[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 59 (Wednesday, March 25, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2156-S2158]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 1579. Mr. McCONNELL (for Mr. Moran) proposed an amendment to the
bill H.R. 3504, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for
improvements to the specially adapted housing program of the Department
of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Ryan Kules and Paul Benne
Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO ASSIST
BLIND VETERANS WHO HAVE NOT LOST USE OF A LEG
IN ACQUIRING SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING.
Section 2101 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking ``permanent and
total''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B),
(i) in clauses (i), (iii), (iv), and (v), by inserting
``permanent and total'' before ``disability''; and
(ii) in clause (ii)--
(I) by inserting ``permanent'' before ``disability'';
(II) by striking ``due to--'' and inserting ``due to
blindness in both eyes, having central visual acuity of 20/
200 or less in the better eye with the use of a standard
correcting lens. For the purposes of this clause, an eye with
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 considered as having a central
visual acuity of 20/200 or less.''; and
(III) by striking subclauses (I) and (II); and
(2) in subsection (b)(2)--
(A) by striking subparagraph (A); and
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as
subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively.
SEC. 3. INCREASE IN AMOUNTS OF SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING
ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS.
(a) Increase of Number of Grants Per Veteran.--Section
2102(d)(3) of such title is amended--
(1) by striking ``No veteran'' and inserting ``Subject to
subsection (f), no veteran''; and
(2) by striking ``three'' and inserting ``six''.
(b) Increase in Number of Applications Authorized To Be
Approved.--Section 2101(a)(4) of such title is amended by
striking ``30 applications'' and inserting ``120
applications''.
(c) Increase in Maximum Amount of Assistance for Adaptation
to Veteran's Residence.--Section 2102(b)(2) of such title is
amended by striking ``$12,000'' and inserting ``$19,733''.
(d) Increase in Aggregate Amount of Assistance for
Acquisition of Housing With Special Features.--Section
2102(d)(1) of such title is amended by striking ``$63,780''
and inserting ``$98,492''.
(e) Increase in Aggregate Amount of Assistance for
Adaptations to Veterans' Residences.--Section 2102(d)(2) of
such title is amended by striking ``$12,756'' and inserting
``$19,733''.
(f) Effective Date and Application.--The amendments made by
this section shall take effect on October 1, 2020.
SEC. 4. PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS OF SPECIALLY ADAPTED
HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS.
Section 2102 of such title, as amended by section 3, is
further amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(f)(1) Beginning October 1, 2030, notwithstanding the
aggregate amounts specified in subsection (d), a covered
veteran may apply for and receive an additional amount of
assistance under subsection (a) or (b) of section 2101 of
this title in an amount that does not exceed half of the
amount specified in subsection (d).
``(2) In this subsection, a covered veteran is a veteran
who--
``(A) is described in subsection (a)(2) or (b)(2) of
section 2101 of this title;
``(B) as of the date of the veteran's application for
assistance under paragraph (1), most recently received
assistance under this chapter more than 10 years before such
date; and
``(C) lives in a home that the Secretary determines does
not have adaptations that are reasonably necessary because of
the veteran's disability.''.
SEC. 5. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN PREPARATORY COURSES AS PROGRAMS
OF EDUCATION FOR PURPOSES OF DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 33 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by inserting after section 3315A the
following new section:
``Sec. 3315B. Preparatory courses for licensure,
certification, or national tests
``(a) In General.--An individual entitled to educational
assistance under this chapter shall also be entitled to
payment for a covered preparatory course.
``(b) Amount.--The amount of educational assistance payable
under this chapter for a covered preparatory course is the
lesser of--
``(1) the fee charged for the covered preparatory course;
or
``(2) the amount of entitlement available to the individual
under this chapter at the time of payment for the covered
preparatory course under this section.
``(c) Charge Against Entitlement.--The number of months of
entitlement charged an individual under this chapter for a
covered preparatory course shall be pro-rated based on the
actual amount of the fee charged for the covered preparatory
course relative to the rate for 1 month payable--
``(1) for the academic year beginning on August 1, 2020,
$2,042; or
``(2) for an academic year beginning on any subsequent
August 1, the amount for the previous academic year beginning
on August 1 under this subsection, as increased by the
percentage increase equal to the most recent percentage
increase determined under section 3015(h).
