[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 127 (Monday, July 20, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H3111-H3113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RYAN KULES SPECIALLY ADAPTIVE HOUSING IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2019

  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the 
Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 3504) to amend title 38, United States 
Code, to provide for improvements to the specially adapted housing 
program and educational assistance programs of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes, with the Senate amendment 
thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the Senate amendment.
  The Clerk read as follows:
  Senate amendment:
 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
       ``(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

[[Page H3112]]

     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)
(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)

[[Page H3113]]

 
(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.
  Mr. TAKANO (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
to dispense with the reading.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the original request 
of the gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________