Veterans Health Programs and Facilities Enhancement Act of 2004

Bill: 108-hr-4768
Sponsor: Rep. Simmons, Rob [R-CT-2]
Introduced: 2004-07-07 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Building construction
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Economics and Public Finance
Education
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Federal preemption
Florida
Government Operations and Politics
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Health
Higher education
Historic sites
History
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Land transfers
Land use
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North Carolina
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Parking facilities
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Relocation
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Transportation and Public Works
Veterans' hospitals
Veterans' medical care
Virginia
Zoning and zoning law

Summary:
action_date: 2004-07-07
text: 
Veterans Medical Facilities Management Act of 2004 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into contracts for major medical facility leases at specified locations.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to transfer real property to another department or agency of the United States, to a State, or to any public or private entity including Indian Tribes.
 
Establishes the Department of Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Fund which may be used for costs associated with: (1) current or future real property transfers under this Act; (2) the improvement of patient care facilities for veterans; and (3) the transfer, lease, or adaptive use of properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
 
Terminates the nursing home revolving fund.
 
Sets forth procedures for the transfer of real property.
 
Requires the Secretary to submit reports on historic properties to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives.
 
Authorizes the use of certain construction and maintenance project funds for the construction or relocation of surface parking lots incidental to such projects.
 
Removes the congressional review requirement otherwise applicable to the obligation of funds for major medical facilities where funds have been authorized by law.
 
Specifies that the construction, alteration, repair, remodeling, or improvement of property under an enhanced-use lease is not subject to State or local land use laws unless otherwise provided by the Secretary.
 
Amends the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act to extend authority for the long-term care pilot programs established by that Act. 

action_date: 2004-09-29
text: 
Veterans Health Programs and Facilities Enhancement Act of 2004 - 
Title I: Medical Facilities Management - 
(Sec. 101) Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into contracts for major medical facility leases at specified locations. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2005 for the Medical Care account, to cover such leases.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a lease for real property at the Fitzsimons Campus of the University of Colorado for a period of up to 75 years.
 
(Sec. 102) Authorizes the Secretary to transfer Department of Veterans Affairs real property to another department or agency of the United States, to a State, or to any public or private entity, including Indian tribes. Terminates such authority seven years after the enactment of this Act.
 
Establishes in the Treasury the Department of Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Fund, which may be used for costs associated with: (1) current or future real property transfers under this Act; (2) the improvement of patient care facilities for veterans; and (3) the transfer, lease, or adaptive use of properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Authorizes appropriations for the Fund.
 
Terminates the nursing home revolving fund. Transfers unobligated balances to the Capital Asset Fund.
 
(Sec. 103) Requires a report from the Secretary to the congressional veterans' committees, in each of 2005 through 2007, on historic properties administered or controlled by the Secretary.
 
(Sec. 104) Authorizes the use of certain Department funds for the construction or relocation of surface parking lots incidental to construction or maintenance projects.
 
(Sec. 105) Removes the congressional review requirement otherwise applicable to the obligation of funds for major medical facilities where funds have been authorized by law.
 
(Se. 106) Specifies that the construction, alteration, repair, remodeling, or improvement of property under an enhanced-use lease is not subject to State or local land use laws unless otherwise provided by the Secretary.
 
(Sec. 107) Amends the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act to extend through 2005 the authority for long-term care pilot programs established under such Act.
 

Title II: Other Matters - 
(Sec. 201) Makes eligible for use of the Veterans' Canteen Service veterans enrolled in the Department's patient enrollment system.
 
(Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary, within 90 days after the enactment of this Act, to establish a peer review panel to assess the scientific and clinical merits of various proposed sites for designation as Department medical emergency preparedness centers. Requires the: (1) Secretary to solicit proposals for such designation within 60 days after enactment of this Act; and (2) peer review panel to complete proposal review within 60 days thereafter. Authorizes appropriations for such centers for FY 2005 through 2007. Requires the Under Secretary for Health to allocate certain other Department funds for such centers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-09-30
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2004-09-29
text: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2004-09-29
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2004-09-29
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7790-7792)
action_date: 2004-09-29
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H7790-7792)
action_date: 2004-09-29
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4768.
action_date: 2004-09-29
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7790-7796)
action_date: 2004-09-29
text: Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2004-09-08
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 403.
action_date: 2004-09-08
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 108-663.
action_date: 2004-09-08
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 108-663.
action_date: 2004-09-08
text: -Provisions incorporated. See H. R. 4248, as amended, Sections 203, 303, 401, 403, 411, 412, 413, 415, 416, 417, and 603.
action_date: 2004-09-08
text: Report amended to the House. H. Rept. 108-663.
action_date: 2004-07-21
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2004-07-21
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2004-07-08
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2004-07-08
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2004-07-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2004-07-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1315-1316)
action_date: 2004-07-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2004-07-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-07-07
text: Introduced in House