[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2029 Engrossed Amendment Senate (EAS)]
<DOC>
In the Senate of the United States,
November 10, 2015.
Resolved, That the bill from the House of Representatives (H.R.
2029) entitled ``An Act making appropriations for military
construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and for other
purposes.'', do pass with the following
AMENDMENT:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
That the following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for military construction, the
Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal
year ending September 30, 2016, and for other purposes, namely:
TITLE I
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Military Construction, Army
For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of
temporary or permanent public works, military installations,
facilities, and real property for the Army as currently authorized by
law, including personnel in the Army Corps of Engineers and other
personal services necessary for the purposes of this appropriation, and
for construction and operation of facilities in support of the
functions of the Commander in Chief, $663,245,000, to remain available
until September 30, 2020: Provided, That, of this amount, not to
exceed $109,245,000 shall be available for study, planning, design,
architect and engineer services, and host nation support, as authorized
by law, unless the Secretary of the Army determines that additional
obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees
on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the determination and
the reasons therefor.
Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps
For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of
temporary or permanent public works, naval installations, facilities,
and real property for the Navy and Marine Corps as currently authorized
by law, including personnel in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command
and other personal services necessary for the purposes of this
appropriation, $1,619,699,000, to remain available until September 30,
2020: Provided, That, of this amount, not to exceed $91,649,000 shall
be available for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer
services, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of the Navy
determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes
and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor.
Military Construction, Air Force
For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of
temporary or permanent public works, military installations,
facilities, and real property for the Air Force as currently authorized
by law, $1,389,185,000, to remain available until September 30, 2020:
Provided, That, of this amount, not to exceed $89,164,000 shall be
available for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer
services, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of Air Force
determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes
and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor.
Military Construction, Defense-Wide
(including transfer of funds)
For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of
temporary or permanent public works, installations, facilities, and
real property for activities and agencies of the Department of Defense
(other than the military departments), as currently authorized by law,
$2,290,767,000, to remain available until September 30, 2020:
Provided, That such amounts of this appropriation as may be determined
by the Secretary of Defense may be transferred to such appropriations
of the Department of Defense available for military construction or
family housing as the Secretary may designate, to be merged with and to
be available for the same purposes, and for the same time period, as
the appropriation or fund to which transferred: Provided further,
That, of the amount appropriated, not to exceed $160,404,000 shall be
available for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer
services, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of Defense
determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes
and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor.
Military Construction, Army National Guard
For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and
conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the
Army National Guard, and contributions therefor, as authorized by
chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction
Authorization Acts, $197,237,000, to remain available until September
30, 2020: Provided, That, of the amount appropriated, not to exceed
$20,337,000 shall be available for study, planning, design, and
architect and engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the
Director of the Army National Guard determines that additional
obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees
on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the determination and
the reasons therefor.
Military Construction, Air National Guard
For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and
conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the Air
National Guard, and contributions therefor, as authorized by chapter
1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction
Authorization Acts, $138,738,000, to remain available until September
30, 2020: Provided, That, of the amount appropriated, not to exceed
$5,104,000 shall be available for study, planning, design, and
architect and engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the
Director of the Air National Guard determines that additional
obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees
on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the determination and
the reasons therefor.
Military Construction, Army Reserve
For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and
conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the
Army Reserve as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United States
Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $113,595,000, to
remain available until September 30, 2020: Provided, That, of the
amount appropriated, not to exceed $9,318,000 shall be available for
study, planning, design, and architect and engineer services, as
authorized by law, unless the Chief of the Army Reserve determines that
additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the
determination and the reasons therefor.
Military Construction, Navy Reserve
For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and
conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the
reserve components of the Navy and Marine Corps as authorized by
chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction
Authorization Acts, $36,078,000, to remain available until September
30, 2020: Provided, That, of the amount appropriated, not to exceed
$2,208,000 shall be available for study, planning, design, and
architect and engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the
Secretary of the Navy determines that additional obligations are
necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the determination and the
reasons therefor.
Military Construction, Air Force Reserve
For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and
conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the Air
Force Reserve as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United States
Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $65,021,000, to
remain available until September 30, 2020: Provided, That, of the
amount appropriated, not to exceed $13,400,000 shall be available for
study, planning, design, and architect and engineer services, as
authorized by law, unless the Chief of the Air Force Reserve determines
that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and
notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of
the determination and the reasons therefor.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Security Investment Program
For the United States share of the cost of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization Security Investment Program for the acquisition and
construction of military facilities and installations (including
international military headquarters) and for related expenses for the
collective defense of the North Atlantic Treaty Area as authorized by
section 2806 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction
Authorization Acts, $120,000,000, to remain available until expended.
Family Housing Construction, Army
For expenses of family housing for the Army for construction,
including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, extension, and
alteration, as authorized by law, $99,695,000, to remain available
until September 30, 2020.
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Army
For expenses of family housing for the Army for operation and
maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, minor construction,
principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums, as authorized
by law, $393,511,000.
Family Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps
For expenses of family housing for the Navy and Marine Corps for
construction, including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion,
extension, and alteration, as authorized by law, $16,541,000, to remain
available until September 30, 2020.
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps
For expenses of family housing for the Navy and Marine Corps for
operation and maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, minor
construction, principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums,
as authorized by law, $353,036,000.
Family Housing Construction, Air Force
For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for construction,
including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, extension, and
alteration, as authorized by law, $160,498,000, to remain available
until September 30, 2020.
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force
For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for operation and
maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, minor construction,
principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums, as authorized
by law, $331,232,000.
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide
For expenses of family housing for the activities and agencies of
the Department of Defense (other than the military departments) for
operation and maintenance, leasing, and minor construction, as
authorized by law, $58,668,000.
Department of Defense Base Closure Account
For deposit into the Department of Defense Base Closure Account
1990, established by section 2906(a) of the Defense Base Closure and
Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. 2687 note), $251,334,000, to remain
available until expended.
Administrative Provisions
Sec. 101. None of the funds made available in this title shall be
expended for payments under a cost-plus-a-fixed-fee contract for
construction, where cost estimates exceed $25,000, to be performed
within the United States, except Alaska, without the specific approval
in writing of the Secretary of Defense setting forth the reasons
therefor.
Sec. 102. Funds made available in this title for construction
shall be available for hire of passenger motor vehicles.
Sec. 103. Funds made available in this title for construction may
be used for advances to the Federal Highway Administration, Department
of Transportation, for the construction of access roads as authorized
by section 210 of title 23, United States Code, when projects
authorized therein are certified as important to the national defense
by the Secretary of Defense.
Sec. 104. None of the funds made available in this title may be
used to begin construction of new bases in the United States for which
specific appropriations have not been made.
Sec. 105. None of the funds made available in this title shall be
used for purchase of land or land easements in excess of 100 percent of
the value as determined by the Army Corps of Engineers or the Naval
Facilities Engineering Command, except: (1) where there is a
determination of value by a Federal court; (2) purchases negotiated by
the Attorney General or the designee of the Attorney General; (3) where
the estimated value is less than $25,000; or (4) as otherwise
determined by the Secretary of Defense to be in the public interest.
Sec. 106. None of the funds made available in this title shall be
used to: (1) acquire land; (2) provide for site preparation; or (3)
install utilities for any family housing, except housing for which
funds have been made available in annual Acts making appropriations for
military construction.
Sec. 107. None of the funds made available in this title for minor
construction may be used to transfer or relocate any activity from one
base or installation to another, without prior notification to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
Sec. 108. None of the funds made available in this title may be
used for the procurement of steel for any construction project or
activity for which American steel producers, fabricators, and
manufacturers have been denied the opportunity to compete for such
steel procurement.
Sec. 109. None of the funds available to the Department of Defense
for military construction or family housing during the current fiscal
year may be used to pay real property taxes in any foreign nation.
Sec. 110. None of the funds made available in this title may be
used to initiate a new installation overseas without prior notification
to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
Sec. 111. None of the funds made available in this title may be
obligated for architect and engineer contracts estimated by the
Government to exceed $500,000 for projects to be accomplished in Japan,
in any North Atlantic Treaty Organization member country, or in
countries bordering the Arabian Gulf, unless such contracts are awarded
to United States firms or United States firms in joint venture with
host nation firms.
Sec. 112. None of the funds made available in this title for
military construction in the United States territories and possessions
in the Pacific and on Kwajalein Atoll, or in countries bordering the
Arabian Gulf, may be used to award any contract estimated by the
Government to exceed $1,000,000 to a foreign contractor: Provided,
That this section shall not be applicable to contract awards for which
the lowest responsive and responsible bid of a United States contractor
exceeds the lowest responsive and responsible bid of a foreign
contractor by greater than 20 percent: Provided further, That this
section shall not apply to contract awards for military construction on
Kwajalein Atoll for which the lowest responsive and responsible bid is
submitted by a Marshallese contractor.
Sec. 113. The Secretary of Defense shall inform the appropriate
committees of both Houses of Congress, including the Committees on
Appropriations, of plans and scope of any proposed military exercise
involving United States personnel 30 days prior to its occurring, if
amounts expended for construction, either temporary or permanent, are
anticipated to exceed $100,000.
Sec. 114. Not more than 20 percent of the funds made available in
this title which are limited for obligation during the current fiscal
year shall be obligated during the last 2 months of the fiscal year.
Sec. 115. Funds appropriated to the Department of Defense for
construction in prior years shall be available for construction
authorized for each such military department by the authorizations
enacted into law during the current session of Congress.
Sec. 116. For military construction or family housing projects
that are being completed with funds otherwise expired or lapsed for
obligation, expired or lapsed funds may be used to pay the cost of
associated supervision, inspection, overhead, engineering and design on
those projects and on subsequent claims, if any.
Sec. 117. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any funds
made available to a military department or defense agency for the
construction of military projects may be obligated for a military
construction project or contract, or for any portion of such a project
or contract, at any time before the end of the fourth fiscal year after
the fiscal year for which funds for such project were made available,
if the funds obligated for such project: (1) are obligated from funds
available for military construction projects; and (2) do not exceed the
amount appropriated for such project, plus any amount by which the cost
of such project is increased pursuant to law.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 118. Subject to 30 days prior notification, or 14 days for a
notification provided in an electronic medium pursuant to sections 480
and 2883 of title 10, United States Code, to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, such additional amounts as
may be determined by the Secretary of Defense may be transferred to:
(1) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund from
amounts appropriated for construction in ``Family Housing'' accounts,
to be merged with and to be available for the same purposes and for the
same period of time as amounts appropriated directly to the Fund; or
(2) the Department of Defense Military Unaccompanied Housing
Improvement Fund from amounts appropriated for construction of military
unaccompanied housing in ``Military Construction'' accounts, to be
merged with and to be available for the same purposes and for the same
period of time as amounts appropriated directly to the Fund: Provided,
That appropriations made available to the Funds shall be available to
cover the costs, as defined in section 502(5) of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, of direct loans or loan guarantees issued by the
Department of Defense pursuant to the provisions of subchapter IV of
chapter 169 of title 10, United States Code, pertaining to alternative
means of acquiring and improving military family housing, military
unaccompanied housing, and supporting facilities.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 119. In addition to any other transfer authority available to
the Department of Defense, amounts may be transferred from the accounts
established by sections 2906(a)(1) and 2906A(a)(1) of the Defense Base
Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. 2687 note), to the fund
established by section 1013(d) of the Demonstration Cities and
Metropolitan Development Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 3374) to pay for
expenses associated with the Homeowners Assistance Program incurred
under 42 U.S.C. 3374(a)(1)(A). Any amounts transferred shall be merged
with and be available for the same purposes and for the same time
period as the fund to which transferred.
Sec. 120. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, funds made
available in this title for operation and maintenance of family housing
shall be the exclusive source of funds for repair and maintenance of
all family housing units, including general or flag officer quarters:
Provided, That not more than $35,000 per unit may be spent annually for
the maintenance and repair of any general or flag officer quarters
without 30 days prior notification, or 14 days for a notification
provided in an electronic medium pursuant to sections 480 and 2883 of
title 10, United States Code, to the Committees on Appropriations of
both Houses of Congress, except that an after-the-fact notification
shall be submitted if the limitation is exceeded solely due to costs
associated with environmental remediation that could not be reasonably
anticipated at the time of the budget submission: Provided further,
That the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) is to report annually
to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress all
operation and maintenance expenditures for each individual general or
flag officer quarters for the prior fiscal year.
Sec. 121. Amounts contained in the Ford Island Improvement Account
established by subsection (h) of section 2814 of title 10, United
States Code, are appropriated and shall be available until expended for
the purposes specified in subsection (i)(1) of such section or until
transferred pursuant to subsection (i)(3) of such section.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 122. During the 5-year period after appropriations available
in this Act to the Department of Defense for military construction and
family housing operation and maintenance and construction have expired
for obligation, upon a determination that such appropriations will not
be necessary for the liquidation of obligations or for making
authorized adjustments to such appropriations for obligations incurred
during the period of availability of such appropriations, unobligated
balances of such appropriations may be transferred into the
appropriation ``Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Construction, Defense'',
to be merged with and to be available for the same time period and for
the same purposes as the appropriation to which transferred.
Sec. 123. Amounts appropriated or otherwise made available in an
account funded under the headings in this title may be transferred
among projects and activities within the account in accordance with the
reprogramming guidelines for military construction and family housing
construction contained in Department of Defense Financial Management
Regulation 7000.14-R, Volume 3, Chapter 7, of February 2009, as in
effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
Sec. 124. None of the funds made available in this title may be
obligated or expended for planning and design and construction of
projects at Arlington National Cemetery.
Sec. 125. For an additional amount for ``Military Construction,
Army'', $34,500,000, to remain available until September 30, 2020:
Provided, That such funds may only be obligated to carry out
construction projects, in priority order, identified in the Department
of the Army's Unfunded Priority List for Fiscal Year 2016 submitted to
Congress: Provided further, That such funding is subject to
authorization prior to obligation and expenditure of funds to carry out
construction: Provided further, That, not later than 30 days after
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall submit to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress an expenditure
plan for funds provided under this section.
Sec. 126. For an additional amount for ``Military Construction,
Navy and Marine Corps'', $34,320,000, to remain available until
September 30, 2020: Provided, That such funds may only be obligated to
carry out construction projects, in priority order, identified in the
Department of the Navy's Unfunded Priority List for fiscal year 2016:
Provided further, That such funding is subject to authorization prior
to obligation and expenditure of funds to carry out construction:
Provided further, That, not later than 30 days after enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of the Navy shall submit to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress an expenditure plan for funds
provided under this section.
Sec. 127. For an additional amount for ``Military Construction,
Army National Guard'', $51,300,000, to remain available until September
30, 2020: Provided, That such funds may only be obligated to carry out
construction projects, in priority order, identified in the Department
of the Army's Unfunded Priority List for Fiscal Year 2016 submitted to
Congress: Provided further, That such funding is subject to
authorization prior to obligation and expenditure of funds to carry out
construction: Provided further, That, not later than 30 days after
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall submit to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress an expenditure
plan for funds provided under this section.
Sec. 128. For an additional amount for ``Military Construction,
Army Reserve'', $34,200,000, to remain available until September 30,
2020: Provided, That such funds may only be obligated to carry out
construction projects, in priority order, identified in the Department
of the Army's Unfunded Priority List for Fiscal Year 2016 submitted to
Congress: Provided further, That such funding is subject to
authorization prior to obligation and expenditure of funds to carry out
construction: Provided further, That, not later than 30 days after
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall submit to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress an expenditure
plan for funds provided under this section.
(rescissions of funds)
Sec. 129. Of the unobligated balances available from prior
Appropriations Acts (other than appropriations that were designated by
the Congress as an emergency requirement or as being for Overseas
Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism pursuant to a concurrent
resolution on the budget or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985) the following funds are hereby rescinded from the
following accounts and programs in the specified amounts:
``Military Construction, Army'', $45,000,000;
``Military Construction, Air Force'', $46,400,000; and
``Military Construction, Defense-Wide'', $80,500,000.
(rescission of funds)
Sec. 130. Of the unobligated balances made available in prior
appropriations Acts for the fund established in section 1013(d) of the
Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966 (42
U.S.C. 3374), $65,000,000 are hereby rescinded.
Sec. 131. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, none of the
funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this or any other Act
may be used to consolidate or relocate any element of a United States
Air Force Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron
Engineer (RED HORSE) outside of the United States until the Secretary
of the Air Force (1) completes an analysis and comparison of the cost
and infrastructure investment required to consolidate or relocate a RED
HORSE squadron outside of the United States versus within the United
States; (2) provides to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses
of Congress (``the Committees'') a report detailing the findings of the
cost analysis; and (3) certifies in writing to the Committees that the
preferred site for the consolidation or relocation yields the greatest
savings for the Air Force: Provided, That the term ``United States''
in this section does not include any territory or possession of the
United States.
Sec. 132. For an additional amount for ``Military Construction,
Air Force'', $21,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2020:
Provided, That such funds may only be obligated to carry out
construction projects, in priority order, identified in the Department
of the Air Force's Unfunded Priority List for Fiscal Year 2016
submitted to Congress: Provided further, That such funding is subject
to authorization prior to obligation and expenditure of funds to carry
out construction: Provided further, That not later than 30 days after
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to
the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress an
expenditure plan for funds provided under this section.
Sec. 133. For an additional amount for ``Military Construction,
Air National Guard'', $6,100,000, to remain available until September
30, 2020: Provided, That such funds may only be obligated to carry out
construction projects, in priority order, identified in the Department
of the Air Force's Unfunded Priority List for Fiscal Year 2016
submitted to Congress: Provided further, That such funding is subject
to authorization prior to obligation and expenditure of funds to carry
out construction: Provided further, That not later than 30 days after
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to
the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress an
expenditure plan for funds provided under this section.
Sec. 134. For an additional amount for ``Military Construction,
Air Force Reserve'', $10,400,000, to remain available until September
30, 2020: Provided, That such funds may only be obligated to carry out
construction projects, in priority order, identified in the Department
of the Air Force's Unfunded Priority List for Fiscal Year 2016
submitted to Congress: Provided further, That such funding is subject
to authorization prior to obligation and expenditure of funds to carry
out construction: Provided further, That not later than 30 days after
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to
the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress an
expenditure plan for funds provided under this section.
TITLE II
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Veterans Benefits Administration
compensation and pensions
(including transfer of funds)
For the payment of compensation benefits to or on behalf of
veterans and a pilot program for disability examinations as authorized
by section 107 and chapters 11, 13, 18, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of title 38,
United States Code; pension benefits to or on behalf of veterans as
authorized by chapters 15, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of title 38, United
States Code; and burial benefits, the Reinstated Entitlement Program
for Survivors, emergency and other officers' retirement pay, adjusted-
service credits and certificates, payment of premiums due on commercial
life insurance policies guaranteed under the provisions of title IV of
the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 541 et seq.) and
for other benefits as authorized by sections 107, 1312, 1977, and 2106,
and chapters 23, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of title 38, United States Code,
$166,271,436,000, to remain available until expended, of which
$87,146,761,000 shall become available on October 1, 2016: Provided,
That not to exceed $15,562,000 of the amount appropriated for fiscal
year 2016 and $16,021,000 of the amount made available for fiscal year
2017 under this heading shall be reimbursed to ``General Operating
Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration'', and ``Information
Technology Systems'' for necessary expenses in implementing the
provisions of chapters 51, 53, and 55 of title 38, United States Code,
the funding source for which is specifically provided as the
``Compensation and Pensions'' appropriation: Provided further, That
such sums as may be earned on an actual qualifying patient basis, shall
be reimbursed to ``Medical Care Collections Fund'' to augment the
funding of individual medical facilities for nursing home care provided
to pensioners as authorized.
readjustment benefits
For the payment of readjustment and rehabilitation benefits to or
on behalf of veterans as authorized by chapters 21, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35,
36, 39, 41, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of title 38, United States Code,
$32,088,826,000, to remain available until expended, of which
$16,743,904,000 shall become available on October 1, 2016: Provided,
That expenses for rehabilitation program services and assistance which
the Secretary is authorized to provide under subsection (a) of section
3104 of title 38, United States Code, other than under paragraphs (1),
(2), (5), and (11) of that subsection, shall be charged to this
account.
veterans insurance and indemnities
For military and naval insurance, national service life insurance,
servicemen's indemnities, service-disabled veterans insurance, and
veterans mortgage life insurance as authorized by chapters 19 and 21,
title 38, United States Code, $169,080,000, to remain available until
expended, of which $91,920,000 shall become available on October 1,
2016.
veterans housing benefit program fund
For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, such sums as may be
necessary to carry out the program, as authorized by subchapters I
through III of chapter 37 of title 38, United States Code: Provided,
That such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be
as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974:
Provided further, That, during fiscal year 2016, within the resources
available, not to exceed $500,000 in gross obligations for direct loans
are authorized for specially adapted housing loans.
In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the direct
and guaranteed loan programs, $164,558,000.
vocational rehabilitation loans program account
For the cost of direct loans, $31,000, as authorized by chapter 31
of title 38, United States Code: Provided, That such costs, including
the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That funds
made available under this heading are available to subsidize gross
obligations for the principal amount of direct loans not to exceed
$2,952,381.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry out the
direct loan program, $367,000, which may be paid to the appropriation
for ``General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration''.
native american veteran housing loan program account
For administrative expenses to carry out the direct loan program
authorized by subchapter V of chapter 37 of title 38, United States
Code, $1,134,000.
Veterans Health Administration
medical services
For necessary expenses for furnishing, as authorized by law,
inpatient and outpatient care and treatment to beneficiaries of the
Department of Veterans Affairs and veterans described in section
1705(a) of title 38, United States Code, including care and treatment
in facilities not under the jurisdiction of the Department, and
including medical supplies and equipment, bioengineering services, food
services, and salaries and expenses of healthcare employees hired under
title 38, United States Code, aid to State homes as authorized by
section 1741 of title 38, United States Code, assistance and support
services for caregivers as authorized by section 1720G of title 38,
United States Code, loan repayments authorized by section 604 of the
Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law
111-163; 124 Stat. 1174; 38 U.S.C. 7681 note), and hospital care and
medical services authorized by section 1787 of title 38, United States
Code; $3,104,197,000, which shall be in addition to funds previously
appropriated under this heading that become available on October 1,
2015; and, in addition, $51,673,000,000, plus reimbursements, shall
become available on October 1, 2016, and shall remain available until
September 30, 2017: Provided, That, of the amount made available on
October 1, 2016, under this heading, $1,400,000,000 shall remain
available until September 30, 2018: Provided further, That,
notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall establish a priority for the provision of medical
treatment for veterans who have service-connected disabilities, lower
income, or have special needs: Provided further, That, notwithstanding
any other provision of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
give priority funding for the provision of basic medical benefits to
veterans in enrollment priority groups 1 through 6: Provided further,
That, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs may authorize the dispensing of prescription drugs
from Veterans Health Administration facilities to enrolled veterans
with privately written prescriptions based on requirements established
by the Secretary: Provided further, That the implementation of the
program described in the previous proviso shall incur no additional
cost to the Department of Veterans Affairs: Provided further, That, of
the amount made available on October 1, 2016, under this heading, not
less than $900,000,000 shall be available for highly effective
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) clinical treatments including clinical
treatments with modern medications that have significantly higher cure
rates than older medications, are easier to prescribe, and have fewer
and milder side effects: Provided further, That the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall ensure that amounts appropriated to the
Department of Veterans Affairs for medical supplies and equipment are
allocated to ensure the provision of gender appropriate prosthetics.
medical support and compliance
For necessary expenses in the administration of the medical,
hospital, nursing home, domiciliary, construction, supply, and research
activities, as authorized by law; administrative expenses in support of
capital policy activities; and administrative and legal expenses of the
Department for collecting and recovering amounts owed the Department as
authorized under chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, and the
Federal Medical Care Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 2651 et seq.),
$6,524,000,000, plus reimbursements, shall become available on October
1, 2016, and shall remain available until September 30, 2017:
Provided, That, of the amount made available on October 1, 2016, under
this heading, $100,000,000 shall remain available until September 30,
2018.
medical facilities
For necessary expenses for the maintenance and operation of
hospitals, nursing homes, domiciliary facilities, and other necessary
facilities of the Veterans Health Administration; for 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;
for oversight, engineering, and architectural activities not charged to
project costs; for repairing, altering, improving, or providing
facilities in the several hospitals and homes under the jurisdiction of
the Department, not otherwise provided for, either by contract or by
the hire of temporary employees and purchase of materials; for leases
of facilities; and for laundry services, $5,074,000,000, plus
reimbursements, shall become available on October 1, 2016, and shall
remain available until September 30, 2017: Provided, That, of the
amount made available on October 1, 2016, under this heading,
$250,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2018.
medical and prosthetic research
For necessary expenses in carrying out programs of medical and
prosthetic research and development as authorized by chapter 73 of
title 38, United States Code, $621,813,000, plus reimbursements, shall
remain available until September 30, 2017: Provided, That such sums
are allocated to ensure the provision of gender appropriate prosthetics
and to conduct research related to toxic exposure.
National Cemetery Administration
For necessary expenses of the National Cemetery Administration for
operations and maintenance, not otherwise provided for, including
uniforms or allowances therefor; cemeterial expenses as authorized by
law; purchase of one passenger motor vehicle for use in cemeterial
operations; hire of passenger motor vehicles; and repair, alteration or
improvement of facilities under the jurisdiction of the National
Cemetery Administration, $266,220,000, of which not to exceed
$26,600,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2017.
Departmental Administration
general administration
(including transfer of funds)
For necessary operating expenses of the Department of Veterans
Affairs, not otherwise provided for, including administrative expenses
in support of Department-Wide capital planning, management and policy
activities, uniforms, or allowances therefor; not to exceed $25,000 for
official reception and representation expenses; hire of passenger motor
vehicles; and reimbursement of the General Services Administration for
security guard services, $311,591,000, of which not to exceed
$10,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2017: Provided,
That funds provided under this heading may be transferred to ``General
Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration''.
board of veterans appeals
For necessary operating expenses of the Board of Veterans Appeals,
$107,884,000, of which not to exceed $10,788,000 shall remain available
until September 30, 2017.
general operating expenses, veterans benefits administration
For necessary operating expenses of the Veterans Benefits
Administration, not otherwise provided for, including hire of passenger
motor vehicles, reimbursement of the General Services Administration
for security guard services, and reimbursement of the Department of
Defense for the cost of overseas employee mail, $2,697,734,000:
Provided, That expenses for services and assistance authorized under
paragraphs (1), (2), (5), and (11) of section 3104(a) of title 38,
United States Code, that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines
are necessary to enable entitled veterans: (1) to the maximum extent
feasible, to become employable and to obtain and maintain suitable
employment; or (2) to achieve maximum independence in daily living,
shall be charged to this account: Provided further, That, of the funds
made available under this heading, not to exceed $160,000,000 shall
remain available until September 30, 2017.
information technology systems
For necessary expenses for information technology systems and
telecommunications support, including developmental information systems
and operational information systems; for pay and associated costs; and
for the capital asset acquisition of information technology systems,
including management and related contractual costs of said
acquisitions, including contractual costs associated with operations
authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code,
$4,106,363,000, plus reimbursements: Provided, That $1,115,757,000
shall be for pay and associated costs, of which not to exceed
$34,800,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2017: Provided
further, That $2,512,863,000 shall be for operations and maintenance,
of which not to exceed $175,000,000 shall remain available until
September 30, 2017: Provided further, That $477,743,000 shall be for
information technology systems development, modernization, and
enhancement, and shall remain available until September 30, 2017:
Provided further, That amounts made available for information
technology systems development, modernization, and enhancement may not
be obligated or expended until the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or the
Chief Information Officer of the Department of Veterans Affairs submits
to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a
certification of the amounts, in parts or in full, to be obligated and
expended for each development project: Provided further, That amounts
made available for salaries and expenses, operations and maintenance,
and information technology systems development, modernization, and
enhancement may be transferred among the three subaccounts after the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs requests from the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the authority to make the
transfer and an approval is issued: Provided further, That amounts
made available for the ``Information Technology Systems'' account for
development, modernization, and enhancement may be transferred among
projects or to newly defined projects: Provided further, That no
project may be increased or decreased by more than $1,000,000 of cost
prior to submitting a request to the Committees on Appropriations of
both Houses of Congress to make the transfer and an approval is issued,
or absent a response, a period of 30 days has elapsed: Provided
further, That funds under this heading may be used by the Interagency
Program Office through the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop a
standard data reference terminology model: Provided further, That, of
the funds made available for information technology systems
development, modernization, and enhancement for VistA Evolution, not
more than 25 percent may be obligated or expended until the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs submits to the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress, and such Committees approve, a report that
describes: (1) the status of and changes to the VistA Evolution program
plan dated March 24, 2014 (hereinafter referred to as the ``Plan''),
the VistA 4 product roadmap dated February 26, 2015 (``Roadmap''), and
the VistA 4 Incremental Life Cycle Cost Estimate, dated October 26,
2014; (2) any changes to the scope or functionality of projects within
the VistA Evolution program as established in the Plan; (3) actual
program costs incurred to date; (4) progress in meeting the schedule
milestones that have been established in the Plan; (5) a Project
Management Accountability System (PMAS) Dashboard Progress report that
identifies each VistA Evolution project being tracked through PMAS,
what functionality it is intended to provide, and what evaluation
scores it has received throughout development; (6) the definition being
used for interoperability between the electronic health record systems
of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs,
the metrics to measure the extent of interoperability, the milestones
and timeline associated with achieving interoperability, and the
baseline measurements associated with interoperability; (7) progress
toward developing and implementing all components and levels of
interoperability, including semantic interoperability; (8) the change
management tools in place to facilitate the implementation of VistA
Evolution and interoperability; and (9) any changes to the governance
structure for the VistA Evolution program and its chain of
decisionmaking authority: Provided further, That the funds made
available under this heading for information technology systems
development, modernization, and enhancement, shall be for the projects,
and in the amounts, specified under this heading in the report
accompanying this Act.
office of inspector general
For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General, to
include information technology, in carrying out the provisions of the
Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), $126,766,000, of which
$12,676,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2017.
construction, major projects
For constructing, altering, extending, and improving any of the
facilities, including parking projects, under the jurisdiction or for
the use of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or for any of the
purposes set forth in sections 316, 2404, 2406 and chapter 81 of title
38, United States Code, not otherwise provided for, including planning,
architectural and engineering services, construction management
services, maintenance or guarantee period services costs associated
with equipment guarantees provided under the project, services of
claims analysts, offsite utility and storm drainage system construction
costs, and site acquisition, where the estimated cost of a project is
more than the amount set forth in section 8104(a)(3)(A) of title 38,
United States Code, or where funds for a project were made available in
a previous major project appropriation, $1,027,064,000, of which
$967,064,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2020, and of
which $60,000,000 shall remain available until expended: Provided,
That except for advance planning activities, including needs
assessments which may or may not lead to capital investments, and other
capital asset management related activities, including portfolio
development and management activities, and investment strategy studies
funded through the advance planning fund and the planning and design
activities funded through the design fund, including needs assessments
which may or may not lead to capital investments, and salaries and
associated costs of the resident engineers who oversee those capital
investments funded through this account, and funds provided for the
purchase of land for the National Cemetery Administration through the
land acquisition line item, none of the funds made available under this
heading shall be used for any project which has not been approved by
the Congress in the budgetary process: Provided further, That funds
made available under this heading for fiscal year 2016, for each
approved project shall be obligated: (1) by the awarding of a
construction documents contract by September 30, 2016; and (2) by the
awarding of a construction contract by September 30, 2017: Provided
further, That the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall promptly submit
to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a
written report on any approved major construction project for which
obligations are not incurred within the time limitations established
above: Provided further, That, of the amount made available on October
1, 2016, under this heading, $490,700,000 for Veterans Health
Administration major construction projects shall not be available until
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs:
(1) Enters into an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, to serve as the design and construction agent for
Veterans Health Administration projects with a Total Estimated
Cost of $250,000,000 or above.
(2) That such an agreement will designate the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers as the design and construction agent to
serve as--
(A) the overall construction project manager, with
a dedicated project delivery team including engineers,
medical facility designers, and professional project
managers;
(B) the facility design manager, with a dedicated
design manager and technical support;
(C) the design agent, with standardized and
rigorous facility designs;
(D) the architect/engineer designer; and
(E) the overall construction agent, with a
dedicated construction and technical team during pre-
construction, construction, and commissioning phases.
(3) Certifies in writing that such an agreement is in
effect and will prevent subsequent major construction project
cost overruns, provides a copy of the agreement entered into
(and any required supplementary information) to the Committees
on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, and a period of
60 days has elapsed.
construction, minor projects
For constructing, altering, extending, and improving any of the
facilities, including parking projects, under the jurisdiction or for
the use of the Department of Veterans Affairs, including planning and
assessments of needs which may lead to capital investments,
architectural and engineering services, maintenance or guarantee period
services costs associated with equipment guarantees provided under the
project, services of claims analysts, offsite utility and storm
drainage system construction costs, and site acquisition, or for any of
the purposes set forth in sections 316, 2404, 2406 and chapter 81 of
title 38, United States Code, not otherwise provided for, where the
estimated cost of a project is equal to or less than the amount set
forth in section 8104(a)(3)(A) of title 38, United States Code,
$378,080,000, to remain available until September 30, 2020, along with
unobligated balances of previous ``Construction, Minor Projects''
appropriations which are hereby made available for any project where
the estimated cost is equal to or less than the amount set forth in
such section: Provided, That funds made available under this heading
shall be 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 any natural disaster or
catastrophe; and (2) temporary measures necessary to prevent or to
minimize further loss by such causes.
grants for construction of state extended care facilities
For grants to assist States to acquire or construct State nursing
home and domiciliary facilities and to remodel, modify, or alter
existing hospital, nursing home, and domiciliary facilities in State
homes, for furnishing care to veterans as authorized by sections 8131
through 8137 of title 38, United States Code, $100,000,000, to remain
available until expended.
grants for construction of veterans cemeteries
For grants to assist States and tribal organizations in
establishing, expanding, or improving veterans cemeteries as authorized
by section 2408 of title 38, United States Code, $46,000,000, to remain
available until expended.
