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[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2280 Introduced in House (IH)]

106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2280

  To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide a cost-of-living 
    adjustment in rates of compensation paid for service-connected 
   disabilities, to enhance the compensation, memorial affairs, and 
  housing programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to improve 
retirement authorities applicable to judges of the United States Court 
        of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 18, 1999

     Mr. Stump (for himself, Mr. Evans, Mr. Quinn, and Mr. Filner) 
 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
                           Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
  To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide a cost-of-living 
    adjustment in rates of compensation paid for service-connected 
   disabilities, to enhance the compensation, memorial affairs, and 
  housing programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to improve 
retirement authorities applicable to judges of the United States Court 
        of Appeals for Veterans Claims, 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 ``Veterans Benefits 
Improvement Act of 1999''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code.
                         TITLE I--COMPENSATION

Sec. 101. Increase in rates of disability compensation and dependency 
                            and indemnity compensation.
Sec. 102. Presumption that bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma is service-
                            connected.
Sec. 103. Dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses 
                            of former prisoners of war.
Sec. 104. Reinstatement of certain benefits for remarried surviving 
                            spouses of veterans upon termination of 
                            their remarriage.
                       TITLE II--MEMORIAL AFFAIRS

            Subtitle A--American Battle Monuments Commission

Sec. 201. Codification and expansion of authority for World War II 
                            Memorial.
Sec. 202. General authority to solicit and receive contributions.
Sec. 203. Intellectual property and related items.
Sec. 204. Technical amendments.
                    Subtitle B--National Cemeteries

Sec. 211. Establishment of additional national cemeteries.
Sec. 212. Independent study on improvements to veterans' cemeteries.
                           TITLE III--HOUSING

Sec. 301. Permanent eligibility for housing loans for former members of 
                            the Selected Reserve.
Sec. 302. Homeless veterans' reintegration programs.
Sec. 303. Transitional housing loan guarantee program technical 
                            amendment.
             TITLE IV--COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

Sec. 401. Authority to prescribe rules and regulations.
Sec. 402. Recall of retired judges.
Sec. 403. Calculation of years of service as a judge.
Sec. 404. Judges' retired pay.
Sec. 405. Survivor annuities.
Sec. 406. Limitation on activities of retired judges.
Sec. 407. Early retirement authority for current judges in order to 
                            provide for staggered terms of judges.
                         TITLE V--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 501. Repeal of certain sunset provisions.
Sec. 502. Enhanced quality assurance program within the Veterans 
                            Benefits Administration.
Sec. 503. Extension of Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans.
Sec. 504. Recognition of Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Sec. 505. Codification of recurring provisions in annual Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs Appropriations Acts.

SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an 
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal 
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to 
be made to a section or other provision of title 38, United States 
Code.

                         TITLE I--COMPENSATION

SEC. 101. INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND DEPENDENCY 
              AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.

    (a) Rate Adjustment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, 
effective on December 1, 1999, increase the dollar amounts in effect 
for the payment of disability compensation and dependency and indemnity 
compensation by the Secretary, as specified in subsection (b).
    (b) Amounts To Be Increased.--The dollar amounts to be increased 
pursuant to subsection (a) are the following:
            (1) Compensation.--Each of the dollar amounts in effect 
        under section 1114 of title 38, United States Code.
            (2) Additional compensation for dependents.--Each of the 
        dollar amounts in effect under sections 1115(1) of such title.
            (3) Clothing allowance.--The dollar amount in effect under 
        section 1162 of such title.
            (4) New dic rates.--The dollar amounts in effect under 
        paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 1311(a) of such title.
            (5) Old dic rates.--Each of the dollar amounts in effect 
        under section 1311(a)(3) of such title.
            (6) Additional dic for surviving spouses with minor 
        children.--The dollar amount in effect under section 1311(b) of 
        such title.
            (7) Additional dic for disability.--The dollar amounts in 
        effect under sections 1311(c) and 1311(d) of such title.
            (8) DIC for dependent children.--The dollar amounts in 
        effect under sections 1313(a) and 1314 of such title.
    (c) Determination of Increase.--(1) The increase under subsection 
(a) shall be made in the dollar amounts specified in subsection (b) as 
in effect on November 30, 1999.
    (2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), each such amount shall be 
increased by the same percentage as the percentage by which benefit 
amounts payable under title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
401 et seq.) are increased effective December 1, 1999, as a result of a 
determination under section 215(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)).
    (3) Each dollar amount increased pursuant to paragraph (2) shall, 
if not a whole dollar amount, be rounded down to the next lower whole 
dollar amount.
    (d) Special Rule.--The Secretary may adjust administratively, 
consistent with the increases made under subsection (a), the rates of 
disability compensation payable to persons within the purview of 
section 10 of Public Law 85-857 (72 Stat. 1263) who are not in receipt 
of compensation payable pursuant to chapter 11 of title 38, United 
States Code.
    (e) Publication of Adjusted Rates.--At the same time as the matters 
specified in section 215(i)(2)(D) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
415(i)(2)(D)) are required to be published by reason of a determination 
made under section 215(i) of such Act during fiscal year 1999, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall publish in the Federal Register the 
amounts specified in subsection (b), as increased pursuant to this 
section.

SEC. 102. PRESUMPTION THAT BRONCHIOLO-ALVEOLAR CARCINOMA IS SERVICE-
              CONNECTED.

    Section 1112(c)(2) is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subparagraph:
            ``(P) Bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma.''.

SEC. 103. DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES 
              OF FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR.

    (a) Eligibility.--Section 1318(b) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``that either--'' in the matter preceding 
        paragraph (1) and inserting ``rated totally disabling if--''; 
        and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(3) the veteran was a former prisoner of war who died 
        after September 30, 1999, and who had been diagnosed as having 
        one of the diseases specified in section 1112(b) of this 
        title.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Such section is further amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by inserting ``the disability'' after ``(1)''; 
                and
                    (B) by striking ``or'' after ``death;''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by striking ``if so rated for a lesser period, 
                was so rated continuously'' and inserting ``the 
                disability was continuously rated totally disabling''; 
                and
                    (B) by striking the period at the end and inserting 
                ``; or''.

