I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4359 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 16, 2009 Mr. Boozman (for himself and Mr. Walz) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to guarantee housing loans for the construction energy efficient dwellings, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Warriors Adapting Residences with Mortgages for Energy Renovations Act or the WARMER Act.

2.

Department of Veterans Affairs housing loans for construction of energy efficient dwellings

(a)

Loans authorized

Section 3710(d) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1)in paragraph (1)— (A)by striking The Secretary and inserting (A) The Secretary; (B)by striking for the acquisition of and all that follows through the end and inserting for any of the following purposes:; (C)by adding at the end the following new clauses: (i)The acquisition of an existing dwelling and the cost of making energy efficiency improvements to the dwelling. (ii)The construction of a new dwelling and the cost of making energy efficiency improvements to the dwelling. (iii)Energy efficiency improvements to a dwelling owned and occupied by a veteran. ; and (D)by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs: (B)Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a loan may be guaranteed under this subsection only if it meets the requirements of this chapter. (C)The Secretary shall determine appropriate energy efficiency standards for purposes of this subsection and shall require that dwellings purchased, constructed, or improved using a loan guaranteed under this subsection meet such standards. ; (2)in paragraph (2), by striking the greater of and all that follows through the period and inserting five percent of the total established value of the property, dwelling, and improvements, unless the Secretary specifically provides for a higher amount.; and (3)by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (6) as paragraphs (4) through (7), respectively, and inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph (3): (3)In order to determine the value of energy efficiency improvements made to a dwelling using a loan guaranteed under this subsection, the Secretary shall adopt existing applicable Federal standards and valuation programs. ; and (b)

Conforming amendment

Section 3710(d), as amended by subsection (a), is further amended in paragraph (5), as redesignated by subsection (a)(3), by striking paragraph (3)(B) and inserting paragraph (4)(B). (c)

Regulations

(1)

Interim policy guidance

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall prescribe interim policy guidance on energy efficiency audits and the conditions under which the performance of such audits may be included in the amount guaranteed by the Secretary under section 3710(d) of title 38, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a). (2)

Regulations

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out the amendments made by subsection (a). (3)

Energy efficiency audit defined

For purposes of this subsection, the term energy efficiency audit means a measurement of the effects of an improvement made to a dwelling for the purpose of reducing energy consumption or increasing energy efficiency that is carried out by a certified professional auditor, as determined by the Secretary. (d)

Effective date

The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply with respect to a loan secured on or after October 1, 2010.