Administrative Provisions
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 201. Any appropriation for fiscal year 2016 for
``Compensation and Pensions'', ``Readjustment Benefits'', and
``Veterans Insurance and Indemnities'' may be transferred as necessary
to any other of the mentioned appropriations: Provided, That, before a
transfer may take place, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
request from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress the authority to make the transfer and such Committees issue
an approval, or absent a response, a period of 30 days has elapsed.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 202. Amounts made available for the Department of Veterans
Affairs for fiscal year 2016, in this Act or any other Act, under the
``Medical Services'', ``Medical support and compliance'', and ``Medical
Facilities'' accounts may be transferred among the accounts: Provided,
That any transfers between the ``Medical Services'' and ``Medical
Support and Compliance'' accounts of 1 percent or less of the total
amount appropriated to the account in this or any other Act may take
place subject to notification from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the
amount and purpose of the transfer: Provided further, That any
transfers between the ``Medical Services'' and ``Medical Support and
Compliance'' accounts in excess of 1 percent, or exceeding the
cumulative 1 percent for the fiscal year, may take place only after the
Secretary requests from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses
of Congress the authority to make the transfer and an approval is
issued: Provided further, That any transfers to or from the ``Medical
Facilities'' account may take place only after the Secretary requests
from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the
authority to make the transfer and an approval is issued.
Sec. 203. Appropriations available in this title for salaries and
expenses shall be available for services authorized by section 3109 of
title 5, United States Code; hire of passenger motor vehicles; lease of
a facility or land or both; and uniforms or allowances therefore, as
authorized by sections 5901 through 5902 of title 5, United States
Code.
Sec. 204. No appropriations in this title (except the
appropriations for ``Construction, Major Projects'', and
``Construction, Minor Projects'') shall be available for the purchase
of any site for or toward the construction of any new hospital or home.
Sec. 205. No appropriations in this title shall be available for
hospitalization or examination of any persons (except beneficiaries
entitled to such hospitalization or examination under the laws
providing such benefits to veterans, and persons receiving such
treatment under sections 7901 through 7904 of title 5, United States
Code, or the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.)), unless reimbursement of the
cost of such hospitalization or examination is made to the ``Medical
Services'' account at such rates as may be fixed by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 206. Appropriations available in this title for
``Compensation and pensions'', ``Readjustment benefits'', and
``Veterans insurance and indemnities'' shall be available for payment
of prior year accrued obligations required to be recorded by law
against the corresponding prior year accounts within the last quarter
of fiscal year 2015.
Sec. 207. Appropriations available in this title shall be
available to pay prior year obligations of corresponding prior year
appropriations accounts resulting from sections 3328(a), 3334, and
3712(a) of title 31, United States Code, except that if such
obligations are from trust fund accounts they shall be payable only
from ``Compensation and Pensions''.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 208. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, during
fiscal year 2016, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, from the
National Service Life Insurance Fund under section 1920 of title 38,
United States Code, the Veterans' Special Life Insurance Fund under
section 1923 of title 38, United States Code, and the United States
Government Life Insurance Fund under section 1955 of title 38, United
States Code, reimburse the ``General operating expenses, Veterans
Benefits Administration'' and ``Information Technology Systems''
accounts for the cost of administration of the insurance programs
financed through those accounts: Provided, That reimbursement shall be
made only from the surplus earnings accumulated in such an insurance
program during fiscal year 2016 that are available for dividends in
that program after claims have been paid and actuarially determined
reserves have been set aside: Provided further, That, if the cost of
administration of such an insurance program exceeds the amount of
surplus earnings accumulated in that program, reimbursement shall be
made only to the extent of such surplus earnings: Provided further,
That the Secretary shall determine the cost of administration for
fiscal year 2016 which is properly allocable to the provision of each
such insurance program and to the provision of any total disability
income insurance included in that insurance program.
Sec. 209. Amounts deducted from enhanced-use lease proceeds to
reimburse an account for expenses incurred by that account during a
prior fiscal year for providing enhanced-use lease services, may be
obligated during the fiscal year in which the proceeds are received.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 210. Funds available in this title or funds for salaries and
other administrative expenses shall also be available to reimburse the
Office of Resolution Management of the Department of Veterans Affairs
and the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication
under section 319 of title 38, United States Code, for all services
provided at rates which will recover actual costs but not to exceed
$43,700,000 for the Office of Resolution Management and $3,400,000 for
the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication:
Provided, That payments may be made in advance for services to be
furnished based on estimated costs: Provided further, That amounts
received shall be credited to the ``General Administration'' and
``Information Technology Systems'' accounts for use by the office that
provided the service.
(transfer of funds)
Sec. 211. Of the amounts made available to the Department of
Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2016 for the Office of Rural Health
under the heading ``Medical Services'', including any advance
appropriation for fiscal year 2016 provided in prior appropriation
Acts, up to $20,000,000 may be transferred to and merged with funds
appropriated under the heading ``Grants for Construction of State
Extended Care Facilities''.
Sec. 212. No funds of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall be
available for hospital care, nursing home care, or medical services
provided to any person under chapter 17 of title 38, United States
Code, for a non-service-connected disability described in section
1729(a)(2) of such title, unless that person has disclosed to the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in such form as the Secretary may
require, current, accurate third-party reimbursement information for
purposes of section 1729 of such title: Provided, That the Secretary
may recover, in the same manner as any other debt due the United
States, the reasonable charges for such care or services from any
person who does not make such disclosure as required: Provided
further, That any amounts so recovered for care or services provided in
a prior fiscal year may be obligated by the Secretary during the fiscal
year in which amounts are received.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 213. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, proceeds or
revenues derived from enhanced-use leasing activities (including
disposal) may be deposited into the ``Construction, Major Projects''
and ``Construction, Minor Projects'' accounts and be used for
construction (including site acquisition and disposition), alterations,
and improvements of any medical facility under the jurisdiction or for
the use of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Such sums as realized
are in addition to the amount provided for in ``Construction, Major
Projects'' and ``Construction, Minor Projects''.
Sec. 214. Amounts made available under ``Medical Services'' are
available--
(1) for furnishing recreational facilities, supplies, and
equipment; and
(2) for funeral expenses, burial expenses, and other
expenses incidental to funerals and burials for beneficiaries
receiving care in the Department.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 215. Such sums as may be deposited to the Medical Care
Collections Fund pursuant to section 1729A of title 38, United States
Code, may be transferred to ``Medical Services'', to remain available
until expended for the purposes of that account: Provided, That, for
fiscal year 2016, up to $27,000,000 deposited in the Department of
Veterans Affairs Medical Care Collections Fund shall be transferred to
``Information Technology Systems'', to remain available until expended,
for development of the Medical Care Collections Fund electronic data
exchange provider and payer system.
Sec. 216. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter into
agreements with Indian tribes and tribal organizations which are party
to the Alaska Native Health Compact with the Indian Health Service, and
Indian tribes and tribal organizations serving rural Alaska which have
entered into contracts with the Indian Health Service under the Indian
Self Determination and Educational Assistance Act, to provide
healthcare, including behavioral health and dental care. The Secretary
shall require participating veterans and facilities to comply with all
appropriate rules and regulations, as established by the Secretary. The
term ``rural Alaska'' shall mean those lands sited within the external
boundaries of the Alaska Native regions specified in sections 7(a)(1)-
(4) and (7)-(12) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, as amended
(43 U.S.C. 1606), and those lands within the Alaska Native regions
specified in sections 7(a)(5) and 7(a)(6) of the Alaska Native Claims
Settlement Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 1606), which are not within the
boundaries of the municipality of Anchorage, the Fairbanks North Star
Borough, the Kenai Peninsula Borough or the Matanuska Susitna Borough.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 217. Such sums as may be deposited to the Department of
Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Fund pursuant to section 8118 of title
38, United States Code, may be transferred to the ``Construction, Major
Projects'' and ``Construction, Minor Projects'' accounts, to remain
available until expended for the purposes of these accounts.
Sec. 218. None of the funds made available in this title may be
used to implement any policy prohibiting the Directors of the Veterans
Integrated Services Networks from conducting outreach or marketing to
enroll new veterans within their respective Networks.
Sec. 219. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a quarterly
report on the financial status of the Veterans Health Administration.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 220. Amounts made available under the ``Medical Services'',
``Medical Support and Compliance'', ``Medical Facilities'', ``General
Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration'', ``General
Administration'', and ``National Cemetery Administration'' accounts for
fiscal year 2016 may be transferred to or from the ``Information
Technology Systems'' account: Provided, That, before a transfer may
take place, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall request from the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the authority
to make the transfer and an approval is issued.
Sec. 221. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act or any other Act for the Department of Veterans
Affairs may be used in a manner that is inconsistent with: (1) section
842 of the Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the
Judiciary, the District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2006 (Public Law 109-115; 119 Stat. 2506); or (2)
section 8110(a)(5) of title 38, United States Code.
