IB 
Union Calendar No. 173 
113TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2072 
[Report No. 113–245] 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the accountability of 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the Inspector General of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 21, 2013 
Mr. BENISHEK introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
OCTOBER 16, 2013 
Additional sponsors: Mr. YOHO, Mrs. ELLMERS, Mr. JONES, Mr. COLLINS of 
New York, Ms. SINEMA, and Mrs. WALORSKI 
OCTOBER 16, 2013 
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 May 21, 2013] 
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A BILL 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the 
accountability of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs. 
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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 ‘‘Demanding Account-
ability for Veterans Act of 2013’’. 
SEC. 2. 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’’ for this Act, 
submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that 
such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on pas-
sage. 
SEC. 3. ACCOUNTABILITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS TO INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE DE-
PARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 7 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
section: 
‘‘§ 712. Accountability of Secretary to Inspector Gen-
eral 
‘‘(a) LIST OF MANAGERS.—(1) If the Inspector Gen-
eral of the Department of Veterans Affairs determines that 
the Secretary has not appropriately responded with signifi-
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cant progress to a covered report by the date specified in 
the action plan of the Secretary developed in response to 
such covered report— 
‘‘(A) the Inspector General shall notify the Com-
mittees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives and the Secretary of such failure to 
appropriately respond; and 
‘‘(B) not later than 15 days after such notifica-
tion, the Secretary shall submit to the Inspector Gen-
eral a list of the names of each responsible manager 
and the matter in the action plan for which the man-
ager is responsible. 
‘‘(2) The Inspector General may not make public the 
names of responsible managers submitted under paragraph 
(1)(B). 
‘‘(b) PERFORMANCE OF RESPONSIBLE MANAGERS.— 
(1) The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) promptly notify each responsible manager 
of a covered issue by not later than seven days after 
the date on which the Secretary submits to the Inspec-
tor General the name of the manager under subsection 
(a)(1)(B); 
‘‘(B) direct such manager to resolve such issue; 
and 
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‘‘(C) provide such manager with appropriate 
counseling and a mitigation plan with respect to re-
solving such issue. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall ensure that any performance 
review of a responsible manager includes an evaluation of 
whether the manager took appropriate actions during the 
period covered by the review to respond to the covered issue 
for which a request was made under subsection (a). 
‘‘(3) The Secretary may not pay to a responsible man-
ager any bonus or award, including a performance award 
under section 5384 of title 5 if the covered issue for which 
a request was made under subsection (a) is unresolved. 
‘‘(c) ROLE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL.—Any authority 
of the Inspector General provided under this section is in 
addition to any responsibility or authority provided to the 
Inspector General in the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 
U.S.C. App). 
‘‘(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘covered issue’ means, with respect 
to a responsible manager, an issue described in a cov-
ered report for which the manager is or was respon-
sible. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘covered report’ means a report by 
the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs that recommends actions to the Secretary of 
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Veterans Affairs (or other official or employee of the 
Department) to address an issue in the Department 
with respect to public health or safety. 
‘‘(3) The term ‘responsible manager’ means an 
individual who— 
‘‘(A) is an employee of the Department; 
‘‘(B) is or was responsible for an issue in-
cluded in a covered report; and 
‘‘(C) in being so responsible, is or was em-
ployed in a management position, regardless of 
whether the employee is in the competitive civil 
service, Senior Executive Service, or other type 
of civil service.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at 
the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after 
the item relating to section 711 the following new item: 
‘‘712. Accountability of Secretary to Inspector General.’’. 
SEC. 4. SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CONTRACT AU-
THORITY FOR TRANSFER OF VETERANS NON- 
DEPARTMENT MEDICAL FOSTER HOMES. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—Section 1720 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(h)(1) During the three-year period beginning on Oc-
tober 1, 2014, at the request of a veteran for whom the Sec-
retary is required to provide nursing home care under sec-
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tion 1710A of this title, the Secretary may transfer the vet-
eran to a medical foster home that meets Department stand-
ards, at the expense of the United States, pursuant to a 
contract or agreement entered into between the Secretary 
and the medical foster home for such purpose. A veteran 
who is transferred to a medical foster home under this sub-
section shall agree, as a condition of such transfer, to accept 
home health services furnished by the Secretary under sec-
tion 1717 of this title. 
‘‘(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘medical 
foster home’ means a home designed to provide non-institu-
tional, long-term, supportive care for veterans who are un-
able to live independently and prefer a family setting.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Subsection (h) of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take 
effect on October 1, 2014. 
SEC. 5. CONDITIONS ON THE AWARD OF PER DIEM PAY-
MENTS BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS FOR THE PROVISION OF HOUSING OR 
SERVICES TO HOMELESS VETERANS. 
(a) CONDITION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Paragraph (1) of section 
2012(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to 
read as follows: 
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‘‘(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a per diem 
payment may not be provided under this section to a grant 
recipient or eligible entity unless the entity submits to the 
Secretary an annual certification, approved or verified by 
the authority having jurisdiction or a qualified third party, 
as determined by the Secretary, that the facility where the 
entity provides housing or services for homeless veterans 
using grant funds is in compliance with codes relevant to 
the operations and level of care provided, including applica-
ble provisions of the most recently published version of the 
Life Safety Code or International Building Code and Inter-
national Fire Code (or such versions of such codes that have 
been adopted as State or local codes by the jurisdiction in 
which the facility is located), licensing requirements, fire 
and safety requirements, and any other requirements in the 
jurisdiction in which the facility is located regarding the 
condition of the facility and the operation of the entity pro-
viding such supportive housing or services. For purposes of 
this paragraph, if a facility where a grant recipient or eli-
gible entity provides housing or services for homeless vet-
erans using grant funds is located in a jurisdiction without 
relevant code requirements, the Secretary shall determine 
code and inspection requirements to be applied to the facil-
ity.’’. 
