National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I: Procurement

Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations

Subtitle B: Other Matters

Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation

Title III: Operation and Maintenance

Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations

Subtitle B: Other Matters

Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations

Subtitle A: Active Forces

Subtitle B: Reserve Forces

Title V: Military Personnel Policy

Subtitle A: Matters Relating to Reserve Components

Subtitle B: Officer Education Programs

Subtitle C: Other Matters

Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits

Subtitle A: Pay and Allowances

Subtitle B: Extension of Bonus and Incentive

Pays

Subtitle C: Travel and Transportation Allowances

Subtitle D: Retired Pay, Survivor Benefits, and Related

Matters

Subtitle E: Other Matters

Title VII: Health Care Provisions

Title VIII: Acquisition and Related Matters

Title IX: Organization and Management

Subtitle A: General Matters

Subtitle B: Financial Management

Title X: General Provisions

Subtitle A: Financial Matters

Subtitle B: Civilian Personnel

Subtitle C: Reporting Requirements

Subtitle D: Matters Relating to Other Nations

Subtitle E: Other Matters

Title XXI(sic): Army

Title XXII: Navy

Title XXIII: Air Force

Title XXIV: Defense Agencies

Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security

Investment Program

Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities

Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations

Title XXVIII: General Provisions

Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military

Family Housing Changes

Subtitle B: Base Closure and Realignment and

Environment

Subtitle C: Land Conveyance

Subtitle D: Other Matters

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 - Title I:

Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for procurement to the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and other procurement.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for: (1) defense-wide procurement; (2) the Defense Inspector General; (3) the Defense Health Program; and (4) the chemical demilitarization program.

Subtitle B: Other Matters - States that a current prohibition under a prior defense authorization Act against the new production of F-15E aircraft shall not apply to the obligation of funds authorized and appropriated for FY 1996 or to any appropriation or authorization for the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY 1997.

(Sec. 111) Increases the research and development and total procurement thresholds for a system to be considered a "major system" for DOD procurement purposes. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to adjust such amounts on the basis of DOD escalation rates, after notifying the Senate Armed Services and House National Security Committees.

(Sec. 112) Amends the Defense Conversion, Reinvestment, and Transition Assistance Act of 1992 to require the Secretary, within 60 days after the enactment of an Act appropriating funds for DOD military functions, to: (1) identify which defense contracts under major defense programs will be terminated or substantially reduced as a result of reduced funding levels; and (2) ensure that notice of such termination or reduction is provided to each prime contractor under the contract, as well as to the Secretary of Labor. Requires subcontractors to be notified within 60 days after notification of the Secretary of Labor. Requires a contractor to notify affected employees within two weeks after receiving such notice.

(Sec. 113) Strikes certain information concerning the completion status of major defense acquisition programs from information required to be contained in Selected Acquisition Reports for such programs. Requires such Reports to include procurement unit cost (currently, program acquisition unit cost).

Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for the armed forces for research, development, test, and evaluation.

(Sec. 202) Authorizes the Secretary to waive the live-fire survivability testing requirements with respect to V-22 aircraft. Provides for an alternative live-fire test program. Provides funding.

(Sec. 203) Authorizes such live-fire test waiver with respect to the F-22 aircraft, requiring an alternative live-fire test program if the Secretary certifies that normal testing would be unreasonably expensive and impractical. Provides funding.

(Sec. 204) Authorizes the Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to conduct basic and applied research and advanced technology development on chemical and biological warfare defense technologies and systems, independent of any other DOD component.

Title III: Operation and Maintenance - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 for operation and maintenance for the armed forces and specified activities and agencies of DOD. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 to DOD for working capital and revolving funds.

Subtitle B: Other Matters - Provides additional remedies for employees of defense contractors who disclose information regarding a substantial violation of law (whistle blowers).

(Sec. 311) Repeals the requirement of a physical examination for members of the National Guard called into Federal service.

(Sec. 312) Authorizes DOD to utilize military personnel under current agreements for the training of Federal employees in non-Government facilities and to pay in advance for such training.

(Sec. 313) Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations for the sale of emission reduction credits or other incentives authorized under the Clean Air Act.

(Sec. 314) Defines "capital assets" for purposes of assets in the Defense Business Operations Fund as those having a development or acquisition cost of not less than $100,000 (currently, $50,000).

Title IV: Military Personnel Authorizations - Subtitle A: Active Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths for active-duty forces as of the end of FY 1997.

