[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 28, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H7008-H7013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, AND LIVING PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS ACT OF 2010
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 5360) to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the
standard of visual acuity required for eligibility for specially
adapted housing assistance provided by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5360
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 ``Housing,
Employment, and Living Programs for Veterans Act of 2010'' or
the ``HELP Veterans Act of 2010''.
(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. Modification of standard of visual acuity required for
eligibility for specially adapted housing assistance
provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 4. Authorities regarding housing loans guaranteed by the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 5. Reauthorization and improvement of Department of Veterans
Affairs small business loan program.
Sec. 6. Assistance for flight training.
Sec. 7. Seven-year increase in amount of assistance for individuals
pursuing apprenticeships or on-job training.
Sec. 8. Extension of authority for certain qualifying work-study
activities for purposes of the educational assistance
programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 9. Expansion of work-study allowance to include certain outreach
services conducted through congressional offices.
Sec. 10. Temporary reduction of required amount of wages for on-the-job
training programs.
[[Page H7009]]
Sec. 11. Reauthorization of Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education.
Sec. 12. Homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children
reintegration grant program.
Sec. 13. Technology review and grant program.
Sec. 14. Child care; President's Budget.
Sec. 15. Increase in amount of reporting fee payable to educational
institutions that enroll veterans receiving educational
assistance.
Sec. 16. Modification of advance payment of initial educational
assistance or subsistence allowance.
Sec. 17. Increase in amount of subsistence allowance payable to
veterans participating in vocational rehabilitation
program.
Sec. 18. Expansion of availability of employment assistance allowance
for veterans using employment services.
Sec. 19. Promoting jobs for veterans teaching in rural areas.
Sec. 20. Promoting jobs for veterans through the establishment of an
internship program.
Sec. 21. Veterans entrepreneurial development summit.
Sec. 22. Increase in the maximum amount of specially adapted housing
assistance authorized to be provided by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 23. Department of Veterans Affairs housing loans for construction
of energy efficient dwellings.
Sec. 24. Pilot program on specially adapted housing assistance for
veterans residing temporarily in housing owned by a
family member.
Sec. 25. Compliance with Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010.
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 a 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. MODIFICATION OF STANDARD OF VISUAL ACUITY REQUIRED
FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING
ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE SECRETARY OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Section 2101(b)(2)(A) is amended by
striking ``with 5/200'' and all that follows through the
period and inserting the following: ``with central visual
acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of
standard correcting lenses (for purposes of this
subparagraph, an eye which is accompanied by a limitation in
the fields of vision such that the widest diameter of the
visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees
shall be treated as having a central visual acuity of 20/200
or less).''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
shall apply with respect to specially adapted housing
assistance provided on or after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
SEC. 4. AUTHORITIES REGARDING HOUSING LOANS GUARANTEED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Covenants and Liens in Response to Disaster-relief
Assistance.--Paragraph (3) of section 3703(d) is amended to
read as follows:
``(3)(A) Any real estate housing loan (other than for
repairs, alterations, or improvements) shall be secured by a
first lien on the realty. In determining whether a loan is so
secured, the Secretary may either disregard or allow for
subordination to a superior lien that--
``(i) is created by a duly recorded covenant running with
the realty in favor of--
``(I) a public entity that provides assistance in response
to a major disaster as determined by the President under the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance
Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.); or
``(II) a private entity to secure an obligation to such
entity for the homeowner's share of the costs of the
management, operation, or maintenance of property, services,
or programs within and for the benefit of the development or
community in which the veteran's realty is located; and
``(ii) the Secretary determines will not prejudice the
interests of the veteran borrower and of the Government by
the operation of such a covenant.
``(B) In respect to a superior lien described by
subparagraph (A) that is created after June 6, 1969, the
Secretary's determination must have been made prior to the
recordation of the covenant.''.
(b) Extension of Authority to Pool Loans.--Paragraph (2) of
section 3720(h) is amended by striking ``2011'' and inserting
``2016''.
SEC. 5. REAUTHORIZATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM.
(a) Reauthorization.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 37 is amended by striking section
3751.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by striking the item
relating to section 3751.
(b) Expansion of Eligibility for Small Business Loans.--
Chapter 37 is further amended--
(1) in section 3741, by striking paragraph (2); and
(2) in section 3742(a)(3)(A), by striking ``veterans of the
Vietnam era or''.
