To require a report on options to reduce the frequency of permanent changes of station of members of the Armed Forces and the sea-shore rotations of such members, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6146
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-19: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-02T09:05:54Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Supporting Tours Across Years Act (STAY Act), H.R. 6146, aims to address the challenges of frequent relocations for U.S. military personnel by requiring a detailed report on ways to reduce these moves. Specifically, it focuses on permanent changes of station (PCS)—when service members are reassigned to new duty locations—and sea-shore rotations, which are shifts between assignments on naval vessels and land-based duties. The goal is to explore options that could lower costs, improve family stability, and support military retention without compromising operational readiness.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The bill is titled the "Supporting Tours Across Years Act" or "STAY Act."
- Required Report: By March 1, 2026, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness must submit a report to the congressional defense committees (key House and Senate committees overseeing defense matters). This report will be developed in coordination with the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force.
- Report Elements:
- An analysis of costs for PCS and sea-shore rotations over the past five fiscal years, broken down by military branch and job specialty (e.g., pilot, mechanic).
- An estimate of potential cost savings for the Department of Defense (DoD) if these relocations happen less often.
- An evaluation of how fewer moves might affect service members' decisions to stay in the military (retention), job opportunities for their spouses, and schooling for their children.
- Identification of specific jobs (billets), duty locations, and communities where longer tours or adjusted rotations could work without reducing mission readiness or hindering career advancement.
- Recommendations for any new laws or DoD policies needed to test (via pilot programs) or fully implement longer tours or rotation changes.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill does not directly amend current laws but introduces a new mandatory reporting requirement under Title 10 of the U.S. Code, which governs the armed forces. It builds on existing DoD authority for personnel management by compelling a formal analysis and recommendations, potentially paving the way for future legislative or policy adjustments to PCS and rotation policies. No immediate changes to relocation practices are enacted; the focus is on study and planning.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The DoD and military departments will need to allocate resources for data analysis and report preparation, but successful implementation of recommendations could lead to long-term cost savings (e.g., reduced moving expenses) and higher retention rates, easing recruitment pressures.
- On Citizens: Military families—particularly spouses seeking stable employment and children needing consistent education—could benefit from fewer disruptions if recommendations are adopted, improving overall quality of life and family support in the armed forces.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic personnel policies; however, sustained readiness from better retention could indirectly support U.S. global military commitments.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Service Members: Active-duty personnel in all branches, especially those in high-mobility roles like Navy sailors involved in sea-shore rotations.
- Military Families: Spouses and children, who face challenges from frequent moves affecting jobs, schooling, and community ties.
- Department of Defense and Military Departments: Responsible for conducting the analysis and potentially implementing changes, with budget implications.
- Congressional Defense Committees: Recipients of the report, influencing future defense budgets and policies through oversight.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill reinforces congressional oversight of the military under Article I of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress authority over armed forces funding and organization. It uses standard definitions from Title 10, ensuring compliance without creating new enforcement mechanisms.
- Constitutional: No major challenges; it aligns with the balance of powers by directing executive branch reporting without infringing on presidential command authority.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan interest in supporting military families (introduced by Reps. Kiggans and Bishop), potentially influencing defense authorization bills. It could spark debates on balancing cost savings with operational needs, but remains a low-controversy measure focused on analysis rather than mandates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-19: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2025-11-19: Introduced in House
- 2025-11-19: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Supporting Tours Across Years Act — issued 2025-11-19 — PDF (3 pages)