Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2015

To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain expiring provisions of law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2015 (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code. Sec. 3. Scoring of budgetary effects. TITLE I—Extensions of Authority Relating to Health Care Sec. 101. Extension of authority for collection of copayments for hospital care and nursing home care. Sec. 102. Extension of requirement to provide nursing home care to certain veterans with service-connected disabilities. Sec. 103. Extension of authorization of appropriations for assistance and support services for caregivers. Sec. 104. Extension of authority for recovery from third parties of cost of care and services furnished to veterans with health-plan contracts for non-service-connected disability. Sec. 105. Extension of authority for pilot program on assistance for child care for certain veterans receiving health care. Sec. 106. Extension of authority to make grants to veterans service organizations for transportation of highly rural veterans. Sec. 107. Extension of authority for DOD–VA Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund. Sec. 108. Extension of authority for joint Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund. Sec. 109. Extension of authority for pilot program on counseling in retreat settings for women veterans newly separated from service. TITLE II—Extensions of Authority Relating to Benefits Sec. 201. Extension of authority for the Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education. Sec. 202. Extension of authority for calculating net value of real property at time of foreclosure. Sec. 203. Extension of authority relating to vendee loans. Sec. 204. Extension of authority to provide rehabilitation and vocational benefits to members of the Armed Forces with severe injuries or illnesses. TITLE III—Extensions of Authority Relating to Homelessness Sec. 301. Extension of authority for homeless veterans reintegration programs. Sec. 302. Extension of authority for homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children reintegration program. Sec. 303. Extension of authority to provide housing assistance for homeless veterans. Sec. 304. Extension of authority to provide financial assistance for supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing. Sec. 305. Extension of authority for grant program for homeless veterans with special needs. Sec. 306. Extension of authority for the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans. Sec. 307. Extension of authority for treatment and rehabilitation services for seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans. Sec. 308. Extension of authority to provide referral and counseling services for certain veterans at risk of homelessness. TITLE IV—Other Extensions and Modifications of Authority Sec. 401. Extension of authority for transportation of individuals to and from Department facilities. Sec. 402. Extension of authority for monthly assistance allowances under the Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events. Sec. 403. Extension of authority for operation of the Department of Veterans Affairs regional office in Manila, the Republic of the Philippines. Sec. 404. Extension of requirement to provide reports to Congress regarding equitable relief in the case of administrative error. Sec. 405. Extension of authorization of appropriations for adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces. Sec. 406. Extension of authority for Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans. Sec. 407. Extension of authority for temporary expansion of eligibility for specially adapted housing assistance for certain veterans with disabilities causing difficulty ambulating. Sec. 408. Extension of authority to enter into agreement with the National Academy of Sciences regarding associations between diseases and exposure to dioxin and other chemical compounds in herbicides. Sec. 409. Extension of authority for performance of medical disabilities examinations by contract physicians. Sec. 410. Restoration of prior reporting fee multipliers. Sec. 411. Extension of requirement for annual report on Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Interagency Program Office. Sec. 412. Modification of authorization of fiscal year 2008 major medical facility project at Department medical center in Tampa, Florida. Sec. 413. Authorization of major medical facility projects. TITLE V—Matters relating to medical facility project in Denver Sec. 501. Increase in authorization for Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility project previously authorized. Sec. 502. Project management of super construction projects. TITLE VI—Other Matters Sec. 601. Technical and clerical amendments. 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. 3. Scoring of budgetary effects The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation I Extensions of Authority Relating to Health Care 101. Extension of authority for collection of copayments for hospital care and nursing home care Section 1710(f)(2)(B) September 30, 2015 September 30, 2016 102. Extension of requirement to provide nursing home care to certain veterans with service-connected disabilities Section 1710A(d) December 31, 2015 December 31, 2016 103. Extension of authorization of appropriations for assistance and support services for caregivers Section 1720G(e) (1) in paragraph (1), by striking and (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) $625,000,000 for fiscal year 2016. . 