[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 50 (Thursday, March 22, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H2045-H2695]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPLANATORY STATEMENT SUBMITTED BY MR. FRELINGHUYSEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE 
  HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, REGARDING THE HOUSE AMENDMENT TO 
                     SENATE AMENDMENT ON H.R. 1625

       The following is an explanation of the Consolidated 
     Appropriations Act, 2018.
       This Act includes 12 regular appropriations bills for 
     fiscal year 2018. The divisions contained in the Act are as 
     follows:
        Division A--Agriculture, Rural Development, Food 
     and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations 
     Act, 2018
        Division B--Commerce, Justice, Science, and 
     Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018
        Division C--Department of Defense Appropriations 
     Act, 2018
        Division D--Energy and Water Development and 
     Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018
        Division E--Financial Services and General 
     Government Appropriations Act, 2018
        Division F--Department of Homeland Security 
     Appropriations Act, 2018
        Division G--Department of the Interior, 
     Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018
        Division H--Departments of Labor, Health and Human 
     Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations 
     Act, 2018
        Division I--Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 
     2018
        Division J--Military Construction, Veterans 
     Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018
        Division K--Department of State, Foreign 
     Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2018
        Division L--Transportation, Housing and Urban 
     Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018
        Division M--Extensions
        Division N--BUILD ACT
        Division O--Wildfire Suppression Funding and 
     Forest Management Activities Act
        Division P--Ray Baum's Act of 2018
        Division Q--Kevin and Avonte's Law
        Division R--TARGET Act (This is the original 
     subject matter of H.R. 1625.)
        Division S--Other Matter
        Division T--Revenue Provisions
        Division U--Tax Technical Corrections
        Division V--CLOUD Act
       Section 1 of the Act is the short title of the bill.
       Section 2 of the Act displays a table of contents.
       Section 3 of the Act states that, unless expressly provided 
     otherwise, any reference to ``this Act'' contained in any 
     division shall be treated as referring only to the provisions 
     of that division.
       Section 4 of the Act states that this explanatory statement 
     shall have the same effect with respect to the allocation of 
     funds and implementation of this legislation as if it were a 
     joint explanatory statement of a committee of conference.
       Section 5 of the Act provides a statement of 
     appropriations.
       Section 6 of the Act states that each amount designated by 
     Congress as being for Overseas Contingency Operations/Global 
     War on Terrorism (OCO/GWOT) is contingent on the President so 
     designating all such OCO/GWOT amounts and transmitting such 
     designations to Congress. The provision is consistent with 
     the requirements in the Budget Control Act of 2011.
       Section 7 of the Act addresses salaries and compensation 
     rates and provides for a death gratuity.
       The Act does not contain any congressional earmarks, 
     limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined 
     by clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of 
     Representatives.

       DIVISION A--AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG 
     ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2018

                        CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTIVES

       The explanatory statement is silent on provisions that were 
     in both the House Report (H. Rpt. 115-232) and Senate Report 
     (S. Rpt. 115-131) that remain unchanged by this agreement, 
     except as noted in this explanatory statement.
       The agreement restates that executive branch wishes cannot 
     substitute for Congress's own statements as to the best 
     evidence of congressional intentions, which are the official 
     reports of the Congress. The agreement further points out 
     that funds in this Act must be used for the purposes for 
     which appropriated, as required by section 1301 of title 31 
     of the United States Code, which provides: ``Appropriations 
     shall be applied only to the objects for which the 
     appropriations were made except as otherwise provided by 
     law.''
       The House and Senate report language that is not changed by 
     the explanatory statement is approved and indicates 
     congressional intentions. 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 in which the House or the Senate have directed the 
     submission of a report, such report is to be submitted to 
     both the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations no 
     later than 60 days after enactment of this Act, unless 
     otherwise directed.
       Hereafter, in division A of this statement, the term the 
     Committees' refers to the Committees on Appropriations of the 
     House of Representatives and the Senate.
       For the appropriations provided by this Act and previous 
     Acts, the departments and agencies funded by this agreement 
     are reminded that the Committees use the definitions for 
     transfer, reprogramming, and program, project, and activity 
     as defined by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in 
     GAO-04-261SP Appropriations Law--Vol. I and GAO-05-734SP 
     Budget Glossary.
       A transfer is the shifting of funds between appropriations. 
     It applies to (1) transfers from one agency to another, (2) 
     transfers from one account to another within the same agency, 
     and (3) transfers to an interagency or intra-agency working 
     fund. In each instance, statutory authority is required.
       Reprogramming is the utilization of funds in an 
     appropriation account for purposes other than those 
     contemplated at the time of appropriation. It is the shifting 
     of funds from one object to another within an appropriation.
       A program, project, or activity (PPA) is an element within 
     a budget account. PPAs are identified by reference to include 
     the most specific level of budget items identified in the 
     Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, 
     and Related Agencies Act, 2018, accompanying Committee 
     reports, explanatory statements, the Statement of Managers, 
     and budget justifications. Program activity structures are 
     intended to provide a meaningful representation of the 
     operations financed by a specific budget account by project, 
     activity, or organization.
       For fiscal year 2018, the Committees continue to include 
     bill language requiring advanced notification of certain 
     agency actions. Notification will be required at least

[[Page H2046]]

     30 days in advance of any action if (1) a major capital 
     investment is modified; (2) an office is realigned or 
     reorganized; and (3) activities are carried out that were not 
     described in the budget request.
       The agreement directs the Office of Budget and Program 
     Analysis (OBPA) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
     to provide an organizational chart for each agency funded by 
     this Act to the division and subdivision level, as 
     appropriate, by May 1, 2018. The agreement also directs the 
     Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Commodity Futures 
     Trading Commission (CFTC), and the Farm Credit Administration 
     (FCA) to provide an organizational chart of each agency 
     respectively to the division and subdivision level, as 
     appropriate, by May 1, 2018.
       Further, USDA, CFTC, and FDA should be mindful of 
     Congressional authority to determine and set final funding 
     levels for fiscal year 2019. Therefore, the agencies should 
     not presuppose program funding outcomes and prematurely 
     initiate action to redirect staffing prior to knowing final 
     outcomes on fiscal year 2019 program funding. The agreement 
     directs OBPA to provide the Committees with the number of 
     staff years and employees on board for each agency funded by 
     this Act on a quarterly basis.

                                TITLE I

                         AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS

                   Processing, Research and Marketing

                        Office of the Secretary


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $46,532,000 for the Office of the 
     Secretary.
       The agreement directs the Secretary to provide the report 
     on the Commodity Credit Corporation in H. Rpt. 115-232 under 
     this heading on May 16, 2018 and November 15, 2018.
       The agreement recognizes the Department has statutory 
     authorities and programs designed to help break the multi-
     generational trap of poverty in rural counties and supports 
     USDA's utilization of existing programs and funding within 
     Rural Development (RD) and the Food and Nutrition Service 
     (FNS) in order to assist families, create jobs, and develop a 
     path towards self-sufficiency. Other existing resources such 
     as the extension service and public universities can be used 
     for coordination and outreach activities. The Committees 
     still await the detailed plan required to be submitted by the 
     Secretary detailing all funding resources and bundled 
     services to combat rural poverty.
       The agreement includes $600,000,000 for a rural broadband 
     pilot program to assist in further closing the digital 
     divide. Lack of adequate broadband is an impediment to rural 
     economic development, and deployment of broadband service 
     yields a multitude of socio-economic benefits including: 
     economic growth, improved educational opportunities, and 
     increased access to healthcare options. The agreement 
     reiterates that funding should be prioritized to areas 
     currently lacking access to broadband service, and 
     investments in broadband shall consider any technology that 
     best serves the goals of broadband expansion. Lastly, the 
     agreement restates the importance of coordination among 
     federal agencies in expanding broadband deployment and 
     adoption and expects the Department to take caution to 
     maximize these limited resources and not overbuild or 
     duplicate existing broadband capable infrastructure.
       The agreement acknowledges that the United States 
     Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will continue to be 
     responsible for the construction of the National Bio and 
     Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF). The agreement provides an 
     additional $4,000,000 to USDA to support operational 
     activities of the NBAF.
       In addition to $10,000,000 in mandatory funding available 
     to assist socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and 
     ranchers, the agreement includes an additional $3,000,000 in 
     discretionary funding for these activities.
       It was the intent of Congress that the Secretary consider 
     the views of all producers who suffered losses related to the 
     consequences of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and other 
     hurricanes and wildfires occurring in calendar year 2017 in 
     determining eligibility for assistance provided in Title I of 
     Public Law No: 115-123.
       The agreement provides an additional $500,000,000 for Water 
     and Waste grants and loans to address infrastructure needs in 
     Rural America, and directs the Secretary to prioritize 
     communities that have the greatest infrastructure needs.
       On February 3, 2017, USDA restricted the public's access to 
     the search tool for the Animal Care Inspection System, saying 
     it needed to conduct a comprehensive review of the 
     information on its website. USDA is now posting heavily 
     redacted inspection reports that make it difficult in certain 
     cases for the public to understand the subject of the 
     inspection, assess USDA's subsequent actions, and to evaluate 
     the effectiveness of its enforcement. USDA's actions to date 
     do not meet the requirements in H. Rpt. 115-232 that the 
     online searchable database should allow analysis and 
     comparison of data and include all inspection reports, annual 
     reports, and other documents related to enforcement of animal 
     welfare laws. USDA is directed to comply with these 
     requirements and is reminded that as part of its oversight 
     responsibilities, Congress has the right to make any inquiry 
     it wishes into litigation in which USDA is involved. USDA is 
     directed to respond to any such inquiries fully.
       The following table reflects the agreement:

                         OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
                         (Dollars in Thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office of the Secretary....................................       $5,051
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development...........          800
Office of Homeland Security................................        1,496
Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement \1\...........        4,711
Office of Assistant Secretary for Administration...........          804
Departmental Administration................................      22, 301
Office of Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations..        3,869
Office of Communications...................................        7,500
                                                            ------------
    Total, Office of the Secretary.........................      $46,532
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Previously the Office of Tribal Relations and Office of Advocacy and
  Outreach

                          Executive Operations


                     OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ECONOMIST

       The agreement provides $19,786,000 for the Office of the 
     Chief Economist. This includes $2,869,000 for the Office of 
     Pest Management Policy, previously funded through the 
     Agricultural Research Service.


                     OFFICE OF HEARINGS AND APPEALS

       The agreement provides $15,222,000 for the Office of 
     Hearings and Appeals.


                 OFFICE OF BUDGET AND PROGRAM ANALYSIS

       The agreement provides $9,525,000 for the Office of Budget 
     and Program Analysis.

                Office of the Chief Information Officer

       The agreement provides $58,950,000 for the Office of the 
     Chief Information Officer.

                 Office of the Chief Financial Officer

       The agreement provides $6,028,000 for the Office of the 
     Chief Financial Officer.

           Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

       The agreement provides $901,000 for the Office of the 
     Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.

                         Office of Civil Rights

       The agreement provides $24,206,000 for the Office of Civil 
     Rights.

                  Agriculture Buildings and Facilities


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $64,414,000 for Agriculture 
     Buildings and Facilities.

                     Hazardous Materials Management


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $3,503,000 for Hazardous Materials 
     Management.

                      Office of Inspector General

       The agreement provides $98,208,000 for the Office of 
     Inspector General.

                     Office of the General Counsel

       The agreement provides $44,546,000 for the Office of 
     General Counsel.
       The Office of General Counsel (OGC) and the Committees have 
     had a longstanding tradition of working together to ensure 
     that legislation is properly drafted and effectuates the 
     Committees' intent. This greatly benefits the Committees as 
     well as USDA. OGC is directed to provide such assistance 
     promptly when requested.

                            Office of Ethics

       The agreement provides $4,136,000 for the Office of Ethics.

  Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics

       The agreement provides $800,000 for the Office of the Under 
     Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics.

                       Economic Research Service

       The agreement provides $86,757,000 for the Economic 
     Research Service.

                National Agricultural Statistics Service

       The agreement provides $191,717,000 for the National 
     Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), including up to 
     $63,350,000 for the Census of Agriculture.
       The agreement directs NASS to calculate and report in the 
     monthly Agricultural Prices Report on the average price of 
     premium or better alfalfa sold in the United States. 
     Additionally, NASS should work with the Agricultural 
     Marketing Service to develop more robust price discovery 
     mechanisms for alfalfa.

                     Agricultural Research Service


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $1,202,766,000 for the Agricultural 
     Research Service (ARS), Salaries and Expenses.
       The agreement does not accept the President's budget 
     request regarding the termination of research programs, 
     redirections of research programs, or closure of research 
     locations. The agreement expects extramural research to be 
     funded at no less than the fiscal year 2017 levels. The 
     agreement provides funding increases for cotton ginning, 
     alfalfa, small grains genomics, falling wheat, the National 
     Agricultural Library, the National Arboretum, high 
     performance computing, pear genetics, sustainable water use, 
     warmwater aquaculture, poultry, the U.S. Wheat and Barley 
     Scab Initiative, the Pulse Crop Health Initiative, rangeland 
     research, floriculture, hops research, oriental fruit fly, 
     cattle fever tick, UAS precision agriculture, plant and 
     animal genomic research preservation, sorghum sugarcane 
     aphid, cranberry and blueberry research, greenhouse research, 
     molecular potato breeding, whitefly research, and human 
     nutrition.
       The agreement includes no less than the fiscal year 2017 
     level for ARS to develop the necessary mechanisms to ensure a 
     viable and qualified scientific workforce is available upon 
     completion of NBAF. The agreement

[[Page H2047]]

     supports implementation of a program to recruit and train 
     scientists, and other technical positions, focused on 
     pathology, virology, immunology, entomology, epidemiology, 
     microbiology, and computational biology for productive USDA 
     careers at NBAF.
       The agreement directs ARS to work with the Animal and Plant 
     Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and stakeholders to develop 
     an integrated management program for control of the scale 
     insect pest infestation that is destroying Roseau cane in the 
     Mississippi River's Delta region along the Gulf of Mexico.
       The whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) epidemic is severely 
     impacting vegetable and cotton production in the Southeast 
     U.S., particularly in Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama. 
     Therefore, the agreement includes $1,250,000 for whitefly 
     research and directs ARS and the National Institute of Food 
     and Agriculture (NIFA), in cooperation with land-grant 
     universities located in the impacted states, to develop and 
     submit a plan of action which addresses the whitefly problem 
     to the Committees no later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.
       The agreement supports additional funding for plant disease 
     research to improve the quality of sugar beet production.


                        BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

       For ARS Buildings and Facilities, the agreement provides an 
     appropriation of $140,600,000 for the next highest priorities 
     identified in the USDA ARS Capital Investment Strategy, April 
     2012.

               National Institute of Food and Agriculture


                   RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES

       The agreement provides $887,171,000 for the National 
     Institute of Food and Agriculture, Research and Education 
     Activities.
       The following table reflects the agreement:

    NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
                               ACTIVITIES
                         (Dollars in Thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hatch Act..........................  7 U.S.C. 361a-i.......     $243,701
McIntire-Stennis Cooperative         16 U.S.C. 582a through       33,961
 Forestry Act.                        a-7.
Research at 1890 Institutions        7 U.S.C. 3222.........       54,185
 (Evans-Allen Program).
Payments to the 1994 Institutions..  7 U.S.C. 301 note.....        3,439
Education Grants for 1890            7 U.S.C. 3152(b)......       19,336
 Institutions.
Education Grants for Hispanic-       7 U.S.C. 3241.........        9,219
 Serving Institutions.
Education Grants for Alaska Native   7 U.S.C. 3156.........        3,194
 and Native Hawaiian-Serving
 Institutions.
Research Grants for 1994             7 U.S.C. 301 note.....        3,801
 Institutions.
Capacity Building for Non Land-      7 U.S.C. 3319i........        5,000
 Grant Colleges of Agriculture.
Grants for Insular Areas...........  7 U.S.C. 3222b-2, 3362        2,000
                                      and 3363.
Agriculture and Food Research        7 U.S.C. 450i(b)......      400,000
 Initiative.
Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment.  7 U.S.C. 3151a........        8,000
Veterinary Services Grant Program..  7 U.S.C. 3151b........        2,500
Continuing Animal Health and         7 U.S.C. 3195.........        4,000
 Disease Research Program.
Supplemental and Alternative Crops.  7 U.S.C. 3319d........          825
Multicultural Scholars, Graduate     7 U.S.C. 3152(b)......        9,000
 Fellowship and Institution
 Challenge Grants.
Secondary and 2-year Post-Secondary  7 U.S.C. 3152(j)......          900
 Education.
Aquaculture Centers................  7 U.S.C. 3322.........        5,000
Sustainable Agriculture Research     7 U.S.C. 5811, 5812,         35,000
 and Education.                       5831, and 5832.
Farm Business Management...........  7 U.S.C. 5925f........        2,000
Sun Grant Program..................  7 U.S.C. 8114.........        3,000
Alfalfa and Forage Research Program  7 U.S.C. 5925.........        2,250
Minor Crop Pest Management (IR-4)..  7 U.S.C. 450i(c)......       11,913
Special Research Grants:...........  7 U.S.C. 450i(c)......  ...........
    Global Change/UV Monitoring....  ......................        1,405
    Potato Research................  ......................        2,500
    Aquaculture Research...........  ......................        1,350
    Total, Special Research Grants.  ......................        5,255
                                    ------------------------------------
Necessary Expenses of Research and
 Education Activities:
Grants Management System...........  ......................        7,830
Federal Administration--Other        ......................       11,862
 Necessary Expenses for Research
 and Education Activities.
        Total, Necessary Expenses..  ......................       19,692
                                    ------------------------------------
        Total, Research and          ......................     $887,171
         Education Activities.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

              NATIVE AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS ENDOWMENT FUND

       The agreement provides $11,880,000 for the Native American 
     Institutions Endowment Fund.


                          EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

       The agreement provides $483,626,000 for the National 
     Institute of Food and Agriculture, Extension Activities.
       The agreement provides $3,000,000 for the Rural Health and 
     Safety Education Program to address the opioid abuse epidemic 
     and to combat opioid abuse in rural communities.
       The following table reflects the agreement:

     NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
                         (Dollars in Thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smith-Lever, Section 3(b) and (c)    7 U.S.C. 343(b) and        $300,000
 programs and Cooperative Extension.  (c) and 208(c) of
                                      P.L. 93-471.
Extension Services at 1890           7 U.S.C. 3221.........       45,620
 Institutions.
Extension Services at 1994           7 U.S.C. 343(b)(3)....        6,446
 Institutions.
Facility Improvements at 1890        7 U.S.C. 3222b........       19,730
 Institutions.
Renewable Resources Extension Act..  16 U.S.C. 1671 et seq.        4,060
Rural Health and Safety Education    7 U.S.C. 2662(i)......        3,000
 Programs.
Food Animal Residue Avoidance        7 U.S.C. 7642.........        2,500
 Database Program.
Women and Minorities in STEM Fields  7 U.S.C. 5925.........          400
Food Safety Outreach Program.......  7 U.S.C. 7625.........        7,000
Food & Ag Service Learning.........  7 U.S.C. 7633.........        1,000
Smith-Lever, Section 3(d):.........  7 U.S.C. 343(d).......  ...........
    Food and Nutrition Education...  ......................       67,934
    Farm Safety and Youth Farm       ......................        4,610
     Safety Education Programs.
    New Technologies for             ......................        1,550
     Agricultural Extension.
    Children, Youth, and Families    ......................        8,395
     at Risk.
    Federally Recognized Tribes      ......................        3,039
     Extension Program.
                                    ------------------------------------
        Total, Section 3(d)........  ......................       85,528
Necessary Expenses of Extension
 Activities:
Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom..  7 U.S.C. 3152(j)......          552
Federal Administration--Other        ......................        7,790
 Necessary Expenses for Extension
 Activities.
        Total, Necessary Expenses..  ......................        8,342
                                    ------------------------------------
        Total, Extension Activities  ......................     $483,626
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page H2048]]

  



                         INTEGRATED ACTIVITIES

       The agreement provides $37,000,000 for the National 
     Institute of Food and Agriculture, Integrated Activities.
       The following table reflects the amounts provided by the 
     agreement:

    NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE INTEGRATED ACTIVITIES
                         (Dollars in Thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Methyl Bromide Transition Program..  7 U.S.C. 7626.........       $2,000
Organic Transition Program.........  7 U.S.C. 7626.........        5,000
Regional Rural Development Centers.  7 U.S.C. 450i(c)......        2,000
Food and Agriculture Defense         7 U.S.C. 3351.........        8,000
 Initiative.
Crop Protection/Pest Management      7 U.S.C. 7626.........       20,000
 Program.
                                    ------------------------------------
    Total, Integrated Activities...  ......................      $37,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs

       The agreement provides $901,000 for the Office of the Under 
     Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs.

               Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $981,893,000 for the Animal and 
     Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Salaries and 
     Expenses.
       The agreement includes a net increase of $35,681,000 for 
     high priority initiatives in order to protect the plant and 
     animal resources of the Nation from pests and diseases. The 
     agreement provides increases within the total funding level 
     of: $7,500,000 for Avian Health to help pay for losses due to 
     low pathogenic avian influenza; $5,000,000 for Cattle Health 
     in support of the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program; 
     $2,000,000 for Agricultural Quarantine Inspection; $500,000 
     for Field Crop and Rangeland Ecosystems Pests in order to 
     control or eradicate pests destroying Roseau cane in wetlands 
     near the Mississippi River Delta; $11,670,000 for Specialty 
     Crop Pests, including $5,000,000 for the control or 
     eradication of the spotted lanternfly and $2,500,000 for 
     oriental fruit fly port detection; $2,000,000 for Tree and 
     Wood Pests; $2,000,000 for Animal Welfare; and, $5,000,000 
     for the Wildlife Damage Management program.
       The agreement provides $30,810,000 for the Animal Welfare 
     program. The agreement directs that APHIS continue its 
     inspections of registered ARS research facilities to ensure 
     their adherence to the Animal Welfare Act.
       To address the cattle fever tick infestation in South 
     Texas, the agreement provides an additional $5,000,000 for 
     all activities under the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication 
     Program (CFTEP) for research and scientific tools 
     concentrating on the following: new systematic cattle fever 
     tick treatment products with longer treatment intervals for 
     cattle; new cattle fever tick treatment products for 
     wildlife, especially nilgai antelope; and new or improved 
     cattle fever tick preventative therapies, such as vaccines, 
     for both cattle and wildlife hosts. APHIS and ARS are urged 
     to collaborate with Mexican National Animal Health Officials, 
     Mexican State Animal Health Officials from the Mexican states 
     that border Texas, and Mexican livestock and wildlife 
     industry representatives to develop and implement a fever 
     tick control or eradication program that will reduce or 
     eliminate the fever tick population along the Mexican side of 
     the Rio Grande River, and thus the threat of fever tick 
     incursion presented by wildlife and livestock populations 
     across the Rio Grande from the permanent quarantine zone in 
     Texas.
       The agreement includes no less than $3,500,000 for cervid 
     health activities. Within the funds provided, APHIS should 
     give consideration to indemnity payments if warranted.
       The agreement directs APHIS to complete the requirements 
     under the Foreign Market Access Requests heading in H.Rpt. 
     115-232 by July 15, 2018.
       The agreement includes a $6,170,000 increase to help states 
     and producers address the damaging effects of citrus greening 
     disease within the Specialty Crop Pests program as well as a 
     one-time increase of $7,500,000 for the Huanglongbing Multi-
     Agency Coordination (HLB-MAC) group.
       The agreement includes $28,000,000 under Wildlife Damage 
     Management for national rabies management, surveillance, and 
     eradication efforts and $2,000,000 for Wildlife Services 
     education and training. The agreement also provides 
     $1,600,000 for combatting wildlife depredation to production 
     aquaculture and an additional $5,000,000 for increased feral 
     swine surveillance. Additionally, no less than $250,000 
     should be available for the agency to reduce blackbird 
     depredation in the Northern Great Plains.
       The agreement notes that assessing AQI treatment monitoring 
     fees on a per-enclosure basis imposes disproportionate 
     impacts on industry and user groups at certain key ports of 
     entry, including ports along the southeast United States. The 
     agreement encourages USDA to conduct a new study that 
     specifically outlines the actual costs of treatments, 
     examines the disproportionate impact the fee has on airports 
     and seaports in different regions of the U.S., and evaluates 
     alternative and equitable funding mechanisms. Such report 
     should also incorporate due consideration of the 
     recommendations of the Treatment Fee Working Group's 
     September 27, 2016 ``Report to APHIS''. USDA shall brief the 
     Committees on the status of such study and other efforts to 
     ensure equitable collection of revenues for vital AQI 
     treatment monitoring efforts no later than 120 days after 
     enactment of this Act.
       The following table reflects the agreement:

               ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE
                         (Dollars in Thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Animal Health Technical Services...........................      $37,857
Aquatic Animal Health......................................        2,253
Avian Health...............................................       62,840
Cattle Health..............................................       96,500
Equine, Cervid & Small Ruminant Health.....................       20,000
National Veterinary Stockpile..............................        5,725
Swine Health...............................................       24,800
Veterinary Biologics.......................................       16,417
Veterinary Diagnostics.....................................       39,540
Zoonotic Disease Management................................       16,523
    Subtotal, Animal Health................................      322,455
                                                            ------------
Agricultural Quarantine Inspection (Appropriated)..........       31,330
Cotton Pests...............................................       11,520
Field Crop & Rangeland Ecosystems Pests....................        9,326
Pest Detection.............................................       27,446
Plant Protection Methods Development.......................       20,686
Specialty Crop Pests.......................................      178,170
Tree & Wood Pests..........................................       56,000
    Subtotal, Plant Health.................................      334,478
                                                            ------------
Wildlife Damage Management.................................      108,376
Wildlife Services Methods Development......................       18,856
    Subtotal, Wildlife Services............................      127,232
                                                            ------------
Animal & Plant Health Regulatory Enforcement...............       16,224
Biotechnology Regulatory Services..........................       18,875
    Subtotal, Regulatory Services..........................       35,099
Contingency Fund...........................................          470
Emergency Preparedness & Response..........................       40,966
    Subtotal, Emergency Management.........................       41,436
                                                            ------------
Agriculture Import/Export..................................       15,599
Overseas Technical & Trade Operations......................       22,115
    Subtotal, Safe Trade...................................       37,714
                                                            ------------
Animal Welfare.............................................       30,810
Horse Protection...........................................          705
    Subtotal, Animal Welfare...............................       31,515
                                                            ------------
APHIS Information Technology Infrastructure................        4,251
Physical/Operational Security..............................        5,146
Rent and DHS Security Payments.............................       42,567
    Subtotal, Agency Management............................       51,964
                                                            ------------
        Total, Direct Appropriation........................     $981,893
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

       The agreement provides $3,175,000 for APHIS Buildings and 
     Facilities.

                     Agricultural Marketing Service


                           MARKETING SERVICES

       The agreement provides $151,595,000 for Agricultural 
     Marketing Service.
       The agreement includes $3,000,000 for the Acer Access and 
     Development Program; $43,482,000 for grain inspection and 
     packers and stockyards activities; $4,944,000 for U.S. 
     Warehouse Act activities; and $13,236,000 for international 
     food procurement.
       The agreement provides an increase of $3,000,000 for the 
     National Organic Program (NOP) and directs the Department to 
     focus these resources on robust fraud detection and oversight 
     to ensure the USDA organic seal remains verified and trusted.


                 LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

       The agreement includes a limitation on administrative 
     expenses of $61,227,000.


    FUNDS FOR STRENGTHENING MARKETS, INCOME, AND SUPPLY (SECTION 32)

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $20,705,000 for Funds for 
     Strengthening Markets, Income, and Supply.
       The following table reflects the status of this fund for 
     fiscal year 2018:

       ESTIMATED TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE AND BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD
                         (Dollars in Thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation (30% of Customs Receipts).................     $10,370,878
Less Transfers:
    Food and Nutrition Service..........................      -8,872,010
    Commerce Department.................................        -154,868
        Total, Transfers................................      -9,026,878
                                                         ---------------
Prior Year Appropriation Available, Start of Year.......         125,000
Transfer of Prior Year Funds to FNS (F&V)...............        -125,000
        Budget Authority, Farm Bill.....................       1,344,000
                                                         ---------------
Rescission of Current Year Funds........................           - - -
Appropriations Temporarily Reduced--Sequestration.......         -77,418
Unavailable for Obligations (F&V Transfer to FNS).......           - - -

[[Page H2049]]

 
        Budget Authority, Appropriations Act............       1,266,582
                                                         ---------------
Less Obligations:.......................................           - - -
    Child Nutrition Programs (Entitlement Commodities)..         465,000
    State Option Contract...............................           5,000
    Removal of Defective Commodities....................           2,500
    Emergency Surplus Removal...........................           - - -
    Disaster Relief.....................................           5,000
    Additional Fruits, Vegetables, and Nuts Purchases...         206,000
    Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program...................         172,000
    Estimated Future Needs..............................         354,524
    Total, Commodity Procurement........................       1,210,024
                                                         ---------------
Administrative Funds:
    Commodity Purchase Support..........................          35,853
    Marketing Agreements and Orders.....................          20,705
        Total, Administrative Funds.....................          56,558
                                                         ---------------
            Total Obligations...........................      $1,266,582
                                                         ---------------
Unobligated Balance, End of the Year....................           - - -
    Unavailable for Obligations (F&V Transfer to FNS)              - - -
Balances, Collections, and Recoveries Not Available.....           - - -
            Total, End of Year Balances.................           - - -
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                   PAYMENTS TO STATES AND POSSESSIONS

       The agreement provides $1,235,000 for Payments to States 
     and Possessions.


        LIMITATION ON INSPECTION AND WEIGHING SERVICES EXPENSES

       The agreement includes a limitation on inspection and 
     weighing services expenses of $55,000,000.

             Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety

       The agreement provides $800,000 for the Office of the Under 
     Secretary for Food Safety.

                   Food Safety and Inspection Service

       The agreement provides $1,056,844,000 for the Food Safety 
     and Inspection Service (FSIS).
       The agreement provides $7,500,000 for public health 
     veterinarian recruitment and retention incentives, and 
     $8,000,000 to fully implement Siluriformes fish and fish 
     product inspection.
       The following table reflects the agreement:

                   FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE
                         (Dollars in Thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal....................................................     $943,824
State......................................................       61,682
International..............................................       16,758
Public Health Data Communications Infrastructure System....       34,580
                                                            ------------
    Total, Food Safety and Inspection Service..............   $1,056,844
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                TITLE II

               Farm Production and Conservation Programs

   Office of the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation

       The agreement provides $901,000 for the Office of the Under 
     Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation.
       Within 90 days of enactment of this Act, USDA is directed 
     to provide to the Committees and the House and Senate 
     Agriculture Committees its reorganization and implementation 
     plans for the new Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) 
     Mission Area. The reorganization plan should include any 
     cost-benefit analysis, workforce and staffing assessment, and 
     customer service assessments. The implementation plan shall 
     include projected budget and staffing trends for the agencies 
     and business center. --The Department shall also provide a 
     detailed spending plan for the FY 2019 budget request to 
     transfer to the FPAC Business Center $60,228,000 appropriated 
     pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 3841(a). Thereafter, the Department is 
     directed to provide quarterly staffing reports for the FPAC 
     agencies.

            Farm Production and Conservation Business Center

       The agreement provides $1,028,000 for the Farm Production 
     and Conservation Business Center.

                          Farm Service Agency


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $1,202,146,000 for Farm Service 
     Agency, Salaries and Expenses. Included in this amount is 
     $6,850,000 for reports and analytics for field operations; 
     $1,776,000 for National Agriculture Imagery Program; 
     $5,000,000 for Oriental Fruit Fly as referenced in H. Rpt. 
     115-232; and $6,315,000 for rent.
       The following table reflects the agreement:

                         (Dollars in Thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salaries and expenses......................................   $1,202,146
    Transfer from P.L. 480.................................          149
    Transfer from export loans.............................        2,463
    Transfer from ACIF.....................................      314,998
                                                            ------------
        Total, FSA Salaries and expenses...................   $1,519,756
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         STATE MEDIATION GRANTS

       The agreement provides $3,904,000 for State Mediation 
     Grants.


               GRASSROOTS SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM

       The agreement provides $6,500,000 for the Grassroots Source 
     Water Protection Program.


                        DAIRY INDEMNITY PROGRAM

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $500,000 for the Dairy Indemnity 
     Program.


           AGRICULTURAL CREDIT INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $8,000,000 for the hiring of 
     additional farm loan officers to meet program demand.
       The following table reflects the agreement:

                         (Dollars in Thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan Authorizations:
Farm Ownership Loans:
    Direct.................................................   $1,500,000
    Guaranteed.............................................    2,750,000
        Subtotal, Farm Ownership Loans.....................    4,250,000
                                                            ------------
Farm Operating Loans:
    Direct.................................................    1,530,000
    Unsubsidized Guaranteed................................    1,960,000
        Subtotal, Farm Operating Loans.....................    3,490,000
                                                            ------------
Emergency Loans............................................       25,610
Indian Tribe Land Acquisition Loans........................       20,000
Conservation Loans-Guaranteed..............................      150,000
Indian Highly Fractionated Land............................       10,000
Boll Weevil Eradication....................................       60,000
        Total, Loan Authorizations.........................    8,005,610
                                                            ------------
Loan Subsidies:
Farm Operating Loan Subsidies:
    Direct.................................................       61,812
    Unsubsidized Guaranteed................................       21,756
        Subtotal, Farm Operating Subsidies.................       83,568
                                                            ------------
Emergency Loans............................................        1,260
Indian Highly Fractionated Land............................        2,272
        Total, Loan Subsidies..............................       87,100
                                                            ------------
ACIF Expenses:
    Salaries and Expenses..................................      314,998
    Administrative Expenses................................       10,070
                                                            ------------
        Total, ACIF Expenses...............................     $325,068
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         Risk Management Agency


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $74,829,000 for the Risk Management 
     Agency (RMA), Salaries and Expenses.

                 Natural Resources Conservation Service


                        CONSERVATION OPERATIONS

       The agreement provides $874,107,000 for Conservation 
     Operations.
       The agreement provides $9,380,000 for the Snow Survey and 
     Water Forecasting Program; $9,481,000 for the Plant Materials 
     Centers; $80,802,000 for the Soil Surveys Program; and 
     $774,444,000 for Conservation Technical Assistance.
       The agreement directs NRCS to provide flexibility to State 
     Conservation officers in determining human resource needs.


               WATERSHED AND FLOOD PREVENTION OPERATIONS

       The agreement provides $150,000,000 for Watershed and Flood 
     Prevention Operations.


                    WATERSHED REHABILITATION PROGRAM

       The agreement provides $10,000,000 for the Watershed 
     Rehabilitation Program.

                              CORPORATIONS

                Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund

       The agreement provides an appropriation of such sums as may 
     be necessary for the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund.

                   Commodity Credit Corporation Fund


                 REIMBURSEMENT FOR NET REALIZED LOSSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides an appropriation of such sums as may 
     be necessary for Reimbursement for Net Realized Losses of the 
     Commodity Credit Corporation.


                       HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT

                        (LIMITATION ON EXPENSES)

       The agreement provides a limitation of $5,000,000 for 
     Hazardous Waste Management.

                               TITLE III

                       RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

                           Rural Development


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $230,835,000 for Rural Development, 
     Salaries and Expenses.

                         Rural Housing Service


              RURAL HOUSING INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides a total subsidy of $483,716,000 for 
     activities under the Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program 
     Account.
       The agreement notes that the Department has traditionally 
     had difficulties in effectively delivering housing programs 
     on tribal lands and directs the Secretary to pursue 
     innovative ways to address this problem.
       The agreement includes a $100,000,000 increase over fiscal 
     year 2017 in direct rural single family housing loans, from 
     $1,000,000,000 to $1,100,000,000. The Secretary is encouraged 
     to prioritize this increase to areas that have recently 
     experienced natural disasters, including hurricanes and 
     wildfires.
       The following table indicates loan, subsidy, and grant 
     levels provided by the agreement:

                         (Dollars in Thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan authorizations:
Single family housing (sec. 502)...........................
    Direct.................................................   $1,100,000
    Unsubsidized guaranteed................................   24,000,000
Housing repair (sec. 504)..................................       28,000
Rental housing (sec. 515)..................................       40,000
Multi-family guaranteed (sec. 538).........................      230,000
Site development loans (sec. 524)..........................        5,000
Credit sales of acquired property..........................       10,000
Self-help housing land development (sec. 523)..............        5,000
Farm labor housing.........................................       23,855
        Total, Loan authorizations.........................  $25,441,855
                                                            ------------
Loan subsidies, grants & administrative expenses:
Single family housing (sec. 502)...........................
    Direct.................................................      $42,350
Housing repair (sec. 504)..................................        3,452
Rental housing (sec. 515)..................................       10,524
Farm labor housing (sec. 514)..............................        6,374
Site development loans (sec. 524)..........................           58
Self-help land development (sec. 523)......................          368
        Total, loan subsidies..............................       63,126
                                                            ------------

[[Page H2050]]

 
Farm labor housing grants..................................        8,336
        Total, loan subsidies and grants...................       71,462
                                                            ------------
Administrative expenses (transfer to RD)...................      412,254
                                                            ------------
        Total, Loan subsidies, grants, and administrative       $483,716
         expenses..........................................
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

       The agreement provides $1,345,293,000 for the Rental 
     Assistance Program.


          MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING REVITALIZATION PROGRAM ACCOUNT

       The agreement provides $47,000,000 for the Multi-Family 
     Housing Revitalization Program Account.


                  MUTUAL AND SELF-HELP HOUSING GRANTS

       The agreement provides $30,000,000 for Mutual and Self-Help 
     Housing Grants.


                    RURAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS

       The agreement provides $40,000,000 for Rural Housing 
     Assistance Grants.
       The following table reflects the grant levels provided by 
     the agreement:

                         (Dollars in Thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Very low income housing repair grants......................      $30,000
Housing preservation grants................................       10,000
        Total, grant program...............................      $40,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

               RURAL COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $48,627,000 for the Rural Community 
     Facilities Program Account.
       The following table reflects the loan, subsidy, and grant 
     amounts provided by the agreement:

                         (Dollars in Thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan authorizations:
    CF direct loans........................................   $2,800,000
    CF guaranteed loans....................................      148,287
Loan subsidies and grants:
    CF guaranteed loans....................................        4,849
    CF grants..............................................       30,000
    Rural Community Development Initiative.................        4,000
    Economic Impact Initiative.............................        5,778
    Tribal college grants..................................        4,000
                                                            ------------
        Total, subsidy and grants..........................      $48,627
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                   Rural Business-Cooperative Service


                     RURAL BUSINESS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $77,342,000 for the Rural Business 
     Program Account.
       The following table reflects the loan, subsidy, and grant 
     levels provided by the agreement:

                         (Dollars in Thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan level:
    Business and industry guaranteed loans.................     $919,765
Loan subsidy and grants:
    Business and industry guaranteed loans.................       37,342
    Rural business development grants......................       34,000
    Delta Regional Authority and Appalachian Regional              6,000
     Commission............................................
                                                            ------------
        Total, Rural Business Program subsidy and grants...      $77,342
------------------------------------------------------------------------

              INTERMEDIARY RELENDING PROGRAM FUND ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $8,829,000 for the Intermediary 
     Relending Program Fund Account.
       The following table reflects the loan and subsidy levels 
     provided by the agreement:

                         (Dollars in Thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan level:
    Estimated loan level...................................      $18,889
Subsidies and administrative expenses:
    Direct loan subsidy level..............................        4,361
    Administrative expenses................................        4,468
                                                            ------------
        Subtotal, subsidies and administrative expenses....       $8,829
------------------------------------------------------------------------

            RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

       The agreement provides $45,000,000 for the Rural Economic 
     Development Loans Program Account.


                  RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

       The agreement provides $27,550,000 for Rural Cooperative 
     Development Grants.


                    RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM

       The agreement provides $293,000 for the Rural Energy for 
     America Program.


                        RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE

             RURAL WATER AND WASTE DISPOSAL PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $560,263,000 for the Rural Utilities 
     Service Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program Account.
       The following table reflects the loan, subsidy, and grant 
     levels provided by the agreement:

                         (Dollars in Thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan authorizations:
    Water and waste direct loans...........................   $1,200,000
    Water and waste guaranteed loans.......................       50,000
Subsidies and grants:
    Direct subsidy.........................................        2,040
    Guaranteed loan subsidy................................          230
    Water and waste revolving fund.........................        1,000
    Water well system grants...............................          993
    Grants for Colonias, Native Americans and Alaska.......       68,000
    Water and waste technical assistance grants............       40,000
    Circuit Rider program..................................       19,000
    Solid waste management grants..........................        4,000
    High energy cost grants................................       10,000
    Water and waste disposal grants........................      400,000
    306A(i)(2) grants......................................       15,000
                                                            ------------
        Total, subsidies and grants........................     $560,263
------------------------------------------------------------------------

   RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $34,133,000 for activities under the 
     Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans Program 
     Account. The agreement provides for a transfer of $33,270,000 
     to the Rural Development, Salaries and Expenses account.
       The following table indicates loan levels provided by the 
     agreement:

                         (Dollars in Thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan authorizations:
    Electric:
        Direct, FFB........................................   $5,500,000
        Guaranteed underwriting............................      750,000
        Subtotal, electric.................................    6,250,000
                                                            ------------
    Telecommunications:
        Direct, treasury rate..............................      345,000
        Direct, FFB........................................      345,000
        Subtotal, telecommunications.......................      690,000
    Loan subsidy:
        Direct, treasury rate..............................          863
        Total, loan authorizations.........................    6,940,000
                                                            ------------
        Administrative expenses............................       33,270
                                                            ------------
        Total, budget authority............................      $34,133
------------------------------------------------------------------------

         DISTANCE LEARNING, TELEMEDICINE, AND BROADBAND PROGRAM

       The agreement provides $67,000,000 for the Distance 
     Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program.
       The following table indicates loan levels provided by the 
     agreement:

                         (Dollars in Thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan authorization:
    Broadband telecommunications...........................      $29,851
        Total, loan authorization..........................       29,851
                                                            ------------
Subsidy and grants:
    Distance learning and telemedicine grants..............       32,000
    Broadband telecommunications program:
    Direct (treasury rate loans)...........................        5,000
    Grants.................................................       30,000
                                                            ------------
        Total, subsidies and grants........................      $67,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                TITLE IV

                         DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS

    Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer 
                                Services

       The agreement provides $800,000 for the Office of the Under 
     Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services.
       Some state contracted electronic benefit transfer (EBT) 
     processors are charging switching or routing fees in 
     connection with the routing of SNAP benefits. These fees 
     require retailers and/or those routing transactions on behalf 
     of retailers (often referred to as third party processors) to 
     pay for EBT transaction switching and routing to the State 
     EBT processor that handles the client EBT account. In 
     addition, these fees may seek to offset artificially low 
     cost-per-case-month fees that are bid as part of State 
     contracts, and therefore adversely affect competition among 
     existing or new EBT Processors. Therefore, in the interest of 
     maintaining competitiveness for EBT transaction routing, 
     Section 750 extends existing statutory prohibitions against 
     the charging of fees by State contracted EBT processors in 
     connection with the redemption of USDA domestic food 
     assistance benefits to include the charging of gateway 
     switching or routing fees to SNAP authorized retailers or 
     their third party processors.

                       Food and Nutrition Service


                        child nutrition programs

                     (including transfers of funds)

       The agreement provides $24,254,139,000 for Child Nutrition 
     Programs. Included in the total is an appropriated amount of 
     $15,382,129,000 and a transfer from Section 32 of 
     $8,872,010,000.
       The agreement provides an increase of $5,000,000 for the 
     Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children 
     Demonstration and directs USDA to expand the program into new 
     States and areas.
       The agreement provides the following for Child Nutrition 
     Programs:

                      TOTAL OBLIGATIONAL AUTHORITY
                         (Dollars in Thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
School lunch program....................................     $13,133,155
School breakfast program................................       4,807,380
Child and adult care food program.......................       3,832,748
Summer food service program.............................         563,817
Special milk program....................................           8,767
State administrative expenses...........................         297,278
Commodity procurement...................................       1,461,755
Food safety education...................................           2,880
Coordinated review......................................          10,000
Computer support and processing.........................          11,921
CACFP training and technical assistance.................          13,702
Child Nutrition Program studies and evaluations.........          21,277
Child Nutrition payment accuracy........................          11,016
Farm to school tactical team............................           3,439
Team Nutrition..........................................          15,504
Healthier US Schools Challenge..........................           1,500
School meals equipment grants...........................          30,000
Summer EBT demonstration................................          28,000
                                                         ---------------
    Total...............................................     $24,254,139
------------------------------------------------------------------------

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN 
                                 (WIC)

       The agreement provides $6,175,000,000 for the Special 
     Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and 
     Children.
       The agreement fully funds estimated WIC participation in 
     fiscal year 2018. The agreement includes $60,000,000 for 
     breastfeeding

[[Page H2051]]

     support initiatives; $14,000,000 for infrastructure; and an 
     increase of $25,000,000 for the contingency reserve.
       The work of the National Academies of Science (NAS) to 
     review and make recommendations for updating the WIC food 
     packages to reflect current science and cultural factors is 
     recognized. The agreement notes, however, that while all 
     revised packages now allow some fish, the amounts remain low 
     compared to the recommendations of other authoritative health 
     agencies. The agreement strongly encourages the Department to 
     consider the health and cultural benefits of fish consumption 
     as the NAS recommendations are reviewed and used to inform 
     the Department's next course of action. The agreement also 
     strongly encourages the Department to continue to allow 
     states to submit cultural food package proposals to respond 
     to the cultural preferences of WIC participants in states 
     like Alaska.


               supplemental nutrition assistance program

       The agreement provides $74,013,499,000 for the Supplemental 
     Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
       The agreement provides the following for SNAP:

                      TOTAL OBLIGATIONAL AUTHORITY
                         (Dollars in Thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefits...................................................  $63,038,952
Contingency reserve........................................    3,000,000
Administrative costs:
    State administrative costs.............................    4,483,411
    Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant             421,000
     Program...............................................
    Employment and Training................................      476,706
    Mandatory other program costs..........................      186,429
    Discretionary other program costs......................          998
Administrative subtotal....................................    5,568,544
                                                            ------------
Nutrition Assistance for Puerto Rico (NAP).................    1,929,646
American Samoa.............................................        7,709
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations...........      153,000
TEFAP commodities..........................................      289,500
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands...............       12,148
Community Food Projects....................................        9,000
Program access.............................................        5,000
    Subtotal...............................................    2,406,003
                                                            ------------
        Total..............................................  $74,013,499
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      commodity assistance program

       The agreement provides $322,139,000 for the Commodity 
     Assistance Program. The agreement includes $238,120,000 for 
     the Commodity Supplemental Food Program; $18,548,000 for the 
     Farmers' Market Nutrition Program; and $64,401,000 for the 
     Emergency Food Assistance Program.


                   nutrition programs administration

       The agreement provides $153,841,000 for Nutrition Programs 
     Administration. The agreement includes $2,000,000 to continue 
     the Congressional Hunger Center Fellows Program and 
     $1,825,000 for decentralized rent and security payments.

                                TITLE V

                FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS

   Office of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural 
                                Affairs

       The agreement includes $875,000 for the Office of the Under 
     Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.

                      Office of Codex Alimentarius

       The agreement provides $3,796,000 for the Office of Codex 
     Alimentarius. Funding was previously provided through the 
     Food Safety and Inspection Service.

                      Foreign Agricultural Service


                         salaries and expenses

                     (including transfers of funds)

       The agreement provides $199,666,000 for the Foreign 
     Agricultural Service, Salaries and Expenses and a transfer of 
     $6,382,000.
       The agreement includes $3,600,000 for International 
     Cooperative Administrative Support Services; an increase of 
     $1,200,000 for the Cochran Fellowship Program; an increase of 
     $850,000 for Borlaug Fellows Program; and an increase of 
     $2,160,000 for Country Strategy Support Fund.


  FOOD FOR PEACE TITLE I DIRECT CREDIT AND FOOD FOR PROGRESS PROGRAM 
                                ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $149,000 for administrative expenses 
     for the Food for Peace Title I Direct Credit and Food for 
     Progress Program Account to be transferred to and merged with 
     the appropriation for ``Farm Service Agency, Salaries and 
     Expenses''.


                     FOOD FOR PEACE TITLE II GRANTS

       The agreement provides $1,600,000,000 for Food for Peace 
     Title II Grants. The agreement also includes an additional 
     one-time increase of $116,000,000, for a total level of 
     $1,716,000,000.


  MCGOVERN-DOLE INTERNATIONAL FOOD FOR EDUCATION AND CHILD NUTRITION 
                             PROGRAM GRANTS

       The agreement provides $207,626,000 for the McGovern-Dole 
     International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program.


              COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION EXPORT (LOANS)

                    CREDIT GUARANTEE PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $8,845,000 for the Commodity Credit 
     Corporation Export Loans Credit Guarantee Program Account.

      TITLE VI--RELATED AGENCIES AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION

                Department Of Health and Human Services


                      FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides specific amounts by Food and Drug 
     Administration (FDA) activity as reflected in the following 
     table:

            FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION--SALARIES & EXPENSES
                         (Dollars in Thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Budget Authority:
    Foods..................................................   $1,041,615
    Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition...........      316,106
        Field Activities...................................      725,509
    Human Drugs............................................      495,603
    Center for Drug Evaluation and Research................      359,396
        Field Activities...................................      136,207
    Biologics..............................................      215,443
    Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research...........      174,052
        Field Activities...................................       41,391
    Animal Drugs and Feeds.................................      172,552
    Center for Veterinary Medicine.........................      107,905
        Field Activities...................................       64,647
    Devices and Radiological Products......................      330,064
    Center for Devices and Radiological Health.............      246,319
        Field Activities...................................       83,745
National Center for Toxicological Research.................       63,331
Other Activities/Office of the Commissioner................      196,275
    Office of the Commissioner.............................       56,178
    Office of Foods and Veterinary Medicine................       20,031
    Office of Medical and Tobacco Products.................       11,259
    Office of Global Regulatory Operations and Policy......       23,564
    Office of Operations...................................       38,015
    Office of the Chief Scientist..........................       30,728
    Transfer to the HHS Office of Inspector General........        1,500
    Oncology Center of Excellence..........................       15,000
White Oak Consolidation....................................       43,044
Other Rent and Rent Related Activities.....................       71,943
GSA Rent...................................................      170,208
    Subtotal, Budget Authority.............................    2,800,078
                                                            ------------
User Fees:
    Prescription Drug User Fee Act.........................      911,346
    Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act..........      193,291
    Human Generic Drug User Fee Act........................      493,600
    Biosimilar User Fee Act................................       40,214
    Animal Drug User Fee Act...............................       18,093
    Animal Generic Drug User Fee Act.......................        9,419
    Tobacco Product User Fees..............................      672,000
        Subtotal, User Fees................................    2,337,963
                                                            ------------
            Total, FDA Program Level.......................   $5,138,041
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       The agreement provides $2,800,078,000 in new discretionary 
     budget authority and $2,337,963,000 in definite user fees for 
     a total of $5,138,041,000 for Food and Drug Administration, 
     Salaries and Expenses. This total does not include permanent, 
     indefinite user fees for the Mammography Quality Standards 
     Act; Color Certification; Export Certification; Priority 
     Review Vouchers Pediatric Disease; Food and Feed Recall; Food 
     Reinspection; Voluntary Qualified Importer Program; the Third 
     Party Auditor Program; Outsourcing Facility; and Medical 
     Countermeasure Priority Review Vouchers. The agreement 
     expects the FDA to continue all projects, activities, 
     laboratories, and programs as included in fiscal year 2017 
     unless otherwise specified.
       The agreement includes increases of $1,000,000 to review 
     botanical drug and dietary supplement interactions; $400,000 
     to support the Critical Path Initiative; $2,800,000 to 
     support intramural work and extramural collaborations 
     necessary to begin developing the appropriate lab methods to 
     detect evidence of seafood decomposition; $300,000 to help 
     expedite the clearance at ports and distribution hubs of 
     critically important medical products; $15,000,000 for the 
     Oncology Center of Excellence; $10,500,000 to support produce 
     safety cooperative agreements with states; and $9,700,000 for 
     the animal drugs and feeds program to manage increased 
     workloads. The agreement also includes $1,500,000 for the HHS 
     Office of Inspector General specifically for oversight of FDA 
     activities, and $1,500,000 for consumer education and 
     outreach regarding biotechnology.
       The agreement includes a one-time increase of $2,500,000 to 
     assist the agency in obtaining information from medical 
     specialists and medical specialty groups concerning clinical 
     use of each of the substances nominated for the list 
     developed by the FDA of bulk drug substances for which there 
     is a clinical need (``503B Bulks List''). Additionally, the 
     agreement directs the FDA to follow congressional intent as 
     it relates to human drug compounded medicines and the 
     standards set forth under current Good Manufacturing 
     Practices (CGMP). Given the need for high quality control and 
     patient safety, the agency is instructed to prohibit 
     outsourcing facilities from compounding drug products from 
     bulk ingredients when outsourcing facilities could otherwise 
     be compounding from an FDA approved drug product.
       The agreement also includes a general provision providing 
     $94,000,000 for the FDA to expand its efforts related to 
     addressing the opioid crisis. According to the FDA, there is 
     an increasing trend in the number of deaths involving 
     fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, being used in combination with 
     other drugs, including cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. 
     A significant amount of illicit fentanyl is entering the 
     country as part of the hundreds of millions of parcels that 
     come through International Mail Facilities (IMF) annually. 
     This funding will allow the FDA to strategically strengthen 
     the agency's presence at IMFs to increase its overall 
     operational capacity to inspect more incoming packages. 
     Specifically, this funding is for the FDA to purchase 
     equipment and information

[[Page H2052]]

     technology to identify unapproved and counterfeit 
     pharmaceuticals, and to upgrade laboratory facilities used in 
     this effort. Additionally, funding is provided to better 
     identify and target firms and organizations importing into 
     the United States; increase the staff inspecting packages and 
     to increase the number of packages they are inspecting; 
     increase criminal investigation resources; and increase staff 
     and equipment to efficiently screen imported products.
       Additionally, the agreement encourages the FDA to continue 
     implementing the Opioid Action Plan to determine how changes 
     in opioid packaging, distribution, and medication disposal 
     procedures can help mitigate the national opioid crisis, 
     including working to support ongoing efforts at the state and 
     regional level.
       The agreement notes that the FDA has not finalized the rule 
     to extend the compliance date for manufacturers for the 
     Nutrition Facts Label Final Rule and the Serving Size Final 
     Rule, which is causing significant confusion and market 
     disruptions, and directs the agency to finalize the rule 
     before July 26, 2018. Further, the agreement directs the 
     agency to issue its conclusions on the status of pending 
     dietary fiber ingredients expeditiously.
       The agreement directs the FDA to make the report on Tobacco 
     Product User Fees described in H. Rpt. 115-232 publicly 
     available on its website within 60 days of enactment of the 
     Act.
       The agreement notes that the FDA initiated studies 
     concerning glass products for injectable products and directs 
     the FDA to evaluate the agency's study data and any other 
     appropriate available data and report back to the Committees 
     within 45 days on whether it plans to update the 2011 
     Advisory to reflect recent science.
       Concerns remain about the FDA's ability to meet its legal 
     obligation to protect trade secrets and confidential 
     commercial information the agency obtains from its regulated 
     industries. FDA is overdue in providing a detailed 
     description of its systems to ensure protection of such 
     information and is directed to provide this plan within 60 
     days of enactment of this Act.
       The agreement fully supports the requirement for all 
     covered facilities to have food defense plans but concerns 
     have been raised that the final rule entitled ``Mitigation 
     Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional 
     Adulteration,'' dated May 27, 2016 (81 Fed. Reg. 34165) is 
     overly prescriptive, costly, and inconsistent with current 
     successful practices that have been used to protect the 
     nation's food supply. In order to address the fundamental 
     concerns with the final rule, the agreement urges the Agency 
     to consider providing more time for further collaborative 
     dialogue with stakeholders.


                        BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

       The agreement provides $11,788,000 for the Food and Drug 
     Administration Buildings and Facilities.

                   FDA Innovation Account, Cures Act

       The agreement provides $60,000,000 for the FDA as 
     authorized in the 21st Century Cures Act.

                          INDEPENDENT AGENCIES

                  Commodity Futures Trading Commission

       The agreement provides $249,000,000 for the CFTC, of which 
     $48,000,000 is for the purchase of information technology and 
     of which $2,700,000 is for the Office of Inspector General 
     (OIG). Of this amount for OIG, not less than $350,000 should 
     be for overhead expenses.
       The agreement directs the CFTC to submit, within 30 days of 
     enactment, a detailed spending plan for the allocation of the 
     funds made available, displayed by discrete program, project, 
     and activity, including staffing projections, specifying both 
     FTEs and contractors, and planned investments in information 
     technology.
       The agreement hereby restates the language under the 
     headings Swap Dealer de Minimis and Internal Risk Management 
     Transactions in H.Rpt.115-232.

                       Farm Credit Administration


                 LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

       The agreement includes a limitation of $70,600,000 on 
     administrative expenses of the Farm Credit Administration.

                               TITLE VII

                           GENERAL PROVISIONS


             (INCLUDING RESCISSIONS AND TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       Section 701.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     motor vehicles.
       Section 702.--The agreement includes language regarding the 
     Working Capital Fund of the Department of Agriculture.
       Section 703.--The agreement includes language limiting 
     funding provided in the bill to one year unless otherwise 
     specified.
       Section 704.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     nonprofit institutions.
       Section 705.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     Rural Development programs.
       Section 706.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     information technology systems.
       Section 707.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     conservation programs.
       Section 708.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     Rural Utilities Service program eligibility.
       Section 709.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     funds for information technology expenses.
       Section 710.--The agreement includes language prohibiting 
     first-class airline travel.
       Section 711.--The agreement includes language regarding the 
     availability of certain funds of the Commodity Credit 
     Corporation.
       Section 712.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     funding for advisory committees.
       Section 713.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     NIFA grants.
       Section 714.--The agreement includes language regarding IT 
     system regulations.
       Section 715.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     Section 32 activities.
       Section 716.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     user fee proposals without offsets.
       Section 717.--The agreement includes language regarding the 
     reprogramming of funds and notification requirements.
       Section 718.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     fees for the guaranteed business and industry loan program.
       Section 719.--The agreement includes language regarding the 
     appropriations hearing process.
       Section 720.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     government-sponsored news stories.
       Section 721.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     details and assignments of Department of Agriculture 
     employees.
       Section 722.--The agreement includes language regarding FDA 
     Working Capital Fund.
       Section 723.--The agreement includes language requiring 
     spend plans.
       Section 724.--The agreement includes language regarding the 
     special supplemental nutrition program.
       Section 725.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     Rural Development programs.
       Section 726.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     USDA loan programs.
       Section 727.--The agreement includes language regarding the 
     Working Capital Fund.
       Section 728.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     SNAP variety.
       Section 729.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     industrial hemp.
       Section 730.--The agreement includes language regarding the 
     Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.
       Section 731.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     tree assistance programs.
       Section 732.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     housing loan programs.
       Section 733.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     consumer information.
       Section 734.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     tissue regulation.
       Section 735.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     animal feed.
       Section 736.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     Food for Peace.
       Section 737.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     geographically disadvantaged farmers.
       Section 738.--The agreement includes language regarding FDA 
     regulation.
       Section 739.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     loan refinancing.
       Section 740.--- The agreement includes language regarding 
     nutrition research.
       Section 741.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     Rural Development programs.
       Section 742.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     agricultural trade.
       Section 743.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     conservation programs.
       Section 744.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     animal welfare.
       Section 745.--The agreement includes language regarding the 
     Water Bank Act.
       Section 746.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     domestic preference.
       Section 747.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     Rural Development programs.
       Section 748.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     Rural Development program assistance.
       Section 749.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     family housing programs.
       Section 750.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     domestic food assistance program fees.
       Section 751.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     lobbying.
       Section 752.--The agreement includes language regarding the 
     Agriculture Risk Coverage program.
       Section 753.--The agreement includes language regarding the 
     National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
       Section 754.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     housing programs.
       Section 755.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     child nutrition programs.
       Section 756.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     purchases made through child nutrition programs.
       Section 757.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     potable water supplies.
       Section 758.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     lending fees.
       Section 759.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     rural poverty.
       Section 760.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     poultry regulations.
       Section 761.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     watershed and flood prevention.
       Section 762.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     Food for Peace.
       Section 763.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     Farm to School programs.
       Section 764.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     sodium reduction.
       Section 765.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     flood assistance.

[[Page H2053]]

       Section 766.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     conservation programs.
       Section 767.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     hardwood trees.
       Section 768.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     school lunch programs.
       Section 769.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     Rural Development programs.
       Section 770.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     genetically altered salmon.
       Section 771.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     citrus greening.
       Section 772.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     farm production and conservation programs.
       Section 773.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     grape varietals.
       Section 774.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     grain inspection.
       Section 775.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     telemedicine and distance learning.
       Section 776.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     school lunch programs.
       Section 777.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     veterans programs.
       Section 778.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     opioids.
       Section 779.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     broadband programs.
       Section 780.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     water and waste programs.
       Section 781.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     grant notifications.
       Section 782.--The agreement includes language regarding 
     horse inspection activities.
       Section 783.--The agreement includes language regarding a 
     limitation of funds.

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     DIVISION B--COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2018

       Report language included in House Report 115-231 (``the 
     House report'') or Senate Report 115-139 (``the Senate 
     report'') that is not changed by this explanatory statement 
     or this Act is approved. The 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 both the House report and the 
     Senate report address a particular issue not specifically 
     addressed in the explanatory statement, the House report and 
     the Senate report should be read as consistent and are to be 
     interpreted accordingly. In cases where the House report or 
     the Senate report directs the submission of a report, such 
     report is to be submitted to both the House and Senate 
     Committees on Appropriations (``the Committees'').
       Each department and agency funded in this Act shall follow 
     the directions set forth in this Act and the accompanying 
     explanatory statement, and shall not reallocate resources or 
     reorganize activities except as provided herein. 
     Reprogramming procedures shall apply to: funds provided in 
     this Act; unobligated balances from previous appropriations 
     Acts that are available for obligation or expenditure in 
     fiscal year 2018; and non-appropriated resources such as fee 
     collections that are used to meet program requirements in 
     fiscal year 2018. These procedures are specified in section 
     505 of this Act.
       Any reprogramming request shall include any out-year 
     budgetary impacts and a separate accounting of program or 
     mission impacts on estimated carryover funds. Any program, 
     project or activity cited in this statement, or in the House 
     report or the Senate report and not changed by this Act or 
     statement, shall be construed as the position of the Congress 
     and shall not be subject to reductions or reprogramming 
     without prior approval of the Committees. Further, any 
     department or agency funded in this Act that plans a 
     reduction-in-force shall notify the Committees by letter no 
     later than 30 days in advance of the date of any such planned 
     personnel action.
       When a department or agency submits a reprogramming or 
     transfer request to the Committees and does not receive 
     identical responses, it shall be the responsibility of the 
     department or agency seeking the reprogramming to reconcile 
     the differences between the two bodies before proceeding. If 
     reconciliation is not possible, the items in disagreement in 
     the reprogramming or transfer request shall be considered 
     unapproved. Departments and agencies shall not submit 
     reprogramming notifications after July 1, 2018, except in 
     extraordinary circumstances. Any such notification shall 
     include a description of the extraordinary circumstances.
       In compliance with section 532 of this Act, each department 
     and agency funded in this Act shall submit spending plans, 
     signed by the respective department or agency head, for the 
     Committees' review not later than 45 days after enactment of 
     this Act.

                                TITLE I

                         DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

                   International Trade Administration


                     OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION

       This Act includes $495,000,000 in total resources for the 
     International Trade Administration. This amount is offset by 
     $13,000,000 in estimated fee collections, resulting in a 
     direct appropriation of $482,000,000. The agreement provides 
     $87,500,000 for Enforcement and Compliance and no less than 
     the fiscal year 2017 amount for Global Markets. The agreement 
     adopts the Senate report language regarding SelectUSA.

                    Bureau of Industry and Security


                     OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION

       This Act includes $113,500,000 for the Bureau of Industry 
     and Security.

                  Economic Development Administration

       This Act includes $301,500,000 for the programs and 
     administrative expenses of the Economic Development 
     Administration (EDA). Section 523 of this Act includes a 
     rescission of $10,000,000 in Economic Development Assistance 
     Program balances. The funds shall be derived from recoveries 
     and unobligated grant funds that were not appropriated with 
     emergency or disaster relief designations.


                ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

       This Act includes $262,500,000 for Economic Development 
     Assistance Programs. Funds are to be distributed as follows; 
     any deviation of funds shall be subject to the procedures set 
     forth in section 505 of this Act:

 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Works.........................................       $117,500,000
Partnership Planning.................................         33,000,000
Technical Assistance.................................          9,500,000
Research and Evaluation..............................          1,500,000
Trade Adjustment Assistance..........................         13,000,000
Economic Adjustment Assistance.......................         37,000,000
Assistance to Coal Communities.......................         30,000,000
Section 27 Regional Innovation Program Grants........         21,000,000
                                                      ------------------
    Total............................................       $262,500,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Job Losses from Nuclear Power Plant Closures.--As noted in 
     Senate Report 114-239, recent closures of nuclear power 
     plants throughout the United States have had a negative 
     impact on the economic foundations of surrounding 
     communities, and there is potential for additional plant 
     closures in the coming years. EDA can serve an integral role 
     in assisting communities as nuclear plant closures affect the 
     economic landscape of surrounding areas. To that end, EDA is 
     directed to report to the Committees within 90 days of 
     enactment of this Act on its work to help identify and 
     develop best practices to assist communities affected by loss 
     of tax revenue and job loss due to nuclear power plant 
     closures.
       Broadband projects.--EDA funding provided under Public 
     Works, Economic Adjustment Assistance, and other programs may 
     be used to support broadband infrastructure projects. High 
     speed broadband is critical to help communities attract new 
     industries and strengthen and grow local economies. EDA is 
     encouraged to prioritize unserved areas. EDA shall submit a 
     report to the Committees within 30 days of the end of fiscal 
     year 2018 describing the number and value of broadband 
     projects supported with fiscal year 2018 funds.


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       This Act includes $39,000,000 for EDA salaries and 
     expenses.

                  Minority Business Development Agency


                     MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

       This Act includes $39,000,000 for the Minority Business 
     Development Agency (MBDA). In lieu of House language 
     regarding external funding, the agreement directs that not 
     less than 50 percent of funds provided to MBDA shall be 
     awarded through competitive agreements, external awards, and 
     grants.

                   Economic and Statistical Analysis


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       This Act includes $99,000,000 for Economic and Statistical 
     Analysis. The agreement does not adopt the proposed 
     reorganization of the Economics and Statistics Administration 
     (ESA). Senate report language is adopted by reference.

                          Bureau of the Census

       This Act includes $2,814,000,000 for the Bureau of the 
     Census.


                      CURRENT SURVEYS AND PROGRAMS

       This Act includes $270,000,000 for the Current Surveys and 
     Programs account of the Bureau of the Census.


                     PERIODIC CENSUSES AND PROGRAMS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       This Act includes $2,544,000,000 for the Periodic Censuses 
     and Programs account of the Bureau of the Census.
       In October 2017, the Secretary of Commerce delivered a new 
     life-cycle cost estimate for the 2020 Decennial Census 
     totaling $15,625,000,000. In addition to reliance on a new, 
     independent cost estimate (ICE), the Secretary's estimate 
     includes additional assumptions to enhance the robustness and 
     reliability of the program. For example, the new estimate 
     assumes the need for additional in-person follow-up visits 
     due to fewer households initially responding to the Census. 
     The Secretary also requested a funding contingency to address 
     any problems not anticipated by the ICE.
       Approximately 70 percent of the costs of the 2020 Census 
     will be incurred in fiscal year 2019 and fiscal year 2020. In 
     order to ensure Census has the necessary resources to 
     immediately address any issues discovered during the 2018 
     End-To-End Test, and to provide a smoother transition between 
     fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year 2019, this agreement 
     provides half of the amount needed for the 2020 Census for 
     those fiscal years and includes the 2018 contingency amount 
     of $50,000,000 requested by the Secretary. These resources 
     will also allow the Bureau of the Census to move forward with 
     the timely execution of its 2020 Decennial Census 
     communications and partnerships program to improve response 
     rates and enhance trust in the Census. The Census Bureau is 
     directed to ensure that its fiscal year 2018 partnership and 
     communications activities in support of the 2020 Census are 
     conducted at a level of effort and staffing no less than that 
     conducted during fiscal year 2008 in preparation for the 2010 
     Decennial Census. The Census Bureau is further directed to 
     provide the Committees with notification 15 days before any 
     spending it intends to incur in fiscal year 2018 that is 
     above the amounts included in the October 2017 life-cycle 
     cost estimate for fiscal year 2018.
       The agreement modifies House and Senate language requiring 
     the Census Bureau to furnish certain information to the 
     Committees and the Government Accountability Office (GAO). 
     The Census Bureau shall provide this information no later 
     than 60 days after enactment of this Act. Additionally, the 
     Census Bureau shall include information on the number of open 
     information technology (IT) security plans of actions and 
     milestones for all 2020 Census systems and infrastructure, 
     categorized by whether the underlying weakness or 
     vulnerability is considered critical, high, moderate, or low 
     risk, including a list of those plans of actions and 
     milestones that are not scheduled to be closed within six 
     months.

       National Telecommunications and Information Administration


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       This Act includes $39,500,000 for the salaries and expenses 
     of the National Telecommunications and Information 
     Administration (NTIA).

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------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic and International Policy....................         $8,000,000
Spectrum Management..................................         $7,600,000
Advanced Communications Research.....................         $8,200,000
Broadband Programs...................................         $8,200,000
National Broadband Map Augmentation..................         $7,500,000
                                                      ------------------
    Total............................................        $39,500,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Broadband.--The agreement provides $7,500,000 to update the 
     national broadband availability map in coordination with the 
     Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which updated its 
     map in February 2018 using Form 477 filing data. The funding 
     provided does not constitute a new program to fund the 
     primary data collection of broadband availability or 
     subscription data, nor is it for funding specific data 
     collection activities by States or third parties. Instead, 
     NTIA should use this funding to acquire and display available 
     third-party data sets to the extent it is able to negotiate 
     its inclusion in existing efforts to augment data from the 
     FCC, other Federal government agencies, State government, and 
     the private sector. NTIA shall not duplicate FCC's efforts. 
     The updated map will help identify regions with insufficient 
     service, especially in rural areas.
       First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet).--NTIA is 
     encouraged to place equal priority on the rural deployment of 
     the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network to that of 
     urban communities.

               United States Patent and Trademark Office


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       This Act includes language making available to the United 
     States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) $3,500,000,000, 
     the full amount of offsetting fee collections estimated for 
     fiscal year 2018 by the Congressional Budget Office.
       Asset Disposals.--The agreement notes that the Patent and 
     Trademark Office, like all of the Department of Commerce, is 
     subject to the asset disposal notifications in section 103, 
     requiring agencies to provide at least 15 days advance notice 
     of the disposal of any capital asset not specifically 
     provided for in this Act or other law appropriating funds for 
     the Department of Commerce. As this Act provides for no 
     disposals, the Patent and Trademark Office shall inform the 
     Committees of any capital asset disposal that meets the 
     definition established in section 103.

             National Institute of Standards and Technology

       This Act includes $1,198,500,000 for the National Institute 
     of Standards and Technology (NIST).


             SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL RESEARCH AND SERVICES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       This Act provides $724,500,000 for NIST's Scientific and 
     Technical Research and Services (STRS) account. The agreement 
     rejects the proposed terminations and reductions for all STRS 
     programs and provides not less than fiscal year 2017 funding 
     for: Advanced Networks, Connected Systems, and Data Science; 
     Advanced Materials Manufacturing; Biological Science and 
     Health Measurements; Corporate Services; Environmental 
     Measurements; the Office of Special Programs; Quantum 
     Science; Resilience and Structural Engineering; Semiconductor 
     and Microelectronic Measurements; Standards Coordination 
     Office; Time and Fundamental Measurement Dissemination; and 
     User Facilities. The Senate report language regarding 
     cybersecurity and the National Cybersecurity Center of 
     Excellence (NCCoE) is adopted by reference and NCCoE is 
     provided not less than $33,000,000. Additionally, the 
     agreement adopts Senate report language regarding forensic 
     sciences.
       Disaster Resilient Buildings.--Senate language regarding 
     disaster resilient buildings is not adopted. Instead, within 
     funding provided for Disaster Resilient Buildings, NIST is 
     directed to provide no less than $5,000,000 for competitive 
     external awards. NIST shall be responsive to all grant 
     applicants, including acknowledging receipt of applications, 
     providing feedback to any unsuccessful applicants who request 
     further information, and giving adequate notice of the 
     timeline for announcing awards.
       Nano-structured materials.--The agreement modifies House 
     language regarding nano-structured materials to specify that 
     the report shall be due no later than six months after 
     enactment of this Act.


                     Industrial Technology Services

       This Act includes $155,000,000 in total for Industrial 
     Technology Services, including $140,000,000 for the Hollings 
     Manufacturing Extension Partnership and $15,000,000 for the 
     National Network for Manufacturing Innovation, to include 
     funding for center establishment and up to $5,000,000 for 
     coordination activities.
       Manufacturing USA Coordination.--The agreement provides no 
     more than $5,000,000 for NIST's coordination role for all 
     Manufacturing USA institutes across the Federal government. 
     This amount equals NIST's fiscal year 2018 request for this 
     activity. Not later than 60 days after enactment of this Act, 
     NIST shall provide the Committees a report detailing the 
     funding breakout for coordination activities for 
     Manufacturing USA for the last three fiscal years. The report 
     shall address how coordination funding is separate from 
     direct funding provided for Manufacturing USA institutes, or 
     whether there is any overlap.


                  CONSTRUCTION OF RESEARCH FACILITIES

       This Act includes $319,000,000 for Construction of Research 
     Facilities.

            National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


                  OPERATIONS, RESEARCH, AND FACILITIES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       This Act includes a total program level of $3,697,831,000 
     under this account for the coastal, fisheries, marine, 
     weather, satellite and other programs of the National Oceanic 
     and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This total funding 
     level includes $3,536,331,000 in direct appropriations; a 
     transfer of $144,000,000 from balances in the ``Promote and 
     Develop Fishery Products and Research Pertaining to American 
     Fisheries'' fund; and $17,500,000 derived from recoveries of 
     prior year obligations.
       The agreement does not include section 553 of the House 
     bill regarding the National Ocean Policy. No funding was 
     provided in fiscal year 2017, and none was requested by any 
     agencies funded in this Act in fiscal year 2018, to implement 
     the National Ocean Policy. Consequently, no funds for 
     National Ocean Policy activities are included for any agency 
     funded in this Act.
       Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017.--
     This agreement is consistent with Public Law 115-25, the 
     Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017. 
     Funding is provided for NOAA to improve weather data, 
     modeling, computing, forecast infrastructure, and warnings to 
     allow the agency to develop more accurate, timely, and 
     effective warnings and forecasts of weather events that 
     endanger life and property.
       The following narrative descriptions and tables identify 
     the specific activities and funding levels included in this 
     Act.
       National Ocean Service.--$561,187,000 is for the National 
     Ocean Service.

                         NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE
                  Operations, Research, and Facilities
                        (in thousands of dollars)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Program                              Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Navigation, Observations and Positioning
  Navigation, Observations and Positioning............        $154,161
  Integrated Ocean Observing System Regional                    35,000
   Observations.......................................
  Hydrographic Survey Priorities/Contracts............          30,000
                                                       -----------------
Navigation, Observations and Positioning..............         219,161
                                                       =================
Coastal Science and Assessment
  Coastal Science, Assessment, Response and                     75,422
   Restoration........................................
  Competitive External Research.......................          13,000
                                                       -----------------
Coastal Science and Assessment........................          88,422
                                                       =================
Ocean and Coastal Management and Services
  Coastal Zone Management and Services................          42,500
  Coastal Zone Management Grants......................          75,000
  Title IX Fund.......................................          30,000
  Coral Reef Program..................................          26,604
  Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas..............          54,500

[[Page H2086]]

 
  National Estuarine Research Reserve System..........          25,000
                                                       -----------------
Ocean and Coastal Management and Services.............         253,604
                                                       =================
Total, National Ocean Service, Operations, Research,          $561,187
 and Facilities.......................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Title IX Fund.--In lieu of Regional Coastal Resilience 
     Grants, the agreement provides $30,000,000 for Title IX Fund 
     grants to meet the goals of the Regional Coastal Resilience 
     Grants, as authorized under section 906(c) of Title IX of 
     Public Law 114-113. NOAA shall administer this program in 
     accordance with 16 U.S.C. 7505(b) and 3701, for collaborative 
     partnerships that incorporate non-Federal matching funds with 
     a priority on supporting authorized activities not otherwise 
     funded within this Act, and direct costs shall not exceed 5 
     percent. NOAA shall retain oversight and accounting of this 
     funding.
       Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs).--The agreement provides 
     additional funding for NOAA to address HABs, and House and 
     Senate language is adopted in full regarding concern for the 
     impacts of harmful algal blooms and direction for NOAA to 
     prioritize its most promising research and technological 
     developments to forecast and mitigate HABs in both marine and 
     freshwater habitats.
       Geospatial Modeling Grants.--The agreement adopts the 
     Senate language in full for the external award of geospatial 
     modeling grants.
       National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).--$882,957,000 is 
     for NMFS Operations, Research, and Facilities.

                    NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE
                  Operations, Research, and Facilities
                        (in thousands of dollars)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Program                              Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Protected Resources Science and Management
  Marine Mammals, Sea Turtles and Other Species.......        $113,342
  Species Recovery Grants.............................           7,000
  Atlantic Salmon.....................................           6,224
  Pacific Salmon......................................          63,000
                                                       -----------------
Protected Resources Science and Management............         189,566
                                                       =================
Fisheries Science and Management
  Fisheries and Ecosystem Science Programs and                 144,196
   Services...........................................
  Fisheries Data Collections, Surveys and Assessments.         164,749
  Observers and Training..............................          53,955
  Fisheries Management Programs and Services..........         118,659
  Aquaculture.........................................          15,000
  Salmon Management Activities........................          35,500
  Regional Councils and Fisheries Commissions.........          35,871
  Interjurisdictional Fisheries Grants................           3,004
                                                       -----------------
Fisheries Science and Management......................         570,934
                                                       =================
Enforcement...........................................          69,073
                                                       =================
Habitat Conservation and Restoration..................          53,384
                                                       =================
Total, National Marine Fisheries Service, Operations,         $882,957
 Research, and Facilities.............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Northeast Multispecies Fishery.--The Senate language 
     pertaining to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery is adopted. 
     In lieu of Section 537 of the Senate bill, the agreement 
     provides an additional $10,300,000 within Observers and 
     Training to fully fund the cost of At-Sea Monitors in the New 
     England groundfish fishery, including sea and shore side 
     infrastructure costs. NOAA's current assessment is that 
     $20,000,000 covers Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology 
     requirements, and NOAA believes that up to $2,500,000 is 
     needed to fully fund the At-Sea Monitoring costs, for a total 
     of $22,500,000, which is provided. NOAA is directed to fully 
     fund the At-Sea Monitoring costs. It is noted that NOAA has 
     estimated the additional costs of fully funding these 
     activities to be anywhere from $850,000 to $10,300,000. That 
     variation in range is unacceptable. The spending plan 
     submitted under section 505 of this Act shall include a final 
     amount needed to fully fund At-Sea Monitoring.
       Fishery Science Centers.--The agreement does not include 
     section 548 of the House bill regarding the relocation of 
     NOAA fishery science centers. No funding was requested, and 
     no funding is provided in this Act to permanently relocate 
     any such centers during fiscal year 2018.
       Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper.--House and Senate language 
     regarding red snapper assessments in the Gulf of Mexico is 
     adopted, and up to $10,000,000 within Fisheries Data 
     Collections, Surveys and Assessments shall be available for 
     carrying out such purposes.
       Pacific Salmon Treaty.--The agreement adopts the Senate 
     recommended funding level to continue negotiations and 
     implement necessary Pacific Salmon Treaty agreements.
       Fishery Management Council Fund Report.--The agreement 
     expands the reporting requirement in the Senate report to 
     include all Fishery Management Councils. NOAA shall work with 
     the Committees and the Councils to establish the appropriate 
     scope and format for this report.
       Atlantic Striped Bass.--The Atlantic States Marine Fishery 
     Commission is completing a new stock assessment of Atlantic 
     Striped Bass in 2018. After this assessment is complete, the 
     Secretary of Commerce is directed to use this assessment to 
     review the Federal moratorium on Atlantic Striped Bass.
       Block Island Transit Zone.--NOAA, in consultation with the 
     Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, is directed to 
     consider lifting the ban on striped bass fishing in the 
     Federal Block Island Transit Zone.
       Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported (IUU) Fishing.--The 
     agreement adopts Senate language regarding IUU fishing, and 
     provides an additional $1,200,000 under Fisheries Management 
     Programs and Services to implement the program described in 
     section 539 of this Act.
       Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR).--
     $507,519,000 is for OAR Operations, Research, and Facilities.

[[Page H2087]]



               OFFICE of OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH
                  Operations, Research, and Facilities
                        (in thousands of dollars)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Program                              Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Climate Research
  Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes.............         $60,000
  Regional Climate Data and Information...............          38,000
  Climate Competitive Research, Sustained Observations          60,000
   and Regional Information...........................
                                                       -----------------
Climate Research......................................         158,000
                                                       =================
Weather and Air Chemistry Research
  Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes.............          85,758
  U.S. Weather Research Program.......................          13,136
  Tornado Severe Storm Research/Phased Array Radar....          12,622
  Joint Technology Transfer Initiative................          20,000
                                                       -----------------
Weather and Air Chemistry Research....................         131,516
                                                       =================
Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Research
  Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes.............          36,000
  National Sea Grant College Program..................          65,000
  Marine Aquaculture Program..........................          11,500
  Ocean Exploration and Research......................          36,500
  Integrated Ocean Acidification......................          11,000
  Sustained Ocean Observations and Monitoring.........          42,823
  Ocean Joint Technology Transfer Initiative..........           3,000
                                                       -----------------
Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Research...............         205,823
                                                       =================
 
High Performance Computing Initiatives................          12,180
                                                       =================
Total, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research,            $507,519
 Operations, Research, and Facilities.................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Remote Sensing for Snowpack and Soil Moisture.--In lieu of 
     Senate language, direction is provided for this activity 
     under National Weather Service, Science and Technology 
     Integration.
       National Weather Service (NWS).--$1,014,119,000 is for NWS 
     Operations, Research, and Facilities.

                        NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
                  Operations, Research, and Facilities
                        (in thousands of dollars)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Program                              Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Observations..........................................        $224,363
Central Processing....................................          92,790
Analyze, Forecast and Support.........................         503,938
Dissemination.........................................          50,028
Science and Technology Integration....................         143,000
                                                       =================
Total, National Weather Service, Operations, Research,      $1,014,119
 and Facilities.......................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Quarterly Briefings.--Continuous reports of management and 
     staffing challenges across the NWS are unacceptable. NOAA and 
     the Department of Commerce are directed to ensure that the 
     NWS fulfills its critical mission to protect the lives and 
     property of our nation's citizens. The agreement adopts 
     Senate language regarding NWS vacancies and the fiscal year 
     2018 spend plan, but clarifies that this plan should 
     distinguish between funded and unfunded vacancies. 
     Additionally, NOAA shall provide quarterly briefings to the 
     Committees on all NWS management and budget issues, to 
     include: a list of funded vacancies, by type and location, 
     including the length of time the positions have been vacant; 
     the Program, Project, or Activity (PPA) from which each 
     vacancy is funded, and the plan for addressing each vacancy; 
     an update on the implementation of the Operations and 
     Workforce Analysis; budget execution by PPA; major 
     procurements; and other topics as appropriate. Additionally, 
     in the fiscal year 2020 President's Budget submission for 
     NWS, the Department of Commerce shall document the funded 
     position vacancy rate and lapse assumptions built into the 
     budget request by PPA.
       Hydrology and Water Resource Programs.--In addition to 
     Senate language regarding the National Water Center, and in 
     lieu of Senate language under OAR, the agreement provides an 
     additional $6,000,000 for NWS, in coordination with OAR, to 
     collaborate with external academic partners to improve fine 
     and large-scale measurements of snow depth and soil moisture 
     data that can be used to expand and improve the National 
     Water Model and contribute directly to the mission of NOAA's 
     National Water Center. The agreement reiterates Senate 
     language recognizing the success of research-to-operations 
     efforts and external partnerships.
       Facilities Maintenance.--The agreement provides $16,000,000 
     for the National Weather Service's highest priority 
     facilities repair and deferred maintenance requirements at 
     Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs). NWS has nearly completed its 
     nationwide facilities condition assessment, and has a 
     comprehensive analysis of conditions, itemized deferred 
     maintenance list, and projected lifecycle costs for NOAA's 
     network of WFOs. There is concern that current conditions and 
     deferred maintenance items include issues that may 
     significantly affect operational readiness, service delivery, 
     or occupant safety. Thirty days prior to obligating any of 
     these additional facilities repair and deferred maintenance 
     funds, NWS shall submit a report providing the following 
     information: (1) a prioritized list of NWS deferred 
     facilities maintenance needs, based on the facilities 
     condition assessment, including an explanation of how such 
     list was prioritized; (2) an estimate of the total amount and 
     composition of deferred facilities maintenance, including an 
     explanation of how such estimate was developed; and (3) an 
     explanation of how NWS maintains information on, and manages, 
     its deferred maintenance needs and activities.
       National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information 
     Service.--$240,872,000 is for National Environmental 
     Satellite, Data and Information Service Operations, Research, 
     and Facilities.

[[Page H2088]]



     NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE, DATA AND INFORMATION SERVICE
                  Operations, Research, and Facilities
                        (in thousands of dollars)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Program                              Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Office of Satellite and Product Operations............ -------$145,730--
                                                       =================
Product Development, Readiness and Application........          31,000
                                                       =================
  Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs........           1,800
  Office of Space Commerce............................           1,200
  Group on Earth Observations.........................             500
                                                       -----------------
Environmental Satellite Observing Systems.............         180,230
                                                       =================
National Centers for Environmental Information........          60,642
                                                       =================
Total, National Environmental Satellite, Data and             $240,872
 Information Service, Operations, Research, and
 Facilities...........................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Mission Support.--$265,816,000 is for Mission Support.

                             MISSION SUPPORT
                  Operations, Research, and Facilities
                        (in thousands of dollars)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Program                              Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mission Support
  Executive Leadership................................         $27,078
  Mission Services and Management.....................         141,988
  IT Security.........................................          10,050
  Payment to DOC Working Capital Fund.................          58,700
                                                       -----------------
Mission Support Services..............................         237,816
                                                       =================
Office of Education
  BWET Regional Programs..............................           7,500
  Education Partnership Program/Minority Serving                15,500
   Institutions.......................................
  NOAA Education Program Base.........................           5,000
                                                       -----------------
Office of Education...................................          28,000
                                                       =================
Total, Mission Support, Operations, Research and              $265,816
 Facilities...........................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Recoveries.--NOAA is expected to source the funding derived 
     from the recoveries of prior year obligations from the 
     recoveries of prior year obligations.
       Technical Transfers.--The agreement adopts the proposed 
     technical transfers for the Western Regional Center and the 
     David Skaggs Research Center and provides the full funding 
     for these transfers in the appropriate line office budget 
     lines.
       Working Capital Fund.--The agreement provides the full 
     requested amount for NOAA's payment to the Department of 
     Commerce's Working Capital Fund, and directs the Department 
     to submit to the Committees at the end of the fiscal year a 
     full accounting of the services provided.
       Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO).--
     $225,361,000 is for OMAO Operations, Research, and 
     Facilities.

                OFFICE of MARINE AND AVIATION OPERATIONS
                  Operations, Research, and Facilities
                        (in thousands of dollars)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Program                              Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office of Marine and Aviation Operations
  Marine Operations and Maintenance...................        $191,129
  Aviation Operations and Aircraft Services...........          34,232
                                                       =================
Total, Office of Marine and Aviation Operations.......        $225,361
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Fleet Deferred Maintenance.--The agreement provides 
     $10,000,000 above the request in OMAO's Operations, Research 
     and Facilities account, and $11,500,000 above the request in 
     OMAO's Procurement, Acquisition and Construction account to 
     address deferred maintenance of NOAA's fleet. Within 60 days 
     of enactment of this Act NOAA shall brief the Committees on 
     its vessel maintenance requirements, OMAO's maintenance 
     program, and NOAA's plan to develop a long range maintenance 
     strategy for its fleet.
       Feasibility of Monitoring Atmospheric Rivers.--Senate 
     report language requiring a report regarding the feasibility 
     and potential benefit of using airborne assets to monitor 
     Atmospheric Rivers is retained.


               PROCUREMENT, ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       This Act includes a total program level of $2,303,684,000 
     in direct obligations for NOAA Procurement, Acquisition and 
     Construction (PAC), of which $2,290,684,000 is appropriated 
     from the general fund and $13,000,000 is derived from 
     recoveries of prior year obligations. The following narrative 
     and table identify the specific activities and funding levels 
     included in this Act:

[[Page H2089]]



                PROCUREMENT, ACQUISITION and CONSTRUCTION
                        (in thousands of dollars)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Program                              Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Ocean Service
  National Estuarine Research Reserve Construction....          $1,900
  Marine Sanctuaries Construction.....................           2,000
                                                       -----------------
Total, National Ocean Service - PAC...................           3,900
                                                       =================
Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research
    Research Supercomputing/CCRI......................          41,000
                                                       =================
National Weather Service
    Observations......................................          32,953
    Central Processing................................          66,761
    Dissemination.....................................          34,619
                                                       -----------------
  Subtotal, National Weather Service, Systems                  134,333
   Acquisition........................................
                                                       -----------------
    Weather Forecast Office Construction..............           8,650
                                                       -----------------
Total, National Weather Service - PAC.................         142,983
                                                       =================
National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information
 Service
    GOES R............................................         518,532
    Space Weather Follow-on...........................           8,545
    Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS)...............         775,777
    Polar Follow-on...................................         419,000
    CDARS.............................................          21,650
    COSMIC 2/GNSS RO..................................           6,100
    Satellite Ground Services.........................          57,325
    System Architecture and Advanced Planning.........           4,929
    Projects, Planning, and Analysis..................          39,391
    Commercial Weather Data Pilot.....................           6,000
                                                       -----------------
  Subtotal, NESDIS Systems Acquisition................       1,857,249
                                                       -----------------
    Satellite CDA Facility............................           2,450
                                                       -----------------
Total, NESDIS - PAC...................................       1,859,699
                                                       =================
Mission Support
  NOAA Construction...................................          23,724
                                                       =================
Office of Marine and Aviation Operations
  Fleet Capital Improvements and Technology Infusion..          24,378
  New Vessel Construction.............................          75,000
  Aircraft Recapitalization...........................         133,000
                                                       -----------------
Total, OMAO - PAC.....................................         232,378
                                                       =================
Total, Procurement, Acquisition, and Construction.....      $2,303,684
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Space Weather Follow-on.--The agreement includes $8,545,000 
     for Space Weather Follow-On. Direction in the House and 
     Senate reports is retained, and NOAA is further directed to 
     provide a full assessment of launch options for a 
     coronagraph, and a plan to address non-coronagraph space 
     weather requirements, within 180 days of enactment of this 
     Act. NOAA shall coordinate with NASA and the Department of 
     Defense to ensure that NOAA is providing cost-effective 
     operational space weather assets and NASA is providing 
     technology development, in accordance with the National Space 
     Weather Action Plan.
       Facilities Maintenance.--The agreement provides $10,000,000 
     for NOAA's highest priority facilities repair and deferred 
     maintenance requirements. NOAA has significant facilities 
     repair and deferred maintenance liabilities and the 
     Committees are concerned by reports, including the Department 
     of Commerce Office of the Inspector General Report, ``NOAA: 
     Repair Needs Data Not Accurate, and Real Property Utilization 
     Not Monitored Adequately,'' (OIG-17-032-A), that indicate 
     NOAA is not appropriately managing its real property 
     maintenance needs. Thirty days prior to obligating any of 
     these additional facilities repair and deferred maintenance 
     funds, NOAA shall submit a report providing the following 
     information: (1) a NOAA-wide prioritized list of its deferred 
     facilities maintenance needs, including an explanation of how 
     such list was developed; (2) an estimate of the total amount 
     and composition of deferred facilities maintenance, including 
     an explanation of how such estimate was developed; (3) how 
     NOAA maintains information on, and manages, its deferred 
     maintenance needs and activities; and (4) an update on 
     addressing the recommendations of OIG-17-032-A.
       NOAA Marine Operation Facilities.--The agreement adopts 
     Senate language on NOAA Marine Operation Facilities and 
     directs NOAA to submit the associated plan within 60 days of 
     enactment of this Act. Additionally, NOAA shall formalize the 
     decision on the size of the project and work with the United 
     States Navy to finalize all assessments in a timely manner.
       NOAA Aircraft Recapitalization.--The agreement adopts the 
     Senate language regarding aircraft recapitalization and 
     provides $133,000,000 for this purpose. Within funds 
     provided, $121,000,000 is included to procure a suitable 
     replacement for the Gulfstream IV-SP (G-IV) Hurricane Hunter 
     in order to meet the requirements of section 413 of Public 
     Law 115-25 and ensure back up capabilities.


                    PACIFIC COASTAL SALMON RECOVERY

       This Act includes $65,000,000 for Pacific Coastal Salmon 
     Recovery.


                      FISHERMEN'S CONTINGENCY FUND

       This Act includes $349,000 for the Fishermen's Contingency 
     Fund.


                      FISHERY DISASTER ASSISTANCE

       This Act includes $20,000,000 for fishery disaster 
     assistance.


                   FISHERIES FINANCE PROGRAM ACCOUNT

       This Act includes language under this heading limiting 
     obligations of direct loans to $24,000,000 for Individual 
     Fishing Quota loans and $100,000,000 for traditional direct 
     loans.

                        Departmental Management


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       This Act includes $63,000,000 for Departmental Management 
     salaries and expenses and supports the proposed increase for 
     the Investigations and Threats Management Division.
       Rescissions.--The Department of Commerce shall submit to 
     the Committees a report, at the Program, Project and Activity 
     level, no later than September 1, 2018, specifying the amount 
     of each rescission made pursuant to this Act.

[[Page H2090]]

  



                      RENOVATION AND MODERNIZATION

       This Act includes $45,130,000 for continuing renovation 
     activities only at the Herbert C. Hoover Building, which is 
     the full amount the Department of Commerce requires to 
     complete the fifth phase of the ongoing renovation.


                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

       This Act includes a total of $37,626,000 for the Office of 
     Inspector General (OIG). This amount includes $32,744,000 in 
     direct appropriations, a $1,000,000 transfer from USPTO, a 
     transfer of $2,580,000 from the Bureau of the Census, 
     Periodic Censuses and Programs, and $1,302,000 from NOAA PAC 
     for audits and reviews of those programs.
       Transfers.--The OIG has more than $6,000,000 in unobligated 
     prior year transfers from Department of Commerce components. 
     These transfers are to ensure that the OIG is able to provide 
     the necessary independent and objective oversight for these 
     components. In its fiscal year 2018 spend plan, the OIG shall 
     describe how the OIG will use these existing resources to 
     adequately oversee the relevant components.

