S. 4638 is the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025, introduced by Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) on July 8, 2024. The bill covers a wide range of defense policy and spending authorizations. Among its provisions, it includes a direct restriction on UAP-related funding and several intelligence and workforce measures.
What does the UAP provision actually do?
Section 1544 blocks any FY2025 Defense Department funds from being spent on UAP activities that are protected under special access or restricted access programs, unless the Secretary of Defense has first briefed the appropriate congressional committees and congressional leadership. This applies to any UAP activities described in a report released by the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO, the Pentagon office responsible for tracking UAP) in fiscal year 2024.
The provision defines "congressional leadership" as the Senate majority and minority leaders, the Speaker of the House, and the House minority leader. It also defines "unidentified anomalous phenomena" by reference to the FY2022 NDAA, as amended by the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY2023.
What intelligence authority changes does the bill propose?
Section 1542 extends the Secretary of Defense's authority to use commercial activities as cover for intelligence collection from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2029. It also updates the coordination requirement so that such activities must be pre-coordinated with the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency under mutually agreed procedures.
Section 1543 makes the Defense Department's intelligence and counterintelligence expense authority permanent, removing the prior expiration tied to fiscal years 2020 through 2025. It also raises the delegation limit for spending from $100,000 to $250,000 and requires annual reports going forward.
What is the Geospatial Workforce Pilot Program?
Section 1545 directs the Secretary of Defense to run a pilot program to build a skilled workforce in geospatial technologies to support defense intelligence needs. The program would partner with universities near National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency facilities outside the Washington, D.C. area, and would aim to expand education, training, and certification in geospatial fields while fostering ties with local governments and industry.
Where does the bill stand?
As of July 8, 2024, the bill was placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders as Calendar No. 433. No further action is recorded in the source.