[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 21]
[Senate]
[Pages 29674-29689]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

  SA 2203. Mr. THOMAS (for Mr. Specter (for himself and Mr. Graham of 
Florida)) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1156, to amend title 38, 
United States Code, to improve and enhance the provision of health care 
for veterans, to authorize major construction projects and other 
facilities matters for the Department of Veterans Affairs, to enhance 
and improve authorities relating to the administration of personnel 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans 
     Health Care, Capital Asset, and Business Improvement Act of 
     2003''.
       (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.

          TITLE I--HEALTH CARE AUTHORITIES AND RELATED MATTERS

Sec. 101. Improved benefits for former prisoners of war.
Sec. 102. Provision of health care to veterans who participated in 
              certain Department of Defense chemical and biological 
              warfare testing.
Sec. 103. Eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs health care 
              for certain Filipino World War II veterans residing in 
              the United States.
Sec. 104. Enhancement of rehabilitative services.
Sec. 105. Enhanced agreement authority for provision of nursing home 
              care and adult day health care in contract facilities.
Sec. 106. Five-year extension of period for provision of 
              noninstitutional extended-care services and required 
              nursing home care.
Sec. 107. Expansion of Department of Veterans Affairs pilot program on 
              assisted living for veterans.
Sec. 108. Improvement of program for provision of specialized mental 
              health services to veterans.

             TITLE II--CONSTRUCTION AND FACILITIES MATTERS

                    Subtitle A--Program Authorities

Sec. 201. Increase in threshold for major medical facility construction 
              projects.
Sec. 202. Enhancements to enhanced-use lease authority.
Sec. 203. Simplification of annual report on long-range health 
              planning.

                   Subtitle B--Project Authorizations

Sec. 211. Authorization of major medical facility projects.
Sec. 212. Authorization of major medical facility leases.
Sec. 213. Advance planning authorizations.
Sec. 214. Authorization of appropriations.

 Subtitle C--Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services Initiative

Sec. 221. Authorization of major construction projects in connection 
              with Capital Asset Realignment Initiative.
Sec. 222. Advance notification of capital asset realignment actions.
Sec. 223. Sense of Congress and report on access to health care for 
              veterans in rural areas.

                  Subtitle D--Plans for New Facilities

Sec. 231. Plans for facilities in specified areas.
Sec. 232. Study and report on feasibility of coordination of veterans 
              health care services in South Carolina with new 
              university medical center.

                 Subtitle E--Designation of Facilities

Sec. 241. Designation of Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, 
              Prescott, Arizona, as the Bob Stump Department of 
              Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Sec. 242. Designation of Department of Veterans Affairs health care 
              facility, Chicago, Illinois, as the Jesse Brown 
              Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Sec. 243. Designation of Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, 
              Houston, Texas, as the Michael E. DeBakey Department of 
              Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Sec. 244. Designation of Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, 
              Salt Lake City, Utah, as the George E. Wahlen Department 
              of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Sec. 245. Designation of Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient 
              clinic, New London, Connecticut.
Sec. 246. Designation of Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient 
              clinic, Horsham, Pennsylvania.

                      TITLE III--PERSONNEL MATTERS

Sec. 301. Modification of certain authorities on appointment and 
              promotion of personnel in the Veterans Health 
              Administration.
Sec. 302. Appointment of chiropractors in the Veterans Health 
              Administration.
Sec. 303. Additional pay for Saturday tours of duty for additional 
              health care workers in the Veterans Health 
              Administration.
Sec. 304. Coverage of employees of Veterans' Canteen Service under 
              additional employment laws.

                        TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 401. Office of Research Oversight in Veterans Health 
              Administration.
Sec. 402. Enhancement of authorities relating to nonprofit research 
              corporations.
Sec. 403. Department of Defense participation in Revolving Supply Fund 
              purchases.
Sec. 404. Five-year extension of housing assistance for homeless 
              veterans.
Sec. 405. Report date changes.

     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 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.

          TITLE I--HEALTH CARE AUTHORITIES AND RELATED MATTERS

     SEC. 101. IMPROVED BENEFITS FOR FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR.

       (a) Outpatient Dental Care for All Former Prisoners of 
     War.--Section 1712(a)(1)(F) is amended by striking ``and who 
     was detained or interned for a period of not less than 90 
     days''.
       (b) Exemption From Pharmacy Copayment Requirement.--Section 
     1722A(a)(3) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (A);
       (2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C); 
     and
       (3) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new 
     subparagraph (B):
       ``(B) to a veteran who is a former prisoner of war; or''.

     SEC. 102. PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE TO VETERANS WHO 
                   PARTICIPATED IN CERTAIN DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
                   CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WARFARE TESTING.

       Section 1710(e) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following 
     new subparagraph:
       ``(E) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), a veteran who 
     participated in a test conducted by the Department of Defense 
     Deseret Test Center as part of a program for chemical and 
     biological warfare testing from 1962 through 1973 (including 
     the program designated as

[[Page 29675]]

     `Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD)' and related 
     land-based tests) is eligible for hospital care, medical 
     services, and nursing home care under subsection (a)(2)(F) 
     for any illness, notwithstanding that there is insufficient 
     medical evidence to conclude that such illness is 
     attributable to such testing.'';
       (2) in paragraph (2)(B)--
       (i) by striking out ``paragraph (1)(C) or (1)(D)'' and 
     inserting ``subparagraph (C), (D), or (E) of paragraph (1)''; 
     and
       (ii) by striking ``service described in that paragraph'' 
     and inserting ``service or testing described in such 
     subparagraph''; and
       (3) in paragraph (3)--
       (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (B);
       (B) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C) 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(D) in the case of care for a veteran described in 
     paragraph (1)(E), after December 31, 2005.''.

     SEC. 103. ELIGIBILITY FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
                   HEALTH CARE FOR CERTAIN FILIPINO WORLD WAR II 
                   VETERANS RESIDING IN THE UNITED STATES.

       The text of section 1734 is amended to read as follows:
       ``(a) The Secretary shall furnish hospital and nursing home 
     care and medical services to any individual described in 
     subsection (b) in the same manner, and subject to the same 
     terms and conditions, as apply to the furnishing of such care 
     and services to individuals who are veterans as defined in 
     section 101(2) of this title. Any disability of an individual 
     described in subsection (b) that is a service-connected 
     disability for purposes of this subchapter (as provided for 
     under section 1735(2) of this title) shall be considered to 
     be a service-connected disability for purposes of furnishing 
     care and services under the preceding sentence.
       ``(b) Subsection (a) applies to any individual who is a 
     Commonwealth Army veteran or new Philippine Scout and who--
       ``(1) is residing in the United States; and
       ``(2) is a citizen of the United States or an alien 
     lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent 
     residence.''.

     SEC. 104. ENHANCEMENT OF REHABILITATIVE SERVICES.

       (a) Rehabilitative Services Through Medical Care 
     Authority.--Section 1701(8) is amended by striking ``(other 
     than those types of vocational rehabilitation services 
     provided under chapter 31 of this title)''.
       (b) Expansion of Authorized Rehabilitative Services.--(1) 
     Section 1718 is amended--
       (A) by redesignating subsections (d), (e), and (f) as 
     subsections (e), (f), and (g), respectively; and
       (B) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new 
     subsection (d):
       ``(d) In providing to a veteran rehabilitative services 
     under this chapter, the Secretary may furnish the veteran 
     with the following:
       ``(1) Work skills training and development services.
       ``(2) Employment support services.
       ``(3) Job development and placement services.''.
       (2) Subsection (c) of such section is amended--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``subsection (b) of this 
     section'' and inserting ``subsection (b) or (d)''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by striking ``subsection (b) of this section'' and 
     inserting ``subsection (b) or (d)''; and
       (ii) by striking ``paragraph (2) of such subsection'' and 
     inserting ``subsection (b)(2)''.

     SEC. 105. ENHANCED AGREEMENT AUTHORITY FOR PROVISION OF 
                   NURSING HOME CARE AND ADULT DAY HEALTH CARE IN 
                   CONTRACT FACILITIES.

       (a) Enhanced Authority.--Subsection (c) of section 1720 is 
     amended--
       (1) by designating the existing text as paragraph (2); and
       (2) by inserting before paragraph (2), as so designated, 
     the following new paragraph (1):
       ``(1)(A) In furnishing nursing home care, adult day health 
     care, or other extended care services under this section, the 
     Secretary may enter into agreements for furnishing such care 
     or services with--
       ``(i) in the case of the medicare program, a provider of 
     services that has entered into a provider agreement under 
     section 1866(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1395cc(a)); and
       ``(ii) in the case of the medicaid program, a provider 
     participating under a State plan under title XIX of such Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).
       ``(B) In entering into an agreement under subparagraph (A) 
     with a provider of services described in clause (i) of that 
     subparagraph or a provider described in clause (ii) of that 
     subparagraph, the Secretary may use the procedures available 
     for entering into provider agreements under section 1866(a) 
     of the Social Security Act.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (f)(1)(B) of such 
     section is amended by inserting ``or agreement'' after 
     ``contract'' each place it appears.

     SEC. 106. FIVE-YEAR EXTENSION OF PERIOD FOR PROVISION OF 
                   NONINSTITUTIONAL EXTENDED-CARE SERVICES AND 
                   REQUIRED NURSING HOME CARE.

       (a) Noninstitutional Extended Care Services.--Section 
     1701(10)(A) is amended by striking ``the date of the 
     enactment of the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits 
     Act and ending on December 31, 2003,'' and inserting 
     ``November 30, 1999, and ending on December 31, 2008,''.
       (b) Required Nursing Home Care.--Section 1710A(c) is 
     amended by striking ``December 31, 2003'' and inserting 
     ``December 31, 2008''.

     SEC. 107. EXPANSION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PILOT 
                   PROGRAM ON ASSISTED LIVING FOR VETERANS.

       Section 103(b) of the Veterans Millennium Health Care and 
     Benefits Act (Public Law 106-117; 113 Stat. 1552; 38 U.S.C. 
     1710B note) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``Location of Pilot Program.--'' and 
     inserting ``Locations of Pilot Program.--(1)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2)(A) In addition to the health care region of the 
     Department selected for the pilot program under paragraph 
     (1), the Secretary may also carry out the pilot program in 
     not more than one additional designated health care region of 
     the Department selected by the Secretary for purposes of this 
     section.
       ``(B) Notwithstanding subsection (f), the authority of the 
     Secretary to provide services under the pilot program in a 
     health care region of the Department selected under 
     subparagraph (A) shall cease on the date that is three years 
     after the commencement of the provision of services under the 
     pilot program in the health care region.''.

     SEC. 108. IMPROVEMENT OF PROGRAM FOR PROVISION OF SPECIALIZED 
                   MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO VETERANS.

       (a) Increase in Funding.--Subsection (c) of section 116 of 
     the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act (Public 
     Law 106-117; 113 Stat. 1559; 38 U.S.C. 1712A note) is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$15,000,000'' and 
     inserting ``$25,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2004, 2005, 
     and 2006'';
       (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$15,000,000'' and 
     inserting ``$25,000,000''; and
       (3) in paragraph (3)--
       (A) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(3)''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(B) For purposes of this paragraph, in fiscal years 2004, 
     2005, and 2006, the fiscal year used to determine the 
     baseline amount shall be fiscal year 2003.''.
       (b) Allocation of Funds.--Subsection (d) of that section is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting ``(1) In 
     each of fiscal years 2004, 2005, and 2006, the Secretary''; 
     and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
       ``(2) In allocating funds to facilities in a fiscal year 
     under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that--
       ``(A) not less than $10,000,000 is allocated by direct 
     grants to programs that are identified by the Mental Health 
     Strategic Health Care Group and the Committee on Care of 
     Severely Chronically Mentally Ill Veterans;
       ``(B) not less than $5,000,000 is allocated for programs on 
     post-traumatic stress disorder; and
       ``(C) not less than $5,000,000 is allocated for programs on 
     substance use disorder.
       ``(3) The Secretary shall provide that the funds to be 
     allocated under this section during each of fiscal years 
     2004, 2005, and 2006 are funds for a special purpose program 
     for which funds are not allocated through the Veterans 
     Equitable Resource Allocation system.''.

             TITLE II--CONSTRUCTION AND FACILITIES MATTERS

                    Subtitle A--Program Authorities

     SEC. 201. INCREASE IN THRESHOLD FOR MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY 
                   CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

       Section 8104(a)(3)(A) is amended by striking ``$4,000,000'' 
     and inserting ``$7,000,000''.

     SEC. 202. ENHANCEMENTS TO ENHANCED-USE LEASE AUTHORITY.

       (a) Notification of Property To Be Leased.--Section 8163 is 
     amended--
       (1) in the first sentence of subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking ``designate a property to be leased under 
     an enhanced-use lease'' and inserting ``enter into an 
     enhanced-use lease with respect to certain property''; and
       (B) by striking ``before making the designation'' and 
     inserting ``before entering into the lease'';
       (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``of the proposed 
     designation'' and inserting ``to the congressional veterans' 
     affairs committees and to the public of the proposed lease''; 
     and
       (3) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) by striking ``designate the property involved'' and 
     inserting ``enter into an enhanced-use lease of the property 
     involved''; and
       (ii) by striking ``to so designate the property'' and 
     inserting ``to enter into such lease'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``90-day period'' and 
     inserting ``45-day period'';
       (C) in paragraph (3)--
       (i) by striking ``general description'' in subparagraph (D) 
     and inserting ``description of the provisions''; and
       (ii) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

[[Page 29676]]

       ``(G) A summary of a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed 
     lease.''; and
       (D) by striking paragraph (4).
       (b) Disposition of Leased Property.--Section 8164 is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking ``by requesting the Administrator of 
     General Services to dispose of the property pursuant to 
     subsection (b)'' in the first sentence; and
       (B) by striking the third sentence;
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by striking ``Secretary and the Administrator of 
     General Services jointly determine'' and inserting 
     ``Secretary determines''; and
       (B) by striking ``Secretary and the Administrator 
     consider'' and inserting ``Secretary considers''; and
       (3) in subsection (c), by striking ``90 days'' and 
     inserting ``45 days''.
       (c) Use of Proceeds.--Section 8165 is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``and remaining after 
     any deduction from such funds under the laws referred to in 
     subsection (c)'';
       (2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following 
     new sentence: ``The Secretary may use the proceeds from any 
     enhanced-use lease to reimburse applicable appropriations of 
     the Department for any expenses incurred in the development 
     of additional enhanced-use leases.''; and
       (3) by striking subsection (c).
       (d) Clerical Amendments.--(1) The heading of section 8163 
     is amended to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 8163. Hearing and notice requirements regarding 
       proposed leases''.

       (2) The item relating to section 8163 in the table of 
     sections at the beginning of chapter 81 is amended to read as 
     follows:

``8163. Hearing and notice requirements regarding proposed leases.''.

     SEC. 203. SIMPLIFICATION OF ANNUAL REPORT ON LONG-RANGE 
                   HEALTH PLANNING.

       Section 8107(b) is amended by striking paragraphs (3) and 
     (4).

                   Subtitle B--Project Authorizations

     SEC. 211. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECTS.

       The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the 
     following major medical facility projects, with each project 
     to be carried out in an amount not to exceed the amount 
     specified for that project:
       (1) Construction of a long-term care facility in Lebanon, 
     Pennsylvania, $14,500,000.
       (2) Construction of a long-term care facility in Beckley, 
     West Virginia, $20,000,000.
       (3) Construction of a new bed tower to consolidate two 
     inpatient sites of care in the city of Chicago at the West 
     Side Division of the Department of Veterans Affairs health 
     care system in Chicago, Illinois, in an amount not to exceed 
     $98,500,000.
       (4) Seismic corrections to strengthen Medical Center 
     Building 1 of the Department of Veterans Affairs health care 
     system in San Diego, California, in an amount not to exceed 
     $48,600,000.
       (5) A project for (A) renovation of all inpatient care 
     wards at the West Haven, Connecticut, facility of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs health system in Connecticut 
     to improve the environment of care and enhance safety, 
     privacy, and accessibility, and (B) establishment of a 
     consolidated medical research facility at that facility, in 
     an amount not to exceed $50,000,000.
       (6) Construction of a Department of Veterans Affairs-
     Department of the Navy joint venture comprehensive outpatient 
     medical care facility to be built on the grounds of the 
     Pensacola Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, in an amount 
     not to exceed $45,000,000.

     SEC. 212. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY LEASES.

       The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter into leases for 
     medical facilities as follows:
       (1) For an outpatient clinic in Charlotte, North Carolina, 
     in an amount not to exceed $3,000,000.
       (2) For an outpatient clinic extension, Boston, 
     Massachusetts, in an amount not to exceed $2,879,000.

     SEC. 213. ADVANCE PLANNING AUTHORIZATIONS.

       The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out advance 
     planning for a major medical facility project at each of the 
     following locations, with such planning to be carried out in 
     an amount not to exceed the amount specified for that 
     location:
       (1) Denver, Colorado, in an amount not to exceed 
     $30,000,000, of which $26,000,000 shall be provided by the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs and $4,000,000 shall be 
     provided by the Secretary of Defense.
       (2) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in an amount not to exceed 
     $9,000,000.
       (3) Las Vegas, Nevada, in an amount not to exceed 
     $25,000,000.
       (4) Columbus, Ohio, in an amount not to exceed $9,000,000.
       (5) East Central, Florida, in an amount not to exceed 
     $17,500,000.

     SEC. 214. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2004--
       (1) for the Construction, Major Projects, account, a total 
     of $363,100,000, of which--
       (A) $276,600,000 is for the projects authorized in section 
     211; and
       (B) $86,500,000 is for the advance planning authorized in 
     section 213; and
       (2) for the Medical Care account, $5,879,000 for the leases 
     authorized in section 212.
       (b) Limitation.--The projects authorized in section 211 may 
     only be carried out using--
       (1) funds appropriated for fiscal year 2004 pursuant to the 
     authorization of appropriations in subsection (a);
       (2) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
     for a fiscal year before fiscal year 2004 that remain 
     available for obligation; and
       (3) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
     for fiscal year 2004 for a category of activity not specific 
     to a project.

 Subtitle C--Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services Initiative

     SEC. 221. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN 
                   CONNECTION WITH CAPITAL ASSET REALIGNMENT 
                   INITIATIVE.

       (a) Authority To Carry Out Major Construction Projects.--
     Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     may carry out major construction projects as specified in the 
     final report of the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced 
     Services Commission and approved by the Secretary.
       (b) Limitation.--The Secretary may not exercise the 
     authority in subsection (a) until 45 days after the date of 
     the submittal of the report required by subsection (c).
       (c) Report on Proposed Major Construction Projects.--(1) 
     The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' 
     Affairs and the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate 
     and House of Representatives not later than February 1, 2004, 
     a report describing the major construction projects the 
     Secretary proposes to carry out in connection with the 
     Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services initiative.
       (2) The report shall list each proposed major construction 
     project in order of priority, with such priority determined 
     in the order as follows:
       (A) The use of the facility to be constructed or altered as 
     a replacement or enhancement facility necessitated by the 
     loss, closure, or other divestment of major infrastructure or 
     clinical space at a Department of Veterans Affairs medical 
     facility currently in operation, as determined by the 
     Secretary.
       (B) The remedy of life and safety code deficiencies, 
     including seismic, egress, and fire deficiencies at such 
     facility.
       (C) The use of such facility to provide health care 
     services to a population that is determined under the Capital 
     Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services initiative to be 
     underserved or not currently served by such facility.
       (D) The renovation or modernization of such facility, 
     including the provision of barrier-free design, improvement 
     of building systems and utilities, or enhancement of clinical 
     support services.
       (E) The need for such facility to further an enhanced-use 
     lease or sharing agreement.
       (F) Any other factor that the Secretary considers to be of 
     importance in providing care to eligible veterans.
       (3) In developing the list of projects and according a 
     priority to each project, the Secretary should consider the 
     importance of allocating available resources equitably among 
     the geographic service areas of the Department and take into 
     account recent shifts in populations of veterans among those 
     geographic service areas.
       (d) Sunset.--The Secretary may not enter into a contract to 
     carry out major construction projects under the authority in 
     subsection (a) after September 30, 2006.

     SEC. 222. ADVANCE NOTIFICATION OF CAPITAL ASSET REALIGNMENT 
                   ACTIONS.

       (a) Requirement for Advance Notification.--If the Secretary 
     of Veterans Affairs approves a recommendation resulting from 
     the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services 
     initiative, then before taking any action resulting from that 
     recommendation that would result in--
       (1) a medical facility closure;
       (2) an administrative reorganization described in 
     subsection (c) of section 510 of title 38, United States 
     Code; or

       (3) a medical facility consolidation,
     the Secretary shall submit to Congress a written notification 
     of the intent to take such action.
       (b) Limitation.--Upon submitting a notification under 
     subsection (a), the Secretary may not take any action 
     described in the notification until the later of--
       (1) the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date on 
     which the notification is received by Congress; or
       (2) the end of a period of 30 days of continuous session of 
     Congress beginning on the date on which the notification is 
     received by Congress or, if either House of Congress is not 
     in session on such date, the first day after such date on 
     which both Houses of Congress are in session.
       (c) Continuous Session of Congress.--For the purposes of 
     subsection (b)--
       (1) the continuity of a session of Congress is broken only 
     by an adjournment of Congress sine die; and
       (2) any day on which either House is not in session because 
     of an adjournment of more

[[Page 29677]]

     than three days to a day certain is excluded in the 
     computation of any period of time in which Congress is in 
     continuous session.
       (d) Medical Facility Consolidation.--For the purposes of 
     subsection (a), the term ``medical facility consolidation'' 
     means an action that closes one or more medical facilities 
     for the purpose of relocating those activities to another 
     medical facility or facilities within the same geographic 
     service area.

     SEC. 223. SENSE OF CONGRESS AND REPORT ON ACCESS TO HEALTH 
                   CARE FOR VETERANS IN RURAL AREAS.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--Recognizing the difficulties that 
     veterans residing in rural areas encounter in gaining access 
     to health care in facilities of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs, it is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs should take steps to ensure that an 
     appropriate mix of facilities and clinical staff is available 
     for health care for veterans residing in rural areas.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     Senate and House of Representatives a report describing the 
     steps the Secretary is taking, and intends to take, to 
     improve access to health care for veterans residing in rural 
     areas.

                  Subtitle D--Plans for New Facilities

     SEC. 231. PLANS FOR FACILITIES IN SPECIFIED AREAS.

       (a) Southern New Jersey.--(1) The Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall develop a plan for meeting the future hospital 
     care needs of veterans who reside in southern New Jersey.
       (2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term ``southern New 
     Jersey'' means the following counties of the State of New 
     Jersey: Ocean, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem, 
     Cumberland, Atlantic, and Cape May.
       (b) Far South Texas.--(1) The Secretary shall develop a 
     plan for meeting the future hospital care needs of veterans 
     who reside in far south Texas.
       (2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term ``far south 
     Texas'' means the following counties of the State of Texas: 
     Bee, Calhoun, Crockett, DeWitt, Dimmit, Goliad, Jackson, 
     Victoria, Webb, Aransas, Duval, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, 
     Refugio, San Patricio, Brooks, Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, 
     Kenedy, Starr, Willacy, and Zapata.
       (c) North Central Washington.--(1) The Secretary shall 
     develop a plan for meeting the future hospital care needs of 
     veterans who reside in north central Washington.
       (2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term ``north central 
     Washington'' means the following counties of the State of 
     Washington: Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Kittitas, and 
     Okanogan.
       (d) Pensacola Area.--(1) The Secretary shall develop a plan 
     for meeting the future hospital care needs of veterans who 
     reside in the Pensacola area.
       (2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term ``Pensacola 
     area'' means--
       (A) the counties of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, 
     Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Liberty, Gulf, and 
     Franklin of the State of Florida; and
       (B) the counties of Covington, Geneva, Houston, and 
     Escambia of the State of Alabama.
       (e) Consideration of Use of Certain Existing Authorities.--
     In developing the plans under this section, the Secretary 
     shall, at a minimum, consider options using the existing 
     authorities of sections 8111 and 8153 of title 38, United 
     States Code, to--
       (1) establish a hospital staffed and managed by employees 
     of the Department, either in private or public facilities, 
     including Federal facilities; or
       (2) enter into contracts with existing Federal facilities, 
     private facilities, and private providers for that care.
       (f) Report.--The Secretary shall submit to the Committees 
     on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
     Representatives a report on each plan under this section not 
     later than April 15, 2004.

     SEC. 232. STUDY AND REPORT ON FEASIBILITY OF COORDINATION OF 
                   VETERANS HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN SOUTH CAROLINA 
                   WITH NEW UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER.

       (a) Study Required.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall conduct a study to examine the feasibility of 
     coordination by the Department of Veterans Affairs of its 
     needs for inpatient hospital, medical care, and long-term 
     care services for veterans with the pending construction of a 
     new university medical center at the Medical University of 
     South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
       (b) Matters To Be Included in Study.--(1) As part of the 
     study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider the 
     following:
       (A) Integration with the Medical University of South 
     Carolina of some or all of the services referred to in 
     subsection (a) through contribution to the construction of 
     that university's new medical facility or by becoming a 
     tenant provider in that new facility.
       (B) Construction by the Department of Veterans Affairs of a 
     new independent inpatient or outpatient facility alongside or 
     nearby the university's new facility.
       (2) In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
     consider the degree to which the Department and the 
     university medical center would be able to share expensive 
     technologies and scarce specialty services that would affect 
     any such plans of the Secretary or the university.
       (3) In carrying out the study, the Secretary shall 
     especially consider the applicability of the authorities 
     under section 8153 of title 38, United States Code (relating 
     to sharing of health care resources between the Department 
     and community provider organizations), to govern future 
     arrangements and relationships between the Department and the 
     Medical University of South Carolina.
       (c) Consultation With Secretary of Defense.--The Secretary 
     of Veterans Affairs shall consult with the Secretary of 
     Defense in carrying out the study under this section. Such 
     consultation shall include consideration of establishing a 
     Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense joint 
     health-care venture at the site referred to in subsection 
     (a).
       (d) Report.--Not later than April 15, 2004, the Secretary 
     shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     Senate and House of Representatives a report on the results 
     of the study. The report shall include the Secretary's 
     recommendations with respect to coordination described in 
     subsection (a), including recommendations with respect to 
     each of the matters referred to in subsection (b).

                 Subtitle E--Designation of Facilities

     SEC. 241. DESIGNATION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
                   MEDICAL CENTER, PRESCOTT, ARIZONA, AS THE BOB 
                   STUMP DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL 
                   CENTER.

       The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center located 
     in Prescott, Arizona, shall after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act be known and designated as the ``Bob Stump 
     Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''. Any 
     reference to such medical center in any law, regulation, map, 
     document, or other paper of the United States shall be 
     considered to be a reference to the Bob Stump Department of 
     Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

     SEC. 242. DESIGNATION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
                   HEALTH CARE FACILITY, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AS THE 
                   JESSE BROWN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
                   MEDICAL CENTER.

       The Department of Veterans Affairs health care facility 
     located at 820 South Damen Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, shall 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act be known and 
     designated as the ``Jesse Brown Department of Veterans 
     Affairs Medical Center''. Any reference to such facility in 
     any law, regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of 
     the United States shall be considered to be a reference to 
     the Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
     Center.

     SEC. 243. DESIGNATION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
                   MEDICAL CENTER, HOUSTON, TEXAS, AS THE MICHAEL 
                   E. DEBAKEY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
                   MEDICAL CENTER.

       The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in 
     Houston, Texas, shall after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act be known and designated as the ``Michael E. DeBakey 
     Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''. Any 
     reference to such facility in any law, regulation, map, 
     document, record, or other paper of the United States shall 
     be considered to be a reference to the Michael E. DeBakey 
     Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

     SEC. 244. DESIGNATION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
                   MEDICAL CENTER, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, AS THE 
                   GEORGE E. WAHLEN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
                   MEDICAL CENTER.

       The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salt 
     Lake City, Utah, shall after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act be known and designated as the ``George E. Wahlen 
     Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''. Any 
     references to such facility in any law, regulation, map, 
     document, record, or other paper of the United States shall 
     be considered to be a reference to the George E. Wahlen 
     Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

     SEC. 245. DESIGNATION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
                   OUTPATIENT CLINIC, NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT.

       The Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic 
     located in New London, Connecticut, shall after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act be known and designated as the 
     ``John J. McGuirk Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient 
     Clinic''. Any reference to such outpatient clinic in any law, 
     regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of the 
     United States shall be considered to be a reference to the 
     John J. McGuirk Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient 
     Clinic.

     SEC. 246. DESIGNATION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
                   OUTPATIENT CLINIC, HORSHAM, PENNSYLVANIA.

       The Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic 
     located in Horsham, Pennsylvania, shall after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act be known and designated as the ``Victor 
     J. Saracini Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient 
     Clinic''. Any reference to such outpatient clinic in any law, 
     regulation, map, document, record, or other paper

[[Page 29678]]

     of the United States shall be considered to be a reference to 
     the Victor J. Saracini Department of Veterans Affairs 
     Outpatient Clinic.

                      TITLE III--PERSONNEL MATTERS

     SEC. 301. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITIES ON APPOINTMENT AND 
                   PROMOTION OF PERSONNEL IN THE VETERANS HEALTH 
                   ADMINISTRATION.

