1 

" ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 115TH CONGRESS

2d Session 

REPORT

115–929 

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND 

RELATED AGENCIES FOR THE FISCAL 

YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2019, AND 

FOR OTHER PURPOSES 

CONFERENCE REPORT 

TO ACCOMPANY

H.R. 5895 

SEPTEMBER 10, 2018.—Ordered to be printed 


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ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES FOR THE FISCAL 

YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2019, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 


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U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

1 

31–415 

" ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 115TH CONGRESS

2d Session 

REPORT

2018

115–929 

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND 

RELATED AGENCIES FOR THE FISCAL 

YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2019, AND 

FOR OTHER PURPOSES 

CONFERENCE REPORT 

TO ACCOMPANY

H.R. 5895 

SEPTEMBER 10, 2018.—Ordered to be printed 


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115TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 115–929 

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED 

AGENCIES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 

30, 2019, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 

SEPTEMBER 10, 2018.—Ordered to be printed 

Mr. SIMPSON, from the committee of conference, 

submitted the following 

CONFERENCE REPORT 

[To accompany H.R. 5895] 

The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the 

two Houses on the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 

5895), making appropriations for the energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 

2019, and for other purposes, having met, after full and free conference, have agreed to recommend and do recommend to their respective Houses as follows: 

That the House recede from its disagreement to the amendment of the Senate and agree to the same with an amendment as 

follows: 

In lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted by the Senate 

amendment, insert the following: 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Energy and Water, Legislative 

Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019’’. 

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

The table of contents of this Act is as follows: 

Sec. 1. Short title. 

Sec. 2. Table of contents. 

Sec. 3. References. 

Sec. 4. Statement of appropriations. 


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DIVISION A—ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED 

AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019 

Title I—Corps of Engineers—Civil 

Title II—Department of the Interior 

Title III—Department of Energy 

Title IV—Independent Agencies 

Title V—General Provisions 

DIVISION B—LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019 

Title I—Legislative Branch 

Title II—General Provisions 

DIVISION C—MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND 

RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019 

Title I—Department of Defense 

Title II—Department of Veterans Affairs 

Title III—Related Agencies 

Title IV—Overseas Contingency Operations 

Title V—General Provisions 

SEC. 3. REFERENCES. 

Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘‘this 

Act’’ contained in any division of this Act shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division. 

SEC. 4. STATEMENT OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

The following sums in this Act are appropriated, out of any 

money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal 

year ending September 30, 2019. 

DIVISION A—ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND 

RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019 

TITLE I 

CORPS OF ENGINEERS—CIVIL 

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY 

CORPS OF ENGINEERS—CIVIL

The following appropriations shall be expended under the direction of the Secretary of the Army and the supervision of the Chief 

of Engineers for authorized civil functions of the Department of the 

Army pertaining to river and harbor, flood and storm damage reduction, shore protection, aquatic ecosystem restoration, and related 

efforts. 

INVESTIGATIONS

For expenses necessary where authorized by law for the collection and study of basic information pertaining to river and harbor, 


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flood and storm damage reduction, shore protection, aquatic ecosystem restoration, and related needs; for surveys and detailed studies, and plans and specifications of proposed river and harbor, flood 

and storm damage reduction, shore protection, and aquatic ecosystem restoration projects, and related efforts prior to construction; 

for restudy of authorized projects; and for miscellaneous investigations, and, when authorized by law, surveys and detailed studies, 

and plans and specifications of projects prior to construction, 

$125,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That 

the Secretary shall initiate six new study starts during fiscal year 

2019: Provided further, That the Secretary shall not deviate from 

the new starts proposed in the work plan, once the plan has been 

submitted to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 

Congress. 

CONSTRUCTION

For expenses necessary for the construction of river and harbor, 

flood and storm damage reduction, shore protection, aquatic ecosystem restoration, and related projects authorized by law; for conducting detailed studies, and plans and specifications, of such 

projects (including those involving participation by States, local governments, or private groups) authorized or made eligible for selection by law (but such detailed studies, and plans and specifications, 

shall not constitute a commitment of the Government to construction); $2,183,000,000, to remain available until expended; of which 

such sums as are necessary to cover the Federal share of construction costs for facilities under the Dredged Material Disposal Facilities program shall be derived from the Harbor Maintenance Trust 

Fund as authorized by Public Law 104–303; and of which such 

sums as are necessary to cover one-half of the costs of construction, 

replacement, rehabilitation, and expansion of inland waterways 

projects, except for Chickamauga Lock, Tennessee River, Tennessee, 

which shall be 15 percent during the fiscal year covered by this Act, 

shall be derived from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, except as 

otherwise specifically provided for in law: Provided, That the Secretary shall initiate five new construction starts during fiscal year 

2019: Provided further, That for new construction projects, project 

cost sharing agreements shall be executed as soon as practicable but 

no later than September 30, 2019: Provided further, That no allocation for a new start shall be considered final and no work allowance 

shall be made until the Secretary provides to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress an out-year funding scenario demonstrating the affordability of the selected new starts and 

the impacts on other projects: Provided further, That the Secretary 

may not deviate from the new starts proposed in the work plan, once 

the plan has been submitted to the Committees on Appropriations 

of both Houses of Congress. 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES

For expenses necessary for flood damage reduction projects and 

related efforts in the Mississippi River alluvial valley below Cape 

Girardeau, Missouri, as authorized by law, $368,000,000, to remain 

available until expended, of which such sums as are necessary to 

cover the Federal share of eligible operation and maintenance costs 


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for inland harbors shall be derived from the Harbor Maintenance 

Trust Fund. 

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

For expenses necessary for the operation, maintenance, and care 

of existing river and harbor, flood and storm damage reduction, 

aquatic ecosystem restoration, and related projects authorized by 

law; providing security for infrastructure owned or operated by the 

Corps, including administrative buildings and laboratories; maintaining harbor channels provided by a State, municipality, or other 

public agency that serve essential navigation needs of general commerce, where authorized by law; surveying and charting northern 

and northwestern lakes and connecting waters; clearing and 

straightening channels; and removing obstructions to navigation, 

$3,739,500,000, to remain available until expended, of which such 

sums as are necessary to cover the Federal share of eligible operation and maintenance costs for coastal harbors and channels, and 

for inland harbors shall be derived from the Harbor Maintenance 

Trust Fund; of which such sums as become available from the special account for the Corps of Engineers established by the Land and 

Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 shall be derived from that account for resource protection, research, interpretation, and maintenance activities related to resource protection in the areas at which 

outdoor recreation is available; and of which such sums as become 

available from fees collected under section 217 of Public Law 104– 

303 shall be used to cover the cost of operation and maintenance of 

the dredged material disposal facilities for which such fees have 

been collected: Provided, That 1 percent of the total amount of funds 

provided for each of the programs, projects, or activities funded 

under this heading shall not be allocated to a field operating activity prior to the beginning of the fourth quarter of the fiscal year and 

shall be available for use by the Chief of Engineers to fund such 

emergency activities as the Chief of Engineers determines to be necessary and appropriate, and that the Chief of Engineers shall allocate during the fourth quarter any remaining funds which have not 

been used for emergency activities proportionally in accordance with 

the amounts provided for the programs, projects, or activities. 

REGULATORY PROGRAM

For expenses necessary for administration of laws pertaining to 

regulation of navigable waters and wetlands, $200,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2020. 

FORMERLY UTILIZED SITES REMEDIAL ACTION PROGRAM

For expenses necessary to clean up contamination from sites in 

the United States resulting from work performed as part of the Nation’s early atomic energy program, $150,000,000, to remain available until expended. 

FLOOD CONTROL AND COASTAL EMERGENCIES

For expenses necessary to prepare for flood, hurricane, and 

other natural disasters and support emergency operations, repairs, 


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and other activities in response to such disasters as authorized by 

law, $35,000,000, to remain available until expended. 

EXPENSES

For expenses necessary for the supervision and general administration of the civil works program in the headquarters of the Corps 

of Engineers and the offices of the Division Engineers; and for costs 

of management and operation of the Humphreys Engineer Center 

Support Activity, the Institute for Water Resources, the United 

States Army Engineer Research and Development Center, and the 

United States Army Corps of Engineers Finance Center allocable to 

the civil works program, $193,000,000, to remain available until 

September 30, 2020, of which not to exceed $5,000 may be used for 

official reception and representation purposes and only during the 

current fiscal year: Provided, That no part of any other appropriation provided in this title shall be available to fund the civil works 

activities of the Office of the Chief of Engineers or the civil works 

executive direction and management activities of the division offices: 

Provided further, That any Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies 

appropriation may be used to fund the supervision and general administration of emergency operations, repairs, and other activities 

in response to any flood, hurricane, or other natural disaster. 

OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE ARMY FOR CIVIL

WORKS

For the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil 

Works as authorized by 10 U.S.C. 3016(b)(3), $5,000,000, to remain 

available until September 30, 2020: Provided, That not more than 

25 percent of such amount may be obligated or expended until the 

Assistant Secretary submits to the Committees on Appropriations of 

both Houses of Congress a work plan that allocates at least 95 percent of the additional funding provided under each heading in this 

title, as designated under such heading in the joint explanatory 

statement accompanying this Act, to specific programs, projects, or 

activities. 

GENERAL PROVISIONS—CORPS OF ENGINEERS—CIVIL 

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 101. (a) None of the funds provided in title I of this Act, 

or provided by previous appropriations Acts to the agencies or entities funded in title I of this Act that remain available for obligation 

or expenditure in fiscal year 2019, shall be available for obligation 

or expenditure through 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 for any program, project, 

or activity for which funds have been denied or restricted by 

this Act, unless prior approval is received from the House and 

Senate Committees on Appropriations; 

(4) proposes to use funds directed for a specific activity for 

a different purpose, unless prior approval is received from the 

House and Senate Committees on Appropriations; 


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(5) augments or reduces existing programs, projects, or activities in excess of the amounts contained in paragraphs (6) 

through (10), unless prior approval is received from the House 

and Senate Committees on Appropriations; 

(6) INVESTIGATIONS.—For a base level over $100,000, reprogramming of 25 percent of the base amount up to a limit of 

$150,000 per project, study or activity is allowed: Provided, 

That for a base level less than $100,000, the reprogramming 

limit is $25,000: Provided further, That up to $25,000 may be 

reprogrammed into any continuing study or activity that did 

not receive an appropriation for existing obligations and concomitant administrative expenses; 

(7) CONSTRUCTION.—For a base level over $2,000,000, reprogramming of 15 percent of the base amount up to a limit of 

$3,000,000 per project, study or activity is allowed: Provided, 

That for a base level less than $2,000,000, the reprogramming 

limit is $300,000: Provided further, That up to $3,000,000 may 

be reprogrammed for settled contractor claims, changed conditions, or real estate deficiency judgments: Provided further, 

That up to $300,000 may be reprogrammed into any continuing 

study or activity that did not receive an appropriation for existing obligations and concomitant administrative expenses; 

(8) OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE.—Unlimited reprogramming authority is granted for the Corps to be able to respond 

to emergencies: Provided, That the Chief of Engineers shall notify the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations of 

these emergency actions as soon thereafter as practicable: Provided further, That for a base level over $1,000,000, reprogramming of 15 percent of the base amount up to a limit of 

$5,000,000 per project, study, or activity is allowed: Provided 

further, That for a base level less than $1,000,000, the reprogramming limit is $150,000: Provided further, That 

$150,000 may be reprogrammed into any continuing study or 

activity that did not receive an appropriation; 

(9) MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES.—The reprogramming guidelines in paragraphs (6), (7), and (8) shall apply to 

the Investigations, Construction, and Operation and Maintenance portions of the Mississippi River and Tributaries Account, respectively; and 

(10) FORMERLY UTILIZED SITES REMEDIAL ACTION PROGRAM.—Reprogramming of up to 15 percent of the base of the 

receiving project is permitted. 

(b) DE MINIMUS REPROGRAMMINGS.—In no case should a reprogramming for less than $50,000 be submitted to the House and 

Senate Committees on Appropriations. 

(c) CONTINUING AUTHORITIES PROGRAM.—Subsection (a)(1) 

shall not apply to any project or activity funded under the continuing authorities program. 

(d) Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this 

Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to the House and Senate 

Committees on Appropriations to establish the baseline for application of reprogramming and transfer authorities for the current fiscal 

year which shall include: 

(1) A table for each appropriation with a separate column 

to display the President’s budget request, adjustments made by 


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Congress, adjustments due to enacted rescissions, if applicable, 

and the fiscal year enacted level; and 

(2) A delineation in the table for each appropriation both 

by object class and program, project and activity as detailed in 

the budget appendix for the respective appropriations; and 

(3) An identification of items of special congressional interest. 

SEC. 102. The Secretary shall allocate funds made available in 

this Act solely in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the 

joint explanatory statement accompanying this Act, including the 

determination and designation of new starts. 

SEC. 103. None of the funds made available in this title may 

be used to award or modify any contract that commits funds beyond 

the amounts appropriated for that program, project, or activity that 

remain unobligated, except that such amounts may include any 

funds that have been made available through reprogramming pursuant to section 101. 

SEC. 104. The Secretary of the Army may transfer to the Fish 

and Wildlife Service, and the Fish and Wildlife Service may accept 

and expend, up to $5,400,000 of funds provided in this title under 

the heading ‘‘Operation and Maintenance’’ to mitigate for fisheries 

lost due to Corps of Engineers projects. 

SEC. 105. None of the funds in this Act shall be used for an 

open lake placement alternative for dredged material, after evaluating the least costly, environmentally acceptable manner for the 

disposal or management of dredged material originating from Lake 

Erie or tributaries thereto, unless it is approved under a State water 

quality certification pursuant to section 401 of the Federal Water 

Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1341): Provided, That until an 

open lake placement alternative for dredged material is approved 

under a State water quality certification, the Corps of Engineers 

shall continue upland placement of such dredged material consistent with the requirements of section 101 of the Water Resources 

Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2211). 

SEC. 106. None of the funds made available in this title may 

be used for any acquisition of buoy chain that is not consistent with 

48 CFR 225.7007, subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2). 

SEC. 107. None of the funds made available by this Act may be 

used to carry out any water supply reallocation study under the 

Wolf Creek Dam, Lake Cumberland, Kentucky, project authorized 

under the Act of July 24, 1946 (60 Stat. 636, ch. 595). 

SEC. 108. None of the funds made available by this Act may be 

used to require a permit for the discharge of dredged or fill material 

under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et 

seq.) for the activities identified in subparagraphs (A) and (C) of 

section 404(f)(1) of the Act (33 U.S.C. 1344(f)(1)(A), (C)). 

SEC. 109. For fiscal year 2019, none of the funds provided in 

this Act or available in the revolving fund established by the Civil 

Functions Appropriations Act of 1954 (33 U.S.C. 576(a)) may be obligated or expended on a new hopper dredge. 

SEC. 110. None of the funds made available by this Act or any 

other Act may be used to reorganize or to transfer the Civil Works 

functions or authority of the Corps of Engineers or the Secretary of 

the Army to another department or agency. 


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TITLE II 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

CENTRAL UTAH PROJECT

CENTRAL UTAH PROJECT COMPLETION ACCOUNT

For carrying out activities authorized by the Central Utah 

Project Completion Act, $15,000,000, to remain available until expended, of which $898,000 shall be deposited into the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Account for use by the Utah 

Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission: Provided, 

That of the amount provided under this heading, $1,398,675 shall 

be available until September 30, 2020, for expenses necessary in carrying out related responsibilities of the Secretary of the Interior: 

Provided further, That for fiscal year 2019, of the amount made 

available to the Commission under this Act or any other Act, the 

Commission may use an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 for administrative expenses. 

BUREAU OF RECLAMATION

The following appropriations shall be expended to execute authorized functions of the Bureau of Reclamation: 

WATER AND RELATED RESOURCES

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

For management, development, and restoration of water and related natural resources and for related activities, including the operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation of reclamation and other 

facilities, participation in fulfilling related Federal responsibilities 

to Native Americans, and related grants to, and cooperative and 

other agreements with, State and local governments, federally recognized Indian tribes, and others, $1,391,992,000, to remain available 

until expended, of which $67,393,000 shall be available for transfer 

to the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund and $5,551,000 shall be 

available for transfer to the Lower Colorado River Basin Development Fund; of which such amounts as may be necessary may be advanced to the Colorado River Dam Fund: Provided, That such 

transfers may be increased or decreased within the overall appropriation under this heading: Provided further, That within available funds, $250,000 shall be for grants and financial assistance for 

educational activities: Provided further, That of the total appropriated, the amount for program activities that can be financed by 

the Reclamation Fund or the Bureau of Reclamation special fee account established by 16 U.S.C. 6806 shall be derived from that 

Fund or account: Provided further, That funds contributed under 43 

U.S.C. 395 are available until expended for the purposes for which 

the funds were contributed: Provided further, That funds advanced 

under 43 U.S.C. 397a shall be credited to this account and are 

available until expended for the same purposes as the sums appropriated under this heading: Provided further, That of the amounts 

provided herein, funds may be used for high-priority projects which 


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shall be carried out by the Youth Conservation Corps, as authorized 

by 16 U.S.C. 1706. 

CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT RESTORATION FUND

For carrying out the programs, projects, plans, habitat restoration, improvement, and acquisition provisions of the Central Valley 

Project Improvement Act, $62,008,000, to be derived from such sums 

as may be collected in the Central Valley Project Restoration Fund 

pursuant to sections 3407(d), 3404(c)(3), and 3405(f) of Public Law 

102–575, to remain available until expended: Provided, That the 

Bureau of Reclamation is directed to assess and collect the full 

amount of the additional mitigation and restoration payments authorized by section 3407(d) of Public Law 102–575: Provided further, That none of the funds made available under this heading 

may be used for the acquisition or leasing of water for in-stream 

purposes if the water is already committed to in-stream purposes by 

a court adopted decree or order. 

CALIFORNIA BAY-DELTA RESTORATION

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

For carrying out activities authorized by the Water Supply, Reliability, and Environmental Improvement Act, consistent with 

plans to be approved by the Secretary of the Interior, $35,000,000, 

to remain available until expended, of which such amounts as may 

be necessary to carry out such activities may be transferred to appropriate accounts of other participating Federal agencies to carry 

out authorized purposes: Provided, That funds appropriated herein 

may be used for the Federal share of the costs of CALFED Program 

management: Provided further, That CALFED implementation 

shall be carried out in a balanced manner with clear performance 

measures demonstrating concurrent progress in achieving the goals 

and objectives of the Program. 

POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION

For expenses necessary for policy, administration, and related 

functions in the Office of the Commissioner, the Denver office, and 

offices in the five regions of the Bureau of Reclamation, to remain 

available until September 30, 2020, $61,000,000, to be derived from 

the Reclamation Fund and be nonreimbursable as provided in 43 

U.S.C. 377: Provided, That no part of any other appropriation in 

this Act shall be available for activities or functions budgeted as 

policy and administration expenses. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION

Appropriations for the Bureau of Reclamation shall be available for purchase of not to exceed five passenger motor vehicles, 

which are for replacement only. 

GENERAL PROVISIONS—DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

SEC. 201. (a) None of the funds provided in title II of this Act 

for Water and Related Resources, or provided by previous or subsequent appropriations Acts to the agencies or entities funded in title 


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II of this Act for Water and Related Resources that remain available 

for obligation or expenditure in fiscal year 2019, shall be available 

for obligation or expenditure through a reprogramming of funds 

that— 

(1) initiates or creates a new program, project, or activity; 

(2) eliminates a program, project, or activity; 

(3) increases funds for any program, project, or activity for 

which funds have been denied or restricted by this Act, unless 

prior approval is received from the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate; 

(4) restarts or resumes any program, project or activity for 

which funds are not provided in this Act, unless prior approval 

is received from the Committees on Appropriations of the House 

of Representatives and the Senate; 

(5) transfers funds in excess of the following limits, unless 

prior approval is received from the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate: 

(A) 15 percent for any program, project or activity for which $2,000,000 or more is available at the beginning of 

the fiscal year; or (B) $400,000 for any program, project or activity for which less than $2,000,000 is available at the beginning of 

the fiscal year; 

(6) transfers more than $500,000 from either the Facilities 

Operation, Maintenance, and Rehabilitation category or the Resources Management and Development category to any program, project, or activity in the other category, unless prior approval is received from the Committees on Appropriations of the 

House of Representatives and the Senate; or 

(7) transfers, where necessary to discharge legal obligations of the Bureau of Reclamation, more than $5,000,000 to provide 

adequate funds for settled contractor claims, increased contractor earnings due to accelerated rates of operations, and real 

estate deficiency judgments, unless prior approval is received 

from the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate. 

(b) Subsection (a)(5) shall not apply to any transfer of funds 

within the Facilities Operation, Maintenance, and Rehabilitation 

category. 

(c) For purposes of this section, the term transfer means any 

movement of funds into or out of a program, project, or activity. 

(d) The Bureau of Reclamation shall submit reports on a quarterly basis to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate detailing all the funds reprogrammed 

between programs, projects, activities, or categories of funding. The 

first quarterly report shall be submitted not later than 60 days after 

the date of enactment of this Act. 

SEC. 202. (a) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 

available by this Act may be used to determine the final point of 

discharge for the interceptor drain for the San Luis Unit until development by the Secretary of the Interior and the State of California of a plan, which shall conform to the water quality standards 

of the State of California as approved by the Administrator of the 

Environmental Protection Agency, to minimize any detrimental effect of the San Luis drainage waters. 


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(b) The costs of the Kesterson Reservoir Cleanup Program and 

the costs of the San Joaquin Valley Drainage Program shall be classified by the Secretary of the Interior as reimbursable or nonreimbursable and collected until fully repaid pursuant to the ‘‘Cleanup 

Program—Alternative Repayment Plan’’ and the ‘‘SJVDP—Alternative Repayment Plan’’ described in the report entitled ‘‘Repayment 

Report, Kesterson Reservoir Cleanup Program and San Joaquin 

Valley Drainage Program, February 1995’’, prepared by the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation. Any future obligations 

of funds by the United States relating to, or providing for, drainage 

service or drainage studies for the San Luis Unit shall be fully reimbursable by San Luis Unit beneficiaries of such service or studies 

pursuant to Federal reclamation law. 

SEC. 203. Hereinafter, notwithstanding any other provision of 

law, during the period from November 1 through April 30, water 

users may use their diversion structures for the purpose of recharging the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer, when the Secretary, in 

consultation with the Advisory Committee and Water District 1 

watermaster, determines there is water available in excess of that 

needed to satisfy existing Minidoka Project storage and hydropower 

rights and ensure operational flexibility. 

SEC. 204. Section 9001(d) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111–11; 123 Stat. 1295) is amended 

by striking ‘‘10’’ and inserting ‘‘20’’. 

SEC. 205. (a) Section 206(c)(2) of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015 (43 U.S.C. 

620 note; Public Law 113–235) is amended by striking ‘‘2018.’’ and 

inserting the following: ‘‘2022: Provided, That the Secretary shall 

not fund pilot projects in the Upper Colorado River Basin without 

the participation of the Upper Colorado River Division States, acting through the Upper Colorado River Commission.’’. 

(b) Section 9504(e) of the Secure Water Act of 2009 (42 U.S.C. 

10364(e)) is amended by striking ‘‘$450,000,000’’ and inserting 

‘‘$480,000,000’’. 

SEC. 206. Section 9 of the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water 

System Act of 2000 (Public Law 106–382; 114 Stat. 1457, 123 Stat. 

2856, 128 Stat. 164) is amended by striking ‘‘2020’’ each place it appears in subsections (a)(1) and (b) and inserting ‘‘2026’’. 

TITLE III 

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 

ENERGY PROGRAMS 

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

For Department of Energy expenses including the purchase, 

construction, and acquisition of plant and capital equipment, and 

other expenses necessary for energy efficiency and renewable energy 

activities in carrying out the purposes of the Department of Energy 

Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), including the acquisition 

or condemnation of any real property or any facility or for plant or 

facility acquisition, construction, or expansion, $2,379,000,000, to 

remain available until expended: Provided, That of such amount, 


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$162,500,000 shall be available until September 30, 2020, for program direction. 

CYBERSECURITY, ENERGY SECURITY, AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE

For Department of Energy expenses including the purchase, 

construction, and acquisition of plant and capital equipment, and 

other expenses necessary for energy sector cybersecurity, energy security, and emergency response activities in carrying out the purposes 

of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et 

seq.), including the acquisition or condemnation of any real property 

or any facility or for plant or facility acquisition, construction, or 

expansion, $120,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That of such amount, $11,500,000 shall be available until 

September 30, 2020, for program direction. 

ELECTRICITY DELIVERY

For Department of Energy expenses including the purchase, 

construction, and acquisition of plant and capital equipment, and 

other expenses necessary for electricity delivery activities in carrying 

out the purposes of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 

U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), including the acquisition or condemnation of 

any real property or any facility or for plant or facility acquisition, 

construction, or expansion, $156,000,000, to remain available until 

expended: Provided, That of such amount, $17,000,000 shall be 

available until September 30, 2020, for program direction. 

NUCLEAR ENERGY

For Department of Energy expenses including the purchase, 

construction, and acquisition of plant and capital equipment, and 

other expenses necessary for nuclear energy activities in carrying out 

the purposes of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 

U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), including the acquisition or condemnation of 

any real property or any facility or for plant or facility acquisition, 

construction, or expansion, $1,326,090,000, to remain available 

until expended: Provided, That of such amount, $80,000,000 shall 

be available until September 30, 2020, for program direction. 

FOSSIL ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

For Department of Energy expenses necessary in carrying out 

fossil energy research and development activities, under the authority of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 

et seq.), including the acquisition of interest, including defeasible 

and equitable interests in any real property or any facility or for 

plant or facility acquisition or expansion, and for conducting inquiries, technological investigations and research concerning the extraction, processing, use, and disposal of mineral substances without objectionable social and environmental costs (30 U.S.C. 3, 1602, 

and 1603), $740,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That of such amount $61,070,000 shall be available until 

September 30, 2020, for program direction. 


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NAVAL PETROLEUM AND OIL SHALE RESERVES

For Department of Energy expenses necessary to carry out naval 

petroleum and oil shale reserve activities, $10,000,000, to remain 

available until expended: Provided, That notwithstanding any other 

provision of law, unobligated funds remaining from prior years 

shall be available for all naval petroleum and oil shale reserve activities. 

STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE

For Department of Energy expenses necessary for Strategic Petroleum Reserve facility development and operations and program 

management activities pursuant to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.), $235,000,000, to remain available 

until expended: Provided, That, as authorized by section 404 of the 

Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (Public Law 114–74; 42 U.S.C. 6239 

note), the Secretary of Energy shall draw down and sell not to exceed $300,000,000 of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve 

in fiscal year 2019: Provided further, That the proceeds from such 

drawdown and sale shall be deposited into the ‘‘Energy Security 

and Infrastructure Modernization Fund’’ during fiscal year 2019: 

Provided further, That such amounts shall be made available and 

shall remain available until expended for necessary expenses to 

carry out the Life Extension II project for the Strategic Petroleum 

Reserve. 

SPR PETROLEUM ACCOUNT

For the acquisition, transportation, and injection of petroleum 

products, and for other necessary expenses pursuant to the Energy 

Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, as amended (42 U.S.C. 6201 

et seq.), sections 403 and 404 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 

(42 U.S.C. 6241, 6239 note), and section 5010 of the 21st Century 

Cures Act (Public Law 114–255), $10,000,000, to remain available 

until expended. 

NORTHEAST HOME HEATING OIL RESERVE

For Department of Energy expenses necessary for Northeast 

Home Heating Oil Reserve storage, operation, and management activities pursuant to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 

U.S.C. 6201 et seq.), $10,000,000, to remain available until expended. 

ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION

For Department of Energy expenses necessary in carrying out 

the activities of the Energy Information Administration, 

$125,000,000, to remain available until expended. 

NON-DEFENSE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP

For Department of Energy expenses, including the purchase, 

construction, and acquisition of plant and capital equipment and 

other expenses necessary for non-defense environmental cleanup activities in carrying out the purposes of the Department of Energy 

Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), including the acquisition 


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or condemnation of any real property or any facility or for plant or 

facility acquisition, construction, or expansion, $310,000,000, to remain available until expended. 

URANIUM ENRICHMENT DECONTAMINATION AND DECOMMISSIONING

FUND

For Department of Energy expenses necessary in carrying out 

uranium enrichment facility decontamination and decommissioning, remedial actions, and other activities of title II of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, and title X, subtitle A, of the Energy Policy 

Act of 1992, $841,129,000, to be derived from the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund, to remain 

available until expended, of which $11,000,000 shall be available in 

accordance with title X, subtitle A, of the Energy Policy Act of 1992, 

including for the purchase of not to exceed one ambulance for replacement only. 

SCIENCE

For Department of Energy expenses including the purchase, 

construction, and acquisition of plant and capital equipment, and 

other expenses necessary for science activities in carrying out the 

purposes of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 

7101 et seq.), including the acquisition or condemnation of any real 

property or any facility or for plant or facility acquisition, construction, or expansion, and purchase of not more than 16 passenger 

motor vehicles including one bus, and one airplane for replacement 

only, $6,585,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 

That of such amount, $183,000,000 shall be available until September 30, 2020, for program direction. 

ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY—ENERGY

For Department of Energy expenses necessary in carrying out 

the activities authorized by section 5012 of the America COMPETES Act (Public Law 110–69), $366,000,000, to remain available 

until expended: Provided, That of such amount, $31,250,000 shall 

be available until September 30, 2020, for program direction. 

TITLE 17 INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM

Such sums as are derived from amounts received from borrowers pursuant to section 1702(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 

under this heading in prior Acts, shall be collected in accordance 

with section 502(7) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided, That for necessary administrative expenses of the Title 17 Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program, as authorized, 

$33,000,000 is appropriated, to remain available until September 

30, 2020: Provided further, That up to $33,000,000 of fees collected 

in fiscal year 2019 pursuant to section 1702(h) of the Energy Policy 

Act of 2005 shall be credited as offsetting collections under this 

heading and used for necessary administrative expenses in this appropriation and shall remain available until September 30, 2020: 

Provided further, That to the extent that fees collected in fiscal year 

2019 exceed $33,000,000, those excess amounts shall be credited as 

offsetting collections under this heading and available in future fisVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:09 Sep 12, 2018 Jkt 031415 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6603 E:\HR\OC\HR929.XXX HR929

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cal years only to the extent provided in advance in appropriations 

Acts: Provided further, That the sum herein appropriated from the 

general fund shall be reduced (1) as such fees are received during 

fiscal year 2019 (estimated at $15,000,000) and (2) to the extent that 

any remaining general fund appropriations can be derived from fees 

collected in previous fiscal years that are not otherwise appropriated, so as to result in a final fiscal year 2019 appropriation 

from the general fund estimated at $0: Provided further, That the 

Department of Energy shall not subordinate any loan obligation to 

other financing in violation of section 1702 of the Energy Policy Act 

of 2005 or subordinate any Guaranteed Obligation to any loan or 

other debt obligations in violation of section 609.10 of title 10, Code 

of Federal Regulations. 

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY VEHICLES MANUFACTURING LOAN

PROGRAM

For Department of Energy administrative expenses necessary in 

carrying out the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing 

Loan Program, $5,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 

2020. 

TRIBAL ENERGY LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM

For Department of Energy administrative expenses necessary in 

carrying out the Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program, 

$1,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2020. 

OFFICE OF INDIAN ENERGY POLICY AND PROGRAMS

For necessary expenses for Indian Energy activities in carrying 

out the purposes of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 

U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), $18,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That, of the amount appropriated under this 

heading, $4,800,000 shall be available until September 30, 2020, for 

program direction. 

DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION

For salaries and expenses of the Department of Energy necessary for departmental administration in carrying out the purposes 

of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et 

seq.), $261,858,000, to remain available until September 30, 2020, 

including the hire of passenger motor vehicles and official reception 

and representation expenses not to exceed $30,000, plus such additional amounts as necessary to cover increases in the estimated 

amount of cost of work for others notwithstanding the provisions of 

the Anti-Deficiency Act (31 U.S.C. 1511 et seq.): Provided, That such 

increases in cost of work are offset by revenue increases of the same 

or greater amount: Provided further, That moneys received by the 

Department for miscellaneous revenues estimated to total 

$96,000,000 in fiscal year 2019 may be retained and used for operating expenses within this account, as authorized by section 201 of 

Public Law 95–238, notwithstanding the provisions of 31 U.S.C. 

3302: Provided further, That the sum herein appropriated shall be 

reduced as collections are received during the fiscal year so as to reVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:09 Sep 12, 2018 Jkt 031415 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6603 E:\HR\OC\HR929.XXX HR929

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sult in a final fiscal year 2019 appropriation from the general fund 

estimated at not more than $165,858,000. 

OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

For expenses necessary for the Office of the Inspector General in 

carrying out the provisions of the Inspector General Act of 1978, 

$51,330,000, to remain available until September 30, 2020. 

ATOMIC ENERGY DEFENSE ACTIVITIES 

NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION 

WEAPONS ACTIVITIES

For Department of Energy expenses, including the purchase, 

construction, and acquisition of plant and capital equipment and 

other incidental expenses necessary for atomic energy defense weapons activities in carrying out the purposes of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), including the acquisition or condemnation of any real property or any facility or for 

plant or facility acquisition, construction, or expansion, and the 

purchase of not to exceed one ambulance for replacement only, 

$11,100,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 

That of such amount, $102,022,000 shall be available until September 30, 2020, for program direction. 

DEFENSE NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION

(INCLUDING RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

For Department of Energy expenses, including the purchase, 

construction, and acquisition of plant and capital equipment and 

other incidental expenses necessary for defense nuclear nonproliferation activities, in carrying out the purposes of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), including the acquisition or condemnation of any real property or any facility or for 

plant or facility acquisition, construction, or expansion, and the 

purchase of not to exceed three aircraft, $1,949,000,000, to remain 

available until expended: Provided, That of such amount, 

$25,000,000 shall be made available for design activities supporting 

the dilute and dispose strategy for plutonium disposition: Provided 

further, That none of the funds made available under this heading 

shall be made available for the construction activities or acquisition 

of equipment for the Surplus Plutonium Disposition Project: Provided further, That of the unobligated balances from prior year appropriations available under this heading, $19,000,000 is hereby rescinded: Provided further, That no amounts may be rescinded from 

amounts that were designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget or 

the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. 

NAVAL REACTORS

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

For Department of Energy expenses necessary for naval reactors 

activities to carry out the Department of Energy Organization Act 


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(42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), including the acquisition (by purchase, condemnation, construction, or otherwise) of real property, plant, and 

capital equipment, facilities, and facility expansion, $1,788,618,000, 

to remain available until expended, of which, $85,500,000 shall be 

transferred to ‘‘Department of Energy—Energy Programs—Nuclear 

Energy’’, for the Advanced Test Reactor: Provided, That of such 

amount, $48,709,000 shall be available until September 30, 2020, 

for program direction. 

FEDERAL SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For expenses necessary for Federal Salaries and Expenses in the 

National Nuclear Security Administration, $410,000,000, to remain 

available until September 30, 2020, including official reception and 

representation expenses not to exceed $12,000. 

ENVIRONMENTAL AND OTHER DEFENSE ACTIVITIES 

DEFENSE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP

(INCLUDING RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

For Department of Energy expenses, including the purchase, 

construction, and acquisition of plant and capital equipment and 

other expenses necessary for atomic energy defense environmental 

cleanup activities in carrying out the purposes of the Department of 

Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), including the acquisition or condemnation of any real property or any facility or for 

plant or facility acquisition, construction, or expansion, and the 

purchase of not to exceed one passenger minivan for replacement 

only, $6,028,600,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 

That of such amount, $298,500,000 shall be available until September 30, 2020, for program direction: Provided further, That of 

the unobligated balances from prior year appropriations available 

under this heading, $4,600,000 is hereby rescinded: Provided further, That no amounts may be rescinded from amounts that were 

designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant 

to the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget or the Balanced Budget 

and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. 

OTHER DEFENSE ACTIVITIES

For Department of Energy expenses, including the purchase, 

construction, and acquisition of plant and capital equipment and 

other expenses, necessary for atomic energy defense, other defense 

activities, and classified activities, in carrying out the purposes of 

the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), 

including the acquisition or condemnation of any real property or 

any facility or for plant or facility acquisition, construction, or expansion, $860,292,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That of such amount, $295,432,000 shall be available until 

September 30, 2020, for program direction. 


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POWER MARKETING ADMINISTRATIONS 

BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION FUND

Expenditures from the Bonneville Power Administration Fund, 

established pursuant to Public Law 93–454, are approved for official reception and representation expenses in an amount not to exceed $5,000: Provided, That during fiscal year 2019, no new direct 

loan obligations may be made. 

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, SOUTHEASTERN POWER

ADMINISTRATION

For expenses necessary for operation and maintenance of power 

transmission facilities and for marketing electric power and energy, 

including transmission wheeling and ancillary services, pursuant to 

section 5 of the Flood Control Act of 1944 (16 U.S.C. 825s), as applied to the southeastern power area, $6,500,000, including official 

reception and representation expenses in an amount not to exceed 

$1,500, to remain available until expended: Provided, That notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302 and section 5 of the Flood Control Act of 

1944, up to $6,500,000 collected by the Southeastern Power Administration from the sale of power and related services shall be credited to this account as discretionary offsetting collections, to remain 

available until expended for the sole purpose of funding the annual 

expenses of the Southeastern Power Administration: Provided further, That the sum herein appropriated for annual expenses shall 

be reduced as collections are received during the fiscal year so as 

to result in a final fiscal year 2019 appropriation estimated at not 

more than $0: Provided further, That notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 

3302, up to $55,000,000 collected by the Southeastern Power Administration pursuant to the Flood Control Act of 1944 to recover purchase power and wheeling expenses shall be credited to this account 

as offsetting collections, to remain available until expended for the 

sole purpose of making purchase power and wheeling expenditures: 

Provided further, That for purposes of this appropriation, annual 

expenses means expenditures that are generally recovered in the 

same year that they are incurred (excluding purchase power and 

wheeling expenses). 

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, SOUTHWESTERN POWER

ADMINISTRATION

For expenses necessary for operation and maintenance of power 

transmission facilities and for marketing electric power and energy, 

for construction and acquisition of transmission lines, substations 

and appurtenant facilities, and for administrative expenses, including official reception and representation expenses in an amount not 

to exceed $1,500 in carrying out section 5 of the Flood Control Act 

of 1944 (16 U.S.C. 825s), as applied to the Southwestern Power Administration, $45,802,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302 and section 5 of the 

Flood Control Act of 1944 (16 U.S.C. 825s), up to $35,402,000 collected by the Southwestern Power Administration from the sale of 

power and related services shall be credited to this account as discretionary offsetting collections, to remain available until expended, 

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western Power Administration: Provided further, That the sum 

herein appropriated for annual expenses shall be reduced as collections are received during the fiscal year so as to result in a final 

fiscal year 2019 appropriation estimated at not more than 

$10,400,000: Provided further, That notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 

3302, up to $50,000,000 collected by the Southwestern Power Administration pursuant to the Flood Control Act of 1944 to recover 

purchase power and wheeling expenses shall be credited to this account as offsetting collections, to remain available until expended 

for the sole purpose of making purchase power and wheeling expenditures: Provided further, That for purposes of this appropriation, annual expenses means expenditures that are generally recovered in the same year that they are incurred (excluding purchase 

power and wheeling expenses). 

CONSTRUCTION, REHABILITATION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, 

WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION

For carrying out the functions authorized by title III, section 

302(a)(1)(E) of the Act of August 4, 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7152), and 

other related activities including conservation and renewable resources programs as authorized, $265,142,000, including official reception and representation expenses in an amount not to exceed 

$1,500, to remain available until expended, of which $265,142,000 

shall be derived from the Department of the Interior Reclamation 

Fund: Provided, That notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302, section 5 of 

the Flood Control Act of 1944 (16 U.S.C. 825s), and section 1 of the 

Interior Department Appropriation Act, 1939 (43 U.S.C. 392a), up 

to $175,770,000 collected by the Western Area Power Administration 

from the sale of power and related services shall be credited to this 

account as discretionary offsetting collections, to remain available 

until expended, for the sole purpose of funding the annual expenses 

of the Western Area Power Administration: Provided further, That 

the sum herein appropriated for annual expenses shall be reduced 

as collections are received during the fiscal year so as to result in 

a final fiscal year 2019 appropriation estimated at not more than 

$89,372,000, of which $89,372,000 is derived from the Reclamation 

Fund: Provided further, That notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302, up 

to $225,442,000 collected by the Western Area Power Administration 

pursuant to the Flood Control Act of 1944 and the Reclamation 

Project Act of 1939 to recover purchase power and wheeling expenses 

shall be credited to this account as offsetting collections, to remain 

available until expended for the sole purpose of making purchase 

power and wheeling expenditures: Provided further, That for purposes of this appropriation, annual expenses means expenditures 

that are generally recovered in the same year that they are incurred 

(excluding purchase power and wheeling expenses). 

FALCON AND AMISTAD OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE FUND

For operation, maintenance, and emergency costs for the hydro- electric facilities at the Falcon and Amistad Dams, $1,568,000, to 

remain available until expended, and to be derived from the Falcon 

and Amistad Operating and Maintenance Fund of the Western Area 

Power Administration, as provided in section 2 of the Act of June 

18, 1954 (68 Stat. 255): Provided, That notwithstanding the proviVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:09 Sep 12, 2018 Jkt 031415 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6603 E:\HR\OC\HR929.XXX HR929

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sions of that Act and of 31 U.S.C. 3302, up to $1,340,000 collected 

by the Western Area Power Administration from the sale of power 

and related services from the Falcon and Amistad Dams shall be 

credited to this account as discretionary offsetting collections, to remain available until expended for the sole purpose of funding the 

annual expenses of the hydroelectric facilities of these Dams and associated Western Area Power Administration activities: Provided 

further, That the sum herein appropriated for annual expenses shall 

be reduced as collections are received during the fiscal year so as 

to result in a final fiscal year 2019 appropriation estimated at not 

more than $228,000: Provided further, That for purposes of this appropriation, annual expenses means expenditures that are generally 

recovered in the same year that they are incurred: Provided further, 

That for fiscal year 2019, the Administrator of the Western Area 

Power Administration may accept up to $372,000 in funds contributed by United States power customers of the Falcon and Amistad 

Dams for deposit into the Falcon and Amistad Operating and Maintenance Fund, and such funds shall be available for the purpose for 

which contributed in like manner as if said sums had been specifically appropriated for such purpose: Provided further, That any 

such funds shall be available without further appropriation and 

without fiscal year limitation for use by the Commissioner of the 

United States Section of the International Boundary and Water 

Commission for the sole purpose of operating, maintaining, repairing, rehabilitating, replacing, or upgrading the hydroelectric facilities at these Dams in accordance with agreements reached between 

the Administrator, Commissioner, and the power customers. 

FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For expenses necessary for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to carry out the provisions of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), including services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, official reception and representation expenses not to exceed $3,000, and the hire of passenger motor vehicles, $369,900,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 

That notwithstanding any other provision of law, not to exceed 

$369,900,000 of revenues from fees and annual charges, and other 

services and collections in fiscal year 2019 shall be retained and 

used for expenses necessary in this account, and shall remain available until expended: Provided further, That the sum herein appropriated from the general fund shall be reduced as revenues are received during fiscal year 2019 so as to result in a final fiscal year 

2019 appropriation from the general fund estimated at not more 

than $0. 

GENERAL PROVISIONS—DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

SEC. 301. (a) No appropriation, funds, or authority made available by this title for the Department of Energy shall be used to initiate or resume any program, project, or activity or to prepare or initiate Requests For Proposals or similar arrangements (including Requests for Quotations, Requests for Information, and Funding OpVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:09 Sep 12, 2018 Jkt 031415 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6603 E:\HR\OC\HR929.XXX HR929

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portunity Announcements) for a program, project, or activity if the 

program, project, or activity has not been funded by Congress. 

(b)(1) Unless the Secretary of Energy notifies the Committees on 

Appropriations of both Houses of Congress at least 3 full business 

days in advance, none of the funds made available in this title may 

be used to— 

(A) make a grant allocation or discretionary grant award totaling $1,000,000 or more; 

(B) make a discretionary contract award or Other Trans- action Agreement totaling $1,000,000 or more, including a contract covered by the Federal Acquisition Regulation; 

(C) issue a letter of intent to make an allocation, award, or 

Agreement in excess of the limits in subparagraph (A) or (B); 

or 

(D) announce publicly the intention to make an allocation, 

award, or Agreement in excess of the limits in subparagraph (A) 

or (B). 

(2) The Secretary of Energy shall submit to the Committees on 

Appropriations of both Houses of Congress within 15 days of the 

conclusion of each quarter a report detailing each grant allocation 

or discretionary grant award totaling less than $1,000,000 provided 

during the previous quarter. 

(3) The notification required by paragraph (1) and the report required by paragraph (2) shall include the recipient of the award, the 

amount of the award, the fiscal year for which the funds for the 

award were appropriated, the account and program, project, or activity from which the funds are being drawn, the title of the award, 

and a brief description of the activity for which the award is made. 

(c) The Department of Energy may not, with respect to any program, project, or activity that uses budget authority made available 

in this title under the heading ‘‘Department of Energy—Energy Programs’’, enter into a multiyear contract, award a multiyear grant, 

or enter into a multiyear cooperative agreement unless— 

(1) the contract, grant, or cooperative agreement is funded 

for the full period of performance as anticipated at the time of 

award; or 

(2) the contract, grant, or cooperative agreement includes a 

clause conditioning the Federal Government’s obligation on the 

availability of future year budget authority and the Secretary 

notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 

Congress at least 3 days in advance. 