(c) Repeal of Authority to Make Direct Loans.--Chapter 37,
as amended by subsections (a) and (b), is further amended--
(1) in section 3742--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(A) loan guaranties, or
(B) direct loans'' and inserting ``loan guaranties''; and
(ii) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking ``and that at least
51 percent of a business concern must be owned by disabled
veterans in order for such concern to qualify for a direct
loan'';
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) by striking paragraph (1) and redesignating paragraphs
(2) through (4) as paragraphs (1) through (3), respectively;
and
(ii) in paragraph (2), as so redesignated, by striking
``make or'';
(C) in subsection (c), by striking ``made or'';
(D) in subsection (d)--
(i) by striking paragraph (2);
(ii) by striking ``(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2)
of this subsection, the'' and inserting ``The''; and
(iii) by striking ``make or''; and
(E) in subsection (e)--
(i) in paragraph (1)--
(I) in the first sentence, by striking ``or, if the loan
was a direct loan made by the Secretary, may suspend such
obligation''; and
(II) in the second sentence, by striking ``or while such
obligation is suspended'';
(ii) by striking ``or suspend'' each place it appears;
(iii) by striking ``or suspension'' each place it appears
(iv) by striking ``or suspends'' each place it appears; and
(v) in paragraph (4), by striking ``or suspended'' each
place it appears;
(2) in section 3743--
(A) by striking ``that is provided a direct loan under this
subchapter, or'';
(B) by striking the comma between ``subchapter'' and
``shall'';
(C) by striking ``direct or''; and
(D) by striking ``for the amount of such direct loan or, in
the case of a guaranteed loan,'';
(3) in section 3745--
(A) by striking ``(a)''; and
(B) by striking subsection (b);
(4) in section 3746, by striking ``made or'' both places it
appears; and
(5) in section 3750, by striking ``made or''.
(d) Authority to Enter Into a Contract.--Section 3742, as
amended by subsection (c), is further amended by adding at
the end the following new subsection:
``(f) The Secretary shall enter into a contract with an
appropriate entity for the purpose of carrying out the
program under this subchapter.''.
(e) Funding.--Section 3742(b), as amended by subsection
(c), is further amended by adding at the end the following
new paragraph:
``(4) The Secretary may only guarantee a loan under this
subchapter to the extent that a limitation commitment to
guarantee loans for a fiscal year has been provided in
advance in an appropriations Act.''.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--Section 3749 is amended to read as
follows:
``Sec. 3749. Authorization of appropriations
``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
subchapter such sums as may be necessary.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 37 is amended by striking the item
relating to section 3749 and inserting the following new
item:
``3749. Authorization of appropriations.''.
(g) Loan Fee.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 37 is further amended by inserting
after section 3749 the following new section:
``Sec. 3749A. Loan Fee
``(a) Requirement of Fee.--(1) The Secretary shall collect
a fee from each veterans' small business concern obtaining a
loan guaranteed under this subchapter.
``(2) No loan may be guaranteed under this subchapter until
the fee payable under this section has been remitted to the
Secretary.
``(3) The fee may be included in the loan guaranteed under
this subchapter and paid from the proceeds thereof.
``(b) Determination of Fee.--The amount of the fee shall be
the full cost of the loan guarantee plus an additional amount
determined by the Secretary as sufficient to cover applicable
administrative expenses.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 3749 the following new item:
``3749A. Loan fee.''.
(h) Definitions.--Section 3741 is amended by adding at the
end the following new paragraphs:
``(2) The term `cost ' has the meaning given the term `cost
of a loan guarantee' within the meaning of section 502(5)(C)
of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C.
661a(5)(C)).
``(3) The term `guarantee'--
``(A) has the meaning given the term `loan guarantee' in
section 502 of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2
U.S.C. 661a); and
``(B) includes a loan guarantee commitment (as defined in
section 502 of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2
U.S.C. 661a)).
``(4) The term `obligation' means the loan or other debt
obligation that is guaranteed under this subchapter.''.
[[Page H7010]]
SEC. 6. ASSISTANCE FOR FLIGHT TRAINING.
Subsection (e)(1) of section 3032 is amended by striking
``60 percent'' and inserting ``75 percent''.
SEC. 7. SEVEN-YEAR INCREASE IN AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE FOR
INDIVIDUALS PURSUING APPRENTICESHIPS OR ON-JOB
TRAINING.
