TITLE 50 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER IVA - NONPROLIFERATION ASSISTANCE COORDINATION

50 USC 2357 - Findings

Congress finds that

(1) United States nonproliferation efforts in the independent states of the former Soviet Union have achieved important results in ensuring that weapons of mass destruction, weapons-usable material and technology, and weapons-related knowledge remain beyond the reach of terrorists and weapons-proliferating states;

(2) although these efforts are in the United States national security interest, the effectiveness of these efforts has suffered from a lack of coordination within and among United States Government agencies;

(3) increased spending and investment by the United States private sector on nonproliferation efforts in the independent states of the former Soviet Union, specifically, spending and investment by the United States private sector in job creation initiatives and proposals for unemployed Russian Federation weapons scientists and technicians, are making an important contribution in ensuring that knowledge related to weapons of mass destruction remains beyond the reach of terrorists and weapons-proliferating states; and

(4) increased spending and investment by the United States private sector on nonproliferation efforts in the independent states of the former Soviet Union make advisable the establishment of a coordinating body to ensure that United States public and private efforts are not in conflict, and to ensure that public spending on efforts by the independent states of the former Soviet Union is maximized to ensure efficiency and further United States national security interests.

50 USC 2357a - Definitions

(a) Independent states of the former Soviet Union
In this subchapter, the term independent states of the former Soviet Union has the meaning given the term in section 5801 of title 22.

(b) Appropriate committees of Congress
In this subchapter, the term the appropriate committees of Congress means the Committees on Foreign Relations, Armed Services, and Appropriations of the Senate and the Committees on International Relations, Armed Services, and Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

50 USC 2357b - Establishment of Committee on Nonproliferation Assistance

(a) In general
The President shall establish a mechanism to coordinate, with the maximum possible effectiveness and efficiency, the efforts of United States Government departments and agencies engaged in formulating policy and carrying out programs for achieving nonproliferation and threat reduction.

(b) Membership
The coordination mechanism established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall include

(1) representatives designated by

(A) the Secretary of State;

(B) the Secretary of Defense;

(D) the Secretary of Commerce;

(E) the Attorney General; and

(F) the Director of the Office of Homeland Security, or the head of a successor department or agency; and

(2) such other executive branch officials as the President may select.

(c) Level of representation
To the maximum extent possible, each department^[1] or agencys representative designated pursuant to subsection (b)(1) of this section shall be an official of that department or agency who has been appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(d) Chair
The President shall designate an official to direct the coordination mechanism established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. The official so designated may invite the head of any other department or agency of the United States to designate a representative of that department or agency to participate from time to time in the activities of the Committee.

[1] So in original. Probably should be “department’s”.

50 USC 2357c - Purposes and authority

(a) Purposes

(1) In general
The primary purpose of the coordination mechanism established pursuant to section 2357b of this title should be

(A) to exercise continuing responsibility for coordinating worldwide United States nonproliferation and threat reduction efforts to ensure that they effectively implement United States policy; and

(B) to enhance the ability of participating departments and agencies to anticipate growing nonproliferation areas of concern.

(2) Program monitoring and coordination
The coordination mechanism established pursuant to section 2357b of this title should have primary continuing responsibility within the executive branch of the Government for

(A) United States nonproliferation and threat reduction efforts, and particularly such efforts in the independent states of the former Soviet Union; and

(B) coordinating the implementation of United States policy with respect to such efforts.

(b) Authority
In carrying out the responsibilities described in subsection (a) of this section, the coordination mechanism established pursuant to section 2357b of this title should have, at a minimum, the authority to

(1) establish such subcommittees and working groups as it deems necessary;

(2) direct the preparation of analyses on issues and problems relating to coordination within and among United States departments and agencies on nonproliferation and threat reduction efforts;

(3) direct the preparation of analyses on issues and problems relating to coordination between the United States public and private sectors on nonproliferation and threat reduction efforts, including coordination between public and private spending on nonproliferation and threat reduction programs and coordination between public spending and private investment in defense conversion activities of the independent states of the former Soviet Union;

(4) provide guidance on arrangements that will coordinate, deconflict, and maximize the utility of United States public spending on nonproliferation and threat reduction programs, and particularly such efforts in the independent states of the former Soviet Union;

(5) encourage companies and nongovernmental organizations involved in nonproliferation efforts of the independent states of the former Soviet Union or other countries of concern to voluntarily report these efforts to it;

(6) direct the preparation of analyses on issues and problems relating to the coordination between the United States and other countries with respect to nonproliferation efforts, and particularly such efforts in the independent states of the former Soviet Union; and

(7) consider, and make recommendations to the President with respect to, proposals for such new legislation or regulations relating to United States nonproliferation efforts as may be necessary.

50 USC 2357d - Administrative support

All United States departments and agencies shall provide, to the extent permitted by law, such information and assistance as may be requested by the coordination mechanism established pursuant to section 2357b of this title, in carrying out its functions and activities under this subchapter.

50 USC 2357e - Confidentiality of information

Information which has been submitted to or received by the coordination mechanism established pursuant to section 2357b of this title in confidence shall not be publicly disclosed, except to the extent required by law, and such information shall be used by it only for the purpose of carrying out the functions set forth in this subchapter.

50 USC 2357f - Statutory construction

Nothing in this subchapter

(1) applies to the data-gathering, regulatory, or enforcement authority of any existing United States department or agency over nonproliferation efforts in the independent states of the former Soviet Union, and the review of those efforts undertaken by the coordination mechanism established pursuant to section 2357b of this title shall not in any way supersede or prejudice any other process provided by law; or

(2) applies to any activity that is reportable pursuant to title V of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 413 et seq.).

50 USC 2357g - Reporting and consultation

(a) Presidential report
Not later than 120 days after each inauguration of a President, the President shall submit a report to the Congress on his general and specific nonproliferation and threat reduction objectives and how the efforts of executive branch agencies will be coordinated most effectively, pursuant to section 2357b of this title, to achieve those objectives.

(b) Consultation
The President should consult with and brief, from time to time, the appropriate committees of Congress regarding the efficacy of the coordination mechanism established pursuant to section 2357b of this title in achieving its stated objectives.