[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1402 Engrossed Amendment House (EAH)]


  2d Session

                                S. 1402

_______________________________________________________________________

                               AMENDMENTS
                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                          May 23, 2000.

    Resolved, That the bill from the Senate (S. 1402) entitled ``An Act to amend 
title 38, United States Code, to enhance programs providing education benefits 
for veterans, and for other purposes'', do pass with the following

                              AMENDMENTS:

            Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS; REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, 
              UNITED STATES CODE.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans and 
Dependents Millennium Education Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec.  1. Short title; table of contents; references to title 38, United 
                            States Code.
Sec.  2. Increase in rates of basic educational assistance under 
                            Montgomery GI Bill.
Sec.  3. Additional opportunity for certain VEAP participants to enroll 
                            in basic educational assistance under 
                            Montgomery GI Bill.
Sec.  4. Increase in rates of survivors and dependents educational 
                            assistance.
Sec.  5. Adjusted effective date for award of survivors' and 
                            dependents' educational assistance.
Sec.  6. Revision of educational assistance interval payment 
                            requirements.
Sec.  7. Availability of education benefits for payment for licensing 
                            or certification tests.
Sec.  8. Extension of certain temporary authorities.
Sec.  9. Codification of recurring provisions in annual Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs appropriations Acts.
Sec. 10. Preservation of certain reporting requirements.
    (c) References to Title 38, United States Code.--Except as 
otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or 
repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a 
section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be 
made to a section or other provision of title 38, United States Code.

SEC. 2. INCREASE IN RATES OF BASIC EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER 
              MONTGOMERY GI BILL.

    (a) Active Duty Educational Assistance.--(1) Section 3015 is 
amended--
            (A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``$528'' and 
        inserting ``$720''; and
            (B) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``$429'' and 
        inserting ``$585''.
    (2) The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on 
October 1, 2002, and shall apply with respect to educational assistance 
allowances paid for months after September 2002.
    (3) In the case of an educational assistance allowance paid for a 
month after September 2000, and before October 2002 under section 3015 
of such title--
            (A) subsection (a)(1) of such section shall be applied by 
        substituting ``$600'' for ``$528''; and
            (B) subsection (b)(1) of such section shall be applied by 
        substituting ``$487'' for ``$429''.
    (b) CPI Adjustment.--No adjustment in rates of educational 
assistance shall be made under section 3015(g) of title 38, United 
States Code, for fiscal years 2001 and 2003.

SEC. 3. ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR CERTAIN VEAP PARTICIPANTS TO ENROLL 
              IN BASIC EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER MONTGOMERY GI BILL.

    (a) Special Enrollment Period.--Section 3018C is amended by adding 
at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(e)(1) A qualified individual (described in paragraph (2)) may 
make an irrevocable election under this subsection, during the 1-year 
period beginning on the date of the enactment of this subsection, to 
become entitled to basic educational assistance under this chapter. 
Such an election shall be made in the same manner as elections made 
under subsection (a)(5).
    ``(2) A qualified individual referred to in paragraph (1) is an 
individual who meets the following requirements:
            ``(A) The individual was a participant in the educational 
        benefits program under chapter 32 of this title on or before 
        October 9, 1996.
            ``(B) The individual has continuously served on active duty 
        since October 9, 1996 (excluding the periods referred to in 
        section 3202(1)(C) of this title), through at least April, 1, 
        2000.
            ``(C) The individual meets the requirements of subsection 
        (a)(3).
            ``(D) The individual is discharged or released from active 
        duty with an honorable discharge.
    ``(3)(A) Subject to succeeding provisions of this paragraph, with 
respect to a qualified individual who makes an election under paragraph 
(1) to become entitled to basic education assistance under this 
chapter--
            ``(i) the basic pay of the qualified individual shall be 
        reduced (in a manner determined by the Secretary concerned) 
        until the total amount by which such basic pay is reduced is 
        $2,700; and
            ``(ii) to the extent that basic pay is not so reduced 
        before the qualified individual's discharge or release from 
        active duty as specified in subsection (a)(4), at the election 
        of the qualified individual--
                    ``(I) the Secretary concerned shall collect from 
                the qualified individual; or
                    ``(II) the Secretary concerned shall reduce the 
                retired or retainer pay of the qualified individual by,
        an amount equal to the difference between $2,700 and the total 
        amount of reductions under clause (i), which shall be paid into 
        the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts.
    ``(B)(i) The Secretary concerned shall provide for an 18-month 
period, beginning on the date the qualified individual makes an 
election under paragraph (1), for the qualified individual to pay that 
Secretary the amount due under subparagraph (A).
    ``(ii) Nothing in clause (i) shall be construed as modifying the 
period of eligibility for and entitlement to basic education assistance 
under this chapter applicable under section 3031 of this title.
    ``(C) The provisions of subsection (c) shall apply to individuals 
making elections under this subsection in the same manner as they 
applied to individuals making elections under subsection (a)(5).
    ``(4) With respect to qualified individuals referred to in 
paragraph (3)(A)(ii), no amount of educational assistance allowance 
under this chapter shall be paid to the qualified individual until the 
earlier of the date on which--
            ``(A) the Secretary concerned collects the applicable 
        amount under subparagraph (I) of such paragraph; or
            ``(B) the retired or retainer pay of the qualified 
        individual is first reduced under subparagraph (II) of such 
        paragraph.
    ``(5) The Secretary, in conjunction with the Secretary of Defense, 
shall provide for notice to participants in the educational benefits 
program under chapter 32 of this title of the opportunity under this 
section to elect to become entitled to basic educational assistance 
under this chapter.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 3018C(b) is amended by striking 
``subsection (a)'' and inserting ``subsection (a) or (e)''.

