............                4,000,000                4,000,000
National Air Space (NAS) Recovery Communications (RCOM).......               12,000,000               12,000,000
Facility Security Risk Management.............................               15,000,000               15,000,000
Information Security..........................................               12,000,000               12,000,000
System Approach for Safety Oversight (SASO)...................               18,900,000               18,900,000
Aviation Safety Knowledge Management Environment (ASKME)......                7,500,000                7,500,000
Aerospace Medical Equipment Needs (AMEN)......................                2,500,000                2,500,000
System Safety Management Portfolio............................               17,000,000               17,000,000
National Test Equipment Program...............................                4,000,000                4,000,000
Mobile Assets Management Program..............................                4,800,000                4,800,000
Aerospace Medicine Safety Information Systems (AMSIS).........                3,000,000                3,000,000
Tower Simulation System (TSS) Technology Refresh..............                7,000,000                7,000,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal Support Equipment................................              154,300,000              154,300,000
b. Training, Equipment and Facilities:
Aeronautical Center Infrastructure Modernization..............               15,200,000               15,200,000
Distance Learning.............................................                1,500,000                1,500,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal Training, Equipment and Facilities...............               16,700,000               16,700,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Total Activity 3......................................              171,000,000              171,000,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
                              Activity 4--Facilities and Equipment Mission Support
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
a. System Support and Services:
System Engineering and Development Support....................               35,000,000               35,000,000
Program Support Leases........................................               46,700,000               46,700,000
Logistics and Acquisition Support Services....................               11,000,000               11,000,000
Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center Leases......................               18,800,000               18,800,000
Transition Engineering Support................................               19,200,000               19,200,000
Technical Support Services Contract (TSSC)....................               23,000,000               23,000,000
Resource Tracking Program (RTP)...............................                4,000,000                4,000,000
Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD).......               60,000,000               60,000,000
Aeronautical Information Management Program...................                5,000,000                5,000,000
Cross Agency NextGen Management...............................                3,000,000                3,000,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total Activity 4..........................................              225,700,000              225,700,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Activity 5--Personnel and Related Expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Personnel and Related Expenses................................              470,049,000              470,049,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Activity 6--Sustain ADS-B services and Wide Area Augmentation Services (WAAS) GEOs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADS-B services and WAAS GEOs..................................              166,000,000                        *
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total.....................................................            2,855,000,000            2,855,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Funding is provided directly to ADS-B and WAAS GEO program lines.

       Engineering, development, test and evaluation (activity 
     1).--The agreement reiterates expectations to better 
     understand how funding in the engineering, development, test 
     and evaluation activity has advanced specific NextGen 
     programs for enhancing capacity and reducing flight delays. 
     The Inspector General is directed to examine how these 
     investments are managed and what specific outcomes have been 
     achieved to improve the Nation's air transportation system.
       NextGen-separation management portfolio.--The agreement 
     supports the continued advancement of space-based automatic 
     dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) technology as a 
     means to enhance safety and increase capacity, and provides 
     $15,000,000 for this purpose within the NextGen-separation 
     management portfolio program. FAA is directed to provide an 
     update to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations 
     within 60 days of enactment on its efforts to advance the 
     space-based ADS-B program, including information on the 
     status of a final investment decision for the program.


                 RESEARCH, ENGINEERING AND DEVELOPMENT

                    (AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND)

       The agreement provides $166,000,000 for the FAA's research, 
     engineering, and development activities.
       The agreement provides the following levels for specific 
     programs:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Program                                     Request                 Agreement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fire Research & Safety........................................                6,643,000                6,000,000
Propulsion & Fuel Systems.....................................                3,034,000                2,034,000
Advanced Materials/Structural Safety..........................                3,625,000                7,409,000
Aircraft Icing/Digital System Safety..........................                6,920,000                5,500,000
Continued Air Worthiness......................................                8,987,000                8,987,000
Aircraft Catastrophic Failure Prevention Research.............                1,433,000                1,433,000
Flightdeck/Maintenance/System Integration Human Factors.......                9,947,000                5,000,000
Safety System Management......................................                6,063,000                6,063,000
Air Traffic Control/Technical Operations Human Factors........                5,995,000                5,410,000
Aeromedical Research..........................................               10,255,000                8,467,000
Weather Research..............................................               18,253,000               15,031,000
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research............................                9,635,000               17,635,000
NextGen--Alternative Fuels for General Aviation...............                5,833,000                7,000,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total Safety..............................................               96,623,000               95,969,000
NextGen--Wake Turbulence......................................                8,680,000                8,541,000
NextGen--Air Ground Integration...............................                8,875,000                8,000,000
NextGen--Weather Technology in the Cockpit....................                4,116,000                4,048,000
Commercial Space (in FY 15 buried in NextGen Air Ground                       3,000,000                2,000,000
 Integration per FY 14 congressional language)................
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total Economic Competiveness..............................               24,671,000               22,589,000
Environment & Energy..........................................               15,061,000               16,074,000
NextGen Environmental Research--Aircraft Technologies, Fuels                 23,823,000               25,823,000
 and Metrics..................................................
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Environmental Sustainability..............................               38,884,000               41,897,000

[[Page H10443]]

 
System Planning and Resource Management.......................                2,377,000                2,100,000
WJHTC Lab Facilities..........................................                3,445,000                3,445,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Mission Support...........................................                5,822,000                5,545,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Total.................................................              166,000,000              166,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Unmanned aerial systems (UAS).--The agreement includes 
     $17,635,000 for unmanned aircraft systems research, an 
     increase of $8,000,000 above the budget request. Within this 
     increase, $3,000,000 is provided to help meet FAA's UAS 
     research goals of system safety and data gathering, aircraft 
     certification, command and control link challenges, control 
     station layouts and certification, sense and avoid, and 
     environmental impacts; and $5,000,000 is provided for the 
     center of excellence on unmanned aerial systems, for a total 
     of $5,500,000 for the center. It is expected that UAS flight 
     operations conducted as part of center of excellence research 
     be performed at one or more of the six UAS test sites 
     selected for UAS research and airspace integration.
       Environmental sustainability.--The agreement includes 
     $41,897,000 for research related to environmental 
     sustainability, an increase of $3,013,000 above the budget 
     request. The total level of funding supports the CLEEN 
     program as well as the center of excellence for alternative 
     jet fuels and environment. The FAA is directed to use the 
     increase in funding for the center of excellence, resulting 
     in a total of $10,513,000 for the center.


                       GRANTS IN AID FOR AIRPORTS

                (LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

                    (AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND)

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement includes an obligation limitation of 
     $3,350,000,000 and a liquidating cash appropriation of 
     $3,600,000,000. Within the obligation limitation, the 
     agreement provides not more than $107,100,000 for 
     administrative expenses, no less than $15,000,000 for the 
     airport cooperative research program, and no less than 
     $31,000,000 for airport technology research.
       Small community air service development program.--The 
     agreement includes $5,000,000 under the obligation limitation 
     to continue the small community air service development 
     program (SCASDP) and directs the FAA to transfer these funds 
     to the Office of the Secretary salaries and expenses 
     appropriation. The agreement includes a provision that allows 
     the participation of an airport that serves a community or 
     consortium that is not larger than a small hub airport 
     according to FAA hub classifications at the time the 
     Secretary issues a request for proposals.
       Cost share.--The agreement includes a provision that allows 
     small airports to continue contributing five percent of the 
     total cost for unfinished phased projects that were underway 
     prior to the passage of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act 
     of 2012.


       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

       Section 110 allows no more than 600 technical staff-years 
     at the Center for Advanced Aviation Systems Development.
       Section 111 prohibits funds for adopting guidelines or 
     regulations requiring airport sponsors to provide FAA 
     ``without cost'' building construction or space.
       Section 112 allows reimbursement for fees collected and 
     credited under 49 U.S.C. 45303.
       Section 113 allows reimbursement of funds for providing 
     technical assistance to foreign aviation authorities to be 
     credited to the operations account.
       Section 114 prohibits funds for Sunday premium pay unless 
     work was actually performed on a Sunday.
       Section 115 prohibits funds in the Act from being used to 
     buy store gift cards with Government issued credit cards.
       Section 116 allows all airports experiencing the required 
     level of boardings through charter and scheduled air service 
     to be eligible for funds under 49 U.S.C. 47114(c).
       Section 117 prohibits funds from being obligated or 
     expended for retention bonuses for FAA employees without 
     prior written approval of the DOT Assistant Secretary for 
     Administration.
       Section 118 requires the Secretary to block the display of 
     an owner or operator's aircraft registration number in the 
     Aircraft Situational Display to Industry program upon the 
     request of an owner or operator.
       Section 119 prohibits funds for salaries and expenses of 
     more than nine political and Presidential appointees in the 
     FAA.
       Section 119A prohibits funds to increase fees under 49 
     U.S.C. 44721 until the FAA provides a report to the House and 
     Senate Committees on Appropriations that justifies all fees 
     related to aeronautical navigation products and explains how 
     such fees are consistent with Executive Order 13642.
       Section 119B requires FAA to notify the House and Senate 
     Committees on Appropriations at least 90 days before closing 
     a regional operations center or reducing the services 
     provided.
       Section 119C prohibits funds from being used to change 
     weight restrictions or prior permission rules at Teterboro 
     Airport in New Jersey.

