Veterans Programs Extension Act of 2006
PL 109-444 (H.R.6342), enacted 12/21/2006

120 STAT. 3304
PUBLIC LAW 109–444—DEC. 21, 2006
Public Law 109–444
109th Congress
An Act
To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain expiring provisions of
law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to expand eligibility for
the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance program, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Veterans
Programs Extension Act of 2006’’.
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Extension of certain expiring provisions of law administered by the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 3. Expansion of eligibility for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assist-
ance program.
Sec. 4. Deadline and permanent requirement for report on educational assistance
program.
Sec. 5. Reauthorization of biennial report of Advisory Committee on Women Vet-
erans.
Sec. 6. Parkinson’s Disease research, education, and clinical centers and multiple
sclerosis centers of excellence.
Sec. 7. Authorization of major medical facility leases.
Sec. 8. Technical and clerical amendments.
Sec. 9. Codification of cost-of-living adjustment provided in Public Law 109–361.
SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN EXPIRING PROVISIONS OF LAW
ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) AUTHORITY FOR HEALTH CARE FOR PARTICIPATION IN DOD
CHEMICAL
AND
BIOLOGICAL
WARFARE
TESTING.—Section
1710(e)(3)(D) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking
‘‘December 31, 2005’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2007’’.
(b) GRANT AND PER DIEM GRANT ASSISTANCE FOR HOMELESS
VETERANS.—Section 2011(a)(2) of such title is amended by striking
‘‘September 30, 2005’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2007’’.
(c) TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION FOR SERIOUSLY MENTALLY
ILL
AND HOMELESS VETERANS.—Section 2031(b) of such title is
amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2006’’ and inserting ‘‘December
31, 2007’’.
(d) ADDITIONAL SERVICES FOR HOMELESS AND SERIOUSLY MEN-
TALLY ILL VETERANS.—Section 2033(d) of such title is amended
by striking ‘‘December 31, 2006’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2007’’.
(e) ADVISORY COMMITTEE
ON HOMELESS VETERANS.—Section
2066(d) of such title is amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2006’’
and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2007’’.
38 USC 101 note.
Veterans
Programs
Extension Act
of 2006.
Dec. 21, 2006
[H.R. 6342]
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120 STAT. 3305
PUBLIC LAW 109–444—DEC. 21, 2006
(f) GOVERNMENT MARKERS IN PRIVATE CEMETERIES.—Section
2306(d)(3) of such title is amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2006’’
and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2007’’.
(g) ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE ALLOWANCE
FOR
WORK-STUDY.—Section 3485(a)(4) of such title is amended in sub-
paragraphs (A), (C), and (F) by striking ‘‘December 27, 2006’’ and
inserting ‘‘June 30, 2007’’.
SEC. 3. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR SURVIVORS’ AND DEPEND-
ENTS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
(a) EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY.—Section 3501(a)(1) of title 38,
United States Code, is amended—
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
‘‘means—’’ and inserting ‘‘means any of the following:’’;
(2) in each of subparagraphs (A) through (D), by capital-
izing the first letter of the first word;
(3) in subparagraph (A)—
(A) by inserting after ‘‘a person who’’ the following:
‘‘, as a result of qualifying service’’;
(B) by striking the comma at the end of clause (i)
and inserting ‘‘; or’’;
(C) by striking ‘‘, or’’ at the end of clause (ii) and
inserting a period; and
(D) by striking clause (iii);
(4) in subparagraph (B) by striking the comma at the
end and inserting the following: ‘‘sustained during a period
of qualifying service.’’;
(5) in subparagraph (C)—
(A) by inserting ‘‘or child’’ after ‘‘the spouse’’; and
(B) by striking ‘‘, or’’ at the end and inserting a period;
(6) in subparagraph (D)—
(A) in clause (i), by inserting before the comma the
following: ‘‘sustained during a period of qualifying service’’;
and
(B) by striking the comma at the end and inserting
a period;
(7) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following new
subparagraph:
‘‘(E) The spouse or child of a person who—
‘‘(i) at the time of the Secretary’s determination
under clause (ii), is a member of the Armed Forces
who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient medical
care, services, or treatment;
‘‘(ii) the Secretary determines has a total disability
permanent in nature incurred or aggravated in the
line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service;
and
‘‘(iii) is likely to be discharged or released from
such service for such disability.’’; and
(8) by striking ‘‘arising out of’’ and all that follows through
the end.