(Sec. 402) Excludes from active-duty end strength limits those members of the reserve serving on active duty for 181 days or more to perform special work in support of peacetime requirements of the active components and combatant commands.

Subtitle B: Reserve Forces - Sets forth the authorized end strengths as of the end of FY 1997 for members of the Selected Reserve and reserve personnel on active duty in support of the reserves.

Title V: Military Personnel Policy - Subtitle A: Matters Relating to Reserve Components - Provides that reserve officers in an inactive status who are required to be removed from such status: (1) shall be transferred to the Retired Reserve; or (2) may be discharged from their appointment.

(Sec. 502) Provides an exception from the requirement of a baccalaureate degree for appointment to a grade above O-2 in the Naval Reserve in the case of persons appointed for service under either the Naval Aviation Cadet (current law) or Seaman to Admiral Program.

(Sec. 503) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out in the United States a test program under which those reserve members eligible for commissary use will be permitted to use such stores on the same basis as members on active duty. Requires the Secretary to report test program results to the Congress.

(Sec. 504) Provides an exception from the prohibition against the involuntary release or discharge of reserve personnel within two years of eligibility for retirement in the case of members who serve on active duty (other than for training) for a period of less than 180 days, as long as such member is informed of and consents to such exception prior to commencing such active duty.

(Sec. 505) Requires an individual to have received his or her baccalaureate degree within eight (currently, three) years of appointment to a reserve officer position in order to meet the Selected Reserve officer education requirement.

(Sec. 507) Increases the authorized activities of members of the reserve called to active duty for the purpose of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, or training the reserve components.

Subtitle B: Officer Education Programs - Extends from under 25 to under 27 years old the age limit for initial appointment as a cadet or midshipman in the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps and the military service academies.

(Sec. 511) Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to provide financial assistance to a student enrolled in an advanced educational program beyond the baccalaureate degree level, as long as such student is also a cadet or midshipman in an advanced training program.

Subtitle C: Other Matters - Reduces from three to two years the minimum time in grade required before a chief warrant officer may be considered for promotion. Authorizes warrant officers below the promotion zone to be selected for promotion to the grade of chief warrant officer, W-3.

(Sec. 517) Repeals Federal provisions allowing for judicial review of a determination of death of a person previously in a missing status during service in the armed forces, as well as special interest cases eligible for review. Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned (currently, the theater component commander) to transmit within ten days (currently, 48 hours) after a preliminary status assessment a recommendation that a person be placed in a missing status. Requires the Secretary concerned to perform all duties currently required of the theater component commander with respect to such persons and their status. Repeals: (1) the requirement of appointment of counsel to represent a missing person during an inquiry into the status of such person; (2) the requirement that subsequent reviews of a person's status as missing occur at least every three years (instead requiring such review upon receipt of information that may result in a change of status); (3) a provision providing civil and criminal penalties for the wrongful withholding of information concerning a person's status; (4) the requirement that certain information be submitted by a board of inquiry making a recommendation that a missing person be declared dead; and (5) the inclusion of DOD civilian and defense contractor employees as covered persons under such provisions.

(Sec. 518) Makes permanent (currently ends September 30, 1996) the authority for the temporary promotion of certain Navy lieutenants. Authorizes the Secretary, when considered expeditious, to extend for up to 180 days beyond the current limit of 365 days after enlistment in a reserve component the active-duty entry date under the delayed entry program.

(Sec. 520) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to accept reenlistments of active-duty personnel in the armed forces or Coast Guard: (1) for at least two but no more than six years in the case of members with less than ten years of service; and (2) for an indefinite additional period in the case of members with ten or more years of service.

(Sec. 521) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with the governments of allied and other friendly nations for the exchange of military and civilian defense personnel.

Title VI: Compensation and Other Personnel Benefits - Subtitle A:

Pay and Allowances - Waives any FY 1997 military pay increases tied to increases in the General Schedule of Compensation for Government employees. Increases by 3.0 percent, effective on January 1, 1997, the rates of basic pay, basic allowance for subsistence, and basic allowance for quarters (BAQ).

(Sec. 602) Prohibits the payment of a BAQ to a member of the Ready Reserve who is serving on active duty for 15 days or less and provided government quarters, unless such member is accompanied by his or her dependents.

(Sec. 603) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to pay a BAQ for a member who is without dependents, serving in pay grade E-5, and assigned to sea duty. Authorizes the payment of a BAQ to two members in pay grades below E-6 who are married to each other without dependents and simultaneously assigned to sea duty on ships.

