IIB 

114TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 216 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MARCH 25, 2015 

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 

AN ACT 

To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a Future-Years Veterans Program and a quadrennial veterans 

review, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs a Chief Strategy Officer, and for other purposes. 


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1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Department of Vet5 erans Affairs Budget Planning Reform Act of 2015’’. 

6 SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF STRATEGIC PLANS TO IM7 PROVE PROGRAMS AND BENEFITS FOR VET8 ERANS. 

9 (a) FUTURE-YEARS VETERANS PROGRAM.— 

10 (1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 1 of title 38, United 

11 States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 

12 following new section: 

13 ‘‘§ 119. Future-Years Veterans Program 

14 ‘‘(a) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—The Secretary 

15 shall submit to Congress each year, at or about the time 

16 that the President’s budget is submitted to Congress pur17 suant to section 1105(a) of title 31, a Future-Years Vet18 erans Program reflecting the estimated expenditures and 

19 proposed appropriations included in that budget. Any such 

20 Future-Years Veterans Program shall cover the fiscal year 

21 with respect to which the budget is submitted and at least 

22 the four succeeding fiscal years. 

23 ‘‘(b) CONSISTENCY.—(1) The Secretary shall ensure 

24 that amounts described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph 

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1 scribed in subparagraph (B) of such paragraph for that 

2 fiscal year. 

3 ‘‘(2) Amounts referred to in paragraph (1) are the 

4 following: 

5 ‘‘(A) The amounts specified in program and 

6 budget information submitted to Congress by the 

7 Secretary in support of expenditure estimates and 

8 proposed appropriations in the budget submitted to 

9 Congress by the President under section 1105(a) of 

10 title 31 for any fiscal year, as shown in the Future11 Years Veterans Program submitted pursuant to sub12 section (a). 

13 ‘‘(B) The total amounts of estimated expendi14 tures and proposed appropriations necessary to sup15 port the programs, projects, and activities of the De16 partment of Veterans Affairs included pursuant to 

17 paragraph (5) of section 1105(a) of title 31 in the 

18 budget submitted to Congress under that section for 

19 any fiscal year. 

20 ‘‘(c) CONTENTS.—The Future-Years Veterans Pro21 gram under subsection (a) shall set forth the five-year 

22 plan of the Department to address the commitment of the 

23 United States to veterans and the resources necessary to 

24 meet that commitment and shall be developed and up25 dated, as appropriate, annually by the Secretary. Each 


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1 Future-Years Veterans Program shall include an expla2 nation of— 

3 ‘‘(1) the information that was used to develop 

4 program planning guidance for the Future-Years 

5 Veterans Program; and 

6 ‘‘(2) how the resource allocations included in 

7 the Future-Years Veterans Program correlate to 

8 such five-year strategy. 

9 ‘‘(d) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall publish on 

10 a publically accessible Internet website of the Department 

11 each Future-Years Veterans Program submitted pursuant 

12 to subsection (a).’’. 

13 (2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec14 tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended 

15 by inserting after the item relating to section 118 

16 the following new item: 

‘‘119. Future-Years Veterans Program.’’. 

17 (3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Section 119 of title 38, 

18 United States Code, as added by paragraph (1), 

19 shall apply with respect to the preparation and sub20 mission of the budget request for the Department of 

21 Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2020 and fiscal 

22 years thereafter. 

23 (b) QUADRENNIAL VETERANS REVIEW.— 


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1 (1) IN GENERAL.—Such chapter is further 

2 amended by adding after section 119, as added by 

3 subsection (a)(1), the following new section: 

4 ‘‘§ 120. Quadrennial veterans review 

5 ‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT.—(1) Not later than fiscal year 

6 2019, and every fourth year thereafter, the Secretary shall 

7 conduct a review of the strategy for meeting the commit8 ment of the United States to veterans and the resources 

9 necessary to meet that commitment (in this section re10 ferred to as a ‘quadrennial veterans review’). 

11 ‘‘(2) Each quadrennial veterans review shall include 

12 a comprehensive examination of the policies and strategies 

13 of the United States with respect to veterans, including 

14 recommendations regarding the long-term strategy and 

15 priorities for programs, services, benefits, and outcomes 

16 regarding veterans and guidance on the programs, assets, 

17 capabilities, budget, policies, and authorities of the De18 partment. 