                     Federal Highway Administration


                 LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement limits obligations for the administrative 
     expenses of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to 
     $425,752,000. In addition, the agreement provides $3,248,000 
     above this limitation for the administrative expenses of the 
     Appalachian Regional Commission in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 
     104.


                          FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAYS

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

       The agreement limits obligations for the federal-aid 
     highways program to $42,361,000,000 in fiscal year 2016.
       Alternate design/alternate bid procurement.--The agreement 
     acknowledges that FHWA has satisfied the directive in Senate 
     Report 114-75 related to alternate design/alternate bid 
     procurement methods and does not direct additional action.


                (LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

       The agreement provides a liquidating cash appropriation of 
     $43,100,000,000, which is available until expended, to pay 
     the outstanding obligations of the various highway programs 
     at the levels provided in this Act and prior appropriations 
     acts.


       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION

       Section 120 distributes the federal-aid highways program 
     obligation limitation.
       Section 121 allows funds received by the Bureau of 
     Transportation Statistics from the sale of data products to 
     be credited to the federal-aid highways account.
       Section 122 provides requirements for any waiver of Buy 
     America requirements.
       Section 123 prohibits funds from being used to provide 
     credit assistance under sections 603 and 604 of title 23, 
     United States Code, unless the Secretary of Transportation 
     notifies the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, 
     the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, the 
     Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, and 
     the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure at 
     least three days prior to credit application approval.
       Section 124 modifies title 23, United States Code, to 
     remove the sunset date on two federal truck weight exemptions 
     and to add an additional exemption to federal truck weight 
     limitations for the State of Idaho.
       Section 125 authorizes states to repurpose certain 
     previously authorized funding amounts to new projects that 
     are eligible under the surface transportation program and 
     located within a similar geographic area.
       Section 126 modifies title 23 to increase the highway 
     safety improvement program set-aside for highway-railroad 
     grade crossings to $350,000,000.

              Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration


              MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMS

                (LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

       The agreement includes a liquidation of contract 
     authorization and a limitation on obligations of $267,400,000 
     for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). 
     Of this limitation, $9,000,000 is for research and technology 
     programs and will remain available for obligation until 
     September 30, 2018, $34,545,000 is for information management 
     and shall be available until September 30, 2018, and 
     $1,000,000 is for commercial motor vehicle operator's grants.
       Under the agreement, the Department of Transportation 
     Office of Inspector General is directed to conduct an audit 
     within five years addressing issues related to the 
     effectiveness and efficiency of FMCSA's execution and 
     compliance with the cross-border long-haul trucking program.
       Natural gas vehicle regulations.--The agreement does not 
     include an expectation that DOT clarify and address the 
     ability of bus manufacturers to continue to deploy buses that 
     have roof-top mounted compressed natural gas cylinders. The 
     agreement does not require the Secretary to issue further 
     guidance on rules that restrict access to bridges and tunnels 
     in the case of alternative fueled vehicles.


                      MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY GRANTS

                (LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

       The agreement provides a liquidating cash appropriation and 
     a limitation on obligations of $313,000,000 for motor carrier 
     safety grants. The agreement allocates the total grant 
     funding as follows:

        Program                                                 Funding
Motor carrier safety assistance program....................$218,000,000

[[Page H10444]]

Commercial driver's license program improvement grants.......30,000,000
Border enforcement grants program............................32,000,000
Performance and registration information system management gra5,000,000
Commercial vehicle information systems and networks deploymen25,000,000
Safety data improvement grants................................3,000,000

       Of the $218,000,000 provided for the motor carrier safety 
     assistance program, the agreement provides $32,000,000 for 
     audits of new entrant motor carriers.


 ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

       Section 130 subjects funds appropriated in this Act to the 
     terms and conditions of section 350 of Public Law 107-87 and 
     section 6901 of Public Law 110-28, and repeals Section 350(d) 
     of Public Law 107-87.
       Section 131 requires FMCSA to send notice of 49 CFR section 
     385.308 violations by certified mail, registered mail, or 
     some other manner of delivery which records receipt of the 
     notice by the persons responsible for the violations.
       Section 132 prohibits funding provided under the Act from 
     being used to enforce any regulation prohibiting a state from 
     issuing a commercial learner's permit to individuals under 
     the age of eighteen if state law authorized such issuance as 
     of May 9, 2011.
       Section 133 suspends a portion of the hours of service 
     regulation unless the Secretary and the Inspector General 
     find that the final report meets all statutory requirements 
     and establishes improved outcomes.
       Section 134 prohibits funds from being used to deny an 
     application to renew a hazardous materials safety permit 
     unless a carrier has the opportunity to present their own 
     corrective actions and the Secretary determines such actions 
     are insufficient.
       Section 135 prohibits funds from being used for a wireless 
     roadside inspection program until 180 days after the 
     Secretary makes specific certifications to the House and 
     Senate Committees on Appropriations.
       Section 136 clarifies that certain commercial regulations 
     unrelated to safety are not applicable to small passenger 
     carriers that serve youth or family camps.
       Section 137 provides a limited agricultural exemption for 
     trucks during harvest months in Kansas.

             National Highway Traffic Safety Administration


                        OPERATIONS AND RESEARCH

       The agreement provides $152,800,000 from the general fund 
     for operations and research. Of this amount, $20,000,000 
     shall remain available until September 30, 2017.
       The agreement includes up to 35 FTE for no more than 70 new 
     positions in the Office of Defects Investigation.


                        OPERATIONS AND RESEARCH

                (LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

       The agreement provides a liquidating cash appropriation and 
     an obligation limitation of $142,900,000, to remain available 
     until expended, which reflects the authorized level of 
     contract authority. Of the total, $137,800,000 is provided 
     for the programs authorized under 23 U.S.C. 403, and 
     $5,100,000 is for the National Driver Register. Of the total 
     amount provided under this heading, $20,000,000 shall remain 
     available until September 30, 2017 and shall be in addition 
     to any limitation imposed on obligations in future fiscal 
     years.
       The agreement includes $6,500,000 for a high visibility 
     enforcement paid-media campaign in the area of highway-rail 
     grade crossing safety and $11,700,000 for highway safety 
     research.


                     HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANTS

                (LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

       The agreement provides a liquidating cash appropriation and 
     an obligation limitation of $573,332,000 for highway traffic 
     safety grants, to remain available until expended. The 
     agreement does not repurpose any funding under this heading 
     for operations and research activities. The agreement 
     allocates funding as follows:

Highway safety programs (section 402)......................$243,500,000
National priority safety programs (section 405).............274,700,000
Administrative expenses......................................25,832,000
High visibility enforcement program (section 404)............29,300,000
                                                       ________________
                                                       
    Total:.................................................$573,332,000

       The agreement includes $5,494,000 for in-vehicle alcohol 
     detection device research.
       The agreement continues a provision which prohibits certain 
     construction and furnishing activities and which limits 
     technical assistance to States to $500,000 of the funds made 
     available for impaired driving countermeasures under 23 
     U.S.C. 405(d). The agreement allows for the transfer of funds 
     within the grant programs consistent with 23 U.S.C. 
     405(a)(1)(G) and requires NHTSA to notify the House and 
     Senate Appropriations Committees of the exercise of this 
     authority within five days.


      ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY 
                             ADMINISTRATION

       Section 140 provides funding for travel and related 
     expenses for state management reviews and highway safety core 
     competency development training.
       Section 141 exempts obligation authority made available in 
     previous public laws from the obligation limitations set for 
     the current year.
       Section 142 prohibits funds in the Act for the National 
     Roadside Survey.
       Section 143 prohibits funds from being used to mandate 
     global positioning systems in private vehicles without 
     consideration of privacy concerns.

