37 U.S.C. § 453 — Allowable travel and transportation: spe-

Page 204 TITLE 37—PAY AND ALLOWANCES OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES § 453 2022—Subsec. (b)(18), (21). Pub. L. 117–263, § 621(1), re- designated par. (18), relating to presence of family members at the funeral and memorial services of mem- bers, as (21). Subsec. (b)(22), (23). Pub. L. 117–263, § 621(2), added pars. (22) and (23). 2021—Subsec. (b)(18). Pub. L. 117–81, § 623, added par. (18) relating to presence of family members at the fu- neral and memorial services of members at end of sub- sec. (b). Pub. L. 117–81, § 603(c)(1), added par. (18) relating to travel by a dependent child to the United States to ob- tain formal secondary, undergraduate, graduate, or vo- cational education. Subsec. (b)(19). Pub. L. 117–81, § 603(c)(1), added par. (19). Subsec. (b)(20). Pub. L. 117–81, § 603(d)(1)(A), added par. (20). Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 116–283, § 605, inserted ‘‘(includ- ing fares and tolls, without regard to distance trav- elled)’’ after ‘‘transportation’’. Subsec. (c)(4), (5). Pub. L. 116–283, § 1299N, added par. (4) and redesignated former par. (4) as (5). Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 117–81, § 603(d)(1)(B), added subsec. (i). 2019—Subsec. (c)(3), (4). Pub. L. 116–92 added par. (3) and redesignated former par. (3) as (4). Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2024 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title VI, § 623(b), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 1934, provided that: ‘‘The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to travel on or after January 1, 2027.’’ § 453. Allowable travel and transportation: spe- cific authorities (a) IN GENERAL.—In addition to any other au- thority for the provision of travel and transpor- tation allowances, the administering Secretaries may provide travel and transportation allow- ances under this subchapter in accordance with this section. (b) AUTHORIZED ABSENCE FROM TEMPORARY DUTY LOCATION.—An authorized traveler may be paid travel and transportation allowances, or re- imbursed for actual and necessary expenses of travel, incurred at a temporary duty location during an authorized absence from that loca- tion. (c) MOVEMENT OF PERSONAL PROPERTY.—(1) A member of a uniformed service may be allowed moving expenses and transportation allowances for self and dependents associated with the movement of personal property and household goods, including such expenses when associated with a self-move. (2) The authority in paragraph (1) includes the movement and temporary and non-temporary storage of personal property, household goods, and privately owned vehicles in connection with the temporary or permanent move between au- thorized locations. (3) For movement of household goods, the ad- ministering Secretaries shall prescribe weight allowances in regulations under section 464 of this title. The prescribed weight allowances may not exceed 18,000 pounds (including household goods in temporary storage, but excluding pack- ing and crating), except that the administering Secretary may, on a case-by-case basis, author- ize additional weight allowances as necessary. (4) The administering Secretary may prescribe the terms, rates, and conditions that authorize a member of the uniformed services to ship or store privately owned vehicles. (5) No carrier, port agent, warehouseman, freight forwarder, or other person involved in the transportation of property may have any lien on, or hold, impound, or otherwise interfere with, the movement of baggage and household goods being transported under this section. (d) UNUSUAL OR EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES.— An authorized traveler may be provided travel and transportation allowances under this sec- tion for unusual, extraordinary, hardship, or emergency circumstances, including cir- cumstances warranting evacuation from a per- manent duty assignment location. (e) PARTICULAR SEPARATION PROVISIONS.—The administering Secretary may provide travel-in- kind and transportation-in-kind for the fol- lowing persons in accordance with regulations prescribed under section 464 of this title: (1) A member who is retired, or is placed on the temporary disability retired list, under chapter 61 of title 10. (2) A member who is retired with pay under any other law or who, immediately following at least eight years of continuous active duty with no single break therein of more than 90 days, is discharged with separation pay or is involuntarily released from active duty with separation pay or readjustment pay. (3) A member who is discharged under sec- tion 1173 of title 10. (f) ATTENDANCE AT MEMORIAL CEREMONIES AND SERVICES.—A family member or member of the uniformed services who attends a deceased mem- ber’s repatriation, burial, or memorial ceremony or service may be provided travel and transpor- tation allowances to the extent provided in reg- ulations prescribed under section 464 of this title. (g) REIMBURSEMENT OF QUALIFYING SPOUSE RE- LICENSING COSTS AND BUSINESS COSTS.—(1) From amounts otherwise made available for a fiscal year to provide travel and transportation allow- ances under this chapter, the Secretary con- cerned may reimburse a member of the uni- formed services for qualified relicensing costs and qualified business costs of the spouse of the member when— (A) the member relocates to a new jurisdic- tion or geographic area as the result of— (i) an assignment to a duty station; (ii) a reassignment, either as a result of a permanent change of station or permanent change of assignment, between duty sta- tions; (iii) a transfer from a regular component of a uniformed service into the Selected Re- serve of the Ready Reserve of a uniformed service, if the member is authorized a final move from the last duty station to the new jurisdiction or geographic area; or (iv) placement on the temporary disability retired list under chapter 61 of title 10; and (B) the movement of the member’s depend- ents is authorized at the expense of the United States under this section as part of the reloca- tion. Page 205 TITLE 37—PAY AND ALLOWANCES OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES § 453 1 So in