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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ''Salute to Veterans
and the Armed Forces Act of 2003''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Full payment of both retired pay and compensation to disabled
military retirees.
Sec. 3. Repeal of dependency and indemnity compensation offset from
survivor benefit plan surviving spouse
annuities.
Sec. 4. Increase in amount of basic educational assistance for members
of the Selected Reserve.
Sec. 5. Application of index based on costs of higher learning.
Sec. 6. One-time bonus for certain service in connection with Operation
Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring
Freedom.
Sec. 7. Authorization of additional funding for veterans medical care.
Sec. 8. Interim payments under certain veterans claims when decision is
delayed following remand for expedited
consideration.
Sec. 9. Prohibition on increases in medication copayment for veterans
and imposition of healthcare enrollment fee
for veterans.
Sec. 10. Information for separating servicemembers on veterans benefits
information.
Sec. 11. Veterans outreach programs.
Sec. 12. Retention of 38.6 percent top individual income tax rate.

SEC. 2. FULL PAYMENT OF BOTH RETIRED PAY AND COMPENSATION TO DISABLED
MILITARY RETIREES.

(a) Restoration of Full Retired Pay Benefits.--Section 1414 of
title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
''Sec. 1414. Members eligible for retired pay who have service-
connected disabilities: payment of retired pay and
veterans' disability compensation
''(a) Payment of Both Retired Pay and Compensation.--Except as
provided in subsection (b), a member or former member of the uniformed
services who is entitled to retired pay (other than as specified in
subsection (c)) and who is also entitled to veterans' disability
compensation is entitled to be paid both without regard to sections
5304 and 5305 of title 38.
''(b) Special Rule for Chapter 61 Career Retirees.--The retired pay
of a member retired under chapter 61 of this title with 20 years or
more of service otherwise creditable under section 1405 of this title
at the time of the member's retirement is subject to reduction under
sections 5304 and 5305 of title 38, but only to the extent that the
amount of the member's retired pay under chapter 61 of this title
exceeds the amount of retired pay to which the member would have been
entitled under any other provision of law based upon the member's
service in the uniformed services if the member had not been retired
under chapter 61 of this title.
''(c) Exception.--Subsection (a) does not apply to a member retired
under chapter 61 of this title with less than 20 years of service
otherwise creditable under section 1405 of this title at the time of
the member's retirement.
''(d) Definitions.--In this section:
''(1) The term 'retired pay' includes retainer pay,
emergency officers retirement pay, and naval pension.
''(2) The term 'veterans' disability compensation' has the
meaning given the term 'compensation' in section 101(13) of
title 38.''.
(b) Repeal of Special Compensation Programs.--Sections 1413 and
1413a of such title are repealed.
(c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
such chapter is amended by striking the items relating to sections
1413, 1413a, and 1414 and inserting the following:

''1414. Members eligible for retired pay who have service-connected
disabilities: payment of retired pay and
veterans' disability compensation.''.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on--
(1) the first day of the first month that begins after the
date of the enactment of this Act; or
(2) the first day of the fiscal year that begins in the
calendar year in which this Act is enacted, if later than the
date specified in paragraph (1).
(e) Retroactive Benefits.--No benefits may be paid to any person by
reason of section 1414 of title 10, United States Code, as amended by
subsection (a), for any period before the effective date specified in
subsection (a).

SEC. 3. REPEAL OF DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION OFFSET FROM
SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN SURVIVING SPOUSE ANNUITIES.

(a) Repeal.--Subsections (c), (e), and (k) of section 1450 of title
10, United States Code, and subsection (c)(2) of section 1451 of such
title are repealed.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a)--
(1) shall take effect on the later of October 1, 2003, or
the date of the enactment of this Act; and
(2) shall apply with respect to payment of annuities under
subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 10, United States Code,
for months beginning on or after that date.
(c) Recoupment of Certain Amounts Previously Refunded to SBP
Recipients.--(1) A surviving spouse who is in receipt of an SBP annuity
that is in effect before the date specified in subsection (b) and that
is adjusted by reason of the amendments made by subsection (a) and who
had previously received an SBP retired pay refund shall repay an amount
determined under paragraph (2). Any such repayment shall be made in the
same manner as a repayment under subsection (k)(2) of section 1450 of
title 10, United States Code, as in effect on the day before the date
of the enactment of this Act.
(2) The amount of a repayment under paragraph (1) shall be the
amount that bears the same ratio to the amount of that refund as the
surviving spouse's life expectancy (determined in accordance with
standard actuarial practices) bears to the anticipated total duration
of the annuity (determined as the sum of such life expectancy and the
duration of the annuity already received).
(3) In this subsection:
(A) The term ''SBP annuity'' means an annuity under the
program established under subchapter II of chapter 73 of title
10, United States Code.
(B) The term ''SBP retired pay refund'' means a refund
under subsection (e) of section 1450 of title 10, United States
Code, as in effect before the date specified in subsection (b).

SEC. 4. INCREASE IN AMOUNT OF BASIC EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERS
OF THE SELECTED RESERVE.