       (a) Positions Treatable as Hybrid Status Positions.--(1) 
     Section 7401 is amended--
       (A) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following 
     new paragraph (2):
       ``(2) Scientific and professional personnel, such as 
     microbiologists, chemists, and biostatisticians.''; and
       (B) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following 
     new paragraph (3):
       ``(3) Audiologists, speech pathologists, and audiologist-
     speech pathologists, biomedical engineers, certified or 
     registered respiratory therapists, dietitians, licensed 
     physical therapists, licensed practical or vocational nurses, 
     medical instrument technicians, medical records 
     administrators or specialists, medical records technicians, 
     medical and dental technologists, nuclear medicine 
     technologists, occupational therapists, occupational therapy 
     assistants, kinesiotherapists, orthotist-prosthetists, 
     pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, physical therapy 
     assistants, prosthetic representatives, psychologists, 
     diagnostic radiologic technicians, therapeutic radiologic 
     technicians, and social workers.''.
       (2) Personnel appointed to the Veterans Health 
     Administration before the date of the enactment of this Act 
     who are in an occupational category of employees specified in 
     paragraph (3) of section 7401 of title 38, United States 
     Code, by reason of the amendment made by paragraph (1)(B) of 
     this subsection shall, as of such date, be deemed to have 
     been appointed to the Administration under such paragraph 
     (3).
       (b) Appointments and Promotions.--Section 7403 of such 
     title is amended--
       (1) in subsection (f)(3)--
       (A) by inserting ``reductions-in-force, the applicability 
     of the principles of preference referred to in paragraph (2), 
     rights of part-time employees,'' after ``adverse actions,'';
       (B) by inserting ``, whether appointed under this section 
     or section 7405(a)(1)(B) of this title'' after ``such 
     positions''; and
       (C) by inserting a comma after ``status)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(h)(1) If the Secretary uses the authority provided in 
     subsection (c) for the promotion and advancement of an 
     occupational category of employees described in section 
     7401(3) of this title, as authorized by subsection (f)(1)(B), 
     the Secretary shall do so through one or more systems 
     prescribed by the Secretary. Each such system shall be 
     planned, developed, and implemented in collaboration with, 
     and with the participation of, exclusive employee 
     representatives of such occupational category of employees.
       ``(2)(A) Before prescribing a system of promotion and 
     advancement of an occupational category of employees under 
     paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide to exclusive 
     employee representatives of such occupational category of 
     employees a written description of the proposed system.
       ``(B) Not later than 30 days after receipt of the 
     description of a proposed system under subparagraph (A), 
     exclusive employee representatives may submit to the 
     Secretary the recommendations, if any, of such exclusive 
     employee representatives with respect to the proposed system.
       ``(C) The Secretary shall give full and fair consideration 
     to any recommendations received under subparagraph (B) in 
     deciding whether and how to proceed with a proposed system.
       ``(3) The Secretary shall implement immediately any part of 
     a system of promotion and advancement under paragraph (1) 
     that is proposed under paragraph (2) for which the Secretary 
     receives no recommendations from exclusive employee 
     representatives under paragraph (2).
       ``(4) If the Secretary receives recommendations under 
     paragraph (2) from exclusive employee representatives on any 
     part of a proposed system of promotion and advancement under 
     that paragraph, the Secretary shall determine whether or not 
     to accept the recommendations, either in whole or in part. If 
     the Secretary determines not to accept all or part of the 
     recommendations, the Secretary shall--
       ``(A) notify the congressional veterans' affairs committees 
     of the recommendations and of the portion of the 
     recommendations that the Secretary has determined not to 
     accept;
       ``(B) meet and confer with such exclusive employee 
     representatives, for a period not less than 30 days, for 
     purposes of attempting to reach an agreement on whether and 
     how to proceed with the portion of the recommendations that 
     the Secretary has determined not to accept;
       ``(C) at the election of the Secretary, or of a majority of 
     such exclusive employee representatives who are participating 
     in negotiations on such matter, employ the services of the 
     Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service during the period 
     referred to in subparagraph (B) for purposes of reaching such 
     agreement; and
       ``(D) if the Secretary determines that activities under 
     subparagraph (B), (C), or both are unsuccessful at reaching 
     such agreement and determines (in the sole and unreviewable 
     discretion of the Secretary) that further meeting and 
     conferral under subparagraph (B), mediation under 
     subparagraph (C), or both are unlikely to reach such 
     agreement--
       ``(i) notify the congressional veterans' affairs committees 
     of such determinations, identify for such committees the 
     portions of the recommendations that the Secretary has 
     determined not to accept, and provide such committees an 
     explanation and justification for determining to implement 
     the part of the system subject to such portions of the 
     recommendations without regard to such portions of the 
     recommendations; and
       ``(ii) commencing not earlier than 30 days after notice 
     under clause (i), implement the part of the system subject to 
     the recommendations that the Secretary has determined not to 
     accept without regard to those recommendations.
       ``(5) If the Secretary and exclusive employee 
     representatives reach an agreement under paragraph (4) 
     providing for the resolution of a disagreement on one or more 
     portions of the recommendations that the Secretary had 
     determined not to accept under that paragraph, the Secretary 
     shall immediately implement such resolution.
       ``(6) In implementing a system of promotion and advancement 
     under this subsection, the Secretary shall--
       ``(A) develop and implement mechanisms to permit exclusive 
     employee representatives to participate in the periodic 
     review and evaluation of the system, including peer review, 
     and in any further planning or development required with 
     respect to the system as a result of such review and 
     evaluation; and
       ``(B) provide exclusive employee representatives 
     appropriate access to information to ensure that the 
     participation of such exclusive employee representative in 
     activities under subparagraph (A) is productive.
       ``(7)(A) The Secretary may from time to time modify a 
     system of promotion and advancement under this subsection.
       ``(B) In modifying a system, the Secretary shall take into 
     account any recommendations made by the exclusive employee 
     representatives concerned.
       ``(C) In modifying a system, the Secretary shall comply 
     with paragraphs (2) through (5) and shall treat any proposal 
     for the modification of a system as a proposal for a system 
     for purposes of such paragraphs.
       ``(D) The Secretary shall promptly submit to the 
     congressional veterans' affairs committees a report on any 
     modification of a system. Each report shall include--
       ``(i) an explanation and justification of the modification; 
     and
       ``(ii) a description of any recommendations of exclusive 
     employee representatives with respect to the modification and 
     a statement whether or not the modification was revised in 
     light of such recommendations.
       ``(8) In the case of employees who are not within a unit 
     with respect to which a labor organization is accorded 
     exclusive recognition, the Secretary may develop procedures 
     for input from representatives under this subsection from any 
     appropriate organization that represents a substantial 
     percentage of such employees or, if none, in such other 
     manner as the Secretary considers appropriate, consistent 
     with the purposes of this subsection.
       ``(9) In this subsection, the term `congressional veterans' 
     affairs committees' means the Committees on Veterans' Affairs 
     of the Senate and the House of Representatives.''.
       (c) Temporary, Part-Time, and Without Compensation 
     Appointments.--Section 7405 of such title is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraphs (B) and (C) 
     and inserting the following new subparagraphs:
       ``(B) Positions listed in section 7401(3) of this title.
       ``(C) Librarians.''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraph (B) and 
     inserting the following new subparagraph (B):
       ``(B) Positions listed in section 7401(3) of this title.''; 
     and
       (2) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``section 7401(1)'' 
     and inserting ``paragraphs (1) and (3) of section 7401''.
       (d) Authority for Additional Pay for Certain Health Care 
     Professionals.--Section 7454(b)(1) of such title is amended 
     by striking ``certified or registered'' and all that follows 
     through ``occupational therapists,'' and inserting 
     ``individuals in positions listed in section 7401(3) of this 
     title,''.

     SEC. 302. APPOINTMENT OF CHIROPRACTORS IN THE VETERANS HEALTH 
                   ADMINISTRATION.

       (a) Appointments.--Section 7401 is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``medical'' and inserting ``health''; and
       (2) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``chiropractors,'' after 
     ``podiatrists,''.
       (b) Qualifications of Appointees.--Section 7402(b) is 
     amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraph (10) as paragraph (11); and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following new 
     paragraph (10):

[[Page 29679]]

       ``(10) Chiropractor.--To be eligible to be appointed to a 
     chiropractor position, a person must--
       ``(A) hold the degree of doctor of chiropractic, or its 
     equivalent, from a college of chiropractic approved by the 
     Secretary; and
       ``(B) be licensed to practice chiropractic in a State.''.
       (c) Period of Appointments and Promotions.--Section 
     7403(a)(2) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subparagraph:
       ``(H) Chiropractors.''.
       (d) Grades and Pay Scales.--Section 7404(b)(1) is amended 
     by striking the third center heading in the table and 
     inserting the following:

    ``CLINICAL PODIATRIST, CHIROPRACTOR, AND OPTOMETRIST SCHEDULE''.

       (e) Malpractice and Negligence Protection.--Section 7316(a) 
     is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``medical'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``health''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by striking ``medical'' the first place it appears and 
     inserting ``health''; and
       (B) by inserting ``chiropractor,'' after ``podiatrist,''.
       (f) Treatment as Scarce Medical Specialists for Contracting 
     Purposes.--Section 7409(a) is amended by inserting 
     ``chiropractors,'' in the second sentence after 
     ``optometrists,''.
       (g) Collective Bargaining Exemption.--Section 7421(b) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(8) Chiropractors.''.
       (h) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect at the end of the 180-day period beginning 
     on the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 303. ADDITIONAL PAY FOR SATURDAY TOURS OF DUTY FOR 
                   ADDITIONAL HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN THE VETERANS 
                   HEALTH ADMINISTRATION.

       (a) In General.--Section 7454(b) is amended by adding at 
     the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(3) Employees appointed under section 7408 of this title 
     shall be entitled to additional pay on the same basis as 
     provided for nurses in section 7453(c) of this title.''.
       (b) Applicability.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect with respect to the first pay period 
     beginning on or after January 1, 2004.

     SEC. 304. COVERAGE OF EMPLOYEES OF VETERANS' CANTEEN SERVICE 
                   UNDER ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT LAWS.

       (a) Coverage.--Paragraph (5) of section 7802 is amended by 
     inserting before the semicolon a period and the following: 
     ``An employee appointed under this section may be considered 
     for appointment to a Department position in the competitive 
     service in the same manner that a Department employee in the 
     competitive service is considered for transfer to such 
     position. An employee of the Service who is appointed to a 
     Department position in the competitive service under the 
     authority of the preceding sentence may count toward the 
     time-in-service requirement for a career appointment in such 
     position any previous period of employment in the Service''.
       (b) Technical Amendments.--Such section is further 
     amended--
       (1) by striking the semicolon at the end of each of 
     paragraphs (1) through (10) and inserting a period;
       (2) by striking ``The Secretary '' and all that follows 
     through ``(1) establish,'' and inserting ``(a) Locations for 
     Canteens.--The Secretary shall establish,'';
       (3) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (11) as 
     subsections (b) through (k), respectively, and by realigning 
     those subsections (as so redesignated) so as to be flush to 
     the left margin;
       (4) in subsection (b) (as so redesignated), by inserting 
     ``Warehouses and Storage Depots.--The Secretary shall'' 
     before ``establish'';
       (5) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated), by inserting 
     ``Space, Buildings, and Structures.--The Secretary shall'' 
     before ``furnish'';
       (6) in subsection (d) (as so redesignated), by inserting 
     ``Equipment, Services, and Utilities.--The Secretary shall'' 
     before ``transfer'';
       (7) in subsection (e) (as so redesignated and as amended by 
     subsection (a)), by inserting ``Personnel.--The Secretary 
     shall'' before ``employ'';
       (8) in subsection (f) (as so redesignated), by inserting 
     ``Contracts and Agreements.--The Secretary shall'' before 
     ``make all'';
       (9) in subsection (g) (as so redesignated), by inserting 
     ``Prices.--The Secretary shall'' before ``fix the'';
       (10) in subsection (h) (as so redesignated), by inserting 
     ``Gifts and Donations.--The Secretary may'' before 
     ``accept'';
       (11) in subsection (i) (as so redesignated), by inserting 
     ``Rules and Regulations.--The Secretary shall'' before ``make 
     such'';
       (12) in subsection (j) (as so redesignated), by inserting 
     ``Delegation.--The Secretary may'' before ``delegate such''; 
     and
       (13) in subsection (k) (as so redesignated), by inserting 
     ``Authority To Cash Checks, Etc.--The Secretary may'' before 
     ``authorize''.

                        TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS

     SEC. 401. OFFICE OF RESEARCH OVERSIGHT IN VETERANS HEALTH 
                   ADMINISTRATION.

       (a) Statutory Charter.--(1) Chapter 73 is amended by 
     inserting after section 7306 the following new section:

     ``Sec. 7307. Office of Research Oversight

       ``(a) Requirement for Office.--(1) There is in the Veterans 
     Health Administration an Office of Research Oversight 
     (hereinafter in this section referred to as the `Office'). 
     The Office shall advise the Under Secretary for Health on 
     matters of compliance and assurance in human subjects 
     protections, research safety, and research impropriety and 
     misconduct. The Office shall function independently of 
     entities within the Veterans Health Administration with 
     responsibility for the conduct of medical research programs.
       ``(2) The Office shall--
       ``(A) monitor, review, and investigate matters of medical 
     research compliance and assurance in the Department with 
     respect to human subjects protections; and
       ``(B) monitor, review, and investigate matters relating to 
     the protection and safety of human subjects and Department 
     employees participating in medical research in Department 
     programs.
       ``(b) Director.--(1) The head of the Office shall be a 
     Director, who shall report directly to the Under Secretary 
     for Health (without delegation).
       ``(2) Any person appointed as Director shall be--
       ``(A) an established expert in the field of medical 
     research, administration of medical research programs, or 
     similar fields; and
       ``(B) qualified to carry out the duties of the Office based 
     on demonstrated experience and expertise.
       ``(c) Functions.--(1) The Director shall report to the 
     Under Secretary for Health on matters relating to protections 
     of human subjects in medical research projects of the 
     Department under any applicable Federal law and regulation, 
     the safety of employees involved in Department medical 
     research programs, and suspected misconduct and impropriety 
     in such programs. In carrying out the preceding sentence, the 
     Director shall consult with employees of the Veterans Health 
     Administration who are responsible for the management and 
     conduct of Department medical research programs.
       ``(2) The matters to be reported by the Director to the 
     Under Secretary under paragraph (1) shall include allegations 
     of research impropriety and misconduct by employees engaged 
     in medical research programs of the Department.
       ``(3)(A) When the Director determines that such a 
     recommendation is warranted, the Director may recommend to 
     the Under Secretary that a Department research activity be 
     terminated, suspended, or restricted, in whole or in part.
       ``(B) In a case in which the Director reasonably believes 
     that activities of a medical research project of the 
     Department place human subjects' lives or health at imminent 
     risk, the Director shall direct that activities under that 
     project be immediately suspended or, as appropriate and 
     specified by the Director, be limited.
       ``(d) General Functions.--(1) The Director shall conduct 
     periodic inspections and reviews, as the Director determines 
     appropriate, of medical research programs of the Department. 
     Such inspections and reviews shall include review of required 
     documented assurances.
       ``(2) The Director shall observe external accreditation 
     activities conducted for accreditation of medical research 
     programs conducted in facilities of the Department.
       ``(3) The Director shall investigate allegations of 
     research impropriety and misconduct in medical research 
     projects of the Department.
       ``(4) The Director shall submit to the Under Secretary for 
     Health, the Secretary, and the Committees on Veterans' 
     Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report 
     on any suspected lapse, from whatever cause or causes, in 
     protecting safety of human subjects and others, including 
     employees, in medical research programs of the Department.
       ``(5) The Director shall carry out such other duties as the 
     Under Secretary for Health may require.
       ``(e) Source of Funds.--Amounts for the activities of the 
     Office, including its regional offices, shall be derived from 
     amounts appropriated for the Veterans Health Administration 
     for Medical Care.
       ``(f) Annual Report.--Not later than March 15 each year, 
     the Director shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' 
     Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report 
     on the activities of the Office during the preceding calendar 
     year. Each such report shall include, with respect to that 
     year, the following:
       ``(1) A summary of reviews of individual medical research 
     programs of the Department completed by the Office.
       ``(2) Directives and other communications issued by the 
     Office to field activities of the Department.
       ``(3) Results of any investigations undertaken by the 
     Office during the reporting period consonant with the 
     purposes of this section.

