37 U.S.C. § 454 — Travel and transportation: pilot programs

Page 206 TITLE 37—PAY AND ALLOWANCES OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES § 454 assignment, between duty stations located in separate jurisdictions with unique licensing or certification re- quirements and authorities; and’’. Subsec. (g)(1)(B). Pub. L. 118–31, § 635(2)(C), sub- stituted ‘‘relocation’’ for ‘‘reassignment’’. Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 118–31, § 635(3), substituted ‘‘re- location’’ for ‘‘reassignment’’ in subpars. (A) and (B). Subsec. (g)(4)(A). Pub. L. 118–31, § 635(4)(A), sub- stituted ‘‘the member’s relocation described in para- graph (1);’’ for ‘‘movement described in paragraph (1)(B) in connection with the member’s change in duty loca- tion pursuant to reassignment described in paragraph (1)(A);’’. Subsec. (g)(4)(B). Pub. L. 118–31, § 635(4)(B), sub- stituted ‘‘relocation’’ for ‘‘reassignment’’. Subsec. (g)(5)(A). Pub. L. 118–31, § 635(5)(A), sub- stituted ‘‘the member’s relocation described in para- graph (1);’’ for ‘‘movement described in paragraph (1)(B) in connection with the member’s change in duty loca- tion pursuant to reassignment described in paragraph (1)(A);’’. Subsec. (g)(5)(B). Pub. L. 118–31, § 635(5)(B), sub- stituted ‘‘relocation’’ for ‘‘reassignment’’. 2022—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 117–263, § 622(a)(1), inserted ‘‘or Business Costs’’ after ‘‘Relicensing Costs’’ in head- ing. Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 117–263, § 622(a)(2), inserted ‘‘or qualified business costs’’ after ‘‘qualified relicensing costs’’ in introductory provisions. Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 117–263, § 622(a)(3), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), inserted ‘‘for quali- fied relicensing costs’’ after ‘‘subsection’’, substituted ‘‘$1,000’’ for ‘‘$1000’’, and added subpar. (B). Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 117–263, §§ 622(a)(4), 623, inserted ‘‘or qualified business costs’’ after ‘‘qualified reli- censing costs’’ and substituted ‘‘December 31, 2029’’ for ‘‘December 31, 2024’’. Subsec. (g)(4). Pub. L. 117–263, § 622(a)(5)(A), inserted ‘‘business license, permit,’’ after ‘‘courses,’’ in intro- ductory provisions. Subsec. (g)(4)(A). Pub. L. 117–263, § 622(a)(5)(B), in- serted ‘‘, or owned a business,’’ before ‘‘during’’, ‘‘pro- fessional’’ before ‘‘license’’, and ‘‘, or business license or permit,’’ after ‘‘certification’’. Subsec. (g)(4)(B). Pub. L. 117–263, § 622(a)(5)(C), in- serted ‘‘professional’’ before ‘‘license’’ and ‘‘, or busi- ness license or permit,’’ after ‘‘certification’’. Subsec. (g)(5). Pub. L. 117–263, § 622(a)(6), added par. (5). Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 117–263, § 624, added subsec. (h). Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 117–263, § 625, added subsec. (i). 2021—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 116–283 added subsec. (g). 2016—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 114–328 struck out subsec. (g). Text read as follows: ‘‘A member may be reim- bursed as specified in regulations prescribed under sec- tion 464 of this title for travel and related expenses in- curred by the member as a result of the cancellation of previously approved leave when the leave is cancelled in conjunction with the member’s participation in a contingency operation and the cancellation occurs within 48 hours of the time the leave would have com- menced. The settlement for reimbursement under this subsection is final and conclusive.’’ 2013—Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 113–66, § 621(h), sub- stituted ‘‘(including household goods in temporary storage, but excluding packing and crating)’’ for ‘‘(in- cluding packing, crating, and household goods in tem- porary storage)’’. Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 113–66, § 621(c)(1), added subsec. (g). Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries STORAGE OF HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title V, § 503(c), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1558, as amended by Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title V, § 561(l)(2), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1668; Pub. L. 105–261, div. A, title V, § 561(f), Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2025; Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title V, § 571(f)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–134; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title VI, § 631(f)(4)(B), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1465; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, § 1076(a)(9), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1948, provided that: ‘‘(1) The Secretary of a military department shall ex- ercise the authority provided by section 476 of title 37, United States Code, to provide nontemporary storage of baggage and household effects for a period not longer than one year in the case of individuals who are invol- untarily separated during the period beginning on Oc- tober 1, 1990, and ending on December 31, 2001. ‘‘(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘invol- untarily separated’ has the meaning given that term in section 1141 of title 10, United States Code.’’ § 454. Travel and transportation: pilot programs (a) PILOT PROGRAMS.—Except as otherwise pro- hibited by law, the Secretary of Defense may conduct pilot programs to evaluate alternative travel and transportation programs, policies, and processes for Department of Defense author- ized travelers. Any such pilot program shall be designed to enhance cost savings or other effi- ciencies that accrue to the Government and be conducted so as to evaluate one or more of the following: (1) Alternative methods for performing and reimbursing travel. (2) Means for limiting the need for travel. (3) Means for reducing the environmental impact of travel. (b) LIMITATIONS.—(1) Not more than three pilot programs may be carried out under subsection (a) at any one time. (2) The duration of a pilot program may not exceed four years. (3) The authority to carry out a pilot program is subject to the availability of appropriated funds. (c) REPORTS.—(1) Not later than 30 days before the commencement of a pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the pilot program. The report on a pilot pro- gram under this paragraph shall set forth a de- scription of the pilot program, including the fol- lowing: (A) The purpose of the pilot program. (B) The duration of the pilot program. (C) The cost savings or other efficiencies an- ticipated to accrue to the Government under the pilot program. (2) Not later than 60 days after the completion of a pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a re- port on the pilot program. The report on a pilot program under this paragraph shall set forth the following: (A) A description of results of the pilot pro- gram. (B) Such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary con- siders appropriate in light of the pilot pro- gram. (d) CONGRESSIONAL DEFENSE COMMITTEES DE- FINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘congressional defense committees’’ has the meaning given that term in section 101(a)(16) of title 10. (Added Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title VI, § 631(b), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1458.) Page 207 TITLE 37—PAY AND ALLOWANCES OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES § 456 Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries PILOT PROGRAM TO REIMBURSE MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES FOR CERTAIN CHILD CARE COSTS INCI- DENT TO A PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION OR AS- SIGNMENT Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title VI, § 627, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2630, provided that: ‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Defense shall carry out a pilot program to reimburse members of the Armed Forces for certain child care costs incident to a permanent change of station or assignment. ‘‘(b) TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCES.— Under the pilot program, the Secretary of Defense shall treat a designated child care provider as an authorized traveler if child care is not available to a member of the Armed Forces at a military child development cen- ter at the permanent duty location of such member not later than 30 days after the member arrives at such lo- cation. ‘‘(c) REIMBURSEMENT OF CERTAIN CHILD CARE COSTS.— ‘‘(1) AUTHORITY.—Under the pilot program, the Sec- retary of Defense may reimburse a member of the Armed Forces for travel expenses for a designated child care provider when— ‘‘(A) the member is reassigned, either as a perma- nent change of station or permanent change of as- signment, to a new duty station; ‘‘(B) the movement of the member’s dependents is authorized at the expense of the United States under section 451 of title 37, United States Code, as part of the reassignment; ‘‘(C) child care is not available at a military child development center at such duty station not later than 30 days after the member arrives at such duty station; and ‘‘(D) the dependent child is on the wait list for child care at such military child development cen- ter. ‘‘(2) MAXIMUM AMOUNTS.