CARS for Vets Act
Bill: H.R.3304 | Sponsor: Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie (D-TX)
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
Advancing Uniform Transportation Opportunities for Veterans Act or the AUTO for Veterans Act
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide (or assist in providing) an eligible veteran or service member with an additional automobile or other conveyance under the VA automobile allowance and adaptive equipment program. Currently, a veteran or service member with a specified service-connected disability or impairment may not receive more than one automobile or other conveyance under the program.
The bill authorizes the additional benefit for such veterans and service members (1) if more than 25 years have passed since the person last received such benefit, or (2) beginning on the day that is 10 years after the enactment of this bill if more than 10 years have elapsed since the person most recently received such benefit.
The bill also includes certain vehicle modifications (e.g., van lifts) under the definition of medical services for VA health care purposes.
Additionally, the bill extends from January 14, 2031, to May 16, 2031, higher rates for certain loan fees under the VA home loan program.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of 
   Veterans Affairs to provide or assist in providing an additional 
   vehicle adapted for operation by disabled individuals to certain 
               eligible persons, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Advancing Uniform Transportation 
Opportunities for Veterans Act'' or the ``AUTO for Veterans Act''.

SEC. 2. ELIGIBILITY FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROVISION OF 
              ADDITIONAL AUTOMOBILE OR OTHER ADAPTED EQUIPMENT.

    Section 3903(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``paragraph (2)'' and 
        inserting ``paragraphs (2) and (3)''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(3) The Secretary may provide or assist in providing an eligible 
person with an additional automobile or other conveyance under this 
chapter--
            ``(A) if more than 25 years have elapsed since the eligible 
        person most recently received an automobile or other conveyance 
        under this chapter; or
            ``(B) beginning on the day that is 10 years after date of 
        the enactment of the AUTO for Veterans Act, if more than 10 
        years have elapsed since the eligible person most recently 
        received an automobile or other conveyance under this 
        chapter.''.

SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TREATMENT OF CERTAIN VEHICLE 
              MODIFICATIONS AS MEDICAL SERVICES.

    Section 1701(6) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
            ``(I) The provision of medically necessary van lifts, 
        raised doors, raised roofs, air-conditioning, and wheelchair 
        tiedowns for passenger use.''.

SEC. 4. MODIFICATION OF CERTAIN HOUSING LOAN FEE.

    (a) Extension.--The loan fee table in section 3729(b)(2) of title 
38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``January 14, 2031'' 
each place it appears and inserting ``May 16, 2031''.

SEC. 5. DETERMINATION 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 passage.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 29, 2022.

            Attest:

                                             CHERYL L. JOHNSON,

                                                                 Clerk.