SEC. 4. INCREASE IN RATES OF SURVIVORS AND DEPENDENTS EDUCATIONAL 
              ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance.--(1) Section 
3532 is amended--
            (A) in subsection (a)(1)--
                    (i) by striking ``$485'' and inserting ``$720'';
                    (ii) by striking ``$365'' and inserting ``$540''; 
                and
                    (iii) by striking ``$242'' and inserting ``$360'';
            (B) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``$485'' and 
        inserting ``$720'';
            (C) in subsection (b), by striking ``$485'' and inserting 
        ``$720''; and
            (D) in subsection (c)(2)--
                    (i) by striking ``$392'' and inserting ``$582'';
                    (ii) by striking ``$294'' and inserting ``$436''; 
                and
                    (iii) by striking ``$196'' and inserting ``$291''.
    (2) The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on 
October 1, 2002, and shall apply with respect to educational assistance 
allowances paid for months after September 2002.
    (3) In the case of an educational assistance allowance paid for a 
month after September 2000 and before October 2002 under section 3532 
of such title--
            (A) subsection (a)(1) of such section shall be applied by 
        substituting--
                    (i) ``$600'' for ``$485'';
                    (ii) ``$450'' for ``$365''; and
                    (iii) ``$300'' for ``$242'';
            (B) subsection (a)(2) of such section shall be applied by 
        substituting ``$600'' for ``$485'';
            (C) subsection (b) of such section shall be applied by 
        substituting ``$600'' for ``$485''; and
            (D) subsection (c)(2) of such section shall be applied by 
        substituting--
                    (i) ``$485'' for ``$392'';
                    (ii) ``$364'' for ``$294''; and
                    (iii) ``$242'' for ``$196''.
    (b) Correspondence Course.--(1) Section 3534(b) is amended by 
striking ``$485'' and inserting ``$720''.
    (2) The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on 
October 1, 2002, and shall apply with respect to educational assistance 
allowances paid under section 3534(b) of title 38, United States Code, 
for months after September 2002.
    (3) In the case of an educational assistance allowance paid for a 
month after September 2000 and before October 2002 under section 3534 
of such title, subsection (b) of such section shall be applied by 
substituting ``$600'' for ``$485''.
    (c) Special Restorative Training.--(1) Section 3542(a) is amended--
            (A) by striking ``$485'' and inserting ``$720'';
            (B) by striking ``$152'' each place it appears and 
        inserting ``$225''; and
            (C) by striking ``$16.16'' and inserting ``$24''.
    (2) The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on 
October 1, 2002, and shall apply with respect to educational assistance 
allowances paid under section 3542(a) of title 38, United States Code, 
for months after September 2002.
    (3) In the case of an educational assistance allowance paid for a 
month after September 2000 and before October 2002 under section 3542 
of such title, subsection (a) of such section shall be applied by 
substituting--
            (A) ``$600'' for ``$485'';
            (B) ``$188'' for ``$152'' each place it appears; and
            (C) ``$20'' for ``$16.16''.
    (d) Apprenticeship Training.--(1) Section 3687(b)(2) is amended--
            (A) by striking ``$353'' and inserting ``$524'';
            (B) by striking ``$264'' and inserting ``$392'';
            (C) by striking ``$175'' and inserting ``$260''; and
            (D) by striking ``$88'' and inserting ``$131''.
    (2) The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on 
October 1, 2002, and shall apply with respect to educational assistance 
allowances paid under section 3687(b)(2) of title 38, United States 
Code, for months after September 2002.
    (3) In the case of an educational assistance allowance paid for a 
month after September 2000 and before October 2002 under section 3687 
of such title, subsection (b)(2) of such section shall be applied by 
substituting--
            (A) ``$437'' for ``$353'';
            (B) ``$327'' for ``$264'';
            (C) ``$216'' for ``$175''; and
            (D) ``$109'' for ``$88''.
    (e) Provision for Annual Adjustments to Amounts of Assistance.--
            (1) Chapter 35.--(A) Subchapter VI of chapter 35 is amended 
        by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 3564. Annual adjustment of amounts of educational assistance
    ``With respect to any fiscal year, the Secretary shall provide a 
percentage increase (rounded to the nearest dollar) in the rates 
payable under sections 3532, 3534(b), and 3542(a) of this title equal 
to the percentage by which--
            ``(1) the Consumer Price Index (all items, United States 
        city average) for the 12-month period ending on the June 30 
        preceding the beginning of the fiscal year for which the 
        increase is made, exceeds
            ``(2) such Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period 
        preceding the 12-month period described in paragraph (1).''.
            (B) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 35 is 
        amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3563 
        the following new item:

``3564. Annual adjustment of amounts of educational assistance.''.

            (2) Chapter 36.--Section 3687 is amended by adding at the 
        end the following new subsection:
    ``(d) With respect to any fiscal year, the Secretary shall provide 
a percentage increase (rounded to the nearest dollar) in the rates 
payable under subsection (b)(2) equal to the percentage by which--
            ``(1) the Consumer Price Index (all items, United States 
        city average) for the 12-month period ending on the June 30 
        preceding the beginning of the fiscal year for which the 
        increase is made, exceeds
            ``(2) such Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period 
        preceding the 12-month period described in paragraph (1).''.
            (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
        shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2002 and each fiscal 
        year beginning on or after October 1, 2003.

SEC. 5. ADJUSTED EFFECTIVE DATE FOR AWARD OF SURVIVORS' AND DEPENDENTS' 
              EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.

    (a) In General.--Section 5113 is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c);
            (2) in subsection (a), by striking ``subsection (b) of this 
        section'' and inserting ``subsections (b) and (c)''; and
            (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(b)(1) When determining the effective date of an award of 
survivors' and dependents' educational assistance under chapter 35 of 
this title for an individual described in paragraph (2) based on an 
original claim, the Secretary shall consider the individual's 
application (under section 3513 of this title) as having been filed on 
the effective date from which the Secretary, by rating decision, 
determines that the individual is entitled to such educational 
assistance (such entitlement being based on the total service-connected 
disability evaluated as permanent in nature, or the service-connected 
death, of the spouse or parent from whom the individual's eligibility 
is derived) if that date is more than 1 year before the date such 
rating decision is made.
    ``(2) An individual referred to in paragraph (1) is a person who is 
eligible for educational assistance under chapter 35 of this title by 
reason of subparagraph (A)(i), (A)(ii), (B), or (D) of section 
3501(a)(1) of this title who--
            ``(A) submits to the Secretary an original application 
        under such section 3513 for such educational assistance within 
        1 year of the date that the Secretary issues the rating 
        decision referred to in paragraph (1);
            ``(B) claims such educational assistance for an approved 
        program of education for months preceding the 1-year period 
        ending on the date on which the individual's application under 
        such section was received by the Secretary; and
            ``(C) would have been entitled to such educational 
        assistance for such course pursuit for such months, without 
        regard to this subsection, if the individual had submitted such 
        an application on the effective date from which the Secretary 
        determined the individual was eligible for such educational 
        assistance.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
apply to applications first made under section 3513 of title 38, United 
States Code, that--
            (1) are received on or after the date of the enactment of 
        this Act; or
            (2) on the date of the enactment of this Act, are pending 
        (A) with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or (B) exhaustion of 
        available administrative and judicial remedies.

