10 U.S.C. § 6103 — Management structure for nuclear security enterprise

(a) In general. The Administrator^* must establish a management structure for the nuclear security enterprise^* under the National Nuclear Security Administration^* Act.

(b) National Nuclear Security Administration Council. (1) The Administrator must create a council called the “National Nuclear Security Administration Council.” It may advise the Administrator on (A) scientific and technical policy issues; (B) operational concerns; (C) strategic planning; (D) priorities for the Administration’s and enterprise’s missions and operations; and (E) other matters the Administrator finds appropriate. (2) The Council consists of the directors of the national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities. (3) It may give the Administrator or Energy Secretary recommendations (A) to improve the Administration’s governance, management, effectiveness, or efficiency, and (B) on other matters covered by paragraph (1). (4) Within 60 days after receiving a recommendation, the Administrator or Secretary, as applicable, must tell the Council whether it will be implemented and why it will or will not be implemented.

(c) Rule of construction. This section does not affect the Energy Secretary’s authority, when carrying out national-security programs, over the Administration’s management, planning, or oversight. It also does not affect the Secretary’s delegation of authority for those activities under section 4102(a) of the Atomic Energy Defense Act as that provision existed before the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act was enacted.