(d) Except as provided in subsections (e), (f), and (g), the 

amounts made available by this title shall be expended as authorized by law for the programs, projects, and activities specified in the 

‘‘Conference’’ column in the ‘‘Department of Energy’’ table included 

under the heading ‘‘Title III—Department of Energy’’ in the joint explanatory statement accompanying this Act. 

(e) The amounts made available by this title may be reprogrammed for any program, project, or activity, and the Department 

shall notify, and obtain the prior approval of, the Committees on 

Appropriations of both Houses of Congress at least 30 days prior to 

the use of any proposed reprogramming that would cause any program, project, or activity funding level to increase or decrease by 

more than $5,000,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less, during the 

time period covered by this Act. 


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(f) None of the funds provided in this title shall be available for 

obligation or expenditure through a reprogramming of funds that— 

(1) creates, initiates, or eliminates a program, project, or 

activity; 

(2) increases funds or personnel for any program, project, 

or activity for which funds are denied or restricted by this Act; 

or 

(3) reduces funds that are directed to be used for a specific 

program, project, or activity by this Act. 

(g)(1) The Secretary of Energy may waive any requirement or 

restriction in this section that applies to the use of funds made 

available for the Department of Energy if compliance with such requirement or restriction would pose a substantial risk to human 

health, the environment, welfare, or national security. 

(2) The Secretary of Energy shall notify the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of any waiver under paragraph (1) as soon as practicable, but not later than 3 days after the 

date of the activity to which a requirement or restriction would otherwise have applied. Such notice shall include an explanation of the 

substantial risk under paragraph (1) that permitted such waiver. 

(h) The unexpended balances of prior appropriations provided 

for activities in this Act may be available to the same appropriation 

accounts for such activities established pursuant to this title. Available balances may be merged with funds in the applicable established accounts and thereafter may be accounted for as one fund for 

the same time period as originally enacted. 

SEC. 302. Funds appropriated by this or any other Act, or made 

available by the transfer of funds in this Act, for intelligence activities are deemed to be specifically authorized by the Congress for 

purposes of section 504 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 

U.S.C. 3094) during fiscal year 2019 until the enactment of the Intelligence Authorization Act for fiscal year 2019. 

SEC. 303. None of the funds made available in this title shall 

be used for the construction of facilities classified as high-hazard 

nuclear facilities under 10 CFR Part 830 unless independent oversight is conducted by the Office of Enterprise Assessments to ensure 

the project is in compliance with nuclear safety requirements. 

SEC. 304. None of the funds made available in this title may 

be used to approve critical decision-2 or critical decision-3 under 

Department of Energy Order 413.3B, or any successive departmental guidance, for construction projects where the total project 

cost exceeds $100,000,000, until a separate independent cost estimate has been developed for the project for that critical decision. 

SEC. 305. The Secretary of Energy may not transfer more than 

$274,833,000 from the amounts made available under this title to 

the working capital fund established under section 653 of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7263): Provided, 

That the Secretary may transfer additional amounts to the working 

capital fund after the Secretary provides notification in advance of 

any such transfer to the Committees on Appropriations of both 

Houses of Congress: Provided further, That any such notification 

shall identify the sources of funds by program, project, or activity: 

Provided further, That the Secretary shall notify the Committees on 

Appropriations of both Houses of Congress before adding or removing any activities from the fund. 


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SEC. 306. (a) None of the funds made available in this or any 

prior Act under the heading ‘‘Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation’’ 

may be made available to enter into new contracts with, or new 

agreements for Federal assistance to, the Russian Federation. 

(b) The Secretary of Energy may waive the prohibition in subsection (a) if the Secretary determines that such activity is in the national security interests of the United States. This waiver authority 

may not be delegated. 

(c) A waiver under subsection (b) shall not be effective until 15 

days after the date on which the Secretary submits to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, in classified 

form if necessary, a report on the justification for the waiver. 

SEC. 307. (a) NEW REGIONAL RESERVES.—The Secretary of Energy may not establish any new regional petroleum product reserve 

unless funding for the proposed regional petroleum product reserve 

is explicitly requested in advance in an annual budget submission 

and approved by the Congress in an appropriations Act. 

(b) The budget request or notification shall include— 

(1) the justification for the new reserve; 

(2) a cost estimate for the establishment, operation, and 

maintenance of the reserve, including funding sources; 

(3) a detailed plan for operation of the reserve, including 

the conditions upon which the products may be released; 

(4) the location of the reserve; and 

(5) the estimate of the total inventory of the reserve. 

SEC. 308. Notwithstanding section 161 of the Energy Policy and 

Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6241), upon a determination by the 

President in this fiscal year that a regional supply shortage of refined petroleum product of significant scope and duration exists, 

that a severe increase in the price of refined petroleum product will 

likely result from such shortage, and that a draw down and sale of 

refined petroleum product would assist directly and significantly in 

reducing the adverse impact of such shortage, the Secretary of Energy may draw down and sell refined petroleum product from the 

Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Proceeds from a sale under this section 

shall be deposited into the SPR Petroleum Account established in 

section 167 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 

6247), and such amounts shall be available for obligation, without 

fiscal year limitation, consistent with that section. 

TITLE IV 

INDEPENDENT AGENCIES 

APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION

For expenses necessary to carry out the programs authorized by 

the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965, and for expenses necessary for the Federal Co-Chairman and the Alternate on 

the Appalachian Regional Commission, for payment of the Federal 

share of the administrative expenses of the Commission, including 

services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, and hire of passenger 

motor vehicles, $165,000,000, to remain available until expended. 


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DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For expenses necessary for the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety 

Board in carrying out activities authorized by the Atomic Energy 

Act of 1954, as amended by Public Law 100–456, section 1441, 

$31,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2020: Provided, That none of the funds made available by this or any prior 

Act for the salaries and expenses of the Defense Nuclear Facilities 

Safety Board shall be available to implement any reform and reorganization plan of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, including the plan announced on August 15, 2018, unless any such 

reform and reorganization plan is specifically authorized by law. 

DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For expenses necessary for the Delta Regional Authority and to 

carry out its activities, as authorized by the Delta Regional Authority Act of 2000, notwithstanding sections 382F(d), 382M, and 382N 

of said Act, $25,000,000, to remain available until expended. 

DENALI COMMISSION

For expenses necessary for the Denali Commission including the 

purchase, construction, and acquisition of plant and capital equipment as necessary and other expenses, $15,000,000, to remain available until expended, notwithstanding the limitations contained in 

section 306(g) of the Denali Commission Act of 1998: Provided, That 

funds shall be available for construction projects in an amount not 

to exceed 80 percent of total project cost for distressed communities, 

as defined by section 307 of the Denali Commission Act of 1998 (division C, title III, Public Law 105–277), as amended by section 701 

of appendix D, title VII, Public Law 106–113 (113 Stat. 1501A–280), 

and an amount not to exceed 50 percent for non-distressed communities: Provided further, That notwithstanding any other provision 

of law regarding payment of a non-Federal share in connection with 

a grant-in-aid program, amounts under this heading shall be available for the payment of such a non-Federal share for programs undertaken to carry out the purposes of the Commission. 

NORTHERN BORDER REGIONAL COMMISSION

For expenses necessary for the Northern Border Regional Commission in carrying out activities authorized by subtitle V of title 40, 

United States Code, $20,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That such amounts shall be available for administrative expenses, notwithstanding section 15751(b) of title 40, 

United States Code: Provided further, That during fiscal year 2019, 

the duties and authority of the Federal Cochairperson shall be assumed by the Northern Border Regional Commission Program Director if the position of the Federal Cochairperson and Alternate 

Federal Cochairperson is vacant. 


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SOUTHEAST CRESCENT REGIONAL COMMISSION

For expenses necessary for the Southeast Crescent Regional 

Commission in carrying out activities authorized by subtitle V of 

title 40, United States Code, $250,000, to remain available until expended. 

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For expenses necessary for the Commission in carrying out the 

purposes of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 and the Atomic 

Energy Act of 1954, $898,350,000, including official representation 

expenses not to exceed $25,000, to remain available until expended: 

Provided, That of the amount appropriated herein, not more than 

$9,500,000 may be made available for salaries, travel, and other 

support costs for the Office of the Commission, to remain available 

until September 30, 2020, of which, notwithstanding section 

201(a)(2)(c) of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 

5841(a)(2)(c)), the use and expenditure shall only be approved by a 

majority vote of the Commission: Provided further, That revenues 

from licensing fees, inspection services, and other services and collections estimated at $770,477,000 in fiscal year 2019 shall be retained and used for necessary salaries and expenses in this account, 

notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302, and shall remain available until 

expended: Provided further, That of the amounts appropriated 

under this heading, not less than $10,300,000 shall be for activities 

related to the development of regulatory infrastructure for advanced 

nuclear technologies, and $16,080,000 shall be for international activities, except that the amounts provided under this proviso shall 

not be derived from fee revenues, notwithstanding 42 U.S.C. 2214: 

Provided further, That the sum herein appropriated shall be reduced by the amount of revenues received during fiscal year 2019 

so as to result in a final fiscal year 2019 appropriation estimated 

at not more than $127,873,000: Provided further, That of the 

amounts appropriated under this heading, $10,000,000 shall be for 

university research and development in areas relevant to the Commission’s mission, and $5,000,000 shall be for a Nuclear Science 

and Engineering Grant Program that will support multiyear 

projects that do not align with programmatic missions but are critical to maintaining the discipline of nuclear science and engineering. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

For expenses necessary for the Office of Inspector General in 

carrying out the provisions of the Inspector General Act of 1978, 

$12,609,000, to remain available until September 30, 2020: Provided, That revenues from licensing fees, inspection services, and 

other services and collections estimated at $10,355,000 in fiscal year 

2019 shall be retained and be available until September 30, 2020, 

for necessary salaries and expenses in this account, notwithstanding 

section 3302 of title 31, United States Code: Provided further, That 

the sum herein appropriated shall be reduced by the amount of revenues received during fiscal year 2019 so as to result in a final fiscal 

year 2019 appropriation estimated at not more than $2,254,000: 


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Provided further, That of the amounts appropriated under this 

heading, $1,103,000 shall be for Inspector General services for the 

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, which shall not be available from fee revenues. 

NUCLEAR WASTE TECHNICAL REVIEW BOARD

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For expenses necessary for the Nuclear Waste Technical Review 

Board, as authorized by Public Law 100–203, section 5051, 

$3,600,000, to be derived from the Nuclear Waste Fund, to remain 

available until September 30, 2020. 

GENERAL PROVISIONS—INDEPENDENT AGENCIES 

SEC. 401. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall comply 

with the July 5, 2011, version of Chapter VI of its Internal Commission Procedures when responding to Congressional requests for information, consistent with Department of Justice guidance for all 

federal agencies. 

SEC. 402. (a) The amounts made available by this title for the 

Nuclear Regulatory Commission may be reprogrammed for any program, project, or activity, and the Commission shall notify the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress at least 30 

days prior to the use of any proposed reprogramming that would 

cause any program funding level to increase or decrease by more 

than $500,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less, during the time period covered by this Act. 

(b)(1) The Nuclear Regulatory Commission may waive the notification requirement in subsection (a) if compliance with such requirement would pose a substantial risk to human health, the environment, welfare, or national security. 

(2) The Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall notify the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of any waiver 

under paragraph (1) as soon as practicable, but not later than 3 

days after the date of the activity to which a requirement or restriction would otherwise have applied. Such notice shall include an explanation of the substantial risk under paragraph (1) that permitted such waiver and shall provide a detailed report to the Committees of such waiver and changes to funding levels to programs, 

projects, or activities. 

(c) Except as provided in subsections (a), (b), and (d), the 

amounts made available by this title for ‘‘Nuclear Regulatory Commission—Salaries and Expenses’’ shall be expended as directed in 

the joint explanatory statement accompanying this Act. 

(d) None of the funds provided for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall be available for obligation or expenditure through a 

reprogramming of funds that increases funds or personnel for any 

program, project, or activity for which funds are denied or restricted 

by this Act. 

(e) The Commission shall provide a monthly report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, which includes the following for each program, project, or activity, including 

any prior year appropriations— 

(1) total budget authority; 


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(2) total unobligated balances; and 

(3) total unliquidated obligations. 

TITLE V 

GENERAL PROVISIONS 

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 501. None of the funds appropriated by this Act may be 

used in any way, directly or indirectly, to influence congressional 

action on any legislation or appropriation matters pending before 

Congress, other than to communicate to Members of Congress as described in 18 U.S.C. 1913. 

SEC. 502. (a) None of the funds made available in title III of 

this Act may be transferred to any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government, except pursuant to a 

transfer made by or transfer authority provided in this Act or any 

other appropriations Act for any fiscal year, transfer authority referenced in the joint explanatory statement accompanying this Act, 

or any authority whereby a department, agency, or instrumentality 

of the United States Government may provide goods or services to 

another department, agency, or instrumentality. 

(b) None of the funds made available for any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government may be 

transferred to accounts funded in title III of this Act, except pursuant to a transfer made by or transfer authority provided in this Act 

or any other appropriations Act for any fiscal year, transfer authority referenced in the joint explanatory statement accompanying this 

Act, or any authority whereby a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government may provide goods or services to another department, agency, or instrumentality. 

(c) The head of any relevant department or agency funded in 

this Act utilizing any transfer authority shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a semiannual 

report detailing the transfer authorities, except for any authority 

whereby a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United 

States Government may provide goods or services to another department, agency, or instrumentality, used in the previous 6 months and 

in the year-to-date. This report shall include the amounts transferred and the purposes for which they were transferred, and shall 

not replace or modify existing notification requirements for each authority. 

SEC. 503. None of the funds made available by this Act may be 

used in contravention of Executive Order No. 12898 of February 11, 

1994 (Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority 

Populations and Low-Income Populations). 

SEC. 504. (a) None of the funds made available in this Act may 

be used to maintain or establish a computer network unless such 

network blocks the viewing, downloading, and exchanging of pornography. 

(b) Nothing in subsection (a) shall limit the use of funds necessary for any Federal, State, tribal, or local law enforcement agency or any other entity carrying out criminal investigations, prosecution, or adjudication activities. 


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SEC. 505. For an additional amount for ‘‘Department of the Interior—Bureau of Reclamation—Water and Related Resources’’, 

$21,400,000, to remain available until expended, for transfer to Reclamation’s Upper Colorado River Basin Fund to carry out environmental stewardship and endangered species recovery efforts pursuant to the Grand Canyon Protection Act of 1992 (Public Law 102– 

575), Public Law 106–392, the Colorado River Basin Project Act (43 

U.S.C. 1551(b)), and the Act of April 11, 1956 (commonly known as 

the ‘‘Colorado River Storage Project Act’’) (43 U.S.C. 620n). 

This division may be cited as the ‘‘Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019’’. 

DIVISION B—LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS 

ACT, 2019 

TITLE I 

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH 

SENATE 

PAYMENT TO WIDOWS AND HEIRS OF DECEASED MEMBERS OF

CONGRESS

For payment to Cindy H. McCain, widow of John Sidney 

McCain III, late a Senator from the State of Arizona, $174,000. 

EXPENSE ALLOWANCES

For expense allowances of the Vice President, $18,760; the 

President Pro Tempore of the Senate, $37,520; Majority Leader of 

the Senate, $39,920; Minority Leader of the Senate, $39,920; Majority Whip of the Senate, $9,980; Minority Whip of the Senate, $9,980; 

President Pro Tempore Emeritus, $15,000; Chairmen of the Majority and Minority Conference Committees, $4,690 for each Chairman; 

and Chairmen of the Majority and Minority Policy Committees, 

$4,690 for each Chairman; in all, $189,840. 

For representation allowances of the Majority and Minority 

Leaders of the Senate, $14,070 for each such Leader; in all, $28,140. 

SALARIES, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

For compensation of officers, employees, and others as authorized by law, including agency contributions, $208,390,812, which 

shall be paid from this appropriation as follows: 

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

For the Office of the Vice President, $2,484,248. 

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE

For the Office of the President Pro Tempore, $744,466. 

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE EMERITUS

For the Office of the President Pro Tempore Emeritus, $319,000. 


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OFFICES OF THE MAJORITY AND MINORITY LEADERS

For Offices of the Majority and Minority Leaders, $5,399,576. 

OFFICES OF THE MAJORITY AND MINORITY WHIPS

For Offices of the Majority and Minority Whips, $3,455,424. 

COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

For salaries of the Committee on Appropriations, $15,496,000. 

CONFERENCE COMMITTEES

For the Conference of the Majority and the Conference of the 

Minority, at rates of compensation to be fixed by the Chairman of 

each such committee, $1,704,000 for each such committee; in all, 

$3,408,000. 

OFFICES OF THE SECRETARIES OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE

MAJORITY AND THE CONFERENCE OF THE MINORITY

For Offices of the Secretaries of the Conference of the Majority 

and the Conference of the Minority, $843,402. 

POLICY COMMITTEES

For salaries of the Majority Policy Committee and the Minority 

Policy Committee, $1,740,905 for each such committee; in all, 

$3,481,810. 

OFFICE OF THE CHAPLAIN

For Office of the Chaplain, $474,886. 

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

For Office of the Secretary, $26,315,000. 

OFFICE OF THE SERGEANT AT ARMS AND DOORKEEPER

For Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, 

$84,157,000. 

OFFICES OF THE SECRETARIES FOR THE MAJORITY AND MINORITY

For Offices of the Secretary for the Majority and the Secretary 

for the Minority, $1,900,000. 

AGENCY CONTRIBUTIONS AND RELATED EXPENSES

For agency contributions for employee benefits, as authorized by 

law, and related expenses, $59,912,000. 

OFFICE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL OF THE SENATE

For salaries and expenses of the Office of the Legislative Counsel of the Senate, $6,278,000. 


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OFFICE OF SENATE LEGAL COUNSEL

For salaries and expenses of the Office of Senate Legal Counsel, 

$1,176,000. 

EXPENSE ALLOWANCES OF THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE, SERGEANT AT ARMS AND DOORKEEPER OF THE SENATE, AND SECRETARIES FOR THE MAJORITY AND MINORITY OF THE SENATE

For expense allowances of the Secretary of the Senate, $7,110; 

Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate, $7,110; Secretary 

for the Majority of the Senate, $7,110; Secretary for the Minority of 

the Senate, $7,110; in all, $28,440. 

CONTINGENT EXPENSES OF THE SENATE

INQUIRIES AND INVESTIGATIONS

For expenses of inquiries and investigations ordered by the Senate, or conducted under paragraph 1 of rule XXVI of the Standing 

Rules of the Senate, section 112 of the Supplemental Appropriations 

and Rescission Act, 1980 (Public Law 96–304), and Senate Resolution 281, 96th Congress, agreed to March 11, 1980, $133,265,000, 

of which $26,650,000 shall remain available until September 30, 

2021. 

U.S. SENATE CAUCUS ON INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL

For expenses of the United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, $508,000. 

SECRETARY OF THE SENATE

For expenses of the Office of the Secretary of the Senate, 

$10,036,000 of which $6,436,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2023 and of which $3,600,000 shall remain available 

until expended. 

SERGEANT AT ARMS AND DOORKEEPER OF THE SENATE

For expenses of the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate, $126,595,000, which shall remain available 

until September 30, 2023. 

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

For miscellaneous items, $18,871,410 which shall remain available until September 30, 2021. 

SENATORS’ OFFICIAL PERSONNEL AND OFFICE EXPENSE ACCOUNT

For Senators’ Official Personnel and Office Expense Account, 

$429,000,000 of which $20,128,950 shall remain available until 

September 30, 2021 and of which $5,000,000 shall be allocated solely for the purpose of providing financial compensation to Senate interns. 


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OFFICIAL MAIL COSTS

For expenses necessary for official mail costs of the Senate, $300,000. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

REQUIRING AMOUNTS REMAINING IN SENATORS’ OFFICIAL PERSONNEL

AND OFFICE EXPENSE ACCOUNT TO BE USED FOR DEFICIT REDUC- TION OR TO REDUCE THE FEDERAL DEBT

SEC. 101. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any 

amounts appropriated under this Act under the heading ‘‘SENATE’’ 

under the heading ‘‘CONTINGENT EXPENSES OF THE SENATE’’ under 

the heading ‘‘SENATORS’ OFFICIAL PERSONNEL AND OFFICE EXPENSE

ACCOUNT’’ shall be available for obligation only during the fiscal 

year or fiscal years for which such amounts are made available. 

Any unexpended balances under such allowances remaining after 

the end of the period of availability shall be returned to the Treasury in accordance with the undesignated paragraph under the center heading ‘‘GENERAL PROVISION’’ under chapter XI of the 

Third Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1957 (2 U.S.C. 4107) and 

used for deficit reduction (or, if there is no Federal budget deficit 

after all such payments have been made, for reducing the Federal 

debt, in such manner as the Secretary of the Treasury considers appropriate). 

FILING BY SENATE CANDIDATES WITH COMMISSION

SEC. 102. Section 302(g) of the Federal Election Campaign Act 

of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30102(g)) is amended to read as follows: 

‘‘(g) FILING WITH THE COMMISSION.—All designations, statements, and reports required to be filed under this Act shall be filed 

with the Commission.’’. 

EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY

SEC. 103. Section 21(d) of Senate Resolution 64 of the One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, 1st session (agreed to on March 5, 2013), 

as amended by section 178 of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 

2017 (division C of Public Law 114–223), is further amended by 

striking ‘‘December 31, 2018’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2020’’. 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For salaries and expenses of the House of Representatives, 

$1,232,663,035, as follows: 

HOUSE LEADERSHIP OFFICES

For salaries and expenses, as authorized by law, $25,378,875, 

including: Office of the Speaker, $7,123,634, including $25,000 for 

official expenses of the Speaker; Office of the Majority Floor Leader, 

$2,642,739, including $10,000 for official expenses of the Majority 

Leader; Office of the Minority Floor Leader, $7,751,946, including 

$10,000 for official expenses of the Minority Leader; Office of the 

Majority Whip, including the Chief Deputy Majority Whip, 


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$2,197,163, including $5,000 for official expenses of the Majority 

Whip; Office of the Minority Whip, including the Chief Deputy Minority Whip, $1,700,079, including $5,000 for official expenses of the 

Minority Whip; Republican Conference, $2,186,819; Democratic 

Caucus, $1,776,495: Provided, That such amount for salaries and 

expenses shall remain available from January 3, 2019 until January 2, 2020. 

MEMBERS’ REPRESENTATIONAL ALLOWANCES

INCLUDING MEMBERS’ CLERK HIRE, OFFICIAL EXPENSES OF

MEMBERS, AND OFFICIAL MAIL

For Members’ representational allowances, including Members’ 

clerk hire, official expenses, and official mail, $573,630,000. 

INTERN ALLOWANCE

For payments from the allowance established under section 120 

of this Act for the compensation of interns who serve in the offices 

of Members of the House of Representatives, $8,800,000. 

COMMITTEE EMPLOYEES

STANDING COMMITTEES, SPECIAL AND SELECT

For salaries and expenses of standing committees, special and 

select, authorized by House resolutions, $127,903,173: Provided, 

That such amount shall remain available for such salaries and expenses until December 31, 2020, except that $4,000,000 of such 

amount shall remain available until expended for committee room 

upgrading. 

COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

For salaries and expenses of the Committee on Appropriations, 

$23,112,971, including studies and examinations of executive agencies and temporary personal services for such committee, to be expended in accordance with section 202(b) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 and to be available for reimbursement to agencies for services performed: Provided, That such amount shall remain available for such salaries and expenses until December 31, 

2020. 

SALARIES, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

For compensation and expenses of officers and employees, as 

authorized by law, $220,345,000, including: for salaries and expenses of the Office of the Clerk, including the positions of the 

Chaplain and the Historian, and including not more than $25,000 

for official representation and reception expenses, of which not more 

than $20,000 is for the Family Room and not more than $2,000 is 

for the Office of the Chaplain, $28,305,000; for salaries and expenses of the Office of the Sergeant at Arms, including the position 

of Superintendent of Garages and the Office of Emergency Management, and including not more than $3,000 for official representation 

and reception expenses, $18,773,000 of which $5,524,000 shall remain available until expended; for salaries and expenses of the OfVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:09 Sep 12, 2018 Jkt 031415 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6603 E:\HR\OC\HR929.XXX HR929

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fice of the Chief Administrative Officer including not more than 

$3,000 for official representation and reception expenses, 

$148,058,000, of which $11,631,000 shall remain available until expended; for salaries and expenses of the Office of the Inspector General, $5,019,000; for salaries and expenses of the Office of General 

Counsel, $1,502,000; for salaries and expenses of the Office of the 

Parliamentarian, including the Parliamentarian, $2,000 for preparing the Digest of Rules, and not more than $1,000 for official 

representation and reception expenses, $2,026,000; for salaries and 

expenses of the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the House, 

$3,327,000; for salaries and expenses of the Office of the Legislative 

Counsel of the House, $11,937,000; for salaries and expenses of the 

Office of Interparliamentary Affairs, $814,000; for other authorized 

employees, $584,000. 

ALLOWANCES AND EXPENSES

For allowances and expenses as authorized by House resolution 

or law, $253,493,016, including: supplies, materials, administrative 

costs and Federal tort claims, $525,016; official mail for committees, leadership offices, and administrative offices of the House, 

$190,000; Government contributions for health, retirement, Social 

Security, and other applicable employee benefits, $228,200,000, to 

remain available until March 31, 2020; Business Continuity and 

Disaster Recovery, $16,186,000 of which $5,000,000 shall remain 

available until expended; transition activities for new members and 

staff, $3,000,000, to remain available until expended; Wounded 

Warrior Program $3,000,000, to remain available until expended; 

Office of Congressional Ethics, $1,670,000; and miscellaneous items 

including purchase, exchange, maintenance, repair and operation of 

House motor vehicles, interparliamentary receptions, and gratuities 

to heirs of deceased employees of the House, $722,000. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

REQUIRING AMOUNTS REMAINING IN MEMBERS’ REPRESENTATIONAL

ALLOWANCES TO BE USED FOR DEFICIT REDUCTION OR TO REDUCE

THE FEDERAL DEBT

SEC. 110. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any 

amounts appropriated under this Act for ‘‘HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES—SALARIES AND EXPENSES—MEMBERS’ REPRESENTATIONAL ALLOWANCES’’ shall be available only for fiscal year 

2019. Any amount remaining after all payments are made under 

such allowances for fiscal year 2019 shall be deposited in the Treasury and used for deficit reduction (or, if there is no Federal budget 

deficit after all such payments have been made, for reducing the 

Federal debt, in such manner as the Secretary of the Treasury considers appropriate). 

(b) REGULATIONS.—The Committee on House Administration of 

the House of Representatives shall have authority to prescribe regulations to carry out this section. 

(c) DEFINITION.—As used in this section, the term ‘‘Member of 

the House of Representatives’’ means a Representative in, or a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress. 


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DELIVERY OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS

SEC. 111. (a) None of the funds made available in any fiscal 

year may be used to deliver a printed copy of a bill, joint resolution, 

or resolution to the office of a Member of the House of Representatives (including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress) unless the Member requests a copy. 

(b) This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2019 and 

each succeeding fiscal year. 

DELIVERY OF CONGRESSIONAL RECORD

SEC. 112. (a) None of the funds made available in any fiscal 

year may be used to deliver a printed copy of any version of the 

Congressional Record to the office of a Member of the House of Representatives (including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the 

Congress). 

(b) This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2019 and 

each succeeding fiscal year. 

LIMITATION ON AMOUNT AVAILABLE TO LEASE VEHICLES

SEC. 113. None of the funds made available in this Act may be 

used by the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives to make any payments from any Members’ Representational 

Allowance for the leasing of a vehicle, excluding mobile district offices, in an aggregate amount that exceeds $1,000 for the vehicle in 

any month. 

LIMITATION ON PRINTED COPIES OF U.S. CODE TO HOUSE

SEC. 114. (a) None of the funds made available in any fiscal 

year may be to provide an aggregate number of more than 50 printed copies of any edition of the United States Code to all offices of 

the House of Representatives. 

(b) This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2019 and 

each succeeding fiscal year. 

DELIVERY OF REPORTS OF DISBURSEMENTS

SEC. 115. (a) None of the funds made available in any fiscal 

year may be used to deliver a printed copy of the report of disbursements for the operations of the House of Representatives under section 106 of the House of Representatives Administration Reform 

Technical Corrections Act (2 U.S.C. 5535) to the office of a Member 

of the House of Representatives (including a Delegate or Resident 

Commissioner to the Congress). 

(b) This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2019 and 

each succeeding fiscal year. 

DELIVERY OF DAILY CALENDAR

SEC. 116. (a) None of the funds made available in any fiscal 

year may be used to deliver to the office of a Member of the House 

of Representatives (including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner 

to the Congress) a printed copy of the Daily Calendar of the House 

of Representatives which is prepared by the Clerk of the House of 

Representatives. 


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(b) This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2019 and 

each succeeding fiscal year. 

DELIVERY OF CONGRESSIONAL PICTORIAL DIRECTORY

SEC. 117. (a) None of the funds made available in any fiscal 

year may be used to deliver a printed copy of the Congressional Pictorial Directory to the office of a Member of the House of Representatives (including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress). 

(b) This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2019 and 

each succeeding fiscal year. 

REPEAL OF AUTHORIZATIONS FOR FORMER SPEAKERS

SEC. 118. (a) REPEAL OF AUTHORIZATIONS FOR OFFICE SPACE, 

OFFICE EXPENSES, FRANKING AND PRINTING PRIVILEGES, AND

STAFF.—The first section and sections 2, 4, 5, and 8 of House Resolution 1238, Ninety-first Congress, agreed to December 22, 1970 (as 

enacted into permanent law by chapter VIII of the Supplemental 

Appropriations Act, 1971) (2 U.S.C. 5125(a), 5126, 5127, 5128, and 

5129) are repealed. 

(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Subsection (b) of the first section of Public Law 93–532 (2 U.S.C. 5125(b)) is repealed. 

(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 

shall apply with respect to any individual who serves as a Representative in Congress during the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress 

or any succeeding Congress. 

TRANSFER AUTHORITY

SEC. 119. (a) AUTHORITY TO MAKE TRANSFERS AMONG HOUSE

LEADERSHIP OFFICES.—Section 101 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1993 (2 U.S.C. 5507) is amended by adding at the 

end the following new subsection: 

‘‘(f) Amounts appropriated for any fiscal year for the House of 

Representatives under the heading ‘House Leadership Offices’ may 

be transferred among and merged with the various offices and activities under such heading, effective upon the expiration of the 21- 

day period (or such alternative period that may be imposed by the 

Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives) 

which begins on the date such Committee has been notified of the 

transfer.’’. 

(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 

shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2019 and each succeeding fiscal year. 

ALLOWANCE FOR COMPENSATION OF INTERNS IN MEMBER OFFICES

SEC. 120. (a) ESTABLISHMENT OF ALLOWANCE.—There is established for the House of Representatives an allowance which shall be 

available for the compensation of interns who serve in the offices of 

Members of the House of Representatives. 

(b) CAP ON AMOUNT AVAILABLE PER OFFICE.—An office of a 

Member of the House of Representatives may not use more than 

$20,000 of the allowance under this section during any calendar 

year. 


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(c) BENEFIT EXCLUSION.—Section 104(b) of the House of Representatives Administrative Reform Technical Corrections Act (2 

U.S.C. 5321(b)) shall apply with respect to an intern who is compensated under the allowance under this section in the same manner as such section applies with respect to an intern who is compensated under the Members’ Representational Allowance. 

(d) NO EFFECT ON PAYMENT OF INTERNS UNDER MEMBERS’ 

REPRESENTATIONAL ALLOWANCE.—Nothing in this section may be 

construed to affect the use of the Members’ Representational Allowance for the compensation of interns, as provided under section 104 

of the House of Representatives Administrative Reform Technical 

Corrections Act (2 U.S.C. 5321). 

(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 

(1) the term ‘‘intern’’ has the meaning given such term in 

section 104(c)(2) of the House of Representatives Administrative 

Reform Technical Corrections Act (2 U.S.C. 5321(c)(2)); and 

(2) the term ‘‘Member of the House of Representatives’’ 

means a Representative in, or a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress. 

(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 

to be appropriated to carry out this section $8,800,000 for fiscal year 

2019. 

JOINT ITEMS 

For Joint Committees, as follows: 

JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE

For salaries and expenses of the Joint Economic Committee, 

$4,203,000, to be disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate. 

JOINT COMMITTEE ON TAXATION

For salaries and expenses of the Joint Committee on Taxation, 

$11,169,000, to be disbursed by the Chief Administrative Officer of 

the House of Representatives. 

For other joint items, as follows: 

OFFICE OF THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN

For medical supplies, equipment, and contingent expenses of the 

emergency rooms, and for the Attending Physician and his assistants, including: 

(1) an allowance of $2,175 per month to the Attending Physician; 

(2) an allowance of $1,300 per month to the Senior Medical 

Officer; 

(3) an allowance of $725 per month each to three medical 

officers while on duty in the Office of the Attending Physician; 

(4) an allowance of $725 per month to 2 assistants and 

$580 per month each not to exceed 11 assistants on the basis 

heretofore provided for such assistants; and (5) $2,740,000 for reimbursement to the Department of the 

Navy for expenses incurred for staff and equipment assigned to 

the Office of the Attending Physician, which shall be advanced 

and credited to the applicable appropriation or appropriations 


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from which such salaries, allowances, and other expenses are 

payable and shall be available for all the purposes thereof, 

$3,798,000, to be disbursed by the Chief Administrative Officer 

of the House of Representatives. 

OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For salaries and expenses of the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services, $1,486,000, to be disbursed by the Secretary of the 

Senate. 

CAPITOL POLICE 

SALARIES

For salaries of employees of the Capitol Police, including overtime, hazardous duty pay, and Government contributions for health, 

retirement, social security, professional liability insurance, and 

other applicable employee benefits, $374,804,000 of which overtime 

shall not exceed $43,668,000 unless the Committee on Appropriations of the House and Senate are notified, to be disbursed by the 

Chief of the Capitol Police or his designee. 

GENERAL EXPENSES

For necessary expenses of the Capitol Police, including motor 

vehicles, communications and other equipment, security equipment 

and installation, uniforms, weapons, supplies, materials, training, 

medical services, forensic services, stenographic services, personal 

and professional services, the employee assistance program, the 

awards program, postage, communication services, travel advances, 

relocation of instructor and liaison personnel for the Federal Law 

Enforcement Training Center, and not more than $5,000 to be expended on the certification of the Chief of the Capitol Police in connection with official representation and reception expenses, 

$81,504,000, to be disbursed by the Chief of the Capitol Police or 

his designee: Provided, That, notwithstanding any other provision 

of law, the cost of basic training for the Capitol Police at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center for fiscal year 2019 shall be 

paid by the Secretary of Homeland Security from funds available to 

the Department of Homeland Security. 

OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For salaries and expenses of the Office of Compliance, as authorized by section 305 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 

1995 (2 U.S.C. 1385), $6,332,670, of which $1,000,000 shall remain 

available until September 30, 2020: Provided, That not more than 

$500 may be expended on the certification of the Executive Director 

of the Office of Compliance in connection with official representation 

and reception expenses. 


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CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For salaries and expenses necessary for operation of the Congressional Budget Office, including not more than $6,000 to be expended on the certification of the Director of the Congressional 

Budget Office in connection with official representation and reception expenses, $50,737,000: Provided, that the Director shall use not 

less than $500,000 of the amount made available under this heading for (1) improving technical systems, processes, and models for 

the purpose of improving the transparency of estimates of budgetary 

effects to Members of Congress, employees of Members of Congress, 

and the public, and (2) to increase the availability of models, economic assumptions, and data for Members of Congress, employees 

of Members of Congress, and the public. 

ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL 

CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATIONS

For salaries for the Architect of the Capitol, and other personal 

services, at rates of pay provided by law; for all necessary expenses 

for surveys and studies, construction, operation, and general and 

administrative support in connection with facilities and activities 

under the care of the Architect of the Capitol including the Botanic 

Garden; electrical substations of the Capitol, Senate and House office buildings, and other facilities under the jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol; including furnishings and office equipment; 

including not more than $5,000 for official reception and representation expenses, to be expended as the Architect of the Capitol may 

approve; for purchase or exchange, maintenance, and operation of a 

passenger motor vehicle, $103,962,000. 

CAPITOL BUILDING

For all necessary expenses for the maintenance, care and operation of the Capitol, $43,992,000, of which $17,344,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2023. 

CAPITOL GROUNDS

For all necessary expenses for care and improvement of grounds 

surrounding the Capitol, the Senate and House office buildings, and 

the Capitol Power Plant, $16,761,000, of which $5,519,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2023. 

HOUSE OFFICE BUILDINGS

For all necessary expenses for the maintenance, care and operation of the House office buildings, $187,098,000, of which 

$65,552,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2023, and 

of which $62,000,000 shall remain available until expended for the 

restoration and renovation of the Cannon House Office Building; 

Provided, That of the amount made available under this heading, 

$7,000,000 shall be derived by transfer from the House Office Building Fund established under section 176(d) of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2017, as added by section 101(3) of the Further ConVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:09 Sep 12, 2018 Jkt 031415 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6603 E:\HR\OC\HR929.XXX HR929

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tinuing Appropriation Act, 2017 (Public Law 114–254; 2 U.S.C. 

2001 note). 

In addition, for a payment to the House Historic Buildings Re- vitalization Trust Fund, $10,000,000, to remain available until expended. 

SENATE OFFICE BUILDINGS

For all necessary expenses for the maintenance, care and operation of Senate office buildings; and furniture and furnishings to be 

expended under the control and supervision of the Architect of the 

Capitol, $93,562,000, of which $31,162,000 shall remain available 

until September 30, 2023. 

CAPITOL POWER PLANT

For all necessary expenses for the maintenance, care and operation of the Capitol Power Plant; lighting, heating, power (including 

the purchase of electrical energy) and water and sewer services for 

the Capitol, Senate and House office buildings, Library of Congress 

buildings, and the grounds about the same, Botanic Garden, Senate 

garage, and air conditioning refrigeration not supplied from plants 

in any of such buildings; heating the Government Publishing Office 

and Washington City Post Office, and heating and chilled water for 

air conditioning for the Supreme Court Building, the Union Station 

complex, the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building and 

the Folger Shakespeare Library, expenses for which shall be advanced or reimbursed upon request of the Architect of the Capitol 

and amounts so received shall be deposited into the Treasury to the 

credit of this appropriation, $114,050,000, of which $31,362,000 

shall remain available until September 30, 2023: Provided, That 

not more than $9,000,000 of the funds credited or to be reimbursed 

to this appropriation as herein provided shall be available for obligation during fiscal year 2019. 

LIBRARY BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

For all necessary expenses for the mechanical and structural 

maintenance, care and operation of the Library buildings and 

grounds, $68,525,000, of which $40,403,000 shall remain available 

until September 30, 2023. 

CAPITOL POLICE BUILDINGS, GROUNDS AND SECURITY

For all necessary expenses for the maintenance, care and operation of buildings, grounds and security enhancements of the 

United States Capitol Police, wherever located, the Alternate Computing Facility, and Architect of the Capitol security operations, 

$57,714,000, of which $31,777,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2023. 

BOTANIC GARDEN

For all necessary expenses for the maintenance, care and operation of the Botanic Garden and the nurseries, buildings, grounds, 

and collections; and purchase and exchange, maintenance, repair, 

and operation of a passenger motor vehicle; all under the direction 

of the Joint Committee on the Library, $14,759,000, of which 


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$3,559,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2023: Provided, That, of the amount made available under this heading, the 

Architect of the Capitol may obligate and expend such sums as may 

be necessary for the maintenance, care and operation of the National Garden established under section 307E of the Legislative 

Branch Appropriations Act, 1989 (2 U.S.C. 2146), upon vouchers 

approved by the Architect of the Capitol or a duly authorized designee. 

CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER

For all necessary expenses for the operation of the Capitol Vis- itor Center, $23,322,000. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

NO BONUSES FOR CONTRACTORS BEHIND SCHEDULE OR OVER BUDGET

SEC. 130. None of the funds made available in this Act for the 

Architect of the Capitol may be used to make incentive or award 

payments to contractors for work on contracts or programs for 

which the contractor is behind schedule or over budget, unless the 

Architect of the Capitol, or agency-employed designee, determines 

that any such deviations are due to unforeseeable events, government-driven scope changes, or are not significant within the overall 

scope of the project and/or program. 

SCRIMS

SEC. 131. (a) None of the funds made available by this Act may 

be used for scrims containing photographs of building facades during restoration or construction projects performed by the Architect 

of the Capitol. 

(b) This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2019 and 

each succeeding fiscal year. 

SECURITY PROGRAMS

SEC. 132. (a) PURPOSE OF PROGRAMS.—Section 906(b) of the 

2002 Supplemental Appropriations Act for Further Recovery From 

and Response To Terrorist Attacks on the United States (2 U.S.C. 

1865(b)) is amended to read as follows: 

‘‘(b) Funds in the account shall be used by the Architect of the 

Capitol for all necessary expenses for— 

‘‘(1) resilience and security programs of the Architect of the 

Capitol; and 

‘‘(2) the maintenance, care, and operation of buildings, 

grounds, and security enhancements for facilities of the United 

States Capitol Police and for other facilities associated with 

such resilience and security programs at any location.’’. 

(b) TRANSFERS OF FUNDS.—Section 906 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 

1865) is amended— 

(1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and 

(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection: 

‘‘(c)(1) For carrying out the purposes of the account, the Architect of the Capitol may receive transfers of appropriations from any 

agency of the Legislative Branch upon the approval of— 


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‘‘(A) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, in the case of a transfer from an office of the House 

of Representatives; 

‘‘(B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, in the 

case of a transfer from an office of the Senate; or 

‘‘(C) the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate, in the case of a transfer from any 

other office of the Government. 

‘‘(2) Amounts transferred under this subsection shall be merged 

with the account and made available under this section. 

‘‘(3) This subsection shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2019 

and each succeeding fiscal year.’’. 

INCREASE IN THRESHOLD FOR SMALL PURCHASE CONTRACTING

AUTHORITY

SEC. 133. (a) 2 U.S.C. 1821 is amended by adding before ‘‘Notwithstanding any other provision of law—’’ the following text: ‘‘To 

promote efficiency and economy in contracting and to avoid unnecessary burdens, the Architect of the Capitol is granted authority to 

utilize special simplified procedures for purchases of property and 

services the aggregate amount of which does not exceed $250,000.’’. 

(b) The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2019 and each succeeding fiscal year. 

INTERAGENCY DETAILS

SEC. 134. (a) AUTHORIZING DETAILS OF EMPLOYEES UNDER

JOINT AGENCY AGREEMENTS.—In addition to any other authority 

relating to the detail of employees, the Architect of the Capitol and 

the head of any other department, agency, or instrumentality of the 

United States Government may enter into a joint agency agreement 

under which— 

(1) employees of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol 

(including employees of the United States Botanic Garden) may 

be detailed to such department, agency, or instrumentality on 

a reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis; and 

(2) employees of such department, agency, or instrumentality may be detailed to the Office of the Architect of the Capitol on a reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis. 

(b) DURATION.—The detail of an employee under a joint agency 

agreement under this section shall be for such duration as may be 

provided in the agreement, except that in the case of a detail made 

on a non-reimbursable basis, the duration of the detail may not exceed one year unless the Architect of the Capitol and the head of the 

department, agency, or instrumentality involved each determine that 

an extension of the detail of the employee is in the public interest. 

(c) NO EFFECT ON APPROPRIATIONS OF RECIPIENT OF NON-REIMBURSABLE DETAIL.—For purposes of any law, rule, or regulation, 

the detail of an employee on a non-reimbursable basis under a joint 

agency agreement under this section for a fiscal year shall not be 

treated as an increase or modification of the appropriation for the 

fiscal year of the office to whom the employee is detailed. 

(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall apply with respect to 

fiscal year 2019 and each succeeding fiscal year. 


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ACCEPTANCE OF TRAVEL EXPENSES FROM NON-FEDERAL SOURCES

SEC. 135. (a) PERMITTING ACCEPTANCE OF EXPENSES.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Architect of the Capitol 

may accept payment or authorize an employee of the Office of the 

Architect of the Capitol to accept payment on the Office’s behalf 

from non-Federal sources for travel, subsistence, and related expenses with respect to attendance of the employee (or the spouse of 

such employee) at any meeting or similar function relating to the 

employee’s official duties. Any cash payment so accepted shall be 

credited to the appropriation applicable to such expenses. In the 

case of a payment in kind so accepted, a pro rata reduction shall 

be made in any entitlement of the employee to payment from the 

Government for such expenses. 

(b) PROHIBITING ACCEPTANCE FROM OTHER SOURCES.—Except 

as provided in this section or section 7342 of title 5, United States 

Code, the Office or an employee of the Office may not accept payment for expenses referred to in subsection (a). An employee who accepts any payment in violation of the preceding sentence— 

(1) may be required, in addition to any penalty provided by 

law, to repay, for deposit in the general fund of the Treasury, 

an amount equal to the amount of the payment so accepted; and 

(2) in the case of a repayment under paragraph (1), shall 

not be entitled to any payment from the Government for such 

expenses. 

