Extension of certain morale, welfare, and recreation privileges to certain veterans and their caregivers

(a)

Findings

Congress makes the following findings: (1)In 2017, the Secretary of Defense determined that the addition of new patron categories to the commissary and exchange systems would support the growth of a robust customer base and help ensure the ability of both systems to provide benefits to members of the Armed Forces and their families. (2)The Secretary previously opposed extending commissary and exchange privileges to large patron groups such as disabled veterans. (3)In January 2017, the Secretary of Defense approved limited online exchange shopping privileges for all veterans, effective November 11, 2017. (4)The Secretary determined that current patrons of exchanges did not perceive the extension of such privileges as diluting the benefit for members of the Armed Forces. (5)The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration, awarded to members of the Armed Forces who have been wounded or died in combat, fighting for the United States. Since the modern incarnation of the award was established in 1932, approximately 1,800,000 members of the Armed Forces have been awarded the Purple Heart. (b)

Commissary stores and MWR facilities privileges for certain veterans and veteran caregivers

(1)

Extension of privileges

Chapter 54 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

1065.

Use of commissary stores and MWR facilities: certain veterans and caregivers for veterans

(a)

Eligibility of veterans who are Medal of Honor recipients

A veteran who is a Medal of Honor recipient shall be permitted to use commissary stores and MWR facilities on the same basis as a member of the armed forces entitled to retired or retainer pay. (b)

Eligibility of veterans awarded the Purple Heart

A veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart shall be permitted to use commissary stores and MWR facilities on the same basis as a member of the armed forces entitled to retired or retainer pay. (c)

Eligibility of veterans who are former prisoners of war

A veteran who is a former prisoner of war shall be permitted to use commissary stores and MWR facilities on the same basis as a member of the armed forces entitled to retired or retainer pay. (d)

Eligibility of veterans with service-Connected disabilities

A veteran with a service-connected disability shall be permitted to use commissary stores and MWR facilities on the same basis as a member of the armed forces entitled to retired or retainer pay. (e)

Eligibility of caregivers for veterans

A caregiver or family caregiver shall be permitted to use commissary stores and MWR facilities on the same basis as a member of the armed forces entitled to retired or retainer pay. (f)

User fee authority

(1)The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations that impose a user fee on individuals who are eligible solely under this section to purchase merchandise at a commissary store or MWR retail facility. (2)The Secretary shall set the user fee under this subsection at a rate that the Secretary determines will offset any increase in expenses arising from this section borne by the Department of the Treasury on behalf of commissary stores associated with the use of credit or debit cards for customer purchases, including expenses related to card network use and related transaction processing fees. (3)The Secretary shall deposit funds collected pursuant to a user fee under this subsection in the General Fund of the Treasury. (4)Any fee under this subsection is in addition to the uniform surcharge under section 2484(d) of this title. (g)

Definitions

In this section: (1)The term MWR facilities includes— (A)MWR retail facilities, as that term is defined in section 1063(e) of this title; and (B)military lodging operated by the Department of Defense for the morale, welfare, and recreation of members of the armed forces. (2)The term Medal of Honor recipient has the meaning given that term in section 1074h(c) of this title. (3)The terms veteran, former prisoner of war, and service-connected have the meanings given those terms in section 101 of title 38. (4)The terms caregiver and family caregiver have the meanings given those terms in section 1720G(d) of title 38.

(2)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 54 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

1065. Use of commissary stores and MWR facilities: certain veterans and caregivers for veterans.

(3)

Effective date

Section 1065 of title 10, United States Code, as added by paragraph (1), shall take effect at the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act. (c)

Authorization of appropriations for updating EPACS for military commissaries

There is hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2019 for the Department of Defense, $500,000 for updating the electronic physical access control system used by military commissaries and exchanges so that the system may recognize and accept veteran health identification cards. (d)

Sense of Congress on individuals awarded the Purple Heart

It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, should maintain a list of all individuals awarded the Purple Heart.