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 35.—Chapter 35
of such title is further amended as follows:
(1) Section 3501(a) is amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
‘‘(12) The term ‘qualifying service’ means service in the
active military, naval, or air service after the beginning of
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120 STAT. 3306
PUBLIC LAW 109–444—DEC. 21, 2006
the Spanish-American War that did not terminate under dis-
honorable conditions.’’.
(2) Section 3511 is amended—
(A) in subsection (a)(1)—
(i) by striking ‘‘Each eligible person’’ and inserting
the following: ‘‘Each eligible person, whether made
eligible by one or more of the provisions of section
3501(a)(1) of this title,’’;
(ii) by striking ‘‘a period’’ and inserting ‘‘an aggre-
gate period’’; and
(iii) by striking the second sentence;
(B) in subsection (b)—
(i) in paragraph (2)—
(I) by striking ‘‘the provisions of section
3501(a)(1)(A)(iii) or’’ and inserting ‘‘section’’; and
(II) by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end;
(ii) in paragraph (3)—
(I) by striking ‘‘section 3501(a)(1)(D)’’ and
inserting ‘‘subparagraph (D) or (E) of section
3501(a)(1)’’; and
(II) by inserting ‘‘or’’ after the comma at the
end; and
(iii) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following
new paragraph:
‘‘(4) the parent or spouse from whom such eligibility is
derived based upon subparagraph (E) of section 3501(a)(1) of
this title no longer meets a requirement under clause (i), (ii),
or (iii) of that subparagraph,’’; and
(C) by striking subsection (c).
(3) Section 3512 is amended—
(A) in subsection (a)—
(i) by striking ‘‘an eligible person (within the
meaning of section 3501(a)(1)(A) of this title)’’ and
inserting ‘‘an eligible person whose eligibility is based
on the death or disability of a parent or on a parent
being listed in one of the categories referred to in
section 3501(a)(1)(C) of this title’’; and
(ii) in paragraph (6), by striking ‘‘the provisions
of section 3501(a)(1)(A)(iii)’’ and inserting ‘‘a parent
being listed in one of the categories referred to in
section 3501(a)(1)(C)’’;
(B) in subsection (b)—
(i) in paragraph (1)(A)—
(I) by inserting after ‘‘section 3501(a)(1) of this
title’’ the following: ‘‘or a person made eligible by
the 
disability 
of 
a 
spouse 
under 
section
3501(a)(1)(E) of this title’’; and
(II) by striking ‘‘or 3501(a)(1)(D)(ii) of this
title’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘3501(a)(1)(D)(ii), 
or
3501(a)(1)(E) of this title’’;
(ii) in paragraph (1)(B), by adding at the end the
following new clause:
‘‘(iii) The date on which the Secretary notifies the member
of the Armed Forces from whom eligibility is derived that
the member has a total disability permanent in nature incurred
or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval,
or air service.’’; and
38 USC 3511.
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120 STAT. 3307
PUBLIC LAW 109–444—DEC. 21, 2006
(iii) in paragraph (2)—
(I) by striking ‘‘or (D) of this title’’ and
inserting ‘‘(D), or (E) of this title’’; and
(II) by inserting ‘‘whose eligibility is based
on the death or disability of a spouse or on a
spouse being listed in one of the categories referred
to in section 3501(a)(1)(C) of this title’’ after ‘‘of
this title)’’;
(C) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘veteran’’ and
inserting ‘‘person’’; and
(D) in subsection (e)—
(i) by inserting ‘‘based on a spouse being listed
in one of the categories referred to in section
3501(a)(1)(C) of this title’’ after ‘‘of this title’’;
(ii) by inserting ‘‘so’’ after ‘‘the spouse was’’; and
(iii) by striking ‘‘by the Secretary’’ and all that
follows through ‘‘occurs’’.
