[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6342 Engrossed in House (EH)]

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 6342

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 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 Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 3. Expansion of eligibility for Survivors' and Dependents' 
                            Educational Assistance program.
Sec. 4. Deadline and permanent requirement for report on educational 
                            assistance program.
Sec. 5. Reauthorization of biennial report of Advisory Committee on 
                            Women Veterans.
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 Mentally 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''.
    (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 subparagraphs (A), (C), 
and (F) by striking ``December 27, 2006'' and inserting ``June 30, 
2007''.

SEC. 3. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR SURVIVORS' AND DEPENDENTS' 
              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 
        capitalizing 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 
        the Spanish-American War that did not terminate under 
        dishonorable 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 aggregate 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
                            (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 
        subparagraph)''.
            (5) Section 3563 is amended by striking ``each eligible 
        person 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.

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 COMMITTEE 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 EXCELLENCE.

    (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:
``Sec. 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 
Parkinson'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 designating 
Department health-care facilities for centers under subsection (a), the 
Secretary, upon the recommendation of the Under Secretary for Health, 
shall assure appropriate geographic distribution 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 
                purposes 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 a center 
under subsection (a) unless the peer review panel established 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 
        providers 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 establishment 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.
    ``(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 
operation 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 prosthetics 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 appropriated 
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.
``Sec. 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 paragraph 
(1) for such centers.
    ``(b) Criteria for Designation of Facilities.--(1) In designating 
Department health-care facilities for centers under subsection (a), the 
Secretary, upon the recommendation of the Under Secretary for Health, 
shall assure appropriate geographic distribution 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 
                purposes 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 a center 
under subsection (a) unless the peer review panel established 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 
        providers 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 disease 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 establishment 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.
    ``(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 
operation 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 prosthetics 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 appropriated 
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 disorders.''.
            (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.--Section 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.
            (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)''.

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''.
    (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 designated 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 Children.--
            (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--
                    (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''.

            Passed the House of Representatives December 6, 2006.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.
109th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                               H. R. 6342

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 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.