Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2016-09-09 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on September 13, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2016

This bill extends specified Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs.

TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE

(Sec. 101) Authority for collection of copayments for hospital care and nursing home care is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 102) The requirement to provide nursing home care to certain veterans with service-connected disabilities is extended through December 31, 2017.

(Sec. 103) The authorization of appropriations for assistance and support services for caregivers is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 104) Authority for recovery from third parties of the cost of care and services furnished to veterans with health-plan contracts for non-service-connected disability is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 105) The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 is amended to extend through December 31, 2017, authority for the pilot program on assistance for child care for certain veterans receiving health care.

 The authorization of appropriations for such program is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 106) Authority to make grants to veterans service organizations for transportation of highly rural veterans is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 107) Authority for the pilot program on counseling in retreat settings for women veterans newly separated from service is extended through December 31, 2017. The authorization of appropriations for such program is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 108) The reporting date for the pilot program on the use of community organizations and state and local entities to ensure that veterans receive eligible benefits is changed from 180 days after the program's completion to September 30, 2017.

TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

(Sec. 201) Authority for the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education is extended through December 31, 2017.

(Sec. 202) Specified housing loan provisions and definitions, including the calculation of the net value of real property at the time of foreclosure, are extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 203) Authority relating to vendee loans is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 204) Authority for rehabilitation and vocational benefits at VA facilities for members of the Armed Forces with severe injuries or illnesses is extended through December 31, 2017.

TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESS VETERANS

(Sec. 301) Authority for homeless veterans reintegration programs is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 302) Authority for the homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children reintegration program is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 303) Authority for referral and counseling services for veterans at risk of homelessness who are transitioning from penal institutions or institutions that provide long-term mental health care is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 304) Authority for housing assistance for homeless veterans is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 305) Authority for financial assistance for supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 306) Authority for the grant program for homeless veterans with special needs is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 307) Authority for the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans is extended through December 31, 2017.

(Sec. 308) Authority for treatment and rehabilitation services for seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans, including a program to provide homeless veterans with benefits and services at certain locations, is extended through FY2017.

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

(Sec. 401) Authority for transportation of individuals to and from VA facilities for vocational rehabilitation, counseling, treatment, or care is extended through December 31, 2017.

(Sec. 402) Authority for operation of the VA regional office in Manila, the Republic of the Philippines, is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 403) Authority for monthly assistance allowances under the Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events is extended through FY 2017.

(Sec. 404) The requirement to provide annual reports to Congress regarding equitable relief in the case of administrative error is extended through December 31, 2017.

(Sec. 405) The authorization for appropriations for adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces is extended through FY2017. The VA may only provide such assistance for adaptive sports opportunities during FY2010-FY2017.

(Sec. 406) Authority for the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans is extended through December 31, 2017.

(Sec. 407) The authorization of appropriations for homeless veterans' comprehensive services is increased.

(Sec. 408) Authority for temporary eligibility expansion for specially adapted housing assistance for certain veterans with disabilities causing difficulty ambulating is extended through FY2017.

 The VA may not approve more than 30 assistance applications in each of FY2014-FY2017.

(Sec. 409) Authority for specially adapted housing assistive technology grants is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 410) The VA may not guarantee the payment of principal and interest on certain mortgage loan pool certificates or other securities issued or approved after December 31, 2017.

(Sec. 411) 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 is extended through December 31, 2017.

(Sec. 412) Authority for performance of medical disabilities examinations by contract physicians is extended through December 31, 2017.

(Sec. 413) The current multipliers used in calculating the fees the VA may pay to educational institutions and apprenticeship providers for reports regarding each eligible individual's enrollment in veterans' education or training programs and the interruption or termination of their participation in such programs is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 414) The requirement for an annual report on the Department of Defense-VA Interagency Program Office is extended through FY2017.

(Sec. 415) In the case of an education course subject to disapproval because the Department of Education has withdrawn recognition of the accrediting agency, the VA may continue to treat the course as an approved course for up to 18 months unless the VA or the state approving agency determines that there is evidence to support such disapproval.

 The VA must notify any veteran enrolled in such course about its status.