(a) In General.--(1) Paragraph (1) of section 16131(b) of title 10,
United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ''$251'' and inserting
''$600'';
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ''$188'' and inserting
''$450''; and
(C) in subparagraph (C), by striking ''$125'' and inserting
''$300''.
(2) The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on
October 1, 2004, and shall apply with respect to educational assistance
allowances under section 16131(b)(1) of such title paid for months
after September 2004.
(3) In the case of an educational assistance allowance under such
section paid for months occurring during fiscal year 2004--
(A) subparagraph (A) of such section shall be applied by
substituting ''$475'' for ''$251'';
(B) subparagraph (B) of such section shall be applied by
substituting ''$325'' for ''$188''; and
(C) subparagraph (C) of such section shall be applied by
substituting ''$215'' for ''$125''.
(b) No Adjustment for Fiscal Years 2004 and 2005.--Section
16131(b)(2) of such title shall not apply to rates of basic educational
assistance paid under such section during fiscal years 2004 and 2005.

SEC. 5. APPLICATION OF INDEX BASED ON COSTS OF HIGHER LEARNING.

(a) In General.--Section 16131(b)(2) of title 10, United States
Code, is amended to read as follows:
''(2)(A) With respect to any fiscal year beginning on or after
October 1, 2005, the Secretary shall provide a percentage increase
(rounded to the nearest dollar) in the rates payable under paragraph
(1) equal to the percentage (as determined by the Secretary) by which--
''(i) the average monthly costs of tuition and expenses for
commuter students at public institutions of higher learning
that award baccalaureate degrees for purposes of paragraph (1)
for the fiscal year involved, exceeds
''(ii) such average monthly costs for the preceding fiscal
year.
''(B) The Secretary shall make the determination under subparagraph
(A) after consultation with the Secretary of Education.
''(C) A determination made under subparagraph (A) in a year shall
take effect on October 1 of that year and apply with respect to basic
educational assistance allowances payable under this section for the
fiscal year beginning in that year.
''(D) Not later than September 30 each year, the Secretary shall
publish in the Federal Register the average monthly costs of tuition
and expenses as determined under subparagraph (A) in that year.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--(1) Section 3015(h) of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by striking ''by which--'' and all that follows
and inserting ''determined by the Secretary under section 16131(b)(2)
of title 10 for the fiscal year involved.''.
(2) The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply to fiscal years
beginning on or after October 1, 2005.

SEC. 6. ONE-TIME BONUS FOR CERTAIN SERVICE IN CONNECTION WITH OPERATION
IRAQI FREEDOM OR OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.

(a) Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.--The Secretary of
Defense shall provide for the payment of a bonus under this section to
each member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps who, at any
time during the service of the member in connection with Operation
Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom, satisfied or satisfies the
eligibility criteria for receipt of special pay under section 310 of
title 37, United States Code, for duty subject to hostile fire or
imminent danger.
(b) Coast Guard.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide
for the payment of a bonus under this section to each member of the
Coast Guard who, at any time during the service of the member in
connection with Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom,
satisfied or satisfies the eligibility criteria for receipt of special
pay under such section.
(c) Amount of Bonus.--The amount of the bonus paid under this
section shall be equal to $1,000.
(d) Entitlement Limited to Single Bonus Payment.--A member may not
receive more than one bonus under the authority of this section.

SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR VETERANS MEDICAL CARE.

(a) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Department of Veterans Affairs, in addition to amounts otherwise
authorized to be appropriated, the amount of $1,000,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2004 through 2013.
(b) Improved Access to Care.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to the
authorization of appropriations in subsection (a) shall be used to
ensure that veterans seeking healthcare from the Department of Veterans
Affairs receive their initial appointment for healthcare for a date
that is not later than 30 days after the date on which the request is
made.

SEC. 8. INTERIM PAYMENTS UNDER CERTAIN VETERANS CLAIMS WHEN DECISION IS
DELAYED FOLLOWING REMAND FOR EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION.

(a) In General.--(1) Chapter 53 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
''Sec. 5320. Interim benefits under certain remanded cases
''(a) Interim Benefits.--When a claim for benefits under the
jurisdiction of the Secretary is remanded by the United States Court of
Appeals for Veterans Claims or by the Board for Veterans' Appeals in a
case to which section 302 of Public Law 103-446 (38 U.S.C. 5101 note)
applies, if the Secretary does not make a decision on the matter within
180 days of the date of the remand decision, then until such matter is
finally decided, the Secretary shall pay an interim benefit in the
amount of $500 per month to each claimant under the claim. Such
payments shall commence as of the first month beginning after the end
of such 180-day period.
''(b) Effect on Interim Benefit Payments of Final Decision on
Claim.--When a claim with respect to which interim benefits are being
paid under subsection (b) is finally decided--
''(1) if the final decision is to award benefits, the
amounts paid as interim benefits shall be considered to be an
advance payment of benefits owed for any period before the date
of such final decision (except that if the total amount of
interim benefits paid is greater than the amount of retroactive
benefits, the amount of the difference shall not be considered
to be an overpayment for any purpose); and
''(2) if the final decision is not to award benefits, the
amounts paid as interim benefits shall not be considered to be
an overpayment for any purpose.''.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is
amended by adding at the end the following new item:

''5320. Interim benefits under certain remanded cases.''.
(b) Effective Date.--Section 5320 of title 38, United States Code,
as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to any decision
remanded by the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims or the Board of
Veterans' Appeals on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(c) Report.--Not later than six months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit
to Congress a report on measures the Secretary intends to take to
expedite the processing of remanded claims for veterans benefits.