(4) Section 3540 is amended by striking ‘‘(as defined in
subparagraphs (A), (B), and (D) of section 3501(a)(1) of this
title)’’ and inserting ‘‘(other than a person made eligible under
subparagraph (C) of such section by reason of a spouse being
listed in one of the categories referred to in that subpara-
graph)’’.
(5) Section 3563 is amended by striking ‘‘each eligible per-
son defined in section 3501(a)(1)(A) of this title’’ and inserting
‘‘each eligible person whose eligibility is based on the death
or disability of a parent or on a parent being listed in one
of the categories referred to in section 3501(a)(1)(C) of this
title’’.
(c) OTHER CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Such title is further
amended as follows:
(1) Sections 3686(a)(1) is amended by striking ‘‘or (D)’’
and inserting ‘‘(D), or (E)’’.
(2) Section 5113(b)(3) is amended—
(A) in subparagraph (B) by striking ‘‘section 3501(a)(1)’’
and all that follows through the end and inserting the
following: ‘‘subparagraphs (A), (B), (D), and (E) of section
3501(a)(1) of this title.’’; and
(B) in subparagraph (C)—
(i) by striking ‘‘such veteran’s death’’ and inserting
‘‘the death of the person from whom such eligibility
is derived’’; and
(ii) by striking ‘‘such veteran’s service-connected
total disability permanent in nature’’ and inserting
‘‘the service-connected total disability permanent in
nature (or, in the case of a person made eligible under
section 3501(a)(1)(E), the total disability permanent
in nature incurred or aggravated in the line of duty
in the active military, naval, or air service) of the
person from whom such eligibility is derived’’.
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section
shall apply with respect to a payment of educational assistance
for a course of education pursued after the date of the enactment
of this Act.
38 USC 3501
note.
38 USC 3540.
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120 STAT. 3308
PUBLIC LAW 109–444—DEC. 21, 2006
SEC. 4. DEADLINE AND PERMANENT REQUIREMENT FOR REPORT ON
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
(a) DEADLINE FOR REPORT.—Not later than six months after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense
and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall each submit to Congress
a report containing the information specified in subsections (b)
and (c) of section 3036 of title 38, United States Code.
(b) REPEAL OF TERMINATION.—Section 3036 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by striking subsection (d).
SEC. 5. REAUTHORIZATION OF BIENNIAL REPORT OF ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE ON WOMEN VETERANS.
Section 542(c)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by striking ‘‘2004’’ and inserting ‘‘2008’’.
SEC. 6. PARKINSON’S DISEASE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND CLINICAL
CENTERS AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS CENTERS OF EXCEL-
LENCE.
(a) REQUIREMENT FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTERS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new sections:
‘‘§ 7329. Parkinson’s Disease research, education, and clinical
centers
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTERS.—(1) The Secretary, upon the
recommendation of the Under Secretary for Health, shall designate
not less than six Department health-care facilities as the locations
for centers of Parkinson’s Disease research, education, and clinical
activities.
‘‘(2) Subject to the appropriation of sufficient funds for such
purpose, the Secretary shall establish and operate centers of Parkin-
son’s Disease research, education, and clinical activities at the
locations designated pursuant to paragraph (1) for such centers.
‘‘(b) CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION OF FACILITIES.—(1) In desig-
nating Department health-care facilities for centers under sub-
section (a), the Secretary, upon the recommendation of the Under
Secretary for Health, shall assure appropriate geographic distribu-
tion of such facilities.
‘‘(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall
designate as the location for a center of Parkinson’s Disease
research, education, and clinical activities pursuant to subsection
(a)(1) each Department health-care facility that as of January 1,
2005, was operating a Parkinson’s Disease research, education,
and clinical center.