[[Page 29680]]

       ``(4) Other information that would be of interest to those 
     committees in oversight of the Department medical research 
     program.
       ``(g) Medical Research.--For purposes of this section, the 
     term `medical research' means medical research described in 
     section 7303(a)(2) of this title.''.
       (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter 
     is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
     7306 the following new item:

``7307. Office of Research Oversight.''.

       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 7303 is amended by 
     striking subsection (e).

     SEC. 402. ENHANCEMENT OF AUTHORITIES RELATING TO NONPROFIT 
                   RESEARCH CORPORATIONS.

       (a) Coverage of Personnel Under Tort Claims Laws.--(1) 
     Subchapter IV of chapter 73 is amended by inserting after 
     section 7364 the following new section:

     ``Sec. 7364A. Coverage of employees under certain Federal 
       tort claims laws

       ``(a) An employee of a corporation established under this 
     subchapter who is described by subsection (b) shall be 
     considered an employee of the Government, or a medical care 
     employee of the Veterans Health Administration, for purposes 
     of the following provisions of law:
       ``(1) Section 1346(b) of title 28.
       ``(2) Chapter 171 of title 28.
       ``(3) Section 7316 of this title
       ``(b) An employee described in this subsection is an 
     employee who--
       ``(1) has an appointment with the Department, whether with 
     or without compensation;
       ``(2) is directly or indirectly involved or engaged in 
     research or education and training that is approved in 
     accordance with procedures established by the Under Secretary 
     for Health for research or education and training; and
       ``(3) performs such duties under the supervision of 
     Department personnel.''.
       (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter 
     is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
     7364 the following new item:

``7364A. Coverage of employees under certain Federal tort claims 
              laws.''.

       (b) Clarification of Executive Director's Ethics 
     Certification Duties.--Section 7366(c) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(c)'';
       (2) by striking ``any year--'' and all that follows through 
     ``shall be subject'' and inserting ``any year shall be 
     subject'';
       (3) by striking ``functions; and'' and inserting 
     ``functions.''; and
       (4) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
       ``(2) Each corporation established under this subchapter 
     shall each year submit to the Secretary a statement signed by 
     the executive director of the corporation verifying that each 
     director and employee has certified awareness of the laws and 
     regulations referred to in paragraph (1) and of the 
     consequences of violations of those laws and regulations in 
     the same manner as Federal employees are required to so 
     certify.''.
       (c) Five-Year Extension of Authority to Establish Research 
     Corporations.--Section 7368 is amended by striking ``December 
     31, 2003'' and inserting ``December 31, 2008''.

     SEC. 403. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PARTICIPATION IN REVOLVING 
                   SUPPLY FUND PURCHASES.

       (a) Enhancement of Department of Defense Participation.--
     Section 8121 is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections 
     (d) and (e), respectively;
       (2) by designating the last sentence of subsection (a) as 
     subsection (c); and
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (3) of subsection (a) the 
     following new subsection (b):
       ``(b) The Secretary may authorize the Secretary of Defense 
     to make purchases through the fund in the same manner as 
     activities of the Department. When services, equipment, or 
     supplies are furnished to the Secretary of Defense through 
     the fund, the reimbursement required by paragraph (2) of 
     subsection (a) shall be made from appropriations made to the 
     Department of Defense, and when services or supplies are to 
     be furnished to the Department of Defense, the fund may be 
     credited, as provided in paragraph (3) of subsection (a), 
     with advances from appropriations available to the Department 
     of Defense.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply only with respect to funds appropriated for a 
     fiscal year after fiscal year 2003.

     SEC. 404. FIVE-YEAR EXTENSION OF HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR 
                   HOMELESS VETERANS.

       Section 2041(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 
     2003'' and inserting ``December 31, 2008''.

     SEC. 405. REPORT DATE CHANGES.

       (a) Senior Managers Quarterly Report.--Section 516(e)(1)(A) 
     is amended by striking ``30 days'' and inserting ``45 days''.
       (b) Annual Report on Assistance to Homeless Veterans.--
     Section 2065(a) is amended by striking ``April 15 of each 
     year'' and inserting ``June 15 of each year''.
       (c) Annual Report of Committee on Care of Severely 
     Chronically Mentally Ill Veterans.--Section 7321(d)(2) is 
     amended by striking ``February 1, 1998, and February 1 of 
     each of the six following years'' and inserting ``June 1 of 
     each year through 2008''.
       (d) Annual Report on Sharing of Health Care Resources.--
     Section 8153(g) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``not more than 60 days after the end of 
     each fiscal year'' and inserting ``not later than February 1 
     of each year''; and
       (2) by inserting ``during the preceding fiscal year'' after 
     ``under this section''.
       (e) Annual Report of Special Committee on PTSD.--Section 
     110(e)(2) of the Veterans' Health Care Act of 1984 (38 U.S.C. 
     1712A note) is amended by striking ``February 1 of each of 
     the three following years'' and inserting ``May 1 of each 
     year through 2008''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2204. Mr. THOMAS (for Mr. Specter) proposed an amendment to the 
bill S. 1156, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve and 
enhance the provision of health care for veterans, to authorize major 
construction projects and other facilities matters for the Department 
of Veterans Affairs, to enhance and improve authorities relating to the 
administration of personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and 
for other purposes; as follows:

       Amend the title to read as follows: ``A bill to amend title 
     38, United States Code, to improve and enhance provision of 
     health care for veterans, to authorize major construction 
     projects and other facilities matters for the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, to enhance and improve authorities relating 
     to the administration of personnel of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2205. Mr. THOMAS (for Mr. Specter (for himself and Mr. Graham of 
Florida)) proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 2297, To amend title 
38, United Stated Code, to improve benefits under laws administered by 
the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs, and for other purposes; as follows:
       Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
     following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans 
     Benefits Act of 2003''.
       (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.

                       TITLE I--SURVIVOR BENEFITS

Sec. 101. Retention of certain veterans survivor benefits for surviving 
              spouses remarrying after age 57.
Sec. 102. Benefits for children with spina bifida of veterans of 
              certain service in Korea.
Sec. 103. Alternative beneficiaries for National Service Life Insurance 
              and United States Government Life Insurance.
Sec. 104. Payment of benefits accrued and unpaid at time of death.

    TITLE II--BENEFITS FOR FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR AND FOR FILIPINO 
                                VETERANS

                  Subtitle A--Former Prisoners of War

Sec. 201. Presumptions of service-connection relating to diseases and 
              disabilities of former prisoners of war.

                     Subtitle B--Filipino Veterans

Sec. 211. Rate of payment of benefits for certain Filipino veterans and 
              their survivors residing in the United States.
Sec. 212. Burial benefits for new Philippine Scouts residing in the 
              United States.
Sec. 213. Extension of authority to maintain regional office in the 
              Republic of the Philippines.

   TITLE III--EDUCATION BENEFITS, EMPLOYMENT PROVISIONS, AND RELATED 
                                MATTERS

Sec. 301. Expansion of Montgomery GI Bill education benefits for 
              certain self-employment training.
Sec. 302. Increase in rates of survivors' and dependents' educational 
              assistance.
Sec. 303. Restoration of survivors' and dependents' education benefits 
              of individuals being ordered to full-time National Guard 
              duty.
Sec. 304. Rounding down of certain cost-of-living adjustments on 
              educational assistance.
Sec. 305. Authorization for State approving agencies to approve certain 
              entrepreneurship courses.
Sec. 306. Repeal of provisions relating to obsolete education loan 
              program.
Sec. 307. Six-year extension of the Veterans' Advisory Committee on 
              Education.
Sec. 308. Procurement program for small business concerns owned and 
              controlled by service-disabled veterans.
Sec. 309. Outstationing of Transition Assistance Program personnel.

[[Page 29681]]

             TITLE IV--HOUSING BENEFITS AND RELATED MATTERS

Sec. 401. Authorization to provide adapted housing assistance to 
              certain disabled members of the Armed Forces who remain 
              on active duty.
Sec. 402. Increase in amounts for certain adaptive benefits for 
              disabled veterans.
Sec. 403. Permanent authority for housing loans for members of the 
              Selected Reserve.
Sec. 404. Reinstatement of minimum requirements for sale of vendee 
              loans.
Sec. 405. Adjustment to home loan fees.
Sec. 406. One-year extension of procedures on liquidation sales of 
              defaulted home loans guaranteed by the Department of 
              Veterans Affairs.

                        TITLE V--BURIAL BENEFITS

Sec. 501. Burial plot allowance.
Sec. 502. Eligibility of surviving spouses who remarry for burial in 
              national cemeteries.
Sec. 503. Permanent authority for State cemetery grants program.

               TITLE VI--EXPOSURE TO HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

Sec. 601. Radiation Dose Reconstruction Program of Department of 
              Defense.
Sec. 602. Study on disposition of Air Force Health Study.
Sec. 603. Funding of Medical Follow-Up Agency of Institute of Medicine 
              of National Academy of Sciences for epidemiological 
              research on members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

                        TITLE VII--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 701. Time limitations on receipt of claim information pursuant to 
              requests of Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 702. Clarification of applicability of prohibition on assignment 
              of veterans benefits to agreements requiring payment of 
              future receipt of benefits.
Sec. 703. Six-year extension of Advisory Committee on Minority 
              Veterans.
Sec. 704. Temporary authority for performance of medical disabilities 
              examinations by contract physicians.
Sec. 705. Forfeiture of benefits for subversive activities.
Sec. 706. Two-year extension of round-down requirement for compensation 
              cost-of-living adjustments.
Sec. 707. Codification of requirement for expeditious treatment of 
              cases on remand.
Sec. 708. Technical and clerical amendments.

     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 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.

                       TITLE I--SURVIVOR BENEFITS

     SEC. 101. RETENTION OF CERTAIN VETERANS SURVIVOR BENEFITS FOR 
                   SURVIVING SPOUSES REMARRYING AFTER AGE 57.

       (a) Exception to Termination of Benefits Upon Remarriage.--
     Section 103(d)(2)(B) is amended by striking ``The remarriage 
     after age 55'' and inserting ``The remarriage after age 57 of 
     the surviving spouse of a veteran shall not bar the 
     furnishing of benefits specified in paragraph (5) to such 
     person as the surviving spouse of the veteran. 
     Notwithstanding the previous sentence, the remarriage after 
     age 55''.
       (b) Coordination of Benefits.--Section 1311 is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(e) In the case of an individual who is eligible for 
     dependency and indemnity compensation under this section by 
     reason of section 103(d)(2)(B) of this title who is also 
     eligible for benefits under another provision of law by 
     reason of such individual's status as the surviving spouse of 
     a veteran, then, notwithstanding any other provision of law 
     (other than section 5304(b)(3) of this title), no reduction 
     in benefits under such other provision of law shall be made 
     by reason of such individual's eligibility for benefits under 
     this section.''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a) 
     and (b) shall take effect on January 1, 2004.
       (d) Retroactive Benefits Prohibited.--No benefit may be 
     paid to any person by reason of the amendments made by 
     subsections (a) and (b) for any period before the effective 
     date specified in subsection (c).
       (e) Application for Benefits.--In the case of an individual 
     who but for having remarried would be eligible for benefits 
     under title 38, United States Code, by reason of the 
     amendment made by subsection (a) and whose remarriage was 
     before the date of the enactment of this Act and after the 
     individual had attained age 57, the individual shall be 
     eligible for such benefits by reason of such amendment only 
     if the individual submits an application for such benefits to 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs not later than the end of 
     the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.
       (f) Technical Correction.--Section 101(b) of the Veterans 
     Benefits Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-330; 116 Stat. 2821; 38 
     U.S.C. 103 note) is amended by striking ``during the 1-year 
     period'' and all that follows through ``(c)'' and inserting 
     ``before the end of the one-year period beginning on the date 
     of the enactment of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003''.