SEC. 104. REINSTATEMENT OF CERTAIN BENEFITS FOR REMARRIED SURVIVING 
              SPOUSES OF VETERANS UPON TERMINATION OF THEIR REMARRIAGE.

    (a) Restoration of Prior Eligibility.--Section 103(d) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(d)''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(2) The remarriage of the surviving spouse of a veteran shall not 
bar the furnishing of benefits specified in paragraph (5) to such 
person as the surviving spouse of the veteran if the remarriage has 
been terminated by death or divorce unless the Secretary determines 
that the divorce was secured through fraud or collusion.
    ``(3) If the surviving spouse of a veteran ceases living with 
another person and holding himself or herself out openly to the public 
as that person's spouse, the bar to granting that person benefits as 
the surviving spouse of the veteran shall not apply in the case of the 
benefits specified in paragraph (5).
    ``(4) The first month of eligibility for benefits for a surviving 
spouse by reason of this subsection shall be the month after--
            ``(A) the month of the termination of such remarriage, in 
        the case of a surviving spouse described in paragraph (2); or
            ``(B) the month of the cessation described in paragraph 
        (3), in the case of a surviving spouse described in that 
        paragraph.
    ``(5) Paragraphs (2) and (3) apply with respect to benefits under 
the following provisions of this title:
            ``(A) Section 1311, relating to dependency and indemnity 
        compensation.
            ``(B) Section 1713, relating to medical care for survivors 
        and dependents of certain veterans.
            ``(C) Chapter 35, relating to educational assistance.
            ``(D) Chapter 37, relating to housing loans.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1311 is amended by striking 
subsection (e).
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) 
shall take effect on the first day of the first month beginning after 
the month in which this Act is enacted or October 1, 1999, whichever is 
later.
    (d) Limitation.--No payment may be made to a person by reason of 
paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 103(d) of title 38, United States 
Code, as added by subsection (a), for any period before the effective 
date specified in subsection (c).

                       TITLE II--MEMORIAL AFFAIRS

            Subtitle A--American Battle Monuments Commission

SEC. 201. CODIFICATION AND EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY FOR WORLD WAR II 
              MEMORIAL.

    (a) Codification of Existing Authority; Expansion of Authority.--
(1) Chapter 21 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
the end the following new section:
``Sec. 2113. World War II memorial in the District of Columbia
    ``(a) Solicitation and Acceptance of Contributions.--Consistent 
with its authority under section 2103(e) of this title, the American 
Battle Monuments Commission shall solicit and accept contributions for 
the memorial authorized by Public Law 103-32 (40 U.S.C. 1003 note) to 
be established by the Commission on Federal land in the District of 
Columbia or its environs to honor members of the Armed Forces who 
served in World War II and to commemorate the participation of the 
United States in that war (hereinafter in this section referred to as 
the `World War II memorial').
    ``(b) Creation of Memorial Fund.--(1) There is hereby created in 
the Treasury a fund for the World War II memorial. The fund shall 
consist of the following:
            ``(A) Amounts deposited, and interest and proceeds 
        credited, under paragraph (2).
            ``(B) Obligations obtained under paragraph (3).
            ``(C) The amount of surcharges paid to the Commission for 
        the World War II memorial under the World War II 50th 
        Anniversary Commemorative Coins Act (31 U.S.C. 5112 note).
            ``(D) Amounts borrowed using the authority provided under 
        subsection (d).
            ``(E) Any funds received by the Commission under section 
        2114 of this title in exchange for use of, or the right to use, 
        any mark, copyright or patent.
    ``(2) The Chairman of the Commission shall deposit in the fund the 
amounts accepted as contributions under subsection (a). The Secretary 
of the Treasury shall credit to the fund the interest on, and the 
proceeds from sale or redemption of, obligations held in the fund.
    ``(3) The Secretary shall invest any portion of the fund that, as 
determined by the Chairman, is not required to meet current expenses. 
Each investment shall be made in an interest-bearing obligation of the 
United States or an obligation guaranteed as to principal and interest 
by the United States that the Chairman determines has a maturity 
suitable for the fund.
    ``(c) Use of Fund.--The fund shall be available to the Commission--
            ``(1) for the expenses of establishing the World War II 
        memorial, including the maintenance and preservation amount 
        provided for in section 8(b) of the Commemorative Works Act (40 
        U.S.C. 1008(b));
            ``(2) for such other expenses, other than routine 
        maintenance, with respect to the World War II memorial as the 
        Commission considers warranted; and
            ``(3) to secure, obtain, register, enforce, protect, and 
        license any mark, copyright or patent that is owned by, 
        assigned to, or licensed to the Commission under section 2114 
        of this title to aid or facilitate the construction of the 
        World War II memorial.
    ``(d) Special Borrowing Authority.--(1) To assure that 
groundbreaking, construction, and dedication of the World War II 
memorial are carried out on a timely basis, the Commission may borrow 
money from the Treasury of the United States in such amounts as the 
Commission considers necessary, but not to exceed a total of 
$65,000,000. Borrowed amounts shall bear interest at a rate determined 
by the Secretary of the Treasury, taking into consideration the average 
market yield on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States 
of comparable maturities during the month preceding the month in which 
the obligations of the Commission are issued. The interest payments on 
such obligations may be deferred with the approval of the Secretary, 
but any interest payment so deferred shall also bear interest.
    ``(2) The borrowing of money by the Commission under paragraph (1) 
shall be subject to such maturities, terms, and conditions as may be 
agreed upon by the Commission and the Secretary, except that the 
maturities may not exceed 20 years and such borrowings may be 
redeemable at the option of the Commission before maturity.
    ``(3) The obligations of the Commission shall be issued in amounts 
and at prices approved by the Secretary. The authority of the 
Commission to issue obligations under this subsection shall remain 
available without fiscal year limitation. The Secretary of the Treasury 
shall purchase any obligations of the Commission to be issued under 
this subsection, and for such purpose the Secretary of the Treasury may 
use as a public debt transaction of the United States the proceeds from 
the sale of any securities issued under chapter 31 of title 31. The 
purposes for which securities may be issued under such chapter are 
extended to include any purchase of the Commission's obligations under 
this subsection.
    ``(4) Repayment of the interest and principal on any funds borrowed 
by the Commission under paragraph (1) shall be made from amounts in the 
fund. The Commission may not use for such purpose any funds 
appropriated for any other activities of the Commission.
    ``(e) Treatment of Borrowing Authority.--In determining whether the 
Commission has sufficient funds to complete construction of the World 
War II memorial, as required by section 8 of the Commemorative Works 
Act (40 U.S.C. 1008), the Secretary of the Interior shall consider the 
funds that the Commission may borrow from the Treasury under subsection 
(d) as funds available to complete construction of the memorial, 
whether or not the Commission has actually exercised the authority to 
borrow such funds.
    ``(f) Voluntary Services.--(1) Notwithstanding section 1342 of 
title 31, the Commission may accept from any person voluntary services 
to be provided in furtherance of the fund-raising activities of the 
Commission relating to the World War II memorial.
    ``(2) A person providing voluntary services under this subsection 
shall be considered to be a Federal employee for purposes of chapter 81 
of title 5, relating to compensation for work-related injuries, and 
chapter 171 of title 28, relating to tort claims. A volunteer who is 
not otherwise employed by the United States shall not be considered to 
be a Federal employee for any other purpose by reason of the provision 
of such voluntary service, except that any volunteers given 
responsibility for the handling of funds or the carrying out of a 
Federal function are subject to the conflict of interest laws contained 
in chapter 11 of title 18 and the administrative standards of conduct 
contained in part 2635 of title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
    ``(3) The Commission may provide for reimbursement of incidental 
expenses that are incurred by a person providing voluntary services 
under this subsection. The Commission shall determine those expenses 
that are eligible for reimbursement under this paragraph.
    ``(4) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require any 
Federal employee to work without compensation or to allow the use of 
volunteer services to displace or replace any Federal employee.
    ``(g) Treatment of Certain Contracts.--A contract entered into by 
the Commission for the design or construction of the World War II 
memorial is not a funding agreement as that term is defined in section 
201 of title 35.
    ``(h) Extension of Authority to Establish Memorial.--
Notwithstanding section 10 of the Commemorative Works Act (40 U.S.C. 
1010), the authority for the construction of the World War II memorial 
provided by Public Law 103-32 (40 U.S.C. 1003 note) expires on December 
31, 2005.''.
    (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is 
amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``2113. World War II memorial in the District of Columbia.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Public Law 103-32 (40 U.S.C. 1003 note) 
is amended by striking sections 3, 4, and 5.
    (c) Effect of Repeal of Current Memorial Fund.--Upon the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer amounts in 
the fund created by section 4(a) of Public Law 103-32 (40 U.S.C. 1003 
note) to the fund created by section 2113(b) of title 36, United States 
Code, as added by subsection (a).

