PUBLIC LAW 115–46—AUG. 12, 2017 

VA CHOICE AND QUALITY EMPLOYMENT ACT 

OF 2017 

131 STAT. 958 PUBLIC LAW 115–46—AUG. 12, 2017 

Public Law 115–46 

115th Congress 

An Act 

To authorize appropriations and to appropriate amounts for the Veterans Choice 

Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to improve hiring authorities 

of the Department, to authorize major medical facility leases, and for other 

purposes. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 

the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘VA Choice 

and Quality Employment Act of 2017’’. 

(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act 

is as follows: 

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 

TITLE I—APPROPRIATION OF AMOUNTS FOR VETERANS CHOICE 

PROGRAM 

Sec. 101. Appropriation of amounts for Veterans Choice Program. 

TITLE II—PERSONNEL MATTERS 

Sec. 201. Modification to annual determination of staffing shortages in Veterans 

Health Administration. 

Sec. 202. Establishment of Department of Veterans Affairs Executive Management 

Fellowship Program. 

Sec. 203. Accountability of leaders for managing the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Sec. 204. Reemployment of former employees at Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Sec. 205. Promotional opportunities for technical experts at Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Sec. 206. Employment of students and recent graduates by Department of Veterans 

Affairs. 

Sec. 207. Encouragement of transition of military medical professionals into employment with Veterans Health Administration. 

Sec. 208. Recruiting database at Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Sec. 209. Training for human resources professionals of Veterans Health Administration on recruitment and retention. 

Sec. 210. Plan to hire directors of medical centers of Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Sec. 211. Exit surveys at Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Sec. 212. Requirement that physician assistants employed by the Department of 

Veterans Affairs receive competitive pay. 

Sec. 213. Expansion of direct-hiring authority for Department of Veterans Affairs 

in case of shortage of highly qualified candidates. 

Sec. 214. Comptroller General of the United States assessment of succession planning at Department of Veterans Affairs. 

TITLE III—MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY LEASES 

Sec. 301. Authorization of certain major medical facility leases of the Department 

of Veterans Affairs. 

Sec. 302. Authorization of appropriations for medical facility leases. 

VA Choice 

and Quality 

Employment 

Act of 2017. 

38 USC 101 note. 

Aug. 12, 2017 

[S. 114] 

PUBLIC LAW 115–46—AUG. 12, 2017 131 STAT. 959 

TITLE IV—OTHER MATTERS 

Sec. 401. Extension of reduction in amount of pension furnished by Department of 

Veterans Affairs for certain veterans covered by medicaid plans for services furnished by nursing facilities. Sec. 402. Extension of requirement for collection of fees for housing loans guaranteed by Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Sec. 403. Extension of authority to use income information. 

TITLE I—APPROPRIATION OF AMOUNTS 

FOR VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM 

SEC. 101. APPROPRIATION OF AMOUNTS FOR VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appropriated, and 

is appropriated, to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, out of any 

funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $2,100,000,000 

to be deposited in the Veterans Choice Fund under section 802 

of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 

(Public Law 113–146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note). 

(b) AVAILABILITY.—The amount appropriated under subsection 

(a) shall remain available until expended. 

TITLE II—PERSONNEL MATTERS 

SEC. 201. MODIFICATION TO ANNUAL DETERMINATION OF STAFFING 

SHORTAGES IN VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION. 

Section 7412(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 

(1) by striking ‘‘the five occupations’’ and inserting ‘‘at 

a minimum, the five clinical occupations and the five nonclinical 

occupations’’; and 

(2) by striking ‘‘throughout the Department’’ and inserting 

‘‘with respect to each medical center of the Department,’’. 

SEC. 202. ESTABLISHMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM. 

(a) FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.—Chapter 7 of title 38, United States 

Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subchapter: 

‘‘SUBCHAPTER III—EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT 

FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM 

‘‘§ 741. Executive Management Fellowship Program 

‘‘(a) FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.—There is in the Department an 

Executive Management Fellowship Program. The purpose of the 

program shall be to provide— 

‘‘(1) eligible employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration and the Veterans Health Administration with training 

and experience in the private sector; and 

‘‘(2) eligible employees of a private-sector entity with 

training and experience in the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

‘‘(b) FELLOWSHIP.—(1) A fellowship provided under this section 

is a 1-year fellowship during which— 

‘‘(A) with respect to a Department participant, the participant receives training and experience at a private-sector entity 

that is engaged in the administration and delivery of health 

38 USC 741. 

38 USC 

prec. 741. 

