IB 
Union Calendar No. 31 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 216 
[Report No. 114–48] 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs to submit to Congress a Future-Years Veterans Program and 
a quadrennial veterans review, to establish in the Department of Veterans 
Affairs a Chief Strategy Officer, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 8, 2015 
Ms. BROWN of Florida (for herself and Mr. MILLER of Florida) introduced 
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
MARCH 23, 2015 
Additional sponsors: Ms. KUSTER, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, and Mr. KILMER 
MARCH 23, 2015 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed 
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] 
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on January 8, 2015] 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:59 Mar 23, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6652
E:\BILLS\H216.RH
H216
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
A BILL 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a Fu-
ture-Years Veterans Program and a quadrennial veterans 
review, to establish in the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs a Chief Strategy Officer, and for other purposes. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:59 Mar 23, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6652
E:\BILLS\H216.RH
H216
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Department of Veterans 
Affairs Budget Planning Reform Act of 2015’’. 
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF STRATEGIC PLANS TO IM-
PROVE PROGRAMS AND BENEFITS FOR VET-
ERANS. 
(a) FUTURE-YEARS VETERANS PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 1 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new section: 
‘‘§ 119. Future-Years Veterans Program 
‘‘(a) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—The Secretary shall 
submit to Congress each year, at or about the time that 
the President’s budget is submitted to Congress pursuant 
to section 1105(a) of title 31, a Future-Years Veterans Pro-
gram reflecting the estimated expenditures and proposed 
appropriations included in that budget. Any such Future- 
Years Veterans Program shall cover the fiscal year with re-
spect to which the budget is submitted and at least the four 
succeeding fiscal years. 
‘‘(b) CONSISTENCY.—(1) The Secretary shall ensure 
that amounts described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph 
(2) for any fiscal year are consistent with amounts de-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:59 Mar 23, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H216.RH
H216
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
scribed in subparagraph (B) of such paragraph for that fis-
cal year. 
‘‘(2) Amounts referred to in paragraph (1) are the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(A) The amounts specified in program and 
budget information submitted to Congress by the Sec-
retary in support of expenditure estimates and pro-
posed appropriations in the budget submitted to Con-
gress by the President under section 1105(a) of title 
31 for any fiscal year, as shown in the Future-Years 
Veterans Program submitted pursuant to subsection 
(a). 
‘‘(B) The total amounts of estimated expendi-
tures and proposed appropriations necessary to sup-
port the programs, projects, and activities of the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs included pursuant to 
paragraph (5) of section 1105(a) of title 31 in the 
budget submitted to Congress under that section for 
any fiscal year. 
‘‘(c) CONTENTS.—The Future-Years Veterans Program 
under subsection (a) shall set forth the five-year plan of the 
Department to address the commitment of the United States 
to veterans and the resources necessary to meet that commit-
ment and shall be developed and updated, as appropriate, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:59 Mar 23, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H216.RH
H216
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
annually by the Secretary. Each Future-Years Veterans 
Program shall include an explanation of— 
‘‘(1) the information that was used to develop 
program planning guidance for the Future-Years Vet-
erans Program; and 
‘‘(2) how the resource allocations included in the 
Future-Years Veterans Program correlate to such five- 
year strategy. 
‘‘(d) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall publish on a 
publically accessible Internet website of the Department 
each Future-Years Veterans Program submitted pursuant to 
subsection (a).’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended by 
inserting after the item relating to section 118 the fol-
lowing new item: 
‘‘119. Future-Years Veterans Program.’’. 
(3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Section 119 of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by paragraph (1), shall 
apply with respect to the preparation and submission 
of the budget request for the Department of Veterans 
Affairs for fiscal year 2020 and fiscal years there-
after. 
(b) QUADRENNIAL VETERANS REVIEW.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:59 Mar 23, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H216.RH
H216
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Such chapter is further 
amended by adding after section 119, as added by 
subsection (a)(1), the following new section: 
‘‘§ 120. Quadrennial veterans review 
‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT.—(1) Not later than fiscal year 
2019, and every fourth year thereafter, the Secretary shall 
conduct a review of the strategy for meeting the commit-
ment of the United States to veterans and the resources nec-
essary to meet that commitment (in this section referred 
to as a ‘quadrennial veterans review’). 
