Ill STAT. 1772 PUBLIC LAW 105-85 —NOV. 18, 1997 amounts, which are determined by the Secretary of Agriculture as of October 1 of the preceding year: "(A) The amount equal to the monthly cost of a moderatecost food plan for a male in the United States who is between 20 and 50 years of age. "(B) The amount equal to the monthly cost of a liberal food plan for a male in the United States who is between 20 and 50 years of age. "(2) The monthly rate of basic allowance for subsistence to be in effect for an officer for a year (beginning on January 1 of that year) shall be the amount equal to the monthly rate of basic allowance for subsistence in effect for officers for the preceding year, increased by the same percentage by which the rate of basic allowance for subsistence for enlisted members for the preceding year is increased effective on such January 1. "(c) ADVANCE PAYMENT.—The allowance to an enlisted member may be paid in advance for a period of not more than three months. " (d) SPECIAL RULE FOR MEMBERS AUTHORIZED TO MESS SEPA- RATELY. —(1) In areas prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, an enlisted member described in paragraph (2) is entitled to not more than the pro rata allowance established under subsection (b)(1) for each meal the member buys from a source other than a messing facility of the United States. "(2) An enlisted member referred to in paragraph (1) is a member who is granted permission to mess separately and whose duties require the member to buy at least one meal from a source other than a messing facility of the United States. "(e) POLICIES ON USE OF DINING AND MESSING FACILITIES.— The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretaries concerned, shall prescribe policies regarding use of dining and field messing facilities of the uniformed services. "(f) REGULATIONS. —(1) The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations for the administration of this section. Before prescribing the regulations, the Secretary shall consult with each Secretary concerned. "(2) The regulations shall include the specific rates of basic allowance for subsistence required by subsection (b).". (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—(1) Section 404 of title 37, United States Code, is amended— (A) by striking out subsection (g); and (B) by redesignating subsections (h), (i), (j), and (k) as subsections (g), (h), (i), and (j), respectively. (2) Section 6081(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking out "Except" and all that follows through "subsistence, each" and inserting in lieu thereof "Each". 37 USC 402 note. (c) TRANSITIONAL AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR SUBSISTENCE. — (1) TRANSITIONAL AUTHORITY.— Notwithstanding section 402 of title 37, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a), during the period beginning on January 1, 1998, and ending on the date determined under paragraph (2)— (A) the basic allowance for subsistence shall not be paid under such section 402;
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