104. Extension of authority for recovery from third parties of cost of care and services furnished to veterans with health-plan contracts for non-service-connected disability Section 1729(a)(2)(E) October 1, 2015 October 1, 2016 105. Extension of authority for pilot program on assistance for child care for certain veterans receiving health care (a) Extension of authority Subsection (e) of section 205 of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 ( Public Law 111–163 38 U.S.C. 1710 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2016 (b) Authorization of appropriations Subsection (h) of such section is amended by striking and 2015 , 2015, and 2016 106. Extension of authority to make grants to veterans service organizations for transportation of highly rural veterans Section 307(d) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 ( Public Law 111–163 38 U.S.C. 1710 2015 2016 107. Extension of authority for DOD–VA Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund Section 8111(d)(3) September 30, 2015 September 30, 2016 108. Extension of authority for joint Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund Section 1704(e) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 ( Public Law 111–84 Buck Public Law 113–291 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 109. Extension of authority for pilot program on counseling in retreat settings for women veterans newly separated from service (a) Extension Subsection (d) of section 203 of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 ( Public Law 111–163 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2016 (b) Authorization of appropriations Subsection (f) of such section is amended by striking and 2015 2015, and 2016 II Extensions of Authority Relating to Benefits 201. Extension of authority for the Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education Section 3692(c) December 31, 2015 December 31, 2016 202. Extension of authority for calculating net value of real property at time of foreclosure Section 3732(c)(11) October 1, 2015 October 1, 2016 203. Extension of authority relating to vendee loans Section 3733(a)(7) (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking September 30, 2015 September 30, 2016 (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking September 30, 2015, September 30, 2016, 204. Extension of authority to provide rehabilitation and vocational benefits to members of the Armed Forces with severe injuries or illnesses Section 1631(b)(2) of the Wounded Warrior Act (title XVI of Public Law 110–181 10 U.S.C. 1071 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2016 III Extensions of Authority Relating to Homelessness 301. Extension of authority for homeless veterans reintegration programs Section 2021(e)(1)(F) 2015 2016 302. Extension of authority for homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children reintegration program Section 2021A(f)(1) 2015 2016 303. Extension of authority to provide housing assistance for homeless veterans Section 2041(c) September 30, 2015 September 30, 2016 304. Extension of authority to provide financial assistance for supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing Section 2044(e)(1)(E) fiscal years 2013 through 2015 fiscal years 2015 through 2016 305. Extension of authority for grant program for homeless veterans with special needs Section 2061(d)(1) 2015 2016 306. Extension of authority for the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans Section 2066(d) December 31, 2015 December 31, 2016 307. Extension of authority for treatment and rehabilitation services for seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans (a) General treatment Section 2031(b) September 30, 2015 September 30, 2016 (b) Additional services at certain locations Section 2033(d) September 30, 2015 September 30, 2016 308. Extension of authority to provide referral and counseling services for certain veterans at risk of homelessness Section 2023(d) September 30, 2015 September 30, 2016 IV Other Extensions and Modifications of Authority 401. Extension of authority for transportation of individuals to and from Department facilities Section 111A(a)(2) December 31, 2015 December 31, 2016 402. Extension of authority for monthly assistance allowances under the Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events Section 322(d)(4) 2015 2016 403. Extension of authority for operation of the Department of Veterans Affairs regional office in Manila, the Republic of the Philippines Section 315(b) September 30, 2015 September 30, 2016 404. Extension of requirement to provide reports to Congress regarding equitable relief in the case of administrative error Section 503(c) December 31, 2015 December 31, 2016 405. Extension of authorization of appropriations for adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces Section 521A(g)(1) 2015 2016 406. Extension of authority for Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans Section 544(e) December 31, 2015 December 31, 2016 407. Extension of authority for temporary expansion of eligibility for specially adapted housing assistance for certain veterans with disabilities causing difficulty ambulating Section 