SEC. 6. REVISION OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE INTERVAL PAYMENT 
              REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Subclause (C) of the third sentence of section 
3680(a) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(C) during periods between school terms where the 
        educational institution certifies the enrollment of the 
        eligible veteran or eligible person on an individual term basis 
        if: (i) the period between such terms does not exceed 8 weeks; 
        and (ii) both the terms preceding and following the period are 
        not shorter in length than the period.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to payments of educational assistance under title 
38, United States Code, for months beginning on or after the date of 
the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 7. AVAILABILITY OF EDUCATION BENEFITS FOR PAYMENT FOR LICENSING OR 
              CERTIFICATION TESTS.

    (a) In General.--Sections 3452(b) and 3501(a)(5) are each amended 
by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``Such term also 
includes licensing or certification tests, the successful completion of 
which demonstrates an individual's possession of the knowledge or skill 
required to enter into, maintain, or advance in employment in a 
predetermined and identified vocation or profession, provided such 
tests and the licensing or credentialing organizations or entities that 
offer such tests are approved by the Secretary in accordance with 
section 3689 of this title.''.
    (b) Amount of Payment.--
            (1) Chapter 30.--Section 3032 is amended by adding at the 
        end the following new subsection:
    ``(g) Payment Amount for Licensing or Certification Test.--(1) 
Subject to paragraph (3), the amount of educational assistance payable 
under this chapter for a licensing or certification test described in 
section 3452(b) of this title is the lesser of $2,000 or the fee 
charged for the test.
    ``(2) The number of months of entitlement charged in the case of 
any individual for such licensing or certification test is equal to the 
number (including any fraction) determined by dividing the total amount 
of educational assistance paid such individual for such test by the 
full-time monthly institutional rate of educational assistance which, 
except for paragraph (1) of this subsection, such individual would 
otherwise be paid under subsection (a)(1), (b)(1), (d), or (e)(1) of 
section 3015 of this title, as the case may be.
    ``(3) In no event shall payment of educational assistance under 
this subsection for such a test exceed the amount of the individual's 
available entitlement under this chapter.''.
            (2) Chapter 32.--Section 3232 is amended by adding at the 
        end the following new subsection:
    ``(c) Payment Amount for Licensing or Certification Test.--(1) 
Subject to paragraph (3), the amount of educational assistance payable 
under this chapter for a licensing or certification test described in 
section 3452(b) of this title is the lesser of $2,000 or the fee 
charged for the test.
    ``(2) The number of months of entitlement charged in the case of 
any individual for such licensing or certification test is equal to the 
number (including any fraction) determined by dividing the total amount 
paid to such individual for such test by the full-time monthly 
institutional rate of the educational assistance allowance which, 
except for paragraph (1) of this subsection, such individual would 
otherwise be paid under this chapter.
    ``(3) In no event shall payment of educational assistance under 
this subsection for such a test exceed the amount of the individual's 
available entitlement under this chapter.''.
            (3) Chapter 34.--Section 3482 is amended by adding at the 
        end the following new subsection:
    ``(h) Payment Amount for Licensing or Certification Test.--(1) 
Subject to paragraph (3), the amount of educational assistance payable 
under this chapter for a licensing or certification test described in 
section 3452(b) of this title is the lesser of $2,000 or the fee 
charged for the test.
    ``(2) The number of months of entitlement charged in the case of 
any individual for such licensing or certification test is equal to the 
number (including any fraction) determined by dividing the total amount 
paid to such individual for such test by the full-time monthly 
institutional rate of the educational assistance allowance which, 
except for paragraph (1) of this subsection, such individual would 
otherwise be paid under this chapter.
    ``(3) In no event shall payment of educational assistance under 
this subsection for such a test exceed the amount of the individual's 
available entitlement under this chapter.''.
            (4) Chapter 35.--Section 3532 is amended by adding at the 
        end the following new subsection:
    ``(f) Payment Amount for Licensing or Certification Test.--(1) 
Subject to paragraph (3), the amount of educational assistance payable 
under this chapter for a licensing or certification test described in 
section 3452(b) of this title is the lesser of $2,000 or the fee 
charged for the test.
    ``(2) The number of months of entitlement charged in the case of 
any individual for such licensing or certification test is equal to the 
number (including any fraction) determined by dividing the total amount 
paid to such individual for such test by the full-time monthly 
institutional rate of the educational assistance allowance which, 
except for paragraph (1) of this subsection, such individual would 
otherwise be paid under this chapter.
    ``(3) In no event shall payment of educational assistance under 
this subsection for such a test exceed the amount of the individual's 
available entitlement under this chapter.''.
    (c) Requirements for Licensing and Credentialing Testing.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 36 is amended by inserting after 
        section 3688 the following new section:
``Sec. 3689. Approval requirements for licensing and certification 
              testing
    ``(a) In General.--(1) No payment may be made for a licensing or 
certification test described in section 3452(b) or section 3501(a)(5) 
of this title unless the Secretary determines that the requirements of 
this section have been met with respect to such test and the 
organization or entity offering the test. The requirements of approval 
for tests and organizations or entities offering tests shall be in 
accordance with the relevant provisions of this part and with such 
regulations promulgated by the Secretary to carry out this section.
    ``(2) To the extent that the Secretary determines practicable, 
State approving agencies may, in lieu of the Secretary, approve 
licensing and certification tests, and organizations and entities 
offering such tests, under this section.
    ``(b) Requirements for Tests.--(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a 
licensing or certification test is approved for purposes of this 
section only if--
            ``(A) the test is required under Federal, State, or local 
        law or regulation for an individual to enter into, maintain, or 
        advance in employment in a predetermined and identified 
        vocation or profession; or
            ``(B) the Secretary determines that the test is generally 
        accepted, in accordance with relevant government, business, or 
        industry standards, employment policies, or hiring practices, 
        as attesting to a level of knowledge or skill required to 
        qualify to enter into, maintain, or advance in employment in a 
        predetermined and identified vocation or profession.
    ``(2) A licensing or certification test offered by a State, or a 
political subdivision of the State, is deemed approved by the 
Secretary.
