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(B) the recording, reporting, coordinating,
and retaining of information on possible expo-
sures described in subparagraph (A), including
the monitoring of the health effects of exposures
on humans and animals, and the documenting
and reporting of those health effects specifically
by location.
(3) Provide solutions for the concerns and mis-
sion requirements that are specifically applicable for
one or more of the Armed Forces in a protracted con-
flict when exposures to chemical agents could be com-
plex, dynamic, and occurring over an extended pe-
riod.
(c) RESEARCH PROGRAM.—The Secretary of Defense
shall develop and carry out a plan to establish a research
program for determining the effects of chronic and low-dose
exposures to chemical warfare agents. The research shall be
designed to yield results that can guide the Secretary in
the evolution of policy and doctrine on low-level exposures
to chemical warfare agents. The plan shall state the objec-
tives and scope of the program and include a 5-year fund-
ing plan.
(d) REPORT.—Not later than May 1, 1999, the Sec-
retary of Defense shall submit to the Committee on Armed
Services of the Senate and the Committee on National Secu-
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rity of the House of Representatives a report on the results
of the review under subsection (a) and on the research pro-
gram developed under subsection (c). The report shall in-
clude the following:
(1) Each modification of chemical warfare de-
fense policy and doctrine resulting from the review.
(2) Any recommended legislation regarding
chemical warfare defense.
(3) The plan for the research program.
SEC. 1046. ACCOUNTING TREATMENT OF ADVANCE PAY-
MENT OF PERSONNEL.
(a) TREATMENT.—Section 1006 of title 37, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(l) Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 15 of
title 31, an amount paid a member under this section in
advance of the fiscal year in which the member’s entitlement
to that amount accrues—
‘‘(1) shall be treated as being obligated and ex-
pended in that fiscal year; and
‘‘(2) may not be treated as reducing the unobli-
gated balance of the appropriations available for
military personnel, Reserve personnel, or National
Guard personnel, as the case may be, for the fiscal
year in which paid.’’.
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(b) APPLICABILITY.—Subsection (l) of section 1006 of
title 37, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)),
shall apply to advance payments made under such section
in fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1997.
SEC. 1047. REINSTATEMENT OF DEFINITION OF FINANCIAL
INSTITUTION IN AUTHORITIES FOR REIM-
BURSING DEFENSE PERSONNEL FOR GOV-
ERNMENT ERRORS IN DIRECT DEPOSITS OF
PAY.
(a) MEMBERS
OF
THE ARMED FORCES.—Section
1053(d)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended to
read as follows:
‘‘(1) The term ‘financial institution’ means a
bank, savings and loan association or similar institu-
tion, or a credit union chartered by the United States
Government or a State.’’.
(b) CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES.—Section 1594(d)(1) of title
10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(1) The term ‘financial institution’ means a
bank, savings and loan association or similar institu-
tion, or a credit union chartered by the United States
Government or a State.’’.
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SEC. 1048. PILOT PROGRAM ON ALTERNATIVE NOTICE OF
RECEIPT OF LEGAL PROCESS FOR GARNISH-
MENT OF FEDERAL PAY FOR CHILD SUPPORT
AND ALIMONY.
(a) PROGRAM REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense
shall conduct a pilot program on alternative notice proce-
dures for withholding or garnishment of pay for the pay-
ment of child support and alimony under section 459 of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 659).
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the pilot program is
to test the efficacy of providing notice in accordance with
subsection (c) to the person whose pay is to be withheld or
garnisheed.
(c) NOTICE REQUIREMENTS.—Under the pilot pro-
gram, if an agent designated under paragraph (1) of section
459(c) of the Social Security Act for members of the Armed
Forces or employees of the Department of Defense receives
notice or service of a court order, notice to withhold, or other
legal process regarding a child support or alimony obliga-
tion of such a member or employee, the agent may omit
from the notice that the agent sends to the member or em-
ployee under paragraph (2)(A) of that section the copy of
the notice or service received by the agent. The agent shall
include in the notice, which shall be in writing, the follow-
ing:
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(1) A description of the court order, notice to
withhold, or other legal process.
(2) The identity of the court, administrative
agency, or official that issued the order.
(3) The case number assigned by the court, ad-
ministrative agency, or official.
(4) The amount of the obligation.
(5) The name of each person for whom the sup-
port or alimony is provided.
(6) The name, address, and telephone number of
the person or office from which a copy of the notice
or service may be obtained.
(d) PERIOD OF PILOT PROGRAM.—The Secretary shall
commence the pilot program not later than 90 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act. The pilot program
shall terminate on September 30, 2000.
(e) REPORT.—Not later than April 1, 2001, the Sec-
retary shall submit a report on the pilot program to Con-
gress. The report shall contain the following:
(1) The number of notices that were issued in ac-
cordance with subsection (c) during the period of the
pilot program.
(2) The number of persons who requested copies
of the notice or service of the court order, notice of
withholding, or other legal process involved.
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(3) Any communication received by the Sec-
retary or an agent referred to in subsection (c) com-
plaining about not being furnished a copy of the no-
tice or service of the court order, notice of withhold-
ing, or other legal process with the agent’s notice.
SEC. 1049. COSTS PAYABLE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF DE-
FENSE AND OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES FOR
SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE DEFENSE COM-
MISSARY AGENCY.
(a) LIMITATION.—Section 2482(b)(1) of title 10,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following: ‘‘However, the Defense Commissary Agency may
not pay for any such service any amount that exceeds the
price at which the service could be procured in full and
open competition (as such term is defined in section 4(6)
of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C.
403(6)).’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment
of this Act and shall apply with respect to services provided
or obtained on or after that date.
SEC. 1050. COLLECTION OF DISHONORED CHECKS PRE-
SENTED AT COMMISSARY STORES.
Section 2486 of title 10, United States Code, is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following: