69–008 

115TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 115–262 

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL (S. 114) TO AMEND TITLE 

38, UNITED STATES CODE, TO REQUIRE THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS 

AFFAIRS TO SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT REGARDING PERFORMANCE 

AWARDS AND BONUSES AWARDED TO CERTAIN HIGH-LEVEL EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 

JULY 27, 2017.—Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed 

Mr. COLLINS of Georgia, from the Committee on Rules, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H. Res. 480] 

The Committee on Rules, having had under consideration House 

Resolution 480, by a nonrecord vote, report the same to the House 

with the recommendation that the resolution be adopted. 

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS OF THE RESOLUTION

The resolution provides for consideration of S. 114, the Department of Veterans Affairs Bonus Transparency Act, under a closed 

rule. The resolution provides one hour of debate equally divided 

and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the 

Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. The resolution waives all points of 

order against consideration of the bill. The resolution provides that 

the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in this report 

shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be 

considered as read. The resolution waives all points of order 

against provisions in the bill, as amended. The resolution provides 

one motion to recommit with or without instructions. 

EXPLANATION OF WAIVERS

The waiver of all points of order against consideration of the bill 

includes a waiver of the following: • Section 302(f) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, 

which prohibits consideration of legislation providing new 

budget authority in excess of a 302(a) allocation of such authority; 

• Section 311 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, 

which prohibits consideration of legislation that would cause 

the level of total new budget authority for the first fiscal year 

to be exceeded; and 

2 

• Rule XXI, clause 10, which prohibits the consideration of 

a bill if it has the net effect of increasing mandatory spending 

over the five or ten year period. 

Although the resolution waives all points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended, the Committee is not aware of any 

points of order. The waiver is prophylactic in nature. 

SUMMARY OF THE AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

CONSIDERED AS ADOPTED

House amendment to S. 114 

TEXT OF AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE CONSIDERED

AS ADOPTED

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 

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. 

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. 

3 

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 

care or other services similar to the benefits administered by 

the Secretary; and 

4 

‘‘(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 privatesector 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; 

5 

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

6 

‘‘(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, policymaking, 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.’’. 

7 

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 indiVerDate Sep 11 2014 00:54 Jul 28, 2017 Jkt 069008 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR262.XXX HR262
8 

viduals 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). 

9 

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). 

10 

(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: 

11 

(A) An analysis of the most common reasons employees 

choose to leave the Department. 

(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 and 

12 

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, Montana, 

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. 

13 

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

(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, Indi- ana, 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)— 

14 

(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’’. 

Amend the title so as to read: ‘‘A bill 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.’’. 

Æ