               General Provisions--Department Of Commerce


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       This Act includes the following general provisions for the 
     Department of Commerce:
       Section 101 makes funds available for advanced payments 
     only upon certification of officials, designated by the 
     Secretary, that such payments are considered to be in the 
     public interest.
       Section 102 makes appropriations for Department salaries 
     and expenses available for hire of passenger motor vehicles, 
     for services, and for uniforms and allowances as authorized 
     by law.
       Section 103 provides the authority to transfer funds 
     between Department of Commerce appropriation accounts and 
     requires 15 days advance notification to the Committees on 
     Appropriations for certain actions.
       Section 104 provides congressional notification 
     requirements for NOAA satellite programs and includes life 
     cycle cost estimates for certain weather satellite programs.
       Section 105 provides for reimbursement for services within 
     Department of Commerce buildings.
       Section 106 clarifies that grant recipients under the 
     Department of Commerce may continue to deter child 
     pornography, copyright infringement, or any other unlawful 
     activity over their networks.
       Section 107 provides the NOAA Administrator with the 
     authority to avail NOAA of resources, with the consent of 
     those supplying the resources, to carry out responsibilities 
     of any statute administered by NOAA.
       Section 108 prohibits the National Technical Information 
     Service from charging for certain services.
       Section 109 provides NOAA with authority to waive certain 
     bond requirements.
       Section 110 allows NOAA to be reimbursed by Federal and 
     non-Federal entities for performing certain activities.
       Section 111 provides the Economics and Statistics 
     Administration certain authority to enter into cooperative 
     agreements.

                                TITLE II

                         DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

                         General Administration


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       This Act includes $114,000,000 for General Administration, 
     Salaries and Expenses.
       Opioid and heroin epidemic.--The Act includes significant 
     increases in law enforcement and grant resources for the 
     Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the rising threat to 
     public health and safety from opioid, heroin and other drug 
     trafficking and abuse. This includes a total of $446,500,000, 
     an increase of $299,500,000 more than fiscal year 2017, in 
     DOJ grant funding to help State and local communities respond 
     to the opioid crisis.
       Federal Law Enforcement and Prosecutors.--The Act includes 
     significant increases for DOJ Federal law enforcement and 
     prosecution agencies which will help DOJ investigate and 
     prosecute high priority cases, including those involving 
     opioids, heroin, and other drug trafficking amongst other law 
     enforcement priorities that were agreed upon by the 
     Committees in this explanatory statement. The overall 
     increase is $717,691,000 more than fiscal year 2017 which 
     includes: $101,750,000 for U.S. Attorneys; $62,452,000 for 
     U.S. Marshals Service operations; $36,912,000 for the Drug 
     Enforcement Administration (DEA) diversion control program 
     and $87,350,000 for DEA operations; $25,850,000 for the 
     Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces; 
     $263,001,000 for Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) 
     operations; $35,176,000 for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, 
     Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and $105,200,000 for the 
     Bureau of Prisons (BOP) operations.
       Working Capital Fund and Non-appropriated Fund Budget 
     Requests and Expenditure Plans.--DOJ shall include in its 
     future year requests a breakout of its non-appropriated 
     funding sources, as specified in the House report. DOJ shall 
     also include in its fiscal year 2018 spending plans for DOJ 
     components details on non-appropriated funds with regard to 
     the Working Capital Fund, retained earnings and unobligated 
     transfers, and civil debt collection proceeds, as specified 
     in the House and Senate reports. In addition, DOJ shall 
     continue to provide the Committees with quarterly reports on 
     the collections, balances, and obligations of these funds.
       Federal Water Usage Violations.--The agreement does not 
     adopt language in either the House or the Senate report 
     regarding Federal water usage violations.


                 JUSTICE INFORMATION SHARING TECHNOLOGY

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       This Act includes $35,000,000 for Justice Information 
     Sharing Technology. The Department shall give the highest 
     priority to advancing cybersecurity for DOJ operations and 
     systems.


                EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR IMMIGRATION REVIEW

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       This Act includes $504,500,000 for the Executive Office for 
     Immigration Review (EOIR), of which $4,000,000 is derived by 
     transfer from fee collections. With the funding provided in 
     the Act, EOIR shall continue ongoing programs, and hire and 
     deploy at least 100 additional Immigration Judge (IJ) teams, 
     with a goal of fielding 484 IJ teams nationwide by 2019.
       Immigration Adjudication Performance and Reducing Case 
     Backlog.--The Department shall accelerate its recruitment, 
     background investigation, and placement of IJ teams, and 
     brief the Committees not later than 30 days after enactment 
     of this Act on its plan to deploy or reassign IJ teams to the 
     highest priority locations. The briefing shall cover training 
     standards for new IJs, and continuing IJ training and 
     education.
       EOIR shall submit monthly reports detailing the status of 
     its hiring and deployment of IJ teams in the format and level 
     of detail provided in fiscal year 2017. The reports should 
     include the performance and operating information at the 
     level of detail provided in fiscal year 2017, to include 
     median days pending for both detained and non-detained cases, 
     and should include statistics on cases where visa overstay is 
     a relevant factor. To the extent EOIR has adopted new 
     performance measures related to the efficient and timely 
     completion of cases and motions, statistics reflecting those 
     measures should be included in the report.


                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

       This Act includes $97,250,000 for the Office of Inspector 
     General.

                    United States Parole Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       This Act includes $13,308,000 for the salaries and expenses 
     of the United States Parole Commission.

                            Legal Activities


            SALARIES AND EXPENSES, GENERAL LEGAL ACTIVITIES

       This Act includes $897,500,000 for General Legal 
     Activities.
       Petitions for remission or mitigation.--The agreement does 
     not include section 550 of the House bill, as the Department 
     of Justice finally addressed these petitions after an 
     excessively lengthy wait and ruled on all petitions for 
     remission or mitigation that were referred to the Department 
     before June 26, 2017. The Committees note that these 
     petitions are imperative in returning money that is validly 
     due to taxpayers, and the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery 
     Section should prioritize resolving any future petitions 
     expeditiously.


                 VaCCINE INJURY COMPENSATION TRUST FUND

       This Act includes a reimbursement of $10,000,000 for DOJ 
     expenses associated with litigating cases under the National 
     Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-660).


               SALARIES AND EXPENSES, ANTITRUST DIVISION

       This Act includes $164,977,000 for the Antitrust Division. 
     This appropriation is offset by an estimated $126,000,000 in 
     pre-merger filing fee collections, resulting in a direct 
     appropriation of $38,977,000.


             SALARIES AND EXPENSES, UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS

       This Act includes $2,136,750,000 for the Executive Office 
     for United States Attorneys and the 94 United States 
     Attorneys' offices, of which $25,000,000 shall remain 
     available until expended. Within funding provided, the Act 
     supports increases of $4,750,000 above the fiscal year 2017 
     level for paralegal support; $4,875,000 above the request 
     level for cybercrime prosecution and training of Assistant 
     U.S. Attorneys, including for intellectual property rights 
     violations and child pornography; and $2,500,000 to support 
     criminal and civil drug diversion prosecution related to 
     opioids. The Act includes funding at no less than the fiscal 
     year 2017 level for Adam Walsh Act investigations and 
     prosecutions, and sustains current funding levels for 
     investigations and prosecutions of mortgage and financial 
     fraud, as well as for civil rights enforcement. Remaining 
     funds above the request level shall be allocated to districts 
     with the highest demonstrable workload, and should include 
     additional prosecutors for both human and opioid trafficking 
     cases.


                   UNITED STATES TRUSTEE SYSTEM FUND

       This Act includes $225,908,000 for the United States 
     Trustee Program.


      SALARIES AND EXPENSES, FOREIGN CLAIMS SETTLEMENT COMMISSION

       This Act includes $2,409,000 for the Foreign Claims 
     Settlement Commission.


                     FEES AND EXPENSES OF WITNESSES

       This Act includes $270,000,000 for Fees and Expenses of 
     Witnesses.


           SALARIES AND EXPENSES, COMMUNITY RELATIONS SERVICE

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       This Act includes $15,500,000 for the Community Relations 
     Service.

[[Page H2091]]

  



                         ASSETS FORFEITURE FUND

       This Act includes $20,514,000 for the Assets Forfeiture 
     Fund.

                     United States Marshals Service


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       This Act includes $1,311,492,000 for the salaries and 
     expenses of the United States Marshals Service (USMS). Within 
     funding provided, the Act supports the USMS's request of 
     $12,000,000 for life and safety equipment and training. Also 
     within this appropriation, the Act provides additional 
     funding for deputy U.S. marshals to meet the growing workload 
     associated with: increasing law enforcement initiatives; 
     enhancing enforcement of laws relating to international 
     travel of sex offenders; and expanding the regional fugitive 
     task force program.


                              construction

       This Act includes $53,400,000 for construction and related 
     expenses in space controlled, occupied or utilized by the 
     USMS for prisoner holding and related support. The USMS is 
     expected to apply this funding to its top ten priority 
     projects.


                       federal prisoner detention

                     (including transfer of funds)

       The Act includes $1,536,000,000 for Federal Prisoner 
     Detention.

                       National Security Division


                         salaries and expenses

                     (including transfer of funds)

       This Act includes $101,031,000 for the salaries and 
     expenses of the National Security Division.

                      Interagency Law Enforcement


                 interagency crime and drug enforcement

       This Act includes $542,850,000 for the Organized Crime and 
     Drug Enforcement Task Forces, of which $375,000,000 is for 
     investigations and $167,850,000 is for prosecutions. The 
     increase in resources is provided to enhance investigations 
     and prosecutions of major drug trafficking organizations with 
     a focus on reducing the availability of opioids.

                    Federal Bureau of Investigation


                         salaries and expenses

       This Act includes $9,030,202,000 for the salaries and 
     expenses of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), 
     including $1,740,000,000 for Intelligence, $3,660,200,000 for 
     Counterterrorism and Counterintelligence, $3,090,000,000 for 
     Criminal Enterprises and Federal Crimes, and $540,000,000 for 
     Criminal Justice Services.
       Within funding provided, the FBI is expected to enhance its 
     investigative and intelligence efforts related to terrorism, 
     national security, and cyber threats, to include 
     strengthening the Cyber Division. Also within the level of 
     funding provided, the FBI shall ensure that the National 
     Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) operations 
     more adequately address background check demand and improve 
     NICS performance, including enhancing system availability, 
     determination rates, and E-Check services. DOJ is also 
     directed to consult with and provide technical guidance to 
     help other Federal departments and agencies fulfill their 
     obligation to submit all relevant records into the NICS 
     database.
       Communication and information sharing.--The FBI is directed 
     to review protocols associated with communication and 
     information sharing between the Public Access Line and FBI 
     field offices, and to report to the Committees within 60 days 
     of enactment of this Act on potential improvements.
       Law enforcement medical demonstration.--Within 60 days of 
     enactment of this Act, the FBI shall update the Committees on 
     efforts to formalize its existing external partnership with a 
     civilian academic medical center, including the FBI's use of 
     medical communications systems and Level I trauma centers to 
     support contingency planning and improve the delivery of 
     medical care for high risk law enforcement missions.
       Canine Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate (WMDD) 
     research.--The agreement adopts Senate report language 
     regarding the Hazardous Devices School, which supports the 
     Bureau's WMDD detector canine program. The Act clarifies that 
     funding direction for these canine activities shall be at a 
     level above fiscal year 2017 that adequately supports the 
     operations and ongoing development of this program.
       Countering election-related threats.--Within the increased 
     funding provided, the FBI is directed to make the 
     counterintelligence and cyber-related investments necessary 
     to help respond to foreign actors, including those seeking to 
     compromise democratic institutions and processes. It is 
     expected that the FBI will invest in initiatives that will 
     assist in enhanced source development, deployment of 
     additional surveillance assets, implementation of other 
     sophisticated targeting techniques, or other investigative 
     activities deemed necessary to thwart foreign actors. These 
     investments will also aid the FBI in carrying out its roles 
     and responsibilities pursuant to the January 2017 designation 
     of election infrastructure as part of the nation's critical 
     infrastructure, thereby facilitating enhanced information 
     sharing between the Federal government and State and local 
     election officials responsible for running Federal elections 
     in this country. The FBI shall brief the Committees not later 
     than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act on its 
     plans to carry out these initiatives.
       Human trafficking.--Within the funds provided, the FBI is 
     expected to increase resources devoted to human trafficking 
     investigations.


                              construction

       This Act includes $370,000,000 for FBI construction, which 
     supports the Senate's language on 21st Century Facilities and 
     provides additional funding above the requested level for the 
     FBI to address its highest priorities outside of the 
     immediate national capital area.
       FBI Headquarters.--The Act does not include funding for the 
     revised Headquarters consolidation plan released on February 
     12, 2018, because many questions regarding the new plan 
     remain unanswered, including the revision of longstanding 
     security requirements and changes to headquarters capacity in 
     the national capital region. Until these concerns are 
     addressed and the appropriate authorizing Committees approve 
     a prospectus, the Committees are reluctant to appropriate 
     additional funds for this activity.

                    Drug Enforcement Administration


                         salaries and expenses

       This Act includes a direct appropriation of $2,190,326,000 
     for the salaries and expenses of the Drug Enforcement 
     Administration (DEA). In addition, DEA expects to derive 
     $419,574,000 from fees deposited in the Diversion Control 
     Fund to carry out the Diversion Control Program, resulting in 
     $2,609,900,000 in total spending authority for DEA. To meet 
     the rising threats from heroin, fentanyl, and other opioids, 
     additional funding is included to: expand opioid and heroin 
     enforcement efforts, including supporting existing heroin 
     enforcement teams and establishing new ones; invest in the 
     Fentanyl Signature Profiling Program and law enforcement 
     safety; and accelerate efforts to dismantle transnational 
     criminal organizations and cartels. Senate report language 
     regarding Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys is adopted, and 
     additional resources for prosecutors are included under U.S. 
     Attorneys. DEA shall provide a briefing on heroin and opioid 
     investigations and prosecutions not later than 90 days after 
     the date of enactment of this Act. The agreement also 
     provides not less than $10,000,000 for DEA to perform 
     methamphetamine lab cleanup.

          Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives


                         salaries and expenses

       This Act includes $1,293,776,000 for the salaries and 
     expenses of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and 
     Explosives (ATF). Within the amount provided, resources are 
     allocated to fully fund the requested program increases, as 
     well as for an increase of not less than $10,000,000 for 
     activities, as specified in the House report, for the 
     National Firearms Act Division, Federal Firearms and 
     Explosives Licensing Centers, the Import Branch, and the 
     eForms system.
       Canine Training Center.--The agreement does not include 
     section 539 of the House bill regarding the relocation of 
     ATF's Canine Training Center. The agreement modifies Senate 
     language regarding National Center for Explosives Training 
     and Research only as it pertains to canine operations to 
     clarify that no relocations are anticipated during fiscal 
     year 2018.

                         Federal Prison System


                         salaries and expenses

                     (including transfer of funds)

       This Act includes $7,114,000,000 for the salaries and 
     expenses of the Federal Prison System. House and Senate 
     report language on treatment programming is adopted.


                        buildings and facilities

       This Act includes $161,571,000 for the construction, 
     acquisition, modernization, maintenance, and repair of prison 
     and detention facilities housing Federal inmates. Additional 
     funding above the request is included for the highest 
     priority deferred maintenance and repair (M&R) projects. The 
     Bureau of Prisons shall provide a list of planned M&R 
     projects to be carried out, with estimated costs and 
     completion dates, with the fiscal year 2018 spending plan 
     provided to the Committees, as well as an updated listing of 
     remaining unfunded M&R projects.


   limitation on administrative expenses, federal prison industries, 
                              incorporated

       This Act includes a limitation on administrative expenses 
     of $2,700,000 for Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated.

               State and Local Law Enforcement Activities

       In total, this Act includes $2,934,300,000 for State and 
     local law enforcement and crime prevention programs. This 
     amount includes $2,842,300,000 in discretionary budget 
     authority, of which $492,000,000 is derived by transfer from 
     the Crime Victims Fund. This amount also includes $92,000,000 
     scored as mandatory for Public Safety Officer Benefits.
       House and Senate report language regarding management and 
     administration expenses is adopted by reference, and it is 
     clarified that the Department's methodology for assessing 
     these costs should be both fair and equitable across all 
     grant programs.
       The agreement includes a limitation on obligations from the 
     Crime Victims Fund of $4,436,000,000 as stipulated in section 
     510 of this Act.
       Compliance with Federal laws.--The agreement does not 
     include section 554 of the House bill regarding funding for 
     the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP). The 
     agreement adopts Senate language directing the Department to 
     ensure

[[Page H2092]]

     that all applicants for Edward Byrne Memorial Justice 
     Assistance Grants (Byrne-JAG), Community Oriented Policing 
     Services (COPS) grants, and SCAAP funds are in compliance 
     with all applicable Federal laws.

                    Office on Violence Against Women


       violence against women prevention and prosecution programs

                     (including transfer of funds)

       This Act includes $492,000,000 for the Office on Violence 
     Against Women. These funds are distributed as follows:

       VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN PREVENTION AND PROSECUTION PROGRAMS
                        (in thousands of dollars)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Program                              Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
STOP Grants...........................................        $215,000
Transitional Housing Assistance.......................          35,000
Research and Evaluation on Violence Against Women.....           3,500
Consolidated Youth-Oriented Program...................          11,000
Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies...................          53,000
  Homicide Reduction Initiative.......................          (4,000)
Sexual Assault Victims Services.......................          35,000
Rural Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Enforcement...          40,000
Violence on College Campuses..........................          20,000
Civil Legal Assistance................................          45,000
Elder Abuse Grant Program.............................           5,000
Family Civil Justice..................................          16,000
Education and Training for Disabled Female Victims....           6,000
National Resource Center on Workplace Responses.......             500
Research on Violence Against Indian Women.............           1,000
Indian Country--Sexual Assault Clearinghouse..........             500
Tribal Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction           4,000
Rape Survivor Child Custody Act.......................           1,500
                                                       =================
  TOTAL, Violence Against Women Prevention and                $492,000
   Prosecution Programs...............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       Office of Justice Programs


                  RESEARCH, EVALUATION AND STATISTICS

       This Act provides $90,000,000 for the Research, Evaluation 
     and Statistics account. These funds are distributed as 
     follows:

                   RESEARCH, EVALUATION AND STATISTICS
                        (in thousands of dollars)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Program                              Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau of Justice Statistics..........................         $48,000
  NCS-X Implementation Program........................          (5,000)
National Institute of Justice.........................          42,000
  Domestic Radicalization Research....................          (4,000)
                                                       =================
  TOTAL, Research, Evaluation and Statistics..........         $90,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Campus survey.--Up to $5,000,000 is provided for the 
     Department to continue development and testing of its pilot 
     campus climate survey on sexual assault. The survey should be 
     cost-effective, standardized, methodologically rigorous, and 
     conducted nationwide.


               STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       This Act includes $1,677,500,000 for State and Local Law 
     Enforcement Assistance programs. These funds are distributed 
     as follows:

               STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE
                        (in thousands of dollars)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Program                              Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants..............        $415,500
  Officer Robert Wilson III VALOR Initiative..........         (10,000)
  Smart Policing......................................          (5,000)
  Smart Prosecution...................................          (2,500)
  NamUS...............................................          (2,400)
  National Training Center to improve Police-Based              (2,500)
   Responses to People with Mental Illness............
  Violent Gang and Gun Crime Reduction................         (20,000)
  John R. Justice Grant Program.......................          (2,000)
  Prison Rape Prevention and Prosecution..............         (15,500)
  Emergency Federal Law Enforcement Assistance........         (16,000)
State Criminal Alien Assistance Program...............         240,000
Victims of Trafficking Grants.........................          77,000
Capital Litigation and Wrongful Conviction Review.....           3,000
Economic, High-tech, White Collar and Cybercrime                14,000
 Prevention...........................................
  Intellectual Property Enforcement Program...........          (2,500)
  Cybercrime Prosecutor Pilot Program.................          (1,000)
  Digital Investigation Education Program.............          (1,000)
Adam Walsh Act Implementation.........................          20,000

[[Page H2093]]

 
Bulletproof Vests Partnerships........................          22,500
  Transfer to NIST/OLES...............................          (1,500)
National Sex Offender Public Website..................           1,000
National Instant Criminal Background Check System               75,000
 (NICS) Initiative....................................
  NICS Act Record Improvement Program.................         (25,000)
Paul Coverdell Forensic Science.......................          30,000
DNA Initiative........................................         130,000
  Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grants.....................        (120,000)
  Kirk Bloodsworth Post-Conviction DNA Testing Grants.          (6,000)
  Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Program Grants.........          (4,000)
Community Teams to Reduce the Sexual Assault Kit (SAK)          47,500
 Backlog..............................................
CASA-Special Advocates................................          12,000
Tribal Assistance.....................................          35,000
Second Chance Act/Offender Reentry....................          85,000
  Smart Probation.....................................          (6,000)
  Children of Incarcerated Parents Demo Grants........          (5,000)
  Pay for Success.....................................          (7,500)
  Pay for Success (Permanent Supportive Housing Model)          (5,000)
  Project HOPE Opportunity Probation with Enforcement.          (4,000)
Comprehensive School Safety Initiative................          75,000
Community trust initiative:...........................          65,000
  Body Worn Camera Partnership Program................         (22,500)
  Justice Reinvestment Initiative.....................         (25,000)
  Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program...........         (17,500)
Opioid initiative.....................................         330,000
  Drug Courts.........................................         (75,000)
  Veterans Treatment Courts...........................         (20,000)
  Residential Substance Abuse Treatment...............         (30,000)
  Prescription Drug Monitoring........................         (30,000)
  Mentally Ill Offender Act...........................         (30,000)
  Other Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act              (145,000)
   activities.........................................
                                                       =================
  TOTAL, State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance...      $1,677,500
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) programs.--
     The agreement provides a total of $330,000,000 for DOJ's CARA 
     programs, an increase of $227,000,000 above the fiscal year 
     2017 level, including $132,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 
     level for the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program (COAP). It 
     is expected that the Bureau of Justice Assistance will not 
     only be able to make additional site-based program awards 
     under the existing COAP structure, but will be able to expand 
     COAP offerings to include prevention and education programs 
     for youth, community engagement by law enforcement, response 
     teams to assist children dealing with the aftermath of opioid 
     addiction, and family court programming relating to treatment 
     for opioids. Senate report language on the Law Enforcement 
     Assisted Diversion (LEAD) model is adopted.
       NICS Initiative grants.--While the agreement includes a 
     $2,000,000 increase for the NICS Initiative grant program, 
     the Committees remain deeply concerned over problematic 
     applications from States for the National Criminal History 
     Improvement Program (NCHIP) and NICS Act Record Improvement 
     Program (NARIP) grants, which result in fewer grants being 
     awarded than were funded by appropriations. Over the past 
     several fiscal years, far too many proposals from States have 
     been out-of-scope, of poor quality, or requested excessive 
     funding to replace an entire criminal justice records system, 
     leading DOJ to exclude them. The Office of Justice Programs 
     (OJP) is directed to consult with State and tribal 
     governments to provide training and technical assistance in 
     completing a successful application for both of these grant 
     programs, including expressly outlining what is in scope for 
     project needs, information technology, and cost.
       Victims of Trafficking grants.--The agreement provides 
     $77,000,000 for the Victims of Trafficking Grant program, as 
     authorized by Public Law 106-386 and amended by Public Law 
     113-4, of which no less than $22,000,000 is for the Enhanced 
     Collaborative Model to Combat Human Trafficking Task Force 
     Program. This funding level also includes $10,000,000 for the 
     Minor Victims of Trafficking Grant program, of which 
     $8,000,000 is for victim services grants for sex-trafficked 
     minors as authorized by Public Law 113-4, with the remaining 
     $2,000,000 for victim services grants for labor-trafficked 
     minors. The Committees encourage DOJ to work in close 
     coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services 
     to facilitate collaboration and reduce duplication of 
     efforts.
       Capital Litigation Improvement and Wrongful Conviction 
     Review Grant programs.--The Committees direct that at least 
     50 percent of the $3,000,000 appropriated to the Capital 
     Litigation Improvement and Wrongful Conviction Review grant 
     programs be used to support entities that represent 
     individuals with post-conviction claims of innocence and 
     provide legal representation; case review, evaluation, and 
     management; experts; and investigation services related to 
     these innocence claims.
       Paul Coverdell Forensic Science.--The alarming 
     proliferation of heroin and synthetic drugs like fentanyl 
     have had a crushing effect on State crime labs, resulting in 
     a significant increase in the backlog. Synthetics in 
     particular take much longer to analyze than traditional drugs 
     and chemicals. Medical examiners and pathologists have also 
     been overwhelmed with the volume of autopsies as a result of 
     heroin and synthetic drug-related overdose deaths. The 
     recommendation provides an additional $17,000,000 for the 
     Coverdell program to specifically target the challenges the 
     opioid epidemic has brought to the forensics community.


                       JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAMS

       This Act includes $282,500,000 for Juvenile Justice 
     programs. These funds are distributed as follows:

                        JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAMS
                        (in thousands of dollars)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Program                              Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part B-State Formula Grants...........................         $60,000
  Emergency Planning--Juvenile Detention Facilities...            (500)
Youth Mentoring Grants................................          94,000
Title V--Delinquency Prevention Incentive Grants......          27,500
  Tribal Youth........................................          (5,000)
  Gang and Youth Violence Education and Prevention....          (4,000)
  Children of Incarcerated Parents Web Portal.........            (500)
  Girls in the Justice System.........................          (2,000)
  Community-Based Violence Prevention Initiatives.....          (8,000)

[[Page H2094]]

 
  Opioid Affected Youth Initiative....................          (8,000)
Victims of Child Abuse Programs.......................          21,000
Missing and Exploited Children Programs...............          76,000
Training for Judicial Personnel.......................           2,000
Improving Juvenile Indigent Defense...................           2,000
                                                       =================
  TOTAL, Juvenile Justice.............................        $282,500
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Reaching Youth Impacted by Opioids.--The recommendation 
     provides an additional $22,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 
     enacted level to support States, local communities, and 
     tribal jurisdictions in their efforts to develop and 
     implement effective programs for children, youth, and at-risk 
     juveniles and their families who have been impacted by the 
     opioid crisis and drug addiction. Within this amount, 
     $8,000,000 is provided for Title V: Delinquency Prevention 
     grants, and $14,000,000 is provided for youth mentoring 
     grants.


                     PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER BENEFITS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       This Act includes $116,800,000 for the Public Safety 
     Officer Benefits program for fiscal year 2018. Within the 
     funds provided, $92,000,000 is for death benefits for 
     survivors, an amount estimated by the Congressional Budget 
     Office that is considered mandatory for scorekeeping 
     purposes. In addition, $24,800,000 is provided for disability 
     benefits for public safety officers permanently and totally 
     disabled as a result of a catastrophic injury and for 
     education benefits for the spouses and children of officers 
     killed in the line of duty or permanently and totally 
     disabled as a result of a catastrophic injury sustained in 
     the line of duty.

                  Community Oriented Policing Services


             COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES PROGRAMS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       This Act includes $275,500,000 for COPS programs, as 
     follows:

              COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES PROGRAMS
                        (in thousands of dollars)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Program                              Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
COPS Hiring Grants....................................        $225,500
  Tribal Resources Grant Program......................         (30,000)
  Community Policing Development/Training and                  (10,000)
   Technical Assistance...............................
  Regional Information Sharing Activities.............         (36,000)
Police Act............................................          10,000
Anti-Methamphetamine Task Forces......................           8,000
Anti-Heroin Task Forces...............................          32,000
                                                       =================
  TOTAL, Community Oriented Policing Services.........        $275,500
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       COPS Hiring.--The Department of Justice is reminded that 
     the COPS Hiring Program may include grant award preference 
     categories for School Resource Officers.
       Peer Mentoring Pilot Programs.--With the recent passage of 
     the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (Public 
     Law 115-113), the Committees note that grant funding to 
     establish peer mentoring mental health and wellness pilot 
     programs within State, local, and tribal law enforcement 
     agencies is now a covered purpose area within the COPS 
     Office.

               General Provisions--Department of Justice


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       This Act includes the following general provisions for the 
     Department of Justice:
       Section 201 makes available additional reception and 
     representation funding for the Attorney General from the 
     amounts provided in this title.
       Section 202 prohibits the use of funds to pay for an 
     abortion, except in the case of rape or incest, or to 
     preserve the life of the mother.
       Section 203 prohibits the use of funds to require any 
     person to perform or facilitate the performance of an 
     abortion.
       Section 204 establishes that the Director of the Bureau of 
     Prisons (BOP) is obliged to provide escort services to an 
     inmate receiving an abortion outside of a Federal facility, 
     except where this obligation conflicts with the preceding 
     section.
       Section 205 establishes requirements and procedures for 
     transfer proposals.
       Section 206 prohibits the use of funds for transporting 
     prisoners classified as maximum or high security, other than 
     to a facility certified by the BOP as appropriately secure.
       Section 207 prohibits the use of funds for the purchase or 
     rental by Federal prisons of audiovisual or electronic media 
     or equipment, services and materials used primarily for 
     recreational purposes, except for those items and services 
     needed for inmate training, religious, or educational 
     purposes.
       Section 208 requires review by the Deputy Attorney General 
     and the Department Investment Review Board prior to the 
     obligation or expenditure of funds for major information 
     technology projects.
       Section 209 requires the Department to follow reprogramming 
     procedures prior to any deviation from the program amounts 
     specified in this title or the reuse of specified deobligated 
     funds provided in previous years.
       Section 210 prohibits the use of funds for A-76 
     competitions for work performed by employees of BOP or 
     Federal Prison Industries, Inc.
       Section 211 prohibits U.S. Attorneys from holding 
     additional responsibilities that exempt U.S. Attorneys from 
     statutory residency requirements.
       Section 212 permits up to 3 percent of grant and 
     reimbursement program funds made available to the Office of 
     Justice Programs to be used for training and technical 
     assistance, and permits up to 2 percent of grant funds made 
     available to that office to be used for criminal justice 
     research, evaluation and statistics by the National Institute 
     of Justice and the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
       Section 213 gives the Attorney General the authority to 
     waive matching requirements for Second Chance Act adult and 
     juvenile reentry demonstration projects; State, Tribal, and 
     local reentry courts; and drug treatment programs.
       Section 214 waives the requirement that the Attorney 
     General reserve certain funds from amounts provided for 
     offender incarceration.
       Section 215 prohibits funds, other than funds for the 
     national instant criminal background check system established 
     under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, from being 
     used to facilitate the transfer of an operable firearm to a 
     known or suspected agent of a drug cartel where law 
     enforcement personnel do not continuously monitor or control 
     such firearm.
       Section 216 places limitations on the obligation of funds 
     from certain Department of Justice accounts and funding 
     sources.
       Section 217 allows certain funding to be made available for 
     use in Performance Partnership Pilots.

                               TITLE III

                                SCIENCE

                Office of Science and Technology Policy

       This Act includes $5,544,000 for the Office of Science and 
     Technology Policy (OSTP). The agreement modifies Senate 
     language regarding Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math 
     (STEM) inclusion training to clarify that this activity shall 
     include OSTP and the Office of Personnel Management and be 
     conducted through a National Science and Technology Council 
     subcommittee.

                         National Space Council

       This Act includes $1,965,000 for the activities of the 
     National Space Council.

             National Aeronautics and Space Administration

       This Act includes $20,736,140,000 for the National 
     Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

[[Page H2095]]



              NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
                        (in thousands of dollars)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Program                              Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Science:
  Earth Science.......................................      $1,921,000
  Planetary Science...................................       2,227,900
  Astrophysics........................................         850,400
  James Webb Space Telescope..........................         533,700
  Heliophysics........................................         688,500
                                                       -----------------
Total, Science........................................       6,221,500
                                                       =================
Aeronautics:..........................................         685,000
                                                       =================
Space Technology:.....................................         760,000
                                                       =================
Human Exploration and Operations:
  Orion Multi-purpose Crew Vehicle....................       1,350,000
  Space Launch System (SLS) Vehicle Development.......       2,150,000
  Exploration Ground Systems..........................         545,000
  Second Mobile Launch Platform.......................         350,000
  Exploration R&D.....................................         395,000
                                                       -----------------
Total, Human Exploration and Operations...............       4,790,000
                                                       =================
Space Operations:.....................................       4,751,500
                                                       =================
Education:
  NASA Space Grant....................................          40,000
  Established Program to Stimulate Competitive                  18,000
   Research...........................................
  Minority University Research and Education Project..          32,000
  STEM Education and Accountability Projects..........          10,000
                                                       -----------------
Total, Education......................................         100,000
                                                       =================
Safety, Security and Mission Services:................       2,826,900
                                                       =================
Construction and Environmental Compliance and                  562,240
 Restoration:.........................................
                                                       =================
Office of Inspector General:..........................          39,000
                                                       =================
Total, NASA...........................................     $20,736,140
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                SCIENCE

       This Act includes $6,221,500,000 for Science. The agreement 
     reiterates the importance of the decadal survey process and 
     rejects the cancellation of scientific priorities recommended 
     by the National Academy of Sciences decadal survey process.
       Earth Science.--This Act includes $1,921,000,000 for Earth 
     Science. This amount includes $147,000,000 for the Plankton, 
     Aerosol, Cloud, and ocean Ecosystem; $17,000,000 for the 
     Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory 
     Pathfinder; $1,700,000 for the Deep Space Climate 
     Observatory; $9,700,000 to launch the Orbiting Carbon 
     Observatory-3; $55,400,000 for the NASA-Indian Space Research 
     Organization Synthetic Aperture Radar Mission (NISAR); and 
     $175,800,000 for LandSat-9. Earlier this year, NASA 
     terminated an Earth Science instrument scheduled to be 
     launched on the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS)-2 
     satellite. NASA is directed to preserve the significant 
     investment made to date when closing out the program and to 
     retain appropriate options to utilize the instrument in the 
     future. Further, NASA shall report to the Congress within 180 
     days of the enactment of this Act on plans to ensure the 
     collection of energy budget data beyond the JPSS-1 Clouds and 
     the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) instrument.
       Planetary Science.--This Act includes $2,227,900,000 for 
     Planetary Science. Of this amount, $595,000,000 is for the 
     Europa mission, including both the Clipper and Lander 
     components. The agreement also provides $66,000,000 for Near 
     Earth Object Observations as directed by the Senate. The 
     agreement provides up to $335,800,000 for Discovery and up to 
     $90,000,000 for New Frontiers. Within amounts currently 
     available in the Planetary program and from funds provided in 
     this Act, no more than $35,000,000 is for the Near-Earth 
     Object Camera (NEOCam) mission to complete a system 
     requirement review and mission design review, and associated 
     follow-up work. Also included is $660,000,000 for Mars with 
     language clarifying House direction to support the Mars 
     Sample return mission and Orbiter, as appropriate. The 
     agreement also provides $23,000,000 for the Mars helicopter 
     technology demonstration activity. The agreement modifies 
     House language regarding an Exoplanet Exploration Decadal 
     Survey to acknowledge that this matter is being explored in a 
     February 2018, National Academy of Sciences call for White 
     Papers: Exoplanet Science Strategy in advance of the upcoming 
     decadal surveys in astronomy, astrophysics, and planetary 
     science.
       Astrophysics.--This Act includes $850,400,000 for 
     Astrophysics. The agreement clarifies House language 
     regarding a competitive, principal investigator-led 
     astrophysics program to direct that this matter be addressed 
     in the upcoming 2020 Astrophysics Decadal Survey. The 
     agreement provides $98,300,000 for the Hubble Space 
     Telescope. The agreement also includes no less than an 
     additional $15,000,000 for exoplanet technology development, 
     including search for life technology development and 
     starshade technology development.
       Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA).--
     The agreement includes $85,200,000 and House language for 
     SOFIA. The agreement further clarifies that NASA shall not 
     undertake any activities during fiscal year 2018 in 
     preparation for any fiscal year 2019 senior review of this 
     program. The agreement notes that SOFIA, which began its 
     prime mission in 2014, has a prime mission lifetime of 20 
     years.
       Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST).--In lieu of 
     House and Senate language regarding WFIRST, the agreement 
     includes $150,000,000 for WFIRST, which is the highest 
     priority of the 2010 Astrophysics Decadal Survey. In October 
     2017, NASA received the findings from the WFIRST Independent 
     External Technical/Management/Cost Review (WIETR), which 
     found in part that the current science management strategy is 
     appropriate and that the Class B risk classification for the 
     WFIRST mission is not consistent with NASA policy for 
     strategically important missions with comparable levels of 
     investment and risk, most if not all of which are class A 
     missions. Accordingly, NASA shall provide to the Committees 
     within 60 days of enactment of this Act a preliminary life 
     cycle cost estimate, including any additions needed to 
     achieve Class A classification, along with a year by year 
     breakout of development costs.
       James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).--This Act includes 
     $533,700,000 for JWST.
       Heliophysics.--This Act includes $688,500,000 for 
     Heliophysics.


                              AERONAUTICS

       This Act includes $685,000,000 for Aeronautics.


                            SPACE TECHNOLOGY

       This Act includes $760,000,000 for Space Technology. Within 
     this amount, $130,000,000 is for RESTORE; $75,000,000 is for 
     nuclear thermal propulsion activities; up to $20,000,000 is 
     for the Flight Opportunities Program; and no less than 
     $25,000,000 is for additive manufacturing research.

[[Page H2096]]

       Innovative nanomaterials.--The agreement provides 
     $5,000,000 to address challenges associated with large-scale 
     production of advanced nanomaterials for use in NASA 
     missions.


                              EXPLORATION

       Exploration.--This Act includes $4,790,000,000 for 
     Exploration. The agreement clarifies that funding for 
     additive manufacturing is included within the Space 
     Technology program. The agreement retains the Senate language 
     regarding a habitat development program office and directs 
     NASA to provide, as part of its operating plan submission, a 
     financial plan that breaks out funding and activity 
     responsibilities for the office across the agency. The bill 
     provides an additional $350,000,000 for launch capabilities 
     and infrastructure associated with constructing a second 
     mobile launch platform, as recommended by the Aerospace 
     Safety Advisory Panel, which will enable an acceleration in 
     the launch schedule for Exploration Mission-2. The funds also 
     will allow flexibility for future NASA and other Federal 
     agency missions that will require heavy-lift capabilities 
     beyond those of current launch vehicles as well as enable a 
     sustainable Space Launch System (SLS) launch cadence. The 
     agreement also provides $395,000,000 for the Human Research 
     Program and Advanced Exploration Systems, including no less 
     than the current operating level for these programs.


                            SPACE OPERATIONS

       Space Operations.--This Act provides $4,751,500,000 for 
     Space Operations. The agreement maintains the fiscal year 
     2017 levels for the 21st Century Space Launch Complex program 
     within this account as directed by the House. The agreement 
     adopts the Senate funding recommendation for and language 
     regarding Venture Class Launch Services.


                               EDUCATION

       This Act includes $100,000,000 for Education, including 
     $18,000,000 for the Established Program to Stimulate 
     Competitive Research; $40,000,000 for Space Grant; 
     $32,000,000 for the Minority University Research and 
     Education Project; and $10,000,000 for STEM Education and 
     Accountability Projects. The agreement adopts Senate language 
     regarding future placement of this program and direction 
     regarding administrative costs.


                 SAFETY, SECURITY AND MISSION SERVICES

       This Act includes $2,826,900,000 for Safety, Security and 
     Mission Services. The agreement modifies House language 
     regarding submission of reports from NASA pursuant to 
     National Academy of Public Administration, the GAO, and the 
     NASA Inspector General reviews of NASA security compliance 
     protocols and foreign national access management and directs 
     that these reports be provided yearly.


       CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND RESTORATION

       This Act includes $562,240,000 for Construction and 
     Environmental Compliance and Restoration. Funds provided 
     above the request are to address maintenance and repair 
     backlogs.


                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

       This Act includes $39,000,000 for the Office of Inspector 
     General.


                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       This Act includes the following administrative provisions 
     for NASA: a provision that makes funds for announced prizes 
     available without fiscal year limitation until the prize is 
     claimed or the offer is withdrawn; a provision that 
     establishes terms and conditions for the transfer of funds; 
     and a provision that subjects the NASA spending plan and 
     specified changes to that spending plan to reprogramming 
     procedures under section 505 of this Act.

                      National Science Foundation

       This Act includes $7,767,356,000 for the National Science 
     Foundation (NSF). This strong investment in basic research 
     reflects the Congress' growing concern that China and other 
     competitors are outpacing the United States in terms of 
     research spending, as noted in the 2018 Science and 
     Engineering Indicators report of the National Science Board.


                    RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES

       This Act includes $6,334,476,000 for Research and Related 
     Activities. The agreement includes $170,690,000 for the 
     Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research as 
     recommended by the House and includes Senate language 
     regarding efficiencies. The agreement clarifies House 
     language to provide $1,800,000, as requested in this account, 
     for the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernization for Science 
     program. The agreement reiterates House and Senate language 
     regarding support for existing NSF research infrastructure, 
     including land and sea-based assets.
       Hurricane-damaged research facilities.--Public Law 115-119 
     provided $16,300,000 to repair NSF facilities damaged by 
     hurricanes in 2017. NSF shall complete all such related 
     repairs as expeditiously as possible.
       Divestment activities.--It is noted that NSF is working 
     with a variety of academic, private sector, and other 
     government agencies with respect to the future operation of 
     some of its observatories. NSF shall continue to keep the 
     Committees informed regarding the status of these activities. 
     Any proposal by NSF to divest the Foundation of these 
     facilities shall be proposed as part of any future NSF budget 
     request and is subject to NSF administrative provisions 
     included in this Act.
       Marine seismic research.--The agreement reiterates the 
     importance of ensuring that NSF-funded marine research 
     vessels with unique seismic capabilities remain available to 
     the academic marine geology and geophysics community to 
     support a variety of important undersea research efforts.


          MAJOR RESEARCH EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION

       This Act includes $182,800,000 for Major Research Equipment 
     and Facilities Construction. Within this amount, $105,000,000 
     is for continuing construction of three Regional Class 
     Research Vessels; $20,000,000 is for the Daniel K. Inouye 
     Solar Telescope; and $57,800,000 is for the Large Synoptic 
     Survey Telescope.


                     EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES

       This Act includes $902,000,000 for Education and Human 
     Resources, including $62,500,000 for Advancing Informal STEM 
     Learning; $55,000,000 for CyberCorps: Scholarships for 
     Service, including no less than $7,500,000 for qualified 
     community colleges as directed by the Senate; $35,000,000 for 
     the Historically Black Colleges and Universities 
     Undergraduate Program; $46,000,000 for the Louis Stokes 
     Alliance for Minority Participation; $64,500,000 for the 
     Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program; $51,880,000 for 
     Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math + Computing 
     Partnerships (STEM+C); and $14,000,000 for the Tribal 
     Colleges and Universities Program.
       Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).--The agreement 
     provides $30,000,000 for the HSI program authorized by 
     section 7033 of the America COMPETES Act (Public Law 110-69). 
     NSF is directed to continue to use this program to build 
     capacity at institutions of higher education that typically 
     do not receive high levels of NSF funding.


                 AGENCY OPERATIONS AND AWARD MANAGEMENT

       This Act includes $328,510,000 for Agency Operations and 
     Award Management.


                  OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD

       This Act includes $4,370,000 for the National Science 
     Board.


                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

       This Act includes $15,200,000 for the Office of Inspector 
     General.


                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       This Act includes a provision that describes terms and 
     conditions for the transfer of funds and a provision 
     requiring notification at least 30 days in advance of the 
     acquisition or disposal of any capital asset.

                                TITLE IV

                            RELATED AGENCIES

                       Commission on Civil Rights


                         salaries and expenses

       This Act includes $9,700,000 for the Commission on Civil 
     Rights. An additional $500,000 is provided for the Commission 
     to execute its mission, including activities in the field. 
     This additional funding shall not be used for administrative 
     costs. The Commission is reminded of direction in the Senate 
     report instructing all agencies to reduce operating expenses.

                Equal Employment Opportunity Commission


                         salaries and expenses

       This Act includes $379,500,000 for the Equal Employment 
     Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Up to $29,500,000 shall be for 
     payments to State and local enforcement agencies to ensure 
     that the EEOC provides adequate resources to its State and 
     local partners. The agreement provides an increase of 
     $15,000,000 to address the increased workload associated with 
     sexual harassment claims.

                     International Trade Commission


                         salaries and expenses

       This Act includes $93,700,000 for the International Trade 
     Commission.

                       Legal Services Corporation


               payment to the legal services corporation

       This Act includes $410,000,000 for the Legal Services 
     Corporation.

                        Marine Mammal Commission


                         salaries and expenses

       This Act includes $3,431,000 for the Marine Mammal 
     Commission.

            Office of the United States Trade Representative

       This Act includes a total of $72,600,000 for the Office of 
     the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).


                         salaries and expenses

       This Act includes $57,600,000 for the salaries and expenses 
     of USTR.


                      trade enforcement trust fund

                     (including transfer of funds)

       This Act includes $15,000,000, which is to be derived from 
     the Trade Enforcement Trust Fund, for trade enforcement 
     activities authorized by the Trade Facilitation and Trade 
     Enforcement Act of 2015.

                        State Justice Institute


                         salaries and expenses

       This Act includes $5,121,000 for the State Justice 
     Institute.

[[Page H2097]]

  


                                TITLE V

                           GENERAL PROVISIONS


                        (including rescissions)

                     (including transfer of funds)

       This Act includes the following general provisions:
       Section 501 prohibits the use of funds for publicity or 
     propaganda purposes unless expressly authorized by law.
       Section 502 prohibits any appropriation contained in this 
     Act from remaining available for obligation beyond the 
     current fiscal year unless expressly provided.
       Section 503 provides that the expenditure of any 
     appropriation contained in this Act for any consulting 
     service through procurement contracts shall be limited to 
     those contracts where such expenditures are a matter of 
     public record and available for public inspection, except 
     where otherwise provided under existing law or existing 
     Executive order issued pursuant to existing law.
       Section 504 provides that if any provision of this Act or 
     the application of such provision to any person or 
     circumstance shall be held invalid, the remainder of this Act 
     and the application of other provisions shall not be 
     affected.
       Section 505 prohibits a reprogramming of funds that: (1) 
     creates or initiates a new program, project or activity; (2) 
     eliminates a program, project, or activity; (3) increases 
     funds or personnel by any means for any project or activity 
     for which funds have been denied or restricted; (4) relocates 
     an office or employee; (5) reorganizes or renames offices, 
     programs or activities; (6) contracts out or privatizes any 
     function or activity presently performed by Federal 
     employees; (7) augments funds for existing programs, projects 
     or activities in excess of $500,000 or 10 percent, whichever 
     is less, or reduces by 10 percent funding for any existing 
     program, project, or activity, or numbers of personnel by 10 
     percent; or (8) results from any general savings, including 
     savings from a reduction in personnel, which would result in 
     a change in existing programs, projects, or activities as 
     approved by Congress; unless the House and Senate Committees 
     on Appropriations are notified 15 days in advance of such 
     reprogramming of funds.
       Section 506 provides that if it is determined that any 
     person intentionally affixes a ``Made in America'' label to 
     any product that was not made in America that person shall 
     not be eligible to receive any contract or subcontract with 
     funds made available in this Act. The section further 
     provides that to the extent practicable, with respect to 
     purchases of promotional items, funds made available under 
     this Act shall be used to purchase items manufactured, 
     produced, or assembled in the United States or its 
     territories or possessions.
       Section 507 requires quarterly reporting to Congress on the 
     status of balances of appropriations.
       Section 508 provides that any costs incurred by a 
     department or agency funded under this Act resulting from, or 
     to prevent, personnel actions taken in response to funding 
     reductions in this Act, or, for the Department of Commerce, 
     from actions taken for the care and protection of loan 
     collateral or grant property, shall be absorbed within the 
     budgetary resources available to the department or agency, 
     and provides transfer authority between appropriation 
     accounts to carry out this provision, subject to 
     reprogramming procedures.
       Section 509 prohibits funds made available in this Act from 
     being used to promote the sale or export of tobacco or 
     tobacco products or to seek the reduction or removal of 
     foreign restrictions on the marketing of tobacco products, 
     except for restrictions which are not applied equally to all 
     tobacco or tobacco products of the same type. This provision 
     is not intended to impact routine international trade 
     services to all U.S. citizens, including the processing of 
     applications to establish foreign trade zones.
       Section 510 stipulates the obligations of certain receipts 
     deposited into the Crime Victims Fund.
       Section 511 prohibits the use of Department of Justice 
     funds for programs that discriminate against or denigrate the 
     religious or moral beliefs of students participating in such 
     programs.
       Section 512 prohibits the transfer of funds in this Act to 
     any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United 
     States Government, except for transfers made by, or pursuant 
     to authorities provided in, this Act or any other 
     appropriations Act.
       Section 513 requires certain timetables of audits performed 
     by Inspectors General of the Departments of Commerce and 
     Justice, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 
     the National Science Foundation and the Legal Services 
     Corporation and sets limits and restrictions on the awarding 
     and use of grants or contracts funded by amounts appropriated 
     by this Act.
       Section 514 prohibits funds for acquisition of certain 
     information systems unless the acquiring department or agency 
     has reviewed and assessed certain risks. Any acquisition of 
     such an information system is contingent upon the development 
     of a risk mitigation strategy and a determination that the 
     acquisition is in the national interest. Each department or 
     agency covered under section 514 shall submit a quarterly 
     report to the Committees on Appropriations describing reviews 
     and assessments of risk made pursuant to this section and any 
     associated findings or determinations.
       Section 515 prohibits the use of funds in this Act to 
     support or justify the use of torture by any official or 
     contract employee of the United States Government.
       Section 516 prohibits the use of funds in this Act to 
     require certain export licenses.
       Section 517 prohibits the use of funds in this Act to deny 
     certain import applications regarding ``curios or relics''' 
     firearms, parts, or ammunition.
       Section 518 prohibits the use of funds to include certain 
     language in trade agreements.
       Section 519 prohibits the use of funds in this Act to 
     authorize or issue a National Security Letter (NSL) in 
     contravention of certain laws authorizing the Federal Bureau 
     of Investigation to issue NSLs.
       Section 520 requires congressional notification for any 
     project within the Departments of Commerce or Justice, the 
     National Science Foundation, or the National Aeronautics and 
     Space Administration totaling more than $75,000,000 that has 
     cost increases of 10 percent or more.
       Section 521 deems funds for intelligence or intelligence-
     related activities as authorized by the Congress until the 
     enactment of the Intelligence Authorization Act for fiscal 
     year 2018.
       Section 522 prohibits contracts or grant awards in excess 
     of $5,000,000 unless the prospective contractor or grantee 
     certifies that the organization has filed all Federal tax 
     returns, has not been convicted of a criminal offense under 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and has no unpaid Federal 
     tax assessment.


                             (rescissions)

       Section 523 provides for rescissions of unobligated 
     balances. Subsection (c) requires the Departments of Commerce 
     and Justice to submit a report on the amount of each 
     rescission. These reports shall include the distribution of 
     such rescissions among decision units, or, in the case of 
     rescissions from grant accounts, the distribution of such 
     rescissions among specific grant programs, and whether such 
     rescissions were taken from recoveries and deobligations, or 
     from funds that were never obligated. Rescissions shall be 
     applied to discretionary budget authority balances that were 
     not appropriated with emergency or disaster relief 
     designations.
       Section 524 prohibits the use of funds in this Act for the 
     purchase of first class or premium air travel in 
     contravention of the Code of Federal Regulations.
       Section 525 prohibits the use of funds to pay for the 
     attendance of more than 50 department or agency employees, 
     who are stationed in the United States, at any single 
     conference outside the United States, unless the conference 
     is a law enforcement training or operational event where the 
     majority of Federal attendees are law enforcement personnel 
     stationed outside the United States.
       Section 526 includes language regarding detainees held at 
     Guantanamo Bay.
       Section 527 includes language regarding facilities for 
     housing detainees held at Guantanamo Bay.
       Section 528 requires any department, agency, or 
     instrumentality of the United States Government receiving 
     funds appropriated under this Act to track and report on 
     undisbursed balances in expired grant accounts.
       Section 529 prohibits the use of funds by the National 
     Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) or the Office of 
     Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to engage in bilateral 
     activities with China or a Chinese-owned company or 
     effectuate the hosting of official Chinese visitors at 
     certain facilities unless the activities are authorized by 
     subsequent legislation or NASA or OSTP have made a 
     certification pursuant to subsections (c) and (d) of this 
     section.
       Section 530 prohibits funds from being used to deny the 
     importation of shotgun models if no application for the 
     importation of such models, in the same configuration, had 
     been denied prior to January 1, 2011, on the basis that the 
     shotgun was not particularly suitable for or readily 
     adaptable to sporting purposes.
       Section 531 prohibits the use of funds to establish or 
     maintain a computer network that does not block pornography, 
     except for law enforcement and victim assistance purposes.
       Section 532 requires the departments and agencies funded in 
     this Act to submit spending plans.
       Section 533 prohibits the use of funds to implement the 
     Arms Trade Treaty until the Senate approves a resolution of 
     ratification for the Treaty.
       Section 534 requires quarterly reports from the Department 
     of Commerce, the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration, and the National Science Foundation of travel 
     to China.
       Section 535 requires 10 percent of the funds for certain 
     programs be allocated for assistance in persistent poverty 
     counties.
       Section 536 prohibits funds 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 prohibits the use of funds by the Department of 
     Justice or the Drug Enforcement Administration in 
     contravention of a certain section of the Agricultural Act of 
     2014.
       Section 538 prohibits the Department of Justice from 
     preventing certain States from implementing State laws 
     regarding the use of medical marijuana.
       Section 539 expands a program for monitoring seafood.
       Section 540 relates to the Keep Young Athletes Safe Act of 
     2018, which accompanies the

[[Page H2098]]

     agreement. Funding of $2,500,000 is provided within Office of 
     Justice Programs (OJP) for fiscal year 2018 by this section. 
     OJP shall make a competitive grant award to a non-profit 
     organization to safeguard young athletes against abuse, 
     including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, in sports.

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       DIVISION C--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2018

       The following is an explanation of the effects of this Act, 
     which makes appropriations for the Department of Defense for 
     fiscal year 2018. The joint explanatory statement 
     accompanying this division is approved and indicates 
     congressional intent. Unless otherwise noted, the language 
     set forth in House Report 115-219 warrants full compliance 
     and carries the same weight as language included in this 
     joint explanatory statement unless specifically addressed to 
     the contrary in the bill or this joint explanatory statement. 
     While some language is repeated for emphasis, this 
     explanatory statement does not intend to negate the language 
     referred to above unless expressly provided herein.


              definition of program, project, and activity

       For the purposes of the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
     Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-177), as amended 
     by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control 
     Reaffirmation Act of 1987 (Public Law 100-119), and by the 
     Budget Enforcement Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-508), the 
     terms ``program, project, and activity'' for appropriations 
     contained in this Act shall be defined as the most specific 
     level of budget items identified in the Department of Defense 
     Appropriations Act, 2018, the related classified annexes and 
     explanatory statements, and the P-1 and R-1 budget 
     justification documents as subsequently modified by 
     congressional action.
       The following exception to the above definition shall 
     apply: the military personnel and the operation and 
     maintenance accounts, for which the term ``program, project, 
     and activity'' is defined as the appropriations accounts 
     contained in the Department of Defense Appropriations Act.
       At the time the President submits the budget request for 
     fiscal year 2019, the Secretary of Defense is directed to 
     transmit to the congressional defense committees budget 
     justification documents to be known as the ``M-1'' and the 
     ``O-1'' which shall identify, at the budget activity, 
     activity group, and sub-activity group level, the amounts 
     requested by the President to be appropriated to the 
     Department of Defense for military personnel and operation 
     and maintenance in any budget request, or amended budget 
     request, for fiscal year 2019.


                         reprogramming guidance

       The Secretary of Defense is directed to continue to follow 
     the reprogramming guidance for acquisition accounts as 
     specified in the report accompanying the House version of the 
     Department of Defense Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 
     2008 (House Report 110-279). The dollar threshold for 
     reprogramming funds shall be $10,000,000 for military 
     personnel; $20,000,000 for operation and maintenance; 
     $20,000,000 for procurement; and $10,000,000 for research, 
     development, test and evaluation.
       Also, the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) is 
     directed to continue to provide the congressional defense 
     committees annual DD Form 1416 reports for titles I and II 
     and quarterly, spreadsheet-based DD Form 1416 reports for 
     Service and defense-wide accounts in titles III and IV of 
     this Act. Reports for titles III and IV shall comply with 
     guidance specified in the explanatory statement accompanying 
     the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2006. The 
     Department shall continue to follow the limitation that prior 
     approval reprogrammings are set at either the specified 
     dollar threshold or 20 percent of the procurement or 
     research, development, test and evaluation line, whichever is 
     less. These thresholds are cumulative from the base for 
     reprogramming value as modified by any adjustments. 
     Therefore, if the combined value of transfers into or out of 
     a military personnel (M-1), an operation and maintenance (O-
     1), a procurement (P-1), or a research, development, test and 
     evaluation (R-1) line exceeds the identified threshold, the 
     Secretary of Defense must submit a prior approval 
     reprogramming to the congressional defense committees. In 
     addition, guidelines on the application of prior approval 
     reprogramming procedures for congressional special interest 
     items are established elsewhere in this statement.


                           funding increases

       The funding increases outlined in the tables for each 
     appropriation account shall be provided only for the specific 
     purposes indicated in the tables.


                  congressional special interest items

       Items for which additional funds have been provided or 
     items for which funding is specifically reduced as shown in 
     the project level tables or in paragraphs using the phrase 
     ``only for'' or ``only to'' are congressional special 
     interest items for the purpose of the Base for Reprogramming 
     (DD Form 1414). Each of these items must be carried on the DD 
     Form 1414 at the stated amount, as specifically addressed in 
     the explanatory statement.


                            CLASSIFIED ANNEX

       Adjustments to classified programs are addressed in the 
     accompanying classified annex.


                  SERVICE UNFUNDED REQUIREMENTS LISTS

       The House and Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittees 
     recognize that each military Service submits an annual 
     unfunded requirements list to the congressional defense 
     committees that provides insight into requirements that may 
     have been excluded from the budget request due to budgetary 
     constraints. However, the lists are often divided into 
     various categories of items, thereby obscuring the true 
     prioritization of the requests. The Chiefs of Staff of the 
     Army and the Air Force, the Chief of Naval Operations, and 
     the Commandant of the Marine Corps are directed to provide 
     their individual Service unfunded requirements in 
     consolidated priority lists for future budget submissions.


                      RAPID ACQUISITION AUTHORITY

       The Secretary of Defense or his designee, in conjunction 
     with the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), is 
     directed to provide to the congressional defense committees, 
     not later than 5 days following notification of the 
     Secretary's intent to execute or previous application of 
     Rapid Acquisition Authority (RAA), the following: the 
     documented requirement intended to be addressed by use of 
     RAA; the Service or defense agency charged with implementing 
     the material solution identified; the identification of funds 
     affected by the use of RAA by appropriations account, line, 
     and/or program element, to include outyear funding 
     requirements by fiscal year; an explanation as to why source 
     funds are available to fund this higher priority item; and 
     details of, and justification for, the contract type or other 
     transaction authority being utilized.
       In addition, the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) 
     is directed to provide to the congressional defense 
     committees a complete accounting of the use of RAA by fiscal 
     year not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal 
     year. The Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) is further 
     directed to provide guidance to the Services and defense 
     agencies to appropriately identify previously received RAA 
     funds and items funded in budget exhibits and briefings 
     provided to the congressional defense committees in support 
     of Department of Defense budget requests and, where 
     appropriate, to update the Financial Management Regulation to 
     that effect. Finally, it is noted that funds for RAA 
     initiatives often are executed in place within the program 
     identified as the funding source regardless of the original 
     purpose for which funds were appropriated or the urgent 
     requirement being addressed, and without any apportionment 
     documents being generated. The Under Secretary of Defense 
     (Comptroller) is directed to provide a briefing on the impact 
     of RAA funding mechanisms on Financial Improvement and Audit 
     Readiness efforts to the congressional defense committees not 
     later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act.


     BUDGETING FOR THE JOINT IMPROVISED-THREAT DEFEAT ORGANIZATION

       The fiscal year 2018 budget request includes $14,442,000 in 
     base appropriations and $483,058,000 in overseas contingency 
     operations appropriations for the Joint Improvised-Threat 
     Defeat Organization (JIDO) in the Joint Improvised-Threat 
     Defeat Fund (JITDF). In addition, the fiscal year 2018 budget 
     request includes $97,788,000 in the Operation and 
     Maintenance, Defense-Wide base appropriation for the JIDO, 
     reflecting the transition of the activities, functions, and 
     resources of the Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Agency (JIDA) 
     to the JIDO under the authority, direction, and control of 
     the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, as directed by Congress 
     and implemented as of September 30, 2016.
       The agreement includes no funds in base or overseas 
     contingency operations appropriations in the JITDF. Instead, 
     funding for the JIDO is recommended in the Operation and 
     Maintenance, Defense-Wide; Procurement, Defense-Wide; and 
     Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Defense-Wide 
     overseas contingency operations appropriations accounts only 
     for the purpose of allowing the Director of JIDO to 
     investigate, develop, and provide equipment, supplies, 
     services, training, facilities, personnel, and funds to 
     assist United States forces in the defeat of improvised 
     explosive devices in accordance with JIDO's fiscal year 2018 
     budget execution plans, as subsequently adjusted.
       The Director, Office of Management and Budget, Under 
     Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), and Director, Cost 
     Assessment and Program Evaluation are directed to assist the 
     Director, Defense Threat Reduction Agency and Director, JIDO 
     to ensure a seamless transition of funding for JIDO from the 
     JITDF to regular appropriation accounts in fiscal year 2018 
     without negatively impacting the mission of JIDO. Funds still 
     available in the JITDF and its predecessor account, the Joint 
     Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund (JIEDDF) remain 
     available for execution consistent with prior year guidance. 
     It is expected that the JITDF and JIEDDF will be terminated 
     once those balances liquidate or expire, whichever comes 
     first.


                         CYBERSPACE ACTIVITIES

       The Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), the 
     Department of Defense Chief Information Officer, and the 
     Service Secretaries are directed, with the fiscal year 2020 
     budget submission, to initiate the establishment of 
     individual cyberspace activity projects for research, 
     development, test and evaluation accounts; individual 
     cyberspace activity sub-activity groups for operation and 
     maintenance accounts; and individual budget line items for 
     procurement accounts. Funds that cross capability lines and 
     are more appropriately documented within non-cyberspace 
     activity projects, sub-activity groups, and line items may 
     continue to be reported as such, but should include specific

[[Page H2117]]

     cyber language and resource amounts within the appropriate 
     non-cyberspace operation and maintenance; procurement; and 
     research, development, test and evaluation budget 
     justification material and shall be referenced in any 
     cyberspace justification materials. Such inclusion of cyber 
     activities in non-cyber projects, sub-activity groups, and 
     line items shall be carried out in the most limited manner as 
     possible to meet congressional intent.
       Funding appropriated for cyberspace activities as defined 
     by the classified cyberspace activities information 
     technology investment budget request for fiscal year 2018 may 
     only be used for such activities. The Secretary of Defense is 
     directed to use normal prior approval reprogramming 
     procedures to obligate funding appropriated to the operation 
     and maintenance; procurement; or research, development, test 
     and evaluation accounts for cyberspace activities for any 
     other purpose. The Chief Information Officer is directed to 
     submit to the House and Senate Defense Appropriations 
     Subcommittees two reports not later than May 30, 2018, and 
     November 30, 2018, that provide the mid-year and end of 
     fiscal year financial obligation and execution data for 
     cyberspace activities for the previous and current fiscal 
     years.

                      TITLE I--MILITARY PERSONNEL

       The agreement provides $133,367,397,000 in Title I, 
     Military Personnel, as follows:

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                                   SUMMARY OF MILITARY PERSONNEL END STRENGTH
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          Fiscal year 2018
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                        Change
                                                    Fiscal year    Budget                   Change       from
                                                        2017       Request    Final Bill     from       fiscal
                                                     authorized                             request    year 2017
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active Forces (End Strength)
    Army..........................................      476,000     476,000      483,500       7,500       7,500
    Navy..........................................      323,900     327,900      327,900       - - -       4,000
    Marine Corps..................................      185,000     185,000      186,000       1,000       1,000
    Air Force.....................................      321,000     325,100      325,100       - - -       4,100
        Total, Active Forces......................    1,305,900   1,314,000    1,322,500       8,500      16,600
Guard and Reserve Forces (End Strength)
    Army Reserve..................................      199,000     199,000      199,500         500         500
    Navy Reserve..................................       58,000      59,000       59,000       - - -       1,000
    Marine Corps Reserve..........................       38,500      38,500       38,500       - - -       - - -
    Air Force Reserve.............................       69,000      69,800       69,800       - - -         800
    Army National Guard...........................      343,000     343,000      343,500         500         500
    Air National Guard............................      105,700     106,600      106,600       - - -         900
        Total, Selected Reserve...................      813,200     815,900      816,900       1,000       3,700
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
        Total, Military Personnel.................    2,119,100   2,129,900    2,139,400       9,500      20,300
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                 SUMMARY OF GUARD AND RESERVE FULL-TIME STRENGTH
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          Fiscal year 2018
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                        Change
                                                    Fiscal year    Budget                   Change       from
                                                        2017       Request    Final Bill     from       fiscal
                                                     authorized                             request    year 2017
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active Guard and Reserve:
    Army Reserve..................................       16,261      16,261       16,261       - - -       - - -
    Navy Reserve..................................        9,955      10,101       10,101       - - -         146
    Marine Corps Reserve..........................        2,261       2,261        2,261       - - -       - - -
    Air Force Reserve.............................        2,955       3,588        3,588       - - -         633
    Army National Guard...........................       30,155      30,155       30,155       - - -       - - -
    Air National Guard............................       14,764      16,260       16,260       - - -       1,496
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
        Total, Full-Time Support..................       76,351      78,626       78,626       - - -       2,275
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      MILITARY PERSONNEL OVERVIEW

       The agreement provides the resources required for an 
     additional 8,500 active forces and 1,000 selected reserve 
     forces, as authorized by current law and above the requested 
     end strength levels, in order to meet operational needs for 
     fiscal year 2018. The agreement also provides the funding 
     necessary to support a 2.4 percent pay raise for all military 
     personnel, as authorized, effective January 1, 2018.


         REPROGRAMMING GUIDANCE FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL ACCOUNTS

       The Secretary of Defense is directed to submit the Base for 
     Reprogramming (DD Form 1414) for each of the fiscal year 2018 
     appropriations accounts not later than 60 days after the 
     enactment of this Act.-- The Secretary of Defense is 
     prohibited from executing any reprogramming or transfer of 
     funds for any purpose other than originally appropriated 
     until the aforementioned report is submitted to the House and 
     Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittees.
       The Secretary of Defense is directed to use the normal 
     prior approval reprogramming procedures to transfer funds in 
     the Services' military personnel accounts between budget 
     activities in excess of $10,000,000.


               MILITARY PERSONNEL SPECIAL INTEREST ITEMS

       Items for which additional funds have been provided or have 
     been specifically reduced as shown in the project level 
     tables or in paragraphs using the phrase ``only for'' or 
     ``only to'' in the explanatory statement are congressional 
     special interest items for the purpose of the Base for 
     Reprogramming (DD Form 1414). Each of these items must be 
     carried on the DD Form 1414 at the stated amount as 
     specifically addressed in the explanatory statement. Below 
     Threshold Reprogrammings may not be used to either restore or 
     reduce funding from congressional special interest items as 
     identified on the DD Form 1414.

                        MILITARY PERSONNEL, ARMY

       The agreement provides $41,628,855,000 for Military 
     Personnel, Army, as follows:

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                        MILITARY PERSONNEL, NAVY

       The agreement provides $28,772,118,000 for Military 
     Personnel, Navy, as follows:

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                    MILITARY PERSONNEL, MARINE CORPS

       The agreement provides $13,231,114,000 for Military 
     Personnel, Marine Corps, as follows:

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                     MILITARY PERSONNEL, AIR FORCE

       The agreement provides $28,790,440,000 for Military 
     Personnel, Air Force, as follows:

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                        RESERVE PERSONNEL, ARMY

       The agreement provides $4,715,608,000 for Reserve 
     Personnel, Army, as follows:

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                        RESERVE PERSONNEL, NAVY

       The agreement provides $1,988,362,000 for Reserve 
     Personnel, Navy, as follows:

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                    RESERVE PERSONNEL, MARINE CORPS

       The agreement provides $764,903,000 for Reserve Personnel, 
     Marine Corps, as follows:

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                      RESERVE PERSONNEL, AIR FORCE

       The agreement provides $1,802,554,000 for Reserve 
     Personnel, Air Force, as follows:

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                     NATIONAL GUARD PERSONNEL, ARMY

       The agreement provides $8,264,626,000 for National Guard 
     Personnel, Army, as follows:

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                  NATIONAL GUARD PERSONNEL, AIR FORCE

       The agreement provides $3,408,817,000 for National Guard 
     Personnel, Air Force, as follows:

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                  TITLE II--OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

       The agreement provides $188,245,583,000 in Title II, 
     Operation and Maintenance, as follows:

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     REPROGRAMMING GUIDANCE FOR OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE ACCOUNTS

       The Secretary of Defense is directed to submit the Base for 
     Reprogramming (DD Form 1414) for each of the fiscal year 2018 
     appropriation accounts not later than 60 days after the 
     enactment of this Act. The Secretary of Defense is prohibited 
     from executing any reprogramming or transfer of funds for any 
     purpose other than originally appropriated until the 
     aforementioned report is submitted to the House and Senate 
     Defense Appropriations Subcommittees.
       The Secretary of Defense is directed to use the normal 
     prior approval reprogramming procedures to transfer funds in 
     the Services' operation and maintenance accounts between O-1 
     budget activities, or between sub-activity groups in the case 
     of Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide, in excess of 
     $20,000,000.
       The agreement establishes new reprogramming rules for 
     transferring funding out of readiness sub-activity groups, 
     which are defined as follows:
       Army:
       Maneuver units
       Modular support brigades
       Aviation assets
       Land forces operations support
       Force readiness operations support
       Land forces depot maintenance
       Base operations support
       Facilities sustainment, restoration, and modernization
       Specialized skill training
       Navy:
       Mission and other flight operations
       Fleet air training
       Aircraft depot maintenance
       Mission and other ship operations
       Ship depot maintenance
       Facilities sustainment, restoration, and modernization
       Marine Corps:
       Operational forces
       Field logistics
       Depot maintenance
       Facilities sustainment, restoration, and modernization
       Air Force:
       Primary combat forces
       Combat enhancement forces
       Depot maintenance
       Facilities sustainment, restoration, and modernization
       Contractor logistics support and system support
       Flying hour program
       Air Force Reserve:
       Depot maintenance
       Air National Guard:
       Depot maintenance
       During fiscal year 2018, the Service Secretaries are 
     directed to submit written notification to the congressional 
     defense committees not later than 30 days prior to 
     implementing transfers in excess of $20,000,000 out of any 
     readiness sub-activity if the funds will be transferred into 
     another readiness sub-activity. However, if funding is 
     transferred out of any readiness sub-activity into a non-
     readiness sub-activity, the Secretary of Defense is directed 
     to use normal prior approval reprogramming procedures.
       The Service Secretaries are further directed to include an 
     enclosure with each written notification that includes 
     increases and decreases by sub-activity group, a detailed 
     justification explaining why the sources of funding are 
     available and why the increases are necessary, and an 
     explanation of the impact on resources included in the fiscal 
     year 2019 budget request for each increase and decrease. All 
     transfers may be implemented 30 days after congressional 
     notification unless an objection is received from one of the 
     congressional defense committees.
       Additionally, the Secretary of Defense is directed to use 
     normal prior approval reprogramming procedures when 
     implementing transfers in excess of $20,000,000 into the 
     following budget sub-activities:
       Operation and Maintenance, Army:
       Other personnel support/recruiting and advertising
       Operation and Maintenance, Army National Guard:
       Other personnel support/recruiting and advertising
       This language replaces the language included under the 
     heading ``Reprogramming Guidance for Operation and 
     Maintenance Accounts'' in House Report 115-219.


            OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE SPECIAL INTEREST ITEMS

       Items for which additional funds have been provided or have 
     been specifically reduced as shown in the project level 
     tables or in paragraphs using the phrase ``only for'' or 
     ``only to'' in the explanatory statement are congressional 
     special interest items for the purpose of the Base for 
     Reprogramming (DD Form 1414). Each of these items must be 
     carried on the DD Form 1414 at the stated amount as 
     specifically addressed in the explanatory statement. Below 
     Threshold Reprogrammings may not be used to either restore or 
     reduce funding from congressional special interest items as 
     identified on the DD Form 1414.


                          RESTORING READINESS

       The agreement provides additional readiness funds for the 
     Services within the operation and maintenance accounts. This 
     funding shall be used only to improve military readiness, 
     including increased training, depot maintenance, and base 
     operations support. None of the funding provided may be used 
     for recruiting, marketing, or advertising programs. The 
     readiness funding provided is a congressional special 
     interest item. The Secretary of Defense and the Service 
     Secretaries are directed to submit a detailed spend plan by 
     sub-activity group to the House and Senate Defense 
     Appropriations Subcommittees not less than 30 days prior to 
     the obligation of these funds. These transfers may be 
     implemented 30 days after congressional notification unless 
     an objection is received from either the House or Senate 
     Defense Appropriations Subcommittees.


                 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE FLEXIBILITY

       The agreement includes two adjustments for fiscal year 2018 
     to provide more flexibility of funding within the operation 
     and maintenance accounts of this bill. The changes apply to 
     fiscal year 2018 only and address the concerns expressed by 
     senior leadership of the Department of Defense to be able to 
     expend readiness funding within the confines of existing 
     controls, while still ensuring accountability of the 
     disbursement of taxpayer funds. These adjustments are 
     necessary due to the delay of the final passage of this 
     year's appropriation bill, combined with the large funding 
     increase made possible by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, 
     which provides a stable top-line level of funding for fiscal 
     years 2018 and 2019.
       The first adjustment for flexibility is to Section 8004, 
     which restricts obligations in the last two months of the 
     fiscal year to 20 percent. This restriction is also known as 
     the ``80/20 rule.'' The agreement allows for the alleviation 
     of the limitation by increasing the amount from 20 percent to 
     25 percent. This will allow the Services and the Department 
     more flexibility to obligate annual funds within fiscal year 
     2018.
       The second adjustment is to reprogramming guidelines for 
     readiness funding. The readiness accounts identified in this 
     agreement under ``Reprogramming Guidance for Operation and 
     Maintenance Accounts'' will not require prior approval, only 
     notification, for realignments between identified readiness 
     budget lines. It is understood that realignments are required 
     for unforeseen operational requirements or changes due to 
     program cost increases or schedule delays. Commensurate with 
     the lifting of the realignment restrictions, for fiscal year 
     2018, the funding amount for the below threshold limitation 
     has been increased from $15,000,000 to $20,000,000.


       ADDITIONAL READINESS FUNDING FOR OPERATIONS IN THE PACIFIC

       The agreement includes funding for the Army and the Air 
     Force to begin the replenishment process in order to 
     accelerate readiness in the Pacific region. The increased 
     funding will yield greater operational readiness to forces 
     serving in the Pacific area of responsibility, specifically 
     in the Republic of Korea, by investing in additional 
     training, equipment, and supplies. This funding is a 
     congressional special interest item. The Secretary of the 
     Army and the Secretary of the Air Force are directed to 
     submit a detailed spend plan by sub-activity group to the 
     House and Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittees not 
     less than 30 days prior to the obligation of these funds.


                      MAINTENANCE OF REAL PROPERTY

       The Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and 
     Sustainment), in conjunction with the Service Secretaries, is 
     directed to submit a report to the congressional defense 
     committees not later than 180 days after the enactment of 
     this Act that outlines the total real property with a zero 
     percent utilization rate of five years or more currently 
     accounted for in the Department of Defense real property 
     inventory database and assesses the feasibility of conveying 
     or selling this property.


                      DRINKING WATER CONTAMINATION

       The Secretary of Defense is directed to provide quarterly 
     reports to the congressional defense committees on the extent 
     of the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination in 
     drinking water problem, plans for community notification, and 
     procedures for timely remediation.


               BOARDS FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

       The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Service 
     Secretaries, is directed to submit a complete needs 
     assessment of each Board for Correction of Military Records 
     to the congressional defense committees not later than 180 
     days after the enactment of this Act.


      REPORT ON EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, 
                      ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS

       The Secretary of Defense is directed to submit a report to 
     the congressional defense committees, not later than two 
     years after the enactment of this Act, that describes and 
     assesses current Department of Defense programs to improve 
     opportunities for Science, Technology, Engineering, and 
     Mathematics (STEM) education for military children and 
     efforts to increase opportunities and achievement in STEM 
     education for military children.


          ARMS SALES IMPACT ON INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW

       The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the 
     Secretary of State, is directed to conduct an assessment on 
     whether United States-supplied defense articles and services 
     have contributed to violations of human rights by recipient 
     countries in the past three years. A report detailing the 
     assessment shall be provided to the congressional defense 
     committees not later than 180 days after the enactment of 
     this Act.

[[Page H2158]]

  


                    OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, ARMY

       The agreement provides $38,816,957,000 for Operation and 
     Maintenance, Army, as follows:

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                    OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, NAVY

       The agreement provides $45,384,353,000 for Operation and 
     Maintenance, Navy, as follows:

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                   NAVAL SHIPYARD APPRENTICE PROGRAM

       The Secretary of the Navy is directed to induct classes of 
     not fewer than 100 apprentices at each of the respective 
     naval shipyards.

                OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, MARINE CORPS

       The agreement provides $6,605,546,000 for Operation and 
     Maintenance, Marine Corps, as follows:

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                  OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, AIR FORCE

       The agreement provides $39,544,193,000 for Operation and 
     Maintenance, Air Force, as follows:

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                    investing in squadron innovation

       Fostering a culture of innovation at the squadron command 
     level to outpace the efforts of competitors in a more complex 
     and dangerous international security environment is a top 
     priority of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. The vision 
     is to designate specific resources to spur original, creative 
     thinking by airmen to solve unit, wing, and day-to-day issues 
     and readiness challenges. In support of these efforts, the 
     Secretary of the Air Force may spend up to $64,100,000 of 
     fiscal year 2018 operation and maintenance funding to 
     encourage this type of innovation across the active, guard, 
     and reserve components. In order to assess this investment, 
     the Secretary of the Air Force is directed to provide a 
     briefing to the House and Senate Defense Appropriations 
     Subcommittees not later than September 30, 2018, that shall 
     include, but not be limited to, squadron innovation funding 
     execution details; examples of successful innovative ideas; 
     lessons learned; and a determination of whether or not 
     funding beyond fiscal year 2018 will be pursued.

                OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, DEFENSE-WIDE

       The agreement provides $34,059,257,000 for Operation and 
     Maintenance, Defense-Wide, as follows:

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              SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND BUDGET EXECUTION

       The consistent realignment of the Special Operations 
     Command's operation and maintenance funding during the year 
     of execution is concerning. The agreement directs the 
     Secretary of Defense to submit a baseline report that shows 
     the Special Operations Command's operation and maintenance 
     funding by sub-activity group for the fiscal year 2018 
     appropriation not later than 60 days after the enactment of 
     this Act. The Secretary of Defense is further directed to 
     submit quarterly execution reports to the congressional 
     defense committees not later than 45 days after the end of 
     each fiscal quarter that addresses the rationale for the 
     realignment of any funds within and between budget sub-
     activities and the movement of any base funds used to support 
     Overseas Contingency Operations. Finally, the Secretary of 
     Defense is directed to notify the congressional defense 
     committees 30 days prior to the realignment of funds in 
     excess of $20,000,000 between sub-activity groups. This 
     language replaces the language included under the heading 
     ``Special Operations Command Budget Execution'' in House 
     Report 115-219.


      SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE BUDGET 
                             JUSTIFICATION

       The agreement directs the Commander of the Special 
     Operations Command (SOCOM), in coordination with the Under 
     Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) and the Assistant 
     Secretary of Defense (Special Operations/Low-Intensity 
     Conflict), to submit a report that provides a detailed 
     proposal on how to restructure and formalize the budget 
     formulation and execution of the SOCOM budget by sub-activity 
     group. This report shall also address how the proposed 
     restructure will improve visibility of the SOCOM budget and 
     execution and shall be submitted to the House and Senate 
     Defense Appropriations Subcommittees not later than 90 days 
     after the enactment of this Act.


             WOMEN'S MILITARY SERVICE MEMORIALS AND MUSEUMS

       The agreement fully funds Women's Military Service 
     Memorials and Museums at $5,000,000, as requested in fiscal 
     year 2018.


                         PROHIBITED INGREDIENTS

       The Department's focus on ensuring that servicemembers are 
     provided healthy, nutritious food is an important part of 
     military readiness. The Defense Logistics Agency's (DLA) 
     recent notice regarding certain prohibited ingredients lacked 
     stakeholder input and was rightfully rescinded. Efforts by 
     DLA to work with industry to assess the impact of reducing or 
     eliminating certain ingredients is an important first step. 
     However, concerns remain about the lack of transparency and 
     scientific justification for restricting certain ingredients. 
     Prior to obligating funding to enact guidance on prohibited 
     ingredients, the Director of DLA is directed to publish 
     scientific justification for DLA's August 2017 notice titled 
     ``Request for Disclosure Regarding Prohibited Ingredients''; 
     establish a plan to provide transparent scientific 
     justification; and seek input from a broad group of 
     stakeholders including the Department of Agriculture and the 
     Department of Health and Human Services in accordance with 
     the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act of 
     1990 (PL 101-445; 7 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.) on all future 
     nutrition, food or ingredient changes. The Director of DLA is 
     also directed to provide notification to the congressional 
     defense subcommittees of the agency's plans to implement the 
     above requirements.

                OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, ARMY RESERVE

       The agreement provides $2,877,104,000 for Operation and 
     Maintenance, Army Reserve, as follows:

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                OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, NAVY RESERVE

       The agreement provides $1,069,707,000 for Operation and 
     Maintenance, Navy Reserve, as follows:

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            OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, MARINE CORPS RESERVE

       The agreement provides $284,837,000 for Operation and 
     Maintenance, Marine Corps Reserve, as follows:

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              OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, AIR FORCE RESERVE

       The agreement provides $3,202,307,000 for Operation and 
     Maintenance, Air Force Reserve, as follows:

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             OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

       The agreement provides $7,284,170,000 for Operation and 
     Maintenance, Army National Guard, as follows:

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             OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, AIR NATIONAL GUARD

       The agreement provides $6,900,798,000 for Operation and 
     Maintenance, Air National Guard, as follows:

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          UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ARMED FORCES

       The agreement provides $14,538,000 for the United States 
     Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

                    ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION, ARMY

       The agreement provides $235,809,000, an increase of 
     $20,000,000 above the budget request, for Environmental 
     Restoration, Army.

                    ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION, NAVY

       The agreement provides $365,883,000, an increase of 
     $84,468,000 above the budget request, for Environmental 
     Restoration, Navy. Specifically, $42,234,000 is provided as a 
     general program increase and $42,234,000 is provided to 
     address costs associated with remediating contamination 
     caused by perfluorinated chemicals.


             VIEQUES AND CULEBRA ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION

       The agreement retains the language included under the 
     heading ``Vieques and Culebra Environmental Restoration'' in 
     House Report 115-219; however, the Secretary of the Navy is 
     directed to provide the report on Vieques and the Secretary 
     of the Army is directed to provide the report on Culebra.

                  ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION, AIR FORCE

       The agreement provides $352,549,000, an increase of 
     $58,800,000 above the budget request, for Environmental 
     Restoration, Air Force. Specifically, $15,000,000 is provided 
     as a general program increase and $43,800,000 is provided to 
     address costs associated with remediating contamination 
     caused by perfluorinated chemicals.

                ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION, DEFENSE-WIDE

       The agreement provides $19,002,000, an increase of 
     $10,000,000 above the budget request, for Environmental 
     Restoration, Defense-Wide. The increase is provided to 
     address health screenings related to contaminated water.

         ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION, FORMERLY USED DEFENSE SITES

       The agreement provides $248,673,000, an increase of 
     $40,000,000 above the budget request, for Environmental 
     Restoration, Formerly Used Defense Sites.

             OVERSEAS HUMANITARIAN, DISASTER, AND CIVIC AID

       The agreement provides $129,900,000, an increase of 
     $25,000,000 above the budget request, for Overseas 
     Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid. Specifically, 
     $10,000,000 is provided as a program increase for the 
     Humanitarian Mine Action Program, of which $7,000,000 is for 
     activities in Southeast Asia, and $15,000,000 is provided as 
     a program increase for Humanitarian Assistance, South China 
     Sea regional engagement.

                  COOPERATIVE THREAT REDUCTION ACCOUNT

       The agreement provides $350,000,000 for the Cooperative 
     Threat Reduction Account, as follows:

                EXPLANATION OF PROJECT LEVEL ADJUSTMENTS
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Budget Request    Final Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategic Offensive Arms Elimination....          12,188          12,188
Chemical Weapons Destruction............           5,000           5,000
Global Nuclear Security.................          17,887          43,287
 Program increase--Global Nuclear                                 25,400
 Security...............................
Cooperative Biological Engagement.......         172,753         172,753
Proliferation Prevention................          89,792          89,792
Other Assessments/Admin Costs...........          26,980          26,980
                                         -------------------------------
    Total, Cooperative Threat Reduction          324,600         350,000
     Account............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

      DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ACQUISITON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FUND

       The agreement provides $500,000,000 for the Department of 
     Defense Acquisition Workforce Development Fund, as follows:

                EXPLANATION OF PROJECT LEVEL ADJUSTMENTS
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Budget Request    Final Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT................               0         279,868
RETENTION AND RECOGNITION...............               0          19,907
RECRUITING AND HIRING...................               0         200,225
                                         -------------------------------
    Total, Department of Defense                       0         500,000
     Acquisition Workforce Development
     Fund...............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     BUDGETING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ACQUISITION WORKFORCE

       To restore program and funding stability for the Department 
     of Defense acquisition workforce, while retaining its unique 
     authorities to ensure the Department of Defense has the 
     capacity in both personnel and skills needed to perform its 
     acquisition mission, the agreement provides a direct 
     appropriation of $500,000,000 for the Department of Defense 
     Acquisition Workforce Development Fund (DAWDF). As with the 
     President's budget request for fiscal year 2019, the Under 
     Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) is expected to follow this 
     budgeting approach in future budget submissions.
       The Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and 
     Sustainment) is directed to submit a report to the 
     congressional defense committees not later than 90 days after 
     the enactment of this Act that identifies all budgeted costs 
     for the Department of Defense acquisition workforce by fiscal 
     year and funding category across the future years defense 
     program in the DAWDF, as well as in regular operation and 
     maintenance and research, development, test and evaluation 
     accounts. In addition, the Under Secretary of Defense 
     (Acquisition and Sustainment) is directed to identify to the 
     congressional defense committees the costs budgeted to pay 
     the salaries of personnel to manage the DAWDF, per Section 
     843 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2018; to provide a cost estimate for the proposed Program 
     Manager Development Program, per Section 841 of the National 
     Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018; and to 
     identify any unfunded fiscal year 2019 requirements for the 
     Department of Defense acquisition workforce.


      REPORTING REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO THE ACQUISITION WORKFORCE

       The Secretary of Defense is directed to provide the 
     comprehensive plan required in accordance with Section 841 of 
     the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 
     to the House and Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittees 
     as well as the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and 
     the House of Representatives. In addition, the report to be 
     submitted by the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and 
     Sustainment) to the Committees on Armed Services of the 
     Senate and the House of Representatives in accordance with 
     Section 843(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2018 shall also be provided to the House and 
     Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittees.

                         TITLE III--PROCUREMENT

       The agreement provides $133,868,632,000 in Title III, 
     Procurement, as follows:

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            REPROGRAMMING GUIDANCE FOR ACQUISITION ACCOUNTS

       The Secretary of Defense is directed to continue to follow 
     the reprogramming guidance as specified in the report 
     accompanying the House version of the Department of Defense 
     Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2008 (House Report 110-
     279). Specifically, the dollar threshold for reprogramming 
     funds shall remain at $20,000,000 for procurement and 
     $10,000,000 for research, development, test and evaluation.
       Also, the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) is 
     directed to continue to provide the congressional defense 
     committees quarterly, spreadsheet-based DD Form 1416 reports 
     for Service and defense-wide accounts in titles III and IV of 
     this Act. Reports for titles III and IV shall comply with the 
     guidance specified in the explanatory statement accompanying 
     the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2006. The 
     Department shall continue to follow the limitation that prior 
     approval reprogrammings are set at either the specified 
     dollar threshold or 20 percent of the procurement or 
     research, development, test and evaluation line, whichever is 
     less. These thresholds are cumulative from the base for 
     reprogramming value as modified by any adjustments. 
     Therefore, if the combined value of transfers into or out of 
     a procurement (P-1) or research, development, test and 
     evaluation (R-1) line exceeds the identified threshold, the 
     Secretary of Defense must submit a prior approval 
     reprogramming to the congressional defense committees. In 
     addition, guidelines on the application of prior approval 
     reprogramming procedures for congressional special interest 
     items are established elsewhere in this statement.


                           FUNDING INCREASES

       The funding increases outlined in these tables shall be 
     provided only for the specific purposes indicated in the 
     tables.


                   PROCUREMENT SPECIAL INTEREST ITEMS

       Items for which additional funds have been provided as 
     shown in the project level tables or in paragraphs using the 
     phrase ``only for'' or ``only to'' in the explanatory 
     statement are congressional special interest items for the 
     purpose of the Base for Reprogramming (DD Form 1414). Each of 
     these items must be carried on the DD Form 1414 at the stated 
     amount as specifically addressed in the explanatory 
     statement.


                     ARSENAL SUSTAINMENT INITIATIVE

       The agreement supports ongoing efforts of the Department of 
     the Army to develop the Army Organic Industrial Base 
     Strategy. This process is identifying manufacturing 
     capabilities at each organic industrial facility that are 
     critical for the country to sustain in wartime and peacetime 
     if the military is called to action. However, there are 
     concerns that while the Army Organic Industrial Base Strategy 
     is identifying capabilities, they have not been prioritized 
     in annual budget requests to Congress. In particular, the 
     Nation's arsenals are at risk of not having the capacity to 
     respond rapidly to meet the Department's needs. Addressing 
     this concern, in comments the Army provided to the Government 
     Accountability Office (GAO) in advance of its December 2015 
     report, ``Actions Needed to Identify and Sustain Critical 
     Capabilities,'' the Army concurred with the GAO's 
     recommendation that it must issue ``clear and detailed 
     implementation guidance, such as an instruction or guidebook, 
     on the process for conducting make-or-buy analysis in a 
     consistent manner.'' The Secretary of the Army is directed to 
     issue such guidance as soon as possible. Further, the 
     Secretary of the Army is directed to assign the arsenals 
     sufficient workload to maintain the critical capabilities 
     identified in the Army Organic Industrial Base Strategy 
     Report and ensure cost efficiency and technical competence in 
     peacetime, while preserving the ability to provide an 
     effective and timely response to mobilizations, national 
     defense contingency situations, and other emergency 
     requirements. Additionally, it is noted that the 
     congressional defense committees have not received detailed 
     recommendations from the Secretary of Defense on how the Air 
     Force, Navy, and Marine Corps can better use the arsenals for 
     their manufacturing needs, or what opportunities may exist 
     for the arsenals to assist the Services and the Defense 
     Logistics Agency to procure spare parts, as required by 
     Senate Report 114-63.


                      ARMY ORGANIC INDUSTRIAL BASE

       The Secretary of the Army is directed to provide written 
     notification to the congressional defense committees not 
     fewer than 45 days prior to the Secretary approving civilian 
     reductions in force that will result in an employment loss of 
     50 or more full-time employees at any Army organic industrial 
     base facility.

                       AIRCRAFT PROCUREMENT, ARMY

       The agreement provides $5,535,794,000 for Aircraft 
     Procurement, Army, as follows:

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                            UH-60 BLACK HAWK

       The agreement includes funding for 56 UH-60 Black Hawk M 
     models, an increase of eight aircraft above the budget 
     request. Of the 48 aircraft funded within the budget request, 
     12 are designated only for the Army National Guard. In 
     addition, the eight aircraft included above the budget 
     request are designated only for the Army National Guard.

                       MISSILE PROCUREMENT, ARMY

       The agreement provides $3,196,910,000 for Missile 
     Procurement, Army, as follows:

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        PROCUREMENT OF WEAPONS AND TRACKED COMBAT VEHICLES, ARMY

       The agreement provides $4,391,573,000 for Procurement of 
     Weapons and Tracked Combat Vehicles, Army, as follows:

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                    PROCUREMENT OF AMMUNITION, ARMY

       The agreement provides $2,548,740,000 for Procurement of 
     Ammunition, Army, as follows:

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                        OTHER PROCUREMENT, ARMY

       The agreement provides $8,298,418,000 for Other 
     Procurement, Army, as follows:

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                        GROUND MOBILITY VEHICLE

       The Army plan to procure a limited quantity of ground 
     mobility vehicles (GMV) for use by airborne brigades raises 
     concerns due to the high unit cost of the existing vehicles. 
     However, due to the urgent requirement and the advanced stage 
     of the Special Operations Command GMV program, the agreement 
     includes full funding for this program and supports the 
     interim acquisition strategy for 295 A-GMV 1.1 vehicles for 
     fielding to conventional Army airborne brigades and 317 GMV 
     1.1 vehicles for fielding to the United States Army Special 
     Operations Command. However, it is noted that a comparison of 
     GMV unit cost targets proposed by the Army against actual 
     unit costs contained in other Department of Defense contracts 
     indicates that a developmental vehicle may cost more per unit 
     than available non-development vehicles.-- Therefore, the 
     Secretary of the Army is directed to conduct a full and open 
     competition for procurement of the remaining vehicles that 
     satisfy the airborne brigade requirement.


        HIGH MOBILITY MULTIPURPOSE WHEELED VEHICLE MODERNIZATION

       Important safety technologies like Antilock Brake Systems 
     (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) play a critical 
     role on the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle 
     (HMMWV) fleet. The agreement supports the incorporation of 
     ABS/ESC into the HMMWV new production process and the HMMWV 
     modernization process for active, reserve, and National Guard 
     components. To ensure proper quality control during the ABS/
     ESC installation process for new and enduring active, 
     reserve, and National Guard HMMWVs, the Secretary of the Army 
     is directed to ensure that installation of ABS on all HMMWVs 
     shall be performed during the HMMWV new production process or 
     the HMMWV modernization process, when the HMMWV produced is 
     new, or returned to a zero-hour, zero-mile, like-new 
     condition.


                       AIRCRAFT PROCUREMENT, NAVY

       The agreement provides $19,957,380,000 for Aircraft 
     Procurement, Navy, as follows:

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                NAVY STRIKE FIGHTER INVENTORY SHORTFALL

       The Secretary of the Navy is directed to provide a report 
     to the congressional defense committees not later than 90 
     days after the enactment of this Act on the status of the 
     Navy's strike fighter inventory shortfall. The report should 
     address all investment, modernization, and sustainment 
     efforts that impact the strike fighter inventory shortfall, 
     including the Legacy Hornet modernization effort, the plan to 
     modernize the Super Hornet fleet to a Block III 
     configuration, trends in the utilization and demand of the 
     current F-18 fleet, and the long-term plans to procure F-35C 
     and MQ-25 aircraft.

                       WEAPONS PROCUREMENT, NAVY

       The agreement provides $3,510,590,000 for Weapons 
     Procurement, Navy, as follows:

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            PROCUREMENT OF AMMUNITION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS

       The agreement provides $804,335,000 for Procurement of 
     Ammunition, Navy and Marine Corps, as follows:

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                   SHIPBUILDING AND CONVERSION, NAVY

       The agreement provides $23,824,738,000 for Shipbuilding and 
     Conversion, Navy, as follows:

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                            DDG-51 DESTROYER

       The agreement provides $3,357,079,000 for the procurement 
     of two DDG-51 Arleigh Burke class Flight III guided missile 
     destroyers. The Director of Cost Assessment and Program 
     Evaluation is directed to provide an updated independent cost 
     estimate for the DDG-51 multi-year procurement program to the 
     congressional defense committees not later than 90 days after 
     the enactment of this Act.