                    Federal Railroad Administration


                         SAFETY AND OPERATIONS

       The agreement provides $199,000,000 for safety and 
     operations of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Of 
     the funds provided, $15,900,000 is available until expended. 
     The agreement supports the annualization of fiscal year 2015 
     safety personnel, provides $1,000,000 for up to 16 grade 
     crossing managers and up to four trespass prevention 
     managers, funds safety staff for the safe transport of energy 
     products (STEP), and passenger rail inspectors. In addition, 
     the agreement includes funds to conduct a study to identify 
     techniques, strategies and policies that would facilitate the 
     development of international rail projects, including cross 
     border travel, as referenced in House Report 114-129. FRA is 
     directed to provide its findings to the House and Senate 
     Committees on Appropriations within 18 months from enactment.


                   RAILROAD RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

       The agreement provides $39,100,000 for railroad research 
     and development.


       RAILROAD REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT FINANCING PROGRAM

       The agreement authorizes the Secretary to issue notes or 
     other obligations pursuant to section 501 through 504 of P.L. 
     94-210. The agreement prohibits new direct loans or loan 
     guarantee commitments using Federal funds for the credit risk 
     premium during fiscal year 2016.


                         RAILROAD SAFETY GRANTS

       The agreement provides $50,000,000 for railroad safety 
     grants, of which not to exceed $25,000,000 is for railroad 
     safety infrastructure improvements and not to exceed 
     $25,000,000 is for railroad safety technology grants. The 
     agreement also requires the Secretary to give priority 
     consideration for safety technology grants to projects that 
     efficiently provide the greatest level of public safety while 
     supporting entities that demonstrate financial need.

          The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)

       The agreement provides a total of appropriation of 
     $1,390,000,000 for Amtrak in the traditional account 
     structure: operating grants and capital and debt service 
     grants. This is the structure authorized prior to enactment 
     of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act (PRRIA) of 
     2015. PRRIA 2015 restructures Amtrak into two new accounts: 
     Northeast Corridor grants and the national network. The 
     agreement directs Amtrak and FRA to submit a detailed 
     congressional budget justification consistent with the new 
     structure to the House and Senate Committees on 
     Appropriations for fiscal year 2017.
       The agreement directs Amtrak to provide a report on the 
     status of state contracts and payments related to section 209 
     of the Passenger Rail Improvement and Investment Act of 2008 
     no later than March 1, 2016.


    OPERATING GRANTS TO THE NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION

       The agreement provides $288,500,000 in quarterly operating 
     grants to Amtrak, based on the Secretary's assessment of 
     Amtrak's seasonal cash flow requirements, and provides that 
     funds remain available until expended. Before approving 
     funding to cover operating losses, the agreement requires the 
     Secretary to review a grant request for each specific train 
     route. The agreement prohibits Amtrak from discounting 
     tickets at more than 50 percent off the normal peak fare, 
     unless the operating loss due to the discounted fare is 
     covered by a state and the state participates in the setting 
     of the fares.


  CAPITAL AND DEBT SERVICE GRANTS TO THE NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER 
                              CORPORATION

       The agreement provides $1,101,500,000 for capital and debt 
     service grants to Amtrak, to remain available until expended. 
     Within the funds provided, the agreement includes up to 
     $160,200,000 for Amtrak's debt service payments, and not less 
     than $50,000,000 for investments to comply with the Americans 
     with Disabilities Act. In addition, the agreement provides 
     for an initial distribution of $200,000,000 for a working 
     capital account, allows the Secretary to use up to 
     $50,000,000 for operating subsidy grants to Amtrak should its 
     operating losses in fiscal year 2016 exceed amounts provided 
     under the previous heading, and conditions the Secretary's 
     approval of grants for capital expenditures upon the receipt 
     and review of a grant request for each specific capital 
     project justifying the Federal support to the Secretary's 
     satisfaction.
       The agreement allows the Secretary to retain up to one-half 
     of one percent of the funds provided to Amtrak for oversight 
     of both operating activities and capital expenditures. The 
     agreement also allows the Secretary to retain up to 
     $3,000,000, in addition

[[Page H10445]]

     to available carryover balances, to fund the costs associated 
     with implementing section 212 of division B of Public Law 
     110-432, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act 
     (PRIIA). It also allows up to $500,000 to be available for 
     technical assistance to states, the District of Columbia, and 
     public entities responsible for implementing section 209 of 
     PRIIA.
       The agreement directs Amtrak to conduct a business case 
     analysis on capital investments that exceed $10,000,000 in 
     life-cycle costs and directs that these capital acquisition 
     contracts state that funding is subject to the availability 
     of appropriated funds.


 ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION (INCLUDING 
                              RESCISSIONS)

       Section 150 allows the safety and operations account to 
     receive and use cash or spare parts to repair and replace 
     damaged track inspection cars.
       Section 151 limits overtime to $35,000 per employee. The 
     agreement allows Amtrak's president to waive this restriction 
     for specific employees for safety or operational efficiency 
     reasons. Amtrak's president is required to delineate the 
     reasons for granting such waiver, provide quarterly reports 
     on cap waivers granted, and amounts paid above the cap for 
     each month. The agreement also requires Amtrak's president to 
     provide an annual report to the House and Senate Committees 
     on Appropriations by March 1, 2016, that summarizes Amtrak's 
     total overtime expenses incurred by the corporation in 2015 
     and the two prior years, and the number of employees 
     receiving overtime cap waivers and total overtime payments 
     resulting from waivers by month of the 2015 calendar year and 
     the three prior calendar years.
       Section 152 rescinds $1,960,000 in railroad research and 
     development funds and makes these funds available to the 
     Secretary to assist Class II and Class III Railroads for 
     applicant expenses in preparing to apply and applying for 
     direct loans, and loan guarantees for projects eligible under 
     sections 501 through 504 of P.L. 94-210.
       Section 153 rescinds $19,163,385 in unobligated funds and 
     makes these funds available to the Secretary for grants to 
     Amtrak for shared use infrastructure on the Northeast 
     Corridor identified in the Northeast Corridor Operations 
     Advisory Commission's 5-year capital plan. Grants shall not 
     exceed 50 percent of the total project cost, and matching 
     funds shall be consistent with the Commission's cost 
     allocation policy.

                     Federal Transit Administration


                        ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $108,000,000 for the administrative 
     expenses of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), of 
     which not more than $6,500,000 is for the safety office and 
     $1,000,000 is for asset management activities. Staffing 
     levels are to be determined by funding levels under this 
     heading. FTA is directed to follow the process for informing 
     the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on full 
     funding grant agreement notifications consistent with prior 
     years with the exception of alternative analysis evaluations, 
     and include appropriation information through fiscal year 
     2020.


                         TRANSIT FORMULA GRANTS

                (LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

       The agreement limits obligations from the Mass Transit 
     Account for transit formula grants to $9,347,604,639 as 
     authorized by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation 
     (FAST) Act. Funds are to be distributed as authorized. 
     Further, the agreement provides $10,400,000,000 for the 
     liquidation of contract authority.


                       CAPITAL INVESTMENT GRANTS

       The bill appropriates $2,177,000,000 for new fixed-guideway 
     projects. Of the funds provided, $1,250,000,000 is for 
     projects with signed full funding grant agreements (FFGAs), 
     $50,000,000 is available for core capacity projects, 
     $22,000,000 is available for oversight activities, 
     $353,000,000 is available for the proposed small starts 
     projects, and $5,000,000 is for a new expedited project 
     delivery pilot authorized in the FAST Act.
       The agreement provides a total of $497,000,000 for projects 
     anticipated to enter into a signed full funding grant 
     agreement in 2016. Of the project slate that was originally 
     proposed in the fiscal year 2016 budget request, one project 
     was formally withdrawn from consideration by the sponsor. Of 
     the amount set aside for new full funding grant agreements, 
     the agreement provides a total of $200,000,000 for the two 
     proposed projects in California, $100,000,000 for the on-
     going project in Maryland, $92,000,000 for the project in 
     Colorado, and $100,000,000 for the project in Texas. The 
     remaining funds are available to continue support for the 
     Minnesota project as FTA and the sponsor complete the review 
     and evaluation processes.


      GRANTS TO THE WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY

       The agreement provides $150,000,000 to carry out section 
     601 of division B of Public Law 110-432 to remain available 
     until expended. FTA and the Washington Metropolitan Area 
     Transit Authority are directed to update the House and Senate 
     Committees on Appropriations quarterly on the progress made 
     to address audit and NTSB issues.


