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[Q]: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Farm-To-Cafeteria 
Projects Act of 2003''.

SEC. 2. GRANTS TO SUPPORT FARM-TO-CAFETERIA PROJECTS.

     Section 12 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 
U.S.C.1760) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(q) Grants to Support Farm-To-Cafeteria Projects.--
            ``(1) In general.--To improve access to local foods in 
        schools and institutions receiving funds under this Act and the 
        Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.) (other 
        than section 17 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1786)), the Secretary 
        shall provide competitive grants to nonprofit entities and 
        educational institutions to establish and carry out farm-to-
        cafeteria projects under paragraph 2.
            ``(2) Project requirements.--Farm-to-cafeteria projects 
        eligible to receive assistance under this subsection shall be 
        projects designed to--
                    ``(A) procure local foods from small and medium-
                sized farms for the provision of foods for school 
                meals;
                    ``(B) support nutrition education activities or 
                curriculum planning that incorporates the participation 
                of school children in farm and agriculture education 
                projects; and
                    ``(C) develop a sustained commitment to farm-to-
                cafeteria projects in the community by linking schools, 
                agricultural producers, parents, and other community 
                stakeholders.
            ``(3) Technical assistance and related information.--
                    ``(A) Technical assistance.--In carrying out this 
                subsection, the Secretary may provide technical 
                assistance regarding farm-to-cafeteria projects, 
                processes, and development to an entity seeking the 
                assistance.
                    ``(B) Sharing of information.--The Secretary may 
                provide for the sharing of information concerning farm-
                to-cafeteria projects and issues among and between 
                government, private for-profit and nonprofit groups, 
                and the public through publications, conferences, and 
                other appropriate means.
            ``(4) Grants.--
                    ``(A) In general.--From amounts made available to 
                carry out this subsection, the Secretary shall make 
                grants to assist private non-profit entities and 
                educational institutions to establish and carry out 
                farm-to-cafeteria projects.
                    ``(B) Maximum amount.--The maximum amount of a 
                grant provided to an entity under this subsection shall 
                be $100,000.
                    ``(C) Matching funds requirements.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Federal share of the 
                        cost of establishing or carrying out a farm-to-
                        cafeteria project that receives assistance 
                        under this subsection may not exceed 75 percent 
                        of the cost of the project during the term of 
                        the grant, as determined by the Secretary.
                            ``(ii) Form.--In providing the non-Federal 
                        share of the cost of carrying out a farm-to-
                        cafeteria project, the grantee shall provide 
                        the share through a payment in cash or in kind, 
                        fairly evaluated, including facilities, 
                        equipment, or services.
                            ``(iii) Source.--An entity may provide the 
                        non-Federal share through State or local 
                        government, or through private sources.
                    ``(D) Administration.--
                            ``(i) Single grant.--A farm-to-cafeteria 
                        project may be supported by only a single grant 
                        under this subsection.
                            ``(ii) Term.--The term of a grant made 
                        under this subsection may not exceed 3 years.
            ``(5) Evaluation.--Not later than January 30, 2008, the 
        Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) provide for the evaluation of the projects 
                funded under this subsection; and
                    ``(B) submit to the Committee on Education and the 
                Workforce of the House of Representatives and the 
                Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
                the Senate a report on the results of the evaluation.
            ``(6) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $10,000,000 for 
        each of fiscal years 2004 through 2009 to carry out this 
        subsection, to remain available until expended.''.
[A]: Farm-To-Cafeteria Projects Act of 2003 - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to make competitive grants to private nonprofit entities and educational institutions to establish and carry out Farm-to-Cafeteria projects to improve access to local foods in schools and institutions receiving funds under NSLA and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (CNA) (except the special supplemental program for women, infants, and children (WIC) which already has a WIC Farmers Market Nutrition program).

Requires such projects to be designed to: (1) procure local foods from small and medium-sized farms to provide foods for school meals; (2) support nutrition education activities or curriculum planning incorporating school children's participation in farm and agriculture education projects; and (3) develop a sustained commitment to farm-to-cafeteria projects in the community by linking schools, agricultural producers, parents, and other community stakeholders.


[Q]: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``529 and ABLE Account Improvement Act 
of 2016''.