                        OTHER PROCUREMENT, NAVY

       The agreement provides $7,941,018,000 for Other 
     Procurement, Navy, as follows:

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                       PROCUREMENT, MARINE CORPS

       The agreement provides $1,942,737,000 for Procurement, 
     Marine Corps, as follows:

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                    AIRCRAFT PROCUREMENT, AIR FORCE

       The agreement provides $18,504,556,000 for Aircraft 
     Procurement, Air Force, as follows:

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                     F-15 INFRARED SEARCH AND TRACK

       The Secretary of the Air Force is directed not to obligate 
     funds provided for F-15 infrared search and track pods until 
     15 days after the Secretary of the Air Force submits to the 
     congressional defense committees a report certifying that the 
     pods to be procured will meet or exceed the threshold 
     parameters identified in the report submitted pursuant to 
     Section 219 of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2016. This report may be submitted in classified 
     form.


              B-2 ANTISKID CONTROL UNIT AND BRAKING SYSTEM

       The Secretary of the Air Force is directed to provide a 
     report to the congressional defense committees not later than 
     90 days after the enactment of this Act on the condition of 
     B-2 brake systems and a timeline to either replace the entire 
     brake system or replace parts that are no longer available, 
     in short supply, or obsolete.

                     MISSILE PROCUREMENT, AIR FORCE

       The agreement provides $2,207,747,000 for Missile 
     Procurement, Air Force, as follows:

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                      SPACE PROCUREMENT, AIR FORCE

       The agreement provides $3,552,175,000 for Space 
     Procurement, Air Force, as follows:

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                       SPACE ACQUISITION STRATEGY

       In early 2017, the Office of Cost Assessment and Program 
     Evaluation (CAPE) provided an analysis of national security 
     space acquisition that found a troubling pattern of near-
     simultaneous recapitalization of almost every Department of 
     Defense satellite system. The analysis showed a dramatic 
     decrease in spending on space research and development 
     following recapitalization that resulted in a reduction of 
     scientists and engineers at major satellite contractors in 
     the following decade. This industrial base decline, in turn, 
     resulted in even higher costs during the next 
     recapitalization phase as contractors and the government had 
     to rebuild a skilled workforce for several satellite 
     architectures concurrently.
       There is a concern that the Air Force is about to embark on 
     another near-simultaneous recapitalization of its space 
     architecture as it plans for new development in space 
     situation awareness; positioning, navigation, and timing; 
     weather; missile warning; wideband communications; and 
     protected communications. In light of the CAPE analysis and 
     future budget constraints, the Secretary of the Air Force is 
     directed to provide a report to the congressional defense 
     committees not later than 60 days after the enactment of this 
     Act, that examines the recapitalization plans for the major 
     systems noted above, certifies that decisions to recapitalize 
     versus continue production of current designs pose acceptable 
     risks to constellation sustainment and the acquisition 
     workforce, and considers budgetary constraints.


                      SPACE BASED INFRARED SYSTEM

       Following submission of the fiscal year 2018 budget 
     request, the Air Force changed its acquisition strategy for 
     overhead persistent infrared (OPIR) missile warning systems. 
     The fiscal year 2018 budget request included $132,400,000 for 
     advance procurement for the next block of Space Based 
     Infrared System (SBIRS) satellites. The agreement reduces 
     this amount by $50,000,000 and transfers the remaining 
     $82,400,000 to a new program, Next Generation OPIR, in 
     Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Air Force, so 
     that the Air Force can begin development of a new system that 
     will provide resiliency upgrades, payload modernization, and 
     other enhancements.
       The agreement also transfers $173,584,000 from SBIRS High 
     and $71,018,000 from Evolved SBIRS, both in Research, 
     Development, Test and Evaluation, Air Force, to fund the Next 
     Generation OPIR program. However, there is a concern that the 
     OPIR acquisition strategy was still undefined well into 
     fiscal year 2018 and that the new acquisition strategy, 
     including a spend plan, has yet to be formally briefed to the 
     congressional defense committees. Therefore, OPIR is 
     designated as a congressional special interest item and the 
     Secretary of the Air Force is directed to submit an 
     acquisition plan, to include cost and schedule estimates, to 
     the congressional defense committees not later than 30 days 
     after the enactment of this Act. The Secretary of the Air 
     Force is also directed to provide quarterly briefings to the 
     congressional defense committees detailing progress against 
     cost and schedule milestones.

                  PROCUREMENT OF AMMUNITION, AIR FORCE

       The agreement provides $1,651,977,000 for Procurement of 
     Ammunition, Air Force, as follows:

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                      OTHER PROCUREMENT, AIR FORCE

       The agreement provides $20,503,273,000 for Other 
     Procurement, Air Force, as follows:

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                       PROCUREMENT, DEFENSE-WIDE

       The agreement provides $5,429,270,000 for Procurement, 
     Defense-Wide, as follows:

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                    DEFENSE PRODUCTION ACT PURCHASES

       The agreement provides $67,401,000 for Defense Production 
     Act Purchases, as follows:

                EXPLANATION OF PROJECT LEVEL ADJUSTMENTS
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Budget Request    Final Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEFENSE PRODUCTION ACT PURCHASES........          37,401          67,401
    Program increase....................  ..............          30,000
                                         -------------------------------
        TOTAL, DEFENSE PRODUCTION ACT             37,401          67,401
         PURCHASES......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

          TITLE IV--RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST AND EVALUATION

       The agreement provides $88,308,133,000 in Title IV, 
     Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, as follows:

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            REPROGRAMMING GUIDANCE FOR ACQUISITION ACCOUNTS

       The Secretary of Defense is directed to continue to follow 
     the reprogramming guidance as specified in the report 
     accompanying the House version of the Department of Defense 
     Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2008 (House Report 110-
     279). Specifically, the dollar threshold for reprogramming 
     funds shall remain at $20,000,000 for procurement and 
     $10,000,000 for research, development, test and evaluation.
       Also, the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) is 
     directed to continue to provide the congressional defense 
     committees quarterly, spreadsheet-based DD Form 1416 reports 
     for Service and defense-wide accounts in titles III and IV of 
     this Act. Reports for titles III and IV shall comply with the 
     guidance specified in the explanatory statement accompanying 
     the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2006. The 
     Department shall continue to follow the limitation that prior 
     approval reprogrammings are set at either the specified 
     dollar threshold or 20 percent of the procurement or 
     research, development, test and evaluation line, whichever is 
     less. These thresholds are cumulative from the base for 
     reprogramming value as modified by any adjustments. 
     Therefore, if the combined value of transfers into or out of 
     a procurement (P-1) or research, development, test and 
     evaluation (R-1) line exceeds the identified threshold, the 
     Secretary of Defense must submit a prior approval 
     reprogramming to the congressional defense committees. In 
     addition, guidelines on the application of prior approval 
     reprogramming procedures for congressional special interest 
     items are established elsewhere in this statement.


                           FUNDING INCREASES

       The funding increases outlined in these tables shall be 
     provided only for the specific purposes indicated in the 
     tables.


   RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST AND EVALUATION SPECIAL INTEREST ITEMS

       Items for which additional funds have been provided as 
     shown in the project level tables or in paragraphs using the 
     phrase ``only for'' or ``only to'' in the explanatory 
     statement are congressional special interest items for the 
     purpose of the Base for Reprogramming (DD Form 1414). Each of 
     these items must be carried on the DD Form 1414 at the stated 
     amount as specifically addressed in the explanatory 
     statement.

            RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST AND EVALUATION, ARMY

       The agreement provides $10,647,426,000 for Research, 
     Development, Test and Evaluation, Army, as follows:

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                     ARMORED MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLE

       To ensure that Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles are 
     operationally effective before deploying to theater, the 
     Secretary of the Army is encouraged to accelerate testing. 
     The Secretary of the Army is directed to provide a report to 
     the congressional defense committees not later than 90 days 
     after the enactment of this Act on the results of vehicle 
     testing to date and an explanation of why vehicles are being 
     procured in significant quantities prior to initial 
     operational test and evaluation, currently scheduled for the 
     second quarter of fiscal year 2021.

            RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST AND EVALUATION, NAVY

       The agreement provides $18,010,754,000 for Research, 
     Development, Test and Evaluation, Navy, as follows:

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          RAPID PROTOTYPING, EXPERIMENTATION AND DEMONSTRATION

       The fiscal year 2018 President's budget request contains 
     $162,000,000 in Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, 
     Navy lines 29, 36, and 78 for several Rapid Prototyping, 
     Experimentation and Demonstration (RPED) projects designated 
     as ``Accelerated Acquisitions for the Rapid Development, 
     Demonstration and Fielding of Capability'' by the Chief of 
     Naval Operations and the Assistant Secretary of the Navy 
     (Research, Development and Acquisition). Subsequent to the 
     budget submission, the Navy identified additional funding 
     requirements of $121,000,000 for these projects that have 
     been addressed via below threshold reprogramming authority, 
     above threshold reprogramming authority, and additional funds 
     recommended in this Act.
       The Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations 
     are directed to provide timely and complete communication to 
     the House and Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittees 
     regarding RPED projects, to include cost, schedule, progress 
     against previously identified objectives, and transition 
     plans. Several factors will be considered when reviewing each 
     project: requirements, technology and manufacturing 
     readiness, cost, schedule, performance, test results, and 
     transition plans. Funding recommendations will then be 
     adjusted accordingly. Further, there are concerns that 
     projects are being selected without a full understanding of 
     the technological complexity to achieve desired capabilities. 
     Therefore, the Chief of Naval Operations and the Assistant 
     Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition) 
     are directed to consult with the Director, Operational Test 
     and Evaluation regarding accelerated modeling, simulation, 
     and testing required to achieve and demonstrate defined 
     capabilities prior to the selection of an RPED project, to 
     establish an agreed-upon test plan and to identify full 
     funding requirements.


       COSTS OF ENGINEERING CHANGE PROPOSALS FOR MISSILE PROGRAMS

       The fiscal year 2018 President's budget request includes no 
     less than $101,000,000 for five development efforts the Navy 
     plans to incorporate into Tomahawk missiles through a series 
     of engineering change proposals during the missiles' 
     recertification process. The development of these 
     modernization initiatives is budgeted at close to 
     $900,000,000 over the next five years, and incorporating 
     these efforts into production will significantly increase the 
     unit cost of the Tomahawk missile.
       While recognizing the need to modernize weapons systems 
     through incremental upgrades, there is concern that the Navy 
     historically has failed to recognize and budget for the full 
     cost of developing and procuring missile upgrades through 
     engineering change proposals upfront. As a result, when 
     previously funded engineering change proposals transitioned 
     from development to production, the Navy has had to reduce 
     planned procurement quantities due to higher than budgeted 
     cost. This has resulted in reduced capacity in at least two 
     other families of missiles. The Assistant Secretary of the 
     Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition) is directed to 
     provide a report to the congressional defense committees not 
     later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act after 
     conducting a review of the Navy's acquisition practices for 
     engineering change proposals in all its missile programs, to 
     include cost estimating, and to explore measures on how to 
     inject competition into modernization efforts in sole source 
     acquisitions.

         RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST AND EVALUATION, AIR FORCE

       The agreement provides $37,428,078,000 for Research, 
     Development, Test and Evaluation, Air Force, as follows:

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                           CIVILIAN PERSONNEL

       The agreement supports the Air Force proposal to transfer 
     civilian personnel costs of the acquisition workforce from 
     the Operation and Maintenance, Air Force account to the 
     Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Air Force 
     account. To ensure visibility and appropriate execution, the 
     Secretary of the Air Force is directed to submit an annual 
     report on all civilian personnel (not limited to the 
     acquisition workforce) related funding in the Research, 
     Development, Test and Evaluation, Air Force account by 
     program element. The report shall include the budgeted number 
     of civilian full time equivalents (FTEs) and the related 
     funding programmed in the current fiscal year and annually 
     for the next five fiscal years; the number of actual civilian 
     FTEs and the related funding executed in current and previous 
     fiscal years; an explanation of all below and above threshold 
     reprogrammings involving civilian personnel funding; and the 
     impact on staffing and effectiveness of the acquisition 
     programs. The report shall be submitted to the congressional 
     defense committees not later than 90 days after the end of 
     each fiscal year.


                   DISTRIBUTED COMMON GROUND SYSTEMS

       Several deficiencies exist within the Air Force's globally 
     networked intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance 
     enterprise, referred to as Distributed Common Ground Systems 
     (DCGS). First, the enterprise is excessively stove-piped 
     which makes it difficult for the warfighter to provide 
     integrated products that incorporate different types of 
     intelligence from weapon systems across different levels of 
     classification. Second, the enterprise is not survivable 
     against cyber threats. Third, the enterprise comprises eight 
     separate acquisition programs, all of which are in the 
     sustainment phase despite new capabilities being regularly 
     tested and fielded. The Secretary of the Air Force is 
     directed to submit a report to the congressional defense 
     committees not later than 90 days after the enactment of this 
     Act on a DCGS modernization roadmap, to include a plan to 
     accelerate the transition of the eight acquisition programs 
     and all planned capabilities to an open architecture; a plan 
     to achieve cyber security for the DCGS enterprise; a summary 
     by appropriation of funding to sustain, develop, test, and 
     field capabilities; and opportunities to use agile software 
     development practices.


     JOINT SURVEILLANCE TARGET ATTACK RADAR SYSTEM RECAPITALIZATION

       In February 2018, the Air Force detailed its new position 
     to Congress to terminate the Joint Surveillance Target Attack 
     Radar System (JSTARS) recapitalization program and pursue 
     alternatives. Despite years of affirmations to Congress on 
     the need to pursue JSTARS recapitalization and an ongoing 
     source selection process, the Air Force asserts that the 
     program will not be viable in future contested environments 
     and lacks compelling improvements over legacy capabilities.
       The proposal to cancel JSTARS recapitalization, pursue 
     alternatives, and ensure no duplication between efforts 
     requires careful consideration by Congress through the fiscal 
     year 2019 budget process. Therefore, the agreement provides 
     $405,451,000 for JSTARS recapitalization and designates this 
     funding as a congressional special interest item. The 
     Secretary of the Air Force is directed to neither transfer 
     the funding from JSTARS recapitalization, nor utilize these 
     funds for any purpose other than the JSTARS recapitalization 
     program of record as presented with the fiscal year 2018 
     budget request, unless the congressional defense committees 
     receive and approve a prior approval reprogramming request.
       The Secretary of Defense is directed to submit a report to 
     the congressional defense committees not later than 90 days 
     after the enactment of this Act that addresses the following: 
     the plan for divestment of the current E-8C JSTARS fleet and 
     options for sustaining the fleet at a level above that plan; 
     whether it is technically feasible to address concerns 
     regarding the survivability of the JSTARS recapitalization 
     platform by changing system attributes or performance 
     parameters (such as radar range and size, weight, power and 
     cooling margin); the cost and schedule of alternatives to 
     JSTARS recapitalization that are funded in the fiscal year 
     2019 budget submission and accompanying future years defense 
     plan; and the cost and schedule to procure additional weapon 
     systems (including Army and Navy systems) that can fulfill 
     mission requirements similar to those performed by JSTARS in 
     order to prevent loss of capacity to support the combatant 
     commanders.

        RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST AND EVALUATION, DEFENSE-WIDE

       The agreement provides $22,010,975,000 for Research, 
     Development, Test and Evaluation, Defense-Wide, as follows:

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             MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY--SEA-BASED X-BAND RADAR

       Pursuant to section 1684 of the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016, the Director, Missile 
     Defense Agency (MDA), is reviewing possible basing locations 
     for a Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX) in the Atlantic.-- The 
     Director, MDA is encouraged to consult with the Secretary of 
     the Navy to avoid homeport sites that negatively impact 
     national defense infrastructure and priorities, including 
     United States naval operations such as ship and submarine 
     maintenance activities at public shipyards. Further, the 
     Director, MDA and the Secretary of the Navy are directed to 
     include in the forthcoming report an evaluation of potential 
     impacts to public shipyards, as well as mitigation strategies 
     and associated joint costs, for each Atlantic SBX radar 
     location under consideration.


                        TRUSTED MICROELECTRONICS

       The Under Secretary of Defense (Research and Engineering) 
     and the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and 
     Sustainment) are directed to provide a joint report to the 
     congressional defense committees not later than 90 days after 
     the enactment of this Act which defines the scope of the 
     microelectronics challenges the Department of Defense faces; 
     confirms that the United States has adequate infrastructure 
     to provide legacy and future chip needs for weapons systems 
     and what resources are required to provide for that 
     infrastructure; and lists the testing protocols that the 
     Department is utilizing to ensure current microelectronics 
     have achieved security assurance.-- The report shall also 
     identify policy concerns to ensure the Department of Defense 
     complies sufficiently in conducting the national security 
     mission.


                     STRATEGIC CAPABILITIES OFFICE

       The agreement provides $1,183,506,000 for the Strategic 
     Capabilities Office (SCO). The Under Secretary of Defense 
     (Research and Engineering) is directed to provide a report to 
     the congressional defense committees not later than 90 days 
     after the enactment of this Act on the Department's plan to 
     preserve the ability of SCO to respond to combatant 
     commanders' critical needs and to augment efforts across the 
     Department with respect to strategic capabilities development 
     with new layers of oversight between the Director of SCO and 
     the Secretary of Defense.


                             PROJECT MAVEN

       The agreement provides $100,000,000 to enhance the efforts 
     of the Algorithmic Warfare Cross-Functional Team on Project 
     Maven and designates Project Maven and its activities to date 
     as a congressional special interest item. The Under Secretary 
     of Defense (Intelligence) is directed to provide a spend plan 
     for Project Maven not later than 30 days after the enactment 
     of this Act to the congressional defense committees. Further, 
     the Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence), the Under 
     Secretary of Defense (Research and Engineering), and the 
     Department of Defense Chief Information Officer are directed 
     to provide an artificial intelligence and machine learning 
     framework for the Department of Defense, and specifically 
     cite the activities of the Services, the Defense Advanced 
     Research Projects Agency, combat support agencies, and 
     laboratories funded in this Act, to the congressional defense 
     committees not later than 90 days after the enactment of this 
     Act. The framework should include an overview of all formal 
     artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data 
     activities; the amounts enacted in the fiscal year 2018 
     budget; the amounts included in the fiscal year 2019 budget 
     request; and the costs to complete the initial phases of 
     these activities. The framework should prioritize these 
     efforts based on cost and impact to the enterprise and 
     clearly identify how each works together to advance the 
     Department's ability to leverage artificial intelligence and 
     machine learning technologies. Finally, the framework should 
     delineate which activities align with one or more of the 
     following focus areas at a minimum: vision, text, speech, 
     cybersecurity, situational awareness including social media, 
     and enterprise.


                            CLOUD COMPUTING

       The Department of Defense seeks to accelerate and 
     streamline the acquisition of cloud computing services at 
     multiple security levels across the Department in an effort 
     to provide the benefits of cloud computing while reducing 
     management and administrative burdens. The Department, under 
     the direction of the Deputy Secretary of Defense, created the 
     Cloud Executive Steering Group to oversee this effort, 
     referred to as the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure 
     (JEDI). This effort would be a tailored acquisition for 
     commercial cloud services that could be a single award 
     indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for a period 
     of up to ten years. There are concerns about the proposed 
     duration of a single contract, questions about the best value 
     for the taxpayer, and how to ensure the highest security is 
     maintained.
       Therefore, the Secretary of Defense is directed to provide 
     a report to the congressional defense committees not later 
     than 60 days after the enactment of this Act detailing a 
     framework for all Department entities, to include combat 
     support agencies, to acquire cloud computing services 
     including standards, best practices, contract types, and exit 
     strategies to ensure government flexibility as requirements 
     evolve. The report should also include justification, to 
     include cost considerations, for executing a single award 
     contract rather than creating an infrastructure capable of 
     storing and sharing data across multiple cloud computing 
     service providers concurrently, to include data migration and 
     middleware costs.
       In addition, not later than 45 days after the enactment of 
     this Act, the Deputy Secretary of Defense is directed to 
     provide a report on the JEDI cloud computing services 
     contract request for proposals (RFP) to the congressional 
     defense committees. The report shall include the following: 
     the amounts requested in the fiscal year 2018 and 2019 budget 
     for this and all other cloud computing services acquisitions 
     by appropriation; the fiscal year 2019 future years defense 
     program levels for cloud computing services; identification 
     and justification for acquisitions where ``other 
     transactional authorities'' will be utilized; certification 
     from the Department of Defense Chief Information Officer that 
     each of the military Services, the combatant commands, 
     Defense Information Systems Agency, and the Chief Information 
     Officers of each of the Services have been consulted during 
     the drafting of the RFP; provisions within the contract to 
     ensure security is maintained over the period of the 
     contract; and provisions for mitigation actions if the 
     commercial entity were to provide services to or be acquired 
     by a foreign entity or government.

                OPERATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION, DEFENSE

       The agreement provides $210,900,000 for Operational Test 
     and Evaluation, Defense, as follows:

                EXPLANATION OF PROJECT LEVEL ADJUSTMENTS
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Budget     Final
                                                       Request    Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION.....................    83,503    83,503
LIVE FIRE TESTING...................................    59,500    59,500
OPERATIONAL TEST ACTIVITIES AND ANALYSIS............    67,897    67,897
    TOTAL, OPERATIONAL TEST & EVALUATION, DEFENSE...   210,900   210,900
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                TITLE V--REVOLVING AND MANAGEMENT FUNDS

       The agreement provides $1,685,596,000 in Title V, Revolving 
     and Management Funds, as follows:

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                     DEFENSE WORKING CAPITAL FUNDS

       The agreement provides $1,685,596,000 for Defense Working 
     Capital Funds, as follows:

                EXPLANATION OF PROJECT LEVEL ADJUSTMENTS
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Budget Request        Final Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WORKING CAPITAL FUND, ARMY......  83,776.............            182,776
    Program increase--arsenal     ...................             99,000
     initiative.
WORKING CAPITAL FUND, AIR FORCE.  66,462.............             66,462
WORKING CAPITAL FUND, DEFENSE-    47,018.............             47,018
 WIDE.
DEFENSE WORKING CAPITAL FUND,     1,389,340..........          1,389,340
 DECA.
                                 ---------------------------------------
        TOTAL, DEFENSE WORKING    1,586,596..........          1,685,596
         CAPITAL FUNDS.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     NATIONAL DEFENSE SEALIFT FUND

       The agreement does not recommend funding for the National 
     Defense Sealift Fund. Requested funding has been transferred, 
     as follows:

                EXPLANATION OF PROJECT LEVEL ADJUSTMENTS
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Budget Request       Final Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MOBILIZATION PREPAREDNESS.........            201,450                  0
    LMSR maintenance--transfer to   .................           -135,800
     OM,N.........................
    Mobilization alterations--      .................            -11,197
     transfer to OM,N.............
    T-AH maintenance--transfer to   .................            -54,453
     OM,N.........................
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT..........             18,622                  0
    Maritime prepositioning force   .................               -468
     (future)--transfer to RDTE,N
     line 132.....................
    Strategic sealift research and  .................             -6,425
     development--transfer to
     RDTE,N line 47...............
    Naval operational logistics     .................            -11,729
     integration--transfer to
     RDTE,N line 48...............
READY RESERVE FORCE...............            289,255                  0
    Ready reserve force--transfer   .................           -289,255
     to OM,N......................
                                   -------------------------------------
        TOTAL, NATIONAL DEFENSE               509,327                  0
         SEALIFT FUND.............
------------------------------------------------------------------------

             TITLE VI--OTHER DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PROGRAMS

       The agreement provides $36,646,600,000 in Title VI, Other 
     Department of Defense Programs, as follows:

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                         DEFENSE HEALTH PROGRAM

       The agreement provides $34,428,167,000 for the Defense 
     Health Program, as follows:

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         REPROGRAMMING GUIDANCE FOR THE DEFENSE HEALTH PROGRAM

       Concerns remain regarding the transfer of funds from the 
     In-House Care budget sub-activity to pay for contractor-
     provided medical care. To limit such transfers and improve 
     oversight within the Defense Health Program operation and 
     maintenance account, the agreement includes a provision which 
     caps the funds available for Private Sector Care under the 
     TRICARE program subject to prior approval reprogramming 
     procedures. The provision and accompanying explanatory 
     statement language should not be interpreted as limiting the 
     amount of funds that may be transferred to the In-House Care 
     budget sub-activity from other budget sub-activities within 
     the Defense Health Program. In addition, funding for the In-
     House Care and Private Sector Care budget sub-activities are 
     designated as congressional special interest items. Any 
     transfer of funds in excess of $15,000,000 into or out of 
     these sub-activities requires the Secretary of Defense to 
     follow prior approval reprogramming procedures.
       The Secretary of Defense is directed to provide a report to 
     the congressional defense committees not later than 30 days 
     after the enactment of this Act that delineates transfers of 
     funds in excess of $10,000,000, and the dates any transfers 
     occurred, from the Private Sector Care budget sub-activity to 
     any other budget sub-activity groups for fiscal year 2017.
       The Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) is 
     directed to provide quarterly reports to the congressional 
     defense committees on budget execution data for all of the 
     Defense Health Program budget activities and to adequately 
     reflect changes to the budget activities requested by the 
     Services in future budget submissions.


                               CARRYOVER

       For fiscal year 2018, one percent carryover authority for 
     the operation and maintenance account of the Defense Health 
     Program is recommended. The Assistant Secretary of Defense 
     (Health Affairs) is directed to submit a detailed spending 
     plan for any fiscal year 2017 designated carryover funds to 
     the congressional defense committees not less than 30 days 
     prior to executing the carryover funds.
       The Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) is 
     further directed to prioritize the payment of arrears to 
     state vaccine programs, as authorized by section 719 of the 
     National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, in 
     expenditure of these carryover funds.


                 PEER-REVIEWED CANCER RESEARCH PROGRAM

       The agreement provides $80,000,000 for the peer-reviewed 
     cancer research program to research cancers not addressed in 
     the breast, prostate, ovarian, kidney, and lung cancer 
     research programs.
       The funds provided in the peer-reviewed cancer research 
     program are directed to be used to conduct research in the 
     following areas: adrenal cancer, bladder cancer, blood 
     cancers, brain cancer, colorectal cancer, immunotherapy, 
     listeria-based regimens for cancer, liver cancer, lymphoma, 
     melanoma and other skin cancers, mesothelioma, myeloma, 
     neuroblastoma, pancreatic cancer, pediatric brain tumors, 
     stomach cancer, and cancer in children, adolescents, and 
     young adults.
       The reports directed under this heading in House Report 
     115-219 and the Senate Chairman's Explanatory Statement of 
     November 21, 2017 are still required.


                 PEER-REVIEWED MEDICAL RESEARCH PROGRAM

       The agreement provides $330,000,000 for a peer-reviewed 
     medical research program. The Secretary of Defense, in 
     conjunction with the Service Surgeons General, is directed to 
     select medical research projects of clear scientific merit 
     and direct relevance to military health. Research areas 
     considered under this funding are restricted to the following 
     areas: acute lung injury, antimicrobial resistance, 
     arthritis, burn pit exposure, cardiomyopathy, cerebellar 
     ataxia, chronic migraine and post-traumatic headache, chronic 
     pain management, congenital heart disease, constrictive 
     bronchiolitis, diabetes, dystonia, eating disorders, emerging 
     infectious diseases, endometriosis, epidermolysis bullosa, 
     focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, Fragile X, frontotemporal 
     degeneration, Guillain-Barre syndrome, hepatitis B and C, 
     hereditary angioedema, hydrocephalus, immunomonitoring of 
     intestinal transplants, inflammatory bowel diseases, 
     interstitial cystitis, lung injury, malaria, metals 
     toxicology, mitochondrial disease, musculoskeletal disorders, 
     myotonic dystrophy, non-opioid pain management, nutrition 
     optimization, pancreatitis, pathogen-inactivated blood 
     products, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, pressure ulcers, 
     pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory health, Rett syndrome, 
     rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, sleep disorders, spinal 
     muscular atrophy, sustained-release drug delivery, tinnitus, 
     tissue regeneration, tuberculosis, vaccine development for 
     infectious diseases, vascular malformations, and women's 
     heart disease. The additional funding provided under the 
     peer-reviewed medical research program shall be devoted only 
     to the purposes listed above.


                        ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD

       The Program Executive Officer (PEO) for Defense Healthcare 
     Management Systems (DHMS), in conjunction with the Director 
     of the Interagency Program Office (IPO), is directed to 
     provide quarterly reports to the congressional defense 
     committees on the cost and schedule of the electronic health 
     record program, to include milestones, knowledge points, and 
     acquisition timelines, as well as quarterly obligation 
     reports. These reports should also include any changes to the 
     deployment timeline, including benchmarks, for full operating 
     capability; any refinements to the cost estimate for full 
     operating capability and the total lifecycle cost of the 
     project; and the progress toward developing, implementing, 
     and fielding the interoperable electronic health record 
     throughout the medical facilities of the Department of 
     Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The PEO DHMS 
     is further directed to continue briefing the House and Senate 
     Defense Appropriations Subcommittees on a quarterly basis, 
     coinciding with the report submission.
       Finally, the Director of the IPO is directed to continue to 
     provide quarterly reports to the House and Senate 
     Appropriations Committees, Subcommittees on Defense and 
     Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies 
     on the progress of interoperability between the two 
     Departments.

           Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction, Defense

       The agreement provides $961,732,000 for Chemical Agents and 
     Munitions Destruction, Defense, as follows:

                EXPLANATION OF PROJECT LEVEL ADJUSTMENTS
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Budget Request       Final Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE.........            104,237            104,237
PROCUREMENT.......................             18,081             18,081
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST AND               839,414            839,414
 EVAULATION.......................
                                   -------------------------------------
        TOTAL, CHEMICAL AGENTS AND            961,732            961,732
         MUNITIONS DESTRUCTION,
         DEFENSE..................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

         Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities, Defense

       The agreement provides $934,814,000 for Drug Interdiction 
     and Counter-Drug Activities, Defense, as follows:

                EXPLANATION OF PROJECT LEVEL ADJUSTMENTS
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Line                   Budget Request       Final Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
010 COUNTER-NARCOTICS SUPPORT.....            557,648            552,648
    Transfer to National Guard                                    -5,000
     counter-drug schools.........
020 DRUG DEMAND REDUCTION PROGRAM.            116,813            120,813
    Program increase--young                                        4,000
     Marines drug demand reduction
030 NATIONAL GUARD COUNTER-DRUG               116,353            236,353
 PROGRAM..........................
    Program increase..............                               120,000
040 NATIONAL GUARD COUNTER-DRUG                     0             25,000
 SCHOOLS..........................
    Transfer from counter-                                         5,000
     narcotics support............
    Program increase..............                                20,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
        TOTAL, DRUG INTERDICTION              790,814            934,814
         AND COUNTER-DRUG
         ACTIVITIES, DEFENSE......
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page H2384]]

  


                  JOINT URGENT OPERATIONAL NEEDS FUND

       The agreement does not recommend funding for the Joint 
     Urgent Operational Needs Fund.

                    OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

       The agreement provides $321,887,000 for the Office of the 
     Inspector General, as follows:

                                    EXPLANATION OF PROJECT LEVEL ADJUSTMENTS
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Budget Request                           Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE..........                                                   334,087            319,087
    Overestimation of civilian full- ........................................................            -15,000
     time equivalents..............
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST AND                                                         2,800              2,800
 EVALUATION........................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        TOTAL, OFFICE OF THE                                                          336,887            321,887
         INSPECTOR GENERAL.........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

              QUARTERLY END STRENGTH AND EXECUTION REPORTS

       The Department of Defense Inspector General is directed to 
     provide quarterly reports to the congressional defense 
     committees on civilian personnel end strength, full-time 
     equivalents, and budget execution not later than 15 days 
     after the end of each fiscal quarter. The reports should 
     contain quarterly civilian personnel end strength and full-
     time equivalents as well as an estimate of fiscal year end 
     strength and fiscal year full-time equivalents. The reports 
     should also include quarterly budget execution data along 
     with revised fiscal year estimated execution data. The 
     Inspector General is directed to provide realistic end of 
     fiscal year estimates based on personnel trends to date.

                      TITLE VII--RELATED AGENCIES

       The agreement provides $1,051,600,000 in Title VII, Related 
     Agencies, as follows:

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[[Page H2386]]

  



                            classified annex

       Adjustments to classified programs are addressed in a 
     separate, detailed, and comprehensive classified annex. The 
     Intelligence Community, the Department of Defense, and other 
     organizations are expected to fully comply with the 
     recommendations and directions in the classified annex 
     accompanying the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 
     2018.

   CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY RETIREMENT AND DISABILITY SYSTEM FUND

       The agreement provides $514,000,000 for the Central 
     Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability Fund.

               INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT

       The agreement provides $537,600,000, an increase of 
     $5,600,000 above the budget request, for the Intelligence 
     Community Management Account.

                     TITLE VIII--GENERAL PROVISIONS

       The agreement incorporates general provisions which were 
     not amended. Those general provisions that were addressed in 
     the agreement are as follows:
       The agreement modifies a provision proposed by the House 
     which requires that no more than 25 percent of the funding 
     made available in this Act be obligated in the last two 
     months of the fiscal year.


                          (TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement modifies a provision proposed by the House 
     which provides general transfer authority not to exceed 
     $4,250,000,000.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     which identifies tables as Explanation of Project Level 
     Adjustments.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     which provides for the establishment of a baseline for the 
     application of reprogramming and transfer authorities for the 
     current fiscal year.
       The agreement modifies a provision proposed by the House 
     which places restrictions on multiyear procurement contracts.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     regarding management of civilian personnel of the Department 
     of Defense.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     regarding limitations on the use of funds to purchase anchor 
     and mooring chains.
       The agreement includes a provision which restricts the use 
     of funds to support any nonappropriated funds activity that 
     procures malt beverages and wine. The House bill contained no 
     similar provision.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     regarding incentive payments authorized by the Indian 
     Financing Act of 1974.
       The agreement modifies a provision proposed by the House 
     which prohibits funding from being used to establish new 
     Department of Defense Federally Funded Research and 
     Development Centers with certain limitations.
       The agreement includes a provision which provides for the 
     revocation of blanket waivers of the Buy American Act. The 
     House bill contained a similar provision.
       The agreement includes a provision which provides for the 
     conveyance, without consideration, of relocatable housing 
     units that are excess to the needs of the Air Force. The 
     House bill contained a similar provision.
       The agreement does not retain a provision proposed by the 
     House which was made permanent in the fiscal year 2017 Act 
     that provided the authority for the Defense Intelligence 
     Agency to use funds provided in this Act for the provisioning 
     of information systems.
       The agreement includes a provision which provides funds for 
     the Asia Pacific Regional Initiative Program for the purpose 
     of enabling the Pacific Command to execute Theater Security 
     Cooperation activities. The House bill contained no similar 
     provision.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     regarding mitigation of environmental impacts on Indian lands 
     resulting from Department of Defense activities.
       The agreement includes a provision which requires the 
     Department of Defense to comply with the Buy American Act, 
     chapter 83 of title 41, United States Code. The House bill 
     contained a similar provision.


                             (rescissions)

       The agreement modifies a provision proposed by the House 
     recommending rescissions and provides for the rescission of 
     $942,242,000. The rescissions agreed to are:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016 Appropriations:
    Other Procurement, Army:
        Bridge supplemental set......................           $147,000
        Husky mounted detection system...............          1,370,000
        Remote demolition systems....................          2,000,000
        Mobile soldier power.........................          2,000,000
    Aircraft Procurement, Navy:
        P-8A Poseidon................................        127,000,000
        MH-60R (MYP).................................         24,500,000
        JPATS........................................          5,300,000
        Adversary....................................          4,300,000
        Trainer a/c series...........................         10,900,000
    Aircraft Procurement, Air Force:
        F-35 (AP-CY).................................         11,000,000
        C-130H modifications.........................         42,700,000
        F-16 modifications link 16 crypto............          3,200,000
    Procurement of Ammunition, Air Force:
        Massive ordnance penetrator..................          5,000,000
    Procurement, Defense-Wide:
        Classified program...........................          7,264,000
2017 Appropriations:
    Aircraft Procurement, Army:
        Utility f/w aircraft.........................         17,000,000
    Missile Procurement, Army:
        Indirect fire protection capability..........         19,319,000
    Weapons and Tracked Combat Vehicles, Army:
        Integrated air burst weapon system family....          7,064,000
    Procurement of Ammunition, Army:
        Shoulder launched munitions, all types.......         15,507,000
    Other Procurement, Army:
        Tactical bridging............................          2,535,000
        Mid-tier networking vehicular radio..........         10,000,000
    Aircraft Procurement, Navy:
        P-8A Poseidon................................         20,900,000
        MQ-4 Triton..................................         25,000,000
    Weapons Procurement, Navy:
        Tomahawk.....................................         32,200,000
    Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy:
        Carrier replacement program..................         14,000,000
    Aircraft Procurement, Air Force:
        KC-46A tanker................................         31,100,000
        UH-1N replacement............................         15,300,000
        KC-135 block 40/45 installs..................          5,600,000
        Initial spares/repair parts--ARS spares......          2,900,000
        War consumables--MALD-J......................          7,000,000
        F-16 modifications link 16 crypto............          6,447,000
        Classified program...........................         10,000,000
    Missile Procurement, Air Force:
        MMIII modifications--ICU II..................         31,639,000
    Space Procurement, Air Force:
        Evolved expendable launch vehicle............         34,900,000
    Procurement of Ammunition, Air Force:
        Fuzes........................................         18,000,000
    Other Procurement, Air Force:
        MEECN--GASNT increment 1.....................        115,325,000
        Classified program...........................          5,000,000
        D-RAPCON.....................................         12,466,000
        Combat training ranges--CEAR.................          3,900,000
    Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army:
        Cyberspace operations forces and force                 4,650,000
         support.....................................
        Aircraft avionics............................          8,000,000
        Mid-tier networking vehicular radio..........          1,681,000
        Combat vehicle improvement programs Stryker           26,000,000
         ECP carryover...............................
        Aircraft modifications/product improvement            12,000,000
         programs....................................
        Distributed common ground/surface systems....         10,000,000
    Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Navy:
        Global combat support systems................          9,128,000
    Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Air
     Force:
        Ground attack weapon fuze....................            700,000
        Space fence..................................         20,000,000
        KC-46........................................         85,000,000
        Nuclear weapons modernization................         11,000,000
        C-130 airlift squadrons......................          7,300,000
        Classified program...........................          7,000,000
    Defense Health Program, Research, Development,
     Test and Evaluation:
        DHMSM carryover..............................         30,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     which restricts procurement of ball and roller bearings other 
     than those produced by a domestic source and of domestic 
     origin.
       The agreement includes a provision which makes funds 
     available to maintain competitive rates at the arsenals. The 
     House bill contained no similar provision.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     which provides funding to the United Service Organizations 
     and the Red Cross.


                          (transfer of funds)

       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     which provides funding for the Sexual Assault Victims Special 
     Counsel Program.
       The agreement modifies a provision proposed by the House 
     regarding the use of funding appropriated in title IV of this 
     Act to procure end-items.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     which restricts funding for repairs and maintenance of 
     military housing units.

[[Page H2387]]

  



                          (transfer of funds)

       The agreement includes a provision which directs that 
     Operation and Maintenance, Navy funds shall be available for 
     transfer to the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service 
     Development Trust Fund. The House bill contained no similar 
     provision.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     which provides a grant to the Fisher House Foundation, Inc.
       The agreement includes a provision which requires 
     notification upon the use of rapid acquisition authorities. 
     The House bill contained no similar provision.


                          (transfer of funds)

       The agreement modifies a provision proposed by the House 
     related to funding for the Israeli Cooperative Defense 
     programs.


                          (transfer of funds)

       The agreement modifies a provision proposed by the House 
     which provides for the funding of prior year shipbuilding 
     cost increases.
       The agreement includes a provision which provides that the 
     budget of the President for the subsequent fiscal year shall 
     include separate budget justification documents for costs of 
     the United States Armed Forces' participation in contingency 
     operations. The House bill contained a similar provision.
       The agreement modifies a provision proposed by the House 
     which reduces funding due to favorable foreign exchange 
     rates.
       The agreement includes a provision which makes funds 
     available for rapid acquisition and deployment of supplies. 
     The House bill contained no similar provision.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     which prohibits changes to the Army Contracting Command-New 
     Jersey without prior notification.
       The agreement includes a provision which places 
     restrictions on the use of funds to support friendly foreign 
     countries. The House bill contained no similar provision.
       The agreement does not retain a provision proposed by the 
     House recommending a rescission from the Department of 
     Defense Acquisition Workforce Development Fund.
       The agreement includes a provision which applies 
     reprogramming procedures on the Department of Defense 
     Acquisition Workforce Development Fund. The House bill 
     contained no similar provision.
       The agreement includes a provision that prohibits the 
     transfer of funds into the Department of Defense Acquisition 
     Workforce Development Fund. The House bill contained a 
     similar provision.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     related to agreements with the Russian Federation pertaining 
     to United States ballistic missile defense systems.


                          (transfer of funds)

       The agreement includes a provision which provides the 
     Director of National Intelligence with general transfer 
     authority with certain limitations. The House bill contained 
     a similar provision.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     which prohibits funds from being used for the purchase or 
     manufacture of a United States flag unless such flags are 
     treated as covered items under section 2533a(b) of title 10, 
     U.S.C.
       The agreement includes a provision which requires reporting 
     on the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. The 
     House bill contained no similar provision.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     that requires the Secretary of Defense to post grant awards 
     on a public website in a searchable format.
       The agreement includes a provision which provides guidance 
     on cost overrun reductions and the Rapid Prototyping Fund. 
     The House bill contained no similar provision.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     regarding funding for flight demonstration teams at locations 
     outside the United States.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     which prohibits the use of funds to implement the Arms Trade 
     Treaty until the treaty is ratified by the Senate.
       The agreement includes a provision which prohibits the 
     transfer of funds to any organization not funded in this Act 
     with certain exceptions. The House bill contained a similar 
     provision.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     which prohibits introducing armed forces into Iraq in 
     contravention of the War Powers Act.
       The agreement modifies a provision proposed by the House 
     which limits the use of funds for the T-AO program.
       The agreement does not retain a provision proposed by the 
     House which reduces Working Capital Funds to reflect excess 
     cash balances.
       The agreement modifies a provision proposed by the House 
     which reduces the total amount appropriated to reflect lower 
     than anticipated fuel costs.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     which prohibits the use of funds for gaming or entertainment 
     that involves nude entertainers.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     which prohibits the use of funds for Base Realignment and 
     Closure.


                          (transfer of funds)

       The agreement includes a provision which grants the 
     Secretary of Defense the authority to use funds for Office of 
     Personnel and Management background investigations. The House 
     bill contained no similar provision.
       The agreement does not retain a provision proposed by the 
     House which restricts the use of funds for the Joint 
     Surveillance Target Attack Radar System recapitalization 
     program for pre-milestone B activities.
       The agreement does not retain a provision proposed by the 
     House which provides authority to use readiness funds for 
     Zika related activities.
       The agreement includes a provision which provides 
     reprogramming authority for the Global Engagement Center. The 
     House bill contained a similar provision.
       The agreement does not retain a provision proposed by the 
     House which provides funds for the military personnel 
     accounts for purposes of a military pay raise.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     which makes funds available through the Office of Economic 
     Adjustment for transfer to the Secretary of Education, to 
     make grants to construct, renovate, repair, or expand 
     elementary and secondary public schools on military 
     installations.
       The agreement does not retain a provision proposed by the 
     House which limits the availability of funds to carry out 
     changes to the Joint Travel Regulations of the Department of 
     Defense.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     which provides guidance on the implementation of the Policy 
     for Assisted Reproductive Services for the Benefit of 
     Seriously or Severely Ill/Injured Active Duty Service 
     Members.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     which prohibits the use of funds to provide arms, training, 
     or other assistance to the Azov Battalion.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     which prohibits the use of funds to purchase heavy water from 
     Iran.
       The agreement adds a provision which amends Section 
     316(a)(2) of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91) by striking ``the study 
     under this subsection'' and inserting ``the study and 
     assessment under this section''.
       The agreement does not retain a provision proposed by the 
     House which provides guidance on references to this Act.
       The agreement does not retain a provision proposed by the 
     House which provides guidelines on the interpretation of 
     House Report 115-219.
       The agreement does not retain a provision proposed by the 
     House which provides spending reduction account guidance.
       The agreement does not retain a provision proposed by the 
     House which prohibits the use of funds in the Afghanistan 
     Security Forces Fund to procure uniforms for the Afghan 
     National Army.
       The agreement does not retain a provision proposed by the 
     House which prohibits the use of funds to close biosafety 
     level 4 laboratories.
       The agreement does not retain a provision proposed by the 
     House which prohibits the use of funds for public-private 
     partnerships under Office of Management and Budget circular 
     A-76.
       The agreement adds a provision which makes funds available 
     for the Secretary of Defense for use in a designated country.

   TITLE IX--OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS/GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM

       The agreement provides $65,166,000,000 in Title IX, 
     Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism.


                         REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

       The agreement includes a number of reporting requirements 
     related to contingency operations and building capacity 
     efforts. The Secretary of Defense is directed to continue to 
     report incremental costs for all named operations in the 
     Central Command Area of Responsibility on a quarterly basis 
     and to submit, also on a quarterly basis, commitment, 
     obligation, and expenditure data for the Afghanistan Security 
     Forces Fund, the Counter-Islamic State of Iraq and Syria 
     Train and Equip Fund, and for all security cooperation 
     programs funded under the Defense Security Cooperation Agency 
     in the Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide account.

                           MILITARY PERSONNEL

       The agreement provides $4,326,172,000 for Military 
     Personnel, as follows:

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                       OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

       The agreement provides $50,317,919,000 for Operation and 
     Maintenance, as follows:

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                       PRIVATE SECURITY COMPANIES

       The Secretary of Defense is commended for the Department's 
     assistance in developing principles, standards, and a code of 
     conduct based on international law, to ensure that private 
     security companies respect human rights and the rule of law 
     in the provision of security assistance services. The 
     Secretary of Defense is directed to submit a report to the 
     congressional defense committees not later than 90 days after 
     enactment of this Act, on the Department's standards and 
     oversight and accountability mechanisms that apply to private 
     security companies contracted by the Department of Defense 
     compared to the standards and mechanisms that apply to 
     private security companies contracted by the Department of 
     State.


            AFGHANISTAN SECURITY FORCES FUND CONTRACT COSTS

       There remain concerns about the excessive costs of training 
     contracts awarded using the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund 
     (ASFF). Therefore, the Comptroller General is directed to 
     examine all ASFF training contracts and provide a report 
     detailing his findings to the congressional defense 
     committees not later than 180 days after the enactment of 
     this Act. Additionally, the Secretary of Defense is directed 
     to provide an accounting of all contracts funded with ASFF, 
     the annual value of each contract, and the ASFF line item 
     that funds each contract, to the congressional defense 
     committees not later than 180 days after the enactment of 
     this Act.


         AFGHANISTAN SECURITY FORCES FUND BUDGET JUSTIFICATION

       The Secretary of Defense is commended for efforts to 
     improve the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund (ASFF) budget 
     justification materials and Financial Activity Plans (FAPs). 
     To further inform budget reviews, the Secretary of Defense is 
     directed to provide budget justification materials that 
     include the budget request amount, the appropriated amount, 
     and the actual obligation amount by line item, for the prior 
     two fiscal years. In addition, concurrent with the submission 
     of each FAP, the Secretary of Defense shall provide the 
     congressional defense committees with line item detail of 
     planned funding movements within ASFF using line item titles 
     from the appropriate year's budget justification submission. 
     Any line item that did not appear in the budget justification 
     submission shall be delineated as a new line item.


                     AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY UNIFORMS

       The House-passed bill included a provision, Section 10004, 
     banning the use of funds provided for the Afghanistan 
     Security Forces Fund to procure uniforms for the Afghan 
     National Army (ANA). The Special Inspector General for 
     Afghanistan Reconstruction reported in June 2017 that the 
     Department of Defense acquired uniforms for the ANA that were 
     not appropriate for use in Afghanistan. The agreement removes 
     the legislative provision; however, due to underlying 
     concerns of mismanagement by the Department of Defense and 
     the ANA, the Secretary of Defense is directed to provide a 
     report to the congressional defense committees, not later 
     than 90 days after the enactment of this Act, that determines 
     whether current contracting practices for ANA and Afghan 
     National Police uniforms conform to all Federal Acquisition 
     Regulation requirements.


                     COUNTER-LORD'S RESISTANCE ARMY

       The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the 
     Secretary of State, is directed to provide a report on the 
     lessons learned from Operation Observant Compass, including 
     in the area of civil-military coordination, and an assessment 
     of how these lessons are being institutionalized and applied 
     to other complex crises. The report shall be provided to the 
     congressional defense and foreign relations committees not 
     later than 270 days after the enactment of this Act.


             SECURITY SECTOR ASSISTANCE STEERING COMMITTEE

       The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the 
     Secretary of State, is directed to provide a report on the 
     activities and progress of the Defense Security Sector 
     Assistance Steering Committee to the congressional defense 
     and foreign relations committees not later than 180 days 
     after the enactment of this Act.

                              PROCUREMENT

       The agreement provides $10,424,319,000 for Procurement, as 
     follows:

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                  NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE EQUIPMENT

       The agreement provides $1,300,000,000 for National Guard 
     and Reserve Equipment. Of that amount $429,000,000 is 
     designated for the Army National Guard; $429,000,000 for the 
     Air National Guard; $169,000,000 for the Army Reserve; 
     $65,000,000 for the Navy Reserve; $13,000,000 for the Marine 
     Corps Reserve; and $195,000,000 for the Air Force Reserve.
       This funding will allow the reserve components to procure 
     high priority equipment that may be used for combat and 
     domestic response missions. Current reserve component 
     equipping levels are among the highest in recent history and 
     the funding provided by the agreement will help ensure 
     component interoperability and sustained reserve component 
     modernization.
       The Secretary of Defense is directed to ensure that the 
     account be executed by the Chiefs of the National Guard and 
     reserve components with priority consideration given to the 
     following items: acoustic hailing devices, active 
     electronically scanned array radars, advanced cargo handling 
     systems for CH-47s, advanced targeting pods, combat uniforms 
     and cold weather protective clothing, crashworthy 
     ballistically tolerant auxiliary internal and external fuel 
     systems, digital radar warning receivers for F-16s, 
     electromagnetic in-flight propeller balance systems, joint 
     threat emitters, large aircraft infrared countermeasures, 
     modular container systems for palletized cargo, modular and 
     self-contained ranges, MQ-9 deployable launch and recovery 
     element mission support kits, portable high frequency radios 
     and antennas, radar warning receivers for C-17s, radiac sets, 
     satellite broadband for aircraft, commercial-off-the-shelf 
     training systems/simulators--including for small arms 
     simulation, sun shades, unmanned systems for rapid emergency 
     search and rescue support, unstabilized gunnery crew and 
     small arms trainers, and wireless mobile mesh self-healing 
     network systems.

               RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST AND EVALUATION

       The agreement provides $926,937,000 for Research, 
     Development, Test and Evaluation, as follows:

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                     REVOLVING AND MANAGEMENT FUNDS

       The agreement provides $148,956,000 for Revolving and 
     Management Funds, as follows:

                EXPLANATION OF PROJECT LEVEL ADJUSTMENTS
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Budget
                                                  Request     Final Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WORKING CAPITAL FUND, ARMY....................       50,111       50,111
WORKING CAPITAL FUND, DEFENSE-WIDE............       98,845       98,845
                                               -------------------------
    TOTAL, DEFENSE WORKING CAPITAL FUNDS......      148,956      148,956
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  OTHER DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PROGRAMS

                         DEFENSE HEALTH PROGRAM

       The agreement provides $395,805,000 for the Defense Health 
     Program, as follows:

                EXPLANATION OF PROJECT LEVEL ADJUSTMENTS
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Budget
                                                  Request     Final Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
IN-HOUSE CARE.................................       61,857       61,857
PRIVATE SECTOR CARE...........................      331,968      331,968
CONSOLIDATED HEALTH SUPPORT...................        1,980        1,980
                                               -------------------------
    TOTAL, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE..........      395,805      395,805
------------------------------------------------------------------------

         DRUG INTERDICTION AND COUNTER-DRUG ACTIVITIES, DEFENSE

       The agreement provides $196,300,000 for Drug Interdiction 
     and Counter-drug Activities, Defense.

                  JOINT IMPROVISED-THREAT DEFEAT FUND

       The agreement does not recommend funding for the Joint 
     Improvised-Threat Defeat Fund. Requested funding has been 
     transferred, as follows:

                                    EXPLANATION OF PROJECT LEVEL ADJUSTMENTS
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Budget Request                           Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terminate JOINT IMPROVISED-THREAT                                                     483,058                  0
 DEFEAT FUND.......................
    Terminate JITDF and transfer to  ........................................................           -314,558
     title IX OM,DW................
    Terminate JITDF and transfer to  ........................................................             -5,200
     title IX P,DW.................
    Terminate JITDF and transfer to  ........................................................           -163,300
     title IX RDTE,DW..............
                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
        TOTAL, JOINT IMPROVISED-                                                      483,058                  0
         THREAT DEFEAT FUND........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 TRANSFER AUTHORITY FOR THE JOINT IMPROVISED-THREAT DEFEAT ORGANIZATION

       The agreement includes $314,558,000 in Operation and 
     Maintenance, Defense-Wide; $5,200,000 in Procurement, 
     Defense-Wide; and $168,300,000 in Research, Development, Test 
     and Evaluation, Defense-Wide overseas contingency operations 
     appropriations accounts for the Joint Improvised-Threat 
     Defeat Organization (JIDO). At the Director, JIDO's request, 
     the distribution of funds among appropriation accounts has 
     been adjusted based on JIDO's revised execution plans for 
     fiscal year 2018, as briefed to the House and Senate Defense 
     Appropriations Subcommittees in the first quarter of fiscal 
     year 2018. Further, funds are not delineated by project 
     within each appropriation, providing the Director, JIDO 
     significant discretion to meet the requirements pursuant to 
     JIDO's mission. Should the Director, JIDO identify 
     requirements necessitating the transfer of funds between 
     appropriation accounts, the Under Secretary of Defense 
     (Comptroller) is directed to expedite any such transfer as a 
     stand-alone reprogramming action in accordance with 
     congressional guidance.

                    OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

       The agreement provides $24,692,000 for the Office of the 
     Inspector General.

                     GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS TITLE

       The agreement for title IX incorporates general provisions 
     which were not amended. Those general provisions that were 
     addressed in the agreement are as follows:


                          (TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement modifies a provision proposed by the House 
     which provides for special transfer authority within title 
     IX.
       The agreement includes a provision which provides funds for 
     logistical support to allied forces supporting military and 
     stability operations in Afghanistan and to counter the 
     Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. The House bill contained a 
     similar provision.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     which provides security assistance to the Government of 
     Jordan.
       The agreement modifies a provision proposed by the House 
     which prohibits the use of the Counter-ISIS Train and Equip 
     Fund to procure or transfer man-portable air defense systems.
       The agreement modifies a provision proposed by the House 
     which provides assistance and sustainment to the military and 
     national security forces of Ukraine.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     related to the replacement of funds for items provided to the 
     Government of Ukraine.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     which prohibits the use of assistance and sustainment to the 
     military and national security forces of Ukraine to procure 
     or transfer man-portable air defense systems.


                          (TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement modifies a provision proposed by the House 
     which provides funds to the Department of Defense to improve 
     intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
       The agreement retains a provision proposed by the House 
     which prohibits the use of funds with respect to Syria in 
     contravention of the War Powers Resolution.
       The agreement includes a provision which prohibits the use 
     of funds to transfer additional C-130 aircraft to 
     Afghanistan. The House bill contained no similar provision.


                             (RESCISSIONS)

       The agreement modifies a provision proposed by the House 
     recommending rescissions and provides for the rescission of 
     $2,565,100,000. The rescissions agreed to are:

 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2017 Appropriations:
    Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide:
        Coalition Support Fund.......................       $500,000,000
        DSCA security cooperation....................        250,000,000
    Afghanistan Security Forces Fund:
        Afghanistan Security Forces Fund.............        100,000,000
    Counter-ISIL Train and Equip Fund:
        Counter-ISIL Train and Equip Fund............         80,000,000
    Other Procurement, Air Force:
        Classified program...........................         25,100,000
No-year Appropriations:
    Counter-ISIL Overseas Contingency Operations
     Transfer Fund:
        Counter-ISIL OCOTF...........................      1,610,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       The agreement does not retain a provision proposed by the 
     House which requires the President to designate Overseas 
     Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism amounts 
     accordingly.
       The agreement modifies a provision proposed by the House 
     which requires the President to submit a report to Congress 
     on his strategy to defeat certain adversary forces.
       The agreement adds a provision which requires the Secretary 
     of Defense to certify the use of funds in the Afghanistan 
     Security Forces Fund under certain conditions.

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     DIVISION D--ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2018

       The following statement to the House of Representatives and 
     the Senate is submitted in explanation of the agreed upon Act 
     making appropriations for energy and water development for 
     the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, and for other 
     purposes.
       This explanatory statement, while repeating some report 
     language for emphasis, does not intend to negate the language 
     and allocations set forth in House Report 115-230 and Senate 
     Report 115-132 and that direction shall be complied with 
     unless specifically addressed to the contrary in the 
     accompanying bill or explanatory statement. Additionally, 
     where this explanatory statement states that the ``agreement 
     only includes''' or ``the following is the only'' direction, 
     any direction included in the House or Senate report on that 
     matter shall be considered as replaced with the direction 
     provided within this explanatory statement. In cases where 
     the House or the Senate has directed the submission of a 
     report, such report is to be submitted to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress. House or Senate 
     reporting requirements with deadlines prior to or within 15 
     days of the enactment of this Act shall be submitted no later 
     than 60 days after the enactment of this Act. All other 
     reporting deadlines not changed by this explanatory statement 
     are to be met.
       Funds for the individual programs and activities within the 
     accounts in this Act are displayed in the detailed table at 
     the end of the explanatory statement for this Act. Funding 
     levels that are not displayed in the detailed table are 
     identified in this explanatory statement.
       In fiscal year 2018, for purposes of the Balanced Budget 
     and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-
     177), the following information provides the definition of 
     the term ``program, project, or activity'' for departments 
     and agencies under the jurisdiction of the Energy and Water 
     Development Appropriations Act. The term ``program, project, 
     or activity'' shall include the most specific level of budget 
     items identified in the Energy and Water Development 
     Appropriations Act, 2018 and the explanatory statement 
     accompanying the Act.
       National Ocean Policy.--No specific funding was provided in 
     fiscal year 2017 and none was requested by any agencies 
     funded in this Act in fiscal year 2018 to implement the 
     National Ocean Policy. Consequently, no specific funds for 
     National Ocean Policy activities are included for any agency 
     funded in this Act.
       Dam Removal.--No specific funding was provided in fiscal 
     year 2017 and none was requested by any agencies funded in 
     this Act in fiscal year 2018 for the purpose of removing a 
     federally owned or operated dam without prior authorization 
     by Congress. Consequently, no specific funds for unauthorized 
     federal dam removal are included for any agency funded in 
     this Act.

                   TITLE I--CORPS OF ENGINEERS--CIVIL

                         DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

                       Corps of Engineers--Civil

       The summary tables included in this title set forth the 
     dispositions with respect to the individual appropriations, 
     projects, and activities of the Corps of Engineers. 
     Additional items of the Act are discussed below.
       Recent statutory changes regarding the Inland Waterways 
     Trust Fund (IWTF) have resulted in an increase to the size of 
     the capital improvement program that can be supported by the 
     IWTF. The agreement reflects congressional interest in 
     supporting this larger program. The Corps is directed to take 
     the preparatory steps necessary to ensure that new 
     construction projects can be initiated as soon as can be 
     supported under the larger capital program (i.e., as ongoing 
     projects approach completion).
       Concerns persist that the effort to update the Water 
     Resources Principles and Guidelines did not proceed 
     consistent with the language or intent of section 2031 of the 
     Water Resources Development Act of 2007. No funds provided to 
     the Corps of Engineers shall be used to develop or implement 
     rules or guidance to support implementation of the final 
     Principles and Requirements for Federal Investments in Water 
     Resources released in March 2013 or the final Interagency 
     Guidelines released in December 2014. The Corps shall 
     continue to use the document dated March 10, 1983, and 
     entitled ``Economic and Environmental Principles and 
     Guidelines for Water and Related Land Resources 
     Implementation Studies''' during the fiscal year period 
     covered by the Energy and Water Development Appropriations 
     Act for 2018.
       Asian Carp.--In lieu of House and Senate direction, the 
     Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, 
     shall make every effort to submit to Congress the Report of 
     the Chief of Engineers for the Brandon Road feasibility study 
     according to the original published schedule of February 
     2019. The Corps is directed to provide quarterly updates to 
     the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 
     on the progress and status of efforts to prevent the further 
     spread of Asian carp as well as the location and density of 
     carp populations, including the use of emergency procedures. 
     The Corps shall continue to collaborate with the U.S. Coast 
     Guard, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the State of 
     Illinois, and members of the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating 
     Committee to identify and evaluate whether navigation 
     protocols would be beneficial or effective in reducing the 
     risk of vessels inadvertently carrying aquatic invasive 
     species, including Asian carp, through the Brandon Road Lock 
     and Dam in Joliet, Illinois. Any findings of such an 
     evaluation shall be included in the quarterly briefings to 
     the Committees. The Corps is further directed to implement 
     protocols shown to be effective at reducing the risk of 
     entrainment without jeopardizing the safety of vessels and 
     crews. The Corps and other federal and state agencies are 
     conducting ongoing research on potential solutions.
       Economic Reevaluation.--None of the funds provided in this 
     title may be used to require an economic reevaluation of any 
     project authorized under title VIII of the Water Resources 
     Development Act of 2007.

                           Additional Funding

       The agreement includes funding in addition to the budget 
     request to ensure continued improvements to our national 
     economy, public safety, and environmental health that result 
     from water resources projects. This funding is for additional 
     work that either was not included in the budget request or 
     was inadequately budgeted. The bill contains a provision 
     requiring the Corps to allocate funds in accordance with only 
     the direction in this agreement. In lieu of all House and 
     Senate report direction--under any heading--regarding 
     additional funding, new starts, and the fiscal year 2018 work 
     plan, the Corps shall follow the direction included in this 
     explanatory statement.
       The Corps again is directed to develop rating systems for 
     use in evaluating studies and projects for allocation of the 
     additional funding provided in this title. These evaluation 
     systems may be, but are not required to be, individualized 
     for each account, category, or subcategory. Voluntary funding 
     in excess of legally required cost shares for studies and 
     projects is acceptable, but shall not be used as a criterion 
     for allocating the additional funding provided or for the 
     selection of new starts. Each study and project eligible for 
     funding shall be evaluated under the applicable ratings 
     system. A study or project may not be excluded from 
     evaluation for being ``inconsistent with Administration 
     policy.'' The Corps retains complete control over the 
     methodology of these rating systems. The executive branch 
     retains complete discretion over project-specific allocation 
     decisions within the additional funds provided, subject to 
     only the direction here and under the heading ``Additional 
     Funding'' or ``Additional Funding for Ongoing Work'' within 
     each of the Investigations, Construction, Mississippi River 
     and Tributaries, and Operation and Maintenance accounts.
       The Administration is reminded that these funds are in 
     addition to the budget request, and Administration budget 
     metrics shall not be a reason to disqualify a study or 
     project from being funded. It is expected that all of the 
     additional funding provided will be allocated to specific 
     programs, projects, or activities. The focus of the 
     allocation process shall favor the obligation, rather than 
     expenditure, of funds. With the significant backlog of work 
     in the Corps' inventory, there is no reason for funds 
     provided above the budget request to remain unallocated.
       A project or study shall be eligible for additional funding 
     within the Investigations, Construction, and Mississippi 
     River and Tributaries accounts if: (1) it has received 
     funding, other than through a reprogramming, in at least one 
     of the previous three fiscal years; (2) it was previously 
     funded and could reach a significant milestone, complete a 
     discrete element of work, or produce significant outputs in 
     calendar year 2018; or (3) as appropriate, it is selected as 
     one of the new starts allowed in accordance with this Act and 
     the additional direction provided below. Projects with 
     executed Advanced Project Partnership Agreements, or similar 
     agreements, shall be eligible for additional funding provided 
     in this bill. None of the additional funding in any account 
     may be used for any item where funding was specifically 
     denied or for projects in the Continuing Authorities Program. 
     Funds shall be allocated consistent with statutory cost share 
     requirements.
       Funding associated with each category may be allocated to 
     any eligible study or project, as appropriate, within that 
     category; funding associated with each subcategory may be 
     allocated only to eligible studies or projects, as 
     appropriate, within that subcategory. The list of 
     subcategories is not meant to be exhaustive. There is concern 
     that the fiscal year 2017 work plan allocated Operation and 
     Maintenance funding to some activities historically funded in 
     the Construction account. Any shift in funding between 
     accounts should be proposed in a budget request and addressed 
     through the appropriations process. Funding levels for 
     accounts and additional funding categories are developed 
     based on assessment of the scope of activities that can be 
     advanced within each account and category. Shifting 
     activities between accounts or categories after these funding 
     level decisions are made is a gross misuse of the flexibility 
     inherent in the work plan process. Since the extent of 
     changes proposed in the fiscal year 2018 budget request is 
     not clear, the Corps shall evaluate all studies and projects 
     only within accounts and categories consistent with previous 
     congressional funding.
       Work Plan.--Not later than 60 days after the enactment of 
     this Act, the Corps shall provide to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a work plan 
     including the following information: (1) a detailed 
     description of the ratings system(s)

[[Page H2436]]

     developed and used to evaluate studies and projects; (2) 
     delineation of how these funds are to be allocated; (3) a 
     summary of the work to be accomplished with each allocation, 
     including phase of work; and (4) a list of all studies and 
     projects that were considered eligible for funding but did 
     not receive funding, including an explanation of whether the 
     study or project could have used funds in calendar year 2018 
     and the specific reasons each study or project was considered 
     as being less competitive for an allocation of funds.
       New Starts.--The agreement includes six new starts in the 
     Investigations account and five new starts in the 
     Construction account to be distributed across the three main 
     mission areas of the Corps. The agreement also includes one 
     new study start in the Mississippi River and Tributaries 
     account to evaluate the need for improvements for flood 
     control, ecosystem restoration, water quality and related 
     purposes associated with storm water runoff and management.
       Of the new starts in Investigations, two shall be for 
     navigation studies, one shall be for a flood and storm damage 
     reduction study, two shall be for additional navigation or 
     flood and storm damage reduction studies, and one shall be 
     for an environmental restoration study. Of the new 
     construction starts, one shall be for a navigation project; 
     one shall be for a flood and storm damage reduction project; 
     two shall be for additional navigation or flood and storm 
     damage reduction projects, of which one shall be a coastal 
     storm damage reduction project; and one shall be for an 
     environmental restoration project. Other than the one new 
     study start directed above, no funding shall be used to 
     initiate new programs, projects, or activities in the 
     Mississippi River and Tributaries or Operation and 
     Maintenance accounts.
       The Corps is directed to propose a single group of new 
     starts as a part of the work plan. None of the funds may be 
     used for any item for which the agreement has specifically 
     denied funding. The Corps may not change or substitute the 
     new starts selected once the work plan has been provided to 
     the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress. 
     Each new start shall be funded from the appropriate 
     additional funding line item. Any project for which the new 
     start requirements are not met by the end of fiscal year 2018 
     shall be treated as if the project had not been selected as a 
     new start; such a project shall be required to compete again 
     for new start funding in future years. As all new starts are 
     to be chosen by the Corps, all shall be considered of equal 
     importance, and the expectation is that future budget 
     submissions will include appropriate funding for all new 
     starts selected.
       There continues to be confusion regarding the executive 
     branch's policies and guidelines regarding which studies and 
     projects require new start designations. Therefore, the Corps 
     is directed to notify the Committees on Appropriations of 
     both Houses of Congress at least 7 days prior to execution of 
     an agreement for construction of any project except 
     environmental infrastructure projects and projects under the 
     Continuing Authorities Program. Additionally, the agreement 
     reiterates and clarifies previous congressional direction as 
     follows. Neither study nor construction activities related to 
     individual projects authorized under section 1037 of the 
     Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) of 2014 
     shall require a new start or new investment decision; these 
     activities shall be considered ongoing work. No new start or 
     new investment decision shall be required when moving from 
     feasibility to preconstruction engineering and design (PED). 
     A new start designation shall be required to initiate 
     construction of individually-authorized projects funded 
     within programmatic line items. No new start or new 
     investment decision shall be required to initiate work on a 
     separable element of a project when construction of one or 
     more separable elements of that project was initiated 
     previously; it shall be considered ongoing work. A new 
     construction start shall not be required for work undertaken 
     to correct a design deficiency on an existing federal 
     project; it shall be considered ongoing work.
       In addition to the priority factors used to allocate all 
     additional funding provided in the Investigations account, 
     the Corps should give careful consideration to the out-year 
     budget impacts of the studies selected and to whether there 
     appears to be an identifiable local sponsor that will be 
     ready and able to provide, in a timely manner, the necessary 
     cost share for the feasibility and PED phases. The Corps is 
     reminded that the flood and storm damage reduction mission 
     area can include instances where non-federal sponsors are 
     seeking assistance with flood control and unauthorized 
     discharges from permitted wastewater treatment facilities and 
     that the navigation mission area includes work in remote and 
     subsistence harbor areas.
       In addition to the priority factors used to allocate all 
     additional funding provided in the Construction account, the 
     Corps also shall consider the out-year budget impacts of the 
     selected new starts; and the cost sharing sponsor's ability 
     and willingness to promptly provide the cash contribution (if 
     any), as well as required lands, easements, rights-of-way, 
     relocations, and disposal areas. When considering new 
     construction starts, only those that can execute a project 
     cost sharing agreement not later than September 30, 2018, 
     shall be chosen.
       To ensure that the new construction starts are affordable 
     and will not unduly delay completion of any ongoing projects, 
     the Secretary is required to submit to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a realistic out-
     year budget scenario prior to issuing a work allowance for a 
     new start. It is understood that specific budget decisions 
     are made on an annual basis and that this scenario is neither 
     a request for nor a guarantee of future funding for any 
     project. Nonetheless, this scenario shall include an estimate 
     of annual funding for each new start utilizing a realistic 
     funding scenario through completion of the project, as well 
     as the specific impacts of that estimated funding on the 
     ability of the Corps to make continued progress on each 
     previously funded construction project (including impacts to 
     the optimum timeline and funding requirements of the ongoing 
     projects) and on the ability to consider initiating new 
     projects in the future. The scenario shall assume a 
     Construction account funding level at the average of the past 
     three budget requests.


                             INVESTIGATIONS

       The agreement includes $123,000,000 for Investigations. The 
     agreement includes legislative language regarding parameters 
     for new study starts.
       The allocation for projects and activities within the 
     Investigations account is shown in the following table:

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       Updated Capability.--The agreement adjusts some project-
     specific allocations downward from the budget request based 
     on updated information regarding the amount of work that 
     could be accomplished in fiscal year 2018.
       Passaic River Basin Mainstem, New Jersey.--Flooding has 
     long been a problem in the Passaic River Basin. The Corps is 
     encouraged to continue to work in coordination with the non-
     federal sponsor on plans to reduce flooding in the basin, 
     including the reevaluation of the Passaic River Basin 
     Mainstem project. The Corps is directed to brief the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress not 
     later than 30 days after the enactment of this Act on the 
     current status of this project.
       Peckman River, New Jersey.--There have been repeated delays 
     with the Peckman River Feasibility Study. The Corps is 
     directed to provide to the Committees on Appropriations of 
     both Houses of Congress quarterly briefings on the current 
     schedule to bring this study to completion, with the first 
     briefing to occur not later than 30 days after the enactment 
     of this Act.
       Rahway River Basin (Upper Basin), New Jersey.--There have 
     been extended delays with the Rahway River Basin Flood Risk 
     Management Feasibility Study where flooding is of acute 
     concern to the affected communities. The Corps is encouraged 
     to continue to work with the non-federal sponsor on plans to 
     reduce flooding caused by the Rahway River in affected areas. 
     The Corps is directed to provide to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress quarterly briefings 
     on the current schedule to bring this study to completion, 
     with the first briefing to occur not later than 30 days after 
     the enactment of this Act.
       Columbia River Treaty 2024 Implementation, Oregon and 
     Washington.--The agreement includes funding for this activity 
     in the Operation and Maintenance account, as in previous 
     years.
       Additional Funding.--The Corps is expected to allocate the 
     additional funding provided in this account primarily to 
     specific feasibility and PED phases, rather than to Remaining 
     Items line items as has been the case in previous work plans. 
     Of the additional funds provided in this account for 
     navigation and coastal and deep draft navigation, the Corps 
     shall allocate not less than $2,200,000 for the continuation 
     of ongoing General Reevaluation Reports. When allocating the 
     additional funding provided in this account, the Corps shall 
     consider giving priority to completing or accelerating 
     ongoing studies or to initiating new studies that will 
     enhance the nation's economic development, job growth, and 
     international competitiveness; are for projects located in 
     areas that have suffered recent natural disasters; are for 
     projects that protect life and property; or are for projects 
     to address legal requirements. The Corps shall use these 
     funds for additional work in both the feasibility and PED 
     phases. The agreement includes sufficient additional funding 
     to undertake a significant amount of feasibility and PED 
     work. The Administration is reminded that a project study is 
     not complete until the PED phase is complete.
       The Corps is reminded that the following activities are 
     eligible to compete for additional funding: development of a 
     hydraulic model that will assist no fewer than five States 
     along a major navigable waterway with making regional 
     strategic flood risk management decisions, the updating of 
     economic analyses, and the updating of economic impact 
     studies.
       Water Resources Priorities Study.--No funding shall be used 
     for this study.
       Research and Development.--Within available funds, the 
     Corps shall advance work on activities included in the House 
     and Senate reports.
       SMART Planning.--The agreement includes the House 
     direction. Additionally, the Corps is reminded of the fiscal 
     year 2016 direction to evaluate each North Atlantic Coast 
     Comprehensive Study focus area to determine the appropriate 
     scope, schedule, and cost, without the initial time and cost 
     limits of the 3x3x3 process. Particularly for comprehensive 
     or regional studies that have significantly larger study 
     areas than typical feasibility studies, it may not be 
     advisable to identify a tentatively selected plan prior to 
     determining whether an exemption from the 3x3x3 process is 
     prudent. Common sense determinations early in the feasibility 
     process can avoid the wasted time and funding inherent in 
     changing course late in the process.
       Section 1143 Study.--The Corps is encouraged to include in 
     future budget submissions the study of sediment sources 
     authorized in section 1143 of Public Law 114-322.
       Puget Sound.--In addition to Senate direction, the Corps is 
     reminded that no new start, new investment decision, or new 
     phase decision shall be required to move the Puget Sound 
     Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project from feasibility to 
     PED.


                              CONSTRUCTION

       The agreement includes $2,085,000,000 for Construction. The 
     agreement includes legislative language regarding parameters 
     for new construction starts.
       The allocation for projects and activities within the 
     Construction account is shown in the following table:

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       Updated Capability.--The agreement adjusts some project-
     specific allocations downward from the budget request based 
     on updated information regarding the amount of work that 
     could be accomplished in fiscal year 2018.
       Additional Funding.--The agreement includes additional 
     funds for projects and activities to enhance the nation's 
     economic growth and international competitiveness. Of the 
     additional funds provided in this account, the Corps shall 
     allocate not less than $2,850,000 to projects with riverfront 
     development components. Of the additional funding provided in 
     this account for flood and storm damage reduction and flood 
     control, the Corps shall allocate not less than $5,400,000 to 
     additional nonstructural flood control projects. Of the 
     additional funds provided in this account for flood and storm 
     damage reduction, navigation, and other authorized project 
     purposes, the Corps shall allocate not less than $15,000,000 
     to authorized reimbursements for projects with executed 
     project cooperation agreements and that have completed 
     construction or where nonfederal sponsors intend to use the 
     funds for additional water resources development activities. 
     Of the additional funding provided in this account for flood 
     and storm damage reduction and flood control, the Corps shall 
     allocate not less than $7,000,000 to continue construction of 
     projects that principally include improvements to rainfall 
     drainage systems that address flood damages. Of the 
     additional funding provided for flood and storm damage 
     reduction, flood control, and environmental restoration or 
     compliance, the Corps shall allocate not less than $1,000,000 
     for projects for hurricane and storm damage risk reduction 
     and environmental restoration with both structural and 
     nonstructural project elements.
       The Corps is reminded that dam safety projects authorized 
     under section 5003 of the Water Resources Development Act of 
     2007 are eligible to compete for the additional funding 
     provided in this account.
       When allocating the additional funding provided in this 
     account, the Corps shall consider eligibility and 
     implementation decisions under Public Law 115-123 so as to 
     maximize the reduction of risk to public safety and 
     infrastructure and the reduction of future damages from 
     floods and storms nationwide. Public Law 115-123 included 
     funding within the Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies 
     account to restore authorized shore protection projects to 
     full project profile. That funding is expected to address 
     most of the current year capability. Therefore, to ensure 
     funding is not directed to where it cannot be used, the 
     agreement includes $50,000,000 for construction of shore 
     protection projects. The Corps is reminded that if additional 
     work can be done, these projects are also eligible to compete 
     for additional funding for flood and storm damage reduction.
       When allocating the additional funding provided in this 
     account, the Corps is encouraged to evaluate authorized 
     reimbursements in the same manner as if the projects were 
     being evaluated for new or ongoing construction and shall 
     consider giving priority to the following:
       1. benefits of the funded work to the national economy;
       2. extent to which the work will enhance national, 
     regional, or local economic development;
       3. number of jobs created directly by the funded activity;
       4. ability to obligate the funds allocated within the 
     calendar year, including consideration of the ability of the 
     non-federal sponsor to provide any required cost share;
       5. ability to complete the project, separable element, or 
     project phase with the funds allocated;
       6. legal requirements, including responsibilities to 
     Tribes;
       7. for flood and storm damage reduction projects (including 
     authorized nonstructural measures and periodic beach 
     renourishments),
       a. population, economic activity, or public infrastructure 
     at risk, as appropriate; and
       b. the severity of risk of flooding or the frequency with 
     which an area has experienced flooding;
       8. for shore protection projects, projects in areas that 
     have suffered severe beach erosion requiring additional sand 
     placement outside of the normal beach renourishment cycle or 
     in which the normal beach renourishment cycle has been 
     delayed;
       9. for navigation projects, the number of jobs or level of 
     economic activity to be supported by completion of the 
     project, separable element, or project phase;
       10. for projects cost shared with the Inland Waterways 
     Trust Fund (IWTF), the economic impact on the local, 
     regional, and national economy if the project is not funded, 
     as well as discrete elements of work that can be completed 
     within the funding provided in this line item;
       11. for other authorized project purposes and environmental 
     restoration or compliance projects, to include the beneficial 
     use of dredged material; and
       12. for environmental infrastructure, projects with the 
     greater economic impact, projects in rural communities, 
     projects in communities with significant shoreline and 
     instances of runoff, projects in or that benefit counties or 
     parishes with high poverty rates, projects in financially 
     distressed municipalities, and projects that will provide 
     substantial benefits to water quality improvements.
       The agreement provides funds making use of all estimated 
     annual revenues in the IWTF. The Corps shall allocate all 
     funds provided in the IWTF Revenues line item along with the 
     statutory cost share from funds provided in the Navigation 
     line item prior to allocating the remainder of funds in the 
     Navigation line item.
       Aquatic Plant Control Program.--Of the funding provided for 
     the Aquatic Plant Control Program, $1,000,000 shall be for 
     activities for the control of the flowering rush. Of the 
     funding provided for the Aquatic Plant Control Program, 
     $5,000,000 shall be for nationwide research and development 
     to address invasive aquatic plants; within this funding, the 
     Corps is encouraged to support cost shared aquatic plant 
     management programs. Of the funding provided for the Aquatic 
     Plant Control Program, $5,000,000 shall be for watercraft 
     inspection stations, as authorized by section 1039 of the 
     Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014, and 
     related monitoring.
       Continuing Authorities Program (CAP).--The agreement 
     continues to support all sections of the Continuing 
     Authorities Program. Funding is provided for eight CAP 
     sections at a total of $40,500,000, an increase of 
     $31,500,000 above the budget request, which proposed funding 
     for only four sections. This program provides a useful tool 
     for the Corps to undertake small localized projects without 
     the lengthy study and authorization process typical of larger 
     Corps projects. Within the Continuing Authorities Program and 
     to the extent already authorized by law, the Corps is 
     encouraged to consider projects that enhance coastal and 
     ocean ecosystem resiliency, projects in regions comprised of 
     cities whose historic flooding has been caused predominantly 
     by winter snowmelt and ice floes, and projects that address 
     erosion problems jeopardizing box culvert crossings on public 
     roadways. The management of the Continuing Authorities 
     Program shall continue consistent with direction provided in 
     previous fiscal years.
       Alternative Financing.--The agreement only includes 
     direction in the Expenses account.
       Oyster Restoration.--The Corps is encouraged to include 
     funding in future budget submissions for the Chesapeake Bay 
     Oyster Restoration program.
       The Dalles Dam.--The agreement includes Senate language. 
     Additionally, the Administration is directed to brief the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress not 
     later than 15 days after enactment of this Act on any 
     decision to require a new start determination or new 
     investment decision for additional work on an ongoing plan, 
     including justification if such a decision has been made.
       McCook Reservoir.--In addition to the Senate report 
     language, the Corps is encouraged to provide sufficient 
     funding in future budget submissions.


                   MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES

       The agreement includes $425,000,000 for Mississippi River 
     and Tributaries.
       The allocation for projects and activities within the 
     Mississippi River and Tributaries account is shown in the 
     following table:

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       Additional Funding.--When allocating the additional funding 
     provided in this account, the Corps shall consider giving 
     priority to completing or accelerating ongoing work that will 
     enhance the nation's economic development, job growth, and 
     international competitiveness, or are for studies or projects 
     located in areas that have suffered recent natural disasters. 
     While this funding is shown under remaining items, the Corps 
     shall use these funds in investigations, construction, and 
     operation and maintenance, as applicable. Of the additional 
     funds provided in this account for flood control, the Corps 
     shall allocate not less than $11,770,000 for additional flood 
     control construction projects. Of the additional funds 
     provided in this account for other authorized project 
     purposes, the Corps shall allocate not less than $742,000 for 
     operation and maintenance of facilities that are educational 
     or to continue land management of mitigation features.
       Mississippi River Commission.--No funding is provided for 
     this new line item. The Corps is directed to continue funding 
     the costs of the commission from within the funds provided 
     for activities within the Mississippi River and Tributaries 
     project.


                       OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

       The agreement includes $3,630,000,000 for Operation and 
     Maintenance.
       The allocation for projects and activities within the 
     Operation and Maintenance account is shown in the following 
     table:

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       Updated Capability.--The agreement adjusts some project-
     specific allocations downward from the budget request based 
     on updated information regarding the amount of work that 
     could be accomplished in fiscal year 2018.
       Surveillance of Northern Boundary Waters, Oregon.--The 
     agreement includes funding for activities in support of the 
     Columbia River Treaty in this line item, as in previous 
     years, rather than in a new line item ``Columbia River Treaty 
     2024 Implementation, OR & WA'' in the Investigations account 
     as in the budget request.
       Additional Funding for Ongoing Work.--When allocating the 
     additional funding provided in this account, the Corps shall 
     consider giving priority to the following:
       1. ability to complete ongoing work maintaining authorized 
     depths and widths of harbors and shipping channels, including 
     where contaminated sediments are present;
       2. ability to address critical maintenance backlog;
       3. presence of the U.S. Coast Guard;
       4. extent to which the work will enhance national, 
     regional, or local economic development, including domestic 
     manufacturing capacity;
       5. extent to which the work will promote job growth or 
     international competitiveness;
       6. number of jobs created directly by the funded activity;
       7. ability to obligate the funds allocated within the 
     calendar year;
       8. ability to complete the project, separable element, 
     project phase, or useful increment of work within the funds 
     allocated;
       9. risk of imminent failure or closure of the facility; and
       10. for harbor maintenance activities,
       a. total tonnage handled;
       b. total exports;
       c. total imports;
       d. dollar value of cargo handled;
       e. energy infrastructure and national security needs 
     served;
       f. designation as strategic seaports;
       g. lack of alternative means of freight movement; and
       h. savings over alternative means of freight movement.
       Additional funding provided for donor and energy transfer 
     ports shall be allocated in accordance with 33 U.S.C. 2238c. 
     The Corps is encouraged to include funding for this program 
     in future budget requests.
       Facility Protection.--The agreement provides funding for 
     completion and deployment of tools to address hydrologic 
     extremes.
       Monitoring of Completed Navigation Projects.--Of the 
     funding provided, $3,700,000 shall be to support the 
     structural health monitoring program to facilitate research 
     to maximize operations, enhance efficiency, and protect asset 
     life through catastrophic failure mitigation and $2,000,000 
     shall be for research related to the impacts of reduced 
     navigational lock operations as described in the Senate 
     report. The Corps is encouraged to also consider the need for 
     additional work on the evaluation of grouted trunnion rods 
     and the validation of technologies such as protective 
     coatings.
       Water Operations Technical Support.--Funding in addition to 
     the budget request is included for research into atmospheric 
     rivers first funded in fiscal year 2015. The Corps is 
     directed to brief the Committees on Appropriations of both 
     Houses of Congress not later than 30 days after the enactment 
     of this Act on the application of this work to other 
     locations and projects, including technical transferability, 
     cost estimates, and appropriate budget structure.
       Great Lakes Navigation System.--The agreement includes 
     funding for individual projects within this System that 
     exceeds the funding level envisioned in section 
     210(d)(1)(B)(ii) of the Water Resources Development Act of 
     1986.
       Beneficial Use of Dredged Material.--In addition to Senate 
     direction, the Corps shall brief the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress not later than 30 
     days after the enactment of this Act on the status of 
     implementation of this authority, including schedule, project 
     selection details, cost estimates, and planned budget 
     structure.
       Coastal Inlet Research Program.--Funding in addition to the 
     budget request is included for the Corps to work with the 
     National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National 
     Water Center on protecting the nation's water resources.


                           REGULATORY PROGRAM

       The agreement includes $200,000,000 for the Regulatory 
     Program.
       Aquaculture Activities.--The agreement includes House and 
     Senate direction.


            FORMERLY UTILIZED SITES REMEDIAL ACTION PROGRAM

       The agreement includes $139,000,000 for the Formerly 
     Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program.


                 FLOOD CONTROL AND COASTAL EMERGENCIES

       The agreement includes $35,000,000 for Flood Control and 
     Coastal Emergencies. The agreement does not include use of 
     prior-year balances.


                                EXPENSES

       The agreement includes $185,000,000 for Expenses.
       Alternative financing.--There is support among Members of 
     Congress and within the Administration for public-private 
     partnerships (P3) and other alternative financing mechanisms. 
     These arrangements have the potential to be project delivery 
     tools to help sustain the performance of existing 
     infrastructure and construct new infrastructure more quickly. 
     In fiscal year 2016, the Corps was directed to develop a 
     policy on how proposals for public-private partnerships will 
     be considered by the Corps and how these partnerships will be 
     incorporated into the budget policy. A policy will allow 
     interested non-federal sponsors equal opportunity to develop 
     proposals for the Corps to review under established 
     guidelines. To date, the Corps has not developed a policy. 
     Therefore, the Corps is directed to issue this policy not 
     later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act. 
     Concurrently, the Corps shall provide to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a report on 
     potential project and alternative financing evaluation 
     metrics, including identifying the viability of using total 
     return on federal investment as a metric for analyzing 
     projects while also considering and addressing longstanding 
     equity concerns that federal funding decisions not be biased 
     by non-federal decisions to construct projects in advance of 
     federal funding or to provide funding in excess of legally 
     required cost shares. Until such policy is issued, the Corps 
     shall discontinue all work on project specific public-private 
     partnerships beyond the P3 project selected as a new start in 
     fiscal year 2016.
       Implementation guidance.--The Corps is directed to issue 
     expeditiously implementation guidance for section 1043 of the 
     Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (non-
     federal implementation pilot program).


     OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE ARMY FOR CIVIL WORKS

       The agreement includes $5,000,000 for the Office of the 
     Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. The 
     agreement includes legislative language that restricts the 
     availability of funding until the Secretary submits a work 
     plan that allocates at least 95 percent of the additional 
     funding provided in each account (i.e., 95 percent of 
     additional funding provided in Investigations, 95 percent of 
     additional funding provided in Construction, etc.). This 
     restriction shall not affect the roles and responsibilities 
     established in previous fiscal years of the Office of the 
     Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, the Corps 
     headquarters, the Corps field operating agencies, or any 
     other executive branch agency.


             GENERAL PROVISIONS--CORPS OF ENGINEERS--CIVIL

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement includes a provision relating to 
     reprogramming.
       The agreement includes a provision regarding the allocation 
     of funds.
       The agreement includes a provision prohibiting the use of 
     funds to carry out any contract that commits funds beyond the 
     amounts appropriated for that program, project, or activity.
       The agreement includes a provision concerning funding 
     transfers related to fish hatcheries.
       The agreement includes a provision regarding certain 
     dredged material disposal activities.
       The agreement includes a provision regarding acquisitions.
       The agreement includes a provision regarding reallocations 
     at a project.
       The agreement includes a provision regarding section 404 of 
     the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
       The agreement includes a provision regarding a report by 
     the Chief of Engineers.

                  TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

                          Central Utah Project


                CENTRAL UTAH PROJECT COMPLETION ACCOUNT

       The agreement includes a total of $10,500,000 for the 
     Central Utah Project Completion Account, which includes 
     $8,152,000 for Central Utah Project construction, $898,000 
     for transfer to the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and 
     Conservation Account for use by the Utah Reclamation 
     Mitigation and Conservation Commission, and $1,450,000 for 
     necessary expenses of the Secretary of the Interior.

                         Bureau of Reclamation

       In lieu of all House and Senate report direction regarding 
     additional funding and the fiscal year 2018 work plan, the 
     agreement includes direction under the heading ``Additional 
     Funding for Water and Related Resources Work'' in the Water 
     and Related Resources account.


                      WATER AND RELATED RESOURCES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The agreement includes $1,332,124,000 for Water and Related 
     Resources. The agreement includes legislative language, in 
     accordance with Public Law 114-322, to allow the use of 
     certain funding provided in fiscal year 2017.
       The catastrophic drought in the western United States over 
     the past several years has impacted community access to life-
     giving water. Accordingly, the agreement supports the 
     Interior Department's efforts to complete feasibility studies 
     or initiate construction on seven projects identified by the 
     Department in the State of California, State of Idaho, and 
     State of Washington, consistent with Section 4007 of Public 
     Law 114-322. The Department is directed to work expeditiously 
     to bring these projects to fruition. Furthermore, funds made 
     available in accordance with Section 4007 of Public Law 114-
     322 shall not be expended on construction

[[Page H2471]]

     activities until such time as the Bureau of Reclamation has 
     complied with all applicable laws, including sections 4007(j) 
     and 4012(a)(1) of Public Law 114-322.
       The agreement for Water and Related Resources is shown in 
     the following table:

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[[Page H2481]]

  

       Scoggins Dam, Tualatin Project, Oregon.--The agreement 
     supports the administration's budget request for 
     preconstruction activities at Scoggins Dam under the Safety 
     of Dams program. Consistent with the Tualatin Project Water 
     Supply Feasibility Study authorized in Public Law 108-137 and 
     statutory authority granted by Public Law 114-113 allowing 
     for additional benefits to be conducted concurrently with dam 
     safety improvements, Reclamation is directed to evaluate 
     alternatives, including new or supplementary works, provided 
     that safety remains the paramount consideration, to address 
     dam safety modifications and increased storage capacity. 
     Considering the high risk associated with Scoggins Dam, 
     Reclamation is encouraged to work with local stakeholders and 
     repayment contractors on this joint project including 
     feasibility and environmental review of the preferred 
     alternative. A replacement structure downstream could 
     significantly reduce project costs for both the federal 
     government and local stakeholders. Reclamation may accept 
     contributed funds from non-federal contractors to expedite 
     completion of any level of review.
       Salton Sea.--The agreement includes Senate direction.
       Additional Funding for Water and Related Resources Work.--
     The agreement includes funds in addition to the budget 
     request for Water and Related Resources studies, projects, 
     and activities. Priority in allocating these funds should be 
     given to advance and complete ongoing work, including 
     preconstruction activities and where environmental compliance 
     has been completed; improve water supply reliability; improve 
     water deliveries; enhance national, regional, or local 
     economic development; promote job growth; advance tribal and 
     nontribal water settlement studies and activities; or address 
     critical backlog maintenance and rehabilitation activities. 
     Of the additional funding provided under the heading ``Water 
     Conservation and Delivery'', $134,000,000 shall be for water 
     storage projects as authorized in section 4007 of Public Law 
     114-322. Of the additional funding provided under the heading 
     ``Environmental Restoration or Compliance'', not less than 
     $30,000,000 shall be for activities authorized under sections 
     4001 and 4010 of Public Law 114-322 or as set forth in 
     federal-state plans for restoring threatened and endangered 
     fish species affected by the operation of the Bureau of 
     Reclamation's water projects.
       Not later than 45 days after the enactment of this Act, 
     Reclamation shall provide to the Committees on Appropriations 
     of both Houses of Congress a report delineating how these 
     funds are to be distributed, in which phase the work is to be 
     accomplished, and an explanation of the criteria and rankings 
     used to justify each allocation.
       Reclamation is reminded that activities authorized under 
     Indian Water Rights Settlements and under section 206 of 
     Public Law 113-235 are eligible to compete for the additional 
     funding provided under ``Water Conservation and Delivery''.
       Research and Development: Desalination and Water 
     Purification Program.--Of the funding provided for this 
     program, $12,000,000 shall be for desalination projects as 
     authorized in section 4009(a) of Public Law 114-322.
       WaterSMART Program: Title XVI Water Reclamation & Reuse 
     Program.--Of the funding provided for this program, 
     $20,000,000 shall be for water recycling and reuse projects 
     as authorized in section 4009(c) of Public Law 114-322.
       Projects Serving Military Installations.--Reclamation is 
     directed to submit to the Committees on Appropriations of 
     both Houses of Congress not later than 120 days after 
     enactment of this Act a report describing existing programs, 
     authorities, and funding options available to advance water 
     projects that serve military installations. Reclamation shall 
     consult with the Department of Defense in developing this 
     report.
       Rural Water.--Voluntary funding in excess of legally 
     required cost shares for rural water projects is acceptable, 
     but shall not be used by Reclamation as a criterion for 
     allocating additional funding provided in this agreement or 
     for budgeting in future years.
       WIIN Act Implementation.--The Bureau of Reclamation is 
     directed to move expeditiously on implementation of the WIIN 
     Act (Public Law 114-322). Specifically, Reclamation is 
     expected to recommend water storage projects for funding 
     under section 4007 and water desalination projects for 
     funding under section 4009(a) by no later than September 30, 
     2018. To meet this deadline, Reclamation, by no later than 
     April 30, 2018, shall develop guidelines and criteria for 
     administering section 4009(a) and issue a funding opportunity 
     announcement for funding provided under that section in 
     fiscal years 2017 and 2018.
       Title XVI Evaluation Criteria.--The Secretary is directed 
     to review the technical proposal evaluation criteria in 
     future funding opportunity announcements associated with 
     water recycling and reuse projects to ensure that a diversity 
     of water recycling projects are able to equitably compete for 
     funding. When evaluating projects for available funding, the 
     Secretary is directed to consider that a project's economic 
     benefits can be measured in multiple ways, not only through 
     cost per acre-foot of water generated, to ensure an equitable 
     comparison of projects. Further, the Secretary is directed to 
     consider the cost per acre-foot of each project in comparison 
     to other water supply alternatives available within the 
     project area and the cost per acre-foot of water generated by 
     projects with similar characteristics.
       Buried Metallic Water Pipe.--Reclamation shall continue 
     following its temporary design guidance.


                CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT RESTORATION FUND

       The agreement provides $41,376,000 for the Central Valley 
     Project Restoration Fund.


                    CALIFORNIA BAY-DELTA RESTORATION

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $37,000,000 for the California Bay-
     Delta Restoration Program.


                       POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION

       The agreement provides $59,000,000 for Policy and 
     Administration.


                        ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION

       The agreement includes a provision limiting the Bureau of 
     Reclamation to purchase not more than five passenger vehicles 
     for replacement only.

             GENERAL PROVISIONS--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

       The agreement includes a provision outlining the 
     circumstances under which the Bureau of Reclamation may 
     reprogram funds.
       The agreement includes a provision regarding the San Luis 
     Unit and Kesterson Reservoir in California.
       The agreement includes a provision regarding the 
     Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991.
       The agreement includes a provision regarding aquifer 
     recharge at a project.

                    TITLE III--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

       The agreement provides $34,520,049,000 for the Department 
     of Energy to fund programs in its primary mission areas of 
     science, energy, environment, and national security. The 
     Department is prohibited from funding fellowship and 
     scholarship programs in fiscal year 2018 unless the programs 
     were explicitly included in the budget justification or 
     funded within this agreement. The Department is expected to 
     spend funds as provided for within this agreement in an 
     expeditious manner, to include the issuance of funding 
     opportunity announcements and awards of funds.
       Five-Year Plan.--The Department is directed to submit to 
     the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 
     not later than September 30, 2018 a report on the plan to 
     comply with 42 U.S.C. 7279a.
       Grid Modernization.--The Department is directed to continue 
     to support ongoing work between the national laboratories, 
     industry, and universities to improve grid reliability and 
     resiliency. The Department is also directed to continue 
     implementation of the Grid Modernization Multi-Year Program 
     Plan. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and 
     Medicine is directed to conduct an evaluation of the expected 
     medium- and long-term evolution of the grid. This evaluation 
     shall focus on developments that include the emergence of new 
     technologies, planning and operating techniques, grid 
     architecture, and business models.
       Cybersecurity.--The Department is directed to provide to 
     the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 
     not later than 90 days after the enactment of this Act the 
     cybersecurity plans directed in the House and Senate reports.
       Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT).--In lieu of House 
     direction, DOE shall conduct a review of its current PILT 
     agreements and provide to the Committees on Appropriations of 
     both Houses of Congress not later than 180 days after 
     enactment of this Act a report that describes the following:
       (1) the terms and costs of each PILT agreement;
       (2) a description of how DOE determines site eligibility;
       (3) an analysis of whether the current PILT agreements use 
     methods of calculation that are consistent with current DOE 
     policy guidelines, with guidance in the Atomic Energy Act 
     that the Department shall be guided by the policy of not 
     making payments in excess of the taxes which would have been 
     payable for such property in the condition in which it was 
     acquired, or with methods of calculation at other DOE sites;
       (4) an explanation for any agreements with notable 
     variances, including special burdens;
       (5) a description of DOE procedures for negotiating and 
     approving new agreements, including internal oversight 
     mechanisms in place;
       (6) recommendations for changes needed to ensure that 
     agreements are consistent across sites.
       The agreement includes direction in the House report for 
     the Comptroller General to provide an update on any changes 
     to DOE's PILT program since the issue was last examined by 
     the Government Accountability Office.

                       Reprogramming Requirements

       The agreement carries the Department's reprogramming 
     authority in statute to ensure that the Department carries 
     out its programs consistent with congressional direction. The 
     Department shall, when possible, submit consolidated, 
     cumulative notifications to the Committees on Appropriations 
     of both Houses of Congress.
       Definition.--A reprogramming includes the reallocation of 
     funds from one program, project, or activity to another 
     within an appropriation. For construction projects, a 
     reprogramming constitutes the reallocation of funds from one 
     construction project to another project or a change of 
     $2,000,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less, in the scope of 
     an approved project.

[[Page H2482]]

  


                            ENERGY PROGRAMS

                 Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

       The agreement provides $2,321,778,000 for Energy Efficiency 
     and Renewable Energy (EERE).
       The Department is directed to work with the Environmental 
     Protection Agency to review its 2009 Memorandum of 
     Understanding related to the Energy Star Program and report 
     to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
     Congress not later than 90 days after the enactment of this 
     Act on whether the expected efficiencies for home appliance 
     products have been achieved.


                       SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION

       Vehicle Technologies.--Within available funds, the 
     agreement provides not less than $160,000,000 for Electric 
     Drive Technologies Research and Development, not less than 
     $25,000,000 for Energy Efficient Mobility Systems, not less 
     than $42,988,000 for Advanced Combustion Engine Research and 
     Development, not less than $25,000,000 for Materials 
     Technology, not less than $16,000,000 for Vehicle Systems, 
     and not less than $10,000,000 to continue funding of Section 
     131 of the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act for 
     transportation electrification. The agreement provides 
     $20,000,000 for the SuperTruck II program to further improve 
     the efficiency of heavy-duty class 8 long- and regional-haul 
     vehicles and continue support of the five SuperTruck II 
     awards. The agreement provides $46,300,000 for Outreach, 
     Deployment, and Analysis. Within this amount, $37,800,000 is 
     provided for Deployment through the Clean Cities Program and 
     $2,500,000 is for year four of EcoCAR3. Within available 
     funds, the agreement provides up to $15,000,000 for medium- 
     and heavy-duty on-road natural gas engine research and 
     development, including energy efficiency improvements, 
     emission after-treatment technologies, fuel system 
     enhancements, and new engine development and up to 
     $10,000,000 to continue to support improving the energy 
     efficiency of commercial off-road vehicles, including fluid 
     power systems.
       Bioenergy Technologies.--Within available funds, the 
     agreement provides $27,000,000 for feedstock supply and 
     logistics; $90,000,000 for Conversion Technologies, of which 
     $20,000,000 is to continue the Agile Biology Foundry, 
     $5,000,000 is to continue the biopower program, and 
     $5,000,000 is to improve the efficiency of community and 
     smaller digesters that accept both farm and food wastes; and 
     $30,000,000 for algal biofuels. When awarding grants and 
     cooperative agreements for algal biofuels research and 
     development, not less than 50 percent of the dollar value of 
     awards shall be for university- or industry-led consortia. 
     The Department is directed to provide to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress not later than 180 
     days after the enactment of this Act a report on research and 
     development activities that can improve the economic 
     viability of municipal solid waste-to-energy facilities.
       Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies.--Within available 
     funds, the agreement provides $19,000,000 for Technology 
     Acceleration activities, including $3,000,000 for 
     manufacturing research and development and $7,000,000 for 
     industry-led efforts to demonstrate a hydrogen-focused 
     integrated renewable energy production, storage, and 
     transportation fuel distribution/retailing system. Within 
     available funds, the agreement provides $2,000,000 for the 
     EERE share of the integrated energy systems work with the 
     Office of Nuclear Energy and $7,000,000 to enable integrated 
     energy systems using high and low temperature electrolyzers 
     with the intent of advancing the H2@Scale concept.


                            RENEWABLE ENERGY

       Solar Energy.--Within available funds, the agreement 
     provides $55,000,000 for concentrating solar power research, 
     development, and demonstration of technologies that reduce 
     overall system costs, better integrate subsystem components, 
     develop higher-temperature receivers, and improve the design 
     of solar collection and thermal energy storage; $70,000,000 
     for Photovoltaic Research and Development; and $20,000,000 
     for Innovations in Manufacturing Competitiveness. The 
     Department is encouraged to continue to support the 
     Photovoltaic Regional Test Centers. Within available funds 
     for concentrating solar power research, development, and 
     demonstration, $6,000,000 is provided for competitively 
     selected projects focused on advanced thermal desalination 
     techniques.
       Wind Energy.--Within available funds, the agreement 
     provides not less than $10,000,000 on LCOE reduction, 
     domestic manufacturing, and lowering market barriers for 
     distributed wind systems, including small wind for rural 
     homes and farms. The Department is directed to give priority 
     to stewarding the assets and optimizing the operations of the 
     Department-owned wind research and testing facilities. The 
     agreement provides not less than $30,000,000 for the National 
     Wind Technology Center. The Department is directed to support 
     the advancement of innovative technologies for offshore wind 
     development, including freshwater, deepwater, shallow water, 
     and transitional depth installations. In addition, the 
     Department is directed to continue to support the previously 
     awarded innovative Offshore Wind Advanced Technology 
     Demonstration Projects and to support the deployment and 
     testing of scale floating wind turbines designed to reduce 
     energy costs. Within available funds, the agreement provides 
     not less than $15,000,000 for the Department to prioritize 
     early stage research on materials and manufacturing methods 
     and advanced components that will enable accessing high-
     quality wind resources, on development that will enable these 
     technologies to compete in the marketplace without the need 
     for subsidies, and on activities that will accelerate 
     fundamental offshore-specific research and development, such 
     as those that target technology and deployment challenges 
     unique to U.S. waters.
       Water Power.--In lieu of Senate report direction, the 
     agreement provides $70,000,000 for marine and hydrokinetic 
     technology research, development, and deployment activities, 
     including research into mitigation of marine ecosystem 
     impacts of these technologies. The Department is directed to 
     continue development of the open-water wave energy test 
     facility with previously provided funds. The Department is 
     directed to continue competitive solicitations to increase 
     energy capture, reliability, and survivability at lower costs 
     for a balanced portfolio of wave and current (ocean, river, 
     tidal) energy conversion systems and components. Within 
     available funds, the agreement provides $30,000,000 for 
     industry- and university-led basic and applied research, 
     development, and validation projects encompassing a pipeline 
     of higher and lower technology readiness levels. The funds 
     shall be used for new awards or to bring existing and 
     validation awards toward completion. The agreement provides 
     not less than $8,000,000 to support collaborations between 
     the previously designated university-based Marine Renewable 
     Energy Centers and the national laboratories, including 
     personnel exchanges, to support industry by conducting 
     research, development, and deployment of marine energy 
     components and systems. In addition, the Department is 
     directed to continue its coordination with the U.S. Navy on 
     marine energy technology development for national security 
     applications at the Wave Energy Test Site and other 
     locations. Within available funds, the Department is directed 
     to prioritize the necessary infrastructure upgrades at marine 
     industry testing sites operated by the national laboratories 
     or the National Marine Renewable Energy Centers. The 
     agreement provides not less than $1,000,000 for these 
     efforts.
       Within available funds, $35,000,000 is provided for 
     conventional hydropower and pumped storage activities, 
     including $6,600,000 for the purposes of section 242 of the 
     Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58). The agreement 
     provides $10,000,000 for a competitive funding opportunity 
     for multiple awardees to test the commercial viability of new 
     use cases for pumped storage hydropower at locations to 
     enhance grid reliability and manage variable generation.
       Geothermal Technologies.--In lieu of Senate report 
     direction, the agreement provides $30,000,000 for the 
     continuation of activities for the Frontier Observatory for 
     Research in Geothermal Energy project. The Department is 
     directed to continue its efforts to identify prospective 
     geothermal resources in areas with no obvious surface 
     expressions.


                           ENERGY EFFICIENCY

       Advanced Manufacturing.--The following is the only 
     direction for Advanced Manufacturing. The agreement provides 
     not less than $4,205,000 for improvements in the steel 
     industry and $5,000,000 for transient kinetic analysis for 
     scaling of industrial processes and developing new catalysis 
     programs for industrial applications. Within available funds, 
     $85,000,000 is for Advanced Manufacturing Research and 
     Development Projects; $153,000,000 is for Advanced 
     Manufacturing Research and Development Facilities, of which 
     $70,000,000 is for five Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation 
     (CEMI) Institutes, including $14,000,000 each for the 
     Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation Institute, the 
     Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute, the Reducing 
     Embodied-energy and Decreasing Emissions (REMADE) Institute, 
     the Rapid Advancement in Process Intensification Deployment 
     (RAPID) Institute, and a CEMI selection to be announced, 
     $20,000,000 is for the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility 
     (MDF), $20,000,000 is for the Energy-Water Desalination Hub, 
     and $25,000,000 is for the Critical Materials Hub; and 
     $30,000,000 is for Industrial Technical Assistance, of which 
     $5,000,000 is for the Combined Heat and Power Technical 
     Assistance Partnerships and $7,000,000 is for related 
     combined heat and power activities. Within funds for the MDF, 
     the Department is directed to continue its emphasis on 
     assisting small- and medium-sized businesses to overcome the 
     risks and challenges of investing in specialized, high-
     technology equipment at the MDF. Within available funds for 
     Industrial Assessment Centers, the agreement provides not 
     less than $1,500,000 for wastewater treatment technical 
     assistance. Within available funds, the agreement provides 
     $10,000,000 for district heating and directs the Department 
     to collaborate with industry and provide to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress not later than 90 
     days after the enactment of this Act a report that assesses 
     the potential energy efficiency and energy security gains to 
     be realized with district energy systems. The Department is 
     directed to further foster the partnership between the 
     national laboratories, universities, and industry to use 
     thermoplastics composites and 3-D printing for renewable 
     energy to overcome challenges to the development and 
     implementation of innovative offshore wind technologies.
       Building Technologies.--The agreement provides $23,000,000 
     for Residential Buildings Integration, $32,000,000 for 
     Commercial

[[Page H2483]]

     Buildings Integration, $90,000,000 for Emerging Technologies, 
     and $50,000,000 for Equipment and Buildings Standards. Within 
     available funds, $25,000,000 is for transactive controls 
     research and development, of which $5,000,000 is to continue 
     promoting regional demonstrations of new, utility-led, 
     residential Connected Communities advancing smart grid 
     systems. Within available funds, $25,000,000 is for solid-
     state lighting technology development and, if the Secretary 
     finds solid-state lighting technology eligible for the 
     Twenty-First Century Lamp Prize specified under Section 655 
     of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, 
     $5,000,000 is provided in addition to funds for solid-state 
     lighting research and development. The agreement also 
     provides $10,000,000, within available funds, for research 
     and development for energy efficiency efforts related to the 
     direct use of natural gas in residential applications, 
     including gas heat pump heating and water heating, on-site 
     combined heat and power, and natural gas appliance venting.
       Weatherization and Intergovernmental Programs.--The 
     Department is directed to make $500,000 available to current 
     Weatherization Assistance Program grant recipients via the 
     Weatherization Innovation Pilot Program to develop and 
     implement strategies to treat harmful substances, including 
     vermiculite.

              Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability

       The agreement provides $248,329,000 for Electricity 
     Delivery and Energy Reliability.
       Within Transmission Reliability, the agreement provides 
     $5,000,000 for university, national laboratory, and industry 
     research and development for competitively-awarded activities 
     to develop multi-use integrated analytical and decision-
     making tools.
       Within Resilient Distribution Systems, the agreement 
     provides $5,000,000 for field validation of sensors using 
     data analytics for utilities to improve operations in steady-
     state and under extreme conditions, and to continue early-
     stage research to develop low-cost, printable sensors that 
     can predict the health of critical equipment in the electric 
     delivery system.
       Within Cyber Security for Energy Delivery Systems, the 
     agreement provides $10,000,000 to complete the development of 
     the industry-scale electric grid test bed and not less than 
     $5,000,000 to develop cyber and cyber-physical solutions for 
     advanced control concepts for distribution and municipal 
     utility companies.
       Within Transformer Resilience and Advanced Components, the 
     Department is directed to continue to support research and 
     development for advanced components and grid materials for 
     low-cost, power flow control devices, including both solid 
     state and hybrid concepts that use power electronics to 
     control electromagnetic devices and enable improved 
     controllability, flexibility, and resiliency.
       The Department is directed to provide to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress not later than 90 
     days after the enactment of this Act a report identifying 
     strategic laboratory, university, and industry partnerships 
     that would enhance national security and assist industry in 
     addressing critical threats, including electromagnetic 
     pulses, geomagnetic disturbances, cyberattacks, and supply 
     chain disruptions.

                             Nuclear Energy

       The agreement provides $1,205,056,000 for Nuclear Energy.
       Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies.--Within available 
     funds, $50,000,000 is for Crosscutting Technology 
     Development, of which $10,000,000 is for work on advanced 
     sensors and instrumentation, $6,000,000 is for hybrid energy 
     systems, and not less than $30,000,000 is to support 
     development of advanced reactor technologies and high-
     priority crosscutting research and development areas. Funding 
     for nuclear cybersecurity and hybrid electric systems is 
     provided only within Crosscutting Technology Development. The 
     agreement provides $41,000,000 for the Nuclear Science User 
     Facilities, of which $5,000,000 is for nuclear energy 
     computation support. In lieu of House direction, the 
     agreement provides $28,200,000 for Nuclear Energy Advanced 
     Modeling and Simulation and $30,000,000 for the Energy 
     Innovation Hub for Modeling and Simulation to continue 
     ongoing work, including collaboration with the Nuclear 
     Regulatory Commission to evaluate the use of high fidelity 
     modeling and simulation tools in the regulatory environment.
       Reactor Concepts Research and Development.--Within 
     available funds, $155,000,000 is for Advanced Reactor 
     Technologies, of which not less than $60,000,000 is for a 
     solicitation to support technical, first-of-its-kind 
     engineering and design and regulatory development of next 
     generation light water and non-light water reactor 
     technologies, including small modular reactors; $18,000,000 
     is for the third year of the advanced reactor concepts 
     program; $3,000,000 is for testing and development of dynamic 
     convection technology; and up to $5,000,000 is for a MW-scale 
     reactor study. The agreement provides $35,000,000 for the 
     versatile fast test reactor for research and development 
     activities to achieve CD-0. The project is directed to follow 
     the Department of Energy Order 413.3B ``Program and Project 
     Management for the Acquisition of Capital Assets'' guidance 
     once CD-0 is obtained. The agreement provides $47,000,000 for 
     the Light Water Reactor Sustainability program to continue 
     research and development work on the technical basis for 
     subsequent license renewal. The Department shall focus 
     funding within the Light Water Reactor Sustainability program 
     on materials aging and degradation, advanced instrumentation 
     and control technologies, and component aging modeling and 
     simulation. The Department shall also coordinate with 
     industry and the national laboratories to determine other 
     areas of high-priority research and development in this area. 
     The Department is directed to provide to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress within 180 days of 
     the enactment of this Act a report that sets aggressive, but 
     achievable goals to demonstrate a variety of private-sector 
     advanced reactor designs and fuel types by the late 2020s. 
     The report shall include anticipated costs, both federal and 
     private, needed to achieve the goals. The Department shall 
     collaborate with national laboratories, nuclear vendors, 
     utilities, potential end users (such as petrochemical 
     companies), and other stakeholders to identify subprogram 
     priorities necessary to meet the identified goals. The 
     Department is also directed to provide to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress not later than 90 
     days after the enactment of this Act a report that details 
     all current programs and projects within the Office of 
     Nuclear Energy, whether the Department plans to continue to 
     support each program or project, and the expected out-year 
     funding through completion of the program or project.
       Fuel Cycle Research and Development.--The agreement 
     provides $125,000,000 for the Advanced Fuels program, of 
     which not less than $55,600,000 is to continue the 
     participation of three industry-led teams in Phase 2 of the 
     cost shared research and development program on Accident 
     Tolerant Fuels; not less than $20,000,000 is to support 
     accident tolerant fuels development at the national 
     laboratories and other facilities, including at the Advanced 
     Test Reactor, the Transient Reactor Test Facility, and the 
     Halden reactor; $3,000,000 is for continuation of the 
     previously competitively awarded small business projects to 
     develop ceramic cladding for Accident Tolerant Fuels; and 
     $8,000,000 is for additional support of capability 
     development of transient testing, including test design, 
     modeling, and simulation. Within available funds, $8,641,000 
     is for Systems Analysis and Integration and $30,000,000 is 
     for Material Recovery and Waste Form Development.
       The agreement provides $86,415,000 for Used Nuclear Fuel 
     Disposition, of which $63,915,000 is to continue generic 
     research and development activities. Within available funds 
     for Used Nuclear Fuel Disposition, the Department is directed 
     to continue research and development activities on behavior 
     of spent fuel during storage, transportation, and disposal, 
     with priority on preparation activities for testing high-
     burnup fuel and post-irradiation examination of spent fuel 
     rods and on the direct disposal of dry storage canister 
     technologies. In lieu of Senate report direction, the 
     agreement includes $22,500,000 for Integrated Waste 
     Management System activities and no further direction. Within 
     the amounts for Used Nuclear Fuel Disposition, the agreement 
     does not include defense funds.
       Radiological Facilities Management.--The agreement includes 
     $20,000,000 for continued safe operation and maintenance of 
     Oak Ridge National Laboratory hot cells.
       Idaho Facilities Management.--In lieu of House and Senate 
     report direction, the agreement provides $288,000,000 for INL 
     Operations and Infrastructure to support the MFC and ATR Five 
     Year Plan to increase reliability and sustainability. The 
     Department is directed to provide to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress not later than 180 
     days after the enactment of this Act a report that lists the 
     current and planned users for the ATR for the next 3 years, 
     the operating cost attributed to each user, and the source of 
     funds that will be applied to cover the costs for each user.

                 Fossil Energy Research and Development

       The agreement provides $726,817,000 for Fossil Energy 
     Research and Development.
       The agreement does not include the proposed restructuring 
     of the ``NETL Research and Operations'' and ``NETL 
     Infrastructure'' accounts and instead continues the budget 
     structure from fiscal year 2017. The Department is directed 
     to develop a cohesive policy and technology strategy and 
     supporting roadmap or long-term plan for its Fossil Energy 
     Research and Development portfolio and supporting 
     infrastructure to guide the discovery or advancement of 
     technological solutions that incorporate lessons learned for 
     the future of research, development, and demonstration 
     efforts on advanced carbon capture and storage (CCS) 
     technologies, advanced fossil energy systems, and 
     crosscutting fossil energy research, as well as guide the 
     discovery or advancement of technological solutions for the 
     prudent and sustainable development of unconventional oil and 
     gas. The Department is directed to deliver the ``Fossil 
     Energy Roadmap'' to the Committees on Appropriations of both 
     Houses of Congress not later than 1 year after the enactment 
     of this Act. The agreement does not support the closure of 
     any National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) sites and 
     provides no funds to plan, develop, implement, or pursue the 
     consolidation or closure of any of the NETL sites. The 
     agreement directs the Department to conduct a comprehensive 
     assessment of Fossil

[[Page H2484]]

     Energy writ large to include the Fossil Energy Headquarters 
     programs, NETL, and relevant competencies of other national 
     laboratories which support the mission of the Office of 
     Fossil Energy. The assessment shall include an examination of 
     the roles and responsibilities of staff within the 
     Headquarters program, operations offices, and NETL to ensure 
     the fossil energy research and development portfolio and 
     supporting infrastructure are responsive to a cohesive policy 
     and technology strategy.
       Coal Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Power Systems.--
     The Department is directed to use funds from Coal CCS and 
     Power Systems for both coal and natural gas research and 
     development as it determines to be merited, as long as such 
     research does not occur at the expense of coal research and 
     development. The agreement includes $35,000,000 to continue 
     to support the solicitation for two large-scale pilots that 
     focus on transformational coal technologies that represent a 
     new way to convert energy to enable a step change in 
     performance, efficiency, and the cost of electricity compared 
     to today's technologies. Such technologies include 
     thermodynamic improvements in energy conversion and heat 
     transfer, such as pressurized oxygen combustion and chemical 
     looping, and improvements in carbon capture systems 
     technology. In making the awards for large-scale pilots, the 
     Department should prioritize entities that have previously 
     received funding for these technologies at the lab and bench 
     scale. The agreement provides $2,000,000 for Hybrid Carbon 
     Conversion activities. The agreement also includes funding 
     for the Department's National Carbon Capture Center 
     consistent with the cooperative agreement and fiscal year 
     2017.
       Within Carbon Storage, the agreement provides $12,000,000 
     for Carbon Use and Reuse and $45,000,000 for Storage 
     Infrastructure. The agreement recognizes the successful work 
     of the Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships (RCSPs) and 
     the important role they have played in supporting the 
     research and development of CCS. The Department is directed 
     to fulfill prior commitments to the RCSPs. Within available 
     funds for Storage Infrastructure, the agreement provides not 
     less than $30,000,000 to support the CarbonSAFE initiative in 
     which the RCSPs are eligible to participate. Within Advanced 
     Energy Systems, the agreement provides $25,000,000 for 
     Gasification Systems, of which $8,000,000 is for the Advanced 
     Air Separation Program to continue activities improving 
     advanced air separation technologies and $30,000,000 is for 
     Solid Oxide Fuel Cells to focus on research and development 
     to enable efficient, cost-effective electricity generation 
     with minimal use of water and the use of abundant domestic 
     coal and natural gas resources with near-zero atmospheric 
     emissions of CO2 and pollutants. Within available funds for 
     Advanced Energy Systems, the Department is directed to focus 
     on modular coal technologies that are capable of distributed 
     generation, represent maximum efficiency improvements over 
     the current average fleet, incorporate advanced emissions 
     control systems, and are economically competitive. Within 
     Cross Cutting Research, the agreement provides $20,000,000 
     for Coal Utilization Science, $34,500,000 for Plant 
     Optimization Technologies, $18,000,000 for the Advanced 
     Ultrasupercritical Program, and $1,000,000 to award research 
     grants to qualifying universities and institutions in the 
     Department's Historically Black Colleges and Universities and 
     Hispanic-Serving Institutions education and training program. 
     Within NETL Coal Research and Development, the agreement 
     provides $15,000,000 for the Department to expand its 
     external agency activities to develop and test commercially 
     viable advanced separation technologies at proof-of-concept 
     or pilot scale that can be deployed near term for the 
     extraction and recovery of rare earth elements and minerals 
     from U.S. coal and coal byproduct sources having the highest 
     potential for success.
       Natural Gas Technologies.--The agreement provides 
     $5,200,000 to continue the Risk Based Data Management System 
     (RBDMS) to support a cloud-based application and necessary 
     cybersecurity initiatives. The Department is directed to 
     support the continued integration of FracFocus and RBDMS for 
     improved public access to State oil and gas related data, as 
     well as for State regulatory agencies to support electronic 
     permitting for operators, eForms for improved processing time 
     for new permits, operator training from the improved 
     FracFocus 3.2 after enhancements are implemented, and 
     miscellaneous reports such as ``Produced Water Report: 
     Current and Future Beneficial Uses Report''.
       The agreement provides $20,000,000 for Methane Hydrate 
     Activities, $9,000,000 for Environmentally Prudent 
     Development, $10,000,000 for Emissions Mitigation from 
     Midstream Infrastructure, and $5,000,000 for Emissions 
     Quantification from Natural Gas Infrastructure.
       Unconventional Technologies.--Within available funds, 
     $12,300,000 is for research to better understand reservoirs 
     and to improve low recovery factors from unconventional 
     natural gas and oil wells through more efficient well 
     completion methods and $12,300,000 is to continue research 
     toward enhanced recovery technologies in shale oil, low 
     permeability reservoirs, residual oil zone reservoirs, and 
     technology transfer methods. The Department should coordinate 
     these efforts on a nationwide basis through a consortium of 
     researchers and industry. Funds shall be awarded to a not-
     for-profit or university consortium comprised of 
     multidisciplinary teams from industry, academia, and 
     stakeholder groups that may also include State organizations. 
     The projects will include research projects to improve 
     environmental mitigation, water quality and treatment, 
     infrastructure technology as well as the societal impacts of 
     unconventional shale plays. These awards shall identify ways 
     to improve existing technologies, encourage prudent 
     development, provide cost effective solutions, and develop a 
     better understanding of these reservoirs' resource potential.
       The Department is directed to identify the federal agencies 
     with jurisdictional oversight of establishing an ethane 
     storage and distribution hub in central Appalachia and to 
     coordinate with the liaisons of those agencies to streamline 
     the permitting application and approval process. The 
     Department is encouraged to explore research and development 
     for safe drilling and completion technologies that use no 
     fresh water and can be deployed in horizontal wells. The 
     agreement also provides $14,000,000 for the Unconventional 
     Field Test Sites. The Department is directed to continue its 
     research partnership with the Department of Transportation on 
     the crude oil characterization study to improve the safety of 
     crude oil transported by rail. The agreement provides 
     $1,400,000 to continue this study.
       NETL Research and Operations.--The Department is directed 
     to establish university partnerships to support efforts to 
     increase production of unconventional fossil fuels through 
     innovative seismic research, including optimizing high 
     resolution and time-lapse geophysical methods for improved 
     resource detection and better rock characterization. The 
     objective of this research is to facilitate necessary 
     technology development, expand understanding of subsurface 
     dynamics, encourage prudent development, and develop best 
     practices and tools.
       NETL Infrastructure.--The agreement provides $5,500,000 for 
     financing NETL's Supercomputer, Joule, through the second 
     year of a 3 year lease and directs the Department to 
     prioritize funds to provide site-wide upgrades for safety and 
     avoid an increase in deferred maintenance.

                 Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves

       The agreement provides $4,900,000 for the operation of the 
     Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves. The agreement 
     includes the use of $15,300,000 in prior-year balances.

                      Strategic Petroleum Reserve

       The agreement provides $252,000,000 for the Strategic 
     Petroleum Reserve. Funding above the budget request is to 
     address facilities development and operations, including 
     physical security and cavern integrity, and to maintain 
     1,000,000 barrels of gasoline blendstock in the Northeast 
     Gasoline Supply Reserve. The agreement includes legislative 
     language regarding a drawdown and sale of oil and use of 
     proceeds in fiscal year 2018.

                         SPR Petroleum Account

       The agreement provides $8,400,000 for the SPR Petroleum 
     Account to pay for the costs of certain statutorily-mandated 
     crude oil sales.

                   Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve

       The agreement provides $6,500,000 for the Northeast Home 
     Heating Oil Reserve. The agreement includes the use of 
     $3,500,000 in prior-year balances.

                   Energy Information Administration

       The agreement provides $125,000,000 for the Energy 
     Information Administration.

                   Non-Defense Environmental Cleanup

       The agreement provides $298,400,000 for Non-Defense 
     Environmental Cleanup.
       Small Sites.--The agreement provides $119,856,000 for Small 
     Sites. Within this amount, $41,000,000 shall be for Lawrence 
     Berkeley National Laboratory, $8,000,000 shall be for Oak 
     Ridge activities, $37,884,000 shall be for Moab, and 
     $10,000,000 shall be to complete ongoing work at the 
     Southwest Experimental Fast Oxide Reactor.

      Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund

       The agreement provides $840,000,000 for activities funded 
     from the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and 
     Decommissioning Fund.
       Portsmouth.--The agreement includes $30,000,000 above the 
     budget request, which is equivalent to the amount of proceeds 
     that DOE planned to generate through bartering arrangements 
     in order to fund additional cleanup in fiscal year 2018. 
     After the date of enactment of this Act, DOE shall not 
     barter, transfer, or sell uranium for the remainder of fiscal 
     year 2018 in order to generate additional funding for 
     Portsmouth cleanup that is in excess of the amount of funding 
     provided in this Act.

                                Science

       The agreement provides $6,259,903,000 for the Office of 
     Science. The agreement provides $2,000,000, to be funded from 
     across all Office of Science programs, to support the 
     Distinguished Scientist Program, as authorized in section 
     5011 of Public Law 110-69.
       Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR).--The 
     following is the only direction provided for ASCR. Within 
     available funds, the agreement provides $205,000,000 for the 
     Exascale Computing Project, $110,000,000 for the Argonne 
     Leadership Computing Facility, $162,500,000 for the Oak Ridge 
     Leadership Computing Facility, $94,000,000 for the National 
     Energy Research Scientific Computing Center at Lawrence 
     Berkeley National Laboratory, $10,000,000 for the 
     Computational Sciences Graduate Fellowship program, and 
     $79,000,000 for ESnet.

[[Page H2485]]

       Basic Energy Sciences (BES).--The following is the only 
     direction provided for BES. The agreement provides not less 
     than $20,000,000 for the Experimental Program to Stimulate 
     Competitive Research; not less than $130,500,000 to continue 
     the five existing Nanoscale Science Research Centers; not 
     less than $110,000,000 for the Energy Frontier Research 
     Centers; not less than $26,000,000 for exascale systems; not 
     less than $490,059,000 for the five BES light sources; not 
     less than $23,900,000 for Other Project Costs, of which 
     $14,000,000 is for the Advanced Light Source Upgrade, 
     $7,900,000 is for LCLS II, and $2,000,000 is for the High 
     Energy Upgrade at LCLS II; and not less than $281,000,000 for 
     the High-Flux Neutron Sources, of which $205,000,000 is for 
     the Spallation Neutron Source, $75,000,000 is for the High-
     Flux Isotope Reactor, and up to $1,000,000 is for the Lujan 
     Neutron Scattering Center. Within available funds, the 
     agreement provides not less than $24,088,000 for the 
     Batteries and Energy Storage Hub and not less than 
     $15,000,000 for the Fuels from Sunlight Hub. The Department 
     is directed to move forward with the review and renewal 
     process to support the next 5-year charter for next-
     generation battery and storage technologies. The agreement 
     provides $7,000,000 for ongoing surveillance and monitoring 
     activities designed to detect groundwater contamination at or 
     near Brookhaven National Laboratory from the legacy High Flux 
     Beam Reactor. The Department is directed to continue its 
     partnership with qualified institutions of higher education 
     in support of energy research activities related to enhanced 
     efficiency in energy conversion and utilization, including 
     emergent polymer optoelectronic technologies.
       Biological and Environmental Research (BER).--The following 
     is the only direction provided for BER. The Department is 
     directed to give priority to optimizing the operation of BER 
     user facilities. Within available funds, the agreement 
     provides $90,000,000 for the four Bioenergy Research Centers, 
     including $25,000,000 for the three existing centers and 
     $15,000,000 for the new awardee; not less than $69,300,000 
     for the Joint Genome Institute; not less than $43,200,000 for 
     the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory; not less 
     than $65,400,000 for the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement 
     User Facility; not less than $10,000,000 for NGEE-Arctic; not 
     less than $5,500,000 for NGEE-Tropics; not less than 
     $8,300,000 for the SPRUCE field site; not less than 
     $6,800,000 for the Watershed Function Science Focus Area; not 
     less than $5,700,000 for the Ameriflux project; and 
     $10,000,000 for exascale computing. Within available funds, 
     the agreement provides $3,000,000 to support ongoing research 
     and discovery related to mercury biogeochemical 
     transformations in the environment. The Department is 
     directed to expend appropriated funds for critical research 
     on environmental and biological science. Further, the 
     Department is directed to maintain Genomic Science as a top 
     priority and continue to support the Mesoscale to Molecules 
     Activity.
       Fusion Energy Sciences.--The agreement provides 
     $277,665,000 for burning plasma science foundations, 
     $52,246,000 for burning plasma science long pulse, and 
     $80,200,000 for discovery plasma science. Within available 
     funds, the agreement provides $17,500,000 for High Energy 
     Density Laboratory Plasmas and $20,000,000 for Scientific 
     Discovery through Advanced Computing. The agreement provides 
     $122,000,000 for the in-kind contributions and related 
     support activities of ITER. The Department is directed to 
     assess science drivers for the NSTX-U to support future 
     planning for the Fusion Energy Sciences program and provide 
     to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
     Congress a briefing upon completion.
       High Energy Physics.--Within available funds, the agreement 
     provides $24,100,000 and a new detailed table entry for PIP-
     II, $9,800,000 for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope 
     Camera, and $10,000,000 to continue the upgrade of FACET II. 
     In lieu of House report direction, the agreement provides 
     $17,500,000 for DESI, $14,100,000 for LUX ZEPLIN, and 
     $7,400,000 for SuperCDMS-SnoLab.
       Nuclear Physics.--Within available funds, the agreement 
     provides $10,000,000 for the Stable Isotope Production 
     Facility and $5,200,000 for the Gamma-Ray Energy Tracking 
     Array. In lieu of Senate report direction on operations, the 
     Department is directed to give priority to optimizing the 
     operations for the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, the 
     Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility, the Argonne 
     Tandem Linac Accelerator System, and the Brookhaven Linac 
     Isotope Producer Facility.
       Science Laboratories Infrastructure.--The Office of Science 
     is directed to work with the Office of Nuclear Energy to 
     demonstrate a commitment to operations and maintenance of 
     nuclear facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory that 
     support multiple critical missions.

               Advanced Research Projects Agency--Energy

       The agreement provides $353,314,000 for the Advanced 
     Research Projects Agency--Energy.

         Title 17 Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program

       The agreement provides $33,000,000 for administrative 
     expenses for the Title 17 Innovative Technology Loan 
     Guarantee Program. This amount is offset by estimated 
     revenues of $10,000,000, resulting in a net appropriation of 
     $23,000,000. The agreement maintains the Title 17 Innovative 
     Technology Loan Guarantee Program, and the Department is 
     directed to process loan applications.

        Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program

       The agreement provides $5,000,000 for the Advanced 
     Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program.

                  Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program

       The agreement provides $1,000,000 for the Tribal Energy 
     Loan Guarantee Program.

                      Departmental Administration

       The agreement provides $189,652,000 for Departmental 
     Administration.
       Control Points.--In lieu of House and Senate direction on 
     control points, the agreement includes six reprogramming 
     control points in this account to provide flexibility in the 
     management of support functions. The Other Departmental 
     activity includes Management, Project Management Oversight 
     and Assessments, Chief Human Capital Officer, Office of 
     Technology Transitions, Office of Small and Disadvantaged 
     Business Utilization, General Counsel, Energy Policy and 
     Systems Analysis, International Affairs, and Public Affairs. 
     The Department is directed to continue to submit a budget 
     request that proposes a separate funding level for each of 
     these activities. Within International Affairs, the agreement 
     includes $2,000,000 for the Israel Binational Industrial 
     Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation and $4,000,000 for 
     the U.S.-Israel Center of Excellence in Energy, Engineering 
     and Water Technology, which were previously funded in the 
     Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy account.
       Chief Information Officer.--To enhance the accountability 
     for management of cyber resources, the agreement consolidates 
     cybersecurity funding under the Office of the Chief 
     Information Officer. The agreement includes $126,274,000, 
     including $91,443,000 as requested within Departmental 
     Administration and $34,831,000 as requested for CyberOne 
     activities within the DOE working capital fund. Within this 
     amount, not less than $68,974,000 shall be for cybersecurity 
     and secure information.
       Small Refinery Exemption.--Under section 211(o)(9)(B) of 
     the Clean Air Act, a small refinery may petition the 
     Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator for an 
     exemption from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) on the basis 
     that the refinery experiences a disproportionate economic 
     hardship under the RFS. When evaluating a petition, the 
     Administrator consults with the Secretary of Energy to 
     determine whether disproportionate economic hardship exists. 
     According to the Department's March 2011 Small Refinery 
     Exemption Study, disproportionate economic hardship must 
     encompass two broad components: a high cost of compliance 
     relative to the industry average disproportionate impacts, 
     and an effect sufficient to cause a significant impairment of 
     the refinery operations' viability. If the Secretary finds 
     that either of these two components exists, the Secretary is 
     directed to recommend to the EPA Administrator at least a 50 
     percent waiver of RFS requirements for the petitioner. The 
     Secretary also is directed to score all of the metrics in the 
     study and to score the metrics according to the 2011 study 
     scoring criteria and not any later addendum to the study. The 
     Secretary is directed to seek small refinery comment before 
     making changes to its scoring metrics for small refinery 
     petitions for RFS waivers and to notify the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress prior to making any 
     final changes to scoring metrics. Only the impact on the 
     small refinery's transportation fuel margins is pertinent to 
     measuring RFS impacts on relative refining margins. The 
     conference report accompanying the Energy and Water 
     Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010, 
     addressed similar issues and directed the Secretary to redo 
     an earlier study done to evaluate whether the RFS program 
     imposes a disproportionate economic hardship on small 
     refineries. In calling for the Secretary to redo the study, 
     the conference report cited the lack of small refinery input 
     into the earlier study, concerns about regional RFS 
     compliance cost disparities, small refinery dependence on the 
     purchase of renewable fuel credits (RINs), and increasing RIN 
     costs. Since then, the dramatic rise in RIN prices has 
     amplified RFS compliance and competitive disparities, 
     especially where unique regional factors exist, including 
     high diesel demand production, no export access, and limited 
     biodiesel infrastructure and production. In response to 
     petitions in prior years, the Secretary determined that the 
     RFS program would impose a disproportionate economic and 
     structural impact on several small refineries. Despite this 
     determination, the Secretary did not recommend, and EPA did 
     not provide, any RFS relief because it determined the 
     refineries were profitable enough to afford the cost of RFS 
     compliance without substantially impacting their viability. 
     The Secretary is reminded that the RFS program may impose a 
     disproportionate economic hardship on a small refinery even 
     if the refinery makes enough profit to cover the cost of 
     complying with the program. Small refinery profitability does 
     not justify a disproportionate regulatory burden where 
     Congress has explicitly given EPA authority, in consultation 
     with the Secretary, to reduce or eliminate this burden.
       In lieu of Senate direction, the Department is directed to 
     provide to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
     Congress a

[[Page H2486]]

     quarterly report on the status of projects approved under 42 
     U.S.C. 16421, with the first such report to be provided not 
     later than 30 days after the enactment of this Act.

                    Office of the Inspector General

       The agreement provides $49,000,000 for the Office of the 
     Inspector General.

                    ATOMIC ENERGY DEFENSE ACTIVITIES

                NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

       The agreement provides $14,668,952,000 for the National 
     Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).
       Infrastructure Reporting.--To ensure the expeditious 
     execution of funds provided to address the NNSA's aging 
     infrastructure, the NNSA is directed to report to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress on 
     the status of commitments for funds provided for Maintenance 
     and Repair of Facilities, Recapitalization, major items of 
     equipment, general plant projects, and all construction 
     projects on a quarterly basis.

                           Weapons Activities

       The agreement provides $10,642,138,000 for Weapons 
     Activities.
       W80-4 Life Extension Program.--The Comptroller General is 
     directed to conduct a review of the alternatives analyzed for 
     the W80-4 life extension program, including whether the NNSA 
     considered a wide range of alternatives for components and 
     systems that would meet requirements; how requirements are 
     tracked, integrated, and managed; how technical and 
     programmatic risk is tracked and managed within the program; 
     whether accurate cost data regarding alternatives was 
     available and utilized to inform decision-making; and whether 
     analyses of alternatives, cost estimates, and project and 
     program management systems adhere to best practices.
       Strategic Materials Sustainment.--The agreement includes 
     additional funding to support material de-inventory at the 
     Chemistry and Metallurgy Research facility and to optimize 
     material staging at the Nevada National Security Site.
       Science.--Within Academic Alliances and Partnerships, the 
     agreement includes $19,832,000 for the Minority Serving 
     Institution Partnerships Program and $2,000,000 for Tribal 
     Colleges and Universities.
       Inertial Confinement Fusion and High Yield.--Within funds 
     for Inertial Confinement Fusion and High Yield, $344,000,000 
     shall be for the National Ignition Facility, $75,000,000 
     shall be for OMEGA, and $8,000,000 shall be for the Naval 
     Research Laboratory.
       Advanced Simulation and Computing.--The agreement provides 
     $721,244,000 for the Advanced Simulation and Computing 
     program. Within this amount, $161,000,000 is for the exascale 
     initiative and $12,000,000 is for advanced memory technology 
     research to address exascale technical challenges.
       Advanced Manufacturing Development.--Within amounts 
     provided for Process Technology Development, the agreement 
     includes $5,000,000 above the budget request to modernize and 
     upgrade legacy applications at weapons production facilities.
       Operations of Facilities.--In lieu of language in the House 
     report, the agreement includes funding to prepare and ship 
     transuranic (TRU) waste from Lawrence Livermore National 
     Laboratory (LLNL). Prior to the use of funds to package TRU 
     waste shipments at LLNL, the NNSA's Office of Cost Estimating 
     and Program Evaluation shall conduct a comparative analysis 
     of the costs and benefits of shipping TRU waste from LLNL to 
     Idaho for processing that includes consideration of the 
     benefits of compacting waste for disposal in the Waste 
     Isolation Pilot Plant and shall provide a briefing on its 
     results to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
     Congress.
       Maintenance and Repair of Facilities.--The agreement 
     includes funds above the budget request to address the 
     significant backlog of deferred maintenance at the NNSA's 
     sites and to make progress on the direction provided in the 
     Fiscal Year 2012 Energy and Water Appropriations Act to 
     establish standardized policies for the direct funding of 
     facility and infrastructure maintenance costs at each of the 
     NNSA sites. Within amounts for Maintenance and Repair of 
     Facilities, the agreement includes $10,000,000 to address 
     deferred maintenance at the Lithium Production Facility.
       Recapitalization.--Within Infrastructure and Safety, the 
     agreement includes funds above the budget request to address 
     the NNSA's high-risk excess facilities and deferred 
     maintenance. Of this amount, not less than $50,000,000 shall 
     be to de-inventory, decommission, and demolish the NNSA's 
     excess facilities and that amount shall include up to 
     $7,000,000 to support de-inventory and risk reduction at 
     Alpha-5 and Beta-4 and up to $9,000,000 to demolish 
     facilities and utilities along the proposed new leg of the 
     PIDAS at Y-12.
       Albuquerque Complex Project.--The agreement includes 
     $98,000,000. In lieu of language in the House report, the 
     NNSA is directed to establish a cost cap of $174,700,000 for 
     the Albuquerque Complex Project, consistent with the total 
     estimated cost for the project as described in the fiscal 
     year 2018 budget request. None of the funds in this or any 
     other Appropriations Act for the Albuquerque Complex Project 
     shall be to demolish facilities being replaced by this 
     project or to exceed this definitive cost cap. The NNSA is 
     directed to disaggregate the scope for demolition from the 
     project and to establish a plan to carry out future 
     demolition activities within the Recapitalization program.
       Chemistry and Metallurgy Research (CMR) Building 
     Replacement Project.--As directed in the House report and 
     previous years, funding for the CMR Replacement Project shall 
     be limited to that of the original mission need for the 
     project, that is, to relocate existing analytic chemistry and 
     materials characterization capabilities from the legacy CMR 
     facility. The NNSA is directed to request funding to meet 
     additional plutonium infrastructure mission needs under a new 
     and separate project.
       Physical Security Improvement Program.--The agreement 
     includes additional funding above the budget request to 
     recapitalize physical security infrastructure and equipment 
     identified in the NNSA's 10 year Security Systems Refresh 
     Plan.

                    Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation


                    (INCLUDING RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $2,048,219,000 for Defense Nuclear 
     Nonproliferation. The agreement rescinds $49,000,000 in 
     prior-year balances as proposed in the budget request.
       Global Material Security.--Within Global Material Security, 
     not less than $20,000,000 shall be for the Cesium Irradiator 
     Replacement Program.
       Material Disposition.--Within Material Disposition, the 
     agreement includes funding to advance planning for the dilute 
     and dispose alternative to the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication 
     Facility. Also within amounts for Material Disposition, 
     $1,000,000 shall be for the Uranium Lease and Takeback 
     Program and not less than $10,000,000 shall be to support 
     activities to expedite the removal of plutonium from the 
     State of South Carolina. Not later than July 1, 2018, the 
     NNSA shall provide to the Committees on Appropriations of 
     both Houses of Congress a plan for removing plutonium from 
     South Carolina.
       In lieu of the reporting requirement in the House report on 
     facilities at the Savannah River Site (SRS), the NNSA shall 
     provide to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
     Congress not later than 60 days after the enactment of this 
     Act a report that details the total DOE operating and 
     maintenance costs of facilities at SRS that the NNSA relies 
     on to carry out its nonproliferation missions and describes 
     the current cost sharing arrangements and other agreements 
     between the NNSA and the Office of Environmental Management.
       Laboratory and Partnership Support.--The agreement provides 
     $92,000,000 for activities that support nuclear material 
     minimization in civilian applications. Within this amount, 
     $15,000,000 is provided for technical support of global and 
     industry partners that are seeking to minimize the use of 
     highly-enriched uranium in the production of Mo-99, 
     $19,600,000 is provided to fully fund the remaining costs of 
     the existing cooperative agreements for commercial Mo-99 
     production, and $40,000,000 is provided for a new funding 
     opportunity to be competitively awarded and open to both new 
     and existing cooperative agreement partners in order to 
     expedite the establishment of a stable domestic source of Mo-
     99. The NNSA shall ensure that its programmatic strategies 
     are focused on expediting the delivery of a secure domestic 
     supply of this critical medical isotope, to include making 
     financial contributions on a timely basis. The agreement 
     includes no further direction on the Mo-99 program.
       Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research and Development 
     (DNN R&D).--Within DNN R&D, the agreement includes $2,000,000 
     for continued research and development of novel enrichment 
     technologies to support nonproliferation goals.
       Nonproliferation Fuels Development.--The agreement includes 
     $82,500,000 to research and develop new nuclear fuels that 
     further U.S. nonproliferation goals. Within this amount, 
     $5,000,000 shall be for the national laboratories to develop 
     high-density low-enriched fuels that could replace highly 
     enriched uranium for naval applications.

                             Naval Reactors


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $1,620,000,000 for Naval Reactors. 
     The agreement includes a provision to transfer $85,500,000 to 
     Nuclear Energy for operations and maintenance of the Advanced 
     Test Reactor. The agreement provides no further direction for 
     funding within Naval Reactors Operations and Infrastructure.

                     Federal Salaries and Expenses

       The agreement provides $407,595,000 for the federal 
     salaries and expenses of the Office of the NNSA 
     Administrator.

               ENVIRONMENTAL AND OTHER DEFENSE ACTIVITIES

                     Defense Environmental Cleanup

       The agreement provides $5,988,048,000 for Defense 
     Environmental Cleanup. Within available funds, the Department 
     is directed to fund the hazardous waste worker training 
     program at $10,000,000. The Department is directed to provide 
     out-year funding projections in the annual budget request for 
     Environmental Management and an estimate of the total cost 
     and time to complete each site.
       Budget Structure Changes.--The agreement rejects the budget 
     structure changes proposed in the budget request, resolves 
     House and Senate budget structure differences, and provides 
     separate funding lines to initiate new decommissioning and 
     demolition (D&D) activities at Oak Ridge, Lawrence Livermore 
     National Laboratory, and

[[Page H2487]]

     Idaho National Laboratory. The Department shall use the same 
     cost accounting procedures as in fiscal year 2017 for the 
     Working Capital Fund, Safeguards and Security, Cyber 
     Security, and the indirect cost pools at the Savannah River 
     Site.
       Excess Facilities.--Within LLNL Excess Facilities D&D, the 
     agreement includes $100,000,000 for the D&D of the B280 Pool 
     Type Reactor and other excess facilities at Lawrence 
     Livermore National Laboratory. Within OR Excess Facilities 
     D&D, the agreement includes $125,000,000 for the D&D of the 
     Biology Complex facilities at Y 12. Within ID Excess 
     Facilities D&D, the agreement includes $10,000,000 for the 
     D&D of excess facilities and infrastructure at Idaho National 
     Laboratory.
       Richland.--Within Richland, the agreement includes funding 
     for interim stabilization of PUREX Tunnel number two and for 
     the demolition of the Plutonium Finishing Plant under new 
     corrective actions that protect workers and the environment, 
     in addition to the additional amounts above the budget 
     request and direction in the Senate report. Also within funds 
     for Richland, the agreement includes $5,000,000 to develop a 
     certificate of compliance for radioactive materials packaging 
     to advance plans to dispose of buried transuranic waste 
     currently at the 200 Area Burial Grounds. Within Central 
     Plateau Remediation, the agreement includes funding for 
     maintenance and public safety efforts at the B Reactor and 
     the Manhattan Project National Historical Park.
       Office of River Protection.--The agreement includes funding 
     above the budget request to resume design and engineering 
     work on the High-Level Waste Treatment facility, to resolve 
     the five remaining technical issues on the Pretreatment 
     facility, to ensure compliance with 2016 Consent Decree and 
     Tri-Party Agreement milestones, and to continue tank waste 
     retrievals. Not less than 90 days prior to the implementation 
     of any changes to the current program of record for tank 
     waste retrieval and closure and for the Waste Treatment 
     Plant, the Department shall submit to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a report that 
     includes the technical justification and business case, any 
     impact of such changes on the 2016 Consent Decree and Tri-
     Party Agreement, any necessary regulatory or permit changes 
     by Washington or any other state, any necessary National 
     Environmental Policy Act analysis, and any impact of such 
     changes on site infrastructure.
       Idaho National Laboratory.--The agreement includes 
     $5,000,000 for advanced retrieval and disposition techniques 
     for remote handled mixed low level waste and additional 
     amounts above the budget request to continue operations at 
     the Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Facility.
       Oak Ridge.--The agreement includes $10,000,000 for an on-
     site landfill and $17,100,000 for a mercury treatment 
     facility. The Department must complete these vital facilities 
     on time or risk impacting the important cleanup work in Oak 
     Ridge. Within OR facility D&D, $2,000,000 shall be used for 
     the study of technical issues regarding groundwater standards 
     that may help resolve regulatory issues associated with these 
     projects.
       Savannah River Site.--Within Site Risk Management, the 
     agreement includes $3,000,000 to support the disposition of 
     spent fuel from the High Flux Isotope Reactor and no 
     additional direction. The Department shall provide to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a 
     report on retiree pensions as directed in the Senate report 
     and not later than 90 days after the enactment of this Act.
       Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).--Within amounts for 
     WIPP, the agreement includes an additional $10,000,000 above 
     the budget request to address infrastructure needs.
       Safeguards and Security.--Within Safeguards and Security, 
     funding is included for cybersecurity.
       Technology Development and Deployment.--Within Technology 
     Development and Deployment, $5,000,000 is for the National 
     Spent Fuel Program at Idaho National Laboratory and 
     $5,000,000 is for independent review, analysis, and applied 
     research to support cost-effective, risk-informed cleanup 
     decision-making. Also within amounts provided, $5,000,000 is 
     to work on qualification, testing, and research to advance 
     the state of the art of containment ventilation systems 
     through cooperative university affiliated research activities 
     and the Department shall take the necessary steps to 
     implement and competitively award a cooperative university 
     affiliated research center for that purpose.

                        Other Defense Activities

       The agreement provides $840,000,000 for Other Defense 
     Activities.
       Within funds for Environment, Health, Safety and Security, 
     not less than $1,000,000 is for the Epidemiologic Study of 
     One Million U.S. Radiation Workers and Veterans. The 
     Department shall ensure that funding to process security 
     clearances for program office personnel that are located at 
     DOE headquarters is budgeted for within funds for the 
     responsible program office starting in fiscal year 2019. The 
     agreement includes $25,000,000 above the budget request for 
     targeted investments to defend the U.S. energy sector against 
     the evolving threat of cyber and other attacks in support of 
     the resiliency of the nation's electric grid and energy 
     infrastructure.

                    POWER MARKETING ADMINISTRATIONS

                  Bonneville Power Administration Fund

       The agreement provides no appropriation for the Bonneville 
     Power Administration, which derives its funding from revenues 
     deposited into the Bonneville Power Administration Fund.

      Operation and Maintenance, Southeastern Power Administration

       The agreement provides a net appropriation of $0 for the 
     Southeastern Power Administration.

      Operation and Maintenance, Southwestern Power Administration

       The agreement provides a net appropriation of $11,400,000 
     for the Southwestern Power Administration. The agreement 
     includes the use of $14,200,000 in prior-year balances. To 
     ensure sufficient authority to meet purchase power and 
     wheeling needs, the agreement includes $30,000,000 above the 
     level credited as offsetting collections by the Congressional 
     Budget Office. The Department is directed to continue working 
     with the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
     Congress to provide necessary information to address this 
     scoring issue for future fiscal years.

 Construction, Rehabilitation, Operation and Maintenance, Western Area 
                          Power Administration

       The agreement provides a net appropriation of $93,372,000 
     for the Western Area Power Administration. The agreement 
     includes the use of $43,853,000 in prior-year balances. To 
     ensure sufficient authority to meet purchase power and 
     wheeling needs, the agreement includes $30,000,000 above the 
     level credited as offsetting collections by the Congressional 
     Budget Office. The Department is directed to continue working 
     with the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
     Congress to provide necessary information to address this 
     scoring issue for future fiscal years.

           Falcon and Amistad Operating and Maintenance Fund

       The agreement provides a net appropriation of $228,000 for 
     the Falcon and Amistad Operating and Maintenance Fund. The 
     agreement includes legislative language authorizing the 
     acceptance and use of contributed funds in fiscal year 2018 
     for operating, maintaining, repairing, rehabilitating, 
     replacing, or upgrading the hydroelectric facilities at the 
     Falcon and Amistad Dams.
       Concerns persist that additional infrastructure investments 
     are necessary at the Falcon and Amistad dams. Western is 
     directed to coordinate with the International Boundary and 
     Water Commission to determine a plan for addressing any 
     needed improvements and brief the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress not later than 90 
     days after the enactment of this Act on progress towards 
     finalizing a plan.

                  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $367,600,000 for the Federal Energy 
     Regulatory Commission (FERC). Revenues for FERC are set to an 
     amount equal to the budget authority, resulting in a net 
     appropriation of $0.

                GENERAL PROVISIONS--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The agreement includes a provision prohibiting the use of 
     funds provided in this title to initiate requests for 
     proposals, other solicitations, or arrangements for new 
     programs or activities that have not yet been approved and 
     funded by the Congress; requires notification or a report for 
     certain funding actions; prohibits funds to be used for 
     certain multi-year ``Energy Programs'' activities without 
     notification; and prohibits the obligation or expenditure of 
     funds provided in this title through a reprogramming of funds 
     except in certain circumstances.
       The agreement includes a provision authorizing intelligence 
     activities of the Department of Energy for purposes of 
     section 504 of the National Security Act of 1947.
       The agreement includes a provision prohibiting the use of 
     funds in this title for capital construction of high hazard 
     nuclear facilities, unless certain independent oversight is 
     conducted.
       The agreement includes a provision prohibiting the use of 
     funds in this title to approve critical decision 2 or 
     critical decision 3 for certain construction projects, unless 
     a separate independent cost estimate has been developed for 
     that critical decision.
       The agreement includes a provision prohibiting funds in the 
     Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation account for certain 
     activities and assistance in the Russian Federation.
       The agreement includes a provision regarding management of 
     the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
       The agreement includes a provision on the Department of 
     Energy's Working Capital Fund.
       The agreement includes a provision concerning a report by 
     the Secretary of Energy.
       The agreement includes a provision restricting the use of 
     funds for the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility Project, 
     establishes a notice and wait requirement prior to the use of 
     funds to terminate the project if requirements in Section 
     3121(b) of the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense 
     Authorization Act are satisfied, and no further direction on 
     the project.
       The agreement includes a provision on the transfer of 
     unappropriated receipts currently in the Uranium Supply and 
     Enrichment Activities account.
       The agreement includes a provision regarding authority to 
     release refined petroleum

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                     TITLE IV--INDEPENDENT AGENCIES

                    Appalachian Regional Commission

       The agreement provides $155,000,000 for the Appalachian 
     Regional Commission (ARC). To diversify and enhance regional 
     business development, $10,000,000 is provided to continue the 
     program of high-speed broadband deployment in distressed 
     counties within the Central Appalachian region that have been 
     most negatively impacted by the downturn in the coal 
     industry. This funding shall be in addition to the 30 percent 
     directed to distressed counties.
       Within available funds, $73,000,000 is provided for base 
     funds and $50,000,000 is for the POWER Initiative to support 
     communities, primarily in Appalachia, that have been 
     adversely impacted by the closure of coal-powered generating 
     plants and a declining coal industry by providing resources 
     for economic diversification, job creation, job training, and 
     other employment services.
       Within available funds, not less than $16,000,000 is 
     provided for a program of industrial site and workforce 
     development in Southern and South Central Appalachia, focused 
     primarily on the automotive supplier sector and the aviation 
     sector. Up to $13,500,000 of that amount is provided for 
     activities in Southern Appalachia. The funds shall be 
     distributed according to ARC's Distressed Counties Formula, 
     which is comprised of land area, population estimates, and a 
     proportion of the number of distressed counties.
       In addition, the agreement provides $6,000,000 for a 
     program of basic infrastructure improvements in distressed 
     counties in Central Appalachia. Funds shall be distributed 
     according to ARC's Distressed Counties Formula and shall be 
     in addition to the regular allocation to distressed counties.

                Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $31,000,000 for the Defense Nuclear 
     Facilities Safety Board. The agreement includes funding above 
     the request to support activities for employee engagement.

                        Delta Regional Authority


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $25,000,000 for the Delta Regional 
     Authority (DRA). Within available funds, the agreement 
     provides not less than $10,000,000 for flood control, basic 
     public infrastructure development, and transportation 
     improvements, which shall be allocated separate from the 
     State formula funding method. The agreement does not include 
     a statutory waiver with regard to DRA's priority of funding. 
     The DRA is further directed to focus on activities relating 
     to basic public infrastructure and transportation 
     infrastructure before allocating funding toward other 
     priority areas.

                           Denali Commission

       The agreement provides $30,000,000 for the Denali 
     Commission, of which $15,000,000 is for one-time assistance 
     for adaptation responses for the most urgent needs of rural 
     Alaska villages facing erosion, flooding, and permafrost 
     degradation threats.

                  Northern Border Regional Commission

       The agreement provides $15,000,000 for the Northern Border 
     Regional Commission. Within available funds, not less than 
     $3,000,000 is provided for initiatives that seek to address 
     the decline in forest-based economies throughout the region. 
     The agreement includes legislative language regarding the 
     management of the Northern Border Regional Commission in 
     fiscal year 2018.

                 Southeast Crescent Regional Commission

       The agreement provides $250,000 for the Southeast Crescent 
     Regional Commission.

                     Nuclear Regulatory Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                    (INCLUDING RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

       The Commission's mission is to ensure the safety and 
     security of the nation's use of nuclear power and nuclear 
     materials and protect the workers and public who use and 
     benefit from these materials and facilities. The agreement 
     provides $909,137,000 for Nuclear Regulatory Commission 
     (Commission) salaries and expenses. This amount is offset by 
     estimated revenues of $779,768,032, resulting in a net 
     appropriation of $129,300,892. The agreement rescinds 
     $68,076.04 provided to the Commission from the United States 
     Agency for International Development in 1994 pursuant to 
     section 632(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, for 
     which there is no currently authorized use. The agreement 
     includes $10,000,000 for activities related to the 
     development of regulatory infrastructure for advanced nuclear 
     reactor technologies and $16,200,000 for international 
     activities, which are not subject to the Commission's general 
     fee recovery collection requirements. The agreement directs 
     the use of $15,000,000 in prior-year unobligated balances.
       The agreement includes the following direction in lieu of 
     all direction included in the House and Senate reports:
       Nuclear Reactor Safety.--The agreement includes 
     $466,655,000 for Nuclear Reactor Safety. This control point 
     includes the Commission's Operating Reactors and New Reactors 
     business lines.
       Integrated University Program.--The agreement includes 
     $15,000,000 for the Integrated University Program. Of this 
     amount, $5,000,000 is to be used for grants to support 
     projects that do not align with programmatic missions but are 
     critical to maintaining the discipline of nuclear science and 
     engineering.
       Nuclear Materials and Waste Safety.--The agreement includes 
     $113,145,000 for Nuclear Materials and Waste Safety. Included 
     within this control point are the Fuel Facilities, Nuclear 
     Material Users, and Spent Fuel Storage and Transportation 
     business lines.
       Decommissioning and Low-Level Waste.--The agreement 
     includes $27,980,000 for Decommissioning and Low-Level Waste.
       Corporate Support.--The agreement includes $301,357,000 for 
     Corporate Support. The agreement provides, within available 
     funds, not more than $9,500,000 for the salaries, travel, and 
     other support costs for the Office of the Commission. These 
     salaries and expenses shall include only salaries and benefit 
     and travel costs, and are not to include general, 
     administrative, or infrastructure costs. The use and 
     expenditure of these funds shall be jointly managed through 
     majority vote of the Commission. The Commission shall 
     continue to include a breakout and explanation of the 
     Commission salaries and expenses in its annual budget 
     requests. If the Commission wishes to change the composition 
     of the funds in future years, it must do so in an annual 
     budget request or through a reprogramming.
       Budget Execution Plan.--The Commission shall provide a 
     specific budget execution plan to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress not later than 30 
     days after the enactment of this Act. The plan shall include 
     details at the product line level within each of the control 
     points.
       Unobligated Balances from Prior Appropriations.--The 
     Commission carries unobligated balances from appropriations 
     received prior to fiscal year 2017. The agreement requires 
     the use of $15,000,000 of these balances, derived from fee-
     based activities. The Commission is directed to apply these 
     savings in a manner that continues to ensure the protection 
     of public health and safety and maintains the effectiveness 
     of the current inspection program. Because the Commission has 
     already collected fees corresponding to these activities in 
     prior years, the agreement does not include these funds 
     within the fee base calculation for determining authorized 
     revenues and does not provide authority to collect additional 
     offsetting receipts for their use. Any remaining unobligated 
     balances carried forward from prior years are subject to the 
     reprogramming guidelines in section 402 of the Act, and shall 
     only be used to supplement appropriations consistent with 
     those guidelines.
       Rulemaking.--The Commission shall submit a list of all 
     rulemaking activities planned, to include their priority, 
     schedule, and actions taken to adhere to the backfit rule, in 
     the annual budget request and the semi-annual report to 
     Congress on licensing and regulatory activities.
       Reporting Requirements.--The agreement directs the 
     Commission to submit the following reports:
       1. not later than 120 days after the enactment of this Act, 
     a report on the actions taken to improve the fidelity of 
     agency estimates of necessary FTE levels and to optimize the 
     structure of the agency over the next five years, including a 
     review of the size, function, and number of program offices 
     and regional offices; and
       2. quarterly reports on licensing goals and right-sizing 
     commitments, as described in the explanatory statement for 
     P.L. 114-113.
       Modeling and Simulation Tools.--The Commission is directed 
     to report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 
     of Congress not later than 180 days after the enactment of 
     this Act the Commission's potential uses of the Consortium 
     for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors' tools in its 
     licensing process and safety reviews.

 
                         (dollars in thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Final Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nuclear Reactor Safety...............................            466,655
Integrated University Program........................             15,000
Nuclear Materials And Waste Safety...................            113,145
Decommissioning And Low-Level Waste..................             27,980
Corporate Support....................................            301,357
Use Of Prior-Year Balances...........................            -15,000
                                                      ------------------
    Total, Nuclear Regulatory Commission.............            909,137
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

       The agreement includes $12,859,000 for the Office of 
     Inspector General in the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This 
     amount is offset by revenues of $10,555,000, for a net 
     appropriation of $2,304,000.
       The agreement includes $1,131,000 to provide inspector 
     general services for the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety 
     Board.

                  Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $3,600,000 for the Nuclear Waste 
     Technical Review Board.

                GENERAL PROVISIONS--INDEPENDENT AGENCIES

       The agreement includes a provision instructing the Nuclear 
     Regulatory Commission on responding to congressional requests 
     for information.
       The agreement includes a provision relating to 
     reprogramming.

                      TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS

       The agreement includes a provision relating to lobbying 
     restrictions.
       The agreement includes a provision relating to transfer 
     authority. No additional transfer authority is implied or 
     conveyed by

[[Page H2505]]

     this provision. For the purposes of this provision, the term 
     ``transfer'' shall mean the shifting of all or part of the 
     budget authority in one account to another. In addition to 
     transfers provided in this Act or other appropriations Acts, 
     and existing authorities, such as the Economy Act (31 U.S.C. 
     1535), by which one part of the United States Government may 
     provide goods or services to another part, the Act allows 
     transfers using Section 4705 of the Atomic Energy Defense Act 
     (50 U.S.C. 2745) and 15 U.S.C. 638 regarding SBIR/STTR.
       The agreement includes a provision prohibiting funds to be 
     used in contravention of the executive order entitled 
     ``Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in 
     Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations.''
       The agreement includes a provision 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.

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 DIVISION E--FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS 
                               ACT, 2018

       The joint explanatory statement accompanying this division 
     is approved and indicates congressional intent. Unless 
     otherwise noted, the language set forth in House Report 115-
     234 carries the same weight as language included in this 
     joint explanatory statement and should be complied with 
     unless specifically addressed to the contrary in this joint 
     explanatory statement. While some language is repeated for 
     emphasis, it is not intended to negate the language referred 
     to above unless expressly provided herein.
       Reports.--Where the House or Senate has directed submission 
     of a report, that report is to be submitted to the Committees 
     on Appropriations of the House and Senate. Agencies funded by 
     this Act that currently provide separate copies of periodic 
     reports and correspondence to the chairs and ranking members 
     of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and 
     Subcommittees on Financial Services and General Government 
     are directed to use a single cover letter jointly addressed 
     to the chairs and ranking members of the Committees and 
     Subcommittees of both the House and the Senate. To the 
     greatest extent feasible, agencies should include in the 
     cover letter a reference or hyperlink to facilitate 
     electronic access to the report and provide the documents by 
     electronic mail delivery. These measures will help reduce 
     costs, conserve paper, expedite agency processing, and ensure 
     that consistent information is conveyed concurrently to the 
     majority and minority committee offices of both chambers of 
     Congress.

                                TITLE I

                       DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

                          Departmental Offices


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill provides $201,751,000 for departmental offices 
     salaries and expenses.
       Wildlife Trafficking.--The Department is directed to use 
     available resources to pursue and enforce money laundering 
     and other related laws as related to wildlife trafficking and 
     the illegal ivory trade, and to report to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of the House and the Senate semiannually 
     during fiscal year 2018 on such enforcement actions and other 
     steps taken to carry out the Eliminate, Neutralize, and 
     Disrupt Wildlife Trafficking Act of 2016 during this fiscal 
     year.
       Management of Capital Investments.--The Department is 
     directed to include in its annual Capital Investment Plan, 
     the estimated funding needs for the lifetime capital needs 
     for each project, not just for the budget year. The plan 
     should also include summaries of capital investments by 
     project type.
       Puerto Rico.--The Department is directed to submit a report 
     within 30 days of the end of the fiscal year to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of the House and the Senate 
     providing detailed descriptions of any technical assistance 
     that has been provided, including: what activities have been 
     undertaken by Treasury employees in the provision of 
     technical assistance; timeframes within which the activities 
     have occurred; number of full-time-equivalent hours devoted 
     to provision of the activities; and documentation that the 
     activities have occurred.


             OFFICE OF TERRORISM AND FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill provides $141,778,000 for the Office of Terrorism 
     and Financial Intelligence, of which up to $32,000,000 is for 
     administrative expenses and $5,000,000 is available until 
     September 30, 2019. The agreement supports Administration 
     requests for additional funds for this account that were made 
     subsequent to the budget submission.
       Economic Sanctions and Divestments.--The Department of the 
     Treasury will fully implement sanctions and divestment 
     measures applicable to the proliferation of weapons of mass 
     destruction, terrorism, transnational organized crime, the 
     Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Russia, Belarus, North 
     Korea, Iran, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, and 
     designated rebel groups operating in and around the 
     Democratic Republic of Congo. The Department will promptly 
     notify the Committees on Appropriations of the House and the 
     Senate of any resource constraints that adversely impact the 
     implementation of these sanctions programs.
       South Sudan.--The Department is directed to report to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of the House and the Senate 
     within 90 days of enactment of this Act on progress on 
     efforts to stem illicit finance in South Sudan.


                   CYBERSECURITY ENHANCEMENT ACCOUNT

       The bill provides $24,000,000 for the Cybersecurity 
     Enhancement Account (CEA).
       The Treasury Chief Information Officer (CIO) is directed to 
     review and approve each investment under the CEA and report 
     to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and the 
     Senate each quarter on the progress of each investment. To 
     ensure the Treasury CIO retains control over the execution of 
     these funds, the agreement does not permit transfers of funds 
     from the CEA.
       Spend Plans.--The CIO of each Treasury office and bureau 
     must submit a spend plan for each prospective investment 
     under this heading to the Treasury Department CIO for review. 
     The Treasury CIO is directed to review each investment 
     submitted under the CEA heading to improve oversight of these 
     funds across the Department; none of the funds under this 
     heading will be available to fund such an investment without 
     the approval of the Treasury CIO. The spend plans should 
     include how the investment will: enhance Department-wide 
     coordination of cybersecurity efforts and improve the 
     Department's responsiveness to cybersecurity threats; provide 
     bureau and agency leadership with greater visibility into 
     cybersecurity efforts and further encourage information 
     sharing across bureaus; improve identification of cyber 
     threats and better protect information systems from attack; 
     provide a platform to enhance efficient communication, 
     collaboration, and transparency around the common goal of 
     improving not only the cybersecurity of the Treasury 
     Department, but also the Nation's financial sector. The spend 
     plans should detail the type of cybersecurity enhancement the 
     investment represents, and the cost, scope, schedule of the 
     investment, and explain how it complements existing cyber 
     efforts.


        DEPARTMENT-WIDE SYSTEMS AND CAPITOL INVESTMENTS PROGRAMS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The bill provides $4,426,000 for the Department-Wide 
     Systems and Capital Investments Programs.


                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill provides $37,044,000 for the Office of Inspector 
     General. The Inspector General is directed to utilize funds 
     provided to meet mandated audit requirements such as 
     information security in addition to other prioritized work 
     including Treasury's responsibilities as they relate to the 
     implementation of anti-money laundering programs and the 
     Community Development Financial Institutions Fund.


           TREASURY INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR TAX ADMINISTRATION

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill provides $169,634,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.


    SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR THE TROUBLED ASSET RELIEF PROGRAM

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill provides $34,000,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled 
     Asset Relief Program.

                  Financial Crimes Enforcement Network


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill includes $115,003,000 for salaries and expenses 
     for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.

                        Treasury Forfeiture Fund


                              (RESCISSION)

       The bill includes a permanent rescission of $702,000,000 of 
     the unobligated balances in the Treasury Forfeiture Fund and 
     returns $38,800,000 from the BNP Paribas S.A. agreement to 
     the general fund of the Treasury.

                      Bureau of the Fiscal Service


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill provides $338,280,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, and provides $165,000 to be 
     derived from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to reimburse 
     Fiscal Service personnel for financial management of the 
     Fund. Within the amount provided in the bill, $4,210,000 is 
     available until September 30, 2020, for information systems 
     modernization.

                Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill provides $111,439,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Within this 
     amount, $5,000,000 is provided for costs associated with 
     accelerating the processing of label and formula 
     applications, and $5,000,000 is available until September 30, 
     2019 for the costs of enforcement of trade practice 
     violations.
       Wine Label Accuracy.-- The Bureau is directed to proceed 
     with a rulemaking intended to improve label accuracy and to 
     ensure that usage of certain viticultural terms (such as 
     appellations of origin and vintage dates) is consistent with 
     existing laws and regulations governing the use of these 
     protected terms. Within 30 days of enactment of this Act, the 
     Bureau shall brief the Committees on Appropriations of the 
     House and the Senate on how and when it plans to finalize its 
     proposed rule to ensure that a single standard for certain 
     viticultural terms is used on all grape wines regulated under 
     the Federal Alcohol Administration Act and the Internal 
     Revenue Code.

                           United States Mint


               UNITED STATES MINT PUBLIC ENTERPRISE FUND

       The bill specifies that not more than $30,000,000 in new 
     liabilities and obligations may be incurred during fiscal 
     year 2018 for circulating coinage and protective service 
     capital investments of the U.S. Mint.

   Community Development Financial Institutions Fund Program Account

       The bill provides $250,000,000 for the Community 
     Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund program. 
     Within this amount, not less than $160,000,000 is for 
     financial and technical assistance grants, of which up to 
     $3,000,000 may be used to provide technical and financial 
     assistance to CDFIs that fund projects to help individuals 
     with disabilities; not less than $16,000,000 is for technical 
     assistance and other purposes for Native American, Native 
     Hawaiian, and Alaska Native

[[Page H2517]]

     communities; not less than $25,000,000 is for the Bank 
     Enterprise Award program; not less than $22,000,000 is for 
     the Healthy Food Financing Initiative; and up to $27,000,000 
     is for administrative expenses, of which $1,000,000 is for 
     the development of information technology tools to better 
     measure and assess CDFI investment performance, improve data 
     quality, and enable more efficient allocation of CDFI Fund 
     resources. The bill limits the total loan principal for the 
     Bond Guarantee program to $500,000,000.
       Persistent Poverty.--For purposes of this section, the term 
     ``persistent poverty counties''' means any county that has 
     had 20 percent or more of its population living in poverty 
     over the past 30 years, as measured by the 1990 and 2000 
     decennial censuses and the 2011-2015 5-year data series 
     available from the American Community Survey of the Census 
     Bureau.
       Non-Metropolitan and Rural Areas.--The CDFI Fund is 
     directed to take into consideration the unique conditions, 
     challenges, and scale of non-metropolitan and rural areas 
     when designing and administering programs to address economic 
     revitalization and community development when making CDFI 
     award decisions. The Secretary is directed to report to the 
     House and the Senate Committees on Appropriations within 90 
     days of enactment of this Act detailing how the fiscal year 
     2017 CDFI Program recipients intend to serve non-metropolitan 
     and rural areas and populations living in persistent poverty 
     counties.
       Capacity Building.--The Secretary is directed to report to 
     the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 90 
     days of enactment of this Act on the expenditure of all 
     capacity building initiatives under the financial assistance 
     and technical assistance programs.
       Awards Management Information System.--The bill provides 
     $1,000,000 for the development of tools, including the Awards 
     Management Information System, to better measure and assess 
     CDFI investment performance, improve data quality, and enable 
     more efficient allocation of CDFI Fund resources. The CDFI 
     Fund is directed to prioritize development of such tools in 
     fiscal year 2018. In addition, the Secretary is directed to 
     report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations 
     within 90 days of enactment detailing the status of the 
     deployment of tools to address the Committee's longstanding 
     concerns about the CDFI Fund's ability to verify investment 
     impacts, hold award recipients accountable for award usage, 
     and ensure that CDFIs are delivering investments to the 
     borrowers and communities that need it most.

                        Internal Revenue Service

       User Fees.--Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is directed to 
     submit a user fee spending plan within 60 days of enactment 
     detailing planned spending on its four appropriations 
     accounts and how programs, investments, and initiatives 
     funded through each appropriations account are supported by 
     user fees.


                           TAXPAYER SERVICES

       The bill provides $2,506,554,000 for IRS Taxpayer Services. 
     Within the overall amount, not less than $9,890,000 is for 
     the Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program, not less than 
     $12,000,000 is for low-income taxpayer clinic grants, and not 
     less than $206,000,000 is provided for operating expenses of 
     the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service, of which not less than 
     $5,500,000 is for identity theft casework.
       In addition, within the overall amount provided, not less 
     than $15,000,000, available until September 30, 2019, is 
     included for the Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance 
     matching grants program.
       Identity Theft.--The IRS is directed to submit a report on 
     identity theft to the Committees on Appropriations reviewed 
     by the National Taxpayer Advocate six months after enactment 
     of this Act.
       Telephone Services.--The IRS is directed to continue to 
     improve telephone and face-to-face services. The IRS is 
     directed to submit a report on progress made in these areas 
     to the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and House 
     of Representatives within 120 days of enactment of this Act.
       Taxpayer Assistance Centers.--The IRS is directed to report 
     to the Committees within 120 days of enactment of this Act on 
     the steps being taken to prevent any closures of Taxpayer 
     Assistance Center (TAC) locations, and the status of any 
     proposed alternatives to fully staffed TACs (such as virtual 
     customer service sites). The IRS is directed to conduct a 
     study on the impact of closing a TAC and the adverse effects 
     it has on taxpayers' ability to interact with the IRS. Should 
     the IRS choose to close a TAC location, the IRS is directed 
     to hold a public forum in the impacted community at least six 
     months prior to the planned closure and notify the Committees 
     on Appropriations of the Senate and House of Representatives.
       Taxpayer Services in Alaska and Hawaii.--The IRS shall 
     continue to staff each Taxpayer Advocate Service Center in 
     Alaska and Hawaii with a Collection Technical Advisor and an 
     Examination Technical Advisor in addition to the current 
     complement of office staff.


                              ENFORCEMENT

       The bill provides $4,860,000,000 for Enforcement.
       Identity Theft Victim Assistance.--The IRS is directed to 
     provide victims of tax-related identity theft with the name, 
     email, and telephone number of a single employee to assist 
     them in resolving cases where either the victim's case 
     involves more than one tax issue or the victim's case 
     involves more than one tax year. If the victim calls to speak 
     with the designated employee and he or she is unavailable, 
     the victim should be provided the option of leaving a message 
     for the designated employee or speaking with another 
     available employee.
       Misclassification of Contractors.--The IRS is directed to 
     notify the House Appropriations Committee, the Senate 
     Appropriations Committee, the House Ways and Means Committee, 
     and the Senate Finance Committee prior to making any staffing 
     reductions or reallocations within the SS-8 processing 
     program.


                           OPERATIONS SUPPORT

       The bill provides $3,634,000,000 for Operations Support.


                     BUSINESS SYSTEMS MODERNIZATION

       The bill provides $110,000,000 for Business Systems 
     Modernization.
       IT Investments.--The IRS is directed to submit quarterly 
     reports to the Committees and Government Accountability 
     Office (GAO) during fiscal year 2018, no later than 30 days 
     following the end of each calendar quarter. The reports shall 
     include detailed, plain English explanations of the 
     cumulative expenditures and schedule performance to date, 
     specified by fiscal year; the costs and schedules for the 
     previous three months; the anticipated costs and schedules 
     for the upcoming three months; and the total expected costs 
     to complete major IT investments. The quarterly report should 
     clearly explain when the project was started; the expected 
     date of completion; the percentage of work completed as 
     compared to planned work; the current and expected state of 
     functionality; any changes in schedule; and current risks 
     unrelated to funding amounts and mitigation strategies.
       Additionally, the Department of the Treasury is directed to 
     conduct a semi-annual review of major IT investments to 
     ensure the cost, schedule, and scope goals of the projects 
     are transparent. GAO is directed to review and provide an 
     annual report to the Committees evaluating the cost and 
     schedule of major IT investments for the year, as well as an 
     assessment of the functionality achieved.


          ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The bill includes the following provisions:
       Section 101 provides transfer authority.
       Section 102 requires the IRS to maintain an employee 
     training program on topics such as taxpayers' rights.
       Section 103 requires the IRS to safeguard taxpayer 
     information and to protect taxpayers against identity theft.
       Section 104 permits funding for 1-800 help line services 
     for taxpayers and directs the Commissioner to make improving 
     phone service a priority and to enhance response times.
       Section 105 prohibits funds for videos unless reviewed in 
     advance by the IRS' Video Editorial Board for cost, topic, 
     tone, and purpose.
       Section 106 requires the IRS to issue notices to employers 
     of any address change request and to give special 
     consideration to offers in compromise for taxpayers who have 
     been victims of payroll tax preparer fraud.
       Section 107 prohibits the use of funds by the IRS to target 
     United States citizens for exercising any right guaranteed 
     under the First Amendment to the Constitution.
       Section 108 prohibits the use of funds by the IRS to target 
     groups for regulatory scrutiny based on their ideological 
     beliefs.
       Section 109 requires the IRS to comply with procedures and 
     policies on conference spending in accordance with IRS 
     policies issued as a result of Treasury Inspector General for 
     Tax Administration recommendations.
       Section 110 prohibits funds for giving bonuses to employees 
     or hiring former employees without considering conduct and 
     compliance with Federal tax law.
       Section 111 prohibits the IRS from using funds made 
     available by this Act to contravene a provision of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 related to the confidentiality 
     and disclosure of returns and return information.
       Section 112 prohibits funds for pre-populated returns.
       Section 113 provides $320,000,000 to be used solely for 
     carrying out Public Law 115-97. The IRS is directed to 
     provide the Committees on Appropriations of the House and 
     Senate no later than 30 days after the enactment of this Act, 
     a detailed spending plan by account and object class for the 
     funds provided. Additionally, the IRS is directed to submit 
     quarterly spending plans broken out by account, and include, 
     at minimum, quarterly obligations and total obligations to 
     date; actual and projected staffing levels; and updated 
     timetables.


         ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The bill includes the following provisions:
       Section 114 allows Treasury to use funds for certain 
     specified expenses.
       Section 115 allows for the transfer of up to 2 percent of 
     funds among various Treasury bureaus and offices.
       Section 116 allows for the transfer of up to 2 percent from 
     the IRS accounts to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax 
     Administration.
       Section 117 prohibits funding to redesign the $1 note.

[[Page H2518]]

       Section 118 allows for the transfer of funds from the 
     Bureau of Fiscal Service-Salaries and Expenses to the Debt 
     Collection Fund conditional on future reimbursement.
       Section 119 prohibits funds to build a United States Mint 
     museum without the approval of the Committees on 
     Appropriations of the House and Senate and the authorizing 
     committees of jurisdiction.
       Section 120 prohibits funding for consolidating the 
     functions of the United States Mint and the Bureau of 
     Engraving and Printing without the approval of the Committees 
     on Appropriations of the House and Senate and the authorizing 
     committees of jurisdiction.
       Section 121 specifies that funds for Treasury intelligence 
     activities are deemed to be specifically authorized until 
     enactment of the fiscal year 2018 Intelligence Authorization 
     Act.
       Section 122 permits the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to 
     use up to $5,000 from the Industrial Revolving Fund for 
     reception and representation expenses.
       Section 123 requires the Secretary to submit a Capital 
     Investment Plan.
       Section 124 requires a Franchise Fund report.
       Section 125 prohibits the Department from finalizing any 
     regulation related to the standards used to determine the 
     tax-exempt status of a 501(c)(4) organization.
       Section 126 requires the Office of Financial Research and 
     Office of Financial Stability to submit quarterly reports.
       Section 127 requires the Special Inspector General for the 
     Troubled Asset Relief Program to prioritize performance 
     audits or investigations of programs funded under the 
     Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.

                                TITLE II

    EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND FUNDS APPROPRIATED TO THE 
                               PRESIDENT

                            The White House


                         salaries and expenses

       The bill provides $55,000,000 for the salaries and expenses 
     of the White House.

                 Executive Residence at the White House


                           operating expenses

       The bill provides $12,917,000 for the Executive Residence 
     at the White House.

                   White House Repair and Restoration

       The bill provides $750,000 for repair, alteration and 
     improvement of the Executive Residence at the White House.

                      Council of Economic Advisers


                         salaries and expenses

       The bill provides $4,187,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the Council of Economic Advisers.

        National Security Council and Homeland Security Council


                         salaries and expenses

       The bill provides $11,800,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the National Security Council and Homeland Security Council.

                        Office of Administration


                         salaries and expenses

       The bill provides $100,000,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the Office of Administration, of which not more than 
     $12,800,000 is for information technology modernization.

                    Office of Management and Budget


                         salaries and expenses

       The bill provides $101,000,000 for the salaries and 
     expenses of the Office of Management and Budget.
       The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is directed to 
     expand the opportunities for public comment for the next 
     round of delineations for metropolitan and core-based 
     statistical areas using the 2020 Census results. OMB should 
     create a formal process to receive and adjudicate assertions 
     that the delineation or revision of the delineation of a 
     core-based statistical area was not conducted in accordance 
     with the established agency standards, including ``2010 
     Standards for Delineating Metropolitan and Micropolitan 
     Statistical Areas'', issued on June 28, 2010 (75 Federal 
     Register 37246), or any successor to these standards.

                 Office of National Drug Control Policy


                         salaries and expenses

       The bill provides $18,400,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
       Opioid Crisis.--The Office of National Drug Control Policy 
     (ONDCP) is a key participant in efforts to combat the opioid 
     epidemic. As ONDCP carries out its mission, it is critically 
     important to ensure that rural and underserved areas that are 
     hardest-hit in the opioid crisis and which have the highest 
     concentrations of opioid-related cases are sufficiently 
     supported in its programs, policies, and activities.


                     federal drug control programs

             high intensity drug trafficking areas program

                     (including transfers of funds)

       The bill provides $280,000,000 for the High Intensity Drug 
     Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program.
       With this increased funding, ONDCP should solicit funding 
     applications from HIDTAs in states with high levels of drug 
     addiction, including those with the highest opioid overdoses 
     and death rates, and those participating in the Heroin 
     Response Strategy.
       Opioid Addiction.--As prescription drug monitoring programs 
     successfully control the supply of prescription drugs 
     available, those struggling with substance abuse disorder who 
     are no longer able to obtain or afford prescription opioids 
     often turn to heroin and other opioids. The prevalence of 
     opioid addiction and the resultant increase in trafficking 
     of, and addiction to, heroin and other opioids is a threat to 
     communities across the nation. The HIDTA Program through 
     ONDCP, is encouraged, to the extent practicable, to 
     prioritize discretionary funds to aid states where heroin and 
     opioid addiction is a threat. HIDTAs enable necessary 
     coordination of law enforcement efforts and support for state 
     and local law enforcement and must continue to play a 
     significant role in the eradication of heroin and 
     prescription drug diversion.


                  other federal drug control programs

                     (including transfers of funds)

       The bill provides $117,093,000 for other federal drug 
     control programs. The agreement allocates funds among 
     specific programs as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drug-Free Communities Program........................        $99,000,000
    (Training).......................................        (2,000,000)
Drug court training and technical assistance.........          2,000,000
Anti-Doping activities...............................          9,500,000
World Anti-Doping Agency (U.S. membership dues)......          2,343,000
Discretionary Grants as authorized by P.L. 109-469,            1,250,000
 section 1105........................................
Activities authorized by Section 103 of P.L. 114-198,          3,000,000
 section 103.........................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Unanticipated Needs

       The bill provides $798,000 for unanticipated needs of the 
     President. Within 180 days of enactment of this Act, the 
     Office of Administration is directed to report to the House 
     and Senate Committees on Appropriations on the use of funds 
     appropriated under this heading.

              Information Technology Oversight and Reform


                     (including transfer of funds)

       The bill provides $19,000,000 for information technology 
     oversight and reform activities.
       IT Dashboard.--OMB is directed to ensure that the IT 
     dashboard includes current and accurate information. OMB is 
     further directed to report quarterly to the Committees on 
     Appropriations on the cost savings and reductions in 
     duplicative IT investments as a result of PortfolioStat.

                  Special Assistance to the President


                         salaries and expenses

       The bill provides $4,288,000 for salaries and expenses to 
     enable the Vice President to provide special assistance to 
     the President.

                Official Residence of the Vice President


                           operating expenses

                     (including transfer of funds)

       The bill provides $302,000 for operating expenses for the 
     official residence of the Vice President.


administrative provisions--executive office of the president and funds 
                     appropriated to the president

                     (including transfer of funds)

       The bill includes the following Administrative Provisions 
     under this title:
       Section 201 provides transfer authority among various 
     Executive Office of the President accounts.
       Section 202 requires the Office of Management and Budget 
     (OMB) to report on the costs of implementing the Dodd-Frank 
     Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Public Law 
     111-203).
       Section 203 requires the Director of the OMB to include a 
     statement of budgetary impact with any Executive Order issued 
     or revoked during fiscal year 2018 and for Presidential 
     memoranda estimated to have a regulatory cost in excess of 
     $100,000,000.

                        TITLE III--THE JUDICIARY

                   Supreme Court of the United States


                         salaries and expenses

       The bill provides $82,028,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the Supreme Court. In addition, the bill provides mandatory 
     costs as authorized by current law for the salaries of the 
     chief justice and associate justices of the court.


                    care of the building and grounds

       The bill provides $16,153,000 for the care of the Supreme 
     Court building and grounds.

         United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit


                         salaries and expenses

       The bill provides $31,291,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. 
     In addition, the bill provides mandatory costs as authorized 
     by current law for the salaries of the chief judge and judges 
     of the court.

               United States Court of International Trade


                         salaries and expenses

       The bill provides $18,889,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the United States Court of International Trade. In addition, 
     the bill provides mandatory costs as authorized by current 
     law for the salaries of the chief judge and judges of the 
     court.

    Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and Other Judicial Services


                         salaries and expenses

       The bill provides $5,099,061,000 for salaries and expenses 
     of the Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and Other Judicial 
     Services. In

[[Page H2519]]

     addition, the bill provides mandatory costs as authorized by 
     current law for the salaries of circuit and district judges 
     (including judges of the territorial courts of the United 
     States), bankruptcy judges, and justices and judges retired 
     from office or from regular active service. The bill also 
     provides $8,230,000 from the Vaccine Injury Compensation 
     Trust Fund.


                           defender services

       The bill provides $1,078,713,000 for Defender Services. The 
     bill includes a $6 increase to the hourly non-capital panel 
     attorney rate above the COLA-adjusted level.


                    fees of jurors and commissioners

       The bill provides $50,944,000 for Fees of Jurors and 
     Commissioners.


                             court security

                     (including transfer of funds)

       The bill provides $586,999,000 for Court Security.

           Administrative Office of the United States Courts


                         salaries and expenses

       The bill provides $90,423,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.

                        Federal Judicial Center


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill provides $29,265,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the Federal Judicial Center.

                  United States Sentencing Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill provides $18,699,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the United States Sentencing Commission.


                ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--THE JUDICIARY

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The bill includes the following administrative provisions:
       Section 301 makes funds appropriated for salaries and 
     expenses available for services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109.
       Section 302 provides transfer authority among Judiciary 
     appropriations.
       Section 303 permits not more than $11,000 to be used for 
     official reception and representation expenses of the 
     Judicial Conference.
       Section 304 extends through fiscal year 2018 the delegation 
     of authority to the Judiciary for contracts for repairs of 
     less than $100,000.
       Section 305 continues a pilot program where the United 
     States Marshals Service provides perimeter security services 
     at selected courthouses.
       Section 306 extends temporary judgeships in the eastern 
     district of Missouri, Kansas, Arizona, the central district 
     of California, the northern district of Alabama, the southern 
     district of Florida, New Mexico, the western district of 
     North Carolina, the eastern district of Texas, and Hawaii.
       Section 307 authorizes an increase of the daily juror 
     attendance fee by $10.

                                TITLE IV

                          DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

                             Federal Funds


              FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR RESIDENT TUITION SUPPORT

       The bill provides $40,000,000 for District of Columbia 
     resident tuition support.
       The Superintendent is directed to include with the fiscal 
     year 2019 budget justification materials an update on the 
     District of Columbia's efforts to enhance the retention, 
     persistence, and graduation rates of program participants. 
     The report should include research findings, and information 
     on early awareness and readiness initiatives to promote 
     academic college preparation, guidance, and other support 
     mechanisms and partnerships. Further, the budget 
     justification should contain information on the status and 
     effectiveness of cost containment measures instituted by the 
     State Board of Education.


   FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR EMERGENCY PLANNING AND SECURITY COSTS IN THE 
                          DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

       The bill provides $13,000,000 for emergency planning and 
     security costs in the District of Columbia to remain 
     available until expended.


           FEDERAL PAYMENT TO THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COURTS

       The bill provides $265,400,000 for the District of Columbia 
     courts, of which $14,000,000 is for the D.C. Court of 
     Appeals, $121,000,000 is for the Superior Court, $71,500,000 
     is for the D.C. court system, and $58,900,000 is for capital 
     improvements to courthouse facilities.


  FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR DEFENDER SERVICES IN DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COURTS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The bill provides $49,890,000 for defender services in the 
     District of Columbia.


 FEDERAL PAYMENT TO THE COURT SERVICES AND OFFENDER SUPERVISION AGENCY 
                      FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

       The bill provides $244,298,000 for court services and 
     offender supervision in the District of Columbia.


  FEDERAL PAYMENT TO THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICE

       The bill provides $41,829,000 for public defender services 
     in the District of Columbia.


      FEDERAL PAYMENT TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL

       The bill provides $2,000,000 for the Criminal Justice 
     Coordinating Council.


                FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR JUDICIAL COMMISSIONS

       The bill provides $565,000 for Judicial Commissions. Within 
     the amount provided, $295,000 is for the Commission on 
     Judicial Disabilities and Tenure, and $270,000 is for the 
     Judicial Nomination Commission.