During the seven-year period beginning on the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall apply--
(1) section 3032(c)(1) of title 38, United States Code--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by substituting ``80 percent'' for
``75 percent'';
(B) in subparagraph (B), by substituting ``60 percent'' for
``55 percent''; and
(C) in subparagraph (C), by substituting ``40 percent'' for
``35 percent'';
(2) section 3233(a) of such title--
(A) in paragraph (1), by substituting ``80 percent'' for
``75 percent'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by substituting ``60 percent'' for
``55 percent''; and
(C) in paragraph (3), by substituting ``40 percent'' for
``35 percent'';
(3) section 3687(b)(2) of such title--
(A) by substituting ``$603'' for ``$574'';
(B) by substituting ``$450'' for ``$429''; and
(C) by substituting ``$299'' for ``$285''; and
(4) section 16131(d)(1) of title 10, United States Code--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by substituting ``80 percent'' for
``75 percent'';
(B) in subparagraph (B), by substituting ``60 percent'' for
``55 percent''; and
(C) in subparagraph (C), by substituting ``40 percent'' for
``35 percent''.
SEC. 8. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN QUALIFYING WORK-
STUDY ACTIVITIES FOR PURPOSES OF THE
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Paragraph (4) of section 3485(a) is amended by striking
``June 30, 2010'' each place it appears and inserting ``June
30, 2020''.
SEC. 9. EXPANSION OF WORK-STUDY ALLOWANCE TO INCLUDE CERTAIN
OUTREACH SERVICES CONDUCTED THROUGH
CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES.
Section 3485(a)(4) is amended by adding at the end the
following new subparagraph:
``(G) The following activities carried out at the offices
of Members of Congress for such Members:
``(i) The distribution of information to members of the
Armed Forces, veterans, and their dependents about the
benefits and services under laws administered by the
Secretary and other appropriate governmental and non-
governmental programs.
``(ii) The provision of assistance in ascertaining the
status of claims (including appeals) for benefits under laws
administered by the Secretary, as well as other constituent
services for veterans as the Secretary determines
appropriate.''.
SEC. 10. TEMPORARY REDUCTION OF REQUIRED AMOUNT OF WAGES FOR
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--
(1) Reducing requirement.--Section 3677(b)(1)(A)(ii) is
amended by striking ``85 per centum'' and inserting ``60
percent''.
(2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1)
shall take effect on October 1, 2010, and shall apply to a
veteran who enrolls in a program of training on the job
approved under section 3677 of title 38, United States Code,
on or after such date.
(b) Sunset.--
(1) Reversion.--Effective October 1, 2013, section
3677(b)(1)(A)(ii) of such title, as amended by subsection (a)
of this section, is amended by striking ``60 percent'' and
inserting ``85 percent''.
(2) Application.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall
apply to a veteran who enrolls in a program of training on
the job approved under section 3677 of title 38, United
States Code, on or after October 1, 2013.
(c) GAO Report.--Not later than October 1, 2013, the
Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate a report on the
effects of eliminating the requirement under section
3677(b)(1)(A)(ii) of title 38, United States Code, for a
private employer to provide wage increases to veterans
enrolled in a program of training on the job approved under
section 3677 of such title.
SEC. 11. REAUTHORIZATION OF VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
EDUCATION.
Section 3692(c) is amended by striking ``December 31,
2009'' and inserting ``December 31, 2020''.
SEC. 12. HOMELESS WOMEN VETERANS AND HOMELESS VETERANS WITH
CHILDREN REINTEGRATION GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Grant Program.--Chapter 20 is amended by inserting
after section 2021 the following new section:
``Sec. 2021A. Homeless women veterans and homeless veterans
with children reintegration grant program
``(a) Grants.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations provided for such purpose, the Secretary of
Labor shall make grants to programs and facilities that the
Secretary determines provide dedicated services for homeless
women veterans and homeless veterans with children.
``(b) Use of Funds.--Grants under this section shall be
used to provide job training, counseling, placement services
(including job readiness and literacy and skills training)
and child care services to expedite the reintegration of
homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children
into the labor force.
``(c) Requirement To Monitor Expenditures of Funds.--(1)
The Secretary of Labor shall collect such information as that
Secretary considers appropriate to monitor and evaluate the
distribution and expenditure of funds appropriated to carry
out this section. The information shall include data with
respect to the results or outcomes of the services provided
to each homeless veteran under this section.
``(2) Information under paragraph (1) shall be furnished in
such form and manner as the Secretary of Labor may specify.
``(d) Administration Through the Assistant Secretary of
Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training.--The Secretary
of Labor shall carry out this section through the Assistant
Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training.