‘‘(2) Each quadrennial veterans review shall include 
a comprehensive examination of the policies and strategies 
of the United States with respect to veterans, including rec-
ommendations regarding the long-term strategy and prior-
ities for programs, services, benefits, and outcomes regard-
ing veterans and guidance on the programs, assets, capa-
bilities, budget, policies, and authorities of the Department. 
‘‘(3) The Secretary shall conduct each quadrennial vet-
erans review in consultation with key officials of the De-
partment, the heads of other Federal agencies, and other rel-
evant governmental and nongovernmental entities, includ-
ing State, local, and tribal government officials, members 
of Congress, veterans service organizations, private sector 
representatives, academics, and other policy experts. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:59 Mar 23, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H216.RH
H216
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(4) The Secretary shall ensure that each quadrennial 
veterans review is coordinated with the Future-Years Vet-
erans Program required under section 119 of this title. 
‘‘(b) CONTENTS OF REVIEW.—In each quadrennial vet-
erans review, the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) delineate a veterans strategy consistent with 
the commitment of the United States to veterans and 
refine a strategy for the types of, and provision of, 
programs, services, benefits, and outcomes consistent 
with current authorities and requirements; 
‘‘(2) outline and prioritize the full range of pro-
grams and capabilities regarding veterans provided 
by the Federal Government; 
‘‘(3) identify the budget plan required to provide 
sufficient resources to successfully execute the full 
range of such programs and capabilities; 
‘‘(4) include an assessment of the organizational 
alignment of the Department with respect to the strat-
egy referred to in paragraph (1) and the programs 
and capabilities referred to in paragraph (2); 
‘‘(5) review and assess the effectiveness of the 
mechanisms of the Department for executing the proc-
ess of turning the requirements identified in the quad-
rennial veterans review into a plan to meet such re-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:59 Mar 23, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H216.RH
H216
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
quirements, including an expenditure plan for the De-
partment; and 
‘‘(6) identify emerging trends, problems, oppor-
tunities, and issues that could affect veterans or the 
Department during the ten-year period following the 
period covered by the review. 
‘‘(c) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—(1) The Secretary 
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
Senate and the House of Representatives a report regarding 
each quadrennial veterans review. The Secretary shall sub-
mit the report in the year following the year in which the 
review is conducted, but not later than the date on which 
the President submits to Congress the budget for the next 
fiscal year under section 1105 of title 31. 
‘‘(2) Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall 
include— 
‘‘(A) the results of the quadrennial veterans re-
view; 
‘‘(B) a description of the challenges to, and op-
portunities for, the assumed or defined veterans-re-
lated interests of the Nation that were examined for 
the purposes of that review; 
‘‘(C) the strategy for meeting the Nation’s com-
mitment to veterans, including a prioritized list of 
the missions of the Department; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:59 Mar 23, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H216.RH
H216
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(D) a description of the interagency coopera-
tion, preparedness of Federal assets, infrastructure, 
budget plan, and other elements of the programs and 
policies of the Nation associated with the strategy re-
ferred to in subsection (b)(1) that are required to exe-
cute successfully the full range of programs and capa-
bilities identified in such strategy and the programs 
and capabilities outlined under subsection (b)(2); 
‘‘(E) an assessment of the organizational align-
ment of the Department with the strategy referred to 
in subsection (b)(1) and the programs and capabili-
ties outlined under subsection (b)(2), including the 
Department’s organizational structure, management 
systems, budget and accounting systems, human re-
sources systems, procurement systems, and physical 
and technical infrastructure; 
‘‘(F) a discussion of the status of cooperation 
among Federal agencies in the effort to promote na-
tional support for veterans; 
‘‘(G) a discussion of the status of cooperation be-
tween the Federal Government and State, local, and 
tribal governments in supporting veterans and pro-
viding programs, services, benefits, and outcomes to 
assist veterans; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:59 Mar 23, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H216.RH
H216
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(H) an explanation of any underlying assump-
tions used in conducting the review; and 
‘‘(I) any other matter the Secretary considers 
appropriate. 
