1. U.S. Code
  2. title 50
  3. chapter 47
  4. § 3601

Collapse to view only § 3601. Short title

§ 3601. Short title

This chapter may be cited as the “National Security Agency Act of 1959”.

(Pub. L. 86–36, § 1, as added Pub. L. 96–450, title IV, § 402(a)(2), Oct. 14, 1980, 94 Stat. 1978.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3601

§ 3602. Director of the Agency and Director of Compliance
(a)
(1) There is a Director of the National Security Agency.
(2) The Director of the National Security Agency shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(3) The Director of the National Security Agency shall be the head of the National Security Agency and shall discharge such functions and duties as are provided by this chapter or otherwise by law or executive order.
(b) There is a Director of Compliance of the National Security Agency, who shall be appointed by the Director of the National Security Agency and who shall be responsible for the programs of compliance over mission activities of the National Security Agency.
(Pub. L. 86–36, § 2, as added Pub. L. 111–259, title IV, § 433, Oct. 7, 2010, 124 Stat. 2732; amended Pub. L. 113–126, title IV, § 401(a), July 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 1407.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3602

§ 3603. Repealed. Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title XVI, § 1633(b)(1), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2751

CITE AS: 50 USC 3603

§ 3604. Additional compensation

Officers and employees of the National Security Agency who are citizens or nationals of the United States may be granted additional compensation, in accordance with regulations which shall be prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, not in excess of additional compensation authorized by section 5941 of title 5, for employees whose rates of basic compensation are fixed by statute.

(Pub. L. 86–36, § 5, May 29, 1959, 73 Stat. 63.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3604

§ 3605. Disclosure of Agency’s organization, function, activities, or personnel
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, nothing in this chapter or any other law (including, but not limited to, the first section and section 2 of the Act of August 28, 1935) 1
1 See References in Text note below.
shall be construed to require the disclosure of the organization or any function of the National Security Agency, or any information with respect to the activities thereof, or of the names, titles, salaries, or number of the persons employed by such agency.
(b) The reporting requirements of section 1582 of title 10 1 shall apply to positions established in the National Security Agency in the manner provided by section 3603 1 of this title.
(Pub. L. 86–36, § 6, May 29, 1959, 73 Stat. 64.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3605

§ 3606.

CITE AS: 50 USC 3606

§ 3607. Support for activities and personnel outside the United States
(a) Leasing of real property
(b) Allowances and benefits, housing, and retirement accrualThe Director of the National Security Agency, on behalf of the Secretary of Defense, may provide to certain civilian and military personnel of the Department of Defense who are assigned to special cryptologic activities outside the United States and who are designated by the Secretary of Defense for the purposes of this subsection—
(1) allowances and benefits—
(A) comparable to those provided by the Secretary of State to members of the Foreign Service under chapter 9 of title I of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4081 et seq.) or any other provision of law; and
(B) in the case of selected personnel serving in circumstances similar to those in which personnel of the Central Intelligence Agency serve, comparable to those provided by the Director of Central Intelligence to personnel of the Central Intelligence Agency;
(2) housing (including heat, light, and household equipment) without cost to such personnel, if the Director of the National Security Agency, on behalf of the Secretary of Defense determines that it would be in the public interest to provide such housing; and
(3) special retirement accrual in the same manner provided in section 2153 of this title and in section 3518 of this title.
(c) Authority subject to availability of appropriated funds
(d) Members of Armed Forces
(e) Regulations
(Pub. L. 86–36, § 9, as added Pub. L. 96–450, title IV, § 402(a)(1), Oct. 14, 1980, 94 Stat. 1977; amended Pub. L. 97–89, title VI, § 601, Dec. 4, 1981, 95 Stat. 1154; Pub. L. 99–335, title V, § 507(a), June 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 628; Pub. L. 101–193, title V, § 505(b), Nov. 30, 1989, 103 Stat. 1709; Pub. L. 102–496, title VIII, § 803(b), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3253.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3607