``(e) Biennial Report to Congress.--The Secretary of Labor
shall include as part of the report required under section
2021(d) of this title an evaluation of the grant program
under this section, which shall include an evaluation of
services furnished to veterans under this section and an
analysis of the information collected under subsection (c).
``(f) Appropriated Funds.--(1) In addition to any amount
authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 2021 of
this title, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011
through 2016.
``(2) Funds appropriated to carry out this section shall
remain available until expended. Funds obligated in any
fiscal year to carry out this section may be expended in that
fiscal year and the succeeding fiscal year.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 2021 the following new item:
``2021A. Homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children
reintegration grant program.''.
SEC. 13. TECHNOLOGY REVIEW AND GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Review and Evaluation of New Technology.--The Secretary
of Veterans Affairs shall establish a team of individuals
from appropriate disciplines to be responsible for reviewing
new technologies, processes, and products and for determining
which such technologies, processes, and products may be
beneficial to the Department of Veterans Affairs or to the
veterans served by the Department. Upon completion of the
review under this subsection, the team shall submit the
review to the Secretary, who shall disseminate the review
within the Department, as appropriate.
(b) Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology Grant
Program.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 21 is amended by adding at the end
the following new section:
``Sec. 2108. Specially adapted housing assistive technology
grant program
``(a) Authority to Make Grants.--The Secretary shall make
grants to encourage the development of new assistive
technologies for specially adapted housing.
``(b) Application.--A person or entity seeking a grant
under this section shall submit to the Secretary an
application for the grant in such form and manner as the
Secretary shall specify.
``(c) Grant Funds.--Each grant awarded under this section
shall be in an amount of not more than $250,000 per year.
``(d) Use of Funds.--The recipient of a grant under this
section shall use the grant to develop assistive technologies
for use in specially adapted housing.
``(e) Report.--Not later than March 1 of each year
following a year in which the Secretary makes a grant, the
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing
information related to each grant awarded under this section
during the preceding calendar year, including--
``(1) the name of the grant recipient;
``(2) the amount of the grant; and
``(3) the goal of the grant.
``(f) Funding.--From amounts authorized to be appropriated
to the Department for each fiscal year for which the
Secretary is authorized to make a grant under this section,
$1,500,000 shall be available for that fiscal year for the
purposes of the program under this section.
``(g) Termination.--The authority to make a grant under
this section shall terminate on the date that is five years
after the date of the enactment of this section.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the
following new item:
``2108. Specially adapted housing assistive technology grant
program.''.
(3) Effective date.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall begin making grants under section 2108 of title 38,
United States Code, as added by paragraph (1), by not later
than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 14. CHILD CARE; PRESIDENT'S BUDGET.
(a) In General.--Chapter 31 is amended by adding at the end
the following new sections:
``Sec. 3123. Child care assistance for single parents
``(a) In General.--Pursuant to regulations prescribed by
the Secretary to carry out this section, the Secretary shall
provide reimbursements for the actual cost of child care
provided by a licensed provider to a veteran who--
``(1) is participating in a vocational rehabilitation
program under this chapter;
[[Page H7011]]
``(2) is the sole caretaker of a child; and
``(3) would not otherwise be able to afford such child
care.
``(b) Amount and Duration.--The amount of the reimbursement
for the actual cost for child care under this section shall
be not more than $2,000 per month for each month the veteran
is participating in a vocational rehabilitation program under
this chapter.
``Sec. 3124. Information included in support of President's
budget
``The Secretary shall include in documents submitted to
Congress by the Secretary in support of the President's
budget for each fiscal year submitted under section 1105 of
title 31, United States Code, the following:
``(1) For the calendar year preceding the submission--
``(A) the percentage of veterans receiving assistance under
this chapter who became employed; and
``(B) the percentage of veterans receiving assistance under
this chapter who achieved independence in daily living.
``(2) Any changes made by the Secretary in measuring or
calculating the performance of the department under this
chapter.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``3123. Child care assistance for single parents.
``3124. Information included in support of President's budget.''.
SEC. 15. INCREASE IN AMOUNT OF REPORTING FEE PAYABLE TO
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS THAT ENROLL VETERANS
RECEIVING EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) Increase in Amount of Fee.--Subsection (c) of section
3684 is amended--
(1) by striking ``$7'' and inserting ``$16''; and
(2) by striking ``$11'' and inserting ``$16''.