‘‘(3) The Secretary may not under subsection (a) designate
a facility described in paragraph (2) if (on the recommendation
of the Under Secretary for Health) the Secretary determines that
such facility—
‘‘(A) does not meet the requirements of subsection (c); or
‘‘(B) has not demonstrated—
‘‘(i) effectiveness in carrying out the established pur-
poses of such center; or
‘‘(ii) the potential to carry out such purposes effectively
in the reasonably foreseeable future.
‘‘(c) REQUIREMENTS FOR DESIGNATION.—(1) The Secretary may
not designate a Department health-care facility as a location for
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120 STAT. 3309
PUBLIC LAW 109–444—DEC. 21, 2006
a center under subsection (a) unless the peer review panel estab-
lished under subsection (d) has determined under that subsection
that the proposal submitted by such facility as a location for a
new center under subsection (a) is among those proposals that
meet the highest competitive standards of scientific and clinical
merit.
‘‘(2) The Secretary may not designate a Department health-
care facility as a location for a center under subsection (a) unless
the Secretary (upon the recommendation of the Under Secretary
for Health) determines that the facility has (or may reasonably
be anticipated to develop) each of the following:
‘‘(A) An arrangement with an accredited medical school
that provides education and training in neurology and with
which the Department health-care facility is affiliated under
which residents receive education and training in innovative
diagnosis and treatment of chronic neurodegenerative diseases
and movement disorders, including Parkinson’s Disease.
‘‘(B) The ability to attract the participation of scientists
who are capable of ingenuity and creativity in health-care
research efforts.
‘‘(C) An advisory committee composed of veterans and
appropriate health-care and research representatives of the
Department health-care facility and of the affiliated school
or schools to advise the directors of such facility and such
center on policy matters pertaining to the activities of the
center during the period of the operation of such center.
‘‘(D) The capability to conduct effectively evaluations of
the activities of such center.
‘‘(E) The capability to coordinate (as part of an integrated
national system) education, clinical, and research activities
within all facilities with such centers.
‘‘(F) The capability to jointly develop a consortium of pro-
viders with interest in treating neurodegenerative diseases,
including Parkinson’s Disease and other movement disorders,
at facilities without such centers in order to ensure better
access to state-of-the-art diagnosis, care, and education for
neurodegenerative disorders throughout the health care system
of the Department.
‘‘(G) The capability to develop a national repository in
the health care system of the Department for the collection
of data on health services delivered to veterans seeking care
for neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s Disease,
and other movement disorders.
‘‘(d) PEER REVIEW PANEL.—(1) The Under Secretary for Health
shall establish a panel to assess the scientific and clinical merit
of proposals that are submitted to the Secretary for the establish-
ment of centers under this section.
‘‘(2)(A) The membership of the panel shall consist of experts
in neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s Disease, and
other movement disorders.
‘‘(B) Members of the panel shall serve for a period of no longer
than two years, except as specified in subparagraph (C).
‘‘(C) Of the members first appointed to the panel, one half
shall be appointed for a period of three years and one half shall
be appointed for a period of two years, as designated by the Under
Secretary at the time of appointment.
Establishment.
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120 STAT. 3310
PUBLIC LAW 109–444—DEC. 21, 2006
‘‘(3) The panel shall review each proposal submitted to the
panel by the Under Secretary and shall submit its views on the
relative scientific and clinical merit of each such proposal to the
Under Secretary.
‘‘(4) The panel shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory
Committee Act.
‘‘(e) PRIORITY OF FUNDING.—Before providing funds for the oper-
ation of a center designated under subsection (a) at a Department
health-care facility other than at a facility designated pursuant
to subsection (b)(2), the Secretary shall ensure that each Parkinson’s
Disease center at a facility designated pursuant to subsection (b)(2)
is receiving adequate funding to enable that center to function
effectively in the areas of Parkinson’s Disease research, education,
and clinical activities.
‘‘(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized
to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the support
of the research and education activities of the centers established
pursuant to subsection (a). The Under Secretary for Health shall
allocate to such centers from other funds appropriated generally
for the Department medical services account and medical and pros-
thetics research account, as appropriate, such amounts as the Under
Secretary for Health determines appropriate.