2101(a)(4) (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking September 30, 2015 September 30, 2016 (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking each of fiscal years 2014 and 2015 each of fiscal years 2014 through 2016 408. Extension of authority to enter into agreement with the National Academy of Sciences regarding associations between diseases and exposure to dioxin and other chemical compounds in herbicides Section 3(i) of the Agent Orange Act of 1991 ( Public Law 102–4 38 U.S.C. 1116 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2016 409. Extension of authority for performance of medical disabilities examinations by contract physicians Subsection (c) of section 704 of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 ( 38 U.S.C. 5101 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2016 410. Restoration of prior reporting fee multipliers Section 406 of the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–175 38 U.S.C. 3684 one-year two-year 411. Extension of requirement for annual report on Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Interagency Program Office Section 1635(h)(1) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 ( Public Law 110–181 10 U.S.C. 1071 2015 2016 412. Modification of authorization of fiscal year 2008 major medical facility project at Department medical center in Tampa, Florida (a) Modification of authorization In chapter 3 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 ( Public Law 110–252 Department of Veterans Affairs–Departmental Administration–Construction, Major Projects Five Year Capital Plan and for constructing a new bed tower at the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Tampa, Florida, in lieu of providing bed tower upgrades at such medical center (b) Emergency designation (1) In general Subsection (a) is designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 4(g) of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 ( 2 U.S.C. 933(g) (2) Designation in Senate In the Senate, subsection (a) is designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 403(a) of S. Con. Res. 13 (111th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010. 413. Authorization of major medical facility projects (a) Authorization The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the following major medical facility projects, with each project to be carried out in an amount not to exceed the amount specified for that project: (1) Construction of a community living center, outpatient clinic, renovated domiciliary, and renovation of existing buildings in Canandaigua, New York, in an amount not to exceed $158,980,000. (2) Seismic corrections to the mental health and community living center in Long Beach, California, in an amount not to exceed $126,100,000. (3) Seismic correction of 12 buildings in West Los Angeles, California, in an amount not to exceed $70,500,000. (4) Construction of a spinal cord injury building and seismic corrections in San Diego, California, in an amount not to exceed $205,840,000. (b) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2015 or the year in which funds are appropriated for the Construction, Major Projects, account, a total of $561,420,000 for the projects authorized in subsection (a). (c) Limitation The projects authorized under this section may only be carried out using— (1) funds appropriated for fiscal year 2015 pursuant to the authorization of appropriations in subsection (b); (2) funds available for Construction, Major Projects for a fiscal year before fiscal year 2015 that remain available for obligation; (3) funds available for Construction, Major Projects, for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2015 that remain available for obligation; (4) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, for fiscal year 2015 for a category of activity not specific to a project; (5) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, for a fiscal year before 2015 for a category of activity not specific to a project; and (6) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, for a fiscal year after 2015 for a category of activity not specific to a project. V Matters relating to medical facility project in Denver 501. Increase in authorization for Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility project previously authorized (a) In general Section 2(a) of the Construction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act ( Public Law 114–19 Public Law 114–25 $1,050,000,000 $1,675,000,000 (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2016 authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to transfer discretionary unobligated balances appropriated for fiscal year 2015 and discretionary advance appropriations for fiscal year 2016 to fund the increase under subsection (a) of the authorization to carry out the medical facility construction project in Denver, Colorado, specified in section 2 of the Construction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act ( Public Law 114–19 (c) Prohibition on transfer of certain amounts The Secretary may not transfer any amounts from the Veterans Choice Fund established under section 802 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–146 38 U.S.C. 1701 502. Project management of super construction projects (a) In general Section 8103 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (e) (1) In the case of