                 FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT

       The bill provides $45,000,000 for school improvement in the 
     District of Columbia to be distributed in accordance with the 
     provisions of the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results 
     Act (SOAR Act). Of that amount, $3,200,000 is for 
     administrative expenses and evaluation costs.


      FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA NATIONAL GUARD

       The bill provides $435,000 for the Major General David F. 
     Wherley, Jr. District of Columbia National Guard Retention 
     and College Access Program.


         FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR TESTING AND TREATMENT OF HIV/AIDS

       The bill provides $5,000,000 for the purpose of HIV/AIDS 
     testing and treatment.

                       District of Columbia Funds

       The bill provides authority for the District of Columbia to 
     spend its local funds in accordance with the Fiscal Year 2018 
     Budget Request Act of 2017.


 FEDERAL PAYMENT TO THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY

       The bill provides $14,000,000 for the District of Columbia 
     Water and Sewer Authority.

                                TITLE V

                          INDEPENDENT AGENCIES

             Administrative Conference of the United States


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill provides $3,100,000, to remain available until 
     September 30, 2019, for the Administrative Conference of the 
     United States.

                   Consumer Product Safety Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill includes $126,000,000 for the Consumer Product 
     Safety Commission (CPSC). Within the amount provided, 
     $1,100,000 is available until expended, for the pool and spa 
     safety grants program established by the Virginia Graeme 
     Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.
       Window Treatments.-- The agreement does not adopt House 
     report language on Window Treatments.
       Table Saw Regulation.--On April 27, 2017, the CPSC issued a 
     notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) to address blade-contact 
     injuries on table saws. After issuing the NPR, the Commission 
     directed further study regarding the types of table saws that 
     are associated with injuries, and the implications of the 
     rule on the saw marketplace. The CPSC, upon completion of the 
     study, is directed to provide a briefing to the House and 
     Senate Committees on Appropriations on the results of their 
     findings.
       CPSC is directed to report to the Committees within 180 
     days of enactment of this Act on the progress to update the 
     current National Operating Committee on Standards for 
     Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) football helmet standards 
     regarding new and reconditioned football helmets.


      ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION--CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

       Section 501 prohibits the use of Federal funds in fiscal 
     year 2018 for the adoption or implementation of the proposed 
     rule on Recreational Off-highway Vehicles (ROVs) until a 
     study by the National Academy of Sciences is completed.

                     Election Assistance Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The bill provides $10,100,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). This includes 
     $1,500,000 to be transferred to the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology (NIST). As in previous years, within 
     30 days of the transfer to NIST, NIST shall provide to EAC 
     and the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate 
     a detailed expenditure plan. Both EAC and NIST shall 
     establish priorities for the work jointly in order to meet 
     timelines.
       As in previous years, the Director (or designee) of NIST 
     shall provide to the Executive Director (or Acting) of the 
     EAC a detailed expenditure plan for the transferred funds 
     within 30 days of the transfer to NIST.


                        ELECTION REFORM PROGRAM

       The bill provides $380,000,000 to the Election Assistance 
     Commission to make payments to states for activities to 
     improve the administration of elections for Federal office, 
     including to enhance election technology and make election 
     security improvements, as authorized under sections 101, 103, 
     and 104 of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002 (P.L. 107 
     252). Consistent with the requirements of HAVA, states may 
     use this funding to: replace voting equipment that only 
     records a voter's intent electronically with equipment that 
     utilizes a voter-verified paper record; implement a post-
     election audit system that provides a high-level of 
     confidence in the accuracy of the final vote tally; upgrade 
     election-related computer systems to address cyber 
     vulnerabilities identified through DHS or similar scans or 
     assessments of existing election systems; facilitate 
     cybersecurity training for the state chief election 
     official's office and local election officials; implement 
     established cybersecurity best practices for election 
     systems; and fund other activities that will improve the 
     security of elections for federal office.

[[Page H2520]]

  


                   Federal Communications Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill provides $322,035,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The bill 
     provides that $322,035,000 be derived from offsetting 
     collections, resulting in no net appropriation.
       Incentive Auction.--The FCC is directed to provide monthly 
     reports to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, 
     the Senate Committee on Commerce, and the House Committee on 
     Energy and Commerce with the current status of the 
     construction schedule including the allocation provided and 
     the status of any relief granted to accommodate stations that 
     face unforeseen circumstances during the transition period.
       Measuring the Potential Impact of Broadband Access on the 
     Opioid Crisis.-- The FCC is directed to use the Connect 2 
     Health tool to create a map overlaying drug abuse statistics 
     with the level of Internet access to help address challenges 
     in rural areas.
       Call Completion in Rural Areas.--The FCC shall report to 
     the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 90 
     days of enactment of this Act detailing the Commission's 
     efforts to resolve call completion issues and to prevent 
     discriminatory delivery of calls to any area of the country. 
     The report shall include information on the number of call 
     completion complaints filed with the Commission in the 
     previous 12 months and on the Commission's resulting 
     enforcement actions.
       Broadband Connectivity on Tribal Lands.--The FCC is 
     directed to set interim goals and performance measures for 
     increasing access to broadband on tribal lands, and in 
     addition to funds already committed to the Office of Native 
     Affairs and Policy activities, FCC is encouraged to use all 
     available resources with the goal of spending $300,000 to 
     support consultation with federally recognized Indian tribes, 
     Alaska Native villages, and entities related to Hawaiian home 
     lands.
       National Broadband Map.--The FCC is directed to report to 
     the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on the 
     actions the FCC plans to take to establish a methodology that 
     will apply to the collection of mobile broadband coverage 
     data for the purposes of the Universal Service program, or 
     any similar programs, to address the current limitations of 
     coverage data no later than 180 days after enactment of this 
     Act.
       Information Technology Reform.--The FCC shall report to the 
     House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within six 
     months of enactment of this Act on how it will prioritize 
     future IT reform efforts and identify the most important IT 
     systems to be modernized.
       Fines.-- Beginning not later than 90 days after enactment 
     of this Act, the FCC is directed to submit quarterly reports 
     to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate, 
     the Committee on Energy and Commerce in the House, and the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in the 
     Senate on the status of its efforts on tracking and 
     collecting monetary penalties assessed by the agency. The 
     reports should include a list of all Notices of Apparent 
     Liability (NALs) pending, including the date it was issued; 
     all NALs released, including the date of release; all 
     forfeiture order spending, including the date it was issued; 
     all forfeiture orders released, including date of release and 
     date upon which payment is due; all timely paid forfeiture 
     orders; all forfeiture orders referred to the Department of 
     Justice for collection, including date of referral; all 
     consent decrees, including date adopted; and all consent 
     decrees that have resulted in a payment, including date of 
     payment. Additionally, for each of the items listed above, 
     the Commission shall provide the date on which the U.S. 
     Government will no longer be able to effectively prosecute 
     the alleged violation as a result of the statute of 
     limitations.


      ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

       The bill includes the following administrative provisions 
     for the Federal Communications Commission:
       Section 510 prohibits the FCC from changing rules governing 
     the Universal Service Fund regarding single connection or 
     primary line restrictions.
       Section 511 authorizes and appropriates $600,000,000 for 
     the TV Broadcaster Relocation Fund in fiscal year 2018 and 
     $400,000,000 in fiscal year 2019.

                 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation


                    OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

       The bill provides a transfer of $39,136,000 to fund the 
     Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the Federal Deposit 
     Insurance Corporation. The OIG's appropriations are derived 
     from the Deposit Insurance Fund and the Federal Savings and 
     Loan Insurance Corporation Resolution Fund.

                      Federal Election Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill provides $71,250,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the Federal Election Commission.
       Foreign Contributions. Preserving the integrity of 
     elections, and protecting them from undue foreign influence, 
     is an important function of government at all levels. Federal 
     law, for example, prohibits foreign campaign contributions 
     and expenditures. With that in mind, the Chairman is directed 
     to report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House 
     and Senate no later than 180 days after the enactment of this 
     Act on the Commission's role in enforcing this prohibition, 
     including how it identifies foreign contributions to 
     elections, and what it plans to do in the future to continue 
     these efforts.

                   Federal Labor Relations Authority


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill provides $26,200,000 for the Federal Labor 
     Relations Authority.

                        Federal Trade Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill provides $306,317,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the Federal Trade Commission. This appropriation is partially 
     offset by premerger filing and Telemarketing Sales Rule fees 
     estimated at $126,000,000 and $16,000,000, respectively.
       Contact Lenses.--The House Report and the Senate draft 
     Report included different language regarding contact lenses.

                    General Services Administration


                        REAL PROPERTY ACTIVITIES

                         FEDERAL BUILDINGS FUND

                 LIMITATIONS ON AVAILABILITY OF REVENUE

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The bill provides resources from the General Services 
     Administration (GSA) Federal Buildings Fund totaling 
     $9,073,938,000.
       Transportation Technologies.--GSA is directed to submit to 
     the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations the report 
     on transportation technologies for federal fleets required by 
     the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (P.L. 115-31) 
     within 30 days of enactment of this Act.
       GSA Advantage.--GSA's efforts to verify the accuracy of 
     products listed on GSA Advantage and whether they are Made In 
     the USA have been inconsistent, which is of concern. GSA is 
     directed to report to the House and Senate Committees on 
     Appropriations within 90 days of enactment of this Act on 
     steps it is taking to improve processes for reviewing and 
     verifying a company's business location, the origins of 
     listed products, and a process for customers to report 
     misleading or inaccurate listings.
       Buy American.--The creation of a government-wide website, 
     called BuyAmerican.gov, would provide a comprehensive 
     government-wide repository for information about waivers to 
     the Buy American Act, Berry Amendment and other domestic 
     content statutes; assist small- and medium-sized 
     manufacturers; and achieve some of the goals of President 
     Trump's Executive Order on Buy American. GSA is encouraged, 
     in conjunction with OMB, to examine the feasibility of 
     establishing such a website, and to report to the House and 
     Senate Committees on Appropriations within 120 days after 
     enactment of this Act.
       Energy Efficiency.--It is important to provide energy 
     efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective measures that 
     address more effectively the infrastructure needs of Federal 
     agencies, including energy savings performance contracts, 
     which allow Federal agencies to partner with the private 
     sector to modernize Federal infrastructure.
       Dirksen Courthouse.--The Dirksen Courthouse in Chicago is 
     adjacent to buildings in critical disrepair scheduled to be 
     sold to a developer who will demolish the unsafe structures 
     and rebuild on the site. Concerns have been raised as to the 
     effect of this development plan on the security of the Court 
     and other federal agencies in the courthouse. GSA is directed 
     to review the current development plan to ensure that it does 
     not pose security problems independent of existing security 
     issues at the courthouse and report back to the House and 
     Senate Committees on Appropriations with the results of that 
     review before proceeding with the planned disposition of the 
     properties.
       Construction and Acquisition.--The bill provides 
     $692,069,000 for construction and acquisition.


                      CONSTRUCTION AND ACQUISITION

------------------------------------------------------------------------
    State                Description                      Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
         NY   Alexandria Bay, United States                 $132,979,000
               Land Port of Entry..............
           CA Otay Mesa, United States Land                 $121,848,000
               Port of Entry...................
         PA   Harrisburg, United States                     $137,242,000
               Courthouse......................
         AL   Huntsville, United States                     $110,000,000
               Courthouse......................
         FL   Fort Lauderdale, United States                $190,000,000
               Courthouse......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Repairs and Alterations.--The bill provides $666,335,000 
     for repairs and alterations. Funds are provided in the 
     amounts indicated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Major Repairs and Alterations........................       $289,245,000
Basic Repairs and Alterations........................       $312,090,000
Fire and Life Safety Program.........................        $25,000,000
Judiciary Capital Security Program...................        $20,000,000
Consolidation Activities.............................        $20,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       For Major Repairs and Alterations, GSA is directed to 
     submit a spending plan, by project, as specified in Section 
     526 of this Act to the Committees on Appropriations of the 
     House and Senate (Committees) and to provide notification to 
     the Committees, within 15 days prior to any changes in the 
     use of these funds.
       Rental of Space.--The bill provides $5,493,768,000 for 
     rental of space.
       Building Operations.--The bill provides $2,221,766,000 for 
     building operations. Within this amount, $1,146,089,000 is 
     for building services and $1,075,677,000 is for salaries and 
     expenses. Up to five percent of the funds may be transferred 
     between these activities upon the advance notification to the 
     Committees.

[[Page H2521]]

  



                           GENERAL ACTIVITIES

                         GOVERNMENT-WIDE POLICY

       The bill provides $53,499,000 for General Services 
     Administration government-wide policy activities. GSA is 
     directed to spend not less than $2,000,000 on the Unified 
     Shared Services Management Office.


                           OPERATING EXPENSES

       The bill provides $45,645,000 for operating expenses. 
     Within the amount provided under this heading, the bill 
     provides $24,357,000 for Real and Personal Property 
     Management and Disposal and $21,288,000 for the Office of the 
     Administrator. Up to five percent of the funds for the Office 
     of the Administrator may be transferred to Real and Personal 
     Property Management and Disposal upon the advance 
     notification to the Committees on Appropriations of the House 
     and Senate.


                   CIVILIAN BOARD OF CONTRACT APPEALS

       The bill provides $8,795,000 for the Civilian Board of 
     Contract Appeals.


                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

       The bill provides $65,000,000 for the Office of Inspector 
     General.


           ALLOWANCES AND OFFICE STAFF FOR FORMER PRESIDENTS

       The bill provides $4,754,000 for allowances and office 
     staff for former Presidents.


                     FEDERAL CITIZEN SERVICES FUND

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The bill provides $50,000,000 for deposit into the Federal 
     Citizen Services Fund (the Fund) and authorizes use of 
     appropriations, revenues and collections in the Fund in an 
     aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000,000. Any deviation 
     from the spending plan required for Electronic Government 
     projects shall require a notification within 30 days to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate.


                     TECHNOLOGY MODERNIZATION FUND

       The bill provides $100,000,000 for the Technology 
     Modernization Fund.


                ASSET PROCEEDS AND SPACE MANAGEMENT FUND

       The bill provides $5,000,000 for the Asset Proceeds and 
     Space Management Fund.


                 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IMPROVEMENT FUND

       The bill provides $1,000,000 for the Environmental Review 
     Improvement Fund.


       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The bill includes the following provisions:
       Section 520 specifies that funds are available for hire of 
     motor vehicles.
       Section 521 authorizes transfers within the Federal 
     Buildings Fund, with advance approval of the Committees on 
     Appropriations of the House and Senate.
       Section 522 requires transmittal of a fiscal year 2019 
     request for courthouse construction that meets design guide 
     standards, reflects the priorities in the Judicial 
     Conference's 5 year construction plan, and includes a 
     standardized courtroom utilization study.
       Section 523 specifies that funds in this Act may not be 
     used to increase the amount of occupiable space or provide 
     services such as cleaning or security for any agency that 
     does not pay the rental charges assessed by GSA.
       Section 524 permits GSA to pay certain construction-related 
     claims against the Federal Government from savings achieved 
     in other projects.
       Section 525 requires that the delineated area of 
     procurement for leased space match the approved prospectus, 
     unless the Administrator provides an explanatory statement to 
     the appropriate congressional committees.
       Section 526 requires a spending plan for certain accounts 
     and programs.
       Section 527 establishes the Asset Proceeds Space Management 
     Fund as a fund separate from the Federal Buildings Fund.

                 Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill provides $1,000,000 for payment to the Harry S. 
     Truman Scholarship Foundation Trust Fund.

                     Merit Systems Protection Board


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The bill provides $46,835,000, to remain available until 
     September 30, 2019, for the salaries and expenses of the 
     Merit Systems Protection Board. Within the amount provided, 
     $44,490,000 is a direct appropriation and $2,345,000 is a 
     transfer from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability 
     Fund to adjudicate retirement appeals.

            Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation


            MORRIS K. UDALL AND STEWART L. UDALL TRUST FUND

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The bill provides $1,975,000 for payment to the Morris K. 
     Udall and Stewart L. Udall Trust Fund, of which $200,000 is 
     transferred to the Office of Inspector General of the 
     Department of the Interior to conduct audits and 
     investigations.
       The agreement directs the Foundation to report semiannually 
     to the Committee regarding its continued work in instituting 
     reformed internal controls, including milestones achieved.


                 ENVIRONMENTAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION FUND

       The bill provides $3,366,000 for payment to the 
     Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund.

              National Archives and Records Administration


                           OPERATING EXPENSES

       The bill provides $384,911,000 for the operating expenses 
     of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
       Digitize Records.--The agreement directs NARA to report, 
     within 90 days of enactment of this Act, on its progress to 
     digitize and preserve physical access to archival records 
     that have been or will be relocated to another State by any 
     facility closure occurring in fiscal years 2014, 2015, 2016, 
     or 2017. The report shall: (1) describe the progress that has 
     been made to digitize and post online such records that have 
     been moved; (2) describe NARA's digitization priorities for 
     2018 pertaining to any relocated archival records; and (3) 
     include a timeline for completing the digitization and 
     posting online process. --NARA should give due consideration 
     and appropriate adjudication, within the limits of the 
     Federal Records Act and all applicable laws, of any request 
     to review archival records that are relocated as a result of 
     a facility closure, to determine whether those records 
     continue to require permanent preservation in the National 
     Archives.
       Presidential Libraries.--The agreement notes NARA's 
     submission of an update of its comprehensive capital needs 
     assessment for its entire infrastructure of Presidential 
     libraries and records facilities, as part of the fiscal year 
     2018 budget submission and urges NARA to consider an 
     appropriate level of funding for repair of Presidential 
     libraries, with due consideration given to the needs of the 
     Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, KS.
       Government Publishing Office Buildings.--Section 635 of the 
     Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 provided for the 
     ``repair, alteration, and improvement of an additional leased 
     facility to provide adequate storage for holdings of the 
     House of Representatives and the Senate.'' The funds provided 
     for the renovation and lease of vacant space in the 
     Government Publishing Office (GPO) Building A, in order to 
     alleviate partially a critical shortage of archival storage 
     space for the official records of House and Senate records. 
     The agreement intends for funds appropriated under this Act 
     to be used to complete additional archival space, identified 
     in Building D of the GPO, required to address the shortage 
     and accommodate future holdings of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate.
       Recordkeeping Oversight.--NARA is directed to continue to 
     place a high priority on its recordkeeping oversight mission 
     and to report to the Committees on Appropriations of the 
     House of Representatives and the Senate, the House Committee 
     on Oversight and Government Reform, and the Senate Committee 
     on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs any instances 
     of substantial non-compliance by executive agencies or 
     significant risk to Federal records that are identified in 
     the course of NARA oversight activities.


                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

       The bill provides $4,801,000 for the Office of Inspector 
     General of the National Archives and Records Administration.


                        REPAIRS AND RESTORATION

       The bill provides $7,500,000 for repairs and restoration.


 NATIONAL HISTORICAL PUBLICATIONS AND RECORDS COMMISSION GRANTS PROGRAM

       The bill provides $6,000,000 for the National Historical 
     Publications and Records Commission grants program.
       The National Historical Publications and Records Commission 
     is urged to continue to support the completion of documentary 
     editions through the National Historical Publications and 
     Records Commission Grants Program and to support the 
     scholarly presentation of our country's most treasured 
     historical documents.

                  National Credit Union Administration


               COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REVOLVING LOAN FUND

       The bill provides $2,000,000 for the Community Development 
     Revolving Loan Fund.

                      Office of Government Ethics


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill provides $16,439,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the Office of Government Ethics.

                     Office of Personnel Management


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                  (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF TRUST FUNDS)

       The bill provides $260,755,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Within the amount 
     provided, $129,341,000 is a direct appropriation and 
     $131,414,000 is a transfer from OPM trust funds.
       The bill provides $21,000,000 for OPM to improve 
     information technology (IT) security and infrastructure. OPM 
     is directed to provide quarterly briefings to the Committees 
     on Appropriations of the House and Senate outlining progress 
     on its infrastructure improvement project to increase network 
     security and migrate legacy systems, including the 
     Consolidated Business Information Systems. Prior to 
     obligating the $21,000,000 for IT security improvements, the 
     Director of OPM shall submit to the Committees on 
     Appropriations within 90 days of enactment of this Act a plan 
     for expenditure prepared in consultation with the Director of 
     the Office of Management and Budget, the U.S. Digital 
     Service, and the Department of Homeland Security. The OPM IG 
     is to review and comment upon this plan within 60 days.

[[Page H2522]]

       OPM Cybersecurity.--In lieu of the House report language on 
     the National Bureau of Investigations, the agreement directs 
     GAO to brief the Committees on Appropriations of the House 
     and Senate not less than six months after enactment of this 
     Act on actions taken by OPM in response to GAO's information 
     security recommendations. GAO recently reported that OPM had 
     not taken sufficient actions to prevent, mitigate, and 
     respond to data breaches involving sensitive personal and 
     background investigation information, and had not effectively 
     implemented information security controls in selected high-
     impact systems. These reports (reports GAO-16-501, GAO-16-
     687SU, GAO-17-459SU, and GAO-17-614) had 80 recommendations 
     and to date, OPM has not implemented the vast majority of 
     these recommendations. OPM is expected to take the steps 
     necessary to complete outstanding GAO recommendations to 
     improve its information security.
       OPM Modernization.--OPM is directed to continue providing 
     reports and status update briefings on modernization efforts 
     and the strategic technology plan, as developments and 
     milestones occur, and future plans are determined.
       Retirement Backlog.--OPM is directed to continue providing 
     monthly reports to the House and Senate Committees on 
     Appropriations on its progress in addressing the backlog in 
     retirement claims.


                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                  (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF TRUST FUNDS)

       The bill provides $30,000,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the Office of Inspector General. Within the amount provided, 
     $5,000,000 is a direct appropriation and $25,000,000 is a 
     transfer from OPM trust funds.

                       Office of Special Counsel


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill includes $26,535,000 for the salaries and expenses 
     of the Office of Special Counsel.

                      Postal Regulatory Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The bill provides $15,200,000 for the salaries and expenses 
     of the Postal Regulatory Commission.

              Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill provides $8,000,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board.

                     Public Buildings Reform Board


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill provides $5,000,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the Public Buildings Reform Board.

                   Securities and Exchange Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill provides $1,652,000,000 for the Securities and 
     Exchange Commission (SEC). Of that amount, the bill allocates 
     $68,950,000 for the Division of Economic and Risk Analysis, 
     no less than $14,748,358 for the SEC Office of Inspector 
     General, and $45,000,000 for information technology upgrades 
     and enhancements. In addition, the bill provides another 
     $244,507,052 for costs associated with relocating the 
     Commission's headquarters. All funds are derived from 
     $1,896,507,000 in offsetting collections resulting in no net 
     appropriation.
       Reserve Fund Notifications.--SEC is directed, in its 
     written notifications to Congress required by 15 U.S.C. 
     78d(i)(3) regarding amounts obligated from the SEC Reserve 
     Fund, to specify: (1) the balance in the fund remaining 
     available after the obligation is deducted; (2) the estimated 
     total cost of the project for which amounts are being 
     deducted; (3) the total amount for all projects that have 
     withdrawn funding from the Reserve Fund since fiscal year 
     2012; and (4) the estimated amount, per project, that will be 
     required to complete all ongoing projects which use funding 
     derived from the Reserve Fund.
       Spending Plan.--SEC is directed to submit, within 30 days 
     of enactment, a detailed spending plan for the allocation of 
     appropriated funds displayed by discrete program, project, 
     and activity, including staffing projections, specifying both 
     FTEs and contractors, and planned investments in information 
     technology. SEC is also directed to submit, within 30 days of 
     enactment, a detailed spending plan for the allocation of 
     expenditures from the Reserve Fund.
       Data Breach.--GAO is directed to report to the House and 
     Senate Committees on Appropriations not later than 6 months 
     of enactment of this Act on the Electronic Data Gathering 
     Analysis and Retrieval system data breach that occurred in 
     October 2016. The report should include findings on the cause 
     and scope of nonpublic information compromised, actions taken 
     by SEC to mitigate the effects of the breach, and SEC's 
     response to GAO's information security recommendations.
       The agreement does not include a section pertaining to 
     electronic delivery of shareholder reports. The SEC did not 
     adopt proposed rule 30e-3 when the Commission adopted the new 
     rules and forms to modernize reporting and the disclosure of 
     information by registered investment companies.

                        Selective Service System


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill provides $22,900,000 for the salaries and expenses 
     of the Selective Service System.

                     Small Business Administration


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill provides $268,500,000 for salaries and expenses of 
     the Small Business Administration (SBA).
       Office of Credit Risk Management.--The bill provides at 
     least $12,000,000 for SBA's Office of Credit Risk Management 
     for lender oversight and risk-based reviews. SBA is required 
     to maintain the current capability and capacity of the Loan 
     and Lender Monitoring System and to strongly consider ways to 
     upgrade the system to improve lender oversight.
       Small Business Investment Company Collaboration.--SBA is 
     directed to continue its collaborative effort with the 
     Securities and Exchange Commission to ensure effective 
     oversight of Small Business Investment Companies (SBIC) and 
     the protection of SBIC investors.
       SBIC.--SBA shall release SBIC data and is required to 
     report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations a 
     plan to increase the geographic dispersion of SBICs and the 
     number of SBICs in states with below the national median or 
     with no current SBICs no later than 60 days after enactment 
     of this Act.
       Federal and State Technology Partnership Program.--The bill 
     provides $3,000,000 for the Federal and State Technology 
     (FAST) Partnership Program in fiscal year 2018. The Committee 
     supports the FAST program's efforts to reach innovative, 
     technology-driven small businesses and to leverage the Small 
     Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology 
     Transfer program to stimulate economic development. Of the 
     amount provided, $1,000,000 shall be for FAST awards to Small 
     Business and Technology Development Centers fully accredited 
     for technology designation as of December 31, 2017.
       Zika Virus on Small Business.--SBA is directed to brief the 
     House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on the effects 
     of the spread of the Zika virus on small businesses and the 
     extent to which SBA has the authority to make disaster loans 
     available to communities impacted by health-related travel 
     advisories.


                  ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

       The bill provides $247,100,000 for SBA Entrepreneurial 
     Development Programs. The SBA shall not reduce these amounts 
     and shall not merge any of the entrepreneurial development 
     programs without the advance written approval from the 
     Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Project                              ($000)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
7(j) Technical Assistance Program (Contracting                     2,800
 Assistance)............................................
Entrepreneurship Education..............................           6,000
Growth Accelerators.....................................           1,000
HUBZone Program.........................................           3,000
Microloan Technical Assistance..........................          31,000
National Women's Business Council.......................           1,500
Native American Outreach................................           2,000
PRIME Technical Assistance..............................           5,000
Regional Innovation Clusters............................           5,000
SCORE...................................................          11,500
Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)...............         130,000
State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)....................          18,000
Veterans Outreach.......................................          12,300
Women's Business Centers (WBC)..........................          18,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total, Entrepreneurial Development Programs.........         247,100
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Small Business Development Centers.--The bill provides 
     $130,000,000 for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) 
     Program for fiscal year 2018. SBA is directed to continue to 
     prioritize a robust SBDC network and, subject to the 
     availability of funds, the Administrator of the SBA shall, to 
     the extent practicable, ensure that a small business 
     development center is appropriately reimbursed within the 
     same fiscal year in which the expenses were incurred for any 
     and all legitimate expenses incurred in carrying out 
     activities under section 21(b)(3)(B) of the Small Business 
     Act (15 U.S.C. 648(b)(3)(B)).


                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

       The bill provides $19,900,000 for the Office of Inspector 
     General of the Small Business Administration.
       SBA Modernization.--The SBA Office of Inspector General is 
     directed to continue routine analysis and reporting on SBA's 
     modernization of its loan management and accounting systems.


                           OFFICE OF ADVOCACY

       The bill provides $9,120,000 for the Office of Advocacy.


                     BUSINESS LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The bill provides $156,220,000 for the Business Loans 
     Program Account. Of the amount provided, $3,438,172 is for 
     the cost of direct loans in the microloan program, and 
     $152,782,000 is for administrative expenses to carry out the 
     direct and guaranteed loan programs which may be transferred 
     to and merged with Salaries and Expenses. The bill provides a 
     $29,000,000,000 cap for SBA 7(a) loans and $7,500,000,000 for 
     504 refinance authority.
       Employee-Ownership.--It is noted that worker owned 
     businesses are uniquely structured to provide wide-ranging 
     economic benefits. In order to encourage new and assist 
     existing employee owned businesses, SBA is directed to 
     provide education and outreach to businesses, employees, and 
     financial institutions about employee-ownership. This effort 
     should include information about the different business 
     structures available, such as cooperatives, Employee Stock 
     Ownership Plans, and technical assistance to assist employee 
     efforts to become businesses. Further,

[[Page H2523]]

     SBA is directed to develop guidance on employee-ownership to 
     approved lenders and assist in accessing financing through 
     the 7(a)(15) loan guarantee program.


                     DISASTER LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

       The bill provides no funding for the Small Business 
     Administration Disaster Loans Program. The Disaster Loan 
     Program Administration account received $618,000,000 in 
     supplemental funding in P.L. 115-123. This is sufficient 
     funding for fiscal year 2018.


        ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

              (INCLUDING RESCISSION AND TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The bill includes the following administrative provisions 
     for the Small Business Administration:
       Section 530 concerns transfer authority and availability of 
     funds.
       Section 531 rescinds prior year unobligated balances 
     related to Immediate Disaster Assistance Program and the 
     Expedited Disaster Assistance Loan Program.
       Section 532 amends requirement to the microloan program.

                      United States Postal Service


                   PAYMENT TO THE POSTAL SERVICE FUND

       The bill provides $58,118,000 for a payment to the Postal 
     Service Fund.

                      Office of Inspector General


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The bill provides $245,000,000 for the Office of Inspector 
     General.

                        United States Tax Court


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill provides $50,739,887 for salaries and expenses of 
     the United States Tax Court.

                                TITLE VI

                      GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS ACT

       The bill includes the following provisions:
       Section 601 prohibits pay and other expenses of non-Federal 
     parties intervening in regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings 
     funded in this Act.
       Section 602 prohibits obligations beyond the current fiscal 
     year and prohibits transfers of funds unless expressly 
     provided.
       Section 603 limits expenditures for any consulting service 
     through procurement contracts where such expenditures are a 
     matter of public record and available for public inspection.
       Section 604 prohibits funds in this Act from being 
     transferred without express authority.
       Section 605 prohibits the use of funds to engage in 
     activities that would prohibit the enforcement of section 307 
     of the 1930 Tariff Act (46 Stat. 590).
       Section 606 prohibits the use of funds unless the recipient 
     agrees to comply with the Buy American Act.
       Section 607 prohibits funding for any person or entity 
     convicted of violating the Buy American Act.
       Section 608 authorizes the reprogramming of funds and 
     specifies the reprogramming procedures for agencies funded by 
     this Act.
       Section 609 ensures that 50 percent of unobligated balances 
     may remain available for certain purposes.
       Section 610 restricts the use of funds for the Executive 
     Office of the President to request official background 
     reports from the Federal Bureau of Investigation without the 
     written consent of the individual who is the subject of the 
     report.
       Section 611 ensures that the cost accounting standards 
     shall not apply with respect to a contract under the Federal 
     Employees Health Benefits Program.
       Section 612 allows the use of certain funds relating to 
     nonforeign area cost of living allowances.
       Section 613 prohibits the expenditure of funds for 
     abortions under the Federal Employees Health Benefits 
     Program.
       Section 614 provides an exemption from section 613 if the 
     life of the mother is in danger or the pregnancy is a result 
     of an act of rape or incest.
       Section 615 waives restrictions on the purchase of 
     nondomestic articles, materials, and supplies in the case of 
     acquisition by the Federal Government of information 
     technology.
       Section 616 is a provision on the acceptance by agencies or 
     commissions funded by this Act, or by their officers or 
     employees, of payment or reimbursement for travel, 
     subsistence, or related expenses from any person or entity 
     (or their representative) that engages in activities 
     regulated by such agencies or commissions.
       Section 617 permits the Securities and Exchange Commission 
     and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to fund a joint 
     advisory committee to advise on emerging regulatory issues, 
     notwithstanding section 708 of this Act.
       Section 618 requires agencies covered by this Act with 
     independent leasing authority to consult with the General 
     Services Administration before seeking new office space or 
     making alterations to existing office space.
       Section 619 provides for several appropriated mandatory 
     accounts, where authorizing language requires the payment of 
     funds for Compensation of the President, the Judicial 
     Retirement Funds (Judicial Officers' Retirement Fund, 
     Judicial Survivors' Annuities Fund, and the United States 
     Court of Federal Claims Judges' Retirement Fund), the 
     Government Payment for Annuitants for Employee Health 
     Benefits and Employee Life Insurance, and the Payment to the 
     Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. In addition, 
     language is included for certain retirement, healthcare and 
     survivor benefits required by 3 U.S.C. 102 note.
       Section 620 allows the Public Company Accounting Oversight 
     Board to obligate up to $1,000,000 collected from monetary 
     penalties for the purpose of funding scholarships for 
     accounting students, as authorized by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 
     of 2002 (Public Law 107-204).
       Section 621 prohibits funds for the Federal Trade 
     Commission to complete the draft report on food marketed to 
     children unless certain requirements are met.
       Section 622 prohibits funds for certain positions.
       Section 623 addresses conflicts of interest by preventing 
     contractor security clearance-related background 
     investigators from undertaking final Federal reviews of their 
     own work.
       Section 624 provides authority for Chief Information 
     Officers over information technology spending.
       Section 625 prohibits funds from being used in 
     contravention of the Federal Records Act.
       Section 626 relates to electronic communications.
       Section 627 relates to Universal Service Fund payments for 
     wireless providers.
       Section 628 relates to inspectors general.
       Section 629 relates to pornography and computer networks.
       Section 630 modifies a provision related to credit 
     monitoring.
       Section 631 prohibits funds for the SEC to finalize, issue, 
     or implement any rule, regulation, or order requiring the 
     disclosure of political contributions, contributions to tax-
     exempt organizations, or dues paid to trade associations in 
     SEC filings.
       Section 632 renames a federal courthouse in Jackson, 
     Mississippi.

             TITLE VII GENERAL PROVISIONS--GOVERNMENT-WIDE

                Departments, Agencies, and Corporations


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The bill includes the following provisions:
       Section 701 requires agencies to administer a policy 
     designed to ensure that all of its workplaces are free from 
     the illegal use of controlled substances.
       Section 702 sets specific limits on the cost of passenger 
     vehicles purchased by the Federal Government with exceptions 
     for police, heavy duty, electric hybrid, and clean fuels 
     vehicles with an exception for commercial vehicles that 
     operate on emerging motor vehicle technology.
       Section 703 allows funds made available to agencies for 
     travel to also be used for quarters allowances and cost-of-
     living allowances.
       Section 704 prohibits the Government, with certain 
     specified exceptions, from employing non-U.S. citizens whose 
     posts of duty would be in the continental United States.
       Section 705 ensures that agencies will have authority to 
     pay the General Services Administration for space renovation 
     and other services.
       Section 706 allows agencies to use receipts from the sale 
     of materials for acquisition, waste reduction and prevention, 
     environmental management programs, and other Federal employee 
     programs.
       Section 707 provides that funds for administrative expenses 
     may be used to pay rent and other service costs in the 
     District of Columbia.
       Section 708 precludes interagency financing of groups 
     absent prior statutory approval.
       Section 709 prohibits the use of appropriated funds for 
     enforcing regulations disapproved in accordance with the 
     applicable law of the United States.
       Section 710 limits the amount that can be used for 
     redecoration of offices under certain circumstances.
       Section 711 permits interagency funding of national 
     security and emergency preparedness telecommunications 
     initiatives, which benefit multiple Federal departments, 
     agencies, and entities.
       Section 712 requires agencies to certify that a schedule C 
     appointment was not created solely or primarily to detail the 
     employee to the White House.
       Section 713 prohibits the use of funds to prevent Federal 
     employees from communicating with Congress or to take 
     disciplinary or personnel actions against employees for such 
     communication.
       Section 714 prohibits Federal training not directly related 
     to the performance of official duties.
       Section 715 prohibits the use of appropriated funds for 
     publicity or propaganda designed to support or defeat 
     legislation pending before Congress.
       Section 716 prohibits the use of appropriated funds by an 
     agency to provide home addresses of Federal employees to 
     labor organizations, absent employee authorization, or court 
     order.
       Section 717 prohibits the use of appropriated funds to 
     provide nonpublic information such as mailing or telephone 
     lists to any person or organization outside of the Government 
     without approval of the Committees on Appropriations.
       Section 718 prohibits the use of appropriated funds for 
     publicity or propaganda purposes within the United States not 
     authorized by Congress.
       Section 719 directs agencies' employees to use official 
     time in an honest effort to perform official duties.
       Section 720 authorizes the use of current fiscal year funds 
     to finance an appropriate

[[Page H2524]]

     share of the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board 
     administrative costs.
       Section 721 authorizes the transfer of funds to the General 
     Services Administration to finance an appropriate share of 
     various Government-wide boards and councils under certain 
     conditions.
       Section 722 authorizes breastfeeding at any location in a 
     Federal building or on Federal property.
       Section 723 permits interagency funding of the National 
     Science and Technology Council, and requiring an OMB report 
     on the budget and resources of the Council.
       Section 724 requires identification of the Federal agencies 
     providing Federal funds and the amount provided for all 
     proposals, solicitations, grant applications, forms, 
     notifications, press releases, or other publications related 
     to the distribution of funding to a State.
       Section 725 prohibits the use of funds to monitor personal 
     information relating to the use of Federal Internet sites.
       Section 726 regards contraceptive coverage under the 
     Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.
       Section 727 recognizes that the United States is committed 
     to ensuring the health of the Olympic, Pan American and 
     Paralympic athletes, and supports the strict adherence to 
     anti-doping in sport activities.
       Section 728 allows departments and agencies to use official 
     travel funds to participate in the fractional aircraft 
     ownership pilot programs.
       Section 729 prohibits funds for implementation of OPM 
     regulations limiting detailees to the legislative branch and 
     placing certain limitations on the Coast Guard Congressional 
     Fellowship program.
       Section 730 restricts the use of funds for Federal law 
     enforcement training facilities with an exception for the 
     Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
       Section 731 prohibits executive branch agencies from 
     creating or funding prepackaged news stories that are 
     broadcast or distributed in the United States unless specific 
     notification conditions are met.
       Section 732 prohibits funds used in contravention of the 
     Privacy Act, section 552a of title 5, United States Code or 
     section 522.224 of title 48 of the Code of Federal 
     Regulations.
       Section 733 prohibits funds in this or any other Act from 
     being used for Federal contracts with inverted domestic 
     corporations or other corporations using similar inverted 
     structures, unless the contract preceded this Act or the 
     Secretary grants a waiver in the interest of national 
     security.
       Section 734 requires agencies to remit to the Civil Service 
     Retirement and Disability Fund an amount equal to the Office 
     of Personnel Management's average unit cost of processing a 
     retirement claim for the preceding fiscal year to be 
     available to the Office of Personnel Management for the cost 
     of processing retirements of employees who separate under 
     Voluntary Early Retirement Authority or who receive Voluntary 
     Separation Incentive Payments.
       Section 735 prohibits funds to require any entity 
     submitting an offer for a Federal contract to disclose 
     political contributions.
       Section 736 prohibits funds for the painting of a portrait 
     of an employee of the Federal Government including the 
     President, the Vice President, a Member of Congress, the head 
     of an executive branch agency, or the head of an office of 
     the legislative branch.
       Section 737 limits the pay increases of certain prevailing 
     rate employees.
       Section 738 eliminates automatic statutory pay increases 
     for the Vice President, political appointees paid under the 
     executive schedule, ambassadors who are not career members of 
     the Foreign Service, politically appointed (noncareer) Senior 
     Executive Service employees, and any other senior political 
     appointee paid at or above level IV of the executive 
     schedule.
       Section 739 requires reports to Inspectors General 
     concerning expenditures for agency conferences.
       Section 740 prohibits the use of funds to increase, 
     eliminate, or reduce a program or project unless such change 
     is made pursuant to reprogramming or transfer provisions.
       Section 741 prohibits the Office of Personnel Management or 
     any other agency from using funds to implement regulations 
     changing the competitive areas under reductions-in-force for 
     Federal employees.
       Section 742 prohibits the use of funds to begin or announce 
     a study or a public-private competition regarding the 
     conversion to contractor performance of any function 
     performed by civilian Federal employees pursuant to Office of 
     Management and Budget Circular A176 or any other 
     administrative regulation, directive, or policy.
       Section 743 ensures that contractors are not prevented from 
     reporting waste, fraud, or abuse by signing confidentiality 
     agreements that would prohibit such disclosure.
       Section 744 prohibits the expenditure of funds for the 
     implementation of agreements in certain nondisclosure 
     policies unless certain provisions are included in the 
     policies.
       Section 745 prohibits funds to any corporation with certain 
     unpaid Federal tax liabilities unless an agency has 
     considered suspension or debarment of the corporation and 
     made a determination that this further action is not 
     necessary to protect the interests of the Government.
       Section 746 prohibits funds to any corporation that was 
     convicted of a felony criminal violation within the preceding 
     24 months unless an agency has considered suspension or 
     debarment of the corporation and has made a determination 
     that this further action is not necessary to protect the 
     interests of the Government.
       Section 747 relates to the Consumer Financial Protection 
     Bureau. Given the need for transparency and accountability in 
     the Federal budgeting process, the Bureau is directed to 
     provide an informal, nonpublic full briefing at least 
     annually before the relevant Appropriations subcommittee on 
     the Bureau's finances and expenditures.
       Section 748 addresses possible technical scorekeeping 
     differences for fiscal year 2018 between the Office of 
     Management and Budget and the Congressional Budget Office.
       Section 749 declares the inapplicability of these general 
     provisions to title IV and title VIII.

                               TITLE VIII

                GENERAL PROVISIONS--DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The bill includes the following general provisions for the 
     District of Columbia:
       Section 801 allows the use of local funds for making 
     refunds or paying judgments against the District of Columbia 
     government.
       Section 802 prohibits the use of Federal funds for 
     publicity or propaganda designed to support or defeat 
     legislation before Congress or any State legislature.
       Section 803 establishes reprogramming procedures for 
     Federal funds.
       Section 804 prohibits the use of Federal funds for the 
     salaries and expenses of a shadow U.S. Senator or U.S. 
     Representative.
       Section 805 places restrictions on the use of District of 
     Columbia government vehicles.
       Section 806 prohibits the use of Federal funds for a 
     petition or civil action which seeks to require voting rights 
     for the District of Columbia in Congress.
       Section 807 prohibits the use of Federal funds in this Act 
     to distribute, for the purpose of preventing the spread of 
     blood borne pathogens, sterile needles or syringes in any 
     location that has been determined by local public health 
     officials or local law enforcement authorities to be 
     inappropriate for such distribution.
       Section 808 concerns a ``conscience clause'' on legislation 
     that pertains to contraceptive coverage by health insurance 
     plans.
       Section 809 prohibits Federal funds to enact or carry out 
     any law, rule, or regulation to legalize or reduce penalties 
     associated with the possession, use or distribution of any 
     schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act or 
     any tetrahydrocannabinols derivative. In addition, section 
     809 prohibits Federal and local funds to enact any law, rule, 
     or regulation to legalize or reduce penalties associated with 
     the possession, use or distribution of any schedule I 
     substance under the Controlled Substances Act or any 
     tetrahydrocannabinols derivative for recreational purposes.
       Section 810 prohibits the use of funds for abortion except 
     in the cases of rape or incest or if necessary to save the 
     life of the mother.
       Section 811 requires the CFO to submit a revised operating 
     budget no later than 30 calendar days after the enactment of 
     this Act for agencies the CFO certifies as requiring a 
     reallocation in order to address unanticipated program needs.
       Section 812 requires the CFO to submit a revised operating 
     budget for the District of Columbia Public Schools, no later 
     than 30 calendar days after the enactment of this Act, that 
     aligns schools budgets to actual enrollment.
       Section 813 allows for transfers of local funds between 
     operating funds and capital and enterprise funds.
       Section 814 prohibits the obligation of Federal funds 
     beyond the current fiscal year and transfers of funds unless 
     expressly provided herein.
       Section 815 provides that not to exceed 50 percent of 
     unobligated balances from Federal appropriations for salaries 
     and expenses may remain available for certain purposes. This 
     provision will apply to the District of Columbia Courts, the 
     Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency and the 
     District of Columbia Public Defender Service.
       Section 816 appropriates local funds during fiscal year 
     2019 if there is an absence of a continuing resolution or 
     regular appropriation for the District of Columbia. Funds are 
     provided under the same authorities and conditions and in the 
     same manner and extent as provided for in fiscal year 2018.
       Section 817 specifies that references to ``this Act'' in 
     this title or title IV are treated as referring only to the 
     provisions of this title and title IV.
       This division may be cited as ``Financial Services and 
     General Government Appropriations Act, 2018.''

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  DIVISION F--DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2018

       The following is an explanation of Division F, which makes 
     appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 
     for fiscal year 2018. Funding provided in this Act not only 
     sustains existing programs that protect the nation from all 
     manner of threats, it ensures DHS's ability to improve 
     preparedness at the federal, state, and local levels, to 
     prevent and respond to terrorist attacks, and to hire, train, 
     and equip DHS frontline forces protecting the homeland.
       The language set forth in House Report 115-239 carries the 
     same weight as language included in this joint explanatory 
     statement and should be complied with unless specifically 
     addressed to the contrary in the bill or in this joint 
     explanatory statement. While the statement repeats some 
     language for emphasis, it does not negate any language in the 
     House report unless expressly stated. When this explanatory 
     statement refers to the Committees or the Committees on 
     Appropriations, these references are to the House 
     Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security and the 
     Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security.
       This explanatory statement refers to certain laws, 
     organizations, persons, funds, and documents 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; any reference to ``the 
     Secretary'' should be interpreted to mean the Secretary of 
     the Department of Homeland Security; ``component'' should be 
     interpreted to mean an agency, administration, or directorate 
     within the Department of Homeland Security; and ``budget 
     request'' or ``the request'' should be interpreted to mean 
     the budget of the U.S. Government for fiscal year 2018 that 
     was submitted to Congress on May 23, 2017.


                          classified programs

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

    TITLE I--DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONS, INTELLIGENCE, AND 
                               OVERSIGHT

            Office of the Secretary and Executive Management


                         operations and support

       A total of $139,602,000 is provided for Operations and 
     Support, including not more than $30,000 for official 
     reception and representation (ORR) expenses.
       DHS is directed to continue to submit quarterly obligation 
     reports to the Committees for all ORR expenses and shall 
     refrain from using such funds for unnecessary collectibles or 
     memorabilia. A decrease of $10,000 is assessed to the 
     Secretary's ORR funds due to the assumption of $657,000,000 
     in unauthorized fee revenue in the fiscal year 2018 budget 
     request. The Department is directed to work with the Office 
     of Management and Budget (OMB) to ensure that future budget 
     requests do not assume savings from fee proposals that have 
     not been authorized. Bill language has been included to 
     require the Department to submit a budget amendment to reduce 
     spending commensurate with any fee increase that has not been 
     authorized within 60 days of a proposal. Based on technical 
     assistance provided by the Department, a reduction of 
     $1,647,000 has been distributed within the account to reflect 
     more realistic hiring projections for the remainder of the 
     fiscal year.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations and Support
    Office of the Secretary...................................              $18,043,000              $18,846,000
    Office of Policy..........................................               36,837,000               40,524,000
    Office of Public Affairs..................................                5,143,000                5,123,000
    Office of Legislative Affairs.............................                5,056,000                5,000,000
    Office of Partnership and Engagement......................               12,603,000               13,373,000
    Office of General Counsel.................................               18,501,000               18,501,000
    Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties...............               20,679,000               23,571,000
    Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman............                5,944,000                6,200,000
    Privacy Office............................................                7,501,000                8,464,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Operations and Support......................             $130,307,000             $139,602,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Total, Office of the Secretary and Executive                   $130,307,000             $139,602,000
             Management.......................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       The Department is directed to provide complete 
     justification materials in future budget requests and to 
     provide details for each office and program, clearly 
     describing the funds necessary to continue current services 
     at the previous fiscal year level, all transfers, any 
     adjustments that have been made to base funding, and all 
     proposed program changes.
       The REAL ID program improves the security of state 
     identification materials. The Secretary has the discretion to 
     grant a state additional time to meet the required minimum 
     standards if the state provides adequate justification for 
     delayed compliance. States should have the opportunity to 
     consider methods of compliance consistent with individual 
     state values and traditions.
       DHS is engaged in a number of commendable efforts to end 
     human trafficking and child exploitation. Within 60 days of 
     the date of enactment of this Act, DHS shall brief the 
     Committees on component efforts to combat human trafficking 
     and child exploitation and include the following information 
     by component and PPA: a comprehensive list of DHS activities 
     to identify, locate, and protect children against 
     exploitation; the metrics used by DHS to track and evaluate 
     these activities; funding levels associated with these 
     activities; a comprehensive list of state, local, 
     international, and non-government agency partners for these 
     activities; the authorities by which DHS is carrying out 
     these activities; additional authorities that would improve 
     DHS's ability to carry out these activities domestically or 
     internationally; and DHS's progress toward meeting 
     requirements under Public Law 115-125.
       The Department is expected to work in partnership with the 
     U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to improve cooperative efforts 
     to better address wildlife trafficking, and to expeditiously 
     provide overdue reports on wildlife trafficking to the 
     Committees. In addition, an updated report on wildlife 
     trafficking, as outlined in the explanatory statement 
     accompanying Public Law 115-31, shall be provided to the 
     Committees not later than November 15, 2018.
       The recently completed northern border threat analysis 
     required by Public Law 114-267 provides the Department with 
     specific information on how best to target and deploy 
     resources along the northern border. The Department is 
     directed to implement the report's key recommendations as 
     part of an operationally focused strategy along the northern 
     border. Future budget requests should detail specific 
     northern border staffing requirements and request funding for 
     implementation of planned northern border enforcement 
     initiatives by field office.
       Should the currently productive relationship between DHS 
     and GAO change, the Committees shall be notified immediately.


                        office of the secretary

       A total of $18,846,000 is provided for the Office of the 
     Secretary.
       The Department shall continue to submit quarterly Border 
     Security Status reports and data on the deportation of 
     parents of U.S.-born children semiannually, as in prior 
     years.
       Airports, airlines, and industry have demonstrated a strong 
     willingness to engage with U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
     (CBP) to develop concepts of operations and technologies 
     necessary to facilitate legitimate travel while enhancing 
     security. CBP's facial recognition technology pilot 
     deployments at several airports, including Hartsfield-Jackson 
     Atlanta International Airport and Washington Dulles 
     International Airport, and the ongoing expansion to airports 
     around the United States, have shown great promise. In the 
     near term, CBP is expected to obligate funding to build a 
     back-end communications portal to connect with airlines; 
     develop new software capabilities that leverage one-to-many 
     facial biometric searching and matching; test and maintain 
     biometric equipment; and perform demonstrations with airline 
     participants for entry in the air environment, and for entry 
     and exit in the land and vehicle pedestrian environments. The 
     Department is directed to brief the Committees semiannually 
     on efforts to deploy entry and exit data collection 
     technologies in both the air and land border environments, 
     with the first such briefing due not later than 90 days after 
     the date of enactment of this Act.
       U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues to 
     find success through its Biometric Identification 
     Transnational Migration Alert Program, which involves 
     biometric data collection from special interest aliens, 
     violent criminals, fugitives, and confirmed or suspected 
     terrorists encountered

[[Page H2545]]

     by foreign law enforcement and military personnel. The 
     Department, in conjunction with appropriate partner agencies, 
     shall brief the Committees not later than 90 days after the 
     date of enactment of this Act on these important efforts.
       The rate of illegal border crossing slowed significantly 
     during 2017, but the efforts of the Government of Mexico to 
     secure its southern border must remain an important focus. 
     Both the United States and Mexico must continue working with 
     the Governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras to 
     improve their civil law enforcement capabilities, including 
     by sharing criminal history information, prior orders of 
     removal, and immigration enforcement actions. ICE's Criminal 
     History Information Sharing agreements with the Bahamas, the 
     Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and 
     Jamaica continue to be productive, in addition to ICE's work 
     with the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Criminal Justice 
     Information System Advocacy Board to increase the number of 
     conviction codes that are shared between nations. Not later 
     than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
     Department, in conjunction with the appropriate components 
     and partner agencies, shall brief the Committees on these 
     efforts, including details on where any law enforcement, 
     coordination, or information sharing gaps exist.
       The Department's Entry/Exit Overstay Report for fiscal year 
     2016 revealed that, at the end of that year, there were 
     628,799 individuals who remained in the United States beyond 
     their authorized period of stay and for whom departure from 
     the United States could not be verified. The Department is 
     directed to develop and report within 180 days of the date of 
     enactment of this Act on a statistically sound metric for 
     measuring the total nonimmigrant air and sea overstay 
     population in the United States at a given time. The report 
     should also describe the characteristics of suspected in-
     county overstays and detail how the Department will improve 
     its collection and use of data sets necessary to develop a 
     more comprehensive in-country alien overstay estimate. GAO 
     shall review the metric developed in this report and provide 
     a preliminary briefing to the Committees on its review not 
     later than 90 days after the report is provided to the 
     Committees.
       The Department is further directed to develop and publish a 
     comprehensive in-country alien overstay enforcement and 
     deterrence strategy not later than 240 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act. This strategy shall, at a minimum, 
     establish a target and range of options for reducing the 
     overstay population and detail the resources and assets that 
     would be required to implement the strategy.
       The Department shall also report within 180 days of the 
     date of enactment of this Act on how to improve its 
     collection and use of data sets necessary to develop an 
     estimate for the entire population of those illegally present 
     in the United States. GAO shall review this report and 
     provide a preliminary briefing to the Committees on its 
     review not later than 90 days after the report is provided to 
     the Committees.
       The Department's reliance on sourcing personal protective 
     equipment, organizational clothing, and individual equipment 
     from foreign manufacturers misses an opportunity to support 
     the U.S. manufacturing economy while also enhancing security 
     by using products made in America. The Secretary is directed 
     to take immediate steps to increase the share of American-
     made products in its procurements and to provide a report to 
     the Committees, not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, on any obstacles to the Department's 
     ability to transition to procuring 100 percent American-
     manufactured goods. The report should also propose solutions 
     to any such obstacles and detail progress the Department is 
     making toward increasing its utilization of American goods. 
     Additionally, the Department shall provide a report not later 
     than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act on DHS's 
     compliance with the Buy American Act and Kissell Amendment, 
     as detailed in the House report.
       The agreement includes $5,765,000, which is $900,000 above 
     the amount in the budget request, to enhance the Joint 
     Requirements Council's (JRC) capacity for cross-component 
     requirements analysis and development. DHS is directed to 
     continue to provide quarterly briefings on the JRC to the 
     Committees. DHS should consider the importance of maintaining 
     independence between the requirements development and 
     acquisition processes as part of this review. DHS is directed 
     to continue to provide quarterly briefings on the JRC and 
     shall brief the Committees on any reorganization of 
     headquarters organizational units not later than 60 days 
     before any such reorganization takes place.
       The Department is directed to provide a briefing to the 
     Committees, not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, on the extent of persecution and 
     violence against religious minorities in Indonesia. The 
     briefing shall include the manner in which the Department 
     coordinates with the Departments of Justice and State to 
     comply with sections 208 and 241(b)(3) of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act of 1952 and the regulations promulgated 
     pursuant to section 2242(b) of the Foreign Affairs Reform and 
     Restructuring Act of 1998.
       The Department is encouraged to continue its efforts toward 
     full implementation of the Plan to Support Increased Public 
     Access to the Results of Research Funded published on 
     December 27, 2016. The Department is directed to provide an 
     update on progress made in future budget requests.
       Coordination among DHS agencies and state, local, tribal, 
     territorial, and foreign law enforcement agencies, to include 
     state police crime labs, ensures the efficient use of 
     resources and improves public safety outcomes. The Department 
     should continue to provide assistance, as appropriate, to 
     state police crime labs to ensure that federal requirements 
     do not burden state resources or cause a backlog that slows 
     investigations. The Department shall report annually on its 
     use of and partnerships with state crime labs, including 
     funding associated with such uses and partnerships, and 
     should fully reimburse state crime labs for all provided 
     services.


                            office of policy

       A total of $40,524,000 is provided for the Office of 
     Policy.
       The agreement includes $4,787,400 to accelerate the build-
     out of the Immigration Data Integration Initiative. This 
     initiative continues departmental efforts directed by the 
     Committees on Appropriations in prior years based on 
     bipartisan, bicameral concerns about the inability of the 
     Department to provide timely reporting of border security and 
     immigration enforcement data.


                  office of partnership and engagement

       A total of $13,373,000 is provided for the Office of 
     Partnership and Engagement.
       The Blue Campaign, a department-wide initiative to combat 
     human trafficking, has historically been operated by 
     personnel detailed from components and funded through end-of-
     year contributions from components, an approach that is not 
     appropriate for the program's long-term sustainment. The 
     Fiscal Year 2017 DHS Appropriations Act included direct 
     funding of $819,000 for the Blue Campaign to support 
     dedicated personnel, as requested, and to begin transitioning 
     the program away from reliance on component contributions. 
     Unfortunately, the fiscal year 2018 request proposed no 
     direct funding for the program. The fiscal year 2018 bill 
     again includes $819,000, the full level authorized under 
     Public Law 115-125, in continued direct funding for 
     personnel. DHS is directed to sustain the program at not less 
     than its total fiscal year 2016 level of $5,150,000 in fiscal 
     year 2018 using component contributions to cover non-
     personnel program costs. DHS shall account for and propose 
     full, direct funding for the program in the justification 
     materials that accompany all future budget submissions, as 
     directed in the explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 
     115-31.
       A directive is included under the heading for the Office of 
     the Secretary for DHS to brief the Committees on the status 
     of the ongoing DHS effort to review roles, responsibilities, 
     and the potential reorganization of headquarters elements, 
     which should include an assessment of the appropriate 
     organizational placement for the Blue Campaign.
       The Department is directed to assess ways it can better 
     understand rural issues as they relate to the homeland 
     security mission and how rural communities are impacted by 
     the Department's decisions. Not later than 180 days after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Department shall brief the 
     Committees on this assessment, component best practices, and 
     the potential advantages of establishing a rural advocate 
     position at the department level.


              office for civil rights and civil liberties

       A total of $23,571,000 is provided for the Office for Civil 
     Rights and Civil Liberties (OCRCL). Funding provided above 
     the request is to accommodate the increased workload expected 
     in fiscal year 2018 resulting from new executive orders. 
     OCRCL shall maintain its independence as it continues to help 
     departmental components ensure their compliance with civil 
     rights and civil liberties laws and policies.


                             privacy office

       A total of $8,464,000 is provided for the Privacy Office. 
     Funding above the request is to accommodate an increased 
     workload in fiscal year 2018 resulting from new immigration-
     related executive orders, policies, and programs. Further, 
     the additional funds are available to ensure information and 
     data released by the Department does not reveal the identity 
     or personally identifiable information of non-citizens who 
     may be survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, 
     stalking, human trafficking, or other crimes. The Privacy 
     Office must ensure the Department's actions do not violate 
     the Privacy Act, the Violence Against Women Act, or other 
     laws. The Privacy Office is directed to provide a briefing to 
     the Committees within 60 days of the date of enactment of 
     this Act on the measures the Department will take to ensure 
     all record systems properly restrict information related to 
     survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, 
     human trafficking, and other crimes.

                         Management Directorate


                         operations and support

       A total of $710,297,000 is provided for Operations and 
     Support. Within the total, $227,516,000 is available until 
     September 30, 2019, to include $36,368,000 for the Chief 
     Readiness Support Officer, $188,217,000 for the Chief 
     Information Officer (CIO), and $2,931,000 for headquarters 
     operations at the Nebraska Avenue Complex. Based on technical 
     assistance provided by the Department, a reduction of 
     $5,047,000 has been distributed

[[Page H2546]]

     within the account to reflect more realistic hiring 
     projections for the remainder of the fiscal year.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Budget Estimate                       Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations and Support
    Immediate Office of the Under                                 $6,867,000                          $6,770,000
     Secretary for Management...........
    Office of the Chief Readiness                                 70,900,000                          71,105,000
     Support Officer....................
    Office of the Chief Human Capital                             56,852,000                          71,052,000
     Officer............................
    Office of the Chief Security Officer                          74,963,000                          74,963,000
    Office of the Chief Procurement                              102,615,000                         102,615,000
     Officer............................
    Office of the Chief Financial                                 66,369,000                          63,734,000
     Officer............................
    Office of the Chief Information                              317,565,000                         320,058,000
     Officer............................
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Operations and Support                        $696,131,000                        $710,297,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         Immediate Office of the Under Secretary for Management

       A total of $6,770,000 is provided for the Immediate Office 
     of the Under Secretary for Management.
       The Secretary is reminded that the explanatory statement 
     accompanying the Fiscal Year 2017 Homeland Security 
     Appropriations Act directed the Department to establish a 
     Public Complaint and Feedback System Working Group comprised 
     of representatives of DHS components with public-facing 
     operations. The purpose of the group should be to support the 
     sharing of best practices and, as appropriate, the 
     standardization of feedback mechanisms, processes, customer 
     service metrics, and reporting across the Department. The 
     working group was directed to:
       1. Develop a DHS-wide ``as-is'' assessment of the various 
     public complaint and feedback intake and resolution processes 
     and systems currently in place, to include an evaluation of 
     the public's awareness of how to successfully provide 
     feedback to DHS, along with component-level policies, 
     practices, and capabilities for providing timely responses, 
     reporting results, and incorporating feedback into policy 
     development and training;
       2. Research best practices for public feedback intake, 
     processing, resolution, and reporting, as well as for 
     improving public awareness of the process;
       3. Identify gaps and redundancies within each component's 
     processes and systems;
       4. Develop and disseminate guidance that communicates 
     requirements for component-level public complaint and 
     feedback intake and resolution systems, processes, and 
     reporting capabilities;
       5. Establish processes for centrally compiling and 
     reporting component-level public complaint and feedback data 
     at the department level; and
       6. Determine whether aspects of the overall DHS public 
     complaint and feedback process should be supported with 
     headquarters resources.
       Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Department shall brief the Committees on the working 
     group's findings and progress, including a plan and schedule 
     for carrying out all of the activities described above. In 
     addition, the Department shall continue to report to the 
     Committees semiannually on the working group's progress until 
     each of the assigned tasks are complete.
       Within the amount recommended for the Office of the Chief 
     Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) is $4,200,000 to continue the 
     Cybersecurity Internship Program. OCHCO is directed to ensure 
     that these funds are fully used for the intended purpose and 
     to update the Committees on the status of the program by 
     September 30, 2018. This update should include the number of 
     internship applications for the fiscal year 2018 cohort; the 
     number of internships offered and accepted; the rate of 
     acceptance; a description of the Department's efforts to 
     publicize the availability of these internship opportunities, 
     with a particular focus on outreach to underrepresented 
     populations; and options for improving such outreach.
       The Under Secretary for Management (USM) is directed to 
     conduct a study on the feasibility of establishing an 
     initiative to employ Native American veterans within the 
     ranks of CBP, including the potential creation of a tribal-
     specific branch of the Border Patrol. Specifically, the study 
     should evaluate how the hiring of Native American veterans 
     could leverage tribal authorities to complement CBP 
     authorities in support of the Border Patrol mission. In 
     conducting this study, the USM should solicit input from 
     tribes located along both the southern and northern borders. 
     The results of this study shall be submitted to the 
     Committees not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.


             office of the chief readiness support officer

       A total of $71,105,000 is provided for the Office of the 
     Chief Readiness Support Officer.
       Effectively tracking, managing, and maintaining tactical 
     communications assets requires appropriate governance 
     programs and infrastructure. In lieu of related House report 
     language, the Department shall brief the Committees not later 
     than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act on plans 
     to modernize tactical communications and vehicles across the 
     Department, including those directly affecting the missions 
     of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and 
     Customs Enforcement, and the United States Secret Service.
       Within 180 days of the date of enactment of this Act, DHS 
     is directed to conduct a review of component fleet 
     utilization and to provide OIG with supporting documentation 
     on methods used for determining optimal fleet inventories and 
     justification for any deviation from GSA's Federal Property 
     Management Regulations.


               office of the chief human capital officer

       A total of $71,052,000 is provided for the Office of the 
     Chief Human Capital Officer, which includes an additional 
     $10,000,000 for the Cyber Statutory Authority Program.


                  office of the chief security officer

       A total of $74,963,000 is provided for the Office of the 
     Chief Security Officer, to include an increase of $1,764,000 
     for Office of Personnel Management security clearance 
     investigations.


                office of the chief procurement officer

       A total of $102,615,000 is provided for the Office of the 
     Chief Procurement Officer including $2,493,000 for the DHS 
     Data Framework.
       Based on required congressional notifications, it is 
     evident that departmental components enter into contracts 
     near the end of the third and fourth quarters of the fiscal 
     year at a much higher rate than at other times throughout the 
     year. The Department's continued practice of awarding a large 
     number of contracts late in the fiscal year remains 
     concerning, particularly for contracts related to OMB object 
     classes 25.1, 25.2, 25.3, and 26.
       The Department has indicated that planned obligations by 
     object class described in the annual Budget Appendix may not 
     accurately predict actual spending during the budget year due 
     to variances between the budget request and enacted 
     appropriations. Planned and actual spending appear to vary 
     more than would be expected, however, if it were due only to 
     changes between requested and appropriated amounts, when 
     appropriations are enacted, or changes in planning 
     assumptions that emerge during execution.
       Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Department shall provide to the Committees revised 
     spending plans for all Operations and Support accounts and 
     the Coast Guard Operating Expenses account for each of these 
     object classes, including planned contract obligations by 
     fiscal quarter, as part of the quarterly obligation plans. 
     For contracts in excess of $1,000,000, the plan should also 
     detail planned contract amounts, provide brief contract 
     requirement descriptions, describe whether the contract is 
     for a new requirement, and explain whether the contract will 
     meet bona fide requirements for the current or next fiscal 
     year. The Department will ensure the final obligation plan 
     report for fiscal year 2018 includes data on actual contract 
     awards and describes the factors behind any significant 
     variances between the revised spending plan and actual 
     contract awards.


                 Office of the Chief Financial Officer

       A total of $63,734,000 is provided for the Office of the 
     Chief Financial Officer (OCFO).
       In keeping with past practice, annual budget justifications 
     shall include the text and citation of all Department 
     appropriations provisions enacted to date that are permanent 
     law.
       While the new Common Appropriations Structure provides 
     additional financial flexibility, DHS shall continue to 
     aggressively institute financial management policies and 
     procedures, particularly as they relate to budget 
     formulation.
       In lieu of related House report guidance, the OCFO shall 
     provide a briefing to the Committees on recommended periods 
     of availability and PPA structures for DHS and component 
     appropriations accounts within 45 days of the date of 
     enactment of this Act.


                Office of the Chief Information Officer

       A total of $320,058,000 is provided for the Office of the 
     Chief Information Officer (OCIO).
       The OCIO is to be commended for its leadership in data 
     center consolidation, which is enhancing the effectiveness, 
     efficiency, and security of the DHS IT enterprise. The OCIO 
     is further commended for its efforts to collaborate with the 
     National Aeronautics and Space Administration to gain 
     efficiencies by establishing IT operations centers at Data 
     Center 1 and by encouraging other federal partners to co-
     locate at DHS data centers. The OCIO shall provide semiannual 
     briefings on the execution of its major initiatives and 
     investment areas, with the first such briefing to occur not 
     later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 
     These briefings shall include details regarding cost, 
     schedule, and the transfer of systems to or from DHS data 
     centers or external hosts.

[[Page H2547]]

  



              PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

       A total of $29,569,000 is provided for the Management 
     Directorate for Procurement, Construction, and Improvements.


                        RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

       A total of $2,545,000 is provided for the Management 
     Directorate for Research and Development.

          Intelligence, Analysis, and Operations Coordination


                         OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

       A total of $245,905,000 is provided for Intelligence, 
     Analysis, and Operations Coordination, of which $77,915,000 
     is available until September 30, 2019.
       The Department should continue increasing deployed field 
     personnel at State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers that 
     provide outreach to critical infrastructure owners and 
     operators in addition to leveraging relationships with state, 
     local, tribal, and territorial stakeholders, state National 
     Guard units, and other federal partners in support of the 
     production of finished intelligence and raw intelligence 
     reports. The Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) shall 
     continue to provide semiannual briefings to the Committees on 
     the State and Local Fusion Centers program.
       I&A shall include in future year budget requests for the 
     classified budget the same level of detail required of other 
     appropriations and PPAs.
       The Department's Chief Intelligence Officer is directed to 
     brief the Committees on the I&A expenditure plan for fiscal 
     year 2018 within 60 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act. The plan shall include the following:
         Details on actual and planned fiscal year 2018 
     expenditures and staffing allocations for each program as 
     compared to fiscal years 2016 and 2017;
         Data on all funded versus on-board positions, 
     including federal FTE, contractors, and reimbursable and non-
     reimbursable detailees;
         A plan for all programs and investments, 
     including dates or timeframes for achieving key milestones;
         The actual and planned allocation of funding 
     within each PPA for individual programs and a description of 
     the desired outcomes for fiscal year 2018; and
         Similar information on items outlined in the 
     classified annex accompanying this report.

                      Office of Inspector General


                         OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

       A total of $168,000,000 is provided for the OIG. When 
     combined with funding provided by recent disaster 
     supplemental appropriations bills, a total of $203,000,000 
     will have been provided during fiscal year 2018 for the OIG. 
     The agreement includes $1,289,000, as requested, for advanced 
     analytical capabilities required to carry out complex 
     investigations into increasingly sophisticated acquisition 
     fraud.
       Of the amounts provided as emergency supplemental 
     appropriations in Public Law 115-123, the OIG is expected to 
     obligate not less than $7,000,000 during fiscal year 2018 for 
     disaster-related investigations and audits. Of the amounts 
     provided by this Act, the OIG is directed to allocate not 
     less than $17,000,000 for disaster-related investigations and 
     audits. The OIG is expected to include in future budget 
     requests information that breaks down proposed expenditures 
     by focus area and activity type.
       The OIG shall continue its program of unannounced 
     inspections of immigration detention facilities and publish 
     the results of the inspections and other reports related to 
     custody operations activities on its public website.
       The OIG is responsible for conducting annual audits of DHS 
     fleet management practices and shall make the results for 
     non-law enforcement sensitive components publicly available.

              TITLE I--ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--THIS ACT

       Section 101. The bill continues and modifies a provision 
     requiring the Secretary to submit the Future Years Homeland 
     Security Program at the time of the budget submission for 
     each fiscal year.
       Section 102. The bill continues a provision requiring the 
     Chief Financial Officer to submit monthly budget execution 
     and staffing reports within 30 days after the last day of 
     each month.
       Section 103. The bill continues a provision requiring the 
     Inspector General to review grants and contracts awarded by 
     means other than full and open competition and report the 
     results to the Committees.
       Section 104. The bill continues a provision directing the 
     Secretary to require contracts providing award fees to link 
     such fees to successful acquisition outcomes.
       Section 105. The bill continues a provision 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 at DHS. 
     No funds may be obligated prior to such notification.
       Section 106. The bill continues and modifies a provision 
     related to the official travel costs of the Secretary and 
     Deputy Secretary.
       Section 107. The bill continues and modifies a provision 
     requiring the Secretary to submit a report on visa overstay 
     data and to post border security metrics on the Department's 
     website.

          TITLE II--SECURITY, ENFORCEMENT, AND INVESTIGATIONS

                   U.S. Customs and Border Protection


                         OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

       A total of $11,485,164,000 is provided for Operations and 
     Support, of which $681,441,500 is made available until 
     September 30, 2019, to provide flexibility in the year of 
     execution. This amount includes increases above the request 
     for the following: $10,000,000 for recruitment and retention 
     efforts; $10,000,000 for small Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS); 
     $10,000,000 for Border Patrol relocation incentives; 
     $3,000,000 for electronic geospatial information systems; 
     $20,000,000 for Border Patrol vehicles; $30,500,000 for 
     opioid detection; $7,655,000 for 328 new CBP officers; 
     $23,000,000 for Port of Entry Technology and Facilities; and 
     $15,000,000 for UAS upgrades.
       The amount includes a reduction below the request of 
     $204,352,000 for salaries and expenses based on technical 
     assistance provided by CBP in March of 2018 indicating that 
     final 2018 payroll costs would fall short of those included 
     in the request. These savings are redirected within CBP to 
     enhance CBP-wide retention and recruitment activities as well 
     as other operational requirements.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations and Support:
    Border Security Operations:
        U.S. Border Patrol:
            Operations........................................           $3,787,694,000           $3,706,547,000
            Assets and Support................................              670,895,000              625,151,000
        Office of Training and Development....................               77,512,000               64,145,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
                Subtotal, Border Security Operations..........           $4,536,101,000           $4,395,843,000
    Trade and Travel Operations:
        Office of Field Operations:
                Domestic Operations...........................            2,681,171,000            2,818,122,000
                International Operations......................              142,272,000              130,270,000
                Targeting Operations..........................              236,572,000              211,797,000
                Assets and Support............................              840,315,000              870,657,000
        Office of Trade.......................................              263,301,000              234,201,000
        Office of Training and Development....................               47,186,000               49,195,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
                Subtotal, Trade and Travel Operations.........           $4,210,817,000           $4,314,242,000
    Integrated Operations:
        Air and Marine Operations:
            Operations........................................              311,136,000              291,479,000
            Assets and Support................................              520,046,000              535,046,000
            Air and Marine Operations Center..................               46,183,000               38,149,000
        Office of International Affairs.......................               39,784,000               35,176,000
        Office of Intelligence................................               50,984,000               53,794,000
        Office of Training and Development....................                6,534,000                6,110,000
        Operations Support....................................              103,571,000              106,225,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
                Subtotal, Integrated Operations...............           $1,078,238,000           $1,065,979,000
    Mission Support:
        Enterprise Services...................................            1,460,254,000            1,426,209,000
            (Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund)...................              (3,274,000)              (3,274,000)
        Office of Professional Responsibility.................              204,679,000              182,131,000
        Executive Leadership and Oversight....................              102,252,000              100,760,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
                Subtotal, Mission Support.....................           $1,767,185,000           $1,709,100,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
                Subtotal, Operations and Support..............          $11,592,341,000          $11,485,164,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page H2548]]

  

       Within 90 days of the date of enactment of this Act, CBP is 
     directed to brief the Committees on a comprehensive, multi-
     year recruitment and retention strategy that includes: an 
     analysis of the screening process for prospective staff, 
     including polygraph examinations; current and planned hiring 
     and retention initiatives executed by both federal and 
     contract staff; options to address pay parity relative to 
     other components and other federal law enforcement agencies; 
     the potential use of special pays to improve retention; the 
     use of incentives available through the Office of Personnel 
     Management to recruit, relocate, and retain employees 
     assigned to remote locations; and potential new career path 
     enhancements for personnel who choose such locations. CBP is 
     encouraged to work with community, local, and tribal colleges 
     to assist with recruitment efforts. In addition, CBP should 
     continue collaborating with the Department of Defense, as 
     required by the Border Jobs for Veterans Act (Public Law 114-
     68), to facilitate the recruitment of personnel exiting the 
     military.
       While the staffing requirement for Office of Field 
     Operations (OFO) CBP officers is well understood, CBP has not 
     yet finalized a staffing model to inform the hiring of either 
     Border Patrol agents or Air and Marine Operations (AMO) 
     personnel. The budget request for new Border Patrol agents, 
     in particular, was not supported by any analysis of workload 
     and capability gaps across CBP that would be necessary to 
     evaluate the benefits of the proposal as compared to other 
     investments at CBP, such as hiring additional CBP officers at 
     the ports of entry (POEs). CBP is directed to brief the 
     Committees quarterly on its progress toward developing a 
     comprehensive assessment of CBP-wide capability gaps, with 
     the first briefing due not later than 60 days after the date 
     of enactment of this Act.
       Not later than 30 days after the end of each month, CBP 
     shall post on its website a combined table of currency and 
     major categories of drugs, including fentanyl, interdicted by 
     OFO and the Border Patrol, including a separate accounting of 
     Border Patrol drug interdictions at checkpoints. Reported 
     quantities should be expressed using the same unit of 
     measurement.
       Prior to the completion of a Border Patrol staffing model 
     that can allocate agents based on risk, the Border Patrol is 
     directed to maintain not less than its previously determined 
     minimal staffing presence of 2,212 agents along the northern 
     border. CBP shall also take into special consideration 
     directing a significant proportion of any overall increase in 
     CBP officer positions funded in this Act to understaffed POEs 
     in remote and rural locations.
       As part of its personnel recruitment and retention efforts 
     for hard-to-fill locations, CBP is directed to conduct a 
     feasibility study on opportunities to help make high-speed 
     Internet service options available at CBP-owned residential 
     properties where they are currently limited or lacking. CBP 
     shall prioritize particularly remote locations along the 
     northern and southern borders for this effort and include in 
     its analysis locations where high-speed Internet options are 
     currently available, could potentially be made available 
     through partnerships with nearby service providers, and where 
     there are currently no nearby high-speed Internet providers. 
     CBP shall consult with residents and their families 
     throughout the course of the study and update the Committees 
     on options for increasing the availability of services. Up to 
     $500,000 is made available in this Act to carry out the 
     study.
       CBP is directed to evaluate the charters, reporting 
     structures, and standard operating procedures for the Border 
     Patrol, OFO, and AMO and institute any changes necessary to 
     ensure that CBP components are efficiently coordinating and 
     that personnel and assets are deployed as efficiently and 
     effectively as possible to combat cross-border threats. CBP 
     shall brief the Committees on the results of this evaluation 
     within 90 days of the date of enactment of this Act and 
     quarterly thereafter.
       In line with GAO's recommendations included in GAO-17-765T, 
     CBP is directed to develop robust performance metrics for all 
     deployed border security technologies; begin the collection 
     of performance data to evaluate the individual and collective 
     contributions of specific technologies; assess progress in 
     fully deploying planned technologies; and determine when 
     mission benefits from such deployments have been fully 
     realized.
       CBP is directed to work with counties along the U.S.-Mexico 
     border to identify unimproved county roads that are 
     predominately used by the Border Patrol and that provide 
     critical access to the border region for the purpose of 
     maintaining security. CBP is urged to incorporate the 
     maintenance and repair of the identified high-priority access 
     roads into its Tactical Infrastructure Maintenance and Repair 
     program.
       In lieu of direction in the House report, CBP shall provide 
     a briefing on border security operations and technology 
     operations and procurement, including but not limited to the 
     following:
       1.  The results of the ongoing demonstration efforts and 
     planned procurements for small unmanned aerial systems (UAS);
       2.  A review of fiber-optic technologies, to include the 
     feasibility and potential benefits of incorporating them into 
     border security systems;
       3.  An update on carrizo cane control efforts, as described 
     in the House report;
       4.  Details of search and rescue efforts during fiscal year 
     2017, as described in the House report; and
       5.  The status of the field test and recapitalization plan 
     for the Tethered Aerostat Radar System.


                       Border Security Operations

       The total includes $4,395,843,000 for Border Security 
     Operations. This amount includes increases above the request 
     for the following: $20,000,000 for vehicles; $3,000,000 for 
     the electronic geospatial information system, as detailed in 
     the House report; and $10,000,000 above the request for small 
     UAS. Despite significant investments in hiring, retention and 
     recruitment strategies, CBP estimates that the Border Patrol 
     will lose more agents than will be gained in fiscal year 
     2018, and these reduced payroll costs are reflected in the 
     bill.


                      Trade and Travel Operations

       The total includes $4,314,242,000 for Trade and Travel 
     Operations. This amount includes $7,655,000 for 328 new CBP 
     officers, reflecting the partial year costs of anticipated 
     new CBP officers, $23,000,000 for POE technology and 
     facilities, and $30,500,000 for opioid detection equipment 
     and labs. The recommendation does not include the proposal to 
     redirect fee revenue that currently supports the Brand USA 
     program to CBP for its trade and travel activities; this 
     proposal requires legal authorization that is not under the 
     jurisdiction of the Committees.
       Recent public dialogue on border security has focused on 
     the flow of undocumented aliens and illicit drugs across the 
     southern border of the United States between the POEs. As 
     borne out by DHS data on the illicit movement of people and 
     goods, however, border security investments must also be made 
     at the POEs, where between 80 and 90 percent of hard drugs 
     are interdicted. As compared to fiscal year 2016, seizures of 
     hard narcotics in fiscal year 2017--including cocaine, 
     methamphetamine, and fentanyl--have risen over 10 percent, 
     with the seizure of fentanyl more than doubling at the 
     POEs.--In addition, the growth of illegal online 
     marketplaces, notably those on the ``dark web,'' make higher 
     potency narcotics increasingly accessible to American 
     consumers.
       CBP is working to address this growing threat at its 
     International Mail Facilities through the use of canines 
     trained to detect opioids, the deployment of new non-
     intrusive inspection technologies, improved information 
     sharing, and additional personnel, but--more work and 
     investments are needed. In addition, the Department must 
     better articulate the role and plans for expansion of the 
     National Targeting Center (NTC), including how it will 
     coordinate with and complement the work of the recently-
     announced National Vetting Center.
       It is the role of the Committees to ensure that DHS 
     comprehensively evaluates vulnerabilities at POEs; formulates 
     strategic, risk-based goals to address those vulnerabilities; 
     and makes investments accordingly. Within 180 days of the 
     date of enactment of this Act, CBP is directed to produce a 
     multi-year strategic plan for mitigating vulnerabilities and 
     filling capability gaps at POEs while improving the flow of 
     commerce. The plan shall include clear goals and metrics, an 
     implementation schedule, and cost estimates. More 
     specifically, the plan shall address the following:
       (1) Measuring Border Security at the Ports of Entry:--
     Headquarters-driven definitions and metrics to measure 
     success at POEs developed through a capability gap analysis 
     process approved by the Executive Assistant Commissioner of 
     OFO and informed by the Field Operations Directors.
       (2) Focus Areas: A scope reflecting the full breadth of 
     agency authorities and responsibilities at the POEs, 
     including at a minimum the programs identified in the Fiscal 
     Year 2017 Border Security Improvement Plan, along with the 
     following:
       a.  A counternarcotics strategy, to include e-commerce 
     threats;
       b.  A counter-network strategy;
       c.  The biometric entry-exit system;
       d.  Trade and travel facilitative programs, including the 
     Automated Commercial Environment;
       e.  Agricultural inspection programs; and
       f.  Trusted traveler programs at air, sea, and land POEs.
       (3) Associated Requirements: Accompanying requirements 
     through fiscal year 2022, including:
       a. Life cycle cost estimates for all technology equipment 
     categories, including procurement quantities and costs, and 
     operations and maintenance costs; and
       b. Any new legal authorities necessary for implementing the 
     plan.
       Any analysis to assess and improve hiring practices and 
     procedures should reflect and meet the needs of large U.S. 
     international airports with high numbers of international 
     tourist enplanements that do not share a contiguous land 
     border with Mexico or Canada. Any resulting staffing 
     decisions must be transparent and impartial.
       CBP shall brief the Committees within 120 days of the date 
     of enactment of this Act on how it allocates personnel 
     between passenger and cargo inspection functions at maritime 
     ports and on proposed solutions for addressing persistent 
     staff shortages that lead to increased annual costs for such 
     ports and affiliated local governments.
       CBP's fee-for-service regime was originally meant to 
     facilitate international passengers who depart or arrive from 
     small airports.--In some instances, however, fee-for-service 
     has

[[Page H2549]]

     been used for many years by some medium-sized airports that 
     have a consistently large volume of international passengers, 
     despite failed attempts to receive POE designation.--This 
     situation is of particular concern because these airports' 
     passengers are essentially charged twice for the same 
     service--once through federal fees paid when their airline 
     tickets are purchased, and again through the CBP fee-for-
     service costs that are charged directly to airports and 
     inevitably passed on to passengers. To determine whether a 
     fee-for-service airport can be designated as a POE, CBP 
     relies on a series of Treasury Directives promulgated decades 
     ago when the then-U.S. Customs Service was part of the 
     Treasury Department.--CBP is urged to address this issue by 
     giving priority consideration to an application for POE 
     status submitted by any commercial airport if such airport 
     served at least 90,000 international passengers, not 
     including those arriving through a preclearance location, 
     during the previous calendar year.
       The agreement directs CBP to consider modifying relevant 
     policies and operations regarding small airport inspection 
     services at general aviation facilities currently used by CBP 
     for intermittent international clearance operations, and to 
     work creatively with airports, including Green Bay-Austin 
     Straubel International Airport, to facilitate international 
     service in a manner consistent with CBP security and resource 
     requirements and informed by these airports' fiscal 
     constraints and existing facilities.
       The fiscal year 2013 CBP Resource Optimization Report 
     estimated that the deployment of automated scheduling and 
     timekeeping solutions by OFO could return 158 CBP Officers 
     and Agricultural Specialists to their frontline inspection 
     and law enforcement duties. CBP shall evaluate commercially-
     available automated scheduling tools, brief the Committees on 
     the results of the evaluation within 90 days of the date of 
     enactment of this Act, and deploy such solutions if it is 
     determined that their benefits outweigh their costs.
       CBP is directed to consult with affected community members, 
     industry representatives, and elected officials at all levels 
     prior to making permanent changes to hours of service at POEs 
     and to notify the Committees at least 30 days in advance of 
     such changes.
       CBP and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continue to 
     collaborate through the Commercial Targeting and Analysis 
     Center to enhance shrimp-related targeting and inspection 
     processes to ensure that shrimp imported to the United States 
     are safe. Senate Report 114-264 directed CBP to carry out a 
     shrimp safety pilot project, which is expected to suggest 
     additional opportunities for enhanced CBP and FDA 
     coordination to improve imported shrimp safety. CBP is 
     directed to brief the Committees semiannually on these 
     activities.
       CBP shall continue timely tracking and reporting on Jones 
     Act waivers and violations, notifying the Committees within 
     two days of waiver requests and on the disposition of each 
     waiver request and making this information available to the 
     public on a quarterly basis.
       Firearms and illicit monetary instruments continue to be 
     smuggled from the U.S. into Mexico, fueling transnational 
     criminal organization activities, including drug trafficking 
     and violent crime. CBP shall continue to collaborate with 
     domestic and international partners to identify and apprehend 
     smugglers of firearms and undeclared monetary instruments 
     greater than $10,000, and shall report to Congress on any 
     additional authorities or resources needed to stymie the 
     flow.
       CBP is directed to continue working with Great Lakes 
     seaports, cruise vessel operators, and other Great Lakes 
     Cruise Program stakeholders to develop a cruise passenger 
     clearance plan for 2018 and thereafter. CBP shall continue 
     using mobile onboard passenger clearance technology until 
     such time as that plan has been implemented, and shall 
     provide the Committees with a briefing, not later than 90 
     days after the date of enactment of this Act, detailing its 
     stakeholder engagement efforts and outlining its plan and 
     schedule for resolving this issue.
       CBP is directed to develop a succession plan to ensure that 
     at least one person of appropriate rank is located in each 
     state at all times to enforce customs, immigration, and 
     agricultural laws and regulations at U.S. POEs. If CBP 
     determines that it is not practicable to meet this 
     requirement, CBP shall notify the Committees in writing not 
     later than 60 days before any staffing decision is finalized. 
     Such notifications shall include a fulsome explanation of why 
     the change is needed, an estimate of the number of passengers 
     and amount of goods that would be diverted elsewhere during a 
     lapse, and the resultant economic impact on the state.
       The total includes $10,000,000 for the Commercial 
     Technology Innovation Program, through which new commercial 
     technologies that may significantly improve POE operations 
     are deployed along southwest border POEs. CBP is directed to 
     brief the Committees on the performance of this program and 
     any related pilots or initiatives not later than 90 days 
     after the date of enactment of this Act.
       CBP is encouraged to continue to work with the General 
     Services Administration and OMB on the annual five-year land 
     border POE construction plan, which should include plans to 
     complete modernization of POEs along the northern border 
     built prior to 1980, and provide the plan to the Committees 
     upon its completion. In developing this plan, specific 
     attention shall be paid to the health, safety, and welfare 
     needs of CBP officers. CBP is also encouraged to increase 
     awareness and use of the NEXUS program along the Canadian 
     border, including through special enrollment events and the 
     use of collaborative signage in cooperation with state 
     transportation agencies. The five-year construction plan 
     should also anticipate and reflect increased traffic that 
     will result from higher rates of NEXUS participation.
       The bill authorizes the obligation of funds for 
     preclearance activities, including obligations in advance of 
     reimbursement, as authorized by the Trade Facilitation and 
     Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (TFTEA). With Canada's adoption 
     of companion legislation, CBP is expected to begin 
     negotiation with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) on 
     expanding preclearance activities in Canada.
       The Department is directed to prioritize implementation of 
     expanded preclearance operations between the U.S. and Canada 
     for land, marine, rail, and air entries, as outlined in the 
     ``Beyond the Border Action Plan.'' CBP shall collaborate 
     closely with CBSA to ensure that plans for preclearance 
     operations at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Quebec City 
     Jean Lesage International Airport, Montreal rail, and Rocky 
     Mountaineer rail proceed with an understanding that 
     operations must meet all terms and conditions of the 
     agreement. CBP should continue to routinely reassess the 
     security benefits of both existing and prospective 
     preclearance agreements.
       CBP is encouraged to continue prioritizing efforts to 
     improve the accuracy and effectiveness of automated cargo 
     processing for tractor trailers, including the proof-of-
     concept pilot at the World Trade Bridge Port of Entry in 
     Laredo, Texas. Not later than 120 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, CBP is directed to provide a report to 
     the Committees on these efforts, including activities planned 
     for fiscal year 2018 and the subsequent four fiscal years.
       As license plate reader technology used to analyze 
     vehicular traffic crossing land borders nears the end of its 
     useful life, CBP should continue to improve land border 
     integration by deploying the latest, most effective vehicle 
     monitoring technologies.
       A total of $211,797,000 is provided for Targeting 
     Operations. CBP's pre-arrival targeting capabilities have 
     expanded rapidly, with base resources dedicated to these 
     activities growing from $51,950,000 in fiscal year 2013 to 
     more than $128,000,000 in fiscal year 2017. While the 
     expansion of analytical capabilities at the NTC has been 
     swift, the proliferation of new tools and corresponding 
     contracts has shifted focus away from traditional trade, 
     customs, and immigration law enforcement targeting 
     activities. CBP should analyze and measure the benefits of 
     current activities and enhancements to improve targeting 
     against investments elsewhere within the agency and the 
     Department. CBP shall brief the Committees within 90 days of 
     the date of enactment of this Act on current and proposed 
     targeting metrics and milestones, impacts on frontline 
     staffing requirements, and the proposed end state for these 
     activities.
       The total includes $234,201,000 for the Office of Trade. 
     This amount includes $8,943,000 for additional staff and core 
     trade mission enhancements, including improved data analysis 
     and visualization capabilities to improve CBP's effectiveness 
     within the global supply chain while also addressing mandates 
     of TFTEA in a timely manner. CBP shall continue reporting on 
     its trade enforcement activities, as detailed in Senate 
     Report 114-264, shall post as much detail from the report as 
     is reasonable on its public website, and shall include 
     details on the implementation of Executive Order 13785, 
     Establishing Enhanced Collection and Enforcement of 
     Antidumping and Countervailing Duties and Violations of Trade 
     and Customs Laws.
       TFTEA made changes to the treatment of drawbacks, through 
     which duties, taxes, and fees on certain imported merchandise 
     can be refunded when the merchandise is subsequently exported 
     or destroyed, or when substitute merchandise is exported in 
     its place. Among those changes, certain U.S.-produced 
     alcoholic beverages and paper products, as described in 
     Senate Report 114-264, became eligible for substitution as 
     exports for unused merchandise drawback claims. CBP is 
     directed to consult with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and 
     Trade Bureau (TTB) and to clarify the requirements for 
     recovering duties, taxes, and fees imposed under federal law 
     (with emphasis on federal excise taxes) on imported alcohol 
     products when alcohol produced in the United States and 
     classified under the same eight or ten digit subheading of 
     the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is 
     exported as a substitute. This clarification should describe 
     how CBP treats alcoholic beverages used as substitute 
     merchandise for the drawback of federal excise taxes on 
     unused merchandise when exported from TTB bonded facilities, 
     where federal excise taxes have not been collected.


                         Integrated Operations

       The total includes $1,065,979,000 for Integrated 
     Operations, to include increases above the request of 
     $15,000,000 for UAS upgrades and $3,000,000 for special pays 
     for recruitment and retention of AMO personnel.
       Due to the consolidated requirements and extended 
     deployment and implementation schedule associated with the 
     Spectrum Efficient National Surveillance Radar (SENSR)

[[Page H2550]]

     Program, low-flying aircraft detection coverage gaps along 
     the northern border remain a national security threat. Within 
     180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, AMO is 
     directed to provide the Committees with short-term deployment 
     plans for low-flying aircraft detection along the northern 
     border. These plans shall incorporate the anticipated 
     implementation schedule for the SENSR program and acquisition 
     and deployment schedules for interim technology or asset use.
       CBP shall continue to evaluate the potential for using 
     commercial service providers to provide pilots for UAS. In 
     addition, CBP is directed to work with the Federal Aviation 
     Administration to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of 
     cross-certifying pilots to fly both manned aircraft and UAS.
       In order to upgrade CBP's UAS fleet to a single 
     configuration, $15,000,000 is included above the request that 
     shall be used only to perform configuration upgrades. Within 
     60 days of the date of enactment of this Act, CBP is directed 
     to brief the Committees on the results of its evaluation of 
     whether additional UAS flight hours are necessary to support 
     border security operations.


                            Mission Support

       The total includes $1,709,100,000 for Mission Support. This 
     amount includes $10,000,000 above the request for recruitment 
     and retention efforts.


              PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

       A total of $2,281,357,000 is provided for Procurement, 
     Construction, and Improvements. This amount includes the 
     following: $445,000,000 for 25 miles of primary pedestrian 
     levee fencing in Rio Grande Valley Sector, Texas; 
     $196,000,000 for primary pedestrian fencing in Rio Grande 
     Valley Sector, Texas; $251,000,000 for approximately 14 miles 
     of secondary replacement barrier in San Diego Sector, 
     California; $445,000,000 for replacement of existing primary 
     pedestrian fencing; $38,000,000 for border barrier planning 
     and design; $10,000,000 for innovative towers; $39,238,000 
     for Integrated Fixed Towers; $41,955,000 for cross border 
     tunnel threat; $3,000,000 for nationwide situational 
     awareness on handheld devices; $87,193,000 for Remote Video 
     Surveillance Systems; $16,000,000 for agent portable 
     surveillance systems; $16,000,000 for linear ground detection 
     systems; $10,000,000 for small UAS; $46,838,000 for Mobile 
     Video Surveillance Systems; $7,000,000 for Northern Border 
     RVSS; $9,000,000 for maritime detection projects on the 
     Northern Border; $49,738,000 for road construction, 
     $20,000,000 for unattended ground sensors; $2,739,000 for 
     tactical aerostats; $8,000,000 for Mobile Surveillance 
     Capability; $34,000,000 for the Automated Commercial 
     Environment; $224,640,000 for opioid detection and non-
     intrusive inspection equipment; $74,121,000 for additional 
     light enforcement helicopters; $8,573,000 for coastal 
     interceptors; $3,300,000 for FAA Next Generation 
     capabilities; $77,530,000 for multi-role enforcement 
     aircraft; $14,034,000 for a UH-60 medium lift helicopter; 
     $13,250,000 for tactical communications; $1,200,000 for DOD-
     reuse; $45,000,000 for a new Border Patrol Station; 
     $14,775,000 for OFO facilities; and $16,433,000 for revenue 
     modernization.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Procurement, Construction, and Improvements:
    Border Security Assets and Infrastructure.................           $1,715,163,000           $1,741,701,000
    Trade and Travel Assets and Infrastructure................              109,240,000              263,640,000
    Integrated Operations Assets and Infrastructure:
        Airframes and Sensors.................................              137,335,000              190,035,000
        Watercraft............................................                3,573,000                8,573,000
        Other Systems and Assets..............................               12,200,000                1,200,000
    Construction and Facility Improvements....................               59,775,000               59,775,000
    Mission Support Assets and Infrastructure.................               26,433,000               16,433,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Procurement, Construction, and                     $2,063,719,000           $2,281,357,000
             Improvements.....................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       CBP is directed to work with federal and industry partners 
     to evaluate the potential use of commercially developed, 
     space-based technologies to provide persistent, real-time 
     border surveillance and to brief the Committees on its 
     findings within 120 days of the date of enactment of this 
     Act.

