PUBLIC LAW 105-85 —NOV. 18, 1997 111 STAT. 1775 under subsection (d) for the current year and then divided by the number of members estimated to be eligible for the partial allowance under the regulations prescribed under subsection (e)(1) for that year. (B) The amount equal to the difference between— (i) the amount that, except for subsection (c)(1)(A), would otherwise be the monthly rate of basic allowance for subsistence for enlisted members under section 402(b)(1) of title 37, United States Code; and (ii) the amount equal to the monthly equivalent of the value of a daily ration, as determined by the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) as of October 1 of the preceding year, (g) EFFECTIVE DATE. —This section and the amendments made 37 USC 402 note. by this section shall take effect on January 1, 1998. SEC. 603. CONSOLIDATION OF BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR QUARTERS, VARIABLE HOUSING ALLOWANCE, AND OVERSEAS HOUS- ING ALLOWANCES. (a) CONSOLIDATION OF ALLOWANCES.— Section 403 of title 37, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: '*§ 403. Basic allowance for housing "(a) GENERAL ENTITLEMENT.—(1) Except as otherwise provided by law, a member of a uniformed service who is entitled to basic pay is entitled to a basic allowance for housing at the monthly rates prescribed under this section or another provision of law with regard to the applicable component of the basic allowance for housing. The amount of the basic allowance for housing for a member will vary according to the pay grade in which the member is assigned or distributed for basic pay purposes, the dependency status of the member, and the geographic location of the member. The basic allowance for housing may be paid in advance. "(2) A member of a uniformed service with dependents is not entitled to a basic allowance for housing as a member with dependents unless the member makes a certification to the Secretary concerned indicating the status of each dependent of the member. The certification shall be made in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense. "(b) BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING INSIDE THE UNITED STATES.— (1) The Secretary of Defense shall determine the costs of adequate housing in a military housing area in the United States for all members of the uniformed services entitled to a basic allowance for housing in that area. The Secretary shall base the determination upon the costs of adequate housing for civilians with comparable income levels in the same area. "(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the monthly amount of a basic allowance for housing for an area of the United States for a member of a uniformed service is equal to the difference between— "(A) the monthly cost of adequate housing in that area, as determined by the Secretary of Defense, for members of the uniformed services serving in the same pay grade and with the same dependency status as the member; and "(B) 15 percent of the national average monthly cost of adequate housing in the United States, as determined by the Secretary, for members of the uniformed services serving in
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