PUBLIC LAW 105-85 —NOV. 18, 1997 111 STAT. 1805 and subsistence allowances at the maximum special rate for duty where emergency conditions existed. The Secretary shall apply interest compounded at the three-month Treasury bill rate. (d) PAYMENT TO SURVIVORS.— In the case of any individual described in subsection (b) who is deceased, payment under this section with respect to that individual shall be made to that individual's nearest surviving relative, as determined by the Secretary concerned. SEC. 655. SUBSISTENCE OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES ABOVE THE POVERTY LEVEL. (a) STUDY AND REPORT.— (1) The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a study of members of the Armed Forces and their families who subsist at, near, or below the poverty level. The study shall include the following: (A) An £m.alysis of potential solutions for ensuring that members of the Armed Forces and their families do not have to subsist at, near, or below the poverty level, including potential solutions involving changes in the system of allowances for members. (B) Identification of the military populations most likely to need income support under Federal Government programs, including— (i) the populations living in areas of the United States where housing costs are notably high; (ii) the populations living outside the United States; and (iii) the number of persons in each identified population. (C) The desirability of increasing rates of basic pay and allowginces for members over a defined period of years by a range of percentages that provides for higher percentage increases for lower ranking members than for higher ranking members. (2) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of the study and such recommendations as the Secretary considers to be appropriate. (b) IMPLEMENTATION OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM FOR PERSONNEL OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.— (1) Subsection (b) of section 1060a of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: "(b) FEDERAL PAYMENTS AND COMMODITIES.—For the purpose of obtaining Federal payments and commodities in order to carry out the program referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of Agriculture shall make available to the Secretary of Defense the same payments and commodities as are made for the special supplemental food program in the United States under section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786). The Secretary of Defense may use funds available for the Department of Defense to carry out the program under subsection (a).". (2) Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment 10 USC 1060a of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress note. a report regarding the intentions of the Secretary regarding implementation of the program authorized under section 1060a of title 10, United States Code, including any plans to implement the program.
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