(Sec. 604) Repeals a provision which requires the rate of monthly cadet or midshipman pay to be adjusted in the same manner and time as the adjustment of pay to military personnel in connection with General Schedule increases.

Subtitle B: Extension of Bonus and Incentive Pays - Extends through FY 1999 specified authorities currently scheduled to expire at the end of FY 1997 with respect to certain special pay and bonus programs within the regular and reserve armed forces.

Subtitle C: Travel and Transportation Allowances - Allows, as part of the transportation allowance for the transport of a motor vehicle in connection with a permanent change of duty station, a monetary allowance to be paid for: (1) return travel to the old duty station; or (2) travel from the new duty station to the port of debarkation to pick up the vehicle.

(Sec. 611) Authorizes the Secretary to reimburse board members of the DOD domestic dependent school system for travel and transportation expenses which include program and activity fees, when the Secretary determines that such programs and activities are reasonable and necessary for the performance of school board duties.

(Sec. 612) Provides that, when a member of the armed forces is ordered to a foreign country and the laws of such country prohibit or restrict the entry of a motor vehicle, such member may elect to receive paid storage of such vehicle in lieu of the normal transportation allowance for such vehicle.

(Sec. 613) Repeals a Federal provision prohibiting the payment of lodging expenses of a DOD civilian employee on official business away from home when adequate Government quarters are available.

Subtitle D: Retired Pay, Survivor Benefits, and Related Matters - Makes March 1996 the effective date of an increase in military retired pay which became effective on December 1, 1995. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to repeal a provision which provides a contingent alternative effective date for the military pay increase for FY 1998.

(Sec. 616) States that the dependents of members of the Selected Reserve, like the members themselves, shall be permitted the use of certain morale, welfare, and recreation facilities of DOD on the same basis as members on active duty. Makes an identical allowance for dependents of members of the armed forces who would otherwise be eligible for military retired pay but for the fact that they are under 60 years of age.

(Sec. 617) Repeals a Federal provision authorizing survivors of military personnel who die as a result of injury or illness incurred while serving on active duty in support of a contingency operation to receive a payment of all leave accrued.

Subtitle E: Other Matters - Authorizes the payment of retirement benefits, eligibility for placement on the temporary disability retirement list, or eligibility for separation with severance pay for active-duty personnel who are: (1) not entitled to basic pay due to participation in an educational program; and (2) unfit to perform their duties because of a disability incurred while participating in such program.

(Sec. 621) Amends Federal provisions concerning the payment of military retired or retainer pay to survivors and dependents of military personnel to: (1) include facsimile or other electronic transmission as a valid service of process; (2) require a finding of proper jurisdiction before a court of one state can modify or alter an original court order from another state; and (3) provide that the effective date of the termination of retirement benefits for a person who has been sentenced by a court-martial shall be the date of discharge from the uniformed services.

(Sec. 622) Requires (current law authorizes) the Secretary, and the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard, to establish a program which assists eligible former military and Coast Guard personnel to obtain certification and licensure as elementary and secondary school teachers (known as the troops-to-teachers program). Reduces from five to two school years the period a former member must be employed as such a teacher after receiving such assistance. Reduces the amount required to be paid to the educational agency involved by the Secretary concerned representing a portion of the teacher salary. Makes similar changes with respect to current teacher placement programs for eligible separated civilian DOD employees and displaced DOD contractor employees.

(Sec. 623) Allows a member whose travel to a new duty station is delayed by participation in a critical operational mission to defer such travel (for which a travel or transportation allowance is authorized) for up to one year after assignment to such mission.

(Sec. 624) Authorizes the Secretary to pay to civilian DOD personnel performing overseas duty the same allowances and benefits authorized for members of the Foreign Service under the Foreign Service Act of 1980.

Title VII: Health Care Provisions - Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to authorize the Secretary to pay amounts for covered services which are higher than prescribed limits when enrollees in managed care programs obtain covered services (currently, covered emergency services) from nonparticipating providers.

(Sec. 702) Amends Federal provisions establishing the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship and Financial Assistance Program to provide alternative service obligations (currently, the only authorized alternative is assignment to health professional shortage areas) for Program participants relieved of their active duty service obligation under the Program. Provides some of the alternative obligations for students participating in a similar program at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

(Sec. 703) Excludes officers assigned to duty in DOD from the limitation on the maximum number of commissioned officers of the Public Health Service authorized to serve on active duty.