§ 3608. Language training and cryptologic linguist reserve programs
(a) ProgramsThe Director of the National Security Agency shall arrange for, and shall prescribe regulations concerning, language and language-related training programs for military and civilian cryptologic personnel. In establishing programs under this section for language and language-related training, the Director—
(1) may provide for the training and instruction to be furnished, including functional and geographic area specializations;
(2) may arrange for training and instruction through other Government agencies and, in any case in which appropriate training or instruction is unavailable through Government facilities, through nongovernmental facilities that furnish training and instruction useful in the fields of language and foreign affairs;
(3) may support programs that furnish necessary language and language-related skills, including, in any case in which appropriate programs are unavailable at Government facilities, support through contracts, grants, or cooperation with nongovernmental educational institutions; and
(4) may obtain by appointment or contract the services of individuals to serve as language instructors, linguists, or special language project personnel.
(b) Incentives
(1) In order to maintain necessary capability in foreign language skills and related abilities needed by the National Security Agency, the Director, without regard to subchapter IV of chapter 55 of title 5, may provide special monetary or other incentives to encourage civilian cryptologic personnel of the Agency to acquire or retain proficiency in foreign languages or special related abilities needed by the Agency.
(2) In order to provide linguistic training and support for cryptologic personnel, the Director—
(A) may pay all or part of the tuition and other expenses related to the training of personnel who are assigned or detailed for language and language-related training, orientation, or instruction; and
(B) may pay benefits and allowances to civilian personnel in accordance with chapters 57 and 59 of title 5, and to military personnel in accordance with chapter 7 of title 37, and applicable provisions of title 10, when such personnel are assigned to training at sites away from their designated duty station.
(c) Cryptologic linguist reserve
(1) To the extent not inconsistent, in the opinion of the Secretary of Defense, with the operation of military cryptologic reserve units and in order to maintain necessary capability in foreign language skills and related abilities needed by the National Security Agency, the Director may establish a cryptologic linguist reserve. The cryptologic linguist reserve may consist of former or retired civilian or military cryptologic personnel of the National Security Agency and of other qualified individuals, as determined by the Director of the Agency. Each member of the cryptologic linguist reserve shall agree that, during any period of emergency (as determined by the Director), the member shall return to active civilian status with the National Security Agency and shall perform such linguistic or linguistic-related duties as the Director may assign.
(2) In order to attract individuals to become members of the cryptologic linguist reserve, the Director, without regard to subchapter IV of chapter 55 of title 5, may provide special monetary incentives to individuals eligible to become members of the reserve who agree to become members of the cryptologic linguist reserve and to acquire or retain proficiency in foreign languages or special related abilities.
(3) In order to provide training and support for members of the cryptologic linguist reserve, the Director—
(A) may pay all or part of the tuition and other expenses related to the training of individuals in the cryptologic linguist reserve who are assigned or detailed for language and language-related training, orientation, or instruction; and
(B) may pay benefits and allowances in accordance with chapters 57 and 59 of title 5 to individuals in the cryptologic linguist reserve who are assigned to training at sites away from their homes or regular places of business.
(d) Training agreements
(1) The Director, before providing training under this section to any individual, may obtain an agreement with that individual that—
(A) in the case of current employees, pertains to continuation of service of the employee, and repayment of the expenses of such training for failure to fulfill the agreement, consistent with the provisions of section 4108 of title 5; and
(B) in the case of individuals accepted for membership in the cryptologic linguist reserve, pertains to return to service when requested, and repayment of the expenses of such training for failure to fulfill the agreement, consistent with the provisions of section 4108 of title 5.
(2) The Director, under regulations prescribed under this section, may waive, in whole or in part, a right of recovery under an agreement made under this subsection if it is shown that the recovery would be against equity and good conscience or against the public interest.
(e) Orientation and language training for family members
(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Director may provide to family members of military and civilian cryptologic personnel assigned to representational duties outside the United States, in anticipation of the assignment of such personnel outside the United States or while outside the United States, appropriate orientation and language training that is directly related to the assignment abroad.
(2) Language training under paragraph (1) may not be provided to any individual through payment of the expenses of tuition or other cost of instruction at a non-Government educational institution unless appropriate instruction is not available at a Government facility.
(f) Waiver chapter 41 of title 5
(g) Authority subject to availability of appropriated funds
(h) Regulations
(i) Travel, transportation, storage, and subsistence expenses
(Pub. L. 86–36, § 10, as added Pub. L. 96–450, title IV, § 402(a)(1), Oct. 14, 1980, 94 Stat. 1978; amended Pub. L. 97–89, title VI, § 602, Dec. 4, 1981, 95 Stat. 1154.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3608