19 ‘‘(3) The Secretary shall conduct each quadrennial 

20 veterans review in consultation with key officials of the 

21 Department, the heads of other Federal agencies, and 

22 other relevant governmental and nongovernmental enti23 ties, including State, local, and tribal government officials, 

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1 vate sector representatives, academics, and other policy ex2 perts. 

3 ‘‘(4) The Secretary shall ensure that each quadren4 nial veterans review is coordinated with the Future-Years 

5 Veterans Program required under section 119 of this title. 

6 ‘‘(b) CONTENTS OF REVIEW.—In each quadrennial 

7 veterans review, the Secretary shall— 

8 ‘‘(1) delineate a veterans strategy consistent 

9 with the commitment of the United States to vet10 erans and refine a strategy for the types of, and pro11 vision of, programs, services, benefits, and outcomes 

12 consistent with current authorities and require13 ments; 

14 ‘‘(2) outline and prioritize the full range of pro15 grams and capabilities regarding veterans provided 

16 by the Federal Government; 

17 ‘‘(3) identify the budget plan required to pro18 vide sufficient resources to successfully execute the 

19 full range of such programs and capabilities; 

20 ‘‘(4) include an assessment of the organiza21 tional alignment of the Department with respect to 

22 the strategy referred to in paragraph (1) and the 

23 programs and capabilities referred to in paragraph 

24 (2); 


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1 ‘‘(5) review and assess the effectiveness of the 

2 mechanisms of the Department for executing the 

3 process of turning the requirements identified in the 

4 quadrennial veterans review into a plan to meet such 

5 requirements, including an expenditure plan for the 

6 Department; and 

7 ‘‘(6) identify emerging trends, problems, oppor8 tunities, and issues that could affect veterans or the 

9 Department during the ten-year period following the 

10 period covered by the review. 

11 ‘‘(c) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—(1) The Secretary 

12 shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of 

13 the Senate and the House of Representatives a report re14 garding each quadrennial veterans review. The Secretary 

15 shall submit the report in the year following the year in 

16 which the review is conducted, but not later than the date 

17 on which the President submits to Congress the budget 

18 for the next fiscal year under section 1105 of title 31. 

19 ‘‘(2) Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 

20 shall include— 

21 ‘‘(A) the results of the quadrennial veterans re22 view; 

23 ‘‘(B) a description of the challenges to, and op24 portunities for, the assumed or defined veterans-reVerDate Sep 11 2014 00:37 Mar 26, 2015 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H216.RFS H216

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1 lated interests of the Nation that were examined for 

2 the purposes of that review; 

3 ‘‘(C) the strategy for meeting the Nation’s com4 mitment to veterans, including a prioritized list of 

5 the missions of the Department; 

6 ‘‘(D) a description of the interagency coopera7 tion, preparedness of Federal assets, infrastructure, 

8 budget plan, and other elements of the programs 

9 and policies of the Nation associated with the strat10 egy referred to in subsection (b)(1) that are required 

11 to execute successfully the full range of programs 

12 and capabilities identified in such strategy and the 

13 programs and capabilities outlined under subsection 

14 (b)(2); 

15 ‘‘(E) an assessment of the organizational align16 ment of the Department with the strategy referred 

17 to in subsection (b)(1) and the programs and capa18 bilities outlined under subsection (b)(2), including 

19 the Department’s organizational structure, manage20 ment systems, budget and accounting systems, 

21 human resources systems, procurement systems, and 

22 physical and technical infrastructure; 

23 ‘‘(F) a discussion of the status of cooperation 

24 among Federal agencies in the effort to promote na25 tional support for veterans; 


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1 ‘‘(G) a discussion of the status of cooperation 

2 between the Federal Government and State, local, 

3 and tribal governments in supporting veterans and 

4 providing programs, services, benefits, and outcomes 

5 to assist veterans; 

6 ‘‘(H) an explanation of any underlying assump7 tions used in conducting the review; and 

8 ‘‘(I) any other matter the Secretary considers 

9 appropriate. 

10 ‘‘(d) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall publish on 

11 a publically accessible Internet website of the Department 

12 each quadrennial veterans review submitted pursuant to 

13 subsection (c). 