SEC. 202. GENERAL AUTHORITY TO SOLICIT AND RECEIVE CONTRIBUTIONS.

    Subsection (e) of section 2103 of title 36, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
    ``(e) Solicitation and Receipt of Contributions.--(1) The 
Commission may solicit and receive funds and in-kind donations and 
gifts from any State, municipal, or private source to carry out the 
purposes of this chapter. The Commission shall deposit such funds in a 
separate account in the Treasury. Funds from that account shall be 
disbursed upon vouchers approved by the Chairman.
    ``(2) The Commission shall establish written guidelines setting 
forth the criteria to be used in determining whether the acceptance of 
funds and in-kind donations and gifts under paragraph (1) would--
            ``(A) reflect unfavorably on the ability of the Commission, 
        or any member or employee of the Commission, to carry out the 
        responsibilities or official duties of the Commission in a fair 
        and objective manner; or
            ``(B) compromise the integrity or the appearance of the 
        integrity of the programs of the Commission or any official 
        involved in those programs.''.

SEC. 203. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND RELATED ITEMS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 21 of title 36, United States Code, as 
amended by section 201(a)(1), is further amended by adding at the end 
the following new section:
``Sec. 2114. Intellectual property and related items
    ``(a) Authority to Use and Register Intellectual Property.--The 
American Battle Monuments Commission may--
            ``(1) adopt, use, register, and license trademarks, service 
        marks, and other marks;
            ``(2) obtain, use, register, and license the use of 
        copyrights consistent with section 105 of title 17;
            ``(3) obtain, use, and license patents; and
            ``(4) accept gifts of marks, copyrights, patents and 
        licenses for use by the Commission.
    ``(b) Authority to Grant Licenses.--The Commission may grant 
exclusive and nonexclusive licenses in connection with any mark, 
copyright, patent, or license for the use of such mark, copyright or 
patent, except to the extent the grant of such license by the 
Commission would be contrary to any contract or license by which the 
use of the mark, copyright, or patent was obtained.
    ``(c) Enforcement Authority.--The Commission may enforce any mark, 
copyright, or patent by an action in the district courts under any law 
providing for the protection of such marks, copyrights, or patents.
    ``(d) Legal Representation.--The Attorney General shall furnish the 
Commission with legal representation as the Commission may require 
under subsection (c). The Secretary of Defense shall provide 
representation for the Commission in administrative proceedings before 
the Patent and Trademark Office and Copyright Office.
    ``(e) Irrevocability of Transfers of Copyrights to Commission.--
Section 203 of title 17 shall not apply to any copyright transferred in 
any manner to the Commission.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter, as amended by section 201(a)(2), is further amended by 
adding at the end the following new item:

``2114. Intellectual property and related items.''.

