§10432 Acceptance of contributions in support of Australia, United Kingdom, and United States submarine security activities

Summary

The President can accept money from the Government of Australia to help pay for non‑nuclear parts of submarine security work among Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (the AUKUS submarine security activities). That money goes into a special Treasury account called the Submarine Security Activities Account and stays there until it is spent. The President may use the money for any lawful purpose that supports those AUKUS activities, for military construction projects that match the purpose, to grow the skilled submarine workforce (recruiting, training, and keeping workers at public and private shipyards), and to upgrade shipyard facilities, equipment, and infrastructure. The account may be invested in U.S. government securities and any interest goes back into the account. Before using any money, the President must, at least 30 days beforehand, send Congress a plan showing how much is in the account and exactly how the funds will be used. The President may move money into Department of Defense or Department of Energy appropriations for AUKUS work, and returned funds may be moved back if they are not needed. For a military construction action, Congress must get notice with a cost estimate and then wait 21 days after receipt (or 14 days if sent electronically) before the funds are obligated. The President must also give Congress a 60‑day notice before transfers with details on program and how the funds fit with other efforts, file yearly reports by November 30 until one year after all transferred funds are spent, and send a report within 30 days after contributions are credited to the account. Reports are unclassified but may include a classified annex.