Short title; table of contents

(a)

Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Authorization Act of 2006

. (b)

Table of contents

The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 2. Authorization of major medical facility project, Biloxi and Gulfport, Mississippi.

Sec. 3. Authorization of design, construction, and operation of major medical facility project, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Sec. 4. Authorization of design, construction, and operation of a major medical facility project, Charleston, South Carolina.

Sec. 5. Authorization of site purchase for major medical facility project, replacement site, Denver Colorado.

Sec. 6. Extension of authorization for certain major medical facility construction projects previously authorized in connection with Capital Asset Realignment Initiative.

Sec. 7. Authorization of major medical facility leases.

Sec. 8. Authorization of appropriations.

Sec. 9. Sense of Congress and report on option for medical facility improvements in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Sec. 10. Land conveyance, city of Fort Thomas, Kentucky.

Sec. 11. Establishment within the Department of Veterans Affairs of a career position responsible for Department-wide construction and facilities management.

Sec. 12. Business plans for enhanced access to outpatient care in certain rural areas.

Sec. 13. Report on option for construction of a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Okaloosa County, Florida.

Authorization of major medical facility project, Biloxi and Gulfport, Mississippi

(a)

Project authorization

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out a major medical facility project for restoration of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Biloxi, Mississippi, and consolidation of services performed at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gulfport, Mississippi. (b)

Cost limitation

The project authorized by subsection (a) shall be carried out in an amount not to exceed $310,000,000. (c)

Requirement for joint-use facility

The project authorized by subsection (a) may only be carried out as part of a joint-use facility shared by the Department of Veterans Affairs with Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi.

Authorization of design, construction, and operation of major medical facility project, New Orleans, Louisiana

(a)

Agreement authorized

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter into an agreement with the Louisiana State University to design, construct, and operate a co-located, joint-use medical facility in or near New Orleans to replace the medical center facility for the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, damaged by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. (b)

Cost limitation

Advance planning and design for a co-located, joint-use medical facility in or near New Orleans under subsection (a) shall be carried out in an amount not to exceed $100,000,000.

Authorization of design, construction, and operation of a major medical facility project, Charleston, South Carolina

(a)

Agreement authorized

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter into an agreement with the Medical University of South Carolina to design, construct, and operate a co-located joint-use medical facility in Charleston, South Carolina, to replace the Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina. (b)

Cost limitation

Advance planning and design for a co-located, joint-use medical facility in Charleston, South Carolina, under subsection (a) shall be carried out in an amount not to exceed $70,000,000.

Authorization of site purchase for major medical facility project, replacement site, Denver Colorado

(a)

Authorization

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter into an agreement to purchase a site for the replacement of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, Colorado, in an amount not to exceed $98,000,000. (b)

Report

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report identifying and outlining the various options available to the Department for replacing the current Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, Colorado. The report shall include the following: (1)The feasibility of entering into a partnership with a Federal, State, or local governmental agency, or a suitable non-profit organization, for the construction and operation of a new facility. (2)The medical, legal, and financial implications of each of the options identified, including recommendations regarding any statutory changes necessary for the Department to carry out any of the options identified. (3)A detailed cost-benefit analysis of each of the options identified. (4)Estimates regarding the length of time and associated costs needed to complete such a facility under each of the options identified.

Extension of authorization for certain major medical facility construction projects previously authorized in connection with Capital Asset Realignment Initiative