‘‘(d) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall publish on a 
publically accessible Internet website of the Department 
each quadrennial veterans review submitted pursuant to 
subsection (c). 
‘‘(e) INDEPENDENT VETERANS REVIEW PANEL.—(1) 
Not later than February 1 of a year in which a quadrennial 
veterans review is conducted under this section, the Sec-
retary shall establish an independent panel to be known as 
the Independent Veterans Review Panel (in this subsection 
referred to as the ‘Panel’). The Panel shall have the duties 
set forth in this subsection. 
‘‘(2) The Panel shall be composed of 10 members who 
are recognized experts in matters relating to veterans. The 
members shall be appointed as follows: 
‘‘(A) Two by the chairman of the Committee on 
Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives. 
‘‘(B) Two by the chairman of the Committee on 
Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate. 
‘‘(C) Two by the ranking member of the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Represent-
atives. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:59 Mar 23, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H216.RH
H216
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(D) Two by the ranking member of the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate. 
‘‘(E) Two by the Secretary, who shall serve as 
co-chairs of the panel. 
‘‘(3) Members shall be appointed for the life of the 
Panel. Any vacancy in the Panel shall be filled in the same 
manner as the original appointment. 
‘‘(4) The Panel shall have the following duties with re-
spect to a quadrennial veterans review: 
‘‘(A) While the review is being conducted, the 
Panel shall review the updates from the Secretary re-
quired under paragraph (7) on the progress of the 
conduct of the review. 
‘‘(B) The Panel shall— 
‘‘(i) review the Secretary’s terms of reference 
and any other materials providing the basis for, 
or substantial inputs to, the work of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs on the quadrennial vet-
erans review; 
‘‘(ii) conduct an assessment of the assump-
tions, strategy, findings, and risks included in 
the report on the quadrennial veterans review re-
quired in subsection (c); 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:59 Mar 23, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H216.RH
H216
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(iii) conduct an independent assessment of 
a variety of strategies for delivering services and 
support to veterans; 
‘‘(iv) review the resource requirements iden-
tified pursuant to subsection (b)(3) and, to the 
extent practicable, make a general comparison to 
the resource requirements to support the strate-
gies assessed under this subparagraph; and 
‘‘(v) provide to the Committees on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the Senate and the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Secretary, through the re-
port under paragraph (7), any recommendations 
the Panel determines appropriate. 
‘‘(5) If the Secretary has not appointed members to 
the Panel under paragraph (2)(E) by February 1 of a year 
in which a quadrennial veterans review is conducted under 
this section, the Panel shall convene for its first meeting 
with the remaining members. 
‘‘(6) Not later than three months after the date on 
which the report on a quadrennial veterans review is sub-
mitted under subsection (c) to the Committees on Veterans’ 
Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the 
Panel shall submit to such committees a report containing 
an assessment of the quadrennial veterans review, including 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:59 Mar 23, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H216.RH
H216
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
a description of the items addressed under paragraph (4) 
with respect to that quadrennial veterans review. 
‘‘(7) Periodically, but not less often than every 60 days 
during the life of the panel, or at the request of the co-chairs, 
the Secretary shall brief the Panel on the progress of the 
conduct of the quadrennial veterans review. 
‘‘(8)(A) The Panel may request directly from the De-
partment such information as the Panel considers necessary 
to carry out its duties under this subsection. The Secretary 
shall cooperate with the Panel to ensure that information 
requested by the Panel under this subparagraph is promptly 
provided to the maximum extent practical. 
‘‘(B) Upon the request of the co-chairs, the Secretary 
shall make available to the Panel the services of any feder-
ally funded research and development center that is covered 
by a sponsoring agreement of the Department. 
‘‘(C) The Panel shall have the authorities provided in 
section 3161 of title 5 and shall be subject to the conditions 
set forth in such section. 
‘‘(D) Funds for activities of the Panel shall be provided 
from amounts available to the Department. 
‘‘(9) The Panel shall terminate 45 days after the date 
on which the Panel submits the report on the quadrennial 
veterans review under paragraph (6).’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:59 Mar 23, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H216.RH
H216
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended by 
inserting after the item relating to section 119, as 
added by subsection (a)(2), the following new item: 
‘‘120. Quadrennial veterans review.’’. 
