GOVERNMENT LODGING PROGRAM.

SEC. 914. [5 U.S.C. 5911 note] GOVERNMENT LODGING PROGRAM. (a) Authority.—Notwithstanding the provisions of section 5911 of title 5, United States Code, the Secretary of Defense may establish and carry out a Government lodging program to provide Government or commercial lodging for employees of the Department of Defense or members of the uniformed services under the Secretary’s jurisdiction performing duty on official travel, and may require such travelers to occupy adequate quarters on a rental basis when available. (b) Temporary Exclusion of Certain Shipyard Employees.— (1) In general.—In carrying out a Government lodging program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall exclude from the requirements of the program employees who are traveling for the performance of mission functions of a public shipyard of the Department if the Secretary determines such requirements would adversely affect the purpose or mission of such travel. (2) Termination.—This subsection shall terminate on September 30, 2029. (3) Briefings required.— (A) In general.—Not later than February 1, 2025, and annually thereafter through February 1, 2030, the Secretary shall brief the congressional defense committees on the exclusion under paragraph (1) from the requirements of a Government lodging program carried out under subsection (a). (B) Elements.—Each briefing required by subparagraph (A) shall include, for the year preceding the briefing, the following: (i) A description of the instances in which the exclusion under paragraph (1) was used. (ii) A description of the lodging used under that exclusion. (iii) A statement of the difference in cost between lodging used under that exclusion and lodging provided under a Government lodging program carried out under subsection (a) in each location where lodging under the exclusion was used. (iv) Such other matters as the Secretary considers relevant. (c) Limitation.—A Government lodging program developed under the authority in subsection (a), and a requirement under subsection (a) with respect to an employee of the Department of Defense, may not be construed to be subject to a duty to negotiate under chapter 71 of title 5, United States Code.