[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5985 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






114th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 5985

   To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain expiring 
 provisions of law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
                        and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 9, 2016

Mr. Miller of Florida introduced the following bill; which was referred 
     to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the 
   Committees on Armed Services, and the Budget, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
  of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
                               concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain expiring 
 provisions of law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
                        and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Department of 
Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2016''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code.
Sec. 3. Scoring of budgetary effects.
        TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE

Sec. 101. Extension of authority for collection of copayments for 
                            hospital care and nursing home care.
Sec. 102. Extension of requirement to provide nursing home care to 
                            certain veterans with service-connected 
                            disabilities.
Sec. 103. Extension of authorization of appropriations for assistance 
                            and support services for caregivers.
Sec. 104. Extension of authority for recovery from third parties of 
                            cost of care and services furnished to 
                            veterans with health-plan contracts for 
                            non-service-connected disability.
Sec. 105. Extension of authority for pilot program on assistance for 
                            child care for certain veterans receiving 
                            health care.
Sec. 106. Extension of authority to make grants to veterans service 
                            organizations for transportation of highly 
                            rural veterans.
Sec. 107. Extension of authority for pilot program on counseling in 
                            retreat settings for women veterans newly 
                            separated from service.
Sec. 108. Extension of deadline for report on pilot program on use of 
                            community-based organizations and local and 
                            State government entities to ensure that 
                            veterans receive care and benefits for 
                            which they are eligible.
         TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

Sec. 201. Extension of authority for the Veterans' Advisory Committee 
                            on Education.
Sec. 202. Extension of authority for calculating net value of real 
                            property at time of foreclosure.
Sec. 203. Extension of authority relating to vendee loans.
Sec. 204. Extension of authority to provide rehabilitation and 
                            vocational benefits to members of the Armed 
                            Forces with severe injuries or illnesses.
    TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESS VETERANS

Sec. 301. Extension of authority for homeless veterans reintegration 
                            programs.
Sec. 302. Extension of authority for homeless women veterans and 
                            homeless veterans with children 
                            reintegration program.
Sec. 303. Extension of authority for referral and counseling services 
                            for veterans at risk of homelessness 
                            transitioning from certain institutions.
Sec. 304. Extension of authority to provide housing assistance for 
                            homeless veterans.
Sec. 305. Extension and modification of authority to provide financial 
                            assistance for supportive services for very 
                            low-income veteran families in permanent 
                            housing.
Sec. 306. Extension of authority for grant program for homeless 
                            veterans with special needs.
Sec. 307. Extension of authority for the Advisory Committee on Homeless 
                            Veterans.
Sec. 308. Extension of authority for treatment and rehabilitation 
                            services for seriously mentally ill and 
                            homeless veterans.
  TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND OTHER 
                                MATTERS

Sec. 401. Extension of authority for transportation of individuals to 
                            and from Department facilities.
Sec. 402. Extension of authority for operation of the Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs regional office in Manila, 
                            the Republic of the Philippines.
Sec. 403. Extension of authority for monthly assistance allowances 
                            under the Office of National Veterans 
                            Sports Programs and Special Events.
Sec. 404. Extension of requirement to provide reports to Congress 
                            regarding equitable relief in the case of 
                            administrative error.
Sec. 405. Extension of authorization of appropriations for adaptive 
                            sports programs for disabled veterans and 
                            members of the Armed Forces.
Sec. 406. Extension of authority for Advisory Committee on Minority 
                            Veterans.
Sec. 407. Modification to authorization of appropriations for 
                            comprehensive service programs for homeless 
                            veterans.
Sec. 408. Extension of authority for temporary expansion of eligibility 
                            for specially adapted housing assistance 
                            for certain veterans with disabilities 
                            causing difficulty ambulating.
Sec. 409. Extension of authority for specially adapted housing 
                            assistive technology grant program.
Sec. 410. Extension of authority to guarantee payment of principal and 
                            interest on certificates or other 
                            securities.
Sec. 411. Extension of authority to enter into agreement with the 
                            National Academy of Sciences regarding 
                            associations between diseases and exposure 
                            to dioxin and other chemical compounds in 
                            herbicides.
Sec. 412. Extension of authority for performance of medical 
                            disabilities examinations by contract 
                            physicians.
Sec. 413. Restoration of prior reporting fee multipliers.
Sec. 414. Extension of requirement for annual report on Department of 
                            Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs 
                            Interagency Program Office.
Sec. 415. Extension of scope of practice limits for certified 
                            registered nurse anesthetists.
Sec. 416. Extension of authority to approve courses of education in 
                            cases of withdrawal of recognition of 
                            accrediting agency by Secretary of 
                            Education.

SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an 
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal 
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to 
be made to a section or other provision of title 38, United States 
Code.

SEC. 3. SCORING OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

    The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying 
with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by 
reference to the latest statement titled ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO 
Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional 
Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that 
such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

        TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE

SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR COLLECTION OF COPAYMENTS FOR 
              HOSPITAL CARE AND NURSING HOME CARE.

    Section 1710(f)(2)(B) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2016'' 
and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.

SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE NURSING HOME CARE TO 
              CERTAIN VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES.

    Section 1710A(d) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

SEC. 103. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE 
              AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CAREGIVERS.

    Section 1720G(e) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'';
            (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(4) $734,628,000 for fiscal year 2017.''.

SEC. 104. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR RECOVERY FROM THIRD PARTIES OF 
              COST OF CARE AND SERVICES FURNISHED TO VETERANS WITH 
              HEALTH-PLAN CONTRACTS FOR NON-SERVICE-CONNECTED 
              DISABILITY.

    Section 1729(a)(2)(E) is amended, in the matter preceding clause 
(i), by striking ``October 1, 2016'' and inserting ``October 1, 2017''.

SEC. 105. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON ASSISTANCE FOR 
              CHILD CARE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS RECEIVING HEALTH CARE.

    (a) Extension of Authority.--Subsection (e) of section 205 of the 
Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 
111-163; 124 Stat. 1144; 38 U.S.C. 1710 note) is amended by striking 
``December 31, 2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (h) of such 
section is amended by striking ``and 2016'' and inserting ``2016, and 
2017''.

SEC. 106. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO MAKE GRANTS TO VETERANS SERVICE 
              ORGANIZATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION OF HIGHLY RURAL 
              VETERANS.

    Section 307(d) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health 
Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124 Stat. 1154; 38 U.S.C. 
1710 note) is amended by striking ``2016'' and inserting ``2017''.

SEC. 107. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON COUNSELING IN 
              RETREAT SETTINGS FOR WOMEN VETERANS NEWLY SEPARATED FROM 
              SERVICE.

    (a) Extension.--Subsection (d) of section 203 of the Caregivers and 
Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124 
Stat. 1143; 38 U.S.C. 1712A) is amended by striking ``December 31, 
2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (f) of such 
section is amended by striking ``and 2016'' and inserting ``2016, and 
2017''.

SEC. 108. EXTENSION OF DEADLINE FOR REPORT ON PILOT PROGRAM ON USE OF 
              COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND LOCAL AND STATE 
              GOVERNMENT ENTITIES TO ENSURE THAT VETERANS RECEIVE CARE 
              AND BENEFITS FOR WHICH THEY ARE ELIGIBLE.

    Section 506(g)(1) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health 
Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 38 U.S.C. 523 note) is 
amended by striking ``180 days after the completion of the pilot 
program'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.

         TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE 
              ON EDUCATION.

    Section 3692(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR CALCULATING NET VALUE OF REAL 
              PROPERTY AT TIME OF FORECLOSURE.

    Section 3732(c)(11) is amended by striking ``October 1, 2016'' and 
inserting ``October 1, 2017''.

SEC. 203. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO VENDEE LOANS.

    Section 3733(a)(7) is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
        ``September 30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''; 
        and
            (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``September 30, 
        2016,'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017,''.

SEC. 204. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE REHABILITATION AND 
              VOCATIONAL BENEFITS TO MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WITH 
              SEVERE INJURIES OR ILLNESSES.

    Section 1631(b)(2) of the Wounded Warrior Act (title XVI of Public 
Law 110-181; 122 Stat. 458; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended by striking 
``December 31, 2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

    TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESS VETERANS

SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR HOMELESS VETERANS REINTEGRATION 
              PROGRAMS.

    Section 2021(e)(1)(F) is amended by striking ``2016'' and inserting 
``2017''.

SEC. 302. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR HOMELESS WOMEN VETERANS AND 
              HOMELESS VETERANS WITH CHILDREN REINTEGRATION PROGRAM.

    Section 2021A(f)(1) is amended by striking ``2016'' and inserting 
``2017''.

SEC. 303. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR REFERRAL AND COUNSELING SERVICES 
              FOR VETERANS AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS TRANSITIONING FROM 
              CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS.

    Section 2023(d) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2016'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2017''.

SEC. 304. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR 
              HOMELESS VETERANS.

    Section 2041(c) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2016'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2017''.

SEC. 305. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL 
              ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VERY LOW-INCOME 
              VETERAN FAMILIES IN PERMANENT HOUSING.

    Subparagraph (E) of section 2044(e)(1) is amended to read as 
follows:
            ``(E) $320,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 
        2017.''.

SEC. 306. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS 
              VETERANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

    Section 2061(d)(1) is amended by striking ``2016'' and inserting 
``2017''.

SEC. 307. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HOMELESS 
              VETERANS.