(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall apply with respect to 

fiscal year 2019 and each succeeding fiscal year. 

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For all necessary expenses of the Library of Congress not otherwise provided for, including development and maintenance of the 

Library’s catalogs; custody and custodial care of the Library buildings; special clothing; cleaning, laundering and repair of uniforms; 

preservation of motion pictures in the custody of the Library; operation and maintenance of the American Folklife Center in the Library; preparation and distribution of catalog records and other 

publications of the Library; hire or purchase of one passenger motor 

vehicle; and expenses of the Library of Congress Trust Fund Board 

not properly chargeable to the income of any trust fund held by the 

Board, $480,052,000, of which not more than $6,000,000 shall be 

derived from collections credited to this appropriation during fiscal 

year 2019, and shall remain available until expended, under the Act 

of June 28, 1902 (chapter 1301; 32 Stat. 480; 2 U.S.C. 150): Provided, That the Library of Congress may not obligate or expend any 

funds derived from collections under the Act of June 28, 1902, in 

excess of the amount authorized for obligation or expenditure in appropriations Acts: Provided further, That the total amount available 

for obligation shall be reduced by the amount by which collections 

are less than $6,000,000: Provided further, That of the total amount 

appropriated, not more than $12,000 may be expended, on the certification of the Librarian of Congress, in connection with official 

representation and reception expenses for the Overseas Field Offices: 

Provided further, That of the total amount appropriated, $8,855,000 


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shall remain available until expended for the digital collections and 

educational curricula program: Provided further, That of the total 

amount appropriated, $1,318,000 shall remain available until expended for upgrade of the Legislative Branch Financial Management System: Provided further, That of the total amount appropriated, $250,000 shall remain available until expended for the Surplus Books Program to promote the program and facilitate a greater 

number of donations to eligible entities across the United States: 

Provided further, That of the total amount appropriated, $2,383,000 

shall remain available until expended for the Veterans History 

Project to continue digitization efforts of already collected materials, 

reach a greater number of veterans to record their stories, and promote public access to the Project. 

COPYRIGHT OFFICE

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For all necessary expenses of the Copyright Office, $93,407,000, of which not more than $39,218,000, to remain available until expended, shall be derived from collections credited to this appropriation during fiscal year 2019 under section 708(d) of title 17, United 

States Code: Provided, That the Copyright Office may not obligate 

or expend any funds derived from collections under such section, in 

excess of the amount authorized for obligation or expenditure in appropriations Acts: Provided further, That not more than $6,272,000 

shall be derived from collections during fiscal year 2019 under sections 111(d)(2), 119(b)(3), 803(e), 1005, and 1316 of such title: Provided further, That the total amount available for obligation shall 

be reduced by the amount by which collections are less than 

$45,490,000: Provided further, That $4,328,000 shall be derived 

from prior year unobligated balances: Provided further, That not 

more than $100,000 of the amount appropriated is available for the 

maintenance of an ‘‘International Copyright Institute’’ in the Copyright Office of the Library of Congress for the purpose of training 

nationals of developing countries in intellectual property laws and 

policies: Provided further, That not more than $6,500 may be expended, on the certification of the Librarian of Congress, in connection with official representation and reception expenses for activities 

of the International Copyright Institute and for copyright delegations, visitors, and seminars: Provided further, That, notwithstanding any provision of chapter 8 of title 17, United States Code, 

any amounts made available under this heading which are attributable to royalty fees and payments received by the Copyright Office 

pursuant to sections 111, 119, and chapter 10 of such title may be 

used for the costs incurred in the administration of the Copyright 

Royalty Judges program, with the exception of the costs of salaries 

and benefits for the Copyright Royalty Judges and staff under section 802(e). 

CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For all necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of section 

203 of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 166) 

and to revise and extend the Annotated Constitution of the United 


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States of America, $125,688,000: Provided, That no part of such 

amount may be used to pay any salary or expense in connection 

with any publication, or preparation of material therefor (except the 

Digest of Public General Bills), to be issued by the Library of Congress unless such publication has obtained prior approval of either 

the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives or the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate: 

Provided further, That this prohibition does not apply to publication of non-confidential Congressional Research Service (CRS) products: Provided further, That a non-confidential CRS product includes any written product containing research or analysis that is 

currently available for general congressional access on the CRS 

Congressional Intranet, or that would be made available on the 

CRS Congressional Intranet in the normal course of business and 

does not include material prepared in response to Congressional requests for confidential analysis or research. 

BOOKS FOR THE BLIND AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For all necessary expenses to carry out the Act of March 3, 1931 (chapter 400; 46 Stat. 1487; 2 U.S.C. 135a), $52,783,000: Provided, 

That of the total amount appropriated, $650,000 shall be available 

to contract to provide newspapers to blind and physically handicapped residents at no cost to the individual. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

REIMBURSABLE AND REVOLVING FUND ACTIVITIES

SEC. 140. (a) IN GENERAL.—For fiscal year 2019, the 

obligational authority of the Library of Congress for the activities 

described in subsection (b) may not exceed $194,608,000. 

(b) ACTIVITIES.—The activities referred to in subsection (a) are 

reimbursable and revolving fund activities that are funded from 

sources other than appropriations to the Library in appropriations 

Acts for the legislative branch. 

GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 

CONGRESSIONAL PUBLISHING

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

For authorized publishing of congressional information and the 

distribution of congressional information in any format; publishing 

of Government publications authorized by law to be distributed to 

Members of Congress; and publishing, and distribution of Government publications authorized by law to be distributed without 

charge to the recipient, $79,000,000: Provided, That this appropriation shall not be available for paper copies of the permanent edition 

of the Congressional Record for individual Representatives, Resident 

Commissioners or Delegates authorized under section 906 of title 44, 

United States Code: Provided further, That this appropriation shall 

be available for the payment of obligations incurred under the appropriations for similar purposes for preceding fiscal years: Provided further, That notwithstanding the 2-year limitation under secVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:09 Sep 12, 2018 Jkt 031415 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6603 E:\HR\OC\HR929.XXX HR929

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tion 718 of title 44, United States Code, none of the funds appropriated or made available under this Act or any other Act for printing and binding and related services provided to Congress under 

chapter 7 of title 44, United States Code, may be expended to print 

a document, report, or publication after the 27-month period beginning on the date that such document, report, or publication is authorized by Congress to be printed, unless Congress reauthorizes 

such printing in accordance with section 718 of title 44, United 

States Code: Provided further, That unobligated or unexpended balances of expired discretionary funds made available under this 

heading in this Act for this fiscal year may be transferred to, and 

merged with, funds under the heading ‘‘Government Publishing Office Business Operations Revolving Fund’’ no later than the end of 

the fifth fiscal year after the last fiscal year for which such funds 

are available for the purposes for which appropriated, to be available for carrying out the purposes of this heading, subject to the approval of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate: Provided further, That notwithstanding 

sections 901, 902, and 906 of title 44, United States Code, this appropriation may be used to prepare indexes to the Congressional 

Record on only a monthly and session basis. 

PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAMS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF

DOCUMENTS

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

For expenses of the public information programs of the Office 

of Superintendent of Documents necessary to provide for the cataloging and indexing of Government publications and their distribution to the public, Members of Congress, other Government agencies, 

and designated depository and international exchange libraries as 

authorized by law, $32,000,000: Provided, That amounts of not 

more than $2,000,000 from current year appropriations are authorized for producing and disseminating Congressional serial sets and 

other related publications for fiscal years 2017 and 2018 to depository and other designated libraries: Provided further, That unobligated or unexpended balances of expired discretionary funds made 

available under this heading in this Act for this fiscal year may be 

transferred to, and merged with, funds under the heading ‘‘Government Publishing Office Business Operations Revolving Fund’’ no 

later than the end of the fifth fiscal year after the last fiscal year 

for which such funds are available for the purposes for which appropriated, to be available for carrying out the purposes of this 

heading, subject to the approval of the Committee on Appropriations 

of the House of Representatives and the Senate. 

GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE BUSINESS OPERATIONS

REVOLVING FUND

For payment to the Government Publishing Office Business Operations Revolving Fund, $6,000,000, to remain available until expended, for information technology development and facilities repair: Provided, That the Government Publishing Office is hereby authorized to make such expenditures, within the limits of funds availVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:09 Sep 12, 2018 Jkt 031415 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6603 E:\HR\OC\HR929.XXX HR929

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able and in accordance with law, and to make such contracts and 

commitments without regard to fiscal year limitations as provided 

by section 9104 of title 31, United States Code, as may be necessary 

in carrying out the programs and purposes set forth in the budget 

for the current fiscal year for the Government Publishing Office 

Business Operations Revolving Fund: Provided further, That not 

more than $7,500 may be expended on the certification of the Director of the Government Publishing Office in connection with official 

representation and reception expenses: Provided further, That the 

Business Operations Revolving Fund shall be available for the hire 

or purchase of not more than 12 passenger motor vehicles: Provided 

further, That expenditures in connection with travel expenses of the 

advisory councils to the Director of the Government Publishing Office shall be deemed necessary to carry out the provisions of title 44, 

United States Code: Provided further, That the Business Operations 

Revolving Fund shall be available for temporary or intermittent 

services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, but at 

rates for individuals not more than the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay for level V of the Executive Schedule under 

section 5316 of such title: Provided further, That activities financed 

through the Business Operations Revolving Fund may provide information in any format: Provided further, That the Business Operations Revolving Fund and the funds provided under the heading 

‘‘Public Information Programs of the Superintendent of Documents’’ 

may not be used for contracted security services at Government Publishing Office’s passport facility in the District of Columbia. 

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For necessary expenses of the Government Accountability Office, 

including not more than $12,500 to be expended on the certification 

of the Comptroller General of the United States in connection with 

official representation and reception expenses; temporary or intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, 

but at rates for individuals not more than the daily equivalent of 

the annual rate of basic pay for level IV of the Executive Schedule 

under section 5315 of such title; hire of one passenger motor vehicle; 

advance payments in foreign countries in accordance with section 

3324 of title 31, United States Code; benefits comparable to those 

payable under sections 901(5), (6), and (8) of the Foreign Service Act 

of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4081(5), (6), and (8)); and under regulations prescribed by the Comptroller General of the United States, rental of 

living quarters in foreign countries, $589,749,653: Provided, That, 

in addition, $35,900,000 of payments received under sections 782, 

791, 3521, and 9105 of title 31, United States Code, shall be available without fiscal year limitation: Provided further, That this appropriation and appropriations for administrative expenses of any 

other department or agency which is a member of the National 

Intergovernmental Audit Forum or a Regional Intergovernmental 

Audit Forum shall be available to finance an appropriate share of 

either Forum’s costs as determined by the respective Forum, including necessary travel expenses of non-Federal participants: Provided 

further, That payments hereunder to the Forum may be credited as 

reimbursements to any appropriation from which costs involved are 


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initially financed: Provided further, That this appropriation shall 

be available to transfer amounts to the Department of the Army for 

the expenses of constructing an Army facility at Redstone Arsenal 

for the sole, unlimited use of the Government Accountability Office, 

and (notwithstanding section 1502(a) of title 31, United States 

Code) shall be available to transfer such amounts without regard to 

the fiscal year in which such expenses are incurred: Provided further, That hereafter, amounts appropriated for the salaries and expenses of the Government Accountability Office shall be available to 

transfer to the Department of the Army for the maintenance of such 

facility. 

OPEN WORLD LEADERSHIP CENTER TRUST FUND 

For a payment to the Open World Leadership Center Trust 

Fund for financing activities of the Open World Leadership Center 

under section 313 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 

2001 (2 U.S.C. 1151), $5,600,000: Provided, That funds made available to support Russian participants shall only be used for those engaging in free market development, humanitarian activities, and 

civic engagement, and shall not be used for officials of the central 

government of Russia. 

JOHN C. STENNIS CENTER FOR PUBLIC SERVICE TRAINING 

AND DEVELOPMENT 

For payment to the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service 

Development Trust Fund established under section 116 of the John 

C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development Act 

(2 U.S.C. 1105), $430,000. 

TITLE II 

GENERAL PROVISIONS 

MAINTENANCE AND CARE OF PRIVATE VEHICLES

SEC. 201. No part of the funds appropriated in this Act shall 

be used for the maintenance or care of private vehicles, except for 

emergency assistance and cleaning as may be provided under regulations relating to parking facilities for the House of Representatives 

issued by the Committee on House Administration and for the Senate issued by the Committee on Rules and Administration. 

FISCAL YEAR LIMITATION

SEC. 202. No part of the funds appropriated in this Act shall 

remain available for obligation beyond fiscal year 2019 unless expressly so provided in this Act. 

RATES OF COMPENSATION AND DESIGNATION

SEC. 203. Whenever in this Act any office or position not specifically established by the Legislative Pay Act of 1929 (46 Stat. 32 et 

seq.) is appropriated for or the rate of compensation or designation 

of any office or position appropriated for is different from that specifically established by such Act, the rate of compensation and the 

designation in this Act shall be the permanent law with respect 


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thereto: Provided, That the provisions in this Act for the various 

items of official expenses of Members, officers, and committees of the 

Senate and House of Representatives, and clerk hire for Senators 

and Members of the House of Representatives shall be the permanent law with respect thereto. 

CONSULTING SERVICES

SEC. 204. The expenditure of any appropriation under this Act 

for any consulting service through procurement contract, under section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, 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 under existing Executive order issued under 

existing law. 

COSTS OF LBFMC

SEC. 205. Amounts available for administrative expenses of any 

legislative branch entity which participates in the Legislative 

Branch Financial Managers Council (LBFMC) established by charter on March 26, 1996, shall be available to finance an appropriate 

share of LBFMC costs as determined by the LBFMC, except that the 

total LBFMC costs to be shared among all participating legislative 

branch entities (in such allocations among the entities as the entities 

may determine) may not exceed $2,000. 

LIMITATION ON TRANSFERS

SEC. 206. None of the funds made available in this Act may be 

transferred to any department, agency, or instrumentality of the 

United States Government, except pursuant to a transfer made by, 

or transfer authority provided in, this Act or any other appropriation Act. 

GUIDED TOURS OF THE CAPITOL

SEC. 207. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), none of the 

funds made available to the Architect of the Capitol in this Act may 

be used to eliminate or restrict guided tours of the United States 

Capitol which are led by employees and interns of offices of Members of Congress and other offices of the House of Representatives 

and Senate, unless through regulations as authorized by section 

402(b)(8) of the Capitol Visitor Center Act of 2008 (2 U.S.C. 

2242(b)(8)). 

(b) At the direction of the Capitol Police Board, or at the direction of the Architect of the Capitol with the approval of the Capitol 

Police Board, guided tours of the United States Capitol which are 

led by employees and interns described in subsection (a) may be suspended temporarily or otherwise subject to restriction for security or 

related reasons to the same extent as guided tours of the United 

States Capitol which are led by the Architect of the Capitol. 

LIMITATION ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT PROCUREMENT

SEC. 208. (a) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 

available under this Act may be used to acquire telecommunications 

equipment produced by Huawei Technologies Company, ZTE CorVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:09 Sep 12, 2018 Jkt 031415 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6603 E:\HR\OC\HR929.XXX HR929

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poration or a high-impact or moderate-impact information system, 

as defined for security categorization in the National Institute of 

Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Federal Information Processing 

Standard Publication 199, ‘‘Standards for Security Categorization 

of Federal Information and Information Systems’’ unless the agency, 

office, or other entity acquiring the equipment or system has— 

(1) reviewed the supply chain risk for the information systems against criteria developed by NIST to inform acquisition 

decisions for high-impact and moderate-impact information systems within the Federal Government; 

(2) reviewed the supply chain risk from the presumptive 

awardee against available and relevant threat information provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other appropriate agencies; and 

(3) in consultation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation 

or other appropriate Federal entity, conducted an assessment of 

any risk of cyber-espionage or sabotage associated with the acquisition of such system, including any risk associated with 

such system being produced, manufactured, or assembled by 

one or more entities identified by the United States Government 

as posing a cyber threat, including but not limited to, those that 

may be owned, directed, or subsidized by the People’s Republic 

of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s 

Republic of Korea, or the Russian Federation. 

(b) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available 

under this Act may be used to acquire a high-impact or moderate 

impact information system reviewed and assessed under subsection 

(a) unless the head of the assessing entity described in subsection 

(a) has— 

(1) developed, in consultation with NIST and supply chain 

risk management experts, a mitigation strategy for any identified risks; 

(2) determined, in consultation with NIST and the Federal 

Bureau of Investigation, that the acquisition of such system is 

in the vital national security interest of the United States; and 

(3) reported that determination to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate in 

a manner that identifies the system intended for acquisition 

and a detailed description of the mitigation strategies identified 

in (1), provided that such report may include a classified annex 

as necessary. 

PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN OPERATIONAL EXPENSES

SEC. 209. (a) None of the funds made available in this Act may 

be used to maintain or establish a computer network unless such 

network blocks the viewing, downloading, and exchanging of pornography. 

(b) Nothing in subsection (a) shall limit the use of funds necessary for any Federal, State, tribal, or local law enforcement agency or any other entity carrying out criminal investigations, prosecution, or adjudication activities or other official government activities. 


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PLASTIC WASTE REDUCTION

SEC. 210. All agencies and offices funded by this division that 

contract with a food service provider or providers shall confer and 

coordinate with such food service provider or providers, in consultation with disability advocacy groups, to eliminate or reduce plastic 

waste, including waste from plastic straws, explore the use of biodegradable items, and increase recycling and composting opportunities. 

AGENCY COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS

SEC. 211. (a) Each agency, office, or other entity that is provided appropriations under this Division shall report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate, not less than 30 

days after enactment of this Act, specifying the dollar amount estimated for cost-of-living adjustments that was included in the fiscal 

year 2019 budget request for each appropriations account. 

(b) In the event that Executive Branch agencies do not receive 

a cost-of-living adjustment, such dollar amount reported pursuant 

to subsection (a) may be obligated and expended only upon written 

approval by the Chair and ranking minority member of the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and by the Chair and 

ranking minority member of the Subcommittee on the Legislative 

Branch of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate. 

(c) Pursuant to subsection (b), the agencies, offices, or other entities of the House of Representatives and the Senate require only 

the written approval of the Committee on Appropriations of their respective Chamber. 

ADJUSTMENTS TO COMPENSATION

SEC. 212. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no adjustment shall be made under section 601(a) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4501) (relating to cost of living adjustments for Members of Congress) during fiscal year 2019. 

This division may be cited as the ‘‘Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2019’’. 

DIVISION C—MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS 

ACT, 2019 

TITLE I 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY

For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of 

temporary or permanent public works, military installations, facilities, and real property for the Army as currently authorized by law, 

including personnel in the Army Corps of Engineers and other personal services necessary for the purposes of this appropriation, and 

for construction and operation of facilities in support of the functions of the Commander in Chief, $1,021,768,000, to remain available until September 30, 2023: Provided, That, of this amount, not 


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to exceed $110,068,000 shall be available for study, planning, design, architect and engineer services, and host nation support, as 

authorized by law, unless the Secretary of the Army determines that 

additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies 

the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the 

determination and the reasons therefor. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS

For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of 

temporary or permanent public works, naval installations, facilities, 

and real property for the Navy and Marine Corps as currently authorized by law, including personnel in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command and other personal services necessary for the purposes of this appropriation, $2,118,619,000, to remain available 

until September 30, 2023: Provided, That, of this amount, not to exceed $185,542,000 shall be available for study, planning, design, 

and architect and engineer services, as authorized by law, unless 

the Secretary of the Navy determines that additional obligations are 

necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the determination and the 

reasons therefor. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE

For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of 

temporary or permanent public works, military installations, facilities, and real property for the Air Force as currently authorized by 

law, $1,440,323,000, to remain available until September 30, 2023: 

Provided, That, of this amount, not to exceed $206,577,000 shall be 

available for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer 

services, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of the Air Force 

determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 

of Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, DEFENSE-WIDE

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of 

temporary or permanent public works, installations, facilities, and 

real property for activities and agencies of the Department of Defense (other than the military departments), as currently authorized 

by law, $2,550,728,000, to remain available until September 30, 

2023: Provided, That such amounts of this appropriation as may be 

determined by the Secretary of Defense may be transferred to such 

appropriations of the Department of Defense available for military 

construction or family housing as the Secretary may designate, to 

be merged with and to be available for the same purposes, and for 

the same time period, as the appropriation or fund to which transferred: Provided further, That, of the amount, not to exceed 

$192,345,000 shall be available for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of Defense determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees on AppropriaVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:09 Sep 12, 2018 Jkt 031415 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6603 E:\HR\OC\HR929.XXX HR929

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tions of both Houses of Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and 

conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the 

Army National Guard, and contributions therefor, as authorized by 

chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $190,122,000, to remain available until 

September 30, 2023: Provided, That, of the amount, not to exceed 

$16,622,000 shall be available for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the Director of the Army National Guard determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees 

on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the determination 

and the reasons therefor. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR NATIONAL GUARD

For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and 

conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the 

Air National Guard, and contributions therefor, as authorized by 

chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $129,126,000, to remain available until 

September 30, 2023: Provided, That, of the amount, not to exceed 

$18,500,000 shall be available for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the Director of the Air National Guard determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees 

on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the determination 

and the reasons therefor. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY RESERVE

For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and 

conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the 

Army Reserve as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United 

States Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, 

$64,919,000, to remain available until September 30, 2023: Provided, That, of the amount, not to exceed $5,855,000 shall be available for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the Chief of the Army Reserve determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes 

and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 

Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY RESERVE

For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and 

conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the reserve components of the Navy and Marine Corps as authorized by 

chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $43,065,000, to remain available until September 30, 2023: Provided, That, of the amount, not to exceed 

$4,695,000 shall be available for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the SecVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:09 Sep 12, 2018 Jkt 031415 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6603 E:\HR\OC\HR929.XXX HR929

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retary of the Navy determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE RESERVE

For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and 

conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the 

Air Force Reserve as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United 

States Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, 

$38,063,000, to remain available until September 30, 2023: Provided, That, of the amount, not to exceed $4,055,000 shall be available for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the Chief of the Air Force Reserve 

determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 

of Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor: Provided 

further, That, the Chief of the Air Force Reserve shall take immediate action to address unfunded military construction requirements 

for access control points and security issues at Air Force Reserve facilities. 

NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION

SECURITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM

For the United States share of the cost of the North Atlantic 

Treaty Organization Security Investment Program for the acquisition and construction of military facilities and installations (including international military headquarters) and for related expenses 

for the collective defense of the North Atlantic Treaty Area as authorized by section 2806 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $171,064,000, to remain 

available until expended. 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BASE CLOSURE ACCOUNT

For deposit into the Department of Defense Base Closure Account, established by section 2906(a) of the Defense Base Closure 

and Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. 2687 note), $342,000,000, 

to remain available until expended. 

FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, ARMY

For expenses of family housing for the Army for construction, 

including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, extension, 

and alteration, as authorized by law, $330,660,000, to remain available until September 30, 2023. 

FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, ARMY

For expenses of family housing for the Army for operation and 

maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, minor construction, 

principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums, as authorized by law, $376,509,000. 


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FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS

For expenses of family housing for the Navy and Marine Corps 

for construction, including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, extension, and alteration, as authorized by law, 

$104,581,000, to remain available until September 30, 2023. 

FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, NAVY AND

MARINE CORPS

For expenses of family housing for the Navy and Marine Corps 

for operation and maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, 

minor construction, principal and interest charges, and insurance 

premiums, as authorized by law, $314,536,000. 

FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE

For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for construction, including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, extension, and alteration, as authorized by law, $78,446,000, to remain 

available until September 30, 2023. 

FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, AIR FORCE

For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for operation 

and maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, minor construction, principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums, as 

authorized by law, $317,274,000. 

FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, DEFENSE-WIDE

For expenses of family housing for the activities and agencies 

of the Department of Defense (other than the military departments) 

for operation and maintenance, leasing, and minor construction, as 

authorized by law, $58,373,000. 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

FAMILY HOUSING IMPROVEMENT FUND

For the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement 

Fund, $1,653,000, to remain available until expended, for family 

housing initiatives undertaken pursuant to section 2883 of title 10, 

United States Code, providing alternative means of acquiring and 

improving military family housing and supporting facilities. 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

MILITARY UNACCOMPANIED HOUSING IMPROVEMENT FUND

For the Department of Defense Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund, $600,000, to remain available until expended, for unaccompanied housing initiatives undertaken pursuant 

to section 2883 of title 10, United States Code, providing alternative 

means of acquiring and improving military unaccompanied housing 

and supporting facilities. 


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ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

SEC. 101. None of the funds made available in this title shall 

be expended for payments under a cost-plus-a-fixed-fee contract for 

construction, where cost estimates exceed $25,000, to be performed 

within the United States, except Alaska, without the specific approval in writing of the Secretary of Defense setting forth the reasons therefor. 

SEC. 102. Funds made available in this title for construction 

shall be available for hire of passenger motor vehicles. 

SEC. 103. Funds made available in this title for construction 

may be used for advances to the Federal Highway Administration, 

Department of Transportation, for the construction of access roads 

as authorized by section 210 of title 23, United States Code, when 

projects authorized therein are certified as important to the national 

defense by the Secretary of Defense. 

SEC. 104. None of the funds made available in this title may 

be used to begin construction of new bases in the United States for 

which specific appropriations have not been made. 

SEC. 105. None of the funds made available in this title shall 

be used for purchase of land or land easements in excess of 100 percent of the value as determined by the Army Corps of Engineers or 

the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, except: (1) where there 

is a determination of value by a Federal court; (2) purchases negotiated by the Attorney General or the designee of the Attorney General; (3) where the estimated value is less than $25,000; or (4) as 

otherwise determined by the Secretary of Defense to be in the public 

interest. 

SEC. 106. None of the funds made available in this title shall 

be used to: (1) acquire land; (2) provide for site preparation; or (3) 

install utilities for any family housing, except housing for which 

funds have been made available in annual Acts making appropriations for military construction. 

SEC. 107. None of the funds made available in this title for 

minor construction may be used to transfer or relocate any activity 

from one base or installation to another, without prior notification 

to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress. 

SEC. 108. None of the funds made available in this title may 

be used for the procurement of steel for any construction project or 

activity for which American steel producers, fabricators, and manufacturers have been denied the opportunity to compete for such steel 

procurement. 

SEC. 109. None of the funds available to the Department of Defense for military construction or family housing during the current 

fiscal year may be used to pay real property taxes in any foreign nation. 

SEC. 110. None of the funds made available in this title may 

be used to initiate a new installation overseas without prior notification to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress. 

SEC. 111. None of the funds made available in this title may 

be obligated for architect and engineer contracts estimated by the 

Government to exceed $500,000 for projects to be accomplished in 

Japan, in any North Atlantic Treaty Organization member country, 

or in countries bordering the Arabian Gulf, unless such contracts 


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are awarded to United States firms or United States firms in joint 

venture with host nation firms. 

SEC. 112. None of the funds made available in this title for 

military construction in the United States territories and possessions in the Pacific and on Kwajalein Atoll, or in countries bordering the Arabian Gulf, may be used to award any contract estimated by the Government to exceed $1,000,000 to a foreign contractor: Provided, That this section shall not be applicable to contract awards for which the lowest responsive and responsible bid of 

a United States contractor exceeds the lowest responsive and responsible bid of a foreign contractor by greater than 20 percent: Provided 

further, That this section shall not apply to contract awards for 

military construction on Kwajalein Atoll for which the lowest responsive and responsible bid is submitted by a Marshallese contractor. 

SEC. 113. The Secretary of Defense shall inform the appropriate 

committees of both Houses of Congress, including the Committees on 

Appropriations, of plans and scope of any proposed military exercise 

involving United States personnel 30 days prior to its occurring, if 

amounts expended for construction, either temporary or permanent, 

are anticipated to exceed $100,000. 

SEC. 114. Funds appropriated to the Department of Defense for 

construction in prior years shall be available for construction authorized for each such military department by the authorizations enacted into law during the current session of Congress. 

SEC. 115. For military construction or family housing projects 

that are being completed with funds otherwise expired or lapsed for 

obligation, expired or lapsed funds may be used to pay the cost of 

associated supervision, inspection, overhead, engineering and design 

on those projects and on subsequent claims, if any. 

SEC. 116. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any 

funds made available to a military department or defense agency 

for the construction of military projects may be obligated for a military construction project or contract, or for any portion of such a 

project or contract, at any time before the end of the fourth fiscal 

year after the fiscal year for which funds for such project were made 

available, if the funds obligated for such project: (1) are obligated 

from funds available for military construction projects; and (2) do 

not exceed the amount appropriated for such project, plus any 

amount by which the cost of such project is increased pursuant to 

law. 

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 117. Subject to 30 days prior notification, or 14 days for 

a notification provided in an electronic medium pursuant to sections 

480 and 2883 of title 10, United States Code, to the Committees on 

Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, such additional 

amounts as may be determined by the Secretary of Defense may be 

transferred to: (1) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund from amounts appropriated for construction in 

‘‘Family Housing’’ accounts, to be merged with and to be available 

for the same purposes and for the same period of time as amounts 

appropriated directly to the Fund; or (2) the Department of Defense 

Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund from 

amounts appropriated for construction of military unaccompanied 


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housing in ‘‘Military Construction’’ accounts, to be merged with and 

to be available for the same purposes and for the same period of 

time as amounts appropriated directly to the Fund: Provided, That 

appropriations made available to the Funds shall be available to 

cover the costs, as defined in section 502(5) of the Congressional 

Budget Act of 1974, of direct loans or loan guarantees issued by the 

Department of Defense pursuant to the provisions of subchapter IV 

of chapter 169 of title 10, United States Code, pertaining to alternative means of acquiring and improving military family housing, 

military unaccompanied housing, and supporting facilities. 

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 118. In addition to any other transfer authority available 

to the Department of Defense, amounts may be transferred from the 

Department of Defense Base Closure Account to the fund established 

by section 1013(d) of the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 3374) to pay for expenses associated with the Homeowners Assistance Program incurred under 42 

U.S.C. 3374(a)(1)(A). Any amounts transferred shall be merged with 

and be available for the same purposes and for the same time period as the fund to which transferred. 

SEC. 119. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, funds 

made available in this title for operation and maintenance of family 

housing shall be the exclusive source of funds for repair and maintenance of all family housing units, including general or flag officer 

quarters: Provided, That not more than $35,000 per unit may be 

spent annually for the maintenance and repair of any general or 

flag officer quarters without 30 days prior notification, or 14 days 

for a notification provided in an electronic medium pursuant to sections 480 and 2883 of title 10, United States Code, to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, except that an 

after-the-fact notification shall be submitted if the limitation is exceeded solely due to costs associated with environmental remediation that could not be reasonably anticipated at the time of the 

budget submission: Provided further, That the Under Secretary of 

Defense (Comptroller) is to report annually to the Committees on 

Appropriations of both Houses of Congress all operation and maintenance expenditures for each individual general or flag officer 

quarters for the prior fiscal year. 

SEC. 120. Amounts contained in the Ford Island Improvement 

Account established by subsection (h) of section 2814 of title 10, 

United States Code, are appropriated and shall be available until 

expended for the purposes specified in subsection (i)(1) of such section or until transferred pursuant to subsection (i)(3) of such section. 

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 121. During the 5-year period after appropriations available in this Act to the Department of Defense for military construction and family housing operation and maintenance and construction have expired for obligation, upon a determination that such appropriations will not be necessary for the liquidation of obligations 

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priations, unobligated balances of such appropriations may be 

transferred into the appropriation ‘‘Foreign Currency Fluctuations, 

Construction, Defense’’, to be merged with and to be available for 

the same time period and for the same purposes as the appropriation to which transferred. 

SEC. 122. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), none of the 

funds made available in this Act may be used by the Secretary of 

the Army to relocate a unit in the Army that— 

(1) performs a testing mission or function that is not performed by any other unit in the Army and is specifically stipulated in title 10, United States Code; and 

(2) is located at a military installation at which the total 

number of civilian employees of the Department of the Army 

and Army contractor personnel employed exceeds 10 percent of 

the total number of members of the regular and reserve components of the Army assigned to the installation. 

(b) EXCEPTION.—Subsection (a) shall not apply if the Secretary 

of the Army certifies to the congressional defense committees that in 

proposing the relocation of the unit of the Army, the Secretary complied with Army Regulation 5–10 relating to the policy, procedures, 

and responsibilities for Army stationing actions. 

SEC. 123. Amounts appropriated or otherwise made available in 

an account funded under the headings in this title may be transferred among projects and activities within the account in accordance with the reprogramming guidelines for military construction 

and family housing construction contained in Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation 7000.14–R, Volume 3, 

Chapter 7, of March 2011, as in effect on the date of enactment of 

this Act. 

SEC. 124. None of the funds made available in this title may 

be obligated or expended for planning and design and construction 

of projects at Arlington National Cemetery. 

SEC. 125. For an additional amount for the accounts and in the 

amounts specified, to remain available until September 30, 2023: 

‘‘Military Construction, Army’’, $94,100,000; 

‘‘Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps’’, 

$196,850,000; 

‘‘Military Construction, Air Force’’, $118,450,000; 

‘‘Military Construction, Army National Guard’’, 

$22,000,000; 

‘‘Military Construction, Air National Guard’’, $54,000,000; 

‘‘Military Construction, Army Reserve’’, $23,000,000; and 

‘‘Military Construction, Air Force Reserve’’, $84,800,000: 

Provided, That such funds may only be obligated to carry out construction projects identified in the respective military department’s 

unfunded priority list for fiscal year 2019 submitted to Congress: 

Provided further, That such projects are subject to authorization 

prior to obligation and expenditure of funds to carry out construction: Provided further, That not later than 30 days after enactment 

of this Act, the Secretary of the military department concerned, or 

his or her designee, shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress an expenditure plan for funds provided under this section. 


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(RESCISSIONS OF FUNDS)

SEC. 126. Of the unobligated balances available to the Department of Defense from prior appropriation Acts, the following funds 

are hereby rescinded from the following accounts in the amounts 

specified: 

‘‘NATO Security Investment Program’’, $25,000,000; 

‘‘Military Construction, Air Force’’, $31,158,000; 

‘‘Military Construction, Army National Guard’’, 

$10,000,000; 

‘‘Family Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps’’, 

$2,138,000; and 

‘‘The fund established in section 1013(d) of the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966 (42 

U.S.C. 3374)’’, $15,333,000: 

Provided, That no amounts may be rescinded from amounts that 

were designated by the Congress for Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism or as an emergency requirement 

pursuant to a concurrent resolution on the budget or the Balanced 

Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended. 

SEC. 127. For the purposes of this Act, the term ‘‘congressional 

defense committees’’ means the Committees on Armed Services of the 

House of Representatives and the Senate, the Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, and the Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs of the Committee on Appropriations 

of the House of Representatives. 

SEC. 128. None of the funds made available by this Act may be 

used to carry out the closure or realignment of the United States 

Naval Station, Guanta ́namo Bay, Cuba. 

SEC. 129. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, none of 

the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this or any 

other Act may be used to consolidate or relocate any element of a 

United States Air Force Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer (RED HORSE) outside of the 

United States until the Secretary of the Air Force: (1) completes an 

analysis and comparison of the cost and infrastructure investment 

required to consolidate or relocate a RED HORSE squadron outside 

of the United States versus within the United States; (2) provides 

to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 

(‘‘the Committees’’) a report detailing the findings of the cost analysis; and (3) certifies in writing to the Committees that the preferred 

site for the consolidation or relocation yields the greatest savings for 

the Air Force: Provided, That the term ‘‘United States’’ in this section does not include any territory or possession of the United 

States. 

SEC. 130. Notwithstanding section 124 of this Act, for an additional amount for ‘‘Military Construction, Army’’ in this title, 

$30,000,000, to remain available until expended, is provided for 

completion of the Defense Access Roads project and land acquisition 

for Arlington National Cemetery as authorized by section 2101 of 

the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public 

Law 114–92) and section 2829A of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114–328): Provided, That 

such funds shall be in addition to any other funds made available 


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in this or prior year Acts for such purposes, including funds made 

available by section 132 of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 (Public Law 

114–113). 

SEC. 131. All amounts appropriated to the ‘‘Department of Defense—Military Construction, Army’’, ‘‘Department of Defense—Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps’’, ‘‘Department of Defense—Military Construction, Air Force’’, and ‘‘Department of Defense—Military Construction, Defense-Wide’’ accounts pursuant to 

the authorization of appropriations in a National Defense Authorization Act specified for fiscal year 2019 in the funding table in section 4601 of that Act shall be immediately available and allotted to 

contract for the full scope of authorized projects. 

SEC. 132. For an additional amount for the accounts and in the 

amounts specified, for enhancing force protection and safety at military installations, to remain available until September 30, 2023: 

‘‘Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps’’, 

$50,000,000; and 

‘‘Military Construction, Air Force’’, $50,000,000: 

Provided, That such projects are subject to authorization prior to 

obligation and expenditure of funds to carry out construction: Provided further, That not later than 30 days after enactment of this 

Act, the Secretary of the military department concerned, or his or 

her designee, shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of 

both Houses of Congress an expenditure plan for funds provided 

under this section: Provided further, That the Secretary of the military department concerned may not obligate or expend any funds 

prior to approval by the Committees on Appropriations of both 

Houses of Congress of the expenditure plan required by this section. 

TITLE II 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION

COMPENSATION AND PENSIONS

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

For the payment of compensation benefits to or on behalf of veterans and a pilot program for disability examinations as authorized 

by section 107 and chapters 11, 13, 18, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of title 

38, United States Code; pension benefits to or on behalf of veterans 

as authorized by chapters 15, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of title 38, United 

States Code; and burial benefits, the Reinstated Entitlement Program for Survivors, emergency and other officers’ retirement pay, 

adjusted-service credits and certificates, payment of premiums due 

on commercial life insurance policies guaranteed under the provisions of title IV of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 

App. 541 et seq.) and for other benefits as authorized by sections 

107, 1312, 1977, and 2106, and chapters 23, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of 

title 38, United States Code, $2,994,366,000, which shall be in addition to funds previously appropriated under this heading that become available on October 1, 2018, to remain available until expended; and, in addition, $109,017,152,000 shall become available 


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on October 1, 2019: Provided, That not to exceed $18,047,000 of the 

amount made available for fiscal year 2020 under this heading 

shall be reimbursed to ‘‘General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration’’, and ‘‘Information Technology Systems’’ for necessary expenses in implementing the provisions of chapters 51, 53, 

and 55 of title 38, United States Code, the funding source for which 

is specifically provided as the ‘‘Compensation and Pensions’’ appropriation: Provided further, That such sums as may be earned on an 

actual qualifying patient basis, shall be reimbursed to ‘‘Medical 

Care Collections Fund’’ to augment the funding of individual medical facilities for nursing home care provided to pensioners as authorized. 

READJUSTMENT BENEFITS

For the payment of readjustment and rehabilitation benefits to 

or on behalf of veterans as authorized by chapters 21, 30, 31, 33, 

34, 35, 36, 39, 41, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of title 38, United States Code, 

$14,065,282,000, to remain available until expended and to become 

available on October 1, 2019: Provided, That expenses for rehabilitation program services and assistance which the Secretary is authorized to provide under subsection (a) of section 3104 of title 38, 

United States Code, other than under paragraphs (1), (2), (5), and 

(11) of that subsection, shall be charged to this account. 

VETERANS INSURANCE AND INDEMNITIES

For military and naval insurance, national service life insurance, servicemen’s indemnities, service-disabled veterans insurance, 

and veterans mortgage life insurance as authorized by chapters 19 

and 21, title 38, United States Code, $111,340,000, which shall become available on October 1, 2019, and shall remain available until 

expended. 

VETERANS HOUSING BENEFIT PROGRAM FUND

For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, such sums as may 

be necessary to carry out the program, as authorized by subchapters 

I through III of chapter 37 of title 38, United States Code: Provided, 

That such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall 

be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 

1974: Provided further, That, during fiscal year 2019, within the resources available, not to exceed $500,000 in gross obligations for direct loans are authorized for specially adapted housing loans. 

In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the direct 

and guaranteed loan programs, $200,612,000. 

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

For the cost of direct loans, $39,000, as authorized by chapter 

31 of title 38, United States Code: Provided, That such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, 

That funds made available under this heading are available to subsidize gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans not 

to exceed $2,037,000. 


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In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry out the direct loan program, $396,000, which may be paid to the appropriation for ‘‘General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration’’. 

NATIVE AMERICAN VETERAN HOUSING LOAN PROGRAM ACCOUNT

For administrative expenses to carry out the direct loan program authorized by subchapter V of chapter 37 of title 38, United 

States Code, $1,163,000. 

GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES, VETERANS BENEFITS

ADMINISTRATION

For necessary operating expenses of the Veterans Benefits Administration, not otherwise provided for, including hire of passenger 

motor vehicles, reimbursement of the General Services Administration for security guard services, and reimbursement of the Department of Defense for the cost of overseas employee mail, 

$2,956,316,000: Provided, That expenses for services and assistance 

authorized under paragraphs (1), (2), (5), and (11) of section 

3104(a) of title 38, United States Code, that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines are necessary to enable entitled veterans: 

(1) to the maximum extent feasible, to become employable and to obtain and maintain suitable employment; or (2) to achieve maximum 

independence in daily living, shall be charged to this account: Provided further, That, of the funds made available under this heading, not to exceed 10 percent shall remain available until September 

30, 2020. 

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

MEDICAL SERVICES

For necessary expenses for furnishing, as authorized by law, inpatient and outpatient care and treatment to beneficiaries of the Department of Veterans Affairs and veterans described in section 

1705(a) of title 38, United States Code, including care and treatment in facilities not under the jurisdiction of the Department, and 

including medical supplies and equipment, bioengineering services, 

food services, and salaries and expenses of healthcare employees 

hired under title 38, United States Code, aid to State homes as authorized by section 1741 of title 38, United States Code, assistance 

and support services for caregivers as authorized by section 1720G 

of title 38, United States Code, loan repayments authorized by section 604 of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services 

Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–163; 124 Stat. 1174; 38 U.S.C. 7681 

note), monthly assistance allowances authorized by section 322(d) of 

title 38, United States Code, grants authorized by section 521A of 

title 38, United States Code, and administrative expenses necessary 

to carry out sections 322(d) and 521A of title 38, United States 

Code, and hospital care and medical services authorized by section 

1787 of title 38, United States Code; $750,000,000, which shall be 

in addition to funds previously appropriated under this heading 

that become available on October 1, 2018; and, in addition, 

$51,411,165,000, plus reimbursements, shall become available on 

October 1, 2019, and shall remain available until September 30, 


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2020: Provided, That, of the amount made available on October 1, 

2019, under this heading, $1,500,000,000 shall remain available 

until September 30, 2021: Provided further, That, notwithstanding 

any other provision of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 

establish a priority for the provision of medical treatment for veterans who have service-connected disabilities, lower income, or have 

special needs: Provided further, That, notwithstanding any other 

provision of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall give priority 

funding for the provision of basic medical benefits to veterans in enrollment priority groups 1 through 6: Provided further, That, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Veterans 

Affairs may authorize the dispensing of prescription drugs from Veterans Health Administration facilities to enrolled veterans with privately written prescriptions based on requirements established by 

the Secretary: Provided further, That the implementation of the program described in the previous proviso shall incur no additional 

cost to the Department of Veterans Affairs: Provided further, That 

the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that sufficient 

amounts appropriated under this heading for medical supplies and 

equipment are available for the acquisition of prosthetics designed 

specifically for female veterans. 

MEDICAL COMMUNITY CARE

For necessary expenses for furnishing health care to individuals 

pursuant to chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, at non-Department facilities, $1,000,000,000, which shall be in addition to 

funds previously appropriated under this heading that become 

available on October 1, 2018; and, in addition, $10,758,399,000, 

plus reimbursements, shall become available on October 1, 2019, 

and shall remain available until September 30, 2020: Provided, 

That, of the amount made available on October 1, 2019, under this 

heading, $2,000,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 

2021. 

MEDICAL SUPPORT AND COMPLIANCE

For necessary expenses in the administration of the medical, 

hospital, nursing home, domiciliary, construction, supply, and research activities, as authorized by law; administrative expenses in 

support of capital policy activities; and administrative and legal expenses of the Department for collecting and recovering amounts 

owed the Department as authorized under chapter 17 of title 38, 

United States Code, and the Federal Medical Care Recovery Act (42 

U.S.C. 2651 et seq.), $7,239,156,000, plus reimbursements, shall become available on October 1, 2019, and shall remain available until 

September 30, 2020: Provided, That, of the amount made available 

on October 1, 2019, under this heading, $100,000,000 shall remain 

available until September 30, 2021. 

MEDICAL FACILITIES

For necessary expenses for the maintenance and operation of 

hospitals, nursing homes, domiciliary facilities, and other necessary 

facilities of the Veterans Health Administration; for administrative 

expenses in support of planning, design, project management, real 

property acquisition and disposition, construction, and renovation of 


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any facility under the jurisdiction or for the use of the Department; 

for oversight, engineering, and architectural activities not charged 

to project costs; for repairing, altering, improving, or providing facilities in the several hospitals and homes under the jurisdiction of 

the Department, not otherwise provided for, either by contract or by 

the hire of temporary employees and purchase of materials; for 

leases of facilities; and for laundry services; $90,180,000, which 

shall be in addition to funds previously appropriated under this 

heading that become available on October 1, 2018; and, in addition, 

$6,141,880,000, plus reimbursements, shall become available on October 1, 2019, and shall remain available until September 30, 2020: 

Provided, That, of the amount made available on October 1, 2019, 

under this heading, $250,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2021. 