       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION

                         (INCLUDING RESCISSION)

       Section 160 exempts previously made transit obligations 
     from limitations on obligations.
       Section 161 allows funds provided in this Act for fixed 
     guideway capital investment projects that remain unobligated 
     by September 30, 2020 be available for projects eligible to 
     use the funds for the purposes for which they were originally 
     provided.
       Section 162 allows for the transfer of appropriations made 
     prior to October 1, 2015 from older accounts to be merged 
     into new accounts with similar current activities.
       Section 163 limits FTA to signing full funding grant 
     agreements with a new starts share of 60 percent or less.
       Section 164 prohibits funds in this Act from being used to 
     advance a specific transit line in Harris County, Texas 
     without benefit of a local election.
       Section 165 rescinds $25,397,797 in prior year bus and bus 
     facility funds.
       Section 166 exempts an area in Washington State from 
     enforcement of the charter bus rule.

             Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation


                       OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

                    (HARBOR MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND)

       The agreement provides $28,400,000 for the operations, 
     maintenance and capital asset renewal program of the Saint 
     Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC). The SLSDC is 
     directed to submit an annual report to the House and Senate 
     Committees on Appropriations on its asset renewal program 
     activities by April 30, 2016. The SLSDC is allowed to utilize 
     prior year unobligated funds to initiate the hands-free 
     mooring system installation at the Snell Lock.

                        Maritime Administration


                       MARITIME SECURITY PROGRAM

       The agreement provides the full authorized level of 
     $210,000,000 for the Maritime Security Program.


                        OPERATIONS AND TRAINING

       The agreement provides a total of $171,155,000 for the 
     Maritime Administration's (MARAD) operations and training 
     account.
       For the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), the bill 
     provides a total of $82,500,000. Of the funds provided, 
     $64,500,000 is for Academy operations and $18,000,000 is for 
     capital asset management activities, of which $15,000,000 is 
     for the renovation of Gibbs Hall and $3,000,000 is for 
     maintenance, repairs and equipment. The USMMA may use prior 
     year unobligated funds for other capital asset improvements.
       The agreement provides a total of $33,600,000 for the state 
     maritime academies, of which $3,000,000 is for direct 
     payments, $2,400,000 is for student incentive payments, 
     $22,000,000 is for schoolship maintenance and repair, 
     $5,000,000 is for the design of a new common schoolship, and 
     $1,200,000 is for fuel assistance.
       Finally, the agreement provides a total of $55,055,000 for 
     MARAD headquarters, regional offices, and maritime program 
     expenses. Of the amount, $3,000,000 is for the Maritime 
     Environmental and Technical Assistance Program and $5,000,000 
     is for the short sea shipping program.


                     ASSISTANCE TO SMALL SHIPYARDS

       The agreement provides $5,000,000 for grants to small 
     shipyards.


                             SHIP DISPOSAL

       The agreement provides $5,000,000 for the disposal of 
     obsolete vessels of the National Defense Reserve Fleet.


          MARITIME GUARANTEED LOAN (TITLE XI) PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides a total of $8,135,000 for the Title 
     XI program, of which $5,000,000 is for the cost of 
     guaranteeing new loans and $3,135,000 is to be transferred to 
     MARAD's operations and training account for administrative 
     expenses. The Administrator is directed to process the 
     pending applications expeditiously.


           ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--MARITIME ADMINISTRATION

       Section 170 authorizes MARAD to furnish utilities and 
     services and make necessary repairs in connection with any 
     lease, contract, or occupancy involving Government property 
     under control of MARAD, and allow payments received to be 
     credited to the Treasury and remain available until expended.
       Section 171 prohibits a fee-for-service contract for vessel 
     disposal, scrapping or recycling unless a qualified domestic 
     ship recycler will pay for the vessel.

         Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration


                          OPERATIONAL EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $21,000,000 for the necessary 
     operational expenses of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 
     Safety Administration (PHMSA).
       Small scale liquefaction facilities.--The Secretary is 
     directed to evaluate and report to the House and Senate 
     Committees on Appropriations within 60 days of enactment of 
     this Act on the feasibility of an alternative risk-based 
     compliance regime for the siting of small-scale liquefaction 
     facilities that generate and package liquefied natural gas 
     for use as a fuel or delivery to consumers by non-pipeline 
     modes of transportation. In

[[Page H10446]]

     evaluating such alternative risk-based compliance regime, the 
     Secretary should consider the value of adopting quantitative 
     risk assessment methods, the benefit of incorporating modern 
     industry standards and best practices, including the 
     provisions in the 2013 edition of the National Fire 
     Protection Association Standard 59A, and the need to 
     encourage the use of the best available technology.


                       HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY

       The agreement provides $55,619,000 for the agency's 
     hazardous materials safety functions. Of this amount, 
     $7,570,000 shall be available until September 30, 2018, and 
     $800,000 in fees collected under 49 U.S.C. 5108(g) shall be 
     deposited in the general fund as offsetting receipts. Funds 
     made available until September 30, 2018 are for long-term 
     research and development contracts.
       The agreement provides increases necessary to support 
     annualization of additional FTE added in fiscal year 2015 as 
     well as increases for research contracts associated with the 
     safe transport of energy products. No funding is provided for 
     increases requested to support phase two of the risk 
     management framework.


                            PIPELINE SAFETY

                         (PIPELINE SAFETY FUND)

                    (OIL SPILL LIABILITY TRUST FUND)

       The agreement provides $146,623,000 for pipeline safety. Of 
     that amount, $22,123,000 is derived from the oil spill 
     liability trust fund, to remain available until September 30, 
     2018, and $124,500,000 is derived from the pipeline safety 
     fund, of which $59,835,000 is available until September 30, 
     2018. The agreement provides not less than $1,058,000 for the 
     one-call state grant program. The agreement includes a 
     provision which provides that not less than $1,000,000 shall 
     be for finalization and implementation of certain regulatory 
     activities required by law.
       The agreement includes $12,000,000 for research and 
     development, of which up to $2,000,000 is for the pipeline 
     safety research competitive academic agreement program. The 
     agreement also includes $44,894,000 for state pipeline safety 
     grants, and $1,500,000 for state damage prevention grants.


                     EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GRANTS

                     (EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FUND)

       The agreement provides $188,000, derived from the emergency 
     preparedness fund and available until September 30, 2017, and 
     an obligation limitation of $28,318,000 for emergency 
     preparedness grants. The agreement provides PHMSA the 
     authority to use prior year carryover and recaptures to 
     develop a hazardous materials response training curriculum 
     for emergency responders, and to carry out activities 
     authorized by 46 U.S.C. 5116(a)(1)(C) and 5116(i). Further, 
     the amount of funding provided under this account that is 
     available for administrative costs is increased from 2 
     percent to 4 percent.

                      Office of Inspector General


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $87,472,000 for the salaries and 
     expenses for the Office of Inspector General.

                      Surface Transportation Board


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $32,375,000 for salaries and 
     expenses of the Surface Transportation Board. The agreement 
     permits the collection of up to $1,250,000 in user fees to be 
     credited to this appropriation. The agreement provides that 
     the general fund appropriation be reduced on a dollar-for-
     dollar basis by the actual amount collected in user fees to 
     result in a final appropriation from the general fund 
     estimated at no more than $31,125,000.

            General Provisions--Department of Transportation

       Section 180 provides authorization for DOT to maintain and 
     operate aircraft, hire passenger motor vehicles and aircraft, 
     purchase liability insurance, buy uniforms, or allowances 
     therefor.
       Section 181 limits appropriations for services authorized 
     by 5 U.S.C. 3109 to the rate permitted for an Executive Level 
     IV.
       Section 182 prohibits more than 110 political and 
     Presidential appointees in DOT and restricts the detailing of 
     these personnel outside of DOT.
       Section 183 prohibits recipients of funds in this Act from 
     disseminating personal information obtained by state DMVs in 
     connection to motor vehicle records with an exception.
       Section 184 stipulates that revenue collected by FHWA and 
     FRA from States, counties, municipalities, other public 
     authorities, and private sources for training be transferred 
     into specific accounts within the agency with an exception.
       Section 185 prohibits DOT from using funds for grants of 
     $750,000 or more from FHWA, FAA, FRA, FTA, MARAD or 
     ``National Infrastructure Investments'', unless DOT gives a 
     3-day advance notice to Congress. Also requires notice of any 
     ``quick release'' of funds from FHWA's emergency relief 
     program, and prohibits notifications from involving funds not 
     available for obligation.
       Section 186 allows funds received from rebates, refunds, 
     and similar sources to be credited to appropriations of DOT.
       Section 187 allows amounts from improper payments to a 
     third party contractor that are lawfully recovered by DOT to 
     be made available to cover expenses incurred in recovery of 
     such payments.
       Section 188 requires that reprogramming actions have to be 
     approved or denied by the House and Senate Committees on 
     Appropriations, and reprogramming notifications shall be 
     transmitted solely to the Appropriations Committees.
       Section 189 caps the amount of fees the Surface 
     Transportation Board can charge or collect for rate or 
     practice complaints filed with the Board at the amount 
     authorized for district court civil suit filing fees.
       Section 190 allows funds appropriated to modal 
     administrations to be obligated for the Office of the 
     Secretary for costs related to assessments only when such 
     funds provide a direct benefit to that modal administration.
       Section 191 allows the use of the Working Capital Fund to 
     carry out the Federal Transit Pass program.
       Section 192 prohibits the use of funds to implement any 
     geographic, economic, or other hiring preference not 
     otherwise authorized by law, unless certain requirements are 
     met related to availability of local labor, displacement of 
     existing employees, and delays in transportation plans.

         TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

                     Management and Administration

       HUD shall deliver all outstanding and past due reports 
     within 30 days of enactment of this Act. If the Department 
     anticipates missing a reporting deadline, HUD shall notify 
     the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations at least 15 
     days prior to the deadline and shall include with that 
     notification an estimated completion date. In the event HUD 
     unexpectedly misses a reporting deadline or misses a revised 
     completion date on a report that is already past due, the 
     Department shall deliver to the House and Senate Committees 
     on Appropriations a revised estimate of when the report will 
     be delivered.


                           EXECUTIVE OFFICES

       The agreement includes $13,800,000 for the salaries and 
     expenses for Executive Offices which shall be comprised of 
     seven offices including Offices of the Secretary, Deputy 
     Secretary, Adjudicatory Services, Congressional and 
     Intergovernmental Relations, Public Affairs, Small and 
     Disadvantaged Business Utilization, and the Center for Faith-
     Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The agreement includes a 
     provision limiting official reception and representation 
     expenses to no more than $25,000.
       Telework and Alternative Work Schedules.--The Committee 
     directs HUD to report to the House and Senate Committees on 
     Appropriations within 120 days of enactment of this Act on 
     measures the Department can take to enable Department 
     managers to effectively manage their telework and alternative 
     work staff so that no critical duties go unmet. This report 
     should also include an identification of any barriers, 
     including statutory or regulatory barriers, to improved 
     performance and customer service under telework and 
     alternative work schedules.


                     ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT OFFICES

       The agreement provides $559,100,000 for Administrative 
     Support Offices. Funds are provided as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office of the Chief Financial Officer..........              $79,000,000
Office of the General Counsel..................               94,500,000
Office of Administration.......................              207,600,000
Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer......               56,300,000
Office of Field Policy and Management..........               51,500,000
Office of the Chief Procurement Officer........               17,200,000
Office of Departmental Equal Employment                        3,300,000
 Opportunity...................................
Office of Strategic Planning and Management....                4,500,000
Office of the Chief Information Officer........               45,200,000
                                                ------------------------
    Total......................................             $559,100,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       The agreement includes full funding for the promise zone 
     initiative as well as funding for the administration of the 
     housing trust fund program. The agreement does not include 
     funding for expansion of the Department's grants 
     modernization initiative.
       New core and shared services.--The Department is not 
     expected to implement new core at the direction of the Office 
     of the Chief Information Officer and the agreement does not 
     transfer personnel and non-personnel resources related to new 
     core to the Office of the Chief Information Officer. However, 
     the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Officer are 
     expected to collaborate on the successful implementation of 
     new core. The Department is directed to provide the House and 
     Senate Committees on Appropriations with an update on new 
     core at the end of each quarter of fiscal year 2016 that 
     includes a detailed description of the functionalities 
     deployed and the associated number of requirements remaining 
     to be implemented, a list of risks and issues with associated 
     mitigation strategies and anticipated closure dates, 
     estimated and actual lifecycle costs, current and projected 
     shared service agreement transaction volume and cost data, 
     cost reductions achieved through the new operating model, the 
     status of organization change management activities, a list 
     of the activities planned and completed business process re-
     engineering efforts, related staff reorganizations and 
     reallocations, and the total number of HUD employees impacted 
     by role, location, and organization.

                  Program Office Salaries and Expenses


                       PUBLIC AND INDIAN HOUSING

       The agreement provides $205,500,000 for the salaries and 
     expenses for the Office of Public and Indian Housing.
       Housing quality standards.--The agreement directs HUD to 
     implement a single inspection protocol for public housing and 
     voucher units in fiscal year 2016.

[[Page H10447]]

  



                   COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

       The agreement provides $104,800,000 for the salaries and 
     expenses for the Office of Community Planning and 
     Development.
       While the agreement does not exclude funding for the Office 
     of Economic Resilience, no funding is provided for the hiring 
     of new positions or the backfilling of any vacant positions 
     in that office. The agreement only funds activities within 
     that office that are consistent with those conducted in 
     fiscal year 2015.


                                HOUSING

       The agreement provides $375,000,000 for the salaries and 
     expenses for the Office of Housing.


                    POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH

       The agreement provides $23,100,000 for the salaries and 
     expenses for the Office of Policy Development and Research.


                   FAIR HOUSING AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

       The agreement provides $72,000,000 for the salaries and 
     expenses for the Office of Fair Housing and Equal 
     Opportunity.
       Additional resources provided above the fiscal year 2015 
     funding level shall be prioritized toward technical 
     assistance to grantees for compliance and implementation 
     efforts associated with the new affirmatively furthering fair 
     housing rule.


            OFFICE OF LEAD HAZARD CONTROL AND HEALTHY HOMES

       The agreement provides $7,000,000 for the salaries and 
     expenses for the Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy 
     Homes.

                          Working Capital Fund


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement includes a new account entitled ``Working 
     Capital Fund'' and provides the Secretary with the authority 
     to transfer amounts provided in this title for salaries and 
     expenses, except those for the Office of Inspector General, 
     to this account for the purpose of funding centralized 
     activities. The Department is required to centralize and fund 
     from this account any shared service agreements executed 
     between HUD and another federal agency. In addition, HUD is 
     provided with the legal authority to centralize and fund from 
     this account printing, records management, space renovation, 
     furniture, and supply services at the discretion of the 
     Secretary. However, the Committee expects that, prior to 
     exercising discretion to centrally fund an activity, the 
     Secretary shall have established transparent and reliable 
     unit cost accounting for the offices and agencies of the 
     Department that use the activity and shall have adequately 
     trained staff within each affected office and agency on 
     resource planning and accounting processes associated with 
     the centralization of funds to this account. Further, prior 
     to centralizing either furniture or space renovation, the 
     Committee directs the Department to deliver a comprehensive, 
     multi-year real property improvement plan which details all 
     planned space realignments, capital improvements, maintenance 
     requirements, and other costs associated with carrying out 
     HUD's most recent strategic plan including any elements of 
     the General Service Administration (GSA) study on the Weaver 
     Building that HUD plans to include as part of its 
     Reimbursable Work Agreement with GSA, and including any space 
     realignments planned in conjunction with the Administration's 
     ``Freeze the Footprint'' initiative. Prior to exercising its 
     authority to transfer funds for activities beyond what is 
     required for shared service agreements, the Committee expects 
     HUD to establish a clear execution plan for centralizing the 
     additional activities and to properly vet that plan with the 
     House and Senate Committees on Appropriations prior to 
     transferring such funds into the Working Capital Fund.
       HUD shall include in its annual operating plan a detailed 
     outline of its plans for transferring budgetary resources to 
     the Working Capital Fund in fiscal year 2016. The agreement 
     does not include direction from the House report regarding 
     reductions in HUD staff to offset the cost of outsourcing 
     transaction work through shared service agreements. The 
     agreement does not include direction from the House report 
     for HUD to include a transfer plan in its annual operating 
     plan or to report on future amendments to such plan.

                       Public and Indian Housing


                     TENANT-BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE

       The agreement provides $19,628,525,000 for all tenant-based 
     Section 8 activities under the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance 
     Account. Language is included designating funds provided as 
     follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Activity                            Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Voucher Renewals...............................          $17,681,451,000
Tenant Protection Vouchers.....................              130,000,000
Administrative Fees............................            1,650,000,000
HUD-VASH Incremental Vouchers..................               60,000,000
Section 811 Vouchers...........................              107,074,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       The agreement provides funding for the full voucher renewal 
     need (100 percent renewal), based on revised estimates from 
     the Department that reflects more accurate and updated data 
     since the submission of the budget request.
       The agreement includes language allowing the Secretary to 
     take into account anticipated impact of changes in income 
     targeting and utility allowances in determining funding 
     allocations. The agreement includes a provision requiring the 
     notification of obligations to Public Housing Authorities 
     (PHAs) 60 days after enactment of this Act or by March 1, 
     2016.
       The agreement includes language that allows the Secretary 
     to consider PHAs' net restricted assets (NRA) balances when 
     determining allocations.
       The agreement includes $60,000,000 for new vouchers under 
     the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-
     VASH).
       The agreement does not include new, incremental Family 
     Unification Program (FUP) vouchers or related direction on 
     the new FUP vouchers.


