Improving Access to the VA Home Loan Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-4208
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2022-05-12
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Congressional oversight

Department of Veterans Affairs

Government information and archives

Housing finance and home ownership

Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs
Latest action: action_date: 2022-07-13
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

Summaries:
action_date: 2022-05-12
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><strong>Improving Access to the VA Home Loan Act of 2022</strong></p> <p>This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to update regulations, requirements, and guidance related to appraisals for housing loans guaranteed by the VA.</p> <p>Specifically, such regulations or requirements must specify when an appraisal is required, how an appraisal is to be conducted, and who is eligible to conduct an appraisal for such loans. </p> <p>The VA must also provide additional guidance for desktop appraisals, which are performed remotely using information gathered by third parties with whom a VA-approved appraiser has entered into an agreement for such appraisal. In updating such guidance, the VA must specifically take into account situations where (1) desktop appraisals provide cost savings for borrowers, and (2) a traditional appraisal requirement could cause time delays and jeopardize the completion of a transaction.</p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4208 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 12, 2022 Mr. Sullivan introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to update the appraisal requirements for certain loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Improving Access to the VA Home Loan Act of 2022 . 2. Update of appraisal requirements for certain loans guaranteed by Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Updated regulations or program requirements required Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall prescribe updated regulations or program requirements to clarify when an appraisal is required, how an appraisal is to be conducted, and who is eligible to conduct an appraisal for purposes of a loan that is— (1) guaranteed under chapter 37 of title 38, United States Code; and (2) for any purpose described in section 3710(a) of such title. (b) Considerations In prescribing updated regulations or program requirements under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider making changes applicable to— (1) certification requirements for appraisers; (2) minimum property requirements; (3) the process for selecting and reviewing comparable sales; (4) quality control processes; (5) the assisted appraisal processing program of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and (6) the use of waivers or other alternatives to existing appraisal processes. (c) Desk top appraisals In prescribing updated regulations or program requirements under subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide guidance for the use of the authority under section 3731(b)(3) of title 38, United States Code, taking into consideration— (1) situations in which the use of such authority would provide cost savings for the borrower; and (2) situations in which a traditional appraisal requirement could cause a delay substantial enough to jeopardize the ability of a borrower to complete a transaction.