PUBLIC LAW 106-398—APPENDIX 114 STAT. 1654A-149 SEC. 607. EQUITABLE TREATMENT OF JUNIOR ENLISTED MEMBERS IN COMPUTATION OF BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING. (a) DETERMINATION OF COSTS OF ADEQUATE HOUSING. —Paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of section 403 of title 37, United States Code, as redesignated by section 605(a)(2), is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: "After June 30, 2001, the Secretary may not differentiate between members with dependents in pay grades E-1 through E-4 in determining what constitutes adequate housing for members.". (b) SINGLE RATE; MINIMUM. —Subsection (b) of such section, as amended by section 605(b)(1), is amended by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph: "(5) On and after July 1, 2001, the Secretary of Defense shall establish a single monthly rate for members of the uniformed services with dependents in pay grades E-1 through E-4 in the same military housing area. The rate shall be consistent with the rates paid to members in pay grades other than pay grades E-1 through E-4 and shall be based on the following: "(A) The average cost of a two-bedroom apartment in that military housing area. "(B) One-half of the difference between the average cost of a two-bedroom townhouse in that area and the amount determined in subparagraph (A).". SEC. 608. ELIGIBILITY OF MEMBERS IN GRADE E-4 TO RECEIVE BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING WHILE ON SEA DUTY. (a) PAYMENT AUTHORIZED. —Subsection (f)(2)(B) of section 403 of title 37, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking "E-5" in the first sentence and inserting "E-4 or E-5"; and (2) by striking "grade E-5" in the second sentence and inserting "grades E-4 and E-5". (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT. —Subsection (m)(l)(B) of such section is amended by striking "E-4" and inserting "E-3". SEC. 609. PERSONAL MONEY ALLOWANCE FOR SENIOR ENLISTED MEM- BERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. (a) AUTHORITY.— Section 414 of title 37, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: "(c) ALLOWANCE FOR SENIOR ENLISTED MEMBERS.— In addition to other pay or allowances authorized by this title, a noncommissioned officer is entitled to a personal money allowance of $2,000 a year while serving as the Sergeant Major of the Army, the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, or the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard.". (b) STYLISTIC AMENDMENTS.— Such section is further amended— (1) in subsection (a), by inserting "ALLOWANCE FOR OFFI- CERS SERVING IN CERTAIN RANKS OR POSITIONS.— " after "(a)"; and (2) in subsection (b), by inserting "ALLOWANCE FOR CERTAIN NAVAL OFFICERS. — " after "(b)". (c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section shall take effect on October 1, 2000.
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