VIPER Act of 2021
Bill: H.R.5721 | Sponsor: Rep. Takano, Mark (D-CA)
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
VA Infrastructure Powers Exceptional Research Act of 2021 or the VIPER Act of 2021
This bill addresses research activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), particularly those within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
Specifically, the bill provides statutory authority for the VHA's Office of Research and Development to serve veterans through a full spectrum of research, technology transfer, and application.
The bill exempts VA research activities from the Paperwork Reduction Act, including research conducted via the Office of Research and Development
The bill also waives certain time limitations and other restrictions related to individuals who perform research for the VA under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act Mobility Program.
The VA is authorized to appoint statisticians, economists, data scientists, and other professionals within the VHA.


To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve research conducted 
   within the Department of Veterans Affairs, 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 ``VA Infrastructure Powers Exceptional 
Research Act of 2021'' or the ``VIPER Act of 2021''.

SEC. 2. INAPPLICABILITY OF PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 1 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 120. Inapplicability of Paperwork Reduction Act
    ``Subchapter I of chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code 
(commonly known as the `Paperwork Reduction Act') shall not apply to 
research activities of the Department, including activities under 
subchapter V of chapter 73.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``120. Inapplicability of Paperwork Reduction Act.''.

SEC. 3. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) Office of Research and Development.--Chapter 73 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subchapter:

                ``SUBCHAPTER V--RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

``Sec. 7381. Office of Research and Development
    ``(a) Office of Research and Development.--There is in the Veterans 
Health Administration an Office of Research and Development (in this 
section referred to as the `Office').
    ``(b) Purposes.--The function of the Office is to serve veterans 
through a full spectrum of research (including pre-clinical, clinical, 
and health systems science), technology transfer, and application.
    ``(c) Chief Research and Development Officer.--The head of the 
Office is the Chief Research and Development Officer.
    ``(d) Organization and Personnel.--The Office shall be organized in 
such manner, and its personnel shall perform such duties and have such 
titles, as the Secretary may prescribe.
``Sec. 7382. Research personnel
    ``(a) Waiver of Intergovernmental Personnel Act Mobility Program 
Limits.--The Secretary may waive the limit on the period and number of 
assignments required under section 3372(a) of title 5 with respect to 
an individual who performs research for the Department under the 
mobility program under subchapter VI of chapter 33 of such title 
(commonly referred to as the `Intergovernmental Personnel Act Mobility 
Program').
    ``(b) Outside Earned Income for Research for the Department.--(1) 
Compensation from a nonprofit corporation established under subchapter 
IV of this chapter, or a university affiliated with the Department, may 
be paid, without regard to section 209 of title 18, to an employee 
described in paragraph (2), for research conducted pursuant to section 
7303 of this title if--
            ``(A) the research has been approved in accordance with 
        procedures prescribed by the Under Secretary for Health;
            ``(B) the employee conducts research under the supervision 
        of personnel of the Department; and
            ``(C) the Secretary agreed to the terms of such 
        compensation in writing.
    ``(2) An employee described in this subsection is an employee who 
has an appointment within the Department, whether with or without 
compensation, and without regard to the source of such compensation.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following:

                ``subchapter v--research and development

``7381. Office of Research and Development.
``7382. Research personnel.''.

SEC. 4. EXPANSION OF HIRING AUTHORITIES FOR CERTAIN CLASSES OF RESEARCH 
              OCCUPATIONS.

    Section 7401(3) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
inserting ``statisticians, economists, informaticists, data scientists, 
and'' after ``blind rehabilitation outpatient specialists,''.

            Passed the House of Representatives November 17, 2022.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.
117th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                               H. R. 5721

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