Documentation of verbal approval of requests for assistance

Section 1707 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92; 10 U.S.C. 113 note) is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by striking approves a Request for Assistance from the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Health and Human Services and inserting approves a written Request for Assistance from another Federal agency; (2) in subsection (b)— (A) by striking submits to the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Secretary of Health and Human Services and inserting submits to the requesting Federal agency; and (B) by striking from the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Health and Human Services, as applicable,; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subsections: (d) Requirement for documentation of other than written requests (1) In general If the Secretary of Defense approves a Request for Assistance submitted by a Federal agency in other than written form, the Secretary of Defense shall, not later than 7 days following the approval of the Request for Assistance, ensure that such approval is documented in writing and electronically transmitted to the Committees on Armed Services in the Senate and House of Representatives. (2) Elements The written documentation required under paragraph (1) shall include, at a minimum— (A) the requesting department or agency; (B) the date on which the request was received; (C) the date on which the request was verbally approved; (D) the Department of Defense official who provided the verbal approval; (E) a description of the assistance to be provided; (F) the legal authority under which the assistance is provided; (G) the estimated duration of the assistance; and (H) any anticipated reimbursement or cost-sharing arrangement associated with the assistance. (e) Requirement for approval The Secretary of Defense shall electronically transmit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives within 7 days of providing support under section 272, 273, or 274 of title 10, United States Code, a notification that includes— (1) the agency to which the support was provided; (2) the authority under which support was provided; (3) the source and amount of funds provided for such purpose or project; (4) a description of the arrangements, if any, for the sustainment of such purpose or project and the source of funds to support sustainment of the capabilities and performance outcomes achieved using the support, if applicable; and (5) a description of objectives for such purpose or project and the projected timeline. (f) Definitions In this section: (1) Federal agency The term Federal agency means any department, independent establishment, commission, authority, board bureau, office, administrative unit, or other entity of the Federal Government. (2) Request for assistance The term Request for Assistance means any written, oral, visual, non-verbal, or other communication based on mission requirements and expressed in terms of desired outcome, formally asking the Department of Defense to provide assistance to a local, State, tribal, or other Federal agency..