§ 3609. Enhancement of security authorities
(a) Law enforcement authority
(1) The Director of the National Security Agency may authorize agency personnel within the United States to perform the same functions as officers and agents of the Department of Homeland Security, as provided in section 1315(b)(2) of title 40, with the powers set forth in that section, except that such personnel shall perform such functions and exercise such powers—
(A) at the National Security Agency Headquarters complex and at any facilities and protected property which are solely under the administration and control of, or are used exclusively by, the National Security Agency; and
(B) in the streets, sidewalks, and the open areas within the zone beginning at the outside boundary of such facilities or protected property and extending outward 500 feet.
(2) The performance of functions and exercise of powers under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) shall be limited to those circumstances where such personnel can identify specific and articulable facts giving such personnel reason to believe that the performance of such functions and exercise of such powers is reasonable to protect against physical damage or injury, or threats of physical damage or injury, to agency installations, property, or employees.
(3) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to preclude, or limit in any way, the authority of any Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency, or any other Federal police or Federal protective service.
(4) The rules and regulations enforced by such personnel shall be the rules and regulations prescribed by the Director and shall only be applicable to the areas referred to in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1).
(5) Agency personnel authorized by the Director under paragraph (1) may transport an individual apprehended under the authority of this section from the premises at which the individual was apprehended, as described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1), for the purpose of transferring such individual to the custody of law enforcement officials. Such transportation may be provided only to make a transfer of custody at a location within 30 miles of the premises described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1).
(b) Penalties
(c) Identification of designated personnel
(d) Tort liability
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, agency personnel designated by the Director of the National Security Agency under subsection (a) shall be considered for purposes of chapter 171 of title 28, or any other provision of law relating to tort liability, to be acting within the scope of their office or employment when such agency personnel take reasonable action, which may include the use of force, to—
(A) protect an individual in the presence of such agency personnel from a crime of violence;
(B) provide immediate assistance to an individual who has suffered or who is threatened with bodily harm;
(C) prevent the escape of any individual whom such agency personnel reasonably believe to have committed a crime of violence in the presence of such agency personnel; or
(D) transport an individual pursuant to subsection (a)(2).
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not affect the authorities of the Attorney General under section 2679 of title 28.
(3) In this subsection, the term “crime of violence” has the meaning given that term in section 16 of title 18.
(Pub. L. 86–36, § 11, as added Pub. L. 96–450, title IV, § 402(a)(1), Oct. 14, 1980, 94 Stat. 1978; amended Pub. L. 107–108, title V, § 506, Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1406; Pub. L. 107–306, title VIII, § 841(f), Nov. 27, 2002, 116 Stat. 2432; Pub. L. 108–177, title III, § 377(c), title V, § 501, Dec. 13, 2003, 117 Stat. 2630, 2633; Pub. L. 112–87, title IV, § 421, Jan. 3, 2012, 125 Stat. 1893.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3609