MEDICAL AND PROSTHETIC RESEARCH

For necessary expenses in carrying out programs of medical and 

prosthetic research and development as authorized by chapter 73 of 

title 38, United States Code, $779,000,000, plus reimbursements, 

shall remain available until September 30, 2020: Provided, That of 

the amount made available under this heading, $27,000,000 shall 

remain available until September 30, 2023: Provided further, That 

the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that sufficient 

amounts appropriated under this heading are available for prosthetic research specifically for female veterans, and for toxic exposure research. 

NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION

For necessary expenses of the National Cemetery Administration for operations and maintenance, not otherwise provided for, including uniforms or allowances therefor; cemeterial expenses as authorized by law; purchase of one passenger motor vehicle for use in 

cemeterial operations; hire of passenger motor vehicles; and repair, 

alteration or improvement of facilities under the jurisdiction of the 

National Cemetery Administration, $315,836,000, of which not to 

exceed 10 percent shall remain available until September 30, 2020. 

DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

For necessary operating expenses of the Department of Veterans 

Affairs, not otherwise provided for, including administrative expenses in support of Department-wide capital planning, management and policy activities, uniforms, or allowances therefor; not to 

exceed $25,000 for official reception and representation expenses; 

hire of passenger motor vehicles; and reimbursement of the General 

Services Administration for security guard services, $355,897,000, of 

which not to exceed 10 percent shall remain available until September 30, 2020: Provided, That funds provided under this heading 

may be transferred to ‘‘General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration’’. 


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BOARD OF VETERANS APPEALS

For necessary operating expenses of the Board of Veterans Ap- peals, $174,748,000, of which not to exceed 10 percent shall remain 

available until September 30, 2020. 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

For necessary expenses for information technology systems and 

telecommunications support, including developmental information 

systems and operational information systems; for pay and associated costs; and for the capital asset acquisition of information technology systems, including management and related contractual 

costs of said acquisitions, including contractual costs associated 

with operations authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States 

Code, $4,103,000,000, plus reimbursements: Provided, That 

$1,199,220,000 shall be for pay and associated costs, of which not 

to exceed 3 percent shall remain available until September 30, 2020: 

Provided further, That $2,523,209,000 shall be for operations and 

maintenance, of which not to exceed 5 percent shall remain available until September 30, 2020: Provided further, That $380,571,000 

shall be for information technology systems development, and shall 

remain available until September 30, 2020: Provided further, That 

amounts made available for salaries and expenses, operations and 

maintenance, and information technology systems development may 

be transferred among the three subaccounts after the Secretary of 

Veterans Affairs requests from the Committees on Appropriations of 

both Houses of Congress the authority to make the transfer and an 

approval is issued: Provided further, That amounts made available 

for the ‘‘Information Technology Systems’’ account for development 

may be transferred among projects or to newly defined projects: Provided further, That no project may be increased or decreased by 

more than $1,000,000 of cost prior to submitting a request to the 

Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress to make 

the transfer and an approval is issued, or absent a response, a period of 30 days has elapsed: Provided further, That the funds made 

available under this heading for information technology systems development shall be for the projects, and in the amounts, specified 

under this heading in the joint explanatory statement accompanying 

this Act. 

VETERANS ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD

For activities related to implementation, preparation, development, interface, management, rollout, and maintenance of a Veterans Electronic Health Record system, including contractual costs 

associated with operations authorized by section 3109 of title 5, 

United States Code, and salaries and expenses of employees hired 

under titles 5 and 38, United States Code, $1,107,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2021: Provided, That the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress quarterly reports detailing obligations, expenditures, and deployment implementation by facility: 

Provided further, That the funds provided in this account shall only 

be available to the Office of the Deputy Secretary, to be adminisVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:09 Sep 12, 2018 Jkt 031415 PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6603 E:\HR\OC\HR929.XXX HR929

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tered by that Office: Provided further, That none of the funds made 

available under this heading may be obligated in a manner inconsistent with deployment schedules provided to the Committees on 

Appropriations unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs provides notification to the Committees on Appropriations of such change and 

an approval is issued. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General, to include information technology, in carrying out the provisions of the 

Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), $192,000,000, of 

which not to exceed 10 percent shall remain available until September 30, 2020. 

CONSTRUCTION, MAJOR PROJECTS

For constructing, altering, extending, and improving any of the 

facilities, including parking projects, under the jurisdiction or for 

the use of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or for any of the purposes set forth in sections 316, 2404, 2406 and chapter 81 of title 

38, United States Code, not otherwise provided for, including planning, architectural and engineering services, construction management services, maintenance or guarantee period services costs associated with equipment guarantees provided under the project, services of claims analysts, offsite utility and storm drainage system 

construction costs, and site acquisition, where the estimated cost of 

a project is more than the amount set forth in section 8104(a)(3)(A) 

of title 38, United States Code, or where funds for a project were 

made available in a previous major project appropriation, 

$1,127,486,000, of which $647,486,000 shall remain available until 

September 30, 2023, and of which $480,000,000 shall remain available until expended, of which $400,000,000 shall be available for 

seismic improvement projects and seismic program management activities, including for projects that would otherwise be funded by the 

Construction, Minor Projects, Medical Facilities or National Cemetery Administration accounts: Provided, That except for advance 

planning activities, including needs assessments which may or may 

not lead to capital investments, and other capital asset management 

related activities, including portfolio development and management 

activities, and investment strategy studies funded through the advance planning fund and the planning and design activities funded 

through the design fund, including needs assessments which may or 

may not lead to capital investments, and salaries and associated 

costs of the resident engineers who oversee those capital investments 

funded through this account and contracting officers who manage 

specific major construction projects, and funds provided for the purchase, security, and maintenance of land for the National Cemetery 

Administration through the land acquisition line item, none of the 

funds made available under this heading shall be used for any 

project that has not been notified to Congress through the budgetary 

process or that has not been approved by the Congress through statute, joint resolution, or in the explanatory statement accompanying 

such Act and presented to the President at the time of enrollment: 

Provided further, That funds made available under this heading for 

fiscal year 2019, for each approved project shall be obligated: (1) by 


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the awarding of a construction documents contract by September 30, 

2019; and (2) by the awarding of a construction contract by September 30, 2020: Provided further, That the Secretary of Veterans 

Affairs shall promptly submit to the Committees on Appropriations 

of both Houses of Congress a written report on any approved major 

construction project for which obligations are not incurred within 

the time limitations established above: Provided further, That notwithstanding the requirements of section 8104(a) of title 38, United 

States Code, amounts made available under this heading for seismic improvement projects and seismic program management activities shall be available for the completion of both new and existing 

seismic projects of the Department. 

CONSTRUCTION, MINOR PROJECTS

For constructing, altering, extending, and improving any of the 

facilities, including parking projects, under the jurisdiction or for 

the use of the Department of Veterans Affairs, including planning 

and assessments of needs which may lead to capital investments, 

architectural and engineering services, maintenance or guarantee 

period services costs associated with equipment guarantees provided 

under the project, services of claims analysts, offsite utility and 

storm drainage system construction costs, and site acquisition, or 

for any of the purposes set forth in sections 316, 2404, 2406 and 

chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code, not otherwise provided 

for, where the estimated cost of a project is equal to or less than the 

amount set forth in section 8104(a)(3)(A) of title 38, United States 

Code, $649,514,000, to remain available until September 30, 2023, 

along with unobligated balances of previous ‘‘Construction, Minor 

Projects’’ appropriations which are hereby made available for any 

project where the estimated cost is equal to or less than the amount 

set forth in such section: Provided, That funds made available 

under this heading shall be for: (1) repairs to any of the nonmedical 

facilities under the jurisdiction or for the use of the Department 

which are necessary because of loss or damage caused by any natural disaster or catastrophe; and (2) temporary measures necessary 

to prevent or to minimize further loss by such causes. 

GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF

STATE EXTENDED CARE FACILITIES

For grants to assist States to acquire or construct State nursing 

home and domiciliary facilities and to remodel, modify, or alter existing hospital, nursing home, and domiciliary facilities in State 

homes, for furnishing care to veterans as authorized by sections 

8131 through 8137 of title 38, United States Code, $150,000,000, to 

remain available until expended. 

GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF VETERANS CEMETERIES

For grants to assist States and tribal organizations in establishing, expanding, or improving veterans cemeteries as authorized 

by section 2408 of title 38, United States Code, $45,000,000, to remain available until expended. 


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ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 201. Any appropriation for fiscal year 2019 for ‘‘Compensation and Pensions’’, ‘‘Readjustment Benefits’’, and ‘‘Veterans 

Insurance and Indemnities’’ may be transferred as necessary to any 

other of the mentioned appropriations: Provided, That, before a 

transfer may take place, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall request from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 

Congress the authority to make the transfer and such Committees 

issue an approval, or absent a response, a period of 30 days has 

elapsed. 

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 202. Amounts made available for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2019, in this or any other Act, under 

the ‘‘Medical Services’’, ‘‘Medical Community Care’’, ‘‘Medical Support and Compliance’’, and ‘‘Medical Facilities’’ accounts may be 

transferred among the accounts: Provided, That any transfers 

among the ‘‘Medical Services’’, ‘‘Medical Community Care’’, and 

‘‘Medical Support and Compliance’’ accounts of 1 percent or less of 

the total amount appropriated to the account in this or any other 

Act may take place subject to notification from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 

of Congress of the amount and purpose of the transfer: Provided further, That any transfers among the ‘‘Medical Services’’, ‘‘Medical 

Community Care’’, and ‘‘Medical Support and Compliance’’ accounts in excess of 1 percent, or exceeding the cumulative 1 percent 

for the fiscal year, may take place only after the Secretary requests 

from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 

the authority to make the transfer and an approval is issued: Provided further, That any transfers to or from the ‘‘Medical Facilities’’ 

account may take place only after the Secretary requests from the 

Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the authority to make the transfer and an approval is issued. 

SEC. 203. Appropriations available in this title for salaries and 

expenses shall be available for services authorized by section 3109 

of title 5, United States Code; hire of passenger motor vehicles; lease 

of a facility or land or both; and uniforms or allowances therefore, 

as authorized by sections 5901 through 5902 of title 5, United 

States Code. 

SEC. 204. No appropriations in this title (except the appropriations for ‘‘Construction, Major Projects’’, and ‘‘Construction, Minor 

Projects’’) shall be available for the purchase of any site for or toward the construction of any new hospital or home. 

SEC. 205. No appropriations in this title shall be available for 

hospitalization or examination of any persons (except beneficiaries 

entitled to such hospitalization or examination under the laws providing such benefits to veterans, and persons receiving such treatment under sections 7901 through 7904 of title 5, United States 

Code, or the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.)), unless reimbursement of the 

cost of such hospitalization or examination is made to the ‘‘Medical 


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Services’’ account at such rates as may be fixed by the Secretary of 

Veterans Affairs. 

SEC. 206. Appropriations available in this title for ‘‘Compensation and Pensions’’, ‘‘Readjustment Benefits’’, and ‘‘Veterans Insurance and Indemnities’’ shall be available for payment of prior year 

accrued obligations required to be recorded by law against the corresponding prior year accounts within the last quarter of fiscal year 

2018. 

SEC. 207. Appropriations available in this title shall be available to pay prior year obligations of corresponding prior year appropriations accounts resulting from sections 3328(a), 3334, and 

3712(a) of title 31, United States Code, except that if such obligations are from trust fund accounts they shall be payable only from 

‘‘Compensation and Pensions’’. 

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 208. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, during 

fiscal year 2019, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, from the 

National Service Life Insurance Fund under section 1920 of title 38, 

United States Code, the Veterans’ Special Life Insurance Fund 

under section 1923 of title 38, United States Code, and the United 

States Government Life Insurance Fund under section 1955 of title 

38, United States Code, reimburse the ‘‘General Operating Expenses, 

Veterans Benefits Administration’’ and ‘‘Information Technology 

Systems’’ accounts for the cost of administration of the insurance 

programs financed through those accounts: Provided, That reimbursement shall be made only from the surplus earnings accumulated in such an insurance program during fiscal year 2019 that 

are available for dividends in that program after claims have been 

paid and actuarially determined reserves have been set aside: Provided further, That if the cost of administration of such an insurance program exceeds the amount of surplus earnings accumulated 

in that program, reimbursement shall be made only to the extent of 

such surplus earnings: Provided further, That the Secretary shall 

determine the cost of administration for fiscal year 2019 which is 

properly allocable to the provision of each such insurance program 

and to the provision of any total disability income insurance included in that insurance program. 

SEC. 209. Amounts deducted from enhanced-use lease proceeds 

to reimburse an account for expenses incurred by that account during a prior fiscal year for providing enhanced-use lease services, 

may be obligated during the fiscal year in which the proceeds are 

received. 

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 210. Funds available in this title or funds for salaries and 

other administrative expenses shall also be available to reimburse 

the Office of Resolution Management, the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication, the Office of Accountability 

and Whistleblower Protection, and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion for all services provided at rates which will recover actual costs 

but not to exceed $48,431,000 for the Office of Resolution Management, $4,333,000 for the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication, $17,700,000 for the Office of Accountability 


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and Whistleblower Protection, and $3,230,000 for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion: Provided, That payments may be made in advance for services to be furnished based on estimated costs: Provided 

further, That amounts received shall be credited to the ‘‘General Administration’’ and ‘‘Information Technology Systems’’ accounts for 

use by the office that provided the service. 

SEC. 211. No funds of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall 

be available for hospital care, nursing home care, or medical services provided to any person under chapter 17 of title 38, United 

States Code, for a non-service-connected disability described in section 1729(a)(2) of such title, unless that person has disclosed to the 

Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in such form as the Secretary may require, current, accurate third-party reimbursement information for 

purposes of section 1729 of such title: Provided, That the Secretary 

may recover, in the same manner as any other debt due the United 

States, the reasonable charges for such care or services from any 

person who does not make such disclosure as required: Provided 

further, That any amounts so recovered for care or services provided 

in a prior fiscal year may be obligated by the Secretary during the 

fiscal year in which amounts are received. 

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 212. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, proceeds 

or revenues derived from enhanced-use leasing activities (including 

disposal) may be deposited into the ‘‘Construction, Major Projects’’ 

and ‘‘Construction, Minor Projects’’ accounts and be used for construction (including site acquisition and disposition), alterations, 

and improvements of any medical facility under the jurisdiction or 

for the use of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Such sums as realized are in addition to the amount provided for in ‘‘Construction, 

Major Projects’’ and ‘‘Construction, Minor Projects’’. 

SEC. 213. Amounts made available under ‘‘Medical Services’’ 

are available— 

(1) for furnishing recreational facilities, supplies, and 

equipment; and 

(2) for funeral expenses, burial expenses, and other expenses 

incidental to funerals and burials for beneficiaries receiving 

care in the Department. 

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 214. Such sums as may be deposited to the Medical Care 

Collections Fund pursuant to section 1729A of title 38, United 

States Code, may be transferred to the ‘‘Medical Services’’ and 

‘‘Medical Community Care’’ accounts to remain available until expended for the purposes of these accounts. 

SEC. 215. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter into 

agreements with Federally Qualified Health Centers in the State of 

Alaska and Indian tribes and tribal organizations which are party 

to the Alaska Native Health Compact with the Indian Health Service, to provide healthcare, including behavioral health and dental 

care, to veterans in rural Alaska. The Secretary shall require participating veterans and facilities to comply with all appropriate 

rules and regulations, as established by the Secretary. The term 

‘‘rural Alaska’’ shall mean those lands which are not within the 


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boundaries of the municipality of Anchorage or the Fairbanks North 

Star Borough. 

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 216. Such sums as may be deposited to the Department of 

Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Fund pursuant to section 8118 of 

title 38, United States Code, may be transferred to the ‘‘Construction, Major Projects’’ and ‘‘Construction, Minor Projects’’ accounts, 

to remain available until expended for the purposes of these accounts. 

SEC. 217. Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal 

quarter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a report on 

the financial status of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the 

preceding quarter: Provided, That, at a minimum, the report shall 

include the direction contained in the paragraph entitled ‘‘Quarterly 

reporting’’, under the heading ‘‘General Administration’’ in the joint 

explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 114–223. 

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 218. Amounts made available under the ‘‘Medical Services’’, ‘‘Medical Community Care’’, ‘‘Medical Support and Compliance’’, ‘‘Medical Facilities’’, ‘‘General Operating Expenses, Veterans 

Benefits Administration’’, ‘‘Board of Veterans Appeals’’, ‘‘General 

Administration’’, and ‘‘National Cemetery Administration’’ accounts 

for fiscal year 2019 may be transferred to or from the ‘‘Information 

Technology Systems’’ account: Provided, That such transfers may 

not result in a more than 10 percent aggregate increase in the total 

amount made available by this Act for the ‘‘Information Technology 

Systems’’ account: Provided further, That, before a transfer may 

take place, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall request from the 

Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the authority to make the transfer and an approval is issued. 

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 219. Of the amounts appropriated to the Department of 

Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2019 for ‘‘Medical Services’’, ‘‘Medical Community Care’’, ‘‘Medical Support and Compliance’’, ‘‘Medical Facilities’’, ‘‘Construction, Minor Projects’’, and ‘‘Information 

Technology Systems’’, up to $301,578,000, plus reimbursements, 

may be transferred to the Joint Department of Defense—Department 

of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund, established by section 1704 of the National Defense Authorization Act for 

Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111–84; 123 Stat. 3571) and may be 

used for operation of the facilities designated as combined Federal 

medical facilities as described by section 706 of the Duncan Hunter 

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public 

Law 110–417; 122 Stat. 4500): Provided, That additional funds 

may be transferred from accounts designated in this section to the 

Joint Department of Defense—Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund upon written notification by the 

Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the Committees on Appropriations 

of both Houses of Congress: Provided further, That section 220 of 

title II of division J of Public Law 115–141 is repealed. 


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(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 220. Of the amounts appropriated to the Department of 

Veterans Affairs which become available on October 1, 2019, for 

‘‘Medical Services’’, ‘‘Medical Community Care’’, ‘‘Medical Support 

and Compliance’’, and ‘‘Medical Facilities’’, up to $307,609,000, plus 

reimbursements, may be transferred to the Joint Department of Defense—Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund, established by section 1704 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111–84; 123 Stat. 

3571) and may be used for operation of the facilities designated as 

combined Federal medical facilities as described by section 706 of 

the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 

Year 2009 (Public Law 110–417; 122 Stat. 4500): Provided, That 

additional funds may be transferred from accounts designated in 

this section to the Joint Department of Defense—Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund upon written 

notification by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the Committees 

on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress. 

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 221. Such sums as may be deposited to the Medical Care 

Collections Fund pursuant to section 1729A of title 38, United 

States Code, for healthcare provided at facilities designated as combined Federal medical facilities as described by section 706 of the 

Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 

2009 (Public Law 110–417; 122 Stat. 4500) shall also be available: 

(1) for transfer to the Joint Department of Defense—Department of 

Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund, established 

by section 1704 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 

Year 2010 (Public Law 111–84; 123 Stat. 3571); and (2) for operations of the facilities designated as combined Federal medical facilities as described by section 706 of the Duncan Hunter National 

Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110– 

417; 122 Stat. 4500): Provided, That, notwithstanding section 

1704(b)(3) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 

2010 (Public Law 111–84; 123 Stat. 2573), amounts transferred to 

the Joint Department of Defense—Department of Veterans Affairs 

Medical Facility Demonstration Fund shall remain available until 

expended. 

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 222. Of the amounts available in this title for ‘‘Medical 

Services’’, ‘‘Medical Community Care’’, ‘‘Medical Support and Compliance’’, and ‘‘Medical Facilities’’, a minimum of $15,000,000 shall 

be transferred to the DOD–VA Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund, 

as authorized by section 8111(d) of title 38, United States Code, to 

remain available until expended, for any purpose authorized by section 8111 of title 38, United States Code. 

SEC. 223. None of the funds available to the Department of Veterans Affairs, in this or any other Act, may be used to replace the 

current system by which the Veterans Integrated Service Networks 

select and contract for diabetes monitoring supplies and equipment. 

SEC. 224. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall notify the 

Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of all bid 


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savings in a major construction project that total at least 

$5,000,000, or 5 percent of the programmed amount of the project, 

whichever is less: Provided, That such notification shall occur within 14 days of a contract identifying the programmed amount: Provided further, That the Secretary shall notify the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 14 days prior to the obligation of such bid savings and shall describe the anticipated use of 

such savings. 

SEC. 225. None of the funds made available for ‘‘Construction, 

Major Projects’’ may be used for a project in excess of the scope specified for that project in the original justification data provided to 

the Congress as part of the request for appropriations unless the 

Secretary of Veterans Affairs receives approval from the Committees 

on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress. 

SEC. 226. Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal 

quarter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a quarterly report containing performance measures and data from each Veterans 

Benefits Administration Regional Office: Provided, That, at a minimum, the report shall include the direction contained in the section 

entitled ‘‘Disability claims backlog’’, under the heading ‘‘General 

Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration’’ in the joint 

explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 114–223: Provided 

further, That the report shall also include information on the number of appeals pending at the Veterans Benefits Administration as 

well as the Board of Veterans Appeals on a quarterly basis. 

SEC. 227. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide written notification to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 

of Congress 15 days prior to organizational changes which result in 

the transfer of 25 or more full-time equivalents from one organizational unit of the Department of Veterans Affairs to another. 

SEC. 228. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide on a 

quarterly basis to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 

of Congress notification of any single national outreach and awareness marketing campaign in which obligations exceed $2,000,000. 

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 229. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, upon determination that such action is necessary to address needs of the Veterans 

Health Administration, may transfer to the ‘‘Medical Services’’ account any discretionary appropriations made available for fiscal 

year 2019 in this title (except appropriations made to the ‘‘General 

Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration’’ account) or 

any discretionary unobligated balances within the Department of 

Veterans Affairs, including those appropriated for fiscal year 2019, 

that were provided in advance by appropriations Acts: Provided, 

That transfers shall be made only with the approval of the Office 

of Management and Budget: Provided further, That the transfer authority provided in this section is in addition to any other transfer 

authority provided by law: Provided further, That no amounts may 

be transferred from amounts that were designated by Congress as 

an emergency requirement pursuant to a concurrent resolution on 

the budget or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control 

Act of 1985: Provided further, That such authority to transfer may 

not be used unless for higher priority items, based on emergent 


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healthcare requirements, than those for which originally appropriated and in no case where the item for which funds are requested 

has been denied by Congress: Provided further, That, upon determination that all or part of the funds transferred from an appropriation are not necessary, such amounts may be transferred back 

to that appropriation and shall be available for the same purposes 

as originally appropriated: Provided further, That before a transfer 

may take place, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall request from 

the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the 

authority to make the transfer and receive approval of that request. 

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 230. Amounts made available for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2019, under the ‘‘Board of Veterans Appeals’’ and the ‘‘General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration’’ accounts may be transferred between such accounts: 

Provided, That before a transfer may take place, the Secretary of 

Veterans Affairs shall request from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the authority to make the transfer 

and receive approval of that request. 

SEC. 231. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not reprogram 

funds among major construction projects or programs if such instance of reprogramming will exceed $7,000,000, unless such reprogramming is approved by the Committees on Appropriations of 

both Houses of Congress. 

SEC. 232. (a) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure 

that the toll-free suicide hotline under section 1720F(h) of title 38, 

United States Code— 

(1) provides to individuals who contact the hotline immediate assistance from a trained professional; and 

(2) adheres to all requirements of the American Association 

of Suicidology. 

(b)(1) None of the funds made available by this Act may be used 

to enforce or otherwise carry out any Executive action that prohibits 

the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from appointing an individual to 

occupy a vacant civil service position, or establishing a new civil 

service position, at the Department of Veterans Affairs with respect 

to such a position relating to the hotline specified in subsection (a). 

(2) In this subsection— 

(A) the term ‘‘civil service’’ has the meaning given such term 

in section 2101(1) of title 5, United States Code; and 

(B) the term ‘‘Executive action’’ includes— 

(i) any Executive order, presidential memorandum, or 

other action by the President; and 

(ii) any agency policy, order, or other directive. 

(c)(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study 

on the effectiveness of the hotline specified in subsection (a) during 

the five-year period beginning on January 1, 2016, based on an 

analysis of national suicide data and data collected from such hotline. 

(2) At a minimum, the study required by paragraph (1) shall— 

(A) determine the number of veterans who contact the hotline specified in subsection (a) and who receive follow up services from the hotline or mental health services from the Department of Veterans Affairs thereafter; 


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(B) determine the number of veterans who contact the hotline who are not referred to, or do not continue receiving, mental health care who commit suicide; and 

(C) determine the number of veterans described in subparagraph (A) who commit or attempt suicide. 

SEC. 233. None of the funds in this or any other Act may be 

used to close Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals, domiciliaries, or clinics, conduct an environmental assessment, or to diminish healthcare services at existing Veterans Health Administration medical facilities located in Veterans Integrated Service Network 23 as part of a planned realignment of VA services until the 

Secretary provides to the Committees on Appropriations of both 

Houses of Congress a report including the following elements: 

(1) a national realignment strategy that includes a detailed 

description of realignment plans within each Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN), including an updated Long 

Range Capital Plan to implement realignment requirements; 

(2) an explanation of the process by which those plans were 

developed and coordinated within each VISN; 

(3) a cost versus benefit analysis of each planned realignment, including the cost of replacing Veterans Health Administration services with contract care or other outsourced services; 

(4) an analysis of how any such planned realignment of 

services will impact access to care for veterans living in rural 

or highly rural areas, including travel distances and transportation costs to access a VA medical facility and availability of 

local specialty and primary care; 

(5) an inventory of VA buildings with historic designation 

and the methodology used to determine the buildings’ condition 

and utilization; 

(6) a description of how any realignment will be consistent 

with requirements under the National Historic Preservation 

Act; and 

(7) consideration given for reuse of historic buildings within newly identified realignment requirements: Provided, That, 

this provision shall not apply to capital projects in VISN 23, or 

any other VISN, which have been authorized or approved by 

Congress. 

SEC. 234. Effective during the period beginning on October 1, 

2018 and ending on January 1, 2024, none of the funds made available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs by this or any other Act 

may be obligated or expended in contravention of the ‘‘Veterans 

Health Administration Clinical Preventive Services Guidance Statement on the Veterans Health Administration’s Screening for Breast 

Cancer Guidance’’ published on May 10, 2017, as issued by the Veterans Health Administration National Center for Health Promotion 

and Disease Prevention. 

SEC. 235. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 

amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Veterans Affairs for the ‘‘Medical Services’’ account may be 

used to provide— 

(1) fertility counseling and treatment using assisted reproductive technology to a covered veteran or the spouse of a covered veteran; or 

(2) adoption reimbursement to a covered veteran. 


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(b) In this section: 

(1) The term ‘‘service-connected’’ has the meaning given 

such term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. 

(2) The term ‘‘covered veteran’’ means a veteran, as such 

term is defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code, 

who has a service-connected disability that results in the inability of the veteran to procreate without the use of fertility treatment. 

(3) The term ‘‘assisted reproductive technology’’ means benefits relating to reproductive assistance provided to a member of 

the Armed Forces who incurs a serious injury or illness on active duty pursuant to section 1074(c)(4)(A) of title 10, United 

States Code, as described in the memorandum on the subject of 

‘‘Policy for Assisted Reproductive Services for the Benefit of Seriously or Severely Ill/Injured (Category II or III) Active Duty 

Service Members’’ issued by the Assistant Secretary of Defense 

for Health Affairs on April 3, 2012, and the guidance issued to 

implement such policy, including any limitations on the amount 

of such benefits available to such a member except that— 

(A) the time periods regarding embryo cryopreservation 

and storage set forth in part III(G) and in part IV(H) of 

such memorandum shall not apply; and 

(B) such term includes embryo cryopreservation and 

storage without limitation on the duration of such 

cryopreservation and storage. 

(4) The term ‘‘adoption reimbursement’’ means reimbursement for the adoption-related expenses for an adoption that is 

finalized after the date of the enactment of this Act under the 

same terms as apply under the adoption reimbursement program of the Department of Defense, as authorized in Department of Defense Instruction 1341.09, including the reimbursement limits and requirements set forth in such instruction. 

(c) Amounts made available for the purposes specified in subsection (a) of this section are subject to the requirements for funds 

contained in section 508 of division H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law 115–141). 

(RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

SEC. 236. Of the funds made available for fiscal year 2019 

under the heading ‘‘Department of Veterans Affairs—Veterans 

Health Administration—Medical Support and Compliance’’ in title 

II of division J of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public 

Law 115–141), $211,000,000 is hereby rescinded. 

SEC. 237. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 

available by this Act or any other Act for the Department of Veterans Affairs may be used in a manner that is inconsistent with: (1) 

section 842 of the Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban 

Development, the Judiciary, the District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 (Public Law 109–115; 

119 Stat. 2506); or (2) section 8110(a)(5) of title 38, United States 

Code. 

SEC. 238. Section 842 of Public Law 109–115 shall not apply 

to conversion of an activity or function of the Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, or National Cemetery Administration to contractor performance by a business concern 


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that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more Indian tribes as 

defined in section 5304(e) of title 25, United States Code, or one or 

more Native Hawaiian Organizations as defined in section 

637(a)(15) of title 15, United States Code. 

SEC. 239. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the Secretary 

of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense 

and the Secretary of Labor, shall discontinue using Social Security 

account numbers to identify individuals in all information systems 

of the Department of Veterans Affairs as follows: 

(1) For all veterans submitting to the Secretary of Veterans 

Affairs new claims for benefits under laws administered by the 

Secretary, not later than 5 years after the date of the enactment 

of this Act. 

(2) For all individuals not described in paragraph (1), not 

later than 8 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. 

(b) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may use a Social Security 

account number to identify an individual in an information system 

of the Department of Veterans Affairs if and only if the use of such 

number is required to obtain information the Secretary requires 

from an information system that is not under the jurisdiction of the 

Secretary. 

SEC. 240. For funds provided to the Department of Veterans Affairs for each of fiscal year 2019 and 2020 for ‘‘Medical Services’’, 

section 239 of Division A of Public Law 114–223 shall apply. 

SEC. 241. None of the funds appropriated in this or prior appropriations Acts or otherwise made available to the Department of 

Veterans Affairs may be used to transfer any amounts from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund to any other account 

within the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

SEC. 242. Of the funds provided to the Department of Veterans 

Affairs for each of fiscal year 2019 and fiscal year 2020 for ‘‘Medical 

Services’’, funds may be used in each year to carry out and expand 

the child care program authorized by section 205 of Public Law 

111–163, notwithstanding subsection (e) of such section. 

SEC. 243. For funds provided to the Department of Veterans Affairs for each of fiscal year 2019 and 2020, section of Division A of 

Public Law 114–223 shall apply. 

SEC. 244. (a) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may use 

amounts appropriated or otherwise made available in this title to 

ensure that the ratio of veterans to full-time employment equivalents 

within any program of rehabilitation conducted under chapter 31 of 

title 38, United States Code, does not exceed 125 veterans to one 

full-time employment equivalent. 

(b) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 

this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the programs of rehabilitation conducted under chapter 31 of title 38, 

United States Code, including— 

(1) an assessment of the veteran-to-staff ratio for each such 

program; and 

(2) recommendations for such action as the Secretary considers necessary to reduce the veteran-to-staff ratio for each 

such program. 

SEC. 245. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 

available in this title may be used by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into an agreement related to resolving a dispute or 


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claim with an individual that would restrict in any way the individual from speaking to members of Congress or their staff on any 

topic not otherwise prohibited from disclosure by Federal law or required by Executive Order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs. 

SEC. 246. For funds provided to the Department of Veterans Affairs for each of fiscal year 2019 and 2020, section 258 of Division 

A of Public Law 114–223 shall apply. 

SEC. 247. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 

available by this Act may be used to conduct research using canines 

unless: the scientific objectives of the study can only be met by research with canines; the study has been directly approved by the 

Secretary; and the study is consistent with the revised Department 

of Veterans Affairs canine research policy document released on December 18, 2017: Provided, That not later than 180 days after enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on 

Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a detailed report outlining under what circumstances canine research may be needed if 

there are no other alternatives, how often it was used during that 

time period, and what protocols are in place to determine both the 

safety and efficacy of the research. 

SEC. 248. For an additional amount for the Department of Vet- erans Affairs, $2,000,000,000 to remain available until expended, 

for infrastructure improvements, including new construction, and in 

addition to amounts otherwise made available in this Act for such 

purpose, of which: (1) $750,000,000 shall be available for seismic improvement 

projects and seismic program management activities, including 

projects that would otherwise be funded by the Construction, 

Major Projects, the Construction, Minor Projects, Medical Facilities, or National Cemetery Administration accounts; (2) $300,000,000 shall be for ‘‘Departmental Administration—Construction, Major Projects’’; (3) $800,000,000 shall be for ‘‘Veterans Health Administration—Medical Facilities’’ to be used for non-recurring maintenance; and 

(4) $150,000,000 shall be for ‘‘Departmental Administration—Construction, Minor Projects’’: 

Provided, That the additional amounts appropriated for the purposes of non-recurring maintenance and minor construction may be 

used to carry out critical life-safety projects identified in the Department’s annual facility condition assessments; sustainment projects; 

modernization projects; infrastructure repair; renovations at existing 

Veterans Health Administration medical centers and outpatient 

clinics; and projects included in the Strategic Capital Investment 

Process plan: Provided further, That funds made available under 

this section for ‘‘Construction, Major Projects’’ shall be available for 

previously authorized and partially funded major construction 

projects: Provided further, That notwithstanding the requirements 

of section 8104(a) of title 38, United States Code, amounts made 

available under this heading for seismic improvement projects and 

seismic program management activities shall be available for the 

completion of both new and existing projects of the Department: Provided further, That the additional amounts appropriated under this 

section may not be obligated or expended until the Secretary of VetVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:09 Sep 12, 2018 Jkt 031415 PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6603 E:\HR\OC\HR929.XXX HR929

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erans Affairs submits to the Committees on Appropriations of both 

Houses of Congress, and such Committees approve, a detailed expenditure plan, including project descriptions and costs, for any 

non-recurring maintenance, minor construction, major construction, 

or seismic improvement project being funded with the additional 

amounts made available in this administrative provision. 

SEC. 249. (a) PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS.—None of the 

funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be 

used to deny an Inspector General funded under this Act timely access to any records, documents, or other materials available to the 

department or agency of the United States Government over which 

such Inspector General has responsibilities under the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), or to prevent or impede the access 

of such Inspector General to such records, documents, or other materials, under any provision of law, except a provision of law that expressly refers to such Inspector General and expressly limits the 

right of access of such Inspector General. 

(b) TIMELY ACCESS.—A department or agency covered by this 

section shall provide its Inspector General access to all records, documents, and other materials in a timely manner. 

(c) COMPLIANCE.—Each Inspector General covered by this section shall ensure compliance with statutory limitations on disclosure relevant to the information provided by the department or 

agency over which that Inspector General has responsibilities under 

the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.). 

(d) REPORT.—Each Inspector General covered by this section 

shall report to the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and 

the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives 

within 5 calendar days of any failure by any department or agency 

covered by this section to comply with this section. 

SEC. 250. (a) PLAN REQUIRED.—Not later than 90 days after the 

date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a plan to reduce the chances that clinical mistakes by employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs will result in adverse events that require 

institutional or clinical disclosures and to prevent any unnecessary 

hardship for patients and families impacted by such adverse events. 

(b) ELEMENTS.—The plan required by subsection (a) shall include the following: 

(1) A description of a process for the timely identification 

of individuals impacted by disclosures described in subsection 

(a) and the process for contacting those individuals or their next 

of kin. 

(2) A description of procedures for expediting any remedial 

or follow-up care required for those individuals. 

(3) A detailed outline of proposed changes to the process of 

the Department for clinical quality checks and oversight. 

(4) A communication plan to ensure all facilities of the Department are made aware of any requirements updated pursuant to the plan. 

(5) A timeline detailing the implementation of the plan. 

(6) An identification of the senior executive of the Department responsible for ensuring compliance with the plan. 

(7) An identification of potential impacts of the plan on 

timely diagnoses for patients. 


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(8) An identification of the processes and procedures for employees of the Department to make leadership at the facility and 

the Department aware of adverse events that are concerning 

and that result in disclosures and to ensure that the medical 

impact on veterans of such disclosures is minimized. 

(c) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS DEFINED.—In this 

section, the term ‘‘appropriate committees of Congress’’ means— 

(1) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and 

(2) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the House 

of Representatives. 

SEC. 251. None of the funds made available in this Act may be 

used in a manner that would increase wait times for veterans who 

seek care at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

SEC. 252. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 

available by this Act to the Veterans Health Administration may be 

used in fiscal year 2019 to convert any program which received specific purpose funds in fiscal year 2018 to a general purpose funded 

program unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs submits written 

notification of any such proposal to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress at least thirty days prior to any 

such action and an approval is issued by the Committees. 

TITLE III 

RELATED AGENCIES 

AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, of the American Battle Monuments Commission, including the acquisition of 

land or interest in land in foreign countries; purchases and repair 

of uniforms for caretakers of national cemeteries and monuments 

outside of the United States and its territories and possessions; rent 

of office and garage space in foreign countries; purchase (one-for-one 

replacement basis only) and hire of passenger motor vehicles; not to 

exceed $42,000 for official reception and representation expenses; 

and insurance of official motor vehicles in foreign countries, when 

required by law of such countries, $104,000,000, to remain available 

until expended. 

FOREIGN CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS ACCOUNT

For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, of the American Battle Monuments Commission, such sums as may be necessary, to remain available until expended, for purposes authorized 

by section 2109 of title 36, United States Code. 


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UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For necessary expenses for the operation of the United States 

Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims as authorized by sections 

7251 through 7298 of title 38, United States Code, $34,955,000: Provided, That $2,580,000 shall be available for the purpose of providing financial assistance as described and in accordance with the 

process and reporting procedures set forth under this heading in 

Public Law 102–229. 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE—CIVIL

CEMETERIAL EXPENSES, ARMY

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For necessary expenses for maintenance, operation, and improvement of Arlington National Cemetery and Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery, including the purchase or lease of 

passenger motor vehicles for replacement on a one-for-one basis 

only, and not to exceed $2,000 for official reception and representation expenses, $80,800,000, of which not to exceed $15,000,000 shall 

remain available until September 30, 2021. In addition, such sums 

as may be necessary for parking maintenance, repairs and replacement, to be derived from the ‘‘Lease of Department of Defense Real 

Property for Defense Agencies’’ account. 

CONSTRUCTION

For necessary expenses for planning and design and construction at Arlington National Cemetery and Soldiers’ and Airmen’s 

Home National Cemetery, $33,600,000, to remain available until expended, for planning and design and construction associated with 

the Southern Expansion project at Arlington National Cemetery. 

ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME

TRUST FUND

For expenses necessary for the Armed Forces Retirement Home 

to operate and maintain the Armed Forces Retirement Home— 

Washington, District of Columbia, and the Armed Forces Retirement Home—Gulfport, Mississippi, to be paid from funds available 

in the Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund, $64,300,000, of 

which $1,000,000 shall remain available until expended for construction and renovation of the physical plants at the Armed Forces 

Retirement Home—Washington, District of Columbia, and the 

Armed Forces Retirement Home—Gulfport, Mississippi: Provided, 

That of the amounts made available under this heading from funds 

available in the Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund, 

$22,000,000 shall be paid from the general fund of the Treasury to 

the Trust Fund. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION

SEC. 301. Amounts deposited into the special account established under 10 U.S.C. 4727 are appropriated and shall be availVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:09 Sep 12, 2018 Jkt 031415 PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6603 E:\HR\OC\HR929.XXX HR929

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able until expended to support activities at the Army National Military Cemeteries. 

TITLE IV 

OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY

For an additional amount for ‘‘Military Construction, Army’’, $192,250,000, to remain available until September 30, 2023, for 

projects outside of the United States: Provided, That such amount 

is designated by the Congress for Overseas Contingency Operations/ 

Global War on Terrorism pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the 

Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS

For an additional amount for ‘‘Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps’’, $227,320,000, to remain available until September 

30, 2023, for projects outside of the United States: Provided, That 

such amount is designated by the Congress for Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism pursuant to section 

251(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE

For an additional amount for ‘‘Military Construction, Air Force’’ $414,800,000, to remain available until September 30, 2023, 

for projects outside of the United States: Provided, That such 

amount is designated by the Congress for Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism pursuant to section 

251(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, DEFENSE-WIDE

For an additional amount for ‘‘Military Construction, Defense- Wide’’, $87,050,000, to remain available until September 30, 2023, 

for projects outside of the United States: Provided, That such 

amount is designated by the Congress for Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism pursuant to section 

251(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

SEC. 401. Each amount designated in this Act by the Congress 

for Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 shall be available only if the President subsequently so designates all such amounts and transmits 

such designations to the Congress. 

SEC. 402. None of the funds appropriated for military construction projects outside the United States under this title may be obligated or expended for planning and design of any project associated 


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with the European Deterrence Initiative until the Secretary of Defense develops and submits to the congressional defense committees, 

in a classified and unclassified format, a list of all of the military 

construction projects associated with the European Deterrence Initiative which the Secretary anticipates will be carried out during 

each of the fiscal years 2020 through 2024. 

TITLE V 

GENERAL PROVISIONS 

SEC. 501. No part of any appropriation contained in this Act 

shall remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year 

unless expressly so provided herein. 

SEC. 502. None of the funds made available in this Act may be 

used for any program, project, or activity, when it is made known 

to the Federal entity or official to which the funds are made available that the program, project, or activity is not in compliance with 

any Federal law relating to risk assessment, the protection of private property rights, or unfunded mandates. 

SEC. 503. All departments and agencies funded under this Act 

are encouraged, within the limits of the existing statutory authorities and funding, to expand their use of ‘‘E-Commerce’’ technologies 

and procedures in the conduct of their business practices and public 

service activities. 

SEC. 504. Unless stated otherwise, all reports and notifications 

required by this Act shall be submitted to the Subcommittee on 

Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of 

the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives 

and the Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of 

the Senate. 

SEC. 505. None of the funds made available in this Act may be 

transferred to any department, agency, or instrumentality of the 

United States Government except pursuant to a transfer made by, 

or transfer authority provided in, this or any other appropriations 

Act. 

SEC. 506. None of the funds made available in this Act may be 

used for a project or program named for an individual serving as 

a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner of the United States 

House of Representatives. 

SEC. 507. (a) Any agency receiving funds made available in this 

Act, shall, subject to subsections (b) and (c), post on the public Web 

site of that agency any report required to be submitted by the Congress in this or any other Act, upon the determination by the head 

of the agency that it shall serve the national interest. 

(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply to a report if— 

(1) the public posting of the report compromises national 

security; or 

(2) the report contains confidential or proprietary information. 

(c) The head of the agency posting such report shall do so only 

after such report has been made available to the requesting Committee or Committees of Congress for no less than 45 days. 

SEC. 508. (a) None of the funds made available in this Act may 

be used to maintain or establish a computer network unless such 


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network blocks the viewing, downloading, and exchanging of pornography. 

(b) Nothing in subsection (a) shall limit the use of funds necessary for any Federal, State, tribal, or local law enforcement agency or any other entity carrying out criminal investigations, prosecution, or adjudication activities. 

SEC. 509. None of the funds made available in this Act may be 

used by an agency of the executive branch to pay for first-class travel by an employee of the agency in contravention of sections 301– 

10.122 through 301–10.124 of title 41, Code of Federal Regulations. 

SEC. 510. None of the funds made available in this Act may be 

used to execute a contract for goods or services, including construction services, where the contractor has not complied with Executive 

Order No. 12989. 

SEC. 511. None of the funds made available by this Act may be 

used by the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans 

Affairs to lease or purchase new light duty vehicles for any executive 

fleet, or for an agency’s fleet inventory, except in accordance with 

Presidential Memorandum—Federal Fleet Performance, dated May 

24, 2011. 

SEC. 512. (a) IN GENERAL.—None of the funds appropriated or 

otherwise made available to the Department of Defense in this Act 

may be used to construct, renovate, or expand any facility in the 

United States, its territories, or possessions to house any individual 

detained at United States Naval Station, Guanta ́namo Bay, Cuba, 

for the purposes of detention or imprisonment in the custody or 

under the control of the Department of Defense. 

(b) The prohibition in subsection (a) shall not apply to any 

modification of facilities at United States Naval Station, 

Guanta ́namo Bay, Cuba. 

(c) An individual described in this subsection is any individual 

who, as of June 24, 2009, is located at United States Naval Station, 

Guanta ́namo Bay, Cuba, and who— 

(1) is not a citizen of the United States or a member of the 

Armed Forces of the United States; and 

(2) is— 

(A) in the custody or under the effective control of the 

Department of Defense; or 

(B) otherwise under detention at United States Naval 

Station, Guanta ́namo Bay, Cuba. 

This division may be cited as the ‘‘Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019’’. 

And the Senate agree to the same. 

RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN, 

MICHAEL K. SIMPSON, 

JOHN R. CARTER, 

KEN CALVERT, 

JEFF FORTENBERRY, CHARLES F. FLEISCHMANN, 

JAIME HERRERA BEUTLER, 

SCOTT TAYLOR, 

Managers on the Part of the House. 