any super construction project, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with an appropriate non-Department Federal entity to provide full project management services for the super construction project, including management over the project design, acquisition, construction, and contract changes. (2) An agreement entered into under paragraph (1) with a Federal entity shall provide that the Secretary shall reimburse the Federal entity for all costs associated with the provision of project management services under the agreement. (3) In this subsection, the term super construction project . (b) Application The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to the following: (1) The medical facility construction project in Denver, Colorado, specified in section 2 of the Construction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act ( Public Law 114–19 (2) Any super construction project (as defined in section 8103(e)(3) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)) that is authorized on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. VI Other Matters 601. Technical and clerical amendments Title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in section 111(b)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking subsection (g)(2)(A) subsection (g)(2) (B) in paragraph (3)(C), by striking ( 42 U.S.C. 1395(l) ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(l) (2) in the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 5 521A. Adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces. ; (3) in section 1503(a)(5), by striking subclause subparagraph (4) in section 1710(e)(1)— (A) in subparagraph (D), by striking (as defined in section 1712A(a)(2)(B) (B) in subparagraph (F)(viii), by striking Myleodysplasic Myelodysplastic (5) in section 1710D(c)(1), by striking (as defined in section 1712A(a)(2)(B) (6) in section 1720G(a)(7)(B)(iii), by striking has have (7) in section 1781(a)(4), by striking the semicolon and inserting a comma; (8) in section 1832(b)(2), by striking (b)(2) (b)(3) (9) in section 2044(b)(1)(D), by striking federal Federal (10) in section 2101(a), by moving the margins of paragraph (2), and of the subparagraphs, clauses, and subclauses therein, 2 ems to the left; (11) in section 2101(a)(2)(B) by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following new clause (ii): (ii) The disability is due to— (I) blindness in both eyes, having only light perception, plus (II) loss or loss of use of one lower extremity. . (12) in section 2109(a) by striking provisions of section provisions of sections (13) in section 2303(c), by striking internment interment (14) in section 2411(e)(1), by striking federal official Federal official (15) in section 3108(b)(4), by inserting the rehabilitation program concerned (16) in section 3313, by striking 1070a 1070a(b) (17) in section 3313(e)(2)(A)(iii), by striking the second period; (18) in section 3313(g)(3)(A)(iii), by inserting a comma after books (19) in section 3319, by striking armed forces Armed Forces (20) in section 4102A(c)(9)(A)(ii)(III), by striking the quotation mark at the end; (21) in section 5302A— (A) by amending the enumerator and section heading to read as follows: 5302A. Collection of indebtedness: certain debts of members of the Armed Forces and veterans who die of injury incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in a combat zone ; and (B) in subsection (b), by striking (as that term is defined in section 1712A(a)(2)(B) (22) in section 7309(c)(1), by inserting the Veterans Health Administration (23) in section 7401(3)(A)(ii), by striking that (24) in section 7683(d), by inserting a period at the end; and (25) in section 8162(a)(2), by inserting if housing and

Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.) Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2015 This bill extends specified Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs. TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE (Sec. 101) Authority for collection of copayments for hospital care and nursing home care is extended through FY2016. (Sec. 102) The requirement to provide nursing home care to certain veterans with service-connected disabilities is extended through December 31, 2016. (Sec. 103) The authorization of appropriations for assistance and support services for caregivers is extended through FY2016. (Sec. 104) Authority for recovery from third parties of the cost of care and services furnished to veterans with health-plan contracts for non-service-connected disability is extended through FY2016. (Sec. 105) Authority for the pilot program on assistance for child care for certain veterans receiving health care is extended through December 31, 2016. (Sec. 106) Authority to make grants to veterans service organizations for transportation of highly rural veterans is extended through FY2016. (Sec. 107) Authority for the Department of Defense (DOD)-VA Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund is extended through FY2016. (Sec. 108) Authority for the Joint DOD-VA Demonstration Fund is extended through FY2017. (Sec. 109) Authority for the pilot program on counseling in retreat settings for women veterans newly separated from service is extended through December 31, 2016. TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS (Sec. 201) Authority for the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education