‘‘(g) AWARD COMPETITIONS.—Activities of clinical and scientific
investigation at each center established under subsection (a) shall
be eligible to compete for the award of funding from funds appro-
priated for the Department medical and prosthetics research
account. Such activities shall receive priority in the award of
funding from such account insofar as funds are awarded to projects
for research in Parkinson’s Disease and other movement disorders.
‘‘§ 7330. Multiple sclerosis centers of excellence
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTERS.—(1) The Secretary, upon the
recommendation of the Under Secretary for Health, shall designate
not less than two Department health-care facilities as the locations
for multiple sclerosis centers of excellence.
‘‘(2) Subject to the appropriation of sufficient funds for such
purpose, the Secretary shall establish and operate multiple sclerosis
centers of excellence at the locations designated pursuant to para-
graph (1) for such centers.
‘‘(b) CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION OF FACILITIES.—(1) In desig-
nating Department health-care facilities for centers under sub-
section (a), the Secretary, upon the recommendation of the Under
Secretary for Health, shall assure appropriate geographic distribu-
tion of such facilities.
‘‘(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall
designate as the location for a multiple sclerosis center of excellence
pursuant to subsection (a)(1) each Department health-care facility
that as of January 1, 2005, was operating a multiple sclerosis
center of excellence.
‘‘(3) The Secretary may not under subsection (a) designate
a facility described in paragraph (2) if (on the recommendation
of the Under Secretary for Health) the Secretary determines that
such facility—
‘‘(A) does not meet the requirements of subsection (c); or
‘‘(B) has not demonstrated—
‘‘(i) effectiveness in carrying out the established pur-
poses of such center; or
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‘‘(ii) the potential to carry out such purposes effectively
in the reasonably foreseeable future.
‘‘(c) REQUIREMENTS FOR DESIGNATION.—(1) The Secretary may
not designate a Department health-care facility as a location for
a center under subsection (a) unless the peer review panel estab-
lished under subsection (d) has determined under that subsection
that the proposal submitted by such facility as a location for a
new center under subsection (a) is among those proposals that
meet the highest competitive standards of scientific and clinical
merit.
‘‘(2) The Secretary may not designate a Department health-
care facility as a location for a center under subsection (a) unless
the Secretary (upon the recommendation of the Under Secretary
for Health) determines that the facility has (or may reasonably
be anticipated to develop) each of the following:
‘‘(A) An arrangement with an accredited medical school
that provides education and training in neurology and with
which the Department health-care facility is affiliated under
which residents receive education and training in innovative
diagnosis and treatment of chronic neurodegenerative diseases,
including multiple sclerosis.
‘‘(B) The ability to attract the participation of scientists
who are capable of ingenuity and creativity in health-care
research efforts.
‘‘(C) An advisory committee composed of veterans and
appropriate health-care and research representatives of the
Department health-care facility and of the affiliated school
or schools to advise the directors of such facility and such
center on policy matters pertaining to the activities of the
center during the period of the operation of such center.
‘‘(D) The capability to conduct effectively evaluations of
the activities of such center.
‘‘(E) The capability to coordinate (as part of an integrated
national system) education, clinical, and research activities
within all facilities with such centers.
‘‘(F) The capability to jointly develop a consortium of pro-
viders with interest in treating multiple sclerosis at facilities
without such centers in order to ensure better access to state-
of-the-art diagnosis, care, and education for autoimmune dis-
ease affecting the central nervous system throughout the health
care system of the Department.
‘‘(G) The capability to develop a national repository in
the health care system of the Department for the collection
of data on health services delivered to veterans seeking care
for autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system.
‘‘(d) PEER REVIEW PANEL.—(1) The Under Secretary for Health
shall establish a panel to assess the scientific and clinical merit
of proposals that are submitted to the Secretary for the establish-
ment of centers under this section.
‘‘(2)(A) The membership of the panel shall consist of experts
in autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system.
‘‘(B) Members of the panel shall serve for a period of no longer
than two years, except as specified in subparagraph (C).