§ 3610. Senior Cryptologic Executive Service
(a) Establishment; applicable personnel provisions
(1) The Secretary of Defense (or his designee) may by regulation establish a personnel system for senior civilian cryptologic personnel in the National Security Agency to be known as the Senior Cryptologic Executive Service. The regulations establishing the Senior Cryptologic Executive Service shall—
(A) meet the requirements set forth in section 3131 of title 5 for the Senior Executive Service;
(B) provide that positions in the Senior Cryptologic Executive Service meet requirements that are consistent with the provisions of section 3132(a)(2) of such title;
(C) provide, without regard to section 2,1
1 See References in Text note below.
rates of pay for the Senior Cryptologic Executive Service that are not in excess of the maximum rate or less than the minimum rate of basic pay established for the Senior Executive Service under section 5382 of such title, and that are adjusted at the same time and to the same extent as rates of basic pay for the Senior Executive Service are adjusted;
(D) provide a performance appraisal system for the Senior Cryptologic Executive Service that conforms to the provisions of subchapter II of chapter 43 of such title;
(E) provide for removal consistent with section 3592 of such title, and removal or suspension consistent with subsections (a), (b), and (c) of section 7543 of such title (except that any hearing or appeal to which a member of the Senior Cryptologic Executive Service is entitled shall be held or decided pursuant to procedures established by regulations of the Secretary of Defense or his designee);
(F) permit the payment of performance awards to members of the Senior Cryptologic Executive Service consistent with the provisions applicable to performance awards under section 5384 of such title;
(G) provide that members of the Senior Cryptologic Executive Service may be granted sabbatical leaves consistent with the provisions of section 3396(c) of such title; and
(H) provide for the recertification of members of the Senior Cryptologic Executive Service consistent with the provisions of section 3393a 1 of such title.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense (or his designee) may—
(A) make applicable to the Senior Cryptologic Executive Service any of the provisions of title 5 applicable to applicants for or members of the Senior Executive Service; and
(B) appoint, promote, and assign individuals to positions established within the Senior Cryptologic Executive Service without regard to the provisions of title 5 governing appointments and other personnel actions in the competitive service.
(3) The President, based on the recommendations of the Secretary of Defense, may award ranks to members of the Senior Cryptologic Executive Service in a manner consistent with the provisions of section 4507 of title 5.
(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Director of the National Security Agency may detail or assign any member of the Senior Cryptologic Executive Service to serve in a position outside the National Security Agency in which the member’s expertise and experience may be of benefit to the National Security Agency or another Government agency. Any such member shall not by reason of such detail or assignment lose any entitlement or status associated with membership in the Senior Cryptologic Executive Service.
(b) Merit pay system
(c) Maximum pay for fiscal year
(Pub. L. 86–36, § 12, as added Pub. L. 97–89, title VI, § 603, Dec. 4, 1981, 95 Stat. 1156; amended Pub. L. 101–194, title V, § 506(c)(2), Nov. 30, 1989, 103 Stat. 1759; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title X, § 1064(b), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 445.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3610

§ 3611. Cryptologic research grant program
(a) Authorization
(b) Conduct of program
(c) Authority limited to availability of appropriated funds
(Pub. L. 86–36, § 13, as added Pub. L. 97–89, title VI, § 603, Dec. 4, 1981, 95 Stat. 1158.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3611

§ 3612. Availability of appropriations

Funds appropriated to an entity of the Federal Government other than an element of the Department of Defense that have been specifically appropriated for the purchase of cryptologic equipment, materials, or services with respect to which the National Security Agency has been designated as the central source of procurement for the Government shall remain available for a period of three fiscal years.

(Pub. L. 86–36, § 14, as added Pub. L. 97–89, title VI, § 603, Dec. 4, 1981, 95 Stat. 1158.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3612

§ 3613. Misuse of Agency name, initials, or seal
(a) No person may, except with the written permission of the Director of the National Security Agency, knowingly use the words “National Security Agency”, the initials “NSA”, the seal of the National Security Agency, or any colorable imitation of such words, initials, or seal in connection with any merchandise, impersonation, solicitation, or commercial activity in a manner reasonably calculated to convey the impression that such use is approved, endorsed, or authorized by the National Security Agency.
(b) Whenever it appears to the Attorney General that any person is engaged or is about to engage in an act or practice which constitutes or will constitute conduct prohibited by subsection (a), the Attorney General may initiate a civil proceeding in a district court of the United States to enjoin such act or practice. Such court shall proceed as soon as practicable to the hearing and determination of such action and may, at any time before final determination, enter such restraining orders or prohibitions, or take such other action as is warranted, to prevent injury to the United States or to any person or class of persons for whose protection the action is brought.
(Pub. L. 86–36, § 15, as added Pub. L. 97–89, title VI, § 603, Dec. 4, 1981, 95 Stat. 1158.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3613