SEC. 204. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.

    Chapter 21 of title 36, United States Code, is amended as follows:
            (1) In section 2101(b)--
                    (A) by striking ``title 37, United States Code,'' 
                in paragraph (2) and inserting ``title 37''; and
                    (B) by striking ``title 5, United States Code,'' in 
                paragraph (3) and inserting ``title 5''.
            (2) In section 2102(a)(1), by striking ``title 5, United 
        States Code'' and inserting ``title 5''.
            (3) In section 2103--
                    (A) by striking ``title 31, United States Code'' in 
                subsection (h)(2)(A)(i) and inserting ``title 31'';
                    (B) by striking ``title 44, United States Code'' in 
                subsection (i) and inserting ``title 44''; and
                    (C) by striking ``chairman'' each place it appears 
                and inserting ``Chairman''.

                    Subtitle B--National Cemeteries

SEC. 211. ESTABLISHMENT OF ADDITIONAL NATIONAL CEMETERIES.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
establish, in accordance with chapter 24 of title 38, United States 
Code, a national cemetery in each of the four areas in the United 
States that the Secretary determines to be most in need of such a 
cemetery to serve the needs of veterans and their families.
    (b) Obligation of Funds in Fiscal Year 2000.--The Secretary shall 
obligate from the advance planning fund in the Construction, Major 
Projects account appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs for 
fiscal year 2000 such amounts for costs that the Secretary estimates 
are required for the planning and commencement of the establishment of 
national cemeteries under this section.
    (c) Reports.--(1) Not later than 120 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 
on the establishment of the national cemeteries under subsection (a). 
The report shall set forth the four areas identified by the Secretary 
for such establishment, a schedule for such establishment, an estimate 
of the costs associated with such establishment, and the amount 
obligated from the advance planning fund under subsection (b).
    (2) Not later than one year after the date on which the report 
described in paragraph (1) is submitted to Congress, and annually 
thereafter until the establishment of the national cemeteries under 
subsection (a) is complete, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
report that updates the information included in the report described in 
paragraph (1).

SEC. 212. INDEPENDENT STUDY ON IMPROVEMENTS TO VETERANS' CEMETERIES.

    (a) Study.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into a 
contract with one or more qualified organizations to conduct a study of 
national cemeteries described in subsection (b). For purposes of this 
section, an entity of Federal, State, or local government is not a 
qualified organization.
    (b) Matters Studied.--(1) The study conducted pursuant to the 
contract entered into under subsection (a) shall include an assessment 
of each of the following:
            (A) The one-time repairs required at each national cemetery 
        under the jurisdiction of the National Cemetery Administration 
        of the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure a dignified and 
        respectful setting appropriate to such cemetery, taking into 
        account the variety of age, climate, and burial options at 
        individual national cemeteries.
            (B) The feasibility of making standards of appearance of 
        such national cemeteries commensurate with standards of 
        appearance of the finest cemeteries in the world.
            (C) The number of additional national cemeteries that will 
        be required for the interment and memorialization in such 
        cemeteries of individuals qualified under chapter 24 of title 
        38, United States Code, who die after 2005.
            (D) Improvements to burial benefits under chapter 23 of 
        title 38, United States Code, including a proposal to increase 
        the amount of the benefit for plot allowances under section 
        2303(b) of such title, to better serve veterans and their 
        families.
    (2) In presenting the assessment of additional national cemeteries 
required under paragraph (1)(C), the report shall identify by five-year 
period, beginning with 2005 and ending with 2020, the following:
            (A) The number of additional national cemeteries required 
        during each such five-year period.
            (B) With respect to each such five-year period, the areas 
        in the United States with the greatest concentration of 
        veterans whose needs are not served by national cemeteries or 
        State veterans' cemeteries.
    (c) Report.--(1) Not later than one year after the date on which a 
qualified organization enters into a contract under subsection (a), the 
organization shall submit to the Secretary a report setting forth the 
results of the study conducted and conclusions of the organization with 
respect to such results.
    (2) Not later than 120 days after the date on which a report is 
submitted under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall transmit to the 
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the 
Senate a copy of such report, together with any comments on the report 
that the Secretary considers appropriate.

                           TITLE III--HOUSING

SEC. 301. PERMANENT ELIGIBILITY FOR HOUSING LOANS FOR FORMER MEMBERS OF 
              THE SELECTED RESERVE.

    Section 3702(a)(2)(E) is amended by striking ``For the period 
beginning on October 28, 1992, and ending on September 30, 2003, each 
veteran'' and inserting ``Each veteran''.

SEC. 302. HOMELESS VETERANS' REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 41 is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section:
``Sec. 4111. Homeless veterans' reintegration programs
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Assistant 
Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training, shall 
conduct, directly or through grant or contract, such programs as the 
Secretary determines appropriate to expedite the reintegration of 
homeless veterans into the labor force.
    ``(b) Authority To Monitor Expenditure of Funds.--The Secretary may 
collect such information as the Secretary considers appropriate to 
monitor and evaluate the distribution and expenditure of funds 
appropriated to carry out this section, and such information shall be 
furnished to the Secretary in such form as the Secretary determines 
appropriate.
    ``(c) Definition.--As used in this section, the term `homeless 
veteran' has the meaning given that term by section 3771(2) of this 
title.
    ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--(1) There are authorized to 
be appropriated to carry out this section amounts as follows:
            ``(A) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2000.
            ``(B) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2001.
            ``(C) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.
            ``(D) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.
            ``(E) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.
    ``(2) Funds obligated for any fiscal year to carry out this section 
may be expended in that fiscal year and the succeeding fiscal year.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``4111. Homeless veterans' reintegration projects.''.

SEC. 303. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM TECHNICAL 
              AMENDMENT.