—Reimbursement provided to a member under this subsection may not exceed— ‘‘(A) $500 for a reassignment between duty sta- tions within the continental United States; and ‘‘(B) $1,500 for a reassignment involving a duty station outside of the continental United States. ‘‘(3) DEADLINE.—A member may not apply for reim- bursement under this subsection later than one year after a reassignment described in paragraph (1). ‘‘(4) CONCURRENT RECEIPT PROHIBITED.—In the event a household contains more than one member eligible for reimbursement under this subsection, reimburse- ment may be paid to one member among such mem- bers as such members shall jointly elect. ‘‘(d) REPORT.—Not later than January 1, 2027, the Sec- retary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Serv- ices of the Senate and House of Representatives a re- port on the pilot program, including the recommenda- tion of the Secretary whether to make the pilot pro- gram permanent. ‘‘(e) TERMINATION.—The pilot program shall termi- nate on September 30, 2028. ‘‘(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: ‘‘(1) The term ‘authorized traveler’ has the meaning given such term in section 451 of title 37, United States Code. ‘‘(2) The term ‘designated child care provider’ means an adult selected by a member of the armed forces to provide child care to a dependent child of such member. ‘‘(3) The term ‘military child development center’ has the meaning given such term in section 1800 of title 10, United States Code.’’ § 455. Appropriations for travel: may not be used for attendance at certain meetings Appropriations of the Department of Defense that are available for travel may not, without the approval of the Secretary concerned or his designee, be used for expenses incident to at- tendance of a member of an armed force under that department at a meeting of a technical, sci- entific, professional, or similar organization. (Pub. L. 87–649, Sept. 7, 1962, 76 Stat. 476, § 412; re- numbered § 455, Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title VI, § 631(d)(1), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1460.) HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES Revised section Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large) 412 .......... 5:174a. Aug. 1, 1953, ch. 305, § 605, 67 Stat. 349. The words ‘‘may not . . . be used’’ are substituted for the words ‘‘shall not be available’’. The words ‘‘on and after August 1, 1953’’ are omitted as executed. The words ‘‘Secretary concerned’’ are substituted for the words ‘‘Secretary of the department concerned’’ to con- form to other sections of this revised title and to the definition in section 101(5) of this revised title. So much of the source statute as relates to civilian em- ployees is omitted as superseded by the Act of July 7, 1958, Pub. L. 85–507, 72 Stat. 327. Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS Act Aug. 1, 1953, cited as the source of this section in the Historical and Revision Notes above, is known as the Department of Defense Appropriation Act, 1954. Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriation acts: July 10, 1952, ch. 630, title VI, § 606, 66 Stat. 531. Oct. 18, 1951, ch. 512, title VI, § 606, 65 Stat. 445. Sept. 6, 1950, ch. 896, ch. X, title VI, § 607, 64 Stat. 752. Oct. 29, 1949, ch. 787, title VI, § 607, 63 Stat. 1018. June 24, 1948, ch. 632, 62 Stat. 652. July 30, 1947, ch. 357, title I, 61 Stat. 554. July 16, 1946, ch. 583, 60 Stat. 545. July 3, 1945, ch. 265, 59 Stat. 388. June 28, 1944, ch. 303, 58 Stat. 577. AMENDMENTS 2011—Pub. L. 112–81 renumbered section 412 of this title as this section. § 456. Managed travel program refunds (a) CREDIT OF REFUNDS.—The Secretary of De- fense may credit refunds attributable to Depart- ment of Defense managed travel programs as a direct result of official travel to such operation and maintenance or research, development, test, and evaluation accounts of the Department as designated by the Secretary that are available for obligation for the fiscal year in which the re- fund or amount is collected. (b) USE OF REFUNDS.—Refunds credited under subsection (a) may only be used for official trav- el or operations and efficiency improvements for improved financial management of official trav- el. (c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: (1) MANAGED TRAVEL PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘managed travel program’’ includes air, rental car, train, bus, dining, lodging, and travel management, but does not include rebates or refunds attributable to the use of the Govern- ment travel card, the Government Purchase Card, or Government travel arranged by Gov- ernment Contracted Travel Management Cen- ters.