                        HOUSING CERTIFICATE FUND

                        (INCLUDING RESCISSIONS)

       The agreement includes language allowing unobligated 
     balances in the Housing Certificate Fund to be used for 
     renewal of or amendments to section 8 project-based contracts 
     and for performance-based contract administrators.


                      PUBLIC HOUSING CAPITAL FUND

       The agreement provides $1,900,000,000 for the Public 
     Housing Capital Fund. The agreement provides up to $3,000,000 
     for Public Housing Financial and Physical Assessment 
     activities, not to exceed $21,500,000 for emergency capital 
     needs, of which not less than $5,000,000 is for safety and 
     security measures, $35,000,000 for supportive services, 
     service coordinators and congregate services, and up to 
     $15,000,000 for the Jobs-Plus Pilot initiative.
       The agreement prohibits HUD from requiring or enforcing the 
     physical needs assessment (PNA), but does not prohibit HUD 
     from continuing to make the PNA available as a useful tool, 
     and encourages PHAs to utilize this resource to help assess 
     the physical quality of their public housing stock.
       The agreement does not include direction regarding the 
     establishment of capital reserves.


                     PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING FUND

       The agreement provides $4,500,000,000 for the Public 
     Housing Operating Fund.


                    CHOICE NEIGHBORHOODS INITIATIVE

       The agreement provides $125,000,000 for the Choice 
     Neighborhoods Initiative. The agreement includes language 
     requiring that at least $75,000,000 be made available to 
     Public Housing Authorities, and provides up to $5,000,000 to 
     assist communities in developing strategies for implementing 
     the program in conjunction with community notice and input.


                        FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY

       The agreement provides $75,000,000 for the Family Self-
     Sufficiency (FSS) program to support service coordinators who 
     serve residents in both the public housing and voucher 
     programs. Language is included which allows participation by 
     residents of project-based rental assistance units.


                  NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSING BLOCK GRANTS

       The agreement provides $650,000,000 for Native American 
     housing block grants, to remain available until September 30, 
     2020. The agreement provides $3,500,000 for training and 
     technical assistance, with no less than $2,000,000 for a 
     national organization as designated under NAHASDA. The 
     agreement provides $2,000,000 for inspections, contracting 
     expertise, training, and technical assistance by HUD or its 
     designee; and $2,000,000 to subsidize a loan level of 
     $17,452,007 under title VI of NAHASDA.
       The agreement includes language to withhold formula 
     allocation funding from any grantee that has an unexpended 
     balance greater than three times its formula allocation, 
     unless the grantee's formula allocation is less than 
     $8,000,000. HUD is directed to collect data from Indian 
     Housing Plan submissions on new program activities that are 
     undertaken due to this language.


           INDIAN HOUSING LOAN GUARANTEE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT

       The agreement provides $7,500,000, to remain available 
     until expended, to subsidize a loan level of $1,190,476,190.

                   Community Planning and Development


              HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS

       The agreement provides $335,000,000 for the housing 
     opportunities for persons with AIDS program, to remain 
     available until September 30, 2017, except for amounts 
     allocated pursuant to 854(c)(3) which are available until 
     September 30, 2018. The agreement includes a provision that 
     requires HUD to renew all expiring supportive housing 
     contract commitments made in fiscal year 2010 and prior years 
     that meet all program requirements before awarding funds for 
     any new contract commitments.


                       COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND

       The agreement provides $3,060,000,000 for the community 
     development fund, to remain available until September 30, 
     2018. Of the total, the agreement provides $3,000,000,000 in 
     formula funding and $60,000,000 for Indian tribes, of which 
     up to $4,000,000 is available for imminent health and safety 
     emergencies.


         COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LOAN GUARANTEES PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                         (INCLUDING RESCISSION)

       The agreement does not provide a credit subsidy for this 
     program, but instead provides the authority to collect fees 
     from borrowers adequate to result in a subsidy cost of zero. 
     The agreement also provides an aggregate limitation of no 
     more than $300,000,000 in section 108 loan guarantees.
       The agreement permanently rescinds unobligated balances of 
     funds previously appropriated under this heading.

[[Page H10448]]

  



                  HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM

       The agreement provides $950,000,000, to remain available 
     until September 30, 2019, for the Home Investment 
     Partnerships (HOME) program. The agreement includes a new 
     provision that permits certain community land trusts to hold 
     and exercise purchase options, rights of first refusal, or 
     other preemptive rights to purchase housing to preserve 
     affordability.


        SELF-HELP AND ASSISTED HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM

       The agreement provides $55,700,000 for this account, of 
     which $50,000,000 of the total shall remain available until 
     September 30, 2018 in the following amounts and for the 
     following purposes: $10,000,000 for the Self-Help and 
     Assisted Homeownership Opportunity Program; $35,000,000 for 
     the second, third and fourth capacity building activities 
     authorized under section 4(a) of the HUD Demonstration Act of 
     1993, of which not less than $5,000,000 shall be for rural 
     capacity building activities; and $5,000,000 for capacity 
     building activities by national organizations with expertise 
     in rural housing development. The remaining $5,700,000 is 
     available until expended for a program to rehabilitate and 
     modify homes of disabled or low-income veterans as authorized 
     under section 1079 of Public Law 113-291.


                       HOMELESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS

       The agreement provides $2,250,000,000, to remain available 
     until September 30, 2018, for homeless assistance grants. Of 
     the amount provided, not less than $250,000,000 is for the 
     emergency solutions grants program; not less than 
     $1,918,000,000 is for continuum of care and rural housing 
     stability assistance programs; up to $7,000,000 is for the 
     national homeless data analysis project; up to $33,000,000 is 
     for projects in up to ten communities to demonstrate how a 
     comprehensive approach to serving homeless youth can reduce 
     youth homelessness; and up to $5,000,000 is for technical 
     assistance on youth homelessness.
       The agreement includes three new provisions which clarify 
     HUD's responsibilities under existing law with respect to the 
     measurement of system performance for each continuum of care 
     and the incorporation of performance evaluation into resource 
     allocation and prioritization.
       The agreement includes two new provisions to clarify 
     application of existing law with respect to the homeless 
     youth third-party documentation requirement and eligibility 
     for service within projects funded under this heading. Under 
     the agreement, the Secretary is directed to ensure that 
     incentives created through the continuum of care application 
     process fairly balance priorities for different populations, 
     including youth, families, veterans, and people experiencing 
     chronic homelessness.
       The agreement does not require the Department to identify 
     the amount and source of funding HUD will allocate to the 
     performance partnership pilot program within 45 days of 
     enactment but the Department is required to report to the 
     House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 90 days 
     of enactment of this Act on how the Department will 
     strategically align within the program, HUD's role in grantee 
     criteria and selection processes, and what will be HUD's role 
     in oversight and accountability for its contributions.
       The agreement includes a new provision that allows the 
     Secretary to renew shelter plus care grants originally funded 
     with 2008 emergency appropriations under similar terms and 
     conditions.

                            Housing Programs


                    PROJECT-BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE

       The agreement provides $10,220,000,000 for project-based 
     rental assistance activities, of which not to exceed 
     $215,000,000 is for performance-based contract 
     administrators. The agreement also provides an advance 
     appropriation of $400,000,000 to be made available on October 
     1, 2016. The agreement allows the Secretary to use project 
     funds held in residual receipt accounts, unobligated 
     balances, including recaptures, and carryover for program 
     activities.
       Oversight of property owners.--The agreement modifies the 
     semi-annual report required by the Senate report to be a 
     single report to the House and Senate Committees on 
     Appropriations within 87 days of enactment.


                        HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY

       The agreement provides $432,700,000 for the section 202 
     program to be available until September 30, 2019, of which up 
     to $77,000,000 shall be for service coordinators and existing 
     congregate service grants. The appropriation plus $20,300,000 
     in carryover balances and residual receipts fully funds all 
     renewals and amendments of project based rental assistance 
     contracts, senior preservation rental assistance contracts, 
     service coordinators, and existing congregate service grants. 
     The agreement does not use funding previously provided for an 
     elderly project rental assistance demonstration program to 
     offset the appropriation, nor does it provide additional 
     funding for any elderly project rental assistance 
     demonstration program.