‘‘(C) Of the members first appointed to the panel, one half
shall be appointed for a period of three years and one half shall
be appointed for a period of two years, as designated by the Under
Secretary at the time of appointment.
Establishment.
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‘‘(3) The panel shall review each proposal submitted to the
panel by the Under Secretary and shall submit its views on the
relative scientific and clinical merit of each such proposal to the
Under Secretary.
‘‘(4) The panel shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory
Committee Act.
‘‘(e) PRIORITY OF FUNDING.—Before providing funds for the oper-
ation of a center designated under subsection (a) at a Department
health-care facility other than at a facility designated pursuant
to subsection (b)(2), the Secretary shall ensure that each multiple
sclerosis center at a facility designated pursuant to subsection (b)(2)
is receiving adequate funding to enable that center to function
effectively in the areas of multiple sclerosis research, education,
and clinical activities.
‘‘(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized
to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the support
of the research and education activities of the centers established
pursuant to subsection (a). The Under Secretary for Health shall
allocate to such centers from other funds appropriated generally
for the Department medical services account and medical and pros-
thetics research account, as appropriate, such amounts as the Under
Secretary for Health determines appropriate.
‘‘(g) AWARD COMPETITIONS.—Activities of clinical and scientific
investigation at each center established under subsection (a) shall
be eligible to compete for the award of funding from funds appro-
priated for the Department medical and prosthetics research
account. Such activities shall receive priority in the award of
funding from such account insofar as funds are awarded to projects
for research in multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative dis-
orders.’’.
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 7328 the following new items:
‘‘7329. Parkinson’s Disease research, education, and clinical centers.
‘‘7330. Multiple sclerosis centers of excellence.’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Sections 7329 and 7330 of title 38, United
States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect at the
end of the 30-day period beginning on the date of the enactment
of this Act.
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY LEASES.
(a) FISCAL YEAR 2006 LEASES.—The Secretary of Veterans
Affairs may carry out the following major medical facility leases
in fiscal year 2006 at the locations specified, in an amount for
each lease not to exceed the amount specified for that location:
(1) 
For 
an 
outpatient 
clinic, 
Baltimore, 
Maryland,
$10,908,000.
(2) 
For 
an 
outpatient 
clinic, 
Evansville, 
Indiana,
$8,989,000.
(3) For an outpatient clinic, Smith County, Texas,
$5,093,000.
(b) FISCAL YEAR 2007 LEASES.—The Secretary of Veterans
Affairs may carry out the following major medical facility leases
in fiscal year 2007 at the locations specified, in an amount for
each lease not to exceed the amount specified for that location:
(1) For an outpatient and specialty care clinic, Austin,
Texas, $6,163,000.
38 USC 7329
note.
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(2) For an outpatient clinic, Lowell, Massachusetts,
$2,520,000.
(3) For an outpatient clinic, Grand Rapids, Michigan,
$4,409,000.
(4) For up to four outpatient clinics, Las Vegas, Nevada,
$8,518,000.
(5) For an outpatient clinic, Parma, Ohio, $5,032,000.
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR MAJOR MEDICAL
FACILITY LEASES.—
(1) FISCAL YEAR 2006 LEASES.—There is authorized to be
appropriated for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal
year 2006 for the Medical Care account, $24,990,000 for the
leases authorized in subsection (a).
(2) FISCAL YEAR 2007 LEASES.—There is authorized to be
appropriated for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal
year 2007 for the Medical Care account, $26,642,000 for the
leases authorized in subsection (b).
SEC. 8. TECHNICAL AND CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.
(a) TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.—Title 38, United States
Code, is amended as follows:
(1) CITATION CORRECTION.—Section 1718(c)(2) is amended
by inserting ‘‘of 1938’’ after ‘‘Act’’.
(2) CITATION CORRECTION.—Section 1785(b)(1) is amended
by striking ‘‘Robert B.’’ and inserting ‘‘Robert T.’’.