     SEC. 102. BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPINA BIFIDA OF VETERANS 
                   OF CERTAIN SERVICE IN KOREA.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 18 is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subchapter III, and sections 1821, 
     1822, 1823, and 1824, as subchapter IV, and sections 1831, 
     1832, 1833, and 1834, respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after subchapter II the following new 
     subchapter III:

``SUBCHAPTER III--CHILDREN OF CERTAIN KOREA SERVICE VETERANS BORN WITH 
                              SPINA BIFIDA

     ``Sec. 1821. Benefits for children of certain Korea service 
       veterans born with spina bifida

       ``(a) Benefits Authorized.--The Secretary may provide to 
     any child of a veteran of covered service in Korea who is 
     suffering from spina bifida the health care, vocational 
     training and rehabilitation, and monetary allowance required 
     to be paid to a child of a Vietnam veteran who is suffering 
     from spina bifida under subchapter I of this chapter as if 
     such child of a veteran of covered service in Korea were a 
     child of a Vietnam veteran who is suffering from spina bifida 
     under such subchapter.
       ``(b) Spina Bifida Conditions Covered.--This section 
     applies with respect to all forms and manifestations of spina 
     bifida, except spina bifida occulta.
       ``(c) Veteran of Covered Service in Korea.--For purposes of 
     this section, a veteran of covered service in Korea is any 
     individual, without regard to the characterization of that 
     individual's service, who--
       ``(1) served in the active military, naval, or air service 
     in or near the Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ), as determined 
     by the Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of 
     Defense, during the period beginning on September 1, 1967, 
     and ending on August 31, 1971; and
       ``(2) is determined by the Secretary, in consultation with 
     the Secretary of Defense, to have been exposed to a herbicide 
     agent during such service in or near the Korean demilitarized 
     zone.
       ``(d) Herbicide Agent.--For purposes of this section, the 
     term `herbicide agent' means a chemical in a herbicide used 
     in support of United States and allied military operations in 
     or near the Korean demilitarized zone, as determined by the 
     Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, 
     during the period beginning on September 1, 1967, and ending 
     on August 31, 1971.''.
       (b) Child Defined.--Section 1831, as redesignated by 
     subsection (a) of this section, is amended by striking 
     paragraph (1) and inserting the following new paragraph (1):
       ``(1) The term `child' means the following:
       ``(A) For purposes of subchapters I and II of this chapter, 
     an individual, regardless of age or marital status, who--
       ``(i) is the natural child of a Vietnam veteran; and
       ``(ii) was conceived after the date on which that veteran 
     first entered the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era.
       ``(B) For purposes of subchapter III of this chapter, an 
     individual, regardless of age or marital status, who--
       ``(i) is the natural child of a veteran of covered service 
     in Korea (as determined for purposes of section 1821 of this 
     title); and
       ``(ii) was conceived after the date on which that veteran 
     first entered service described in subsection (c) of that 
     section.''.
       (c) Nonduplication of Benefits.--Subsection (a) of section 
     1834, as redesignated by subsection (a) of this section, is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``In 
     the case of a child eligible for benefits under subchapter I 
     or II of this chapter who is also eligible for benefits under 
     subchapter III of this chapter, a monetary allowance shall be 
     paid under the subchapter of this chapter elected by the 
     child.''.
       (d) Conforming Amendments.--(1) Section 1811(1)(A) is 
     amended by striking ``section 1821(1)'' and inserting 
     ``section 1831(1)''.
       (2) The heading for chapter 18 is amended to read as 
     follows:

  ``CHAPTER 18--BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN OF VIETNAM VETERANS AND CERTAIN 
                           OTHER VETERANS''.

       (e) Clerical Amendments.--(1) The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 18 is amended by striking the items 
     relating to subchapter III and sections 1821, 1822, 1823, and 
     1824 and inserting the following new items:

[[Page 29682]]

``SUBCHAPTER III--CHILDREN OF CERTAIN KOREA SERVICE VETERANS BORN WITH 
                              SPINA BIFIDA

``1821. Benefits for children of certain Korea service veterans born 
              with spina bifida.

                  ``SUBCHAPTER IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS

``1831. Definitions.
``1832. Applicability of certain administrative provisions.
``1833. Treatment of receipt of monetary allowance and other benefits.
``1834. Nonduplication of benefits.''.

       (2) The table of chapters at the beginning of title 38, 
     United States Code, and at the beginning of part II, are each 
     amended by striking the item relating to chapter 18 and 
     inserting the following new item:

``18. Benefits for Children of Vietnam Veterans and Certain Other 
    Veterans................................................1802''.....

     SEC. 103. ALTERNATIVE BENEFICIARIES FOR NATIONAL SERVICE LIFE 
                   INSURANCE AND UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT LIFE 
                   INSURANCE.

       (a) National Service Life Insurance.--Section 1917 is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(f)(1) Following the death of the insured and in a case 
     not covered by subsection (d)--
       ``(A) if the first beneficiary otherwise entitled to 
     payment of the insurance does not make a claim for such 
     payment within two years after the death of the insured, 
     payment may be made to another beneficiary designated by the 
     insured, in the order of precedence as designated by the 
     insured, as if the first beneficiary had predeceased the 
     insured; and
       ``(B) if, within four years after the death of the insured, 
     no claim has been filed by a person designated by the insured 
     as a beneficiary and the Secretary has not received any 
     notice in writing that any such claim will be made, payment 
     may (notwithstanding any other provision of law) be made to 
     such person as may in the judgment of the Secretary be 
     equitably entitled thereto.
       ``(2) Payment of insurance under paragraph (1) shall be a 
     bar to recovery by any other person.''.
       (b) United States Government Life Insurance.--Section 1952 
     is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(c)(1) Following the death of the insured and in a case 
     not covered by section 1950 of this title--
       ``(A) if the first beneficiary otherwise entitled to 
     payment of the insurance does not make a claim for such 
     payment within two years after the death of the insured, 
     payment may be made to another beneficiary designated by the 
     insured, in the order of precedence as designated by the 
     insured, as if the first beneficiary had predeceased the 
     insured; and
       ``(B) if, within four years after the death of the insured, 
     no claim has been filed by a person designated by the insured 
     as a beneficiary and the Secretary has not received any 
     notice in writing that any such claim will be made, payment 
     may (notwithstanding any other provision of law) be made to 
     such person as may in the judgment of the Secretary be 
     equitably entitled thereto.
       ``(2) Payment of insurance under paragraph (1) shall be a 
     bar to recovery by any other person.''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a) 
     and (b) shall take effect on October 1, 2004.
       (d) Transition Provision.--In the case of a person insured 
     under subchapter I or II of chapter 19 of title 38, United 
     States Code, who dies before the effective date of the 
     amendments made by subsections (a) and (b), as specified by 
     subsection (c), the two-year and four-year periods specified 
     in subsection (f)(1) of section 1917 of title 38, United 
     States Code, as added by subsection (a), and subsection 
     (c)(1) of section 1952 of such title, as added by subsection 
     (b), as applicable, shall for purposes of the applicable 
     subsection be treated as being the two-year and four-year 
     periods, respectively, beginning on the effective date of 
     such amendments, as so specified.

     SEC. 104. PAYMENT OF BENEFITS ACCRUED AND UNPAID AT TIME OF 
                   DEATH.

       (a) Repeal of Two-Year Limitation on Payment.--Section 
     5121(a) is amended by striking ``for a period not to exceed 
     two years'' in the matter preceding paragraph (1).
       (b) Payment Recipients for Beneficiaries Under Chapter 
     18.--Such section is further amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (4);
       (2) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new 
     paragraph (5):
       ``(5) Upon the death of a child claiming benefits under 
     chapter 18 of this title, to the surviving parents.''.
       (c) Technical Amendments.--Such section is further 
     amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking the 
     comma after ``or decisions'';
       (2) by striking the semicolon at the end of paragraphs (1), 
     (2), (3), and (4), and at the end of subparagraphs (A) and 
     (B) of paragraph (2), and inserting a period.
       (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a) 
     and (b) shall apply with respect to deaths occurring on or 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act.

    TITLE II--BENEFITS FOR FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR AND FOR FILIPINO 
                                VETERANS

                  Subtitle A--Former Prisoners of War

     SEC. 201. PRESUMPTIONS OF SERVICE-CONNECTION RELATING TO 
                   DISEASES AND DISABILITIES OF FORMER PRISONERS 
                   OF WAR.

       Subsection (b) of section 1112 is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(b)(1) For the purposes of section 1110 of this title and 
     subject to the provisions of section 1113 of this title, in 
     the case of a veteran who is a former prisoner of war--
       ``(A) a disease specified in paragraph (2) which became 
     manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more after active 
     military, naval, or air service shall be considered to have 
     been incurred in or aggravated by such service, 
     notwithstanding that there is no record of such disease 
     during the period of service; and
       ``(B) if the veteran was detained or interned as a prisoner 
     of war for not less than thirty days, a disease specified in 
     paragraph (3) which became manifest to a degree of 10 percent 
     or more after active military, naval, or air service shall be 
     considered to have been incurred in or aggravated by such 
     service, notwithstanding that there is no record of such 
     disease during the period of service.
       ``(2) The diseases specified in this paragraph are the 
     following:
       ``(A) Psychosis.
       ``(B) Any of the anxiety states.
       ``(C) Dysthymic disorder (or depressive neurosis).
       ``(D) Organic residuals of frostbite, if the Secretary 
     determines that the veteran was detained or interned in 
     climatic conditions consistent with the occurrence of 
     frostbite.
       ``(E) Post-traumatic osteoarthritis.
       ``(3) The diseases specified in this paragraph are the 
     following:
       ``(A) Avitaminosis.
       ``(B) Beriberi (including beriberi heart disease).
       ``(C) Chronic dysentery.
       ``(D) Helminthiasis.
       ``(E) Malnutrition (including optic atrophy associated with 
     malnutrition).
       ``(F) Pellagra.
       ``(G) Any other nutritional deficiency.
       ``(H) Cirrhosis of the liver.
       ``(I) Peripheral neuropathy except where directly related 
     to infectious causes.
       ``(J) Irritable bowel syndrome.
       ``(K) Peptic ulcer disease.''.

                     Subtitle B--Filipino Veterans

     SEC. 211. RATE OF PAYMENT OF BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN FILIPINO 
                   VETERANS AND THEIR SURVIVORS RESIDING IN THE 
                   UNITED STATES.

       (a) Rate of Payment.--Section 107 is amended--
       (1) in the second sentence of subsection (b), by striking 
     ``Payments'' and inserting ``Except as provided in subsection 
     (c), payments''; and
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) by inserting ``and subchapter II of chapter 13 (except 
     section 1312(a)) of this title'' after ``chapter 11 of this 
     title'';
       (B) by striking ``in subsection (a)'' and inserting ``in 
     subsection (a) or (b)''; and
       (C) by striking ``of subsection (a)'' and inserting ``of 
     the applicable subsection''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply to benefits paid for months beginning after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 212. BURIAL BENEFITS FOR NEW PHILIPPINE SCOUTS RESIDING 
                   IN THE UNITED STATES.

       (a) Benefit Eligibility.--Section 107, as amended by 
     section 211 of this Act, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(2)--
       (A) by striking ``and'' and inserting a comma; and
       (B) by inserting ``, 23, and 24 (to the extent provided for 
     in section 2402(8))'' after ``(except section 1312(a))'';
       (2) in the second sentence of subsection (b), as so 
     amended, by inserting ``or (d)'' after ``subsection (c)'';
       (3) in subsection (d)(1), by inserting ``or (b), as 
     otherwise applicable,'' after ``subsection (a)''; and
       (4) in subsection (d)(2), by inserting ``or whose service 
     is described in subsection (b) and who dies after the date of 
     the enactment of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003,'' after 
     ``November 1, 2000,''.
       (b) National Cemetery Interment.--Section 2402(8) is 
     amended by striking ``section 107(a)'' and inserting 
     ``subsection (a) or (b) of section 107''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply with respect to deaths occurring on or after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 213. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO MAINTAIN REGIONAL OFFICE 
                   IN THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.

       Section 315(b) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2003'' 
     and inserting ``December 31, 2009''.

[[Page 29683]]



   TITLE III--EDUCATION BENEFITS, EMPLOYMENT PROVISIONS, AND RELATED 
                                MATTERS

     SEC. 301. EXPANSION OF MONTGOMERY GI BILL EDUCATION BENEFITS 
                   FOR CERTAIN SELF-EMPLOYMENT TRAINING.

        (a) Definition of Training Establishment.--Section 3452(e) 
     is amended by striking ``means any'' and all that follows and 
     inserting ``means any of the following:
       ``(1) An establishment providing apprentice or other on-job 
     training, including those under the supervision of a college 
     or university or any State department of education.
       ``(2) An establishment providing self-employment on-job 
     training consisting of full- time training for a period of 
     less than six months that is needed or accepted for purposes 
     of obtaining licensure to engage in a self-employment 
     occupation or required for ownership and operation of a 
     franchise that is the objective of the training.
       ``(3) A State board of vocational education.
       ``(4) A Federal or State apprenticeship registration 
     agency.
       ``(5) A joint apprenticeship committee established pursuant 
     to the Act of August 16, 1937, popularly known as the 
     `National Apprenticeship Act' (29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.).
       ``(6) An agency of the Federal Government authorized to 
     supervise such training.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on the date that is six months after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply to self-
     employment on-job training approved and pursued on or after 
     that date.

     SEC. 302. INCREASE IN RATES OF SURVIVORS' AND DEPENDENTS' 
                   EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.

       (a) Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance.--
     Section 3532 is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``at the monthly rate 
     of'' and all that follows and inserting ``at the monthly rate 
     of $788 for full-time, $592 for three-quarter-time, or $394 
     for half-time pursuit.''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``at the rate of'' and 
     all that follows and inserting ``at the rate of the lesser 
     of--
       ``(A) the established charges for tuition and fees that the 
     educational institution involved requires similarly 
     circumstanced nonveterans enrolled in the same program to 
     pay; or
       ``(B) $788 per month for a full-time course.'';
       (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``$670'' and inserting 
     ``$788''; and
       (3) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``shall be'' and all 
     that follows and inserting ``shall be $636 for full-time, 
     $477 for three-quarter-time, or $319 for half-time 
     pursuit.''.
       (b) Correspondence Courses.--Section 3534(b) is amended by 
     striking ``$670'' and inserting ``$788''.
       (c) Special Restorative Training.--Section 3542(a) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``$670'' and inserting ``$788''; and
       (2) by striking ``$210'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``$247''.
       (d) Apprenticeship Training.--Section 3687(b)(2) is amended 
     by striking ``shall be $488 for the first six months'' and 
     all that follows and inserting ``shall be $574 for the first 
     six months, $429 for the second six months, $285 for the 
     third six months, and $144 for the fourth and any succeeding 
     six-month period of training.''.
       (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on July 1, 2004, and shall apply with 
     respect to educational assistance allowances payable under 
     chapter 35 and section 3687(b)(2) of title 38, United States 
     Code, for months beginning on or after that date.

     SEC. 303. RESTORATION OF SURVIVORS' AND DEPENDENTS' EDUCATION 
                   BENEFITS OF INDIVIDUALS BEING ORDERED TO FULL-
                   TIME NATIONAL GUARD DUTY.

       (a) Delimiting Date.--Section 3512(h) is amended by 
     inserting ``or is involuntarily ordered to full-time National 
     Guard duty under section 502(f) of title 32,'' after ``title 
     10,''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect as of September 11, 2001.

     SEC. 304. ROUNDING DOWN OF CERTAIN COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENTS 
                   ON EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.