original. (2)(A) Reimbursement provided to a member under this subsection for qualified relicensing costs may not exceed $1,000 in connection with each relocation described in paragraph (1). (B) Reimbursement provided to a member under this subsection for qualified business costs may not exceed $1,000 in connection with each relocation described in paragraph (1). (3) No reimbursement may be provided under this subsection for qualified relicensing costs or qualified business costs paid or incurred after December 31, 2029. (4) In this subsection, the term ‘‘qualified reli- censing costs’’ means costs, including exam, continuing education courses, business license, permit, and registration fees, incurred by the spouse of a member if— (A) the spouse was licensed or certified in a profession, or owned a business, during the member’s previous duty assignment and re- quires a new professional license or certifi- cation, or business license or permit, to en- gage in that profession in a new jurisdiction because of the member’s relocation described in paragraph (1); and (B) the costs were incurred or paid to secure or maintain the professional license or certifi- cation, or business license or permit, from the new jurisdiction in connection with such relo- cation. (5) In this subsection, the term ‘‘qualified business costs’’ means costs, including moving services for equipment, equipment removal, new equipment purchases, information technology expenses, and inspection fees, incurred by the spouse of a member if— (A) the spouse owned a business during the member’s previous duty assignment and the costs result from a the 1 member’s relocation described in paragraph (1); and (B) the costs were incurred or paid to move such business to a new location in connection with such relocation. (h) REIMBURSEMENT FOR TRANSPORTATION OF PETS ARISING FROM CERTAIN PERMANENT CHANGES OF STATIONS.—(1) The Secretary con- cerned may reimburse a member for any cost re- lated to the relocation of a pet that arises from a permanent change of station of such member within the continental United States. Such re- imbursement may not exceed $550 for each such permanent change of station. (2) The Secretary concerned may reimburse a member for any cost related to the relocation of a pet that arises from a permanent change of station of such member to or from a duty sta- tion located outside the continental United States. Such reimbursement may not exceed $4,000 for each such permanent change of sta- tion. (i) ATTENDANCE AT PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION INSTITUTION OR TRAINING CLASSES.— (1) The Secretary of the military department concerned may authorize temporary duty sta- tus, and travel and transportation allowances payable to a member in such status, for a member under the jurisdiction of such Sec- retary who is reassigned— (A) between duty stations located within the United States; (B) for a period of not more than one year; (C) for the purpose of participating in pro- fessional military education or training classes, (D) with orders to return to the duty sta- tion where the member maintains primary residence and the dependents of such mem- ber reside. (2) If the Secretary of the military depart- ment concerned assigns permanent duty sta- tus to a member described in paragraph (1), such member shall be eligible for travel and transportation allowances including the fol- lowing: (A) Transportation, including mileage at the same rate paid for a permanent change of station. (B) Per diem while traveling between the permanent duty station and professional military education institution or training site. (C) Per diem paid in the same manner and amount as temporary lodging expenses. (D) Per diem equal to the amount of the basic allowance for housing under section 403 of this title paid to a member— (i) in the grade of such member; (ii) without dependents; (iii) who resides in the military housing area in which the professional military education institution or training site is lo- cated. (E) Movement of household goods in an amount determined under applicable regula- tions. (Added Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title VI, § 631(b), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1457; amended Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title VI, § 621(c)(1), (h), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 783, 784; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title V, § 522(c), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2116; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title VI, § 622(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3676; Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title VI, §§ 622(a), 623–625, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2625–2627; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title VI, § 635, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 298; Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title VI, § 624, Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 1934.) Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS 2024—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 118–159, § 624(1), struck out ‘‘(but not to exceed one privately owned vehicle per member household)’’ after ‘‘privately owned vehicles’’. Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 118–159, § 624(2), substituted ‘‘privately owned vehicles’’ for ‘‘a privately owned ve- hicle’’. 2023—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 118–31, § 635(1), substituted ‘‘REIMBURSEMENT OF QUALIFYING SPOUSE RELICENSING COSTS AND BUSINESS COSTS’’ for ‘‘REIMBURSEMENT OF QUALIFYING SPOUSE RELICENSING COSTS OR BUSINESS COSTS INCIDENT TO A MEMBER’S PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION OR ASSIGNMENT’’ in heading. Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 118–31, § 635(2)(A), substituted ‘‘and qualified business costs’’ for ‘‘or qualified busi- ness costs’’ in introductory provisions. Subsec. (g)(1)(A). Pub. L. 118–31, § 635(2)(B), amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (A) read as follows: ‘‘the member is reassigned, either as a permanent change of station or permanent change of 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.)