This bill (Public Law 118-33, enacted December 26, 2023) amends the Siletz Reservation Act to preserve the existing 1980 Siletz Agreement governing hunting, fishing, trapping, and gathering rights for the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. It requires any future government-to-government agreements between the Tribe and Oregon to be mutually agreed upon, while prohibiting new or expanded fishing rights in the Columbia River or Willamette River (from mouth to Willamette Falls) in any successor agreements. The bill also clarifies that judicial challenges to the 1980 Consent Decree must be reviewed on the merits, without using res judicata as a defense. It does not change existing tribal rights but establishes a framework for updating agreements under specific conditions.
This bill amends the Grand Ronde Reservation Act to redefine the reservation boundary as specifically the 84-acre Thompson Strip, replacing a prior description of lands within Oregon. It also prohibits the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde from using any land acquired through federal land claim settlements (including land purchased with settlement funds) for gaming under federal law. The amendment applies to the tribe's current and future land holdings related to settlement agreements. The bill explicitly states it does not affect the tribe's existing treaty rights.
# Summary of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
This document outlines key provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, focusing on defense spending, military aircraft programs, research and development, and program management requirements.
**Key Aircraft Program Restrictions:**
- Prohibits retirement of F-15E aircraft beyond 68 until 2029
- Maintains minimum RQ-4 inventory at 10 aircraft through 2028
- Limits F-16C/D retirement until specific reporting requirements are met
- Prohibits retirement of KC-135 aircraft (with limited exceptions)
- Maintains minimum A-10 inventory at 135 aircraft
- Requires certification before taking actions related to KC-46A remote vision systems
**Reporting Requirements:**
- Mandates annual reports on force structure changes for major weapon systems
- Requires detailed reporting on F-15E, F-16C/D, and other aircraft retirement plans
- Requires annual reports on hypersonic capabilities funding through 2030
- Mandates updates to accountability matrices for Next Generation Air Dominance programs
**Research & Development Focus:**
- Authorizes multiyear procurement for domestically processed critical minerals
- Establishes quantum information science fellowships and university partnerships
- Creates a Consortium on Additive Manufacturing for Defense Capability Development
- Requires biennial updates to hypersonics testing strategy
- Authorizes support for the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA)
**Program Management:**
- Requires detailed accountability matrices for Next Generation Air Dominance programs
- Mandates key performance parameters for cost management
- Establishes Naval Air Warfare Rapid Capabilities Office
- Requires cost-benefit analysis for F-35 propulsion modernization
The legislation contains numerous specific restrictions on aircraft retirement, procurement limits, and detailed reporting requirements designed to maintain military readiness while managing defense spending.
HJRES 64 reappoints Roger W. Ferguson as a citizen regent on the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, filling a vacancy caused by his previous term expiration. The bill extends his service for a six-year term, beginning April 25, 2023, or the law's enactment date (December 21, 2023). This procedural resolution directly affects the Smithsonian Institution's governance structure by maintaining Ferguson's position on its Board of Regents. It does not create new policies or alter existing laws, solely addressing the appointment of a specific board member.
H.J. Res. 63 appoints Antoinette Bush of the District of Columbia to fill a vacant seat on the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, which became open when Steve Case's term expired on April 25, 2023. The appointment is for a six-year term beginning on the later of April 25, 2023, or the bill's enactment date (December 21, 2023). This procedural resolution directly affects the Smithsonian Institution's governance by filling a specific vacancy on its governing board. It contains no policy changes beyond authorizing this appointment.
H.J. Res. 62 reappoints Michael Govan as a citizen regent of the Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents for a six-year term beginning May 6, 2023. This procedural resolution fills the vacancy created when Govan's prior term expired, without changing Smithsonian policies or affecting other individuals. The bill follows standard procedure under 20 U.S.C. § 43 for reappointing an incumbent regent. (H.J. Res. 62, enacted December 21, 2023)
This bill, the 5G SALE Act, authorizes the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to finalize licenses for 5G spectrum that were auctioned before March 9, 2023, but not yet granted to successful bidders. It specifically applies to applicants who won licenses in the 2496-2690 MHz frequency band through FCC auctions held before the commission’s auction authority expired. The FCC must process these applications within 90 days of the law’s enactment (December 19, 2023), ensuring pending licenses from past auctions are completed. The bill does not alter auction rules or create new licenses - it only enables the FCC to finalize existing, unprocessed bids.
S. 2747 extends the Federal Election Campaign Act's Administrative Fine Program for certain campaign finance reporting violations until December 31, 2033. This bill directly affects political committees, candidates, and other entities required to file campaign finance reports with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The key provision amends Section 309(a)(4)(C)(v) of the Act to replace the 2023 expiration date with a 2033 deadline, ensuring fines can still be assessed for late filings of specific reports. The extension applies only to certain violations, not all campaign finance non-compliance, and maintains the existing fine structure without new requirements.
The Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 (S. 788) allows states to issue fully electronic waterfowl hunting stamps instead of physical ones under the existing Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp program. It directly affects waterfowl hunters and state wildlife agencies managing the stamp program. Key provisions include updating definitions to recognize electronic stamps as valid permits, requiring states to provide a physical stamp by March 10 each year for the previous hunting season, and clarifying that electronic stamps remain valid through June 30 following issuance. The law modernizes the program while maintaining the requirement for a physical stamp as a backup, without changing the underlying hunting permit requirement.
HR 3315, the National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Extension Act of 2023, extends an existing bankruptcy protection for qualifying military reservists and National Guard members. It amends the 2008 National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act to extend the exemption period from 15 to 19 years, allowing those activated for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001, to avoid automatic rejection in Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings due to income thresholds. This provision directly affects service members called to active duty or homeland defense roles, providing them additional time to manage debt without facing the "means-test presumption of abuse." The bill makes no new policy changes beyond extending this specific relief period.
The TRANQ Research Act of 2023 requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to coordinate research on illicit drugs containing xylazine, novel synthetic opioids, and other concerning substances. The bill mandates NIST to develop faster detection methods, create data tools for identifying these substances, and consult with agencies like the DEA, CDC, and National Institute on Drug Abuse to establish safe handling practices. NIST must also form partnerships with universities, federal labs, and the private sector to improve detection capabilities. Within one year, NIST must report to Congress on its implementation, and the Comptroller General must conduct a study on federal capabilities to respond to new psychoactive substances, reporting within two years.
The Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024 extends funding for numerous federal programs through January 19, 2024, preventing government shutdowns and funding lapses. It specifically continues critical health programs including community health centers ($690 million), National Health Service Corps ($53.5 million), and diabetes programs ($25.9 million) through the extended date. The bill also extends agricultural programs like crop support, conservation initiatives, and dairy margin coverage through fiscal year 2024, affecting farmers and rural communities. Additionally, it extends certain public health authorities and counter-UAS (unmanned aircraft system) capabilities through February 3, 2024. This continuing resolution maintains existing funding levels for essential services without creating new programs or altering policy.