    Section 2066(d) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

SEC. 308. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION 
              SERVICES FOR SERIOUSLY MENTALLY ILL AND HOMELESS 
              VETERANS.

    (a) General Treatment.--Section 2031(b) is amended by striking 
``September 30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.
    (b) Additional Services at Certain Locations.--Section 2033(d) is 
amended by striking ``September 30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 
30, 2017''.

  TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND OTHER 
                                MATTERS

SEC. 401. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TRANSPORTATION OF INDIVIDUALS TO 
              AND FROM DEPARTMENT FACILITIES.

    Section 111A(a)(2) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

SEC. 402. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR OPERATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS REGIONAL OFFICE IN MANILA, THE REPUBLIC 
              OF THE PHILIPPINES.

    Section 315(b) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2016'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2017''.

SEC. 403. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR MONTHLY ASSISTANCE ALLOWANCES 
              UNDER THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL VETERANS SPORTS PROGRAMS AND 
              SPECIAL EVENTS.

    Section 322(d)(4) is amended by striking ``2016'' and inserting 
``2017''.

SEC. 404. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE REPORTS TO CONGRESS 
              REGARDING EQUITABLE RELIEF IN THE CASE OF ADMINISTRATIVE 
              ERROR.

    Section 503(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

SEC. 405. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR ADAPTIVE 
              SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR DISABLED VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE 
              ARMED FORCES.

    Section 521A is amended--
            (1) in subsection (g)(1), by striking ``2016'' and 
        inserting ``2017''; and
            (2) in subsection (l), by striking ``2016'' and inserting 
        ``2017''.

SEC. 406. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON MINORITY 
              VETERANS.

    Section 544(e) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

SEC. 407. MODIFICATION TO AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR 
              COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.

    Section 2013(7) is amended by striking ``$250,000,000'' and 
inserting ``$257,700,000''.

SEC. 408. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY 
              FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN 
              VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES CAUSING DIFFICULTY AMBULATING.

    Section 2101(a)(4) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``September 30, 2016'' 
        and inserting ``September 30, 2017''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``2016'' and inserting 
        ``2017''.

SEC. 409. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING 
              ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY GRANT PROGRAM.

    Section 2108(g) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2016'' and 
inserting ``September 30, 2017''.

SEC. 410. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO GUARANTEE PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND 
              INTEREST ON CERTIFICATES OR OTHER SECURITIES.

    Section 3720(h)(2) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

SEC. 411. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH THE 
              NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES REGARDING ASSOCIATIONS 
              BETWEEN DISEASES AND EXPOSURE TO DIOXIN AND OTHER 
              CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN HERBICIDES.

    Section 3(i) of the Agent Orange Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-4; 38 
U.S.C. 1116 note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

SEC. 412. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PERFORMANCE OF MEDICAL 
              DISABILITIES EXAMINATIONS BY CONTRACT PHYSICIANS.

    Subsection (c) of section 704 of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 
(38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and 
inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

SEC. 413. RESTORATION OF PRIOR REPORTING FEE MULTIPLIERS.

    Section 406 of the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring 
Authorities Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-175; 38 U.S.C. 3684 note) is 
amended by striking ``two-year'' and inserting ``three-year''.

SEC. 414. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT FOR ANNUAL REPORT ON DEPARTMENT OF 
              DEFENSE-DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS INTERAGENCY 
              PROGRAM OFFICE.

    Section 1635(h)(1) of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110-181; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended 
by striking ``2016'' and inserting ``2017''.

SEC. 415. EXTENSION OF SCOPE OF PRACTICE LIMITS FOR CERTIFIED 
              REGISTERED NURSE ANESTHETISTS.

    During the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not authorize 
certified registered nurse anesthetists of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs to practice without the supervision of a physician or otherwise 
expand the scope of full practice authority for certified registered 
nurse anesthetists beyond what is authorized under the applicable 
regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 416. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO APPROVE COURSES OF EDUCATION IN 
              CASES OF WITHDRAWAL OF RECOGNITION OF ACCREDITING AGENCY 
              BY SECRETARY OF EDUCATION.

    Section 3679(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``Any course'' and inserting ``(1) Except 
        as provided by paragraph (2), any course''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(2) In the case of a course of education that would be subject to 
disapproval under paragraph (1) solely for the reason that the 
Secretary of Education withdraws the recognition of the accrediting 
agency that accredited the course, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
in consultation with the Secretary of Education, and notwithstanding 
the withdrawal, may continue to treat the course as an approved course 
of education under this chapter for a period not to exceed 18 months 
from the date of the withdrawal of recognition of the accrediting 
agency, unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or the appropriate 
State approving agency determines that there is evidence to support the 
disapproval of the course under this chapter. The Secretary shall 
provide to any veteran enrolled in such a course of education notice of 
the status of the course of education.''.
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