116 STAT. 2570 PUBLIC LAW 107-314—DEC. 2, 2002 Deadlines. 37 USC 307a note. (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 307 the following new item: "307a. Special pay: assignment incentive pay.". (b) ANNUAL REPORT.— Not later than February 28, 2004, and February 28, 2005, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a report on the use of the authority provided under section 307a of title 37, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), including an assessment of the utility of that authority. SEC. 617. INCREASE IN MAXIMUM RATES FOR PRIOR SERVICE ENLIST- MENT BONUS. Section 308i(b)(l) of title 37, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking "$5,000" and inserting "$8,000"; (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking "$2,500" and inserting "$4,000"; and (3) in subparagraph (C), by striking "$2,000" and inserting "$3,500". SEC. 618. RETENTION INCENTIVES FOR HEALTH CARE PROFES- SIONALS QUALIFIED IN A CRITICAL MILITARY SKILL. (a) EXCEPTION TO LIMITATION ON MAXIMUM BONUS AMOUNT. — Subsection (d) of section 323 of title 37, United States Code, is amended— (1) by inserting "(1)" before "A member"; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: "(2) The limitation in paragraph (1) on the total bonus payments that a member may receive under this section does not apply with respect to an officer who is assigned duties as a health care professional.". (b) EXCEPTION TO YEARS OF SERVICE LIMITATION.— Subsection (e) of such section is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively; (2) by inserting "(1)" before "A retention"; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: "(2) The limitations in paragraph (1) do not apply with respect to an officer who is assigned duties as a health care professional during the period of active duty for which the bonus is being offered.". Subtitle C—Travel and Transportation Allowances SEC. 621. EXTENSION OF LEAVE TRAVEL DEFERRAL PERIOD FOR MEM- BERS PERFORMING CONSECUTIVE OVERSEAS TOURS OF DUTY. (a) AUTHORIZED DEFERRAL PERIOD.— Section 411b of title 37, United States Code is amended by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsection: "(b) AUTHORITY TO DEFER TRAVEL; LIMITATIONS. —(1) Under the regulations referred to in subsection (a), a member may defer
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