(Sec. 704) Repeals statutory restrictions on the use of DOD funds or facilities to perform abortions.

(Sec. 705) Provides CHAMPUS medical and dental care benefits for reserve personnel who incur or aggravate an injury, illness, or disease: (1) in the line of duty while performing active duty, active or inactive duty training, or full-time National Guard duty; (2) while traveling to or from such duty or training; or (3) in the line of duty while remaining overnight, between successive periods of inactive duty training, in a site beyond reasonable commuting distance from the member's residence. Authorizes the following for members described under (3), above: (1) the recovery, care, and disposition of remains; (2) eligibility for retirement pay upon separation due to disability after 30 days or less of active-duty service; (3) entitlement to basic pay; and (4) compensation for inactive-duty training.

Title VIII: Acquisition and Related Matters - Repeals the defense procurement technical assistance cooperative agreement program.

(Sec. 802) Authorizes the requisitioning and use of Government vehicles for the training and administration of the National Guard by the States, Territories, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.

(Sec. 803) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act: (1) for Fiscal Year 1991 to extend through FY 1998 the pilot Mentor-Protege Program; and (2) for Fiscal Year 1994 to extend through FY 1999 the authority of the Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to carry out prototype activities directly relevant to weapons or weapon systems proposed to be acquired or developed by DOD. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a follow-on acquisition of any prototype or technology demonstrator developed in connection with such activities.

(Sec. 805) Amends Federal provisions concerning the authority of the Secretary and the military department Secretaries to enter into transactions in order to carry out basic, applied, and advanced research projects to: (1) repeal a reporting requirement; and (2) state that certain proposals, business plans, or technical information submitted in anticipation of such projects will not be considered "agency records" for five years (and therefore will be considered confidential as proprietary data).

(Sec. 806) Provides that any subdivision of appropriations made in this Act and hereafter under the heading "Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy" shall be considered to be for the same purpose as any subdivision under such heading in any prior year.

(Sec. 807) Directs the Secretary to rely on the private sector for commercial or industrial type supplies and services for or beneficial to the accomplishment of authorized DOD functions, except when the Secretary determines that the function should be performed by government personnel. Empowers the Secretary to contract with private or non-government entities for the provision of such functions.

Title IX: Organization and Management - Subtitle A: General Matters - Redesignates the North American Air Defense Command as the United States Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command.

(Sec. 902) Authorizes civilian DOD employees to be included on ammunition storage boards.

(Sec. 903) Amends the Foreign Trade Zones Act to remove the Secretary of the Army from membership on the Foreign Trade Zone Board.

Subtitle B: Financial Management - Establishes in DOD and each of the military departments an Environmental Restoration Account. (Currently, there is established in DOD only the Defense Environmental Restoration Account.)

(Sec. 911) Authorizes up to $2 million of DOD funds annually to be used for small meals and snacks during specified military recruiting functions.

Title X: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Financial Matters - Repeals the requirement that amounts requested for the procurement of reserve equipment be set forth in a separate budget request.

(Sec. 1002) Authorizes the Secretary to accept services as contributions for defense programs, projects, and activities. Directs the Secretary to establish written rules to be used as criteria for the acceptance of money, real or personal property, or services for such programs, projects, and activities.

(Sec. 1003) Amends the Sikes Act to authorize the transfer to another military reservation (installation) of the wildlife conservation fees of a closed military reservation.

(Sec. 1004) Authorizes a disbursing official to cash checks and other negotiable instruments and exchange U.S. currency on behalf of the United States at a U.S.-chartered Federal credit institution operating at DOD invitation in a foreign country where contractor-operated military banking facilities are not available.

(Sec. 1005) Amends the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act and the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (base closure laws) to provide for the disposition of funds arising from the disposal of real property or facilities acquired, constructed, or improved with commissary store or nonappropriated funds in connection with the closure or realignment of a military installation under a base closure law.

Subtitle B: Civilian Personnel - Authorizes the Secretary to employ necessary civilian faculty personnel at the: (1) English Language Center of the Defense Language Institute; and (2) Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies.

(Sec. 1012) Excepts from the competitive service non-attorney positions established in a judge's chambers of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

(Sec. 1013) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 to repeal a provision which requires the Secretary to convert at least 10,000 military positions to civilian positions by the end of FY 1997.

