EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF COMMANDERS’ EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM.

SEC. 1211. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF COMMANDERS’ EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM.(a) Extension.—Section 1201 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (Public Law 112–81; 125 Stat. 1619), as most recently amended by section 1211 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114–92; 129 Stat. 1042), is further amended—(1) in subsection (a)—(A) by striking “During fiscal year 2016” and inserting “During the period beginning on October 1, 2016, and ending on December 31, 2018”; and(B) by striking “in such fiscal year” and inserting “in such period”;(2) in subsection (b), by striking “fiscal year 2016” and inserting “fiscal year 2017 and fiscal year 2018”; and(3) in subsection (f), by striking “in fiscal year 2016” and inserting “during the period beginning on October 1, 2016, and ending on December 31, 2018”.130 STAT. 2478(b) Authority for Certain Payments To Redress Injury and Loss in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.—(1) In general.—During the period beginning on October 1, 2016, and ending on December 31, 2018, amounts available pursuant to section 1201 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, as amended by this section, shall also be available for ex gratia payments for damage, personal injury, or death that is incident to combat operations of the Armed Forces in Afghanistan, Iraq, or Syria.(2) Notice.—The Secretary of Defense shall, upon each exercise of the authority in this subsection, submit to the congressional defense committees a report setting forth the following:(A) The amount that will be used for payments pursuant to this subsection.(B) The manner in which claims for payments shall be verified.(C) The officers or officials who shall be authorized to approve claims for payments.(D) The manner in which payments shall be made.(3) Authorities applicable to payment.—Any payment made pursuant to this subsection shall be made in accordance with the authorities and limitations in section 8121 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2015 (division C of Public Law 113–235), other than subsection (h) of such section.(4) Construction with restriction on amount of payments.—For purposes of the application of subsection (e) of such section 1201, as so amended, to any payment pursuant to this subsection, such payment shall be deemed to be a project described by such subsection (e).