I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1647 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 15, 2011 Mr. Runyan (for himself and Mr. Johnson of Ohio) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program under which certain veterans may submit claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary to any regional office of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Veterans’ Choice in Filing Act of 2011.

2.

Pilot program on submittal of claims to any regional office of the Department of Veterans Affairs

(a)

Pilot program required

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a two-year pilot program under which the Secretary shall permit a qualifying veteran filing a claim for benefits under a law administered by the Secretary to submit such claim to any regional office of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Secretary shall promptly notify each qualifying veteran of the opportunity to participate in the pilot program. (b)

Qualifying veterans

For the purposes of the pilot program under subsection (a), a qualifying veteran is a veteran who would, except as provided under the pilot program, be required to submit a claim to one of five regional offices of the Department selected by the Secretary based on below average performance. (c)

Reports

(1)

Interim report

Upon the selection of the Secretary of five regional offices for the purposes of subsection (b), the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress that lists the offices selected and the Secretary’s rationale for selecting such offices. (2)

Final report

Not later than 90 days after the completion of the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a final report on the pilot program that contains the Secretary’s recommendations with respect to the allocation of resources among the regional offices of the Department.