SEC. 9. PROHIBITION ON INCREASES IN MEDICATION COPAYMENT FOR VETERANS
AND IMPOSITION OF HEALTHCARE ENROLLMENT FEE FOR VETERANS.

(a) Medication Copayments.--During the period beginning on the date
of the enactment of this Act and ending on October 1, 2004, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not implement under subsection (b) of
section 1722A of title 38, United States Code, an increase in the
copayment for medications required under subsection (a) of that
section.
(b) Enrollment Fee.--During the period beginning on the date of the
enactment of this Act and ending on October 1, 2004, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs may not implement an enrollment fee for veterans
enrolling (or renewing enrollment) in the Department of Veterans
Affairs healthcare system under section 1705 of such title.

SEC. 10. INFORMATION FOR SEPARATING SERVICEMEMBERS ON VETERANS BENEFITS
INFORMATION.

(a) Information on Final Pay Stub.--Section 1142 of title 10,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
''(d) Information on Access to Veterans Benefits.--The Secretary
concerned shall include on the final statement of pay and allowances
provided to a member who is separating from active duty or an active
status information on how to contact the Department of Veterans Affairs
for information concerning veterans benefits and the Department of
Labor for information concerning employment opportunities.''.
(b) Effective Date.--Subsection (d) of section 1142 of title 10,
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with
respect to persons separating from active duty or an active status in
the Armed Forces after the end of the 60-day period beginning on the
date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 11. VETERANS OUTREACH PROGRAMS.

(a) Information on Veterans Benefits.--Section 7722(c) of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraphs:
''(3) Information provided under this subsection shall include
information on how to apply for benefits for which the veteran or
dependent may be eligible, including information about assistance
available under subsection (d).
''(4) In the case of veterans or dependents who are members of
distinct beneficiary populations (such as survivors of veterans), the
Secretary shall ensure that information provided under this subsection
includes specific information about benefits relating to that
population.''.
(b) Annual Outreach Plan.--(1) Chapter 77 of such title is amended
by inserting at the end of subchapter II the following new section:
''Sec. 7728. Annual outreach plan
''(a) The Secretary shall prepare an annual plan for the conduct of
outreach activities under this subchapter. The Secretary shall include
in the annual plan--
''(1) efforts to identify veterans who are not otherwise
enrolled or registered with the Department for benefits or
services under programs administered by the Secretary; and
''(2) provisions for informing veterans and dependents of
any changes in benefit programs or health care eligibility.
''(b) In developing the annual plan, the Secretary shall consult
with the following:
''(1) Directors or other responsible officials of veterans
service organizations.
''(2) Directors or other responsible officials of local
education and training programs.
''(3) Representatives of veterans outreach programs.
''(4) Local veterans employment representatives.
''(5) Business and professional organizations.
''(6) Other appropriate individuals or organizations that
could assist veterans in adjusting to a self-sufficient
civilian life.
''(c) The annual report required by section 7726 of this title
shall include specific information concerning the effectiveness of the
outreach plan developed pursuant to this section.''.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7727 the
following new item:

''7728. Annual outreach plan.''.

SEC. 12. RETENTION OF 38.6 PERCENT TOP INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX RATE.

(a) In General.--The table contained in section 1(i)(2) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by the Jobs and Growth Tax
Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, is amended by striking ''35.0%'' and
inserting ''38.6%''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply
to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2002.
Output:
Salute to Veterans and the Armed Forces Act of 2003 - Allows the full payment of military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation, without deduction from either (current law), without the enactment of qualifying offsetting legislation.

Repeals: (1) special compensation programs for certain severely disabled and combat-disabled military retirees; and (2) provisions requiring a dependency and indemnity compensation offset from surviving spouse annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan.

Increases the amount of basic educational assistance for members of the Selected Reserve.

Directs the Secretary of Defense, for fiscal years after 2005, to provide a percentage increase in the higher learning cost index for determining basic educational assistance amounts.

Directs the Secretary to pay a bonus to members who, at any time during service under Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom, satisfied eligibility requirements for the receipt of special pay for duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger. Directs the Secretary of Homeland to provide such bonus to qualifying Coast Guard members.

Authorizes additional appropriations for veterans' improved access to medical care.

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make interim payments under claims for veterans' benefits when the final decision regarding the payment of such benefits is delayed following remand by the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims or the Board for Veterans' Appeals to the Secretary for expedited consideration.

Prohibits with respect to veterans: (1) increases in medication copayments; and (2) the imposition of health care enrollment fees.

Requires the: (1) Secretaries of Veterans Affairs and Labor to provide appropriate information concerning veterans' benefits and employment opportunities; and (2) Secretary of Veterans Affairs to prepare an annual plan for the conduct of veterans' outreach activities.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to place the maximum individual income tax rate at 38.6 percent.