    Section 3775 is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``During each''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(b) After the first 3 years of operation of such a multifamily 
transitional housing project, the Secretary may provide for periodic 
audits of the project.''.

             TITLE IV--COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

SEC. 401. AUTHORITY TO PRESCRIBE RULES AND REGULATIONS.

    Section 7254 is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
    ``(f) The Court may prescribe rules and regulations to carry out 
this chapter.''.

SEC. 402. RECALL OF RETIRED JUDGES.

    (a) Authority To Recall Retired Judges.--Chapter 72 is amended by 
inserting after section 7256 the following new section:
``Sec. 7257. Recall of retired judges
    ``(a)(1) A retired judge of the Court may be recalled for further 
service on the Court in accordance with this section. To be eligible to 
be recalled for such service, a retired judge must at the time of the 
judge's retirement provide to the chief judge of the Court (or, in the 
case of the chief judge, to the clerk of the Court) notice in writing 
that the retired judge is available for further service on the Court in 
accordance with this section and is willing to be recalled under this 
section. Such a notice provided by a retired judge is irrevocable.
    ``(2) For the purposes of this section--
            ``(A) a retired judge is a judge of the Court of Veterans 
        Appeals who retires from the Court under section 7296 of this 
        title or under chapter 83 or 84 of title 5; and
            ``(B) a recall-eligible retired judge is a retired judge 
        who has provided a notice under paragraph (1).
    ``(b)(1) The chief judge may recall for further service on the 
court a recall-eligible retired judge in accordance with this section. 
Such a recall shall be made upon written certification by the chief 
judge that substantial service is expected to be performed by the 
retired judge for such period, not to exceed 90 days (or the 
equivalent), as determined by the chief judge to be necessary to meet 
the needs of the Court.
    ``(2) A recall-eligible retired judge may not be recalled for more 
than 90 days (or the equivalent) during any calendar year without the 
judge's consent or for more than a total of 180 days (or the 
equivalent) during any calendar year.
    ``(3) If a recall-eligible retired judge is recalled by the chief 
judge in accordance with this section and (other than in the case of a 
judge who has previously during that calendar year served at least 90 
days (or the equivalent) of recalled service on the court) declines 
(other than by reason of disability) to perform the service to which 
recalled, the chief judge shall remove that retired judge from the 
status of a recall-eligible judge.
    ``(4) A recall-eligible retired judge who becomes permanently 
disabled and as a result of that disability is unable to perform 
further service on the court shall be removed from the status of a 
recall-eligible judge. Determination of such a disability shall be made 
in the same manner as is applicable to judges of the United States 
under section 371 of title 28.
    ``(c) A retired judge who is recalled under this section may 
exercise all of the powers and duties of the office of a judge in 
active service.
    ``(d)(1) The pay of a recall-eligible retired judge who retired 
under section 7296 of this title is specified in subsection (c) of that 
section.
    ``(2) A judge who is recalled under this section who retired under 
chapter 83 or 84 of title 5 shall be paid, during the period for which 
the judge serves in recall status, pay at the rate of pay in effect 
under section 7253(e) of this title for a judge performing active 
service, less the amount of the judge's annuity under the applicable 
provisions of chapter 83 or 84 of title 5.
    ``(e)(1) Except as provided in subsection (d), a judge who is 
recalled under this section who retired under chapter 83 or 84 of title 
5 shall be considered to be a reemployed annuitant under that chapter.
    ``(2) Nothing in this section affects the right of a judge who 
retired under chapter 83 or 84 of title 5 to serve as a reemployed 
annuitant in accordance with the provisions of title 5.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
7256 the following new item:

``7257. Recall of retired judges.''.

SEC. 403. CALCULATION OF YEARS OF SERVICE AS A JUDGE.

    Section 7296(b) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph:
    ``(4) For purposes of calculating the years of service of an 
individual under this subsection and subsection (c), only those years 
of service as a judge of the Court shall be credited. In determining 
the number of years of such service, that portion of the aggregate 
number of years of such service that is a fractional part of one year 
shall be disregarded if less than 183 days and shall be credited as a 
full year if 183 days or more.''.

SEC. 404. JUDGES' RETIRED PAY.

    (a) In General.--Subsection (c)(1) of section 7296 is amended by 
striking ``at the rate of pay in effect at the time of retirement.'' 
and inserting the following: ``as follows:
            ``(A) In the case of a judge who is a recall-eligible 
        retired judge under section 7257 of this title or who was a 
        recall-eligible retired judge under that section and was 
        removed from recall status under subsection (b)(4) of that 
        section by reason of disability, the retired pay of the judge 
        shall be the pay of a judge of the court (or of the chief 
        judge, if the individual retired from service as chief judge).
            ``(B) In the case of a judge who at the time of retirement 
        did not provide notice under section 7257 of this title of 
        availability for service in a recalled status, the retired pay 
        of the judge shall be the rate of pay applicable to that judge 
        at the time of retirement.
            ``(C) In the case of a judge who was a recall-eligible 
        retired judge under section 7257 of this title and was removed 
        from recall status under subsection (b)(3) of that section, the 
        retired pay of the judge shall be the pay of the judge at the 
        time of the removal from recall status.''.
    (b) Cost-of-Living Adjustments.--Subsection (f) of such section is 
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(3)(A) A cost-of-living adjustment provided by law in annuities 
payable under civil service retirement laws shall apply to retired pay 
under this section only in the case of retired pay computed under 
paragraph (2) of subsection (c).
    ``(B)(i) If such a cost-of-living adjustment would (but for this 
subparagraph) result in the retired pay of a retired chief judge being 
in excess of the annual rate of pay in effect for the chief judge of 
the court as provided in section 7253(e)(1) of this title, such 
adjustment may be made in the retired pay of that retired chief judge 
only in such amount as results in the retired pay of the retired chief 
judge being equal to that annual rate of pay (as in effect on the 
effective date of such adjustment).
    ``(ii) If such a cost-of-living adjustment would (but for this 
subparagraph) result in the retired pay of a retired judge (other than 
a retired chief judge) being in excess of the annual rate of pay in 
effect for judges of the court as provided in section 7253(e)(2) of 
this title, such adjustment may be made only in such amount as results 
in the retired pay of the retired judge being equal to that annual rate 
of pay (as in effect on the effective date of such adjustment).''.
    (c) Coordination With Military Retired Pay.--Subsection (f) of such 
section is further amended by adding after paragraph (3), as added by 
subsection (b), the following new paragraph:
    ``(4) Notwithstanding subsection (c) of section 5532 of title 5, if 
a regular or reserve member of a uniformed service who is receiving 
retired or retainer pay becomes a judge of the court, or becomes 
eligible therefor while a judge of the court, such retired or retainer 
pay shall not be paid during the judge's regular active service on the 
court, but shall be resumed or commenced without reduction upon 
retirement as a judge.''.