       (a) Basic Educational Assistance Under Montgomery GI 
     Bill.--Section 3015(h) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively;
       (2) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(h)'';
       (3) by striking ``(rounded to the nearest dollar)'';
       (4) in subparagraph (B), as so redesignated, by striking 
     ``paragraph (1)'' and inserting ``subparagraph (A)''; and
       (5) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) Any increase under paragraph (1) in a rate with 
     respect to a fiscal year after fiscal year 2004 and before 
     fiscal year 2014 shall be rounded down to the next lower 
     whole dollar amount. Any such increase with respect to a 
     fiscal year after fiscal year 2013 shall be rounded to the 
     nearest whole dollar amount.''.
       (b) Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance.--
     Section 3564 is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``With'';
       (2) by striking ``(rounded to the nearest dollar)''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(b) Any increase under subsection (a) in a rate with 
     respect to a fiscal year after fiscal year 2004 and before 
     fiscal year 2014 shall be rounded down to the next lower 
     whole dollar amount. Any such increase with respect to a 
     fiscal year after fiscal year 2013 shall be rounded to the 
     nearest whole dollar amount.''.

     SEC. 305. AUTHORIZATION FOR STATE APPROVING AGENCIES TO 
                   APPROVE CERTAIN ENTREPRENEURSHIP COURSES.

       (a) Approval of Entrepreneurship Courses.--Section 3675 is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(c)(1) A State approving agency may approve the 
     entrepreneurship courses offered by a qualified provider of 
     entrepreneurship courses.
       ``(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term 
     `entrepreneurship course' means a non-degree, non-credit 
     course of business education that enables or assists a person 
     to start or enhance a small business concern (as defined 
     pursuant to section 3(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
     632(a))).
       ``(3) Subsection (a) and paragraphs (1) and (2) of 
     subsection (b) shall not apply to--
       ``(A) an entrepreneurship course offered by a qualified 
     provider of entrepreneurship courses; and
       ``(B) a qualified provider of entrepreneurship courses by 
     reason of such provider offering one or more entrepreneurship 
     courses.''.
       (b) Business Owners Not Treated as Already Qualified.--
     Section 3471 is amended by inserting before the last sentence 
     the following: ``The Secretary shall not treat a person as 
     already qualified for the objective of a program of education 
     offered by a qualified provider of entrepreneurship courses 
     solely because such person is the owner or operator of a 
     business.''.
       (c) Inclusion of Entrepreneurship Courses in Definition of 
     Program of Education.--Subsection (b) of section 3452 is 
     amended by adding at the end the following: ``Such term also 
     includes any course, or combination of courses, offered by a 
     qualified provider of entrepreneurship courses.''.
       (d) Inclusion of Qualified Provider of Entrepreneurship 
     Courses in Definition of Educational Institution.--Subsection 
     (c) of section 3452 is amended by adding at the end the 
     following: ``Such term also includes any qualified provider 
     of entrepreneurship courses.''.
       (e) Definition of Qualified Provider of Entrepreneurship 
     Courses.--Section 3452 is further amended by adding at the 
     end the following new subsection:
       ``(h) The term `qualified provider of entrepreneurship 
     courses' means any of the following entities insofar as such 
     entity offers, sponsors, or cosponsors an entrepreneurship 
     course (as defined in section 3675(c)(2) of this title):
       ``(1) Any small business development center described in 
     section 21 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648).
       ``(2) The National Veterans Business Development 
     Corporation (established under section 33 of the Small 
     Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657c)).''.
       (f) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply to courses approved by State approving agencies 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 306. REPEAL OF PROVISIONS RELATING TO OBSOLETE EDUCATION 
                   LOAN PROGRAM.

       (a) Termination of Program.--The Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs may not make a loan under subchapter III of chapter 
     36 of title 38, United States Code, after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.
       (b) Discharge of Liabilities.--Effective as of the date of 
     the transfer of funds under subsection (c)--
       (1) any liability on an education loan under subchapter III 
     of chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code, that is 
     outstanding as of such date shall be deemed discharged; and
       (2) the right of the United States to recover an 
     overpayment declared under section 3698(e)(1) of such title 
     that is outstanding as of such date shall be deemed waived.
       (c) Termination of Loan Fund.--(1) Effective as of the day 
     before the date of the repeal under this section of 
     subchapter III of chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code, 
     all monies in the revolving fund of the Treasury known as the 
     ``Department of Veterans Affairs Education Loan Fund'' shall 
     be transferred to the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     Readjustment Benefits Account, and the revolving fund shall 
     be closed.
       (2) Any monies transferred to the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs Readjustment Benefits Account under paragraph (1) 
     shall be merged with amounts in that account and shall be 
     available for the same purposes, and subject to the same 
     conditions and limitations, as amounts in that account.
       (d) Use of Entitlement to Veterans Educational Assistance 
     for Education Loan Program.--Section 3462(a) is amended by 
     striking paragraph (2).
       (e) Repeal of Education Loan Program.--Subchapter III of 
     chapter 36 is repealed.

[[Page 29684]]

       (f) Conforming Amendments.--(1) Section 3485(e)(1) is 
     amended by striking ``(other than an education loan under 
     subchapter III)''.
       (2) Section 3512 is amended by striking subsection (f).
       (g) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 36 is amended by striking the items 
     relating to subchapter III and sections 3698 and 3699.
       (h) Effective Dates.--(1) The amendments made by subsection 
     (d) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this 
     Act.
       (2) The amendments made by subsections (e), (f), and (g) 
     shall take effect 90 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.

     SEC. 307. SIX-YEAR EXTENSION OF THE VETERANS' ADVISORY 
                   COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION.

       (a) Membership.--Subsection (a) of section 3692 is amended 
     in the second sentence by inserting ``, to the maximum extent 
     practicable,'' after ``The committee shall also''.
       (b) Extension.--Subsection (c) of that section is amended 
     by striking ``December 31, 2003'' and inserting ``December 
     31, 2009''.
       (c) Technical Amendments.--That section is further 
     amended--
       (1) in subsections (a) and (b), by striking ``chapter 106'' 
     each place it appears and inserting ``chapter 1606''; and
       (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``chapter 30'' and 
     inserting ``chapters 30''.

     SEC. 308. PROCUREMENT PROGRAM FOR SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS 
                   OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY SERVICE-DISABLED 
                   VETERANS.

       The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended 
     by redesignating section 36 as section 37 and by inserting 
     after section 35 the following new section:

     ``SEC. 36. PROCUREMENT PROGRAM FOR SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS 
                   OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY SERVICE-DISABLED 
                   VETERANS.

       ``(a) Sole Source Contracts.--In accordance with this 
     section, a contracting officer may award a sole source 
     contract to any small business concern owned and controlled 
     by service-disabled veterans if--
       ``(1) such concern is determined to be a responsible 
     contractor with respect to performance of such contract 
     opportunity and the contracting officer does not have a 
     reasonable expectation that 2 or more small business concerns 
     owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans will submit 
     offers for the contracting opportunity;
       ``(2) the anticipated award price of the contract 
     (including options) will not exceed--
       ``(A) $5,000,000, in the case of a contract opportunity 
     assigned a standard industrial classification code for 
     manufacturing; or
       ``(B) $3,000,000, in the case of any other contract 
     opportunity; and
       ``(3) in the estimation of the contracting officer, the 
     contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable price.
       ``(b) Restricted Competition.--In accordance with this 
     section, a contracting officer may award contracts on the 
     basis of competition restricted to small business concerns 
     owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans if the 
     contracting officer has a reasonable expectation that not 
     less than 2 small business concerns owned and controlled by 
     service-disabled veterans will submit offers and that the 
     award can be made at a fair market price.
       ``(c) Relationship to Other Contracting Preferences.--A 
     procurement may not be made from a source on the basis of a 
     preference provided under subsection (a) or (b) if the 
     procurement would otherwise be made from a different source 
     under section 4124 or 4125 of title 18, United States Code, 
     or the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act (41 U.S.C. 46 et seq.).
       ``(d) Enforcement; Penalties.--Rules similar to the rules 
     of paragraphs (5) and (6) of section 8(m) shall apply for 
     purposes of this section.
       ``(e) Contracting Officer.--For purposes of this section, 
     the term `contracting officer' has the meaning given such 
     term in section 27(f)(5) of the Office of Federal Procurement 
     Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 423(f)(5)).''.

     SEC. 309. OUTSTATIONING OF TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 
                   PERSONNEL.

       (a) In General.--(1) Chapter 41 is amended by adding at the 
     end the following new section:

     ``Sec. 4113. Outstationing of Transition Assistance Program 
       personnel

       ``(a) Stationing of TAP Personnel at Overseas Military 
     Installations.--(1) The Secretary--
       ``(A) shall station employees of the Veterans' Employment 
     and Training Service, or contractors under subsection (c), at 
     each veterans assistance office described in paragraph (2); 
     and
       ``(B) may station such employees or contractors at such 
     other military installations outside the United States as the 
     Secretary, after consultation with the Secretary of Defense, 
     determines to be appropriate or desirable to carry out the 
     purposes of this chapter.
       ``(2) Veterans assistance offices referred to in paragraph 
     (1)(A) are those offices that are established by the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs on military installations 
     pursuant to the second sentence of section 7723(a) of this 
     title.
       ``(b) Functions.--Employees (or contractors) stationed at 
     military installations pursuant to subsection (a) shall 
     provide, in person, counseling, assistance in identifying 
     employment and training opportunities, help in obtaining such 
     employment and training, and other related information and 
     services to members of the Armed Forces who are being 
     separated from active duty, and the spouses of such members, 
     under the Transition Assistance Program and Disabled 
     Transition Assistance Program established in section 1144 of 
     title 10.
       ``(c) Authority to Contract With Private Entities.--The 
     Secretary, consistent with section 1144 of title 10, may 
     enter into contracts with public or private entities to 
     provide, in person, some or all of the counseling, 
     assistance, information and services under the Transition 
     Assistance Program required under subsection (a).''.
       (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter 
     is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``4113. Outstationing of Transition Assistance Program personnel.''.

       (b) Deadline for Implementation.--Not later than 90 days 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
     Labor shall implement section 4113 of title 38, United States 
     Code, as added by subsection (a), and shall have employees of 
     the Veterans' Employment and Training Service, or 
     contractors, to carry out that section at the military 
     installations involved by such date.
       (c) Additional Amendment.--(1) The second sentence of 
     section 7723(a) is amended by inserting ``and taking into 
     account recommendations, if any, of the Secretary of Labor'' 
     after ``Secretary of Defense''
       (2) The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply with 
     respect to offices established after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.

             TITLE IV--HOUSING BENEFITS AND RELATED MATTERS

     SEC. 401. AUTHORIZATION TO PROVIDE ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE 
                   TO CERTAIN DISABLED MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES 
                   WHO REMAIN ON ACTIVE DUTY.

       Section 2101 is amended by adding at the end the following 
     new subsection:
       ``(c)(1) The Secretary may provide assistance under 
     subsection (a) to a member of the Armed Forces serving on 
     active duty who is suffering from a disability described in 
     paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of that subsection if such 
     disability is the result of an injury incurred or disease 
     contracted in or aggravated in line of duty in the active 
     military, naval, or air service. Such assistance shall be 
     provided to the same extent as assistance is provided under 
     that subsection to veterans eligible for assistance under 
     that subsection and subject to the requirements of the second 
     sentence of that subsection.
       ``(2) The Secretary may provide assistance under subsection 
     (b) to a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty 
     who is suffering from a disability described in subparagraph 
     (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) of that subsection if such 
     disability is the result of an injury incurred or disease 
     contracted in or aggravated in line of duty in the active 
     military, naval, or air service. Such assistance shall be 
     provided to the same extent as assistance is provided under 
     that subsection to veterans eligible for assistance under 
     that subsection and subject to the requirements of paragraph 
     (2) of that subsection.''.

     SEC. 402. INCREASE IN AMOUNTS FOR CERTAIN ADAPTIVE BENEFITS 
                   FOR DISABLED VETERANS.

       (a) Increase in Assistance Amount for Specially Adapted 
     Housing.--Section 2102 is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) of subsection 
     (a), by striking ``$48,000'' and inserting ``$50,000''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``$9,250'' and 
     inserting ``$10,000''.
       (b) Increase in Amount of Assistance for Automobile and 
     Adaptive Equipment for Certain Disabled Veterans.--Section 
     3902(a) is amended by striking ``$9,000'' and inserting 
     ``$11,000''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a) 
     and (b) shall apply with respect to assistance furnished on 
     or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 403. PERMANENT AUTHORITY FOR HOUSING LOANS FOR MEMBERS 
                   OF THE SELECTED RESERVE.

       Section 3702(a)(2)(E) is amended by striking ``For the 
     period'' and all that follows through ``each'' and inserting 
     ``Each''.

     SEC. 404. REINSTATEMENT OF MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR SALE OF 
                   VENDEE LOANS.

       (a) Reinstatement.--Subsection (a) of section 3733 is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(7) During the period that begins on the date of the 
     enactment of the Veterans' Benefits Act of 2003 and ends on 
     September 30, 2013, the Secretary shall carry out the 
     provisions of this subsection as if--
       ``(A) the references in the first sentence of paragraph (1) 
     to `65 percent' and `may be financed' were references to `85 
     percent' and `shall be financed', respectively;
       ``(B) the second sentence of paragraph (1) were repealed; 
     and
       ``(C) the reference in paragraph (2) to `September 30, 
     1990,' were a reference to `September 30, 2013,'.''.
       (b) Stylistic Amendments.--Such section is further 
     amended--

[[Page 29685]]

       (1) by striking ``of this subsection'' after--
       (A) ``paragraph (1)'' in subsections (a)(4)(A), (a)(5), 
     (a)(6), and (c)(2); and
       (B) ``paragraph (5)'' in subsection (a)(4)(B)(i); and
       (2) by striking ``of this paragraph'' each place it appears 
     in subsection (a)(4).

     SEC. 405. ADJUSTMENT TO HOME LOAN FEES.

       Effective January 1, 2004, paragraph (2) of section 3729(b) 
     is amended to read as follows:
       ``(2) The loan fee table referred to in paragraph (1) is as 
     follows:

                                                ``LOAN FEE TABLE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Active duty                    Other
                             Type of loan                                  veteran      Reservist      obligor
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A)(i) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or                2.00          2.75            NA
 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 before
 January 1, 2004).....................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A)(ii) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or               2.20          2.40            NA
 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, 2004, and before October 1, 2004)...................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A)(iii) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or              2.15          2.40            NA
 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 October 1, 2011)...................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A)(iv) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or               1.40          1.65            NA
 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, 2011)...............................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B)(i) Subsequent loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or             3.00          3.00            NA
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or any other subsequent loan
 described in section 3710(a) (closed before January 1, 2004).........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B)(ii) Subsequent loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or            3.30          3.30            NA
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or any other subsequent loan
 described in section 3710(a) (closed on or after January 1, 2004, and
 before October 1, 2011)..............................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B)(iii) Subsequent loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or           2.15          2.15            NA
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or any other subsequent loan
 described in section 3710(a) (closed on or after October 1, 2011 and
 before October 1, 2013)..............................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B)(iv) Subsequent loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or            1.25          1.25            NA
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or any other subsequent loan
 described in section 3710(a) (closed on or after October 1, 2013)....
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(C)(i) Loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or construct a            1.50          1.75            NA
 dwelling with 5-down (closed before October 1, 2011).................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(C)(ii) Loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or construct a           0.75          1.00            NA
 dwelling with 5-down (closed on or after October 1, 2011)............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(D)(i) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or                1.25          1.50            NA
 construct a dwelling with 10-down (closed before October 1, 2011)....
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(D)(ii) Initial loan described in section 3710(a) to purchase or               0.50          0.75            NA
 construct a dwelling with 10-down (closed on or after October 1,
 2011)................................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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 (other than an interest          1.00          1.00            NA
 rate reduction refinancing loan).....................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(H) Loan to Native American veteran under section 3762 (other than an          1.25          1.25            NA
 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. 406. ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF PROCEDURES ON LIQUIDATION 
                   SALES OF DEFAULTED HOME LOANS GUARANTEED BY THE 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       Section 3732(c)(11) is amended by striking ``October 1, 
     2011'' and inserting ``October 1, 2012''.

