117 HR 6672 IH: VSO Support Act of 2022 U.S. House of Representatives 2022-02-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 6672IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 9, 2022Mr. Garbarino (for himself, Mr. Torres of New York, Mr. McKinley, Ms. Malliotakis, Mr. Fitzpatrick, and Mr. Morelle) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsA BILLTo direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a program to provide grants to certain veteran service organizations affected by the COVID–19 pandemic, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the VSO Support Act of 2022.

2.

Department of Veterans Affairs program to provide grants for certain veterans service organizations affected by COVID–19 pandemic

(a)

Grant program

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a program under which the Secretary shall make grants to eligible organizations to offset costs relating to the COVID–19 pandemic incurred during the covered 2020 period.(b)

Eligible organizations

To be eligible to receive a grant under the program, an organization shall be a veterans service organization that—(1)as a result of the COVID–19 pandemic, experienced a loss of 50 percent or greater gross revenue during the covered 2020 period (compared to the gross revenue collected during the covered 2019 period); and (2)submits to the Secretary an application in such form, at such time, and containing such information as the Secretary determines appropriate, including—(A)information demonstrating the loss specified in paragraph (1); and (B)a plan for the use of such grant.(c)

Use of grant amounts

A veterans service organization that receives a grant under this section may only use the grant in accordance with the plan referred to in subsection (b)(2)(B) for the following expenses of the organization:(1)Rent.(2)Utilities.(3)Scheduled mortgage payments.(4)Scheduled debt payments.(5)Other ordinary and necessary business expenses, including maintenance costs, administrative costs (including fees and licensing), State and local taxes and fees, operating leases, and insurance payments.(d)

Amount of grant

A grant made to a veterans service organization under the program shall be in an amount equal to the aggregate cost of the activities specified in the plan referred to in subsection (b)(2)(B), except that any such grant may not exceed $50,000. (e)

Regulations

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out the grant program.(f)

Definitions

In this section:(1)The term covered 2019 period means the period beginning on April 1, 2019, and ending on December 31, 2019.(2)The term covered 2020 period means the period beginning on April 1, 2020, and ending on December 31, 2020.(3)The term veterans service organization means an organization that is chartered under part B of subtitle II of title 36, United States Code, and includes any local or area chapter, post, or other unit.(g)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $25,000,000, to remain available until expended.