SEC. 405. SURVIVOR ANNUITIES.

    (a) Surviving Spouse.--Subsection (a)(5) of section 7297 is amended 
by striking ``two years'' and inserting ``one year.''
    (b) Election to Participate.--Subsection (b) of such section is 
amended in the first sentence by inserting before the period ``or 
within six months after the date on which the judge marries if the 
judge has retired under section 7296 of this title''.
    (c) Reduction in Contributions.--Subsection (c) of such section is 
amended by striking ``3.5 percent of the judge's pay'' and inserting 
``that percentage of the judge's pay that is the same as provided for 
the deduction from the salary or retirement salary of a judge of the 
United States Court of Federal Claims for the purpose of a survivor 
annuity under section 376(b)(1)(B) of title 28''.
    (d) Interest Payments.--Subsection (d) of such section is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(d)''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(2) The interest required under the first sentence of paragraph 
(1) shall not be required for any period--
            ``(A) during which a judge was separated from any service 
        described in section 376(d)(2) of title 28; and
            ``(B) during which the judge was not receiving retired pay 
        based on service as a judge or receiving any retirement salary 
        as described in section 376(d)(1) of title 28.''.
    (e) Service Eligibility.--(1) Subsection (f) of such section is 
amended--
            (A) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph 
        (A)--
                    (i) by striking ``at least 5 years'' and inserting 
                ``last 18 months''; and
                    (ii) by striking ``last 5 years'' and inserting 
                ``last 18 months''; and
            (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(5) If a judge dies as a result of an assassination and leaves a 
survivor or survivors who are otherwise entitled to receive annuity 
payments under this section, the 18-month requirement in the matter in 
paragraph (1) preceding subparagraph (A) shall not apply.''.
    (2) Subsection (a) of such section is further amended--
            (A) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``who is in active 
        service or who has retired under section 7296 of this title'' 
        after ``Court'';
            (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``7296(c)'' and inserting 
        ``7296'';
            (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(8) The term `assassination' as applied to a judge shall 
        have the meaning provided that term in section 376(a)(7) of 
        title 28 as applied to a judicial official.''.
    (f) Age Requirement of Surviving Spouse.--Subsection (f) of such 
section is further amended by striking ``or following the surviving 
spouse's attainment of the age of 50 years, whichever is later'' in 
paragraph (1)(A).

SEC. 406. LIMITATION ON ACTIVITIES OF RETIRED JUDGES.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 72 is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section:
``Sec. 7299. Limitation on activities of retired judges
    ``(a) A retired judge of the Court who is recall-eligible under 
section 7257 of this title and who in the practice of law represents 
(or supervises or directs the representation of) a client in making any 
claim relating to veterans' benefits against the United States or any 
agency thereof shall, pursuant to such section, be considered to have 
declined recall service and be removed from the status of a recall-
eligible judge. The pay of such a judge, pursuant to section 7296 of 
this title, shall be the pay of the judge at the time of the removal 
from recall status.
    ``(b) A recall-eligible judge shall be considered to be an officer 
or employee of the United States, but only during periods when the 
judge is serving in recall status. Any prohibition, limitation, or 
restriction that would otherwise apply to the activities of a recall-
eligible judge shall apply only during periods when the judge is 
serving in recall status.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``7299. Limitation on activities of retired judges.''.

SEC. 407. EARLY RETIREMENT AUTHORITY FOR CURRENT JUDGES IN ORDER TO 
              PROVIDE FOR STAGGERED TERMS OF JUDGES.