    ``(c) Requirements for Organizations or Entities Offering Tests.--
(1) Each organization or entity that is not an entity of the United 
States, a State, or political subdivision of a State, that offers a 
licensing or certification test for which payment may be made under 
this part, and that meets the following requirements shall be approved 
by the Secretary to offer such test:
            ``(A) The organization or entity certifies to the Secretary 
        that each licensing or certification test offered by the 
        organization or entity is required to obtain the license or 
        certificate required to enter into, maintain, or advance in 
        employment in a predetermined and identified vocation or 
        profession.
            ``(B) The organization or entity is licensed, chartered, or 
        incorporated in a State and has offered such tests for a 
        minimum of 2 years before the date on which the organization or 
        entity first submits to the Secretary an application for 
        approval under this section.
            ``(C) The organization or entity employs, or consults with, 
        individuals with expertise or substantial experience with 
        respect to all areas of knowledge or skill that are measured by 
        the test and that are required for the license of certificate 
        issued.
            ``(D) The organization or entity has no direct financial 
        interest in--
                    ``(i) the outcome of a test; or
                    ``(ii) organizations that provide the education or 
                training of candidates for licenses or certificates 
                required for vocations or professions.
            ``(E) The organization or entity maintains appropriate 
        records with respect to all candidates who take such a test for 
        a period prescribed by the Secretary, but in no case for a 
        period of less than 3 years.
            ``(F)(i) The organization or entity promptly issues notice 
        of the results of the test to the candidate for the license or 
        certificate.
            ``(ii) The organization or entity has in place a process to 
        review complaints submitted against the organization or entity 
        with respect to a test the organization or entity offers or the 
        process for obtaining a license or certificate required for 
        vocations or professions.
            ``(G) The organization or entity furnishes to the Secretary 
        such information with respect to a licensing or certification 
        test offered by the organization or entity as the Secretary 
        requires to determine whether payment may be made for the test 
        under this part, including personal identifying information, 
        fee payment, and test results. Such information shall be 
        furnished in the form prescribed by the Secretary.
            ``(H) The organization or entity furnishes to the Secretary 
        the following information:
                    ``(i) A description of each licensing or 
                certification test offered by the organization or 
                entity, including the purpose of each test, the 
                vocational, professional, governmental, and other 
                entities that recognize the test, and the license of 
                certificate issued upon successful completion of the 
                test.
                    ``(ii) The requirements to take such a test, 
                including the amount of the fee charged for the test 
                and any prerequisite education, training, skills, or 
                other certification.
                    ``(iii) The period for which the license or 
                certificate awarded upon successful completion of such 
                a test is valid, and the requirements for maintaining 
                or renewing the license or certificate.
            ``(I) Upon request of the Secretary, the organization or 
        entity furnishes such information to the Secretary that the 
        Secretary determines necessary to perform an assessment of--
                    ``(i) the test conducted by the organization or 
                entity as compared to the level of knowledge or skills 
                that a license or certificate attests; and
                    ``(ii) the applicability of the test over such 
                periods of time as the Secretary determines 
                appropriate.
    ``(2) With respect to each organization or entity that is an entity 
of the United States, a State, or political subdivision of a State, 
that offers a licensing or certification test for which payment may be 
made under this part, the following provisions of paragraph (1) shall 
apply to the entity: subparagraphs (E), (F), (G), and (H).
    ``(d) Administration.--(1) Except as otherwise specifically 
provided in this section or part, in implementing this section and 
making payment under this part for a licensing or certification test, 
the test is deemed to be a `course' and the organization or entity that 
offers such test is deemed to be an `institution' or `educational 
institution', respectively, as those terms are applied under and for 
purposes of sections 3671, 3673, 3674, 3678, 3679, 3681, 3682, 3683, 
3685, 3690, and 3696 of this title.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall use amounts appropriated to the 
Department in fiscal year 2001 for readjustment benefits to develop the 
systems and procedures required to make payments under this part for a 
licensing or certification test, such amounts not to exceed $3,000,000.
    ``(e) Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory 
Committee.--(1) There is established within the Department a committee 
to be known as the Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory 
Committee (hereafter in this section referred to as the `Committee').
    ``(2) The Committee shall advise the Secretary with respect to the 
requirements of organizations or entities offering licensing and 
certification tests to individuals for which payment for such tests may 
be made under this part, and such other related issues as the Committee 
determines to be appropriate.
    ``(3)(A) The Secretary shall appoint five individuals with 
expertise in matters relating to licensing and certification tests to 
serve as members of the Committee, of whom--
            ``(i) one shall be a representative of the Coalition for 
        Professional Certification;
            ``(ii) one shall be a representative of the Council on 
        Licensure and Enforcement; and
            ``(iii) one shall be a representative of the National Skill 
        Standards Board (established under section 503 of the National 
        Skill Standards Act of 1994 (20 U.S.C. 5933)).
    ``(B) The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Defense shall 
serve as ex-officio members of the Committee.
    ``(C) A vacancy in the Committee shall be filled in the manner in 
which the original appointment was made.
    ``(4)(A) The Secretary shall appoint the chairman of the Committee.
    ``(B) The Committee shall meet at the call of the chairman.
    ``(C)(i) Members of the Committee shall serve without compensation.
    ``(ii) Members of the Committee shall be allowed reasonable and 
necessary travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, 
at rates authorized for persons serving intermittently in the 
Government service in accordance with the provisions of subchapter I of 
chapter 57 of title 5 while away from their homes or regular places of 
business in the performance of the responsibilities of the Committee.
    ``(5) The Committee shall terminate December 31, 2006.''.
    (2) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 36 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
3688 the following new item:

``3689. Approval requirements for licensing and certification 
                            testing.''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on October 1, 2000, and apply with respect to licensing and 
certification tests approved by the Secretary on or after such date.

SEC. 8. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN TEMPORARY AUTHORITIES.

    (a) Enhanced Loan Asset Sale Authority.--Section 3720(h)(2) is 
amended by striking ``December 31, 2002'' and inserting ``December 31, 
2008''.
    (b) Home Loan Fees.--Section 3729(a) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (4)(B)--
                    (A) by striking ``2002'' and inserting ``2008''; 
                and
                    (B) by striking ``2003'' and inserting ``2009''; 
                and
            (2) in paragraph (5)(C), by striking ``October 1, 2002'' 
        and inserting ``October 1, 2008''.
    (c) Procedures Applicable to Liquidation Sales on Defaulted Home 
Loans Guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.--Section 
3732(c)(11) is amended by striking ``October 1, 2002'' and inserting 
``October 1, 2008''.
    (d) Income Verification Authority.--Section 5317(g) is amended by 
striking ``September 30, 2002'' and inserting ``September 30, 2008''.
    (e) Limitation on Pension for Certain Recipients of Medicaid-
covered Nursing Home Care.--Section 5503(f)(7) is amended by striking 
``September 30, 2002'' and inserting ``September 30, 2008''.