14 ‘‘(e) INDEPENDENT VETERANS REVIEW PANEL.—(1) 

15 Not later than February 1 of a year in which a quadren16 nial veterans review is conducted under this section, the 

17 Secretary shall establish an independent panel to be 

18 known as the Independent Veterans Review Panel (in this 

19 subsection referred to as the ‘Panel’). The Panel shall 

20 have the duties set forth in this subsection. 

21 ‘‘(2) The Panel shall be composed of 10 members who 

22 are recognized experts in matters relating to veterans. The 

23 members shall be appointed as follows: 

24 ‘‘(A) Two by the chairman of the Committee on 

25 Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives. 


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1 ‘‘(B) Two by the chairman of the Committee on 

2 Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate. 

3 ‘‘(C) Two by the ranking member of the Com4 mittee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Rep5 resentatives. 

6 ‘‘(D) Two by the ranking member of the Com7 mittee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate. 

8 ‘‘(E) Two by the Secretary, who shall serve as 

9 co-chairs of the panel. 

10 ‘‘(3) Members shall be appointed for the life of the 

11 Panel. Any vacancy in the Panel shall be filled in the same 

12 manner as the original appointment. 

13 ‘‘(4) The Panel shall have the following duties with 

14 respect to a quadrennial veterans review: 

15 ‘‘(A) While the review is being conducted, the 

16 Panel shall review the updates from the Secretary 

17 required under paragraph (7) on the progress of the 

18 conduct of the review. 

19 ‘‘(B) The Panel shall— 

20 ‘‘(i) review the Secretary’s terms of ref21 erence and any other materials providing the 

22 basis for, or substantial inputs to, the work of 

23 the Department of Veterans Affairs on the 

24 quadrennial veterans review; 


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1 ‘‘(ii) conduct an assessment of the assump2 tions, strategy, findings, and risks included in 

3 the report on the quadrennial veterans review 

4 required in subsection (c); 

5 ‘‘(iii) conduct an independent assessment 

6 of a variety of strategies for delivering services 

7 and support to veterans; 

8 ‘‘(iv) review the resource requirements 

9 identified pursuant to subsection (b)(3) and, to 

10 the extent practicable, make a general compari11 son to the resource requirements to support the 

12 strategies assessed under this subparagraph; 

13 and 

14 ‘‘(v) provide to the Committees on Vet15 erans’ Affairs of the Senate and the House of 

16 Representatives and the Secretary, through the 

17 report under paragraph (7), any recommenda18 tions the Panel determines appropriate. 

19 ‘‘(5) If the Secretary has not appointed members to 

20 the Panel under paragraph (2)(E) by February 1 of a year 

21 in which a quadrennial veterans review is conducted under 

22 this section, the Panel shall convene for its first meeting 

23 with the remaining members. 

24 ‘‘(6) Not later than three months after the date on 

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1 mitted under subsection (c) to the Committees on Vet2 erans’ Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representa3 tives, the Panel shall submit to such committees a report 

4 containing an assessment of the quadrennial veterans re5 view, including a description of the items addressed under 

6 paragraph (4) with respect to that quadrennial veterans 

7 review. 

8 ‘‘(7) Periodically, but not less often than every 60 

9 days during the life of the panel, or at the request of the 

10 co-chairs, the Secretary shall brief the Panel on the 

11 progress of the conduct of the quadrennial veterans re12 view. 

13 ‘‘(8)(A) The Panel may request directly from the De14 partment such information as the Panel considers nec15 essary to carry out its duties under this subsection. The 

16 Secretary shall cooperate with the Panel to ensure that 

17 information requested by the Panel under this subpara18 graph is promptly provided to the maximum extent prac19 tical. 

20 ‘‘(B) Upon the request of the co-chairs, the Secretary 

21 shall make available to the Panel the services of any feder22 ally funded research and development center that is cov23 ered by a sponsoring agreement of the Department. 


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1 ‘‘(C) The Panel shall have the authorities provided 

2 in section 3161 of title 5 and shall be subject to the condi3 tions set forth in such section. 

4 ‘‘(D) Funds for activities of the Panel shall be pro5 vided from amounts available to the Department. 

6 ‘‘(9) The Panel shall terminate 45 days after the date 

7 on which the Panel submits the report on the quadrennial 

8 veterans review under paragraph (6).’’. 

9 (2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec10 tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended 

11 by inserting after the item relating to section 119, 

12 as added by subsection (a)(2), the following new 

13 item: 

‘‘120. Quadrennial veterans review.’’. 