                 HOUSING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

       The agreement provides $150,600,000 for the section 811 
     program to be available until September 30, 2019. The funding 
     level, in addition to $1,400,000 in residual receipts, 
     recaptures and unobligated balances, fully supports all 
     project based rental assistance contract renewals and 
     amendments. The agreement does not allow the Secretary to use 
     these resources for any other purpose than renewals and 
     amendments, including for any new competitions for project 
     rental assistance to state housing finance agencies.


                     HOUSING COUNSELING ASSISTANCE

       The agreement provides $47,000,000 for housing counseling 
     assistance, including up to $4,500,000 for administrative 
     contract services, to remain available until September 30, 
     2017. The agreement requires the Secretary to award grants 
     within 180 days of enactment of this Act, and allows the 
     Secretary to enter into multiyear grant agreements, subject 
     to the availability of annual appropriations.


                       RENTAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE

       The agreement provides $30,000,000 for the rental housing 
     assistance program and allows HUD to use funds, including 
     unobligated balances and recaptured amounts, for one year 
     contract extensions.


            PAYMENT TO MANUFACTURED HOUSING FEES TRUST FUND

       The agreement provides $10,500,000 for authorized 
     activities, of which $10,500,000 is to be derived from the 
     Manufactured Housing Fees Trust Fund.

                     Federal Housing Administration


               MUTUAL MORTGAGE INSURANCE PROGRAM ACCOUNT

       The agreement establishes a limitation of $400,000,000,000 
     on commitments to guarantee single-family loans during fiscal 
     year 2016, and provides that such commitment authority shall 
     be available until September 30, 2017. The agreement also 
     provides $130,000,000 for administrative contract expenses, 
     and provides an additional $1,400 for administrative contract 
     expenses up to $30,000,000, for each $1,000,000 in additional 
     guaranteed loan commitments, if guaranteed loan commitment 
     levels exceed $200,000,000,000 by April 1, 2016.


                GENERAL AND SPECIAL RISK PROGRAM ACCOUNT

       The agreement establishes a $30,000,000,000 limitation on 
     multifamily and specialized loan guarantees during fiscal 
     year 2016, and provides that such commitment authority shall 
     be available until September 30, 2017.

                Government National Mortgage Association


                GUARANTEES OF MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES

                     LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM ACCOUNT

       The agreement establishes a limitation of up to 
     $500,000,000,000 for new commitments during fiscal year 2016, 
     which shall be available until September 30, 2017. The 
     agreement also provides $23,000,000 for salaries and expenses 
     for the Government National Mortgage Association during 
     fiscal year 2016. The agreement increases salaries and 
     expenses by $100 for each $1,000,000 in additional guaranteed 
     loan commitments, up to a cap of $3,000,000, if guaranteed 
     loan commitments exceed $155,000,000,000 by April 1, 2016.

                    Policy Development and Research


                        RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY

       The agreement provides $85,000,000 for research and 
     technology activities, and technical assistance.
       The agreement provides $10,000,000 for both on-going and 
     new research, demonstrations, and evaluations. HUD is 
     directed to provide at least $2,000,000 for grants to design 
     housing for the disabled, $400,000 for an evaluation of 
     energy performance contracts in public housing, $1,000,000 
     for Jobs-Plus outcomes tracking, $900,000 to assess HUD 
     technical assistance to program grantees, $2,500,000 for 
     homeless youth program evaluations conducted in partnership 
     with the Department of Health and Human Services, and 
     $2,000,000 for homeless youth research activities authorized 
     under section 345 of the Runaway Homeless Youth Act.
       The agreement provides a total of $25,000,000 under this 
     heading for technical assistance, of which at least 
     $5,000,000 is for training public housing agencies on finance 
     and governance.
       Further, as requested, $41,500,000 is provided for various 
     housing market surveys and $8,500,000 is for other research 
     support, studies and partnerships.

                   Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity


                        FAIR HOUSING ACTIVITIES

       The agreement provides $65,300,000 for fair housing 
     activities, of which $39,200,000 is for the Fair Housing 
     Initiatives Program (FHIP), $24,300,000 is for the Fair 
     Housing Assistance Program, $1,500,000 is for the National 
     Fair Housing Training Academy, and $300,000 is for translated 
     materials. Of the funds available for FHIP, not less than 
     $7,450,000 is available for education and outreach programs.

            Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes


                         LEAD HAZARD REDUCTION

       The agreement provides $110,000,000 for lead hazard control 
     and healthy homes programs. Of the total, $20,000,000 is 
     provided for healthy homes program activities, and 
     $45,000,000 is to be made available on a competitive basis 
     for areas with the highest lead abatement needs.

                      Information Technology Fund

       The agreement provides $250,000,000 for the Information 
     Technology Fund available until September 30, 2017. The 
     Department is directed to initiate retirement plans for its 
     obsolete and inefficient information technology systems. 
     Within 180 days of enactment of this Act, HUD shall submit 
     comprehensive strategic plans for: retiring the HUDCAPS 
     system, developing a grants modernization system, and 
     completing the development and implementation of the NGMS

[[Page H10449]]

     system. Further, HUD may not implement any new modules or 
     releases of the new core project in fiscal year 2016. The 
     House and Senate Committees on Appropriations direct GAO to 
     continue to evaluate the Department's efforts and plans to 
     update its IT infrastructure.

                      Office of Inspector General

       The agreement provides $126,000,000 for the necessary 
     expenses of the Office of Inspector General.

    General Provisions--Department of Housing and Urban Development


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

                        (INCLUDING RESCISSIONS)