Sec. 222. Of the amounts made available to the Department of
Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2016, in this Act or any other Act,
under the ``Medical Facilities'' account for nonrecurring maintenance,
not more than 20 percent of the funds made available shall be obligated
during the last 2 months of that fiscal year: Provided, That the
Secretary may waive this requirement after providing written notice to
the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 223. Of the amounts appropriated to the Department of
Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2016 for ``Medical Services'',
``Medical Support and Compliance'', ``Medical Facilities'',
``Construction, Minor Projects'', and ``Information Technology
Systems'', up to $266,303,000, plus reimbursements, may be transferred
to the Joint Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs
Medical Facility Demonstration Fund, established by section 1704 of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law
111-84; 123 Stat. 3571) and may be used for operation of the facilities
designated as combined Federal medical facilities as described by
section 706 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110-417; 122 Stat. 4500): Provided, That
additional funds may be transferred from accounts designated in this
section to the Joint Department of Defense-Department of Veterans
Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund upon written notification
by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress: Provided further, That
section 223 of Title II of Division I of Public Law 113-235 is
repealed.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 224. Of the amounts appropriated to the Department of
Veterans Affairs which become available on October 1, 2016, for
``Medical Services'', ``Medical Support and Compliance'', and ``Medical
Facilities'', up to $265,675,000, plus reimbursements, may be
transferred to the Joint Department of Defense-Department of Veterans
Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund, established by section
1704 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010
(Public Law 111-84; 123 Stat. 3571) and may be used for operation of
the facilities designated as combined Federal medical facilities as
described by section 706 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110-417; 122 Stat.
4500): Provided, That additional funds may be transferred from
accounts designated in this section to the Joint Department of Defense-
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund upon
written notification by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 225. Such sums as may be deposited to the Medical Care
Collections Fund pursuant to section 1729A of title 38, United States
Code, for healthcare provided at facilities designated as combined
Federal medical facilities as described by section 706 of the Duncan
Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public
Law 110-417; 122 Stat. 4500) shall also be available: (1) for transfer
to the Joint Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs
Medical Facility Demonstration Fund, established by section 1704 of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law
111-84; 123 Stat. 3571); and (2) for operations of the facilities
designated as combined Federal medical facilities as described by
section 706 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110-417; 122 Stat. 4500).
(transfer of funds)
Sec. 226. Of the amounts available in this title for ``Medical
Services'', ``Medical Support and Compliance'', and ``Medical
Facilities'', a minimum of $15,000,000 shall be transferred to the DOD-
VA Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund, as authorized by section 8111(d)
of title 38, United States Code, to remain available until expended,
for any purpose authorized by section 8111 of title 38, United States
Code.
(including rescissions of funds)
Sec. 227. (a) Of the funds appropriated in division I of Public Law
113-235, the following amounts which become available on October 1,
2015, are hereby rescinded from the following accounts in the amounts
specified:
(1) ``Department of Veterans Affairs, Medical Services'',
$1,400,000,000.
(2) ``Department of Veterans Affairs, Medical Support and
Compliance'', $150,000,000.
(3) ``Department of Veterans Affairs, Medical Facilities'',
$250,000,000.
(b) In addition to amounts provided elsewhere in this Act, an
additional amount is appropriated to the following accounts in the
amounts specified to remain available until September 30, 2017:
(1) ``Department of Veterans Affairs, Medical Services'',
$1,400,000,000.
(2) ``Department of Veterans Affairs, Medical Support and
Compliance'', $100,000,000.
(3) ``Department of Veterans Affairs, Medical Facilities'',
$250,000,000.
Sec. 228. The Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs
shall notify the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress of all bid savings in major construction projects that total
at least $5,000,000, or 5 percent of the programmed amount of the
project, whichever is less: Provided, That such notification shall
occur within 14 days of a contract identifying the programmed amount:
Provided further, That the Secretary shall notify the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 14 days prior to the
obligation of such bid savings and shall describe the anticipated use
of such savings.
Sec. 229. The scope of work for a project included in
``Construction, Major Projects'' may not be increased above the scope
specified for that project in the original justification data provided
to the Congress as part of the request for appropriations.
Sec. 230. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a quarterly
report that contains the following information from each Veterans
Benefits Administration Regional Office: (1) the average time to
complete a disability compensation claim; (2) the number of claims
pending more than 125 days; (3) error rates; (4) the number of claims
personnel; (5) any corrective action taken within the quarter to
address poor performance; (6) training programs undertaken; and (7) the
number and results of Quality Review Team audits: Provided, That each
quarterly report shall be submitted no later than 30 days after the end
of the respective quarter.
Sec. 231. Of the funds provided to the Department of Veterans
Affairs for fiscal year 2016 for ``Medical Services'' and ``Medical
Support and Compliance'', a maximum of $5,000,000 may be obligated from
the ``Medical Services'' account and a maximum of $154,596,000 may be
obligated from the ``Medical Support and Compliance'' account for the
VistA Evolution and electronic health record interoperability projects:
Provided, That funds in addition to these amounts may be obligated for
the VistA Evolution and electronic health record interoperability
projects upon written notification by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
Sec. 232. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide written
notification to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress 15 days prior to organizational changes which result in the
transfer of 25 or more full-time equivalents from one organizational
unit of the Department of Veterans Affairs to another.
Sec. 233. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide on a
quarterly basis to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress notification of any single national outreach and awareness
marketing campaign in which obligations exceed $2,000,000.
Sec. 234. Not more than $4,400,000 of the funds provided in this
Act under the heading ``Department of Veterans Affairs--Departmental
Administration--General Administration'' may be used for the Office of
Congressional and Legislative Affairs.
Sec. 235. None of the funds available to the Department of
Veterans Affairs, in this or any other Act, may be used to replace the
current system by which the Veterans Integrated Service Networks select
and contract for diabetes monitoring supplies and equipment.
(rescissions of funds)
Sec. 236. Of the discretionary funds made available in title II of
division I of Public Law 113-235 for the Department of Veterans Affairs
for fiscal year 2016, $198,000,000 are rescinded from ``Medical
Services'', $42,000,000 are rescinded from ``Medical Support and
Compliance'', and $15,000,000 are rescinded from ``Medical
Facilities''.
(rescissions of funds)
Sec. 237. (a) There is hereby rescinded an aggregate amount of
$55,000,000 from the total budget authority provided for fiscal year
2016 for discretionary accounts of the Department of Veterans Affairs
in--
(1) this Act; or
(2) any advance appropriation for fiscal year 2016 in prior
appropriation Acts.
(b) The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations
of both Houses of Congress a report specifying the account and amount
of each rescission not later than 30 days following enactment of this
Act.
(rescission of funds)
Sec. 238. Of the unobligated balances available within the ``DOD-
VA Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund'', $50,000,000 are hereby
rescinded.
(rescissions of funds)
Sec. 239. Of the discretionary funds made available in title II of
division I of Public Law 113-235 for the Department of Veterans Affairs
for fiscal year 2015, $1,052,000 are rescinded from ``General
Administration'', and $5,000,000 are rescinded from ``Construction,
Minor Projects''.
(rescissions of funds)
Sec. 240. (a) There is hereby rescinded an aggregate amount of
$90,293,000 from prior year unobligated balances available within
discretionary accounts of the Department of Veterans Affairs;
(b) No funds may be rescinded from amounts provided under the
following headings:
(1) ``Medical Services'';
(2) ``Medical and Prosthetic Research'';
(3) ``National Cemetery Administration'';
(4) ``Board of Veterans Appeals'';
(5) ``General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits
Administration'';
(6) ``Office of Inspector General'';
(7) ``Grants for Construction of State Extended Care
Facilities''; and
(8) ``Grants for Construction of Veterans Cemeteries''.
(c) No amounts may be rescinded from amounts that were designated
by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Concurrent
Resolution on the Budget or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985, as amended.
(d) The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations
of both Houses of Congress a report specifying the account and amount
of each rescission not later than 30 days following enactment of this
Act.
Sec. 241. Section 2302(a)(2)(A)(viii) of title 5, United States
Code, is amended by inserting ``or under title 38'' after ``of this
title''.
Sec. 242. The Department of Veterans Affairs is authorized to
administer financial assistance grants and enter into cooperative
agreements with organizations, utilizing a competitive selection
process, to train and employ homeless and at-risk veterans in natural
resource conservation management.
Sec. 243. Section 312 of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(c)(1) Whenever the Inspector General, in carrying out the duties
and responsibilities established under the Inspector General Act of
1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), issues a work product that makes a recommendation
or otherwise suggests corrective action, the Inspector General shall--
``(A) submit the work product to--
``(i) the Secretary;
``(ii) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs, and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate;
``(iii) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, and the Committee on Appropriations of
the House of Representatives;
``(iv) if the work product was initiated
upon request by an individual or entity other
than the Inspector General, that individual or
entity; and
``(v) any Member of Congress upon request;
and
``(B) the Inspector General shall submit all final
work products to--
``(i) if the work product was initiated
upon request by an individual or entity other
than the Inspector General, that individual or
entity; and
``(ii) any Member of Congress upon request;
and
``(C) not later than 3 days after the work product
is submitted in final form to the Secretary, post the
work product on the Internet website of the Inspector
General.
``(2) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to
authorize the public disclosure of information that is
specifically prohibited from disclosure by any other provision
of law.''.
Sec. 244. None of the funds provided in this Act may be used to
pay the salary of any individual who (a) was the Executive Director of
the Office of Acquisition, Logistics and Construction, and (b) who
retired from Federal service in the midst of an investigation,
initiated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, into delays and cost
overruns associated with the design and construction of the new medical
center in Aurora, Colorado.