RICHARD C. SHELBY, 

LAMAR ALEXANDER, 


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JOHN BOOZMAN, STEVE DAINES, JAMES LANKFORD, PATRICK J. LEAHY, DIANNE FEINSTEIN, BRIAN SCHATZ, CHRISTOPHER MURPHY, Managers on the Part of the Senate. 


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JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT OF THE COMMITTEE OF 

CONFERENCE 

The managers on the part of the House and Senate at the conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 5895) making appropriations 

for the energy and water development and related agencies for the 

fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other purposes, submit the following joint statement to the House and Senate in explanation of the effect of the action agreed upon by the managers and 

recommended in the accompanying conference report. 

This conference agreement includes the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019, the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2019, and the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations 

Act, 2019. The Senate amendment included the Senate versions of 

each of those bills (S. 2975, S. 3071, and S. 3024, respectively). 

Similarly, the House bill included the House versions of the legislation (H.R. 5895, H.R. 5894, and H.R. 5786, respectively). H.R. 5895 

was passed by the House on June 8, 2018 and used as the vehicle 

for the Senate amendment, which passed the Senate on June 25, 

2018. 

Section 1 of the conference agreement is the short title of the 

bill. 

Section 2 of the conference agreement displays a table of contents. 

Section 3 of the conference agreement 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 provides a statement of appropriations. 

The conference agreement 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—ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND 

RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019 

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, 2019, and for other purposes. 

This conference report, while repeating some report language 

for emphasis, does not intend to negate the language and allocations set forth in House Report 115–697 and Senate Report 115– 

258 and that direction shall be complied with unless specifically addressed to the contrary in the accompanying bill or conference report. Additionally, where this conference report states that the 


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‘‘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 conference report. 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 not later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act. All 

other reporting deadlines not changed by this conference report 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 conference report for this Act. Funding levels that are not displayed in the detailed table are identified in this conference report. 

In fiscal year 2019, 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, 2019 and the conference report accompanying the Act. 

Dam Removal.—No specific funding was provided in fiscal year 

2018 and none was requested by any agencies funded in this Act 

in fiscal year 2019 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. 

Columbia River spill.—Many conferees have grave concerns 

about judicial interference in the operation of the hydroelectric 

dams on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. In 2016, a federal judge 

overturned the 2014 Federal Columbia River Power System Biological Opinion, a plan that was painstakingly negotiated by scientists and engineering experts at federal agencies under the Bush 

and Obama Administrations, affected states, sovereign Northwest 

tribes, and local stakeholders. More troubling, the judge also ordered additional forced spill through the system beginning in early 

April 2018 without requiring plaintiffs to show that harm or threat 

to species would result without that action. There was no specific 

scientific backing cited for this decision. Spilling at this increased 

level can threaten the reliability of the federal power and transmission systems and result in impacts to transportation and barging systems, flood control capabilities, and irrigation systems. Additionally, some scientific studies warn that increased gas levels 

stemming from the spill ordered by the decision could in fact harm 

the very fish species the Biological Opinion was developed to protect. Estimates of the cost to the transmission system and ratepayers are approximately $40 million for 2018 alone. 

CIVIL WORKS REORGANIZATION PROPOSAL

On July 30, 2018, the Secretary of Defense approved a Secretary of the Army memorandum identifying specific actions the 


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Army will take in support of the Administration’s proposed reorganization of the Civil Works program of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The proposal includes taking the Civil Works program out 

of the Corps with navigation going to the Department of Transportation for infrastructure grants and the remaining accounts to the 

Department of the Interior. 

The conferees are opposed to the proposed reorganization as it 

could ultimately have detrimental impacts for implementation of 

the Civil Works program and for the numerous non-federal entities 

that rely on the Corps’ technical expertise, including in response to 

natural disasters. 

The conferees are extremely concerned that an action of this 

magnitude, which crosses multiple jurisdictional lines and has farreaching consequences, was not properly brought to Congress as a 

proposal, allowing for oversight and hearings as to its effects. Notification and discussion with Members of Congress and Committee 

staffs was nonexistent. Further, this type of proposal, as the Department of Defense and the Corps are well aware, will require enactment of legislation, which has neither been proposed nor requested to date. Therefore, no funds provided in this Act or any 

previous Act to any agency shall be used to implement this proposal. 

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 2019. 


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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 conferees understand that the money allocated to the study in the fiscal year 2018 

work plan and the fiscal year 2019 budget request is sufficient to 

complete the feasibility phase. The Corps is encouraged to move expeditiously to the preconstruction engineering and design (PED) 

phase once feasibility is complete, including requesting sufficient 

funding in future budget submissions. 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 navigation 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. The Corps shall brief the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress on such navigation protocols and potential solutions within 30 days of enactment 

of this Act. 

Budget Structure Changes.—The agreement includes House 

and Senate language regarding budget structure changes. 

Apportionment Under a Continuing Resolution.—The conferees 

are concerned about recent changes in the way funds are apportioned under a continuing resolution. Artificially limiting the Corps’ 

flexibility to fund the highest priority projects during the time of 

a continuing resolution by creating demarcations between funds 

from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, the Inland Waterways 

Trust Fund, and the general fund impedes efficient and effective 

implementation of the Civil Works program. The conferees believe 

the previous policy on apportionment under a continuing resolution, which provides maximum flexibility, should be restored. 

Report on Flood and Storm Damage Reduction Business 

Line.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 

Act, the Corps shall provide to the Committees on Appropriations 

of both Houses of Congress a report that provides a definition for 

the terms ‘‘coastal project’’ and ‘‘inland project’’ within the flood 

and coastal storm damage reduction business line. For each of the 

last ten fiscal years, the report shall include the total amount of 

funding allocated to coastal projects and the total amount of funding allocated to inland projects within this business line. The report shall name each project and include an analysis comparing the 


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level of funding in proportion to the amount of work needed in 

coastal areas. 

Report on Certain Cost-Shared Projects.—The Corps shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that includes a list of all cost-shared Corps projects that as of the date of 

enactment of this Act are physically and fiscally complete and for 

which excess non-federal funds have not been returned to the nonfederal project sponsor. With respect to each project on the list, the 

report shall describe the status of returning the excess funds to the 

non-federal project sponsor and providing the non-federal project 

sponsor a final accounting of the project. 

Everglades Restoration and Lake Okeechobee.—The restoration 

of the Everglades, as described in the Comprehensive Everglades 

Restoration Plan (CERP) authorized by Public Law 106–541 is the 

most ambitious environmental restoration program in our nation’s 

history. The objectives of CERP are the restoration, preservation, 

and protection of the South Florida ecosystem, while providing for 

other water related needs, including water supply and flood protection. 

The Corps shall continue to implement CERP, as authorized, 

to ensure the protection of water quality, to reduce the loss of fresh 

water, and to improve the environment of the South Florida ecosystem, while achieving and maintaining the benefits to the natural system and human environment described in the Plan. The 

equal partnership between the federal government and the State of 

Florida remains essential to accomplishing the objectives of the 

Plan. The conferees note that the Plan authorizes a 50/50 federalstate cost share for all aspects of congressionally authorized restoration projects, including, where applicable, water quality project 

features or components. 

The discharge of excess water from Lake Okeechobee to the 

Caloosahatchee Estuary and the Indian River Lagoon represents a 

significant loss of fresh water from the South Florida ecosystem. 

The diversion of those discharges to CERP projects or features, 

such as the Everglades Agricultural Area Storage Reservoir, designed to store and treat water prior to release into the Central Everglades, is an essential source of fresh water for meeting the objectives of the Plan. To minimize downstream impacts from reduced 

water quality and harmful algal blooms to local communities and 

wildlife habitat, the Corps is encouraged, when appropriate, to only 

conduct releases of water from Lake Okeechobee to the 

Caloosahatchee Estuary or the Indian River Lagoon in pulses, unless a release is necessary to protect the integrity of the Herbert 

Hoover Dike and minimize threats to lives and human health. 

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— 


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regarding additional funding, new starts, and the fiscal year 2019 

work plan, the Corps shall follow the direction included in this conference report. 

The executive branch retains complete discretion over projectspecific 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. A study or 

project may not be excluded from evaluation for being ‘‘inconsistent 

with Administration policy.’’ 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. 

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. 

The Corps shall evaluate all studies and projects only within 

accounts and categories consistent with previous congressional 

funding. When allocating the additional funding provided in this 

Act, 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. 

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 2019; 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. 

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 process and criteria 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 the study or 

project’s remaining cost to complete (excluding Operation and 

Maintenance); 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 


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funds in calendar year 2019 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 authorized mission areas of the 

Corps. 

Of the new starts in Investigations, one shall be for a navigation study; one shall be for a flood and storm damage reduction 

study; one shall be for an environmental restoration study; and 

three shall be for navigation, flood and storm damage reduction, 

environmental restoration, water supply, or multi-purpose studies. 

In the appropriate categories, the Corps shall consider selection of 

a small, remote, or subsistence navigation study and a multi-purpose watershed study to address coastal resiliency. Of the new construction starts, one shall be for a navigation project; one shall be 

for a flood and storm damage reduction project; one shall be for an 

environmental restoration project; and two shall be for navigation, 

flood and storm damage reduction, environmental restoration, or 

multi-purpose projects. In the appropriate categories, the Corps 

shall consider selection of a coastal storm damage reduction 

project. 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 2019 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 PED. A new start designation shall be required to initiate construction of individually-authorized projects funded within proVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:09 Sep 12, 2018 Jkt 031415 PO 00000 Frm 00097 Fmt 6601 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR929.XXX HR929

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grammatic 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. The Corps is reminded 

that resumptions are just that—resumption of previously-initiated 

studies or projects and, as such, do not require new start designations. 

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. Within the flood and storm damage reduction 

mission, the Corps is urged to strive for an appropriate balance between inland and coastal projects. 

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, 2019, 

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. 

EXECUTION OF CORPS FUNDING

The conferees are concerned with delays in executing funds 

that have been appropriated in regular and supplemental approVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:09 Sep 12, 2018 Jkt 031415 PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 6601 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR929.XXX HR929

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priations bills. While the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 

has a responsibility to oversee execution of the funds, the conferees 

are concerned that OMB is adding additional burdens to the Corps’ 

processes that may result in unnecessary delays and potentially 

overriding technical and expert judgments by the Corps. The conferees expect funds appropriated in this Act to be quickly and efficiently executed, consistent with the terms and conditions in this 

conference report. 

INVESTIGATIONS

The agreement includes $125,000,000 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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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. The Corps is 

encouraged to include funding for this study in future budget submissions. 

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 

funding provided in this account for navigation and coastal and 

deep draft navigation, the Corps shall allocate not less than 

$2,500,000 for navigation PED. Of the additional funding provided 

in this account for flood and storm damage reduction and shore 

protection, the Corps shall allocate not less than $400,000 for shore 

protection PED. 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; are for projects to restore floodplain and aquatic 

habitat through cost-effective and tested means; 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 environmental restoration 

can include projects that address degraded conditions due to prior 

flood protection work. The Corps is reminded that the updating of 

economic analyses and economic impact studies are eligible to receive additional funding. 


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Water Resources Priorities Study.—No funding shall be used 

for this study. 

Disposition of Completed Projects.—The agreement includes 

Senate direction. Additionally, the agreement supports the budget 

request for the disposition study pursuant to facilities that closed 

as a result of Public Law 113–121. The Corps is directed to provide 

to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 

copies of this study upon completion. For Corps facilities that are 

deemed as excess in such study, the Committee supports the disposal of those facilities through the appropriate General Services 

Administration process. 

Research and Development.—Within available funds, the Corps 

shall advance work on activities included in the House and Senate 

reports. 

Puget Sound.—The conferees encourage the Corps to proceed 

with the tiered implementation strategy using all existing authorities as outlined in the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project Feasibility Study, Completion Strategy Guidance dated 

June 2015. The Corps is further directed to recognize the Puget 

Sound Nearshore Study as the feasibility component for the purposes of Section 544 of the Water Resources Development Act of 

2000. The Corps is commended for initiating PED on the 

Duckabush River Estuary component of this project. The Corps is 

urged to include funding in future budget submissions to continue 

PED, as completing this project is critical to restoring the natural 

processes in the nearshore zone that sustain biological and economic resources. 

Upper Mississippi River-Illinois Waterway System.—The fiscal 

year 2018 work plan allocated $1,000,000 to initiate and complete 

an economic update of the Navigation Ecosystem Sustainability 

Program. 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 report on the scope of the economic update and any expected future costs for completing the study phase. 

The Corps is encouraged to complete the economic update expeditiously, so that PED can resume in a timely fashion. 

CONSTRUCTION

The agreement includes $2,183,000,000 for Construction. The 

agreement includes legislative language regarding Chickamauga 

Lock, Tennessee River, Tennessee. 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 2019. 

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 $4,445,000 

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 

$9,800,000 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 $25,000,000 to authorized reimbursements for projects with executed project cooperation agreements and that have completed construction or where non-federal 

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 $20,000,000 to continue construction of projects that principally address drainage in urban areas, 

of which not less than $4,500,000 shall be for projects that principally include improvements to rainfall drainage systems that address flood damages. Of the additional funding provided in this account, the Corps shall allocate not less than $1,800,000 to complete 

a plan for a purpose outside the Corps’ traditional mission. 

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. 

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 $55,000,000 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. When allocating the additional 

funding provided in this account, the Corps 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 and supported in the 

supply chain by the funded activity; 

4. significance to national security, including the strategic 

significance of commodities; 


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5. ability to obligate the funds allocated within the fiscal 

year, including consideration of the ability of the non-federal 

sponsor to provide any required cost share; 

6. ability to complete the project, separable element, or 

project phase with the funds allocated; 

7. legal requirements, including responsibilities to Tribes; 

8. 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; 

9. 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; 

10. 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; 

11. for projects cost shared with the 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; 

12. for other authorized project purposes and environmental restoration or compliance projects, to include the beneficial use of dredged material; and 

13. 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, projects that improve stormwater capture capabilities, and projects that will provide substantial benefits to 

water quality improvements. 

The following is the only direction with regard to the availability of additional funds for IWTF projects. The agreement provides funds making use of all estimated annual revenues and some 

additional prior-year 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 WRRDA of 2014, and $1,000,000 shall be for related monitoring. 


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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 

$66,000,000, an increase of $62,500,000 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 and projects that restore degraded wetland habitat and stream habitat impacted by construction of Corps levees. 

The management of the Continuing Authorities Program shall continue consistent with direction provided in previous fiscal years. 

Dam Safety and Seepage/Stability Correction Program.—The 

conferees reject the budget request proposal regarding Herbert 

Hoover Dike, which would make funds provided in this program 

available only if the State of Florida commits certain funds. Consistent with long-standing congressional direction, the Corps may 

not require funding in excess of legally required cost shares for 

studies and projects as a criterion for funding decisions. The Corps 

shall apply these funds to the highest priority projects. 

Beneficial Use of Dredged Material Pilot Program.—The agreement includes House direction on this program. 

Public-Private Partnerships.—The agreement only includes direction in the Expenses account. 

Oyster Restoration.—The conferees support Gulf Coast oyster 

restoration efforts and the Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration program. The Corps is encouraged to include funding in future budget 

submissions for these efforts. 

Metro East Levees.—The conferees urge the Corps to include 

funding for the Metro East levee system in future budget submissions. 

Rehabilitation of Corps Constructed Dams.—Implementation 

guidance for section 1177 of the WIIN Act is awaiting approval. 

The Corps is directed to submit this implementation guidance to 

the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress as 

expeditiously as possible. 

Natural Infrastructure Options.—The agreement includes Senate direction with the clarification that it applies during the project 

formulation phase. 

Camp Ellis Beach, Saco, Maine.—The conferees are concerned 

by the continued delay in implementing a solution at Camp Ellis 

Beach in Saco, Maine. To address continued erosion, which has destroyed 37 homes to date, the Corps’ initial study recommended a 

shore damage mitigation project consisting of a 750-foot-long spur 

jetty, and placement of about 360,000 cubic yards of beach fill 

along the beach. The project’s design and costs are under review 

and being updated in preparation for a new report to Congress detailing a path ahead on the project. Accordingly, the conferees direct the Secretary to expeditiously submit this report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress. This report 

shall include any additional legislative authorities necessary for 

the project to be approved and constructed. 


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Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, Michigan.—The 

conferees are aware that the Corps has released a new Soo Lock 

Economic Validation Study and Post Authorization Change Report 

with a strong benefit to cost ratio and a recommendation to move 

forward on construction of a new lock. The Corps is urged to include funding for the new lock in future budget submissions. 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES

The agreement includes $368,000,000 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 for Ongoing Work.—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 

$14,420,000 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 $975,000 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 $3,739,500,000 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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115 


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116 


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117 


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118 


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121 


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122 


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123 


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124 


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125 


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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 2019. 

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 fiscal 

year; 

8. ability to complete the project, separable element, 

project phase, or useful increment of work within the funds allocated; 

9. addressing hazardous barriers to navigation due to shallow channels; 

10. risk of imminent failure or closure of the facility; and 

11. 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 submissions. The Corps is directed to execute fully subsection (c) of 33 U.S.C. 2238c not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act. 

The Corps is reminded that debris removal activities pursuant 

to 33 U.S.C. 603a, including in urban waterways, and activities 

necessary to carry out soil moisture and snowpack monitoring are 

eligible to compete for additional funding in this account. 

Concerns persist that the Administration’s criteria for navigation maintenance do not allow small, remote, or subsistence harbors and waterways to properly compete for scarce navigation 

maintenance funds. The Corps is urged to revise the criteria used 

for determining which navigation projects are funded in order to 

develop a reasonable and equitable allocation under this account. 


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The criteria should include the economic impact that these projects 

provide to local and regional economies. 

Aquatic Nuisance Research Program.—Within available funds, 

the Corps is encouraged to support research that will identify and 

develop improved strategies for early detection, prevention, and 

management techniques and procedures to reduce the occurrence 

and impacts of harmful algal blooms in our nation’s water resources. 

Coastal Inlet Research Program.—The conferees understand 

that communities, infrastructure, commerce, and resources that are 

tied to the coastal nearshore region are all vulnerable to damage 

from extreme coastal events and long-term coastal change. Funding 

in addition to the budget request is included for the Corps to establish and lead a multi-university effort to identify engineering 

frameworks to address coastal resilience needs, to develop adaptive 

pathways that lead to coastal resilience, measure the coastal forces 

that lead to infrastructure damage and erosion during extreme 

storm events, and to improve coupling of terrestrial and coastal 

models. Funding in addition to the budget request is also included 

for the Corps to continue work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Water Center on protecting 

the nation’s water resources. 

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, $4,000,000 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; $2,000,000 shall be for research related to the impacts 

of reduced navigational lock operations as described in the Senate 

report; and $600,000 shall be available for additional work on advanced non-destructive testing methods of inspection and the validation of technologies such as protective coatings. The Corps is directed to brief the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 

Congress not later than 90 days after the enactment of this Act on 

its planned activities in each area, future funding requirements of 

ongoing efforts, and the scope and effectiveness of programs at various annual funding levels. The Corps is encouraged to also consider the need for additional work on the evaluation of grouted 

trunnion rods. 

National Dam Safety Program.—The Corps, in cooperation 

with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Bureau 

of Reclamation, shall contract with an independent peer review organization to conduct a comprehensive Independent External Peer 

Review (IEPR) of risk-informed dam safety practices in these three 

federal agencies with the intent to inform improvements broadly in 

national dam safety practices. The Corps is directed to contract 

with an independent peer review organization in accordance with 

its current review policy and the National Academy of Science 

IEPR process. The IEPR shall also consider how dam safety practices are affected by human factors, as well as how risk informed 

analysis in other industries may be applicable to dam safety practices. 


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National (Multiple Project) Natural Resources Management Activities.—Any costs to cover administrative fees or any other efforts 

necessary to resolve encroachments that were the result of past 

land surveying errors made by the Corps are eligible for funding 

provided above the budget request. 

Water Operations Technical Support.—Funding in addition to 

the budget request is included for research into atmospheric rivers 

first funded in fiscal year 2015, of which $5,000,000 is included to 

continue ongoing efforts, and an additional $2,500,000 is provided 

to expand this research effort to other locations as appropriate. 

Prior to obligating these funds for this expanded effort, however, 

the Corps shall brief the Committees on Appropriations of both 

Houses of Congress on the details of an expanded effort, including 

activities to be undertaken, the total and annual cost estimate, expected transferability of tools developed of other results of the research, as well as the likelihood of additional investment being necessary. The Corps shall scope the expanded effort to fit within recent annual funding levels. 

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. 

Kennebec River Long-Term Maintenance Dredging.—The agreement includes Senate direction. 

WIFIA Planning and Development.—The agreement only includes direction in the Expenses account. 

REGULATORY PROGRAM

The agreement includes $200,000,000 for the Regulatory Program. 

FORMERLY UTILIZED SITES REMEDIAL ACTION PROGRAM

The agreement includes $150,000,000 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. 

EXPENSES

The agreement includes $193,000,000 for Expenses. 

Alternative financing.—The agreement includes House direction and Senate direction under the heading ‘‘Public-Private Partnerships’’ in the Construction account. Additionally, funds above 

the budget request in this account are available, if needed, to implement House or Senate direction or to further efforts to develop 

a programmatic proposal on the WIFIA program for inclusion in a 

future budget submission. 

Inventory of Corps projects.—The agreement includes Senate 

direction with the clarification that the inventory is of existing and 

ongoing studies and projects. 


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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 prohibiting the obligation 

or expenditure of funds on a new hopper dredge. 

The agreement includes a provision prohibiting funds for reorganization of the Civil Works program. 

TITLE II—DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

CENTRAL UTAH PROJECT

CENTRAL UTAH PROJECT COMPLETION ACCOUNT

The agreement includes a total of $15,000,000 for the Central 

Utah Project Completion Account, which includes $12,703,325 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 $1,398,675 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 2019 work plan, the agreement 

includes direction under the heading ‘‘Additional Funding for 


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Water and Related Resources Work’’ in the Water and Related Resources account. 

Reconsultation.—The agreement includes House language. 

WATER AND RELATED RESOURCES

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

The conferees provide $1,391,992,000 for Water and Related 

Resources. 

The agreement for Water and Related Resources is shown in 

the following table: 


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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 ‘‘Water Conservation 

and Delivery’’, $15,000,000 shall be for water conservation activities in areas experiencing extreme, exceptional, or extended 

drought conditions. 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. 

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. 

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 the following activities are eligible to compete for funding under the appropriate heading: activities 

authorized under Indian Water Rights Settlements; all authorized 

rural water projects, including those with tribal components, those 

with non-tribal components, and those with both; aquifer recharging efforts to address the ongoing backlog of related projects; 

conjunctive use projects and other projects to maximize groundwater storage and beneficial use; and activities authorized under 

section 206 of Public Law 113–235. 

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. 

Aquifer Recharge.—Many states have implemented new methods of recharging aquifers for increased water storage and drought 

mitigation. Reclamation is directed to work closely with project 

beneficiaries to identify and resolve any barriers to aquifer recharge projects when appropriate. 


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CALFED Water Storage Feasibility Studies.—The agreement 

includes Senate language. 

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. 

Buried Metallic Water Pipe.—Reclamation shall continue following its temporary design guidance. 

CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT RESTORATION FUND

The agreement provides $62,008,000 for the Central Valley 

Project Restoration Fund. 

The agreement includes House direction regarding the Anadromous Fish Screen Program. 

CALIFORNIA BAY-DELTA RESTORATION

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

The agreement provides $35,000,000 for the California BayDelta Restoration Program. 

POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION

The agreement provides $61,000,000 for Policy and Administration. 

The conferees recommend that Reclamation work with all Reclamation states to ensure that counties and municipalities are 

aware of relevant programs and funding opportunities. 

Reclamation Project Reimbursability Decisions.—In September 

2017, the Department of the Interior’s Office of Inspector General 

released a report calling into question the transparency of Reclamation’s financial participation in the State of California’s BayDelta Conservation Plan (BDCP). Although Reclamation disputed 

several findings and recommendations in the report, Reclamation 

has taken steps to update its current practices and internal guidelines to better align with report recommendations. Reclamation is 

directed to provide to the Committees on Appropriations of both 

Houses of Congress 1) not later than 10 days after the enactment 

of this Act or after finalizing these updates, written copies of the 

relevant documents; and 2) not later than December 1, 2018, a list 

of instances of redirecting appropriated funds from the intended 

purpose outlined in the previous year’s budget request. 

The conferees have heard concerns of administrative delays 

and excessive review times in the award and implementation of financial assistance agreement funding. Reclamation is urged to address factors related to these issues, including lags in completing 

contracts, in a timely and efficient manner. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION

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


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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 aquifer recharge 

at a project. 

The agreement includes a provision regarding a feasibility 

study. 

The agreement includes a provision regarding a pilot program 

in the Colorado River Basin and authorization of appropriations 

under the Secure Water Act. 

The agreement includes a provision regarding a rural water 

project. 

TITLE III—DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 

The conferees provide $35,685,317,000 for the Department of 

Energy to fund programs in its primary mission areas of science, 

energy, environment, and national security. 

Not later than 120 days after the enactment of this Act, the 

Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, 

shall submit to the congressional energy and defense committees a 

report evaluating military installations at which it would be costeffective to establish partnerships with community colleges, institutions of higher education, and the private sector to train veterans 

and members of the armed forces transitioning to civilian life to 

enter the cybersecurity, energy, and artificial intelligence 

workforces. 

Research and Development Policy.—The Department is directed 

throughout all of its programs to maintain a diverse portfolio of 

early-, mid-, and late-stage research, development, and market 

transformation activities. The Department is further directed to 

fully execute the funds appropriated in a timely manner and to 

keep the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 

apprised of progress in implementing funded programs, projects, 

and activities. 

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. 


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ENERGY PROGRAMS 

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

The conferees provide $2,379,000,000 for Energy Efficiency and 

Renewable Energy (EERE). 

The Department is directed to maintain a diverse portfolio of 

early-, mid-, and late-stage research, development, and market 

transformation activities. The Department is further directed to 

fully execute the funds appropriated in a timely manner and to 

keep the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 

apprised of progress in implementing funded programs, projects, 

and activities. Priority shall be given to stewarding the assets and 

optimizing the operations of EERE designated user facilities across 

the Department’s complex. In future budget submissions, the Department is directed to demonstrate a commitment to operations 

and maintenance of facilities that support the Department’s critical 

missions within EERE. 

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 support the utilization and advancement of 

high-efficiency linear generator power plant technologies and how 

these technologies can be incorporated into other EERE programs. 

Within available funds for EERE, the conferees include not 

less than $20,000,000 to bring cybersecurity into early-stage technology R&D so that it is built into new technology for this effort 

to encompass all EERE programs. Within 180 days of enactment 

of this Act, the Department shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a multi-year program plan 

for this effort to encompass all EERE programs. 

SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION

Vehicle Technologies.—Within available funds, the conferees 

include $7,000,000 for operations and maintenance of the National 

Transportation Research Center; not less than $163,200,000 for 

Battery and Electrification Technologies; not less than $38,100,000 

for electric drive research and development, of which $7,000,000 is 

to enable extreme fast charging and advanced battery analytics; 

not less than $30,000,000 for Materials Technology; not less than 

$12,500,000 for the Co-Optimization of Engine and Fuels MultiLaboratory Consortium; $25,000,000 for early-stage research on 

multi-material joining and propulsion materials at the national laboratories, and carbon fiber-reinforced composites at the Carbon 

Fiber Technology Facility; and $10,000,000 for continued funding of 

Section 131 of the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act for 

transportation electrification. The agreement provides $20,000,000 

for the five awards under the SuperTruck II program to further improve the efficiency of heavy-duty class 8 long- and regional-haul 

vehicles. The Department is directed to continue to support the 

Clean Cities program, including competitive grants to support alternative fuel, infrastructure, and vehicle deployment activities. 

The agreement provides $46,300,000 for Outreach, Deployment, 

and Analysis. Within this amount, $37,800,000 is provided for DeVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:09 Sep 12, 2018 Jkt 031415 PO 00000 Frm 00153 Fmt 6601 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR929.XXX HR929

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ployment through the Clean Cities Program and $2,500,000 is for 

a new 4-year collegiate engineering competition, EcoCAR4. Within 

available funds, the agreement provides $15,000,000 for mediumand heavy-duty on-road natural gas engine research and development to address technical barriers to the increased use of natural 

gas vehicles. 

Bioenergy Technologies.—Within available funds, the conferees 

include $30,000,000 for feedstock supply and logistics, of which 

$14,000,000 is for the national lab consortium and $5,000,000 is for 

upgrades at the Biomass Feedstock National User Facility to extend its capabilities and maximize benefits; $32,000,000 for algal 

biofuels, of which $2,000,000 is for further research and development activities to support carbon capture from the atmosphere 

(ambient air) using algae-to-energy technologies; $57,500,000 for 

Demonstration and Market Transformation, of which not less than 

$12,500,000 is for the Co-Optimization of Engine and Fuels MultiLaboratory Consortium; and $95,000,000 for Conversion Technologies. Within available funds, $5,000,000 is to continue the 

biopower program, $5,000,000 is to improve the efficiency of community and smaller digesters that accept both farm and food 

wastes, and $5,000,000 is to support development and testing of 

new domestic manufactured low-emission, high-efficiency, residential wood heaters. Within available funds, the agreement includes 

not less than $10,000,000 to establish a multi-university partnership to conduct research and enhance educational programs that 

improve alternative energy production derived from urban and suburban wastes. The Department is directed to collaborate with institutions in Canada and Mexico to leverage capacity and capitalize 

on North American resources. 

Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies.—Within available funds, 

the agreement provides $21,000,000 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 $4,000,000 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. The conferees include $39,000,000 for 

Hydrogen Fuel Research and Development and $7,000,000 for Safety, Codes, and Standards. 

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Solar Energy.—Within available funds, the agreement provides 

$72,000,000 for Photovoltaic Research and Development; 

$45,000,000 for Systems Integration; $35,000,000 for Balance of 

Systems Soft Cost Reduction, of which $1,000,000 is for the Solar 

Ready Vets program and $5,000,000 is to re-invigorate the National Community Solar Partnership program; and $30,000,000 for 

Innovations in Manufacturing Competitiveness. Within available 

funds, $4,050,000 is provided for the five photovoltaic Regional 

Test Centers (RTCs). Further, not later than 90 days after the enactment of this Act, the Department shall submit to the CommitVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:09 Sep 12, 2018 Jkt 031415 PO 00000 Frm 00154 Fmt 6601 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR929.XXX HR929

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tees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a plan for 

transitioning the RTCs to a self-sustaining business model as originally envisioned. Within available funds for concentrating solar 

power research, development, and demonstration, $5,000,000 is 

provided for competitively selected projects focused on advanced 

thermal desalination techniques. Within available funds, the conferees include $10,000,000 for research and development to support 

inherently scalable production methods such as solution processing, 

roll-to-roll manufacturing, the science of inherent material stability, and ultrahigh efficiency through tandem manufacturing. 

Wind Energy.—Within available funds, the agreement provides $10,000,000 for distributed wind and not less than $10,000,000 for 

existing national-level offshore wind test facilities. The agreement 

provides not less than $30,000,000 for the National Wind Technology Center, which shall include the development of a large-scale 

research platform to support next-generation wind energy science 

and manufacturing and systems integration of multiple energy generation, consumption, and storage technologies with the grid. The 

Department is directed to support the advancement of innovative 

technologies for offshore wind development, including freshwater, 

deep water, shallow water, and transitional depth installations. 

Further, the Department is directed to support innovative offshore 

wind demonstration projects, including efforts to optimize development, design, construction methods, testing plans, and economic 

value proposition. The agreement provides $10,000,000 for a competitively awarded solicitation for additional project development 

for offshore wind demonstration projects. The Department is also 

directed 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 $30,000,000 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.—Within available funds, 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. Within 

available funds, the agreement provides $30,000,000 for a balanced 

portfolio of competitive solicitations to support industry- and university-led research, development, and deployment of marine and 

hydrokinetic technologies; and support wave, ocean current, tidal 

and in-river energy conversion components and systems across the 

high- and low-technology readiness spectrum to increase energy 

capture, reliability, survivability, and integration into local or regional grids for lower costs and to assess and monitor environmental effects. Within this amount, the agreement provides not 

less than $8,000,000 to support collaborations between universities, 


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Marine Renewable Energy Centers, and the national laboratories 

and not less than $5,000,000 to prioritize infrastructure needs at 

the marine and hydrokinetic technology testing sites operated by 

the Marine Renewable Energy Centers. 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, $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. The agreement provides $5,000,000 for a competitive funding opportunity for industry-led research, development, and deployment of cross-cutting energy converter technologies for run-of-river 

and tailrace applications to better utilize underdeveloped low-head 

and other hydropower resources. 

Geothermal Technologies.—Within available funds, the agree- ment provides $6,000,000 for Systems Analysis. 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 agreement provides not less than $4,205,000 for improvements in the steel industry; 

$20,000,000 for process-informed science, design, and engineering 

of materials and devices operating in harsh environments; 

$5,000,000 for research into the materials and manufacturing process development of high-strength, light-weight nano-crystalline 

metal alloys; and $5,000,000 for process-informed catalyst science 

to direct chemical reactions in full-scale industrial manufacturing 

processes and to develop new industrial product applications. Within available funds, $132,000,000 is for Advanced Manufacturing 

Research and Development Facilities, of which $42,000,000 is for 

three Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation (CEMI) Institutes, 

$25,000,000 is for the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility 

(MDF) and Carbon Fiber Technology Facility, $20,000,000 is for the 

Energy-Water Desalination Hub, and $25,000,000 is for the Critical 

Materials Hub. Within funds for the MDF, $5,000,000 is for the development of additive systems and automation technologies that 

have the potential to deposit multiple materials allowing for hybrid 

material solutions that enhance performance in extreme environments and enable precise property profiles. The Department is directed to further foster the partnership between the national laboratories, universities, and industry to use bio-based thermoplastics 

composites, such as micro- and nano-cellulosic materials, and largearea 3–D printing to overcome challenges to the cost and deployment of building, transportation, and energy technologies. 

Within available funds, the agreement includes $20,000,000 to 

support the development of additive manufacturing involving nanocellulosic feedstock materials made from forest products to overcome challenges to the cost and deployment of building, transportation, and energy technologies. The agreement also includes 

$20,000,000 for a competitive solicitation to accelerate development 

of manufacturing processes needed for clean energy materials to go 

from discovery to scale-up with the goal of lowering battery energy 


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storage costs and spurring job creation. The conferees include 

$10,000,000 for district heating and directs the Department to collaborate with industry on the potential energy efficiency and energy security gains to be realized with district energy systems. The 

conferees also include $10,000,000 to support research and development efforts to improve the efficiency of drying processes. 

Building Technologies.—The agreement provides $28,000,000 for Residential Buildings Integration, $39,000,000 for Commercial 

Buildings Integration, $95,000,000 for Emerging Technologies, and 

$50,000,000 for Equipment and Buildings Standards. Within available funds, $7,000,000 is for the Building Energy Codes program 

to provide assistance to States and to organizations that develop 

model codes and standards to improve building resilience as well 

as efficiency. 

Within funds for Emerging Technologies, not less than $18,000,000 is for HVAC & Refrigeration R&D; $14,000,000 is for 

Building Envelope; and $30,000,000 is for building-grid integration 

R&D consistent with a transactive energy system, including development of advanced transactive control methodologies, field validation and testing in existing buildings, continuation of the Buildingto-Grid Integration Demonstration, and coordination with Electricity Delivery transactive energy system activities. Within available funds for transactive controls, $5,000,000 is to continue promoting regional demonstrations of new, utility-led, residential Connected Communities advancing smart grid systems. The agreement 

also provides $20,000,000, within available funds, for research, development, and market transformation programs on 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. In addition, the conferees include $5,000,000 for novel earlierstage research, development, and demonstration of technologies to 

advance energy efficient, high-rise Cross-Laminated Timber building systems. The Department is directed to support university research, in partnership with the national laboratories, for developing, building, and evaluating Cross-Laminated Timber wall systems for embodied energy content, operating energy efficiency, wall 

moisture profiles, structural connector durability, and health monitoring sensors. The agreement provides $2,500,000 for the Solar 

Decathlon. 

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. The Department is 

directed to provide a briefing to the Committees on Appropriations 

of both Houses of Congress on the kinds of information that is collected from grantees and the potential for collecting additional information that discusses the kinds of structural deficiencies that 

make homes ineligible for the program. The Department is also directed to begin tracking the occurrence of window replacements, 

which supports the reduction of lead-based paint hazards in homes. 

Strategic Programs.—Within available funds, $2,500,000 is for 

the Energy Transition Initiative to support ongoing initiatives to 


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address high energy costs, reliability, and inadequate infrastructure challenges faced by island and remote communities. The Department is directed to support initiatives for building cost-effective, resilient energy infrastructure on island and remote communities, including in Alaska, the Caribbean, Hawaii, New England, 

and elsewhere. 

CYBERSECURITY, ENERGY SECURITY, AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE

The conferees provide $120,000,000 for Cybersecurity, Energy 

Security, and Emergency Response. 

Within available funds, $10,000,000 is for research and development on concepts to simplify and isolate automated systems and 

remove vulnerabilities that could allow unauthorized access to the 

grid through digital software systems and $10,000,000 is for the 

DarkNet project to explore opportunities for getting the nation’s 

critical infrastructure off the Internet and shielding the nation’s 

electricity infrastructure from disruptive cyber penetration. 

ELECTRICITY DELIVERY

The conferees provide $156,000,000 for Electricity Delivery. 

Within Resilient Distribution Systems, the agreement provides 

$7,000,000 for university-based research and development of sensing, intelligent machines in the Internet of Things and their integration in the utility grid and $5,000,000 to develop high fidelity 

sensors and use data analytics to improve operations in steadystate 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 Energy Storage, the Department is directed to continue 

to support development of an operational energy storage test facility capable of performance-driven data in a utility environment. 

The Department’s storage research, development, and deployment 

efforts shall support nationwide efforts to improve grid resiliency, 

reliability, and security, empower consumers, and increase integration of a broad range of generation sources. 

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 describing the activities 

and costs necessary to achieve a North American grid model. Within available funds, the Department may build upon existing tools 

and modeling work done at the Department to explore a shared 

modeling platform across the national laboratories. 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 the potential of dynamic line rating 

systems to address transmission congestion management and improve grid reliability and resiliency. 


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NUCLEAR ENERGY

The conferees provide $1,326,090,000 for Nuclear Energy. 

Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies.—Within available 

funds for Crosscutting Technology Development, $10,000,000 is for 

work on advanced sensors and instrumentation and $10,000,000 is 

for hybrid energy systems. The agreement provides $44,000,000 for 

the Nuclear Science User Facilities, of which $8,000,000 is for nuclear energy computation system and support; $31,000,000 for Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation, of which 

$3,000,000 is for MW-scale reactor modeling and simulation; and 

$27,585,000 for the Energy Innovation Hub for Modeling and Simulation. 

Reactor Concepts Research and Development.—Within available 

funds, $100,000,000 is for Advanced Small Modular Reactor Research and Development to support technical, first-of-its-kind engineering and design and regulatory development of next generation 

light water and non-light water small modular reactors, including 

$10,000,000 for seismic analysis; $111,500,000 is for Advanced Reactor Technologies, of which $34,000,000 is for fuel and graphite 

qualification; $22,000,000 is to complete the federal share of the 

two performance-based advanced reactor concepts; and $20,000,000 

is for MW-scale reactor research and development. Within available funds, the agreement provides $30,000,000 for the Transformational Challenge Reactor to apply existing program capabilities to shape a new approach to reactor design, manufacturing, licensing, and operation. Not later than 90 days after the enactment 

of this Act, the Department shall provide to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a report that describes the 

cost and schedule profile for achieving demonstration, key technical 

challenges, and planned coordination with industry and the national laboratories. The agreement provides $65,000,000 for research and development to support efforts to develop a versatile 

fast test reactor. The conferees include $47,000,000 for the Light 

Water Reactor Sustainability program. Funding above the budget 

request is provided for this activity as a priority. 

Fuel Cycle Research and Development.—The agreement provides $125,000,000 for the Advanced Fuels program and 

$38,000,000 for Material Recovery and Waste Form Development, 

of which $7,000,000 is for joint fuel cycle studies and up to 

$20,000,000 is for highly enriched uranium recovery preparation 

and testing to support needs for high assay low enriched uranium. 

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 describing a plan and cost profile for developing high assay low enriched uranium. 

The agreement provides $63,915,000 for Used Nuclear Fuel 

Disposition R&D. In lieu of Senate report direction, the agreement 

includes $22,500,000 for Integrated Waste Management System activities and no further direction. 

Radiological Facilities Management.—The agreement includes 

$20,000,000 for continued safe operation and maintenance of Oak 

Ridge National Laboratory hot cells. 


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Idaho Facilities Management.—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. 

Idaho Sitewide Safeguards and Security.—Within available 

funds, the agreement includes $10,000,000 to construct a protective 

forces building at the ATR complex that will meet the needs for expanded protective force and security operations under the Department’s new Design Basis Threat but that will not exceed a total 

project cost of $10,000,000. 

FOSSIL ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The conferees provide $740,000,000 for Fossil Energy Research 

and Development. 

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 includes funding for the 

Department’s National Carbon Capture Center consistent with the 

cooperative agreement and fiscal year 2018. 

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 $25,000,000 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. Within available funds, the 

agreement provides not less than $30,000,000 for a new solicitation 

for Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) studies of two commercial-scale carbon capture power projects for retrofit at an existing coal plant and for a coal or natural gas plant that generates 

carbon dioxide suitable for utilization or storage. A FEED study 

shall incorporate work from feasibility studies and testing to provide specific project definition, detailed design, scopes of work, material purchasing and construction schedules, cost for project execution, and subsurface, structural, and environmental permitting requirements. 

The Department is directed to continue to carry out external 

activities for advanced coal processing research and development, 

including advancing early-stage research for converting coal pitch 

and coal to carbon fiber and other value-added products for alternative uses of coal. 

Within Carbon Storage, the agreement provides $12,000,000 

for Carbon Use and Reuse to continue research and development 


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activities to support valuable and innovative uses for carbon and 

$55,000,000 for Storage Infrastructure. The Department is directed 

to fulfill prior commitments to the Regional Carbon Sequestration 

Partnerships (RCSPs). In lieu of Senate report direction, the agreement provides not less than $20,000,000 for a competitive solicitation to fulfill the goals of the RCSPs and not less than $30,000,000 

to continue the four-phase CarbonSAFE initiative. The Department 

is directed to work collaboratively with the RCSPs and other stakeholders to develop a storage roadmap through 2025 to identify the 

knowledge gaps and technology and policy developments that are 

needed to close those gaps. 

Within Advanced Energy Systems, the agreement provides $30,000,000 for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. Within available funds for 

Advanced Energy Systems, the agreement provides $37,000,000 for 

transformative power generation to improve the efficiency, reliability, and flexible operations of both new and existing plants. The 

Department is directed to focus on advanced coal technologies that 

are applicable to retrofit technologies and 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 the Advanced Ultrasupercritical Program. 

Within NETL Coal Research and Development, the agreement provides $18,000,000 for the Department to continue its external 

agency activities to develop and test advanced separation technologies and accelerate the advancement of commercially viable 

technologies for the recovery of rare earth elements and minerals 

from U.S. coal and coal byproduct sources. The Department is expected to support pilot-scale and experimental activities for nearterm applications. 

Within Supercritical Transformational Electric Power (STEP) Generation, the agreement provides $16,700,000 to complete the 

necessary design and construction of the 10–MW pilot facility, and 

conduct the necessary testing, including long-duration testing for 

the facility. The agreement also includes an additional $5,730,000 

for competitively-awarded research and development activities, coordinated with EERE and NE, to advance the use of supercritical 

power cycles. 

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. Funding shall 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, $10,000,000 for Environmentally Prudent Development, 

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ture, and $5,000,000 for Emissions Quantification from Natural 

Gas Infrastructure. 

Within available funds, the Department shall deliver to the 

Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a study 

on the potential for natural gas demand response across energy 

sectors and geographic regions no later than 18 months after the 

date of enactment of this Act. This study shall include a description 

and quantification of potential natural gas and energy savings and 

load shifting; the costs and benefits associated with those savings, 

including avoided energy costs, reduced market price volatility, improved electric and gas system reliability, deferred or avoided pipeline or utility capital investment, and air emissions reductions; an 

identification of geographic areas that would benefit most from implementing demand response measures for natural gas infrastructure; and a description of existing and emerging technologies that 

can be used for demand response in the natural gas sector, as well 

as best practices for developing a strategy for deployment of those 

technologies in the natural gas sector. 

Unconventional Technologies.—Within available funds, the 

agreement provides $13,500,000 for research to better understand 

reservoirs and to improve low recovery factors from unconventional 

natural gas and oil wells and $13,500,000 for continued research 

toward enhanced recovery technologies in shale oil, low permeability reservoirs, residual oil zone reservoirs, fractured reservoirs, 

and conventional oil reservoirs. The Department shall solicit, 

award and manage these research projects on a nationwide basis 

directly with researchers from universities and not-for-profit research organizations. The projects may 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 costeffective solutions, and develop a better understanding of these reservoirs’ resource potential. The agreement includes not less than 

$15,000,000 for the Unconventional Field Test Sites. When issuing 

funding for research into the exploration for and development of 

emerging unconventional oil and gas reservoirs, the Department 

shall direct future allocations to projects in locations geologically 

representative of the unconventional reservoir of interest. The 

agreement provides not less than $2,500,000 for further research 

on multipronged approaches for characterizing the constituents of 

and managing the cleaning of water produced during the extraction 

of oil and natural gas. Within available funds, the Department is 

directed to partner with research universities engaged in the study 

of characterizing, cleaning, treating, and managing produced water 

and who are willing to engage through public-private partnerships 

with the energy industry to develop and assess commercially viable 

technology to achieve the same. 