14 (c) POLICY GUIDANCE.— 

15 (1) IN GENERAL.—Such chapter is further 

16 amended by adding after section 120, as added by 

17 subsection (b)(1), the following new section: 

18 ‘‘§ 121. Policy guidance 

19 ‘‘The Secretary shall provide annually to the appro20 priate officials of the Department written policy guidance 

21 for the preparation and review of the planning and pro22 gram recommendations and budget proposals of the ele23 ments of the Department of such officials. Such guidance 

24 shall include guidance on the objectives of the Department 

25 in accordance with Future-Years Veterans Program under 


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1 section 119 of this title and the quadrennial veterans re2 view under section 120 and the resource levels projected 

3 to be available for the period of time for which such rec4 ommendations and proposals are to be effective.’’. 

5 (2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec6 tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended 

7 by inserting after the item relating to section 120, 

8 as added by subsection (b)(2), the following new 

9 item: 

‘‘121. Policy guidance.’’. 

10 SEC. 3. CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT 

11 OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 

12 (a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 3 of title 38, United 

13 States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol14 lowing new section: 

15 ‘‘§ 323. Chief Strategy Officer 

16 ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall designate 

17 the Assistant Secretary whose functions include planning, 

18 studies, and evaluations as the Chief Strategy Officer of 

19 the Department. The Chief Strategy Officer shall advise 

20 the Secretary on long-range strategy and implications. 

21 ‘‘(b) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Chief Strategy Officer 

22 is the principal advisor to the Secretary and other senior 

23 officials of the Department, and shall provide independent 

24 analysis and advice to the Secretary and such officials. 


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1 The Chief Strategy Officer shall carry out the following 

2 responsibilities: 

3 ‘‘(1) Conducting cost estimation and cost anal4 ysis for the programs of the Department. 

5 ‘‘(2) Establishing policies for, and overseeing 

6 the integration of, the planning, programming, 

7 budgeting and execution process for the Depart8 ment. 

9 ‘‘(3) Providing analysis and advice on matters 

10 relating to the planning and programming phase of 

11 the planning, programming, budgeting and execution 

12 process, and the preparation of materials and guid13 ance for such process, as directed by the Secretary, 

14 working in coordination with the Assistant Secretary 

15 for Management. 

16 ‘‘(4) Developing and executing the Future17 Years Veterans Program of the Department, as 

18 specified under section 119 of this title. 

19 ‘‘(5) Developing resource discussions relating to 

20 requirements under consideration in the quadrennial 

21 veterans review under section 120 of this title. 

22 ‘‘(6) Formulating study guidance for analysis of 

23 alternatives for programs and initiatives, including 

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1 formance of such analysis as directed by the Sec2 retary. 

3 ‘‘(7) Reviewing, analyzing, and evaluating pro4 grams for executing approved strategies and policies, 

5 ensuring that information on programs and expected 

6 outcomes is presented accurately and completely. 

7 ‘‘(8) Ensuring that the costs of programs and 

8 alternatives are presented accurately and completely 

9 by assisting in establishing standards, policies, and 

10 procedures for the conduct of cost estimation and 

11 cost analysis throughout the Department, including 

12 guidance relating to the proper selection of con13 fidence levels in cost estimates generally and for spe14 cific programs of the Department. 

15 ‘‘(9) Conducting studies at the request of the 

16 Secretary regarding costs, policy assumptions, and 

17 strategic implications of current policies and possible 

18 alternatives. 

19 ‘‘(10) Communicating directly to the Secretary 

20 and the Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs about 

21 matters for which the Chief Strategy Officer is re22 sponsible without obtaining the approval or concur23 rence of any other official within the Department.’’. 

24 (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 

25 at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting 


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1 after the item relating to section 322 the following new 

2 item: 

‘‘323. Chief Strategy Officer.’’. 

3 SEC. 4. PROHIBITION ON NEW APPROPRIATIONS. 

4 No additional funds are authorized to be appro5 priated to carry out this Act or the amendments made 

6 by this Act. This Act and such amendments shall be car7 ried out using amounts otherwise available for the Depart8 ment of Veterans Affairs. 

Passed the House of Representatives March 24, 

2015. 

Attest: KAREN L. HAAS, 

Clerk. 


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