``(d) Covered Preparatory Course Defined.--In this section,
the term `covered preparatory course' means a course--
``(1) for a licensing or certification test that is
required or used to enter into, maintain, or advance in
employment in a predetermined and identified vocation or
profession; and
[[Page S2157]]
``(2) that has been approved by the State approving agency
concerned.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 3315A the following new item:
``3315B. Preparatory courses for licensure, certification, or national
tests.''.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--Section 3532(g) of title 38,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``or a covered
preparatory course (as that term is defined in section
3315B(a) of this title)'' after ``or national test providing
an opportunity for course credit at institutions of higher
learning described in section 3501(a)(5) of this title''; and
(2) in paragraphs (2) and (3), by inserting ``or covered
preparatory course'' after ``test'' each place it appears.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
shall take effect on August 1, 2021.
SEC. 6. IMPROVEMENT TO WORK-STUDY ALLOWANCE PROGRAM.
(a) Payment of Allowance.--Subsection (a) of section 3485
of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Individuals'' and
inserting ``In accordance with paragraph (4), individuals'';
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) as
paragraphs (5), (6), and (7), respectively; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new
paragraph:
``(4)(A) With respect to covered work-study activities, the
Secretary shall carry out this section by providing to
participating educational institutions an annual amount for
the institution to use in paying work-study allowance under
paragraph (1) to individuals enrolled at the institution.
``(B) With respect to a participating educational
institution that participated in the work-study program under
this section during the academic year beginning August 1,
2018, the Secretary shall determine the annual amount to
provide to the educational institution under subparagraph (A)
as follows:
``(i) For the academic year beginning August 1, 2020, the
amount shall be the total amount, determined in consultation
with the educational institution, that the Secretary paid
under this section for covered work-study activities to
individuals enrolled at such educational institution during
the academic year beginning August 1, 2018.
``(ii) Except as provided by clauses (ii) or (iii) of
subparagraph (D), for each academic year beginning on or
after August 1, 2021, the amount shall be the total amount
the educational institution paid under this section for work-
study allowance for covered work-study activities to
individuals enrolled at such educational institution during
the previous academic year in which individuals participated
in the work-study program.
``(C) With respect to a participating educational
institution that did not participate in the work-study
program under this section during the academic year beginning
August 1, 2018, the Secretary shall determine the annual
amount to provide to the educational institution under
subparagraph (A) as follows:
``(i) For the first academic year in which the educational
institution participates in the work-study program beginning
on or after August 1, 2020, the amount shall be an amount,
determined in consultation with the educational institution,
that the Secretary determines appropriate based on amounts
provided to similar educational institutions pursuant to
subparagraph (B).
``(ii) Except as provided by clauses (ii) or (iii) of
subparagraph (D), for each academic year occurring after the
academic year specified in clause (i), the amount shall be
the total amount the educational institution paid under this
section for work-study allowance for covered work-study
activities to individuals enrolled at such educational
institution during the previous academic year in which
individuals enrolled at such educational institution
participated in the work-study program.
``(D)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), if the
Secretary provides an annual amount to a participating
educational institution under subparagraph (B) or (C) that is
more than the total amount the educational institution pays
to individuals under paragraph (1) for covered work-study
activities, the educational institution shall return to the
Secretary the unpaid amount and the Secretary shall transfer
such amount into the general fund of the Treasury.
``(ii) If the annual amount provided to a participating
educational institution under subparagraph (B) or (C) is
more, but less than 25 percent more, than the total amount
the educational institution pays to individuals under
paragraph (1) for covered work-study activities, and the
educational institution plans to participate in the work-
study program under this section during the subsequent
academic year, the educational institution may retain the
amount of the overpayment if the educational institution
notifies the Secretary of the amount of the overpayment and
the intention of the educational institution to retain such
amount. Any amount retained by an educational institution
under this clause may only be used by the educational
institution to provide work-study allowance to individuals
enrolled at the educational institution.
``(iii) At any time a participating educational institution
may request the Secretary to increase the annual amount that
the Secretary provides the educational institution under
subparagraph (B) or (C). The Secretary shall approve or
disapprove such request by not later than 30 days after the
date of the request.
``(iv) Whenever the Secretary finds that a participating
educational institution paid an amount of work-study
allowance under this paragraph to an individual for a purpose
other than covered work-study activities, such payment shall
constitute a liability of the educational institution to the
United States.
``(E)(i) Pursuant to section 3690(c), section 3693, and
other provisions of chapter 36 of this title, the Secretary
shall ensure that participating educational institutions
carry out the work-study allowance program in compliance with
this section.
``(ii) The Secretary may prohibit an educational
institution from being a participating educational
institution under this paragraph if the Secretary determines
that the educational institution is not in compliance with
this section.
``(F) In this paragraph:
``(i) The term `covered work-study activities' means
qualifying work-study activities described in subparagraphs
(A), (B), (H), (I), or (J) of paragraph (5) for which an
individual is paid a work-study allowance.
