(2) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking out ‘‘para-
graph (1)(C) or (1)(D)’’ and inserting ‘‘subpara-
graph (C), (D), or (E) of paragraph (1)’’; and
(3) in paragraph (3)—
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub-
paragraph (B);
(B) by striking the period at the end of
subparagraph (C) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
‘‘(D) in the case of care for a veteran described
in paragraph (1)(E), after December 31, 2005.’’.
SEC. 3. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE RETENTION AND RECRUIT-
MENT OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS.
(a) PROMOTION STANDARDS
FOR HEALTH CARE
PERSONNEL.—Subsection (c) of 7403 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘Promotions’’ and in-
serting ‘‘Consistent with subsection (a) of section 7422 of
this title, and notwithstanding subsection (b) of that sec-
tion, promotions’’.
(b) PROMOTIONS FOR NURSES WHO DO NOT HAVE
BACCALAUREATE DEGREES.—Such section is further
amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
section:
‘‘(h) In a case in which a registered nurse has accom-
plished the performance elements required for promotion
to the next grade, the lack of a baccalaureate degree in
nursing shall not be a bar to promotion to that grade,
and in such a case the registered nurse shall not be denied
a promotion on that basis.’’.
SEC. 4. ADDITIONAL PAY FOR SATURDAY TOURS OF DUTY
FOR ADDITIONAL HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN
THE VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7454(b) of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
‘‘(3) Employees appointed under section 7408 of this
title shall be entitled to additional pay on the same basis
as provided for nurses in section 7453(c) of this title.’’.
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall apply with respect to pay periods begin-
ning on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 5. COVERAGE OF EMPLOYEES OF VETERANS’ CAN-
TEEN SERVICE UNDER ADDITIONAL EMPLOY-
MENT LAWS.
(a) COVERAGE.—Paragraph (5) of section 7802 of
title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting be-
fore the semicolon a period and the following: ‘‘An em-
ployee appointed under this section may be considered for
appointment to a Department position in the competitive
service in the same manner that a Department employee
in the competitive service is considered for transfer to such
position. An employee of the Service who is appointed to
a Department position in the competitive service under the
authority of the preceding sentence may count toward the
time-in-service requirement for a career appointment in
such position any previous period of employment in the
Service’’.
(b) TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.—Such section is fur-
ther amended—
(1) by striking the semicolon at the end of each
of paragraphs (1) through (10) and inserting a pe-
riod;
(2) by striking ‘‘The Secretary ’’ and all that
follows through ‘‘(1) establish,’’ and inserting ‘‘(a)
LOCATIONS
FOR CANTEENS.—The Secretary shall
establish,’’;
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through
(11) as subsections (b) through (k), respectively, and
by realigning those subsections (as so redesignated)
so as to be flush to the left margin;
(4) in subsection (b) (as so redesignated), by
inserting ‘‘WAREHOUSES AND STORAGE DEPOTS.—
The Secretary shall’’ before ‘‘establish’’;
(5) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated), by in-
serting ‘‘SPACE, BUILDINGS, AND STRUCTURES.—
The Secretary shall’’ before ‘‘furnish’’;
(6) in subsection (d) (as so redesignated), by
inserting ‘‘EQUIPMENT, SERVICES, 
AND
UTILI-
TIES.—The Secretary shall’’ before ‘‘transfer’’;
(7) in subsection (e) (as so redesignated and as
amended by subsection (a)), by inserting ‘‘PER-
SONNEL.—The Secretary shall’’ before ‘‘employ’’;
(8) in subsection (f) (as so redesignated), by in-
serting ‘‘CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS.—The Sec-
retary shall’’ before ‘‘make all’’;
(9) in subsection (g) (as so redesignated), by
inserting ‘‘PRICES.—The Secretary shall’’ before
‘‘fix the’’;
(10) in subsection (h) (as so redesignated), by
inserting ‘‘GIFTS AND DONATIONS.—The Secretary
may’’ before ‘‘accept’’;
(11) in subsection (i) (as so redesignated), by
inserting ‘‘RULES
AND REGULATIONS.—The Sec-
retary shall’’ before ‘‘make such’’;
(12) in subsection (j) (as so redesignated), by
inserting ‘‘DELEGATION.—The Secretary may’’ be-
fore ‘‘delegate such’’; and
(13) in subsection (k) (as so redesignated), by
inserting ‘‘AUTHORITY TO CASH CHECKS, ETC.—
The Secretary may’’ before ‘‘authorize’’.
Passed the House of Representatives September 10,
2003.
Attest:
Clerk.