EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF COMMANDERS’ EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM.

SEC. 1211. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF COMMANDERS’ EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM. (a) One-year 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 1221 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck”McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291; 128 Stat. 3546), is further amended by striking “fiscal year 2015” in subsections (a), (b), and (f) and inserting “fiscal year 2016”. (b) Restriction on Amount of Payments.—Subsection (e) of such section 1201, as so amended, is further amended by striking “$2,000,000” and inserting “$500,000”. (c) Submittal of Revised Guidance.—Not later than 15 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a copy of the guidance issued by the Secretary to the Armed Forces concerning the Commanders’ Emergency Response Program in Afghanistan as revised to take into account the amendments made by this section. (d) Authority for Certain Payments To Redress Injury and Loss in Iraq.— (1) In general.—During fiscal year 2016, 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 Iraq. (2) Notice and wait.—The authority in this subsection may not be used until 30 days after the date on which the Secretary of Defense submits 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) Limitation on amount available.—The total amount of payments made pursuant to this subsection in fiscal year 2016 may not exceed $5,000,000. (4) 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. (5) 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).