Subtitle C: Reporting Requirements - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 to strike certain information currently required in an annual report concerning the ballistic missile defense program.

(Sec. 1022) Repeals a requirement for an annual report from the Secretary to the Congress on defense contractor reimbursement costs.

(Sec. 1023) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 to repeal provisions requiring certain notification to parties substantially or seriously affected by military budget reductions, the closure or realignment of military installations, or the cancellation or curtailment of major defense contracts.

Subtitle D: Matters Relating to Other Nations - Includes within the provision of international demining activities the payment of travel and subsistence expenses of persons participating in such program and the costs of equipment, supplies, and services acquired to carry out such program.

Subtitle E: Other Matters - Repeals the requirement that the National Defense Technology and Industrial Base Council (Council) prepare specified periodic assessments and plans. Directs the Secretary to establish a program for analysis of national technology and industrial base (NTIB) issues, policies, and programs. Repeals specified provisions concerning administration, contracting, coordination and supervision with regard to such program.

Directs the Secretary (currently, the Council) to prepare annually through FY 1998 (currently, 1997) selected assessments of the NTIB in attaining national security requirements. Outlines assessment requirements, requiring its integration with DOD's overall budget, acquisition, and logistics decision-making processes.

Directs the Secretary to prescribe departmental guidance appropriate to implement the national security objectives of the President. Requires a report from the Secretary to the Congress concerning such guidance. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress in 1997 and 1998 on such guidance and the addressing of technological and industrial concerns.

Repeals a provision requiring the Secretary to coordinate the encouragement of technology transfer program with the Council. Empowers the Secretary (currently, the Council) to appoint members for the Military-Civilian Integration and Technology Transfer Advisory Board, as well as related authority. Repeals the requirement that the National Defense Manufacturing Technology Program be coordinated with the NTIB.

(Sec. 1031) Amends the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1988 to authorize the Secretary to transfer real property located at military installations to be closed to a military department or other entity within DOD or the Coast Guard.

(Sec. 1032) Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to dispose of all U.S. rights and interest to the primate research complex at Holloman Air Force Base, as well as the colony of chimpanzees housed at or managed from the complex.

(Sec. 1033) Amends the National Defense Authorization Act: (1) for Fiscal Year 1993 to require the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research, Development, and Acquisition (currently, for Installations, Logistics and Environment) to participate in functions and meetings of State chemical demilitarization citizens advisory commissions; and (2) for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 to repeal a provision which terminates at the end of FY 1997 the authority of the Secretary to transfer excess personal property to Federal and State agencies.

(Sec. 1035) Authorizes Reserve and Coast Guard judge advocates and law specialists (currently, only active-duty members of such professions) to act as notaries public.

(Sec. 1036) Transfers to the Secretary (currently, the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force) the authority to control U.S. transportation systems in time of war.

(Sec. 1037) States that statute-of-limitations provisions of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act shall not toll the period prescribed for the filing of a request for the correction of military records. Directs the corrections board involved to consider the claimant's military service and the effect of such service on the claimant's ability to file within the authorized time period (two years after discovery of the error).

(Sec. 1038) Redesignates the: (1) Naval Records and History Gift Fund as the Naval Historical Center Fund; and (2) Office of Naval Records and History as the Naval Historical Center.

(Sec. 1039) Authorizes the Secretary to accept pecuniary or service contributions from foreign nations on behalf of the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) authorize participation in Center programs of European or Eurasian nations, when in the national interest; and (2) waive financial disclosure requirements for dignitaries invited to serve without compensation on the Marshall Center Board of Visitors.

(Sec. 1040) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer to the Secretary of the Army the Arlington National Cemetery Interment Zone as well as specified lands within the Robert E. Lee Memorial Preservation Zone.

(Sec. 1041) Repeals a Federal provision directing the Secretary to authorize commissary and exchange officials to negotiate directly with private carriers for the most cost-effective transportation of commissary and exchange supplies by sea without relying on the Military Sealift Command or the Military Traffic Management Command.

(Sec. 1042) Authorizes the Secretary or the Secretary of a military department to enter into cooperative agreements for the preservation, management, maintenance, research, and improvement of cultural resources on military installations.

(Sec. 1043) Authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to certain named individuals for extraordinary service in the Army during World War II.

(Sec. 1044) Revises generally provisions authorizing the Secretary to lend material, supplies, and personnel services to the Inaugural Committee.