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the following major medical facility projects, with each such project to be carried out in the amount specified for that project: (1)Construction of an outpatient clinic and regional office at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Anchorage, Alaska, in an amount not to exceed $75,270,000. (2)Consolidation of clinical and administrative functions of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, and the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Brecksville, Ohio, in an amount not to exceed $102,300,000. (3)Construction of the extended care building at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Des Moines, Iowa, in an amount not to exceed $25,000,000. (4)Renovation of patient wards at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, in an amount not to exceed $9,100,000. (5)Correction of patient privacy deficiencies at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida, in an amount not to exceed $85,200,000. (6)7th and 8th floor wards modernization addition at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, in an amount not to exceed $27,400,000. (7)Construction of a new medical center facility at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, in an amount not to exceed $406,000,000. (8)Construction of an ambulatory surgery/outpatient diagnostic support center in the Gulf South Submarket of Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 8 and completion of Phase I land purchase, Lee County, Florida, in an amount not to exceed $65,100,000. (9)Seismic corrections, Buildings 7 and 126, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Long Beach, California, in an amount not to exceed $107,845,000. (10)Seismic corrections, Buildings 500 and 501, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, in an amount not to exceed $79,900,000. (11)Construction of a new medical center facility, Orlando, Florida, to be located at the site in Lake Nona known as site selection C, which is directly south of the interchange between SR-417 and Lake Nona Boulevard and is part of a science and research park that is likely to include the proposed campus of the medical school of the University of Central Florida, in an amount not to exceed $377,700,000. (12)Consolidation of campuses at the University Drive and H. John Heinz III divisions, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in an amount not to exceed $189,205,000. (13)Ward upgrades and expansion at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, in an amount not to exceed $19,100,000. (14)Construction of a spinal cord injury center, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Syracuse, New York, in an amount not to exceed $77,700,000. (15)Upgrade essential electrical distribution systems, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Tampa, Florida, in an amount not to exceed $49,000,000. (16)Expansion of the spinal cord injury center addition, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Tampa, Florida, in an amount not to exceed $7,100,000. (17)Blind rehabilitation and psychiatric bed renovation and new construction project, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Temple, Texas, in an amount not to exceed $56,000,000.

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. (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.

Authorization of appropriations

(a)

Authorization of appropriations for fiscal year 2006 major medical facility projects

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2006 for the Construction, Major Projects, account, a total of $578,000,000, of which— (1)$310,000,000 is for the project authorized in section 2; (2)$100,000,000 is for the advance planning and design authorized in section 3; (3)$70,000,000 is for the advanced planning authorized in section 4; and (4)$98,000,000 is for the purchase of a site authorized in section 5. (b)

Authorization of appropriations for major medical facility projects under capital asset realignment initiative

There is authorized to be appropriated for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2007 for the Construction, Major Projects, account, $1,758,920,000 for the projects specified in section 6. (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 section 7(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 section 7(b). (d)

Limitation

The projects authorized in sections 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 may only be carried out using— (1)funds appropriated for fiscal year 2006 or 2007 pursuant to the authorization of appropriations in subsections (a), (b), and (c); (2)funds available for Construction, Major Projects, for a fiscal year before fiscal year 2006 that remain available for obligation; (3)funds available for Construction, Major Projects, for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2006 or 2007 that are available for obligation; and (4)funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, for fiscal year 2006 or 2007 for a category of activity not specific to a project.

Sense of Congress and report on option for medical facility improvements in San Juan, Puerto Rico

(a)

Sense of Congress

Recognizing that concern for the need for medical facility improvements in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is not being adequately addressed, it is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should take steps to explore all options for addressing that concern, including the option of a public/private partnership to construct and operate a facility that would replace the current Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (b)

Report

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report identifying and outlining the various options available to the Department for replacing the current Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The report shall include the following: (1)The feasibility of entering into a partnership with a Federal, Commonwealth, or local governmental agency, or a suitable non-profit organization, for the construction and operation of a new facility. (2)The medical, legal, and financial implications of each of the options identified, including recommendations regarding any statutory changes necessary for the Department to carry out any of the options identified. (3)A detailed cost-benefit analysis of each of the options identified. (4)Estimates regarding the length of time and associated costs needed to complete such a facility under each of the options identified.

10.

Land conveyance, city of Fort Thomas, Kentucky

(a)

Conveyance authorized

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may convey to the city of Fort Thomas, Kentucky (in this section referred to as the City), all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to a parcel of real property, including the 15 structures located thereon, consisting of approximately 11.75 acres that is managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and located in the northeastern portion of Tower Park in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Any such conveyance shall be subject to valid existing rights, easements, and rights-of-way. (b)

Consideration

As consideration for the conveyance under subsection (a), the City shall pay to the United States an amount equal to the fair market value of the conveyed real property, as determined by the Secretary. (c)

Treatment of consideration

The consideration received under subsection (b) shall be deposited, at the discretion of the Secretary, in the Medical facilities account or the Construction, minor projects account (or a combination of those accounts) and shall be available to the Secretary, without limitation and until expended— (1)to cover costs incurred by the Secretary associated with the environmental remediation of the real property before conveyance under subsection (a); and (2)with any funds remaining after the Secretary has covered costs as required under paragraph (1), for acquisition of a site for use as a parking facility, or contract (by lease or otherwise) for the operation of a parking facility, to be used in connection with the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility, Cincinnati, Ohio. (d)