131 STAT. 960 PUBLIC LAW 115–46—AUG. 12, 2017 

care or other services similar to the benefits administered by 

the Secretary; and 

‘‘(B) with respect to a private-sector participant, the participant receives training and experience at the Veterans Benefits 

Administration or the Veterans Health Administration. 

‘‘(2) The Secretary shall enter into such agreements with private-sector entities as are necessary to carry out this section. 

‘‘(c) SELECTION OF RECIPIENTS.—(1) In August of each year, 

the Secretary shall select— 

‘‘(A) not fewer than 18 and not more than 30 eligible 

employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration and the 

Veterans Health Administration to receive a fellowship under 

this section; and 

‘‘(B) not fewer than 18 and not more than 30 eligible 

employees of private-sector entities to receive a fellowship under 

this section. 

‘‘(2) To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall select eligible 

employees under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) from 

among eligible employees who are veterans in a manner that is 

reflective of the demographics of the veteran population of the 

United States and that whenever practicable provides a preference 

to such employees who represent or service rural areas. 

‘‘(d) ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES.—For the purposes of this section, 

an eligible employee is— 

‘‘(1) with respect to an employee of the Veterans Benefits 

Administration or the Veterans Health Administration, an 

employee who— 

‘‘(A) is compensated at a rate of basic pay not less 

than the minimum rate of basic pay payable for grade 

GS–14 of the General Schedule and not more than either 

the minimum rate of basic pay payable to a member of 

the Senior Executive Service under section 5382 of title 

5 or the minimum rate of basic pay payable pursuant 

to chapter 74 of this title, as the case may be; 

‘‘(B) enters into an agreement with the Secretary under 

subsection (e); and 

‘‘(C) submits to the Secretary an application containing 

such information and assurances as the Secretary may 

require; and 

‘‘(2) with respect to an employee of a private-sector entity, 

an employee who— 

‘‘(A) is employed in a position whose duties and responsibilities are commensurate with an employee of the 

Department described in paragraph (1); 

‘‘(B) enters into an agreement with the Secretary under 

subsection (e); and 

‘‘(C) submits to the Secretary an application containing 

such information and assurances as the Secretary may 

require. 

‘‘(e) AGREEMENTS.—(1) An agreement between the Secretary 

and a Department participant shall be in writing, shall be signed 

by the participant, and shall include the following provisions: 

‘‘(A) The Secretary’s agreement to provide the participant 

with a fellowship under this section; 

‘‘(B) The participant’s agreement— 

‘‘(i) to accept the fellowship; 

Contracts. 

PUBLIC LAW 115–46—AUG. 12, 2017 131 STAT. 961 

‘‘(ii) after completion of the fellowship, to serve as 

a full-time employee in the Veterans Benefits Administration or the Veterans Health Administration for at least 

2 years as specified in the agreement; and 

‘‘(iii) that, during the 2-year period beginning on the 

last day of the fellowship, the participant will not accept 

employment in the same industry as the industry of the 

private-sector entity at which the participant accepts the 

fellowship. 

‘‘(C) A provision that any financial obligation of the United 

States arising out of an agreement entered into under this 

subchapter, and any obligation of the participant which is conditioned on such agreement, is contingent upon funds being 

appropriated. 

‘‘(D) A statement of the damages to which the United 

States is entitled under this subchapter for the participant’s 

breach of the agreement. 

‘‘(E) Such other terms as the Secretary determines are 

required to be included in the agreement. 

‘‘(2) An agreement between the Secretary and a private-sector 

participant shall be in writing, shall be signed by the participant, 

and shall include the following provisions: 

‘‘(A) The Secretary’s agreement to provide the participant 

with a fellowship under this section. 

‘‘(B) The participant’s agreement to accept the fellowship. 

‘‘(C) Such other terms as the Secretary determines are 

required to be included in the agreement. 

‘‘(f) TREATMENT OF RECIPIENTS.—(1) A Department participant 

shall be considered an employee of the Department for all purposes, 

including for purposes of receiving a salary and benefits, and shall 

remain eligible for all promotion and incentive programs otherwise 

available to such an employee. 

‘‘(2) A private-sector participant shall be considered an 

employee of the private-sector entity that employs the participant 

for all purposes, including for purposes of receiving a salary and 

benefits, and during the fellowship shall be treated as a contractor 

of the Department. 

‘‘(g) REPORTS.—(1) Not later than 60 days after completing 

a fellowship under this section, a recipient of the fellowship shall 

submit to the Secretary a report on the fellowship. 

‘‘(2) Each such report shall describe the duties of the recipient 

during the fellowship and any recommendations of the recipient 

for the application by the Secretary of industry processes, technologies, and best practices. 

‘‘(3) Not later than 7 days after receiving each such report, 

the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs 

of the Senate and House of Representatives such report without 

change. 

‘‘(h) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

‘‘(1) The term ‘Department participant’ means an employee 

of the Veterans Benefits Administration or the Veterans Health 

Administration who is participating in the fellowship under 

this section. 

‘‘(2) The term ‘private-sector entity’ includes an entity operating under a public-private partnership. 

Determination. 

Time period. 

131 STAT. 962 PUBLIC LAW 115–46—AUG. 12, 2017 

‘‘(3) The term ‘private-sector participant’ means an 

employee of a private-sector entity who is participating in the 

fellowship under this section.’’. 

(b) DEADLINE FOR IMPLEMENTATION.—Not later than 1 year 

after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 

Affairs shall implement the Executive Management Fellowship Program required under section 741 of title 38, United States Code, 

as added by subsection (a). 

(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code, is amended 

by adding at the end the following new items: 

‘‘SUBCHAPTER III—EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

‘‘741. Executive Management Fellowship Program.’’. 

SEC. 203. ACCOUNTABILITY OF LEADERS FOR MANAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 7 of title 38, United 

States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 

section: 

‘‘§ 725. Annual performance plan for political appointees 

‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct an annual 

performance plan for each political appointee of the Department 

that is similar to the annual performance plan conducted for an 

employee of the Department who is appointed as a career appointee 

(as that term is defined in section 3132(a) of title 5) within the 

Senior Executive Service at the Department. 

‘‘(b) ELEMENTS OF PLAN.—Each annual performance plan conducted under subsection (a) with respect to a political appointee 

of the Department shall include an assessment of whether the 

appointee is meeting the following goals: 

‘‘(1) Recruiting, selecting, and retaining well-qualified 

individuals for employment at the Department. 

‘‘(2) Engaging and motivating employees. 

‘‘(3) Training and developing employees and preparing 

those employees for future leadership roles within the Department. 

‘‘(4) Holding each employee of the Department that is a 

manager accountable for addressing issues relating to performance, in particular issues relating to the performance of 

employees that report to the manager. 

‘‘(c) DEFINITION OF POLITICAL APPOINTEE.—In this section, the 

term ‘political appointee’ means an employee of the Department 

who holds— 

‘‘(1) a position which has been excepted from the competitive service by reason of its confidential, policy-determining, 

policy-making, or policy-advocating character; or 

‘‘(2) a position in the Senior Executive Service as a noncareer appointee (as such term is defined in section 3132(a) 

of title 5).’’. 

(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 7 of such title is amended by inserting after the 

item relating to section 723 the following new item: 

‘‘725. Annual performance plan for political appointees.’’. 

38 USC 

prec. 701. 

Assessment. 

38 USC 725. 

38 USC 

prec. 701. 

38 USC 741 note. 

PUBLIC LAW 115–46—AUG. 12, 2017 131 STAT. 963 

SEC. 204. REEMPLOYMENT OF FORMER EMPLOYEES AT DEPARTMENT 

OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding sections 3309 through 3318 

of title 5, United States Code, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

may noncompetitively appoint a qualified former career or career 

conditional employee to any position within the competitive service 

at the Department of Veterans Affairs that is one grade or equivalent higher than the grade or equivalent of the position at the 

Department most recently occupied by the employee. 

(b) LIMITATION.—The Secretary may not appoint a qualified 

former employee to a position that is more than one grade (or 

equivalent) higher than the position at the Department most 

recently occupied by the employee. 

(c) DEFINITION OF QUALIFIED FORMER EMPLOYEE.—For purposes of this section, the term ‘‘qualified former employee’’ means 

any individual who— 

(1) formerly occupied any career or career conditional position at the Department of Veterans Affairs within 2 years 

before applying for reemployment at the Department; 

(2) voluntarily left such position, or was subject to a reduction in force, and had a satisfactory performance record while 

occupying such position; and 

(3) since leaving such position has maintained licensing 

requirements, related to the position, if any, and gained skill, 

knowledge, or other factors related to the position. 

SEC. 205. PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR TECHNICAL EXPERTS 

AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of 

this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a promotional track system for employees of the Department of Veterans 

Affairs that the Secretary determines are technical experts pursuant 

to regulations prescribed by the Secretary for purposes of carrying 

out this section. Such system shall— 

(1) provide any such employee the opportunity to advance 

within the Department without being required to transition 

to a management position; and 

(2) for purposes of achieving career advancement— 

(A) provide for the establishment of new positions 

within the Department; and 

(B) notwithstanding any other provision of law, provide 

for increases in pay for any such employee. 

SEC. 206. EMPLOYMENT OF STUDENTS AND RECENT GRADUATES BY 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall prescribe regulations to allow for excepted service appointments of 

students and recent graduates leading to conversion to career or 

career conditional employment of a student or recent graduate 

of a qualifying educational institution, as defined by the Department. 

(b) APPLICABILITY.—The conversion authority described in subsection (a) shall be applicable to individuals in good standing who— 

(1) are employed in a qualifying internship or fellowship 

program at the Department; 

(2) are employed in the Department in a volunteer capacity 

and performing substantive duties comparable to those of 

Regulations. 

38 USC 701 note. 

Deadline. 

38 USC 701 note. 

38 USC 701 note. 

131 STAT. 964 PUBLIC LAW 115–46—AUG. 12, 2017 

individuals in internship or fellowship programs and meet the 

required number of hours for conversion; 

(3) are employed in the Department under a contract or 

agreement with an external nonprofit organization and performing substantive duties comparable to those of individuals 

in internship or fellowship programs; 

(4) have received educational assistance under chapter 33 

of title 38, United States Code; or 

(5) graduated from a qualifying educational institution, 

as defined by the Department, and have not reached 30 years 

of age. 

(c) UNIFORMITY.—For the purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3) 

of subsection (b), hours of work performed by an individual 

employed shall be considered equal to those performed by an individual employed in a qualifying internship or fellowship program 

by the Department. 

SEC. 207. ENCOURAGEMENT OF TRANSITION OF MILITARY MEDICAL 

PROFESSIONALS INTO EMPLOYMENT WITH VETERANS 

HEALTH ADMINISTRATION. 

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a program 

to encourage an individual who serves in the Armed Forces with 

a military occupational specialty relating to the provision of health 

care to seek employment with the Veterans Health Administration 

when the individual has been discharged or released from service 

in the Armed Forces or is contemplating separating from such 

service. 

SEC. 208. RECRUITING DATABASE AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 

AFFAIRS. 

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 

establish a single database that lists— 

(1) each vacant position in the Department of Veterans 

Affairs that the Secretary determines is critical to the mission 

of the Department, difficult to fill, or both; and 

(2) each vacant position in the Department of Veterans 

Affairs for a mental health professional. 

(b) QUALIFIED APPLICANT.—If the Secretary determines that 

an applicant for a vacant position listed in the database established 

under subsection (a) is qualified for such position but does not 

select the applicant for such position, the Secretary, at the election 

of the applicant, may consider the applicant for other similar vacant 

positions listed in the database for which the applicant is qualified. 

(c) PROLONGED VACANCIES.—If the Secretary does not fill a 

vacant position listed in the database established under subsection 

(a) after a period determined appropriate by the Secretary, the 

Secretary— 

(1) may ensure that applicants described in subsection 

(b) are considered for such position; and 

(2) may use the database established under subsection 

(a) to assist in filling such position. 

(d) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date of the 

enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress 

a report on the use and efficacy of the database established under 

subsection (a). 

Determinations. 

38 USC 701 note. 

38 USC 7401 

note. 

PUBLIC LAW 115–46—AUG. 12, 2017 131 STAT. 965 

SEC. 209. TRAINING FOR HUMAN RESOURCES PROFESSIONALS OF VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION ON RECRUITMENT AND 

RETENTION. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide to human resources professionals of the Veterans Health 

Administration training on how to best recruit and retain employees 

of the Veterans Health Administration, including with respect to 

any recruitment and retention matters that are unique to the 

Veterans Health Administration pursuant to chapter 74 of title 

38, United States Code, or other provisions of law. 

(b) VIRTUAL TRAINING.—Training provided under this section 

shall be provided virtually. 

(c) AMOUNT OF TRAINING.—The Secretary shall ensure that 

each human resources professional of the Veterans Health Administration receives the training described in subsection (a)— 

(1) as soon as practicable after being hired by the Secretary 

as a human resources professional; and 

(2) annually thereafter. 

(d) CERTIFICATION.—The Secretary shall require that each 

human resources professional of the Veterans Health Administration, upon the completion of the training described in subsection 

(a), certifies that the professional received the training and understands the information provided by the training. 

(e) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not less frequently than annually, the 

Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of 

the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 

of Representatives a report on the training described in subsection 

(a), including the cost of providing such training and the number 

of human resources professionals who received such training during 

the year covered by the report. 

SEC. 210. PLAN TO HIRE DIRECTORS OF MEDICAL CENTERS OF 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 

(a) PLAN.—Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop 

and implement a plan to hire highly qualified directors for each 

medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs that lacks 

a permanent director as of the date of the plan. 

(b) PRIORITY.—The Secretary shall prioritize under the plan 

developed under subsection (a) the hiring of directors for medical 

centers that have not had a permanent director for the longest 

periods. 

(c) MATTERS INCLUDED.—The plan developed under subsection 

(a) shall include the following: 

(1) A deadline to hire directors of medical centers of the 

Department as described in such subsection. 

(2) Identification of the possible impediments to such 

hiring. 

(3) Identification of opportunities to promote and train 

candidates from within the Department to senior executive 

positions in the Department, including as directors of medical 

centers. 

(d) SUBMITTAL OF PLAN.—Not later than 120 days after the 

date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 

the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives the 

plan developed under subsection (a). 

Deadlines. 

38 USC 7401 

note. 

38 USC 7401 

note. 

131 STAT. 966 PUBLIC LAW 115–46—AUG. 12, 2017 

(e) SEMIANNUAL REPORTS.—Not later than 180 days after the 

date of the enactment of this Act, and not later than 180 days 

thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 

of the House of Representatives a report containing a list of each 

medical center of the Department that lacks a permanent director 

as of the date of the report. 

SEC. 211. EXIT SURVEYS AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 

(a) EXIT SURVEYS REQUIRED.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 

develop and carry out a standardized exit survey to be voluntarily completed by career and noncareer employees and executives of the Department of Veterans Affairs who voluntarily 

separate from the Department. 

(2) CONSULTATION.—Such exit survey shall be developed 

in consultation with an appropriate non-Department entity with 

experience developing such surveys. 

(b) SURVEY CONTENT.—The survey shall include, at a minimum, 

the following: 

(1) Reasons for leaving the Department. 

(2) Efforts made by the supervisor of the employee to 

retain the individual. 

(3) The extent of job satisfaction and engagement during 

the employment. 

(4) The intent of employee to either remain employed within 

the Federal Government or to leave employment with the Federal Government. 

(5) Such other matters as the Secretary determines appropriate. 

(c) ANONYMITY OF SURVEY CONTENT.—The Secretary shall 

ensure that data collected under subsection (a)— 

(1) is anonymized, including through the use of a location 

that allows for privacy; 

(2) is not directly visible by another employee; and 

(3) does not require the departing employee to input any 

personally identifiable data. 

(d) SHARING OF SURVEY DATA.—The Secretary shall ensure 

that the results of the survey required by subsection (a) are— 

(1) aggregated at the Veterans Integrated Service Network 

level; and 

(2) shared on an annual basis with directors and managers 

of facilities of the Department and the Veterans Integrated 

Service Networks. 