                U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement


                         OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

       A total of $6,993,975,000 is provided for Operations and 
     Support, of which $20,000,000 is made available until 
     September 30, 2019, in support of activities authorized under 
     18 U.S.C. 2510-2522, and of which $13,700,000 is made 
     available until September 30, 2019, in support of the Visa 
     Security Program and investigations abroad. The total 
     includes $10,596,000 to support the hiring of 65 additional 
     investigative agents. Additionally, $4,959,000 is provided 
     for attorneys and associated staff to support the Homeland 
     Security Investigations Law Division.
       Funding is provided within this account to continue 
     digitizing paper-based fingerprint records related to ICE's 
     immigration fraud investigation mission. Within 90 days of 
     the date of enactment of this Act, ICE shall brief the 
     Committees on plans for this work, as well as the status of 
     efforts to identify and refer to DOJ the individuals 
     identified in Office of Inspector General Report OIG-16-130 
     titled ``Potentially Ineligible Individuals Have Been Granted 
     U.S. Citizenship Because of Incomplete Fingerprint Records.''
       ICE shall clearly articulate the total funding levels 
     requested for vehicles and tactical communications equipment 
     in future budget requests and shall brief the Committees 
     within 60 days of the date of enactment of this Act on its 
     recapitalization plans for these items. The briefing shall 
     include an evaluation of a software solution to increase 
     operational accountability and efficiency of communication 
     systems and shall address recommendations in Office of 
     Inspector General Report OIG-13-113 titled ``DHS Needs to 
     Manage its Communications Program Better.''
       ICE shall continue to reflect service-wide costs (SWC) in 
     existing Mission Support sub-PPAs or through one or more new 
     SWC sub-PPAs within the Mission Support PPA in all future 
     budget requests, and shall provide separate budget estimates 
     and detailed justifications for all SWC.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations and Support:
    Homeland Security Investigations:
        Domestic Investigations...............................           $1,798,095,000           $1,898,542,000
        International Investigations..........................              140,873,000              169,178,000
        Intelligence..........................................               79,905,000               85,042,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Homeland Security Investigations........           $2,018,873,000           $2,152,762,000
    Enforcement and Removal Operations:
        Custody Operations....................................            3,601,472,000            3,075,686,000
        Fugitive Operations...................................              184,668,000              158,805,000
        Criminal Alien Program................................              412,080,000              319,440,000
        Alternatives to Detention.............................              177,700,000              187,205,000
        Transportation and Removal Program....................              484,894,000              369,201,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Enforcement and Removal Operations......           $4,860,814,000           $4,110,337,000
    Mission Support...........................................              350,391,000              458,558,000
    Office of Principal Legal Advisor.........................              282,485,000              272,318,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Operations and Support..................           $7,512,563,000           $6,993,975,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    Homeland Security Investigations

       Domestic Investigations. A total of $1,898,542,000 is 
     provided for Domestic Investigations. ICE is directed to 
     sustain enhancements provided in the fiscal year 2017 
     appropriations Act for programs and activities of 
     congressional interest as directed in the explanatory 
     statement accompanying Public Law 115-31.
       Funding is provided within the total to sustain fiscal year 
     2017 enhancements to the Child Exploitation Investigations 
     Unit at the Cyber Crimes Center, along with an additional 
     enhancement of not less than $5,000,000. Funding is also 
     provided to sustain fiscal year 2017 enhancements to the 
     Angel Watch Center and continued implementation of 
     International Megan's Law, along with an additional 
     enhancement of not less than $5,000,000. ICE is directed to 
     brief the Committees on a plan for the expenditure of these 
     funds not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of 
     this Act.
       The total includes $2,000,000 for Homeland Security 
     Investigations (HSI) to establish a pilot program to hire and 
     train up to 10 Computer Forensics Analysts (CFAs) to support 
     the Human Exploitation Rescue Operative

[[Page H2551]]

     (HERO) Corps' work on the above investigations. ICE is 
     directed to report to the Committees not later than 180 days 
     after the date of enactment of this Act on the development, 
     implementation, planned milestones, funding, and staffing 
     requirements for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 for this pilot. 
     The report shall also address this pilot's potential for 
     expansion to principal HSI domestic offices to support 
     investigations related to child exploitation, opioid and 
     fentanyl smuggling, and other cybercrimes.
       ICE is directed to provide a briefing on options for 
     establishing paid HERO apprenticeships not later than 30 days 
     after the date of enactment of this Act. ICE should continue 
     to train at least two classes of HEROs annually and should 
     employ HERO graduates at ICE or help place them with other 
     agencies or organizations with related missions, as 
     appropriate.
       The total includes not less than $305,000 for promoting 
     public awareness of the child pornography tip line and not 
     less than $15,770,000 for investigations of forced labor law 
     violations, to include forced child labor. ICE is directed to 
     continue to submit an annual report on expenditures and 
     performance metrics associated with forced labor law 
     enforcement activities.
       ICE is directed to continue prioritizing efforts to 
     investigate, remove, and prosecute individuals who have 
     committed human rights abuses, including persecution, 
     genocide, severe violations of religious freedom, torture, 
     extrajudicial killing, use or recruitment of child soldiers, 
     crimes against humanity, or war crimes.
       ICE's Tactical Intelligence Center (TIC) plays an important 
     role in combating the illicit movement of people and goods 
     into the United States through the Gulf of Mexico and has a 
     particular focus on maritime drug smuggling and transnational 
     criminal networks. The Department is directed to evaluate 
     whether it could better leverage the activities of other DHS 
     components and other federal and non-federal entities in the 
     region with related missions through the establishment of a 
     Regional Intelligence Integration Center more broadly focused 
     on the collection, analysis, and coordination of intelligence 
     related to ICE's Gulf Coast enforcement mission.
       International Investigations. The total includes 
     $169,178,000 for International Investigations, including 
     $1,286,000 for five HSI agents. This amount includes an 
     increase above the request of $18,000,000 to annualize the 
     costs of prior-year expansions to the Visa Security Program 
     (VSP) and to expand the program to new high priority 
     locations. ICE shall continue to expand the VSP where 
     operationally feasible at high-threat posts abroad and shall 
     ensure that support for this sustained level of operations 
     and growth is included in annual budget requests.
       ICE shall allocate not less than $5,300,000 for war crime 
     investigations, including but not limited to training, 
     transportation, and hiring of additional personnel at the 
     Office of the Principal Legal Advisor Human Rights Law 
     Section and the HSI Human Rights Violators and War Crimes 
     Unit.
       The report on the use of International Mobile Subscriber 
     Identity (IMSI) catchers mandated in Senate Report 114-264 
     was received December 28, 2017. While it addressed the use of 
     IMSI catchers and similar technologies in general terms, it 
     lacked the specificity directed in the reporting requirement. 
     ICE is directed to provide specific details for each of the 
     cases referenced in the report in which IMSI catchers and 
     related technologies were used by ICE to apprehend an 
     individual, and providing brief descriptions for each of the 
     times IMSI catchers and related technologies were used to 
     gather evidence relevant to a case against an apprehended 
     individual. These details and descriptions should only 
     provide information about the purpose or cause of the 
     individuals' apprehension and how IMSI catchers were used. In 
     no case should these descriptions contain personally 
     identifiable information.


                   Enforcement and Removal Operations

       The total includes $4,110,337,000 for Enforcement and 
     Removal Operations (ERO).
       Between October 1, 2017, and the date of enactment of this 
     Act, when the Department was operating under the terms of a 
     continuing resolution (CR), ICE exceeded its annualized rate 
     of funding for Custody Operations. During the period of any 
     future CR, including any CR for fiscal year 2019, ICE is 
     directed to manage its resources in a way that ensures it 
     will not exceed the annualized rate of funding for the fiscal 
     year. ICE is directed to update the Committees weekly on its 
     rate of operations for Custody Operations to demonstrate how 
     the agency is living within its means.
       ICE officials have stated publicly that enforcement actions 
     at sensitive locations--identified as schools, healthcare 
     facilities, places of worship, religious or civil ceremonies 
     or observances, and public demonstrations--should generally 
     be avoided, and its policy requires either prior approval 
     from an appropriate supervisory official or exigent 
     circumstances necessitating immediate action. ICE is expected 
     to continue to follow this policy and to work with state and 
     local law enforcement officials to ensure that ICE 
     administrative law enforcement activities do not affect the 
     willingness of victims to report crimes, and to otherwise 
     minimize any other interference with the investigation or 
     prosecution of crimes at the state and local levels.
       Within 90 days of the date of enactment of this Act, and 
     monthly thereafter, the Director of ICE shall submit to the 
     Committees a Secure Communities report, as described in House 
     Report 115-239, and make the information publicly available 
     on its website.
       The agreement provides not less than $34,500,000, as 
     requested, to support the authorized level of 257 full-time 
     law enforcement specialists and officers at the Law 
     Enforcement Support Center (LESC). ICE is directed to take 
     steps to ensure that current LESC operations remain 
     centralized at the current facility and are not unnecessarily 
     duplicated in other parts of the country. ICE shall provide 
     the Committees with a detailed spending plan for the use of 
     LESC funds, including operations and staffing, not later than 
     60 days after the date of enactment of this Act. The 
     Department is also directed to notify the Committees prior to 
     the reallocation of any resources currently intended for LESC 
     operations in Vermont; it is expected that no such 
     reallocation will be made without Committee concurrence.
       ICE is directed to ensure that the LESC has the resources 
     and approvals necessary to fully utilize its recruitment 
     incentives program and to include details about this program 
     in the annual spending plan required in the above paragraph. 
     The LESC is encouraged to utilize hiring campaigns and other 
     outreach activities, including coordination with nearby 
     community, technical, and state colleges and universities, as 
     well as its available direct hiring authorities, to 
     accelerate the hiring of qualified applicants.
       Custody Operations. The total includes $3,075,686,000 for 
     Custody Operations.
       Improvements to throughput in the immigration enforcement 
     and adjudication continuum could reduce the average length of 
     stay for detainees, ultimately requiring less detention 
     funding and lowering the requirement for available detention 
     space. ICE shall continue working with federal partners, 
     including the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), 
     to ensure that aliens are treated fairly while moving through 
     the immigration adjudication process and shall provide 
     quarterly briefings to the Committees. These briefings shall 
     be provided by ICE and those partners and shall address the 
     implementation of strategies to improve the efficiency and 
     effectiveness of that process, including efforts to reduce 
     detainees' average length of stay. The first such briefing 
     shall be provided not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.
       ICE is directed to comply with the requirements of House 
     Report 115-239 related to detention facility inspections; 
     death-in-custody reporting; access to facilities; detainee 
     locator information; changes to the current detention 
     facility category and inspection framework; and compliance 
     with the 2011 Performance Based National Detention Standards 
     (PBNDS 2011) and Prison Rape Elimination Act requirements.
       ICE shall provide a report not later than 90 days after the 
     date of enactment of this Act detailing the number and type 
     of detention contracts and Intergovernmental Service 
     Agreements currently in effect and all costs associated with 
     them. In addition, the Director of ICE shall continue to 
     report to the Committees at least 30 days in advance of 
     entering into any new or significantly modified detention 
     contract or other detention agreement that does not meet or 
     exceed PBNDS 2011, as revised in 2016, and which was in 
     effect as of the date of enactment of this Act. Each report 
     shall include a justification for why such contract or 
     agreement requires different standards.
       ICE is expected to comply with the direction provided in 
     the Explanatory Statement accompanying Public Law 115-31 
     related to detention contracts and is directed to develop a 
     timeline detailing the steps the agency will take to recruit 
     additional personnel required for negotiating detention 
     contracts. ICE shall provide a briefing on this timeline not 
     later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
       The Lyon v. ICE, et al. Settlement Agreement required ICE 
     to improve detainee telephone access in four detention 
     facilities in Northern California. ICE is directed to ensure 
     appropriate telephone access for detainees at all of its 
     facilities, including contracted facilities, and to brief the 
     Committees on the feasibility, benefits, and costs of 
     adhering to some or all of the telephone access parameters of 
     the settlement agreement at all facilities within 90 days of 
     the date of enactment of this Act.
       ICE shall adhere to the guidance specified in House Report 
     115-239 regarding reporting of family separation incidents; 
     verifying the location, status, and disposition of separated 
     family members; and complying with its Parental Interests 
     Directive.
       ICE shall notify the Committees prior to releasing for 
     budgetary reasons any individual who is in removal 
     proceedings or who has a final order of removal. Any such 
     notification will include an explanation of how ICE assessed 
     the potential risk to the community by the release, the risk 
     of absconding associated with the release, and all efforts 
     taken by ICE or the Department to identify other funding 
     sources for transfer to this account to avoid such release.
       The Fugitive Operations Program and the Criminal Alien 
     Program shall continue to prioritize the apprehension and 
     removal of criminal aliens and individuals who pose a risk to 
     national security or public safety, as described in Executive 
     Order 13768.
       Fugitive Operations. ICE is directed to continue funding 
     for at least ten Mobile Criminal Alien Teams to supplement 
     immigration enforcement efforts that target at-

[[Page H2552]]

     large aliens with serious criminal records, to include sex 
     offenders, drug traffickers, gang members, and other violent 
     felons. Furthermore, ICE shall continue to allocate not less 
     than $10,000,000 to investigative and support activities 
     required to identify and remove aliens who have overstayed 
     their visas and shall brief the Committees semiannually on 
     the results of these efforts.
       Criminal Alien Program. The bill funds the 287(g) program 
     at the requested level of $24,321,000. As ICE expands the 
     number of jurisdictions participating in this program, it 
     must maintain rigorous processes to provide oversight of 
     287(g)-designated officers, make program transparency a high 
     priority, and proactively address stakeholder concerns. The 
     Office of State, Local, and Tribal Cooperation shall continue 
     outreach and communications to public stakeholders, and ICE 
     shall continue to require the establishment and regular use 
     of steering committees for each jurisdiction, as specified in 
     House Report 115-239. ICE shall notify the Committees prior 
     to implementing any significant changes to the 287(g) 
     program, including any changes to authorized activities, 
     training requirements, data collection, or selection 
     criteria. Furthermore, ICE is directed to provide an annual 
     report on the 287(g) program, as specified in House Report 
     115-239. In addition, the OIG and the OCRCL shall continue to 
     provide careful oversight of the program.
       Within the total, $2,000,000 is for continuing to provide 
     information to jurisdictions on ICE detainees with sex 
     offender or violent crime records who will reside in such 
     jurisdictions after being released from ICE custody. ICE 
     shall provide regular progress reports on this effort.
       Alternatives to Detention. The total includes $187,205,000 
     for the Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program to support a 
     daily average of 79,000 participants, as requested. ICE is 
     directed to explore with its ATD contractor the potential for 
     applying some of the promising elements of the Family Case 
     Management Program into the larger ATD program, such as 
     introducing a Know Your Rights (KYR) program for new 
     participants, and to brief the Committees on this and other 
     feasible program improvements. With regard to introducing a 
     KYR element, the briefing shall indicate at what stage of the 
     enrollment process it would be most effective.
       ICE shall continuously explore the use of innovative ATD 
     models, and prioritize the use of detention alternatives, 
     including ATD and release on parole or bond, for individuals 
     and families who receive positive credible fear 
     determinations and do not present a public safety or flight 
     risk.
       Within the total, $3,000,000 is included for a pilot 
     program to enable certain aliens on the non-detained docket 
     to check in with ICE via self-service kiosks at ERO field 
     offices. The pilot should reduce the time and resources that 
     deportation officers devote to managing encounters and check-
     ins with applicable aliens, and allowing those officer 
     resources to devote more time and effort to improving 
     attendance at immigration hearings and compliance with 
     removal orders.
       ICE shall continue to provide performance reports to the 
     Committees on the ATD program, as described in House Report 
     114-668.


                            Mission Support

       A total of $458,558,000 is provided for Mission Support, 
     $108,167,000 above the request. Included in the funding is 
     $84,000,000 for replacement vehicles and $9,000,000 to 
     address the facility maintenance backlog. Additionally, 
     $6,000,000 is included to continue Immigration Data 
     Improvement activities in support of enhancing operational 
     transparency and strengthening resource allocation decisions.


              PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

       A total of $81,899,000 is provided for Procurement, 
     Construction, and Improvements (PC&I). Included in the total 
     is $29,000,000 to address the facility backlog. Because 
     funding requested for financial systems modernization and 
     other programs could execute more slowly than anticipated, 
     ICE shall provide a briefing on an updated PC&I spending plan 
     not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act. ICE is also directed to continue providing semiannual 
     briefings on TECS modernization efforts.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Budget Estimate                       Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Procurement, Construction, and
 Improvements:
    Operational Communications/                                  $21,839,000                         $21,839,000
     Information Technology.............
    Construction and Facility                                          - - -                          29,000,000
     Improvements.......................
    Mission Support Assets and                                    31,060,000                          31,060,000
     Infrastructure.....................
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Procurement,                                   $52,899,000                         $81,899,000
         Construction, and Improvements.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 Transportation Security Administration


                         OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

       A total of $7,207,851,000 is provided for Operations and 
     Support (O&S). This amount is partially offset by 
     $2,470,000,000 in estimated aviation security fee collections 
     that are credited to this appropriation, as authorized, 
     resulting in a net appropriation of $4,737,851,000. The bill 
     provides funding availability through September 30, 2019, for 
     O&S, consistent with the period of availability in prior 
     years. However, the Transportation Security Administration 
     (TSA) should plan for a single year of availability for O&S 
     funds in fiscal year 2019.
       TSA is directed to cease the practice of submitting budget 
     requests that assume revenues that have not been authorized 
     by law.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Budget Estimate                       Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations and Support:
    Aviation Screening Operations:
        Screening Workforce:
            Screening Partnership                               $175,580,000                        $184,936,000
             Program....................
            Screener Personnel,                                3,128,064,000                       3,229,026,000
             Compensation, and Benefits.
            Screener Training and Other.                         233,061,000                         232,985,000
        Airport Management..............                         643,797,000                         646,053,000
        Canines.........................                         151,764,000                         151,764,000
        Screening Technology Maintenance                         387,882,000                         397,882,000
        Secure Flight...................                         102,763,000                         106,856,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Aviation Screening                      $4,822,911,000                      $4,949,502,000
             Operations.................
    Other Operations and Enforcement:
        Inflight Security
            Federal Air Marshals........                         803,905,000                         779,000,000
            Federal Flight Deck Officer                           19,514,000                          19,514,000
             and Crew Training..........
        Aviation Regulation.............                         173,535,000                         218,535,000
        Air Cargo.......................                         102,721,000                         102,721,000
        Intelligence and TSOC...........                          79,790,000                          79,790,000
        Surface Programs................                          86,316,000                         129,316,000
        Vetting Programs................                          60,215,000                          60,215,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Other Operations                        $1,325,996,000                      $1,389,091,000
             and Enforcement............
        Mission Support.................                         869,258,000                         869,258,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Operations and                          $7,018,165,000                      $7,207,851,000
             Support (gross)............
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Operations and                          $4,048,165,000                      $4,737,851,000
             Support (net)..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     Aviation Screening Operations

       A total of $4,949,502,000 is provided for Aviation 
     Screening Operations.
       The total includes $77,000,000 above the request to 
     maintain existing TSA staffing at airport exit lanes, as 
     required by law. The total also includes $151,764,000, as 
     requested, for Canines. Combined with $8,200,000 in carryover 
     funding from fiscal year 2017, a total of $159,964,000 is 
     available for Canines in fiscal year 2018. TSA is expected to 
     use carryover funds to continue its efforts to establish a 
     third party canine certification program for air cargo 
     services.
       TSA is directed to brief the Committees within 90 days of 
     the date of enactment of this Act on a multi-year plan to 
     analyze and test perimeter intrusion detection and deterrence 
     technologies in partnership with airports. The plan should 
     include a sampling of airports and technologies to maximize 
     the applicability of testing results for airports of varying 
     sizes and risk profiles, with a particular focus on high-risk 
     airports that currently have limited capabilities. The 
     testing results should be made widely available to assist 
     airports in meeting their Airport Security Plan requirements. 
     Up to $10,000,000 is made available within the total for 
     Screening Technology Maintenance to begin implementing this 
     plan.

[[Page H2553]]

       With regard to remodeling and modernization efforts 
     undertaken by an airport on an existing exit lane that TSA 
     was responsible for monitoring on December 1, 2013, TSA shall 
     continue to be responsible for monitoring the exit lane after 
     the remodeling or modernization effort is completed.
       As TSA continues to evolve its screening procedures from a 
     one-size-fits all approach to an intelligence-driven, risk-
     based approach, it is expected to continue working with OIG 
     to address vulnerabilities in risk-based security 
     initiatives, including the PreCheck program.
       TSA shall provide a notification within 10 days of any 
     change to a private screening contract, including any new 
     award under the Screening Partnership Program or a transition 
     from privatized screening into federal screening.
       TSA is encouraged to continue exploring collateral officer 
     duties associated with behavioral detection and resolution 
     procedures.
       TSA's passenger screening canines play an important role in 
     the effective and efficient screening of passengers through 
     airport checkpoints. There is concern with the current 
     availability of explosives detection canine teams at airport 
     checkpoints and the unmet demand for additional canine teams 
     throughout the U.S. transportation system. While the TSA 
     canine training center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland is 
     effective, it currently lacks the throughput needed to meet 
     the demand for trained and deployed canines. TSA shall submit 
     a report to the Committees, not later than 90 days after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, on its canine requirements and 
     a plan for expanding the program. The plan should propose 
     ways to increase the throughput of canines, including 
     passenger and cargo screening canines, at the Lackland 
     location. The plan shall also detail funding and facilities 
     requirements, new policies, and other resources necessary to 
     execute this expansion.
       To meet the increasing demand for explosives detection 
     canines, TSA is directed to examine the feasibility of 
     developing a dedicated breeding program. This assessment 
     should consider cost, the length of time required to start a 
     program, and a comparison between the quality of dogs that 
     might come from such a breeding program and the current 
     practice of acquiring dogs from international and domestic 
     vendors. TSA shall also collaborate with other components to 
     determine if any benefits could be derived from a department-
     wide breeding program. TSA shall brief the Committees on its 
     findings not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
     of this Act.


                    Other Operations and Enforcement

       A total of $1,389,091,000 is provided for Other Operations 
     and Enforcement.
       Given current threats to the aviation sector, the total 
     includes $45,000,000 above the request to sustain the Law 
     Enforcement Officer Reimbursement Program. The total includes 
     $19,514,000 for the Federal Flight Deck Officer and Crew 
     Training Program. Combined with $4,367,000 in carryover 
     funding from fiscal year 2017, a total of $23,881,000 is 
     available for this program in fiscal year 2018. The total 
     also includes $43,000,000 above the request to maintain 31 
     Visible Intermodal Prevention Response teams.
       TSA is directed to continue efforts with its airport 
     partners to strengthen programs to counter insider threats, 
     such as more rigorous screening of employees prior to their 
     accessing secure areas. TSA shall provide a briefing not 
     later than 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act on 
     these efforts and whether additional resources could enhance 
     them. The briefing should specifically assess the feasibility 
     of integrating additional qualified screening technology into 
     the employee screening process.
       The funding level for the Federal Air Marshals Service 
     (FAMS) reflects TSA's inability to hire and backfill 
     positions at the rate projected in the request. TSA shall 
     continue to submit quarterly reports on FAMS mission 
     coverage, staffing levels, and hiring rates as directed in 
     prior years. FAMS is directed to brief the Committees not 
     later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act on 
     efforts to better incorporate risk into its deployment 
     decisions, in accordance with the recommendations outlined in 
     GAO-16-582.
       TSA shall provide quarterly briefings on its air cargo 
     security investments, to include the metrics derived from 
     recent tests and the mitigation strategies employed in 
     response to covert test findings.


                            Mission Support

       A total of $869,258,000 is provided for Mission Support.


              PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

       A total of $167,314,000 is provided for Procurement, 
     Construction, and Improvements.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Procurement, Construction, and Improvements:
    Aviation Screening Infrastructure:
    Checkpoint Support........................................               $4,019,000              $68,019,000
    Checked Baggage...........................................               33,004,000               83,004,000
    Infrastructure for Other Operations
    Vetting Programs..........................................               16,291,000               16,291,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Procurement, Construction, and Improvements.              $53,314,000             $167,314,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                   Aviation Screening Infrastructure

       The total includes $151,023,000 for Aviation Screening 
     Infrastructure. Within this amount is an increase of 
     $64,000,000 to accelerate the procurement and testing of 
     computed tomography equipment as a part of TSA's broader 
     effort to recapitalize the aging screening equipment fleet, 
     enhance detection capabilities and performance, and more 
     effectively counter emerging threats to aviation security. 
     Combined with $12,148,000 in carryover funding from fiscal 
     year 2017, a total of $76,148,000 is available for these 
     efforts in fiscal year 2018.
       The total also includes an increase of $50,000,000 for TSA 
     to begin to reimburse airports that incurred costs associated 
     with the development of a partial or completed in-line 
     baggage system prior to August 3, 2007. As directed in the 
     explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 114-113, TSA 
     has validated project cost information submitted by airports 
     to determine allowable and allocable expenses. TSA is 
     directed to brief the Committees on its timeline and 
     methodology for allocating the funds provided and next steps 
     not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act. The brief shall include a plan for how TSA will address 
     the remaining balance of reimbursement claims in future 
     budget requests.
       TSA is directed to submit a detailed report on passenger 
     and baggage screening, consistent with the reporting 
     requirement in Public Law 114-113, not later than 90 days 
     after the date of enactment of this Act. The report shall 
     include a useful description of existing and emerging 
     technologies capable of detecting threats concealed on 
     passengers and in baggage, as well as projected funding 
     levels for the next five fiscal years for each technology 
     identified in the report.


                        RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

       A total of $20,190,000 is provided for Research and 
     Development.
       TSA is directed to brief the Committees not later than 90 
     days after the date of enactment of this Act on efforts by 
     the Innovation Task Force to rapidly develop and deploy next 
     generation screening solutions.

                              Coast Guard


                           OPERATING EXPENSES

       A total of $7,373,313,000 is provided for Operating 
     Expenses, including a transfer of $24,500,000 from the Oil 
     Spill Liability Trust Fund. The total amount includes 
     $503,000,000 for Coast Guard defense related activities, of 
     which $163,000,000 is for overseas contingency operations 
     (OCO) and the global war on terrorism (GWOT) and may be 
     allocated without regard to section 503 in title V of this 
     Act. Within the amount provided, not less than $25,000 shall 
     be utilized for performance upgrades to the moribund Coast 
     Guard website.
       The Coast Guard has yet to complete a Manpower Requirements 
     Analysis (MRA), as directed by section 2904 of the Coast 
     Guard Authorization Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-120), to 
     determine the size of the force needed. The Coast Guard is 
     directed to complete the MRA not later than 120 days after 
     the date of enactment of this Act.
       Access to child care is critical to supporting Coast Guard 
     families, particularly those assigned to remote Coast Guard 
     stations. Of the amount recommended for Operating Expenses, 
     $1,000,000 is to increase the child care subsidy for Coast 
     Guard families residing in areas with high costs of living. 
     Within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
     Coast Guard shall brief the Committees on its plan to 
     implement the increased subsidy. In addition, the Coast Guard 
     is to conduct and report to the Committees the results of a 
     survey of its personnel regarding the cost and availability 
     of child care, as well as the effect of access to child care 
     on retention.
       The Coast Guard is urged to expand its participation in 
     Partnership in Education programs to museums and schools with 
     a focus on limnology and oceanographic programs that support 
     science, technology, engineering, and math education.
       Funding is provided to meet the air facility operation 
     obligations laid out in section 208 of the Coast Guard 
     Authorization Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-120).
       The Coast Guard is directed to provide a business case 
     analysis to the Committees, within 60 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, for adopting the approach employed by 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs to acquire the next-
     generation Electronic Health Records system.
       In fiscal year 2017, $6,000,000 was provided for the 
     Fishing Safety Training Grants and Fishing Safety Research 
     Grants programs, as authorized by section 309 of the Coast 
     Guard Reauthorization Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-

[[Page H2554]]

     281). The Coast Guard is directed to brief the Committees on 
     the programs not later than 60 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act and to request funding for the programs 
     in future budget requests. The Coast Guard should continue to 
     collaborate with the National Institute of Occupational 
     Safety and Health on fishing safety research, and shall 
     submit the report required by Senate Report 114-264 without 
     delay. That report shall include a notice of funding 
     availability, a schedule for grant awards, and metrics to 
     measure impact and effectiveness.
       Based on recent reporting pursuant to Public Law 94-254, 
     the Coast Guard is experiencing an increase in costs that 
     will result in diminished resources for other statutory 
     missions. The Coast Guard shall appropriately account for 
     these needs in future budget requests.
       The Coast Guard is directed to appropriately budget to 
     support the Arctic Program Office in order to adequately 
     address the challenges inherent to the growing mission in 
     that region.
       The Coast Guard is not procuring enough small boats 
     annually to meet its acquisition objective. Not later than 30 
     days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Coast Guard 
     shall provide a report detailing small boat purchases, 
     leases, repairs, and service life replacements planned for 
     fiscal year 2018.
       Minor construction projects funded from the Operating 
     Expenses appropriation can be combined with depot level 
     maintenance projects for the sake of administrative and 
     economic efficiency. The Coast Guard is directed to provide a 
     report to the Committees not later than 45 days after the 
     date of enactment of this Act detailing such projects along 
     with any fiscal year 2018 sustainment, repair, replacement, 
     or maintenance projects that will cost more than $2,000,000. 
     This report shall be updated and included in future 
     congressional budget justification materials.
       The Coast Guard is urged to expedite planning for facility 
     and equipment upgrades necessary for service life extensions 
     of Fast Response Cutters (FRC) and other vessels at the Coast 
     Guard Yard at Curtis Bay in Baltimore, Maryland. The nearest 
     travel lift of sufficient size and capacity to service the 
     FRC is in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Transporting the travel 
     lift between Hampton Roads and Baltimore is a costly and time 
     consuming procedure that removes the lift from service during 
     transport. The Coast Guard is to develop a plan for acquiring 
     necessary equipment and making physical modifications to 
     wharves or other parts of the Coast Guard Yard facility to 
     accommodate FRCs and other vessels there and is to request 
     sufficient resources for these improvements.
       The Coast Guard shall notify the Committees prior to making 
     any changes to the type or number of its command and control 
     aircraft, or making changes to the flight hours of such 
     aircraft.
       Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Coast Guard shall provide a report to the Committees 
     detailing the feasibility, costs, and benefits of 
     transitioning to the use of bromine-free systems aboard 
     National Security Cutters (NSC), FRCs, or Offshore Patrol 
     Cutters (OPC).
       In establishing homeports for new vessels in the northeast 
     United States, the Coast Guard is directed to partner with 
     the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the 
     Navy, as appropriate, to leverage existing assets and new 
     investments at Naval Station Newport.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Expenses:
    Military Pay and Allowances...............................           $3,711,095,000           $3,716,444,000
    Civilian Pay and Benefits.................................              851,178,000              847,678,000
    Training and Recruiting...................................              190,668,000              191,015,000
    Operating Funds and Unit Level Maintenance................              895,518,000              897,171,000
    Centrally Managed Accounts................................              142,788,000              142,788,000
    Intermediate and Depot Level Maintenance..................            1,422,217,000            1,415,217,000
    Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism...                    - - -              163,000,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Operating Expenses..........................           $7,213,464,000           $7,373,313,000
        (Defense, less OCO)...................................            (340,000,000)            (340,000,000)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism

       Funding for Coast Guard OCO/GWOT activities is provided 
     directly through the Operating Expenses appropriation instead 
     of through the Navy's Operation and Maintenance account. The 
     Coast Guard shall brief the Committees not later than 30 days 
     after the date of enactment of this Act on any changes to OCO 
     amounts expected during fiscal year 2018 and on projected 
     transition costs expected in fiscal year 2019 to support OCO.


                ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND RESTORATION

       A total of $13,397,000 is provided for Environmental 
     Compliance and Restoration (EC&R). The Coast Guard is 
     directed to include in its annual budget justification 
     materials a list of the activities projected to be funded by 
     the amounts requested under this heading and an updated 
     backlog report for EC&R projects that includes an explanation 
     of how the amount requested will impact this documented 
     backlog.


              ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

       A total of $2,694,745,000 is provided for Acquisition, 
     Construction, and Improvements. The Coast Guard is directed 
     to continue to provide quarterly briefings to the Committees 
     on all major acquisitions, consistent with the direction in 
     the explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 114-4.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acquisition, Construction, and Improvements:
    Vessels:
        Survey and Design--Vessels and Boats..................               $1,500,000               $4,500,000
        In-Service Vessel Sustainment.........................               60,500,000               60,500,000
        National Security Cutter..............................               54,000,000            1,241,000,000
        Offshore Patrol Cutter................................              500,000,000              500,000,000
        Fast Response Cutter..................................              240,000,000              340,000,000
        Cutter Boats..........................................                1,000,000                1,000,000
        Polar Ice Breaking Vessel.............................               19,000,000               19,000,000
        Inland Waterways and Western Rivers Cutters...........                1,100,000               26,100,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Vessels.................................             $877,100,000           $2,192,100,000
    Aircraft:
        HC-27J Conversion/Sustainment.........................               52,000,000               70,000,000
        HC-130J Acquisition/Conversion/Sustainment............                5,600,000              100,600,000
        HH-65 Conversion/Sustainment Projects.................               22,000,000               22,000,000
        MH-60T Sustainment....................................                2,500,000                2,500,000
        Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems.......................                  500,000                  500,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Aircraft................................              $82,600,000             $195,600,000
    Other Acquisition Programs:
        Other Equipment and Systems...........................                4,000,000                4,000,000
        Program Oversight and Management......................               15,000,000               15,000,000
        C4ISR.................................................               22,000,000               22,000,000
        CG--Logistics Information Management System...........                9,800,000                9,800,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Other Acquisition Programs..............              $50,800,000              $50,800,000
    Shore Facilities and Aids to Navigation:
        Major Construction; Housing; ATON; and Survey & Design               10,000,000               42,400,000
        Major Acquisition Systems Infrastructure..............               60,000,000               87,100,000
        Minor Shore...........................................                5,000,000                5,000,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Shore Facilities and Aids to Navigation.              $75,000,000             $134,500,000
    Personnel and Related Support Costs.......................              118,245,000              121,745,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Acquisition, Construction, and                     $1,203,745,000           $2,694,745,000
             Improvements.....................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page H2555]]

  



                                Vessels

       To the maximum extent practicable, the Coast Guard is 
     directed to utilize components that are manufactured in the 
     United States when contracting for new vessels. Such 
     components include: auxiliary equipment, such as pumps for 
     shipboard services; propulsion equipment including engines, 
     reduction gears, and propellers; shipboard cranes; and 
     spreaders for shipboard cranes.
       The Coast Guard shall be exempted from the administration's 
     current acquisition policy that requires the Coast Guard to 
     attain the total acquisition cost for a vessel, including 
     long lead time materials (LLTM), production costs, and 
     postproduction costs, before a production contract can be 
     awarded.
       Survey and Design--Vessels and Boats. The total includes 
     $4,500,000 to support survey and design. To enhance 
     icebreaking capacity on the Great Lakes, $3,000,000 is 
     included for survey and design work to support the 
     acquisition of an icebreaker that is at least as capable as 
     the USCGC MACKINAW (WLBB-30).
       National Security Cutter. The total includes $1,241,000,000 
     for the NSC program. This amount includes $540,000,000 for 
     the construction of a tenth NSC, $95,000,000 to be made 
     immediately available to contract for LLTM for an eleventh 
     NSC, and $540,000,000 for the construction of the eleventh 
     NSC. Crewing concepts initiated by the Coast Guard that 
     underpinned the assumption that 12 High Endurance Cutters 
     could be replaced with 8 NSCs have proven unworkable.
       Offshore Patrol Cutter. The recommendation includes 
     $500,000,000 for the OPC, consistent with the budget request. 
     These funds will provide for production of OPC1, LLTM for 
     OPC2, program activities, test and evaluation, government 
     furnished equipment, and training aids.
       Fast Response Cutter. The Coast Guard program of record 
     calls for 58 FRCs, of which 44 have been ordered and 26 have 
     been delivered and are in service today. The recommendation 
     provides $340,000,000 for six FRCs, four of which are for the 
     current program of record and two of which are to initiate 
     replacement of the 110-foot Island Class Cutters supporting 
     U.S. Central Command in Southwest Asia.
       Polar Ice Breaking Vessel. The recommendation includes 
     $19,000,000, consistent with the budget request, to maintain 
     the accelerated acquisition schedule established in fiscal 
     year 2017 for a new class of Polar Icebreakers. These funds 
     will be used to request proposals and award contracts for 
     detailed design and options for future vessel construction.
       The Coast Guard is directed to initiate a service life 
     extension project to rehabilitate and restore the critical 
     systems onboard the heavy icebreaker POLAR STAR. Increased 
     efforts shall be made during maintenance availability periods 
     to rehabilitate major systems and accelerate contracting for 
     this work to the greatest extent possible. In carrying out 
     such efforts, the Coast Guard is encouraged to address the 
     rehabilitation and replacement of old and obsolete systems 
     that are in poor material condition and may impair crew 
     readiness or safety.
       Inland Waterways and Western Rivers Cutters. The Coast 
     Guard's fleet of inland river tenders range in size from 65 
     to 160 feet and were commissioned between 1944 and 1990. This 
     fleet, which has an average age of 52 years, helps ensure the 
     integrity of the structures, beacons, and buoys that support 
     the vital U.S. Marine Transportation System. In addition to 
     age concerns and equipment obsolescence issues, the fleet 
     presents other challenges, including the presence of asbestos 
     and lead paint, which raise concerns about crew health. The 
     recommendation provides $25,000,000 above the request to 
     accelerate the acquisition of a new Waterways Commerce 
     Cutter.


                                Aircraft

       HC-130J Conversion/Sustainment. The total includes 
     $100,600,000 for the HC-130J aircraft program. This amount is 
     $95,000,000 above the request for the procurement of one HC-
     130J aircraft.
       MH-60T Conversion/Sustainment. The bill supports efforts to 
     recapitalize MH-60T aircraft. The Coast Guard is directed to 
     brief the Committees, not later than 90 days after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, on options for extending the 
     lifespan of its MH-60T aircraft, including associated costs 
     and timelines for each option.
       HC-27J Conversion/Sustainment. The total includes 
     $18,000,000 above the request for the procurement of an HC-
     27J training simulator to be located at the Coast Guard 
     Aviation Training Center.


                            Shore Facilities

       The total includes $134,500,000 for Shore Facilities and 
     Aids to Navigation. The Commandant is directed to provide to 
     the Committees, at the time of each budget submission, a list 
     of approved but unfunded Coast Guard priorities and the funds 
     needed for each.
       Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Coast Guard shall submit to the Committees a report 
     on a plan to provide communications throughout the entire 
     Coastal Western Alaska Captain of the Port zone to improve 
     waterway safety and to mitigate close calls, collisions, and 
     other dangerous interactions between large ships and 
     subsistence hunter vessels. The report should also include: 
     any shore infrastructure improvements necessary to fulfill 
     such a plan; an explanation of the feasibility of 
     establishing a vessel traffic service that covers the region 
     using existing resources or public-private partnerships; and 
     a timeline of when funding is needed to implement these 
     improvements.
       The Coast Guard has considered establishing anchorages in 
     the Hudson River and has completed an Advanced Notice of 
     Proposed Rulemaking. After receiving comments, the Coast 
     Guard is conducting a full Ports and Waterways Safety 
     Assessment to best determine whether and how to proceed. 
     Prior to any proposal to establish these anchorages, the 
     Coast Guard shall brief the Committees on the results of the 
     assessment and its plans regarding the anchorages.
       Major Construction; Housing; ATON; and Survey & Design. The 
     total includes $32,400,000 above the request to address the 
     top housing priority on the Coast Guard's Unfunded Priority 
     List.
       Major Acquisition System Infrastructure. The total includes 
     $8,000,000 for infrastructure associated with the procurement 
     of an HC-27J training simulator and $19,100,000 to address 
     the top Major Acquisition System Infrastructure priorities on 
     the Coast Guard's Unfunded Priority List.


              RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION

       A total of $29,141,000 is provided for Research, 
     Development, Test, and Evaluation.
       Disruptions to Global Positioning System (GPS) signals can 
     cause severe problems for ship navigation, port security, and 
     situational awareness. In recent years, incidents of GPS 
     tampering have disrupted the flow of commerce within ports by 
     blocking the signals needed for crane operators to locate and 
     move goods. When these signals are blocked, the delays 
     associated with the manual location of containers can all but 
     shut down port operations. Therefore, $500,000 is provided 
     for the Coast Guard to conduct digital forensics research and 
     testing on devices meant to jam or otherwise interfere with 
     GPS signals.
       The Coast Guard continues to face challenges with respect 
     to conducting maritime surveillance necessary to support its 
     statutory missions related to marine safety, security, and 
     protection in the Pacific Ocean. To address this concern, up 
     to $5,000,000 is made available within the total amount to 
     conduct a full maritime domain awareness pilot study and 
     assessment to determine the efficacy of using low-cost, 
     commercially available technology solutions, in combination 
     with or on existing fleet platforms, to enhance maritime 
     domain awareness. This effort should test technology 
     solutions across the fleet, including with the Coast Guard 
     Auxiliary if applicable. The Coast Guard is encouraged to 
     consider systems that have been used by small, remote Pacific 
     Island states and other technologies with little or no 
     logistics funding tail. The Coast Guard shall brief the 
     Committees not later than 60 days after the date of enactment 
     of this Act on its approach to carrying out this study. The 
     briefing shall include a timeline for the development of a 
     concept of operations and business case analysis, as well as 
     a plan for industry engagement and technology demonstration.
       As the Coast Guard's only functional heavy icebreaker, the 
     POLAR STAR, reaches the end of its service life, a potential 
     gap may emerge with respect to the Coast Guard's polar 
     icebreaker capability before new heavy icebreaking vessels 
     can be acquired. To help address that potential gap, up to 
     $5,000,000 is made available within the total to examine 
     whether the Coast Guard's statutory requirements could be met 
     by existing vessels using short-term procurement strategies.
       In fiscal year 2017, Congress provided $18,000,000 for the 
     Coast Guard to test and evaluate the use of long range/ultra-
     long endurance UAS in support of the Department's needs, 
     particularly intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance 
     in source and transit zones. The Coast Guard is directed to 
     fulfill the related briefing requirement in the explanatory 
     statement accompanying Public Law 115-31 and directs the 
     Coast Guard to allocate such fiscal year 2018 sums as may be 
     necessary to continue this long range/ultra-long endurance 
     UAS effort.

                      United States Secret Service


                         OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

       A total of $1,915,794,000 is provided for Operations and 
     Support. Of the funds provided, $39,692,000 is made available 
     until September 30, 2019. Included in the total is: 
     $6,000,000 for a grant related to missing and exploited 
     children investigations; $5,482,000 for the James J. Rowley 
     Training Center; $5,710,000 for Operational Mission Support; 
     $18,000,000 for protective travel; and $4,500,000 for 
     National Special Security Events (NSSE).
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations and Support:
    Protective Operations:
        Protection of Persons and Facilities..................             $705,566,000             $711,227,000
        Protective Countermeasures............................               46,862,000               46,862,000

[[Page H2556]]

 
        Protective Intelligence...............................               47,547,000               47,814,000
        Presidential Campaigns and National Special Security                  4,500,000                4,500,000
         Events...............................................
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Protective Operations...................             $804,475,000             $810,403,000
    Field Operations:
        Domestic and International Field Operations...........              588,653,000              596,478,000
        Support for Missing and Exploited Children                            7,582,000                6,000,000
         Investigations.......................................
        Support for Computer Forensics Training...............                    - - -               18,778,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Field Operations........................             $596,235,000             $621,256,000
    Basic and In-Service Training and Professional Development               64,078,000               64,212,000
    Mission Support...........................................              414,558,000              419,923,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Operations and Support..................           $1,879,346,000           $1,915,794,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       The total amount includes the following increases above the 
     request: $9,866,000 to implement new overtime payment 
     authority for agents and officers; $18,778,000 for basic and 
     advanced computer forensics training for state and local law 
     enforcement officers, judges, and prosecutors in support of 
     the United States Secret Service (USSS) mission; $2,000,000 
     for additional hiring; and $5,000,000 for retention efforts. 
     The Secret Service shall provide periodic briefings to the 
     Committees on the demand for computer forensics training and 
     should identify appropriate resources to support it in future 
     budgets.
       The bill sustains the fiscal year 2017 funding level of 
     $2,366,000 for forensic and investigative support related to 
     missing and exploited children within the Domestic and 
     International Field Operations PPA and $6,000,000 for grants 
     related to investigations of missing and exploited children 
     within the Support for Missing and Exploited Children 
     Investigations PPA.
       In addition, the bill provides $4,500,000, as requested, to 
     defray costs specific to Secret Service execution of its 
     statutory responsibilities to direct the planning and 
     coordination of NSSEs. An administrative provision in the Act 
     prohibits the use of funds to reimburse any federal 
     department or agency for its participation in an NSSE. The 
     USSS is directed to provide semiannual briefings, beginning 
     not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, on the use of NSSE funds.
       In lieu of House report language on Secret Service 
     protection operations, the USSS is directed to submit a 
     report to the Committees, not later than 90 days after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, 
     detailing expenditures of funds for the purpose of providing 
     protection in accordance with each of the categories listed 
     in 18 U.S.C. 3056(a) during the course of any travel.
       The USSS is directed to: (1) brief the Committees within 90 
     days after the date of enactment of this Act on its progress 
     toward correcting deficiencies identified in GAO-16-288 
     related to salaries and benefits cost data, and on its 
     protection operations, as described in House Report 115-239; 
     (2) brief the Committees within 180 days of enactment of this 
     Act on its strategic human capital plan for 2018 through 2022 
     and on efforts to enhance perimeter security using emerging 
     technologies, including fiber-optic sensors; and (3) provide 
     quarterly updates to the Committees on progress in securing a 
     replacement presidential limousine, including any updates to 
     the anticipated delivery schedule.
       The USSS is also directed to renew its efforts to cultivate 
     a professional workforce that adheres to high standards, both 
     on-duty and off-duty, through consistent and effective 
     training and oversight.


              PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

       A total of $90,480,000 is provided for Procurement, 
     Construction, and Improvements. The total amount includes an 
     increase above the request of $12,150,000 for new armored 
     vehicles and $14,300,000 for continued work on the White 
     House Crown fence.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Procurement, Construction, and Improvements
    Protection Assets and Infrastructure......................              $39,012,000              $65,462,000
    Operational Communications/Information Technology.........               25,018,000               25,018,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Procurement, Construction, and Improvements.              $64,030,000              $90,480,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       The USSS is directed to provide a briefing, not later than 
     60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, on an 
     investment and management plan for Information Integration 
     Technology Transformation for fiscal years 2018-2020.


                        RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

       A total of $250,000 is provided for research and 
     development.

             TITLE II--ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--THIS ACT

       Section 201. The bill continues a provision regarding 
     overtime compensation.
       Section 202. The bill continues a provision allowing CBP to 
     sustain or increase operations in Puerto Rico with 
     appropriated funds.
       Section 203. The bill continues and modifies a provision, 
     making permanent a prohibition on the transfer of aircraft 
     and related equipment by CBP from its inventory unless 
     certain conditions are met.
       Section 204. The bill continues a provision regarding the 
     availability of passenger fees collected from certain 
     countries.
       Section 205. The bill continues and modifies a provision 
     allowing CBP access to certain reimbursements for 
     preclearance activities.
       Section 206. The bill continues a provision prohibiting 
     individuals from importing prescription drugs from Canada.
       Section 207. The bill continues a provision regarding the 
     waiver of certain navigation and vessel-inspection laws.
       Section 208. The bill continues a provision preventing the 
     establishment of new border crossing fees at land ports of 
     entry.
       Section 209. The bill continues a provision allowing the 
     Secretary to reprogram and transfer funds within and into 
     ``U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement--Operations and 
     Support'' to ensure the detention of aliens prioritized for 
     removal.
       Section 210. The bill continues a provision prohibiting the 
     use of funds provided under the heading ``U.S. Immigration 
     and Customs Enforcement--Operations and Support'' to continue 
     a delegation of authority under the 287(g) program if the 
     terms of an agreement governing such delegation have been 
     materially violated.
       Section 211. The bill continues a provision prohibiting the 
     use of funds provided under the heading ``U.S. Immigration 
     and Customs Enforcement--Operations and Support'' to contract 
     with a facility for detention services if the facility 
     receives less than ``adequate'' ratings in two consecutive 
     performance evaluations.
       Section 212. The bill continues a provision requiring the 
     submission of a report related to erroneous financial 
     obligations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
       Section 213. The bill continues a provision waiving a 
     subsistence payment limitation for certain employees related 
     to certain hurricanes, and authorizing the Secretary to 
     provide reimbursements at an increased lodging rate 
     associated with such subsistence expenses.
       Section 214. The bill continues a provision clarifying that 
     certain elected and appointed officials are not exempt from 
     federal passenger and baggage screening.
       Section 215. The bill continues a provision directing TSA 
     to deploy explosives detection systems based on risk and 
     other factors.
       Section 216. The bill continues a provision authorizing TSA 
     to use funds from the Aviation Security Capital Fund for the 
     procurement and installation of explosives detection systems 
     or for other purposes authorized by law.
       Section 217. The bill continues a provision prohibiting the 
     use of funds in abrogation of the statutory requirement for 
     TSA to monitor certain airport exit points.
       Section 218. The bill continues a provision prohibiting 
     funds made available by this Act for recreational vessel 
     expenses, except to the extent fees are collected from owners 
     of yachts and credited to this appropriation.
       Section 219. The bill continues a provision under the 
     heading ``Coast Guard--Operating Expenses'' allowing up to 
     $10,000,000 to be reprogrammed to or from Military Pay and 
     Allowances.
       Section 220. The bill continues a provision requiring the 
     Commandant of the Coast Guard to submit a future-years 
     capital investment plan.
       Section 221. The bill continues a provision prohibiting the 
     use of funds to reduce the Coast Guard's Operations Systems 
     Center mission or staff.
       Section 222. The bill continues a provision prohibiting the 
     use of funds to conduct a competition for activities related 
     to the Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center.
       Section 223. The bill continues a provision allowing the 
     use of funds to alter, but not reduce, operations within the 
     Civil Engineering program of the Coast Guard.

[[Page H2557]]

       Section 224. The bill continues a provision related to the 
     allocation of funds for Overseas Contingency Operations/
     Global War on Terrorism.
       Section 225. The bill includes a new provision related to 
     continuation pay for certain members of the Coast Guard.
       Section 226. The bill continues a provision allowing the 
     Secret Service to obligate funds in anticipation of 
     reimbursement for personnel receiving training.
       Section 227. The bill continues a provision prohibiting the 
     use of funds by the Secret Service to protect the head of a 
     federal agency other than the Secretary of Homeland Security, 
     except when the Director has entered into a reimbursable 
     agreement for such protection services.
       Section 228. The bill continues a provision allowing the 
     reprogramming of funds within ``United States Secret 
     Service--Operations and Support''.
       Section 229. The bill continues a provision allowing funds 
     made available within ``United States Secret Service--
     Operations and Support'' to be available for travel of 
     employees on protective missions without regard to the 
     limitations on such expenditures.
       Sec. 230. A new provision is included designating the uses 
     of certain amounts under ``U.S. Customs and Border 
     Protection--Procurement, Construction, and Improvements'', 
     limiting the use of certain amounts under such account for 
     previously deployed fencing designs, and prohibiting the use 
     of funds to construct a border barrier in the Santa Ana 
     National Wildlife Refuge.
       Sec. 231. A new provision is included requiring the 
     Secretary to submit a risk-based plan for improving security 
     along the borders of the United States.

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

              National Protection and Programs Directorate


                         operations and support

       A total of $1,482,165,000 is provided for Operations and 
     Support, of which $219,429,000 is for the Office of Biometric 
     Identity Management (OBIM).
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Budget Estimate       Final Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations and Support:
    Cybersecurity:
        Cyber Readiness and              $200,965,000       $243,992,000
         Response.................
        Cyber Infrastructure               41,943,000         46,243,000
         Resilience...............
        Federal Cybersecurity.....        477,649,000        432,673,000
                                   -------------------------------------
            Subtotal,                    $720,557,000       $722,908,000
             Cybersecurity........
    Infrastructure Protection:
        Infrastructure Capacity           115,515,000        121,776,000
         Building.................
        Infrastructure Security            72,440,000         72,440,000
         Compliance...............
                                   -------------------------------------
            Subtotal,                     187,955,000        194,216,000
             Infrastructure
             Protection...........
    Emergency Communications:
        Emergency Communications           49,966,000         54,501,000
         Preparedness.............
        Priority                           63,955,000         63,955,000
         Telecommunications
         Services.................
                                   -------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Emergency          $113,921,000       $118,456,000
             Communications.......
    Integrated Operations:
        Cyber and Infrastructure           43,322,000         56,410,000
         Analysis.................
        Critical Infrastructure            21,222,000         21,222,000
         Situational Awareness....
            [Defense].............       (19,312,000)       (19,312,000)
        Stakeholder Engagement and         46,904,000         50,583,000
         Requirements.............
            [Defense].............       (42,214,000)       (45,525,000)
        Strategy, Policy, and              14,448,000         14,448,000
         Plans....................
            [Defense].............        (9,536,000)        (9,536,000)
                                   -------------------------------------
                Subtotal,                $125,896,000       $142,663,000
                 Integrated
                 Operations.......
    Office of Biometric Identity
     Management:
        Identity and Screening             68,826,000         68,826,000
         Program Operations.......
        IDENT/Homeland Advanced           150,603,000        150,603,000
         Recognition Technology
         Operations & Maintenance.
                                   -------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Office of          $219,429,000       $219,429,000
             Biometric Identity
             Management...........
    Mission Support:
        Nondefense................         87,517,000         84,493,000
            [Defense].............       (27,130,000)       (26,193,000)
                                   -------------------------------------
                Subtotal,              $1,455,275,000     $1,482,165,000
                 Operations and
                 Support..........
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       To better align NPPD resources under the Common 
     Appropriations Structure, the total reflects a realignment to 
     Operations and Support of $1,680,000 requested within 
     Procurement, Construction, and Improvements. This realignment 
     will ensure that funds are provided in the proper account for 
     the stated purpose.
       Language is included in this explanatory statement under 
     Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)--Federal 
     Assistance directing the submission of a report on the types 
     of assistance across components that are available to state, 
     local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments. 
     Furthermore, NPPD and FEMA are directed to brief the 
     Committees, not later than 60 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, on the potential benefits and costs of 
     establishing a joint program office to enhance coordination 
     of these activities.


                             cybersecurity

       The total includes $722,908,000 for Cybersecurity. This 
     amount includes $9,516,000 for the Multi-State Information 
     Sharing and Analysis Center to support its updated 
     requirement for fiscal year 2018 and an increase above the 
     request of $4,963,000 to support the new Election 
     Infrastructure Security Initiative (EISI).
       Cyber Readiness and Response. The agreement includes a 
     total of $243,992,000 for the National Cybersecurity and 
     Communications Integration Center (NCCIC), including 
     $173,909,000 for Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and 
     $17,000,000 for enhanced training, malware analysis, safety 
     systems vulnerability analysis, incident response, and 
     assessments of Industrial Control Systems in emerging sectors 
     and subsectors. In light of current threats, the agreement 
     restores the proposed reduction of $6,814,000 for planning 
     and exercises.
       NPPD shall brief the Committees not later than 60 days 
     after the date of enactment of this Act on its assessment of 
     election infrastructure vulnerabilities and its work with 
     election officials to prevent cyber intrusions.
       Of the total provided, $3,000,000 is for the establishment 
     of pilot programs to explore and evaluate the most effective 
     methods for cybersecurity information sharing, focusing on 
     regional information sharing; communications and outreach; 
     training and education; and research and development for the 
     improvement of SLTT government capabilities and capacity. 
     NPPD is directed to provide a report on the results of each 
     pilot not later than 270 days after its completion.
       The NCCIC is directed to continue providing technical 
     assistance to other federal agencies, upon request, on 
     preventing and responding to data breaches involving 
     unauthorized access to personally identifiable information.
       GAO-17-163 made several recommendations designed to ensure 
     that the NCCIC is adhering to its nine implementing 
     principles under the National Cybersecurity Protection Act. 
     Specifically, the report noted that the NCCIC had yet to 
     determine whether those implementing principles are 
     applicable to its eleven statutory cybersecurity functions 
     and had yet to establish performance metrics for the 
     principles. Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, NPPD shall brief the Committees on its 
     specific plans to address these GAO recommendations.
       Cyber Infrastructure Resilience. The total includes 
     $14,393,000 for cybersecurity education and awareness, of 
     which $4,300,000 is to continue the Cybersecurity Education 
     and Training Assistance Program.
       Federal Cybersecurity. The total includes $102,681,000 for 
     Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM), of which 
     $8,901,000 is an increase above the budget request to 
     accelerate deployment of CDM to federal departments and 
     agencies. NPPD is directed to provide a briefing to the 
     Committees on the current CDM program acquisition strategy 
     and schedule not later than 30 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.
       The total includes $287,226,000 for the National 
     Cybersecurity Protection System (NCPS), which protects 
     federal networks and data from cyber intrusions. NPPD is 
     directed to continue to work closely with federal departments 
     and agencies as they participate in the NCPS and to provide 
     semiannual briefings to the Committees, beginning not later 
     than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, on any 
     obstacles that arise with regard to such participation.
       GAO-16-294 found that NPPD is not fully utilizing the 
     capability of NCPS to detect potentially malicious activity 
     entering or exiting computer systems on the ``.gov'' network. 
     The total includes $3,000,000 for pilot programs to help 
     address the GAO report's related recommendation and to comply 
     with the mandate in the Cybersecurity Act of 2015

[[Page H2558]]

     to conduct regular assessments of advanced protective 
     technologies through pilots. The pilots should be conducted 
     in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology and other appropriate entities.
       Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, NPPD and FEMA shall brief the Committees on the types of 
     grant assistance, technical assistance, and formal ongoing 
     engagement available to SLTT government entities, including 
     law enforcement agencies, for the purpose of protecting their 
     cyber networks. Within 240 days of the date of enactment of 
     this Act, NPPD shall provide an assessment to the Committees 
     of the overall effectiveness of this assistance and outreach 
     in improving cybersecurity capacity and performance at non-
     federal levels of government. The Department may provide 
     technical assistance and support to SLTT entities related to 
     the purchase of commercial software capable of protecting the 
     integrity of government information and networks against 
     intrusions.
       The fiscal year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act 
     (Public Law 114-328) required DHS to provide Congress with a 
     departmental cybersecurity strategy. In light of recent cyber 
     events, DHS is expected to accelerate the completion of this 
     strategy and to continue to engage with relevant public and 
     private stakeholders to help prevent and mitigate future 
     cyber intrusions.


                       Infrastructure Protection

       A total of $194,216,000 is provided for Infrastructure 
     Protection.
       Infrastructure Capacity Building. The total includes 
     $16,199,000 for the Office of Bombing Prevention (OBP). This 
     funding will sustain needed training, information sharing, 
     and awareness programs for SLTT and private sector entities 
     related to trends in terrorist utilization of explosives. The 
     funding will also provide for analysis of current counter-
     explosives capabilities and identification of capability 
     gaps. NPPD should explore how coordination with the National 
     Guard on training could be further enhanced.
       The total includes $2,000,000 for the Technology 
     Development and Deployment Program to identify requirements 
     for NPPD; for community-level critical infrastructure 
     protection and resilience; and to rapidly develop, test, and 
     transition technologies that address such requirements.
       Sector Risk Management. The total includes $1,121,000 for 
     EISI.


                        Emergency Communications

       The total includes $118,456,000 for Emergency 
     Communications, of which $1,785,000 is for the EISI and 
     $2,000,000 is to continue National Emergency Communications 
     Plan development projects.
       NPPD is directed to include in the next Biennial Report to 
     Congress on Emergency Communications the status of 
     interoperability planning for public safety communications 
     systems. Because achieving interoperability among these 
     systems is challenged by separate planning efforts for 
     different kinds of systems (such as alert and warning, next 
     generation 911, and broadband), the report should 
     specifically identify what gaps exist among such systems. 
     Furthermore, NPPD is directed to share information with FEMA 
     on critical interoperable communications gaps in order to 
     better inform grant award decision making.


                         Integrated Operations

       The total includes $142,663,000 for Integrated Operations.
       Cyber and Infrastructure Analysis. The total includes 
     $18,650,000 for the National Infrastructure Simulation and 
     Analysis Center; $1,350,000 for the EISI; and, $2,000,000 for 
     evaluating utility grid resiliency using real and simulated 
     experimentation to test technologies, train operators, and 
     quantify impacts and risks. The results of these evaluations 
     should also inform how NPPD employs response tactics and 
     prioritizes future investments.
       Stakeholder Engagement and Requirements. The total includes 
     $1,679,000 for software assurance and $2,000,000 to enhance 
     supply chain security.


                Office of Biometric Identity Management

       OBIM is directed to continue briefing the Committees on a 
     semiannual basis on its workload, staffing levels, 
     modernization efforts, and improvements in the sharing of 
     appropriate identity information between DHS and other 
     departments and agencies, including through the 
     implementation of Unique Identity and the information systems 
     discussed below. The information sharing briefs should 
     specifically address capability gaps and strategies to close 
     them.
       As development of the Homeland Advanced Recognition 
     Technology (HART) system continues, OBIM is expected to 
     closely coordinate with TSA, CBP, the Department of Defense 
     (DOD), the Department of Justice, the Department of State, 
     the intelligence community, and other relevant agencies to 
     standardize and appropriately share biometric information. In 
     particular, OBIM shall continue to work with DOD to implement 
     interim solutions to expand interagency biometric data-
     sharing and ingest legally shareable data from DOD's 
     Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) into IDENT/
     HART for appropriate use by components. Additionally, as 
     directed in prior Committee reports, OBIM shall continue to 
     coordinate with TSA to ensure that TSA's Technology 
     Infrastructure Modernization systems are appropriately 
     integrated with HART.
       OBIM shall incorporate the latest proven biometric 
     technologies, including advanced facial recognition, in its 
     ongoing enhancements to the IDENT/HART system and ensure the 
     needs of stakeholders are addressed.


                       FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE

       A total of $1,476,055,000 is made available for the Federal 
     Protective Service (FPS). This funding is generated by 
     collections of security fees from federal agencies based on 
     security services provided by FPS.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Budget Estimate                       Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Federal Protective Service:
    FPS Operations:
        Operating Expenses..............                        $360,079,000                        $360,079,000
    Countermeasures:
        Protective Security Officers....                       1,071,286,000                       1,071,286,000
        Technical Countermeasures.......                          44,690,000                          44,690,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Federal Protective                      $1,476,055,000                      $1,476,055,000
             Service (gross)............
    Offsetting Collections:                                   -1,476,055,000                      -1,476,055,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Federal Protective                               - - -                               - - -
             Service (net)..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       FPS, in conjunction with the Department and OMB, shall 
     provide a report to the Committees on a quarterly basis, 
     beginning not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
     of this Act, describing its progress toward developing a 
     sustainable funding model that will adequately address FPS 
     resource shortfalls and long-term needs in order to fulfill 
     mission responsibilities.


              PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

       A total of $414,111,000 is provided for Procurement, 
     Construction, and Improvements.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Budget Estimate       Final Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Procurement, Construction, and
 Improvements:
    Cybersecurity:
        Continuous Diagnostics and       $185,180,000       $246,981,000
         Mitigation...............
        National Cybersecurity             56,129,000        115,186,000
         Protection System........
                                   -------------------------------------
            Subtotal,                    $241,309,000       $362,167,000
             Cybersecurity........
    Emergency Communications:
        Next Generation Networks           48,905,000         48,905,000
         Priority Services........
            Subtotal, Emergency           $48,905,000        $48,905,000
             Communications.......
                                   -------------------------------------
    Biometric Identity Management:
        IDENT/Homeland Advanced            40,100,000              - - -
         Recognition Technology...
                                   -------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Biometric           $40,100,000              - - -
             Identity Management..
    Integrated Operations Assets
     and Infrastructure:
        Modeling Capability                   500,000            500,000
         Transition Environment...
                                   -------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Integrated             $500,000           $500,000
             Operations Assets and
             Infrastructure.......
    Infrastructure Protection:
        Infrastructure Protection           4,219,000          2,539,000
         (IP) Gateway.............
                                   -------------------------------------
            Subtotal,                      $4,219,000         $2,539,000
             Infrastructure
             Protection...........
                                   -------------------------------------

[[Page H2559]]

 
                Subtotal,                $335,033,000       $414,111,000
                 Procurement,
                 Construction, and
                 Improvements.....
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                             Cybersecurity

       The total includes $362,167,000 for Cybersecurity. The 
     total reflects a realignment of $58,557,000 from Operations 
     and Support for the National Cybersecurity Protection System, 
     as requested. The total includes an additional $61,801,000 to 
     support acceleration of CDM capabilities to a broader set of 
     non-CFO Act agencies and to accelerate mobile/cloud computing 
     visibility across the ``.gov'' domain. Also included in the 
     total is $500,000 to further the design and implementation of 
     the backup site for DHS cyber and communications programs.


                     Biometric Identity Management

       No new funding is included for HART due to delays in the 
     acquisition schedule.


                       Infrastructure Protection

       In response to information provided by the Department, 
     $1,680,000 is realigned to the Operations and Support 
     appropriation for the Infrastructure Protection Gateway.


                        RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

       A total of $15,126,000 is provided for Research and 
     Development.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Budget Estimate       Final Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Research and Development:
    Cybersecurity.................         $4,695,000         $4,695,000
    Infrastructure Protection.....          2,431,000          6,431,000
    Integrated Operations.........          4,000,000          4,000,000
                                   -------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Research and        $11,126,000        $15,126,000
             Development..........
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       The total includes $2,000,000 for cooperative resilient 
     ports efforts with federal research and development 
     organizations, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
     (USACE), and $2,000,000 is for cooperative efforts with USACE 
     for data analytics related to vulnerability and consequence 
     assessments.
       NPPD is encouraged to collaborate with other federal 
     research and development organizations on the review, 
     evaluation, and optimization of Internet protocol gateways to 
     make critical infrastructure more secure and resilient and to 
     prevent or mitigate cybersecurity threats.

                        Office of Health Affairs


                         OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

       A total of $121,569,000 is provided for Operations and 
     Support.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Budget Estimate       Final Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations and Support:
    Chemical and Biological               $77,380,000        $79,130,000
     Readiness....................
    Health and Medical Readiness..          4,120,000          4,620,000
    Integrated Operations.........          1,400,000          9,400,000
    Mission Support...............         28,419,000         28,419,000
                                   -------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Operations         $111,319,000       $121,569,000
             and Support..........
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       On October 6, 2017, the Department notified the Committees 
     that it intended to use its authority under section 872 of 
     the Homeland Security Act to consolidate the Domestic Nuclear 
     Detection Office (DNDO), the Office of Health Affairs (OHA), 
     and a number of activities and personnel from other 
     components into a new Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction 
     (CWMD) Office, effective December 5, 2017. Because of the 
     challenges associated with transitioning to new Treasury 
     accounts in the middle of a fiscal year, however, DHS did not 
     propose the transfer of OHA and DNDO funding into new CWMD 
     Office accounts. As a consequence, OHA and DNDO will continue 
     to operate and be funded as separate components during fiscal 
     year 2018.
       An administrative provision is included in title V of this 
     Act to permit DHS to begin executing funds through new CWMD 
     appropriations accounts beginning on October 1, 2018, but 
     only subsequent to the enactment of legislation explicitly 
     authorizing the establishment of such an Office.
       In January 2018, the Assistant Secretary for CWMD briefed 
     the Committees on a procurement action made to resource a 
     pilot program in support of state and local law enforcement 
     and first responders. However, neither OHA nor DNDO requested 
     funding in any budget for this activity, nor had the offices 
     developed any goals, objectives, or criteria for success 
     prior to embarking on this new pilot. In the future, the 
     Department is expected to follow the acquisition management 
     process, as defined in DHS Management Directive 102-01, and 
     to include such programs in its budget justification 
     materials to Congress. While emerging requirements may 
     necessitate agencies to shift funds in the year of execution, 
     all components of DHS must adhere to section 503 
     reprogramming and transfer conditions. If a new requirement 
     is addressed through a reprogramming that falls below the 
     section 503 notification threshold, all components must still 
     adhere to program management principals and an acquisition 
     management process that yields transparency and efficiency.
       Language is included in this explanatory statement under 
     FEMA--Federal Assistance directing the submission of a report 
     on the types of assistance across DHS components available to 
     SLTT governments.


                   Chemical and Biological Readiness

       The total includes $79,130,000 for the Chemical and 
     Biological Readiness PPA. This amount includes: $1,250,000 to 
     continue investments in biodetection technology enhancements; 
     $800,000 to continue the development of a comprehensive 
     exercise, workshop, and technical assistance program for 
     food, agriculture, and veterinary preparedness; and $500,000 
     to continue implementing the voluntary anthrax vaccine 
     program for emergency responders.


                         Integrated Operations

       The total includes $9,400,000 for Integrated Operations. 
     This amount includes an increase above the request of 
     $8,000,000 to continue support for the National 
     Biosurveillance Integration Center, as authorized by Public 
     Law 110-53. Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Department shall submit a five-
     year strategic plan that outlines NBIC's proposed 
     capabilities, objectives, a roadmap to achieving those 
     objectives, and performance metrics by which to measure 
     success. NBIC is encouraged to continue its engagement in 
     support of a visualization tool that incorporates data from 
     state and local entities that can serve as a bio-preparedness 
     tool for emergency response, emergency management, and law 
     enforcement at all levels of government.

                  Federal Emergency Management Agency


                         OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

       A total of $1,030,135,000 is provided for Operations and 
     Support.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations and Support:
    Regional Operations.......................................             $156,417,000             $156,417,000
    Mitigation................................................               36,141,000               36,141,000
    Preparedness and Protection...............................              131,981,000              131,981,000
    Response and Recovery:
        Response..............................................              175,226,000              182,893,000
            (Urban Search and Rescue).........................             (27,513,000)             (35,180,000)
        Recovery..............................................               46,694,000               46,694,000
    Mission Support...........................................              468,289,000              476,009,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Operations and Support..................           $1,014,748,000           $1,030,135,000
            (Defense).........................................             (42,945,000)             (42,945,000)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page H2560]]

  



                               Mitigation

       The total includes $36,141,000 for Mitigation. This amount 
     includes not less than $8,758,000 for the National Earthquake 
     Hazards Reduction Program and not less than $9,186,000 for 
     the National Dam Safety Program.


                      Preparedness and Protection

       The total includes $131,981,000 for Preparedness and 
     Protection.
       FEMA is directed to provide detailed justification for all 
     technical assistance activities anticipated through 
     Preparedness and Protection for fiscal year 2020. The 
     justification shall include a clear description of each 
     program's intent and metrics to demonstrate whether the 
     program is achieving this intent.
       FEMA is encouraged to consider whether support for the 
     Emergency Management Assistance Compact would be more 
     appropriately provided separately from the technical 
     assistance category.
       Public Law 114-32 required FEMA's National Advisory Council 
     to complete its recommendations on the Railroad Emergency 
     Services Preparedness, Operational Needs, and Safety 
     Evaluation Act not later than December 16, 2017. Within 30 
     days of the completion of these recommendations, FEMA shall 
     brief the Committees on the recommendations identified and 
     its plans to implement them.


                         Response and Recovery

       The total includes $229,587,000 for Response and Recovery.
       The Administrator is urged to require all federal agencies 
     participating in the response to a presidentially-declared 
     disaster to follow and implement anti-human trafficking 
     preventive measures to ensure that post-disaster displaced 
     populations do not become targets for human trafficking.


                            Mission Support

       The total includes $476,009,000 for Mission Support, 
     including an increase of $5,600,000 for critical technical 
     refreshes to FEMA's current financial management system.
       FEMA is expected to remain focused on its cybersecurity and 
     information technology modernization efforts and to ensure 
     the Committees are informed of any significant changes to 
     program schedules or cost.


              PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

       The total includes $85,276,000 for Procurement, 
     Construction, and Improvements.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Procurement, Construction, and Improvements:
    Operational Communications/Information Technology.........              $12,018,000              $12,018,000
    Construction and Facility Improvements....................               44,519,000               44,519,000
    Mission Support Assets and Infrastructure.................               33,459,000               28,739,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Procurement, Construction, and Improvements.              $89,996,000              $85,276,000
        (Defense).............................................             (53,262,000)             (53,262,000)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

           Operational Communications/Information Technology

       The total includes $12,018,000 for Operational 
     Communications/Information Technology, which supports the 
     Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.


                 Construction and Facility Improvements

       The total includes $44,519,000 for Construction and 
     Facility Improvements, of which $39,744,000 is for the Mount 
     Weather Emergency Operations Center.


               Mission Support Assets and Infrastructure

       The total includes $28,739,000 for Mission Support Assets 
     and Infrastructure, of which $8,698,000 is for Financial 
     Systems Modernization efforts.


                           FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

       A total of $3,293,932,000 is provided for Federal 
     Assistance.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Assistance:
    Grants:
        State Homeland Security Grant Program.................             $349,362,000             $507,000,000
            (Operation Stonegarden)...........................                    - - -             (85,000,000)
            (Nonprofit Security)..............................                    - - -             (10,000,000)
        Urban Area Security Initiative........................              448,844,000              630,000,000
            (Nonprofit Security)..............................                    - - -             (50,000,000)
        Public Transportation Security Assistance.............               47,809,000              100,000,000
            (Amtrak Security).................................                    - - -             (10,000,000)
            (Over-the-Road Bus Security)......................                    - - -              (2,000,000)
        Port Security Grants..................................               47,809,000              100,000,000
        Assistance to Firefighter Grants......................              344,344,000              350,000,000
        Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response                   344,344,000              350,000,000
         (SAFER) Grants.......................................
        Emergency Management Performance Grants...............              279,335,000              350,000,000
        Predisaster Mitigation Fund...........................               39,016,000              249,200,000
        Flood Hazard Mapping and Risk Analysis Program                            - - -              262,531,000
         (RiskMAP)............................................
        Emergency Food and Shelter............................                    - - -              120,000,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Grants..................................           $1,900,863,000           $3,018,731,000
        Education, Training, and Exercises:
            Center for Domestic Preparedness..................               63,771,000               63,939,000
            Center for Homeland Defense and Security..........               17,966,000               18,000,000
            Emergency Management Institute....................               18,824,000               20,569,000
            U.S. Fire Administration..........................               41,913,000               42,900,000
            National Domestic Preparedness Consortium.........                    - - -              101,000,000
            Continuing Training Grants........................                    - - -                8,000,000
            National Exercise Program.........................               20,793,000               20,793,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Education, Training, and Exercises......             $163,267,000             $275,201,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Federal Assistance......................           $2,064,130,000           $3,293,932,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 Grants

       The total includes $3,018,731,000 for Grants. FEMA grantees 
     shall continue to provide reports on their use of funds, as 
     determined necessary by the Secretary.
       Within 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
     FEMA is directed to consult with SLTT stakeholders regarding 
     the factors and data included in the current risk formula, 
     methods for including known evolving threats, and specific 
     processes for adjudicating formula concerns expressed by 
     applicants. Such concerns include, but are not limited to: 
     proximity to non-contiguous high-risk states and territories; 
     occurrences of soft targets; sinkhole subsidence before 
     infrastructure damage; potential impacts caused by 
     electromagnetic pulses; ballistic missile threats; amounts of 
     critical infrastructure; and command and control 
     capabilities. FEMA shall brief the Committees on the results 
     of this outreach.
       FEMA, in cooperation with NPPD, DNDO, OHA, I&A, and other 
     components as appropriate, is directed to provide a report, 
     not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, detailing the types of grant funding, technical 
     assistance, resources, program support, and any other types 
     of assistance that are currently available to SLTT 
     governments. The report shall include the purpose of each 
     type of assistance, a list of all agencies or components that 
     serve as subject matter experts in awarding assistance, and 
     what capability gap the assistance is trying to fill. Not 
     later than 30 days after the report is delivered to the 
     Committees, FEMA in conjunction with NPPD, DNDO, OHA, I&A, 
     and other components as appropriate, shall brief the 
     Committees on how assistance is coordinated among the 
     components, how it applies to national-level capability gaps, 
     and future plans for strategic coordination of assistance. In 
     determining strategic coordination, FEMA and the components 
     should seek assistance from stakeholders, such as the 
     National Homeland Security Consortium, which represents 
     multiple disciplines, and the International City/County 
     Management Association, which has subject matter expertise in 
     performance metrics for government programs.
       FEMA and NPPD are directed to brief the Committees, not 
     later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
     on the potential benefits and costs of establishing a joint 
     program office.
       FEMA is directed to submit a report to the Committees, not 
     later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
     on its efforts

[[Page H2561]]

     through grants and training to address the unique challenges 
     faced by first responders related to the shipment of crude 
     oil by rail. The report shall describe the effectiveness of 
     current training programs and any need for additional 
     training or curriculum improvements.
       State Homeland Security Grant Program. The total includes 
     $507,000,000 for the State Homeland Security Grant Program, 
     of which $85,000,000 is for Operation Stonegarden and 
     $10,000,000 is for nonprofit organizations.
       Urban Area Security Initiative. The total includes 
     $630,000,000 for the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), 
     of which $50,000,000 is for nonprofit organizations. 
     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. It is 
     expected that UASI funding will be limited to urban areas 
     representing up to 85 percent of the cumulative national 
     terrorism risk to urban areas and that resources will 
     continue to be allocated in proportion to risk.
       National Predisaster Mitigation Fund. The total includes 
     $249,200,000 for Predisaster Mitigation. Predisaster 
     Mitigation prevents loss of life and leads to significant 
     savings by mitigating risks, reducing damage from future 
     disasters, and lowering flood insurance premiums. This 
     funding level is an opportunity to advance capital projects 
     ready for investment that will reduce risks.
       Flood Hazard Mapping and Risk Analysis Program. The total 
     includes $262,531,000 for the Flood Hazard Mapping and Risk 
     Analysis Program. This funding level will allow FEMA to 
     accelerate improvements to efforts to make flood risk maps 
     more accurate, including by accelerating light detection and 
     ranging mapping efforts.
       Emergency Food and Shelter Program. The total includes 
     $120,000,000 for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program 
     (EFSP). Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment 
     of this Act, FEMA shall submit to the Committees a plan to 
     ensure EFSP aligns with overarching federal strategies to 
     meet the needs of hungry and homeless people. In order to 
     provide the Committees and the public with the data necessary 
     to ensure financial responsibility, the plan shall outline 
     the oversight procedures and metrics used to ensure effective 
     implementation.


                   Education, Training, and Exercises

       The total includes $275,201,000 for Education, Training, 
     and Exercises. This amount includes $8,000,000 for Continuing 
     Training Grants, of which $3,000,000 is for rural first 
     responder training. The total also includes $42,900,000 for 
     the United States Fire Administration and full funding for 
     the State Fire Training Grants program.
       FEMA is encouraged to continue to work with institutions 
     offering graduate level programs to address cybersecurity 
     needs of rural communities and their intersection.


                          DISASTER RELIEF FUND

       A total of $7,900,720,000 is provided for the Disaster 
     Relief Fund (DRF), of which $7,366,000,000 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.
       FEMA shall brief the Committees on recommendations for 
     modifying the disaster declaration process to better focus 
     federal assistance on events during which SLTT capabilities 
     are truly overwhelmed or lives and property are at risk. The 
     briefing shall include an assessment of the suitability of 
     the per capita indicator, consideration of severe local 
     impacts of disasters, FEMA's ongoing analysis of the disaster 
     deductible model, and any other policy changes FEMA is 
     considering.
       Disaster mitigation structures such as seawalls are deemed 
     public infrastructure if they are owned by a SLTT government, 
     unless clear ownership by a SLTT government cannot be 
     established. FEMA is encouraged to consider making Public 
     Assistance and Individual Assistance grant funding available 
     for repairs to disaster mitigation structures to the fullest 
     extent allowed by the Stafford Act.


                     NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE FUND

       A total of $203,500,000 is provided for the National Flood 
     Insurance Fund.
       Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, FEMA shall brief the Committees on efforts underway to 
     implement the Consumer Option for an Alternative System to 
     Allocate Losses Act (Public Law 112-141), related to flood 
     insurance reform and modernization, and shall detail all 
     ongoing collaboration with the National Oceanic and 
     Atmospheric Administration.
       FEMA is encouraged to consider how to better leverage 
     partnerships with public-private, higher education, not-for-
     profit, and other institutions with expertise in the 
     Community Rating System program through competitive grant 
     programs or other incentives.
       FEMA is encouraged to maximize public awareness and 
     interaction when mapping or remapping an area to ensure maps 
     most accurately reflect real-time, local conditions.
       FEMA is urged to implement the recommendations of the 
     Technical Mapping Assistance Council's 2015 and 2016 Annual 
     Reports, which recommended transitioning to structure-
     specific flood risk analysis, incorporating high-resolution 
     topographic data into flood risk maps, and better 
     communicating current and future flood risk to property 
     owners. FEMA should coordinate with state agencies and other 
     experts that have developed mapping expertise and models that 
     can be useful in FEMA's efforts to understand future 
     conditions.

             TITLE III--ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--THIS ACT

       Section 301. The bill continues a provision limiting 
     expenses for administration of grants.
       Section 302. The bill continues a provision specifying 
     timeframes for certain grant applications and awards.
       Section 303. The bill continues a provision specifying 
     timeframes for information on certain grant awards.
       Section 304. The bill continues a provision that addresses 
     the availability of certain grant funds for the installation 
     of communications towers.
       Section 305. The bill continues and modifies a provision 
     allowing reimbursement for 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.
       Section 306. The bill continues and modifies a provision 
     requiring a report on the expenditures of the DRF.
       Section 307. The bill includes a new provision permitting 
     certain waivers to SAFER grant program requirements.
       Section 308. The bill continues a provision providing for 
     the receipt and expenditure of fees collected for the 
     Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program, as authorized by 
     Public Law 105-276.

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

           United States Citizenship and Immigration Services


                         OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

       A total of $108,856,000 is provided in discretionary 
     appropriations for Operations and Support for E-Verify.
       The Department, in consultation with the Department of 
     Labor, is directed to review options for addressing the 
     problem of unavailability of H-2B visas for employers that 
     need workers to start work late in a semiannual period of 
     availability and to report to the Committees on these options 
     not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act. Additionally, USCIS is directed to brief the Committees 
     on specific actions, if any, that the agency is taking to 
     reduce the backlog of asylum applications while ensuring that 
     asylum applicants are properly reviewed for eligibility and 
     for security purposes.


              PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

       A total of $22,657,000 is provided in discretionary 
     appropriations for Procurement, Construction, and 
     Improvements for E-Verify.

                Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers


                         OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

       A total of $254,000,000 is provided for Operations and 
     Support, of which $62,701,000 is made available until 
     September 30, 2019, for materials and support costs related 
     to federal law enforcement basic training.
       The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) shall 
     brief the Committees on a long-term housing plan for each of 
     its training campuses, to include any needs for new leasing 
     agreements; current and potential construction projects; 
     related future year budgetary impacts; and how FLETC can best 
     prepare to meet the demands of component hiring initiatives. 
     FLETC is also directed to continue its progress toward 
     identifying and integrating data that support an analytical 
     strategy for the most effective use of its resources. In 
     addition, FLETC shall demonstrate in its budget justification 
     materials how facility-use data helps its leadership make 
     evidence-based resource decisions.

                         Science and Technology


                         OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

       A total of $331,113,000 is provided for Operations and 
     Support.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations and Support:
    Laboratory Facilities.....................................              $92,243,000             $150,116,000
    Acquisition and Operations Analysis.......................               42,552,000               46,245,000
    Mission Support...........................................              119,823,000              134,752,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Operations and Support......................             $254,618,000             $331,113,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page H2562]]

  



                         Laboratory Facilities

       The total includes $150,116,000 for Laboratory Facilities. 
     The total fully restores funding for laboratories proposed 
     for closure, including continued operational costs of 
     $44,315,000 for the National Biodefense Analysis and 
     Countermeasures Center (NBACC); $1,900,000 for the Chemical 
     Security Analysis Center (CSAC); and $3,400,000 for the 
     National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL). The 
     total also fully funds National Bio and Agro-defense Facility 
     (NBAF) operations, in accordance with the Department's life 
     cycle cost estimate.
       DHS retains responsibility for completing construction of 
     NBAF. DHS is directed to maintain the ability to readily 
     execute the Management, Operations, and Research Support 
     contract through the end of fiscal year 2018 if DHS or USDA 
     determine that its utilization would expedite or enhance 
     NBAF's ability to be fully operational by December 31, 2022.
       The fiscal year 2019 budget request proposes the continued 
     funding of NBACC operations and includes a change in the 
     business funding model to maintain and operate the 
     laboratory, under which S&T and the Federal Bureau of 
     Investigation would share budgetary responsibility of NBACC's 
     National Bioforensic Analysis Center (NBFAC). This cost-
     sharing arrangement would result in a more efficient 
     operational model and ensure this national capability remains 
     available to help defend the United States against 
     bioterrorism threats. Further details on the long-term 
     strategy for NBACC, including NBFAC, should be included in 
     the report required by Public Law 115-91.


                  Acquisition and Operations Analysis

       The total includes $46,245,000 for Acquisition and 
     Operations Analysis. This amount includes $3,000,000 for the 
     Office of Standards; $3,773,000 for Joint Requirements 
     Council (JRC) Support; $2,396,000 for Operational Test and 
     Evaluation; and $5,364,000 for Systems Engineering and 
     Research.
       S&T is encouraged to continue to make its department-wide 
     perspective and technical expertise available to the JRC and 
     USM to support efforts to determine component capability 
     gaps, the maturity of technologies that could fill such gaps, 
     and the feasibility of cross-component solutions.
       S&T is encouraged to explore a systems engineering research 
     partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that could 
     streamline acquisition through modeling and simulation.


                            Mission Support

       The total includes $134,752,000 for Mission Support. This 
     amount includes realignments from other S&T PPAs for the 
     Compliance Assurance Program Office, which provides support 
     and oversight to ensure DHS-funded activities are compliant 
     with relevant international agreements, federal regulations, 
     DHS policies, and related standards and guidance.


                        RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

       A total of $509,830,000 is provided for Research and 
     Development (R&D). S&T is directed to continue to prioritize 
     applied research activities that provide innovative solutions 
     to DHS, its components, and their primary stakeholders. To 
     promote unity of effort and cross-component commonality, S&T 
     should remain the central component for DHS research, 
     including research for other components. The Secretary is 
     directed to notify the Committees not less than 60 days in 
     advance of any reduction, discontinuation, or transfer of any 
     R&D activity currently being performed by S&T.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Research and Development:
    Research, Development, and Innovation.....................             $342,982,000             $469,330,000
    University Programs.......................................               29,724,000               40,500,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Research and Development....................             $372,706,000             $509,830,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 Research, Development, and Innovation

       The total includes $469,330,000 for Research, Development, 
     and Innovation (RD&I).
       Funding is provided to continue prior-year research and 
     development activities at S&T laboratories, including for 
     Bio-Threat Characterization, which is funded at $18,427,000; 
     Bio-Forensics R&D, which is funded at $5,682,000; CSAC R&D, 
     which is funded at $4,393,000; Multifunction Detectors, which 
     is funded at $3,099,000; Explosives and Radiation/Nuclear 
     Attack Resiliency, which is funded at $5,000,000; and Foreign 
     Animal Disease Vaccines, Diagnostics, and Countermeasures, 
     which is funded at $15,496,000.
       Funding is also provided for new and other prior-year 
     research and development activities, including for the Next 
     Generation Cyber Infrastructure Apex Program, which is funded 
     at $14,000,000; Opioids/Fentanyl, which is funded at 
     $6,000,000; Cyber for Critical Infrastructure and Cyber for 
     Physical Systems, which are funded at $14,815,000; Modeling 
     and Simulation Apex Engine, which is funded at $3,876,000; 
     Enabling Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Technologies, which is 
     funded at $4,000,000; Explosives Threat Assessment, which is 
     funded at $18,200,000; Cargo and Port of Entry Security 
     programs, which are funded at $31,326,000; the Silicon Valley 
     Innovation Program, which is funded at $10,000,000; Canine 
     Explosives Detection, which is funded at $8,269,000; 
     Partnership Intermediary Agreements, which is funded at 
     $3,000,000; and Aviation Cybersecurity, which is funded at 
     $3,000,000.
       Within funding provided for the activities in the previous 
     paragraph, up to $3,000,000 is for a pilot program to utilize 
     university-based high performance computing capacity and 
     biological expertise to develop novel methodologies for 
     foreign animal disease research in support of the mission of 
     NBAF; up to $10,000,000 is to expand simulation-based cyber 
     event gaming tools for critical infrastructure sectors, 
     including the energy sector; up to $6,000,000 is to explore 
     technology and methods for detecting opioids and fentanyl, 
     including advanced container scanning systems with three-
     dimensional views; up to $1,582,000 is to continue 
     collaboration with the Department of Energy on Cybersecurity 
     of Energy Delivery Systems; up to $5,000,000 is to conduct 
     advanced research using high resolution magnification to 
     examine emerging semiconductor technologies (including 
     microchips, light emitting diodes, batteries, and processors) 
     to improve cybersecurity by detecting potential structural 
     defects that could allow the unintended manipulation of 
     hardware; up to $2,000,000 is for maritime unmanned aerial 
     systems sensors and studies; up to $6,100,000 is for research 
     and development related to data visualization and emerging 
     analytics that can enhance non-intrusive inspection equipment 
     algorithms and for interactive graph visualization to better 
     identify criminal activity while expediting processing; up to 
     $2,500,000 is to continue development of thermoplastic 
     composite materials that reduce costs and improve intrusion 
     sensor integration for cargo containers in response to 
     Presidential Determination No. 2017-09; and up to $3,000,000 
     is for scientifically validated canine mobile sensing 
     technology for explosives detection, to be developed in 
     collaboration with academia, that integrates best scientific 
     practices in genetics, genomics, breeding, olfaction, 
     behavior, training, physiology, and metrology.
       S&T is directed to brief the Committees not later than 60 
     days after the date of enactment of this Act on the proposed 
     allocation of RD&I funds. The briefing shall address the 
     planned use of funding provided above the request, including 
     plans related to S&T laboratories and for new or continued 
     collaboration with other relevant federal partners, academia, 
     and the private sector.
       Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, S&T shall submit a plan for establishing the pilot 
     program for foreign animal disease research directed above.
       S&T is encouraged to leverage cyber-event gaming tools that 
     have proven successful for the financial sector in improving 
     cybersecurity among key operators and decision makers.
       Funding for Opioids/Fentanyl is made available by providing 
     the amount requested for Real-time BioThreat Awareness.
       It is expected that the technologies developed in 
     collaboration with DOE on Cybersecurity of Energy Delivery 
     Systems will ultimately be transitioned to industry for 
     commercialization and deployment of more resilient electric 
     grid components and systems. S&T is encouraged to utilize 
     large scale electric power transmission test facilities and 
     to actively collaborate with operational utility providers.
       In carrying out Modeling and Simulation Apex Engine and 
     Explosive Threat Assessment research activities, S&T is 
     encouraged to collaborate with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
     laboratories and to utilize high performance computing.
       To the greatest extent practicable, funds for Enabling UAS 
     Technologies should be used to harness the resources and 
     expertise at the S&T Small UAS demonstration site, the 
     Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) UAS Center of 
     Excellence, and the FAA UAS test sites.
       S&T is encouraged to coordinate its Biofutures activities 
     with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 
     Emerging Toxins Program.
       S&T is directed to prioritize collaborations with qualified 
     research universities in support of developing new approaches 
     on critical border security research topics to enhance the 
     security of the U.S. land and maritime borders.
       S&T, in collaboration with NPPD and FEMA, is directed to 
     test and evaluate technologies that utilize high bandwidth, 
     portable, high frequency radio, antennas, and communication 
     systems within a small footprint to provide reliable and 
     interoperable communications capabilities for critical 
     facilities and infrastructure during emergencies. S&T shall 
     report its findings to the Committees not later than 120 days 
     after the date of enactment of this Act.
       S&T is directed to place an increased focus on technology 
     transfer, which can lower the cost of new security-related 
     technology development and ensure that investments in

[[Page H2563]]

     research and development benefit the economy and the 
     manufacturing base. Expanding the availability of highly-
     qualified manufacturers can save money for the taxpayer and 
     the Department and more quickly deliver solutions and 
     equipment to end users.
       Funding is provided for S&T to engage a Partnership 
     Intermediary or Intermediaries, as defined in 15 U.S.C. 3715, 
     to support the Department's ability to seek out, assess, and 
     engage non-traditional small business vendors as part of the 
     Department's development and acquisition efforts. 
     Intermediaries should have a successful history of leveraging 
     external networks and using innovative means to identify and 
     recruit small businesses and manufacturers to partner with 
     the Department on innovative solutions and technologies. This 
     effort should include, but should not be limited to, 
     providing technology assessments and design reviews for the 
     Department's development efforts. The Office of the Chief 
     Procurement Officer is directed to issue policy guidance 
     allowing contracting officers to obligate funding for such 
     partnerships.


                          University Programs

       A total of $40,500,000 is provided for University Programs. 
     Due to funding constraints, the fiscal year 2018 budget 
     proposed to eliminate one Center of Excellence (COE) and to 
     not re-compete two other COEs. The total provided for 
     University Programs enables S&T to fund 10 COEs and continue 
     its current COE program. S&T shall notify the Committees 
     prior to eliminating any COEs. S&T is encouraged to 
     prioritize collaborations with qualified research 
     universities to support critical research topics in priority 
     areas, including maritime security, cross-border threat 
     screening, unmanned systems, counterterrorism, emerging 
     analytics, cybersecurity, first responder safety, and 
     critical infrastructure.

                   Domestic Nuclear Detection Office


                         OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

       A total of $54,664,000 is provided for Operations and 
     Support.
       On October 6, 2017, the Department notified the Committees 
     that it intended to use its authority under section 872 of 
     the Homeland Security Act to consolidate DNDO, OHA, and a 
     number of activities and personnel from other components into 
     a new CWMD Office, effective December 5, 2017. Because of the 
     challenges associated with transitioning to new Treasury 
     accounts in the middle of a fiscal year, however, DHS did not 
     propose the transfer of OHA and DNDO funding into new CWMD 
     Office accounts. As a consequence, OHA and DNDO will continue 
     to operate and be funded as separate components during fiscal 
     year 2018.
       An administrative provision is included in title V of this 
     Act to permit DHS to begin executing funds through new CWMD 
     appropriations accounts beginning on October 1, 2018, but 
     only subsequent to the enactment of legislation explicitly 
     authorizing the establishment of such an Office.
       Language is included in this explanatory statement under 
     OHA--Operations and Support directing OHA and DNDO to adhere 
     to the DHS acquisition management process.
       Language is included in this explanatory statement under 
     FEMA--Federal Assistance directing the submission of a report 
     on the types of assistance across DHS components available to 
     SLTT governments.


              PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

       A total of $89,096,000 is provided for Procurement, 
     Construction, and Improvements, including $2,000,000 above 
     the request to accelerate the procurement of two Radiation 
     Portal Monitor systems to initiate testing in the rail 
     environment.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Procurement, Construction, and Improvements:
    Large Scale Detection Systems.............................              $62,524,000              $64,524,000
    Human Portable Rad/Nuclear Detection Systems..............               24,572,000               24,572,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Procurement, Construction, and Improvements.              $87,096,000              $89,096,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

       A total of $145,661,000 is provided for Research and 
     Development, including $1,500,000 above the request for 
     research and development efforts related to active neutron 
     interrogation systems.
       The amount provided for this appropriation by PPA is as 
     follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Budget Estimate             Final Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Research and Development:
    Architecture Planning and Analysis........................              $15,937,000              $15,937,000
    Transformational Research and Development.................               60,581,000               62,081,000
    Detection Capability Development..........................               15,155,000               15,155,000
    Detection Capability Assessments..........................               34,127,000               34,127,000
    Nuclear Forensics.........................................               18,361,000               18,361,000
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
        Subtotal, Research and Development....................             $144,161,000             $145,661,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       DNDO ``red teams'' test and evaluate radiation and nuclear 
     detection capabilities to identify and remediate deficiencies 
     in technique, equipment, training, and performance. DNDO 
     shall brief the Committees semiannually on its findings from 
     red team activities.


                           FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

       A total of $46,019,000 is provided for Federal Assistance, 
     including $1,500,000 above the request to support DNDO's 
     state and local Preventive Radiological and Nuclear Detection 
     (PRND) programs.
       DNDO shall expand support provided to state and local 
     governments to assess, plan for, and build capabilities to 
     manage their radiological and nuclear preparedness postures, 
     to include supporting the development of Threat Hazard 
     Identification and Risk Assessments and State Preparedness 
     Reports. In addition, DNDO shall provide implementation 
     support to the PRND Baseline Capability Framework currently 
     under development.

             TITLE IV--ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--THIS ACT

       Section 401. The bill continues a provision allowing USCIS 
     to acquire, operate, equip, and dispose of up to five 
     vehicles under certain scenarios.
       Section 402. The bill continues a provision prohibiting 
     USCIS from granting immigration benefits unless the results 
     of background checks are completed prior to the granting of 
     the benefits and the results do not preclude the granting of 
     the benefits.
       Section 403. The bill continues a provision limiting the 
     use of A-76 competitions by USCIS.
       Section 404. The bill continues a provision making 
     immigration examination fee collections totaling up to 
     $10,000,000 explicitly available for Immigrant Integration 
     grants.
       Section 405. The bill continues a provision authorizing the 
     Director of FLETC to distribute funds for incurred training 
     expenses.
       Section 406. The bill continues a provision directing the 
     FLETC Accreditation Board to lead the federal law enforcement 
     training accreditation process to measure and assess federal 
     law enforcement training programs, facilities, and 
     instructors.
       Section 407. The bill continues a provision allowing the 
     acceptance of transfers from government agencies into 
     ``Federal Law Enforcement Training Center--Procurement, 
     Construction, and Improvements''.
       Section 408. The bill continues a provision classifying 
     FLETC instructor staff as inherently governmental for certain 
     considerations.

                      TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS


             (including rescissions and transfer of funds)

       Section 501. The bill continues a provision directing that 
     no part of any appropriation shall remain available for 
     obligation beyond the current year unless expressly provided.
       Section 502. The bill continues a provision providing 
     authority to merge unexpended balances of prior 
     appropriations with new appropriation accounts, to be used 
     for the same purpose, subject to reprogramming guidelines.
       Section 503. The bill continues a provision limiting 
     reprogramming authority for funds within an appropriation and 
     providing limited authority for transfers between 
     appropriations. All components funded by the Department of 
     Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2018, must comply with 
     these transfer and reprogramming requirements.
       The Department must notify the Committees on Appropriations 
     prior to each reprogramming of funds that would reduce 
     programs, projects, activities, or personnel by ten percent 
     or more. Notifications are also required for each 
     reprogramming of funds that would increase a program, 
     project, or activity by more than $5,000,000 or ten percent, 
     whichever is less. The Department must submit these 
     notifications to the Committees on Appropriations at least 15 
     days in advance of any such reprogramming.
       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

[[Page H2564]]

     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 the 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.
       Limited transfer authority is provided to give the 
     Department flexibility in responding to emerging requirements 
     and significant changes in circumstances, but is not 
     primarily intended to facilitate the implementation of new 
     programs, projects, or activities that were not proposed in a 
     formal budget submission. Transfers may not reduce accounts 
     by more than five percent or increase accounts by more than 
     ten percent. The Committees on Appropriations must be 
     notified 30 days in advance of any transfer.
       To avoid violations of the Anti-Deficiency Act, the 
     Secretary shall ensure that any transfer of funds is carried 
     out in compliance with the limitations and requirements of 
     section 503(b). In particular, the Secretary should ensure 
     that any such transfers adhere to the opinion of the 
     Comptroller General's decision in the Matter of: John D. 
     Webster, Director, Financial Services, Library of Congress, 
     dated November 7, 1997, with regard to the definition of an 
     appropriation subject to transfer limitations.
       The Department shall submit notifications on a timely basis 
     and provide complete explanations of the proposed 
     reallocations, including detailed justifications for the 
     increases and offsets, and any specific impact the proposed 
     changes would have on the budget request for the following 
     fiscal year and future-year appropriations requirements. Each 
     notification submitted to the Committees should include a 
     detailed table showing the proposed revisions to funding and 
     FTE--at the account, program, project, and activity level--
     for the current fiscal year, along with any funding and FTE 
     impacts on the budget year.
       The Department shall manage its programs, projects, and 
     activities within the levels appropriated, and should only 
     submit reprogramming or transfer notifications in cases of 
     unforeseeable and compelling circumstances that could not 
     have been predicted when formulating the budget request for 
     the current fiscal year. When the Department submits a 
     reprogramming or transfer notification and does not receive 
     identical responses from the House and Senate Committees, it 
     is expected to reconcile the differences before proceeding.
       The Department is not to submit a reprogramming or transfer 
     notification after June 30 except in extraordinary 
     circumstances that imminently threaten the safety of human 
     life or the protection of property. If an above-threshold 
     reprogramming or a transfer is needed after June 30, the 
     notification should contain sufficient documentation as to 
     why it meets this statutory exception.
       Deobligated funds are also subject to the reprogramming and 
     transfer limitations and requirements set forth in section 
     503.
       Section 503(f) authorizes the Secretary to transfer up to 
     $20,000,000 to address immigration emergencies after 
     notifying the Committees of such transfer at least five days 
     in advance.
       Section 504. The bill continues a provision by reference, 
     prohibiting 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 2018 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 for 
     reimbursement must reflect the full cost of each service. The 
     Department shall submit a notification prior to adding a new 
     activity to the fund or eliminating an existing activity from 
     the fund. For activities added to the fund, such 
     notifications shall detail the source of funds by PPA. In 
     addition, the Department shall submit quarterly WCF execution 
     reports to the Committees that include activity level detail.
       Section 505. The bill continues a provision providing that 
     not to exceed 50 percent of unobligated balances from prior-
     year appropriations for each Operations and Support 
     appropriation, the Coast Guard's Operating Expenses 
     appropriation, and amounts for salaries and expenses in the 
     Coast Guard's Reserve Training and Acquisition, Construction, 
     and Improvements accounts, shall remain available through 
     fiscal year 2018, subject to section 503 reprogramming 
     requirements.
       Section 506. The bill continues a provision that deems 
     intelligence activities to be specifically authorized during 
     fiscal year 2018 until the enactment of an Act authorizing 
     intelligence activities for fiscal year 2018.
       Section 507. The bill continues a provision requiring 
     notification to the Committees at least three days before DHS 
     executes or announces grant allocations; grant awards; 
     contract awards, including contracts covered by the Federal 
     Acquisition Regulation; other transaction agreements; letters 
     of intent; task or delivery orders on multiple contract 
     awards totaling $1,000,000 or more; a task or delivery orders 
     greater than $10,000,000 from multi-year funds; or sole-
     source grant awards. Notifications shall include a 
     description of the project or projects or activities to be 
     funded and the location, including city, county, and state. 
     If the Secretary determines that compliance would pose 
     substantial risk to health, human life, or safety, an award 
     may be made without prior notification but the Committees 
     shall be notified within 5 full business days after such 
     award or letter is issued.
       Section 508. The bill continues a provision prohibiting all 
     agencies from purchasing, constructing, or leasing additional 
     facilities for federal law enforcement training without 
     advance notification to the Committees.
       Section 509. The bill continues a provision prohibiting the 
     use of funds 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. The bill continues a provision that includes 
     and consolidates by reference prior-year statutory provisions 
     related to a 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.
       Section 511. The bill continues a provision prohibiting the 
     use of funds in contravention of the Buy American Act.
       Section 512. The bill continues a provision regarding the 
     oath of allegiance required by section 337 of the Immigration 
     and Nationality Act.
       Section 513. The bill continues a provision prohibiting 
     funds for the Principal Federal Official during a Stafford 
     Act declared disaster or emergency, with certain exceptions.
       Section 514. The bill continues a provision 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 section prevents large-scale 
     reorganization of the Department, which should be acted on 
     legislatively by the relevant congressional committees of 
     jurisdiction. Any DHS proposal to reorganize components that 
     is included as part of a budget request will be considered by 
     the Committees.
       Section 515. The bill continues a provision prohibiting 
     funds for planning, testing, piloting, or developing a 
     national identification card.
       Section 516. The bill continues a provision directing that 
     any official required by this Act to report or certify to the 
     Committees on Appropriations may not delegate such authority 
     unless expressly authorized to do so in this Act.
       Section 517. The bill continues a provision 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 518. The bill continues a provision prohibiting 
     funds in this Act to be used for first-class travel.
       Section 519. The bill continues a provision prohibiting the 
     use of funds to employ illegal workers as described in 
     Section 274A(h)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
       Section 520. The bill continues a provision 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 521. The bill continues and modifies a provision to 
     make permanent a requirement that the Secretary ensure 
     screening of passengers and crews for transportation and 
     national security purposes are consistent with applicable 
     laws, regulations, and guidance on privacy and civil 
     liberties.
       Section 522. The bill continues a provision prohibiting the 
     use of funds 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 523. The bill continues and modifies a provision 
     providing $41,800,000 for financial systems modernization 
     activities, which the Secretary may transfer between 
     appropriations for the same purpose after notifying the 
     Committees at least 15 days in advance.
       Section 524. The bill continues a provision requiring DHS 
     computer systems to block electronic access to pornography, 
     except for law enforcement purposes.
       Section 525. The bill continues a provision regarding the 
     transfer of firearms by federal law enforcement personnel.
       Section 526. The bill continues a provision regarding 
     funding restrictions and reporting requirements related to 
     conferences occurring outside of the United States.
       Section 527. The bill continues a provision prohibiting 
     funds to reimburse any federal department or agency for its 
     participation in a National Special Security Event.
       Section 528. The bill continues a provision requiring a 
     notification, including justification materials, prior to 
     implementing any structural pay reform that affects more than 
     100 full-time positions or costs more than $5,000,000.
       Section 529. The bill continues a provision directing the 
     Department to post on a public website reports required by 
     the Committees

[[Page H2565]]

     on Appropriations unless public posting compromises homeland 
     or national security or contains proprietary information.
       Section 530. The bill continues and modifies a provision 
     authorizing minor procurement, construction, and improvements 
     under Operations and Support accounts and U.S. Coast Guard--
     Operating Expenses appropriations, as specified.
       Section 531. The bill continues a provision related to the 
     Arms Trade Treaty.
       Section 532. The bill includes a new provision to authorize 
     discretionary funding for primary and secondary schooling of 
     dependents in areas in territories that meet certain 
     criteria. The provision provides limitations on the type of 
     eligible funding sources.
       Section 533. The bill continues a provision requiring the 
     Department to provide specific reductions in proposed 
     discretionary budget authority commensurate with revenue 
     assumed in the budget request from fees that have not been 
     authorized prior to the beginning of the budget year.
       Section 534. The bill continues a provision providing 
     $41,000,000 for ``Federal Emergency Management Agency--
     Federal Assistance'' to reimburse extraordinary law 
     enforcement personnel overtime costs for protection 
     activities directly and demonstrably associated with a 
     residence of the President that is designated for protection.
       Section 535. The bill includes a new provision providing 
     authority for the Department to establish Common 
     Appropriations Structure accounts for the Coast Guard 
     beginning on October 1, 2018.
       Section 536. The bill includes a new provision providing 
     authority for the Department to establish new appropriations 
     accounts for the CWMD Office and for the Cybersecurity and 
     Infrastructure Security Agency beginning on October 1, 2018, 
     but only subsequent to the enactment of legislation 
     explicitly authorizing the establishment of such Office.
       Section 537. The bill includes a new provision to extend 
     existing authority vested with the Commandant to use 
     expedited hiring authority to recruit and appoint highly 
     qualified individuals to the acquisition workforce through 
     fiscal year 2018.
       Section 538. The bill continues and modifies a provision 
     extending other transactional authority for the Department 
     through fiscal year 2018.
       Section 539. The bill continues and modifies a provision 
     rescinding unobligated balances from specified programs.
       Section 540. The bill continues and modifies a provision 
     rescinding unobligated balances made available to the 
     Department when it was created in 2003.
       Section 541. The bill continues and modifies a provision 
     rescinding lapsed balances made available pursuant to section 
     505 of this Act.
       Section 542. The bill continues and modifies a provision 
     rescinding specified funds from the Treasury Forfeiture Fund.
       Section 543. The bill includes a new provision related to 
     flood protection systems.
       Section 544. The bill includes a new provision regarding 
     certain limits on premium pay funded, either directly or 
     through reimbursement, by the ``Federal Emergency Management 
     Agency--Disaster Relief Fund'' during calendar year 2017.

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[[Page H2609]]

  


   DIVISION G--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED 
                   AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2018

       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 2018.
       The joint explanatory statement accompanying this division 
     is approved and indicates congressional intent. Unless 
     otherwise noted, the language set forth in House Report 115-
     238 carries the same weight as language included in this 
     joint explanatory statement and should be complied with 
     unless specifically addressed to the contrary in this joint 
     explanatory statement. While some language is repeated for 
     emphasis, it is not intended to negate the language referred 
     to above unless expressly provided herein.
       In instances where the House report speaks more broadly to 
     policy issues or offers views that are subject to 
     interpretation, such views remain those of the House and are 
     not affirmed by this explanatory statement unless repeated 
     herein. In cases where the House 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 referenced 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 2017 enacted level and the fiscal year 2018 
     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.
       Committee Directives.--The Department of the Interior and 
     Forest Service are directed to continue the directions 
     included in the Explanatory Statement accompanying the 
     Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (P.L. 115-31) relating 
     to Vacant Grazing Allotments; State Wildlife Data; Bighorn 
     Sheep; Land Grants, Acequias, and Community Ditches; and 
     Public Access.
       Recreation Fee Authority.--The one-year extension of 
     recreation fee authority for the Department of the Interior 
     and U.S. Forest Service contained in the budget request and 
     included in both fiscal year 2018 House and Senate Interior, 
     Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bills was 
     included in the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and 
     Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements 
     Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-56).
       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 explanatory statement 
     accompanying Division G of the Consolidated Appropriations 
     Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31).
       White-Nose Syndrome.--The four Federal land management 
     agencies and the U.S. Geological Survey are expected to 
     continue to prioritize research on, and efforts to address, 
     white-nose syndrome in bats and to work with other Federal, 
     State, and non-governmental partners to implement the North 
     American Bat Monitoring Program.
       Multi-Agency Transparency.--The Committees support 
     increasing transparency within all agencies of the Department 
     of the Interior, the Forest Service and the Environmental 
     Protection Agency. These agencies are encouraged to disclose 
     costs associated with analyses required by the National 
     Environmental Policy Act.
       Paper Reduction Efforts.--The Committees urge the 
     Department of the Interior, EPA, Forest Service, and Indian 
     Health Service to work with the Office of Management and 
     Budget to reduce printing and reproduction costs and direct 
     each agency to report to the Committees within 90 days of 
     enactment of this Act on steps being undertaken to achieve 
     this goal and how much each agency expects to save by 
     implementing these measures.
       Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) 
     Training.--The Department of the Interior and the Forest 
     Service shall follow the directive in Senate Report 114-281 
     regarding ANILCA training for agency employees.
       Transparency of Information.--The Committees expect that 
     Federal agencies funded under this Act shall, to the extent 
     practicable, clearly state within materials used for 
     advertising or educational purposes that the communication is 
     funded by taxpayer dollars.
       Fleet Management Practices.--Agencies shall provide 
     supporting documentation on their methods for determining 
     their optimal fleet inventories and justification for any 
     deviation from the General Services Administration's Federal 
     Property Management Regulations upon request of the 
     Committees. Agency inspectors general shall provide results 
     from audits of fleet management practices and make them 
     publicly available.
       Invasive Species.--The Department of the Interior is 
     directed to provide a written report to the Committees within 
     180 days of enactment of this Act, detailing the funds 
     appropriated and expended, actions taken, and outputs 
     achieved for the early detection of and rapid response to 
     invasive species, as prescribed in the National Invasive 
     Species Council Management Plan, 2016-2018.
       Delivery of Reports and Correspondence.--All reports, 
     correspondence, and reprogramming requests from the agencies 
     to the Committees shall be provided in both physical and 
     electronic formats.
       Youth Partnership Programs.--The Secretary of the Interior 
     and the Secretary of Agriculture are encouraged to utilize, 
     where practicable, youth partnership programs like the Public 
     Lands Corps, Youth Conservation Corps, Student Conservation 
     Association, Job Corps and other related partnerships with 
     Federal, State, local, tribal or non-profit groups that serve 
     young adults.
       Land and Water Conservation Fund.--The agreement includes 
     $425,000,000 derived from the Land and Water Conservation 
     Fund (LWCF) for programs consistent with chapter 2003 of 
     title 54 of the United States Code, as identified in the 
     table below.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          FY 2017 Enacted     Budget Request       This Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land and Water Conservation Fund.......................       $400,000,000        $64,040,000       $425,000,000
    State, Local and Forest Legacy Programs............        211,151,000         11,524,000        224,731,000
        National Park Service State Assistance.........        110,006,000          3,043,000        124,006,000
        Coop. Endangered Species Conservation Fund.....         30,800,000                  0         19,638,000
        American Battlefield Protection Act............         10,000,000          8,481,000         10,000,000
        Highlands Conservation Act.....................         10,000,000                  0         10,000,000
    Forest Legacy Program..............................         62,347,000                  0         67,025,000
        Rescission.....................................        -12,002,000                  0         -5,938,000
    Federal Land Acquisition...........................        188,849,000         52,516,000        200,269,000
        Bureau of Land Management......................         31,416,000          3,609,000         24,916,000
        Fish and Wildlife Service......................         49,995,000         17,051,000         53,839,000
        National Park Service..........................         42,023,000         14,856,000         46,935,000
        Forest Service.................................         54,415,000          7,000,000         64,337,000
        Department of the Interior Valuation Services..         11,000,000         10,000,000         10,242,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       There is bipartisan support for the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund and this agreement includes funding for 
     State assistance and new land acquisition projects. The 
     Committees expect the agencies to move forward with all 
     projects specifically identified and funded through this 
     agreement and those funded in previous fiscal years; to 
     utilize funding in a timely manner; and to seek Congressional 
     approval for reprogramming unobligated balances if 
     applicable. Agencies are directed to continue their 
     longstanding process of identifying and prioritizing 
     potential Federal land acquisition projects in anticipation 
     of program appropriations as consistent with previous years. 
     Within 30 days of enactment of this Act, each agency is 
     directed to submit to the Committees a prioritized list of 
     projects for fiscal year 2019 consideration. In future years, 
     the agencies are directed to submit their lists within 30 
     days of the President's budget submission to Congress.
       The Committees believe increasing access to our public 
     lands for hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities 
     is important and again include funding for these projects. 
     The Committees expect recreational access projects to be 
     selected based on their role in meeting key recreation needs 
     and the agencies should work with their respective regions, 
     State offices, and/or management units to identify potential 
     projects. The Committees are to be informed about the 
     selection process and how the agencies are meeting the 
     outlined objectives prior to proceeding with projects. 
     Further, the agencies are again directed to include in future 
     budget justifications an explanation of the process used for 
     allocating funds for recreational access in the previous 
     year.
       National Ocean Policy.--The Committees direct the 
     Department of the Interior to identify by agency and account, 
     and submit no later than 60 days after enactment of this Act, 
     all funding and associated actions in the

[[Page H2610]]

     President's budget submission for fiscal year 2019, 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.
       The Committees are aware that agencies funded by this Act 
     are currently working to implement Executive Order 13781, a 
     Comprehensive Plan for Reorganizing the Executive Branch, and 
     have included in the fiscal year 2019 budget request a number 
     of significant reorganization proposals for the Committees' 
     consideration. The Committees are also aware of reports that 
     agencies funded by this Act may be weighing additional 
     organizational changes during the remainder of this fiscal 
     year. Agencies are reminded that this agreement continues 
     longstanding General Guidelines for Reprogramming that 
     require agencies funded by this Act to submit reorganization 
     proposals for Committee review prior to their implementation. 
     It is noted that such reprogramming guidelines apply to 
     proposed reorganizations, workforce restructure, reshaping or 
     transfer of functions presented in the budget justifications, 
     or bureau-wide downsizing, especially those of significant 
     national or regional importance, and include closures, 
     consolidations, and relocations of offices, facilities, and 
     laboratories presented in the budget justifications. In 
     addition, no agency shall implement any part of a 
     reorganization that modifies regional or State boundaries for 
     agencies or bureaus that were in effect as of the date of 
     enactment of this Act unless approved consistent with the 
     General Guidelines for Reprogramming procedures specified 
     herein. Any such reprogramming request submitted to the 
     Committees on Appropriations shall include a description of 
     anticipated benefits, including anticipated efficiencies and 
     cost-savings, as well as a description of anticipated 
     personnel impacts and funding changes anticipated to 
     implement the proposal.
       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 (BIA) and Bureau of Indian Education 
     (BIE), 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.
       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.
       Fiscal Year 2019 Process.--Historically, the Interior, 
     Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act has not 
     included reprogramming direction in bill language. However, 
     this historical practice is not consistent with the majority 
     of other Appropriations subcommittees' bills. Therefore, the 
     Committees plan to consider including bill language in fiscal 
     year 2019. The agencies are therefore strongly encouraged to 
     work collaboratively with the Committees to develop language 
     in order to avoid any barriers to implementation.

                  TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR


                       bureau of land management

                   management of lands and resources

       Bureau of Land Management Directives.--The Bureau is 
     reminded of the importance of the directives included in 
     House Report 115-238 not addressed herein, as well as the new 
     directives in this explanatory statement, including the front 
     matter.
       The agreement provides $1,166,043,000 for Management of 
     Lands and Resources. Within this amount, the agreement 
     includes an additional $50,000,000 for deferred maintenance. 
     The Committees direct that the Bureau provide a report no 
     later than October 1, 2018, on the projects to be funded with 
     this funding. The Committees also note that there is 
     $5,465,000 in unobligated balances in the Construction 
     appropriation, which was discontinued in fiscal year 2014. To 
     augment the new funds for deferred maintenance, the Bureau is 
     directed to utilize these Construction funds for deferred 
     maintenance projects and to submit a reprogramming request to 
     the Committees, as necessary, to fully obligate the prior 
     year balances in fiscal year 2018.
       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 Committees are extremely 
     disappointed that the Department has failed to provide a 
     comprehensive plan, as directed by the Consolidated 
     Appropriations Act, 2017 (P.L. 115-31) to address

[[Page H2611]]

     the fast-rising costs of the Wild Horse and Burro program and 
     overpopulation of wild horses and burros on the range. The 
     failure to address these problems is irresponsible and will 
     result in irreparable damage to the landscape and the welfare 
     of the animals protected by the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and 
     Burro Act. The Committees reiterate their belief that there 
     is no one solution to the problems with this program, and 
     that Congress and the Administration must work together to 
     correct them. Until the Department provides a comprehensive 
     plan and any corresponding legislative proposals to the 
     appropriate authorizing committees, the Committees will 
     maintain the existing prohibitions and reduce the resources 
     available for the program. Reprogramming requests will only 
     be considered for urgent needs. At a minimum, the Committees 
     expect a science-based, detailed plan that 1) reduces the 
     complexity and cost of contracting policies and procedures; 
     2) eliminates unnecessary environmental reviews; 3) 
     simplifies and expands the use of partnerships and 
     cooperative agreements; 4) identifies statutory and 
     regulatory barriers to implementing the plan; and 5) has the 
     goal of reducing costs while improving the health and welfare 
     of wild horses and burros, and the range. The Committees 
     direct the Department to provide the report within 30 days of 
     enactment of this Act.
       Greater Sage-grouse.--The agreement provides $60,000,000 
     for greater sage-grouse and related sage-steppe conservation 
     activities. This is equal to the amount of base funding 
     provided in fiscal year 2017. The Bureau is encouraged to 
     continue working with States and other interested entities on 
     the existing sage-grouse conservation plans and to improve 
     the condition of the sage-steppe ecosystem.
       Energy and Minerals.--The agreement provides sufficient 
     funding, within the total made available, to complete the 
     next cluster of legacy well remediation. Congress is closely 
     following the litigation regarding the Waste Prevention, 
     Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation 
     regulation and directs the Bureau to provide a report on the 
     costs and staffing needs associated with it, within 30 days 
     of enactment of this Act, to help the Committees prepare for 
     the fiscal year 2019 appropriations process.
       Onshore Orders #3 and #4.--The Committees are aware that 
     the Bureau is working with affected industries and other 
     interested stakeholders regarding these Orders and expect 
     that the Bureau will expeditiously resolve any remaining 
     issues consistent with current law.
       Required Reports.--The Bureau is reminded that the reports 
     to Congress required by 42 U.S.C. 15924(e) are due on 
     February 1 annually, and therefore is directed to submit the 
     reports for 2016 and 2017 no later than 30 days after the 
     date of enactment of this Act.
       Realty and Ownership Management.--The agreement provides 
     $1,000,000 for surveys along the Red River in Oklahoma and 
     Texas.
       Chaco Canyon Regional Management Plan.--The Bureau is 
     directed to continue its collaborative work with the Bureau 
     of Indian Affairs in the Greater Chaco Canyon area and to 
     maintain current management practices surrounding Chaco 
     Culture National Historical Park while a new resource 
     management planning process to protect cultural and 
     historical resources is completed.
       Rio Puerco Watershed.--The Bureau is encouraged to continue 
     supporting the Rio Puerco Watershed Committee's work to 
     identify and implement projects to restore the watershed.
       Resource Management Planning.--The agreement provides 
     $60,125,000 for resource management planning, which is 
     $8,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 level. The Bureau is 
     directed to focus these additional resources on greater sage-
     grouse, sage-steppe, and other high priority conservation 
     areas.
       Committee Directives.--The Bureau is directed to continue 
     to follow the directions included in the explanatory 
     statement accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 
     2017 (P.L. 115-31) related to Cooperative Efforts in Alaska, 
     Tribal Coordination, and Red River Land Ownership. The Bureau 
     also is directed to comply with the timelines required in the 
     Alaska National Interest Land Conservation Act (ANILCA) and 
     complete environmental reviews, after local consultation and 
     subsistence impact reviews, as it relates to the 
     consideration of the application for the road from Dalton 
     Highway to the Ambler Mining District, as well as continue 
     the directions included in the explanatory statement 
     accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (P.L. 
     114-113) related to placer mining.
       Soda Ash.--The Committees are concerned about maintaining 
     the United States' global competitiveness in the production 
     of natural soda ash. The United States contains approximately 
     90 percent of the world's natural soda ash deposits, while 
     many international competitors are producing synthetic soda 
     ash using more energy and generating higher emissions than 
     natural soda ash production. Therefore, the Committees expect 
     the Bureau to consider using its authority to reduce the 
     Federal royalty rate for soda ash to 2 percent.


                            LAND ACQUISITION

       The bill provides $24,916,000 for Land Acquisition. The 
     amounts provided 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 project list 
     received for fiscal year 2018. Further instructions are 
     contained under the Land and Water Conservation Fund heading 
     in the front of this explanatory statement.
       The Committees note that almost none of the fiscal year 
     2017 land acquisition funding for the Bureau has been spent 
     through the first quarter of fiscal year 2018, and are 
     concerned about delays in project completions. The Committees 
     expect all projects, particularly those in project areas 
     identified by Congress in this report and in previous fiscal 
     years, to be completed as expeditiously as possible.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   State                                Project                                    This Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ID.........................................  Upper Snake/South Fork Snake   .................         $1,800,000
                                              ACEC/SRMA.
OR.........................................  North Umpqua Wild and Scenic   .................          1,500,000
                                              River.
CA.........................................  Mojave Trails National         .................          1,400,000
                                              Monument.
WY.........................................  North Platte River SRMA......  .................          4,000,000
NM.........................................  Rio Grande del Norte National  .................            900,000
                                              Monument.
ID.........................................  Salmon River SRMA............  .................            700,000
UT.........................................  Red Cliffs National            .................          3,000,000
                                              Conservation Area.
                                                                           -------------------------------------
                                             Subtotal, Line Item Projects.  .................         13,300,000
 
                                                                               Budget Request          This Bill
                                             Recreational Access..........                  0          8,000,000
                                             Emergencies, Hardships, and            1,613,000          1,616,000
                                              Inholdings.
                                             Acquisition Management.......          1,996,000          2,000,000
                                                                           -------------------------------------
                                             Total, BLM Land Acquisition..          3,609,000         24,916,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                   OREGON AND CALIFORNIA GRANT LANDS

       The agreement provides $106,985,000 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 $24,595,000 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 $1,279,002,000 for Resource Management. 
     All programs and activities, including youth programs and 
     cooperative recovery grants, are funded at the amounts 
     proposed in the budget request to the Congress unless 
     otherwise specified below or in the table at the end of this 
     division. The Service is expected to comply with the 
     instructions and requirements at the beginning of this 
     division, in addition to the following:
       Endangered Species Act (ESA).--The Committees support and 
     reiterate the guidance and directives beginning on page 12 of 
     House Report 115-238, aimed at improving and increasing 
     collaboration with States and other partners in all stages of 
     ESA implementation. Such collaboration ensures lasting 
     conservation success and upholds the integrity of the ESA, 
     which is premised upon the Federal Government working with 
     the States and other partners to recover species and 
     subsequently remove Federal protections.
       As the Service indicated in its fiscal year 2017 budget 
     request, ``Given the growing number of listed species--
     limited resources force the Recovery Program to make 
     difficult tradeoffs among these activities including 5-year 
     reviews, developing recovery plans, implementing recovery 
     actions, delisting and downlisting, all of which are 
     necessary to achieve recovery.'' Such tradeoffs have led to 
     backlogs of 837 species (53 percent) without a current 5-year 
     review, and 49 species awaiting downlisting or delisting, and 
     have contributed to a common sentiment that, once a species 
     is put on the list, it doesn't come off. Such sentiment has 
     made for reluctant State and local partners, adding further 
     strain to the Service's budget and making recovery more 
     difficult. Though the Service is to be commended for having 
     made progress on these backlogs in recent

[[Page H2612]]

     years, it cannot eliminate these backlogs without additional 
     help.
       Flexibilities already inherent in the ESA allow the Service 
     to collaborate and benefit from partner expertise and on-the-
     ground conservation, and the Service, to its credit, already 
     does a considerable amount of that in some regions. But the 
     Committees also recognize that several States and non-
     governmental partners have indicated a willingness to 
     increase their involvement when the Federal Government is a 
     willing and equal partner. The aim of this fiscal year 2018 
     appropriation is twofold: 1) to foster a more open, 
     transparent, and collaborative ESA process; and 2) to begin 
     to shift the workload by incentivizing increased involvement 
     by States and other partners in activities such as species 
     status assessments, and recovery planning and implementation, 
     so the Service can prioritize the ESA responsibilities that 
     are inherently Federal.
       Ecological Services.--The agreement provides $247,825,000 
     for programs and activities within Ecological Services, as 
     discussed below.
       Listing.--The agreement provides $18,818,000 for status 
     assessments, listings, critical habitat determinations, and 
     related activities. Bill language funding limitations are 
     consolidated under one cap.
       The Committees urge the Service to avoid entering into any 
     multi-species settlement agreement unless the State and local 
     governments where the species are located are a party to that 
     agreement.
       The Service is urged to continue to follow the guidance 
     contained in House Report 114-170 regarding the yellow-billed 
     cuckoo.
       The Service is directed to develop a plan to improve 
     transparency of the underlying data it uses to make 
     determinations for species listings and de-listing activities 
     before the end of fiscal year 2018, including details on how 
     the Service will publish data and materials used in listing 
     determinations on the Internet and improve what is currently 
     available on www.regulations.gov and the Service website.
       The Committees expect the Service to work with the States 
     to develop a more reasonable policy whereby the Service's 
     regulatory assurance criteria include responsible land 
     management commitments by private landowners, as described in 
     further detail in House Report 115-238.
       The Committees are concerned that the Service has not fully 
     incorporated traditional Tribal knowledge in its 
     implementation of the ESA. When appropriate, the Committees 
     expect the Service to make every effort to incorporate 
     traditional knowledge in ESA decisions. The Committees also 
     expect the Service to engage in additional outreach to Tribal 
     governments in circumstances where traditional knowledge may 
     provide valuable information, including for species like the 
     northern sea otter. The Service should brief the Committees 
     on its efforts regarding traditional knowledge within 60 days 
     of enactment of this Act.
       Planning and Consultation.--The agreement provides 
     $105,579,000 for project permitting and consultation 
     activities. A program increase of $2,500,000 is included to 
     avoid permitting delays and to achieve compliance with other 
     statutes, and should be apportioned in accordance with 
     workload needs nationwide rather than by region. Funding for 
     all other program elements within this subactivity are 
     restored to the fiscal year 2017 enacted levels, including 
     $4,000,000 for Gulf Coast restoration. Because the Committees 
     have provided substantial resources for Gulf Coast 
     restoration, the Service is expected to move forward with 
     project reviews in a timely manner. The Service is also 
     encouraged to evaluate establishing a reimbursement policy to 
     recover costs for work required by statute for projects 
     funded by future disaster settlements.
       The Committees support the continuation of collaborative 
     efforts in the Pacific Northwest with the National Marine 
     Fisheries Service, the Washington Department of Fish and 
     Wildlife, and affected Tribes that will result in the 
     completion of all Puget Sound hatchery program consultations 
     by the Fall, 2018.
       The Service is encouraged to place a priority on providing 
     technical assistance to partners making good faith efforts to 
     develop and implement responsible habitat conservation plans 
     as authorized by the ESA.
       The Service is urged to address consultations and 
     permitting of public and private projects related to the 
     Preble's meadow jumping mouse as one of the highest 
     priorities.
       Conservation and Restoration.--The agreement provides 
     $32,396,000 for conservation and restoration activities. 
     Funding for all program elements within this subactivity are 
     restored to the fiscal year 2017 enacted levels.
       The Service is expected to focus Candidate Conservation 
     funding on the annual Candidate Notice of Review as required 
     by the ESA, providing technical assistance to States and 
     others, and developing agreements that provide regulatory 
     certainty to landowners. The Service should look to its other 
     programs and its partners to fund and implement conservation 
     activities on the ground. The Service is commended for its 
     efforts in the Southeast to work with States and others to 
     preclude the need to list many of the hundreds of species 
     recently petitioned for listing, and is expected to expand 
     this model nationwide.
       Recovery.--The agreement provides $91,032,000 for 
     activities in support of the recovery and delisting of 
     threatened and endangered species, with continued funding for 
     the following program elements at or above the fiscal year 
     2017 enacted levels: Bay Delta, $1,659,000; white nose 
     syndrome, $2,000,000; State of the Birds, $3,000,000; and the 
     wolf-livestock loss demonstration program, $1,000,000. States 
     with de-listed wolf populations shall continue to be eligible 
     for funding, provided that those States continue to meet the 
     eligibility criteria contained in Public Law 111-11.
       General program activities are funded at $74,000,000. The 
     Service is expected to focus the funds on inherently Federal 
     activities such as recovery plan approvals, the backlog of 
     five-year reviews, status changes, and associated 
     collaboration with States and other partners. An additional 
     $4,373,000 is provided to propose and finalize rules for the 
     backlog of species with completed 5-year reviews that 
     recommend delisting and downlisting.
       In developing and implementing recovery plans, the Service 
     is directed to make full use of its authority under section 
     4(f)(2) of the ESA to ``procure the services of appropriate 
     public and private agencies and institutions, and other 
     qualified persons.'' While recovery plan approval and 
     delisting decisions ultimately rest with the Service and make 
     collaboration essential to success, plan development and 
     implementation are not inherently Federal. Species recovery 
     is a shared responsibility that does not default to the Fish 
     and Wildlife Service. Where able partners are willing to 
     increase or lead these efforts, the Service is expected to 
     shift to supportive roles through technical assistance and 
     cost-shared grants.
       To expand partnerships through cost-shared grants, the 
     agreement includes program increases within the Cooperative 
     Endangered Species Conservation Fund and State and Tribal 
     Wildlife Grants. In addition, $5,000,000 is provided in 
     Resource Management for Recovery Challenge matching grants to 
     enhance and increase partnerships with agencies and 
     organizations implementing highest priority recovery actions 
     as prescribed in recovery plans, and in particular for 
     genetically-sound breeding, rearing, and reintroduction 
     programs. Longstanding partnerships, including for the 
     northern aplomado falcon, California condor, and Steller's 
     eider, should be funded at not less than $2,000,000 and 
     partner contributions should be not less than their current 
     amounts. The remaining funds should be dedicated to new 
     partnerships and should require a 50:50 match, which may 
     include in-kind services. Unless an affected State is a 
     partner on the project, none of the funds may be awarded to a 
     project until the project partners have consulted with such 
     State. The Service is strongly encouraged to transfer similar 
     recovery plan implementation partnerships to Recovery 
     Challenge grants in future budget requests, so that all other 
     Recovery funds in the Resource Management account are 
     prioritized to ensure accomplishment of inherently Federal 
     functions.
       The Service is urged to work with the State of Utah on a 
     mutually agreeable plan to recover the Utah prairie dog, as 
     discussed in House Report 115-238.
       The Committees are aware that the Service is currently 
     undertaking a required status review of the American Burying 
     Beetle to determine whether listing as an endangered species 
     is still warranted. Within funds provided, the Service is 
     directed to propose a rule by the end of the fiscal year to 
     delist or downlist the American Burying Beetle should the 
     status review make a finding that delisting or downlisting is 
     warranted.
       The Committees acknowledge the important roles that science 
     and Federal wildlife biologists have in the Service's 
     decisions to recover species. The Service's Science program 
     is directed to initiate a study not later than 90 days after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, through a qualified 
     independent entity such as the Smithsonian Institution, to 
     determine whether or not animals currently classified as red 
     wolves and Mexican gray wolves are taxonomically valid 
     species and subspecies designations, respectively. The study 
     shall include publication of a scientific literature review, 
     including genetic research, not later than one year after the 
     date of enactment of this Act and, if the literature is 
     inconclusive, shall include any additional necessary research 
     and publication not later than three years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act. In the meantime, the Service's 
     Recovery program is reminded of its legal mandate to 
     cooperate to the maximum extent practicable with the States, 
     especially when there has been conflict between species and 
     private property owners. As such, the Service is directed to 
     continue working closely with the North Carolina Wildlife 
     Resources Commission on management of red wolves in fiscal 
     year 2018.
       The Service should seek the most current science as it 
     works to implement the agreement between the United States 
     and the Russian Federation on management of the Alaska-
     Chukotka Polar Bear Population. The Service is expected to 
     consult with and incorporate traditional knowledge from 
     Alaska Native Organizations on matters related to subsistence 
     hunting, and to work with Alaska Native Organizations and 
     other wildlife management organizations with expertise in 
     subsistence hunting to implement a civil-based, co-management 
     regime.
       Habitat Conservation.--The agreement provides $65,008,000 
     for habitat conservation programs, of which $51,633,000 is 
     for the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program and

[[Page H2613]]

     $13,375,000 is for the Coastal Program. All program elements 
     within these two subactivities are restored to fiscal year 
     2017 enacted levels, except as discussed in the opening 
     paragraph, including $1,285,000 for fisheries enhancement. 
     The Chesapeake Bay Nutria Eradication Project is funded at 
     $1,725,000.
       National Wildlife Refuge System.--The agreement provides 
     $486,757,000 for the National Wildlife Refuge System and 
     maintains subactivities and program elements at fiscal year 
     2017 enacted levels, except where identified in the opening 
     paragraph or described below.
       Wildlife and Habitat Management.--The agreement includes: 
     $2,835,000 to manage subsistence fishing and hunting; 
     $10,000,000 for invasive species, including $75,000 for the 
     Chesapeake Bay Nutria Eradication Project; $1,500,000 for the 
     Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument; and 
     $196,089,000 for general program activities which includes 
     the absorption of the former Healthy Habitats and Populations 
     initiative.
       The agreement supports the directive in House Report 114-
     632 instituting signage on any individual refuge where 
     trapping occurs and establishing guidance to be included in 
     the refuge manual. Until the Committees are notified in 
     writing that all directives are complied with, $2,000,000 of 
     the funding provided for Wildlife and Habitat Management is 
     not available for obligation.
       The Service is reminded of the directive contained in House 
     Report 115-238 regarding the Comprehensive Everglades 
     Restoration Plan.
       The Service is expected to follow the directive from 
     previous fiscal years that prohibits a caribou hunt on 
     Kagalaska Island and efforts to remove cattle on Chirikof and 
     Wosnesenski Islands in the State of Alaska.
       Visitor Services.--The agreement includes $2,000,000 for 
     the youth program. Funding has been provided to continue the 
     Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership program at the fiscal year 
     2017 enacted level and to support efforts to promote 
     conservation in urban areas. The Committees encourage the 
     Service to consider prioritizing funding for a new visitor 
     center at the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The 
     Service is directed to brief the Committees on options for 
     preserving historic aircraft located within the World War II 
     Valor in the Pacific National Monument on Atka Island in 
     Alaska within 90 days of enactment of this Act. The 
     Committees encourage the Service to work with local 
     stakeholders and consider prioritizing enhancements at the 
     Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in its internal budget 
     processes--including new trails, visitor center exhibits, and 
     other infrastructure priorities--to improve the visitor 
     experience for the increasing number of visitors at the 
     refuge.
       Conservation Planning.--The Service is encouraged to work 
     with affected landowners to address concerns about the 
     acquisition boundary for Bitter Creek National Wildlife 
     Refuge, as discussed in House Report 115-238.
       The agreement directs the Service to approve the 
     establishment of the Green River National Wildlife Refuge in 
     the Green River Bottoms area near the confluence of the Green 
     River and Ohio River in Henderson County, Kentucky. The 
     refuge should consist of approximately 24,000 acres--to be 
     acquired from willing landowners. The Service should partner 
     with other stakeholders on establishment of the refuge and 
     look for opportunities related to environmental mitigation 
     for interstate bridge construction projects in the area. The 
     Service is directed to wait to establish final boundaries of 
     the refuge until the new I-69 interstate bridge corridor is 
     selected. Within 120 days of the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Service is directed to report to the Committees on 
     its progress toward establishment of the refuge.
       Refuge Maintenance.--The agreement includes $42,901,000 to 
     reduce the backlog of deferred maintenance and $649,000 to 
     continue the Youth Conservation Corps. The Service is 
     encouraged to consider prioritizing repairs of water control 
     structures at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National 
     Wildlife Refuge.
       Conservation and Enforcement.--The agreement provides 
     $141,290,000 for other conservation and enforcement programs 
     as described below.
       Migratory Bird Management.--The agreement provides 
     $48,421,000 to continue all Migratory Bird Management 
     programs at or above fiscal year 2017 enacted levels, 
     including: $2,000,000 for aviation safety; $350,000 to manage 
     bird-livestock conflicts; and $3,424,000 to expedite permits. 
     The Service is commended for its efforts to work with 
     landowners to reduce black vulture predation on livestock.
       Law Enforcement.--The agreement provides $77,053,000 to 
     continue all law enforcement programs at fiscal year 2017 
     enacted levels and includes a $2,000,000 increase for 
     wildlife inspectors at ports currently without personnel, in 
     order to deter illegal activities and to ensure that legal 
     trade is not significantly slowed because of a lack of 
     Service personnel. Wildlife trafficking enforcement 
     activities continue to be funded at $7,500,000, which may 
     also be used as needed to supplement inspections. The Service 
     is directed to enforce illegal logging violations pursuant to 
     the Lacey Act. From within general program activities, 
     funding is provided to continue the Service's work with the 
     Indian Arts and Crafts Board to combat international 
     trafficking of counterfeit arts and crafts and to conduct 
     criminal investigations of alleged violations of the Indian 
     Arts and Crafts Act.
       The Committees support efforts outlined in House Report 
     115-238 for the Service to collaborate with U.S. Customs and 
     Border Protection on the Automated Commercial Environment 
     (ACE).
       International Affairs.--The agreement provides $15,816,000 
     and continues all program elements at the fiscal year 2017 
     enacted levels, including $550,000 to support the Arctic 
     Council.
       As outlined in House Report 115-238, the Committees 
     encourage the Service to continue to work with stakeholders 
     to address their concerns related to international trade in 
     wood and wood products and advance efforts to develop a 
     domestic electronic permitting system and an electronic form 
     for data collection to expedite processing of licit imports 
     and exports of these products.
       The Committees recognize the Service's work with Mexico and 
     Central American nations and urge the continuation of these 
     international partnerships.
       Within 150 days of enactment of this Act, the Committees 
     expect the report directed in House Report 115-238 on the 
     CITES permitting process for live plants and the analysis of 
     actions that could create efficiencies.
       Fish and Aquatic Conservation.--The agreement provides 
     $164,627,000 for fish and aquatic conservation programs and 
     maintains subactivities and program elements at fiscal year 
     2017 enacted levels, except where identified in the opening 
     paragraph or described below. The Service is expected to 
     continue its tradition of improving freshwater subsistence, 
     commercial, and recreational fishing since 1871.
       National Fish Hatchery System Operations.--The agreement 
     provides $55,822,000 and includes: $550,000 to implement the 
     Great Lakes Consent Decree; $1,430,000 for the national wild 
     fish health survey program; $1,475,000 to continue mass 
     marking salmonids in the Pacific Northwest; and $1,200,000 
     for the Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Partnership. 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 Tribes.
       The Service is expected to continue funding mitigation 
     hatchery programs via reimbursable agreements with Federal 
     partners. Future agreements should include reimbursement for 
     production, facilities, and administrative costs. The Service 
     is expected to ensure that its costs are fully reimbursed 
     before proposing to reduce or redirect base funding.
       Maintenance and Equipment.--The agreement provides 
     $22,920,000 which includes $13,249,000 to reduce the deferred 
     maintenance backlog, and, in addition to amounts provided in 
     the Construction account, funding should continue to be 
     allocated to facilities with the most severe health and 
     safety deficiencies across the System as a whole, rather than 
     by region. All other funds should continue to be allocated as 
     in prior years and should include mitigation hatcheries as 
     needed to supplement reimbursable funds.
       Habitat Assessment and Restoration.--The agreement provides 
     $33,987,000, which includes $13,998,000 for the National Fish 
     Passage Program, $3,000,000 to implement the Klamath Basin 
     Restoration Agreement, and $5,000,000 to implement the 
     Delaware River Basin Conservation Act (DRBCA). Within 90 days 
     of enactment of this Act, the Service is directed to brief 
     the Committees on its efforts related to the DRBCA. The 
     Service is directed to be transparent with its partners 
     regarding Federal costs for program coordination and 
     administration of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan.
       Population Assessment and Cooperative Management.--The 
     agreement provides $30,150,000 which includes $9,554,000 for 
     subsistence fisheries management and $15,635,000 for general 
     program activities, of which $489,000 is for the Lake 
     Champlain sea lamprey program.
       Aquatic Invasive Species.--The agreement includes 
     $21,748,000 for aquatic invasive species programs, of which: 
     $1,000,000 is to help States implement plans required by the 
     National Invasive Species Act (NISA); $1,566,000 is for NISA 
     coordination; $3,088,000 is to implement subsection 5(d)(2) 
     of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act; $10,400,000 is for 
     controlling Asian carp in the Mississippi and Ohio River 
     Basins and preventing them from entering and establishing in 
     the Great Lakes, including $2,000,000 to expand and perfect 
     the combined use of contract fishing and deterrents to 
     extirpate Asian carp, including grass carp, where already 
     established; and $2,000,000 is to prevent the spread of 
     quagga and zebra mussels.
       The Committees support efforts to address threats to 
     aquatic invasive species and direct the Service to continue 
     to make available competitive grant funding for projects to 
     eliminate invasive species, including Asian carp, quagga and 
     zebra mussels, and variable-leaf watermilfoil. The Service 
     should continue to support research, monitoring, and 
     mitigation efforts, as well as efforts to disseminate such 
     work, in all regions.
       Cooperative Landscape Conservation.--The agreement provides 
     $12,988,000 for cooperative landscape conservation, of which 
     $1,000,000 is for the Gulf Coast ecosystem. The Committees 
     recognize the disparate levels of partner support across the 
     States and expect the Service to focus funding where 
     partnerships are strong.

[[Page H2614]]

       Science Support.--The agreement provides $17,267,000 for 
     the Science Support program and includes $931,000 to restore 
     the Gulf Coast ecosystem, and $3,500,000 for white-nose 
     syndrome in bats. The Service should continue to co-lead and 
     implement the North American Bat Monitoring Program with 
     other Federal, State, and non-governmental partners. The 
     Service is expected to partner with Cooperative Research 
     Units whenever possible.
       General Operations.--The agreement provides $143,240,000 
     for general operations and includes funding for central 
     office operations, regional office operations, and Service-
     wide bill paying at the requested levels. The National Fish 
     and Wildlife Foundation is funded at the fiscal year 2017 
     enacted level. A one-time program increase of $4,300,000 is 
     provided for annual maintenance needs of the National 
     Conservation Training Center (NCTC). The Committees 
     understand this funding will fully address backlog 
     maintenance at NCTC.


                              CONSTRUCTION

       The bill provides $66,540,000 for Construction and includes 
     a one-time increase of $50,000,000 for the backlog of 
     deferred maintenance principally at national fish hatcheries 
     and national wildlife refuges. The Service is directed to 
     provide a spend plan to the Committees within 120 days of 
     enactment of this Act for the additional deferred maintenance 
     funding. The detailed allocation of funding by activity is 
     included in the table at the end of this explanatory 
     statement. For line-item construction, the Service is 
     expected to follow the project priority list in the table 
     below. When a construction project is completed or terminated 
     and appropriated funds remain, the Service may use those 
     balances to respond to unforeseen reconstruction, 
     replacement, or repair of facilities or equipment damaged or 
     destroyed by storms, floods, fires and similar unanticipated 
     events.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Refuge, Hatchery, or Other
                   State                                  Unit                Budget Request       This Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         National Wildlife Refuge System
 
OK.........................................  Wichita Mountains National            $3,800,000         $3,800,000
                                              Wildlife Refuge (NWR).
AK.........................................  Alaska Maritime NWR..........          2,235,000          2,235,000
IL.........................................  Crab Orchard NWR.............            300,000            300,000
MO.........................................  Mingo NWR....................            800,000            800,000
GA.........................................  Okefenokee NWR...............             80,000             80,000
ID.........................................  Bear Lake NWR................             50,000             50,000
WA.........................................  Inland Northwest NWR Complex.             70,000             70,000
                                          National Fish Hatchery System
 
MI.........................................  Pendills Creek National Fish           1,043,000          1,043,000
                                              Hatchery.
                                                      Other
 
N/A........................................  Branch of Dam Safety (seismic            215,000            215,000
                                              investigations).
N/A........................................  Branch of Dam Safety                     250,000            250,000
                                              (inspections).
N/A........................................  Information Resources &                  250,000            250,000
                                              Technology Management.
                                                                           -------------------------------------
                                             Total, Line Item Construction          9,093,000          9,093,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            LAND ACQUISITION

       The bill provides $63,839,000 for Land Acquisition. The 
     amounts provided 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 project list 
     received for fiscal year 2018. Further instructions are 
     contained under the Land and Water Conservation Fund heading 
     in the front of this explanatory statement.
       In a time when budgetary constraints allow for only a 
     limited number of new land acquisition projects, the 
     Committees are encouraged by programs that leverage public/
     private partnerships for land conservation like the Highlands 
     Conservation Act, which has a record of more than a 2 to 1 
     ratio in non-Federal matching funds. Therefore, the 
     Committees include $10,000,000 for the Highlands Conservation 
     Act Grants and direct the Fish and Wildlife Service to work 
     with the Highlands States regarding priority projects for 
     fiscal year 2018.
       The Committees recognize there are concerns regarding the 
     acquisition and management of easements in some States. Any 
     uncertainty about the scope of management responsibilities 
     among stakeholders and agencies should be addressed by 
     engaging in a constructive dialogue and reaching a unified 
     solution that honors the rights of individual landowners 
     while implementing sound conservation practices. Therefore, 
     in lieu of the House directive, the Service is strongly 
     encouraged to begin this dialogue and brief the Committees 
     within 60 days of enactment of this Act on the challenges of 
     the Service harmonizing current easement laws and regulations 
     with landowners and State governments with options to resolve 
     these challenges.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   State                                Project               Budget Request       This Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HI.........................................  Hakalau Forest NWR...........                            $7,000,000
ND/SD......................................  Dakota Grassland Conservation                             5,000,000
                                              Area.
MD.........................................  Blackwater NWR...............                             1,000,000
FL.........................................  Everglades Headwaters NWR and                             2,500,000
                                              CA.
PA.........................................  Cherry Valley NWR............                             2,500,000
ND/SD......................................  Dakota Tallgrass Prairie                                  2,000,000
                                              Wildlife Management Area.
MT.........................................  Montana Conservation Areas...                             2,000,000
FL.........................................  St. Marks NWR................                             2,000,000
IA/MN......................................  Northern Tallgrass Prairie                                1,000,000
                                              NWR.
CT/MA/NH/VT................................  Silvio O. Conte NF&WR........                             1,750,000
TX.........................................  Lower Rio Grande NWR.........                             2,500,000
AR.........................................  Cache River NWR..............                             2,000,000
                                                                           -------------------------------------
                                             Subtotal, Line Item Projects.                            31,250,000
                                             Recreational Access..........                  0          2,500,000
                                             Emergencies, Hardships, and            2,641,000          5,351,000
                                              Inholdings.
                                             Exchanges....................          1,197,000          1,500,000
                                             Acquisition Management.......         12,749,000         12,773,000
                                             Land Protection Planning.....            464,000            465,000
                                             Highlands Conservation Act                     0         10,000,000
                                              Grants.
                                                                           -------------------------------------
                                             Total, FWS Land Acquisition..         17,051,000         63,839,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

            COOPERATIVE ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND

       The bill provides $53,495,000 to carry out section 6 of the 
     Endangered Species Act of 1973, of which $33,857,000 is to be 
     derived from the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation 
     Fund and $19,638,000 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 
     explanatory statement. The Service is directed to lift the 
     artificial caps and apportion funds to Habitat Conservation 
     Plans (HCPs) based on need in order to increase on-the-ground 
     conservation and eliminate unobligated balances. The 
     agreement includes a program increase of $2,000,000 in 
     traditional conservation grants in order to foster increased 
     partner involvement in recovery plan development and 
     implementation, which is offset by a decrease in HCP planning 
     assistance grants due to a lack of demand.


                     NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE FUND

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


               NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION FUND

       The bill provides $40,000,000 for the North American 
     Wetlands Conservation Fund. The Service is directed to follow 
     the guidance in House Report 115-238.


              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 
     explanatory statement.


                    STATE AND TRIBAL WILDLIFE GRANTS

       The bill provides $63,571,000 for State and Tribal Wildlife 
     Grants. The detailed allocation of funding by activity is 
     included in the table at the end of this explanatory 
     statement. All three grant programs shall place the highest 
     priority on species included in

[[Page H2615]]

     the most recent Candidate Notice of Review so as to preclude 
     the need to list such species under the ESA.
       States and Tribes receiving funds through this program are 
     encouraged to work with private landowners and organizations 
     representing agriculture, conservation science, and waterfowl 
     habitat enhancement to provide wetland habitat for at-risk 
     shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors and other species.

                         National Park Service


                 OPERATION OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM

       The agreement provides $2,477,969,000 for the Operation of 
     the National Park System and includes requested fixed costs. 
     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 bill does not 
     support reductions proposed in the budget request that would 
     diminish visitor services and reduce park and program 
     operations system-wide.
       Within Resource Stewardship, the Committees have restored 
     all proposed reductions to Everglades restoration efforts and 
     to complete restoration projects at newly established park 
     units. The recommendation also includes $3,000,000 to 
     continue zebra and quagga mussel containment, prevention, and 
     enforcement in western water bodies, and $500,000 for cave 
     and karst ecosystem research. The agreement continues the 
     directive provided within the Visitor Services line item 
     contained in House Report 115-238. The reduction from fiscal 
     year 2017 within Park Protection is for non-recurring 
     expenses related to the Presidential Inauguration. The 
     agreement includes $5,000,000 to support timely aviation 
     fleet replacement by the Washington, DC area U.S. Park Police 
     aviation unit which supports law enforcement and public 
     safety in the national capital region. Within Facility 
     Operations and Maintenance, the Committees have accepted the 
     Service's proposal to eliminate the Flex Park program in 
     order to focus resources on critical park operations and 
     programs. The agreement retains funding increases provided 
     within the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 to address 
     deferred maintenance needs and provides an additional 
     $15,000,000 to address cyclic maintenance needs, an 
     additional $10,000,000 for repair and rehabilitation 
     projects, and an additional $10,000,000 for project planning. 
     These funds are supplemented by $23,000,000 provided within 
     the Centennial Challenge matching grant program account 
     dedicated to funding joint public-private investments in 
     parks. Increases within Park Support are to address new 
     responsibilities and critical needs at park units including 
     but not limited to Freedom Riders, Castle Mountains, and 
     Birmingham Civil Rights units. The recommendation also 
     restores proposed reductions to park units including the 
     Manhattan Project National Historical Park and Honouliuli 
     units, and the Partnership Wild and Scenic River program. 
     Each are funded at the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 
     Funding for the Roosevelt-Campobello International Park is 
     also maintained at the fiscal year 2017 enacted level.
       Quagga and Zebra Mussel Control.--The Committees remain 
     concerned about the spread of quagga and zebra mussels in the 
     West and have provided $3,000,000 for continued containment, 
     prevention, and enforcement efforts.
       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 four years overdue. The Committees direct the Service to 
     complete the study expeditiously.
       Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.--The 
     agreement maintains the directive related to the Mississippi 
     National River and Recreation Area contained in House Report 
     115-238.
       Elwha Water Facilities.--The agreement includes the 
     directive related to the Elwha Water Facilities contained in 
     House Report 115-238.
       Natchez Visitor Reception Center.--The Committees 
     understand that the Service is engaged in discussions with 
     Natchez, MS over accepting a donation of the Natchez Visitor 
     Reception Center and encourage the Service to reach agreement 
     on such donation in a timely fashion.
       National Park Service Local Hire Implementation.--Within 90 
     days of enactment of this Act, the Committees direct the 
     Service in cooperation with other relevant agencies to 
     provide a report on numbers of employees hired in Alaska with 
     the authorities under the Alaska National Interest Lands 
     Conservation Act (ANILCA).
       Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park.--The 
     agreement includes requested funding for the Blackstone River 
     Valley National Historical Park 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.
       Cape Lookout National Seashore.--As the Service reviews the 
     Cape Lookout National Seashore's Off-Road Vehicle Management 
     Plan, the Committees expect the Service to adopt the least 
     restrictive land use option that allows adequate access to 
     the Seashore while maintaining sufficient protections for 
     wildlife and natural resources.
       National Trails System.--In preparation for the National 
     Trails System's 50-year anniversary in 2018, the Committees 
     urge the Service to make funding the construction and 
     maintenance of national trails a priority.
       Biscayne National Park.--The agreement maintains the 
     directive related to Biscayne National Park contained in 
     House Report 115-238.
       Everglades Restoration.--The Committees note the progress 
     made toward restoration of the Everglades ecosystem and 
     continue to support this multi-year effort to preserve one of 
     the great ecological treasures of the United States.
       Vicksburg National Military Park.--The agreement maintains 
     the directive related to Vicksburg National Military Park 
     contained in House Report 115-238.
       Arlington Memorial Bridge.--The Committees commend the 
     Department for its efforts, working with bipartisan Federal, 
     State, and local leaders, to secure $227,000,000 to 
     rehabilitate the Arlington Memorial Bridge, a historic and 
     critical transportation link in the nation's capital. As 
     awarded, the design-build contract will save $35,000,000 and 
     accelerate the project's completion by 18 months. Major 
     construction is scheduled to begin later in 2018.
       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.
       St. Anthony Falls Lock.--The agreement includes the 
     directive related to St. Anthony Falls Lock contained in 
     House Report 115-238.
       Yosemite Medical Clinic.--The agreement maintains the 
     directive related to the Yosemite Medical Clinic contained in 
     House Report 115-238.
       Director's Order 21.--Within 90 days of enactment of this 
     Act, the Service shall report to the Committees on steps it 
     has taken or plans to take in fiscal year 2018 to implement 
     Public Law 113-291.
       Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.--The Committees 
     direct the Service to provide a report within 30 days of 
     enactment of this Act indicating what funds have been 
     allocated to the Memorial and options to provide the 
     remaining authorized amount.
       Alaska Hunting and Trapping.--The Committees are aware that 
     the National Park Service intends to initiate a rulemaking 
     process that will consider changes to the final rule 
     published October 23, 2015, related to hunting and trapping 
     in National Preserves in Alaska. This will include 
     identifying ways to address recreational hunting and fishing 
     cooperation, consultation, and communication with State of 
     Alaska wildlife managers. The Committees expect the Service 
     to complete the review in a timely manner.


                  NATIONAL RECREATION AND PRESERVATION

       The agreement provides $63,638,000 for National Recreation 
     and Preservation with the following specific directives:
       Natural Programs.--The Committees maintain funding for 
     Natural Programs, including the Chesapeake Gateways and 
     Trails program and Rivers, Trails and Conservation, at the 
     fiscal year 2017 enacted level.
       Cultural Programs.--The Committees provide $25,062,000 for 
     Cultural Programs, an increase of $500,000 above the enacted 
     level. The increase is provided for grants to nonprofit 
     organizations or institutions pursuant to 20 U.S.C. 4451(b). 
     The Committees direct the Department to consider funding the 
     Northwest Coast arts program as outlined by the memorandum of 
     agreement between the Institute of American Indian Arts and 
     the Sealaska Heritage Institute. Funding for the Native 
     American Graves Protection and Repatriation Grant Program and 
     the Japanese American Confinement Site Grant Program is 
     maintained at the fiscal year 2017 enacted level.
       Heritage Partnership Program.--The agreement provides 
     $20,321,000 for the Heritage Partnership Program. The 
     Committees continue to encourage individual heritage areas to 
     develop plans for long-term sufficiency. The Committees 
     commend the Alliance of National Heritage Areas, in response 
     to Congressional direction, for developing an allocation 
     model that maintains core services of more established areas 
     while proposing additional resources to newer areas. The 
     Committees note this progress and direct the Service to work 
     with heritage areas to further develop consensus toward a 
     sustainable funding distribution. As this effort continues, 
     the Committees expect the Service to distribute funds in the 
     same manner as fiscal year 2017 with the increase above the 
     enacted level to be equally distributed to Tier I areas or 
     Tier 2 areas currently receiving the minimum funding levels 
     of $150,000 and $300,000 respectively.
       Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area.--The Committees 
     encourage the continued partnership between the Muscle Shoals 
     Regional Center and the University of North Alabama.
       National Heritage Area Feasibility Study.--The Committees 
     understand that the Service has no intent to initiate or 
     conduct a feasibility study to establish a national heritage 
     area in Baca, Bent, Crowley, Huerfano, Kiowa, Las Animas, 
     Otero, Prowers, and Pueblo counties, Colorado. In the event 
     the Service alters its intentions, the Committees direct the 
     Service to notify the Committees 120 days in advance of 
     initiating such a study.

[[Page H2616]]

       American Battlefield Protection Program Assistance 
     Grants.--Funding is provided at the fiscal year 2017 enacted 
     level. The Committees recognize the importance of public-
     private partnerships to maintain the preservation of 
     America's battlefields and urge the Service to give priority 
     to projects with broad partner support. The Committees 
     continue to encourage the timely review and processing of 
     grants.


                       HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND

       The agreement provides $96,910,000 for the Historic 
     Preservation Fund. Within this amount, $48,925,000 is 
     provided for grants to States and $11,485,000 is provided for 
     grants to Tribes. The recommendation also includes 
     $13,500,000 for competitive grants of which $500,000 is for 
     grants to underserved communities and $13,000,000 is for 
     competitive grants to document, interpret, and preserve 
     historical sites associated with the Civil Rights Movement. 
     The agreement also includes $5,000,000 for competitive grants 
     to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and 
     $13,000,000 for the Save America's Treasures competitive 
     grant program for preservation of nationally significant 
     sites, structures, and artifacts. The agreement also provides 
     $5,000,000 for preservation grants to revitalize historic 
     properties of national, State, and local significance. Grants 
     shall be made available to States, local governments, Tribes, 
     or community non-profit organizations for making sub-grants 
     to eligible projects. Priority shall be given to applicants 
     with a demonstrated capacity for allocating similar awards 
     for preservation of such sites. 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 $359,704,000 for Construction with 
     the following specific directive:
       Line Item Construction.--The agreement provides 
     $137,011,000 for line item construction and maintenance 
     including $129,011,000 for line item construction projects in 
     the fiscal year 2018 budget request as revised by the Service 
     and provided to the House and Senate Committees on 
     Appropriations on July 25, 2017, and shown in the table 
     below. A general program increase of $138,000,000 above the 
     request is provided to address only longstanding deferred 
     maintenance and major construction related requirements of 
     the Service. General management planning has been provided an 
     additional $1,860,000 above the request in order to 
     facilitate the completion of recently authorized special 
     resource studies. The Committees direct the Service to 
     provide no later than 60 days after enactment of this Act an 
     operating plan for allocation of funds. Requests for 
     reprogramming will be considered pursuant to the guidelines 
     in the front of this explanatory statement.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   State                               Park Unit              Budget Request       This Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DC.........................................  George Washington Memorial           $18,200,000        $18,200,000
                                              Parkway.
DC.........................................  National Mall and Memorial            21,371,000         21,371,000
                                              Parks.
MA.........................................  Lowell National Historical             4,177,000          4,177,000
                                              Park.
MA.........................................  Cape Cod National Seashore...          5,442,000          5,442,000
WY.........................................  Yellowstone National Park....         21,264,000         21,264,000
CA.........................................  Fort Point National Historic           5,996,000          5,996,000
                                              Site.
CA.........................................  Channel Islands National Park          3,922,000          3,922,000
SD.........................................  Mount Rushmore National                8,937,000          8,937,000
                                              Memorial.
MS.........................................  Vicksburg National Military            5,909,000          5,909,000
                                              Park.
AK.........................................  Glacier Bay National Park &            7,545,000          7,545,000
                                              Preserve.
TN.........................................  Great Smoky Mountain National          2,594,000          2,594,000
                                              Park.
PA.........................................  Valley Forge National                 10,030,000         10,030,000
                                              Historical Park.
NM.........................................  Old Santa Fe Trail Building..          2,822,000          2,822,000
AZ.........................................  Lake Mead National Recreation          1,976,000          1,976,000
                                              Area.
CA.........................................  Death Valley National Park...          5,394,000          5,394,000
NM.........................................  Carlsbad Caverns National              3,432,000          3,432,000
                                              Park.
                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Total, Line Item Construction        129,011,000        129,011,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 LAND ACQUISITION AND STATE ASSISTANCE

       The bill provides $180,941,000 for Land Acquisition and 
     State Assistance. The amounts provided 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 
     project list received for fiscal year 2018. The Committees 
     understand that donation projects, such as the Vicksburg 
     National Military Park listed on the NPS project list for 
     fiscal year 2018, are eligible to be funded from the amounts 
     included for donation projects. Funds provided for 
     recreational access are available to close gaps in national 
     trails, including the Ice Age, North Country, and New England 
     National Scenic Trails. The Committees urge the Service to 
     consider geographic distribution to ensure that investments 
     for the trail system are reflected in project prioritization. 
     Further instructions are contained under the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund heading in the front of this explanatory 
     statement.
       The Committees continue to support the American Battlefield 
     Protection Program (ABPP) and are aware of the increased 
     workload and associated delays in grant processing due to the 
     program's expanded mission to include Revolutionary War and 
     War of 1812 sites and additional historic preservation 
     reviews. Therefore, the bill provides $10,000,000 for ABPP 
     grants and $252,000 is provided from within acquisition 
     management to ensure the timely awarding of grants.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               State                         Project          This Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NY.................................  Appalachian National     $2,000,000
                                      Scenic Trail.
GA.................................  Chattahoochee River       1,218,000
                                      National Recreation
                                      Area.
AZ.................................  Saguaro National Park.      600,000
OH.................................  Dayton Aviation             450,000
                                      Heritage National
                                      Historical Park.
WA.................................  Lake Chelan National      1,000,000
                                      Recreation Area.
CA.................................  Redwood National Park.    6,000,000
TN.................................  Big South Fork              217,000
                                      National River &
                                      Recreation Area.
NM.................................  Valles Caldera              531,000
                                      National Preserve.
MI.................................  North Country National    3,472,000
                                      Scenic Trail.
HI.................................  Haleakala National        6,000,000
                                      Park.
AK.................................  Katmai National Park      2,545,000
                                      and Preserve.
TN.................................  Overmountain Victory        387,000
                                      National Historic
                                      Trail.
TN.................................  Obed Wild and Scenic        810,000
                                      River.
MI.................................  Keweenaw National           155,000
                                      Historical Park.
WV.................................  Gauley River National     1,015,000
                                      Recreation Area.
                                    ------------------------------------
                                     Subtotal, Line Item      26,400,000
                                      Projects.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Budget Request       This Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Battlefield Protection            $8,481,000        $10,000,000
 Program..........................
Emergencies, Hardships,                     3,071,000          3,928,000
 Relocations, and Deficiencies....
Acquisition Management............          8,716,000          9,679,000
Inholdings, Donations, and                  3,069,000          4,928,000
 Exchanges........................
Recreational Access...............                  0          2,000,000
                                   -------------------------------------
    Total, NPS Land Acquisition...         23,337,000         56,935,000
Assistance to States:
    State conservation grants                       0        100,000,000
     (formula)....................
    State conservation grants                       0         20,000,000
     (competitive)................
    Administrative expenses.......          3,043,000          4,006,000
                                   -------------------------------------
        Total, Assistance to                3,043,000        124,006,000
         States...................
                                   -------------------------------------
        Total, NPS Land                    26,380,000        180,941,000
         Acquisition and State
         Assistance...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          centennial challenge

       The agreement provides $23,000,000 for the Centennial 
     Challenge matching grant program. The program provides 
     dedicated Federal funding to leverage partnerships for 
     signature projects and programs for the national park system. 
     The Committees expect these funds to be used by the Service 
     to address projects which have a deferred maintenance 
     component in order to alleviate the sizeable deferred 
     maintenance backlog within the national park system. 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. From amounts in the Centennial 
     Challenge account, the Committees encourage the Department to 
     make $3,000,000 available for critical programs and projects, 
     pursuant to 54 U.S.C. 1011 Subchapter II, subject to terms 
     and conditions outlined in Title VI of Public Law 114-289.


                    united states geological survey

                 surveys, investigations, and research

       The bill provides $1,148,457,000 for Surveys, 
     Investigations, and Research of the U.S. Geological Survey 
     (USGS, or the Survey). This includes additional, one-time 
     funding for the purchase of equipment, infrastructure related 
     projects, and deferred maintenance that should not be 
     considered programmatic increases and for which the 
     Committees expect a detailed spend plan within 180 days of 
     enactment of this Act. The detailed allocation of funding by 
     program area and activity is included in the table at the end 
     of this explanatory statement.
       Congressional Budget Justification.--The Committees direct 
     the Survey to include in future justifications base funding 
     and program descriptions for any subactivity, program, 
     project, or study proposed for increases or reductions.
       Ecosystems.--The agreement provides $157,732,000, and does 
     not include reductions for program terminations proposed in 
     the budget request for Status and Trends and the Wildlife 
     Program. The Survey is directed to formulate a transition 
     plan with the Smithsonian Institution regarding the curation 
     of the Institution's collection for which the Survey is 
     currently responsible.
       The agreement also includes an increase of $500,000 from 
     within available funds to address white-nose syndrome in 
     bats. The Committees are aware of the work the Survey is 
     performing in critical landscapes such as the Arctic, Puget 
     Sound, California Bay Delta, Everglades, Great Lakes, 
     Columbia River, and the Chesapeake Bay, and expect this work 
     to continue. The Terrestrial, Freshwater, and Marine 
     Environments program is funded as reported in House Report 
     115-238, and species-specific fisheries and Asian carp 
     funding are maintained at fiscal year 2017 enacted levels. 
     The Committees understand certain programs are nearing 
     completion; therefore, the Survey is directed to report back 
     to the Committees within 180 days of enactment of this Act on 
     anticipated balances of such programs.
       Land Resources.--The agreement provides $152,499,000, which 
     includes $93,094,000 for the National Land Imaging activity. 
     Within these funds, Landsat 9 is fully funded at a program 
     level of $26,200,000; satellite operations receive 
     $52,337,000; National Civil Applications Center receives 
     $4,847,000; and the AmericaView State grant program receives 
     $1,215,000.
       The Committees accept the proposed budget structure changes 
     with the understanding that the work previously funded in the 
     fiscal year 2017 structure will continue at fiscal year 2017 
     enacted levels and that the Survey will continue to track and 
     provide information on funding within the Land Change sub-

[[Page H2617]]

     lines. The Committees provide funding for the eight regional 
     science centers and grant awards should be made at the 
     negotiated annual agreement levels. The Survey is directed to 
     provide notification to the Committees as the grants are 
     awarded in full. As a result of the budget restructure, 
     $5,025,000 is provided so that work previously funded under 
     the old budget structure will continue within the Land Change 
     Science subactivity.
       Energy, Minerals, and Environmental Health.--The agreement 
     provides $102,838,000 for Energy, Minerals, and Environmental 
     Health, including $1,000,000 toward the domestic mineral base 
     survey and $4,700,000 for the implementation of Secretarial 
     Order 3352. As a result of the budget restructure, $1,477,000 
     is provided for work previously funded at this level in 
     fiscal year 2017 and now funded under the Mineral and Energy 
     Resources subactivity. The Committees accept the $2,457,000 
     reduction proposed in the budget due to the completion of 
     reports as required by the Energy Independence and Security 
     Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-140). The Committees expect geologic 
     and biologic research to continue under the new budget 
     restructure.
       The Committees continue geophysical and remote sensing 
     activities at the enacted funding levels and direct the 
     Survey to continue this work following the requirements 
     outlined in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (P.L. 
     115-31). The Committees also expect low permeability 
     reservoir assessments to continue at the 2017 enacted level 
     and that the Survey will continue to abide by the directive 
     outlined in Public Law 115-31 concerning consultation with 
     State geological surveys.
       The agreement provides $12,398,000 for toxic substances 
     hydrology. The Committees support the Survey's comprehensive 
     research on cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms and provide 
     an increase of $1,350,000 over the fiscal year 2017 enacted 
     level for this effort.
       Natural Hazards.--The agreement provides $178,613,000 for 
     the Natural Hazards Program, including $83,403,000 for 
     earthquake hazards. Within this funding, $12,900,000 is 
     provided for continued development of an earthquake early 
     warning (EEW) system and for the first limited public rollout 
     of ShakeAlert, and an additional $10,000,000 is provided for 
     capital costs associated with the buildout of the EEW. Within 
     60 days of enactment of this Act, the Survey is directed to 
     provide to the Committees an updated Technical Implementation 
     Plan for the ShakeAlert Production System, including revised 
     cost estimates and timelines. Additionally, $5,000,000 is 
     provided for necessary upgrades and replacement equipment at 
     the USGS National Earthquake Center and seismic stations that 
     make up the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS).
       The agreement includes $800,000 for the Central and Eastern 
     U.S. Seismic Network (CEUSN). The Committees continue 
     $1,000,000 for regional seismic networks and expect the 
     Survey to allocate funds according to the same methodology 
     used in fiscal year 2017. The agreement includes $1,400,000 
     for the adoption of seismic stations currently deployed as 
     part of the Earthscope USArray project. The Committees direct 
     the Survey to consult with the National Science Foundation 
     (NSF) on acquiring these seismic stations beginning in fiscal 
     year 2019 and to brief the Committees within 60 days of 
     enactment of this Act on the progress of these discussions 
     and the plan to acquire the stations. The Committees 
     understand the adoption of the seismic and geodetic stations 
     currently deployed as part of the USArray project, along with 
     the ANSS investments in seismic monitoring, could contribute 
     to a monitoring network similar to the earthquake early 
     warning system currently under development for the west coast 
     and encourage the Survey to consider this effort once the 
     west coast system is close to completion.
       The agreement provides $42,621,000 for volcano hazards, 
     which includes $1,000,000 for next-generation lahar detection 
     systems and $13,000,000 for the repair and upgrade of analog 
     systems on high-threat volcanos, including $12,500,000 to 
     update the instrumentation that is currently not in 
     compliance with the National Telecommunication and 
     Information Administration (NTIA) radio spectrum guidelines.
       The agreement provides an additional $1,500,000 for new 
     lahar detection instrumentation and telecommunications 
     equipment to address significant lahar threats and meet 
     National Volcano Early Warning System (NVEWS) standards.
       The Committees are concerned about the potential landslide 
     risk to communities and direct the Survey to report back 
     within 180 days of enactment of this Act identifying specific 
     areas of the country that are at the highest risk.
       Water Resources.--The agreement provides $217,554,000 for 
     Water Resources, with $59,927,000 directed to activities 
     associated with the Cooperative Matching Funds. Increases 
     include an additional $1,000,000 for groundwater resource 
     studies in the Mississippi River Alluvial Plain; $1,500,000 
     for streamgages; and $300,000 to begin research on shallow 
     and fractured bedrock terrain.
       The National Groundwater Monitoring Network is funded at 
     the fiscal year 2017 enacted level of $3,600,000. The 
     agreement includes funding for the streamgage on 
     transboundary rivers at $120,000. The Committees direct the 
     Survey to partner with local Tribes and other Federal 
     agencies as necessary in the area to develop a water quality 
     strategy for the transboundary rivers impacted by mining 
     activities. Within 180 days of enactment of this Act, the 
     Survey is directed to report back to the Committees on the 
     necessary work needed to collect, analyze, and assess the 
     hydrologic, water-quality, and ecological data needed to 
     document baseline conditions and assess potential mining-
     related impacts.
       Core Science Systems.--The agreement provides $116,302,000, 
     which includes $23,000,000 for 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) 
     National Enhancement and $7,722,000 for Alaska Mapping and 
     Map Modernization.
       Facilities.--The agreement includes $120,091,000 for 
     facilities, deferred maintenance and capital improvement. 
     Within these amounts, $11,772,000 is included for the Menlo 
     Park facility transition. The Committees have almost doubled 
     the funding for deferred maintenance with the expectation the 
     Survey will be able to make much needed facility 
     improvements. The Committees understand that a report on the 
     National Wildlife Health Center's infrastructure needs is 
     nearing completion and expect the report to be provided to 
     the Committees within 60 days of enactment of this Act.

                   Bureau of Ocean Energy Management


                        OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT

       The bill provides $171,000,000 for Ocean Energy Management 
     to be partially offset with the collection of rental receipts 
     and cost recovery fees totaling $56,834,000, for a net 
     discretionary appropriation of $114,166,000. The bill does 
     not include a rescission of funds to cover the anticipated 
     shortfall from the loss of revenue, but the Committees are 
     monitoring the continued decline in rental receipts. The 
     Bureau is reminded to review the directives contained in the 
     front matter of this explanatory statement. The agreement 
     includes the following additional guidance:
       Five-year lease plan.--The request for the Bureau's efforts 
     to initiate a new five year offshore leasing program is fully 
     funded and the Committees encourage an expeditious and 
     thorough review.
       Offshore Revenues.--The Committees do not approve of the 
     proposal in the budget request to divert outer continental 
     shelf oil and gas revenues from Gulf of Mexico coastal 
     communities. The Committees direct the Department to 
     distribute revenues from Gulf of Mexico operations in a 
     manner consistent with the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act 
     of 2006 (P.L. 109-432).
       Offshore Wind Energy Development.--The Committees 
     understand that the Bureau is continuing to work in North 
     Carolina with local stakeholders, industry, and State task 
     forces and that there will be no lease sales for offshore 
     areas in North Carolina during fiscal year 2018.
       Renewable Energy.--The Bureau should continue to follow the 
     direction under this heading in Senate Report 114-281 
     concerning offshore wind energy and working cooperatively 
     with the Department of Energy and coastal States.


             BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT

             OFFSHORE SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT

       The bill provides $186,411,000 for Offshore Safety and 
     Environmental Enforcement to be partially offset with the 
     collection of rental receipts, cost recovery fees and 
     inspection fees totaling $77,871,000 for a net discretionary 
     appropriation of $108,540,000. The bill does not include a 
     rescission of funds to cover the anticipated shortfall from 
     the loss of revenue, but the Committees are monitoring the 
     continued decline in rental receipts.


                           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 $115,804,000 for the Office of Surface 
     Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) Regulation and 
     Technology account. Within this amount, the bill funds 
     regulatory grants at $68,590,000, equal to the fiscal year 
     2017 enacted level.
       Approximate Original Contours.--When appropriate, the 
     Committees encourage OSMRE to discontinue cases related to 
     Approximate Original Contour policies and regulations when 
     OSMRE has lost the initial administrative court case on the 
     merits of the case.


                    ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION FUND

       The bill provides $139,672,000 for the Abandoned Mine 
     Reclamation Fund. Of the funds provided, $24,672,000 shall be 
     derived from the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund and 
     $115,000,000 shall be derived from the General Fund.
       The agreement provides $115,000,000 for grants to States 
     and Indian Tribes for the reclamation of abandoned mine lands 
     in conjunction with economic and community development and 
     reuse goals. Consistent with fiscal year 2017, $75,000,000 
     shall be distributed in equal amounts to the three 
     Appalachian States with the greatest amount of unfunded needs 
     and $30,000,000 shall be distributed in equal amounts to the 
     three Appalachian States with the subsequent greatest amount 
     of unfunded needs. Grants shall be distributed to States with 
     the same goals, intent and direction as in fiscal year 2017.
       The Committees believe that Tribes can also contribute to 
     the success of the pilot and provide $10,000,000 for grants 
     to federally recognized Indian Tribes to be distributed for 
     the same goals, intent and purpose as the

[[Page H2618]]

     grants to States. Eligible grant recipients for the 
     $10,000,000 are limited to Tribal governmental entities who 
     may subcontract project-related activities as appropriate.
       Coal Act.--The Committees believe OSMRE should avoid taking 
     any action that would place in jeopardy the mandatory 
     benefits for eligible United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) 
     health beneficiaries, including those who receive benefits 
     because of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (P.L. 
     115-31), as well as mandatory funds provided to States and 
     Indian Tribes. It has also been brought to the attention of 
     the Committees that certain businesses in rural areas may 
     face job losses because of affiliate liability for healthcare 
     that is unrelated to the benefits enacted in the Consolidated 
     Appropriations Act, 2017 (P.L. 115-31). Given the 
     disproportionate impact of job losses in rural areas, the 
     Committees are concerned about those job losses. The 
     Committees urge stakeholders to find a solution that would 
     both avoid job losses in rural areas and is consistent with 
     other potential needs for the mandatory funds overseen by 
     OSMRE.


        BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS AND BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION

                      OPERATION OF INDIAN PROGRAMS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The bill provides $2,411,200,000 for Operation of Indian 
     Programs. The Bureaus are expected to execute their budgets 
     in accordance with the justification submitted to the 
     Congress, except as otherwise directed below or in the 
     funding allocation table at the end of this report. The table 
     has been expanded to include additional lines for the Bureau 
     of Indian Education and Public Safety and Justice. The 
     Bureaus are reminded of the guidance and reporting 
     requirements contained in House Report 115-238 that should be 
     complied with unless specifically addressed to the contrary 
     herein, as explained in the front matter of this explanatory 
     statement. The Committees also expect the timely submission 
     of reporting requirements as contained in House Report 115-
     238 and as outlined in this explanatory statement. The 
     agreement includes requested fixed costs and transfers except 
     where discussed below, and the following details and 
     instructions.
       The Committees are concerned about the addition of several 
     programs to the Government Accountability Office's 2017 high 
     risk list (GAO-17-317). The inclusion of these programs to 
     this list indicate there are several challenges to overcome 
     in order to improve the Federal management of programs that 
     serve Tribes and their members. The Committees stand ready to 
     work with the Bureaus to implement the necessary GAO 
     recommendations.
       Tribal Government.--The agreement provides $317,967,000 for 
     Tribal government programs, of which $1,120,000 is for new 
     Tribes including those recognized during fiscal year 2018 
     beyond those contemplated in the budget request. The 
     Committees expect the Bureau to efficiently administer the 
     Tribal recognition process and strongly encourage action on 
     pending requests. The Small and Needy Tribes program is 
     funded at $4,448,000, ensuring that all Tribes receive the 
     maximum base level provided by the Bureau to run Tribal 
     governments.
       Road maintenance is funded at $34,653,000 and includes 
     $1,000,000 to improve the condition of unpaved roads and 
     bridges used by school buses transporting students, and 
     $1,000,000 for road maintenance in support of implementing 
     the NATIVE Act (P.L. 114-221). The Bureau is directed to 
     report back to the Committees within 60 days of enactment of 
     this Act on how the Bureau plans to allocate the funds 
     provided in the bill and the progress being made to implement 
     the GAO recommendations outlined in the report GAO-17-423.
       The Committees are aware that in some areas along the 
     border, including the areas of the Tohono O'odham Nation in 
     Arizona, and the Blackfeet Nation in Montana, U.S. Customs 
     and Border Protection (CBP) and Tribes work together on 
     border security. The Committees have included bill language 
     to support the transfer of funds from CBP to BIA, in 
     consultation with affected Tribes, for the reconstruction or 
     repair of BIA owned roads needed as a result of cooperative 
     security efforts on the U.S. border.
       The Committees are concerned about the Consolidated Tribal 
     Government Program internal transfer of $1,733,000 and have 
     not agreed to any changes from the fiscal year 2017 enacted 
     level of $75,429,000 for this program. The Bureau is directed 
     to report back to the Committees within 30 days of enactment 
     of this Act with a description of the number of Tribes that 
     use this program and how increases for this program compare 
     to others that offer similar services.
       Human Services.--The agreement provides $161,063,000 for 
     human services programs and includes funding to continue the 
     Tiwahe initiative at the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The 
     Bureau is directed to report back to the Committees within 90 
     days of enactment of this Act on the performance measures 
     being used to monitor and track the Tiwahe initiative's 
     effectiveness in Indian Country. The Committees are aware of 
     the pressing needs women and children face in domestic 
     violence situations; therefore, the Committees expect at 
     least $200,000 from human services activities be used to 
     support women and children's shelters that are serving the 
     needs of multiple Tribes or Alaska Native Villages in the 
     areas served by the Tiwahe pilot sites.
       The Committees are concerned about the funding distribution 
     for welfare assistance and direct the Bureau to report back 
     to the Committees within 30 days of enactment of this Act on 
     how this funding would be distributed.
       Trust--Natural Resources Management.--The agreement 
     provides $204,202,000 for natural resources management 
     programs and includes $390,000 to continue the Seminole and 
     Miccosukee water study as requested. The agreement includes 
     $355,000 in the Tribal Management Development Program (TMDP) 
     for fisheries activities previously funded within the 
     Forestry program. Future funding requests should reflect the 
     transfer of this activity to TMDP.
       It is the Committees' understanding that the Bureau has 
     entered into cooperative agreements with the Ahtna 
     Intertribal Resource Commission and the Kuskokwim River 
     Inter-Tribal Fisheries Commission, and with other 
     organizations interested in establishing similar agreements; 
     therefore, it is the Committees' expectation that within the 
     funding provided for the Tribal Management Development 
     Program (TMDP), pilot projects and programs for Alaska 
     subsistence will continue.
       Consistent with treaty and trust obligations, the 
     Committees direct the Bureau to work with at-risk Tribes to 
     identify and expedite the necessary resources to address the 
     resiliency needs of Tribal communities.
       Within the amounts provided for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, 
     the agreement continues $545,000 for substantially producing 
     Tribal hatcheries in BIA's Northwest Region currently not 
     receiving annual BIA hatchery operations funding. This 
     funding should be allocated in the same manner as in fiscal 
     year 2017 but should be considered base funding in fiscal 
     year 2018 and thereafter.
       The Department of the Interior is expected to promote and 
     expand the use of agreements with Indian Tribes to protect 
     Indian trust resources from catastrophic wildfire, insect and 
     disease infestation, or other threats from adjacent Federal 
     lands, as authorized by law. The Committees direct the Bureau 
     to coordinate with the Office of Wildland Fire to submit a 
     report describing how the Department determines the use of 
     wildfire suppression and rehabilitation resources and 
     prioritizes Indian forest land, the title to which is held by 
     the United States in trust.
       The Bureau is directed to enter into a formal partnership 
     with local Tribes and the United States Geological Survey to 
     help develop a water quality strategy for transboundary 
     rivers.
       The Committees expect that Tribes east of the Mississippi 
     River who have resource challenges also receive appropriate 
     funding.
       Trust--Real Estate Services.--The agreement provides 
     $129,841,000 for real estate services. All program elements 
     within this subactivity are continued at fiscal year 2017 
     enacted levels plus fixed costs and transfers, except where 
     discussed below.
       The following line items each receive a $500,000 program 
     increase: land title and records offices; land records 
     improvement--regional; and regional oversight. The Bureau is 
     expected to distribute the program increases to regional 
     offices to address administrative backlogs for Trust Real 
     Estate Services programs. As discussed in House Report 115-
     238, the Committees expect an update on the status of 
     outstanding conveyances by September 2018, and an update on 
     what the Bureau will be changing in its operations policy to 
     ensure backlogs and documentation-related rejections do not 
     occur in the future.
       Alaska Native programs are funded at $1,470,000 to support 
     a program level of $450,000 for the ANCSA Historical Places 
     and Cemetery Sites Program.
       A program increase of $3,000,000 is included for the 
     plugging of abandoned wells not under Bureau of Land 
     Management authority. The Committees direct the BIA to 
     conduct an inventory of wells for which the BIA is 
     responsible to reclaim, including cost estimates for 
     submission to the Committees within 180 days of enactment of 
     this Act.
       The Committees direct the Secretary, or his designee, to 
     work with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe to identify 
     appropriate lands in Clallam County, Washington, to satisfy 
     the requirements of section 7 of the Elwha River Ecosystem 
     and Fisheries Restoration Act (P.L. 102-495).
       The Secretary, in consultation with other interested 
     agencies, is directed to provide a report to Congress, on or 
     before August 1, 2018, on the estimated cost of responses 
     that are necessary under applicable Federal and State laws to 
     protect human health and the environment with respect to any 
     hazardous substance or hazardous waste remaining on the 
     property as authorized by section 13 of Public Law 102-497.
       Public Safety and Justice.--The agreement provides 
     $405,520,000 for public safety and justice programs. The 
     detailed allocation table at the end of this explanatory 
     statement has been expanded in order to more fully outline 
     program levels. Included within Criminal Investigations and 
     Police Services is $1,000,000 to implement the Native 
     American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and 
     $7,500,000 to help people affected by opioid addiction. 
     Within Detention/Corrections is a $1,400,000 increase for 
     recently constructed facilities that do not currently have 
     existing program funding within the BIA budget; additional 
     funding in future years will be considered as information 
     becomes available. Within Law Enforcement Special Initiatives 
     is $3,033,000 to reduce recidivism through the Tiwahe 
     initiative. Within Tribal Justice Support is $2,000,000 to 
     implement the Violence Against Women Act for both training

[[Page H2619]]

     and specific Tribal court needs, and $13,000,000 to address 
     the needs of Tribes affected by Public Law 83-280. Within Law 
     Enforcement Program Management is a $500,000 increase for the 
     Office of Justice Services' District III Office to promote 
     timely payments.
       The Committees remain concerned about Tribal courts' needs 
     as identified in the Indian Law and Order Commission's 
     November 2013 report, which notes that Federal investment in 
     Tribal justice in ``P.L. 280'' States has been more limited 
     than elsewhere in Indian Country. The Committees expect the 
     Bureau to continue to work with Tribes and Tribal 
     organizations in these States to consider options that 
     promote, design, or pilot Tribal court systems for Tribal 
     communities subject to full or partial State jurisdiction 
     under Public Law 83-280.
       The Committees understand that several Tribes whose Federal 
     recognition was terminated and then subsequently restored now 
     face significant challenges in securing law enforcement 
     funding through self-determination contracts. The Bureau is 
     directed to work with affected Tribes to assess their law 
     enforcement needs and submit a report within 120 days of 
     enactment of this Act that details the amounts necessary to 
     provide sufficient law enforcement capacity for them.
       Community and Economic Development.--The agreement provides 
     $46,447,000 for community and economic development programs, 
     of which: $12,549,000 is for job placement and training and 
     includes $1,550,000 for the Tiwahe initiative; $1,826,000 is 
     for economic development; $26,416,000 is for minerals and 
     mining and includes $1,000,000 for the modernization of oil 
     and gas records including the National Indian Oil and Gas 
     Management System (NIOGEMS); and $5,656,000 is for community 
     development central oversight, of which $3,400,000 is to 
     implement the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor 
     Experience Act, including via cooperative agreements with 
     Tribes or Tribal organizations. The Committees understand 
     that the NIOGEMS has been distributed to some Tribes and 
     regional offices; the Bureau is instructed to report back 
     within 120 days of enactment of this Act on the cost to 
     further expand this system to more reservations and offices.
       The recent high risk GAO report (GAO-17-317) found the 
     Bureau does not properly manage Indian energy resources. The 
     Committees request the Bureau to report back within 180 days 
     of enactment of this Act outlining any barriers, statutory or 
     regulatory, that impede development of these resources.
       Executive Direction and Administrative Services.--The 
     agreement provides $231,747,000 for executive direction and 
     administrative services. All budget line items are funded at 
     fiscal year 2017 enacted levels and adjusted for fixed costs 
     and transfers, except for human capital management and intra-
     governmental payments, which are funded at the requested 
     levels.
       Within 60 days on enactment of this Act, the Bureau is 
     directed to make funds provided within executive direction 
     available to solicit proposals from independent non-profit or 
     academic entities to prepare a report on the likely impacts 
     of the closure of the Navajo Generating Station power plant 
     on affected Tribes, State and local governments and other 
     stakeholders within the Four Corners region. In consultation 
     with impacted Tribes, an entity shall be selected to prepare 
     a report within 12 months of the award that (1) details 
     potential economic impacts related to the plant's closure; 
     and (2) identifies specific policy recommendations that would 
     mitigate the potential economic and societal consequences of 
     the plant's closure on affected Tribes or other stakeholders.
       The Committees note that the Bureau has not yet complied 
     with the fiscal year 2017 directive to provide a report on 
     funding requirements associated with operating and law 
     enforcement needs for congressionally authorized treaty 
     fishing sites on the Columbia River. The Bureau is directed 
     to transmit the report no later than 30 days following 
     enactment of this Act. The Bureau is also urged to 
     incorporate unfunded needs for these sites as part of future 
     budget requests.
       Indian Affairs is directed to complete annual health and 
     safety inspections and background checks at all BIE system 
     facilities, and to submit quarterly updates on the status of 
     such efforts to the Committees.
       Bureau of Indian Education.--The agreement includes 
     $914,413,000 for the Bureau of Indian Education, the details 
     of which are included in the expanded allocation table at the 
     end of this explanatory statement. Tribal grant support costs 
     continue to be fully funded. Additional details follow:
       A one-time increase is provided to complete the transition 
     to a school year funding cycle for all Tribal colleges and 
     universities, including Haskell Indian Nations University and 
     Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute. The Committees 
     recognize that many Tribal colleges have significant unfunded 
     needs, and direct the Bureau to work with Tribal leaders and 
     other stakeholders to develop a consistent methodology for 
     determining Tribal college operating needs to inform future 
     budget requests. The Committees expect the methodology to 
     address operating and infrastructure needs including 
     classrooms and housing.
       The agreement includes $18,810,000 for early child and 
     family development, which should be used to expand the Family 
     and Child Education (FACE) program. The agreement rescinds 
     $8,000,000 from expiring prior year balances that the Bureau 
     failed to obligate. This rescission does not impact the 
     program's operating level for fiscal year 2018.
       The Committees support efforts to revitalize and maintain 
     Native languages and expand the use of language immersion 
     programs. The ISEP program is expected to continue to enhance 
     access to Native language and culture programs in Bureau-
     funded schools, and the Bureau shall report back within 60 
     days of enactment of this Act on how funding has been and can 
     continue to be used to support these programs. In addition, 
     $2,000,000 is provided within Education Program Enhancements 
     for capacity building grants for Bureau and tribally operated 
     schools to expand existing language immersion programs or to 
     create new programs. Prior to distributing these funds, the 
     Bureau shall coordinate with the Department of Education and 
     Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that Bureau 
     investments complement, but do not duplicate, existing 
     language immersion programs. The Committees also direct the 
     Bureau to submit a report to the Committees within 120 days 
     of enactment of this Act regarding the status of fiscal year 
     2017 funds and the planned distribution of funds in this Act.
       The Johnson O'Malley program is funded at $14,903,000. The 
     Committees remain concerned that the distribution of funds is 
     not an accurate reflection of the distribution of students. 
     The Bureau is directed to report back to the Committees 
     within 90 days of enactment of this Act on the status of 
     updating the student counts.
       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 next fiscal year 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. The Office of the Assistant Secretary-Indian 
     Affairs is directed to report back within 60 days of 
     enactment of this Act on the progress made towards 
     implementing all the GAO recommendations and the current 
     status of the reform effort.
       The Committees understand the importance of bringing 
     broadband to reservations and villages, but remain concerned 
     about the planning process used for this type of investment. 
     The Committees direct the agency to report back within 90 
     days of enactment of this Act on a scalable plan to increase 
     bandwidth in schools, procure computers and software, and to 
     include in this report how the Bureau is working with other 
     Federal agencies to coordinate and plan for the technology 
     buildout.
       The BIE is encouraged to coordinate with the Indian Health 
     Service to integrate preventive dental care and mental health 
     care at schools within the BIE system.
       The bill includes modified language limiting the expansion 
     of grades and schools in the BIE system which allows for the 
     expansion of additional grades to schools that meet certain 
     criteria.
       The Committees continue to encourage efforts to improve 
     interagency coordination for the wide range of programs that 
     affect the wellbeing of Native children and expect the Bureau 
     to work with relevant Federal, State, local and Tribal 
     organizations to make these programs more effective.
       The Committees are concerned by the recent Government 
     Accountability Office report (GAO-17-423) on Tribal 
     transportation, which identified potential negative impacts 
     of road conditions on Native student school attendance. The 
     Committees recommend BIE take steps to improve its data 
     collection on the cause of student absences, including data 
     on road and weather conditions, and to report back to the 
     Committees within 120 days of enactment of this Act regarding 
     its actions to improve student absence data tracking and 
     analysis.