(3) PUNCTUATION CORRECTION.—Section 2002(1) is amended
by inserting a closing parenthesis before the period at the
end.
(4) PUNCTUATION
CORRECTION.—Section 2011(a)(1)(C) is
amended by inserting a period at the end.
(5) 
CROSS
REFERENCE
CORRECTION.—Section
2041(a)(3)(A)(i) is amended by striking ‘‘under this chapter’’
and inserting ‘‘established under section 3722 of this title’’.
(6) CITATION CORRECTION.—Section 8111(b)(1) is amended
by striking ‘‘into the strategic’’ and all that follows through
‘‘and Results Act of 1993’’ and inserting ‘‘into the strategic
plan of each Department under section 306 of title 5 and
the performance plan of each Department under section 1115
of title 31’’.
(7) REPEAL OF OBSOLETE TEXT.—Section 8111 is further
amended—
(A) in subsection (d)(2), by striking ‘‘effective October
1, 2003,’’; and
(B) in subsection (e)(2)—
(i) in the second sentence, by striking ‘‘shall be
implemented no later than October 1, 2003, and’’; and
(ii) in the third sentence, by striking ‘‘, following
implementation of the schedule,’’.
(8) CITATION
CORRECTION.—Section 8111A(a)(2)(B)(i) is
amended by striking ‘‘Robert B.’’ and inserting ‘‘Robert T.’’.
(b) PUBLIC LAW 107–296.—Effective as of November 25, 2002,
section 1704(d) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law
107–296; 116 Stat. 2315) is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘101(25)(d)’’ and inserting ‘‘101(25)(D)’’; and
(2) 
by 
striking 
‘‘3011(a)(1)(A)(ii)(II)’’ 
and 
inserting
‘‘3011(a)(1)(A)(ii)(III)’’.
38 USC 3011.
38 USC 101.
38 USC 101 note.
Effective date.
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120 STAT. 3314
PUBLIC LAW 109–444—DEC. 21, 2006
SEC. 9. CODIFICATION OF COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT PROVIDED
IN PUBLIC LAW 109–361.
(a) VETERANS’ DISABILITY COMPENSATION.—Section 1114 of title
38, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘$112’’ and inserting
‘‘$115’’;
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘$218’’ and inserting
‘‘$225’’;
(3) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘$337’’ and inserting
‘‘$348’’;
(4) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘$485’’ and inserting
‘‘$501’’;
(5) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘$690’’ and inserting
‘‘$712’’;
(6) in subsection (f), by striking ‘‘$873’’ and inserting ‘‘$901’’;
(7) in subsection (g), by striking ‘‘$1,099’’ and inserting
‘‘$1,135’’;
(8) in subsection (h), by striking ‘‘$1,277’’ and inserting
‘‘$1,319’’;
(9) in subsection (i), by striking ‘‘$1,436’’ and inserting
‘‘$1,483’’;
(10) in subsection (j), by striking ‘‘$2,393’’ and inserting
‘‘$2,471’’;
(11) in subsection (k)—
(A) by striking ‘‘$87’’ both places it appears and
inserting ‘‘$89’’; and
(B) by striking ‘‘$2,977’’ and ‘‘$4,176’’ and inserting
‘‘$3,075’’ and ‘‘$4,313’’, respectively;
(12) in subsection (l), by striking ‘‘$2,977’’ and inserting
‘‘$3,075’’;
(13) in subsection (m), by striking ‘‘$3,284’’ and inserting
‘‘$3,392’’;
(14) in subsection (n), by striking ‘‘$3,737’’ and inserting
‘‘$3,860’’;
(15) in subsections (o) and (p), by striking ‘‘$4,176’’ each
place it appears and inserting ‘‘$4,313’’;
(16) in subsection (r)—
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘$1,792’’ and inserting
‘‘$1,851’’; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘2,669’’ and inserting
‘‘$2,757’’; and
(17) in subsection (s), by striking ‘‘$2,678’’ and inserting
‘‘$2,766’’.
(b) ADDITIONAL
COMPENSATION
FOR
DEPENDENTS.—Section
1115(1) of such title is amended—
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘$135’’ and inserting
‘‘$139’’;
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘$233’’ and ‘‘$68’’ and
inserting ‘‘$240’’ and ‘‘$70’’, respectively;
(3) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘$91’’ and ‘‘$68’’ and
inserting ‘‘$94’’ and ‘‘$70’’, respectively;
(4) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘$109’’ and inserting
‘‘$112’’;
(5) in subparagraph (E), by striking ‘‘$257’’ and inserting
‘‘$265’’; and
(6) in subparagraph (F), by striking ‘‘$215’’ and inserting
‘‘$222’’.
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120 STAT. 3315
PUBLIC LAW 109–444—DEC. 21, 2006
(c) CLOTHING ALLOWANCE FOR CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS.—
Section 1162 of such title is amended by striking ‘‘$641’’ and
inserting ‘‘$662’’.
(d) DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR SURVIVING
SPOUSES.—
(1) NEW LAW DIC.—Subsection (a) of section 1311 of such
title is amended—
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘$1,033’’ and inserting
‘‘$1,067’’; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘$221’’ and inserting
‘‘$228’’.
(2) OLD
LAW
DIC.—The table in paragraph (3) of such
subsection is amended to read as follows:
Pay grade
Monthly rate
Pay grade
Monthly rate
E–1 .............................
$1,067
W–4 ..........................
$1,276
E–2 .............................
$1,067
O–1 ...........................
$1,128
E–3 .............................
$1,067
O–2 ...........................
$1,165
E–4 .............................
$1,067
O–3 ...........................
$1,246
E–5 .............................
$1,067
O–4 ...........................
$1,319
E–6 .............................
$1,067
O–5 ...........................
$1,452
E–7 .............................
$1,104
O–6 ...........................
$1,637
E–8 .............................
$1,165
O–7 ...........................
$1,768
E–9 .............................
$1,2151
O–8 ...........................
$1,941
W–1 ............................
$1,128
O–9 ...........................
$2,076
W–2 ............................
$1,172
O–10 .........................
$2,2762
W–3 ............................
$1,207
1 If the veteran served as Sergeant Major of the Army, Senior Enlisted Advisor of
the Navy, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Sergeant Major of the Marine
Corps, or Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, at the applicable time des-
ignated by section 1302 of this title, the surviving spouse’s rate shall be $1,312.
2 If the veteran served as Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
Chief of Staff of the Army, Chief of Naval Operations, Chief of Staff of the Air
Force, Commandant of the Marine Corps, or Commandant of the Coast Guard, at
the applicable time designated by section 1302 of this title, the surviving spouse’s
rate shall be $2,443.
(3) ADDITIONAL DIC FOR CHILDREN OR DISABILITY.—Such
section is further amended—
(A) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘$257’’ and inserting
‘‘$265’’;
(B) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘$257’’ and inserting
‘‘$265’’; and
(C) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘$122’’ and inserting
‘‘$126’’.
(e) DEPENDENCY
AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION
FOR CHIL-
DREN.—
(1) DIC WHEN NO SURVIVING SPOUSE.—Section 1313(a) of
such title is amended—
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘$438’’ and inserting
‘‘$452’’;
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘$629’’ and inserting
‘‘$649’’;
(C) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘$819’’ and inserting
‘‘$846’’; and
(D) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘$819’’ and ‘‘$157’’
and inserting ‘‘$846’’ and ‘‘$162’’, respectively.
(2) SUPPLEMENTAL
DIC
FOR
CERTAIN
CHILDREN.—Section
1314 of such title is amended—
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120 STAT. 3316
PUBLIC LAW 109–444—DEC. 21, 2006
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 6342:
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 152 (2006):
Dec. 6, considered and passed House.
Dec. 7, considered and passed Senate.
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘$257’’ and inserting
‘‘$265’’;
(B) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘$438’’ and inserting
‘‘$452’’; and
(C) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘$218’’ and inserting
‘‘$225’’.
Approved December 21, 2006.
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