SEC. 9. CODIFICATION OF RECURRING PROVISIONS IN ANNUAL DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS ACTS.

    (a) Codification of Recurring Provisions.--(1) Section 313 is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsections:
    ``(c) Compensation and Pension.--Funds appropriated for 
Compensation and Pensions are available for the following purposes:
            ``(1) The payment of compensation benefits to or on behalf 
        of veterans as authorized by section 107 and chapters 11, 13, 
        51, 53, 55, and 61 of this title.
            ``(2) Pension benefits to or on behalf of veterans as 
        authorized by chapters 15, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of this title and 
        section 306 of the Veterans' and Survivors' Pension Improvement 
        Act of 1978.
            ``(3) The payment of benefits as authorized under chapter 
        18 of this title.
            ``(4) Burial benefits, emergency and other officers' 
        retirement pay, adjusted-service credits and certificates, 
        payments of premiums due on commercial life insurance policies 
        guaranteed under the provisions of article IV of the Soldiers' 
        and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 (50 U.S.C. App. 540 et 
        seq.), and other benefits as authorized by sections 107, 1312, 
        1977, and 2106 and chapters 23, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of this 
        title and the World War Adjusted Compensation Act (43 Stat. 
        122, 123), the Act of May 24, 1928 (Public Law No. 506 of the 
        70th Congress; 45 Stat. 735), and Public Law 87-875 (76 Stat. 
        1198).
    ``(d) Medical Care.--Funds appropriated for Medical Care are 
available for the following purposes:
            ``(1) The maintenance and operation of hospitals, nursing 
        homes, and domiciliary facilities.
            ``(2) Furnishing, as authorized by law, inpatient and 
        outpatient care and treatment to beneficiaries of the 
        Department, including care and treatment in facilities not 
        under the jurisdiction of the Department.
            ``(3) Furnishing recreational facilities, supplies, and 
        equipment.
            ``(4) Funeral and burial expenses and other expenses 
        incidental to funeral and burial expenses for beneficiaries 
        receiving care from the Department.
            ``(5) Administrative expenses in support of planning, 
        design, project management, real property acquisition and 
        disposition, construction, and renovation of any facility under 
        the jurisdiction or for the use of the Department.
            ``(6) Oversight, engineering, and architectural activities 
        not charged to project cost.
            ``(7) Repairing, altering, improving, or providing 
        facilities in the medical facilities and homes under the 
        jurisdiction of the Department, not otherwise provided for, 
        either by contact or by the hire of temporary employees and 
        purchase of materials.
            ``(8) Uniforms or uniform allowances, as authorized by 
        sections 5901 and 5902 of title 5.
            ``(9) Aid to State homes, as authorized by section 1741 of 
        this title.
            ``(10) Administrative and legal expenses of the Department 
        for collecting and recovering amounts owed the Department as 
        authorized under chapter 17 of this title and Public Law 87-
        693, popularly known as the Federal Medical Care Recovery Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 2651 et seq.).
    ``(e) Medical Administration and Miscellaneous Operating 
Expenses.--Funds appropriated for Medical Administration and 
Miscellaneous Operating Expenses are available for the following 
purposes:
            ``(1) The administration of medical, hospital, nursing 
        home, domiciliary, construction, supply, and research 
        activities authorized by law.
            ``(2) Administrative expenses in support of planning, 
        design, project management, architectural work, engineering, 
        real property acquisition and disposition, construction, and 
        renovation of any facility under the jurisdiction or for the 
        use of the Department, including site acquisition.
            ``(3) Engineering and architectural activities not charged 
        to project costs.
            ``(4) Research and development in building construction 
        technology.
    ``(f) General Operating Expenses.--Funds appropriated for General 
Operating Expenses are available for the following purposes:
            ``(1) Uniforms or allowances therefor.
            ``(2) Hire of passenger motor vehicles.
            ``(3) Reimbursement of the General Services Administration 
        for security guard services.
            ``(4) Reimbursement of the Department of Defense for the 
        cost of overseas employee mail.
            ``(5) Administration of the Service Members Occupational 
        Conversion and Training Act of 1992 (10 U.S.C. 1143 note).
    ``(g) Construction.--Funds appropriated for Construction, Major 
Projects, and for Construction, Minor Projects, are available, with 
respect to a project, for the following purposes:
            ``(1) Planning.
            ``(2) Architectural and engineering services.
            ``(3) Maintenance or guarantee period services costs 
        associated with equipment guarantees provided under the 
        project.
            ``(4) Services of claims analysts.
            ``(5) Offsite utility and storm drainage system 
        construction costs.
            ``(6) Site acquisition.
    ``(h) Construction, Minor Projects.--In addition to the purposes 
specified in subsection (g), funds appropriated for Construction, Minor 
Projects, are available for--
            ``(1) repairs to any of the nonmedical facilities under the 
        jurisdiction or for the use of the Department which are 
        necessary because of loss or damage caused by a natural 
        disaster or catastrophe; and
            ``(2) temporary measures necessary to prevent or to 
        minimize further loss by such causes.''.
    (2)(A) Chapter 1 is amended by adding at the end the following new 
section:
``Sec. 116. Definition of cost of direct and guaranteed loans
    ``For the purpose of any provision of law appropriating funds to 
the Department for the cost of direct or guaranteed loans, the cost of 
any such loan, including the cost of modifying any such loan, shall be 
as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 
U.S.C. 661a).''.
    (B) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is 
amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``116. Definition of cost of direct and guaranteed loans.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--Subsections (c) through (h) of section 313 of 
title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), and 
section 116 of such title, as added by subsection (a)(2), shall take 
effect with respect to funds appropriated for fiscal year 2002.

