Title: Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2017
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2017
This bill extends specified Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and services relating to: (1) health care, including hospital care, nursing home care, caregivers, child care, and services for rural or women veterans; (2) benefits, including rehabilitation for persons with severe injuries or illnesses; and (3) homeless veterans, including support and reintegration programs for women with dependent children and for mentally ill, transitioning, or special needs veterans.
The bill extends other specified VA activities and services, including: (1) support for research into exposure to dioxin and other chemical compounds in herbicides, (2) adaptive housing assistive technology, (3) adaptive sports programs, (4) the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans, (5) the VA regional office in Manila, (6) transportation to and from VA facilities, and (7) payment guarantee of principal and interest on certificates or other securities.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3819 Engrossed in House (EH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3819

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT


 
   To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain expiring 
 provisions of law administered by the Secretary 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Department of 
Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2017''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code.
Sec. 3. Scoring of budgetary effects.
        TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE

Sec. 101. Extension of authority for collection of copayments for 
                            hospital care and nursing home care.
Sec. 102. Extension of requirement to provide nursing home care to 
                            certain veterans with service-connected 
                            disabilities.
Sec. 103. Extension of authorization of appropriations for assistance 
                            and support services for caregivers.
Sec. 104. Extension of authority for recovery from third parties of 
                            cost of care and services furnished to 
                            veterans with health-plan contracts for 
                            non-service-connected disability.
Sec. 105. Extension of authority for pilot program on assistance for 
                            child care for certain veterans receiving 
                            health care.
Sec. 106. Extension of authority to make grants to veterans service 
                            organizations for transportation of highly 
                            rural veterans.
Sec. 107. Extension of pilot program on community-based brain injury 
                            rehabilitative care services for veterans 
                            with traumatic brain injury.
Sec. 108. Extension of authority for pilot program on counseling in 
                            retreat settings for women veterans newly 
                            separated from service.
Sec. 109. Extension of temporary expansion of payments and allowances 
                            for beneficiary travel in connection with 
                            veterans receiving care from Vet Centers.
         TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

Sec. 201. Extension of authority for calculating net value of real 
                            property at time of foreclosure.
Sec. 202. Extension of authority relating to vendee loans.
Sec. 203. Extension of authority to provide rehabilitation and 
                            vocational benefits to members of the Armed 
                            Forces with severe injuries or illnesses.
    TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESS VETERANS

Sec. 301. Extension of authority for homeless veterans reintegration 
                            programs.
Sec. 302. Extension of authority for homeless women veterans and 
                            homeless veterans with children 
                            reintegration program.
Sec. 303. Extension of authority for referral and counseling services 
                            for veterans at risk of homelessness 
                            transitioning from certain institutions.
Sec. 304. Extension and modification of authority to provide financial 
                            assistance for supportive services for very 
                            low-income veteran families in permanent 
                            housing.
Sec. 305. Extension of authority for grant program for homeless 
                            veterans with special needs.
Sec. 306. Extension of authority for the Advisory Committee on Homeless 
                            Veterans.
Sec. 307. Extension of authority for treatment and rehabilitation 
                            services for seriously mentally ill and 
                            homeless veterans.
  TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND OTHER 
                                MATTERS

Sec. 401. Extension of authority for transportation of individuals to 
                            and from Department facilities.
Sec. 402. Extension of authority for operation of the Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs regional office in Manila, 
                            the Republic of the Philippines.
Sec. 403. Extension of authority for monthly assistance allowances 
                            under the Office of National Veterans 
                            Sports Programs and Special Events.
Sec. 404. Extension of requirement to provide reports to Congress 
                            regarding equitable relief in the case of 
                            administrative error.
Sec. 405. Extension of authorization of appropriations for adaptive 
                            sports programs for disabled veterans and 
                            members of the Armed Forces.
Sec. 406. Extension of authority for Advisory Committee on Minority 
                            Veterans.
Sec. 407. Extension of authority for temporary expansion of eligibility 
                            for specially adapted housing assistance 
                            for certain veterans with disabilities 
                            causing difficulty ambulating.
Sec. 408. Extension of authority for specially adapted housing 
                            assistive technology grant program.
Sec. 409. Extension of authority to guarantee payment of principal and 
                            interest on certificates or other 
                            securities.
Sec. 410. Extension of authority to enter into agreement with the 
                            National Academy of Sciences regarding 
                            associations between diseases and exposure 
                            to dioxin and other chemical compounds in 
                            herbicides.
Sec. 411. Modifications of reductions of reporting fee multipliers.
                     TITLE V--TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS

Sec. 501. Technical corrections to Harry W. Colmery Veterans 
                            Educational Assistance Act of 2017.

SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an 
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal 
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to 
be made to a section or other provision of title 38, United States 
Code.

SEC. 3. 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 passage.

        TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE

SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR COLLECTION OF COPAYMENTS FOR 
              HOSPITAL CARE AND NURSING HOME CARE.

    Section 1710(f)(2)(B) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2017'' 
and inserting ``September 30, 2019''.

SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE NURSING HOME CARE TO 
              CERTAIN VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES.

    Section 1710A(d) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2017'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2019''.

SEC. 103. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE 
              AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CAREGIVERS.

    Section 1720G(e) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'';
            (2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(5) $839,828,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 and 
        2019.''.

SEC. 104. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR RECOVERY FROM THIRD PARTIES OF 
              COST OF CARE AND SERVICES FURNISHED TO VETERANS WITH 
              HEALTH-PLAN CONTRACTS FOR NON-SERVICE-CONNECTED 
              DISABILITY.

    Section 1729(a)(2)(E) is amended, in the matter preceding clause 
(i), by striking ``October 1, 2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 
2019''.

SEC. 105. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON ASSISTANCE FOR 
              CHILD CARE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS RECEIVING HEALTH CARE.

    (a) Extension.--Subsection (e) of section 205 of the Caregivers and 
Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124 
Stat. 1144; 38 U.S.C. 1710 note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 
2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2019''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (h) of such 
section is amended by striking ``and 2017'' and inserting ``2017, 2018, 
and 2019''.

SEC. 106. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO MAKE GRANTS TO VETERANS SERVICE 
              ORGANIZATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION OF HIGHLY RURAL 
              VETERANS.

    Section 307(d) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health 
Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124 Stat. 1154; 38 U.S.C. 
1710 note) is amended by striking ``2017'' and inserting ``2019''.

SEC. 107. EXTENSION OF PILOT PROGRAM ON COMMUNITY-BASED BRAIN INJURY 
              REHABILITATIVE CARE SERVICES FOR VETERANS WITH TRAUMATIC 
              BRAIN INJURY.

    (a) Extension.--Subsection (g) of section 1705 of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110-181; 38 
U.S.C. 1710C note) is amended by striking ``October 6, 2017'' and 
inserting ``January 6, 2018''.
    (b) Final Report Submittal Date.--Subsection (e)(2)(A) of such 
section is amended by striking ``60 days after the completion of the 
pilot program'' and inserting ``December 6, 2017''.
    (c) Notification to Participants in Program.--Not later than 
December 6, 2017, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall notify 
veterans participating in the pilot program under such section 
regarding a plan for transition of care for such veterans.

SEC. 108. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON COUNSELING IN 
              RETREAT SETTINGS FOR WOMEN VETERANS NEWLY SEPARATED FROM 
              SERVICE.

    (a) Extension.--Subsection (d) of section 203 of the Caregivers and 
Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124 
Stat. 1143; 38 U.S.C. 1712A note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 
2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2019''.
    (b) Report Submittal Date.--Subsection (e) of such section is 
amended by striking ``180 days after the completion of the pilot 
program'' and inserting ``March 31, 2018''.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (f) of such 
section is amended by striking ``and 2017'' and inserting ``2017, 2018, 
and 2019''.

SEC. 109. EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF PAYMENTS AND ALLOWANCES 
              FOR BENEFICIARY TRAVEL IN CONNECTION WITH VETERANS 
              RECEIVING CARE FROM VET CENTERS.

    (a) Extension.--Subsection (a) of section 104 of the Honoring 
America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 
(Public Law 112-154; 126 Stat. 1169) is amended by striking ``a three-
year initiative'' and inserting ``an initiative, to run through 
September 30, 2018,''.
    (b) Report Submittal Date.--Subsection (b)(1) of such section is 
amended by striking ``180 days after the date of the completion of the 
initiative'' and inserting ``March 31, 2018''.

         TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR CALCULATING NET VALUE OF REAL 
              PROPERTY AT TIME OF FORECLOSURE.

    Section 3732(c)(11) is amended by striking ``October 1, 2017'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2018''.

SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO VENDEE LOANS.

    Section 3733(a)(7) is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
        ``September 30, 2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2018''; 
        and
            (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``September 30, 
        2017,'' and inserting ``September 30, 2018,''.

SEC. 203. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE REHABILITATION AND 
              VOCATIONAL BENEFITS TO MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WITH 
              SEVERE INJURIES OR ILLNESSES.

    Section 1631(b)(2) of the Wounded Warrior Act (title XVI of Public 
Law 110-181; 122 Stat. 458; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended by striking 
``December 31, 2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2018''.

    TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESS VETERANS

SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR HOMELESS VETERANS REINTEGRATION 
              PROGRAMS.

    Section 2021(e)(1)(F) is amended by striking ``2017'' and inserting 
``2018''.

SEC. 302. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR HOMELESS WOMEN VETERANS AND 
              HOMELESS VETERANS WITH CHILDREN REINTEGRATION PROGRAM.

    Section 2021A(f)(1) is amended by striking ``2017'' and inserting 
``2018''.

SEC. 303. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR REFERRAL AND COUNSELING SERVICES 
              FOR VETERANS AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS TRANSITIONING FROM 
              CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS.

    Section 2023(d) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2017'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2018''.

SEC. 304. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL 
              ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VERY LOW-INCOME 
              VETERAN FAMILIES IN PERMANENT HOUSING.

    Section 2044(e)(1) is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subparagraph:
            ``(F) $320,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 
        2019.''.

SEC. 305. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS 
              VETERANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

    Section 2061(d)(1) is amended by striking ``2017'' and inserting 
``2019''.

SEC. 306. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HOMELESS 
              VETERANS.

    Section 2066(d) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2017'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2018''.

SEC. 307. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION 
              SERVICES FOR SERIOUSLY MENTALLY ILL AND HOMELESS 
              VETERANS.

    (a) General Treatment.--Section 2031(b) is amended by striking 
``September 30, 2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2019''.
    (b) Additional Services at Certain Locations.--Section 2033(d) is 
amended by striking ``September 30, 2017'' and inserting ``September 
30, 2019''.

  TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND OTHER 
                                MATTERS

SEC. 401. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TRANSPORTATION OF INDIVIDUALS TO 
              AND FROM DEPARTMENT FACILITIES.

    Section 111A(a)(2) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2017'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2019''.

SEC. 402. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR OPERATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS REGIONAL OFFICE IN MANILA, THE REPUBLIC 
              OF THE PHILIPPINES.

    Section 315(b) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2017'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2018''.

SEC. 403. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR MONTHLY ASSISTANCE ALLOWANCES 
              UNDER THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL VETERANS SPORTS PROGRAMS AND 
              SPECIAL EVENTS.

    Section 322(d)(4) is amended by striking ``2017'' and inserting 
``2019''.

SEC. 404. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE REPORTS TO CONGRESS 
              REGARDING EQUITABLE RELIEF IN THE CASE OF ADMINISTRATIVE 
              ERROR.

    Section 503(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2017'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2018''.

SEC. 405. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR ADAPTIVE 
              SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR DISABLED VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE 
              ARMED FORCES.

    Section 521A is amended--
            (1) in subsection (g)(1), by striking ``2017'' and 
        inserting ``2019''; and
            (2) in subsection (l), by striking ``2017'' and inserting 
        ``2019''.

SEC. 406. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON MINORITY 
              VETERANS.

    Section 544(e) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2017'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2018''.

SEC. 407. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY 
              FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN 
              VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES CAUSING DIFFICULTY AMBULATING.

    Section 2101(a)(4) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``September 30, 2017'' 
        and inserting ``September 30, 2018''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``2017'' and inserting 
        ``2018''.

SEC. 408. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING 
              ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY GRANT PROGRAM.

    Section 2108(g) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2017'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2018''.

SEC. 409. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO GUARANTEE PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND 
              INTEREST ON CERTIFICATES OR OTHER SECURITIES.

    Section 3720(h)(2) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2017'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2018''.