       Section 201 splits overpayments evenly between Treasury and 
     State HFAs.
       Section 202 prohibits funds from being used to investigate 
     or prosecute lawful activities under the Fair Housing Act.
       Section 203 corrects anomalies in the HOPWA formula 
     affecting New York, New Jersey, and North Carolina.
       Section 204 requires any grant or cooperative agreement to 
     be made on a competitive basis, unless otherwise provided, in 
     accordance with Section 102 of the Department of Housing and 
     Urban Development Reform Act of 1989.
       Section 205 relates to the availability of funds for 
     services and facilities for GSEs and others subject to the 
     Government Corporation Control Act and the Housing Act of 
     1950.
       Section 206 prohibits the use of funds in excess of the 
     budget estimates, unless provided otherwise.
       Section 207 relates to the expenditure of funds for 
     corporations and agencies subject to the Government 
     Corporation Control Act.
       Section 208 requires the Secretary to provide quarterly 
     reports on uncommitted, unobligated, recaptured, and excess 
     funds in each departmental program and activity.
       Section 209 requires the Administration's budget and HUD's 
     budget justifications for fiscal year 2017 be submitted in 
     the identical account and sub-account structure provided in 
     this Act.
       Section 210 exempts PHA Boards in Alaska, Iowa, Mississippi 
     and the County of Los Angeles from certain public housing 
     resident representation requirements. Affected entities under 
     this section are reminded of their requirement to maintain a 
     tenant advisory board, as prescribed under this section. HUD 
     is required to ensure compliance with this requirement and 
     should take enforcement actions if this requirement is not 
     fulfilled.
       Section 211 exempts GNMA from certain requirements of the 
     Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990.
       Section 212 authorizes HUD to transfer debt and use 
     agreements from an obsolete project to a viable project, 
     provided that no additional costs are incurred and other 
     conditions are met.
       Section 213 sets forth requirements for Section 8 voucher 
     assistance eligibility and includes consideration for persons 
     with disabilities.
       Section 214 distributes Native American Housing Block 
     Grants to the same Native Alaskan recipients as in fiscal 
     year 2005.
       Section 215 authorizes the Secretary to insure mortgages 
     under Section 255 of the National Housing Act.
       Section 216 instructs HUD on managing and disposing of any 
     multifamily property that is owned or held by HUD.
       Section 217 allows the Section 108 loan guarantee program 
     to guarantee notes or other obligations issued by any State 
     on behalf of non-entitlement communities in the State.
       Section 218 allows PHAs that own and operate 400 or fewer 
     units of public housing to be exempt from asset management 
     requirements.
       Section 219 restricts the Secretary from imposing any 
     requirements or guidelines relating to asset management that 
     restrict or limit the use of capital funds for central office 
     costs, up to the limit established in QHWRA.
       Section 220 requires that no employee of the Department 
     shall be designated as an allotment holder unless the CFO 
     determines that such employee has received certain training.
       Section 221 requires the Secretary to publish all notice of 
     funding availability that is competitively awarded on the 
     internet for fiscal year 2016.
       Section 222 limits attorney fees and requires the 
     Department to submit a spend plan to the House and Senate 
     Committees on Appropriations.
       Section 223 allows the Secretary to transfer up to 10 
     percent of funds or $4,000,000, whichever is less, 
     appropriated under the headings ``Administrative Support 
     Offices'' or ``Program Office Salaries and Expenses'' to any 
     other office funded under such headings.
       Section 224 allows the Disaster Housing Assistance Programs 
     to be considered a program of HUD for the purpose of income 
     verifications and match requirements.
       Section 225 requires HUD to take certain actions against 
     owners receiving rental subsidies that do not maintain safe 
     properties.
       Section 226 places a salary and bonus limit on public 
     housing agency officials and employees.
       Section 227 prohibits the use of funds for the doctoral 
     dissertation research grant program at HUD.
       Section 228 extends the HOPE VI program to September 30, 
     2016.
       Section 229 requires the Secretary to notify the House and 
     Senate Committees on Appropriations at least 3 full business 
     days before grant awards are announced.
       Section 230 prohibits funds to be used to require or 
     enforce the Physical Needs Assessment (PNA).
       Section 231 prohibits the use of funds to implement the 
     Homeowners Armed with Knowledge (HAWK) program.
       Section 232 prohibits funds for HUD financing of mortgages 
     for properties that have been subject to eminent domain.
       Section 233 prohibits the use of funds to terminate the 
     status of a unit of general local government as a 
     metropolitan city with respect to grants.
       Section 234 allows funding for research, evaluation, and 
     statistical purposes that is unexpended at the time of 
     completion of the contract, grant, or cooperative agreement 
     to be reobligated for additional research.
       Section 235 modifies safety-related termination criteria 
     for the HOME Investment Partnerships program.
       Section 236 prohibits funds to be used for financial awards 
     for employees subject to administrative discipline.
       Section 237 modifies the Rental Assistance Demonstration 
     included in the fiscal year 2012 appropriations Act.
       Section 238 modifies Section 526 of the National Housing 
     Act to permit exceptions for alternative water systems that 
     meet requirements of State and local building codes that 
     ensure health and safety standards.
       Section 239 extends existing contract terms, expands the 
     number of PHAs that may participate in the Moving-to-Work 
     program, and establishes an advisory committee and an 
     advisory component. Rigorous research contains a quantitative 
     component, a control or comparison group, and may incorporate 
     qualitative study. For the purposes of this section, rigorous 
     research methodologies include: randomized experiments, 
     natural experiments, well-matched comparison group studies 
     and quasi-experimental methods found in studies published in 
     peer-reviewed social science journals.
       Section 240 allows HUD to authorize the transfer of 
     existing subsidies and liabilities from obsolete housing for 
     persons with disabilities to housing that complies with local 
     Olmstead requirements.
       Section 241 rescinds $12,000,000 in unobligated balances, 
     including recaptures and carryover, from ``General and 
     Special Risk Program Account'' and ``Native American Housing 
     Block Grants'', and rescinds all unobligated balances, 
     including recaptures and carryover, remaining in ``Rural 
     Housing and Economic Development'' and ``Homeownership and 
     Opportunity for People Everywhere Grants''.
       Section 242 authorizes the Secretary on a limited basis to 
     use funds available under the ``Homeless Assistance Grants'' 
     heading to participate in the multiagency Performance 
     Partnership Pilots program.
       Section 243 allows program income as an eligible match for 
     2015 and 2016 Continuum of Care funds.
       Section 244 modifies grantee compliance requirements under 
     the Community Development Fund heading for rural promise zone 
     jurisdictions and certain other economically distressed 
     communities.

                      TITLE III--RELATED AGENCIES

                              Access Board


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $8,023,000 for the salaries and 
     expenses of the Access Board.

                      Federal Maritime Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $25,660,000 for the salaries and 
     expenses of the Federal Maritime Commission, of which not 
     more than $2,000 may be available for official reception and 
     representation expenses. Of the funds provided, not less than 
     $527,637 is available for the Office of Inspector General.

                National Railroad Passenger Corporation

                      Office of Inspector General


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $24,499,000 for the Office of 
     Inspector General for Amtrak.

                  National Transportation Safety Board


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $105,170,000 for the salaries and 
     expenses of the National Transportation Safety Board.

                 Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation


          PAYMENT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD REINVESTMENT CORPORATION

       The agreement provides $175,000,000 for the Neighborhood 
     Reinvestment Corporation (NRC), of which $135,000,000 is for 
     the core program, including $5,000,000 for the multifamily 
     rental housing program. Of the total provided, $40,000,000 is 
     for the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling (NFMC) 
     program. The agreement allows up to 5 percent of NFMC funds 
     to be used for administrative expenses to carry out 
     foreclosure mitigation activities.

           United States Interagency Council on Homelessness


                           OPERATING EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $3,530,000 for operating expenses of 
     the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness 
     (USICH).
       In addition to the directives included in House Report 114-
     129, USICH is directed to continue supporting federal 
     collaboration and implementation of the federal strategic 
     plan to prevent and end homelessness. The Council shall 
     balance its fulfillment of directives included in House 
     Report 114-129 with

[[Page H10450]]

     the continuation of core responsibilities such as 
     establishing common definitions of homelessness across 
     programs, consolidating federal data, and increasing federal 
     collaboration to target affordable housing and homeless 
     resources to high-need families and individuals, including 
     special populations such as veterans, victims of domestic 
     violence, persons with HIV, and youth.

                 TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS, THIS ACT

       Section 401 prohibits pay and other expenses for non-
     Federal parties intervening in regulatory or adjudicatory 
     proceedings.
       Section 402 prohibits obligations beyond the current fiscal 
     year and prohibits transfers of funds unless expressly so 
     provided herein.
       Section 403 limits consulting service expenditures in 
     procurement contracts to those contained in the public 
     record.
       Section 404 prohibits employee training not directly 
     related to the performance of official duties.
       Section 405 specifies requirements for reprogramming funds.
       Section 406 provides that fifty percent of unobligated 
     balances for salaries and expenses may remain available for 
     certain purposes, subject to the approval of the House and 
     Senate Committees on Appropriations.
       Section 407 prohibits the use of funds for any project that 
     seeks to use the power of eminent domain, unless eminent 
     domain is employed only for a public use.
       Section 408 prohibits funds from being transferred to any 
     department, agency, or instrumentality of the U.S. 
     Government, except where transfer authority is provided in 
     this Act.
       Section 409 prohibits funds in this Act from being used to 
     permanently replace an employee intent on returning to his or 
     her past occupation after completion of military service.
       Section 410 prohibits funds in this Act from being used 
     unless the expenditure is in compliance with the Buy American 
     Act.
       Section 411 prohibits funds from being appropriated or made 
     available to any person or entity that has been convicted of 
     violating the Buy American Act.
       Section 412 prohibits funds for first-class airline 
     accommodations in contravention of sections 301-10.122 and 
     301-10.123 of title 41 CFR.
       Section 413 prohibits funds from being used for the 
     approval of a new foreign air carrier permit or exemption 
     application if that approval would contravene United States 
     law or Article 17 bis of the U.S.-E.U.-Iceland-Norway Air 
     Transport Agreement.
       Section 414 restricts the number of employees that agencies 
     funded in this Act may send to international conferences.
       Section 415 prohibits funds from being used by the Federal 
     Transit Administration to implement, administer, or enforce 
     section 18.36(c)(2) of title 49, U.S.C. for construction 
     hiring purposes.
       Section 416 prohibits funds from being used in 
     contravention of the 5th or 14th Amendment to the 
     Constitution or title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
       Section 417 prohibits funds from being used to lease or 
     purchase new light duty vehicles for any executive fleet or 
     an agency's fleet inventory, except in accordance with 
     Presidential Memorandum--Federal Fleet Performance, dated May 
     24, 2011.
       Section 418 prohibits the use of funds in contravention of 
     subpart E of part 5 of the regulations of the Secretary of 
     HUD, relating to restrictions on assistance to noncitizens.
       Section 419 prohibits the use of funds in contravention of 
     section 214(d) of the Housing and Community Development Act 
     of 1980, regarding conditions for financial assistance.
       Section 420 provides an additional $300,000,000 in disaster 
     funds for ``Community Planning and Development, Community 
     Development Fund'' for communities that experienced a 
     disaster in 2015.
       Section 421 amends the Fixing America's Surface 
     Transportation Act to apply the emergency relief federal cost 
     share methodology in effect at the time of the disaster.

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