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(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to an applica-
tion for a per diem payment under section 2012 of 
title 38, United States Code, submitted on or after the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
(b) ANNUAL REPORT.—Section 2065(b) of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (6) as para-
graph (7); and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (5) the fol-
lowing new paragraph (6): 
‘‘(6) The Secretary’s evaluation of the safety and 
accessibility of facilities used to provide programs es-
tablished by grant recipients or eligible entities under 
section 2011 and 2012 of this title, including the 
number of such grant recipients or eligible entities 
who have submitted a certification under section 
2012(c)(1).’’. 
(c) TREATMENT OF CURRENT RECIPIENTS.—In the 
case of the recipient of a per diem payment under section 
2012 of title 38, United States Code, that receives such a 
payment during the year in which this Act is enacted, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall require the recipient to 
submit the certification required under section 2012(c)(1) 
of such title, as amended by subsection (a)(1), by not later 
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than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
If the recipient fails to submit such certification by such 
date, the Secretary may not make any additional per diem 
payments to the recipient under such section 2012 until the 
recipient submits such certification. 
SEC. 6. EXTENSION OF LOAN GUARANTY FEE FOR CERTAIN 
SUBSEQUENT LOANS. 
(a) EXTENSION.—Section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘October 1, 
2017’’ and inserting ‘‘October 1, 2018’’; and 
(B) in clause (iv), by striking ‘‘October 1, 
2017’’ and inserting ‘‘October 1, 2018’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (C)— 
(A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘October 1, 
2017’’ and inserting ‘‘October 1, 2018’’; and 
(B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘October 1, 
2017’’ and inserting ‘‘October 1, 2018’’; and 
(3) in subparagraph (D)— 
(A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘October 1, 
2017’’ and inserting ‘‘October 1, 2018’’; and 
(B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘October 1, 
2017’’ and inserting ‘‘October 1, 2018’’. 
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SEC. 7. LAND CONVEYANCE, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS PROPERTY, TUSKEGEE, ALABAMA. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) In 1922, Tuskegee University voted to donate 
three hundred acres of land to the United States to 
build a veterans’ hospital, a portion of which is de-
scribed in subsection (b). 
(2) The property is administered by the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs and has been used as space 
for the Tuskegee Veteran’s Hospital. 
(3) Tuskegee University (hereinafter referred to 
as the ‘‘University’’) is a State-related land grant in-
stitution of higher learning that intends to use the 
property described in subsection (b) to further the 
education and general welfare of its students. 
(4) As provided in subsection (b), the conveyance 
of the property to the University would promote the 
University’s educational mission and related purposes 
and result in savings to the Federal Government. 
(b) CONVEYANCE AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall, without consideration, convey all right, 
title, and interest of the United States in and to a parcel 
of real property, including improvements thereon, con-
sisting of approximately 64.5 acres located at 2400 Hos-
pital Road, Tuskegee, Alabama, including building num-
bers 19–29, 50–51, 59–60, 62–63, 80, 94, 96, and 124, to 
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Tuskegee University, for the purpose of permitting Tuskegee 
University to use the property to further the education and 
general welfare of its students. In carrying out the convey-
ance under this subsection, the Secretary may survey all 
or a portion of the property to be conveyed if the Secretary 
determines such a survey would be necessary or desirable. 
(c) HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES.—Notwithstanding sec-
tion 120(h) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 
9620(h)) or the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 
et seq.), in the conveyance of the property under subsection 
(b), the Secretary shall be only required to meet the disclo-
sure requirements for hazardous substances, pollutants, and 
contaminants, but otherwise shall not be required to reme-
diate or abate the release of any hazardous substance, pol-
lutant, or contaminant, including petroleum and petroleum 
derivatives. 
(d) COOPERATIVE AUTHORITY.— 
(1) LEASES, 
CONTRACTS, 
AND
COOPERATIVE 
AGREEMENTS AUTHORIZED.—In conjunction with, or 
in addition to, the conveyance under subsection (b), 
the Secretary may enter into leases, contracts, and co-
operative agreements with the University related to 
the conveyance authorized under subsection (b). 
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(2) SOLE SOURCE.—Notwithstanding division C 
of subtitle I of title 41, United States Code, or any 
other provision of law, the Secretary may lease real 
property from the University on a noncompetitive 
basis. 
(3) NON-EXCLUSIVE AUTHORITY.—The authority 
provided by this subsection is in addition to any 
other authority of the Secretary. 
(e) ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—The Sec-
retary may require such reasonable terms and conditions 
in connection with the conveyance under subsection (b) as 
the Secretary considers appropriate to protect the interests 
of the United States, except that the conveyance may not 
require further administrative or environmental analyses or 
examination. 
(f) LIMITATION.—The Secretary may not make the 
conveyance under subsection (b) before October 1, 2014. 
SEC. 8. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS TO OBTAIN CERTAIN INFOR-
MATION FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE 
TREASURY OR THE COMMISSIONER OF SO-
CIAL SECURITY. 
Section 5317 of title 38, United States Code, is amend-
ed by striking ‘‘September 30, 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘May 
31, 2017’’. 
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Union Calendar No. 173 
113TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 2072 
[Report No. 113–245] 
A BILL 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve 
the accountability of the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs to the Inspector General of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs. 
OCTOBER 16, 2013 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Com-
mittee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, 
and ordered to be printed 
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