                         CONTRACT SUPPORT COSTS

       The bill provides an indefinite appropriation for contract 
     support costs, consistent with fiscal year 2017 and estimated 
     to be $241,600,000.


                              CONSTRUCTION

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The bill provides $354,113,000 for Construction. Details 
     are contained in the justification submitted to the Congress 
     and in the funding allocation table at the end of this 
     explanatory statement, except as otherwise discussed below:
       Account-wide.--Not later than 90 days after enactment of 
     this Act, Indian Affairs shall submit an operating plan to 
     the Committees detailing how fiscal year 2018 funding will be 
     allocated and including specific projects where available and 
     the methodology used in the prioritization. Where specific 
     project allocations are not yet available, the plan shall 
     provide the circumstances and Indian Affairs shall brief the

[[Page H2620]]

     Committees when project allocations are available.
       Joint Ventures.--Indian Affairs is expected to comply with 
     the directive in House Report 115-238 regarding the 
     establishment of joint venture programs for schools and 
     justice centers and modeled after the Indian Health Service's 
     program.
       Education Construction.--The agreement provides 
     $238,245,000 for schools and related facilities within the 
     Bureau of Indian Education system and includes the following: 
     $105,504,000 for replacement school campus construction; 
     $23,935,000 for replacement facility construction; 
     $13,574,000 for employee housing repair; and $95,232,000 for 
     facilities improvement and repair. The Committees expect the 
     increase provided for facilities improvement and repair to be 
     used to address deficiencies identified by annual school 
     safety inspections.
       The Committees continue to expect BIA and BIE to work 
     together to ensure that annual safety inspections are 
     completed for all BIE schools and remain concerned that the 
     Bureaus have not developed concrete tracking and capacity-
     building systems to ensure that safety issues flagged by 
     these inspections are addressed in a timely manner. The 
     Committees are also concerned by reports from tribally 
     operated schools that BIE is not providing necessary training 
     or access to funding from the Facilities Improvement and 
     Repair program to meet urgent safety and maintenance needs. 
     The Committees direct BIE and BIA to provide an 
     implementation plan to the Committees to address these 
     concerns within 120 days of enactment of this Act.
       The Bureau of Indian Education is directed to report back 
     within 60 days of enactment of this Act on the progress the 
     Bureau has made towards implementing a long-term facilities 
     needs assessment modeled after the Department of Defense 
     Education Activity, as directed by House Report 114-632.
       The Committees continue to strongly support innovative 
     financing options to supplement annual appropriations and 
     accelerate repair and replacement of Bureau schools, 
     including through the use of construction bonds, tax credits, 
     and grant programs.
       Public Safety and Justice Construction.--The agreement 
     provides $35,309,000 for public safety and justice 
     construction and includes the following: $18,000,000 to 
     restart the facilities replacement and new construction 
     program; $4,494,000 for employee housing; $9,372,000 for 
     facilities improvement and repair; $169,000 for fire safety 
     coordination; and $3,274,000 for fire protection.
       The Committees include funding for the replacement 
     construction program, which has not received funding from the 
     Bureau since fiscal year 2010, as other agencies have sought 
     to build these facilities. The Committees also understand the 
     Bureau currently has compiled a list of replacement 
     facilities based upon the facilities condition index, inmate 
     populations, and available space. It is the expectation the 
     funding made available for this activity will utilize this 
     list. Further, the Committees encourage the Bureau to develop 
     a master plan that details the location and condition of 
     existing facilities relative to the user population, and 
     incorporates the use of existing tribally constructed 
     facilities and regional justice centers, such as the 
     Shoshone-Bannock Tribes' Justice Center, as an efficient 
     approach to filling gaps where additional facilities are 
     needed. Reasonable driving distances for visitation should be 
     taken into consideration.
       Resources Management Construction.--The agreement provides 
     $67,192,000 for resources management construction programs 
     and includes the following: $24,692,000 for irrigation 
     project construction; $2,596,000 for engineering and 
     supervision; $1,016,000 for survey and design; $648,000 for 
     Federal power compliance; and $38,240,000 for dam safety and 
     maintenance.
       The Committees are aware of the aging Indian irrigation 
     systems and that most of these systems are in need of major 
     capital improvement; therefore, additional funding has been 
     included to address the infrastructure needs. Additionally, 
     it is the Committees' understanding that these projects are 
     consistent with those activities authorized as part of the 
     Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (P.L. 
     114-322).
       The Committees are concerned that there are an unknown 
     number of dams on reservations that have not received a 
     hazard classification, and that the current review process is 
     behind schedule. The Committees strongly encourage the Bureau 
     to begin the work on these dams and report back to the 
     Committees on the best way to effectively quantify the 
     potential pool of dams on reservations in need of a review 
     and/or classification.
       Other Program Construction.--The agreement provides 
     $13,367,000 for other programs and includes the following: 
     $1,119,000 for telecommunications; $3,919,000 for facilities 
     and quarters; and $8,329,000 for program management, 
     including $2,400,000 to continue the project at Fort Peck.


indian land and water claims settlements and miscellaneous payments to 
                                indians

       The bill provides $55,457,000 for Indian Land and Water 
     Claims Settlements and Miscellaneous Payments to Indians, 
     ensuring that Indian Affairs will meet the statutory 
     deadlines of all authorized settlement agreements to date. 
     The detailed allocation of funding by settlement is included 
     in the table at the end of this explanatory statement.


                 indian guaranteed loan program account

       The bill provides $9,272,000 for the Indian Guaranteed Loan 
     Program Account to facilitate business investments in Indian 
     Country.


                       administrative provisions

                    (including rescission of funds)

       The bill includes a rescission of $8,000,000 from prior 
     year unobligated balances within the Operation of Indian 
     Programs account. The Bureau is directed to take the 
     rescission from within Early Child and Family Development as 
     detailed above.


                          departmental offices

                        office of the secretary

                        departmental operations

       The agreement provides $124,182,000 for Departmental 
     Offices, Office of the Secretary, Departmental Operations. 
     The Office of Valuation Services is funded at $10,242,000. 
     The Committees accept the proposal in the budget request to 
     transfer the Office of Natural Resources Revenue to 
     Department-wide Programs. The agreement includes language as 
     requested establishing the Department of the Interior 
     Experienced Services Program. The detailed allocation of 
     funding by program area and activity is included in the table 
     at the end of the statement.
       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.
       American Discovery Trail.--The Committees encourage the 
     Secretary to work with the National Park Service, the Bureau 
     of Land Management, other appropriate agencies, and 
     appropriate stakeholders, in conjunction with all relevant 
     laws, regulations, and policies, to facilitate installing 
     signage for the American Discovery Trail.
       Tamarisk Eradication.--The Committees encourage the 
     Secretary to coordinate with the Department of Agriculture, 
     other Federal agencies, States, Tribes, private entities, and 
     communities to establish a scientifically based and 
     watershed-focused pilot program to eradicate tamarisk in the 
     southwestern United States.
       Departmental Documents.--The Committees remind the 
     Department of the need in departmental documents that 
     delineate Federal, State, and private land, such as 
     acquisition boundary maps and resource management plans, to 
     more clearly indicate that Federal land management documents 
     apply only to Federal lands and do not apply to private land 
     unless authorized by law and approved by the landowner.
       Tribal Energy Development.--The Committees direct the 
     Secretary to provide a report to the Committees within 90 
     days of enactment of this Act on efforts to improve the 
     ability of Tribes to develop energy resources on tribal 
     lands. Such report should address any potential obstacles, 
     including statutory or regulatory, to full resource 
     utilization.
       Conservation Partnerships.--The Committees continue to 
     support the partnership between the Department and the 21st 
     Century Conservation Service Corps and Public Lands Corps 
     which engage youth and veterans in protecting, restoring, and 
     enhancing America's great outdoors.
       Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT).--The agreement includes 
     funding for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program for 
     fiscal year 2018 in Section 118 of Title I General 
     Provisions.
       National Park Fees.--The Secretary is directed to provide 
     to the Committees within 60 days of enactment of this Act a 
     report analyzing the Administration's October 24, 2017 
     proposal to raise national park entry fees. Such report must 
     include a cost benefit analysis and evaluation of the impact 
     on accessibility to the parks.


                            insular affairs

                       assistance to territories

       The agreement provides $96,870,000 for Assistance to 
     Territories. The detailed allocation of funding is included 
     in the table at the end of this explanatory statement.
       The agreement recognizes that the Office of Insular Affairs 
     funds important efforts to improve education, health, 
     infrastructure, judicial training, and economic 
     sustainability in the Insular areas and expects funds to 
     continue to be awarded accordingly. Additionally, the Office 
     is directed to continue to award noncompetitive technical 
     assistance funds to support investments in civic education 
     programs for Insular Area students.
       U.S. Virgin Islands Hurricane Impacts.--The Committees 
     continue to be concerned about the catastrophic impacts of 
     Hurricane Irma to the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Committees 
     recognize that the Office will play an important role in 
     long-term disaster recovery and direct the Office to continue 
     to provide information to the Committees on recovery needs.


                      compact of free association

       The agreement provides $3,363,000 for Compact of Free 
     Association. The detailed allocation of funding is included 
     in the table at the end of this explanatory statement.


                        office of the solicitor

                         salaries and expenses

       The bill provides $66,675,000 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 bill provides $51,023,000 for the Office of Inspector 
     General. The detailed allocation of funding is included in 
     the table at the end of this explanatory statement.

[[Page H2621]]

  



           office of the special trustee for american indians

                         federal trust programs

                     (including transfer of funds)

       The agreement provides $119,400,000 for the Office of the 
     Special Trustee for American Indians, as requested. 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 a total of $948,087,000 for 
     Department of the Interior Wildland Fire Management. Of the 
     funds provided, $389,406,000 is for suppression operations. 
     The bill fully funds wildland fire suppression at the 10-year 
     average.
       Fuels Management.--The agreement provides $184,000,000 for 
     fuels management activities.
       Joint Fire Science.--The Committees support continued 
     research on unique ecosystems, such as boreal forests and 
     tundra ecosystems, through Joint Fire Science.
       Unmanned Aerial Systems.--The Department, as the lead 
     agency in piloting and demonstrating the potential for 
     unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to assist in wildland fire 
     suppression, is directed to work with the Forest Service and 
     the Federal Aviation Administration's Center of Excellence 
     for Unmanned Aircraft Systems to continue evaluating these 
     systems' use and to develop an overall strategy for 
     integrating this additional tool into the Federal 
     firefighting mission. The Committees encourage the Department 
     to expand the use of UAS in the field, as appropriate.


                    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 $62,370,000 for the Department of 
     the Interior, Working Capital Fund.


                  office of natural resources revenue

       The agreement provides $137,757,000 for the Office of 
     Natural Resources Revenue. The Committees accept the proposal 
     to create a separate account for the Office of Natural 
     Resources Revenue.


             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 expenditure or transfer of 
     funds from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian 
     Education, and the Office of the Special Trustee for American 
     Indians, for Indian trust management and reform activities.
       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 allows the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau 
     of Indian Education to more efficiently and effectively 
     perform reimbursable work.
       Section 113 addresses the humane transfer of excess wild 
     horses and burros.
       Section 114 provides remaining payments to the Republic of 
     Palau pursuant to the Compact of Free Association 
     requirements.
       Section 115 provides for the establishment of a Department 
     of the Interior Experienced Services Program.
       Section 116 designates land located within the Lake Clark 
     National Park and Preserve as the ``Jay S. Hammond 
     Wilderness.''
       Section 117 addresses National Heritage Areas.
       Section 118 provides fiscal year 2018 funding for the 
     Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program.
       Section 119 addresses Morristown National Historical Park.
       Section 120 addresses the issuance of rules for sage-
     grouse.
       Section 121 incorporates by reference Section 7130 
     (Modification of the Second Division Memorial); and Section 
     7134 (Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park) of S. 1460 
     (Energy and Natural Resources Act of 2017) of the 115th 
     Congress, as well as H.R. 1281 as introduced in the 115th 
     Congress (A bill to extend the authorization of the Highlands 
     Conservation Act) and H.R. 4134 as introduced in the 115th 
     Congress (Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness Re-
     designation Act).
       Section 122 provides for mineral withdrawal of certain 
     lands subject to valid existing rights.

               TITLE II--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

       The bill provides $8,058,488,000 for the Environmental 
     Protection Agency (EPA). The bill does not support reductions 
     proposed in the budget request unless explicitly noted in the 
     explanatory statement.
       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 and Workforce Reshaping.--The agreement does 
     not include any of the requested funds for workforce 
     reshaping. Further, the Committees do not expect the Agency 
     to consolidate or close any regional offices in fiscal year 
     2018. 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. It is noted that such reprogramming directives 
     apply to proposed reorganizations, workforce restructure, 
     reshaping, transfer of functions, or downsizing, especially 
     those of significant national or regional importance, and 
     include closures, consolidations, and relocations of offices, 
     facilities, and laboratories.
       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 2018, which shall detail how 
     the Agency plans to allocate funds at the program project 
     level.
       Other.--It is noted that the current workforce is below the 
     fiscal year 2017 level, therefore, the agreement includes 
     rescissions in the Science and Technology and Environmental 
     Programs and Management accounts that capture expected 
     savings associated with such changes. The Agency is directed 
     to first apply the rescissions across program project areas 
     to reflect routine attrition that will occur in those program 
     project areas in fiscal year 2018 and then to reflect 
     efficiency savings in a manner that seeks, to the extent 
     practicable, to be proportional among program project areas. 
     Amounts provided in this Act are sufficient to fully fund 
     Agency payroll estimates. The Committees understand that the 
     Agency routinely makes funding payroll requirements a top 
     priority, and the Committees expect the Agency will continue 
     to do so as it executes its fiscal year 2018 appropriation 
     and applies the rescissions.
       The Committees do not expect the Agency will undertake 
     adverse personnel actions or incentive programs to comply 
     with the rescissions nor do the Committees expect the Agency 
     will undertake large-scale adverse personnel actions or 
     incentive programs in fiscal year 2018. As specified in the 
     bill language, the rescissions shall not apply to the 
     Geographic Programs, the National Estuary Program, and the 
     National Priorities funding in the Science and Technology and 
     Environmental Programs and Management accounts. The Agency is 
     directed to submit, as part of the operating plan, detail on 
     the application of such rescissions at the program project 
     level.


                         science and technology

                    (including rescission of funds)

       For Science and Technology programs, the bill provides 
     $713,823,000 to be partially offset by a $7,350,000 
     rescission for a net discretionary appropriation of 
     $706,473,000. The bill transfers $15,496,000 from the 
     Hazardous Substance Superfund account to this account. The 
     bill provides the following specific funding levels and 
     direction:
       Indoor Air and Radiation.--The bill provides $5,997,000 and 
     funding for the radon program is maintained at not less than 
     the fiscal year 2017 enacted level.
       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

[[Page H2622]]

     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.
       Additional Guidance.--The agreement includes the following 
     additional guidance:
       Alternatives Testing.--The Agency is directed to follow the 
     guidance contained under this heading in House Report 115-238 
     and to also include in its report to the Committees 
     information and analysis related to potential barriers or 
     limitations on the use of alternative test methods and to 
     ensure that any future plans address such barriers or 
     limitations, particularly as they relate to susceptible 
     populations.
       Computational Toxicology.--The Committees support the 
     Agency's computational toxicology research activities to 
     advance the next generation of risk assessment methods, 
     including for prioritization, screening and testing under the 
     Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act (LCSA). Such research 
     activities must be carried out following the requirements of 
     the LCSA to ensure that alternative test methods ``provide 
     information of equivalent or better scientific quality and 
     relevance'' and to protect susceptible subpopulations from 
     unreasonable risk. The Agency's National Center for 
     Computational Toxicology (NCCT) is encouraged to expand its 
     collaborations with scientific experts outside of the Agency 
     to advance development and use of human biology-based 
     experimental and computational approaches for chemical 
     assessments.
       The Committees direct the Agency to develop the strategic 
     plan on alternative methods and testing strategies required 
     by the LCSA utilizing the leadership of the Director of 
     Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), the 
     Director of NCCT, the Director of the National Toxicology 
     Program (NTP), and the Director of the National Center for 
     Environmental Assessment (NCEA). The process for developing 
     this strategic plan shall include requests for information 
     from the scientific community and the public and two or more 
     public meetings or workshops. The Agency shall circulate the 
     draft strategic plan for public review and comment, revise 
     the plan to address comments and then issue the strategic 
     plan, which shall include an appendix documenting response 
     to, and disposition of, public comments. In addition, NCCT, 
     OPPT, NTP, and NCEA shall each assign 1 FTE to collaborate on 
     evaluating computational toxicology, in vitro methods and 
     alternative test methods for specific scientifically-valid 
     applications by OPPT for implementation in the LCSA. The 
     Committees request the Agency to provide a status report on 
     these activities no later than September 30, 2018.
       Enhanced Aquifer Use.--The Agency is directed to continue 
     following the guidance contained in Senate Report 114-281 in 
     addition to the guidance contained in House Report 115-238 
     directing the Agency to coordinate with other Federal 
     research efforts in this area.
       Integrated Risk Information System.--The agreement 
     continues to provide funding for the Integrated Risk 
     Information System (IRIS) program at the fiscal year 2017 
     enacted level and direction that the program continues within 
     the Office of Research and Development. The Committees remain 
     concerned that the program has appeared on the Government 
     Accountability Office's (GAO) High Risk List since 2008. The 
     Committees are aware of progress made by the Agency to 
     implement the 2011 National Academy of Sciences' (NAS) 
     Chapter 7 and 2014 NAS report recommendations for the IRIS 
     program, but remain concerned that the recommendations have 
     not been fully implemented. The Committees note that the 
     Agency and the NAS held a workshop in February 2018 to review 
     advances made to the IRIS process, and that an NAS report on 
     IRIS' progress is forthcoming. The Committees are encouraged 
     that the program indicated its willingness to more closely 
     align the development of risk assessments with stated 
     regulatory priorities of the Agency, and believes that these 
     efforts will make the assessments more relevant. The 
     Committees understand that the program intends to continue 
     the development of new methodologies and technologies to 
     enhance the development of future IRIS assessments and 
     encourages the program to do so, while also encouraging the 
     program to ensure that all IRIS methodologies attain the 
     highest scientific rigor. Finally, the Committees urge the 
     expedited completion of the IRIS handbook and direct that the 
     public be afforded an opportunity to provide comment on the 
     handbook before it is placed in use.
       National Air Toxics Trends Station Network.--The agreement 
     maintains funding for the National Air Toxic Trends Station 
     Network, which tracks air pollution trends at 27 stations 
     across the country, at the fiscal year 2017 enacted level to 
     accommodate the network's ongoing activities to gather 
     consistent, high-quality monitoring data on hazardous air 
     pollutants across the country.
       Nanomaterials Research.--The Agency should continue to 
     follow the direction included in Senate Report 114-281 and 
     seek to maximize collaborative research efforts with the Food 
     and Drug Administration.
       Partnership Research.--The Committees encourage the Agency 
     to continue leveraged partnerships with not-for-profit 
     institutions that often partner with the Agency, industry, 
     and affected stakeholders to produce independent science and 
     evaluate the effectiveness of environmental regulations 
     relating to unconventional oil and gas development. The study 
     should be used to provide credible science, of national 
     scope, relating to unconventional oil and gas development. 
     Within available funds, the Agency is directed to use not 
     less than $1,000,000 to partner on such a study during fiscal 
     year 2018.
       STAR Grants.--The agreement provides funds to continue the 
     Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program and the Committees 
     direct the Agency to distribute grants consistent with fiscal 
     year 2017. Within 90 days of enactment of this Act, the 
     Committees direct the Agency to provide a briefing on its 
     plans for the program in fiscal year 2018.


                 environmental programs and management

                    (including rescission of funds)

       For Environmental Programs and Management, the bill 
     provides $2,643,299,000 to be partially offset by a 
     $45,300,000 rescission for a net discretionary appropriation 
     of $2,597,999,000. The bill provides the following specific 
     funding levels and direction:
       Clean Air.--The agreement maintains funding for the 
     EnergySTAR program at the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. In 
     2009, the Agency and the Department of Energy (DOE) signed a 
     Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) related to the EnergySTAR 
     Program, which shifted some functions related to home 
     appliance products from the DOE to EPA. The Agency shall work 
     with the DOE to review the 2009 MOU and report to the 
     Committees within 90 days of enactment of this Act on whether 
     the expected efficiencies for home appliance products have 
     been achieved.
       Further, the Committees do not support the proposed 
     termination of voluntary programs, including Natural GasSTAR, 
     AgSTAR, the Combined Heat and Power Partnership, and other 
     partnership programs where EPA works collaboratively with 
     nongovernmental entities to identify beneficial methods to 
     reduce emissions, reduce pollution, or increase efficiency. 
     The Committees also maintain both program areas related to 
     stratospheric ozone at not less than the fiscal year 2017 
     enacted level.
       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, adequate waste water to small systems or 
     individual private well owners. The Agency shall provide 
     $10,000,000 for the Grassroots Rural and Small Community 
     Water Systems Assistance Act, for activities specified under 
     section 1442(e) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 
     300j-1(e)(8)). The Agency is also directed to provide 
     $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 is directed to 
     provide on a national and multi-State regional basis, 
     $1,000,000 for grants to qualified organizations, for the 
     sole purpose of providing onsite training and technical 
     assistance for wastewater systems. 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.
       The Committees understand the Agency has made a decision to 
     put out a multi-year Request for Applications for fiscal year 
     2017 and fiscal year 2018 without expressed approval from the 
     Committees. The Committees expect the Agency to formally 
     consult on similar decisions in the future.
       Geographic Programs.--The bill provides $447,857,000, as 
     distributed in the table at the end of this division, and 
     includes the following direction:
       Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.--The bill provides 
     $300,000,000 and the Agency shall continue to follow the 
     direction as provided in House Report 112-589 and in Senate 
     Report 114-281 related to the Great Lakes Restoration 
     Initiative. Additionally, the Committees encourage Agency 
     funds for Great Lakes projects to be made available for 
     projects in the historic Great Lakes Basin, which includes 
     the Chicago River Watershed.
       Chesapeake Bay.--The bill provides $73,000,000 and the 
     Agency shall allocate funds consistent with the direction 
     under this heading in Senate Report 114-281.
       Gulf of Mexico.--The bill provides $12,542,000 for the Gulf 
     of Mexico Geographic Program where hypoxia is a growing cause 
     for concern. The Committees direct the Agency to coordinate 
     with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Gulf States, and 
     other State, local and private partners to leverage greater 
     resources toward conservation projects on working-lands 
     within the Gulf Region and Mississippi River Basin. The 
     Agency is directed to distribute funds in the same manner as 
     fiscal year 2017.
       Lake Champlain.--The bill provides $8,399,000 for the Lake 
     Champlain program. From within the amount provided, 
     $4,399,000 shall be allocated in the same manner as fiscal 
     year 2017 and $4,000,000 shall be for otherwise unmet needs 
     necessary to implement the Agency's 2016 Phosphorus Total 
     Maximum Daily Load Plan for Lake Champlain for projects and 
     work identified in the State implementation plan.
       Puget Sound.--The bill provides $28,000,000 and the Agency 
     shall follow the direction under this heading in House Report 
     115-238.

[[Page H2623]]

       Northwest Forest Program.--The Northwest Forest Program is 
     funded at not less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level.
       South Florida Program.--The agreement maintains funding for 
     the South Florida Program and directs the Agency to allocate 
     funds in the same manner as fiscal year 2017.
       Indoor Air and Radiation.--The agreement maintains funding 
     for the radon program at the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 
     and funds have been included for Radiation Protection and 
     Reduce Risks from Indoor Air programs.
       Information Exchange/Outreach.--The agreement includes 
     funding for tribal capacity building equal to the fiscal year 
     2017 enacted level, and the Agency is directed to use 
     environmental education funds for the smart skin care 
     program, similar to prior years. The agreement also provides 
     for the Small Minority Business Assistance program to be 
     continued.
       International Programs.--The bill provides $15,400,000 and 
     includes funds to maintain the U.S.-Mexico Border program at 
     the fiscal year 2017 enacted level.
       Legal/Science/Regulatory/Economic Review.--The bill 
     provides $111,414,000, equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted 
     level. Within that amount, Integrated Environmental 
     Strategies is funded at the fiscal year 2017 level, so that 
     the Agency can continue to provide locally-led, community-
     driven technical assistance to communities in partnership 
     with localities, States, and other Federal agencies.
       Official Reception and Representation Expenses.--The bill 
     provides necessary funding for the Agency's Commission on 
     Environmental Cooperation meeting in fiscal year 2018.
       Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.--The bill provides 
     $109,377,000. Of the funds provided under this section, 
     $6,000,0000 should be allocated for the purpose of developing 
     and implementing a Federal permit program for the regulation 
     of coal combustion residuals in nonparticipating States, as 
     authorized under section 4005(d)(2)(B) of the Solid Waste 
     Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6945(d)(2)(B)). The Committees also 
     reiterate the importance of additional language included in 
     House Report 115-238 related to coal combustion residuals and 
     recognize that additional State grants may be necessary as 
     States work to implement permit programs as authorized under 
     section 2301 of the WIIN Act (Public Law 114-322).
       Additionally, the Committees continue to support the Waste 
     Minimization and Recycling program, and the Agency is 
     encouraged to use funds from within the program to help 
     public entities demonstrate community anaerobic digester 
     applications to municipal solid waste streams and farm needs 
     such as capturing excess phosphorus.
       Toxics Risk Review and Prevention.--The bill provides 
     $92,521,000 and maintains funding for the Pollution 
     Prevention program and the Lead Risk Reduction program.
       Water: Ecosystems.--The bill provides $47,788,000. From 
     within the amount provided, $26,723,000 has been provided for 
     the National Estuary Program (NEP) grants as authorized by 
     section 320 of the Clean Water Act. This amount is sufficient 
     to provide each of the 28 national estuaries in the program 
     with a grant of at least $600,000.
       Further, in the Administrative Provisions section, the 
     Committees direct that $1,000,000 in competitive grants be 
     made available for additional projects, and encourages the 
     Agency to work in consultation with the NEP directors to 
     identify worthy projects and activities.
       Water Quality Protection. --The bill provides $210,417,000 
     and maintains funding for the WaterSENSE program at the 
     fiscal year 2017 enacted level.
       Additional Guidance.--The agreement includes the following 
     additional guidance:
       Chesapeake Bay.--The Committees note the agreements signed 
     by the Agency, States and other stakeholders to locate a 
     Chesapeake Bay Liaison Office in Annapolis, Maryland to 
     facilitate coordination among jurisdictions and from 
     participating Federal agencies in support of the Chesapeake 
     Bay Program. Currently, the Chesapeake Bay Program Office is 
     located in Annapolis, per the agreement, and houses staff 
     from the Chesapeake Bay Program, five Federal agencies and 35 
     non-Federal partners in order to facilitate program 
     coordination. The Committees note and appreciate the 
     commitment made by the Agency to locate the office in, or 
     immediately adjacent to, Annapolis, in compliance with the 
     signed agreements and to also ensure that the future office 
     space will continue to accommodate all of the current 
     Chesapeake Bay Program Office participants. The Committees 
     direct the Agency to completely fulfill those commitments and 
     to keep the Committees fully apprised of progress in each 
     step of the lease process.
       Coal Refuse-Fired Electrical Generating Units.--In its 
     rulemaking on New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), the 
     Agency provided a separate subcategory for SO2 emissions 
     standards for owners and operators of affected coal refuse-
     fired facilities combusting 75 percent or more coal refuse on 
     an annual basis. In the subsequent rulemaking, ``National 
     Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants from Coal- 
     and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units,'' (the 
     MATS rule) the Agency did not provide a separate subcategory 
     for coal refuse-fired Electric Generating Units (EGUs). It is 
     noted that some stakeholders believe that the NSPS standard 
     appropriately recognizes the multimedia environmental 
     benefits provided by coal refuse-fired EGUs and that the high 
     sulfur content present in coal refuse presents economic and 
     technical difficulties in achieving the same acid gas 
     standards as for coal. The Agency should consider revising 
     the MATS Rule as soon as practicable to provide a separate 
     category for coal refuse-fired EGUs for purposes of the acid 
     gas requirement and its SO2 surrogate consistent with the 
     NSPS.
       Diesel Generators in Remote Alaska Villages.--Under 40 CFR 
     60.4216, diesel generators purchased after Model Year 2014 
     are required to have a diesel particulate filter if they are 
     used as the primary power generator. The Committees 
     understand that these filters have a high failure rate in 
     harsh weather conditions and that repair of the filters can 
     be difficult and expensive. The Committees direct the Agency 
     to reexamine 40 CFR 60.4216 and consider exempting these 
     Villages from the diesel particulate filter requirement.
       Ecolabels for Federal Procurement.--Multiple forest 
     certification systems have been recognized throughout the 
     Federal government as supporting the use of sustainable 
     products in building construction and other uses. The 
     Committees are concerned that the Agency's efforts have not 
     acknowledged many of these certification systems and are 
     therefore limiting the procurement of some products that may 
     be sustainable. The Committees understand that the Agency's 
     Wood/Lumber product category recommendation is currently 
     under review. The Committees direct the Agency to align its 
     Wood/Lumber recommendation with the provisions of the USDA 
     BioPreferred program.
       Elk River.--The Committees encourage the Agency, in 
     coordination with the Department of State and other Federal 
     agencies, to work with State, local, and Tribal partners on 
     efforts to reduce selenium, sulfates, nitrates and other 
     harmful contaminants in the Kootenai Watershed, to which the 
     Elk River is a tributary. The Agency is directed to brief the 
     Committees on its efforts within 180 days of enactment of 
     this Act.
       Exempt Aquifers.--The Agency shall follow the guidance 
     contained under this heading in House Report 115-238.
       Fish Grinding.--Under a Clean Water Act general permit, 
     onshore seafood processors in Alaska are allowed to grind and 
     discharge seafood waste. The permit requires that all seafood 
     waste be ground to a size of no more than one-half inch in 
     any dimension. Unfortunately, in some instances, the best 
     available technology is unable to achieve a half inch grind 
     dimension on a consistent basis due to the malleable nature 
     of fish waste. The Agency should develop a policy to ensure 
     that fish processors using the best available technology and/
     or best conventional practice will be considered in 
     compliance. Additionally, processing vessels operating in 
     waters off-shore of Alaska are subject to the same one-half 
     inch grinding requirement even though there are no documented 
     water quality issues that require such grinding. The Agency 
     should exempt offshore processing vessels from the 
     requirement.
       Glider Kits.--The Committees understand the Agency has 
     announced plans to revisit portions of its Phase 2 Greenhouse 
     Gas (GHG) Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- 
     and Heavy-Duty Engines. Upon completion of the review, the 
     Agency is directed to update the Committees on the matter.
       Integrated Planning.--The Agency is encouraged to continue 
     using an integrated planning approach to enhance flexibility 
     for communities struggling to meet compliance costs mandated 
     under the Clean Water Act (CWA) as well as the Agency's 
     efforts to consider a community's ability to pay for 
     compliance costs when determining permitting actions under 
     the CWA. The Agency is directed to maintain technical 
     assistance and outreach to communities seeking to develop and 
     implement an integrated planning approach to meeting Clean 
     Water Act requirements. Further, the Committees urge the 
     Agency to implement integrated planning measures through a 
     flexible permit process rather than enforcement actions and 
     consent decrees.
       Interagency Consultations.--The Agency is directed to 
     continue following the requirements in Senate Report 114-281 
     regarding consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture 
     related to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and 
     Rodenticide Act.
       Pesticides Registration Improvement Act.--The agreement 
     provides additional funding for compliance with the 
     Pesticides Registration Improvement Act. The Committees 
     direct the Agency to comply with the fiscal year 2017 
     quarterly reporting requirement related to previously 
     collected maintenance fees that are currently unavailable for 
     obligation. To ensure the Committees have the most accurate 
     information regarding this issue, the Agency is directed to 
     provide a briefing within 30 days of enactment of this Act.
       Public Access to Research.--The Agency released its Plan to 
     Increase Access to Results of EPA-Funded Scientific Research 
     on November 29, 2016. The Committees urge the Agency to 
     continue its efforts towards full implementation of the plan, 
     and directs the Agency to provide an update on its efforts 
     within 60 days of enactment of this Act.
       Regulation of Groundwater.--Since enactment in 1972, the 
     Clean Water Act (CWA) has regulated impacts to navigable 
     waters, while

[[Page H2624]]

     regulation of groundwater has remained outside of the Act's 
     jurisdiction. Instead, legislative history surrounding the 
     CWA indicates that Congress intended for groundwater 
     pollution to be regulated through CWA's nonpoint source 
     programs and other Federal and State laws. For example, 
     releases into groundwater from solid waste units are 
     regulated at a Federal level by the Resource Conservation and 
     Recovery Act (RCRA). Recently, some courts have imposed a 
     broad view of CWA liability based on a theory of hydrological 
     connection between groundwater and surface water. Other 
     courts have taken a more narrow view and have focused on 
     statutory distinctions between surface water and groundwater. 
     The Committees are aware that the Agency has requested 
     comment on its previous statements ``regarding the Clean 
     Water Act (CWA) and whether pollutant discharges from point 
     sources that reach jurisdictional surface waters via 
     groundwater or other subsurface flow that has a direct 
     hydrologic connection to the jurisdictional surface water may 
     be subject to CWA regulation.'' After completing the public 
     comment process, the Committees encourage the Agency to 
     consider whether it is appropriate to promulgate a rule to 
     clarify that groundwater releases from solid waste units are 
     regulated under RCRA and are not considered point sources, 
     and, that releases of pollutants through groundwater are not 
     subject to regulation as point sources under the CWA. The 
     Agency is directed to brief the Committees about its findings 
     and any plans for future rulemaking.
       Small Refinery Relief.--The Committees continue the 
     directive contained in Senate Report 114-281 related to small 
     refinery relief. The Agency is reminded that, regardless of 
     the Department of Energy's recommendation, additional relief 
     may be granted if the Agency believes it is warranted.
       Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Risk Evaluations.--
     Under the agreement, the Agency is directed to implement the 
     Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act 
     in a manner that reflects the best available science as now 
     required under TSCA section 26.
       Agricultural Operations.--The Committees note that Congress 
     never intended the Solid Waste Disposal Act to govern animal 
     or crop waste, manure, or fertilizer, or constituents derived 
     from such sources. The Agency's longstanding regulations 
     accurately reflect Congress' intent not to regulate manure 
     and crop residues under the Solid Waste Disposal Act, and the 
     Committees support legislative efforts to clarify and codify 
     the treatment of agricultural byproducts under the Solid 
     Waste Disposal Act.


            HAZARDOUS WASTE ELECTRONIC MANIFEST SYSTEM FUND

       The bill provides $3,674,000 which is expected to be fully 
     offset by fees for a net appropriation of $0. The Committees 
     continue to support the expeditious development of a system 
     that would allow for the electronic tracking of hazardous 
     waste shipments pursuant to Public Law 112-195.
       The Committees realize the Agency is transitioning from the 
     developmental phase to the implementation phase for the E-
     Manifest System. Therefore, the Committees urge the Agency to 
     use an adequate portion of funding to begin the 
     implementation of the Application Program Interface System 
     which will allow hazardous waste treatment, storage, 
     transport and disposal facilities to interface their computer 
     systems with those of EPA to upload and download manifest and 
     other important information related to full scale 
     implementation of the system.


                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

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


                        BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

       The bill provides $34,467,000 for Buildings and Facilities.


                     HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE SUPERFUND

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

       The bill provides $1,091,947,000 for the Hazardous 
     Substance Superfund account and includes bill language to 
     transfer $8,778,000 to the Office of Inspector General 
     account and $15,496,000 to the Science and Technology 
     account. When combined with an additional $54,389,000 for the 
     Superfund Remedial program and an additional $8,611,000 for 
     the Superfund Emergency Response and Removal program in a 
     general provision in Title IV, the bill provides a total of 
     $1,154,947,000 for the Hazardous Substance Superfund. The 
     bill provides the following additional direction:
       Enforcement.--The agreement provides $166,375,000 for 
     Superfund enforcement, equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted 
     level. The Committees do not concur with the proposed 
     elimination of financial support to the Department of Justice 
     (DOJ). The Agency is directed to continue financial support 
     of the DOJ in fiscal year 2018 at a level that will ensure 
     the DOJ can continue to initiate and prosecute civil, 
     judicial, and administrative site remediation cases and 
     ensure that responsible parties perform cleanup actions at 
     sites where they are liable.
       Additional Guidance.--The Committees have provided the 
     following additional guidance with respect to funding 
     provided under this account:
       Baseline Testing Study.--The Committees direct the Agency 
     to work with the Municipality of Vieques to partner with a 
     University-led coalition, which shall include a School of 
     Public Health, to conduct research to facilitate the 
     effective testing, evaluation, quantification and mitigation 
     of the toxic substances in the soil, seas, plant, animal and 
     human population of Vieques. This effort will fill an 
     information void at this site, which functioned as a military 
     training installation for decades, and serve as the baseline 
     study for all potential future mitigation efforts.
       Contaminants of Emerging Concern.--The bill provides 
     $181,306,000 in base funds for Emergency Response and Removal 
     activities. When combined with an additional $8,611,000 in a 
     general provision in Title IV, the bill provides a total of 
     $189,917,000 for Emergency Response and Removal activities. 
     These activities should include collaborative work with 
     State, Tribal, and local governments to help communities 
     address contaminants of emerging concern. Furthermore, the 
     Committees recommend that the Agency expeditiously remediate 
     Superfund sites contaminated by these emerging contaminants, 
     and provide technical assistance and support to States and 
     Tribes during the remedial cleanup process.
       Financial Assurance.--Since enactment of the Comprehensive 
     Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act 
     (CERCLA) in 1980, Federal agencies like the Bureau of Land 
     Management and Forest Service have created and updated 
     financial assurance requirements for reclamation and closure 
     of hardrock mining facilities on Federal lands. Similarly, 
     several States have developed financial assurance programs 
     for mining activities occurring on private and State lands. 
     The Committees understand that, pursuant to a Federal 
     Register notice signed on December 11, 2017, the EPA will not 
     impose new Federal financial assurance requirements on 
     hardrock mining facilities.
       Sediment Guidance.--When implementing the recommendations 
     of the Superfund Task Force, the Agency should consider 
     additional improvements to the consistency of the application 
     of sediment guidance among regions. At sites expected to 
     exceed $50,000,000, the Committees encourage the Agency to 
     include the Contaminated Sediment Technical Advisory 
     Committee (CSTAG) and the National Remedy Review Board (NRRB) 
     throughout the process and to ensure that their technical 
     review and remedy recommendations are evaluated and 
     considered for inclusion in the final remedy. Additionally, 
     the Committees encourage the Agency to, consistent with 
     National Oil and Hazardous Substances Contingency Plan, set 
     achievable cleanup goals, broaden the use of adaptive 
     management and early actions, explore the utility of public-
     private partnerships similar, expand stakeholder 
     participation, and promote cost-effectiveness, redevelopment, 
     and sustainability in the Superfund process.
       Tribal Guidance.--The Committees recognize the importance 
     of government-to-government Tribal consultation as well as 
     the necessity to honor Tribal treaty rights and resources 
     protected by treaties. The Agency is directed to fully 
     implement the Agency's Guidance for Discussing Tribal Treaty 
     Rights to ensure Agency actions adequately consider treaty 
     rights proactively throughout the consultation process.


          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 $3,562,161,000 for the State and Tribal 
     Assistance Grants program and includes the following specific 
     funding levels and direction:
       Infrastructure Assistance.--The bill provides 
     $2,486,120,000 in base funds for infrastructure assistance. 
     When combined with an additional $650,000,000 in a Title IV 
     general provision, the bill provides a total of 
     $3,136,120,000 for infrastructure assistance. The amount 
     provided increases funding for the State Revolving Loan Funds 
     $600,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The 
     agreement includes a total of $1,693,887,000 for the Clean 
     Water State Revolving Loan Fund and $1,163,233,000 for the 
     Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund.
       Assistance to Small and Disadvantaged Communities.--Within 
     a Title IV general provision, the bill provides $20,000,000 
     to begin a grant program to help small and disadvantaged 
     communities develop and maintain adequate water 
     infrastructure. The program was created in section 2104 of 
     Public Law 114-322. The Agency is directed to brief the 
     Committees prior to publishing its request for applications 
     related to this new grant program.
       Reducing Lead in Drinking Water.--Within a Title IV general 
     provision, the bill provides $10,000,000 to begin a grant 
     program, created in section 2105 of Public Law 114-322, to 
     provide assistance to eligible entities for lead reduction 
     projects. The Agency is directed to brief the Committees 
     prior to publishing its request for applications related to 
     this new grant program.
       Lead Testing.--Within a Title IV general provision, the 
     bill provides $20,000,000 to begin a grant program for 
     voluntary testing of drinking water for lead contaminants at 
     schools and child care facilities, as authorized in section 
     2107 of Public Law 114-322. The Agency is directed to brief 
     the Committees prior to publishing its request for 
     applications related to this new grant program.
       Brownfields Program.--The bill provides $80,000,000 for 
     brownfields grants and directs

[[Page H2625]]

     that at least 10 percent of such grants be provided to areas 
     in which at least 20 percent of the population has lived 
     under the poverty level over the past 30 years as determined 
     by censuses and the most recent Small Area Income and Poverty 
     Estimates.
       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, and 
     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.
       Diesel Emission Reductions Grants (DERA).--The bill 
     provides $75,000,000 for DERA grants. For fiscal year 2018, 
     the Committees direct the Agency to continue to make at least 
     70 percent of DERA grants available to improve air quality in 
     non-attainment areas.
       Targeted Airshed Grants.--The bill provides $40,000,000 for 
     targeted airshed grants to reduce air pollution in non-
     attainment areas. The Agency is directed to distribute the 
     grants on a competitive basis using the same criteria as 
     specified under this heading in the explanatory statement 
     accompanying Division G of the Consolidated Appropriations 
     Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31). Not later than the end of 
     fiscal year 2018, the Agency should provide a report to the 
     Committees on Appropriations that includes a table showing 
     how fiscal year 2016 and 2017 funds were allocated. The table 
     should also include grant recipients and metrics for 
     anticipated or actual results.
       Animas River Spill.--The Committees concur with the 
     Agency's decision to reconsider its previous determination to 
     deny claims for damages from the Animas River Spill by 
     invoking the discretionary act exemption in the Federal Tort 
     Claims Act, but are concerned that little progress has been 
     made on processing or paying out claims. The Committees are 
     also concerned that the Agency is applying or may apply an 
     inconsistent standard that discriminates against certain 
     claimants. The Committees expect the Agency and the Federal 
     government to take a clear and consistent position on the 
     question of whether they are responsible for damages caused 
     to others by the Gold King Mine release. The Committees 
     support paying out all legitimate claims from the Judgment 
     Fund, consistent with the Federal Tort Claims Act, and 
     communicating all relevant aspects of the claims process 
     clearly to all affected communities, State, local and Tribal 
     governments, along with the Committees. Within 30 days of 
     enactment of this Act, the Agency shall provide to the 
     Committees a written report detailing the status of the 
     review of the legal basis for allowing or rejecting claims 
     and the date by which such review will be complete, the 
     current process underway for processing claims, the status of 
     all claims, including reconsidered claims, the Agency's 
     complete plan for processing all claims, and any other future 
     planned actions related to current or future claims. Finally, 
     the bill provides $4,000,000 for a long-term water quality 
     monitoring program, as authorized by Public Law 114-322. The 
     Agency is directed to continue to work in consultation with 
     affected States and Tribes on that effort.
       Categorical Grants.--The bill provides $1,076,041,000 for 
     Categorical Grants and funding levels are specified in the 
     table at the end of this division. Within this amount, the 
     Beaches Protection program and Radon program are both 
     maintained at the fiscal year 2017 enacted levels. The Agency 
     shall continue to allocate radon grants in fiscal year 2018 
     following the direction in House Report 114-632.
       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 for this program using the same 
     formula as fiscal year 2015. The Committees understand the 
     Office of Air and Radiation was able to provide some 
     additional funds to the States in fiscal year 2016 using 
     balances. The Committees encourage the Agency to do the same 
     in fiscal year 2018 and to provide those additional funds to 
     the regions with the highest need.
       Categorical Grant: Multipurpose Grants.--Because the States 
     are expected to take a leading role in compliance with 
     environmental cleanup, the agreement provides $10,000,000 for 
     Multipurpose grants to States and Tribes. The Committees were 
     disappointed with the Agency's funding formula in fiscal year 
     2016 because it did not provide the flexibility that Congress 
     expected and instead gave preference to air programs. In 
     fiscal year 2018, the Agency is directed to give maximum 
     flexibility to States, so that States, not the Agency, may 
     determine where funds from this grant program are of most 
     value.
       Categorical Grant: Nonpoint Source (Sec. 319).--The bill 
     provides $170,915,000 and the Committees expect the Agency to 
     examine the allocation formula to ensure that the resources 
     are being spent in areas with the most pressing needs.


      WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE AND INNOVATION PROGRAM ACCOUNT

       The bill provides a total of $63,000,000 for the Water 
     Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. 
     Within base funding in Title II, the bill provides 
     $10,000,000 for the WIFIA program, and a Title IV general 
     provision provides an additional $53,000,000 for the program. 
     By utilizing $5,000,000 in base funds and $3,000,000 in Title 
     IV funds, the Agency may use up to a total of $8,000,000 to 
     assist with the administrative expenses for the program. The 
     remaining $55,000,000 in WIFIA funds is provided for direct 
     loan subsidization which may translate into a potential loan 
     capacity in excess of $6,000,000,000 to eligible entities for 
     water infrastructure projects.
       Greater investment in the replacement of aging 
     infrastructure will help mitigate nationwide issues the 
     Committees are tracking related to contaminants such as lead 
     and arsenic, help address Combined Sewer Overflows and 
     Sanitary Sewer Overflows, and allow systems to improve water 
     delivery for residents. The Committees expect that the Agency 
     will issue loans for the first time in fiscal year 2018 and 
     the Committees intend to closely monitor implementation.


       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

             (INCLUDING TRANSFERS AND RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

       The bill continues several administrative provisions from 
     previous years.
       Rescission.--The bill rescinds $96,198,000 of unobligated 
     balances from the State and Tribal Assistance Grants account. 
     The Agency shall calculate the requisite percent reduction 
     necessary to rescind such amounts from new obligational 
     authority provided to this account, both from the direct 
     appropriation and from amounts provided in a general 
     provision in Title IV, and apply it across program project 
     areas by formula. The Agency is directed to submit, as part 
     of the operating plan, detail on the application of such 
     rescissions by program project area.

                      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 
     115-238 not specifically addressed herein, as well as the new 
     directives in this statement, including the front matter, and 
     the Committees encourage the Service to share this statement 
     with all staff. The Service also is reminded to include the 
     research report, as required by the House report, in its 
     fiscal year 2020 budget request.
       Forest Service Accounting, Budgeting, and Management.--The 
     Committees appreciate the Service's efforts to improve its 
     accounting, budgeting, and management practices and look 
     forward to working with the Service, Office of Budget and 
     Program Analysis, Under Secretary for Natural Resources and 
     Environment, and Secretary of Agriculture to continue these 
     improvements. The agreement includes bill language and 
     directives to further increase transparency and confidence in 
     the Service's management of its programs and activities.
       Government Accountability Office Report.--Over the past 
     three fiscal years, the Committees have become increasingly 
     concerned about the Service's lack of internal controls over 
     budgetary resources, reimbursable agreements, and 
     unliquidated obligations. The lack of controls indicates a 
     weak financial system, which increases the possibility of 
     inefficient and ineffective use, if not outright waste, 
     fraud, and abuse, of taxpayer funds. After conducting an 18-
     month audit, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) 
     recently made 11 recommendations in a report titled ``Forest 
     Service: Improvements Needed in Internal Control over Budget 
     Execution Process'' (GAO-18-56). While the Service is 
     expected to implement the recommended changes as soon as 
     practicable, Congress also recognizes the challenges of 
     developing, updating, and implementing these important fiscal 
     controls. As such, the Committees request that the Service 
     work with the Committees to remedy any hindrances to their 
     implementation.
       Standardized Budget Practices.--The Committees continue to 
     support the Service's efforts in centralizing and 
     standardizing budgeting and accounting practices among the 
     Regions and program offices and look forward to reviewing the 
     Service's plan for updating its budget process and 
     presentation.
       Integrated Resource Restoration Pilot Project.--The 
     agreement ends the Integrated Resource Restoration pilot 
     project. The Committees remind the Service of its previous 
     direction to adopt the best practices and methods discovered 
     through the pilot project and to require unit, forest, 
     region, station, and Washington Office budgets to be 
     collaboratively developed, while reflecting the priorities 
     established by Congress.
       Alignment of Funding and Program Goals.--This fiscal year, 
     Congress takes an important step to increase transparency by 
     aligning program dollars to the accounts that best meet 
     program goals. For example, in the past, Fire Plan Research 
     and Development has been funded from within the Wildland Fire 
     Management Account, yet its funding was routinely transferred 
     to the Forest and Rangeland Research Account. This agreement 
     appropriates funds for Fire Plan Research and Development 
     within the Forest and Rangeland Research account and 
     Hazardous Fuels within the National Forest System account to 
     minimize unnecessary transfers and increase transparency.

[[Page H2626]]

       Cost Pools.--The Service has been utilizing Cost Pools to 
     pay for certain costs associated with personnel, 
     administrative activities, facilities, and other expenses 
     rather than utilizing an administrative account. As part of 
     continuing efforts to improve collaboration in budgeting, the 
     Committees have determined that ending the practice of Cost 
     Pools in favor of more direct accounting is in the best 
     interest of the Service and the taxpayer. The Committees are 
     committed to working with the Service as it reviews options 
     for replacing Cost Pools. As such, the Service is directed to 
     develop a plan to transition away from Cost Pools, with the 
     exception of Cost-Pool 9, which occurs with this bill, and 
     provide that plan to the House and Senate Committees on 
     Appropriations within 180 days of enactment of this Act.
       Cost-Pool 9.--For 12 years, the Service has assessed 
     program funds for facilities maintenance needs, causing the 
     funds appropriated to programs to appear greater than they 
     actually were. The Committees believe all facility projects 
     should be accounted for in the facility line item, and that 
     projects should be prioritized within that line item. As 
     such, this agreement moves funds from programs to the 
     dedicated facilities account. Where such changes have been 
     made, it is noted within the account in this explanatory 
     statement. If the Service identifies shortfalls for critical 
     facilities maintenance needs, it is directed to submit a 
     reprogramming request to the Committees. Additionally, the 
     Service should reduce the size of its facilities footprint, 
     where possible, particularly in areas where management 
     functions can be combined while still providing comprehensive 
     service to a geographic area.
       National Fire Plan.--Despite more than $5,000,000,000 in 
     investments in hazardous fuels mitigation since the 
     development of the National Fire Plan following the 2000 fire 
     season, the Service has not been able to keep pace with the 
     challenges caused by previous management decisions, a 
     changing climate, ever-increasing costs, and an expanding 
     wildland-urban interface, all of which exacerbate the risk of 
     catastrophic wildfire. The Committees direct the Service to 
     work with the Office of Management and Budget and the 
     Department of the Interior, as well as other relevant 
     agencies, to review and update the National Fire Plan, as 
     needed.
       Fire Hazard Potential Mapping Initiative.--The Committees 
     believe the Service should more precisely and effectively 
     target forest management activities to reduce the threat of 
     catastrophic wildfires, improve the management of the 
     national forests, and assist in protecting other Federal, 
     State, and private lands. The Service is directed to develop 
     a Fire Hazard Potential mapping tool to identify areas at a 
     high risk for wildland fire and describe the resources that 
     would be necessary to address the highest risk areas. The 
     Service should cooperatively work with universities, such as 
     the University of California and the University of Nevada, 
     that have expertise in this area, as well as the Department 
     of the Interior.
       Printing Costs.--The Committees continue to be concerned 
     about the Service's printing costs. The Service is directed 
     to provide updated information as specified by Senate Reports 
     114-70 and 114-82 within 60 days of enactment of this Act. 
     The Service should provide a justification for its costs, 
     explain why they have not been reduced, and significantly 
     reduce printing expenditures.
       Reprogramming.--The Committees remind the Service to follow 
     the letter and spirit of the reprogramming requirements in 
     this explanatory statement and direct the Service to submit 
     requests through the Office of Budget and Program Analysis.
       Ceratocystis Disease.--The Service is directed to continue 
     its collaborative efforts to respond to the emergence of 
     Ceratocystis disease in Hawaii and Florida and to develop 
     recommended actions.
       Puerto Rico Hurricane Recovery.--The Committees recognize 
     the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico's 
     natural resources, especially El Yunque National Forest, the 
     International Institute of Tropical Forestry, and private 
     forests, and strongly encourage the Service to utilize its 
     expertise, working with private partners and the Government 
     of Puerto Rico, to restore and rehabilitate the island's 
     unique forest ecosystems.


  OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT

       The bill provides $875,000 for the Office of the Under 
     Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment. In previous 
     fiscal years, the Office was funded through the Agriculture, 
     Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related 
     Agencies Appropriations Act. This action aligns funding for 
     the Office consistent with the 2017 reorganization of U.S. 
     Department of Agriculture agencies and offices.


                     FOREST AND RANGELAND RESEARCH

       The agreement provides $297,000,000 for Forest and 
     Rangeland Research, including $77,000,000 for Forest 
     Inventory and Analysis. The Service is directed to continue 
     important work previously funded through the Wildland Fire 
     Management account for Fire Plan Research and Development 
     that significantly contributes to the understanding of 
     wildfire regimes.
       Cost-Pool 9.--The Committees note that funding previously 
     assessed for Cost-Pool 9 from Forest and Rangeland Research 
     is now accounted for in Capital Improvement and Maintenance.
       Forest Research Priorities.--The Committees are concerned 
     that the research program is not well aligned with the needs 
     of the National Forest System. When assessing the value of 
     existing programs and new proposals, significant weight 
     should be given to projects whose findings could be 
     incorporated into forest management decisions. Within the 
     funds provided, the agreement includes sufficient funding to 
     support existing academic partners focused on research and 
     technology development to create new and expanded markets and 
     to advance high-value, high-volume wood markets; wood bridge 
     and other infrastructure needs in rural areas; bottomland 
     hardwood plantation management research; and forest 
     monitoring cooperatives in the Northern Region.
       Research Reports.--The Committees direct the Service to 
     cease publishing, within 30 days of enactment of this Act, 
     paper copies for public distribution of science and research 
     accomplishment reports and to redirect these funds to 
     priority research projects, consistent with reprogramming 
     requirements.


                       STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY

                    (INCLUDING RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $335,525,000 for State and Private 
     Forestry.
       Cooperative Forestry Activities.--The Committees direct the 
     Service to continue to utilize existing partnerships with 
     research institutions and States to fund research to 
     establish methods, tools, and standard protocols that help 
     quantify forest ecosystem services. Additionally, when 
     funding decisions are made regarding tree mortality, strong 
     consideration should be given to spruce beetle, Emerald Ash 
     Borer, and bark beetle infestations, which affect forests 
     throughout the Nation.
       Forest Legacy.--The bill provides $67,025,000 for the 
     Forest Legacy program. This includes $6,400,000 for program 
     administration and $60,625,000 for projects. The Service 
     should fund projects in priority order according to the 
     updated, competitively selected national priority list 
     submitted to the Committees and the directive contained in 
     Division G of the explanatory statement accompanying Public 
     Law 115-31, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017. The 
     Committees include a rescission of $5,938,000 in Forest 
     Legacy funds. This funding rescission is from cost savings of 
     some projects and funds returned from failed or partially 
     failed projects.
       International Forestry Technical Assistance.--The 
     Committees acknowledge that Timor-Leste and Australia have 
     entered into a treaty to establish a permanent maritime 
     boundary. The Committees recognize the increased development 
     that will likely occur and encourage the Service to provide 
     technical assistance, as appropriate, to Timor-Leste to 
     protect the unique biodiversity of the region while 
     facilitating robust economic development.


                         NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM

       The agreement provides $1,923,750,000 for the National 
     Forest System.
       Cost-Pool 9.--The Committees note that funding previously 
     assessed for Cost-Pool 9 from the National Forest System is 
     now accounted for in Capital Improvement and Maintenance.
       Hazardous Fuels.--The agreement provides $430,000,000 for 
     hazardous fuels management activities within the National 
     Forest System account. With the accounting change for Cost-
     Pool 9, this is a $45,500,000 increase over the fiscal year 
     2017 level. Within the total provided, $15,000,000 is for 
     biomass utilization grants, in accordance with the directions 
     included in Senate Report 114-281. The Committees direct the 
     Service to prioritize hazardous fuel removal projects that 
     are critical to protecting public safety in high hazard areas 
     in the national forests facing significant tree mortality and 
     to increase cross-boundary collaboration with landowners near 
     National Forest System lands and encourage the use of 
     hazardous fuels funding for this purpose.
       Uinta National Forest.--The Committees are concerned about 
     the number of dead and dying trees in the Mirror Lake Scenic 
     Byway region in the Uinta National Forest and urge the 
     Service to evaluate the risk of wildfire to the area and 
     target management practices accordingly.
       Grazing Fee Rates.--The Service is directed to provide 
     information to the Committees detailing the implications on 
     grazing fee calculations if the Service adopted the 
     definition of Western States as defined by Public Law 95-514.
       Recreation, Heritage and Wilderness.-- The Committees have 
     been made aware that the majority of recreation special-use 
     permitting activities take place in the Landownership and 
     Access Management subaccount, previously known as 
     Landownership Management. Given the importance of special-use 
     permitting activities to users of our national forests and 
     concerns about significant delays in processing requests, 
     funding is included to increase the pace and scale of such 
     activities. Within the funds provided for recreation, 
     $750,000 shall be for the maintenance of rural airstrips and 
     $500,000 is made available to support infrastructure and 
     trails development and to build the capacity of local user 
     groups and partnership organizations for all National 
     Recreation Areas administered by the Service that were 
     established after 1997.
       Law Enforcement.--The agreement provides $2,500,000 for the 
     Service's illegal marijuana eradication and remediation 
     efforts.

[[Page H2627]]

       Lake Tahoe.--The Committees are encouraged by the work 
     conducted in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and expect 
     the Service to prioritize funding the implementation of P.L. 
     106-506, as amended, and to do so in consultation with 
     affected States, local governments, and other stakeholders. 
     Within 60 days of enactment of this Act, the Service shall 
     report to the Committees on these activities and the funding 
     that will be allocated in fiscal year 2018.
       Tongass National Forest.--Without a comprehensive stand-
     level inventory, the transition plan described by the Tongass 
     Land and Resource Management Plan Amendment lacks the 
     scientific basis needed for success, and no less than 
     $1,000,000 is provided for the continuation of the inventory 
     currently underway. The Committees expect the Service to meet 
     the requirements of section 705(a) of the Alaska National 
     Interest Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 539d(a)) and to 
     consider a plan revision or new plan amendment based on the 
     results of the inventory. Any plan revision or amendment 
     should include a timber management program sufficient to 
     preserve a viable timber industry in the region. Until the 
     Service has determined, based on a completed stand-level 
     inventory, the timing and supply of economic young growth 
     needed for a successful final transition and whether the 2016 
     Forest Plan should be amended or revised, the Service is 
     directed not to implement a final transition away from its 
     Tongass old growth timber program to a program based 
     primarily on young growth.


                  CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

       The agreement provides $449,000,000 for Capital Improvement 
     and Maintenance programs. This includes $49,986,000 made 
     available by discontinuing the use of Cost-Pool 9 and 
     $35,000,000 in one-time infrastructure funding to address 
     deferred maintenance.
       Legacy Roads and Trails.--The Committees recognize the need 
     to remediate legacy roads and trails and direct the Service 
     to address these projects as they rank in priority along with 
     all other infrastructure needs from the appropriations 
     provided for roads and trails through the Capital Improvement 
     and Maintenance account and provide $40,000,000 within the 
     Roads budget line item.
       Smokejumper Bases.--The agreement provides funds for 
     repairs, maintenance, and upgrades at smokejumper bases to 
     ensure operational readiness.
       Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests.--The 
     Committees urge the Service to address longstanding capital 
     improvement needs in the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes 
     National Forests, particularly those that will save the 
     Service money while also improving the public's access and 
     use of these forests.
       Comprehensive Capital Improvement Plan.--The Service is 
     directed to establish a long-term, multi-year plan to guide 
     needed investments in buildings, facilities, transportation 
     systems, and other infrastructure by December 30, 2018. The 
     plan should: (1) establish a process for setting and ranking 
     construction and maintenance priorities; (2) reflect the 
     Service's mission, goals, and requirements; (3) identify 
     facilities, roads, and other infrastructure that should be 
     disposed of or decommissioned; (4) consider existing 
     investments in planning, construction, and maintenance, as 
     well as deferred maintenance needs; and (5) identify future 
     needs for investment to improve the physical infrastructure 
     and health of the national forests. The plan also should 
     include estimated funding requirements. In future budget 
     requests, the Service is directed to provide the Committees 
     with a list of any proposed construction project with a cost 
     greater than $1,000,000.


                            LAND ACQUISITION

       The agreement provides $64,337,000 for Land Acquisition. 
     The amounts provided 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 project list 
     received for fiscal year 2018. 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. The Committees strongly encourage the 
     Service to close projects once funds have been made 
     available, an appraisal has been completed, and a purchase 
     contract has been agreed to. Further instructions are 
     contained under the Land and Water Conservation Fund heading 
     in the front of this explanatory statement.
       The Committees support the continuation of efforts to 
     resolve the long-standing management challenges regarding 
     school trust lands within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in 
     the Superior National Forest in Minnesota and encourage the 
     Service to collaborate with nonprofit partners on the private 
     forestland exchange alternative, which will provide the added 
     benefit of preserving valuable forestlands outside of 
     Superior National Forest.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  State                              Project                    Forest Unit           This Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA.......................................  Trinity Divide.............  Shasta-Trinity.............   $5,000,000
MT.......................................  Clearwater-Blackfoot         Lolo.......................    5,000,000
                                            Project.
MN.......................................  Minnesota School Trust       Superior...................    4,000,000
                                            Lands.
MS.......................................  Mississippi Black Water      DeSoto.....................    1,000,000
                                            Legacy.
WA.......................................  WA Cascades/Yakima River     Okanogan-Wenatchee.........    5,000,000
                                            Watershed.
AK.......................................  Admiralty Island NM Cube     Tongass....................    4,235,000
                                            Cove.
CA.......................................  Red Hill...................  Sequoia....................    2,600,000
VA/WV....................................  Chesapeake Bay Headwaters..  George Washington and          5,000,000
                                                                         Jefferson.
MT.......................................  Green Mountain National      Helena.....................    1,000,000
                                            Trails.
TN.......................................  Tennessee Mountain Trails    Cherokee...................    2,500,000
                                            and Waters.
OH.......................................  Appalachian Foothills......  Wayne......................    1,800,000
VT.......................................  Rolston Rest...............  Green Mountain.............    1,800,000
FL.......................................  Florida Longleaf Pine......  Osceola....................    3,000,000
AZ.......................................  Doll Baby Ranch............  Tonto......................    2,900,000
NM.......................................  Heart Bar Ranch............  Gila.......................    2,500,000
OR.......................................  Pacific Northwest Streams..  Rogue River-Siskiyou.......    1,100,000
SC.......................................  South Carolina's             Sumter.....................    1,600,000
                                            Conservation Legacy.
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Subtotal, FS Land            ...........................   50,035,000
                                            Acquisitions.
 
                                                                        Budget Request.............    This Bill
                                           Acquisition Management.....  7,000,000..................    7,352,000
                                           Cash Equalization..........  0..........................      250,000
                                           Recreational Access........  0..........................    4,700,000
                                           Critical Inholdings/         0..........................    2,000,000
                                            Wilderness.
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total, FS Land Acquisition.......  ...........................  7,000,000..................   64,337,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         ACQUISITION OF LANDS FOR NATIONAL FORESTS SPECIAL ACTS

       The agreement provides $850,000 for the Acquisition of 
     Lands for National Forests Special Acts.


            ACQUISITION OF LANDS TO COMPLETE LAND EXCHANGES

       The agreement provides $192,000 for the Acquisition of 
     Lands to Complete Land Exchanges.


                         RANGE BETTERMENT FUND

       The agreement provides $2,065,000 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 a total of $2,880,338,000 for Forest 
     Service Wildland Fire Management. Of the funds provided, 
     $1,556,818,000 is for suppression operations, which includes 
     an additional $500,000,000 above the 10-year average.
       Cost-Pool 9.--The Committees note that funding previously 
     assessed for Cost-Pool 9 from Wildland Fire Management is now 
     accounted for in Capital Improvement and Maintenance.
       Regional Restoration.--The agreement provides an additional 
     $200,000 for partnerships that enhance the Service's capacity 
     to execute science-based forest restoration treatments to 
     reduce the risk of wildfires and improve the health of dry 
     forest ecosystems.
       Unmanned Aerial Systems.--The Committees recognize Unmanned 
     Aerial Systems (UAS) can aid incident commanders as well as 
     improve the safety of firefighters and the public. As such, 
     the Service is expected to work with the Department of the 
     Interior and the Federal Aviation Administration's Center of 
     Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems to continue 
     evaluating these systems' use and to develop an overall 
     strategy for integrating this additional tool into the 
     Federal firefighting mission. The Committees also recognize 
     that certain satellite-based ground surveillance systems 
     could significantly improve the accuracy of information 
     provided to fire-fighters, other first responders, and 
     communities and encourage the Service to seek opportunities 
     to utilize these satellite systems, as appropriate, as

[[Page H2628]]

     well as other systems that help detect and monitor fire 
     activity.
       Aviation Safety.--The bill repurposes $65,000,000 provided 
     in fiscal year 2015 for the purchase of new aircraft in order 
     to enhance firefighter mobility, effectiveness, efficiency, 
     and the operational safety of the Service's aviation program. 
     The funds shall be used to modernize aviation, radio, and 
     evacuation system infrastructure; and acquire sensory 
     equipment, UAS, and other platforms that detect and monitor 
     fire. Projects may include replacement or upgrades of 
     existing infrastructure at airtanker, helicopter, and 
     smokejumper bases; replacement of equipment, including 
     agency-owned aircraft; and improvements in training and night 
     air operations, but no project shall be undertaken that 
     increases recurring program costs. Within 60 days of 
     enactment of this Act, the Service shall provide a complete 
     list of anticipated projects to the Committees on 
     Appropriations utilizing this entire amount. The Committees 
     expect these funds to be obligated in fiscal years 2018 and 
     2019.


                DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

                         INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE

                         INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES

       The agreement provides a total of $5,537,764,000 for the 
     Indian Health Service (IHS), of which $3,952,290,000 is for 
     the Services account as detailed below and in the funding 
     allocation table at the end of this explanatory statement. 
     All proposed cuts are restored, and increases above the 
     fiscal year 2017 enacted levels are detailed below and in the 
     table. The Service is reminded of the guidance and reporting 
     requirements contained in House Report 115-238 which must be 
     complied with unless specifically addressed to the contrary 
     herein, as explained in the front matter of this explanatory 
     statement.
       Current Services.--The agreement provides $93,935,000 to 
     partially cover the cost of maintaining current levels of 
     service, of which $23,543,000 is for pay costs and 
     $70,392,000 is for medical inflation.
       Indian Health Care Improvement Fund.--The agreement 
     provides $72,280,000 for the Indian Health Care Improvement 
     Fund. The Committees recognize the funding disparities that 
     exist across the Indian Health Service system and the ongoing 
     efforts by Tribes and the Service to update the allocation 
     formula accordingly. Upon completion of these efforts, the 
     Service is directed to update the Committees on the resulting 
     allocations.
       Staffing for New Facilities.--The agreement includes 
     $60,336,000 for staffing newly opened health facilities, 
     which is the full amount based upon updated estimates 
     provided to the Committees. 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 2017 or will open in fiscal year 2018. None of these 
     funds may be allocated to a facility until such facility has 
     achieved beneficial occupancy status.
       Accreditation Emergencies.--The Committees consider the 
     loss or potential loss of a Medicare or Medicaid agreement 
     with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) at 
     any facility to be an accreditation emergency. The agreement 
     includes $58,000,000 for accreditation emergencies at an 
     increasing number of direct service facilities, and is based 
     upon updated and itemized information provided to the 
     Committees on December 13, 2017. The Service is encouraged to 
     share this information with Tribes, and to keep Tribes and 
     the Committees apprised of any need for significant 
     deviations from the planned used of funds. Bill language has 
     been added as requested to allow the use of a portion of the 
     funds for facility expansion or renovation and staff 
     quarters.
       Of the amounts provided, no less than $20,000,000 is 
     directed to facilities for purchased/referred care, 
     replacement of third-party revenues lost as a result of 
     decertification, replacement of third-party carryover funds 
     expended to respond to decertification, and reasonable costs 
     of achieving recertification, including recruitment costs 
     necessary to stabilize staffing. Primary consideration should 
     be given but is not limited to facilities that have been 
     without certification the longest. Such funds shall be made 
     available to Tribes assuming operation of such facilities 
     pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
     Assistance Act of 1975 (P.L. 93-638).
       The Committees are concerned by the continued occurrence of 
     deficiencies in patient care, facilities and hospital 
     administration at IHS facilities, including the recent 
     identification of these deficiencies at the Gallup Indian 
     Medical Center (GIMC) by the Centers for Medicare and 
     Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Joint Commission. It is 
     imperative that the Service take all needed steps to ensure 
     patient safety, improve the quality of care, and ensure that 
     GIMC does not lose access to third-party reimbursements, 
     which account for more than 90 percent of the facility's 
     funding. Within 90 days of enactment of this Act, the Service 
     is directed to provide a report to the Committees that 
     details all actions taken to address the deficiencies 
     identified by CMS and the Joint Commission and a list of any 
     outstanding recommendations that require future action by 
     GIMC or the Service to implement. The Service is expected to 
     include its corrective action plans submitted to CMS and the 
     Joint Commission as well as the CMS 2567 deficiency report as 
     part of this report.
       Hospitals and Health Clinics.--The agreement provides 
     $2,045,128,000 for hospitals and health clinics, including: 
     $36,242,000 for current services; $43,708,000 for staffing 
     new facilities; $1,000,000 for retinal cameras; $58,000,000 
     for accreditation emergencies as discussed above; $11,000,000 
     to continue operations and maintenance of village built and 
     tribally leased clinics; $4,000,000 to continue domestic 
     violence prevention; and $1,000,000 to continue prescription 
     drug monitoring.
       Dental Health.--The agreement provides $195,283,000 and 
     includes $5,864,000 for current services and $6,822,000 for 
     staffing new facilities. The Service is directed to backfill 
     vacant dental health positions in headquarters and encouraged 
     to coordinate with the Bureau of Indian Education to 
     integrate preventive dental care at schools across the 
     system.
       Mental Health.--The agreement provides $99,900,000 for 
     mental health programs and includes: $2,891,000 for current 
     services; $2,929,000 for staffing of new facilities; 
     $6,946,000 to continue behavioral health integration; and 
     $3,600,000 to continue the suicide prevention initiative.
       Alcohol and Substance Abuse.--The agreement provides 
     $227,788,000 for alcohol and substance abuse programs and 
     includes: $8,220,000 for current services; $1,215,000 for 
     staffing new facilities; $6,500,000 for the Generation 
     Indigenous initiative; $1,800,000 for the youth pilot 
     project; and $2,000,000 to fund essential detoxification and 
     related services provided by the Service's public and private 
     partners to IHS beneficiaries. The Committees expect the 
     Service to continue its partnership with the Na' Nizhoozhi 
     Center in Gallup, New Mexico, as directed by the Consolidated 
     Appropriations Act, 2017, and to distribute funds provided 
     for detoxification services in the same manner as in fiscal 
     year 2017.
       Purchased/Referred Care.--The agreement provides 
     $962,695,000 and includes $32,327,000 for current services 
     and $1,538,000 for staffing new facilities. The Committees 
     remain concerned about the inequitable distribution of funds 
     as reported by the Government Accountability Office (GAO-12-
     446).
       Public Health Nursing.--The agreement provides $85,043,000 
     for public health nursing and includes $2,702,000 for current 
     services and $3,640,000 for staffing new facilities.
       Health Education.--The agreement provides $19,871,000 for 
     health education and includes $724,000 for current services 
     and $484,000 for staffing new facilities.
       Urban Indian Health.--The agreement provides $49,315,000 
     for urban Indian health and includes $1,637,000 for current 
     services. The Service is expected to continue to include 
     current services estimates for urban Indian health in future 
     budget requests.
       The Committees direct the Service to work with Veterans 
     Affairs on the report examining services for Indian veterans 
     at urban clinics as outlined in House Report 115-188 
     accompanying the Fiscal Year 2018 Military Construction, 
     Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.
       Indian Health Professions.--The agreement provides 
     $49,363,000 for Indian health professions and includes 
     $18,000 for current services. Within funds, the agreement 
     includes funding for the Quentin N. Burdick American Indians 
     into Nursing Program, Indians into Medicine Program, and 
     American Indians into Psychology Program at no less than 
     fiscal year 2017 enacted levels.
       Extension Services.--The Committees continue to be 
     concerned about the urgent need for skilled health providers 
     in AI/AN communities and are encouraged by the success of the 
     University of New Mexico's Project ECHO--Extension for 
     Community Healthcare Outcomes--in delivering timely care to 
     underserved communities. The Service shall consider how 
     Project ECHO could support existing Indian Health Service 
     providers, and how potential partnerships with Project ECHO 
     could aid in the recruitment and retention of healthcare 
     providers to IHS sites, thereby expanding the provider 
     network and improving access to care.
       Patient Wait Times.--The Committees are encouraged by the 
     Service's recent focus on improving wait times for patients 
     seeking primary and urgent care, including the August 2017 
     publication of Circular No. 17-11 and related efforts to 
     track, report, and improve patient wait times. The Committees 
     direct the Service to provide a report to the Committees on 
     the status of these efforts no later than 90 days after 
     enactment of this Act. This report shall include a clear 
     explanation of how these efforts will address GAO's 
     recommendation in report number GAO-16-333 of setting and 
     monitoring agency-wide standards for patient wait times in 
     federally operated facilities and an analysis of any 
     potential barriers to continued monitoring of wait times 
     caused by IT infrastructure limitations or incompatibility.
       The Committees request that the Service provide, no later 
     than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, a 
     detailed plan with specific amounts identified to fully fund 
     and implement the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, as 
     discussed in House Report 115-238.
       Reimbursable Funding.--This agreement directs the Service 
     to report, within 180 days of enactment of this Act, on 
     patient population and service growth over the past ten years 
     and the funding sources used to provide for these medical 
     services. The Service is to include a breakdown, by dollar 
     amount and percentage, of funding sources which supplement 
     appropriated dollars to cover the provision of medical 
     services at Service operated facilities. The Committees are 
     interested in detailed information on whether

[[Page H2629]]

     medical services have been able to expand over this time 
     period as a result of increases in the ability to charge 
     medical services due to new authorities outlined in the 
     Indian Health Care Improvement Act and other Federal laws. As 
     a point of comparison, and to the extent possible, the 
     Service shall compare these impacts across the twelve Service 
     areas, with the degree to which patient population services 
     in the respective States has increased.
       Quality of Care.--The Committees are extremely concerned 
     about the lack of access to quality healthcare for Tribes 
     around the Nation, including the ongoing healthcare quality 
     problems in the Great Plains. In order to address these 
     issues, the agreement includes a pilot program and related 
     directives to improve access to quality health services and 
     to improve recruitment and retention of qualified medical 
     personnel as detailed below:
       Housing Improvements.--In addition to funds provided for 
     staffing quarters within the Facilities Appropriation, the 
     administrative provisions section of the bill also contains 
     new language allowing for a program to provide a housing 
     subsidy to medical personnel at facilities operated by the 
     Indian Health Service. The Committees are concerned that the 
     lack of affordable and available housing plays a significant 
     role in the agency's personnel vacancy rates and contributes 
     to lowering the quality of care. The Committees expect the 
     Service to provide a plan within 90 days of enactment of this 
     Act that details how the agency plans to use this authority 
     in fiscal year 2018, including the measures it will use to 
     determine whether the authority is successful and how it 
     should be expanded in future years. The Committees have added 
     funds for accreditation emergencies that could be made 
     available for this purpose. The Committees also direct the 
     Service to work with Tribes and with the Department of 
     Housing and Urban Development to develop a long-term strategy 
     to address professional housing shortages in Indian Country 
     and to ensure that the Service and its partner agencies are 
     fully utilizing existing authorities to improve the 
     availability of housing stock.
       Workforce Development.--The Committees believe that 
     expanded workforce development training for all Service 
     personnel--including non-clinical personnel--must be part of 
     efforts to improve healthcare quality. In addition to 
     continuing skills development opportunities, the Committees 
     believe that IHS should expand its efforts to provide 
     education to all staff, and Federal employee management 
     training to facility and area leadership that will provide 
     employees a better understanding of their obligations to 
     report failures in quality of care.
       Title 38 Personnel Authorities.--The Committees are aware 
     of significant differences between the personnel authorities 
     used by the Service versus the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     (VA) under Title 38 of the United States Code. The Committees 
     believe that an analysis of these differences--which include 
     hiring and benefits authorities--may provide strategies for 
     recruiting and retaining qualified personnel in the same 
     rural and remote locations as the VA. The Committees direct 
     the Service to work with the Department of Health and Human 
     Services to analyze the differences between the two agencies' 
     personnel authorities and to submit a report no later than 90 
     days after enactment of this Act that details the differences 
     and makes specific legislative recommendations, as 
     appropriate, to provide parity between the two agencies.
       ISDEAA Contracts.--The Committees encourage the transfer of 
     amounts provided to tribal organizations for the Substance 
     Abuse and Suicide Prevention Program, for the Domestic 
     Violence Prevention Program, for the Zero Suicide Initiative, 
     for aftercare pilots at Youth Regional Treatment Centers, and 
     to improve collections from public and private insurance at 
     tribally-operated facilities to such organizations through 
     Indian Self-Determination Act compacts and contracts, and not 
     through separate grant instruments. This will ensure that 
     associated administrative costs will be covered though the 
     contract support cost process.


                         contract support costs

       The agreement continues language from fiscal year 2017 
     establishing an indefinite appropriation for contract support 
     costs estimated to be $717,970,000, which is equal to the 
     request. By retaining an indefinite appropriation for this 
     account, 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. 
     The Committees believe fully funding these costs will ensure 
     Tribes have the necessary resources they need to deliver 
     program services efficiently and effectively.


                        indian health facilities

       The bill provides $867,504,000 for Indian Health 
     Facilities. In addition to the funding allocation table at 
     the end of this explanatory statement, the agreement includes 
     the following details and changes relative to fiscal year 
     2017 enacted levels:
       Staffing for New Facilities.--The agreement includes 
     $5,480,000 for staffing newly opened health facilities, which 
     is the full amount based upon updated estimates provided to 
     the Committees. The stipulations included in the ``Indian 
     Health Services'' account regarding the allocation of funds 
     pertain to this account as well.
       Current Services.--The agreement provides $4,329,000 to 
     partially cover the cost of maintaining current levels of 
     service, of which $2,440,000 is for pay costs and $1,889,000 
     is for medical inflation.
       Indian Health Care Improvement Fund.--The bill includes 
     language allowing funds in the Indian Health Care Improvement 
     Fund to be used for activities in the Facilities account.
       Maintenance and Improvement.--The agreement provides 
     $167,527,000. The Service is directed to use this increase to 
     address the backlog of essential maintenance, alteration and 
     repair (BEMAR) and to provide a spend plan within 60 days of 
     enactment of this Act detailing how IHS plans to utilize this 
     funding.
       Sanitation Facilities.--The agreement provides $192,033,000 
     for sanitation facilities construction and includes $261,000 
     for current services. The Committees expect the Service to 
     continue following its existing interpretation of criteria 
     for the funding of new, improved, or replacement sanitation 
     facilities.
       Health Care Facilities Construction.--The agreement 
     provides $243,480,000 for health care facilities construction 
     and includes $15,000,000 for small ambulatory clinics and 
     $11,489,000 for staff quarters.
       The Committees remain dedicated to providing access to 
     health care for IHS patients across the system. The IHS is 
     expected to aggressively work down the current Health 
     Facilities Construction Priority System list, as well as work 
     with the Department and Tribes to examine alternative 
     financing arrangements and meritorious regional demonstration 
     projects authorized under the Indian Health Care Improvement 
     Act that would effectively close the service gap. Within 60 
     days of enactment of this Act, the Service shall submit a 
     spending plan to the Committees on Appropriations that 
     details the project-level distribution of funds provided for 
     healthcare facilities construction.
       The Committees believe that additional funds for quarters 
     is essential to help resolve the widespread housing shortages 
     which have contributed to high vacancy rates for medical 
     personnel throughout the system, particularly in rural areas. 
     These funds have been used in areas with chronic housing 
     shortages like Alaska and the Great Plains in order to 
     ameliorate these problems. The Committees expect a report 
     from the Service within 60 days of enactment of this Act on 
     the distribution of funds.
       The Service is reminded of the directive in House Report 
     115-238 regarding the completion and publication of a gap 
     analysis.
       The Committees strongly support the small ambulatory clinic 
     program. This program provides another critical tool for 
     addressing facilities maintenance and construction backlogs 
     throughout the nation.
       In advance of the opening of the Sacred Oaks Healing Center 
     in California in late 2019, and within available funds, the 
     Service is expected to construct a left-turn lane and make 
     other safety improvements recommended by the Service's 2017 
     transportation impact study. The Service is further directed 
     to report to the House and Senate Committees on 
     Appropriations within 60 days of enactment of this Act 
     regarding the status of the project.
       Facilities and Environmental Health Support.--The agreement 
     provides $240,758,000 for facilities and environmental health 
     support and includes: $3,328,000 for current services; 
     $5,480,000 for staffing new facilities; and a $5,000,000 
     program increase to address the increased workload in 
     construction. The Service is expected to provide a spend plan 
     within 60 days of enactment of this Act for the additional 
     infrastructure funding provided above the fiscal year 2017 
     enacted level.


                     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.

                         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

       The bill provides $15,431,000 for the Office of Navajo and 
     Hopi Indian Relocation. The agreement continues the direction 
     provided in the explanatory statement accompanying Division G 
     of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, P.L. 115-31. 
     The Committees remain committed to bringing the relocation 
     process to an orderly conclusion and ensuring all eligible 
     relocatees receive the relocation benefits to which they are 
     entitled. Consultation with all affected parties and agencies 
     is the key to a transparent, orderly

[[Page H2630]]

     closeout. The statute provides for termination of the Office 
     when the President determines its functions have been fully 
     discharged. That determination requires development of a 
     comprehensive plan. The Committees expect to receive a 
     progress report on development of this plan within 90 days of 
     enactment of this Act.


    institute of american indian and alaska native culture and arts 
                              development

                        payment to the institute

       The bill provides $9,835,000 for fixed costs and academic 
     program requirements of the Institute of American Indian 
     Arts.


                        smithsonian institution

                         salaries and expenses

       The agreement provides a total of $1,043,347,000 for all 
     Smithsonian Institution accounts, of which $731,444,000 is 
     provided for salaries and expenses. 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 continue their longstanding 
     support for the National Museum of African American History 
     and Culture (NMAAHC). Within amounts provided for the 
     Salaries and Expenses account, the NMAAHC is fully funded. 
     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. Lastly, the agreement provides 
     $2,000,000 for the American Women's History Initiative within 
     Institution-wide programs.


                           facilities capital

       The agreement provides $311,903,000 for the Facilities 
     Capital account. The recommendation includes funding to 
     complete construction of the Dulles Storage Module at the 
     Udvar-Hazy Center, and $198,000,000 for the National Air and 
     Space Museum revitalization effort.
       National Air and Space Museum Revitalization.--The 
     Committees support the multi-year, multi-phase renovation of 
     the National Air and Space Museum (NASM), including the 
     replacement of the building's facade and internal building 
     systems. The recommendation includes $198,000,000 for this 
     critical revitalization effort. The Institution is directed 
     to follow the reprogramming guidelines contained in this 
     explanatory statement and may not redirect the use of these 
     funds for other capital projects without prior approval of 
     the Committees. Given the scale of the project, the 
     Committees direct the Institution to make available to the 
     Committees on a timely basis the most updated and 
     comprehensive information on project and funding 
     requirements. The Government Accountability Office is also 
     directed to continue its review and analysis of the project's 
     cost estimates, as directed in the Consolidated Appropriation 
     Act, 2017 (P.L. 115-31). The Committees urge the Smithsonian 
     to evaluate potential partnership opportunities that may 
     provide non-Federal funding sources to advance this and other 
     revitalization projects. 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 $141,790,000 for the Salaries and 
     Expenses account of the National Gallery of Art, of which not 
     to exceed $3,620,000 is for the special exhibition program.
       Harassment-Free Workplace.--The Committees believe all 
     employees have the right to a harassment-free workplace and 
     are deeply concerned by recent reports of harassment and a 
     hostile work environment at the Gallery. The Gallery is 
     expected to ensure it has strong and consistent anti-
     harassment policies in place to protect its workforce and is 
     directed to report to the Committees within 120 days of 
     enactment of this Act regarding specific corrective actions 
     it is taking to preclude additional incidents from occurring 
     in the future.


            REPAIR, RESTORATION, AND RENOVATION OF BUILDINGS

       The agreement provides $24,203,000 for the Repair, 
     Restoration, and Renovation of Buildings account and includes 
     funds to complete the repairs of the East Building atrium 
     skylights.


             JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

                       OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

       The agreement provides $23,740,000 for the Operations and 
     Maintenance account.


                     CAPITAL REPAIR AND RESTORATION

       The agreement provides $16,775,000 for the Capital Repair 
     and Restoration account. Funds provided above the request are 
     to address critical safety, security, and capital repair and 
     restoration needs.

            WOODROW WILSON INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR SCHOLARS


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $12,000,000 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 $152,849,000 for the National 
     Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to continue the important work 
     of the Endowment. Changes to the enacted level are included 
     in the detail table accompanying this agreement, and the 
     agency is expected to use the increases provided for direct 
     grants to expand its Creative Forces: Military Healing Arts 
     Network and to increase grants made available to Tribes and 
     to rural and underserved areas. The Committees particularly 
     commend the NEA for its work incorporating arts therapy into 
     the treatment of active-duty military patients, veterans, and 
     their families through its Creative Forces: Military Healing 
     Arts Network. This successful program places creative arts 
     therapies at the core of patient-centered care and increases 
     access to therapeutic arts therapies at Walter Reed National 
     Military Medical Center, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, and 
     eleven other clinical sites across the United States. The 
     Committees support the expansion of this successful program 
     to assist service members and their families in their 
     recovery, reintegration, and transition to civilian life. The 
     Committees also urge State arts agencies to explore how they 
     can contribute to expanding arts programs for service members 
     and their families at the local level. The Committees 
     acknowledge there are currently vacancies on the National 
     Council on the Arts and many members have agreed to continue 
     to serve even though their term has expired. While the 
     Council has the ability to operate and conduct important 
     work, the Committees encourage the timely appointment of 
     members. The Committees value greatly the longstanding 
     collaborative relationship between the NEA and the States. 
     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 allocated in previous years. 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 $152,848,000 for the National 
     Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to continue the important 
     work of the Endowment. Changes to the enacted level are 
     included in the detail table accompanying this agreement, and 
     the agency is expected to use increases provided to expand 
     its work with Tribes to preserve Native languages and culture 
     as detailed below as well as to support other local history 
     preservation initiatives. Funds are also provided within the 
     Challenge Grants program to support NEH's local 
     infrastructure and capacity building grant program. The 
     Committees acknowledge there are currently vacancies on the 
     National Council on the Humanities and many members have 
     agreed to continue to serve even though their term has 
     expired. While the Council has the ability to operate and 
     conduct important work, the Committees encourage the timely 
     appointment of members. 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 for its ongoing support to American Indian and Alaska 
     Native communities in preserving their cultural and 
     linguistic heritage through the Documenting Endangered 
     Languages program and a variety of preservation and access 
     grants that enable American Indian and Alaska Native 
     communities to preserve cultural artifacts and make them 
     broadly accessible. The Committees also support NEH efforts 
     to provide educational opportunities for tribal communities 
     through Humanities Initiatives at Tribal Colleges and 
     Universities. 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 Appropriations Act, 2017 (P.L. 
     115-31). The Committees encourage NEH to continue providing 
     support to two popular components of the ``We the People'' 
     initiative, the National Digital Newspapers Program (NDNP) 
     and the Landmarks of American History and Culture workshop 
     that focus on our Nation's history and culture.


                        COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $2,762,000 for the Commission of 
     Fine Arts.

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               NATIONAL CAPITAL ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS

       The agreement provides $2,750,000 for the National Capital 
     Arts and Cultural Affairs program. Grant funds provided 
     should be distributed consistent with the established formula 
     and eligibility requirements used in fiscal year 2017.


               ADVISORY COUNCIL ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $6,400,000 for the Advisory Council 
     on Historic Preservation.


                  NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $8,099,000 for the National Capital 
     Planning Commission.


                UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM

                       HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM

       The agreement provides $59,000,000 for the United States 
     Holocaust Memorial Museum. Within this amount, the agreement 
     provides $2,000,000 for one-time capital improvement needs.


                DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER MEMORIAL COMMISSION

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement provides $1,800,000 for the Salaries and 
     Expenses account.


                          CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION

       The agreement provides $45,000,000 for the Capital 
     Construction account. These funds represent the final 
     installment of construction funding necessary to complete the 
     memorial.


                 WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The agreement includes $1,000,000 for the Women's Suffrage 
     Centennial Commission. The Commission shall plan, execute, 
     and coordinate programs and activities in honor of the 100th 
     anniversary of the passage and ratification of the Nineteenth 
     Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guaranteed women 
     the right to vote. The Committees encourage the Commission to 
     work with the General Services Administration to ensure that 
     its staffing and operating needs are addressed expeditiously 
     once a quorum has been determined.


                   WORLD WAR I CENTENNIAL COMMISSION

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

       The bill provides $7,000,000 for the Salaries and Expenses 
     account of the World War I Centennial Commission and bill 
     language accepting additional support from any executive 
     branch agency, as requested. No funds may be used for 
     planning, design, or construction of a memorial. The 
     Committees are aware of the needs associated with the 
     upcoming World War I Centennial celebration and provide 
     sufficient funding to ramp up previously deferred programs.

                      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 2018.
       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.
       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 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 417 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 418 continues a provision prohibiting the use of 
     funds to regulate the lead content of ammunition or fishing 
     tackle.
       Section 419 continues a provision through fiscal year 2019 
     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 420 extends the authorization for the Chesapeake 
     Bay Initiative.
       Section 421 extends certain authorities through fiscal year 
     2018 allowing the Forest Service to renew grazing permits.
       Section 422 prohibits the use of funds to maintain or 
     establish a computer network unless such network is designed 
     to block access to pornography websites.
       Section 423 extends the authority of the Forest Service 
     Facility Realignment and Enhancement Act.
       Section 424 sets requirements for the use of American iron 
     and steel for certain loans and grants.
       Section 425 prohibits the use of funds to destroy any 
     building or structures on Midway Island that have been 
     recommended by the U.S. Navy for inclusion in the National 
     Register of Historic Places.
       Section 426 reauthorizes funding for one year for the John 
     F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
       Section 427 provides authority for the Secretary of the 
     Interior to enter into training agreements and to transfer 
     excess equipment and supplies for wildfires.
       Section 428 extends current authorities for operations of 
     Indian Health Service programs in Alaska.
       Section 429 addresses payment to certain hospitals.
       Section 430 makes additional investments in water 
     infrastructure priorities and Superfund emergency response, 
     removal, and long-term cleanup remedies.
       Section 431 addresses carbon emissions from forest biomass.
       Section 432 addresses section 404 of the Federal Water 
     Pollution Control Act.
       Section 433 addresses the use of small remote incinerators 
     in the State of Alaska.

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