Other Changes in DoD Bill

The DoD bill also: keeps the current base closing process on track; extends from 18 to 24 months the period in which agencies may continue to pay Federal Employees Health Benefits program premiums on behalf of their employees who have been mobilized for military duty; allows federal officials access to state driver license records during background investigations for security clearances; allows foreign language proficiency pay in situations other than military “contingency operations;” brings pay for senior executives in DoD intelligence operations and “nonappropriated fund” functions in line with policies affecting senior executives in general; creates a three-year pilot program in which active federal employees, among others, could receive financial assistance-with employment service periods required–toward college studies in science, mathematics, engineering and technology disciplines that the department considers critical to its national security functions; and requires reports on how to better recruit and retain individuals with foreign language skills and how to best make use of flexible personnel management authorities at Defense laboratories.