(b) Technical Correction.--Subsection (a) of such section
is amended by striking the second comma after ``34''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a)
and (b) shall take effect on January 1, 2011.
SEC. 16. MODIFICATION OF ADVANCE PAYMENT OF INITIAL
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE OR SUBSISTENCE
ALLOWANCE.
(a) Modification.--Section 3680(d)(2) is amended by
inserting after the third sentence the following new
sentence: ``For purposes of the entitlement to educational
assistance of the veteran or person receiving an advance
payment under this subsection, the advance payment shall be
charged against the final month of the entitlement of the
person or veteran and, if necessary, the penultimate such
month. In no event may any veteran or person receive more
than one advance payment under this subsection during any
academic year.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
shall apply with respect to an advance payment of educational
assistance made on or after January 1, 2011.
SEC. 17. INCREASE IN AMOUNT OF SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE PAYABLE
TO VETERANS PARTICIPATING IN VOCATIONAL
REHABILITATION PROGRAM.
(a) Increase in Subsistence Allowance.--Section 3108(b)(1)
is amended by striking the table and inserting the following
new table:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
``Column I Column II Column Column IV Column V
----------------------------------------------------------- III -----------------------------------------
------------
Type of program No One Two More than two dependents
dependents dependent dependents
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.......... .......... .......... The amount in column IV,
plus the following for each
dependent in excess of two:
Full-time..................................... $585.87 $726.72 $856.39 $62.42
Three-quarter time............................ $440.21 $545.83 $640.27 $48.00
Half-time..................................... $294.55 $364.94 $428.98 $32.03''.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
shall apply with respect to a payment made for the third
month beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act
and each subsequent month.
SEC. 18. EXPANSION OF AVAILABILITY OF EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
ALLOWANCE FOR VETERANS USING EMPLOYMENT
SERVICES.
Paragraph (2) of section 3108(a) is amended to read as
follows:
``(2) In the case of a veteran with a service-connected
disability who the Secretary determines has reached a point
of employability and who is participating only in a program
of employment services provided under section 3104(a)(5) of
this title, the Secretary shall pay the veteran a subsistence
allowance as prescribed in this section for three months
while the veteran is satisfactorily pursuing such program.''.
SEC. 19. PROMOTING JOBS FOR VETERANS TEACHING IN RURAL AREAS.
(a) In General.--Part III is amended by adding at the end
the following new chapter:
``CHAPTER 44--VETERAN TEACHERS
``Sec.
``4401. Assistance allowance for rural veteran teachers.
``Sec. 4401. Assistance allowance for rural veteran teachers
``(a) Reducing Administrative Burden.--The Secretary may
pay to a rural veteran teacher a monthly assistance allowance
of $500.
``(b) Duration.--The aggregate period for which the
Secretary may pay a rural veteran teacher a monthly
assistance allowance under subsection (a) may not exceed 24
months.
``(c) Rural Veteran Teacher Defined.--In this section, the
term `rural veteran teacher' means a veteran who--
``(1) is discharged from service in the Armed Forces under
honorable conditions;
``(2) has not been employed as a teacher prior to receiving
assistance under this section;
``(3) is employed to teach full-time at an accredited
elementary or secondary school that is located in a rural
area (as determined by the Bureau of the Census); and
``(4) on the date on which the veteran applies for a
monthly assistance allowance under subsection (a), is
enrolled in a State-approved course leading to certification
as a teacher.
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for
fiscal year 2012 and each fiscal year thereafter.''.
(b) Clerical Amendments.--The tables of chapters at the
beginning of title 38, United States Code, and of part III,
are each amended by inserting after the item relating to
chapter 43 the following new item:
``44. Assistance allowance for rural veteran teachers.......4401''.....
SEC. 20. PROMOTING JOBS FOR VETERANS THROUGH THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Chapter 7 is amended by adding at the end
the following new section:
``Sec. 712. Internship program
``(a) Internship Program.--From amounts available in the
`General operating expenses' account of the Department, the
Secretary may carry out an internship program through which
the Secretary shall award internships to up to 2,000 veterans
each year in accordance with this section. The recipient of
an internship under this section shall be employed in the
Veterans Benefits Administration for the duration of the
internship.
``(b) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive an internship
under this section a veteran shall have completed a
rehabilitation program under chapter 31 of this title. In
awarding internships under this section, the Secretary shall
give a preference to a veteran who has completed a program of
long-term education or training, as determined by the
Secretary.
``(c) Salary; Benefits.--(1) Each recipient of an
internship under this section shall be paid at a rate
determined by the Secretary, except that such rate shall be
at least the maximum annual rate of basic pay payable for
grade GS-3 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of
title 5, United States Code, and shall not exceed the maximum
annual rate of basic pay payable for grade GS-5 of such
schedule. Payments under this paragraph shall be derived from
amounts available in the `General operating expenses' account
of the Department.
``(2) Each such recipient shall be entitled to leave on the
same basis as employees of the Department who are paid at the
same annual rate, except that such recipient may not be
reimbursed for any unused leave at the end of the internship.
``(3) The Secretary shall furnish hospital care, medical
services, and nursing home care to each recipient of an
internship under this section on the same basis as a veteran
described in subsection (B) of paragraph (2) of subsection
(a) of section 1710 of this title unless the recipient is
eligible for such care and services under subparagraph (A) of
such paragraph or under paragraph (1) of such subsection.
``(4) The recipient of an internship under this section may
receive an allowance under section 3108 of this title if such
recipient is entitled to such an allowance.
``(d) Duration.--No internship under this section shall
exceed 12 months in duration.
``(e) Outreach.--The Secretary shall notify each
participant in a rehabilitation program under chapter 31 of
this title of the internship program under this section.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is
[[Page H7012]]
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 711
the following new item:
``712. Internship program.''.
SEC. 21. VETERANS ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT.
(a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 81 is amended by
adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 8129. Veterans entrepreneurial development summit
``(a) Veterans Entrepreneurial Development Summit.--The
Secretary may hold an event, once every year, to provide
networking opportunities, outreach, education, training, and
support to small business concerns owned and controlled by
veterans, veterans service organizations, and other entities
as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $1,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2011 and 2021.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end of
the items relating to subchapter II the following:
``8129. Veterans entrepreneurial development summit.''.
SEC. 22. INCREASE IN THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF SPECIALLY ADAPTED
HOUSING ASSISTANCE AUTHORIZED TO BE PROVIDED BY
THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Section 2102 is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``$12,000'' and
inserting ``$13,756''; and
(2) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$60,000'' and inserting
``$65,780''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$12,000'' and inserting
``$13,756''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a)
shall apply with respect to assistance furnished after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 23. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HOUSING LOANS FOR
CONSTRUCTION OF ENERGY EFFICIENT DWELLINGS.
(a) Loans Authorized.--Section 3710(d) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting ``(A) The
Secretary'';
(B) by striking ``for the acquisition of'' and all that
follows through the end and inserting ``for any of the
following purposes:'';
(C) by adding at the end the following new clauses:
``(i) The acquisition of an existing dwelling and the cost
of making energy efficiency improvements to the dwelling.
``(ii) The construction of a new dwelling and the cost of
making energy efficiency improvements to the dwelling.
``(iii) Energy efficiency improvements to a dwelling owned
and occupied by a veteran.''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
``(B) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a
loan may be guaranteed under this subsection only if it meets
the requirements of this chapter.
``(C) The Secretary shall determine appropriate energy
efficiency standards for purposes of this subsection and
shall require that dwellings purchased, constructed, or
improved using a loan guaranteed under this subsection meet
such standards.''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B)
and inserting the following new subparagraphs (A) and (B):
``(A) five percent of the total established value of the
property, dwelling, and improvements; or
``(B) $6,000, or a higher amount specifically provided by
the Secretary.''.
(b) Guidance.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue guidance
on appraising the value of energy efficiency improvements for
purposes of section 3710(d) of title 38, United States Code,
as amended by this Act.
(c) Regulations.--
(1) Interim policy guidance.--Not later than 90 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall prescribe interim policy guidance on
energy efficiency audits and the conditions under which the
performance of such audits may be included in the amount
guaranteed by the Secretary under section 3710(d) of title
38, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a).
(2) Regulations.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribe
regulations to carry out the amendments made by subsection
(a).
(3) Energy efficiency audit defined.--For purposes of this
subsection, the term ``energy efficiency audit'' means a
measurement of the effects of an improvement made to a
dwelling for the purpose of reducing energy consumption or
increasing energy efficiency that is carried out by a
certified professional auditor, as determined by the
Secretary.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a)
and (b) shall apply with respect to a loan secured on or
after January 1, 2011.
SEC. 24. PILOT PROGRAM ON SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING
ASSISTANCE FOR VETERANS RESIDING TEMPORARILY IN
HOUSING OWNED BY A FAMILY MEMBER.
(a) Treatment of Certain Limitations.--Notwithstanding
subsection (d) of section 2102 of title 38, United States
Code, and subject to subsection (b), a grant under section
2102A of such title shall not count toward the dollar amount
limitations specified in that subsection.
(b) Termination.--Subsection (a) shall apply only to the
first 25 grants made during fiscal year 2011.
SEC. 25. COMPLIANCE WITH STATUTORY PAY-AS-YOU-GO ACT OF 2010.
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.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Filner) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr.
Hastings) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. FILNER. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5
legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H.R. 5360.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I want to commend, Mr. Speaker, Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth
Sandlin for introducing H.R. 5360, also known as the HELP Veterans Act
of 2010. For the last 4 years, as the chair of the Economic
Opportunities Subcommittee, the Congresswoman has held hearings to
investigate the needs raised by veterans, worked directly with veterans
service groups to craft solutions and advance important policy to
respond.
This is a comprehensive bill that addresses the critical issues
facing veterans: housing, education, employment. It is a collaboration
amongst a number of Members working together to make an impact and
strengthen the economic opportunities for veterans.
Mr. Speaker, we know that in today's terrible 10 percent unemployment
rate for the Nation, veterans as a whole are almost double that, and
recently returned veterans are almost triple that. We, as a body and as
a Nation, need to far more directly confront this issue. This is not a
way to say ``thank you'' to our veterans who have served us, and this
is one bill that will help make an improvement in all this.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, this bill has been
adequately explained by the gentleman from California, and it does
enjoy strong bipartisan support.
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support
H.R. 5360, the Housing, Employment and Living Programs (HELP) for
Veterans Act of 2010, which the Veterans Affairs Committee approved
with bipartisan support on Sept. 15, 2010.
I would like to thank Veterans Affairs Chairman Filner and Ranking
Member Buyer for their leadership on the committee and their support of
this legislation.
I introduced the original version of H.R. 5360 on May 20, 2010, with
the support of my colleague, Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Ranking
Member Boozman. The bill, as introduced, was titled the ``Blinded
Veterans Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2010.'' The Blinded
Veterans Adaptive Housing Improvement Act aligns the VA's definition of
blindness with existing federal laws with regards to eligibility
criteria for Specially Adapted Housing Grants. The Economic Opportunity
Subcommittee that I chair held a hearing in November 2009 that
identified this excessively restrictive definition as having prevented
some visually impaired veterans from qualifying for the assistance they
need to modify their homes for their disability.
Thanks to a concerted bipartisan effort by Ranking Member Boozman,
the other members of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, and other
members of the full Veterans Affairs Committee, H.R. 5360 was improved
and expanded throughout the legislative process to provide aid and
assistance to many veterans beyond the visually impaired. I'm pleased
the committee worked together in a bipartisan way to craft the final
version of this legislation.
Importantly, these benefit improvements for veterans don't add a dime
to the deficit. They are fully paid for by making a change that the VA
requested to regulations regarding the VA's Home Loan Guarantee
program.
H.R. 5360, now known as the HELP Veterans Act, improves benefits to
veterans in a
[[Page H7013]]
number of areas in addition to the assistance for blinded veterans,
including:
Increasing apprenticeship, on-the-job training and flight training
educational benefits through the Montgomery G.I. Bill.
Extending authorization for the VA's work-study program for student
veterans to 2020 and authorizing new program standards to allow these
veterans to work in Congressional offices as part of their work-study.
Temporarily reducing, for the three years, the requirement for
private employers to provide a wage increase for veterans participating
in an approved on-the-job training program.
Reauthorizing the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education.
Improving the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program by
providing reimbursement for certified child care assistance for single
parents as well as increasing the subsistence allowance payable to
veterans participating in VR&E by 5.2 percent.
Updating regulations for VA educational benefit programs to increase
the reporting fees payable to educational institutions as well as
modifying the rules for advance payment of educational assistance to
prevent any break in educational benefits.
Giving the Department of Labor the authority to make grants to
programs and facilities to provide services for homeless women veterans
and homeless veterans with children.
Again, I wish to thank Ranking Member Boozman and the rest of my
colleagues on the committee for the cooperative and bipartisan spirit
in which they worked to better serve our veterans through this
legislation. I urge my colleagues to pass H.R. 5360, the HELP Veterans
Act.
Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong support for
another bipartisan bill H.R. 5360, despite my deep disappointment that
certain veteran-friendly small business provisions passed unanimously
by the Veterans Affairs Committee have been stricken from the bill
before us today. Those provisions directly would have improved
opportunities for small businesses owned and controlled by service
disabled veterans.
H.R. 5360, is a bill that is a compilation of several bills reported
to the Veterans Affairs Committee by the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity under the leadership of the distinguished Chairwoman
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and I appreciate her work and that of Ranking
Member Boozman and Chairman Filner for bringing this bill to the floor.
At a time when small businesses are facing a continuing shortage of
credit, I am delighted to see that the bill includes section five which
I introduced to reestablish the VA's small business loan program that
expired in 1986. Under section five, VA would be authorized to
guarantee small business loans up to $200,000 made by financial
institutions. VA would also be required to contract with a financial
institution experienced in this field to manage the program. I had
originally introduced a similar provision in H.R. 293 and H.R. 4220.
However, I am deeply disappointed that the Democrats on the Small
Business Committee led by Chairwoman Nadia Velazquez once again chose
to favor other small business set aside groups over service disabled
veteran-owned small business by objecting to section 21 which I also
included in this bill by amendment at the Full Committee markup.
Section 21 would have merely leveled the playing field for service
disabled veteran-owned small businesses when competing with other set
aside groups for VA contracts by changing the word ``may'' to ``shall''
when awarding sole source contracts to service disabled veteran-owned
small businesses.
The Veterans Affairs Committee unanimously passed both of these
provisions in hope that an additional source of credit backed by the VA
will encourage lenders to increase the amount of credit and that a
level playing field is the right thing to do for small businesses owned
and controlled by service disabled veterans. It is truly
unfortunate that Chairwoman Velazquez and Speaker Pelosi continue their
history of opposing provisions that would benefit disabled veteran-
owned small business.
Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate indeed that about 10 percent of
homeless veterans are women and a significant percentage of those
veterans bring children with them. So I am also pleased that the bill
includes another provision which I introduced to establish a Homeless
Veteran Reintegration Program for Women or HVRP-W. This program will
focus on homeless programs specially designed to serve homeless women
veterans and veterans with children. A veteran, especially one with
children at their side should never be homeless.
Section 13 of the bill contains a provision introduced by Mr. Boozman
to encourage research and development in the field of assistive
technologibs used to adapt the homes of severely injured veterans. This
authority will make a disabled veterans' homes just a bit more livable.
Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that our young people need positive role
models. That is why the provisions I introduced as part of H.R. 4220
are an important part in this bill. Section 19 would provide a small
temporary stipend to veterans who are new teachers in rural areas.
Therefore, we are not only helping veterans to become teachers in rural
areas, but we are also showing our next generation of America's what it
means to make a commitment to the nation.
Section 20 would also provide one-year internship jobs at VA for up
to 2,000 graduates of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
program. These positions will provide service disabled veterans with
work experience while helping VA meet the needs of their fellow
veterans.
Anyone who has renovated a home recently knows the cost of
construction continues to climb more rapidly that the overall inflation
rate. Severely disabled veteran often need their homes adapted to make
them more livable. That is why Mr. Boozman introduced provisions to
make a small increase in the grants made under VA's Specially Adapted
Home program. These provisions would increase the existing small grant
to $13,756 and the large grant to $65,780.
Mr. Speaker, section 24 contains provisions also introduced by Mr.
Boozman as H.R. 4259 known as the WARMER Act. This bill updates the
types and maximum values of energy efficiency loans that VA may
guarantee while directing VA to standardize its appraisal process to
ensure energy efficiency improvements are properly valued.
Finally, section 25 is a provision introduced by Mr. Moran of Kansas
to make it easier for severely disabled veterans to use the Temporary
Residence Adaptation or TRA grant. TRA grants make small grants up to
$12,000 available to adapt the homes of family members with whom a
severely injured veteran is living. Normally, TRA grants are deducted
from the veterans overall grant, thus reducing subsequent grants. The
provision would allow VA to issue up to 25 grants in Fiscal Year 2011
without reducing the veterans total award. This will help determine
whether disabled veterans would be more likely to use the TRA grant.
Mr. Speaker, I want to ensure the Members of my support for this
excellent bill despite the removal of several provisions that would
benefit veteran-owned small businesses at this critical time and urge
my colleagues to support H.R. 5360.
Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. FILNER. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 5360, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The title was amended so as to read: ``A bill to amend title 38,
United States Code, to make certain improvements in the laws
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other
purposes.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________