                        TITLE V--BURIAL BENEFITS

     SEC. 501. BURIAL PLOT ALLOWANCE.

       (a) In General.--Section 2303(b) is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``a 
     burial allowance under such section 2302, or under such 
     subsection, who was discharged from the active military, 
     naval, or air service for a disability incurred or aggravated 
     in line of duty, or who is a veteran of any war'' and 
     inserting ``burial in a national cemetery under section 2402 
     of this title''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(other than a veteran 
     whose eligibility for benefits under this subsection is based 
     on being a veteran of any war)'' and inserting ``is eligible 
     for a burial allowance under section 2302 of this title or 
     under subsection (a) of this section, or was discharged from 
     the active military, naval, or air service for a disability 
     incurred or aggravated in line of duty, and such veteran''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 2307 is amended in the 
     last sentence by striking ``and (b)'' and inserting ``and 
     (b)(2)''.

     SEC. 502. ELIGIBILITY OF SURVIVING SPOUSES WHO REMARRY FOR 
                   BURIAL IN NATIONAL CEMETERIES.

       (a) Eligibility.--Section 2402(5) is amended by striking 
     ``(which for purposes of this chapter includes an unremarried 
     surviving spouse who had a subsequent remarriage which was 
     terminated by death or divorce)'' and inserting ``(which for 
     purposes of this chapter includes a surviving spouse who had 
     a subsequent remarriage)''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to deaths occurring on or after 
     January 1, 2000.

     SEC. 503. PERMANENT AUTHORITY FOR STATE CEMETERY GRANTS 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) Permanent Authority.--Subsection (a) of section 2408 is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``(1)''; and
       (2) by striking paragraph (2).
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (e) of such section 
     is amended by striking ``Sums appropriated under subsection 
     (a) of this section'' and inserting ``Amounts appropriated to 
     carry out this section''.
       (c) Technical Amendment to Repeal Obsolete Provision.--
     Subsection (d)(1) of such section is amended by striking ``on 
     or after November 21, 1997,''.

               TITLE VI--EXPOSURE TO HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

     SEC. 601. RADIATION DOSE RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT 
                   OF DEFENSE.

       (a) Review of Mission, Procedures, and Administration.--(1) 
     The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of 
     Defense shall jointly conduct a review of the mission, 
     procedures, and administration of the Radiation Dose 
     Reconstruction Program of the Department of Defense.
       (2) In conducting the review under paragraph (1), the 
     Secretaries shall--
       (A) determine whether any additional actions are required 
     to ensure that the quality assurance and quality control 
     mechanisms of the Radiation Dose Reconstruction Program are 
     adequate and sufficient for purposes of the program; and
       (B) determine the actions that are required to ensure that 
     the mechanisms of the Radiation Dose Reconstruction Program 
     for communication and interaction with veterans are adequate 
     and sufficient for purposes of the program, including 
     mechanisms to permit veterans to review the assumptions 
     utilized in their dose reconstructions.
       (3) Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act, the Secretaries shall jointly submit to Congress 
     a report on the review under paragraph (1). The report shall 
     set forth--

[[Page 29686]]

       (A) the results of the review;
       (B) a plan for any actions determined to be required under 
     paragraph (2); and
       (C) such other recommendations for the improvement of the 
     mission, procedures, and administration of the Radiation Dose 
     Reconstruction Program as the Secretaries jointly consider 
     appropriate.
       (b) On-Going Review and Oversight.--The Secretaries shall 
     jointly take appropriate actions to ensure the on-going 
     independent review and oversight of the Radiation Dose 
     Reconstruction Program, including the establishment of the 
     advisory board required by subsection (c).
       (c) Advisory Board.--(1) In taking actions under subsection 
     (b), the Secretaries shall jointly appoint an advisory board 
     to provide review and oversight of the Radiation Dose 
     Reconstruction Program.
       (2) The advisory board under paragraph (1) shall be 
     composed of the following:
       (A) At least one expert in historical dose reconstruction 
     of the type conducted under the Radiation Dose Reconstruction 
     Program.
       (B) At least one expert in radiation health matters.
       (C) At least one expert in risk communications matters.
       (D) A representative of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (E) A representative of the Defense Threat Reduction 
     Agency.
       (F) At least three veterans, including at least one veteran 
     who is a member of an atomic veterans group.
       (3) The advisory board under paragraph (1) shall--
       (A) conduct periodic, random audits of dose reconstructions 
     under the Radiation Dose Reconstruction Program and of 
     decisions by the Department of Veterans Affairs on claims for 
     service connection of radiogenic diseases;
       (B) assist the Department of Veterans Affairs and the 
     Defense Threat Reduction Agency in communicating to veterans 
     information on the mission, procedures, and evidentiary 
     requirements of the Radiation Dose Reconstruction Program; 
     and
       (C) carry out such other activities with respect to the 
     review and oversight of the Radiation Dose Reconstruction 
     Program as the Secretaries shall jointly specify.
       (4) The advisory board under paragraph (1) may make such 
     recommendations on modifications in the mission or procedures 
     of the Radiation Dose Reconstruction Program as the advisory 
     board considers appropriate as a result of the audits 
     conducted under paragraph (3)(A).

     SEC. 602. STUDY ON DISPOSITION OF AIR FORCE HEALTH STUDY.

       (a) Study Required.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall, in accordance with this section, carry out a study to 
     determine the appropriate disposition of the Air Force Health 
     Study, an epidemiologic study of Air Force personnel who were 
     responsible for conducting aerial spray missions of 
     herbicides during the Vietnam era.
       (b) Study Through National Academy of Sciences.--Not later 
     than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary shall seek to enter into an agreement with the 
     National Academy of Sciences, or another appropriate 
     scientific organization, to carry out the study required by 
     subsection (a).
       (c) Elements.--Under the study under subsection (a), the 
     National Academy of Sciences, or other appropriate scientific 
     organization, shall address the following:
       (1) The scientific merit of retaining and maintaining the 
     medical records, other study data, and laboratory specimens 
     collected in the course of the Air Force Health Study after 
     the currently-scheduled termination date of the study in 
     2006.
       (2) Whether or not any obstacles exist to retaining and 
     maintaining the medical records, other study data, and 
     laboratory specimens referred to in paragraph (1), including 
     privacy concerns.
       (3) The advisability of providing independent oversight of 
     the medical records, other study data, and laboratory 
     specimens referred to in paragraph (1), and of any further 
     study of such records, data, and specimens, and, if so, the 
     mechanism for providing such oversight.
       (4) The advisability of extending the Air Force Health 
     Study, including the potential value and relevance of 
     extending the study, the potential cost of extending the 
     study, and the Federal or non-Federal entity best suited to 
     continue the study if extended.
       (5) The advisability of making the laboratory specimens of 
     the Air Force Health Study available for independent 
     research, including the potential value and relevance of such 
     research, and the potential cost of such research.
       (d) Report.--Not later than 120 days after entering into an 
     agreement under subsection (b), the National Academy of 
     Sciences, or other appropriate scientific organization, shall 
     submit to the Secretary and Congress a report on the results 
     of the study under subsection (a). The report shall include 
     the results of the study, including the matters addressed 
     under subsection (c), and such other recommendations as the 
     Academy, or other appropriate scientific organization, 
     considers appropriate as a result of the study.

     SEC. 603. FUNDING OF MEDICAL FOLLOW-UP AGENCY OF INSTITUTE OF 
                   MEDICINE OF NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES FOR 
                   EPIDEMIOLOGICAL RESEARCH ON MEMBERS OF THE 
                   ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS.

       (a) Funding.--(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the 
     Secretary of Defense shall each make available to the 
     National Academy of Sciences in each of fiscal years 2004 
     through 2013 the amount of $250,000 for the Medical Follow-Up 
     Agency of the Institute of Medicine of the Academy for 
     purposes of epidemiological research on members of the Armed 
     Forces and veterans.
       (2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make available 
     amounts under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year from amounts 
     available for the Department of Veterans Affairs for that 
     fiscal year.
       (3) The Secretary of Defense shall make available amounts 
     under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year from amounts available 
     for the Department of Defense for that fiscal year.
       (b) Use of Funds.--The Medical Follow-Up Agency shall use 
     funds made available under subsection (a) for epidemiological 
     research on members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
       (c) Supplement Not Supplant.--Amounts made available to the 
     Medical Follow-Up Agency under this section for a fiscal year 
     for the purposes referred to in subsection (b) are in 
     addition to any other amount made available to the Agency for 
     that fiscal year for those purposes.

                        TITLE VII--OTHER MATTERS

     SEC. 701. TIME LIMITATIONS ON RECEIPT OF CLAIM INFORMATION 
                   PURSUANT TO REQUESTS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS.

       (a) Information to Complete Claims Applications.--Section 
     5102 is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(c) Time Limitation.--(1) If information that a claimant 
     and the claimant's representative, if any, are notified under 
     subsection (b) is necessary to complete an application is not 
     received by the Secretary within one year from the date such 
     notice is sent, no benefit may be paid or furnished by reason 
     of the claimant's application.
       ``(2) This subsection shall not apply to any application or 
     claim for Government life insurance benefits.''.
       (b) Construction of Limitation on Information to 
     Substantiate Claims.--Section 5103(b) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``if such'' and all that 
     follows through ``application'' and inserting ``such 
     information or evidence must be received by the Secretary 
     within one year from the date such notice is sent''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(3) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed to 
     prohibit the Secretary from making a decision on a claim 
     before the expiration of the period referred to in that 
     subsection.''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect as if enacted on November 9, 2000, 
     immediately after the enactment of the Veterans Claims 
     Assistance Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-475; 114 Stat. 2096).
       (d) Procedures for Readjudication of Certain Claims.--(1) 
     The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall readjudicate a claim 
     of a qualified claimant if the request for such 
     readjudication is received not later than the end of the one-
     year period that begins on the date of the enactment of this 
     Act.
       (2) For purposes of this subsection, a claimant is 
     qualified within the meaning of paragraph (1) if the 
     claimant--
       (A) received notice under section 5103(a) of title 38, 
     United States Code, requesting information or evidence to 
     substantiate a claim;
       (B) did not submit such information or evidence within a 
     year after the date such notice was sent;
       (C) did not file a timely appeal to the Board of Veterans' 
     Appeals or the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans 
     Claims; and
       (D) submits such information or evidence during the one-
     year period referred to in paragraph (1).
       (3) If the decision of the Secretary on a readjudication 
     under this subsection is in favor of the qualified claimant, 
     the award of the grant shall take effect as if the prior 
     decision by the Secretary on the claim had not been made.
       (4) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to 
     establish a duty on the part of the Secretary to identify or 
     readjudicate any claim that--
       (A) is not submitted during the one-year period referred to 
     in paragraph (1); or
       (B) has been the subject of a timely appeal to the Board of 
     Veterans' Appeals or the United States Court of Appeals for 
     Veterans Claims.
       (e) Construction on Providing Renotification.--Nothing in 
     this section, or the amendments made by this section, shall 
     be construed to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs--
       (1) to provide notice under section 5103(a) of such title 
     with respect to a claim insofar as the Secretary has 
     previously provided such notice; or
       (2) to provide for a special notice with respect to this 
     section and the amendments made by this section.

[[Page 29687]]



     SEC. 702. CLARIFICATION OF APPLICABILITY OF PROHIBITION ON 
                   ASSIGNMENT OF VETERANS BENEFITS TO AGREEMENTS 
                   REQUIRING PAYMENT OF FUTURE RECEIPT OF 
                   BENEFITS.

       Section 5301(a) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(a)'';
       (2) by designating the last sentence as paragraph (2); and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(3)(A) This paragraph is intended to clarify that, in any 
     case where a beneficiary entitled to compensation, pension, 
     or dependency and indemnity compensation enters into an 
     agreement with another person under which agreement such 
     other person acquires for consideration the right to receive 
     such benefit by payment of such compensation, pension, or 
     dependency and indemnity compensation, as the case may be, 
     except as provided in subparagraph (B), and including deposit 
     into a joint account from which such other person may make 
     withdrawals, or otherwise, such agreement shall be deemed to 
     be an assignment and is prohibited.
       ``(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), nothing in this 
     paragraph is intended to prohibit a loan involving a 
     beneficiary under the terms of which the beneficiary may use 
     the benefit to repay such other person as long as each of the 
     periodic payments made to repay such other person is 
     separately and voluntarily executed by the beneficiary or is 
     made by preauthorized electronic funds transfer pursuant to 
     the Electronic Funds Transfers Act (15 U.S.C. 1693 et seq.).
       ``(C) Any agreement or arrangement for collateral for 
     security for an agreement that is prohibited under 
     subparagraph (A) is also prohibited and is void from its 
     inception.''.

     SEC. 703. SIX-YEAR EXTENSION OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON 
                   MINORITY VETERANS.

       Section 544(e) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2003'' 
     and inserting ``December 31, 2009''.

     SEC. 704. TEMPORARY AUTHORITY FOR PERFORMANCE OF MEDICAL 
                   DISABILITIES EXAMINATIONS BY CONTRACT 
                   PHYSICIANS.

       (a) Authority.--Using appropriated funds, other than funds 
     available for compensation and pension, the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs may provide for the conduct of examinations 
     with respect to the medical disabilities of applicants for 
     benefits under laws administered by the Secretary by persons 
     other than Department of Veterans Affairs employees. The 
     authority under this section is in addition to the authority 
     provided in section 504(b) of the Veterans' Benefits 
     Improvement Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-275; 38 U.S.C. 5101 
     note).
       (b) Performance by Contract.--Examinations under the 
     authority provided in subsection (a) shall be conducted 
     pursuant to contracts entered into and administered by the 
     Under Secretary for Benefits.
       (c) Expiration.--The authority in subsection (a) shall 
     expire on December 31, 2009. No examination may be carried 
     out under the authority provided in that subsection after 
     that date.
       (d) Report.--Not later than four years after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 
     Congress a report on the use of the authority provided in 
     subsection (a). The Secretary shall include in the report an 
     assessment of the effect of examinations under that authority 
     on the cost, timeliness, and thoroughness of examinations 
     with respect to the medical disabilities of applicants for 
     benefits under laws administered by the Secretary.