is extended through December 31, 2016. (Sec. 202) Specified housing loan provisions and definitions, including the calculation of net value of real property at time of foreclosure, are extended through FY2016. (Sec. 203) Authority relating to vendee loans is extended through FY2016. (Sec. 204) Authority for rehabilitation and vocational benefits at VA facilities to members of the Armed Forces with severe injuries or illnesses is extended through December 31, 2016. TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS (Sec. 301) Authority for homeless veterans reintegration programs is extended through FY2016. (Sec. 302) Authority for the homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children reintegration program is extended through FY2016. (Sec. 303) Authority for housing assistance for homeless veterans is extended through FY2016. (Sec. 304) Authority for financial assistance for supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing is extended through FY2016. (Sec. 305) Authority for the grant program for homeless veterans with special needs is extended through FY2016. (Sec. 306) Authority for the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans is extended through December 31, 2016. (Sec. 307) Authority for treatment and rehabilitation services for seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans, including a program to provide homeless veterans with benefits and services at certain locations, is extended through FY2016. (Sec. 308) Authority for referral and counseling services for certain veterans at risk of homelessness is extended through FY2016. TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS OF AUTHORITY (Sec. 401) Authority for transportation of individuals to and from VA facilities for vocational rehabilitation, counseling, treatment, or care is extended through December 31, 2016. (Sec. 402) Authority for monthly assistance allowances under the Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events is extended through December 31, 2016. (Sec. 403) Authority for operation of the VA regional office in Manila, the Republic of the Philippines is extended through FY2016. (Sec. 404) The requirement to provide annual reports to Congress regarding equitable relief in the case of administrative error is extended through December 31, 2016. (Sec. 405) The authorization for appropriations for adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces is extended through FY2016. (Sec. 406) Authority for the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans is extended through December 31, 2016. (Sec. 407) Authority for temporary eligibility expansion for specially adapted housing assistance for certain veterans with disabilities causing difficulty ambulating is extended through FY2016. (Sec. 408) Authority to enter into agreement with the National Academy of Sciences regarding associations between diseases and exposure to dioxin and other chemical compounds in herbicides is extended through December 31, 2016. (Sec. 409) Authority for performance of medical disabilities examinations by contract physicians is extended through December 31, 2016. (Sec. 410) The current multipliers used in calculating the fees the VA may pay to educational institutions and apprenticeship providers for reports regarding each eligible individual's enrollment in veterans' education or training programs and the interruption or termination of their participation in such programs is extended through FY2016. (Sec. 411) The requirement for an annual report on the DOD-VA Interagency Program Office is extended through FY2016. (Sec. 412) Funding authority is modified to provide for constructing a new bed tower at the VA medical center in Tampa, Florida, in lieu of providing bed tower upgrades at such medical center. (Sec. 413) The VA may carry out the following major medical facility projects (with each project not to exceed specified amounts): construction of a community living center, outpatient clinic, renovated domiciliary, and renovation of existing buildings in Canandaigua, New York; seismic corrections to the mental health and community living center in Long Beach, California; seismic correction of 12 buildings in West Los Angeles, California; and construction of a spinal cord injury building and seismic corrections in San Diego, California. TITLE V--MATTERS RELATING TO MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECT IN DENVER (Sec. 501) The amount authorized for the replacement of the existing VA Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, is increased. It is the sense of Congress that the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2016 authorizes the VA to transfer discretionary unobligated balances appropriated for FY2015 and discretionary advance appropriations for FY2016 to fund such increase. The VA may not transfer amounts from the Veterans Choice Fund to carry out this medical facility construction project. (Sec. 502) The VA shall enter into an agreement with an appropriate non-VA federal entity to provide full project management services for any super construction project, including management over the project design, acquisition, construction, and contract changes. Such agreement shall require reimbursement to the federal entity for project management service costs. TITLE VI--OTHER MATTERS (Sec. 601) Various technical and clerical amendments are made.