``(ii) The term `participating educational institution'
means an educational institution that--
``(I)(aa) during the five-academic-year period occurring
before an academic year during which the Secretary carries
out this paragraph, the educational institution had on
average more than 10 individuals per academic year
participating in a covered work-study activity under this
section; or
``(bb) the educational institution is not described by item
(aa) but informs the Secretary that the institution expects
to have more than 10 individuals in the following academic
year participating in a covered work-study activity under
this section; and
``(II) voluntarily chooses to be a participating
educational institution under this paragraph.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (e)(1) of such
section is amended by striking ``subsection (a)(4)'' and
inserting ``subsection (a)(5)''.
(c) Application.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as
applicable, commencing on or after August 1, 2021.
SEC. 7. ADJUSTMENT OF LOAN FEES.
Section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking the loan fee table and inserting the
following:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active duty
``Type of loan veteran Reservist Other obligor
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A)(i) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) 2.15 2.40 NA
to purchase or construct a dwelling with 0-down,
or any other initial loan described in section
3710(a) other than with 5-down or 10-down
(closed on or after October 1, 2004, and before
January 1, 2020)
(A)(ii) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) 2.30 2.30 NA
to purchase or construct a dwelling with 0-down,
or any other initial loan described in section
3710(a) other than with 5-down or 10-down
(closed on or after January 1, 2020, and before
April 7, 2023)
(A)(iii) Initial loan described in section 2.15 2.15 NA
3710(a) to purchase or construct a dwelling with
0-down, or any other initial loan described in
section 3710(a) other than with 5-down or 10-
down (closed on or after April 7, 2023, and
before October 1, 2029)
(A)(iv) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) 1.40 1.40 NA
to purchase or construct a dwelling with 0-down,
or any other initial loan described in section
3710(a) other than with 5-down or 10-down
(closed on or after October 1, 2029)
(B)(i) Subsequent loan described in section 3.30 3.30 NA
3710(a) to purchase or construct a dwelling with
0-down, or any other subsequent loan described
in section 3710(a) (closed on or after October
1, 2004, and before January 1, 2020)
(B)(ii) Subsequent loan described in section 3.60 3.60 NA
3710(a) to purchase or construct a dwelling with
0-down, or any other subsequent loan described
in section 3710(a) (closed on or after January
1, 2020, and before April 7, 2023)
[[Page S2158]]
(B)(iii) Subsequent loan described in section 3.30 3.30 NA
3710(a) to purchase or construct a dwelling with
0-down, or any other subsequent loan described
in section 3710(a) (closed on or after April 7,
2023, and before October 1, 2029)
(B)(iv) Subsequent loan described in section 1.25 1.25 NA
3710(a) to purchase or construct a dwelling with
0-down, or any other subsequent loan described
in section 3710(a) (closed on or after October
1, 2029)
(C)(i) Loan described in section 3710(a) to 1.50 1.75 NA
purchase or construct a dwelling with 5-down
(closed before January 1, 2020)
(C)(ii) Loan described in section 3710(a) to 1.65 1.65 NA
purchase or construct a dwelling with 5-down
(closed on or after January 1, 2020, and before
April 7, 2023)
(C)(iii) Loan described in section 3710(a) to 1.50 1.50 NA
purchase or construct a dwelling with 5-down
(closed on or after April 7, 2023, and before
October 1, 2029)
(C)(iv) Loan described in section 3710(a) to 0.75 0.75 NA
purchase or construct a dwelling with 5-down
(closed on or after October 1, 2029)
(D)(i) Loan described in section 3710(a) to 1.25 1.50 NA
purchase or construct a dwelling with 10-down
(closed before January 1, 2020)
(D)(ii) Loan described in section 3710(a) to 1.40 1.40 NA
purchase or construct a dwelling with 10-down
(closed on or after January 1, 2020, and before
April 7, 2023)
(D)(iii) Loan described in section 3710(a) to 1.25 1.25 NA
purchase or construct a dwelling with 10-down
(closed on or after April 7, 2023, and before
October 1, 2029)
(D)(iv) Loan described in section 3710(a) to 0.50 0.50 NA
purchase or construct a dwelling with 10-down
(closed on or after October 1, 2029)
(E) Interest rate reduction refinancing loan 0.50 0.50 NA
(F) Direct loan under section 3711 1.00 1.00 NA
(G) Manufactured home loan under section 3712 1.00 1.00 NA
(other than an interest rate reduction
refinancing loan)
(H) Loan to Native American veteran under section 1.25 1.25 NA
3762 (other than an interest rate reduction
refinancing loan)
(I) Loan assumption under section 3714 0.50 0.50 0.50
(J) Loan under section 3733(a) 2.25 2.25 2.25''.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEC. 8. DETERMINATION 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.
____________________