     SEC. 705. FORFEITURE OF BENEFITS FOR SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES.

       (a) Addition of Certain Offenses.--Paragraph (2) of section 
     6105(b) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``175, 229,'' after ``sections''; and
       (2) by inserting ``831, 1091, 2332a, 2332b,'' after 
     ``798,''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply to claims filed after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act.

     SEC. 706. TWO-YEAR EXTENSION OF ROUND-DOWN REQUIREMENT FOR 
                   COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENTS.

       Sections 1104(a) and 1303(a) are each amended by striking 
     ``2011'' and inserting ``2013''.

     SEC. 707. CODIFICATION OF REQUIREMENT FOR EXPEDITIOUS 
                   TREATMENT OF CASES ON REMAND.

       (a) Cases Remanded by Board of Veterans' Appeals.--(1) 
     Chapter 51 is amended by adding at the end of subchapter I 
     the following new section:

     ``Sec. 5109B. Expedited treatment of remanded claims

       ``The Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary 
     to provide for the expeditious treatment by the appropriate 
     regional office of the Veterans Benefits Administration of 
     any claim that is remanded to a regional office of the 
     Veterans Benefits Administration by the Board of Veterans' 
     Appeals.''.
       (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter 
     is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
     5109A the following new item:

``5109B. Expedited treatment of remanded claims.''.

       (b) Cases Remanded by Court of Appeals for Veterans 
     Claims.--(1) Chapter 71 is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 7112. Expedited treatment of remanded claims

       ``The Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary 
     to provide for the expeditious treatment by the Board of any 
     claim that is remanded to the Secretary by the Court of 
     Appeals for Veterans Claims.''.
       (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter 
     is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``7112. Expedited treatment of remanded claims.''.

       (c) Repeal of Source Section.--Section 302 of the Veterans' 
     Benefits Improvement Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-446; 108 
     Stat. 4658; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is repealed.

     SEC. 708. TECHNICAL AND CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Miscellaneous Amendments.--(1) Section 103(d) is 
     amended--
       (A) in paragraph (4)--
       (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``this subsection'' and inserting ``paragraph (2)(A) or 
     (3)''; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``paragraph (2)'' and 
     inserting ``paragraph (2)(A)''; and
       (B) in paragraph (5), by striking ``Paragraphs (2)'' and 
     inserting ``Paragraphs (2)(A)''.
       (2) Section 1729A is amended--
       (A) in subsection (b), by striking ``after June 30, 1997,'' 
     in the matter preceding paragraph (1);
       (B) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (3);
       (C) by striking subsection (e); and
       (D) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (e).
       (3) Section 1804(c)(2) is amended by striking 
     ``subsection'' and inserting ``section''.
       (4) Section 1974(a)(5) is amended by striking ``Secretary 
     of Transportation'' and inserting ``Secretary of Homeland 
     Security''.
       (b) Amendments Relating to the Jobs for Veterans Act.--
     (1)(A) Subsection (c)(2)(B)(ii) of section 4102A is amended 
     by striking ``October 1, 2002'' and inserting ``October 1, 
     2003''.
       (B) The amendment made by subparagraph (A) shall take 
     effect as if included in the enactment of section 4(a) of the 
     Jobs for Veterans Act (Public Law 107-288; 116 Stat. 2038).
       (2) Subsection (f)(1) of section 4102A is amended by 
     striking ``6 months after the date of the enactment of this 
     section,'' and inserting ``May 7, 2003,''.
       (c) Amendments Relating to the Establishment of Social 
     Security Administration as an Independent Agency.--(1) 
     Section 1322 is amended--
       (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``Secretary of Health 
     and Human Services'' and all that follows through the period 
     and inserting ``Commissioner of Social Security, and shall be 
     certified by the Commissioner to the Secretary upon request 
     of the Secretary.''; and
       (B) in subsection (b)--
       (i) by striking ``Secretary of Health and Human Services'' 
     in the first sentence and inserting ``Commissioner of Social 
     Security'';
       (ii) by striking ``the two Secretaries'' and inserting 
     ``the Secretary and the Commissioner''; and
       (iii) by striking ``Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services'' in the second sentence and inserting 
     ``Commissioner''.
       (2) Section 5101(a) is amended by striking ``Secretary of 
     Health and Human Services'' and inserting ``Commissioner of 
     Social Security''.
       (3) Section 5317 is amended by striking ``Secretary of 
     Health and Human Services'' in subsections (a), (b), and (g) 
     and inserting ``Commissioner of Social Security''.
       (4)(A) Section 5318 is amended--
       (i) in subsection (a), by striking ``Department of Health 
     and Human Services'' and inserting ``Social Security 
     Administration''; and
       (ii) in subsection (b)--
       (I) by striking ``Department of Health and Human Services'' 
     and inserting ``Social Security Administration'';
       (II) by striking ``Secretary of Health and Human Services'' 
     the first place it appears and inserting ``Commissioner of 
     Social Security'';
       (III) by striking ``Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services'' the second place it appears and inserting 
     ``Commissioner''; and
       (IV) by striking ``such Secretaries'' and inserting ``the 
     Secretary and the Commissioner''.
       (B)(i) The heading of such section is amended to read as 
     follows:

     ``Sec. 5318. Review of Social Security Administration death 
       information''.

       (ii) The item relating to that section in the table of 
     sections at the beginning at chapter 53 is amended to read as 
     follows:

``5318. Review of Social Security Administration death information.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2206. Mr. SPECTER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by him to the bill S. 671, to amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of 
the

[[Page 29688]]

United States to modify temporarily certain rates of duty, to make 
other technical amendments to the trade laws, and for other purposes; 
which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 137, between lines 3 and 4, insert the following:

     SEC. 1421. TEMPORARY DUTY REDUCTIONS FOR CERTAIN COTTON 
                   SHIRTING FABRIC.

       (a) Certain Cotton Shirting Fabrics.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter II of chapter 99 is amended by 
     inserting in numerical sequence the following new headings:

       

``      9902.52.08       Woven fabrics of    Free           No change       No change       On or before 12/
                          cotton, all the                                                    31/2005
                          foregoing
                          certified by the
                          importer as
                          suitable for use
                          in making men's
                          and boys' shirts
                          and as imported
                          by or for the
                          benefit of a
                          manufacturer of
                          men's and boys'
                          shirts, subject
                          to the quantity
                          limitations
                          contained in
                          general note 18
                          of this
                          subchapter
                          (provided for in
                          section
                          204(b)(3)(B)(i)(I
                          II) of the Andean
                          Trade Preference
                          Act (19 U.S.C.
                          3203)).
        9902.52.09       Woven fabrics of    Free           No change       No change       On or before 12/
                          cotton, all the                                                    31/2005          ''
                          foregoing                                                                            .
                          certified by the
                          importer as
                          containing 100
                          percent pima
                          cotton grown in
                          the United
                          States, as
                          suitable for use
                          in making men's
                          and boys' shirts,
                          and as imported
                          by or for the
                          benefit of a
                          manufacturer of
                          men's and boys'
                          shirts (provided
                          for in section
                          204(b)(3)(B)(i)(I
                          II) of the Andean
                          Trade Preference
                          Act (19 U.S.C.
                          3203)).

       (2) Definitions and limitation on quantity of imports.--The 
     U.S. Notes to chapter 99 are amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``17. For purposes of subheadings 9902.52.08 and 
     9902.52.09, the term `making' means cutting and sewing in the 
     United States, and the term `manufacturer' means a person or 
     entity that cuts and sews in the United States.
       ``18. The aggregate quantity of cotton fabrics entered 
     under subheading 9902.52.08 from January 1 to December 31 of 
     each year, inclusive, by or on behalf of each manufacturer of 
     men's and boys' shirts shall be limited to 85 percent of the 
     total square meter equivalents of all imported cotton woven 
     fabric used by such manufacturer in cutting and sewing men's 
     and boys' cotton shirts in the United States and purchased by 
     such manufacturer during calendar year 2000.''.
       (b) Determination of Tariff-Rate Quotas.--
       (1) Authority to issue licenses and license use.--To 
     implement the limitation on the quantity of imports of cotton 
     woven fabrics under subheading 9902.52.08 of the Harmonized 
     Tariff Schedule of the United States, as required by U.S. 
     Note 18 to subchapter II of chapter 99 of such Schedule, for 
     the entry, or withdrawal from warehouse for consumption, the 
     Secretary of Commerce shall issue licenses designating 
     eligible manufacturers and the annual quantity restrictions 
     under each such license. A licensee may assign the authority 
     (in whole or in part) to import fabric under subheading 
     9902.52.08 of such Schedule.
       (2) Licenses under u.s. note 18.--For purposes of U.S. Note 
     18 to subchapter II of chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff 
     Schedule of the United States, as added by subsection (a)(2), 
     a license shall be issued within 60 days of an application 
     containing a notarized affidavit from an officer of the 
     manufacturer that the manufacturer is eligible to receive a 
     license and stating the quantity of imported cotton woven 
     fabric purchased during calendar year 2000 for use in the 
     cutting and sewing men's and boys' shirts in the United 
     States.
       (3) Affidavits.--For purposes of an affidavit described in 
     this subsection, the date of purchase shall be--
       (A) the invoice date if the manufacturer is not the 
     importer of record; and
       (B) the date of entry if the manufacturer is the importer 
     of record.

       On page 263, between lines 11 and 12, insert the following:

     SEC. 2007. COTTON TRUST FUND.

       (a) In General.--There is established in the Treasury of 
     the United States a trust fund to be known as the ``Pima 
     Cotton Trust Fund'', consisting of $32,000,000 transferred to 
     the Pima Cotton Trust Fund from funds in the general fund of 
     the Treasury.
       (b) Grants.--
       (1) General purpose.--From amounts in the Pima Cotton Trust 
     Fund, the Secretary of Commerce is authorized to provide 
     grants to spinners of United States grown pima cotton, 
     manufacturers of men's and boys' cotton shirting, and a 
     nationally recognized association that promotes the use of 
     pima cotton grown in the United States, to assist such 
     spinners and manufacturers in maximizing United States 
     employment in the production of textile or apparel products 
     and to increase the promotion of the use of United States 
     grown pima cotton respectively.
       (2) Timing for grant awards.--The Secretary of the Treasury 
     shall, not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of 
     this section, establish guidelines for the application and 
     awarding of the grants described in paragraph (1), and shall 
     award such grants to qualified applicants not later than 180 
     days after the date of enactment of this section. Each grant 
     awarded under this section shall be distributed to the 
     qualified applicant in 2 equal annual installments.
       (3) Distribution of funds.--Of the amounts in the Pima 
     Cotton Trust Fund--
       (A) $8,000,000 shall be made available to a nationally 
     recognized association established for the promotion of pima 
     cotton grown in the United States for the use in textile and 
     apparel goods;
       (B) $8,000,000 shall be made available to yarn spinners of 
     pima cotton grown in the United States, and shall be 
     allocated to each spinner based on the percentage of the 
     spinner's production of ring spun cotton yarns, measuring 
     less than 83.33 decitex (exceeding 120 metric number), from 
     pima cotton grown in the United States in single and plied 
     form during calendar year 2002 (as evidenced by an affidavit 
     provided by the spinner), compared to the production of such 
     yarns for all spinners who qualify under this subparagraph; 
     and
       (C) $16,000,000 shall be made available to manufacturers 
     who cut and sew cotton shirts in the United States and that 
     certify that they used imported cotton fabric during the 
     period January 1, 1998, through July 1, 2003, and shall be 
     allocated to each manufacturer on the bases of the dollar 
     value (excluding duty, shipping, and related costs) of 
     imported woven cotton shirting fabric of 80s or higher count 
     and 2-ply in warp purchased by the manufacturer during 
     calendar year 2002 (as evidenced by an affidavit from the 
     manufacturer) used in the manufacturing of men's and boys' 
     cotton shirts, compared to the dollar value (excluding duty, 
     shipping, and related costs) of such fabric for all 
     manufacturers who qualify under this subparagraph.
       (4) Affidavit of shirting manufacturers.--For purposes of 
     paragraph (3)(D), an officer of the manufacturer of men's and 
     boys' shirts shall provide a notarized affidavit affirming--
       (A) that the manufacturer used imported cotton fabric 
     during the period January 1, 1998, through July 1, 2003, to 
     cut and sew men's and boys' woven cotton shirts in the United 
     States;
       (B) the dollar value of imported woven cotton shirting 
     fabric of 80s or higher count and 2-ply in warp purchased 
     during calendar year 2002;
       (C) that the manufacturer maintains invoices along with 
     other supporting documentation (such as price lists and other 
     technical descriptions of the fabric qualities) showing the 
     dollar value of such fabric purchased, the date of purchase, 
     and evidencing the fabric as woven cotton fabric of 80s or 
     higher count and 2-ply in warp; and
       (D) that the fabric was suitable for use in the 
     manufacturing of men's and boys' cotton shirts.
       (5) Date of purchase.--For purposes of the affidavit 
     required by paragraph (4), the date of purchase shall be the 
     invoice date, and the dollar value shall be determined 
     excluding duty, shipping, and related costs.
       (6) Affidavit of yarn spinners.--For purposes of paragraph 
     (3)(B), an officer of a company that produces ringspun yarns 
     shall provide a notarized affidavit affirming--
       (A) that the manufacturer used pima cotton grown in the 
     United States during the period January 1, 2002, through 
     December 31, 2002, to produce ring spun cotton yarns, 
     measuring less than 83.33 decitex (exceeding 120 metric 
     number), in single and plied form during 2002;
       (B) the quantity, measured in pounds, of ring spun cotton 
     yarns, measuring less than 83.33 decitex (exceeding 120 
     metric number), in single and plied form during calendar year 
     2002; and
       (C) that the manufacturer maintains supporting 
     documentation showing the quantity of such yarns produced, 
     and evidencing the yarns as ring spun cotton yarns, measuring 
     less than 83.33 decitex (exceeding 120 metric number), in 
     single and plied form during calendar year 2002.
       (7) No appeal.--Any grant awarded by the Secretary under 
     this section shall be final and not subject to appeal or 
     protest.
       (c) Authorization.--There are authorized to be 
     appropriated, and are appropriated out of the amounts in the 
     general fund of the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such 
     sums as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
     section, including funds necessary for the administration and 
     oversight of the grants provided for in this section.

[[Page 29689]]



                          ____________________