(e) ANNUAL REPORT.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the date 

of the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than 

once each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the 

Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives 

a report containing the aggregate results of the exit survey 

under subsection (a) covering the year prior to the report. 

(2) CONTENTS.—Each report submitted under paragraph 

(1) shall include, for the period covered by the report, the 

following: 

(A) An analysis of the most common reasons employees 

choose to leave the Department. 

Analysis. 

38 USC 701 note. 

PUBLIC LAW 115–46—AUG. 12, 2017 131 STAT. 967 

(B) The steps the Secretary is taking to improve retention, particularly for mission-critical occupations. 

(C) The demographic characteristics of employees 

choosing to leave the Department. 

(D) Any legislative barriers to improving employee 

retention. 

(E) The total number of employees who voluntarily 

separated from the Department and the number and 

percentage of whom took the exit survey under subsection 

(a). 

SEC. 212. REQUIREMENT THAT PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS EMPLOYED BY 

THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS RECEIVE 

COMPETITIVE PAY. 

Section 7451(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 

(1) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph 

(C); 

(2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new 

subparagraph (B): 

‘‘(B) Physician assistant.’’; and 

(3) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated by paragraph 

(1), by striking ‘‘and registered nurse’’ and inserting ‘‘registered 

nurse, and physician assistant’’. 

SEC. 213. EXPANSION OF DIRECT-HIRING AUTHORITY FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS IN CASE OF SHORTAGE OF 

HIGHLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES. 

Section 3304(a)(3)(B) of title 5, United States Code, is amended 

by inserting ‘‘(or, with respect to the Department of Veterans 

Affairs, that there exists a severe shortage of highly qualified candidates)’’ after ‘‘severe shortage of candidates’’. 

SEC. 214. COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES ASSESSMENT OF SUCCESSION PLANNING AT DEPARTMENT OF 

VETERANS AFFAIRS. 

(a) ASSESSMENT.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the United 

States shall assess the extent to which key succession planning 

policies and guidance at the Department of Veterans Affairs, 

including the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans 

Benefits Administration, and the National Cemetery Administration, are consistent with leading practices for succession 

and workforce planning identified by Comptroller General. 

(2) ADDITIONAL MATTERS.—In carrying out the assessment 

required by paragraph (1), the Comptroller General may assess 

such other matters as the Comptroller General considers appropriate. 

(b) REPORT.—Not later than two years after the date of the 

enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to 

the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report 

on the assessment carried out under subsection (a). 

(c) SENSE OF CONGRESS ON STUDY ON COMPLIANCE WITH POLICIES AND GUIDANCE.—It is the sense of Congress that— 

(1) the Comptroller General should conduct a study to 

examine the extent to which a sampling of installations of 

the Department of Veterans Affairs are complying with policies 

131 STAT. 968 PUBLIC LAW 115–46—AUG. 12, 2017 

and guidance of the Department, as well as applicable leading 

practices; and 

(2) the scope and timeframe of a study conducted as 

described in paragraph (1) may be dependent upon the findings 

of the Comptroller General with respect to the assessment 

carried out under subsection (a). 

TITLE III—MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY 

LEASES 

SEC. 301. AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY 

LEASES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the following 

major medical facility leases at the locations specified and in an 

amount for each lease not to exceed the amount specified for such 

location (not including any estimated cancellation costs): 

(1) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Ann Arbor, Michigan, an amount not to exceed $4,247,000. 

(2) For a new outpatient mental health clinic, Birmingham, Alabama, an amount not to exceed $6,649,000. 

(3) For new research space, Boston, Massachusetts, an amount not to exceed $6,224,000. 

(4) For a replacement research space, Charleston, South Carolina, an amount not to exceed $7,274,000. 

(5) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Corpus Christi, Texas, an amount not to exceed $6,556,000. 

(6) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Daytona Beach, Florida, an amount not to exceed $12,198,000. 

(7) For a replacement Chief Business Office Purchased 

Care office space, Denver, Colorado, an amount not to exceed 

$14,784,000. 

(8) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Fredericksburg, Virginia, an amount not to exceed $45,015,000. 

(9) For a new outpatient clinic, Gainesville, Florida, an amount not to exceed $7,891,000. 

(10) For an outpatient mental health clinic, Gainesville, Florida, an amount not to exceed $4,320,000. 

(11) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Hampton Roads, Virginia, an amount not to exceed $18,141,000. 

(12) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Indianapolis, Indiana, an amount not to exceed $7,876,000. 

(13) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, an amount not to exceed $18,623,000. 

(14) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Missoula, Mon- tana, an amount not to exceed $6,942,000. 

(15) For a replacement outpatient mental health clinic, 

Northern Colorado, Colorado, an amount not to exceed 

$8,904,000. 

(16) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Ocala, Florida, 

an amount not to exceed $5,026,000. 

(17) For a new outpatient clinic, Oxnard, California, an amount not to exceed $5,274,000. 

(18) For a new outpatient clinic, Pike County, Georgia, an amount not to exceed $5,565,000. 

(19) For a new outpatient clinic, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, an amount not to exceed $6,247,000. 

PUBLIC LAW 115–46—AUG. 12, 2017 131 STAT. 969 

(20) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Portland, Maine, an amount not to exceed $6,808,000. 

(21) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Raleigh, North Carolina, an amount not to exceed $21,870,000. 

(22) For a replacement outpatient clinic, phase II, Rochester, New York, an amount not to exceed $3,645,000. 

(23) For a replacement research space, San Diego, California, an amount not to exceed $4,852,000. 

(24) For a new outpatient clinic, Santa Rosa, California, 

an amount not to exceed $6,922,000. 

(25) For a replacement mental health clinic, Tampa, 

Florida, an amount not to exceed $13,387,000. 

(26) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Lakeland, Tampa, 

Florida, an amount not to exceed $10,760,000. 

(27) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Terre Haute, 

Indiana, an amount not to exceed $4,102,000. 

(28) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Rapid City, South 

Dakota, an amount not to exceed $4,532,000. 

SEC. 302. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR MEDICAL 

FACILITY LEASES. 

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 

Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2018 or the year in which funds 

are appropriated for the Medical Facilities account $274,634,000 

for the major medical facility leases authorized in section 301. 

TITLE IV—OTHER MATTERS 

SEC. 401. EXTENSION OF REDUCTION IN AMOUNT OF PENSION FURNISHED BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR 

CERTAIN VETERANS COVERED BY MEDICAID PLANS FOR 

SERVICES FURNISHED BY NURSING FACILITIES. 

Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended 

by striking ‘‘September 30, 2024’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 

2027’’. 

SEC. 402. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT FOR COLLECTION OF FEES 

FOR HOUSING LOANS GUARANTEED BY SECRETARY OF 

VETERANS AFFAIRS. 

Section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 

(1) in subparagraph (A)— 

(A) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘September 30, 2024’’ 

and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2027’’; and 

(B) in clause (iv), by striking ‘‘September 30, 2024’’ 

and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2027’’; 

(2) in subparagraph (B)— 

(A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘September 30, 2024’’ 

and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2027’’; and 

(B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘September 30, 2024’’ 

and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2027’’; 

(3) in subparagraph (C)— 

(A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘September 30, 2024’’ 

and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2027’’; and 

(B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘September 30, 2024’’ 

and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2027’’; and 

(4) in subparagraph (D)— 

131 STAT. 970 PUBLIC LAW 115–46—AUG. 12, 2017 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 114 (H.R. 1690): 

HOUSE REPORTS: No. 115–249 (Comm. on Veterans’ Affairs) accompanying 

H.R. 1690. 

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 163 (2017): 

May 25, considered and passed Senate. 

July 24, considered and failed House. 

July 28, considered and passed House, amended. 

Aug. 1, Senate concurred in House amendments. 

DAILY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS (2017): 

Aug. 12, Presidential remarks. 

Æ 

(A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘September 30, 2024’’ 

and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2027’’; and 

(B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘September 30, 2024’’ 

and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2027’’. 

SEC. 403. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO USE INCOME INFORMATION. 

Section 5317(g) of title 38, United States Code, is amended 

by striking ‘‘September 30, 2024’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 

2027’’. 

Approved August 12, 2017.