SEC. 2. EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS TO QUALIFIED TUITION PROGRAMS AND 
              QUALIFIED ABLE PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--Subsection (a) of section 132 of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``or'' at the end of 
paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (8) and 
inserting ``, or'', and by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph:
            ``(9) qualified tuition program and qualified ABLE program 
        contributions.''.
    (b) Qualified Tuition Program and Qualified ABLE Program 
Contributions Defined.--Section 132 of such Code is amended by 
redesignating subsection (o) as subsection (p) and inserting after 
subsection (n) the following new subsection:
    ``(o) Qualified Tuition Program and Qualified ABLE Program 
Contributions Defined.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the term 
        `qualified tuition and qualified ABLE program contributions' 
        means contributions (including matching contributions) made by 
        an employer directly to a qualified tuition program (as 
        described in section 529) or qualified ABLE program (as 
        described in section 529A) designated by an employee if--
                    ``(A) such contribution is made to an account under 
                such program for which the designated beneficiary is 
                the employee or a member of the family of the employee 
                (within the meaning of section 529(e)(2)), and
                    ``(B) such contribution is made in connection with 
                a qualified payroll deduction contribution program 
                established by the employer.
            ``(2) Qualified payroll deduction contribution program.--
        For purposes of this subsection, the term `qualified payroll 
        deduction contribution program' means a program established by 
        an employer--
                    ``(A) under which employees may elect to make 
                contributions to accounts described in paragraph (1)(A) 
                which reduce the amount of wages received directly by 
                such employee by the amount of such contribution, and
                    ``(B) which is made available on substantially the 
                same terms to each member of a group of employees which 
                is defined under a reasonable classification set up by 
                the employer which does not discriminate in favor of 
                highly compensated employees (as defined in section 
                414(q)).
            ``(3) Limitation on exclusion.--The amount of qualified 
        tuition and qualified ABLE program contributions which may be 
        excluded from gross income under subsection (a)(9) with respect 
        to any employee shall not exceed $100 in any calendar year.
            ``(4) Nondiscrimination rule for employer contributions.--
        Subsection (a)(9) shall only apply to contributions provided 
        with respect to a highly compensated employee if such 
        contributions meet the requirements of paragraph (2)(B).
            ``(5) Inflation adjustment.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In the case of any taxable year 
                beginning in a calendar year after 2016, the $100 
                amount contained in paragraph (3) shall be increased by 
                an amount equal to--
                            ``(i) such dollar amount, multiplied by
                            ``(ii) the cost-of-living adjustment 
                        determined under section 1(f)(3) for the 
                        calendar year in which the taxable year begins, 
                        determined by substituting `calendar year 2015' 
                        for `calendar year 1992' in subparagraph (B) 
                        thereof.
                    ``(B) Rounding.--Any increase determined under 
                subparagraph (A) shall be rounded to the nearest 
                multiple of $25.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to contributions made after December 31, 2016.

SEC. 3. TAX CREDIT FOR SMALL EMPLOYER COSTS OF ESTABLISHING DIRECT 
              PAYROLL DEDUCTION INTO QUALIFIED TUITION PROGRAMS AND 
              QUALIFIED ABLE PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--Section 45E of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(f) Application to Programs for Payroll Deduction Contributions 
to Qualified Tuition Programs and Qualified ABLE Programs.--In the case 
of a qualified payroll deduction contribution program (as defined in 
section 132(o)(2)) established by an employer--
            ``(1) such program shall be treated as an eligible employer 
        plan for purposes of this section,
            ``(2) this section (including the limitation of subsection 
        (b)) shall be applied separately with respect to such programs 
        and any other eligible employer plans of the employer, and
            ``(3) subsection (d)(1)(A)(ii) shall be applied by 
        substituting `education' for `retirement-related education'.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendments.--
            (1) The heading for section 45E of such Code is amended by 
        striking ``pension''.
            (2) The table of sections for subpart D of part IV of 
        subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by striking 
        the item relating to section 45E and inserting the following 
        new item:

``Sec. 45E. Small employer plan startup costs.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to costs paid or incurred in taxable years beginning after the 
date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 4. EXEMPTIONS FROM ADDITIONAL TAX FOR CERTAIN DISTRIBUTIONS FROM 
              QUALIFIED TUITION PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--Section 529(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 is amended by striking the last sentence and inserting the 
following: ``This paragraph shall not apply to the extent that--
                    ``(A) a payment or distribution is contributed to 
                an individual retirement plan of the account owner or 
                the designated beneficiary with respect to the calendar 
                year in which the payment or distribution is received,
                    ``(B) a payment or distribution is used (within 90 
                days of the payment or distribution) to make a payment 
                of interest or principal on a qualified education loan 
                (as defined in section 222(d)(1)) on behalf of the 
                designated beneficiary or a member of the family of 
                such designated beneficiary within the meaning of 
                section 529(e)(2)), or
                    ``(C) the recipient of a payment or distribution 
                makes (within 90 days of the receipt of the payment or 
                distribution) a contribution to an organization 
                described in section 170(b)(1)(A) (other than any 
                organization described in section 509(a)(3) or any fund 
                or account described in section 4966(d)(2)), but only 
                if--
                            ``(i) a deduction for the entire payment or 
                        distribution is allowable under section 170, 
                        and
                            ``(ii) the total payments and distributions 
                        taken into account under this subparagraph with 
                        respect to such recipient for any taxable year 
                        does not exceed $1,000.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to distributions after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 5. CLARIFICATION REGARDING INVESTMENT DIRECTION IN QUALIFIED 
              TUITION PROGRAMS AND QUALIFIED ABLE PROGRAMS.

    (a) Investment Direction in Qualified Tuition Programs.--Paragraph 
(4) of section 529(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended 
by adding at the end the following: ``For purposes of this paragraph, 
rebalancing investments among broad-based investment strategies 
established under the program shall not be treated as investment 
direction by a contributor or designated beneficiary unless the 
specific investments within those broad-based strategies are directed 
by the contributor or designated beneficiary.''.
    (b) Investment Direction in Qualified ABLE Programs.--Paragraph (4) 
of section 529A(b) of such Code is amended by adding at the end the 
following: ``For purposes of this paragraph, rebalancing investments 
among broad-based investment strategies established under the program 
shall not be treated as investment direction by a designated 
beneficiary unless the specific investments within those broad-based 
strategies are directed by the designated beneficiary.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to calendar years beginning after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 6. ROLLOVERS BETWEEN QUALIFIED TUITION PROGRAMS AND QUALIFIED ABLE 
              PROGRAMS.

    (a) Rollovers From Qualified Tuition Programs to Qualified ABLE 
Programs.--Clause (i) of section 529(c)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``or'' at the end of subclause (I), 
by striking the period at the end of subclause (II) and inserting ``, 
or'', and by adding at the end the following new subclause:
                                    ``(III) to an ABLE account (as 
                                defined in section 529A(e)(6)) of the 
                                designated beneficiary or a member of 
                                the family of the designated 
                                beneficiary.
                        Subclause (III) shall not apply to so much of a 
                        distribution which, when added to all other 
                        contributions made to the ABLE account for the 
                        taxable year, exceeds the limitation under 
                        section 529A(b)(2)(B).''.
    (b) Rollovers From Qualified ABLE Programs to Qualified Tuition 
Programs.--Clause (i) of section 529A(c)(1)(C) of such Code is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``such payment or distribution, into 
        another'' and inserting ``such payment or distribution--
                                    ``(I) into another'';
            (2) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``, 
        or'', and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subclause:
                                    ``(II) to a qualified tuition 
                                program (as described in section 529) 
                                for the benefit of the same designated 
                                beneficiary or a member of the family 
                                of such designated beneficiary.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to distributions after the date of the enactment of this Act.
[A]: 529 and ABLE Account Improvement Act of 2016  This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the tax treatment of qualified tuition programs (known as 529 plans) and ABLE accounts. (Tax-favored ABLE [Achieving a Better Life Experience] accounts are designed to enable individuals with disabilities to save for and pay for disability-related expenses.)  The bill excludes from gross income a fringe benefit consisting of up to $100 per year (adjusted for inflation after 2016) of employer contributions to an employee's 529 or ABLE account. The employer contribution must be made: (1) to an account for which the designated beneficiary is the employee or a member of the employee's family, and (2) in connection with a payroll deduction contribution program established by the employer.  The bill also: (1) expands the tax credit for small employer pension plan startup costs to include the costs of establishing a payroll deduction contribution program for 529 plans and ABLE accounts;(2) permits 529 funds to be used for transfers to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), education loan payments, or charitable contributions without being subject to the additional tax for distributions that are not used for qualified higher education expenses; and (3) permits tax-free rollovers of funds between 529 and ABLE accounts for the benefit of the same beneficiary or a family member of the beneficiary. For the purpose of current law restrictions on the frequency of investment directions that a beneficiary or contributor may provide for a 529 or ABLE account, rebalancing investments among broad-based investment strategies established under the program is not an investment direction unless the beneficiary or contributor directs the specific investments within the strategies. 