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 

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mittees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress on its findings and recommendations once complete. 

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 $1,500,000 to continue this study. 

NAVAL PETROLEUM AND OIL SHALE RESERVES

The agreement provides $10,000,000 for the operation of the 

Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves. 

STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE

The agreement provides $235,000,000 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 2019. 

SPR PETROLEUM ACCOUNT

The agreement provides $10,000,000 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 $10,000,000 for the Northeast Home 

Heating Oil Reserve. 

ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION

The conferees provide $125,000,000 for the Energy Information 

Administration. 

NON-DEFENSE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP

The conferees provide $310,000,000 for Non-Defense Environmental Cleanup. 

Small Sites.—Within amounts for Small Sites cleanup, 

$35,000,000 shall be for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 

$10,000,000 shall be for Oak Ridge activities, $45,000,000 shall be 

for Moab, $20,456,000 shall be for Brookhaven National Laboratory 

to continue removal of the High Flux Beam Reactor stack, and no 

further direction. If any of the funding for Brookhaven is in excess 

of needs such sums shall be applied to other Small Site cleanup activities. 

URANIUM ENRICHMENT DECONTAMINATION AND DECOMMISSIONING

FUND

The conferees provide $841,129,000 for activities funded from 

the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning 

Fund. 


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Portsmouth.—The conferees includes $60,000,000 above the 

budget request for Portsmouth cleanup, which is equivalent to the 

amount of proceeds that the Department planned to generate 

through bartering arrangements in order to fund additional cleanup in fiscal year 2019. The Department shall not barter, transfer, 

or sell uranium in order to generate additional funding for Portsmouth cleanup that is in excess of the amount of funding provided 

in this Act. 

SCIENCE

The conferees provide $6,585,000,000 for the Office of Science. 

The agreement provides $4,000,000, 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. 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 plan that responds to the recommendations of the National Academies study ‘‘Opportunities in 

Intense Ultrafast Lasers, Towards the Brightest Light’’. 

Advanced Scientific Computing Research.—Within available 

funds, the agreement provides $140,000,000 for the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility, $200,000,000 for the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility, $105,000,000 for the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center at Lawrence Berkeley National 

Laboratory, $10,000,000 for the Computational Sciences Graduate 

Fellowship program, and $85,000,000 for ESnet. The agreement 

provides $75,667,000 for Computational Partnerships (SciDAC). 

Within funds for SciDAC, up to $13,000,000 is to support work on 

artificial intelligence and big data focused on the development of 

algorithms and methods to identify new ways of extracting information from data generated at the Office of Science’s large user facilities or validating use of machine learning in the Office of 

Science’s program’s scientific simulations. This is the only funding 

recommended within the Office of Science that shall be available 

for this work. Further, none of the funding is available for clinical 

trials or therapeutics. 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 briefing on its plan 

for implementing this artificial intelligence and big data initiative. 

Basic Energy Sciences (BES).—The agreement provides not less than $135,000,000 for the Nanoscale Science Research Centers. 

The agreement includes not less than $505,000,000 for facilities operations at the five BES light sources to adequately invest in the 

recapitalization of key instruments and infrastructure, and in staff 

and other resources necessary to deliver critical scientific capabilities to users, and no further direction. The Department is directed 

to submit as part of its fiscal year 2020 budget submission a plan 

for the buildout of additional beamlines to fully leverage the capabilities of the NSLS–II. The Department is directed to resume annual or at minimum, biennial, Implementation Grant solicitations 

for EPSCoR. In addition, the Department is directed to submit to 

the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress not 

later than 90 days after the enactment of this Act a report that 

provides a plan for future EPSCoR solicitations. The agreement 


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provides $282,000,000 for the high-flux neutron sources which will 

allow for both Spallation Neutron Source and High Flux Isotope 

Reactor to proceed with the most critical deferred repairs, replace 

outdated instruments, and make essential machine improvements. 

The agreement provides not less than $19,100,000 for Other Project 

Costs, of which $6,000,000 is for the High Energy Upgrade at 

LCLS–II, $6,100,000 is for LCLS–II, $2,000,000 is for the Advanced 

Light Source Upgrade, and $5,000,000 is for the Second Target Station. The Department is directed to proceed with the upgrade of existing user facilities and major construction projects for new user 

facilities in a manner consistent with the June 2016 BESAC recommendations and subsequent Departmental reviews and findings 

related to these projects. Further, the Department is directed to follow the Department of Energy Order 413.3B project management 

reporting requirements for these projects and provide project data 

sheets for those projects in the budget submission. Within available 

funds, the agreement provides $26,000,000 for exascale systems. 

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. 

In addition, the Department is directed to maintain Genomic 

Science as a top priority. Within available funds, the agreement 

provides $100,000,000 for the four Bioenergy Research Centers, 

$90,000,000 for Foundational Genomics Research, $34,908,000 for 

Biomolecular Characterization and Imaging Science, and 

$70,000,000 for the Joint Genome Institute. Within available funds, 

$10,000,000 is to begin the establishment of a national microbiome 

database. 

Within available funds, not less than $40,000,000 is for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science, of which not less than $10,000,000 is for 

NGEE–Arctic, $5,800,000 is for NGEE–Tropics, $8,300,000 is for 

the SPRUCE field site, $6,800,000 is for the Watershed Function 

Science Focus Area, and $5,700,000 is for Ameriflux Long-Term 

Earth Systems Observations. Within available funds, not less than 

$22,143,000 is for Subsurface Biogeochemical Research, including 

not less than $3,000,000 to support ongoing research and discovery 

related to mercury biogeochemical transformations in the environment. Within available funds, the agreement provides $97,000,000 

for Earth and Environmental Systems Modeling. The Department 

is directed to expend funds for earth system modeling, and regional 

and global analysis. Further, the Department is directed to make 

land-energy interactions, land biogeochemistry, uncertainty quantification, and model evaluation a priority within the regional and 

global modeling activities and continue to support performance optimization of coupled systems for execution on high performance 

and exascale systems. The agreement provides $15,000,000 for 

exascale computing. The agreement provides $45,000,000 for the 

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, $68,000,000 for the 

Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) User Facility, and 

$17,500,000 to replace the ARM mobile unit. 


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Fusion Energy Sciences (FES).—The following is the only direc- tion for FES. The agreement provides $286,704,000 for burning 

plasma science foundations, $61,246,000 for burning plasma 

science long pulse, and $84,050,000 for discovery plasma science. 

Within available funds, the agreement provides $18,000,000 for 

High Energy Density Laboratory Plasmas and $25,000,000 for Scientific Discovery through Advanced Computing. Within available 

funds, the agreement includes $5,000,000 to provide upgrades to 

the Safety and Tritium Applied Research Facility and not less than 

$7,000,000 for the Materials Plasma Exposure eXperiment. The 

agreement provides $132,000,000 for the U.S. contribution to the 

ITER project and no further direction. The Fusion Energy Sciences 

Advisory Committee is directed to work with the Office of Nuclear 

Energy to review establishing a reactor concepts research, development, and deployment activity. 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 

briefing on a recommendation, which if supported, will include a 

technical plan, program and eligibility requirements, and funding 

profile for future fiscal years. 

High Energy Physics.—Within available funds, the agreement provides $15,000,000 for PIP–II; $6,250,000 for ongoing efforts for 

commissioning and initial operation of the camera for the Large 

Synoptic Survey Telescope Camera; $10,000,000 to continue the upgrade of FACET II; $105,000,000 for the HL–LHC Upgrade 

Projects; and $22,450,000 to complete the dark energy and dark 

matter experiments, of which $5,450,000 is for DESI and 

$14,450,000 is for LUX ZEPLIN. 

Nuclear Physics.—Within available funds, the agreement pro- vides $11,500,000 for the Stable Isotope Production Facility, 

$6,600,000 for the Gamma-Ray Energy Tracking Array, and 

$5,660,000 for the Super Pioneering High Energy Nuclear Interaction Experiment. 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. 

Workforce Development.—Within available funds, the agree- ment provides $10,300,000 for the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship and $3,500,000 for the Graduate Student Research 

Program. 

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 conferees provide $366,000,000 for the Advanced Research 

Projects Agency—Energy. 

The Department is directed to continue to spend funds provided on research and development and program direction. The Department shall not use any appropriated funds to plan or execute 

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rected to disburse funds appropriated for ARPA–E on eligible 

projects within a reasonable time period, consistent with past practices. 

TITLE 17 INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM

The conferees provide $33,000,000 for administrative expenses 

for the Title 17 Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program. 

This amount is offset by estimated revenues of $15,000,000, resulting in a net appropriation of $18,000,000. The Department shall 

not use funds to plan, develop, implement, or pursue the elimination of the Title 17 Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program. 

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY VEHICLES MANUFACTURING LOAN

PROGRAM

The conferees provide $5,000,000 for the Advanced Technology 

Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program. 

TRIBAL ENERGY LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM

The conferees provide $1,000,000 for the Tribal Energy Loan 

Guarantee Program. 

OFFICE OF INDIAN ENERGY POLICY AND PROGRAMS

The conferees provide $18,000,000 for the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs. 

DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION

The agreement provides $165,858,000 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 Administration 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, Office of Policy, 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. The agreement does not adopt the proposal to transfer staff 

from the applied energy offices to International Affairs. 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 recommendation includes $131,624,000, including $96,793,000 

as requested within Departmental Administration and $34,831,000 


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as requested for CyberOne activities within the DOE working capital fund. Within this amount, not less than $71,501,000 shall be 

for cybersecurity and secure information. 

Nuclear Power Plant Closings.—Prior to the opening of a permanent repository or monitored retrievable storage for spent nuclear fuel, power plant sites serve as de facto storage facilities for 

this nuclear waste. When a plant closes, onsite storage of spent nuclear fuel can be a factor affecting redevelopment of the location. 

The Department is directed to submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress not later than 180 days after 

the enactment of this Act a study on existing public and private resources and funding for which municipalities where a nuclear 

power plant is decommissioned, in the process of decommissioning, 

or plans to shut down within 3 years of enactment of this Act and 

contains nuclear waste within its boundaries may be eligible. 

Radium Contamination.—The Department shall review the details of any facility of the Nevada System of Higher Education, as 

defined by the State of Nevada, that is contaminated with radium 

to determine whether the Department has a legal liability or authorization for remediation of such facility. 

Energy Technology Commercialization Fund.—In making 

awards from the Energy Technology Commercialization Fund established under section 1001(e) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 

U.S.C. 16391(e)), the requirements for matching funds shall be determined by the Secretary of Energy in accordance with section 988 

of that Act (42 U.S.C. 16352). 

OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

The agreement provides $51,330,000 for the Office of the Inspector General. 

ATOMIC ENERGY DEFENSE ACTIVITIES 

NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION 

The conferees provide $15,228,618,000 for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The conferees include funding for the NNSA’s institutional plant projects in the agreement 

and direct the NNSA to expedite reports that account for site indirect overhead and administrative costs as directed by the Congress. 

The NNSA Act clearly lays out the functions of the NNSA and 

gives the Administrator authority over, and responsibility for, those 

functions. While the NNSA may expend funds to study its organizational structure, no funds shall be used to reorganize or reclassify any of those functions specified in the NNSA Act. 

WEAPONS ACTIVITIES

The conferees provide $11,100,000,000 for Weapons Activities. 

The agreement directs the use of $13,080,000 in unexpended prioryear balances to offset fiscal year 2019 needs. 

When proposing new or modified nuclear weapons activities, 

the Department shall ensure adherence to the requirements of 50 

U.S.C. 2529, including requesting a single dedicated line item for 


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such activities. The NNSA is directed to comply with the direction 

in the House report regarding the W76–2 Modification Program. 

IW/W78 Life Extension Program.—In lieu of language in the 

House report on the W78 Life Extension Program (LEP), the NNSA 

is directed to provide to the Committees on Appropriations of both 

Houses of Congress, not later than 60 days after the enactment of 

this Act and prior to commencement of phase 6.2, a report that provides the rationale for an insensitive-high explosive (IHE)-based 

system, an updated estimate of the cost and schedule for warhead 

development and production, and a rough order of magnitude cost 

and schedule comparison of the differences between the requested 

IW and a W76 LEP-like refurbishment of the W78. Further, the 

NNSA shall initiate an independent review by the Office of Cost 

Estimating and Program Evaluation (CEPE) of the analysis of alternatives process conducted as part of the life extension study of 

the W78 to assess objectivity, thoroughness, and adherence to the 

Government Accountability Office recommended best practices, in 

accordance with current NNSA policy. 

Not later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act, the 

NNSA shall provide to the Committees on Appropriations of both 

Houses of Congress a report that includes the following: (1) the results of the CEPE review; (2) a cost and schedule estimate to refurbish the W78 warhead in a manner similar to the W76 LEP; (3) 

a cost estimate for any needed upgrades to Department of Defense 

facilities to fully satisfy safety requirements for handling conventional high explosives; (4) impacts to the IW/W78 LEP if pit production targets are not met; and (5) the certification strategy for 

the IW/W78 LEP that addresses issues raised by the JASONs 

group in its review of certification risks for an IW with IHE and 

remanufactured pits. 

Domestic Uranium Enrichment.—In lieu of House or Senate 

language, the conferees direct the NNSA to ensure that there is a 

credible plan to complete adequate research, development, and 

demonstration prior to making a decision on domestic uranium enrichment for national security purposes and to focus efforts on 

work that will provide information to support that decision. No 

funds are provided for downblending highly enriched uranium. 

Funds at the requested level for downblending are included in the 

Tritium Sustainment account. 

Plutonium Pit Production Project.—The conferees include 

$75,000,000 to commence a new project to meet the NNSA’s plutonium pit production targets, of which $11,000,000 shall be for the 

subproject to re-categorize the Radiological Laboratory Utility Office Building (RLUOB) to a hazard category-3 facility and 

$6,177,000 shall be for the subproject for the second phase of work 

to reconfigure the PF–4 facility. The NNSA is directed to budget 

for capital improvements and equipment installations to meet plutonium pit production targets, including the RLUOB re-categorization and the PF–4 phase 2 subprojects, as subprojects within the 

Plutonium Pit Production Project and to budget for operational expenses to meet plutonium pit production targets within Plutonium 

Sustainment Operations in future budget requests. Not later than 

60 days after the enactment of this Act, the NNSA shall provide 

to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 


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a report on the current scope, costs, and schedule required to meet 

its plutonium mission targets and shall submit a project data sheet 

for the Plutonium Pit Production Project in its fiscal year 2020 

budget submission. 

Science.—Within amounts for Academic Alliances and Partnerships, $20,000,000 shall be for the Minority Serving Institution 

Partnerships Program, within which $2,000,000 shall be for Tribal 

Colleges and Universities. The conferees include $50,000,000 for 

the Advanced Sources and Detectors Major Item of Equipment 

(MIE) and supporting research activities. The NNSA is directed to 

submit a project data sheet for the Advanced Sources and Detectors 

MIE in its fiscal year 2020 budget request. Funds for high energy 

density grants are included within the Inertial Confinement Fusion 

(ICF) and High Yield program. 

Inertial Confinement Fusion and High Yield.—Within amounts 

for ICF, $344,000,000 shall be for the National Ignition Facility, 

$80,000,000 shall be for OMEGA, $63,100,000 shall be for the Z 

Facility, and $7,000,000 shall be for the Naval Research Laboratory. Within available amounts, funds are provided for target research, development, and production. Not later than 60 days after 

the enactment of this Act, the NNSA shall provide to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a report on the 

impacts to the ICF program of shifting to a full-cost recovery model 

for the National Ignition Facility. No further direction is provided. 

Advanced Simulation and Computing.—Within amounts for 

Advanced Simulation and Computing, $163,000,000 shall be for the 

exascale initiative, $20,000,000 shall be for advanced memory technology research, and $13,000,000 shall be for work on integrating 

artificial intelligence approaches into mechanistic modeling and 

prediction. 

Advanced Manufacturing Development.—Within amounts provided for Process Technology Development, the agreement includes 

$5,000,000 to modernize and upgrade legacy applications at weapons production facilities. 

Infrastructure and Operations.—The conferees include funding 

above the budget request within Maintenance and Repair and Recapitalization to address the significant backlog of deferred maintenance at the NNSA’s sites. Within amounts for Recapitalization, 

$22,500,000 shall be for recapitalization of the MESA silicon fab facility as requested and $10,000,000 shall be to advance plans for 

the Tritium Production Capability Project. 

Chemistry and Metallurgy Research (CMR) Building Replacement Project.—The conferees include the subproject funding requested to re-categorize the RLUOB to a hazard category-3 facility 

and for the second phase of work to reconfigure the PF–4 facility 

within the Plutonium Pit Production Project and direct the NNSA 

to request funds by these subprojects within the Plutonium Pit Production Project in future budget submissions. 

DEFENSE NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION

(INCLUDING RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

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pended prior-year balances and directs the use of $25,000,000 in 

prior-year balances from nonproliferation construction to offset fiscal year 2019 needs. The agreement includes a provision that directs the use of $25,000,000 for design activities for the dilute and 

dispose strategy for plutonium disposition and a provision that prohibits the use of funds for construction and procurement activities 

for the Surplus Plutonium Disposition project. 

Global Material Security.—Within amounts for Domestic Radiological Security, the conferees provide $12,000,000 to improve capabilities to train first responders and other experts in nuclear operations, safeguards, cyber, and emergency response. 

Material Management and Minimization.—The NNSA shall 

discontinue requesting funds in this account for HEU Reactor Conversion in its fiscal year 2020 budget request and is directed to request funds for these activities within Laboratory and Partnership 

Support and Nonproliferation Fuel Development as provided in the 

conference agreement. Within amounts for Laboratory and Partnership Support, $15,000,000 shall be 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 and $20,000,000 

shall be to support the competitively-awarded funding opportunity 

to expedite the establishment of a stable domestic source of Mo– 

99 that was directed in the fiscal year 2018 Act. 

In lieu of language in the House report, the conferees include 

funding within Material Disposition for design, planning, and other 

supporting activities for the dilute and dispose strategy for plutonium disposition. 

Nonproliferation and Arms Control.—In lieu of language in the 

Senate report, the NNSA shall provide to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, not later than 45 days 

after the enactment of this Act, a briefing on international efforts 

to monitor global technology supply chains and implement robust 

export controls to prevent nuclear proliferation. 

MOX Fuel Fabrication Facility, SRS.—In lieu of language in 

the House and Senate reports, the conferees include funds for the 

project consistent with the amounts and uses authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. 

Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research and Development 

(DNN R&D).—Within amounts for Nonproliferation Fuels Development, $10,000,000 shall be for the national laboratories to develop 

high-density low-enriched fuels that could replace highly enriched 

uranium for naval applications. 

In lieu of the prohibition on the use of funds to convert the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) and the High Flux Isotope Research Reactor (HFIR) in the House report, the NNSA shall provide to the 

Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress not later 

than 90 days after the enactment of this Act a report on the total 

estimated costs to convert ATR, HFIR, TREAT, and any other reactor currently planned for conversion through the U.S. High Performance Research Reactor Program. The report shall include a 

multi-year funding plan and schedule through completion for each 

separate reactor conversion and the estimates shall include sufficient contingency to account for any remaining programmatic and 

technical risks associated with the fuel development activities. 


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NAVAL REACTORS

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The conferees provide $1,788,618,000 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. Within funds for Naval Reactors Research and Development, 

$2,000,000 is for planning, preparation, and shipments of nuclear 

materials to support a pilot project on ZIRCEX. 

FEDERAL SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The conferees provide $410,000,000 for the federal salaries and 

expenses of the Office of the NNSA Administrator. 

ENVIRONMENTAL AND OTHER DEFENSE ACTIVITIES 

DEFENSE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP

(INCLUDING RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

The conferees provide $6,028,600,000 for Defense Environmental Cleanup. The conferees include a rescission of $4,600,000 in 

unexpended prior-year balances from the Hexavalent Chromium 

Pump and Treatment Facility project and direct the use of 

$7,577,000 in prior-year balances from the Savannah River Site to 

offset fiscal year 2019 needs. The Department is directed to submit 

its fiscal year 2020 budget request consistent with the budget 

structure for the Waste Treatment Plant in this Act. 

In lieu of the direction in the House and Senate reports, no 

funds are provided within the Richland or Office of River Protection control points for the Test Bed Initiative, consistent with the 

budget request. Not later than 60 days after the enactment of this 

Act, the Department shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a report on the Test Bed Initiative 

that includes expected costs and implementation schedule, impacts 

on the 2016 Consent Decree and Tri-Party Agreement, any necessary regulatory or permit changes, any necessary National Environmental Policy Act analysis, any necessary changes on site infrastructure, and plans for storage and disposal of waste generated 

through this initiative. If the Department requests funds for the 

Initiative in future budget submissions, such funds shall be requested within the Office of River Protection in a new, separate 

control point. 

Richland.—Within amounts for Richland, the conferees include 

$2,000,000 above the budget request for maintenance and repair of 

B Reactor and additional amounts above the budget request for 

cleanup of the 324 Building, Plutonium Finishing Plant, and K– 

West facility; interim stabilization of PUREX Tunnel #2; and sitewide infrastructure. Also within amounts for Richland, no funding 

shall be available to carry out activities relating to single-shell 

tank stabilization or tank farm activities outside of site-wide infrastructure activities. Within amounts for Central Plateau Remediation, $8,500,000 shall be for the Hazardous Materials Management and Emergency Response facilities. 


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Technology Development and Deployment.—Within the 

amounts provided for Technology Development and Deployment, 

not less than $5,000,000 shall be for work on qualification, testing, 

and research to advance the state of the art of containment ventilation systems and the Department shall take the necessary steps to 

implement and competitively award a cooperative university affiliated research center for that purpose; $5,000,000 shall be for the 

National Spent Fuel Program at Idaho National Laboratory to address activities recommended by the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board as directed in the House report; $5,000,000 shall be for 

independent review, analysis, and applied research to support costeffective, risk-informed cleanup decision-making; and no further direction. 

OTHER DEFENSE ACTIVITIES

The conferees provide $860,292,000 for Other Defense Activities and include the use of $2,000,000 in unexpended prior-year 

balances to offset fiscal year 2019 needs. The agreement includes 

$12,000,000 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. 

The conferees are concerned with the recently issued Order 

140.1, Interface with the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board 

(DNFSB), and the potential impacts on the ability of the DNFSB 

to carry out its Congressionally-mandated responsibilities. Not 

later than 30 days after the enactment of this Act, the Department 

shall provide to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 

of Congress a briefing on how the Order differs from the previous 

Manual, how the Department plans to incorporate concerns from 

the DNFSB and the public, and the Department’s plans to implement the Order across the organization. 

POWER MARKETING ADMINISTRATIONS 

No funds are recommended to divest transmission assets of the 

Power Marketing Administrations (PMA). The conferees remind 

the Department of the prohibition on studying transfer of PMA assets in Public Law 99–349. 

Organizational Reporting.—The Department recently announced a change in organizational structure moving the point of 

reporting for the PMAs to the Assistant Secretary for Electricity 

from the Deputy Secretary. The Committee has heard concerns 

that the realignment may indicate an intention to change the substantive relationship between the Department and each PMA, including actions related to PMA leadership decisions, use of the 

PMAs and their resources, and ratemaking; the Committee does 

not support such a change. The PMAs have unique statutory requirements, and the Committee expects the Department to adhere 

to and not expand upon those requirements. 


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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 $10,400,000 for 

the Southwestern Power Administration. To ensure sufficient authority to meet purchase power and wheeling needs, the agreement 

includes $40,000,000 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 $89,372,000 for 

the Western Area Power Administration. To ensure sufficient authority to meet purchase power and wheeling needs, the agreement 

includes $45,442,000 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 the use of $2,500,000 in prior-year balances. The 

agreement includes legislative language authorizing the acceptance 

and use of contributed funds in fiscal year 2019 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. 


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FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The agreement provides $369,900,000 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. 

FERC shall require the licensee of Oroville Dam to request the 

United States Society on Dams to nominate independent consultants to prepare a level 2 risk analysis, consistent with the Commission’s guidelines, for use in conducting the next Part 12 safety review of Oroville Dam, currently scheduled for 2019. FERC shall ensure the independence of the nominated consultants from the licensee. 

GENERAL PROVISIONS—DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

The conferees include a modified 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 conferees include a provision authorizing intelligence activities of the Department of Energy for purposes of section 504 of 

the National Security Act of 1947. 

The conferees include 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 conferees include 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 conferees include a provision on the Department of Energy’s Working Capital Fund. 

The conferees include a provision prohibiting funds in the Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation account for certain activities and 

assistance in the Russian Federation. 

The conferees include a provision regarding management of the 

Strategic Petroleum Reserve. 

The conferees include a provision regarding authority to release refined petroleum product from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. 


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TITLE IV—INDEPENDENT AGENCIES 

The budget request proposes to eliminate the Delta Regional 

Authority, Denali Commission, and Northern Border Regional 

Commission. The budget requests funding to conduct closeout of 

the agencies in fiscal year 2019. Because Congress strongly opposes 

the termination of these agencies, the agreement includes funding 

to continue their activities. The Administration shall continue all 

activities funded by this Act as well as follow directive language included in this report. No funds shall be used for the planning of 

or implementation of termination of these agencies. 

APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION

The conferees provide $165,000,000 for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). 

The agreement includes the following direction in lieu of all direction included in the House and Senate reports. 

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 to States that have distressed counties in Southern and South Central Appalachia using 

the ARC Area Development Formula. 

Within available funds, the agreement provides $16,000,000 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. 

In addition, the ARC is directed to engage in a partnership 

with a rural consortium that includes academic entities, rural 

health care providers, and economic development entities in order 

to develop information and data on overall agricultural and human 

health issues, how economic distress can be overcome through addressing these issues, and strategies for implementing solutions. 

The ARC is directed to provide to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress not later than one year after the 

enactment of this Act a report describing activities in support of 

this effort. 


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DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The conferees provide $31,000,000 for the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. The conferees include a provision that prohibits implementation of any reform or reorganization plan, including the plan announced on August 15, 2018, unless that plan is 

specifically authorized in law. 

DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The conferees provide $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 conferees provide $15,000,000 for the Denali Commission. 

NORTHERN BORDER REGIONAL COMMISSION

The conferees provide $20,000,000 for the Northern Border Regional Commission. Within available funds, not less than $4,000,000 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 2019. 

SOUTHEAST CRESCENT REGIONAL COMMISSION

The conferees provide $250,000 for the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission. 

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

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 $898,350,000 for Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Commission) salaries and expenses. 

This amount is offset by estimated revenues of $770,477,000, resulting in a net appropriation of $127,873,000. The agreement includes $10,300,000 for activities related to the development of regulatory infrastructure for advanced nuclear reactor technologies and 

$16,080,000 for international activities, which are not subject to 

the Commission’s general fee recovery collection requirements. The 


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agreement directs the use of $20,000,000 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 $469,767,000 

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 $108,609,000 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 in- cludes $25,393,000 for Decommissioning and Low-Level Waste. 

Corporate Support.—The agreement includes $299,581,000 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 2018. The agreement requires the use of 

$20,000,000 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 to the Committees 

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making 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. 

Transformation Initiative.—The Transformation Initiative is 

intended to enhance the Commission’s ability to evaluate and regulate new and novel technologies—such as accident tolerant fuels, 

new materials and new manufacturing approaches, big data, digital 

instrumentation and controls, and small modular and advanced reactor designs—that will challenge the Commission’s current regulatory framework. In future budget requests, the Commission is directed to include concrete proposals developed under the Initiative 

and to reflect savings achieved from their implementation. 

Accident Tolerant Fuels.—Not later than 180 days after the 

date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the 

Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a plan 

describing the Commission’s activities with respect to the testing of 

materials, the development of consensus standards, and the validation of computer codes and how these activities will be integrated 

with the work of external organizations. The plan shall describe 

how the Advanced Test Reactor, the Transient Reactor Test Facility, and the Halden Reactor support these efforts. 

Digital Instrumentation and Control.—Not later than 90 days 

after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a report describing approaches to permitting the use of digital instrumentation and control in safety applications outside of 

the nuclear industry. The report shall discuss whether the permitting approaches used in non-nuclear applications would be acceptable in nuclear applications, and if not, explain why not. 

Reporting Requirements.—The agreement directs the Commission to continue to provide to the Committees on Appropriations of 

both Houses of Congress a quarterly report on licensing goals and 

right-sizing commitments, as described in the explanatory statement for Public Law 114–113. 

(dollars in thousands) 

Conference 

Nuclear Reactor Safety ................................................................................................................................... 469,767 

Integrated University Program ....................................................................................................................... 15,000 

Nuclear Materials And Waste Safety ............................................................................................................. 108,609 

Decommissioning And Low-Level Waste ........................................................................................................ 25,393 

Corporate Support .......................................................................................................................................... 299,581 

Use Of Prior-Year Balances ........................................................................................................................... ¥20,000 

Total, Nuclear Regulatory Commission ................................................................................................. 898,350 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

The agreement includes $12,609,000 for the Office of Inspector 

General in the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This amount is 

graphic by revenues of $10,355,000, for a net appropriation of 

$2,254,000. 

The agreement includes $1,103,000 to provide inspector general services for the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. 


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NUCLEAR WASTE TECHNICAL REVIEW BOARD

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The conferees provide $3,600,000 for the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. 

GENERAL PROVISIONS—INDEPENDENT AGENCIES 

The conferees include a provision instructing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on responding to congressional requests for information. 

The conferees include a provision relating to reprogramming. 

TITLE V—GENERAL PROVISIONS 

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The conferees include a provision relating to lobbying restrictions. 

The conferees include a provision relating to transfer authority. No additional transfer authority is implied or conveyed by 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 conferees include a provision prohibiting funds to be used 

in contravention of the executive order entitled ‘‘Federal Actions to 

Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and LowIncome Populations.’’ 

The conferees include 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. 

The conferees include a provision providing for an additional 

amount for the Bureau of Reclamation. 


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DIVISION B—LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 

2019 

The following is an explanation of the effects of Division B, 

which makes appropriations for the Legislative Branch for fiscal 

year 2019. Unless otherwise noted, reference to the House and Senate reports are to House Report 115–696 and Senate Report 115– 

274. The language included in these reports should be complied 

with and carry the same emphasis as the language included in the 

explanatory statement, unless specifically addressed to the contrary in this explanatory statement. While repeating some report 

language for emphasis, this explanatory statement does not intend 

to negate the language referred to above unless expressly provided 

herein. 

Reprogramming Guidelines: It is expected that all agencies notify the Committees on Appropriations of the House and the Senate 

of any significant departures from budget plans presented to the 

Committees in any agency’s budget justifications. In particular, 

agencies funded through this bill are required to notify the Committees prior to each reprogramming of funds in excess of the lesser of 10 percent or $750,000 between programs, projects or activities, or in excess of $750,000 between object classifications (except 

for shifts within the pay categories, object class 11, 12, and 13 or 

as further specified in each agency’s respective section). This includes cumulative reprogrammings that together total at least 

$750,000 from or to a particular program, activity, or object classification as well as reprogramming full time equivalents (FTE) or 

funds to create new organizational entities within the agency or to 

restructure entities which already exist. The Committees desire to 

be notified of reprogramming actions which involve less than the 

above-mentioned amounts if such actions would have the effect of 

changing an agency’s funding requirements in future years or if 

programs or projects specifically cited in the Committees’ reports 

are affected. 

Inspector General Budgets: The conferees believe it is important to ensure independence between Legislative Branch Inspectors 

General (IG) and their respective reporting agencies and expect to 

see a separate section in each agency’s fiscal year 2020 budget justification reflecting a detailed budget request for the agency’s IG 

Office. Additionally, the conferees direct each IG to keep the Committees fully apprised of its funding needs, and the conferees direct 

each agency not to interfere with or require approval for such communications. 

TITLE I 

SENATE 

The agreement includes $934,666,642 for Senate operations. 

This item relates solely to the Senate, and is in accordance with 

long practice under which each body determines its own housekeeping requirements and the other concurs without intervention. 

Senate Employees’ Child Care Center (SECCC): In lieu of language included in Senate Report 115–274, the agreement directs 

the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review the current 


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operations of the SECCC. GAO must receive input from related 

constituencies including SECCC Board Members and the Executive 

Director. GAO shall conduct a study and provide its findings to the 

Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Rules and Administration no later than 180 days after enactment of this act. 

The study shall: examine the current statutory impediments to and 

feasibility of incorporating the SECCC into either the office of the 

Sergeant at Arms or the office of the Secretary of the Senate; the 

current costs to operate the facility, including capital, operating, 

salaries, benefits and other expenses and how those might convey 

to one of the Senate entities named; investigate the creation and 

operation of a revolving fund by which tuition and other payments 

may be received; detail the best method of dissolving the 501(c)(3) 

that currently runs the SECCC; and recommend a personnel process to govern hires, transfers, promotions, and approvals for training. The study should also include an accounting of the SECCC’s 

requirements to maintain certification and licensing as a certified 

and/or accredited child care and child development facility in the 

District of Columbia. That accounting should also include any requirements for insurance or other liability protections for the staff 

or the facility. The study should disclose all costs associated with 

the operation of the center that are currently incurred by the 

SECCC, the Architect of the Capitol, the Senate Sergeant at Arms, 

and the Secretary of the Senate. When developing its findings, the 

Committee strongly encourages GAO to consider the structure and 

capacity of child care facilities that serve employees of other Legislative Branch agencies, the House of Representatives, and Executive Branch agencies. The conferees further direct the Comptroller 

General to brief the Committee on Rules and Administration not 

later than 90 days after enactment on preliminary findings of the 

Comptroller General’s evaluation, with the report to follow at a 

date to be determined at the time of the briefing. 

In lieu of language included in Senate Report 115–274, the 

agreement includes the following: 

Senate Staff Compensation Review: Ensuring Senate staff compensation is competitive and fair is critical to attracting and retaining highly-qualified staff. The Secretary of the Senate is directed 

to conduct a review, or contract with an independent external entity to conduct a review, of the salaries and benefits of staff employed by Senators’ offices and Senate Committees to evaluate the 

extent to which Senate staff receive similar pay for similar work, 

both internally and externally to the Senate. The review must consider job responsibilities, experience, and outside qualifications, including education, for such comparisons. Providing such compensation data is strictly voluntary for any Senator’s office or Senate 

Committee, and any such office may direct that its data be excluded from any data provided for the review. The review should 

note how many offices, in the aggregate, chose not to participate. 

The Secretary, or contracting entity, must also take all reasonable 

and necessary steps to ensure that the data gathered is securely 

protected and kept confidential. The Committee directs that such 

a review be started, or contracted out, within 12 months of enactment and that a report summarizing such review be submitted, 

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tions and upon request to any Senator. Such report must provide 

summaries of such comparisons and exclude any information that 

could be used to identify any individual, any Senators’ office, any 

Committee, or any other entity of the Senate, similar to reports 

published in 2001 and 2006. 

Senate Intern Compensation: The agreement reiterates directives included in Senate Report 115–274 related to Senate Intern 

Compensation and notes that $5,000,000 is provided for such purpose. 

Death Gratuity: Consistent with tradition, the agreement provides $174,000 to the widow of Senator John Sidney McCain III. 

Administrative Provisions 

The agreement provides for unspent amounts remaining in 

Senators’ Official Personnel and Office Expense Account to be used 

for deficit or debt reduction; amends the Federal Election Campaign Act relating to electronic filings; and extends the authority 

as provided for in section 21(d) of Senate Resolution 64 of the 

113th Congress, as amended by section 178 of Public Law 114–223. 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

The agreement includes $1,232,663,035 for House operations. 

This item relates solely to the House, and is in accordance with 

long practice under which each body determines its own housekeeping requirements and the other concurs without intervention. 

Chief Administrative Office 

House Campus Food Service: The conferees commend the Chief 

Administrative Officer (CAO) for the addition of several branded 

options to the House campus and encourage the CAO to continue 

exploring opportunities to add more. 

Members Dining Room (MDR): Dating back to 1858, the MDR 

has provided a social space where Members meet with one another 

and with their constituents. This is a unique and special experience 

for visitors of all ages. There have been ongoing concerns over the 

years regarding improvements to food service and quality in the 

MDR. The conferees direct the Chief Administrative Officer to explore applying the branded option concept to the dining room in an 

effort to provide consistent service, better food selection, and quality food to Members and their guests. 

The CAO is to report back to the appropriate stakeholders regarding options and timelines within 90 days. 

Office of the Legislative Counsel of the House 

Funding: The House Office of Legislative Counsel (HOLC) 

staffing has not increased proportionally to meet Member expectations for drafting assistance. The HOLC has recently experienced 

a loss of key personnel, including to the executive branch. While 

the current Legislative Counsel is to be commended for his strategic management approach and successful recruitment of talented 

personnel, the HOLC needs additional resources to hire and retain 

additional attorneys, paralegals, and administrative staff. An addiVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:09 Sep 12, 2018 Jkt 031415 PO 00000 Frm 00207 Fmt 6601 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR929.XXX HR929

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tional $2,000,000 is provided so that HOLC will be better positioned over the long-term to meet its statutory responsibility and 

support Members and staff throughout the legislative process. The 

conferees specifically expect HOLC to ensure the availability of 

drafting assistance to Members, committees and leadership offices 

when legislative activity is expected or legislative deadlines are approaching. 

Paid Internships: The conferees believe that House internships 

should be available to the broadest possible pool of candidates who 

have the ability and interest to serve. Unpaid internships can be 

an impediment to otherwise qualified candidates who cannot independently afford to work without pay. One important step to expanding the opportunity for public service within the House is to 

provide interns financial compensation via a salary. The underlying bill provides up to $20,000 per Member office 

for the sole purpose of paid internships. The paid internship positions shall not count against the number of employees who may be 

employed by a Member of the House under 2 U.S.C. 5321. The 

Committee on House Administration will promulgate rules and regulations on the implementation of this new authority. 

Administrative Provisions 

The agreement provides for unspent amounts remaining in 

Members’ Representational Allowances account to be used for deficit or debt reduction; prohibits the delivery of bills and resolutions; 

prohibits the delivery of printed copies of the Congressional Record; 

places a limitation on amount available to lease vehicles; places a 

limitation on print copies of the U.S. Code; prohibits delivery of reports of disbursements, daily calendars, and the Congressional Pictorial Directory; repeal of authorizations for former Speakers; and 

transfer authority. 

JOINT ITEMS 

JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE

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

JOINT COMMITTEE ON TAXATION

The agreement includes $11,169,000 for salaries and expenses. 

OFFICE OF THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN

The agreement includes $3,798,000. 

OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The agreement includes $1,486,000 for salaries and expenses. 

CAPITOL POLICE

SALARIES

The agreement includes $374,804,000 for salaries of the Capitol Police (USCP). The increase includes necessary half year funds 


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to provide full year funding for those sworn hired from fiscal year 

2018 funding to staff the House Garage Security initiative and limited prescreening; half year funding to fully fund 48 civilian positions hired from fiscal year 2018 funding that will replace positions 

currently staffed by sworn officers, who will be redeployed to meet 

critical mission requirements and provide immediate personnel 

utility; and additional half year funds in fiscal year 2019 for the 

hiring of 72 sworn and 21 civilian positions for additional sworn 

prescreeners at office buildings and the implementation of enhanced screening at the Capitol Visitor Center, as well as one position for the USCP Office of Inspector General. No more than 

$43,668,000 is recommended for overtime in fiscal year 2019. This 

provides for approximately 665,000 hours of additional duty. 

Risk-Based Protections for Members of Congress: As highlighted 

by the 2017 shooting in Alexandria, Virginia, evolving threats to 

Congress include the physical targeting of Members of Congress. In 

addition to securing the Capitol campus, the conferees find that ensuring the continuity of government must include protecting the 

physical security of Members. This bill includes $1,000,000 to enhance Member security outside of the Capitol campus in the National Capital Region, as warranted by risk-based analyses. Such 

funds may be used to reimburse local law enforcement and/or support additional dignitary protection teams to be assigned on a flexible and dynamic basis. The conferees further expect the USCP to 

adopt Inspector General recommendations on improving the effectiveness of USCP units, including those other than the Uniformed 

Services Bureau, to better position the USCP to expand off-campus 

security for Members. The USCP is directed to report to the Committees within 90 days of enactment on plans for utilizing the increased funding for off-campus Member security in the National 

Capital Region, including cost estimates for expanding such efforts. 

The USCP is also directed to include in such report a recommendation to the Committees on specific features of such events that may 

warrant a threat assessment. Such recommendation should be 

made in a format that could better inform Members and staff of 

events that may need to be alerted to the USCP. 

Use of Grounds: The conferees understand the need to maintain safety and order on the Capitol grounds and the USCP is commended for their efforts. Given the family-style neighborhood that 

the Capitol shares with the surrounding community the conferees 

continue to instruct the Capitol Police to forebear enforcement of 

2 U.S.C. 1963 (‘‘an act to protect the public property, turf, and 

grass of the Capitol Grounds from injury’’) and the Traffic Regulations for the United States Capitol Grounds when encountering 

snow sledders on the grounds. 

Horse Mounted Unit: For a period of time prior to fiscal year 

2006 the USCP operated a six-person Horse Mounted Unit (HMU). 

The non-personnel start-up costs and annual operating budget required to have a dedicated USCP HMU at this time would take resources away from USCP priorities. However, some believe that 

having a HMU occasionally patrol the Capitol campus could be 

beneficial both from an aesthetic and security perspective. The 

USCP is directed to provide a report to the Committees within 90 

days of enactment that explores the possibility of entering into a 


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memorandum of understanding with the United States Park Police 

(USPP) and the Metropolitan Police Department to provide HMU 

support around the Capitol campus. The report must address all 

aspects of such MOU, including any anticipated direct costs and 

any reimbursement payments. The report must also provide a detailed analysis of the security improvements that could be made 

under such an MOU, including accounting for the potential frequency of USPP and MPD HMU presence on the campus. 

USCP Office of Inspector General: The agreement includes 

funds to support not less than six FTEs within the USCP Office of 

Inspector General. 

GENERAL EXPENSES

The agreement includes $81,504,000 for general expenses of 

the Capitol Police. 

OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The agreement includes $6,332,670 for salaries and expenses. 

Compliance and Training Additional Resources: The conferees 

recognize the continued work on reforming the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) and the process by which harassment and 

discrimination are reported in the workplace. In support of the ongoing CAA reform efforts and the increasing role and expectations 

of the Office of Compliance (OOC) including training of Legislative 

Branch offices and agencies, which includes the addition of the Library of Congress earlier this year, the agreement provides an additional $1,373,670 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level. 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The agreement includes $50,737,000 for salaries and expenses. 

Responsiveness to Congress: The Congressional Budget Office 

(CBO) provides Congress with estimates and analyses which can 

play an influential role in the legislative process. The conferees 

support the CBO’s initiatives to improve responsiveness to Congress. To better understand the needs of the agency with respect 

to these initiatives, the conferees request additional details and 

plans for current and future efforts. Specifically, the conferees request information pertaining to the allocation of time and resources 

spent on formal cost estimates versus informal cost estimates and 

an update on the agency’s plans to enhance the tracking of this information. 

ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL

The agreement includes $733,745,000 for the activities of the 

Architect of the Capitol (AOC). 

Office of Inspector General (OIG): Within funds provided the 

conferees direct the AOC OIG to employ not fewer than 14 fulltime equivalent positions during fiscal year 2019. 


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CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATIONS

The agreement includes $103,962,000 for Capital Construction 

and Operations. 

With respect to operations and projects, the following is agreed 

to: 

Operating Budget ................................................................................... $103,962,000 

Total, Capital Construction and Operations ........................................ $103,962,000 

CAPITOL BUILDING

The agreement includes $43,992,000, for maintenance, care, and operation of the Capitol, of which $17,344,000 shall remain 

available until September 30, 2023. 

With respect to operations and projects, the following is agreed 

to: 

Operating Budget ............................................................................... $26,648,000 

Project Budget: 

Security Improvements, House Chamber, USC ........................ 4,857,000 

Senate Reception Room Restoration and Conservation, USC 4,363,000 

Fire Alarm System Upgrade, USC ............................................ 2,525,000 

Conservation of Fine and Architectural Art ............................. 599,000 

Minor Construction ..................................................................... 5,000,000 

17,344,000 

Total, Capitol Building ....................................................................... $43,992,000 

CAPITOL GROUNDS

The agreement includes $16,761,000 for the care and improvements of the grounds surrounding the Capitol, House and Senate 

office buildings, and the Capitol Power Plant, of which $5,519,000 

shall remain available until September 30, 2023. 

With respect to operations and projects, the following is agreed 

to: 

Operating Budget ............................................................................... $11,242,000 

Project Budget: 

Light Pole Structural Repairs and Improvements, Phase III– 

VI .............................................................................................. 2,519,000 

Minor Construction ..................................................................... 3,000,000 

5,519,000 

Total, Capitol Grounds ....................................................................... $16,761,000 

HOUSE OFFICE BUILDINGS

The agreement includes $197,098,000 for the care and maintenance of the House Office Buildings, of which $65,552,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2023 and $62,000,000 shall remain available until expended. 