Sec. 245. Of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available
to the Department of Veterans Affairs for the ``Medical Services''
account for fiscal year 2016 in this Act of any other Act, not less
than $10,000,000 shall be used to hire additional caregiver support
coordinators to support the programs of assistance and support for
caregivers of veterans under section 1720G of title 38, United States
Code.
Sec. 246. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available to the Department of Veterans Affairs in this Act may be used
in a manner that would--
(1) interfere with the ability of a veteran to participate
in a State-approved medicinal marijuana program;
(2) deny any services from the Department to a veteran who
is participating in such a program; or
(3) limit or interfere with the ability of a health care
provider of the Department to make appropriate recommendations,
fill out forms, or take steps to comply with such a program.
Sec. 247. The Comptroller General of the United States shall
conduct random, periodic audits of medical facilities of the Department
of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Integrated Service Networks to
assess whether such facilities and Networks are complying with all
standards imposed by law or by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs with
respect to the timely access of veterans to hospital care, medical
services, and other health care from the Department.
Sec. 248. None of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made
available by this title may be used to transfer any amount from the
Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund to any other account in the
Treasury of the United States.
Sec. 249. None of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made
available by title II may be used to carry out the Home Marketing
Incentive Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs or to carry out
the Appraisal Value Offer Program of the Department with respect to an
employee of the Department in a senior executive position (as defined
in section 713(g) of title 38, United States Code).
Sec. 250. (a) Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States
shall submit to the congressional veterans committees a report
evaluating the implementation by the Department of Veterans Affairs of
section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of
2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note).
(b) The report required by subsection (a) shall include, with
respect to the implementation of such section 101, an evaluation of the
following:
(1) The effect of such implementation on the reduction in
the use of purchased care by the Department, including delays
or denials of care and interruptions in courses and continuity
of care.
(2) The ability of health care providers to meet the demand
for primary, specialty, and behavioral health care under such
section 101 that cannot reasonably be provided in medical
facilities of the Department.
(3) The efforts of the Department to recruit health care
providers to provide health care under such section 101.
(4) The accuracy of the information provided to veterans
through call centers regarding the receipt of health care under
such section 101.
(5) The timeliness of referrals of veterans by the
Department to health care providers under such section 101.
(6) Unique issues and difficulties in the implementation of
section 101 with respect to veterans residing in rural areas,
the States of Alaska and Hawaii and states lacking a full
service VA Hospital.
(7) With respect to rural areas: (A) an identification of
the average wait times for veterans in rural areas to receive
health care under such section 101, measured from when the
veteran first calls the Department or contracted call center to
request an appointment; (B) an assessment of utilization rates
for health care provided under such section 101 in rural areas;
(C) an assessment of the accessibility of veterans in rural
areas to primary and specialty care at medical centers of the
Department and from non-Department health care providers under
such section 101; (D) an assessment of the status of any pilot
programs created by the Department to provide care under such
section 101; (E) an identification of the number of health care
providers providing health care under such section 101 to
veterans in rural areas, broken out by primary care providers,
specialty and subspecialty providers, and behavioral health
providers in each Veterans Integrated Service Network.
(8) Recommendations for such improvements to the provision
of health care under such section 101 as the Comptroller
General considers appropriate.
(c) In this section, the term ``congressional veterans committees''
means the Veterans Affairs Committees of the United States Senate and
the House of Representatives and the Subcommittee on Military
Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies of the Committees
on Appropriations of the United States Senate and the House of
Representatives.
Sec. 251. Not later than February 1, 2016, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of
the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives a report that supplements the report required under
section 4002(c) of the Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care
Choice Improvement Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-41) and that contains
the following:
(1) A description of the changes in access, if any, of
veterans in Alaska to purchased care from the Department of
Veterans Affairs that have resulted from implementation of
section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability
Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146), including denials of care and
interruptions in the course and continuity of care.
(2) An assessment of the performance of the Department in
providing health care under such section 101 in Alaska,
including--
(A) the performance of call center service provided
to veterans;
(B) the accuracy of call center information
provided to veterans and health care providers;
(C) whether health care providers are agreeing to
provide health care under such section 101 in each of
the major communities in Alaska;
(D) gaps in the availability of health care
providers, disaggregated by primary, specialty,
subspecialty, and behavioral health care;
(E) impediments to the provision of health care
under such section 101; and
(F) plans to mitigate those impediments.
(3) An assessment of the status of health care provider
vacancies at the VA Alaska Healthcare System as of the date of
submittal of the report under this section, including
impediments to filling those vacancies and plans to mitigate
those impediments.
(4) A description of the manner in which the Department
plans to serve the primary, specialty, and behavioral health
care needs of veterans in Alaska if the plan and
recommendations set forth in the report submitted under such
section 4002(c) are implemented, including a description of
specific strategies to be employed by the Department to address
gaps in the provision of health care to veterans and the supply
and demand of health care providers for veterans, including the
roles of tribal health providers and community providers in
addressing those gaps.
Sec. 252. None of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made
available by this title may be used--
(1) to carry out the memorandum of the Veterans Benefits
Administration known as ``Fast Letter 13-10'', issued on May
20, 2013; or
(2) to create or maintain any patient record-keeping system
other than those currently approved by the Department of
Veterans Affairs Central Office in Washington, District of
Columbia.
Sec. 253. (a) Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States
shall submit to Congress a report on the recruitment and retention of
health care providers by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(b) The report required by subsection (a) shall include the
following:
(1) An identification of the ratio of veterans to health
care providers of the Department, disaggregated by State.
(2) An analysis of the workload of primary and specialty
care providers of the Department, disaggregated by State.
(3) An assessment of initiatives carried out by the
Veterans Health Administration to recruit and retain health
care providers of the Department.
(4) An assessment of the extent to which the Veterans
Health Administration oversees health care providers of the
Department.
(5) Such recommendations for improving the recruitment and
retention of health care providers of the Department as the
Comptroller General considers appropriate.
Sec. 254. (a) Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit
to Congress a report on the implementation by the Department of
Veterans Affairs of section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and
Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) in
rural areas.
(b) The report required by subsection (a) shall include the
following:
(1) An identification of average wait times for veterans in
rural areas to receive health care under such section 101,
measured from when the veteran first calls the Department to
schedule an appointment.
(2) An assessment of utilization rates for health care
provided under such section 101 in rural areas.
(3) An assessment of the accessibility of veterans in rural
areas to primary and specialty care at medical centers of the
Department and from non-Department health care providers under
such section 101.
(4) An identification of the number of health care
providers providing health care under such section 101 in each
Veterans Integrated Service Network.
(5) An assessment of the status of any pilot programs
created by the Department to provide care under such section
101 in rural areas.
Sec. 255. Report on Use of Social Security Numbers by Department
of Veterans Affairs. (a) Report Required.--Not later than 120 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report
on the use of social security numbers by the Department of Veterans
Affairs and the plans of the Secretary to discontinue the unnecessary
use.
(b) Contents.--The report required by subsection (a) shall include
the following:
(1) A list of documents and records of the Department of
Veterans Affairs that contain social security numbers.
(2) A list of all government and non-government entities
and the numbers of their employees that have access to the
social security numbers of veterans that are stored by the
Department.
(3) A description of how the Department, other governmental
entities, and persons use social security numbers they obtain
from the Department, including a description of any information
sharing arrangements that the Secretary may have with the heads
of other governmental entities.
(4) The number of data breaches of Department of Veterans
Affairs information systems that involved social security
numbers that occurred during the five-year period ending on the
date of the enactment of this Act that the Secretary discovered
or that were reported to the Secretary, a description and
status of the investigations conducted by the Secretary
regarding such breaches, and a description of the plans of the
Secretary to remediate such breaches.
(5) The plans of the Secretary, including a timeline, to
discontinue the unnecessary use by the Department of social
security numbers.
(c) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(1) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
Sec. 256. (a) Not later than 30 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit
to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that includes, with
respect to the South Texas Veterans Health Care System of the
Department of Veterans Affairs, the following:
(1) A description of the nature and scope of any
foreseeable increase in wait times for medical appointments.
(2) An assessment of whether a shortage of health care
providers is the primary cause of any such increase in wait
times.
(3) An identification of any other causes of any such
increase in wait times.
(4) A description of any action taken by the Department to
correct any such increase in wait times.
(5) An assessment of any issues relating to access to care.
(6) A plan for how the Secretary will remedy any such
increase in wait times, including a detailed description of
steps to be taken and a timeline for completion.
(b) In this section, the term ``appropriate committees of
Congress'' means--
(1) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.
Sec. 257. (a) Not later than 30 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, in
consultation with the Secretary of Defense, enter into a contract with
an independent third party described in subsection (b) to carry out a
study on the impact of participation in combat during service in the
Armed Forces on suicides and other mental health issues among members
of the Armed Forces and veterans.