    (a) Retirement Authorized.--One eligible judge may retire in 
accordance with this section with respect to each year beginning in 
1999 and ending in 2003.
    (b) Eligible Judges.--For purposes of this section, an eligible 
judge is an associate judge of the United States Court of Appeals for 
Veterans Claims who--
            (1) has at least 10 years of service creditable under 
        section 7296 of title 38, United States Code;
            (2) has made an election to receive retired pay under 
        section 7296 of such title;
            (3) has at least 20 years of service described in section 
        7297(l) of such title; and
            (4) is at least 55 years of age.
    (c) Multiple Eligible Judges.--If for any year specified in 
subsection (a) more than one eligible judge provides notice in 
accordance with subsection (d), the judge who has the greatest 
seniority as a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans 
Claims shall be the judge who is eligible to retire in accordance with 
this section in that year.
    (d) Notice.--An eligible judge who desires to retire in accordance 
with this section with respect to any year covered by subsection (a) 
shall provide to the President and the chief judge of the United States 
Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims written notice to that effect not 
later than April 1 of that year, except that in the case of an eligible 
judge desiring to retire with respect to 1999, such notice shall be 
provided not later than November 1, 1999, or 15 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, whichever is later. Such a notice shall 
specify the retirement date in accordance with subsection (e). Notice 
provided under this subsection shall be irrevocable.
    (e) Date of Retirement.--A judge who is eligible to retire in 
accordance with this section shall be retired during the fiscal year in 
which notice is provided pursuant to subsection (d), but not earlier 
than 90 days after the date on which that notice is provided, except 
that a judge retired in accordance with this section with respect to 
1999 shall be retired not earlier than 90 days, and not later than 150 
days, after the date on which notice is provided pursuant to subsection 
(d).
    (f) Applicable Provisions.--Except as provided in subsection (g), a 
judge retired in accordance with this section shall be considered for 
all purposes to be retired under section 7296(b)(1) of title 38, United 
States Code.
    (g) Rate of Retired Pay.--The rate of retired pay for a judge 
retiring in accordance with this section is--
            (1) the rate applicable to that judge under section 
        7296(c)(1) of title 38, United States Code, multiplied by
            (2) the fraction (not in excess of 1) in which--
                    (A) the numerator is the sum of (i) the number of 
                years of service of the judge as a judge of the United 
                States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims creditable 
                under section 7296 of such title, and (ii) the age of 
                the judge; and
                    (B) the denominator is 80.
    (h) Adjustments in Retired Pay for Judges Available for Recall.--
Subject to section 7296(f)(3)(B) of title 38, United States Code, an 
adjustment provided by law in annuities payable under civil service 
retirement laws shall apply to retired pay under this section in the 
case of a judge who is a recall-eligible retired judge under section 
7257 of such title, or who was a recall-eligible retired judge under 
that section and was removed from recall status under subsection (b)(4) 
of that section by reason of disability.
    (i) Duty of Actuary.--Section 7298(e)(2) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); 
        and
            (2) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new 
        subparagraph:
    ``(C) For purposes of subparagraph (B), the term `present value' 
includes a value determined by an actuary with respect to a payment 
that may be made under subsection (b) from the retirement fund within 
the contemplation of law.''.

                         TITLE V--OTHER MATTERS

SEC. 501. REPEAL OF CERTAIN SUNSET PROVISIONS

    (a) Enhanced Loan Asset Sale Authority.--Section 3720(h) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``(1)'' after ``(h)''; and
            (2) by striking paragraph (2).
    (b) Procedures Applicable to Liquidation Sales on Defaulted Home 
Loans.--Section 3732(c) is amended by striking paragraph (11).
    (c) Income Verification Authority.--Section 5317(g) is repealed.

SEC. 502. ENHANCED QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM WITHIN THE VETERANS 
              BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION.

    (a) In General.--(1) Chapter 77 is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subchapter:

                  ``SUBCHAPTER III--QUALITY ASSURANCE

``Sec. 7731. Establishment
    ``(a) The Secretary shall carry out a quality assurance program in 
the Veterans Benefits Administration. The program may be carried out 
through a single quality assurance division in the Administration or 
through separate quality assurance entities for each of the principal 
organizational elements (known as `services') of the Administration.
    ``(b) The Secretary shall ensure that any quality assurance entity 
established and operated under subsection (a) is established and 
operated so as to meet generally applicable governmental standards for 
independence and internal controls for the performance of quality 
reviews of Government performance and results.
``Sec. 7732. Functions
    ``The Under Secretary for Benefits, acting through the quality 
assurance entities established under section 7731(a), shall on an 
ongoing basis perform and oversee quality reviews of the functions of 
each of the principal organizational elements of the Veterans Benefits 
Administration.
``Sec. 7733. Personnel
    ``The Secretary shall ensure that the number of full-time employees 
of the Veterans Benefits Administration assigned to quality assurance 
functions under this subchapter is adequate to perform the quality 
assurance functions for which they have responsibility.
``Sec. 7734. Annual report to Congress
    ``The Secretary shall include in the annual report to the Congress 
required by section 529 of this title a report on the quality assurance 
activities carried out under this subchapter. Each such report shall 
include--
            ``(1) an appraisal of the quality of services provided by 
        the Veterans Benefits Administration, including--
                    ``(A) the number of decisions reviewed;
                    ``(B) a summary of the findings on the decisions 
                reviewed;
                    ``(C) the number of full-time equivalent employees 
                assigned to quality assurance in each division or 
                entity;
                    ``(D) specific documentation of compliance with the 
                standards for independence and internal control 
                required by section 7731(b) of this title; and
                    ``(E) actions taken to improve the quality of 
                services provided and the results obtained;
            ``(2) information with respect to the accuracy of 
        decisions, including trends in that information; and
            ``(3) such other information as the Secretary considers 
        appropriate.''.
    (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is 
amended by adding at the end the following new items:

                  ``SUBCHAPTER III--QUALITY ASSURANCE

``7731. Establishment.
``7732. Functions.
``7733. Personnel.
``7734. Annual report to Congress.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--Subchapter III of chapter 77 of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on 
the later of October 1, 1999, or at the end of the 60-day period 
beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 503. EXTENSION OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON MINORITY VETERANS.

    Section 544(e) is amended by striking ``December 31, 1999'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2004''.

SEC. 504. RECOGNITION OF VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS.

    (a) Findings.--The Congress finds that--
            (1) the organization now known as the Veterans of Foreign 
        Wars of the United States (the VFW) was founded in Columbus, 
        Ohio, on September 29, 1899;
            (2) the VFW represents approximately 2,000,000 veterans of 
        the Armed Forces who served overseas in World War I, World War 
        II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War, and Bosnia; and
            (3) the VFW has, for the past 100 years, provided voluntary 
        and unselfish service to the Armed Forces and to veterans, 
        communities, States, and the Nation and has worked toward the 
        betterment of veterans in general and society as a whole.
    (b) Recognition.--The Congress--
            (1) recognizes the historic significance of the 100th 
        anniversary of the founding of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of 
        the United States;
            (2) congratulates the VFW on achieving that milestone;
            (3) commends the approximately 2,000,000 veterans who 
        belong to the VFW and thanks them for their service to their 
        fellow veterans and the Nation; and
            (4) calls upon the President to issue a proclamation 
        recognizing the anniversary of the VFW and the contributions 
        made by the VFW to veterans and the Nation and calling upon the 
        people of the United States to observe such anniversary with 
        appropriate ceremonies and activities.

