GAO review and report on biological weapons experiments on and in relation to ticks, tick-borne disease

(a) Review The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a review of research conducted during the period beginning on January 1, 1945, and ending on December 31, 1972, by the Department of Defense, including by the Department of Defense in consultation with the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Agriculture, or any other Federal agency on— (1) the use of ticks as hosts or delivery mechanisms for biological warfare agents, including experiments involving Spirochaetales and Rickettsiales; and (2) any efforts to improve the effectiveness and viability of Spirochaetales and Rickettsiales as biological weapons through combination with other diseases or viruses. (b) Location of research In conducting the review under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall review research conducted at facilities located inside United States and facilities located outside the United States, including laboratories and field work locations. (c) Information to be reviewed (1) Classified information In conducting the review under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall review any relevant classified information. (2) Documents for review In conducting the review under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall review, among other sources, the following documents: (A) Technical Reports related to The Summary of Major Events and Problems, US Army Chemical Corps, FY 1951 – FY1969. (B) Site Holding: CB DT DW 48158 Title: Virus and Rickettsia Waste Disposal Study. Technical Report No. 103, January 1969. Corp Author Name: FORT DETRICK FREDERICK MD Report Number: SMUFD-TR-103 Publish Date: 19690101. (C) Site Holding: CB DT DW 60538 Title: A Plaque Assay System for Several Species of Rickettsia. Corp Author Name: FORT DETRICK FREDERICK MD Report Number: SMUFD-TM-538 Publish Date: 19690601. (D) Site Holding: CB DW 531493 Title: Progress Report for Ecology and Epidemiology and Biological Field Test Technology, Third Quarter FY 1967. Corp Author Name: ARMY DUGWAY PROVING GROUND UT Publish Date: 19670508. (d) Report (1) In general Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report that includes the following: (A) The scope of any research described in subsection (a). (B) Whether any ticks used in such research were released outside of any facility (including any ticks that were released unintentionally). (C) Whether any records related to such research were destroyed, and whether such destruction was intentional or unintentional. (2) Form of report The report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.