(b) An independent third party described in this subsection is an
independent third party that has appropriate credentials to access
information in the possession of the Department of Defense and the
Department of Veterans Affairs that is necessary to carry out the study
required under subsection (a).
Sec. 258. (a) The amount appropriated or otherwise made available
by this title under the heading ``medical and prosthetic research''
under the heading ``Veterans Health Administration'' is hereby
increased by $8,922,462.
(b) The amount appropriated or otherwise made available by this
title for fiscal year 2016 under the heading ``medical services'' under
the heading ``Veterans Health Administration'' is hereby reduced by
$8,922,462.
Sec. 259. Of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available
by this title for ``medical services'', not more than $5,000,000 shall
be available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot
program to assess the feasibility and advisability of awarding grants
to veterans service agencies, veterans service organizations, and
nongovernmental organizations to provide furniture, household items,
and other assistance to formerly homeless veterans who are moving into
permanent housing to facilitate the settlement of such veterans in such
housing.
Sec. 260. Department of Veterans Affairs Action Plan To Improve
Vocational Rehabilitation and Education. (a) In General.--Not later
than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop and publish an action plan
for improving the services and assistance provided under chapter 31 of
title 38, United States Code.
(b) Elements.--The plan required by subsection (a) shall include
each of the following:
(1) A comprehensive analysis of, and recommendations and a
proposed implementation plan for remedying workload management
challenges at regional offices of the Department of Veterans
Affairs, including steps to reduce counselor caseloads of
veterans participating in a rehabilitation program under such
chapter, particularly for counselors who are assisting veterans
with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder
and counselors with educational and vocational counseling
workloads.
(2) A comprehensive analysis of the reasons for the
disproportionately low percentage of veterans with service-
connected disabilities who served in the Armed Forces after
September 11, 2001, who opt to participate in a rehabilitation
program under such chapter relative to the percentage of such
veterans who use their entitlement to educational assistance
under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, including an
analysis of barriers to timely enrollment in rehabilitation
programs under chapter 31 of such title and of any barriers to
a veteran enrolling in the program of that veteran's choice.
(3) Recommendations and a proposed implementation plan for
encouraging more veterans with service-connected disabilities
who served in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, to
participate in rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 of such
title.
(4) A national staff training program for vocational
rehabilitation counselors of the Department that includes the
provision of--
(A) training to assist counselors in understanding
the very profound disorientation experienced by
veterans with service-connected disabilities whose
lives and life-plans have been upended and out of their
control because of such disabilities;
(B) training to assist counselors in working in
partnership with veterans on individual rehabilitation
plans; and
(C) training on post-traumatic stress disorder and
other mental health conditions and on moderate to
severe traumatic brain injury that is designed to
improve the ability of such counselors to assist
veterans with these conditions, including by providing
information on the broad spectrum of such conditions
and the effect of such conditions on an individual's
abilities and functional limitations.
TITLE III
RELATED AGENCIES
American Battle Monuments Commission
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, of the American
Battle Monuments Commission, including the acquisition of land or
interest in land in foreign countries; purchases and repair of uniforms
for caretakers of national cemeteries and monuments outside of the
United States and its territories and possessions; rent of office and
garage space in foreign countries; purchase (one-for-one replacement
basis only) and hire of passenger motor vehicles; not to exceed $7,500
for official reception and representation expenses; and insurance of
official motor vehicles in foreign countries, when required by law of
such countries, $75,100,000, to remain available until expended.
foreign currency fluctuations account
For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, of the American
Battle Monuments Commission, such sums as may be necessary, to remain
available until expended, for purposes authorized by section 2109 of
title 36, United States Code.
United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses for the operation of the United States Court
of Appeals for Veterans Claims as authorized by sections 7251 through
7298 of title 38, United States Code, $32,141,000: Provided, That
$2,500,000 shall be available for the purpose of providing financial
assistance as described, and in accordance with the process and
reporting procedures set forth, under this heading in Public Law 102-
229.
Department of Defense--Civil
Cemeterial Expenses, Army
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses for maintenance, operation, and improvement
of Arlington National Cemetery and Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National
Cemetery, including the purchase or lease of passenger motor vehicles
for replacement on a one-for-one basis only, and not to exceed $1,000
for official reception and representation expenses, $70,800,000, of
which not to exceed $28,000,000 shall remain available until September
30, 2018. In addition, such sums as may be necessary for parking
maintenance, repairs and replacement, to be derived from the ``Lease of
Department of Defense Real Property for Defense Agencies'' account.
Armed Forces Retirement Home
trust fund
For expenses necessary for the Armed Forces Retirement Home to
operate and maintain the Armed Forces Retirement Home--Washington,
District of Columbia, and the Armed Forces Retirement Home--Gulfport,
Mississippi, to be paid from funds available in the Armed Forces
Retirement Home Trust Fund, $64,300,000, of which $1,000,000 shall
remain available until expended for construction and renovation of the
physical plants at the Armed Forces Retirement Home--Washington,
District of Columbia, and the Armed Forces Retirement Home--Gulfport,
Mississippi.
Administrative Provisions
Sec. 301. Funds appropriated in this Act under the heading
``Department of Defense--Civil, Cemeterial Expenses, Army'', may be
provided to Arlington County, Virginia, for the relocation of the
federally owned water main at Arlington National Cemetery, making
additional land available for ground burials.
Sec. 302. Amounts deposited during the current fiscal year to the
special account established under 10 U.S.C. 4727 are appropriated and
shall be available until expended to support activities at the Army
National Military Cemeteries.
Sec. 303. For an additional amount for ``Department of Defense--
Civil Cemeterial Expenses, Army'' in this title, $30,000,000:
Provided, That notwithstanding any other provision of law, such funds
may be transferred to the Federal Highway Administration, Department of
Transportation, for construction of access roads adjacent to Arlington
National Cemetery to support land acquisition for the expansion of the
cemetery.
TITLE IV
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 401. No part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall
remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless
expressly so provided herein.
Sec. 402. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used
for any program, project, or activity, when it is made known to the
Federal entity or official to which the funds are made available that
the program, project, or activity is not in compliance with any Federal
law relating to risk assessment, the protection of private property
rights, or unfunded mandates.
Sec. 403. Such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016 for
pay raises for programs funded by this Act shall be absorbed within the
levels appropriated in this Act.
Sec. 404. No part of any funds appropriated in this Act shall be
used by an agency of the executive branch, other than for normal and
recognized executive-legislative relationships, for publicity or
propaganda purposes, and for the preparation, distribution, or use of
any kit, pamphlet, booklet, publication, radio, television, or film
presentation designed to support or defeat legislation pending before
Congress, except in presentation to Congress itself.
Sec. 405. All departments and agencies funded under this Act are
encouraged, within the limits of the existing statutory authorities and
funding, to expand their use of ``E-Commerce'' technologies and
procedures in the conduct of their business practices and public
service activities.
Sec. 406. Unless stated otherwise, all reports and notifications
required by this Act shall be submitted to the Subcommittee on Military
Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the
Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related
Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
Sec. 407. None of the funds made available in this Act may be
transferred to any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United
States Government except pursuant to a transfer made by, or transfer
authority provided in, this or any other appropriations Act.
Sec. 408. (a) Any agency receiving funds made available in this
Act, shall, subject to subsections (b) and (c), post on the public Web
site of that agency any report required to be submitted by the Congress
in this or any other Act, upon the determination by the head of the
agency that it shall serve the national interest.
(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply to a report if--
(1) the public posting of the report compromises national
security; or
(2) the report contains confidential or proprietary
information.
(c) The head of the agency posting such report shall do so only
after such report has been made available to the requesting Committee
or Committees of Congress for no less than 45 days.
Sec. 409. (a) None of the funds made available in this Act may be
used to maintain or establish a computer network unless such network
blocks the viewing, downloading, and exchanging of pornography.
(b) Nothing in subsection (a) shall limit the use of funds
necessary for any Federal, State, tribal, or local law enforcement
agency or any other entity carrying out criminal investigations,
prosecution, or adjudication activities.
Sec. 410. (a) In General.--None of the funds appropriated or
otherwise made available to the Department of Defense in this Act may
be used to construct, renovate, or expand any facility in the United
States, its territories, or possessions to house any individual
detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for the
purposes of detention or imprisonment in the custody or under the
control of the Department of Defense.
(b) The prohibition in subsection (a) shall not apply to any
modification of facilities at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo
Bay, Cuba.
(c) An individual described in this subsection is any individual
who, as of June 24, 2009, is located at United States Naval Station,
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and who--
(1) is not a citizen of the United States or a member of
the Armed Forces of the United States; and
(2) is--
(A) in the custody or under the effective control
of the Department of Defense; or
(B) otherwise under detention at United States
Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
This Act may be cited as the ``Military Construction, Veterans
Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016''.
Attest:
Secretary.
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
H.R. 2029
_______________________________________________________________________
AMENDMENT