SEC. 505. CODIFICATION OF RECURRING PROVISIONS IN ANNUAL DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS ACTS.

    (a) Codification of Recurring Provisions.--(1) Section 313 is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsections:
    ``(c) Compensation and Pension.--Funds appropriated for 
Compensation and Pensions are available for the following purposes:
            ``(1) The payment of compensation benefits to or on behalf 
        of veterans as authorized by section 107 and chapters 11, 13, 
        51, 53, 55, and 61 of this title.
            ``(2) Pension benefits to or on behalf of veterans as 
        authorized by chapters 15, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of this title and 
        section 306 of the Veterans' and Survivors' Pension Improvement 
        Act of 1978.
            ``(3) The payment of benefits as authorized under chapter 
        18 of this title.
            ``(4) Burial benefits, emergency and other officers' 
        retirement pay, adjusted-service credits and certificates, 
        payments of premiums due on commercial life insurance policies 
        guaranteed under the provisions of article IV of the Soldiers' 
        and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 (50 U.S.C. App. 540 et 
        seq.), and other benefits as authorized by sections 107, 1312, 
        1977, and 2106 and chapters 23, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of this 
        title and the World War Adjusted Compensation Act (43 Stat. 
        122, 123), the Act of May 24, 1928 (Public Law No. 506 of the 
        70th Congress; 45 Stat. 735), and Public Law 87-875 (76 Stat. 
        1198).
    ``(d) Medical Care.--Funds appropriated for Medical Care are 
available for the following purposes:
            ``(1) The maintenance and operation of hospitals, nursing 
        homes, and domiciliary facilities.
            ``(2) Furnishing, as authorized by law, inpatient and 
        outpatient care and treatment to beneficiaries of the 
        Department, including care and treatment in facilities not 
        under the jurisdiction of the Department.
            ``(3) Furnishing recreational facilities, supplies, and 
        equipment.
            ``(4) Funeral and burial expenses and other expenses 
        incidental to funeral and burial expenses for beneficiaries 
        receiving care from the Department.
            ``(5) Administrative expenses in support of planning, 
        design, project management, real property acquisition and 
        disposition, construction, and renovation of any facility under 
        the jurisdiction or for the use of the Department.
            ``(6) Oversight, engineering, and architectural activities 
        not charged to project cost.
            ``(7) Repairing, altering, improving, or providing 
        facilities in the medical facilities and homes under the 
        jurisdiction of the Department, not otherwise provided for, 
        either by contact or by the hire of temporary employees and 
        purchase of materials.
            ``(8) Uniforms or uniform allowances, as authorized by 
        sections 5901 and 5902 of title 5.
            ``(9) Aid to State homes, as authorized by section 1741 of 
        this title.
            ``(10) Administrative and legal expenses of the Department 
        for collecting and recovering amounts owed the Department as 
        authorized under chapter 17 of this title and Public Law 87-
        693, popularly known as the Federal Medical Care Recovery Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 2651 et seq.).
    ``(e) Medical Administration and Miscellaneous Operating 
Expenses.--Funds appropriated for Medical Administration and 
Miscellaneous Operating Expenses are available for the following 
purposes:
            ``(1) The administration of medical, hospital, nursing 
        home, domiciliary, construction, supply, and research 
        activities authorized by law.
            ``(2) Administrative expenses in support of planning, 
        design, project management, architectural work, engineering, 
        real property acquisition and disposition, construction, and 
        renovation of any facility under the jurisdiction or for the 
        use of the Department, including site acquisition.
            ``(3) Engineering and architectural activities not charged 
        to project costs.
            ``(4) Research and development in building construction 
        technology.
    ``(f) General Operating Expenses.--Funds appropriated for General 
Operating Expenses are available for the following purposes:
            ``(1) Uniforms or allowances therefor.
            ``(2) Hire of passenger motor vehicles.
            ``(3) Reimbursement of the General Services Administration 
        for security guard services.
            ``(4) Reimbursement of the Department of Defense for the 
        cost of overseas employee mail.
            ``(5) Administration of the Service Members Occupational 
        Conversion and Training Act of 1992 (10 U.S.C. 1143 note).
    ``(g) Construction.--Funds appropriated for Construction, Major 
Projects, and for Construction, Minor Projects, are available, with 
respect to a project, for the following purposes:
            ``(1) Planning.
            ``(2) Architectural and engineering services.
            ``(3) Maintenance or guarantee period services costs 
        associated with equipment guarantees provided under the 
        project.
            ``(4) Services of claims analysts.
            ``(5) Offsite utility and storm drainage system 
        construction costs.
            ``(6) Site acquisition.
    ``(h) Construction, Minor Projects.--In addition to the purposes 
specified in subsection (g), funds appropriated for Construction, Minor 
Projects, are available for--
            ``(1) repairs to any of the nonmedical facilities under the 
        jurisdiction or for the use of the Department which are 
        necessary because of loss or damage caused by a natural 
        disaster or catastrophe; and
            ``(2) temporary measures necessary to prevent or to 
        minimize further loss by such causes.''.
    (2)(A) Chapter 1 is amended by adding at the end the following new 
section:
``Sec. 116. Definition of cost of direct and guaranteed loans
    ``For the purpose of any provision of law appropriating funds to 
the Department for the cost of direct or guaranteed loans, the cost of 
any such loan, including the cost of modifying any such loan, shall be 
as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 
U.S.C. 661a).''.
    (B) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is 
amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``116. Definition of cost of direct and guaranteed loans.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--Subsections (c) through (h) of section 313 of 
title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), and 
section 116 of such title, as added by subsection (a)(2), shall take 
effect with respect to funds appropriated for fiscal year 2001.
                                 <all>
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