Release from liability

Effective on the date of the conveyance under subsection (a), the United States shall not be liable for damages arising out of any act, omission, or occurrence relating to the conveyed real property, but shall continue to be liable for damages caused by acts of negligence committed by the United States or by any employee or agent of the United States before the date of conveyance, consistent with chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code. (e)

Payment of costs of conveyance

(1)

Payment required

The Secretary shall require the City to cover costs to be incurred by the Secretary, or to reimburse the Secretary for costs incurred by the Secretary, to carry out the conveyance under subsection (a), including survey costs, costs related to environmental documentation, and other administrative costs related to the conveyance. If amounts are collected from the City in advance of the Secretary incurring the actual costs, and the amount collected exceeds the costs actually incurred by the Secretary to carry out the conveyance, the Secretary shall refund the excess amount to the City. (2)

Treatment of amounts received

Amounts received as reimbursement under paragraph (1) shall be credited to the fund or account that was used to cover the costs incurred by the Secretary in carrying out the conveyance. Amounts so credited shall be merged with amounts in such fund or account and shall be available for the same purposes, and subject to the same conditions and limitations, as amounts in such fund or account. (f)

Description of property

The exact acreage and legal description of the real property to be conveyed under subsection (a) shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary. (g)

Additional terms and conditions

The Secretary may require such additional terms and conditions in connection with the conveyance under subsection (a) as the Secretary considers necessary to protect the interests of the United States.

11.

Establishment within the Department of Veterans Affairs of a career position responsible for Department-wide construction and facilities management

(a)

Establishment of position

Chapter 3 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 312 the following new section:

312A.

Director, Construction and Facilities Management

(a)

Career position

There is in the Department the position of Director, Construction and Facilities Management. The position of Director, Construction and Facilities Management, is a career position with responsibility for construction and facilities management across the Department, including responsibility for all major and minor construction projects. The individual appointed as Director shall be appointed by the Secretary and shall provide direct support to the Secretary and report to the Deputy Secretary of the Department. (b)

Qualifications

The individual appointed to the position of Director, Construction and Facilities Management, shall be an individual who— (1)holds an undergraduate or master’s degree in architectural design or engineering; and (2)has substantive professional experience in the area of construction project management. (c)

Responsibilities

The individual appointed to the position of Director, Construction and Facilities Management, shall be responsible for overseeing and managing the planning, design, construction, and facilities operation, including infrastructure, of the Department’s major and minor construction projects and performing such other functions as the Secretary prescribes. Such oversight and management responsibilities shall include each of the following: (1)Developing and updating short and long-range strategic capital investment strategies and plans. (2)Planning, designing, and building facilities, determining architectural and engineering requirements as well as ensuring compliance with all applicable laws relating to the Department’s construction program. (3)Overseeing and managing the construction of Department facilities. (4)Managing the Department’s short and long-term leasing activity. (5)Repairing and maintaining the Department’s facilities, including custodial services, building management and administration, and maintenance of roads, grounds, and infrastructure. (6)Managing the procurement and acquisition processes, including contract award related to design, construction, furnishing, and supplies and equipment.

(b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 312 the following new item:

312A. Director, Construction and Facilities Management.

12.

Business plans for enhanced access to outpatient care in certain rural areas

(a)

Requirement

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a business plan for enhanced access to outpatient care (as described in subsection (b)) for primary care, mental health care, and specialty care in each of the following areas: (1)The Lewiston-Auburn area of Maine. (2)The area of Houlton, Maine. (3)The area of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine. (4)Whiteside County, Illinois. (b)

Means of enhanced access

The means of enhanced access to outpatient care to be covered by the business plans under subsection (a) are, with respect to each area specified in that subsection, one or more of the following: (1)New sites of care. (2)Expansions at existing sites of care. (3)Use of existing authority and policies to contract for care where necessary. (4)Increased use of telemedicine.

13.

Report on option for construction of a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Okaloosa County, Florida

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report identifying and outlining the various options available to the Department for the placement of a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Okaloosa County, Florida. The report shall include the following: (1)The feasibility of entering into a partnership with Eglin Air Force Base for the construction and operation of a new, joint Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense facility. (2)The medical, legal, and financial implications of each of the options identified, including recommendations regarding any statutory changes necessary for the Department to carry out any of the options identified. (3)A detailed cost-benefit analysis of each of the options identified. (4)Estimates regarding the length of time and associated costs needed to complete such a facility under each of the options identified.