§ 3614. Louis Stokes Educational Scholarship Program
(a) Establishment
(b) Assignment for training
(c) Payment of expenses
(d) Eligibility
(1) To be eligible for assignment under subsection (b), a program participant must agree in writing—
(A) to continue in the service of the Agency for the period of the assignment and to complete the educational course of training for which the program participant is assigned;
(B) to continue in the service of the Agency following completion of the assignment for a period of one-and-a-half years for each year of the assignment or part thereof;
(C) to reimburse the United States for the total cost of education (excluding the program participant’s pay and allowances) provided under this section to the program participant if, prior to the program participant’s completing the educational course of training for which the program participant is assigned, the assignment or the program participant’s employment with the Agency is terminated—
(i) by the Agency due to misconduct by the program participant;
(ii) by the program participant voluntarily; or
(iii) by the Agency for the failure of the program participant to maintain such level of academic standing in the educational course of training as the Director of the National Security Agency shall have specified in the agreement of the program participant under this subsection; and
(D) to reimburse the United States if, after completing the educational course of training for which the program participant is assigned, the program participant’s employment with the Agency is terminated either by the Agency due to misconduct by the program participant or by the program participant voluntarily, prior to the program participant’s completion of the service obligation period described in subparagraph (B), in an amount that bears the same ratio to the total cost of the education (excluding the program participant’s pay and allowances) provided to the program participant as the unserved portion of the service obligation period described in subparagraph (B) bears to the total period of the service obligation described in subparagraph (B).
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the obligation to reimburse the United States under an agreement described in paragraph (1), including interest due on such obligation, is for all purposes a debt owing the United States.
(3)
(A) A discharge in bankruptcy under title 11 shall not release a person from an obligation to reimburse the United States required under an agreement described in paragraph (1) if the final decree of the discharge in bankruptcy is issued within five years after the last day of the combined period of service obligation described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1).
(B) The Secretary of Defense may release a person, in whole or in part, from the obligation to reimburse the United States under an agreement described in paragraph (1) when, in his discretion, the Secretary determines that equity or the interests of the United States so require.
(C) The Secretary of Defense shall permit an 1
1 So in original.
program participant assigned under this section who, prior to commencing a second academic year of such assignment, voluntarily terminates the assignment or the program participant’s employment with the Agency, to satisfy his obligation under an agreement described in paragraph (1) to reimburse the United States by reimbursement according to a schedule of monthly payments which results in completion of reimbursement by a date five years after the date of termination of the assignment or employment or earlier at the option of the program participant.
(e) Recruitment of individuals
(f) Applicability of other laws
(g) Regulations
(h) Program name
(Pub. L. 86–36, § 16, as added Pub. L. 99–569, title V, § 505, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3200; amended Pub. L. 111–259, title III, § 312(a)–(d), Oct. 7, 2010, 124 Stat. 2663, 2664; Pub. L. 118–31, div. G, title IX, § 7901(i), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 1107.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3614

§ 3615. Repealed. Pub. L. 103–359, title VIII, § 806(b)(2), Oct. 14, 1994, 108 Stat. 3442

CITE AS: 50 USC 3615

§ 3616. Transportation of remains of certain employees
(a) The Secretary of Defense may pay the expenses referred to in section 5742(b) of title 5 in the case of any employee of the National Security Agency who dies while on a rotational tour of duty within the United States or while in transit to or from such tour of duty.
(b) For the purposes of this section, the term “rotational tour of duty”, with respect to an employee, means a permanent change of station involving the transfer of the employee from the National Security Agency headquarters to another post of duty for a fixed period established by regulation to be followed at the end of such period by a permanent change of station involving a transfer of the employee back to such headquarters.
(Pub. L. 86–36, § 18, formerly § 17, as added Pub. L. 102–183, title IV, § 405, Dec. 4, 1991, 105 Stat. 1267; renumbered § 18, Pub. L. 102–496, title III, § 304(a), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3183.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3616

§ 3617. National Security Agency Emerging Technologies Panel
(a) Establishment
(b) Duties
(c) Applicability of chapter 10 of title 5
(Pub. L. 86–36, § 19, as added Pub. L. 108–487, title V, § 501, Dec. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 3950; amended Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(320), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4341.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3617

§ 3618. Collection of service charges for certification or validation of information assurance products
(a) Collection
(b) Establishment of charges
(c) Limitation on charges
(d) Reimbursement or advance payment
(e) Crediting of amounts collected
(Pub. L. 86–36, § 20, as added Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title IX, § 933, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2363.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3618

§ 3619. Senior Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent Award for Distinguished Female Personnel
(a) Establishment
(b) Award
(Pub. L. 86–36, § 21, as added Pub. L. 116–260, div. W, title IV, § 403, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2378.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3619

§ 3620. Congressional notification of intelligence collection adjustments
(a) Notification
(b) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Congressional intelligence committees
(2) Intelligence collection adjustment
(Pub. L. 86–36, § 22, as added Pub. L. 118–31, div. G, title III, § 7351, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 1064.)

CITE AS: 50 USC 3620