(c) POLICY GUIDANCE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Such chapter is further 
amended by adding after section 120, as added by 
subsection (b)(1), the following new section: 
‘‘§ 121. Policy guidance 
‘‘The Secretary shall provide annually to the appro-
priate officials of the Department written policy guidance 
for the preparation and review of the planning and pro-
gram recommendations and budget proposals of the ele-
ments of the Department of such officials. Such guidance 
shall include guidance on the objectives of the Department 
in accordance with Future-Years Veterans Program under 
section 119 of this title and the quadrennial veterans review 
under section 120 and the resource levels projected to be 
available for the period of time for which such recommenda-
tions and proposals are to be effective.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended by 
inserting after the item relating to section 120, as 
added by subsection (b)(2), the following new item: 
‘‘121. Policy guidance.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:59 Mar 23, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6213
E:\BILLS\H216.RH
H216
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
SEC. 3. CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT 
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 3 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
section: 
‘‘§ 323. Chief Strategy Officer 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall designate the 
Assistant Secretary whose functions include planning, stud-
ies, and evaluations as the Chief Strategy Officer of the De-
partment. The Chief Strategy Officer shall advise the Sec-
retary on long-range strategy and implications. 
‘‘(b) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Chief Strategy Officer 
is the principal advisor to the Secretary and other senior 
officials of the Department, and shall provide independent 
analysis and advice to the Secretary and such officials. The 
Chief Strategy Officer shall carry out the following respon-
sibilities: 
‘‘(1) Conducting cost estimation and cost anal-
ysis for the programs of the Department. 
‘‘(2) Establishing policies for, and overseeing the 
integration of, the planning, programming, budgeting 
and execution process for the Department. 
‘‘(3) Providing analysis and advice on matters 
relating to the planning and programming phase of 
the planning, programming, budgeting and execution 
process, and the preparation of materials and guid-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:59 Mar 23, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H216.RH
H216
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
ance for such process, as directed by the Secretary, 
working in coordination with the Assistant Secretary 
for Management. 
‘‘(4) Developing and executing the Future-Years 
Veterans Program of the Department, as specified 
under section 119 of this title. 
‘‘(5) Developing resource discussions relating to 
requirements under consideration in the quadrennial 
veterans review under section 120 of this title. 
‘‘(6) Formulating study guidance for analysis of 
alternatives for programs and initiatives, including 
any necessary acquisitions, development, or procure-
ment commensurate with such alternatives, and per-
formance of such analysis as directed by the Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(7) Reviewing, analyzing, and evaluating pro-
grams for executing approved strategies and policies, 
ensuring that information on programs and expected 
outcomes is presented accurately and completely. 
‘‘(8) Ensuring that the costs of programs and al-
ternatives are presented accurately and completely by 
assisting in establishing standards, policies, and pro-
cedures for the conduct of cost estimation and cost 
analysis throughout the Department, including guid-
ance relating to the proper selection of confidence lev-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:59 Mar 23, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H216.RH
H216
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
els in cost estimates generally and for specific pro-
grams of the Department. 
‘‘(9) Conducting studies at the request of the Sec-
retary regarding costs, policy assumptions, and stra-
tegic implications of current policies and possible al-
ternatives. 
‘‘(10) Communicating directly to the Secretary 
and the Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs about 
matters for which the Chief Strategy Officer is re-
sponsible without obtaining the approval or concur-
rence of any other official within the Department.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after 
the item relating to section 322 the following new item: 
‘‘323. Chief Strategy Officer.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:59 Mar 23, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6213
E:\BILLS\H216.RH
H216
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
Union Calendar No. 31 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 216 
[Report No. 114–48] 
A BILL 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to 
Congress a Future-Years Veterans Program and 
a quadrennial veterans review, to establish in the 
Department of Veterans Affairs a Chief Strategy 
Officer, and for other purposes. 
MARCH 23, 2015 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Com-
mittee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, 
and ordered to be printed 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
17:59 Mar 23, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6651
Sfmt 6651
E:\BILLS\H216.RH
H216
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS