Oversight of Department of Defense rules of engagement

(a) Annual report on rules of engagement (1) In general Not later than March 15 of each year for five years beginning one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the rules of engagement in force in the preceding calendar year governing operations conducted pursuant to direction from the President or the Secretary of Defense. (2) Elements The annual report shall include the following elements: (A) A description of any changes made to the standing rules of engagement, a legal and policy explanation for each such change, and a copy of revised standing rules of engagement. (B) An identification and description of any supplementary or theater-specific rules of engagement issued by the commander of a combatant command. (C) A list and description of each declared hostile force that could be targeted under the rules of engagement identified under subparagraphs (A) and (B) without the United States Armed Forces observing a hostile act or demonstration of hostile intent, including— (i) the legal basis for the designation of the declared hostile force; and (ii) the risk posed by the declared hostile force to United States persons or territory. (D) A certification signed by the Secretary of Defense, the General Counsel of the Department of Defense, and the Judge Advocate General for each military service branch that all rules of engagement have been reviewed by the appropriate legal officers and comport with the rules and principles of the law of armed conflict. (3) Form The report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex. (b) Preliminary report Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committee a report with the elements and in the form described in subsection (a) that covers the preceding two calendar years.