Operating Budget ............................................................................... $59,546,000 

Project Budget: 

Garage Interior Rehabilitation, Phase IV, RHOB .................... 32,721,000 

Security Enhancements, Phase IV and V, HOB ....................... 22,171,000 

CAO Project Support ................................................................... 3,660,000 

Restoration & Renovation, CHOB ............................................. 62,000,000 

Minor Construction ..................................................................... 7,000,000 


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127,552,000 

House Office Buildings (base program) ............................................ $187,098,000 

House Historic Buildings Revitalization Trust Fund ............... 10,000,000 

Total, House Office Buildings ............................................................ $197,098,000 

This item relates solely to the House and is in accordance with 

long practice under which each body determines its own housekeeping requirements, and the other concurs without intervention. 

Cannon Tunnel Improvements: The tunnel connecting the Cannon House Office Building and the Capitol Building is the path 

many visitors travel in route to visiting the Capitol. The current 

condition of the Cannon tunnel is that of a basement ambience. 

Furthermore the tunnel is subject to leaks which have recently 

caused the tunnel to be closed. The Architect of the Capitol, in consultation with the Clerk of the House, is directed to develop a comprehensive plan to enhance the tunnel. The plan should include 

cost estimates, timeline, and renderings to improve the welcoming 

experience as visitors make their way to the Capitol. 

Capitol South Metro Station Arrival Area: The conferees recognize the symbolism of the Capitol complex to our nation and 

around the world. A desire exists to make improvements to the 

welcoming experience as visitors arrive at the campus. The Architect of the Capitol is directed to further study, evaluate, and develop designs for the transformation of First Street, SE into a more 

welcoming environment with specific improvements targeted to creating a safe and secure arrival area at the Capitol South Metro station. 

SENATE OFFICE BUILDINGS

The agreement includes $93,562,000 for the maintenance, care 

and operation of the Senate Office Buildings, of which $31,162,000 

shall remain available until September 30, 2023. 

Operating Budget ............................................................................... $62,400,000 

Project Budget: 

Emergency Generator Replacement, HSOB .............................. 850,000 

Fire Alarm Upgrade, DSOB ....................................................... 606,000 

Exterior Envelope Repair & Restoration, Phases IV and V, 

RSOB ........................................................................................ 24,706,000 

Minor Construction ..................................................................... 5,000,000 

31,162,000 

Total, Senate Office Buildings ............................................ $93,562,000 

This item relates solely to the Senate and is in accordance with 

long practice under which each body determines its own housekeeping requirements, and the other concurs without intervention. 

CAPITOL POWER PLANT

In addition to the $9,000,000 made available from receipts 

credited as reimbursements to this appropriation, the agreement 

includes $114,050,000 for maintenance, care and operation of the 

Capitol Power Plant, of which $31,362,000 shall remain available 

until September 30, 2023. 

With respect to operations and projects, the following is agreed 

to: 

Operating Budget ............................................................................... $91,688,000 


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Project Budget: 

Cooling Tower Renovation and Electrical Upgrades, Phase IV 21,215,000 

Tunnel Waterproofing, Y Tunnel ............................................... 4,709,000 

Switchgear B & Pump Replacement, RPR, Phase VI .............. 724,000 

Condenser Water Pump and HVAC Replacement, RPR, 

Phase VII .................................................................................. 714,000 

Minor Construction ..................................................................... 4,000,000 

31,362,000 

Subtotal, Capitol Power Plant ............................................ $123,050,000 

Offsetting Collections ................................................... (9,000,000) 

Total, Capitol Power Plant .................................................. $114,050,000 

LIBRARY BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

The agreement includes $68,525,000 for Library of Congress Buildings and Grounds, of which $40,403,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2023. 

With respect to operations and projects, the following is agreed 

to: 

Operating Budget ............................................................................... $28,122,000 

Project Budget: 

North Exit Stair B, Phase II, TJB ............................................. 18,090,000 

Emergency Lighting System Upgrade, TJB .............................. 7,490,000 

Book Conveyor System Removal and In-Fill, JMMB ............... 4,762,000 

Exterior Masonry and Envelope Repairs, TJB ......................... 2,149,000 

Fire Alarm and Audibility Upgrade, JMMB ............................. 1,622,000 

ESPC Management Program, LBG ........................................... 1,790,000 

National Library Service Relocation Design ............................. 2,000,000 

Minor Construction ..................................................................... 2,500,000 

40,403,000 

Total, Library Buildings and Grounds ............................... $68,525,000 

CAPITOL POLICE BUILDINGS, GROUNDS, AND SECURITY

The agreement includes $57,714,000 for Capitol Police Buildings, Grounds, and Security, of which $31,777,000 shall remain 

available until September 30, 2023. 

With respect to operations and projects, the following is agreed 

to: 

Operating Budget ............................................................................... $25,937,000 

Project Budget: 

Chiller Replacement and Chilled Water System Expansion, 

Phase I, ACF ............................................................................ 15,477,000 

Barrier Lifecycle and Perimeter Security Kiosk Replacement, 

Phase III ................................................................................... 8,300,000 

South Door Screening Center Design and Initial Construction, USC .................................................................................. 3,000,000 

Minor Construction ..................................................................... 5,000,000 

31,777,000 

Total, Capitol Police Buildings, Grounds, and Security ... $57,714,000 

Alternate Computing Facility (ACF): The conferees direct the 

AOC to develop and present a multi-year strategic plan for the use 

of the ACF and associated costs estimates to meet the plan. The 

conferees direct the AOC to work with their stakeholders and Committees of jurisdiction when developing the plan. Additionally, as 


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part of the analysis for developing the strategic plan the AOC is 

directed to work with the Uptime Institute or equivalent certifying 

authority to have a third-party assessment of the data center at 

the ACF. 

BOTANIC GARDEN

The agreement includes $14,759,000 for salaries and expenses for the Botanic Garden, of which $3,559,000 shall remain available 

until September 30, 2023. 

With respect to operations and projects, the following is agreed 

to: 

Operating Budget ................................................................................... $11,200,000 

Project Budget: 

Security Upgrade, BGC .................................................................. 959,000 

Minor Construction ......................................................................... 2,600,000 

3,559,000 

Total, Botanic Garden .............................................................. $14,759,000 

CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER

The agreement includes $23,322,000 for the Capitol Visitor 

Center. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

The agreement prohibits payments of bonuses to contractors 

behind schedule or over budget; prohibits expenditure of funds for 

scrims for projects performed by the Architect of the Capitol; allows 

interagency transfers of funds to support the security needs of Congress; amends the small purchase threshold; authorizes details of 

employees; and authorizes employees to accept reimbursement of 

expenses for attending meetings and other functions in an official 

capacity. 

Acceptance of Travel Expenses from Non-Federal Sources: The 

Architect of the Capitol is directed to update its Ethics Order to incorporate this new authority as well as including the requirement 

applicable to executive branch agencies that the Architect of the 

Capitol submit semi-annual reports on all expenses paid in 

amounts greater than $250. 

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The agreement includes $474,052,000 in direct appropriations and authority to spend receipts of $6,000,000, for a total of 

$480,052,000. 

This amount includes $2,383,000 for the Veterans History Project and $8,653,000 for the Teaching with Primary Sources program. 

Visitor Experience: The vision for the Visitor Experience enhancements at the Library of Congress’ Thomas Jefferson Building 

has strong support in Congress. By expanding, revitalizing, and 

better showcasing the Library’s available programs and historical 

artifacts, the Visitor Experience will capitalize on investments in 

the Library while also opening up the Library’s treasures to more 


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visitors from across the United States and the world. To date, 

$10,000,000 of taxpayer money has been appropriated and a commitment of $10,000,000 in private donations for this public/private 

partnership initiative has been secured. The preliminary cost estimate provided by the Library of Congress for this project is 

$60,000,000. 

The conferees believe a substantial down payment for this initiative has been invested which demonstrates the robust support 

and commitment of Congress. While one third of the funding for 

this initiative has been secured, routine budget justification materials, such as a detailed cost estimate, design, and timeline are still 

under development at the Library. As directed in Public Law 115– 

141 and its accompanying explanatory statement, the Committees 

on Appropriations of the House and Senate look forward to receiving and reviewing a comprehensive Visitor Experience plan, which 

will provide the basis for appropriation of further project funding 

and ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely. 

Ultimately this project has the potential to transform the way 

in which the collection and story of the world’s largest library is 

shared with millions of people for decades to come. The conferees 

applaud the forward thinking vision of the Visitor Experience concept and look forward to continuing Congress’ partnership with the 

Library of Congress to make this concept a reality. 

Preservation: The Library utilizes multiple preservation strategies to extend the life of its vast collections for future generations 

to enjoy, including building and operating climate-controlled storage facilities, preparing new acquisitions for commercial binding 

and shelving, deacidification, and digital reformatting. The conferees support the Library’s preservation efforts and direct the Library to continue funding for ongoing preservation activities at not 

less than the current level for each ongoing preservation strategy. 

National Film and Sound Recording Preservation Programs: 

As noted in the Senate Report 115–274, the conferees expect that 

the Library will provide support to these programs. 

COPYRIGHT OFFICE 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The agreement includes $43,589,000 in direct appropriations to 

the Copyright Office which fully funds the agency’s amended request. An additional $45,490,000 is made available from receipts 

for salaries and expenses and $4,328,000 is available from prior 

year unobligated balances, for a total of $93,407,000. 

CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The agreement includes $125,688,000 for salaries and expenses. 

Technology Assessment Study: The Committees have heard testimony on, and received dozens of requests advocating for restoring 

funding to the Office of Technology Assessment, and more generally on how Congress equips itself with the deep technical advice 

necessary to understand and tackle the growing number of science 


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and technology policy challenges facing our country. The conferees 

direct the Congressional Research Service (CRS) to engage with the 

National Academy of Public Administration or a similar external 

entity to produce a report detailing the current resources available 

to Members of Congress within the Legislative Branch regarding 

science and technology policy, including the GAO. This study 

should also assess the potential need within the Legislative Branch 

to create a separate entity charged with the mission of providing 

nonpartisan advice on issues of science and technology. Furthermore, the study should also address if the creation of such entity 

duplicates services already available to Members of Congress. CRS 

should work with the Committees in developing the parameters of 

the study and once complete, the study should be made available 

to relevant oversight Committees. 

BOOKS FOR THE BLIND AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The agreement includes $52,783,000 for salaries and expenses. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION

The agreement includes a provision regarding reimbursable 

and revolving funds. 

GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

CONGRESSIONAL PUBLISHING

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The agreement includes $79,000,000 for authorized publishing, 

printing and binding for the Congress. 

National Library Services: The conferees are encouraged with 

the progress to-date on the relocation of the Library of Congress’s 

(LOC) National Library Services division to a location within Government Publishing Office (GPO) owned office space. The conferees 

have provided the Architect of the Capitol $2,000,000 for design 

and initial construction. GPO is directed to help facilitate this move 

which the conferees believe is beneficial for both GPO and LOC. 

Budget Justifications: GPO routinely utilizes carryover balances from previous fiscal years to complete major initiatives and 

other services required by Congress. While the conferees support 

this efficient use of funds for these efforts, the conferees direct 

GPO to include such planned spending for future fiscal years in its 

agency budget justifications. This will ensure that all future project 

and other spending planning by GPO will be transparent and justified to the Congress. 

PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAMS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF

DOCUMENTS

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The agreement includes $32,000,000. 


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GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

BUSINESS OPERATIONS REVOLVING FUND

The agreement includes $6,000,000. 

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The agreement includes $589,749,653 in direct appropriations 

for salaries and expenses of the Government Accountability Office 

(GAO). In addition, $35,900,000 is available from offsetting collections, for a total of $625,649,653. 

This level of funding will enable GAO to hire an additional 50 

FTE compared to both the fiscal year 2018 funding level and the 

request level. Added to GAO’s ongoing hiring plan, total staffing 

levels will increase by 130 FTE compared to the fiscal year 2018 

level. 

Technology Assessment: There is general support in Congress 

to bolster capacity of and enhance access to quality, independent 

science and technological expertise. Since 2002, GAO has provided 

direct support to Congress in the area of technology assessment 

through objective, rigorous, and timely assessments of emerging 

science and technologies. The Center for Science, Technology, and 

Engineering (CSTE) within GAO has developed such a capacity, 

providing wide-ranging technical expertise across all of GAO’s 

areas of work. However, because the scope of technological complexities continues to grow significantly, the conferees seek opportunities to expand technology assessment capacity within the Legislative Branch. 

The conferees encourage GAO to reorganize its technology and 

science function by creating a new more prominent office within 

GAO. GAO is directed to provide the Committees a detailed plan 

and timeline describing how this new office can expand and enhance GAO’s capabilities in scientific and technological assessments. This plan should be developed in consultation with internal 

stakeholders of the Legislative Branch such as congressional staff 

and Members of Congress in addition to external stakeholders, including nonprofit organizations and subject matter experts knowledgeable in the field of emerging and current technologies. Further, 

such a plan should include a description of the revised organizational structure within GAO, provide potential cost estimates as 

necessary, and analyze the following issues: the appropriate scope 

of work and depth of analysis; the optimum size and staff skillset 

needed to fulfill its mission; the opportunity and utility of shared 

efficiencies within GAO; and the opportunities to increase GAO’s 

engagement and support with Congress. GAO is directed to submit 

this report to the Committees within 180 days of enactment. 

USCP Mandatory Retirement Age: The conferees direct the 

Government Accountability Office to provide a written report to the 

Committees within one year of enactment on the feasibility and impact of permanently raising the USCP sworn employee mandatory 

retirement age from 57 years of age to 60 years of age. The report 

should address the young and vigorous law enforcement standard; 

the potential impact to benefits afforded to USCP sworn employees 


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under the Capitol Police Retirement Act, the Social Security benefit, the Federal Employees Retirement System benefit, and the 

Thrift Savings Plan annuity; the long-term financial impact on the 

USCP if enacted; and provide benchmark data against other Federal law enforcement agencies to ensure Federal law enforcement 

parity for the USCP will not be impacted should the mandatory retirement age be raised to 60 years of age. In addition, in consultation with the Office of Personnel Management, the Government Accountability Office should provide amendment language to the Capitol Police Retirement Act for such a change to be made and validate that the ‘‘young and vigorous’’ basis of CPRA mandatory age 

retirement requirements is acceptable for the entire federal workforce given present-day health and wellness standards. 

OPEN WORLD LEADERSHIP CENTER TRUST FUND

The agreement includes $5,600,000. 

Mission: The conferees applaud the Open World Leadership 

Center (OWLC) as it enters its twentieth year of operation. The 

highlight of OWLC’s accomplishments has been the engagement of 

program participants with United States Government officials, including Members of Congress, which helps to improve the image of 

the United States in countries where leaders have limited direct 

interface with Americans and our values. 

The political landscape around the world is constantly shifting, 

and Congress’s needs for dialogue with leaders around the world 

who shape America’s image in their own countries is increasing. 

The conferees look forward to the OWLC being a continued and potentially growing resource for the initiation and ongoing means of 

dialogue with emerging legislatures and/or countries undergoing 

governmental transition. The conferees direct OWLC to collaborate 

with its current Board of Directors as well as Congressional stakeholders to present a report outlining potential ways in which 

OWLC can meet its mission in an evolving world. 

JOHN C. STENNIS CENTER FOR PUBLIC SERVICE TRAINING AND

DEVELOPMENT

The agreement includes $430,000. 

TITLE II—GENERAL PROVISIONS 

The agreement continues provisions related to maintenance 

and care of private vehicles; fiscal year limitations; rates of compensation and designation; consulting services; costs of the 

LBFMC; limitation on transfers; guided tours of the Capitol; and 

includes provisions related to limitation on telecommunications 

equipment procurement; prohibition on certain operational expenses; plastic waste reduction; agency cost of living adjustments; 

and adjustments to compensation. 


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DIVISION C—MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 

2019 

The following is an explanation of the effects of Division C, 

which makes appropriations for Military Construction, Veterans 

Affairs, and Related Agencies for fiscal year 2019. Unless otherwise 

noted, reference to the House and Senate reports are to House Report 115–673 and Senate Report 115–269. The language set forth 

in House Report 115–673 and Senate Report 115–269 should be 

complied with and carry the same emphasis as the language included in the joint explanatory statement, unless specifically addressed to the contrary in this joint explanatory statement. While 

repeating some report language for emphasis, this joint explanatory statement does not intend to negate the language referred to 

above unless expressly provided herein. In cases in which the 

House or the Senate has directed the submission of a report, such 

report is to be submitted to both Houses of Congress. House or 

Senate reporting requirements with deadlines prior to, or within 15 

days after enactment of this Act shall be submitted no later than 

60 days after enactment of this Act. All other reporting deadlines 

not specifically directed by this joint explanatory statement are to 

be met. 

TITLE I 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 

Bid Savings.—Cost variation notices required by 10 U.S.C. 

2853 continue to demonstrate the Department of Defense (DOD) 

continues to have bid savings on previously appropriated military 

construction projects. Therefore, the conference agreement includes 

rescissions to the Air Force, Army National Guard, Homeowners 

Assistance Program, the NATO Security Investment Program and 

Navy and Marine Corps Family Housing accounts. The Secretary 

of Defense is directed to continue to submit 1002 reports on military construction bid savings at the end of each fiscal quarter to 

the Committees. 

Incremental Funding.—In general, the conferees support full 

funding for military construction projects if they are executable. 

However, it continues to be the practice of the Committees to provide incremental funding for certain large projects to enable the 

services to more efficiently allocate military construction dollars 

among projects that can be executed in the year of appropriation. 

Therefore, the conference agreement includes 9 projects that have 

been incrementally funded, however the full authorization of the 

projects will be provided in the National Defense Authorization Act 

for Fiscal Year 2019. 

Facilities Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization 

(FSRM).—The Department of Defense is directed to continue describing on form 1390 the backlog of FSRM requirements at installations with future construction projects. For troop housing requests, form 1391 should describe any FSRM conducted in the past 

two years. Likewise, future requirements for unaccompanied housing at the corresponding installation should be included. AdditionVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:09 Sep 12, 2018 Jkt 031415 PO 00000 Frm 00232 Fmt 6601 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR929.XXX HR929

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ally, the forms should include English equivalent measurements for 

projects presented in metric measurement. Rules for funding repairs of facilities under the Operation and Maintenance accounts 

are described below: 

(1) components of the facility may be repaired by replacement. Such replacement can be up to current standards or 

codes; 

(2) interior arrangements and restorations may be included as repair; 

(3) additions, new facilities, and functional conversions 

must be performed as military construction projects. Such 

projects may be done concurrently with repair projects as long 

as the final conjunctively funded project is a complete and usable facility; and 

(4) the appropriate service secretary shall notify the appropriate committees 21 days prior to carrying out any repair 

project with an estimated cost in excess of $7,500,000. The 

Committees strongly encourage the services and defense agencies to indicate the plant replacement value of the facility to 

be repaired on each such notification. 

Enhancing force protection and security on military installations.—In collaboration with the House Armed Services Committee, 

the conference agreement includes section 132 which provides 

$50,000,000 to each of the military construction accounts for Navy 

and Marine Corps and the Air Force to help alleviate deficiencies 

in access control points, air traffic control towers, fire stations, and 

AT/FP deficiencies across the enterprise. There has been much concern on both sides of the aisle that these types of military construction projects continually fall short of securing funding in a fiscal 

year due to higher priorities within the Services. Each Service Secretary is directed to submit a spend plan for the additional funds 

no later than 30 days after enactment of this Act to the congressional defense committees. 

Cell Site Simulators.—The conferees are concerned with the 

potential threat of cell site simulators located near DOD facilities. 

Therefore, the conferees direct the Secretary of Defense to submit 

to the congressional defense committees within 180 days of enactment of this Act a full accounting of cell site simulators detected 

near DOD facilities during the three year period ending on the date 

of enactment of this Act. The report should also include the actions 

taken by the Secretary to protect personnel of the Department, 

their families, and facilities of the Department from foreign powers 

using such technology to conduct surveillance. 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers restructuring (USACE).—On 

July 30, 2018, the Secretary of Defense approved a Secretary of the 

Army memorandum identifying specific actions the Army will take 

in support of the Administration’s proposed reorganization of 

USACE’s Civil Works Program. The reorganization includes taking 

the Civil Works program out of the Army Corps of Engineers with 

navigation going to the Department of Transportation for infrastructure grants and the remaining accounts to the Department of 

Interior. 

The conferees are perplexed as to why there was no notification or discussion with Members of Congress and Committees staffs 


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on an action of this magnitude that crosses multiple subcommittees’ jurisdiction. This type of proposal, as the Department is well 

aware, will require legislative language which has not been proposed or requested to date. The conferees are opposed to the reorganization as it could ultimately have impacts for implementation 

of the Military Construction, BRAC and Family Housing programs. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY

The conference agreement provides $1,021,768,000 for Military 

Construction, Army. Within this amount, the agreement provides 

$110,068,000 for study, planning, design, architect and engineer 

services, and host nation support. The agreement also provides an 

additional $10,000,000 above the request to supplement unspecified 

minor military construction. 

Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant.—Consistent with the direction in the Senate Report 115–269, the conferees direct the 

Army to continue its remediation and evaluations at the former 

Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant, comply with applicable regulations and permit requirements, and work with regulatory agencies 

to ensure all response sites are remediated to applicable and approved standards. The Army should continue to communicate with 

Sunflower Redevelopment, LLC and conduct regular stakeholder 

meetings and monthly conference calls to address questions or 

issues related to cleanup and redevelopment. 

Badger Army Ammunition Plant.—Consistent with the direction in the Senate Report 115–269, the conferees direct the Army 

to continue to test, using both aggregate and chemical-specific 

methods, for emerging contaminants subject to an EPA Health Advisory Level at the former Badger Army Ammunition Plant, in 

nearby surface waters, and in drinking water in affected surrounding communities. The Army is directed to provide to local 

stakeholders the results of that testing and, if testing results show 

threats to human health, a plan to remediate the contamination, 

including dedicated funding resources, schedule, and specific actions. 

Conveyance of property.—The conferees note that the Army is 

proposing to convey 17.1 acres of land known as Shenandoah 

Square and the 126 existing housing units to raise capital to improve other military housing owned by private entities. Under the 

proposed action, the existing 126 housing units would be demolished to allow for the construction of high-density residential housing. The residents have expressed concern about the displacement 

from Shenandoah Square as it is in one of the most expensive 

housing markets in the country and the uncertainty about the affordability of new potential housing on the site. Therefore, the conferees urge the Department of the Army to explore all possible alternatives to a conveyance of Shenandoah Square, including a sublease of the property to an entity that can better develop affordable 

housing on the property. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS

The conference agreement provides $2,118,619,000 for Military 

Construction, Navy and Marine Corps. Within this amount, the 


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conference agreement provides $185,542,000 for study, planning, 

design, architect and engineer services. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE

The conference agreement provides $1,440,323,000 for Military 

Construction, Air Force. Within this amount, the conference agreement provides $206,577,000 for study, planning, design, architect 

and engineer services. 

Little Rock Air Force Base.—As described in the Senate report 

115–269, the conferees direct the Secretary of the Air Force to submit a report coordinated with the Army Corps of Engineers no later 

than 90 days after enactment of this Act providing the status on 

the cancelled runway project at Little Rock AFB and the replacement project, including what happened to the funding used for the 

original contract, a justification for the increase in cost for the new 

project, if any of the completed work from the cancelled project is 

salvageable, how the Air Force is resolving the issues that led to 

contract termination and ensuring, to the extent possible, that they 

are not repeated in follow-on contracts, and how and when a future 

project will be funded. Additionally, the conferees direct the Air 

Force to appoint a senior official who shall be responsible for the 

project and will provide quarterly project updates to the congressional defense committees. 

Air Force Weapons Storage Facility Reprogramming.—On July 

9, 2018, the Department of Defense sent the Committees a reprogramming request that included source funds from a cancelled 

prior year project, which the conferees had each rescinded in their 

respective bills. The conferees recognize the importance of the 

Weapons Storage Facility (WSF) modernization program, but are 

concerned that the Department has potentially developed improper 

and unnecessary requirements that are leading to execution delays 

and cost overruns against an already strained military construction 

budget. This has resulted in schedule delays to follow on projects, 

which also may experience similar challenges unless corrective action is taken. The conferees encourage the Department to sufficiently solicit and incorporate input from all stakeholders in developing requirements, to include the Air Force Strategic Deterrence 

and Nuclear Integration directorate, and further encourage the Air 

Force to incorporate lessons learned from prior Navy WSF modernization efforts. The conferees direct the Department to provide 

quarterly briefings to update the Committees on status, requirements changes, and timeline updates for current and future 

projects associated with the WSF modernization program. The conferees urge the Department to expeditiously seek alternative funding sources for the current reprogramming from unobligated balances or bid savings to avoid further execution delays. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, DEFENSE-WIDE

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The conference agreement provides $2,550,728,000 for Military 

Construction, Defense-Wide. Within this amount, the conference 

agreement provides $192,345,000 for study, planning, design, architect and engineer services. 


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Parking issues at DOD facilities.—The conferees are concerned 

that Military Construction budget constraints are negatively affecting the ability of the Department of Defense to address urgent 

parking requirements at certain U.S. military installations. The 

lack of parking is a safety issue and a detriment to the well-being 

of employees, both civilian and military. The conferees are concerned that the Department does not have a coherent strategy to 

address the growing parking requirements at installations that 

have seen significant growth. For example, Fort Meade, which already was home to the National Security Agency, became the headquarters of the newly formed U.S. Cyber Command in 2010. By 

2011, the Defense Information Systems Agency, which handles the 

Pentagon’s IT and communications needs, had moved onto the 

base. In 2005, the base had just over 33,500 employees. Today, it 

has about 57,000, more than double the number of workers at the 

Pentagon. As a result of this growth, parking at Fort Meade has 

become a serious issue. Therefore, the conferees direct the Secretary of Defense to submit to the Committees with the fiscal year 

2020 military construction budget request: an updated list of unfunded requirements for parking facilities, access control points, 

and road construction at DOD facilities that have serious parking, 

access, and road congestion issues. Finally, the Secretary is further 

directed to submit, with the fiscal year 2020 military construction 

budget request, a list of how those requirements will be incorporated into their construction requests for fiscal years 2021 

through 2025. 

MIT/Lincoln Labs.—The conferees have incrementally funded 

the Air Force MIT/Lincoln Lab project commensurate with the outlay rate of funds for fiscal year 2019 as reflected in budget documents. While the conference agreement does not provide full funding for this project, the conferees strongly support MIT/Lincoln 

Labs mission and its completion. The conferees fully expect the Air 

Force to continue to prioritize funding for this project in executable 

increments. 

Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program 

(ERCIP).—The conference agreement provides $193,390,000 for 

ERCIP, an increase of $43,390,000 over the budget request to fund 

the top six unfunded requirements of the program for energy resilience. Also, an additional $5,000,000 is provided under the Defense-Wide planning and design account specifically for ERCIP. 

The Secretary of Defense is directed to submit to the congressional 

defense committees a spend plan for the additional ERCIP funds, 

to include the planning and design funds, no later than 30 days 

after enactment of this Act. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

The conference agreement provides $190,122,000 for Military 

Construction, Army National Guard. Within this amount, the conference agreement provides $16,622,000 for study, planning, design, architect and engineer services. The conference agreement 

also provides an additional $10,000,000 above the budget request 

to supplement unspecified minor military construction. 


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MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR NATIONAL GUARD

The conference agreement provides $129,126,000 for Military 

Construction, Air National Guard. Within this amount, the conference agreement provides $18,500,000 for study, planning, design, architect and engineer services. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY RESERVE

The conference agreement provides $64,919,000 for Military 

Construction, Army Reserve. Within this amount, the conference 

agreement provides $5,855,000 for study, planning, design, architect and engineer services. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY RESERVE

The conference agreement provides $43,065,000 for Military 

Construction, Navy Reserve. Within this amount, the conference 

agreement provides $4,695,000 for study, planning, design, architect and engineer services. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE RESERVE

The conference agreement provides $38,063,000 for Military 

Construction, Air Force Reserve. Within this amount, the conference agreement provides $4,055,000 for study, planning, design, 

architect and engineer services. 

NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION SECURITY INVESTMENT

PROGRAM

The conference agreement provides $171,064,000 for the North 

Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program. 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BASE CLOSURE ACCOUNT

The conference agreement provides $342,000,000 for the Department of Defense Base Closure Account, an increase of 

$74,462,000 above the request. The additional funding is for the 

Department to accelerate environmental remediation at installations closed under previous Base Realignment and Closure rounds. 

Navy Clean Up Cost.—The conference report provides an additional $60,462,000 for the Navy to accelerate environmental remediation at installations closed under previous Base Closure and Realignment rounds. Furthermore, the Navy shall provide to the 

Committees a spend plan for these additional funds no later than 

30 days after enactment of this Act. 

Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid 

(PFOA).—The conference report provides $14,000,000 in additional 

funds for identification, mitigation, and clean-up costs across the 

Department of Defense for PFOS and PFOA. DOD is directed to 

submit a spend plan for these additional funds to the Committees 

no later than 30 days after enactment of this Act. 

Demolition of Previous BRAC Facilities.—The conferees are 

concerned that the Department of Defense does not have an adequate plan for demolishing previous BRAC sites. For example, the 

Ontario International Airport was the Ontario Air National Guard 


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Station that was established in 1949. This facility remained in operation for decades, assisting training and support for the Korean, 

Vietnam, and countless other wars and conflicts. In 1997, the facility was closed, yet the old site has sat largely unchanged for 20 

years due to the environmental hazards of demolition. The conferees urge the Department to dedicate funds to demolish BRAC facilities and turn the land over to the local community as quickly 

as possible. 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 

FAMILY HOUSING

ITEM OF INTEREST

Military family housing units.—The conferees are concerned 

for the well-being of servicemembers and their families residing in 

on-post military housing with regard to their exposure to toxic levels of lead based paint. It has been reported that installations 

around the country possess housing units that contain lead based 

paint levels exceeding the federal threshold for acceptable levels 

and could have grave implications on servicemembers and their 

families’ health. In addition, the conferees are interested in what 

steps the Department is taking for oversight of DOD privatized 

family housing. Therefore, the conferees direct the DOD Inspector 

General to conduct an investigation and submit a report to the congressional defense committees on toxic lead levels at military housing on all installations no later than 90 days after the enactment 

of this Act. 

FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, ARMY

The conference agreement provides $330,660,000 for Family 

Housing Construction, Army. 

FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, ARMY

The conference agreement provides $376,509,000 for Family 

Housing Operation and Maintenance, Army. 

FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS

The conference agreement provides $104,581,000 for Family 

Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps. 

FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, NAVY AND

MARINE CORPS

The conference agreement provides $314,536,000 for Family 

Housing Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps. 

FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE

The conference agreement provides $78,446,000 for Family 

Housing Construction, Air Force. 


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FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, AIR FORCE

The conference agreement provides $317,274,000 for Family 

Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force. 

FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, DEFENSE-WIDE

The conference agreement provides $58,373,000 for Family 

Housing Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide. 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 

FAMILY HOUSING IMPROVEMENT FUND

The conference agreement provides $1,653,000 for the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund. 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 

MILITARY UNACCOMPANIED HOUSING IMPROVEMENT FUND

The conference agreement provides $600,000 for the Department of Defense Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement 

Fund. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS AND RESCISSIONS OF FUNDS)

The conference agreement includes section 101 limiting the use 

of funds under a cost-plus-a-fixed-fee contract. 

The conference agreement includes section 102 allowing the 

use of construction funds in this title for hire of passenger motor 

vehicles. 

The conference agreement includes section 103 allowing the 

use of construction funds in this title for advances to the Federal 

Highway Administration for the construction of access roads. 

The conference agreement includes section 104 prohibiting construction of new bases in the United States without a specific appropriation. 

The conference agreement includes section 105 limiting the use 

of funds for the purchase of land or land easements that exceed 100 

percent of the value. 

The conference agreement includes section 106 prohibiting the 

use of funds, except funds appropriated in this title for that purpose, for family housing. 

The conference agreement includes section 107 limiting the use 

of minor construction funds to transfer or relocate activities. 

The conference agreement includes section 108 prohibiting the 

procurement of steel unless American producers, fabricators, and 

manufacturers have been allowed to compete. 

The conference agreement includes section 109 prohibiting the 

use of construction or family housing funds to pay real property 

taxes in any foreign nation. 

The conference agreement includes section 110 prohibiting the 

use of funds to initiate a new installation overseas without prior 

notification. 


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The conference agreement includes section 111 establishing a 

preference for American architectural and engineering services for 

overseas projects. 

The conference agreement includes section 112 establishing a 

preference for American contractors in United States territories 

and possessions in the Pacific and on Kwajalein Atoll and in countries bordering the Arabian Gulf. 

The conference agreement includes section 113 requiring congressional notification of military exercises when construction costs 

exceed $100,000. 

The conference agreement includes section 114 allowing funds 

appropriated in prior years for new projects authorized during the 

current session of Congress. 

The conference agreement includes section 115 allowing the 

use of expired or lapsed funds to pay the cost of supervision for any 

project being completed with lapsed funds. 

The conference agreement includes section 116 allowing military construction funds to be available for five years. 

The conference agreement includes section 117 allowing the 

transfer of funds from Family Housing Construction accounts to 

the Family Housing Improvement Program. 

The conference agreement includes section 118 allowing transfers to the Homeowners Assistance Fund. 

The conference agreement includes section 119 limiting the 

source of operation and maintenance funds for flag and general officer quarters and allowing for notification by electronic medium. 

The provision also requires an annual report on the expenditures 

of each quarters. 

The conference agreement includes section 120 extending the 

availability of funds in the Ford Island Improvement Account. 

The conference agreement includes section 121 allowing the 

transfer of expired funds to the Foreign Currency Fluctuations, 

Construction, Defense account. 

The conference agreement includes section 122 restricting the 

obligation of funds for relocating an Army unit that performs a 

testing mission. 

The conference agreement includes section 123 allowing for the 

reprogramming of construction funds among projects and activities 

subject to certain criteria. 

The conference agreement includes section 124 prohibiting the 

obligation or expenditure of funds provided to the Department of 

Defense for military construction for projects at Arlington National 

Cemetery. 

The conference agreement includes section 125 providing additional construction funds for various Military Construction accounts. 

The conference agreement includes section 126 rescinding 

funds from prior Appropriation Acts from various accounts. 

The conference agreement includes section 127 defining the 

congressional defense committees. 

The conference agreement includes section 128 prohibiting the 

use of funds in this Act to close or realign Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The provision is intended to prevent the closure 

or realignment of the installation out of the possession of the 


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United States, and maintain the Naval Station’s long-standing regional security and migrant operations missions. 

The conference agreement includes section 129 restricting 

funds in the Act to be used to consolidate or relocate any element 

of Air Force Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair 

Squadron Engineer until certain conditions are met. 

The conference agreement includes section 130 providing additional funds for land acquisition and Defense Access Roads for Arlington Cemetery. 

The conference agreement includes section 131 directing all 

amounts appropriated to ‘‘Military Construction, Army’’, ‘‘Military 

Construction, Navy and Marine Corps’’, ‘‘Military Construction, Air 

Force’’, and ‘‘Military Construction, Defense-Wide’’ accounts be immediately available and allotted for the full scope of authorized 

projects. 

The conference agreement includes section 132 providing additional funds for anti-terrorism and force protection at military installations. 


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TITLE II 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION

COMPENSATION AND PENSIONS

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The conference agreement provides $109,017,152,000 for Compensation and Pensions in advance for fiscal year 2020. Of the 

amount provided, not more than $18,047,000 is to be transferred 

to General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration 

(VBA) and Information Technology Systems for reimbursement of 

necessary expenses in implementing provisions of title 38. The conference agreement also provides $2,994,366,000 for fiscal year 2019 

in addition to the advance appropriation provided last year. 

READJUSTMENT BENEFITS

The conference agreement provides $14,065,282,000 for Readjustment Benefits in advance for fiscal year 2020. 

VETERANS INSURANCE AND INDEMNITIES

The conference agreement provides $111,340,000 for Veterans 

Insurance and Indemnities in advance for fiscal year 2020. 

VETERANS HOUSING BENEFIT PROGRAM FUND

The conference agreement provides such sums as may be necessary for costs associated with direct and guaranteed loans for the 

Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund. The conference agreement limits obligations for direct loans to not more than $500,000 

and provides that $200,612,000 shall be available for administrative expenses. 

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

The conference agreement provides $39,000 for the cost of direct loans from the Vocational Rehabilitation Loans Program Account, plus $396,000 to be paid to the appropriation for General 

Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration. The conference agreement provides for a direct loan limitation of 

$2,037,000. 

NATIVE AMERICAN VETERAN HOUSING LOAN PROGRAM ACCOUNT

The conference agreement provides $1,163,000 for administrative expenses of the Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program Account. 

GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES, VETERANS BENEFITS

ADMINISTRATION

The conference agreement provides $2,956,316,000 for General 

Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration and, of the 

amount provided, not to exceed 10 percent is available for obligation until September 30, 2020. The conference agreement provides 


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$87,407,000 above the request to manage disability claims and appeals backlogs and the intent of the conference agreement is that 

these additional funds be used for the Veterans Claims Intake Program; additional claims and appellate staff; increased staff for the 

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program; and overtime 

payments, as necessary. 

Claims prioritization.—As indicated in the House report, VA is 

urged to prioritize the most vulnerable veterans, such as those who 

are elderly or in poor health, for initial claims processing and 

claims appeals. 

Medical disability exams.—As described in the Senate report, 

VA is directed to ensure that any non-VA physician contracted to 

conduct medical disability examinations have a current unrestricted license to practice as a physician, and is not barred from 

practicing in any State, the District of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, Territory, or possession of the United States. 

Equitable relief.—As described in the House report, the Secretary is directed to continue to grant or extend equitable relief to 

eligible veterans initially deemed eligible in instances of administrative error. 

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION 

MEDICAL SERVICES

The conference agreement provides $51,411,165,000 in advance for fiscal year 2020 for Medical Services and makes $1,500,000,000 

of the advance available through fiscal year 2021. The conference 

agreement also provides $750,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 in addition to the advance appropriation provided last year and includes 

bill language requiring the Secretary to ensure that sufficient 

amounts are available for the acquisition of prosthetics designed 

specifically for female veterans. 

Opioid abuse.—The conference agreement provides $348,000,000 for opioid treatment and prevention programs and 

$52,025,000 to continue to implement opioid safety initiatives outlined as part of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, as 

well as to develop programs aimed at ensuring that non-VA providers treating veterans through community care programs are informed and in compliance with all VA standards for opioid safety 

and prescription guidelines. The conference agreement also includes $270,000,000 for the Office of Rural Health’s Rural Health 

Initiative, which funds several pilot projects aimed at treating and 

preventing opioid abuse, including projects focused on alternatives 

to opioid-centered pain management in rural, highly rural, and remote areas; and $54,337,000 for the Justice Outreach Homeless 

Prevention program within the VA’s Veterans Homelessness Programs which among other things ensures that veterans encountered by police, in jails or courts, have timely access to substance 

abuse treatment or prevention programs and services. 

The conferees direct VA to ensure that all clinicians, including 

pharmacists, receive guidance on assessing the risks and benefits 

of critical drug interactions with opioids when a pharmacist overrides such interaction under section 913 of Public Law 114–98. The 

conferees urge VA to ensure that all VA providers who prescribe 


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opioids consistently use the Opioid Therapy Risk Report tool under 

the Opioid Safety Initiative, including prior to initiating opioid 

therapy, to ensure safe prescribing, and to help prevent diversion, 

abuse, and double-prescribing. Moreover, VA should further improve the timeliness of data available in the tool to allow real-time 

access to data on a patient who was prescribed opioid therapy by 

another facility, in another State, or by mail order to prevent overprescribing and abuse potential. As noted in the House report, VA 

is urged to assist the two States that have not installed the technology to exchange data from their State prescription drug monitoring boards with VA. The conferees urge robust implementation 

of VA’s plan to expand the scope of research, education, delivery, 

and integration of Complementary and Integrative Health into the 

health care services. In addition, the conferees urge VA to prioritize 

continued implementation of the reforms made to the patient advocacy program as required by the Jason Simcakoski Memorial and 

Promise Act (Title IX, Public Law 114–98). Furthermore, VA is 

urged to implement recent GAO recommendations to improve oversight of the controlled substance inspection program and to document its progress; as well as Office of the Inspector General recommendations, including ensuring that community care providers 

review the safe opioid prescribing guidelines and Opioid Safety Initiative protocols and implementing a process to provide community 

care providers a complete up-to-date list of medications and medical history of the veteran during non-VA care consults. The conferees also direct the Department to create an opioid abuse 

healthcare kit for community healthcare providers and ensure completion of a continuing medication course in pain management by 

providers at VA health facilities. Lastly, all directives contained in 

House Report 115–673 and Senate Report 115–269 not specifically 

addressed above shall be complied with. 

Mental health.—The conference agreement provides $8,618,628,000 for mental health programs and includes 

$206,128,000 for suicide prevention outreach, an increase of 

$16,128,000 above the request. To best meet the needs of veterans 

seeking assistance, the conferees instruct the Secretary to make 

any necessary improvements to Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) operations including, but not limited to, ensuring appropriate staffing 

for call centers and back-up centers, providing necessary training 

for VCL staff, and ensuring that staff are able to appropriately and 

effectively respond to the needs of veterans needing assistance. The 

conferees also direct the Secretary to provide the Committees on 

Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a report, no later than 

90 days after enactment of this Act, which contains an update detailing findings on the outcomes and efficacy of the VCL from the 

Veterans Crisis Line Study Act of 2017. In addition, the conferees 

urge VA to increase support for primary care-mental health integration and recovery models, expand telemental health services, 

build on success of evidence-based psychotherapy initiatives, and 

guide treatment decisions by measuring the outcomes of interventions. 

National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.—The conference agreement provides $40,000,000 for the National Center for 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (NCPTSD). The conferees direct 


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the Department to submit to the Committees on Appropriations of 

both Houses of Congress, no later than 90 days after enactment of 

this Act, an assessment of the additional full time staff needed to 

carry out the priorities of the NCPTSD, as described in the congressional budget justification, as well as a hiring plan, and a plan 

for ensuring that all community care mental health providers receive information about NCPTSD and its consultation program. 

Inpatient substance abuse.—As indicated in the House report, 

VA is urged to focus on reducing the burdensome wait times for 

veterans seeking inpatient substance abuse treatment. 

Non-citizen veteran outreach.—As stated in the House report, 

VA is urged to conduct more aggressive outreach to at-risk, noncitizen veterans to offer mental health counseling and other early 

intervention drug and alcohol services. 

Licensed professional mental health counselors and marriage 

and family therapists.—As stated in the Senate report, VA is directed to work with the Office of Personnel Management to create 

an Occupational Series for Licensed Professional Mental Health 

Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists and to create a 

staffing plan to fill such open positions and assess shortages. 

Homeless assistance programs.—The conference agreement pro- vides $1,818,534,000 for homeless assistance programs, which includes $380,000,000 for the homeless supportive services for low income veterans and families, a level which is $60,000,000 above the 

request. Additionally, the agreement includes $54,337,000 for Justice Outreach Homeless Prevention Program, $5,000,000 above the 

request. The conferees expect the Department to dedicate funding 

for VA’s Homeless Assistance Programs consistent with the increases described in this agreement and with Congressional Justifications which were transmitted with the fiscal year 2019 budget 

request and not to divert the resources to other areas. The conferees direct that notification should be provided to the Committees 

of any reprogramming of funding provided for Homeless Assistance 

Programs. Lastly, all directives contained in House Report 115–673 

and Senate Report 115–269 not specifically addressed above shall 

be complied with. 

Veteran Homelessness in the Greater Los Angeles Region.—As 

indicated in the Senate report, VA is directed to provide a report 

outlining the cost and feasibility of contracting with local community-based agencies and non-profit organizations to provide additional case management services in regions where the Department 

does not meet the recommended 25:1 case management staffing 

ratio. 

Construction assistance for nonprofit organizations.—As described in the House report, VA is urged to assess the possibility 

of assisting nonprofit organizations with capital costs related to the 

construction of new housing units for homeless veterans on non-VA 

property, particularly those utilizing Department of Housing and 

Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD– 

VASH) vouchers. 

Rural healthcare.—The conference agreement provides 

$270,000,000 for the Office of Rural Health (ORH) and the Rural 

Health Initiative, which is $20,000,000 above the President’s request, and VA is encouraged to use some of these additional funds 


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to increase the number of Rural Health Resource Centers as a 

means of increasing access to care for veterans in rural areas. In 

addition, VA is encouraged to expand evidence-based home-based 

primary care programs to additional American Indian reservations 

and other rural areas. Increased access also requires a sufficient 

number of healthcare providers and the conferees are concerned 

about the ability of VA to adequately recruit and retain sufficient 

numbers of these providers in rural areas. As such, VA is urged to 

adopt the recommendations in GAO report GAO–18–124 and encouraged to consider the expanded use of doctors of osteopathic 

medicine, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners to help address any rural health provider gap. Any such gap may be further 

mitigated through the use of telehealth for medical services. As indicated in the Senate report, the Secretary is directed to sustain 

continuity of care for rural veterans through provider agreements, 

based on previous models such as the Access Received Closer to 

Home program, to ensure veterans do not experience a lapse in existing healthcare access during the transition to the new community care program and any resulting integrated networks. Also, as 

indicated in the Senate report, the conference agreement directs no 

less than $4,000,000 to continue a pilot program to train veterans 

in agricultural vocations, while also tending to behavioral and mental health needs with behavioral healthcare services and treatments from licensed providers at no fewer than three locations. To 

further support veterans in rural areas, the conferees urge the VA 

to increase accessibility in rural communities to the Community 

Clergy Training to Support Rural Veterans Mental Health Initiative. The Department is also encouraged to improve partnerships 

with local faith-based organizations, as well as the Department of 

Defense, in conjunction with the ‘‘Strong Bonds’’ program. 