[Q]: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Construction Reform Act of 2016''.

SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CONSTRUCTION REFORMS.

    (a) Application of Industry Standards; Assistance.--Section 8103 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsections:
    ``(f) To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall use 
industry standards, standard designs, and best practices in carrying 
out the construction of medical facilities.
    ``(g)(1) The Secretary shall provide to a non-Department Federal 
entity with which the Secretary has entered into an agreement under 
subsection (e)--
            ``(A) design, planning, and construction assistance before 
        the entity issues a request for proposals for the design or 
        construction of the super construction project covered by the 
        agreement;
            ``(B) any documents or information needed for the entity to 
        carry out the responsibilities of the entity with respect to 
        the super construction project; and
            ``(C) upon the request of the entity, any other assistance 
        that the entity determines necessary to carry out such 
        responsibilities.
    ``(2) Any assistance provided under paragraph (1) shall be provided 
to the non-Department Federal entity on a non-reimbursable basis.
    ``(h)(1) With respect to a proposed change to a contract entered 
into by a non-Department Federal entity with which the Secretary has 
entered into an agreement under subsection (e) that is estimated at a 
value of less than $250,000, the non-Department Federal entity shall 
issue a final decision regarding such change not later than 30 days 
after the date on which the change is proposed.
    ``(2) With respect to a proposed change to such a contract that is 
estimated at a value of $250,000 or more--
            ``(A) the Secretary may provide to the entity the 
        recommendations of the Secretary regarding such change;
            ``(B) during the 30-day period beginning on the date on 
        which the entity furnishes to the Secretary information 
        regarding such change, the Secretary may issue the final 
        decision regarding such change; and
            ``(C) if the Secretary does not issue a final decision 
        under subparagraph (B), during the 30-day period following the 
        period described in such paragraph, the entity shall issue a 
        final decision regarding such a change no later than 90 days 
        from when the entity furnished information regarding such a 
        change to the Secretary.
    ``(i) The Secretary shall ensure that each employee of the 
Department with responsibilities relating to the construction or 
alteration of medical facilities, including such construction or 
alteration carried out pursuant to contracts or agreements, undergoes a 
program of ongoing professional training and development. Such program 
shall be designed to ensure that employees maintain adequate expertise 
relating to industry standards and best practices for the acquisition 
of design and construction services. The Secretary may provide the 
program under this subsection through a contract or agreement with a 
non-Federal entity or with a non-Department Federal entity.''.
    (b) Limitation on Planning and Design for Super Construction 
Projects.--
            (1) In general.--Section 8104(a) of title 38, United States 
        Code, is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph 
                (4);
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following 
                new paragraph (3):
    ``(3) The Secretary may not obligate or expend funds for advance 
planning or design for any super construction project, until the date 
that is 60 days after the date on which the Secretary submits to the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of 
the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on 
Appropriations of the House of Representatives notice of such 
obligation or expenditure.''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (4), as redesignated by paragraph 
                (1) of this subsection, by adding at the end the 
                following new subparagraph:
            ``(C) The term `super construction project' means a project 
        for the construction, alteration, or acquisition of a medical 
        facility involving a total expenditure of more than 
        $100,000,000, but such term does not include an acquisition by 
        exchange.''.
            (2) Applicability.--The amendments made by paragraph (1) 
        shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and 
        shall apply with respect to a construction project that is 
        initiated on or after that date.