(Sec. 1045) Withdraws specified Federal lands in Imperial County, California, utilized in the mission of the Naval Air Facility, El Centro, California, from all forms of appropriation under the public land and mining laws, but not the mineral, geothermal leasing, or mineral materials sales laws. Reserves such withdrawn lands for use by the Secretary of the Navy for defense-related purposes in accordance with the Cooperative Agreement of June 29, 1987, among the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Department of the Navy. Provides for management of the withdrawn lands by the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) permitted management activities; (2) management by the Secretary of the Navy for military operations, public safety, or national security purposes; (3) a land withdrawal and reserve duration limit of 25 years (with authorized extensions after certain notice and filing requirements); (4) early relinquishment of the land withdrawal and reservation; and (5) land decontamination and environmental remediation (including authorized alternatives).

Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 - Title XXI(sic): Army - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to construct or acquire family housing units, to carry out architectural planning and design activities, and to improve existing military family housing in specified amounts. Authorizes appropriations to the Army for fiscal years after 1996 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of the Army. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title.

Title XXII: Navy - Provides, with respect to the Navy, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army.

Title XXIII: Air Force - Provides, with respect to the Air Force, authorizations paralleling those provided for the Army.

Title XXIV: Defense Agencies - Authorizes the Secretary to acquire real property and carry out military construction projects in specified amounts at specified installations and locations. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out architectural planning and design activities and to improve existing military family housing units, in specified amounts.

(Sec. 2404) Earmarks funds authorized under this title for the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund for appropriate uses.

(Sec. 2405) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out certain energy conservation projects.

(Sec. 2406) Authorizes appropriations to DOD for fiscal years after 1996 for military construction, land acquisition, and military family housing functions of DOD. Limits the total cost of construction projects authorized by this title.

Title XXV: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program - Authorizes the Secretary to make contributions for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program and authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1996 for such contributions.

Title XXVI: Guard and Reserve Forces Facilities - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years after 1996 for the Guard and Reserve forces for acquisition, architectural and engineering services, and construction of facilities.

(Sec. 2602) Authorizes specified Army National Guard military construction projects and architectural and engineering services and construction design, using prior year appropriations.

Title XXVII: Expiration and Extension of Authorizations - Terminates all authorizations contained in the titles XXI through XXVI of this Act on October 1, 1999, or the date of enactment of an Act authorizing funds for military construction for FY 2000, whichever is later, with exceptions. Extends certain prior-year military construction projects.

Title XXVIII: General Provisions - Subtitle A: Military Construction Program and Military Family Housing Changes - Increases: (1) from $300,000 to $350,000 the active and reserve component minor construction threshold for a project the Secretary may carry out using operation and maintenance funds without prior approval from the appropriate congressional committees; and (2) from $400,000 to $1.5 million the reserve component minor construction project threshold beyond which congressional notification and a 21-day waiting period are required.

(Sec. 2802) Includes major maintenance and the repair of drives within the definition of an "improvement" for purposes of authorized improvements to military family housing.

Subtitle B: Base Closure and Realignment and Environment - Amends the base closure laws to authorize the Secretary to contract with local governments for the provision of certain community services at facilities on installations closed pursuant to such laws.

(Sec. 2806) Authorizes the Secretary to pay from the Department of Defense Base Closure Account (Part II) up to $50,000 for stipulated environmental damages assessed against Loring Air Force Base, Maine.

Subtitle C: Land Conveyance - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to convey to: (1) Richmond or Madison County, Kentucky, a specified sewage collection, treatment, and disposal system at Blue Grass Army Depot, Kentucky; (2) the Dublin San Ramon Services District, California, a specified water treatment and distribution system at Camp Parks, California; (3) Leavenworth, Kansas, a specified water treatment and distribution system at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; (4) Pierce County, Washington, a specified sewage collection, treatment, and disposal system at Fort Lewis, Washington; (5) Odenton, Maryland, a specified water treatment and distribution system at Fort Meade, Maryland; (6) Monmouth County, New Jersey, a specified water treatment and distribution system at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; and (7) Hinesville, Georgia, a specified sewage collection, treatment, and disposal system at the Hunter Army Air Field, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

(Sec. 2814) Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to grant an easement for rights-of-way for electric power or communication poles and lines.

Subtitle D: Other Matters - Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to enter into an agreement with a local electric utility or private company to install, operate, and maintain a new electrical distribution system at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio. Provides agreement conditions. Provides funds for such system from funds authorized and appropriated for FY 1996.