Telemedicine.—The conference agreement includes $30,000,000 

above the budget request for telehealth capabilities and this additional funding should be used to further expand telehealth capacity 

and services in rural and remote areas. To better assess VA’s efforts regarding the use of telehealth capabilities, the conferees direct VA to provide a report to the Committees on Appropriations 

of both Houses of Congress, no later than January 31, 2019, specifying measures the Department is taking to expand telehealth and 

telemental health capabilities in rural areas, particularly regions 

with limited broadband access. The report should also include information on any ongoing collaboration between VA and other Federal agencies to target remote and rural areas to maximize coverage. 

Readjustment counseling service.—In Public Law 115–141, the 

Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, the Department was provided $2,500,000 and directed to develop a program to partner with 

organizations that provide outdoor experiences for veterans as part 

of a continuum of care to treat combat-related injuries. The conferees direct the Department to provide an update on the status of 

this program to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 

of Congress no later than 30 days after enactment of this Act. 

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port, VA is directed to provide to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a strategic plan to implement and 

improve the utilization of healthcare services for veterans in outlying areas through piloting the expansion of health services via 

telehealth or other community care providers. 

Women’s health.—The conferees note that the number of female veterans continues to increase. In response to this growth the 

conference agreement provides $521,352,000, $10,000,000 above the 

request, for gender-specific care and for the continuing redesign of 

VA’s women’s healthcare delivery system and facilities to ensure 

women receive equitable, timely, and high-quality care. This includes privacy and environment of care issues for female veterans 

as highlighted in a 2016 GAO report. As described in the Senate 

report, VA is directed to submit a report on retrofitting facilities to 

eliminate barriers to care for women veterans to the Committees 

on Appropriations and the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of both 

Houses of Congress within 180 days of enactment of this Act. The 

conferees also continue to urge VA to ensure the gender-specific 

health needs of female veterans are met and continue its efforts to 

expand access to care for female veterans in areas such as obstetrics and gynecological care, treatment for gender-specific conditions 

and diseases, and female veteran suicide. The conferees strongly 

believe that in order to ensure that female veterans needs are met 

VA must make the hiring of more female healthcare professionals 

a top priority. Therefore, the conferees reiterate the guidance provided in House Report 115–673 directing VA to provide statistics 

on female healthcare professionals at the Department. 

Intimate partner violence program.—As described in the Senate 

report, VA is directed to fully resource the VA Intimate Partner Violence Program at $17,000,000 in fiscal year 2019 and include it as 

a program of interest with budget detail in the justifications accompanying the fiscal year 2020 budget submission. 

Breast cancer screening guidelines.—The conferees support the 

Department’s effort to ensure that the breast cancer screening 

guidelines are consistent with the private sector, and the Committees will continue to monitor the Department’s implementation of 

its policy to offer mammograms to female veterans starting at age 

40. The Department should closely follow ongoing debate as the scientific community reaches a consensus on breast cancer screening 

and mammography coverage to provide veterans the best care possible. The bill language that was included in the House bill stands 

to ensure VA maintains this policy through fiscal year 2024. 

Rare cancers.—The conferees direct VA to assess options for 

modifying the December 2017 collaboration agreement between VA, 

the Department of Defense, and the National Cancer Institute to 

include collaboration on rare cancers. The conferees also encourage 

VA to fund research in delivering treatments for rare cancers that 

take a platform-agnostic approach to developing new therapeutics. 

Colorectal cancer screening.—The conferees are dismayed by 

VA’s failure to comply with the direction in the fiscal year 2018 

Joint Explanatory Statement to offer all seven colorectal cancer 

screening strategies recommended as A-rated modalities by the 

United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPTF) and adopted by the National Committee for Quality Assurance Healthcare 


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Effectiveness Data and Information Set measures. While VA endorsed six screening strategies, it declined to endorse stool DNA 

screening, a widely used screening strategy. This makes VA an 

outlier within the medical community and the growth in community care will widen the gap between the screening tools used by 

VA and non-VA providers. To ensure the inclusion of this critical 

tool in the fight against cancer in veterans, the conferees direct VA 

to endorse all seven modalities for colorectal cancer screening. 

Home dialysis.—Approximately 20,000 veterans with End 

Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) receive their dialysis care from a VA 

Center, either directly or via contract with a dialysis provider. The 

Committee directs that the VA provide a report on how many patients receive home dialysis via peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis, if the number of patients has increased over the past 5 

years, and if the VA has set any use increase targets for home dialysis use among its ESRD patients. 

National Intrepid Center of Excellence Satellite Strategic Basing.—As described in the Senate report, VA is directed to study the 

value and merit to establishing a joint Department of Defense/Department of Veteran Affairs National Intrepid Center of Excellence 

Intrepid Spirit Center that serves both the active duty and veteran 

populations for the mutual benefit and growth in treatment and 

care for traumatic brain injury. The study will be reported to the 

Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later 

than 180 days after enactment of this Act. 

Long-term care.—The conference agreement provides $9,024,330,000 as requested for long-term care, of which 

$6,168,524,000 is for institutional care and $2,855,806,000 is for 

non-institutional care. 

Caregivers program.—The conferees believe that VA will incur 

obligations for the caregivers program totaling at least 

$865,000,000 in fiscal year 2019. Costs could be higher than this 

level depending on the implementation of new requirements in recently passed legislation. VA is directed to provide quarterly projections and monthly expenditure reports for the caregivers program 

to the Committees. If VA does not obligate this amount of funding 

for caregivers based on quarterly projections, the Department is directed to report the rationale for the discrepancy to the Committees. No later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 

the Department is instructed to provide a report on the number of 

coordinators of caregiver support services at each VA medical center, the number of staff assigned to appeals for the program at 

each medical center, and a determination by the Secretary of the 

appropriate staff-to-participant ratio for the program. 

Hospice care for veterans.—As noted in the House and Senate 

reports, the conferees view the implementation of hospice care protocols tailored to the unique end-of-life care needs of combat veterans as potentially beneficial for Vietnam-era veterans, as well as 

for Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria veterans in the future. Therefore, 

the conference agreement includes $1,000,000 for the implementation of a pilot program to develop the techniques, best practices 

and support mechanisms to serve these veterans. As part of this 

pilot program, VA is encouraged to engage non-profit hospice and 

palliative care providers with Vietnam veteran-centric programs. 


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The conferees also direct VA to provide the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a report, not later than 180 

days after enactment of this Act, on the status of the pilot program. 

Nursing home quality ratings.—To ensure transparency and 

accountability for veterans and their families in regard to nursing 

home care, the conferees direct VA to publish annually the quality 

of care rating assigned by the Department to each of its nursing 

homes and contracted community nursing homes. 

Call routing.—The conferees are concerned by reports that veterans calling their community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC) to 

make an appointment are sometimes automatically routed to central call centers at VA medical centers with no follow-up by the 

CBOCs after the initial call. As a result, veterans may feel the 

need to physically visit the CBOC just to make an appointment. 

This is an unreasonable burden and may result in veterans not 

pursuing the care that they need. The conferees believe that our 

veterans deserve timely access to healthcare services and should be 

able to make their medical appointments via telephone. Therefore, 

the conferees urge the VA to ensure that VA phone systems allow 

veterans to call their local CBOC directly for appointments at those 

facilities rather than having their calls routed to a call center. The 

conferees further direct VA to provide to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a report, not later than 90 

days after enactment of this Act, which explains the Department’s 

guidance on call routing of the scheduling of appointments. 

Advanced practice registered nurses.—As stated in the House 

report, the Secretary is urged to work with facilities that have not 

yet implemented VA’s final rule granting full practice authority to 

advanced practice registered nurses to ensure quick implementation. 

Physician assistants.—As stated in the Senate report, VA is directed to accelerate the rollout of competitive pay for physician assistants and develop a plan on how to better utilize the Health Professional Scholarship Program and Education Debt Reduction Program. 

Proposed prosthetics services regulation.—The conferees support a veteran’s right to obtain prosthetic and rehabilitative items 

as medical services from the best possible source and look forward 

to a rule that will not limit a veteran’s choice. 

Historically Black Colleges and Universities medical research 

programs.—As indicated in the House report, VA is directed to take 

concrete steps to improve its ongoing commitment to, and partnership with, minority health professions schools. 

Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) affiliations with VA 

healthcare facilities.—As noted in the House report, the Secretary 

is urged to develop a plan to expand local VA medical facilities’ 

participation with HSI medical schools. The conferees direct the 

Department to provide a report on its efforts not later than 30 days 

after enactment of this Act. 

National Veterans Sports Program.—The conference agreement 

provides $23,825,000 for the National Veterans Sports Program, 

with $2,000,000 designated for veterans’ monthly assistance allowances; $15,000,000 for the Adaptive Sports Grants Program 

(ASGP); and $6,825,000 for the support of national veterans sports 


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and special events programs like the Paralympics. The funding for 

the ASGP is an increase of $6,000,000 over the fiscal year 2018 

level and $7,000,000 over the request. Given the promising results 

reported using equine therapy for veterans with posttraumatic 

stress disorder, $1,500,000 within the ASGP total is provided for 

equine therapy, an increase of $500,000 over the fiscal year 2018 

level. As stated in Senate Report 115–269 the conferees request 

that the Department provide a feasibility assessment for the cost 

of expanding the grant program to include recreational and lifelong 

sports, such as open ocean swimming, surfing, outrigger canoeing, 

hunting, and fishing, as well as any legal barriers to expansion. 

Burn pits.—The conference agreement provides $5,000,000 for 

Veterans Health Administration clinical proposals, developed in 

conjunction with research, focusing on post-deployment health for 

veterans exposed to airborne hazards and open burn pits. In addition, the Secretary is directed to provide an assessment of the process for informing veterans through VA and community care providers about the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry 

and their eligibility for registering. 

Burn Pits Center of Excellence.—The conferees are aware that 

VA currently runs an Airborne Hazards Center of Excellence 

(AHCE) at the War Related Illness and Injury Study Center. The 

AHCE was established in 2013 to provide an objective and comprehensive assessment of veterans’ cardiopulmonary function, military and non-military exposures, and health-related symptoms for 

those with airborne hazard concerns. In addition, the AHCE conducts clinical and translational research and actively develops and 

delivers new educational content to healthcare providers, veterans 

and other stakeholders. In order to better prevent, diagnose, mitigate, and treat conditions related to exposure to burn pits, as well 

as to leverage expertise in airborne hazards, the conferees have 

provided an additional $5,000,000 for the Center to develop a concentration in burn pit study and research. Furthermore, to fully 

recognize the importance of this new mission and incorporate the 

expansion into the Center’s overarching expertise in Airborne Hazards, the Department is directed to rename the Center to the Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence. To the maximum extent practicable, the Department should collaborate with 

the Department of Defense, institutions of higher education, and 

other appropriate public and private entities (including international entities) to carry out responsibilities and activities of this 

Center of Excellence. Additionally, the conferees direct the Department to report back to the Committees on Appropriations no later 

than 120 days after enactment of this Act progress made in establishing this enhanced center of excellence. 

Headache Centers of Excellence.—In fiscal year 2018, VA was 

provided $10,000,000 in Public Law 115–141, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, for the establishment of Headache Centers of Excellence. The conferees direct the Department to provide 

an update on the status of these Centers to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 30 days after 

enactment of this Act. 


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MEDICAL COMMUNITY CARE

The conference agreement provides $10,758,399,000 in advance 

fiscal year 2020 funding for Medical Community Care, with 

$2,000,000,000 available until September 30, 2021. 

The conference agreement provides an additional $1,000,000,000 above the fiscal year 2019 advance appropriation 

for the Medical Community Care account. This level is 

$500,000,000 more than was requested by the Administration and 

these funds are available for unanticipated costs in VA’s traditional 

community care programs, as well as for requirements resulting 

from the passage of the MISSION Act. As a result of the MISSION 

Act, the conferees note that as early as May 2019 the Choice program, currently funded with direct spending, will be streamlined 

and consolidated with VA’s traditional discretionary community 

care programs. Although the administration indicated a significant 

portion of the costs were assumed in the President’s Budget request, it has not provided a funding estimate for the consolidated 

program. Ultimately, the timing of consolidation and any change in 

cost is dependent on the issuance of regulations that will outline 

the new program structure. As a result, the conferees direct the 

Department to provide monthly reports to the Committees identifying obligations for the Medical Community Care program against 

available appropriations, as well as anticipated funding needs 

based on the developing program structure. 

MEDICAL SUPPORT AND COMPLIANCE

The conference agreement provides $7,239,156,000 in advance 

for fiscal year 2020 for Medical Support and Compliance and 

makes $100,000,000 of the advance funding available through fiscal 

year 2021. The bill also includes Sec. 236, which rescinds 

$211,000,000 of fiscal year 2019 funds previously appropriated for 

this account. 

MEDICAL FACILITIES

The conference agreement provides $6,141,880,000 in advance 

for fiscal year 2020 for Medical Facilities, as well as $90,180,000 

in fiscal year 2019 funding, which is in addition to the advance 

funding provided last year. Of the advance funding, $250,000,000 

is made available through fiscal year 2021. 

Facility expansion.—Given the current co-location of VA clinics 

on some military installations, such as at Tripler Army Medical 

Center in Hawaii and Joint Base Elmendorf in Alaska, and the 

likely benefits to VA of expanding this model to other military installations, VA is directed, as described in the House report, to 

complete a study on the potential benefits of placing VA clinics on 

military installations located in areas with high veteran populations and where nearby VA infrastructure is overburdened. 

MEDICAL AND PROSTHETIC RESEARCH

The conference agreement provides $779,000,000 for Medical 

and Prosthetic Research, available until September 30, 2020 and 

includes a proviso making $27,000,000 of these funds available 

through fiscal year 2023. Bill language is included to ensure that 


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the Secretary allocates adequate funding for prosthetic research 

specifically for female veterans and for toxic exposures. 

VA/Department of Energy computing collaboration.—Of the 

amount provided for Medical and Prosthetics Research, 

$27,000,000 is for VA’s collaboration with the Department of Energy (DOE) via a long-term inter-agency agreement to leverage 

DOE’s next generation artificial intelligence, big data, and highperformance computing technologies, as well as multi-modal 

diagnostics and data integration, in order to develop specific precision medicine applications. 

VA cancer moonshot contribution.—As indicated in the Senate 

report, the Department is directed to include skin cancer as a subject of its efforts to provide targeted cancer treatments to veterans 

through genomic science. 

Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans.— The House report directed VA to provide a report based on initial 

concerns regarding the potential impact that moving the 

Posttraumatic-stress Residential Rehabilitation Program might 

have on the Waco Center of Excellence for Research on Returning 

War Veterans. Those concerns have been adequately addressed by 

information provided subsequently in an independent assessment, 

and a report from VA on this issue is no longer required. 

Public-private partnerships.—The conferees urge VA to expedite consideration of proposals for public-private partnerships to leverage co-location of VA and university biomedical scientists engaged in multidisciplinary research. 

NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION

The conference agreement provides $315,836,000 for the National Cemetery Administration (NCA). Of the amount provided, 

not to exceed 10 percent is available until September 30, 2020. 

DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The conference agreement provides $355,897,000 for General 

Administration. Of the amount provided, not to exceed 10 percent 

is available for obligation until September 30, 2020. The conference 

agreement continues to include bill language permitting the transfer of funds from this account to General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration. 

The conference agreement provides funding for General Administration in the amounts specified below: 

Office (in thousands of 

dollars) 

Office of the Secretary ................................................................................................................................... 15,079 

Office of General Counsel .............................................................................................................................. 99,675 

Office of Management .................................................................................................................................... 63,402 

Office of Human Resources ........................................................................................................................... 62,172 

Office of Enterprise Integration ..................................................................................................................... 27,967 

Office of Ops, Security and Preparedness ..................................................................................................... 22,547 

Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs ............................................................................................. 12,663 

Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs ............................................................................................ 5,900 


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Office (in thousands of dollars) 

Office of Acquisition Logistics and Construction .......................................................................................... 46,492 

The Secretary may alter these allocations if the Committees 

have been notified and written approval is provided. 

Additional budgetary information.—As described in the House 

report, VA is directed to include in its budget justification materials a table for each account that shows a five-year funding history, for requested and enacted levels. 

Financial management system.—The conference agreement includes $10,800,000 in this account, in addition to amounts provided 

in the Information Technology Systems account, for the development of a new financial management system. While the conferees 

do not question the need for a new financial management system, 

VA’s record of previous failures in developing such a system support the need for rigorous oversight of this program. As part of this 

oversight, VA is directed to provide quarterly reports that include 

obligations, broken down by appropriated, franchise, and other accounts. These reports should also include the development of an integrated master schedule and dashboard, life cycle costs, staffing, 

and schedule. In addition, VA is directed to conduct end-user surveys in a timeframe and with a content identified by the conferees. 

Contractor accountability.—For contracts over $500,000,000 

whenever the Secretary provides a Show Cause Notice to a contracted service provider that establishes that the contractor did not 

cure the conditions endangering performance under the subject 

contract within the time frame prescribed in the Cure Notice, 

which necessitates a termination for default, VA must submit to 

the Committees on Appropriations and the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives notification of issuance of each Show Cause Notice. At a minimum, the 

notification should include: (1) an explanation of the reasons for 

providing such notice; (2) a description of the effect of the contractor failure, including with respect to cost, schedule, and requirements; (3) a description of the actions taken by the Secretary 

to mitigate such failure (other than issuance of the cure notice); 

and, (4) a description of the actions taken by the contractor to address such failure. 

Prompt payments.—The conferees are concerned that VA is not 

paying small businesses in a timely manner. Small business vendors depend on timely payments to pay for their services, pay their 

employees, and conduct business that they have agreed to perform 

for VA. Therefore, the conferees urge the Department to ensure 

that payments are made to small businesses promptly. 

Medical Care Collections Fund.—The conferees are aware that 

the Department continues to struggle with collections of third-party 

billings, which has impacted revenue in the Medical Care Collections Fund. The Department has indicated that it will take action 

by the end of fiscal year 2018 to address this long-standing problem. The conferees direct VA to report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 60 days after 

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rectives regarding third-party billing contained in Public Laws 

114–113 and 115–141. 

Debts incurred by individuals.—The Department is directed, 

within 180 days of enactment of this Act, to develop a means to 

track and monitor information on the age and amount of debts 

owed by individuals to the United States as a result of those individuals’ participation in a VA-administered benefits program; 

whether such debts are the result of delays in VA processing of 

changes to beneficiary status or other VA actions; and whether 

such debts are disputed by those individuals. Further, VA is directed to submit a report describing the plan no later than 90 days 

after it is developed. 

Inconsistencies in contracting policy after the Kingdomware decision.—In Public Law 115–96 VA was urged to issue additional 

guidance to provide a standard set of criteria for contracting officers to evaluate veteran-owned providers’ capabilities and to take 

steps to ensure their implementation consistently across the 

VISNs, in alignment with the GAO’s recommendations, especially 

about option years. The conferees have learned that VA has still 

not issued guidance and again urge VA to provide additional guidance. 

BOARD OF VETERANS APPEALS

The conference agreement provides $174,748,000 for the Board 

of Veterans Appeals, of which not to exceed 10 percent shall remain available until September 30, 2020. 

Appeals reform.—As VA has made progress in reducing the 

backlog of initial disability claims, there has been an increase in 

the number of appeals. Reforming the appeals process is critical in 

addressing this increase and requires the commitment of sufficient 

resources. As such, the Board of Veterans Appeals is urged, as described in the House report, to commit the necessary resources to 

reduce the backlog of appeals. 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The conference agreement provides $4,103,000,000 for Information Technology (IT) Systems. The conference agreement identifies 

separately in bill language the funding available for pay and associated costs ($1,199,220,000); operations and maintenance 

($2,523,209,000); and systems development ($380,571,000). The 

conference agreement makes not to exceed 3 percent of pay and associated costs funding available until the end of fiscal year 2020; 

not to exceed 5 percent of operations and maintenance funding 

available until the end of fiscal year 2020; and all IT systems development funding available until the end of fiscal year 2020. 

The conference agreement includes $32,013,000 in information 

technology funding for the Veterans Benefits Management System 

that processes disability claims; $9,505,000 for the Board of Veterans Appeals claims appeals modernization effort; $72,821,000 for 

development of a new VA financial management system; and 

$22,081,000 for replacement of the NCA burial operations support 

system. 


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The conference agreement continues language permitting funding to be transferred among the three IT subaccounts, subject to 

approval from the Committees. 

The conference agreement continues language providing that 

funding may be transferred among development projects or to new 

projects subject to the Committees’ approval. 

The conference agreement continues language indicating that 

no development project may be increased or decreased by more 

than $1,000,000 prior to receiving approval of the Committees or 

a period of 30 days has elapsed. 

The conference agreement provides funding for IT development 

for the projects and in the amounts specified in the following table: 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS 

($ in thousands of dollars) 

1 Clinical Applications Amount 

A ............... Access and Billing .............................................................................................................. 5,891 

B .............. My HealtheVet ..................................................................................................................... 10,300 

C .............. Health Data Interoperability ............................................................................................... 13,000 

D .............. Registries ............................................................................................................................ 3,288 

Subtotal Clinical Applications ............................................................................................ 32,479 

2 Health Management Platform 

A ............... Digital Health Platform ...................................................................................................... 15,682 

B .............. Community Care ................................................................................................................. 25,303 

C .............. Patient Record System ....................................................................................................... 14,300 

D .............. Purchased Care .................................................................................................................. 9,076 

E ............... Telehealth ........................................................................................................................... 6,030 

Subtotal Health Management Platform .............................................................................. 70,391 

3 Benefits Systems 

A ............... Benefits Appeals ................................................................................................................. 2,500 

B .............. Education Benefits ............................................................................................................. 37,830 

C .............. Veterans Customer Experience ........................................................................................... 47,564 

D .............. Veterans Benefits Management ......................................................................................... 10,000 

E ............... Benefits Systems ................................................................................................................ 31,721 

Subtotal Benefits Systems ................................................................................................. 129,615 

4 Memorial Affairs 

A ............... Memorials Automation ........................................................................................................ 18,800 

Subtotal Memorial Affairs .................................................................................................. 18,800 

5 Other IT Systems 

A ............... Human Resources ............................................................................................................... 12,600 

B .............. Financial and Acquisition Management Modernization ..................................................... 65,971 

Subtotal Other IT Systems .................................................................................................. 78,571 

6 Cyber Security 17,000 

7 Information/Infrastructure Management 

A ............... Data Integration and Management .................................................................................... 33,715 

Subtotal Information/Infrastructure Management .............................................................. 33,715 

8 Total IT Development 380,571 


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This table is intended to serve as the Department’s approved 

list of development projects; any requested changes are subject to 

reprogramming requirements. 

Cybersecurity implementation.—As stated in the House report, 

VA is urged to ensure that patient records being transferred from 

DOD to VA have the same level of security and data-level protections as provided by the Department of Defense. 

Appointment scheduling.—The conferees understand that the 

new electronic health record (EHR) contract includes an appointment scheduling system component that will be rolled out across 

the VA network in conjunction with the EHR system over a tenyear time period. While supportive of the implementation of a single EHR that includes all elements, including appointment scheduling, the conferees are disturbed that some regions of the country 

will not benefit from the scheduling system for a decade. An improved scheduling system must be one of VA’s top priorities to address the continuing problem of delayed appointments. The conferees urge VA to consider alternatives that would permit all regions of the country to receive the benefits of a modern scheduling 

system in advance of the nationwide EHR system roll-out. The conferees understand that VA may consider decoupling the scheduling 

system from the rest of the EHR implementation, permitting its 

nationwide implementation far sooner. If that alternative is not 

adopted, VA is encouraged to consider implementing the commercial off-the-shelf scheduling solutions it is currently piloting. If 

evaluations of these pilots indicate that they provide significant interim or long-term benefits, the conferees urge their expansion to 

additional geographic areas. The conferees direct VA to report 

within 90 days of enactment of this Act whether it has decided to 

separate the scheduling component within the EHR contract and 

implement it separately on a faster track. If the Department declines to take this action, the conferees direct the agency to notify 

the Committees within 150 days of enactment of this Act of its alternative plans to accelerate nationwide implementation of an improved scheduling system. 

VETERANS ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD

The conference agreement provides $1,107,000,000 for activities related to the development and rollout of a new VA EHR, the 

associated contractual costs, and the salaries and expenses of employees hired under titles 5 and 38, United States Code. The funding amount is $100,000,000 below the request based on the Department’s assertion that it could accommodate such a decrement with 

no adverse impact to program cost, schedule, or performance. Also, 

because this is a very substantial new effort and the timing of obligation of funding is uncertain, the conference agreement makes 

these funds available for three years. Of the amount provided, not 

less than $412,000,000 is for improvement or establishment of infrastructure associated with the program. Additionally, the conference agreement includes bill language requiring the approval of 

the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress before any funds may be used to deviate from the deployment schedules provided to those committees by VA. 


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Given the potential resistance from some users in adopting a 

new electronic health record system, the conferees direct VA to 

focus sufficient resources and attention on the challenge of change 

management during deployment. The conferees further direct VA 

to: maintain clear and agreed-upon metrics and goals with the 

DOD in regard to electronic health record interoperability and establish clear timeframes for meeting those goals; update the VA/ 

DOD Interagency Program Office guidance to reflect agreed-upon 

metrics and goals; and ensure clinician feedback is sought and considered as the EHR system is modernized. 

Quarterly reporting.—The conferees continue to direct GAO to 

perform quarterly performance reviews of the VA electronic health 

record deployment to keep the Committees on Appropriations of 

both Houses of Congress apprised of VA’s progress. The conferees 

also continue to include bill language directing VA to provide quarterly updates on the status of the electronic health record program. 

VA is directed to provide obligations, expenditures, and deployment 

implementation by facility. The conferees also continue to include 

bill language directing that these funds are available only to the 

Office of the Deputy Secretary. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

The conference agreement provides $192,000,000 for the Office 

of Inspector General. Of the amount provided, not to exceed 10 percent is available for obligation until September 30, 2020. 

Community Living Centers (CLC).—The conferees direct the 

VA Office of Inspector General to conduct an inspection of VA 

CLCs and report on best practices from VA and/or private sector 

that would improve the performance of VA CLCs that perform 

poorly on VA’s ranking system. 

Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center.—The conferees urge the Inspector General to dedicate all necessary resources to provide rigorous oversight of the Washington, DC, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, a facility that has been plagued with 

management problems. 

CONSTRUCTION, MAJOR PROJECTS

The conference agreement provides $1,127,486,000 for Construction, Major Projects. The conference agreement makes this 

funding available for five years, except that $480,000,000 is made 

available until expended of which $400,000,000 shall be available 

for seismic improvement projects and seismic program management activities, including for projects that would otherwise be 

funded by other VA accounts. The bill includes language that, notwithstanding title 38, seismic funding shall be available for the 

completion of both new and existing seismic projects. 

The conference agreement funds the following items as requested in the budget submission: 

CONSTRUCTION, MAJOR PROJECTS 

Location and Description (in thousands of 

dollars) 

Veterans Health Administration (VHA): 

St. Louis, MO: medical facility improvements and cemetery expansion .............................................. 34,400 


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CONSTRUCTION, MAJOR PROJECTS—Continued 

Location and Description (in thousands of 

dollars) 

Canandaigua, NY: construction and renovation ................................................................................... 190,000 

Dallas, TX: spinal cord injury facility .................................................................................................... 135,686 

North Chicago, IL: renovate building #4 ................................................................................................ 6,000 

Oklahoma City, OK: new surgical intensive care unit .......................................................................... 10,800 

Advance Planning and Design Fund: various locations ....................................................................... 95,000 

Asbestos: various locations ................................................................................................................... 15,000 

Major Construction Staff: various locations .......................................................................................... 27,500 

Hazardous Waste: various locations ...................................................................................................... 26,200 

Judgment Fund: various locations ......................................................................................................... 25,000 

Non-Dept. Fed. Entity Project Management Support ............................................................................. 38,700 

Seismic Corrections: various locations .................................................................................................. 400,000 

Total, VHA ..................................................................................................................................... 1,004,286 

National Cemetery Administration (NCA): 

Ohio Western Reserve, OH: gravesite expansion ................................................................................... 29,000 

Great Lakes, MI: gravesite expansion ................................................................................................... 35,200 

Cape Canaveral, FL: gravesite expansion ............................................................................................. 38,000 

Advance Planning and Design Fund ..................................................................................................... 10,000 

NCA Land Acquisition Fund ................................................................................................................... 5,000 

Total, NCA ..................................................................................................................................... 117,200 

General Admin.: 

Staff Offices Advance Planning Fund ................................................................................................... 6,000 

Total, Construction Major Projects ............................................................................................... 1,127,486 

CONSTRUCTION, MINOR PROJECTS

The conference agreement provides $649,514,000 for Construction, Minor Projects. The conference agreement makes this funding 

available for five years. 

GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF STATE EXTENDED CARE FACILITIES

The conference agreement provides $150,000,000 for Grants for 

Construction of State Extended Care Facilities, to remain available 

until expended. 

GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF VETERANS CEMETERIES

The conference agreement provides $45,000,000 for Grants for 

Construction of Veterans Cemeteries, to remain available until expended. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS AND RESCISSIONS OF FUNDS)

The conference agreement includes section 201 allowing for the 

transfer of funds among the three mandatory accounts. 

The conference agreement includes section 202 allowing for the 

transfer of funds among the four medical accounts. 

The conference agreement includes section 203 allowing salaries and expenses funds to be used for related authorized purposes. 

The conference agreement includes section 204 restricting the 

accounts that may be used for the acquisition of land or the construction of any new hospital or home. 

The conference agreement includes section 205 limiting the use 

of funds in the Medical Services account only for entitled beneficiaries unless reimbursement is made to the Department. 


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The conference agreement includes section 206 allowing for the 

use of certain mandatory appropriations accounts for payment of 

prior year accrued obligations for those accounts. 

The conference agreement includes section 207 allowing the 

use of appropriations available in this title to pay prior year obligations. 

The conference agreement includes section 208 allowing the 

Department to use surplus earnings from the National Service Life 

Insurance Fund, the Veterans’ Special Life Insurance Fund, and 

the United States Government Life Insurance Fund to administer 

these programs. 

The conference agreement includes section 209 allowing the 

Department to cover the administrative expenses of enhanced-use 

leases and provides authority to obligate these reimbursements in 

the year in which the proceeds are received. 

The conference agreement includes section 210 limiting the 

amount of reimbursement the Office of Resolution Management, 

the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication, 

the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, and the 

Office of Diversity and Inclusion can charge other offices of the Department for services provided. 

The conference agreement includes section 211 requiring the 

Department to collect third-party payer information for persons 

treated for a non-service-connected disability. 

The conference agreement includes section 212 allowing for the 

use of enhanced-use leasing revenues for Construction, Major 

Projects and Construction, Minor Projects. 

The conference agreement includes section 213 outlining authorized uses for Medical Services funds. 

The conference agreement includes section 214 allowing for 

funds deposited into the Medical Care Collections Fund to be transferred to the Medical Services and Medical Community Care accounts. 

The conference agreement includes section 215 which allows 

Alaskan veterans to use medical facilities of the Indian Health 

Service or tribal organizations. 

The conference agreement includes section 216 permitting the 

transfer of funds from the Department of Veterans Affairs Capital 

Asset Fund to the Construction, Major Projects and Construction, 

Minor Projects accounts and makes those funds available until expended. 

The conference agreement includes section 217 requiring the 

Secretary to submit financial status quarterly reports for each of 

the Administrations in the Department. The specific data requested is similar to that requested in the fiscal year 2017 conference report. 

The conference agreement includes section 218 requiring the 

Department to notify and receive approval from the Committees of 

any proposed transfer of funding to or from the Information Technology Systems account and limits the aggregate annual increase 

in the account to no more than 10 percent of the funding appropriated to the account in this Act. 

The conference agreement includes section 219 providing up to 

$301,578,000 of fiscal year 2019 funds for transfer to the Joint 


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DOD–VA Medical Facility Demonstration Fund. Additional funding 

may be transferred from these accounts upon written notification 

to the Committees. A proviso with similar authority in Public Law 

115–141 is repealed by this section. 

The conference agreement includes section 220 which permits $307,609,000 of fiscal year 2020 medical care funding provided in 

advance to be transferred to the Joint DOD–VA Medical Facility 

Demonstration Fund. 

The conference agreement includes section 221 which authorizes transfers from the Medical Care Collections Fund to the Joint 

DOD–VA Medical Facility Demonstration Fund. 

The conference agreement includes section 222 which transfers at least $15,000,000 from VA medical accounts to the DOD–VA 

Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund. 

The conference agreement includes section 223 prohibiting 

funds available to the Department in this or any other Act from 

being used to replace the current system by which VISNs select 

and contract for diabetes monitoring supplies and equipment. 

The conference agreement includes section 224 requiring that 

the Department notify the Committees of bid savings in a major 

construction project of at least $5,000,000, or 5 percent, whichever 

is less, 14 days prior to the obligation of the bid savings and describe their anticipated use. 

The conference agreement includes section 225 which prohibits 

VA from increasing the scope of work for a major construction 

project above the scope specified in the original budget request unless the Secretary receives approval from the Committees. 

The conference agreement includes section 226 requiring a 

quarterly report from each VBA regional office on pending disability claims, both initial and supplemental; error rates; the number of claims processing personnel; corrective actions taken; training programs; and review team audit results. It also requires a 

quarterly report on the number of appeals pending at the Veterans 

Benefits Administration and the Board of Veterans Appeals. 

The conference agreement includes section 227 requiring VA to 

notify the Committees 15 days prior to any staff office relocations 

within VA of 25 or more full-time-equivalent staff. 

The conference agreement includes section 228 requiring the 

Secretary to report to the Committees each quarter about any single national outreach and awareness marketing campaign exceeding $2,000,000. 

The conference agreement includes section 229 permitting the 

transfer to the Medical Services account of fiscal year discretionary 

2019 funds appropriated in this Act or available from advance fiscal year 2019 funds already appropriated, except for funds appropriated to General Operating Expenses, VBA, to address possible 

unmet, high priority needs in Medical Services. Such unanticipated 

demands may result from circumstances such as a greater than 

projected number of enrollees or higher intensity of use of benefits. 

Any such transfer requires the approval of the Committees. 

The conference agreement includes section 230 permitting the 

transfer of funding between the General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration account and the Board of Veterans 

Appeals account if necessary to permit the hiring of staffing at the 


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appropriate stage of the appeals process to address mounting 

claims appeals workload. Any such transfer requires the approval 

of the Committees. 

The conference agreement includes section 231 prohibiting the 

Secretary from reprogramming funds in excess of $7,000,000 

among major construction projects or programs unless the reprogramming is approved by the Committees. 

The conference agreement includes section 232 mandating certain professional standards for the veterans crisis hotline and requiring a study to assess its effectiveness. 

The conference agreement includes section 233 restricting 

funds from being used to close certain medical facilities in the absence of a national realignment strategy. 

The conference agreement includes section 234 prohibiting the 

use of funds, from the period October 1, 2018 through January 1, 

2024, in contravention of VHA’s May 10, 2017 guidelines on breast 

cancer screening. 

The conference agreement includes section 235 allowing the 

use of Medical Services funding for assisted reproductive technology treatment and adoption reimbursement for veterans and 

their spouses if the veteran has a service-connected disability that 

results in being unable to procreate without such fertility treatment. 

The conference agreement includes section 236, which rescinds 

$211,000,000 of previously appropriated advance fiscal year 2019 

funds from the Medical Support and Compliance account. 

The conference agreement includes section 237 prohibiting any 

funds from being used in a manner that is inconsistent with statutory limitations on outsourcing. 

The conference agreement includes section 238 pertaining to 

exceptions for Indian- or Native Hawaiian-owned businesses contracting with VA. 

The conference agreement includes section 239 directing the 

elimination over a series of years of the use of social security numbers in VA programs. 

The conference agreement includes section 240 referencing the 

provision in the 2017 Appropriations Act pertaining to certification 

of marriage and family therapists. 

The conference agreement includes section 241, which prohibits funds from being used to transfer funding from the Filipino 

Veterans Equity Compensation Fund to any other VA account. 

The conference agreement includes section 242 permitting 

funding to be used in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 to carry out and 

expand the child care pilot program authorized by section 205 of 

Public Law 111–163. 

The conference agreement includes section 243 which includes 

a reference to a provision in the 2017 Appropriations Act identifying information which may be used to verify the status of coastwise merchant seamen who served during World War II for the 

purposes of eligibility for medals, ribbons, or other military decorations. 

The conference agreement includes section 244 permitting the 

Secretary to use appropriated funds to ensure particular ratios of 


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veterans to full-time employment equivalents within any VA program of rehabilitation. 

The conference agreement includes section 245 prohibiting VA 

from using funds to enter into an agreement to resolve a dispute 

or claim with an individual that would restrict the individual from 

speaking to members of Congress or their staff on any topic, except 

those required to be kept secret in the interest of national defense 

or the conduct of foreign affairs. 

The conference agreement includes section 246 referencing language in the 2017 Appropriations Act requiring certain data to be 

included in budget justifications for major construction projects. 

The conference agreement includes section 247 prohibiting the 

use of canines in VA research unless: the scientific objectives of the 

study can only be met by using canines; the study has been directly 

approved by the Secretary; and the study is consistent with the revised VA canine research policy document released in December 

2017. 

The conference agreement includes section 248 providing 

$2,000,000,000 to be available until expended for VA infrastructure 

needs, of which $800,000,000 is for Medical Facilities for non-recurring maintenance; $300,000,000 is for Major Construction; 

$150,000,000 is for Minor Construction; and $750,000,000 is for 

seismic improvement projects and seismic project management activities. This funding is not made available until VA provides and 

the Committees approve a detailed expenditure plan. 

The conference agreement includes section 249 prohibiting the 

use of funds to deny the Inspector General timely access to information, unless a provision of law expressly refers to the Inspector 

General and expressly limits such access. 

The conference agreement includes section 250 directing VA to 

submit a plan to reduce the chances that clinical mistakes by VA 

employees will result in adverse events that require institutional or 

clinical disclosures. 

The conference agreement includes section 251 prohibiting 

funding from being used in a manner that would increase wait 

times for veterans at medical facilities. 

The conference agreement includes section 252 prohibiting the 

use of funds in fiscal year 2019 to convert any program which received specific purpose funds in fiscal year 2018 to a general purpose-funded program without the approval of the Committees on 

Appropriations of both Houses of Congress at least 30 days prior 

to any such action. 

TITLE III 

RELATED AGENCIES 

AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The conference agreement includes $104,000,000 for Salaries 

and Expenses of the American Battle Monuments Commission 

(ABMC), an increase of $28,900,000 above the budget request to 

support the Commission’s unfunded requirements for high priority 


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projects. Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this 

Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a spend plan detailing the use of 

these funds. 

FOREIGN CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS ACCOUNT

The conference agreement includes such sums as necessary for 

the Foreign Currency Fluctuations Account. However, due to favorable exchange rates, no funds are expected to be required in fiscal 

year 2019. 

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The conference agreement includes $34,955,000 for Salaries 

and Expenses for the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans 

Claims. Public Law 114–113 provided planning and design funds 

for a feasibility study that has yet to be completed. In addition, the 

Committees received a letter that GSA is moving to another direction for a courthouse and therefore the conference agreement does 

not include funding for a new courthouse, as requested at this 

time. 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE—CIVIL

CEMETERIAL EXPENSES, ARMY

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The conference agreement includes $80,800,000 for Cemeterial 

Expenses, Army—Salaries and Expenses. Within that amount, up 

to $15,000,000 in funding is available until September 30, 2021. 

CONSTRUCTION

The conference agreement provides $33,600,000 for planning 

and design and construction of Southern Expansion to remain 

available until expended. 

Arlington National Cemetery Southern Expansion.—The conference agreement provides $33,600,000 for all activities, including 

construction of the Southern Expansion. The conferees note that 

the project is expected to cost upwards of $350,000,000 has an estimated completion date of 2025, adds 37 acres of land, and will extend the cemetery’s life into the 2050s. While the conferees strongly 

support extending the life of the cemetery, there are concerns that 

the proposed expansion lacks proper planning. For example the 

Committees were initially told that the Southern Expansion would 

cost $274,000,000 however, now it appears that estimate was vastly underestimated. Therefore, no later than 180 days after enactment of this Act the conferees direct the Army to provide a comprehensive plan that includes cost estimate and construction schedule. Furthermore, after this reporting requirement is met the Army 

shall provide quarterly updates until this project is completed. 


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ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME

TRUST FUND

The conference agreement includes a total of $64,300,000 for 

the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH), as requested, but 

does not provide the funds in the manner requested. The agreement directs that $42,300,000 be derived from the Trust Fund and 

$22,000,000 be provided from the General Fund to support AFRH 

operations. 

Trust Fund Solvency.—There continues to be a belief that both 

legislative and administrative actions are necessary to improve 

Trust Fund solvency, eliminate AFRH’s reliance on the General 

Fund, and maintain the high-quality services provided to AFRH 

residents. While there is still concern about the path forward, DOD 

is directed to continue working with AFRH to take appropriate administrative action and to develop and submit proposed authorizing 

language that addresses the issue of Trust Fund solvency. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION

The conference agreement includes section 301 allowing Arlington National Cemetery to deposit and use funds derived from 

concessions. 

TITLE IV 

OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

The conference agreement includes title IV, Overseas Contingency Operations, for military construction projects related to the 

Global War on Terrorism and the European Deterrence/Reassurance Initiative. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY

The conference agreement includes $192,250,000 for ‘‘Military 

Construction, Army’’, for planning and design and construction in 

support of Overseas Contingency Operations and the European Deterrence/Reassurance Initiative. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS

The conference agreement includes $227,320,000 for ‘‘Military 

Construction, Navy and Marine Corps’’, for planning and design 

and construction in support of Overseas Contingency Operations 

and the European Deterrence/Reassurance Initiative. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE

The conference agreement includes $414,800,000 for ‘‘Military 

Construction, Air Force’’, for planning and design and construction 

in support of Overseas Contingency Operations and the European 

Deterrence/Reassurance Initiative. 


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MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, DEFENSE-WIDE

The conference agreement includes $87,050,000 for ‘‘Military 

Construction, Defense-Wide’’, for planning and design and construction in support of Overseas Contingency Operations and the European Deterrence/Reassurance Initiative. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

The conference agreement includes section 401 which provides 

the contingent emergency designation for the Overseas Contingency Operations accounts. 

The conference agreement includes section 402 which requires 

the Department of Defense to provide a future year defense program for European Deterrence/Reassurance Initiative to the congressional defense committees. 


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TITLE V 

GENERAL PROVISIONS 

The conference agreement includes section 501 prohibiting the 

obligation of funds in this Act beyond the current fiscal year unless 

expressly so provided. 

The conference agreement includes section 502 prohibiting the 

use of the funds in this Act for programs, projects, or activities not 

in compliance with Federal law relating to risk assessment, the 

protection of private property rights, or unfunded mandates. 

The conference agreement includes section 503 encouraging all 

Departments to expand their use of ‘‘E-Commerce.’’ 

The conference agreement includes section 504 specifying the 

congressional committees that are to receive all reports and notifications. 

The conference agreement includes section 505 prohibiting the 

transfer of funds to any instrumentality of the United States Government without authority from an appropriations Act. 

The conference agreement includes section 506 prohibiting the 

use of funds for a project or program named for a serving Member, 

Delegate, or Resident Commissioner of the United States House of 

Representatives. 

The conference agreement includes section 507 requiring all reports submitted to Congress to be posted on official web sites of the 

submitting agency. 

The conference agreement includes section 508 prohibiting the 

use of funds to establish or maintain a computer network unless 

such network blocks the viewing, downloading, and exchanging of 

pornography, except for law enforcement investigation, prosecution, 

or adjudication activities. 

The conference agreement includes section 509 prohibiting the 

use of funds for the payment of first-class air travel by an employee 

of the executive branch. 

The conference agreement includes section 510 prohibiting the 

use of funds in this Act for any contract where the contractor has 

not complied with E-Verify requirements. 

The conference agreement includes section 511 prohibiting the 

use of funds in this Act by the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs for the purchase or lease of a new vehicle except in accordance with Presidential Memorandum—Federal Fleet Performance, dated May 24, 2011. 

The conference agreement includes section 512 prohibiting the 

use of funds in this Act for the renovation, expansion, or construction of any facility in the continental United States for the purpose 

of housing any individual who has been detained at the United 

States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. 


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RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN, MICHAEL K. SIMPSON, JOHN R. CARTER, KEN CALVERT, JEFF FORTENBERRY, CHARLES F. FLEISCHMANN, JAIME HERRERA BEUTLER, SCOTT TAYLOR, Managers on the Part of the House. 

RICHARD C. SHELBY, 

LAMAR ALEXANDER, 

JOHN BOOZMAN, 

STEVE DAINES, 

JAMES LANKFORD, 

PATRICK J. LEAHY, 

DIANNE FEINSTEIN, 

BRIAN SCHATZ, 

CHRISTOPHER MURPHY, 

Managers on the Part of the Senate. 

Æ 


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