    (c) Congressional Approval of Certain Projects.--
            (1) Projects that exceed specified amount.--Subsection (c) 
        of section 8104 of title 38, United States Code, is amended to 
        read as follows:
    ``(c)(1) The Secretary may not obligate funds for a major medical 
facility project or a super construction project approved by a law 
described in subsection (a)(2) in an amount that would cause the total 
amount obligated for that project to exceed the amount specified in the 
law for that project (or would add to total obligations exceeding such 
specified amount) by more than 10 percent unless the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and 
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations 
of the House of Representatives each approve in writing the obligation 
of those funds.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall--
            ``(A) enter into a contract with an appropriate non-
        department Federal entity with the ability to conduct forensic 
        audits on medical facility projects for the conduct of an 
        external forensic audit of the expenditures relating to any 
        major medical facility or super construction project for which 
        the total expenditures exceed the amount specified in the law 
        for the project by more than 25 percent; and
            ``(B) enter into a contract with an appropriate non-
        department Federal entity with the ability to conduct forensic 
        audits on medical facility projects for the conduct of an 
        external audit of the medical center construction project in 
        Aurora, Colorado.''.
            (2) Use of extra amounts.--Subsection (d) of such section 
        is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)(B), in the matter preceding 
                clause (i), by striking ``Whenever'' and inserting 
                ``Before''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
    ``(3) The Secretary may not obligate any funds described in 
paragraph (1) or amounts described in paragraph (2) before the date 
that is 30 days after the notification submitted under paragraph (1) or 
paragraph (2)(B), as the case may be, unless the Committee on Veterans' 
Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of 
the House of Representatives each approve in writing the obligation of 
those funds or amounts.''.
            (3) Notification requirements.--
                    (A) Committees required.--Subsection (d)(1) of such 
                section is amended by striking ``each committee'' and 
                inserting ``the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the 
                Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the 
                Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on 
                Appropriations of the House of Representatives''.
                    (B) Use of amounts from bid savings.--Subsection 
                (d)(2)(B) of such section is amended by adding at the 
                end the following new clause:
            ``(iv) With respect to the major construction project that 
        is the source of the bid savings--
                    ``(I) the amounts already obligated or available in 
                the project reserve for such project;
                    ``(II) the percentage of such project that has been 
                completed; and
                    ``(III) the amount of such bid savings that is 
                already obligated or otherwise being used for a purpose 
                other than such project.''.
    (d) Quarterly Report on Super Construction Projects.--
            (1) In general.--At the end of subchapter I of chapter 81 
        of title 38, United States Code, add the following new section:
``Sec. 8120. Quarterly report on super construction projects
    ``(a) Quarterly Reports Required.--Not later than 30 days after the 
last day of each fiscal quarter the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
Representatives on the super construction projects carried out by the 
Secretary during such quarter. Each such report shall include, for each 
such project--
            ``(1) the budgetary and scheduling status of the project, 
        as of the last day of the quarter covered by the report; and
            ``(2) the actual cost and schedule variances of the 
        project, as of such day, compared to the planned cost and 
        schedules for the project.
    ``(b) Super Construction Project Defined.--In this section, the 
term `super construction project' has the meaning given such term in 
section 8104(a)(4)(C) of this title.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of the chapter is amended by adding at the end of the 
        items relating to such subchapter the following new item:

``8120. Quarterly report on super construction projects.''.
    (e) Accelerated Master Planning for Each Medical Facility of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs.--
            (1) Existing facilities.--Not later than December 31, 2016, 
        the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall complete a master plan 
        described in paragraph (3) for each medical facility of the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs.
            (2) New facilities.--For each medical facility of the 
        Department for which construction is completed after the date 
        of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete a 
        master plan described in paragraph (3) for the facility by not 
        later than the earlier of the following dates:
                    (A) The date on which activation is completed.
                    (B) The date of the formal dedication of the 
                facility.
            (3) Master plan described.--A master plan described in this 
        paragraph is, with respect to a medical facility of the 
        Department, a plan to inform investment decisions and funding 
        requests over a 10-year period for construction projects at 
        such medical facility--
                    (A) to meet the health care needs of a changing 
                veteran population through a combination of health care 
                from the Department and other community resources; and
                    (B) to maximize the best use of the land and 
                structures comprising such medical facility.

SEC. 3. ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR CONSTRUCTION.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 3 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting after section 312 the following new section:
``Sec. 312A. Assistant Inspector General for Construction
    ``(a) In General.--There is in the Office of Inspector General an 
Assistant Inspector General for Construction. The Assistant Inspector 
General for Construction is responsible for conducting, supervising, 
and coordinating audits, evaluations, and investigations of the 
planning, design, contracting, execution, and construction of 
facilities and infrastructure of the Department, including major and 
minor construction projects and leases.
    ``(b) Qualifications.--Each individual appointed as Assistant 
Inspector General for Construction shall be an individual who has 
expertise in construction and facilities management.
    ``(c) Reports.--(1) Not later than 60 days after the appointment of 
an individual as the Assistant Inspector General for Construction, and 
every calendar quarter thereafter, the Assistant Inspector General for 
Construction shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the 
Senate and House of Representatives a report summarizing the activities 
of the Assistant Inspector General for Construction during the 120-day 
period ending on the date of such report.
    ``(2) In addition to the report required in paragraph (1), and the 
requirements contained in section 5 of the Inspector General Act of 
1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), the Assistant Inspector General for Construction 
shall promptly provide to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the 
Senate and House of Representatives the findings of any investigation 
undertaken by the Assistant Inspector General for Construction, and 
shall notify the Committees promptly if the Assistant Inspector General 
for Construction identifies any serious or flagrant problem or 
deficiency relating to the administration or operation of any 
construction program of the Department, if, during the course of any 
investigation, the Assistant Inspector General for Construction 
determines that Congress should take immediate action.
    ``(3) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize 
the public disclosure of information that is--
            ``(A) specifically prohibited from disclosure by any other 
        provision of law;
            ``(B) specifically required by Executive Order to be 
        protected from disclosure in the interest of national defense 
        or national security or in the conduct of foreign affairs; or
            ``(C) a part of an ongoing criminal investigation.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
312 the following new item:

``312A. Assistant Inspector General for Construction.''.

            Passed the House of Representatives February 9, 2016.

            Attest:

                                                 KAREN L. HAAS,

                                                                 Clerk.
[A]:
Construction Reform Act of 2016 (Sec. 2) This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to use industry standards, standard designs, and best practices in carrying out medical facility construction. A super construction project is one for the construction, alteration, or acquisition of a medical facility involving a total expenditure of more than $100 million (but does not include an acquisition by exchange).  The VA shall provide, on a non-reimbursable basis, a non-VA federal entity with: (1) design, planning, and construction assistance; (2) project documents; and (3) other assistance upon request.  With respect to a proposed change to a contract entered into by a non-VA federal entity with which the VA has entered into an agreement that is estimated at a value of less than $250,000, the entity shall issue a final decision regarding such change within 30 days.   With respect to a proposed contract change estimated at a value of $250,000 or more:    the VA may make recommendations to the entity;   the VA may issue the final decision regarding the change within 30 days after the entity proposes it; and   if the VA does not issue a final decision within 60 days after the entity proposes the contract change, the entity shall issue a final decision regarding the change no later than 90 days after it proposes the change.    The VA shall ensure that each VA employee with responsibilities relating to the construction or alteration of medical facilities undergoes ongoing professional training and development.   The VA is prohibited from:    obligating or expending funds for advance planning or design for any super construction project until 60 days after congressional notification,  obligating funds for a major medical facility project or a super construction project by more than 10% of the amount approved by law unless certain congressional committees approve the obligation, or  using bid savings amounts or funds for other than their original purpose before 30 days after notifying those committees unless each committee approves the obligation.   The VA shall enter into a contract with an appropriate non-department federal entity to conduct an external forensic audit of: (1) the medical center construction project in Aurora, Colorado; and (2) the expenditures relating to any major medical facility or super construction project when such expenditures exceed the amount approved by law by more than 25%.  The VA must complete a 10-year master plan for: (1) each existing VA medical facility by December 31, 2016, and (2) each new VA medical facility by not later than the earlier of the date on which activation is completed or the date of the facility's formal dedication.  (Sec. 3) There is established in the Office of Inspector General an Assistant Inspector General for Construction who shall be responsible for conducting, supervising, and coordinating audits, evaluations, and investigations of the planning, design, contracting, and construction of VA facilities and infrastructure, including major and minor construction projects and leases.