A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend and modify certain authorities and requirements relating to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Bill: 118-s-2795
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2023-09-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Higher education
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2023-09-13
text: 
This bill extends the eligibility or applicability of various Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and benefits.
 
First, the bill extends from three to five years the authority for additional licensed health care professionals (i.e., physician assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, and psychologists) to perform medical disability examinations as part of the existing VA pilot program related to the use of contract physicians for disability examinations.
 
Currently, when an individual transfers fewer than 12 credits from a program of education that is closed or disapproved, the individual is deemed to have not received those credits, and no charge from the individual's entitlement to education assistance may be made for that period of enrollment. Under the bill, this period of relief for those affected by a closure or disapproval is extended by two years to apply to programs that close or discontinue before September 30, 2025.
 
The bill extends through FY2028 the authorization for VA emergency preparedness for public health emergencies.
 
The bill also extends the applicability of certain loan fee rates through November 15, 2031, under the VA's home loan program.

action_date: 2023-09-13
text: 
This bill extends the eligibility or applicability of various Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and benefits.
 
First, the bill extends from three to five years the authority for additional licensed health care professionals (i.e., physician assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, and psychologists) to perform medical disability examinations as part of the existing VA pilot program related to the use of contract physicians for disability examinations.
 
Currently, when an individual transfers fewer than 12 credits from a program of education that is closed or disapproved, the individual is deemed to have not received those credits, and no charge from the individual's entitlement to education assistance may be made for that period of enrollment. Under the bill, this period of relief for those affected by a closure or disapproval is extended by two years to apply to programs that close or discontinue before September 30, 2025.
 
The bill extends through FY2028 the authorization for VA emergency preparedness for public health emergencies.
 
The bill also extends the applicability of certain loan fee rates through November 15, 2031, under the VA's home loan program.

action_date: 2023-09-26
text: 
This bill extends the eligibility or applicability of various Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and benefits.
 
First, the bill extends from three to five years the authority for additional licensed health care professionals (i.e., physician assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, and psychologists) to perform medical disability examinations as part of the existing VA pilot program related to the use of contract physicians for disability examinations.
 
Currently, when an individual transfers fewer than 12 credits from a program of education that is closed or disapproved, the individual is deemed to have not received those credits, and no charge from the individual's entitlement to education assistance may be made for that period of enrollment. Under the bill, this period of relief for those affected by a closure or disapproval is extended by two years to apply to programs that close or discontinue before September 30, 2025.
 
The bill extends through FY2028 the authorization for VA emergency preparedness for public health emergencies.
 
The bill also extends the applicability of certain loan fee rates through November 15, 2031, under the VA's home loan program.

action_date: 2023-10-06
text: 
This act extends the eligibility or applicability of various Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and benefits.
 
First, the act extends from three to five years the authority for additional licensed health care professionals (i.e., physician assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, and psychologists) to perform medical disability examinations as part of the existing VA pilot program related to the use of contract physicians for disability examinations.
 
Currently, when an individual transfers fewer than 12 credits from a program of education that is closed or disapproved, the individual is deemed to have not received those credits, and no charge from the individual's entitlement to education assistance may be made for that period of enrollment. Under the act, this period of relief for those affected by a closure or disapproval is extended by two years to apply to programs that close or discontinue before September 30, 2025.
 
The act extends through FY2028 the authorization for VA emergency preparedness for public health emergencies.
 
The act also extends the applicability of certain loan fee rates through November 15, 2031, under the VA's home loan program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-10-06
text: Became Public Law No: 118-19.
action_date: 2023-10-06
text: Became Public Law No: 118-19.
action_date: 2023-10-06
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2023-10-06
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2023-10-04
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2023-10-04
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2023-09-26
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2023-09-26
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4475)
action_date: 2023-09-26
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4475)
action_date: 2023-09-26
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2795.
action_date: 2023-09-26
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4475-4480)
action_date: 2023-09-26
text: Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2023-09-18
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2023-09-18
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2023-09-18
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2023-09-13
text: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S4499; text: CR S4499)
action_date: 2023-09-13
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S4499; text: CR S4499)
action_date: 2023-09-13
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 118-19