I 
111TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4559 
To establish a commission to review benefits provided by each State to 
disabled veterans. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 2, 2010 
Mr. KISSELL (for himself, Mr. MEEKS of New York, Ms. FUDGE, Mrs. 
MALONEY, Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas, Ms. GIFFORDS, Mr. MASSA, Ms. 
KILPATRICK of Michigan, Mr. OWENS, Mr. MCMAHON, and Ms. PINGREE 
of Maine) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs 
A BILL 
To establish a commission to review benefits provided by 
each State to disabled veterans. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. COMMISSION TO REVIEW BENEFITS PROVIDED 
BY EACH STATE TO DISABLED VETERANS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a com-
mission to be known as the ‘‘State Veterans’ Benefits 
Commission’’. 
(b) DUTIES.—The Commission shall evaluate— 
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(1) the total amount of benefits provided by 
each State to a covered veteran residing in such 
State (including those benefits that a State provides 
to a resident regardless of whether the resident is a 
covered veteran); and 
(2) the method in which each State establishes 
the amount of benefits for veterans based on the dis-
ability rating of the veteran. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Commission shall be 
composed of seven members appointed as follows: 
(A) One individual appointed by the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
(B) One individual appointed jointly by the 
President of the Senate and the President pro 
tempore of the Senate. 
(C) One individual appointed by the minor-
ity leader of the House of Representatives. 
(D) One individual appointed by the mi-
nority leader of the Senate. 
(E) Three individuals appointed by the 
President. 
(2) 
APPOINTMENTS.—Appointments 
under 
paragraph (1) shall be made not later than 30 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
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(3) QUALIFICATIONS.—Of the seven individuals 
appointed under paragraph (1)— 
(A) not less than three shall be disabled 
veterans; and 
(B) not less than one shall be a medical 
doctor. 
(4) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.— 
The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Com-
mission shall be elected by the members. 
(5) TERMS.—Each member shall be appointed 
for the life of the Commission. 
(6) VACANCY.—A vacancy in the Commission 
shall be filled in the manner in which the original 
appointment was made. 
(d) MEETINGS.— 
(1) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 30 days 
after each member is appointed under subsection 
(c)(1), the Commission shall hold its initial meeting. 
(2) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at 
the call of the Chairperson or a majority of its mem-
bers. 
(3) QUORUM.—A majority of the Commission 
shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number may 
hold hearings. 
(e) PAY.— 
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(1) RATES
OF
PAY.—Except as provided in 
paragraph (2), members shall serve without pay. 
(2) TRAVEL EXPENSE.—Each member shall re-
ceive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions 
under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United 
States Code. 
(f) STAFF.— 
(1) DIRECTOR.—The Commission shall have a 
director who shall be appointed by the Chairperson. 
(2) STAFF.—Subject to rules prescribed by the 
Commission, the Chairperson may appoint additional 
personnel as the Chairperson considers appropriate. 
(3) APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN CIVIL SERVICE 
LAWS.—The director and staff of the Commission 
shall be appointed subject to the provisions of title 
5, United States Code, governing appointments in 
the competitive service, and shall be paid in accord-
ance with the provisions of chapter 51 and sub-
chapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating to 
classification and General Schedule pay rates. 
(4) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—Subject to 
rules prescribed by the Commission, the Chairperson 
may procure temporary and intermittent services 
under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code. 
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(5) STAFF TO FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Upon re-
quest of the Chairperson, the head of any Federal 
department or agency may detail, on a reimbursable 
basis, any of the personnel of that department or 
agency to the Commission to assist it in carrying out 
its duties under this section. 
(g) POWERS OF COMMISSION.— 
(1) HEARINGS AND SESSIONS.—The Commis-
sion may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, 
hold hearings, sit and act at times and places, take 
testimony, and receive evidence as the Commission 
considers appropriate. The Commission may admin-
ister oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing 
before it. 
(2) POWERS OF MEMBERS AND AGENTS.—Any 
member or agent of the Commission may, if author-
ized by the Commission, take any action which the 
Commission is authorized to take by this section. 
(3) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—The Commis-
sion may secure directly from any department or 
agency of the United States information necessary 
to enable it to carry out this Act. Upon request of 
the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of that 
department or agency shall furnish that information 
to the Commission. 
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(4) MAILS.—The Commission may use the 
United States mails in the same manner and under 
the same conditions as other departments and agen-
cies of the United States. 
(5) ADMINISTRATIVE
SUPPORT
SERVICES.— 
Upon the request of the Commission, the Adminis-
trator of General Services shall provide to the Com-
mission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative 
support services necessary for the Commission to 
carry out its responsibilities under this Act. 
(h) REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the initial 
meeting under subsection (d)(1), the Commission shall 
submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the Senate a report on the evaluation made 
under subsection (b), including— 
(1) the results of the evaluation; 
(2) a list of States ranked in order of the 
amount of benefits provided to covered veterans re-
siding in the State; 
(3) the recommended amount of benefits the 
Commission determines necessary for a State to pro-
vide covered veterans residing in the State to ensure 
that such veterans have adequate care, assistance, 
and financial security; 
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(4) recommendations as to how States can im-
prove the benefits provided to covered veterans re-
siding in the State; 
(5) relevant background and statistical informa-
tion associated with the recommendations under 
paragraphs (3) and (4); and 
(6) other information the Commission deter-
mines appropriate. 
(i) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate 
on the date that is two months after the date on which 
the Commission submits the report pursuant to subsection 
(h). 
(j) COVERED VETERAN DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘covered veteran’’ means a veteran with a dis-
ability that is— 
(1) rated total for the purposes of disability 
compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United 
States Code; and 
(2) based upon an impairment reasonably cer-
tain to continue throughout the life of the veteran. 
Æ 
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