SEC. 410. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH THE 
              NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES REGARDING ASSOCIATIONS 
              BETWEEN DISEASES AND EXPOSURE TO DIOXIN AND OTHER 
              CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN HERBICIDES.

    Section 3(i) of the Agent Orange Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-4; 38 
U.S.C. 1116 note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2017'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2018''.

SEC. 411. MODIFICATIONS OF REDUCTIONS OF REPORTING FEE MULTIPLIERS.

    (a) Through July 31, 2018.--
            (1) In general.--Section 412 of the Jeff Miller and Richard 
        Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 
        2016 (Public Law 114-315; 38 U.S.C. 3684 note) is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``September 25, 
                2017'' and inserting ``July 31, 2018''; and
                    (B) by striking subsection (b).
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The heading for subsection (a) of 
        such section is amended by striking ``September 25, 2017'' and 
        inserting ``July 31, 2018''.
    (b) August 1, 2018, Through July 31, 2020.--During the period 
beginning on August 1, 2018, and ending on July 31, 2020, section 
3684(c)(2) of title 38, United States Code, as amended by section 304 
of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 
(Public Law 115-48) shall be applied by substituting ``$15'' for 
``$16''.

                     TITLE V--TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS

SEC. 501. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO HARRY W. COLMERY VETERANS 
              EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2017.

    (a) Use of State Approving Agencies for Oversight Activities.--
Section 3673(d) is amended by inserting ``compliance and'' before 
``risk-based surveys''.
    (b) Calculation of Monthly Housing Stipend Under Post-9/11 
Educational Assistance Program Based on Location of Campus Where 
Classes Are Attended.--
            (1) In general.--Section 3313(g)(3)(A)(ii)(I)(aa) is 
        amended by striking ``the institution at which the individual 
        is enrolled'' and inserting ``the campus of the institution of 
        where the individual physically participates in a majority of 
        classes''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) 
        shall apply with respect to enrollment for a quarter, semester, 
        or term, as applicable, commencing on or after August 1, 2018.
            (3) Additional technical correction.--Subsection (b) of 
        section 107 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational 
        Assistance Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-48) is amended to read 
        as follows:
    ``(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to enrollment for a quarter, semester, or term, as 
applicable, commencing on or after August 1, 2018.''.
    (c) Determination of Monthly Housing Stipends During Active Duty 
Service.--
            (1) In general.--Subsection (j) of section 3313 is amended 
        to read as follows:
    ``(j) Determination of Monthly Housing Stipends During Active Duty 
Service.--For any month during which an individual who is entitled to a 
monthly housing stipend under this section is performing active duty 
service, the Secretary shall determine the amount of such stipend 
payable to such individual for such month on a pro rata basis for the 
period of such month during which the individual is not performing 
active duty service.''.
            (2) Applicability.--Such subsection, as amended by 
        paragraph (1), shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, 
        or term, as applicable, commencing on or after August 1, 2018.
    (d) Special Application of School Closure Rule to Recently Enrolled 
Individuals.--Subparagraph (B) of section 109(c)(1) of the Harry W. 
Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-48) 
is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(B) Special application.--
                            ``(i) In general.--With respect to courses 
                        and programs of education discontinued as 
                        described in section 3699 of title 38, United 
                        States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), 
                        during the period beginning January 1, 2015, 
                        and ending on the date of the enactment of this 
                        Act, an individual described in clause (ii) who 
                        does not transfer credits from such program of 
                        education shall be deemed to be an individual 
                        who did not receive such credits, as described 
                        in subsection (b)(2) of such section, except 
                        that the period for which such individual's 
                        entitlement is not charged shall be the entire 
                        period of the individual's enrollment in the 
                        program of education. In carrying out this 
                        subparagraph, the Secretary of Veterans 
                        Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of 
                        Education, shall establish procedures to 
                        determine whether the individual transferred 
                        credits to a comparable course or program of 
                        education.
                            ``(ii) Individual described.--An individual 
                        described in this clause is an individual who 
                        is enrolled in a course or program of education 
                        discontinued as described in clause (i) during 
                        the period beginning on the date that is 120 
                        days before the date of such discontinuance and 
                        ending on the date of such discontinuance.''.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 25, 2017.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.
115th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                               H. R. 3819

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT

   To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain expiring 
 provisions of law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
                        and for other purposes.