SEC. 10. PRESERVATION OF CERTAIN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) Inapplicability of Prior Reports Termination Provision to 
Certain Reports of the Department of Veterans Affairs.--Section 
3003(a)(1) of the Federal Reports Elimination and Sunset Act of 1995 
(31 U.S.C. 1113 note) does not apply to any report required to be 
submitted under any of the following: sections 503(c), 529, 541(c), 
542(c), 3036, and 7312(d) of title 38, United States Code.
    (b) Repeal of Reporting Requirements Terminated by Prior Law.--
Sections 8111A(f) and 8201(h) are repealed.
    (c) Sunset of Certain Reporting Requirements.--
            (1) Annual report on equitable relief cases.--Section 
        503(c) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
        sentence: ``No report shall be required under this subsection 
        after December 31, 2004.''.
            (2) Biennial report of advisory committee on former 
        prisoners of war.--Section 541(c)(1) is amended by inserting 
        ``through 2003'' after ``each odd-numbered year''.
            (3) Biennial report of advisory committee on women 
        veterans.--Section 542(c)(1) is amended by inserting ``through 
        2004'' after ``each even-numbered year''.
            (4) Biennial reports on montgomery gi bill.--Subsection (d) 
        of section 3036 is amended to read as follows:
    ``(d) No report shall be required under this section after January 
1, 2005.''.
            (5) Annual report of special medical advisory group.--
        Section 7312(d) is amended by adding at the end the following 
        new sentence: ``No report shall be required under this 
        subsection after December 31, 2004.''.
    (d) Cost Information To Be Provided With Each Report Required by 
Congress.--
            (1) In general.--(A) Chapter 1, as amended by section 
        9(2)(A), is further amended by adding at the end the following 
        new section:
``Sec. 117. Reports to Congress: cost information
    ``Whenever the Secretary submits to Congress, or any committee of 
Congress, a report that is required by law or by a joint explanatory 
statement of a committee of conference of the Congress, the Secretary 
shall include with the report--
            ``(1) a statement of the cost of preparing the report; and
            ``(2) a brief explanation of the methodology used in 
        preparing that cost statement.''.
            (B) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter, 
        as amended by section 9(2)(B), is further amended by adding at 
        the end the following new item:

``117. Reports to Congress: cost information.''.
            (2) Effective Date.--Section 117 of title 38, United States 
        Code, as added by paragraph (1) of this subsection, shall apply 
        with respect to any report submitted by the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs after the end of the 90-day period beginning 
        on the date of the enactment of this Act.

            Amend the title so as to read ``An Act to amend title 38, 
        United States Code, to increase amounts of educational 
        assistance for veterans under the Montgomery GI Bill and to 
        enhance programs providing educational benefits under that 
        title, and for other purposes.''.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.